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230 Forest Avenue

4.2 (1.1k reviews)
Open • 11:00 am - 8:30 pm

230 Forest Avenue Photos

Business Info

230 FOREST AVENUE ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Trendy
Moderate noise
Good for kids
Happy hour specials

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Recommended Reviews - 230 Forest Avenue

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Lamb Chops - very good!
Maddison H.

Went for a date night last night and we enjoyed our dinner! We've been passing this place forever but hadn't had a chance to try it! Nice atmosphere, it feels slightly upscale but still relaxed. Good service! Food: I got the lamp chop salad- VERY good! The lamb was cooked *perfectly* and was very flavorful. It was pretty fatty, but I think that leant to the good flavor and juiciness. It wasn't a massive meal, but I was full after finishing it. My husband got the shrimp pasta and that was VERY good! He scraped his plate clean and raved about it. We split the artichoke appetizer- this I wouldn't get again. It was good in the beginning and the dipping sauce was yummy, but as you ate the artichoke the seasoning and butter/oil ran out and it became gradually less flavorful and more tough. Not to say it was bad, we've just had better. Ultimately the 4/5 is mostly for pricing, it isn't cheap, but given the location the price is pretty comparable to other restaurants in the area. We'll definitely go back!

Half salmon salad
Mary Ann P.

Cute little bistro on the Forest avenue surrounded by lots of shopping and galleries. Unfortunately Laguna Beach is in the middle of removing tons of trees in the middle of the street so there is absolutely no view at this time. It is supposed to be finished early June. The food and service are both great. We started with the whipped ricotta with toast and honey and almonds and it was delicious we shared the salmon salad. It was definitely plenty for two. We were celebrating a birthday and they made sure to bring us a delicious ice cream sundae Would really like to return in the summer for an evening meal

Arya R.

Very cute dinner date spot in downtown Laguna. We ordered the warm rolls, gazpacho, Caesar salad, and chicken sandwich. The warm rolls were a great start to the meal and had a balanced sweet/salty flavor profile. With the butter, it just melted in your mouth. I'm also a sucker for a good Caesar salad and this spot delivered. Their croutons were Polenta-based but this made it even better. They were soft and warm and honestly a lot easier to eat than the traditional hard ones! Our server was also very friendly and enthusiastic and made the evening very fun for us. Overall would come again!

House Cheeseburger
Amanda M.

Stopped in for the first time for lunch and it was a lovely experience. We opted to eat outside on the patio on lower Forest and it was a beautiful day in a quiet, peaceful atmosphere. The dining area inside looked really nice but we couldn't resist the beautiful day and peek at the ocean. We started with the warm Parker house rolls and they were almost the best rolls we've ever had. They had a flaky almost croissant type texture on top with thick pieces of sea salt, while soft and fluffy inside. Absolutely to die for. We then split the cheeseburger and fries and it was really good. All fresh and delicious ingredients but could've used a bit more flavor via an aioli or sauce of some kind, which is personal preference. But the burger was juicy and perfectly cooked. The thin and crispy fries were great and just the way I like fries like that. The service was warm, friendly and efficient. Would love to go back for dinner and try more of the menu - it has some really great looking main dishes. You know the drill for parking anywhere near Main beach in Laguna, so plan accordingly.

Chopped seafood salad, so good!
Sanela S.

Amazing service and good food. As a pescatarian I had limited options, but those few options were good ones! The seafood salad was actually loaded with seafood, very filling on its own. The salmon entree was amazing, just perfectly seasoned. The sizzling shrimp appetizer was cool but very underseasoned. I wish they seasoned and sautéed the items a little more. I also had a passionfruit mocktail which was tasty. I'm happy they offered non alcoholic options. Our server was so awesome, I wish I remember his name! He was very knowledgeable on the food preparations and was able to tell us right off the bat if something was not in line with out dietary restrictions. They have indoor seating, but we chose to sit on the patio with the heat lamps. It was very cute and romantic, perfect for a date night. My husband and I would love to come back for another date night!

Reese G.

