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    Rafael's Kitchen

    4.6 (514 reviews)
    Closed 7:00 am - 9:00 pm
    Updated a few days ago

    Order Rafael's Kitchen Takeout or Delivery

    Rafael's Kitchen Photos

    Business Info

    RAFAEL'S KITCHEN ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Outdoor seating
    Good for groups

    Recommended Reviews - Rafael's Kitchen

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    Sarah G.

    I love this little spot! the music is always a vibe, the staff is always super friendly. It's a little hidden gem in my eyes! Kenya was so sweet and attentive with the service and recommendations. the drinks were so yummy too! a must visit.

    Mark D.

    Has became a tradition for my wife and I to come here on Sundays after car events and church. Service is always great! Exceptional service today with Isabella!!!!! If you haven't been here, you are missing out!

    Santa Ana burrito
    Ashley U.

    Favorite place to get breakfast in south coast metro area. Always get the Santa Ana burrito and an iced latte. Love that it's both a restaurant and coffee shop so you can just stop by for a coffee. The coffee flavors change seasonally and my favorite was a blueberry one. Service is great they are always so nice and food comes out fast. Coffee can get backed up sometimes. They have a patio and on a sunny day it's so nice to sit out there to enjoy the good weather. Only complaint is that parking can be a little difficult since the validation never seems so work in the lot across the street. Will have to try the lot behind that you pay for.

    Vegan Avocado toast (v)
    Juan R.

    Not a fan of their breakfast menu. Salad dressing on avocado toast was a big turn off especially since the arugula was wilted. The salmon bagel was average. The strawberry match was subpar. Decided to try them out given we love the pizza and have been a fan for years.

    Brunch
    Nicole M.

    Amazing food and drinks. Perfect place to spend a Saturday morning. I love the neighborhood vibe and gourmet food. Ari always takes great care of us. She is friendly and helpful, a gem in the staff. Love this place any day of the week.

    Blueberry Pancake Latte

    I've been to Rafael's at least a dozen times and will keep coming back for more. Delicious food, great atmosphere, and friendly attentive staff. Isabella helped us out to today and was quick to check in with us and make sure we had everything we needed. PS - don't skip the seasonal lattes or the hot honey pizza!

    Chicken piccata, spicy vodka, calamari
    Rose H.

    What a cute little casual lunch spot! I love a sit down that's laid back and this spot is exactly that. We sat outside for a couple of hours in their comfy couches and had a delicious meal. I got the chicken piccata (12/10) and my friend had the spicy vodka (9/10). I just wish the spicy vodka was more spicy. Calamari was also delicious ! It's very affordable for a sit down lunch place, pasta dish was $20? And came with delicious garlic bread. My ube matcha was also really yummy and I love that it's connected to Mad Coffee. Parking is validated in the area across the street, just know your plate!

    Sausage, onion, cheese Omelette. Breakfast potatoes. Sourdough toast. Belgium waffle
    Kevin O.

    We had the chocolate chip pancake combo as well as an omelette and Belgium waffle. The omelette and eggs were cooked very nicely. I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of toppings in the omelette. It was large and very filling. The breakfast potatoes were undercooked unfortunately on both dishes. They had potential. The Belgium waffle was below average. Usually Belgium waffles are light, fluffy, and a little crispy on the edges. This waffle was very dense, chewy, and heavy. The flavor was okay, however I wouldn't order it again. I tasted the pancakes as well and it almost had the same heavy texture. I wonder if they use the same batter. Lastly, the butter was served almost frozen. You can't spread it on anything. Our total bill for 2 people after tip was $100. I can't say I think it's worth it. The staff was nice and it was a nice day to sit outside for breakfast, but the food is about as average you can get for breakfast. A decent spot to stop and grab a coffee but I'd limit it to that.

    Adrian L.

    Ordered on the kiosk which was smooth and got my food in like 10-15 min. I got the Santa Ana burrito w/ sausage & bacon and the Belgian Waffle Combo (keyword lol). Got home ready to eat and realized they only gave me the waffle and burrito, no eggs or bacon that come with the combo. Had to call back just to get the rest of what I already paid for. Isaac handled it well, apologized and threw in a pastry so props to him, but it shouldn't have got to that point. Food was good but the prices hit different when you're not getting everything you ordered lol. Burrito is $18 before any add-ons, I added bacon which brought it to $20, and the waffle ended up at $30 after adding Nutella, fruit and choc chips -- each add-on is $3 btw. The wild part is they charge $3 for chocolate chips, same price as banana or strawberries. It was like 10 choc chips I get charging more for add-ons such as the fruit but that one was a stretch. Overall the food was solid but they gotta work on sending out complete orders. Good customer service though, respectful and helpful.

