The Experience
Top of the V occupies the 12th floor of The Viv Hotel at 1601 S Anaheim Blvd — and no description of the space can fully convey how decisive the elevation becomes once you step out onto the terrace. The Resort District spreads out below, the Anaheim skyline assembles itself around you, and when the Disneyland fireworks begin — most nights at 9:30 — the entire dining room turns, instinctively, to watch. It is the most theatrical single moment in Orange County dining, and the restaurant has designed around it.
In 2024, Top of the V reopened with a refreshed brand identity and a new Spanish steakhouse concept inspired by the Basque Country — a considered pivot from the previous format. The kitchen now builds around wood fire: prime cuts, open-flame technique, and a tapas program that takes its cues from the taverns of San Sebastián. Jamón ibérico, housemade croquetas, paella negra with squid-ink rice, Basque cheesecake — the menu reads like a letter from northern Spain, adapted for a Southern California rooftop.
The interior was redesigned at the same time. The dining room now feels more assured — warmer woods, softer lighting, a longer bar — while the outdoor terrace remains the destination. Fire pits, a dedicated sunset hour, and indoor-outdoor flow make the space work in every condition. A private dining room accommodates small celebrations without compromising the view.
The cooking is ambitious but not flawless — Yelp's 609 reviews paint a picture of a restaurant where the kitchen is still finding its rhythm under the new concept. The paella and tableside carving service are the high points. The value equation works if the occasion calls for the view; if it doesn't, Anaheim has less expensive tables with more consistent food.
Best Occasion: First Date
Top of the V is a first-date destination in the most deliberate sense. The elevation alone creates a shared sense of event; the sunset and fireworks provide narrative arc; the Spanish format encourages sharing plates, which is the single most important structural feature of a good first date. Book for the 7:00 seating in summer, 6:00 in winter, and ask for the terrace. The restaurant understands what the reservation is for.
It is also the most credible proposal venue in Anaheim outside the Resort District fine-dining rooms. The private dining room can be reserved for the moment itself, and the fireworks timing is predictable enough to plan around. For birthdays — particularly those that benefit from a backdrop — the rooftop is the most photographable table in the city.