Overall good food and refreshing drinks. The shrimp weren't bad but needed some additional flavor, while the dates were delicious! The cucumber cocktail was clean and perfect for lunch. The ceasar salad was a miss and lacked flavor while the 3 specialty tacos were some of the best I've had in a long time. Our server was attentive and on it for anything we needed.

Fish n chips
Steven B.

230 Forest Avenue is a superb restaurant on the main street at Laguna Beach. Located right near the beach with both indoor and outdoor seating. The hostess and our waiter were great, and they continued to check on us and fill our iced teas. We ordered the fish n chips and the chipotle lime chicken and both were great. Even our iced teas were great. We sat outdoors and had a great lunch. I highly recommend this restaurant if you visit Laguna Beach. Enjoy.

Chicken Milanese
Karen G.

Service 5/5 Ambience 5/5 Food Preparation 5/5 Food flavor 4/5 Everything was insanely well prepared but missing a flavor element. Not sure if it was acid or umami that was missing, regardless the preparation was well executed. The scallops melted into your mouth. The lobster was fresh and delicious. The bacon dates! Like crack!!!

Toasted Garlic Salmon
Lauren P.

Wonderful service, beautiful atmosphere, and fresh food. Myself and two others came for lunch recently, and were seated immediately. Our server was so friendly and remembered my friend from her previous visits. We started with a few drinks. I recommend the Albarino, a crisp white. I ordered the Toasted Garlic Salmon entree. The salmon had a delicious crust on top which was absolutely divine, and the salmon was cooked perfectly (medium). The quinoa had great flavor, especially with the addition of the salsa verde. I had a bite of the halibut special- it was light with good texture. The brown butter gnocchi were perfectly chewy and the brown butter in the sauce really came through. We completed our meal with the pistachio crème brûlée. Not too sweet, creamy, and flavorful.

Their cab
Rosa V.

Went here with my son and husband, and this place was outstanding! Food: We started with the Calamari Kung Pao as an appetizer -- it was flavorful and perfectly cooked. My husband had the burger, which he really enjoyed -- juicy, well-seasoned, and cooked just right. My son had the fish and chips. I had the special of the day, the Halibut, and it was absolutely outstanding -- fresh, beautifully prepared, and full of flavor. We'll definitely be coming back! Service was great

Fish n' Chips
Vinitha V.

We didn't know where we wanted to eat so we just walked around laguna and checked out their menu and was very imp by their seafood options. They also had a fish taco special which is what i got and i absolutely loved it. The fish was cooked perfectly and all the toppings paired perfectly in the taco. Their drink selection was really good and i really enjoyed their margaritas. The fish and chips were also very delicious. Our waitress was every sweet and i appreciated that she checked in on us every once in a while.

2 Square by Alpha Omega
Sidney S.

If a man is talking in the forest, and there is no woman there to hear him, is he still wrong -- Jenny Weber I thought for sure I had added a review for 230 Forest. But I must have been wrong... And I have been here with a few different friends, mostly women because men are just wrong ;-) And over the years, it's always been consistently good. Plus sitting on the patio, lovely people watching ambiance and a view of Main Beach. Favorites on the menu include the bacon wrapped dates, wagyu carpaccio, oysters, lamb chops, onion soup, truffle fries...basically the plates for sharing. Beer list is interesting...East Bros. and North Coast are represented. Wine list is basic with a few interesting finds. Last time I was there the bottle I brought was corked so I ordered the Alpha Omega second wine and it was decent. $25 corkage. Recommended!

Filet, cooked rare and perfectly, along with lamb chop appetizer in the back.
Hanna C.

I've been frequenting the spot since I was in my late teens and have always enjoyed their offerings. They make a mean French onion soup and I love getting a plate (or two) of their lamb pops - although I think they just call them lamb chops on the appetizer menu now. My other favorite is the oyster plate with pomegranate granita, although the oysters are not consistent; sometimes they have the smaller petit oysters but the last time, they only had one petit and the others were larger and a little more chewy. On our most recent visit, we noticed the chops were more fat than meat so that was a little disappointing as well but the were cooked nicely. Service is usually decent, sometimes the servers seem a little less than enthused to be there but we will continue going back. Dog friendly!

