Take a step back into Orange County history with a walk through Old Towne Orange. Centered around Plaza Park at Chapman Avenue and Glassell Street, the historic district is filled with restaurants, antique and collectible shops, specialty stores and places to explore. Here are some of our favorite ways to experience Old Towne Orange and the Orange Circle.
Restaurants in Old Towne Orange
If you’re in the mood for BBQ, Smoqued California BBQ serves up everything from beef brisket, smoked chicken wings, pulled pork, and St. Louis Ribs to sides of fried pickles, avocado fries and taterquiles.
If you’re looking for an authentic flavorful Northern Italian experience, look no further than Francoli Gourmet. They also have a wide selection of fine wines from every one of Italy’s twenty regions and you can take bottles to go too!
Gabbi’s Mexican Kitchen serves regional Mexican cuisine in the heart of Old Towne Orange. Reservations are available through the restaurant’s official website. Avila’s El Ranchito is another great place to get Mexican food if you can’t secure a reservation at Gabbi’s. For more casual fare check out both the Pizza Press and Blaze Pizza where you can build your own pizzas.
Smoqued California Barbeque: 128 N Glassell St
Francoli Gourmet: 100 S Glassell St
Gabbi’s Mexican Kitchen: 141 S Glassell St
Avila’s El Ranchito: 182 S Orange St
Pizza Press: 155 N Glassell St
Blaze Pizza: 101 S Glassell St
Zito’s Pizza: 156 N Glassell St
Byblos Cafe: 129 W Chapman Ave
Rutabegorz is a longtime Orange favorite at 264 N. Glassell Street, serving salads, sandwiches, vegetarian dishes and other casual fare in a distinctive historic setting.
Centro & Storico Cafe at 208 E. Chapman Avenue brings Italian food, pizza, panini and cafe drinks to the Old Towne dining scene.
Breakfast, Brunch & More Places to Eat
A fun spot is the Filling Station Café. Another popular spot for breakfast all day, but their lunch and dinner menus are also full of traditional favorites. Diners will feel the nostalgia of the old days as they dine on old-fashioned comfort food at this gas station-turned café.
Bosscat Kitchen & Libations is a fun and stylish place to eat – they serve lunch and dinner daily, and brunch on Saturday and Sunday. Here you’ll find American fare and some Southern style with a twist. Try the pork belly poutine, shaved pork chop sandwich, and the cajun brick chicken. They’re also known for their extensive whiskey collection.
If you’re in the mood for seafood, try O Sea, a seafood restaurant and wine bar on South Glassell Street. Check the restaurant’s official website for its current menu and hours.
Orange Elks Lodge #1475 is another great stop for lunch or dinner. You must be a member or be with someone who is, but the delicious meals are affordable and served in a fun and friendly environment.
Bagel Me! has been serving bagels, egg melts, bagel sandwiches, smoothies, drinks and much more since 1997. Whether on the go or eating in Bagel Me! is a great option for a casual breakfast or lunch spot.
Filling Station Café: 201 North Glassell
Bosscat Kitchen & Libations: 118 W Chapman Ave.
O Sea: 109 S Glassell Street
Orange Elks Lodge: 211 East Chapman
Urth Cafe: 100 W. Chapman Ave.
Bagel Me!: 60 Plaza Square
Blaze Pizza: 101 S Glassell St
Francoli Gourmet: 100 S Glassell St
Citrus City Grill: 122 N Glassell St
Bars, Breweries & Nightlife
The District Lounge is a great place to start or end the evening. Though not a dive bar, this lounge has a dark feel and features a modern juke box, a vintage photo booth, karaoke and two pool tables. O’Hara’s Pub is a longtime Old Towne Orange bar with a jukebox, pool tables and TVs, located just north of the Orange Circle.
Haven Craft Kitchen + Bar offers food and drinks in a lively setting near the Orange Circle. Haven also has a specialized menu just for dogs.
1886 Brewing Company is a local brewery and restaurant on North Glassell Street serving craft beer and food in Old Towne Orange. Check its current schedule for specials and events. Feel like hopping? Head over to Chapman Crafted to check out another local brewery. Bonus: They also have their very own crafted coffee.
