Thermal performance and fluid flow characteristics of elliptical fin microchannel are numerically investigated by varying fin orientation in the laminar flow region. Six distinctly oriented elliptical fins ranging 0 -12 along channel length are numerically examined for inlet Reynolds number (Re) ranging 174-748. The same is compared with the conventional straight fin microchannel. It is found that continuous straight fin when replaced with a series of short length elliptical fins leads to re-establishment of the thermal boundary layer and results in thinning of boundary layer thickness. By varying the fin angle, fluid is directed from primary channel to secondary channel which finally flows into the primary channel. These secondary flows disrupt the boundary layer and show better fluid mixing in the channel. Among all the orientations considered, elliptical fin oriented at 2 yields better cooling performance ensuing an optimum average Nusselt number enhancement of 116% (7.68-16.64) with a very less pressure penalty (15%). Besides this, the rise in wall temperature is reduced by 25.39% in comparison to straight fin microchannel.