Scallops w/Broccolini

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The Deck On Laguna Beach - Smoked salmon board

The Deck On Laguna Beach

4.0(2.3k reviews)
0.3 mi
•$$

The Deck is one of those places we have to come to every time we're in Laguna, which is usually at…read moreleast once a year :) And once again, it did not disappoint! Grilled Cheese - Seriously a MUST order. My picture doesn't even come close to doing it justice. So so good! Shrimp & Chorizo Tacos - We've loved these for years! They took them off the menu for a while and we're so glad they're back because they're sooo good. Burger - 10/10. Juicy, cooked perfectly, and really flavorful lots of fresh ingredients. Ceviche - A little on the small side, but super fresh and great flavor :) The location is right on the beach with ocean views and that makes everything better We had a group of 7 and our server was awesome. She was really sweet, kept checking in on us, and made everything easy even with a bigger group. If you're in Laguna and looking for a spot with good food, great views, and a chill vibe, The Deck is always a great choice. There's so many options and haven't had a bad dish here ever. I didn't order them this Time but we normally get the dozen oysters and they are delicious too

Order the burger and it came with potato chips and ketchup. No fries because no fryers for them…read more Air fryer would have been a good solution for these guys. No more ciopino so we ordered the ahi poke. Was good. This place is set to close September 7, 2026 to make room for the new hotel setup. So sad to see this place close down as the location and vibe was so nice! Food was ok. Not the best, but okay. And they had a bar too! Byeeee if we don't meet again and thank you!

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The Deck On Laguna Beach
The Deck On Laguna Beach - El Vocho shot with Milagro Tequila

El Vocho shot with Milagro Tequila

The Deck On Laguna Beach

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Nick's Laguna Beach - Warm Butter Cake

Nick's Laguna Beach

4.5(4.3k reviews)
0.1 mi
•$$$

We went to Nick's Laguna Beach for a birthday dinner, and the whole experience was exceptional from…read morestart to finish. Our server made us feel so special throughout the night. She even surprised us with a birthday card signed by the entire staff along with a dessert and candle, which was such a thoughtful and classy touch. Beyond the incredible hospitality, the food was delicious. I had the fried chicken with a biscuit and mashed potatoes, which were easily the best I've ever had! Oh, and the butter cake, which is my favorite dessert ever! The service across the board was immaculate, and it's clear the entire team takes pride in what they do. They truly went above and beyond to make the evening memorable, and I cannot wait to go back.

We have been to Nicks in Pasadena many times while visiting my wife's mom who was in a convalescent…read morefacility there. It was always awesome! We sat at the bar, and the bartenders would have our "regular" drinks prepared almost before we sat down. We live in Laguna and had never been to Nicks here in Laguna! The food was a "B-" compared to our other experiences at Nicks in Pasadena. We asked for a quiet cozy table, and we were put next to the kitchen. It was so loud we could not hear each other speak. We had to ask to be moved outside which was not much better. If you are looking for cozy and quiet, this is not the place. If you want the loud bar scene, this is perfect for you. We will go back on a cold rainy night in the winter which should be better. Sorry Nick.

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Nick's Laguna Beach - Inside

Inside

Nick's Laguna Beach - Chicken piccata

Chicken piccata

Nick's Laguna Beach - Boulevardier, top shelf

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Boulevardier, top shelf

South of Nick's - Tres leches

South of Nick's

4.6(1.2k reviews)
0.2 mi
•$$

You simply cannot go wrong dining at South of Nick's in Laguna Beach. We've tasted so many dishes,…read moreand every visit gives us another reason to return. The La Tablita and shrimp taquitos are standouts, and the chips with their trio of salsas are divine. They are the kind of fresh tortilla chips you keep reaching for even when you promise yourself you're saving room for dinner. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, with thoughtful attention to every little detail. Add the spectacular ocean view, and you have a setting that makes you want to settle in and savor the evening. Our server, Paul, was exceptionally attentive, making sure we had everything we needed and helping us feel truly cared for throughout our meal. The toasted coconut margarita remains a favorite, and the wine list has all our go-to choices. Between the delicious food, gracious service, and beautiful setting, South of Nick's is a must every time we're in Laguna Beach.

