I love OC restaurant week, cuz not only do I get to try new places for affordable prices (3 course meals no less), but I also get to sneak in a date night with the hubs. Double win! This year, we opt'd to try Haven Craft Kitchen & Bar in Old Town Orange. The menu looked enticing and the Yelp reviews were positive. Such a cute, modern Californian restaurant with chill/laidback vibes. Known for their gourmet comfort food, craft cocktails, and an extensive selection of beer, wine, and whiskey, it offers a warm atmosphere with indoor and patio seating. The menu emphasizes fresh, local, and seasonal ingredients. Definitely a place that could be good for brunch, dinner, happy hour, and group hangouts. Our server was nice and attentive. Just parking along the Old Towne streets can be a pain, but we lucked out with front row parking. The hubs & I got different dishes for our appetizer, entree & dessert courses, so we could try a lil bit of everything. French onion soup, duck confit & sticky toffee pudding for me and locally grown burrata, 6 oz prime flat iron steak and pumpkin cheesecake for him. My soup was deelish. Full of depth & onion flavor and cheesy goodness. Not overly salty at all, like others can sometime be. The duck was moist and accompanied the beans, pork belly sofrito & spring onion well. I was pleasantly surprised, since I'm usually not a huge fan of beans. The sticky toffee pudding was decadently sweet and rich. I could only take a few bits, but glad I was able to try it. Not something I'd order on my own accord usually. The hub's burrata app was ok, wish it was more softer in texture, to eat & spread with the grilled toast. His flat iron steak was cooked perfectly, to our medium-rare specifications. It was soft and tender. His pumpkin cheesecake was surprisingly sooo good. Definitely my fav of the 2 desserts. I'm not a huge pumpkin fan, but it was light & subtle and not an overly rich cheesecake. It was surely baked to melt in your mouth. My hubs & I finished that dessert, for sure! Mmm.. Overall, such a good food find. A must try & RxFoodie recommend ~ esp. during OCRW when it's such a deal for all that food! read more

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​A Major Disappointment: 1 out of 10 ​I visited Haven Craft Kitchen + Bar this past Tuesday with some former colleagues, and unfortunately, it was a "one and done" experience for all of us. Almost everything we ordered was a massive letdown. ​The European Seabass: This was the biggest issue. The fish had a very strong, unpleasant odor and tasted just as bad. Even adding fresh lemon couldn't mask it. Worst of all, it actually made me sick afterward. ​Pappardelle Pasta with Pesto: We couldn't even finish this dish. It was so heavily seasoned with pepper that it became completely inedible. ​The Coffee: It was incredibly weak--essentially hot water with a faint hint of coffee flavor. ​The Only Highlight: The skillet cornbread was actually quite good, but it certainly wasn't enough to save the meal. ​Between the poor food quality and the physical aftermath, I cannot recommend this spot. We were very disappointed and won't be returning. read more

A very nice place; we were a party of nine and they were able to seat us immediately. The drinks were all very good. I had a Sazerac. It was very good. The pour seemed a little scarce but the taste was splendid. Our entire party enjoyed their drinks. The service was wonderful. The hostess was nice. The waiter was very nice, too. Sure, we would definitely come back again read more

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We went here for brunch on a Saturday and was sat immediately. We ordered the brunch burger and chorizo hash as well as some beers. Everything was delicious. read more

Haven Craft Kitchen + Bar - Brunch burger - New American Near Me - Orange, California

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Came here on a busy warm winter Friday with a team for lunch, and yeah... parking was a bit of a scavenger hunt. That part aside, solid experience all around. I went with the burger (Juicy, cooked to perfection) and swapped the fries for a salad and honestly, no regrets. It was very, very good. Fresh, flavorful, and didn't leave me feeling like I needed a nap. Everyone at the table seemed happy with their picks too...lots of to-go boxes, which is always a good sign. The inside was calm and welcoming, nice atmosphere, good selection on the menu, and the service was on point from start to finish. Would definitely come back. Just plan a little extra time for parking if you're rolling in with a group on a busy day or weekend. read more

Haven Craft Kitchen + Bar - Burger & Side salad - tasty - New American Near Me - Orange, California

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Still one of my favorites in the neighborhood. I do miss the lamb burger from pre pandemic era. Attentive staff, easy to get a table for lunch. Interiora haven't changed much but they are still holding upl. The banquet along the window need pillows on the back to make them more comfy. read more

Haven Craft Kitchen + Bar - Fried chicken sando - New American Near Me - Orange, California

This is a local spot in Old Town Orange Circle! Seems to be quaint for a chill date night, catching up with friends etc with friendly and attentive service. Never usually a wait and they also have a late night food+drinks menu after 9pm. Food: 6.7/10 Black truffle Mac and Cheese- surprisingly the one dish that we ordered I'd think needed more flavor. Grilled Spanish Octopus- the eggplant puree with caponata was enjoyable, the octopus itself was way too salty but was cooked to the perfect tenderness French onion soup- there was nothing special about it, flavors seemed surface level with a lot of saltiness Deviled eggs- no notes for these! Me and my table enjoyed them! read more

