The acclaimed restaurant’s California debut signals a broader effort to make chef-driven dining a defining feature of Anaheim’s emerging OCVIBE district and its long-term cultural identity.
OCVIBE has announced that chef Roy Choi will bring his acclaimed restaurant concept, Best Friend, to Anaheim in fall 2027, marking the restaurant’s first California location and only its second permanent outpost. The opening will also make Best Friend the first signature restaurant within OCVIBE’s evolving mixed-use district surrounding the Honda Center. More than a restaurant announcement, the project reflects how large-scale developments are increasingly using distinctive culinary experiences to establish a sense of place long before construction is complete.
Chef-driven restaurants have become central to destination development in cities across the United States. Rather than relying solely on retail or entertainment attractions, mixed-use districts are increasingly investing in recognizable culinary voices that can attract both residents and visitors. In this context, restaurants serve not only as places to dine but also as cultural anchors capable of shaping the identity of an emerging neighborhood and encouraging repeat visits beyond major events.
For Roy Choi, the opening carries particular significance because of his longstanding ties to Southern California. Although Best Friend first gained recognition at Park MGM in Las Vegas, Choi spent much of his childhood in Los Angeles and Orange County, including time in Anaheim, where his family operated a Korean restaurant. The new location will build on the original concept while incorporating design elements, artwork, and menu offerings inspired specifically by Orange County’s diverse communities, giving the restaurant a character distinct from its Las Vegas counterpart.
Best Friend also represents the first step in OCVIBE’s broader culinary strategy. The district plans to feature more than 35 food and beverage concepts, including Katella Commons, a chef-driven market hall expected to open in early 2027, alongside entertainment venues, public spaces, offices, residences, and hotels. Together, these elements reflect a growing trend in urban development that prioritizes walkable environments where dining, culture, and entertainment are closely integrated rather than separated into distinct destinations.
The announcement illustrates how food has become an increasingly important part of regional storytelling. Rather than treating restaurants as supporting amenities, developers are using them to express local history, cultural diversity, and community identity. As OCVIBE continues to take shape, the arrival of Best Friend suggests that its long-term success may depend not only on concerts, sporting events, or new buildings, but also on creating memorable places where the region’s culinary traditions and contemporary culture naturally come together.