South of Nick's: Great food, disappointing service…read more We've been coming to South of Nick's for a while, and the food is consistently excellent. Tonight was no exception: everything came out quickly and tasted as good as always. The service is what let us down. The host seated us right away, which was nice. A staff member then stopped by to explain she wasn't our server, but she took our drink order. Chips arrived, but the drinks took about 10 minutes, and it was another 10 minutes before our actual server came to the table. There was no smile and no real greeting. She took our order, the food arrived fast, and a moment later she asked "How's your food? Is everything OK?" and then we didn't see her again. None of this was rude, exactly, but it felt indifferent. At this price point I expect the service to match the kitchen. I'll keep coming back for the food, but I hope management takes a look at the front-of-house experience. Rating: 3/5 (5 for food, 2 for service)

Photos
South of Nick's - Bar area with chips and dip

Bar area with chips and dip

South of Nick's - Pork mole enchilada and chicken chipotle enchilada

Pork mole enchilada and chicken chipotle enchilada

South of Nick's - Mexican Mule

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Mexican Mule

Oliver's Osteria - STROZZAPRETI ALLA NORCINA
 Homemade egg free pasta, pork sausage, porcini mushrooms, light cream,
 black truffle

Oliver's Osteria

4.2(642 reviews)
0.6 mi
•$$$

This restaurant is everything to Laguna Beach. Food, service,ambiance all ten stars! Unfortunately…read morethey had two kitchen fires around Valentine's Day. Everyone in town is worried that the city is dragging their feet. We want Oliver's back.

Came here for Valentine's day and left pretty underwhelmed, sadly. We were seated outside in a tent…read morein the parking lot which was a little disappointing. Ambiance plays a big role (in my opinion) to a restaurant and not getting to be seated inside or at least on a patio docked some points off for me. For a special occasion dinner, I don't want to be sitting in a parking lot tent. For the price point, I didn't really feel the restaurant quality (plating, service, ambiance) really reaches those expectations. I can tell their food is great, I think I wish I chose something different when ordering. I couldn't tell you exactly what we ordered since I think they launched a new menu just this week but I'll describe it the best I can. Espresso Martini -5/5 Great espresso martini! No notes. Burrata with pesto - 4/5 Light and refreshing appetizer. This wasn't my first choice for appetizer but my partner loves burrata so we got it. It would be really hard to mess this up so I have no notes. $20+ for one tomato was pretty shocking, though. Tagliolini with shrimp and mushrooms - 2/5 To be fair, I've never had tagliolini before so I don't have a reference point of how it should be and maybe it's just not my style. The pasta was thin and flat and very very soft. There was absolutely no bite to it whatsoever and felt like it might be over cooked (again, I'm not expert so maybe this is how it should be). Because of the texture and size it kind of was just one big soft clump on the plate. The shrimp and mushrooms were nice and I enjoyed the sauce but I really didn't like the pasta on this one. And I know plating have any affect of the food but this one seemed really sloppily thrown together and I was pretty sad when it was put on the table. Definitely wasn't pretty or exciting to look at. Pappardelle made w/ beets in quail ragu - 4/5 We really enjoyed this pasta! The pasta itself had a subtle sweetness to it from the beets which made it much more interesting than your typical pasta dough. It had a nice chew, which is what I was really missing in the other dish. The quail ragu was yummy, although we did find a bone but it was large enough to easily pick out and put to the side. Panna Cotta - 4.5/5 Thick and rich vanilla panna cotta with a tart berry compote. Very delicious!