Haven Craft Kitchen + Bar - New American Near Me - Orange, California

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Walking around the orange city square me and my cousin decided to come in food and drinks on a late Sunday afternoon. It wasn't super packed and we got to sit near the window and people watch lol. Our server was very friendly and gave us some suggestions on what to order. We each ordered the Haven whiskey sour and it was delicious!! For food I got the OG haven burger and she got the Italian beef sandwich. We cut each one in half and shared so we could taste each others. We agreed that we loved the burger but the Italian beef sandwich was not that great. The meat tasted like it had been frozen and it just permeated throughout the sandwich which we couldn't get past. The peppers on top were good though. We also enjoyed the fries as well. I would definitely come back and see what else is good and come back for that whiskey sour as well!! read more

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A friend took me for birthday dinner. Plenty of meter parking available or you can also find a spot on the residential streets. We were seated immediately even without reservations. Place is pretty loud. Whiskey sour great! Crispy Brussel sprouts, delicious!! Short rib pasta was good. I'd love to come back and try other things off the menu like the cornbread I saw everyone ordering. The Brussel sprouts are a must! read more

Haven Craft Kitchen + Bar - New American Near Me - Orange, California

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I took a walk on Tuesday night, after leaving the Elks lodge. Contra Coffee was jammed packed and I was looking for a spot to relax and study. I saw that Haven was fairly peaceful that night and walked inside. I was offered the bar section and Matt served me. He was a consummate professional and experienced in fine dining. I was thoroughly impressed with his knowledge and service. He knew the menu very well and made great recommendations. It's rare to experience good service nowadays, so I appreciate the times that I do. Because I was stuffed, I missed having dessert. Matt mentioned that Haven is also a creamery and their ice creams are top notch. I will return soon, so I can experience their homemade ice cream. See you soon. read more

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We walked in without reservations on a Sat night and were able to get one of the window seats for 2. It took a long time to get water or our orders in but once we did the food came out in record time! All the food was great! We got the risotto arincini which was perfect - crunchy on the outside and flavorful with plenty of sauce. We also got the burrata which came with a large chunk and some arugula, pine nuts, and toast - proportioned perfectly with the burrata. Lastly, we got the pappardelle pesto pasta which had a delicious sundried tomato pesto. The pasta itself was a little too al dente for our taste but delicious otherwise. When I reheated it later it became even crunchier, so I'd say try not to have leftovers of it. All in all, it was a perfect amount of food and was delicious! Parked on the street right behind the restaurant but there was a public lot nearby as well. read more

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We had such a great time at Haven Kraft Kitchen + Bar for their annual Pliny the Younger event this past Sunday! This is something we genuinely look forward to every year, and once again, they delivered an incredible experience. The event always runs so smoothly -- from check-in to pours to table service, everything feels organized and effortless. The staff is truly amazing: friendly, attentive, and clearly excited to be part of the event. You can tell they take pride in making it special for everyone attending. The food was just as impressive as the beer. Everything we ordered was fresh, flavorful, and paired perfectly with Pliny the Younger. Haven never misses when it comes to quality. One of our favorite parts of the event is connecting with other beer enthusiasts. It's become a bit of an annual reunion -- we see familiar faces, meet new people, and share the excitement together. The only small disappointment this year was that the commemorative glass had already run out by the time we arrived. It's always a fun keepsake, so we were a little bummed to miss out. But honestly, it didn't take away from what was still a fantastic day overall. Haven Kraft Kitchen + Bar continues to be one of our favorite spots, and we're already looking forward to next year's event! read more

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My Salmon Pappardelle Pasta was very satisfying. Our waiter Timothy suggested the cook on my Salmon and it was the perfect choice. Job well done Tim! The Burger was devoured and the Burrata was paired perfectly with a dressing they added. Absolutely scrumptious! The ambiance is perfect. It's a beautiful restaurant, comfortable seating, clean and great customer care from everyone. read more

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Casual restaurant with global dishes. Came here for brunch with my relatives and had a reservation made in advance. Indoor and outdoor seating available. I had the salmon Benedict which came with a side of potatoes. My boyfriend liked his burger, which he was able to change from blue to cheddar cheese. The chicken and waffle was crunchy and a nice mix of sweet and slightly spicy. We split the raspberry chocolate mousse for dessert; I didn't love the peanut sprinkles and it was heavier on the raspberry but it wasn't too sweet, which was good. Our waiter was nice but slow in filling our waters and getting our items. Overall it was a casual place to have a meal for a big group. read more

