Splashes Restaurant Orange County

Splashes Restaurant sits at 1555 S Coast Hwy, a ten-minute walk from the sand at Main Beach. The room runs smart and elegant, serving a menu of seafood and contemporary South American influences. It holds a Wine Spectator Excellence Award, a distinction that carries weight in a region often better known for casual boardwalk fare than cellar depth.

Choosing this room over the many casual spots along the highway comes down to the focus on the wine list. While the neighbouring cafes lean into quick service and disposable plastics, this kitchen works at a formal clip. It is for those who want their coastal meal to match the quality of the bottle they ordered, separating it from the grab-and-go energy of the rest of the stretch.