    Hannah W.

    The owners are very nice! The prices are reasonable too with everything raining between $16-$20. Lots of seatings and very delicious food. Authentic Egyptian food

    Austin E.

    My first experience at Kitchen Rafael, was phenomenal, the service was great, the food was finger licking good. The atmosphere, music made a memorable experience. I was stuck between two entree's that both sounded just as good. I was fortunate that my waitress was Claudia, she helped me decide in minutes which entree I would love. On top of that Claudia made the experience so great, im coming back to bring my other for a great experience. Oh the Tiramisu Latte is 10/10 would order twice and take one home too! Thank you again Claudia, for the amazing first experience.

    Avocado Toast with poached egg and a roasty toasty latte
    Sasha T.

    Easily one of the best spots I've visited while traveling for work. I'm always on the hunt for coffee shops but was greeted with such great service by Ari that I decided to sit down and have breakfast. I was checked on frequently but never felt rushed. The avocado toast is amazinggggg. I sat on the patio since it was still early and hadn't gotten too hot. Shout out to whoever picked their playlist, and the volume is perfect. And the coffee! I got the Roasty Toasty Latte to drink with breakfast which had great marshmallow flavor but wasn't too sweet.

    Alexis G.

    My family and I love coming to Rafael's for brunch. The food is always so yummy along with their beverages from mad coffee. The mango coconut matcha was so delicious. A special thank you to Isabella for her friendly service! We can't wait to be back.

    Patio

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    Business owner information

    Photo of Ashley H.

    Ashley H.

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    2 years ago

    Great food, coffee and service! Nice patio seating. Very happy to find a nice local spot for breakfast!

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    2 years ago

    Found this gem while I was driving in OC. The service was great, food even better. Nice place to enjoy lunch or dinner on the patio.

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    2 years ago

    Delicious food, attentive staff and gorgeous interior. HIGHLY recommend. Will definitely be back

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    2 years ago

    Very delicious foods and really gentle servers with good manners. No parking issues at all and really enjoyed my brunch.

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    2 years ago

    Food and service were incredible. Little tough to find with google maps, but other than that we had a great experience.

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    2 years ago

    Love the management transformation to Lilian and Shawn. Looking to forward to coming back to try the baklava latte

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    1 year ago

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    2 years ago

    Fantastic food. Lots of coffee options. Great prices. Service was prompt and friendly. First time here and will definitely return.

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    2 years ago

    Food was great. Staff were very friendly. Had the Baclava coffee which was excellent.

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    2 years ago

    Amazing food and the BEST coffee!!! Ran by a great family who really care about their customers

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    2 years ago

    Wow what a wonderful change. Great food! excellent service and love their Chai coffee!

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    Rafael's Kitchen Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Rafael's Kitchen

    Should I make a reservation?

    No! No reservations needed

    What lot do you validate parking for?

    Yes we do

    Is bottomless mimosas all day?

    Yes all day everyday

    Is there a bar with tvs?

    It's more of a café situation with a coffee bar inside. They serve mimosas at brunch and wine, I think.

    Is there bottomless mimosas?

    YES! I think it's about $22 for bottomless mimosas! My fave food items are the eggs benedict, waffle and buffalo wings. :)

