Pinafini

Laguna Beach's dining scene has recently welcomed a new Mediterranean restaurant that offers a delightful blend of authentic cuisine, a welcoming atmosphere, and stunning ocean views. The staff is attentive and knowledgeable, eager to share insights about the menu and assist with selections. The menu features a diverse array of Mediterranean dishes, each prepared with fresh, high-quality ingredients. A standout item is the Koobideh Kebab—seasoned ground beef strips grilled to perfection, offering a harmonious blend of spices and tenderness.

From the moment you walk into this airy and modern Mediterranean restaurant, the vibe, the beautiful bar, and the music set the mood. We were welcomed by which seems to be the owners of the restaurant. The food we had were delicious from the Italian pasta, to the Greek salad and spanakopitas, to the Lebanese creamy hummus, baba ganouj, and filet Kebobs, to the octopus, calamari, smelt, and the very fresh Branzino, we were able to eat the best of the Mediterranean in the beautiful sunny Laguna Beach. The restaurant was busy on a Saturday night but yet we were able to get a good service even though we were a big group. The portions were big so keep that in mind when ordering. A new addition to Laguna Beach, we will definitely go back.

Amazing ambience, sea front view, open air seating, tons of natural light. The greek salad, even though simple, is sublime. The red curry seafood risotto is also very flavorful. The food quality here really shines through.

Great food! Very much enjoyed the Mediterranean Mezze.

We walked without much expectations but were impressed. In particular, we really enjoyed the prime rib, which we thought thought was seasoned really well. Service was friendly and efficient.

Amazing new restaurant in Laguna Beach! Delicious Mediterranean food, ocean view, very bright and modern. Great for all kinds if occasions, including group gatherings (they have a private dining room). Tye back patio with a motorized retracting roof is a feat of engineering. You are loosing a lot if you haven’t tried it yet!

TM

Great food, great location, and great service! This restaurant was exceptional. We had appetizers and main courses, drinks, and dessert. Highly recommend coming here but prepare to have a slightly hard time finding parking. Some of the best Mediterranean food I’ve had!

Rachel Savord

I had one of my best ever dining experiences here. I wish words could do it justice but I’ll try. From the warm welcome and genuine conversation from Archie, to the delicious Lychee Mocktail and the incredible spicy salami pizza, everything was exceptional. Robert’s service throughout the meal was incredibly thoughtful and attentive. The interior is beautiful, the terrace is lovely, and the food and hospitality truly stand out. I’m so glad I happened to discover this place, and I can’t wait to come back.

T. Williams

Ate here for the first time on Saturday (11/8) for brunch with my sisters. Pinafini Restaurant & Bar has a great vibe, and the Mediterranean food & drinks is so good. Wonder chill spot to enjoy with family & friends. If you love Mediterranean food and love exploring new spots, then I do recommend you check this place out. The service is top tier and super friendly.

Patricia Beauchamp

Beautiful, modern decor coupled with superior service made this place memorable from the moment we sat down. Thank you to the hostess Olivia who found us the most comfortable and quiet seats in the house, and Edwin who dazzled us with his kindness and recommendations. Perfect place for brunch on a Sunday and we look forward to coming back for dinner.

Mike

Superb lunch experience. Started with smelt which were fried perfectly, crunchy but not overcooked. Mains of kebabs were excellent. Large portion size with accompanying pita bread, humus and condiments. Great flavor on both the beef and chicken, recommend the chicken if you are trying to decide between the two. Nice cocktail selection. Excellent service, very friendly and knowledgeable. Highly recommended.