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Came here yesterday for an early dinner. We were seated right away. We ordered the burrata appetizer and I ordered the Mexican Morphine cocktail and my husband ordered the hot tottie . The burrata appetizer comes with two slices of toast. Not sure what kind of sauce they put on the burrata but it is so delicious that you need that bread to eat it all up! My cocktail was nice and Smokey from the mezcal and not sweet. My husband's drink also hit the spot since he was fighting a cold, it was nice and hot. For entree I went with the popular Haven burger and my husband went with the pasta bolognese . The burger comes with a side of delicious fries . The burger is made with 3 different kinds of meat and has some pickled red onions and arugula and smoked red peppers and blue cheese with some aioli garlic sauce. It is absolutely delicious! My husband enjoyed his pasta dish too. This is a great place , great service and great food. read more

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Haven Craft Kitchen was not too shabby at all. There is a new church called Grace that just opened a block away and honestly this spot is perfectly placed for church goers to grab some brunch afterwards. The food was tasty and satisfying, not necessarily the kind that blows your mind, but definitely solid enough that I would bring some friends here for a relaxed meal. The vibe is great too, cozy and welcoming, and it would be a perfect place to have live music playing in the background. Service was kind and attentive which made the experience even better. Overall it is a chill and enjoyable spot that feels right for a Sunday brunch after church or just catching up with friends over good food!!! read more

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Dropped in for a quick bite. Chicken liver toast Taco Tuesday steak taco Beer/shot special Get on your luge for some good food! read more

Haven Craft Kitchen + Bar - New American Near Me - Orange, California

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We have come back for drinks and brunch after visiting this place years ago. The menus are different and I liked them. The brunch experience was great. They have great selections of beers and ciders which I liked a lot. For brunch food we had chai tea, cane cola, chicken fried steak & eggs and Mary's chicken sandwich. The food was delicious in large portions and very reasonably priced. The service was a bit slow but very friendly. They had live music in the patio. We'd come back for brunch again! read more

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Haven has seriously shrunk their portions, and it's honestly disappointing. I ordered the Caesar salad with added chicken and got barely a handful of lettuce. It used to be generous enough to share, so the difference was immediately noticeable to both me and my friend. It just doesn't sit right paying the higher prices for so much less, feels like a big step down in value and overall experience. read more

Plain and simple the service! Two waiters and they couldn't check on us. They tried to avoid our table that's not okay. Took them 15 minutes to served us after they dropped of our waters. Food wasn't bad but when you are not well served it's not worth your 120 dollars. read more

Decided to roam Orange Circle and we came across this place. We were so excited to try to Pliny but they ran out! We were pretty sad but we decided to make the best of it and ordered a lot of different types of IPAs and beers. read more

Food was good ambiance was nice and staff was pleasant. However, there were flies on the window next to our table that kept bothering us which was kinda gross. The food is pretty expensive. It was $100 for 2 glasses of wine, corn bread and 2 salads. It's a fine option just over priced. read more

Food: Haven has a simple, but well executed menu that has a good price and flavor to match. They also have some great selections on tap for beer and specifically IPA enthusiasts. The flights are pretty good bang for your buck. The short rib pasta was a perfect al dente, good amount of meat and a good salt level. The Mac and cheese had a good punch of umami with several layers of depth. The cornbread skillet was a nice side to share. Bonus points for having almost the entire array of Russian River on tap that day. Service: Our server was very upbeat and managed several tables with good speed. The place was at about 75% capacity during our experience. I also appreciate when staff can accurately describe the nuances of wine or beer. Ambiance: there is definitely a close knit and cozy feel when dining in at Haven. The inside feels like modern upscale meets classic European. We also like that they have their own parking lot behind the restaurant in a busy and parking impacted part of town. read more

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I love meeting friends for lunch at Havens. Drew provides top-notch attention so that we can relax, catch up and feel special. Thank you Drew. read more

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​Haven has lost a long-time regular, and they deserved to lose me. There is nothing worse than hyping up a "favorite" spot to guests from out of town only to have the restaurant make you look like a fool. The decline here is staggering. I know what a Penicillin is supposed to taste like, and Tony knows how to make one--yet I was handed a lemonade and expected to pay craft cocktail prices for it. ​I was so disgusted by the lack of effort that I told the server to take it back because we were leaving. I'm finished making excuses for this place. If you're looking for the Pappardelle or Bread Pudding that made this place famous, don't bother; the soul of this restaurant is gone. Save your money and go somewhere that actually values the people who kept them in business for years. read more

Great place and the prices are reasonable for Old Towne Orange. The menu was varied and had some unique options. The food was very good and especially enjoy sharing several appetizers to share. Entrees are well prepared & scrumptious. Had the burger and Salmon . Both seasoned nicely and the burger was very juicy and delicious taste. Staff very kind and helpful. Great atmosphere. Elegant Bar area that allows for watch sports & lots of outdoor seating. Parking lot in rear. Also street parking in front as well on Glassell Street or Almond Ave . read more

