Fennel Kitchen & Bar

rated by maryam • food critic

year ago

Finally found a spot that can keep the entire family happy…from apps, to drinks to main course and dessert. Oh and the vibe! The moment we walked in, I knew this place was going to be a hit. Much bigger than it looks from the outside—modern, stylish, and still cozy in all the best ways. It’s got that inviting, energetic buzz that makes you want to linger. Jacob, our server, was incredible—he literally read my mind. I barely had to say a word and he nailed every single part of my order. That kind of thoughtful, intuitive service is so rare and really made the experience stand out. We kicked things off with the hummus and pita, served with crisp, fresh-cut cucumbers and carrots. It was the kind of simple, clean starter that hits all the right notes—cool, creamy, crunchy, and full of flavor. The grilled Serrano chili added the perfect smoky heat—SO good. The Caesar salad was tossed in a punchy house-made dressing and topped with the most delicious grilled, butterfly-cut chicken filet—charred, juicy, and cooked to perfection. My husband swapped the salmon for chicken in his bowl and didn’t miss the fish for a second. What sealed the deal? Jacob told us the owners treat their staff like family—people want to work here, and it shows. Everyone was warm, dialed-in, and genuinely happy to be there. Almost all the desserts are made in-house, and their ice cream comes from the best local spot in town. I didn’t have room this time—but I’m already planning to come back for brunch (I hear it’s packed for a reason). Amazing food, impeccable service, and the kind of vibe that just feels good. This place gets it right.

Carole Fidanza

month ago

For Mother’s Day, I went to this fantastic restaurant and had an amazing experience. Jacob was our server and he went above and beyond. This restaurant is amazing and the food was absolutely incredible. Every dish was full of flavor and perfectly prepared. Jacob truly made our experience special with his outstanding service, friendly personality, and attention to detail. We will definitely be coming back!

Marie Fidanza

month ago

I came here for Mother’s Day and I had a wonderful time! Jacob was amazing. He recommended the “so fresh and so clean” with Hendricks gin, and it was the best drink I’ve ever had. Jacob also recommended the house fennel hummus with some veggies, and for our entrees we had the branzino and salmon bowl. The fish was cooked just right and made perfectly. This place in Aliso viejo is a gem 💎. Thank you again Jacob for the exceptional service! He made our Mother’s Day Experience wonderful and I will definitely be back.

Phillip Bryant

8 months ago

Looking for a great Mediterranean meal this is a good place for it. I stopped by Fennel kitchen for lunch just on a whim and I did not regret it. They have some really great entrées. The chicken kabobs were amazing and the salmon bowl was delicious and the service was awesome(Quick and friendly). I will have to visit again when I’m back in the area. If you’re visiting Aliso Viejo or the surrounding cities give them a try. You won’t regret it.

Yassi Sadri

7 months ago

OMG Mediterranean and Persian cuisine just got upgraded a million times. I can’t rave about this place enough. First off the interior is so cozy and modern, the ambiance is great! The service was fantastic from the moment we arrived till the minute we left. We tried the pesto hummus which was beyond creamy and delicious, their koobideh kabob was so juicy served with the butteriest authentic basmati rice, and their tasty cheesy steak sandwich served on a great ciabatta bread was a must have. Whether you’re looking for a place to gather family, or go on a casual romantic dinner, or simply looking for good Persian food look no further! Can’t wait to go back and try more of their menu items.

Inor latfolla

week ago

Fennel, a Mediterranean-inspired gem, has quickly become one of my favorite local spots. If you’re looking for a unique coffee shop or restaurant experience, this place is a must-visit. During my recent visit, I indulged in the pistachio cardamom latte and the knafeh dessert, both of which were absolutely incredible. The latte was rich, smooth, aromatic, and perfectly balanced, making it one of the most unique and delicious lattes I’ve had in a long time. I even attempted to recreate the flavor at home, but unfortunately, it didn’t quite match the original. It’s definitely worth going to the café and having them make it for you. While I’m not a big fan of sweets, my friend introduced me to their knafeh dessert, and it was absolutely worth the treat. The combination of warm, crispy pastry, sweet cheese, and pistachios, paired with the pistachio latte, created the perfect way to end our meal. The food, coffee, and atmosphere at Fennel are all thoughtfully curated and bursting with flavor. It’s easy to see why it has become a local favorite. I can’t wait to return and explore more of their menu.

Rob Ladd

7 months ago

After a not so great take out experience we were contacted by management of Fennel to apologize about the experience and to explain what had gone wrong. This was clearly an internal error with the company who works on the menu that populates online. It was a glitch by the system and has since been rectified. We were offered to come back and try the meals again and to have the experience we should have had. We went in yesterday and boy did they deliver. Customer service was outstanding. Food was top notch and next level. They really did kick it out of the park. We started with the cauliflower and dates. Amazing and bursting with flavor. A must try. We also had the Mezze plater and that was a beautiful presentation and everything on it was perfection. Reminded me of my trip to Turkey! I had ordered lamb chops and Risotto and it was perfectly cooked lamb and the risotto was amazing. We also ordered the chicken kabobs and those were cooked to perfection and amazing as well. For dessert we had the chocolate mousse cake and the knafeh. Both were amazing and the knafeh was so different and amazing. Such a fun treat. Overall we had a fun experience and food and service was next level amazing. I feel terrible for getting our amazing server and the manager. Both took such good care of us and really made this an experience. I am unclear how I did not take pics of our entrees but trust me they were colorful and amazing!! And one last question to the owners, why are there so many TV's in this place

Keemia Beizai

month ago

Fennel is one of my favorite restaurants in Orange County! The food is delicious and the service is unmatched. Jacob is always a great bartender and server— he introduced me to the cauliflower & date dish and I loved it! He is so attentive and makes you feel like you’re home. I want to try every dish on their menu. I will definitely be back!

Caleb Earnshaw

4 months ago

Great food! The salmon bowl was delicious and a lot of colors and overall very filling. We had some very good appetizers as well. Loved the food short wait and overall great atmosphere. Not to loud and great service

A Siewert

2 months ago

Stopped in for lunch. Such a great find! Jacob took care of us, and he was incredible. Great service, knowledgeable recommendations, and very welcoming. The food is fresh and flavourful. Love the eggplant dip! It came with pita, and we also got fresh cucumber and carrots to go with it. We ordered the eggs with potato waffle, and a spicy falafel wrap. The spicy schug is herbaceous and goes with everything! Also treated ourselves to cardamom lattes. They're topped with cardamom and black pepper which added a nice aromatic and light flavour kick. Vegetarian options available. Highly recommend!