Photos
Oliver's Osteria - Bright dining experience

Bright dining experience

Oliver's Osteria - Strozzapreti (Strangle the Prist)

Strozzapreti (Strangle the Prist)

Oliver's Osteria - Tiramisú: Layered espresso-soaked cake, mascarpone cream, cacao

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Tiramisú: Layered espresso-soaked cake, mascarpone cream, cacao

Oak - Oak Burger

Oak

4.4(1.5k reviews)
0.7 mi
•$$
Kid friendly
Outdoor seating

Came here last week, since someone I know wanted to dine here…read more Service was Great ~ Just 2 of us and about 12 patrons On a Tuesday Night around 7pm Ambiance was nice since the weather was pleasant We sat outside on the corner of the patio with a view of the Ocean across the street. The skies were clear and it wasn't too breezy. A very pleasant evening. She had a pasta dish * Chicken Parmesan ** milanese style, tomato sauce, arugula, mozzarella, lemon parmesan dressing I had their delicious * Calamari ** signature slaw, pickled chilies, sriracha aioli ~ Very Tasty with the jalapeño slices And a Spicy Drink * Desert Sun Mezcal, jalapeño infused blanco tequila, red pepper puree, lime, sugar cane

Came to Newport for a family vacay and was looking for nearby options for the wife and I to escape…read morefor dinner. We showed up at 9:30, and the owner and servers were so nice and understanding. We never felt rushed or pressured to order quickly. I got the spicy chicken sandwich after seeing previous reviews, and my wife got the Lagunaian wedge and Mac & cheese. Everything was exceptional. I love blue cheese, but am not the biggest fan of fried chicken with cheese on it. This combo flipped me on my head, so delicious with the blue cheese slaw. The Mac & cheese was almost like a hybrid of a baked Mac and a gooier stovetop style Mac, and the six cheese blend added a lot of depth of flavor. We have already agreed that we will be back at least once more while we're down here for the chicken sandwich again.

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Oak - Seabass

Seabass

Oak - Sweet & Spicy Ribs

Sweet & Spicy Ribs

Oak - Pickle Martini & Rye Not? Paper Plane Cocktail

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Pickle Martini & Rye Not? Paper Plane Cocktail

Q Terrace - Bartender Roman and Mario

Q Terrace

4.2(107 reviews)
0.3 mi

Everything tastes as beautiful as it looks. Staff is very welcoming and friendly and knowledgeable…read moreabout the recommendations, he was so thorough and really helped us decide on what to get. The view of the beach from the rooftop is gorgeous!!!! I came to celebrate my bday here with my friends, it honestly makes a great spot to celebrate any occasion. Also! parking, there is a hotel near by that shares parking with the restaurant. I believe it's called 14 West but give Q Terrace a call to confirm.

After a day of walking through the local art festival. We decided top walk the 5 minutes to have…read moredinner here. The main draw for us, at least me, was the Ukrainian dishes. When we entered the entire bottom floor was empty. Waited a bit and a gentlemen showed up and lead us to the roof top. Beautiful little roof top and place overall. Really clean and chic looking! We waited to be seated for, quite a while. That was the thing. To be seated and have someone take our order, it was a very long amount of time. Awkward standing there while others on the rooftop were sitting, talking and eating. I kept making accidental eye contact to the patrons. When we were seated, it took even longer for someone to come by and get our orders. One of my party members were so frustrated, he stated that we should leave in 4 minutes if no one shows up. Luckily for us, someone did. The girl that served us was a sweetheart. Once she was around she got the ball rolling, made sure that our waters were filled. Let us know when certain dishes were already gone. She was great! No complaints. We got dumplings, bolognese, shrimp scampi and I believe the fried chicken dish. The food was good. I got three large dumplings, and paired with the sour cream. Devine. The bolognese pasta was also wonderfully al dente. Everyone liked their food. You know it's good when everyone doesn't speak. I am conflicted. The servers are nice, the food is really good, but the wait times are atrociously long. It could be because we were one of the last people around closing time, it could be they were understaffed. But it was odd to have a majority of the work staff mostly ignore us. I want to come back here again and try their stuffed cabbage dish, but it will have to be on a day I have nothing but free time.

Photos
Q Terrace - Burrata with mango and tomato salad.

Burrata with mango and tomato salad.

Q Terrace - The Chef

The Chef

Q Terrace - Downstairs Bar

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Downstairs Bar

230 Forest Avenue - bars - Updated October 2026

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