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A very fun and trendy restaurant in Old Towne Orange. There is street parking available nearby as well as a parking lot behind the restaurant. We were able to make a reservation with OpenTable and there was a decent amount of availability for a weekend night. They have both indoor and outdoor seating available. The service was good, and our server was very helpful with recommending different drinks. The food menu isn't the most extensive but they have a decent variety of items to choose from. The food came out very quickly and was cooked well. The portion sizes of the appetizers were about the same as the entrees. The size of the entree was fairly small for the price, but it was cooked well and had good flavor. read more

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Here for the awesome pliny younger event and couldn't be happier with the way it's set up. Awesome job by the crew and owner (Wil). The best pliny younger event in OC read more

Haven Craft Kitchen + Bar - Pliny the Younger - New American Near Me - Orange, California

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The cocktails were delicious, but the food was overall a bit too creative/flavorful for my friends and I. The burger my husband and friend's husband ordered was extremely heavy on the blue cheese and my friend's pasta was entirely covered by sprouts. I thought my red snapper was overall good, but there were a lot of flavors going on. I typically like simpler flavors with fish, but I will say that the sauce complemented the vegetables well. The ambiance was sophisticated and while it's called a craft bar and they have a lot of beer, it really has more of a whisky bar vibe, which I prefer. Service was good and our waiter recommended the hot honey cornbread, which was a yummy starter. read more

Great food and beer selection, we come here often for Pliney and really like the atmosphere and service.

This is a very good place, the brunch was amazing. And the service was professional and very friendly. Was seated within a few minutes. The place was very nice and had some good music playing to set a good vibe. read more

Food and drinks were incredible. Service was also great. Loved the Duck confit & Barrata.

Julia and Lindsey were amazing and attentive! We had the beet salad and it was amazing! Perfect place and perfect day for Easter Brunch.

Amazing food, lots of beverage options, and good customer service. It's an intimate restaurant and I would not recommend for large gatherings. read more

We came here for a few drinks before we had dinner and WOW we tried the Mexican morphine and it was SO delicious!!! Highly recommend!! Bartender was great. Service was quick! We'd definitely return for food and drinks next time. read more

Haven Craft Kitchen + Bar - Mexican morphine - MUST TRY!! - New American Near Me - Orange, California

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Do not eat here! Food inspectors should monitor this establishment regularly. I called the restaurant today and spoke with Tony, the bar manager, to let him know that my fiancé and I got food poisoning, likely from the chicken or mushrooms in our entrée last night. I was polite and made the call as a courtesy, hoping they would stop serving the dish to prevent other guests from getting sick. Instead, Tony implied that I was lying and took the situation personally. He said he served that entrée the night before and that no one else had called to complain, and said it could have been something else we ate that day. Having worked in the restaurant industry for years, this response is extremely disappointing. Tony also said I could not speak with a manager until Thursday, three days after we were sick all night, meaning they are willing to continue serving the dish and potentially risk making others ill because "no one else has called." This reflects a complete lack of customer service and basic food safety awareness. read more

I love this place. Great atmosphere. Their Burrata is the best. I always try their specials. It's a small menu and you can tell each dish was wel thought out read more

Haven Craft Kitchen + Bar - New American Near Me - Orange, California

I love Haven! I've been coming here since they first opened and they stay one of my favorite restaurants in Orange County. Their ever changing menu is so good. The one thing that stays consistent is their amazing truffle mac and cheese!! I've also recently been going there for the best "girl dinner". I'll grab a Ceaser salad with chicken, and pair it with a lil appy like their burrata or I've especially been loving their Risotto Arancini balls + a glass of wine of course. I've come here on dates, with family, for a girls night, and also solo! It's great for every occasion. Their brunch is also to die for, the best spot for the most delicious food and hunkering down on a weekend morning. The ambiance is always on point. They play the best music, and the lighting is always perfect. I've even joked with the hostess about how I want to take one of their mini table lamps home with me, LOL! Their kitchen takes deep pride in their work, and we've had the chef personally walk food out many times. Not a single dish here disappoints. The staff are all wonderful. Very accommodating and down to earth - from the hosts, to the servers, to the bar staff, to the kitchen. I personally like the little nooks by the windows, it's a great place for me to post up and get some work done while eating some great food. 10000/10 would recommend! read more

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Service is amazing. Food on point. One of my favorite places......................................................... Few more thoughts read more

So damn good, it's great!! The staff is so helpful, our servers are on top of it! Always a great experience read more

Haven Craft Kitchen + Bar - So damn good, it's great!!! Staff is awesome, our servers are on top of it - New American Near Me - Orange, California