Some of Orange County’s best restaurants begrudgingly acknowledge beer’s existence and offer limited choices since their libations focus on cocktails and wine.
And some of the top places to try craft beer simply aren’t set up for food service. Maybe an occasional food truck will pay a visit, yet they are breweries and tasting rooms, not restaurants.
But the sweet spots have it all in one location.
No need to drive after dinner to enjoy a beer elsewhere. No surviving on pretzels or chips out of a bag because even a sandwich is an impossible ask.
Obviously, this list is not comprehensive in a county full of excellent options, but let’s call it a starter’s guide — divided geographically — to 10 places around Orange County where you can enjoy both great draft beer and excellent food.
And feel free to email us with the places we’ve missed. We’re always looking for a new spot.
North O.C.
Brewery X (Anaheim): Go for some of the tastiest pizza in Orange County, a wide variety of house beers and an outdoor area that delivers a soundtrack of laughter, happy dogs and surprisingly cool music. (I heard a favorite band, Lake Street Dive, over the speakers one night and was shocked anyone else knew it.) You’ll quickly forget you’re in an industrial part of Anaheim and probably struggled to find parking on a busy night. A slice of pepperoni and a pour of Dictionary Roulette makes for the start of a nice spring night. Yes, we’ve heard of, been to and thoroughly enjoyed Golden Road — and likely will be back before the next visit to the area for an Angels game — but Brewery X gets the edge between the two with similar approaches. 3191 E. La Palma Ave., Anaheim
Haven Craft Kitchen + Bar (Orange): Wil Dee, hizzoner of hops in Old Towne Orange, has three libations locations in his empire….
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