MARIA ZH

This is our first time coming to this restaurant and all I can say is wow! The food is the true star. Every dish feels both fresh and carefully crafted. From appetizers the Greek salad is amazing with tangy lemon and olive oil and the tuna tartare is delicious! (We ate so fast forgot to take the pictures haha) We ordered the kebab plate, chopping with linguini, branzino, the capellini for out table. Everything was absolutely delicious! In the end, backlava and the lemon sorbet is a must! Our waitress Peyton was very professional and attentive! The atmosphere is lively yet relaxed — perfect for gatherings with friends and for casual family dinner. Overall, Pinafini delivers a true taste of the Mediterranean: fresh ingredients, vibrant flavors, and a sense of hospitality that makes you want to return again and again. Highly recommended! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Sheila Doherty

First time trying the recently opened Pinafini and was highly impressed! The decor was very modern with natural light and clean lines throughout. Attentive service and when it came to the food each dish was better than the last. The hummus and house pita were light and delectable and even more fresh with the addition of Persian cucumbers. The octopus was beyond tender and the curry shrimp were very flavorful. Definitely a must try when visiting Laguna Beach!

Nattanicha Zamborelli

I had the pleasure of attending the grand opening of Pinafini today, and I can confidently say it's going to be one of the best dining spots in Laguna Beach! The ambiance is sleek and modern, with a stunning wine wall that immediately catches your eye upon entering. My amazing husband and I absolutely love Pinafini! The menu features a delightful mix of flavors, showcasing both local and international influences. Each dish we tried was artfully presented and delicious! Dr. Bill and Bonnie were also raving about their experience, which made the evening even more enjoyable. The staff was incredibly welcoming, making us feel right at home. The highlight of the night was the warm atmosphere filled with laughter and conversation among guests. It’s clear that Pinafini is not just a restaurant but a place where memories will be made. If you’re looking for a fantastic dining experience in Laguna Beach, make sure to visit Pinafini.

Angela Tran

Amazing ambience, sea front view, open air seating, tons of natural light. The greek salad, even though simple, is sublime. The red curry seafood risotto is also very flavorful. The food quality here really shines through.

Sahar Meshksar

Laguna Beach's dining scene has recently welcomed a new Mediterranean restaurant that offers a delightful blend of authentic cuisine, a welcoming atmosphere, and stunning ocean views. The staff is attentive and knowledgeable, eager to share insights about the menu and assist with selections. The menu features a diverse array of Mediterranean dishes, each prepared with fresh, high-quality ingredients. A standout item is the Koobideh Kebab—seasoned ground beef strips grilled to perfection, offering a harmonious blend of spices and tenderness.

Johnny Wong

We walked without much expectations but were impressed. In particular, we really enjoyed the prime rib, which we thought thought was seasoned really well. Service was friendly and efficient.

Mike Walters

Amazing new restaurant in Laguna Beach! Delicious Mediterranean food, ocean view, very bright and modern. Great for all kinds if occasions, including group gatherings (they have a private dining room). Tye back patio with a motorized retracting roof is a feat of engineering. You are loosing a lot if you haven’t tried it yet!

Liliane Arejian

From the moment you walk into this airy and modern Mediterranean restaurant, the vibe, the beautiful bar, and the music set the mood. We were welcomed by which seems to be the owners of the restaurant. The food we had were delicious from the Italian pasta, to the Greek salad and spanakopitas, to the Lebanese creamy hummus, baba ganouj, and filet Kebobs, to the octopus, calamari, smelt, and the very fresh Branzino, we were able to eat the best of the Mediterranean in the beautiful sunny Laguna Beach. The restaurant was busy on a Saturday night but yet we were able to get a good service even though we were a big group. The portions were big so keep that in mind when ordering. A new addition to Laguna Beach, we will definitely go back.

Ed De Andrade

Amazing. The pita breads are out of this world. The hummus is phenomenal. The grilled calamari is spectacular. The octopus ridiculous. The service is top.

Great food, amazing service, wonderful staff. This is a very well run restaurant! I highly recommend the Mezza platter and Kebab chicken. For drinks you must get the Espresso Martini Big thanks to our great waiters and the owner who came out to check on our large party multiple times. It’s a great place to host a large party because they have a wonderful back room. The restaurant has a great ambiance and feels super modern.

I manifested a place like this in Laguna and so HAPPY we now have Pinafini!!! The flavors are authentic, the dishes are divine and I love this place! The rice is delicious and special!!! My ultimate favorite platter to get as a starter is the Mezze Platter and is shared wonderfully with friends! Incredible wine selection and atmosphere and service are great! I would go back, again & again because I ALWAYS crave it!

