If you’ve ever visited our cannabis retail store here in Orange County, you probably had to drive through Irvine to get to it. With endless strip malls surrounded by perfectly-manicured landscaping and wide roads in perfect condition, you may have wondered—is Irvine a perfect utopia, or is it hiding a terrible secret?
While Irvine may seem too good to be true, there’s nothing sinister hiding beneath the surface. It has one of the best public universities in the country (the University of California Irvine, which happens to have a cannabis research department), and it’s been voted the Safest City of Its Size for 15 years in a row. It’s just a fact: Irvine is a wonderful place to live.
That being said, the beige perfection of this city can sometimes make it seem like Irvine doesn’t offer the thrills of its neighboring cities. You may have to look harder to find them, but fun, offbeat attractions are everywhere. The key is to first get in the right mood with cannabis, then go out on the town. You can order free weed delivery anywhere in Irvine, or visit our Orange County dispensary in person. Once you’re situated with your favorite cannabis products, you’ll be in the perfect place to explore Irvine.
Not sure where to begin? We’re here to help with this guide to visiting Irvine.
Where to Eat in Irvine
Irvine attracts international visitors for a variety of reasons, and many decide to stay permanently. The city has ended up as a melting pot of cultures, and that’s a boon to everyone in Orange County. In Irvine, you can find nearly any type of cuisine within city borders—Asian food (including high-end Japanese delicacies), Brazilian food, or traditional Punjabi. Try it all!
- Chan Chan. A great place to have a beer and a snack, Chan Chan specializes in Korean-style fried chicken, a comfort food that combines Korean and American styles of cooking. Don’t sleep on the other menu options, though—the squid spicy rice cake is exceptional.
- Boiling Point. Specializing in Taiwanese hot soup cuisine, Boiling Point has been the hot pot spot since it opened in 2004. If you want to try the original special, try the Taiwanese spicy hot pot, which has a mix of pork intestines, fish balls, and other meats that are considered more traditional.
- HiroNori Craft Ramen. Craving some comfort food? Enjoy rich tonkatsu ramen with pork chashu and artisan-crafted noodles, or go light with sesame miso vegan ramen. All you need is a glass of refreshing cucumber mint yuzunade to wash it down with, or some mochi ice cream to round out the meal.
- Diamond Jamboree Plaza’s H Mart grocery store food court is another hidden gem, with some unfairly overlooked food stalls that offer some of Orange County’s best eats.
- Personal food court favorite Chicken and Pizza Love Letter has a wacky name, but they’re serious about their fried chicken. Each order comes with pickled radish and a creamy salad made of thinly-sliced cabbage to help refresh and renew your palate after you eat some of the best chicken you’ll ever taste.
- The best Indian food in Orange County. Irvine also has what many people refer to as “the best Indian food outside of Artesia.” If you want to visit the place that’s #1 in the hearts of Irvine residents everywhere, that’d be Southern Spice. They offer a wide menu of both Northern and Southern Indian dishes, and all of them are great. Be warned: portions are massive, and “medium spicy” is hotter than you’d generally expect. Ask for extra yogurt sauce and order a little less than you think you’ll need, or plan for leftovers. Andhra chicken curry and Malabar vegetable stew are house favorites, but you really can’t go wrong with anything on the menu.
The Best Bar in Irvine
Local favorite Hive & Honey is open for business and going strong. Pair their fresh house fries with the Bee’s Knees (a gin cocktail made with honey and lemon juice), or order their delicious Hive and Honey wings. Everyone likes to be wined and dined, so grab your own honey and take them out for a night on the town.
Visiting Irvine? Let Cannabis Enhance Your Experience
Irvine is more than its (incredible) food scene. If you’ve never gone to a drive-in movie or comedy night before, now is the time: The Irvine Spectrum Center now hosts drive-in movie nights and comedy sets. Pop a weed gummy or smoke a pre-roll, then get a ride over to this Irvine mall and enjoy classics like The Nightmare Before Christmas, Jojo Rabbit, and Sandlot. This experience will continue as interest remains high, so make sure to support these drive-in movie events while you can!
For the fitness-minded among us, a pack of Wyld edibles is the first step to enjoying some time outdoors. Take them as a tasty snack while you traverse Irvine’s hiking trails, or use their CBD weed gummies to help you recover from a tough Gracie Barra Jiu-Jitsu class. We definitely can’t forget to tell you to visit the Irvine ice rink, which is located right across the street from the Irvine Great Park Farmers Market. Take a break from perfect Irvine weather and enjoy the cold while you get your heart rate up.
Once you’ve tried out our Irvine guide, keep exploring. Beyond hiking, eating, and nightlife, Irvine has more things to do than any one person could ever have time for. It’s a beautiful city, and we’re here to help you enjoy it. From shopping for the best cannabis in Orange County to finding the best places to visit, we’ve got you covered.