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Antonello Ristorante

    Antonello Ristorante

    4.3
    (989 reviews)
    1.4 mi
    $$$

    We were in a group of 7. We made reservations a few hours prior and were ecstatic they were able to…read moreaccommodate our large group. Restaurant was very cozy and romantic. Entrance/host lobby area is a little snug. We were sat at a large round table. They had kids menus for my girls. We ordered Pellegrino and a bottle of wine. Table bread and a delicious pesto butter was given to the table. I'm not a pesto gal, but boy, I'll tell ya. That butter was delectable. We ordered a caprese salad and a beef carpaccio to start. The caprese was really nice and refreshing. Served with arugula on top. They also added I think fried crispy capers on top omg. So good. The carpaccio was. DELICIOUS! Thinly sliced beef, fresh parmigiana, topped with arugula and capers. Probably one of the best I've had. For entrees, my girls both ordered the hello kitty pasta with bolognese sauce, husband ordered fettuccini bolognese, brothers ordered porcini risotto, linguini vongole, and mamas lasagna. I ordered rigatoni with vodka sauce. Everyone enjoyed their dinners. They brought out the giant cheese block for my brother's risotto!! My pasta with vodka sauce was very good. I could've sworn on the description that it was served table side, but it wasn't =0(. Dessert was something else. We shared the cheesecake and tiramisu. Top notch. Service was immaculate. Our server was present without being too overbearing. Our waters were filled and wine glasses stayed full. Very accommodating to our children. Definitely recommend for any occasion.

    I made a reservation at Antonello to celebrate my Dad's birthday. I am in awe of the hospitality…read moreand would highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for an event space. I made the reservation a couple weeks out, I mentioned we had an infant with us and they recommended booking one of the rooms they had. The catalog they provided showed really great room options and we chose one that was private with beautiful paintings around us. We ordered the lamb chops, the special cheese block pasta, calamari, etc. Honestly, everything was so good there wasn't anything I wouldn't recommend. I would suggest adding a protein to the famous cheese block though. We also ordered one of every dessert and were very happy with everything. The food came out timely, the room was cozy and great photo op opportunity, and the servers were so attendant. Overall, would come back again for an event.

    Photos
    Grilled Salmon with Calabrese sauce
    Grilled Salmon with Calabrese sauce
    Antonello Salad
    Antonello Salad
    Antonello Salad

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    Antonello Salad
    Bari Pasta & Pizza

    Bari Pasta & Pizza

    4.2
    (971 reviews)
    3.5 mi
    $$

    This place is discount friendly for Chapman students. I was able to get a handful of discounts from…read morethis location. I was able to get my food in a short period of time. I'm glad that this place doesn't take their customers'orders too long. The food here tastes like the meals from Zito's pizza in the Orange Circle. This place is kind of small and I don't mind it. The workers are kind and I even asked if I could get a bag so that I could give my pizza bunnies to my younger brother. My brother absolutely loves the taste of the pizza bunnies I offered him. I'm also excited to be going to the Fullerton location shortly after that location opens. I can't wait to try out the food there next to the Barnes and Nobles.

    We typically order from Bari at least twice a month if not more. It's really our go to for…read moregatherings, pasta nights, and have referred to so many friends. We placed a catering order for a birthday celebration. One dish, pasta primavera, is described as "angel hair, broccoli, carrots, tomatoes, zucchini, basil, olive oil, garlic. This dish we have ordered many many times, specifically because we have people with tomato acidity concerns. This dish came doused in marinara sauce. When we called Bari, they claimed it's because we ordered a side of meatballs. The meatball was a side dish! Why would you change our entire order for a side dish? What if my order was fettuccine Alfredo with a side of meatballs?! Also maybe call us to explain? Bari offered a $25 store credit. Would you order again if a restaurant handles your food order as such, never acknowledging the error? So no I don't want a store credit. We asked for a credit card chargeback, they denied it. We asked for the credit in cash, denied. Basically said too bad take it or leave it. Look. The dish was made wrong. I'm not even requesting a full refund on a $150 order. We accepted a tiny $25 for a totally wrong dish. You can't just pull $25 out of your pocket to fix the error? Oh and they blamed that it was our fault to not deal with it the day of. When we had 100+ people at the event. Not cool guys.

    Photos
    Counter
    Counter
    Pizza Skulls (4) Heart Shaped mozzarella cheese hearts
    Pizza Skulls (4) Heart Shaped mozzarella cheese hearts
    Pizza skulls

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    Pizza skulls
    INI Ristorante

    INI Ristorante

    4.5
    (4k reviews)
    5.5 mi

    I've been to INI at least 5+ times now, including once for my bday, so I think it's overdue for a…read morereview. INI is hands down my favorite restaurant... ever, and that is saying something. From the friendly, attentive service to the aesthetic interior to the creative food taste profiles and presentation, everything is chef's kiss! A few of my favorite dishes include: - Beef carpaccio - a must try that melts in your mouth! I didn't expect to love the taste of apple and raw beef together, but somehow this works. I add tiny apple slices to sandwiches now lol - Spicy miso carbonara - Savory and creamy. I have a low spice tolerance but this was not that spicy for me - Truffle funghi pizza - great for lovers of truffle, mushroom, and arugula - Truffle cheese bread - also a melt in your mouth sensation. 10/10 cheese pull I also tried the summer menu and I loved the mixed beet salad (refreshing) and crab roe spaghetti. Parking is abundant, restrooms are nice, and the ambiance is perfect for every occasion day to night. Overall I will keep coming back here!