Abhay Mathur

Great food, amazing service, wonderful staff. This is a very well run restaurant! I highly recommend the Mezza platter and Kebab chicken. For drinks you must get the Espresso Martini Big thanks to our great waiters and the owner who came out to check on our large party multiple times. It’s a great place to host a large party because they have a wonderful back room. The restaurant has a great ambiance and feels super modern.

Vanessa Bennum

I manifested a place like this in Laguna and so HAPPY we now have Pinafini!!! The flavors are authentic, the dishes are divine and I love this place! The rice is delicious and special!!! My ultimate favorite platter to get as a starter is the Mezze Platter and is shared wonderfully with friends! Incredible wine selection and atmosphere and service are great! I would go back, again & again because I ALWAYS crave it!

Gina DellaVecchia

My husband, daughter and I came here on Thanksgiving for dinner and it was a fantastic experience. Yummy food, good drinks and wonderful service. We had a great view of the sunset, too. We can’t wait to come back! I highly recommend this restaurant for anyone looking for a delicious meal in Laguna Beach.

Nancy Page

This restaurant was highly recommended in an online social media group. Service was excellent. Our server made recommendations, which we used to make our selections. I had the filet mignon kebab and my son had the chicken kebab. Both were so flavorful and tender. They were each served with rice pilaf, vegetables, pita, hummus and tzatziki. The server checked with us throughout the meal and ensured we were well taken care of. I'm so happy we were able to dine here.

Kay G

Highly anticipated opening of this restaurant for locals as it took ages to get there after dealing with the city. It is a lovely open concept dining room with ocean views, light and airy, beautiful decor and settings. The martinis were great, and the appetizer and branzino were not great, not bad. Was hoping the food would be a bit more memorable and irresistible, but will be back for cocktails at the bar.

Pinafini is an above average Mediterranean restaurant. It did not blow me away and no dish stood out as particularly impressive, but it also wasn’t terrible or anything. Service was incredibly pleasant but slow. Dishes were creative and cooked properly but most of the ingredients tasted like they were bought from Cisco or some other mass distributor. The Pizza in particular was disappointing—it was neither American nor authentic to the Mediterranean. The vibes were cool but the music and other people were way too loud. These days, restaurants are so expensive that you want your $300 check between two $80 Ubers to genuinely wow you, but I wasn’t wowed. I didn’t have a bad time, but I definitely didn’t have a $460 time. I probably could have made better food at home.

The atmosphere is great but the food is terrible. We decided to try this out for Mother’s Day and I am left getting myself a dinner after this because we are left hungry. Our French fries were cold, there were 4/10 empty mussels in the order of mussels that had literally 10 mussels in it for $22 with zero flavor in the broth, the smelt had zero salt and tasted like rubbery smelt, we had ordered our child pasta that never came (and never even got rang up), and the fried balls of beef (similar to Greek soutsoukakia) was dry and one table next to me even sent it back because it was ice cold. The service was terrible. It took 20 minutes for drinks. Wait staff did not fully understand/know menu. We felt abandoned at our table when we made comments about how things were tasting and there was no recommendation to change or send back. Overall a very bland and upsetting experience. Save your money and time and go ahead and skip.

Jennifer Karfaridis

The atmosphere is great but the food is terrible. We decided to try this out for Mother’s Day and I am left getting myself a dinner after this because we are left hungry. Our French fries were cold, there were 4/10 empty mussels in the order of mussels that had literally 10 mussels in it for $22 with zero flavor in the broth, the smelt had zero salt and tasted like rubbery smelt, we had ordered our child pasta that never came (and never even got rang up), and the fried balls of beef (similar to Greek soutsoukakia) was dry and one table next to me even sent it back because it was ice cold. The service was terrible. It took 20 minutes for drinks. Wait staff did not fully understand/know menu. We felt abandoned at our table when we made comments about how things were tasting and there was no recommendation to change or send back. Overall a very bland and upsetting experience. Save your money and time and go ahead and skip.