Anaheim is preparing for a significant transformation with the OCVibe development, a $5 billion, 95-acre mixed-use entertainment district that received city approval in 2022. Backed by the Samueli family, owners of the Anaheim Ducks, the project is anticipated to begin opening in phases as early as 2027.
Located near the Honda Center and across from the recently sold Angel Stadium, OCVibe is planned to feature a 5,000-seat, state-of-the-art concert hall and a revived version of the Golden Bear, a Huntington Beach music venue that closed decades ago. The development aims to become a major draw for locals, tourists, and the wider Orange County community, offering a range of experiences from fine dining to an expansive food hall.
A key focus of OCVibe is its culinary offerings, which are slated to include new concepts from prominent chefs. Chef Tim Hollingsworth, known for his work at The French Laundry and his Downtown Los Angeles restaurant Otium, plans to open a wood-fired restaurant at OCVibe in 2027. This venture will mark his initial foray into Orange County, and he intends to feature a raw bar and wood-fired pizzas, potentially including "reinterpretations" of past favorites. Hollingsworth stated that OCVibe presents "a great opportunity because it’s bringing people together in community."
Global chef and humanitarian José Andrés is also joining the project. His group plans to establish a ground-floor restaurant to anchor the SENA Hotel, which will be Anaheim’s first Autograph Collection property. The hotel is expected to provide more than 300 guest rooms, alongside additional dining and bar options managed by Sage Hospitality Group. Andrés expressed enthusiasm, saying, "Anaheim, here we come! It is no secret that I love California."
At the heart of OCVibe's dining options will be Katella Commons, an ambitious 50,000-square-foot food hall designed to host 21 chefs offering various cuisines and price points. Among the chefs committed to Katella Commons are Los Angeles culinary figures Debbie Lee and Roy Choi. Lee will introduce Pado, a Korean-inspired seafood and raw bar, as well as an outpost of her Korean-style convenience store and street food concept, Mokja. Choi is set to open a location of his Las Vegas restaurant, Best Friend, which features dishes like Kogi short rib tacos and buttermilk fried chicken.
The food hall, also scheduled for a 2027 opening, will showcase emerging talent, including Danielle Duran-Zecca and Alessandro Zecca of Amiga Amore, and Alex Garcia and Elvia Huerta of Evil Cooks. Orange County's culinary scene will be represented, as will international talent such as Chef Guoming “Sam” Xin of Noodle Man.
According to Katella Commons Vice President Nick Pacific, the selection process involved evaluating more than 100 Orange County and Los Angeles restaurants to curate a distinct mix of chefs and concepts. Pacific noted, "We wanted to bring some things that are unique, that don’t exist here in Anaheim." He also highlighted that Katella Commons will provide upfront capital and manage operations for its restaurants, creating an appealing partnership for participating chefs. Pacific described their role as "creating the stage and then the artist fills the space."
Anthony Olheiser, OCVibe Senior Vice President of Hospitality, indicated that the project aims to redefine Orange County's dining landscape. Olheiser stated that "OCVIBE represents an opportunity to shift that dynamic," referring to residents often traveling to Los Angeles for prominent dining experiences. He added that the presence of chefs like Roy Choi and Tim Hollingsworth, alongside local operators, reflects a significant advancement for dining in Orange County, bringing together talent and appetite in a new destination.