    Thankfully I came on a Friday at 4pm so we got seated immediately. The atmosphere was giving…read moreupscale brunch vibes and I loved it. Would definitely recommend the fries since they give a hugeee portion. They were very crispy and had a lot of Parmesan. They kind of made the pastas look small lol. The spicy miso carbonara was quite spicy but creamy and delicious. The squid ink uni pasta was more watery but still tasted delicious. The uni was fresh. The salmon Crudo was great and the sauce had a very light refreshing taste. Would definitely recommend coming here!

    Photos
    Pork Tomahawk (dinner only). Part of our new Summer Menu.
    Pork Tomahawk (dinner only). Part of our new Summer Menu.
    Miso Glazed Black Cod (dinner only). Part of our new Summer Menu.
    Miso Glazed Black Cod (dinner only). Part of our new Summer Menu.
    Matcha Tiramisu. Part of our new Summer Menu.

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    Matcha Tiramisu. Part of our new Summer Menu.
    Storico Spaghetteria

    Storico Spaghetteria

    4.1
    (546 reviews)
    3.9 mi
    $$

    pasta always feels like one of those things you can make at home just as well as the restaurant but…read morestorico proves me wrong. their vodka pasta (with pork) was loved by me as well as everyone else at my table and is complemented by some wine on the side. the restaurant can be a little noisy and cramped, hopefully you can get the table in the side room or some outside seating. however maybe skip the italian soda, the flavor is verrryyy subtle unless you're down to just have sparkling water

    Dined here last night with my nephew who was visiting from Tucson. The food was utterly amazing…read more Talk about a varied menu, the only challenging thing was deciding what to order! We started with the Coccoli Prosciutto e Stracchino (make sure to ask for a side of olive oil to dip the dough dumplings in!)...OMG! Truly Heaven sent - paired with a glass of their house cab (PW Rosso). And when you thought it couldn't get any better, my nephew and I split the full-size Genovese Ziti entree. The freshly made ziti was extra long, cooked to perfection; the simmered beef and onions, simply melted in your mouth!! As far as service, the Hostess did wonderful job finding us a table in the full house there. I had called too late to get a reservation, but she recommended to simply walk in and see what's what... we were seated within 10 minutes despite the line. She was an absolute professional pro and, while I unfortunately didn't get her name, our waiter, Israel, took over from there. He was so pleasant, excited but low-key... seemed so happy to be a part of the Team there and wonderfully attentive, timely as well as patient in answering our many questions. All in all, it was a true 5-Star dining experience in a wonderful atmosphere. We were blessed enough to get a table outside where it was much quieter. Noisy inside? Let's just say people were all having a really awesome time with many various celebrations being enjoyed. A TRULY SPECIAL PLACE for any kind of taste!!

    Photos
    Storico Spaghetteria
    Vongole (linguine w/red sauce) Full: $30
    Vongole (linguine w/red sauce) Full: $30
    Wine Sampler

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    Wine Sampler
    Maggiano's Little Italy

    Maggiano's Little Italy

    3.9
    (4k reviews)
    1.2 mi
    $$

    I've been to dinners in the private room at Maggianos for a wedding and Christmas event. The…read moreservers were busy working the small room both times. The food was good for a large party. The open bar was nice. Recently I had food catered for 35 people. The food was ready on time and the portions were sufficient. The restaurant helped me order the right amount and the right items within the budget.