The District Lounge: 223 W Chapman Ave
O’Hara’s Pub: 150 N. Glassell St
Haven Craft Kitchen + Bar: 190 South Glassell Street
1886 Brewing Company: 114 N Glassell Street
Chapman Crafted: 123 North Cypress Street
Dessert & Coffee
Old Towne Orange has plenty of dessert options, depending on what you’re in the mood for. Ice Cream? Check out After’s Ice Cream. An Artisan Bakery? Pandor Artisan Bakery will serve you up. Pie? Well check out the Pie Hole. Candy? Tiddlywinks has a nice selection. And don’t forget many of the restaurants serve up delicious desserts.
After’s Ice Cream: 117 N Glassell St
Pandor Artisan Bakery: 106 N Glassell St
Pie Hole: 177 N Glassell St
Tiddlywinks Toys & Games: 129 N Glassell St
Antiques & Shopping
Country Roads Antiques & Garden is full of country collectibles with a garden in the back. Outdoors you’ll find patio décor, plants, and other fun items. Antique Station is a large multi-vendor antique and collectibles shop on South Glassell, with booths offering vintage goods, collectibles and other finds. Orange Circle Antique Mall is another longtime stop for browsing antiques and collectibles near the Orange Circle.
Country Roads Antiques & Garden: 216 W Chapman Ave
Antique Station: 178 South Glassell
Orange Circle Antique Mall: 118 South Glassell
Things to See & Do
Start at Plaza Park, the historic center of the Orange Circle at Chapman Avenue and Glassell Street. A few blocks west, the Hilbert Museum of California Art at Chapman University features California narrative art, illustrations, animation art and rotating exhibitions. Admission is free, with online reservations recommended.
The Orange Public Library & History Center is another worthwhile stop for visitors interested in local history. Nearby Chapman University is an open campus, and its Musco Center for the Arts hosts concerts, theater, dance and other performances throughout the year.
The Army Navy Store on South Glassell carries military surplus, outdoor and camping gear, workwear and related supplies. Music lovers can stop at Mr. C’s Rare Records to browse its selection of vinyl and collectibles. Just a few steps from the heart of Old Towne is Chapman University. Take a trip to the basement of Leatherby Libraries for a free visit to the Huell Howser exhibit. The exhibit features images, texts, and memorabilia from the late host’s adventures filming PBS’s popular show California’s Gold. He helped teach others about so many wonderful and unique locations around California, and the exhibit continues to educate and inspire.
Army Navy Store: 131 South Glassell
Mr. C’s Rare Records: 148 North Glassell
California’s Gold Exhibit at Chapman College: 1 University Drive
Events & Best Times to Visit
Visit Old Towne Orange every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. for the Orange Home Grown Farmers & Artisans Market at 303 W. Palm Avenue. The market features Southern California farmers, food and craft artisans, live music, a kids’ club, cooking demonstrations, educational activities and more.
The Orange International Street Fair has been happening since 1973. Every year on Labor Day weekend, 15 streets surrounding Plaza Park are packed with ethnically diverse food vendors, entertainment, arts and crafts for kids, dancing, local artisans, and vendors from around the community. A fantastic community event that is fun for the whole family.
There are a number of other exciting annual community events hosted in Old Towne like Treats in the Streets and the Tree Lighting Ceremony.
If you’re looking to stay overnight, The Richland is a boutique hotel and event venue in Old Towne Orange at 137 E. Maple Avenue. Check the hotel’s official website for current room availability, dining and event information.
About Old Towne Orange
Plaza Historic District
The Old Towne District consists of the City of Orange’s original commercial core of historic structures dating from the 1880’s to the 1930’s, surrounding the Plaza at Glassell Street and Chapman Avenue. The Plaza was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on March 9, 1982.
Downtown Core
The Downtown Core serves as a backdrop for the Plaza District. It is comprised of the eight blocks surrounding the Plaza Historic District, bounded by the centerline of Maple Avenue on the north, Almond Avenue on the south, Grand Street on the east and Lemon Street on the west.
Spoke Street Corridors
An area within the Old Town district consisting of all properties with frontage on North Glassell Street from Maple Avenue to Walnut Avenue, South Glassell Street from Almond Avenue to the Garden Grove (22) Freeway, East Chapman Avenue from Grand Street to Cambridge Street, and West Chapman Avenue from Lemon Street to Batavia Street.