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Much like L.A., restaurants in Orange County are generally casual, and you’ll rarely see men in jackets and ties. However, at top resort hotel dining rooms, many guests choose to dress up.
Of course, there’s also a swath of casual places along the beachfronts—seafood takeout, taquerias, burger joints—that won’t mind if you wear flip-flops. Reservations are recommended for the nicest restaurants.
Many places don’t serve past 11 pm, and locals tend to eat early. Remember that according to California law, smoking is prohibited in all enclosed areas.
This popular indoor and outdoor dining spot grills up the freshest local fish (swordfish, sea bass, halibut, and tuna) and offers a wide range of creative seafood dishes, sushi, fish tacos, and Hawaiian-style poke salad. Order at the counter, which doubles as a seafood market, and sit inside or outside on the patio. This is one of the few restaurants in Southern California with its own fishing boat, so there's a good chance some line-caught local fish will be on the menu.
This popular dining spot offers a variety of seasonal seafood, shellfish, meat, and poultry with a tranquil bay view. On sunny days, the waterfront patio is a popular spot to enjoy different types of shellfish with an emphasis on freshness. The menu changes daily, and the bar pours cocktails, wine, and craft brew.
Overlooking the harbor, this open-to-the-sea-air patio is the preferred spot to dine on freshly caught fish, savory chowders, and all manner of shellfish. Order a swordfish steak, the lobster roll, or the sand dabs if they are on the menu. Save room for homemade Key lime pie or java mud pie. The dining room has a nautical vibe. Fishing rods serve as room dividers, and plank floors lend a casual feel inside and out. Vintage black-and-white photos acknowledge the island's famed sportfishing legacy. Happy hour offers craft beers, potent cocktails, and tasty bites like fried calamari and oyster shooters.
The eclectic seafood menu served at this 1920s cannery building has many locals arrive by boat, as there's a convenient dock at the front entrance. If you are feeling some boat envy, you can reserve the restaurant's Duffy boat for a two-hour brunch or sunset cocktail cruise before dinner. The boat is available for $150 an hour with a two-hour minimum. Order items from the special boat rental menu such as a bottle of champagne, with lobster sliders, a cheese board and sushi platter. The upstairs Jellyfish Lounge offers one of the best happy hours in Newport Beach with discounted sushi and cocktail specials daily from 3:30 to 6:30 pm.
Walk through an artist village to get to the Cliff Restaurant for 180-degree views of Main Beach and the Pacific coastline. There are multilevel dining patios to sit and enjoy hearty breakfasts Friday through Sunday, and coastal seafood favorites for lunch and dinner seven days a week. Firepits, outdoor heaters, and blankets keep diners warm when the marine air grows chilly in the evening. This is also a popular happy hour spot where people stay to enjoy the sunset and then remain for dinner.
This trendy Hillstone Restaurant has an open kitchen, comfortable booths, and outdoor seating. The patio is a fantastic place to hang out for Dover Sole flown in from the North Atlantic, cedar plank Scottish salmon, and fried shrimp. For more terrestrial fare, the USDA Prime filet mignon is popular. They make heavenly biscuits, shucked oysters, grilled California artichokes, and an ahi tuna burger. It gets noisy near the bar area, so come early or retreat onto the patio if you prefer a quieter spot.
Seafood rules at the popular, newly renovated Lobster Trap. Try the grilled swordfish with mixed veggies, grilled salmon salad, seafood pasta, tacos, and burritos. Locals and visitors sit at the open kitchen counter or large bar with hooks underneath for bags and outlets to charge your devices. Some prefer the elevated tables in the "Money Matters" boat.
Dine alfresco on the patio to enjoy locally sourced dishes with a glass of wine or artisanal cocktail at this all day eatery at the Hyatt Regency Newport Beach. The seafood platter with mussels, oysters, poached shrimp, crab meat salad, and cocktail sauce is a favorite. Other dishes include a chopped Cobb salad, seared scallops, and Korean fried chicken tenders.