    We had an amazing experience celebrating a birthday! We chose the Family Style experience, and it…read morewas absolutely worth it. It included two salads, our choice of two appetizers, four entrées, and desserts--plenty of delicious food for everyone to enjoy. Our server, Soorin, was phenomenal. She was friendly, attentive, knowledgeable, and made sure everything came out perfectly throughout the evening. Her excellent service really elevated the entire experience. The atmosphere was exactly what you'd hope for from an Italian restaurant--warm, cozy, and dimly lit, creating the perfect ambiance. Even with two large birthday parties celebrating nearby, the restaurant maintained such a positive, lively, and welcoming energy without ever feeling overwhelming. Our entrées included the Spaghetti & Meatballs, Fettuccine Alfredo with Chicken, Shrimp Fra Diavolo, and Lasagna, and every dish was flavorful, fresh, and generously portioned. For dessert, we shared the Tiramisu, Cheesecake, and Chocolate Cake. The chocolate cake was especially memorable--it's incredibly rich, so come prepared to share! From the outstanding service to the delicious food and inviting atmosphere, everything made for a wonderful celebration. We left full, happy, and already talking about coming back. I would absolutely recommend Maggiano's to anyone looking for a great Italian meal or a place to celebrate a special occasion!

    Photos
    Inside dining area - very welcoming and warm.
    Inside dining area - very welcoming and warm.
    Vera's Lemon Cookies
    Vera's Lemon Cookies
    Interior middle

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    Interior middle
    Tutto  Fresco

    Tutto Fresco

    4.2
    (812 reviews)
    4.7 mi
    $$

    I had never been to a Tutto Fresco before, so I wasn't expecting the stand-up, place your order,…read moretake your number, get your drink, & seat yourself dealio. These places always remind me of Sizzler... Very nostalgic, nice & casual. Staff greeted us & offered a menu right away. I got the truffle shrimp pasta, but since I'm not a fan of sun-dried tomatoes, I asked & they were able to leave those off, thankfully. We got ourselves situated, & a server brought us a basket of bread pretty quickly. Soon after, entrées were delivered, & grated cheese was sprinkled upon request. The pasta and bread were hot, steamy and delicious. I would definitely go back to try other things. I love that the food was great, they were accommodating (as far as my 'no sun-dried tomatoes' request goes) & parking was abundant.

    I love this place... have been coming to this location and the one in orange and both locations…read morehave delicious dishes. It's mainly Italian but you do have other variations. The hubby's favorite and he will not change it ever, is the chipotle chicken pasta. I've tried many, the steak salad, omg so good! The parmigiana chicken sandwich, the tomato bisque soup are my favorite, but they also have a healthy squash spaghetti entree that I go to when wanting to go lighter. It really covers anything you're looking for. It never disappoints...oh and don't forget the bread to start, super soft and yummy!

    Photos
    DECIRATIONS
    DECIRATIONS
    Tiramisu
    Tiramisu
    Pesto chicken pasta

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    Pesto chicken pasta
    Roman Cucina

    Roman Cucina

    4.4
    (2.2k reviews)
    12.5 mi
    $$

    Had a great meal!! Our waiter was super friendly, welcoming, and very informative about the menu…read moreand customization options. We loved being able to get a combo of the sausage and meatball mozzarella appetizer to try both. The mix of mozzarella, Parmesan, and ricotta paired nicely with the meats. The Rosa pasta was creamy and flavorful, though the pasta was slightly overcooked for our preference. The Pasta Gianni had a well-balanced oil-based sauce, and the shrimp and mushrooms added great flavor. Generous portions, great service, and plenty of menu options. We'll definitely be back to try more dishes.

    This place is a hidden gem of the city. It's a small hole in the way that opens at 5 pm daily and…read morecan have a wait-list. Here are the cons of this place: 1. Small spacing Pros: 1. It's very intimate, great for a date 2. The menu has a little of everything. 3. The staff is knowledgeable and can tell you what they recommend as in if anything you usually gets changes from ingredients to how it's made. 4. They got a killer offer on week days. **Tuesdays: Half off pasta on the second order! Look try this place out. Impress your partner. Pro move: leave your card with the server without them knowing so the bill is paid before they try to fight you to pay the bill. I always getting the fettuccine Alfredo with chicken but my wife won't budge from their lasagna.

    Photos
    Interior
    Interior
    Shrimp Scampi7t
    Shrimp Scampi7t
    Raspberry Martini

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    Raspberry Martini

    Rafael's Kitchen - breakfast_brunch - Updated July 2026

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