The best restaurants and bars in Anaheim

Trendy Filipino fare finds a hip and colorful Orange County standard-bearer at MFK By Aysee. The MFK in the name stands for Modern Filipino Kitchen (not a reference to M.F.K. Fisher, though we don't think she would be mad at this place) and they deliver the goods with everything from rice bowls topped with chicken adobo or lechon kawali to elaborate kamayan feasts for a crowd. Do not miss the Loaded MFK Tots, where succulent pork or chicken is layered over crispy, housemade tater tots, heaped with shredded cheese, lemon and sriracha cream, scallions and garlic frito crumble.

Catal is located in the Downtown Disney complex, but you won't find typical theme park fare here. Rather than funnel cake or frozen lemonade, head to Catal for high-end white-tablecloth dishes (think: oxtail ragu with masa gnocchi, lamb roulade and a whole portion of the menu dedicated to paellas) crafted by L.A.'s Patina Group. On a nice night, try to snag a seat at the Uva Bar, a faintly Art Nouveau-inspired outdoor dining space. 

Orange County chef and restaurateur Zov Karamardian opened this location of her eponymous local chain in 2014.  The 130-seat restaurant serves a menu of Mediterranean-inspired cuisine including flatbread "pitzas," seafood dishes, and the popular spiced lamb burger. The space includes a large patio with firepit perfect for a relaxing evening outdoors. 

The ever expanding roster of merchants at this handsome, modern food hall runs the gamut from full service restaurants to niche vendors that specialize in grilled cheese, hot pot, juice, popsicles and more. Inside the hall is Anaheim's foremost cocktail bar, the speakeasy-style Blind Rabbit. Elsewhere in the District, you'll find Anaheim Brewery, an Umami Burger location and more to munch and sip. 

This casual, all-day restaurant and bar specializes in healthy takes on traditional comfort food dishes. Almost anything on the menu can be prepared gluten-free, there's a strong smattering of vegetarian-friendly dishes and all the cheeses, meats, produce and breads are sourced from local producers. 

A longtime landmark on the local dining scene, this steak and seafood house moved (after 32 years) into a new, spruced up location right in the middle of Anaheim's sports and entertainment destinations. If you're looking for a classic meal before heading off to the Angels Stadium, Grove of Anaheim or Honda Center, this is your spot. Locals may know the Catch best as the home of the OMG Burger, an eight-pound, 14-inch-wide, off-menu novelty best ordered by large, hungry groups.  

Reunion Kitchen + Drink calls their concept "Modern Comfort," an idea which encompassases a variety of gastropub-ish offerings including burgers, steaks, pastas and pot pies. You'll still find cosmos (made, improbably, with Sprite) and lemon drops on the cocktail menu, but the beer list shines with options from Allagash, Anderson Valley and other excellent local and craft brewers. 

Located on the Anaheim Garden Walk, this outpost of Roy Yamaguchi's chain has a rather more upscale atmosphere than the average tourist trap. The cuisine draws from Hawaiian and Pacific Rim flavors in an approachable way and colorful speciality cocktails will run you a mere $7 during the daily "Aloha Hour."