Waterfront Restaurants in Newport Beach

The coastal city of Newport Beach is nestled in Southern California and is home to many waterways, piers, waterfront restaurants, and breathtaking ocean views. With so many things to do in the area, including visiting local beaches, Corona del Mar State Beach, and exploring the Balboa Fun Zone, an old-school amusement park, there are plenty of opportunities to build up an appetite. 

So when done exploring the Newport Beach area, take a break and enjoy a meal at one of the many fantastic waterfront restaurants.

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Harborside Restaurant

Harborside Restaurant is set in the historic Balboa Pavilion, built in 1906, offering residents and visitors casual waterfront dining opportunities for lunch and dinner. Additionally, this restaurant is the perfect place to enjoy views of the harbor, watch sporting events, and hang out with friends during the most extended happy hour in town. This restaurant offers fresh seafood, prime steaks, and local favorites. Make sure to try one of the wines from their California wine selection.

The lunch and dinner menus offer everything from appetizers to soups and salads and sandwiches to dinner platters. Popular menu items include:

• Chicken lettuce wraps
• Shrimp pasta
• Filet tip pasta
• Pacific swordfish steak
• Pot roast

Tavern House Kitchen + Bar

Enjoy chef and restaurateur David Wilhelm’s interpretation of Southern California coastal cuisine at Tavern House Kitchen + Bar. Additionally, the menus at this restaurant feature various Hawaiian and Mexican cuisine options. The food at this establishment is prepared using the highest quality, sustainable seafood and humanely raised poultry and livestock. Stop by Tavern House Kitchen + Bar for dinner or brunch.

Tavern House Kitchen + Bar has dinner, brunch, happy hour, and dessert menus. Popular menu items include:

• Town dock calamari
• Coconut crusted shrimp
• Maine lobster
• Pan-roasted Chilean sea bass
• Zuni roasted chicken.

SOL Mexican Cocina

SOL Mexican Cocina in Newport Beach offers wood-grilled tacos, fresh seafood ceviche, and other tasty treats you would expect to enjoy from a roadside stand. This waterfront restaurant offers a beautiful place to share fresh coastal cooking from Baja while relaxing with friends and family.

SOL Mexican Cocina offers menus full of appetizers, soups, salads, sandwiches, entrees, and desserts. Popular menu items include:

• Beet and watermelon salad
• Spanish octopus
• Ceviche SOL
• Taco Vampiro chicken 
• Chef special chile Verde

 

Nobu Newport Beach

Nobu Newport Beach offers in-person dining, takeout, and delivery for residents and visitors looking to enjoy one of the many mouthwatering menu items. This restaurant offers classic appetizers, soups, salads, and entrees with a contemporary touch. Popular menu items include:

• Yellowtail jalapeno
• Toro tartare with caviar
• Black cod miso
• Warm mushroom salad
• Hokkaido scallop with spicy garlic or wasabi pepper

 

The Beachcomber

The Beachcomber offers world-class waterfront dining in the Historic District of Crystal Cove State Park. Nestled on the Newport Coastline, this restaurant has sandy beachfront views of Catalina Island, and the outdoor patio is the perfect place to grab breakfast, lunch, or dinner with friends. Popular menu items at The Beachcomber include:

• Tiny ahi tacos
• Tomato burrata crostini
• Shrimp pesto pasta
• Yellow squash spaghetti

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21 Oceanfront

 

21 Oceanfront offers a fantastic location for fine dining in Newport Beach, where locals and visitors can enjoy traditional continental selections, including fresh seafood and prime meats. Additionally, this restaurant is one of the most romantic dining establishments in Orange County, offering fantastic sunset views. 

Popular menu items include:

• Fried buffalo ginger cauliflower
• Jumbo prawn linguine
• Chilean sea bass
• Prime ribeye

 

Rusty Pelican Restaurant

The Rusty Pelican is the place to go for fresh seafood, spectacular water views, and an all-around fantastic dining destination. The food is just as fabulous as the breathtaking views, making this restaurant a must in Newport Beach. Menus available at this restaurant include brunch, lunch, dinner menus, and a wine list. Popular menu items include

• Calamari fritti
• Fresh ahi sashimi
• Chicken penne
• Bone-in ribeye.

The Cannery

The Cannery’s story covers nearly 90 years of American history and continues to deliver the freshest seafood, steak, and chops. Set in a historic landmark in Southern California, this gem is the go-to place to enjoy beautiful waterfront views and time with friends and family.

The Cannery offers brunch and lunch menus, including appetizers, sandwiches, soups, salads, etc. Popular menu items include:

•  Baked Peruvian scallops
• Sashimi cucumber wrap
• Toro and uni
• Teriyaki pork belly yakitori

The Winery Restaurant and Wine Bar

The Winery Restaurant and Wine Bar serve contemporary Southern California cuisine in a hip and sophisticated environment. Additionally, this restaurant has been named Restaurant of the Year in Newport Beach multiple times, one of the many reasons to check this location out for dinner. When dining here, try The Winery Seafood Tower, with lobster tail, jumbo shrimp, oysters, ahi tuna spoons, and king crab legs. Other popular menu items include:

• Seared rare ahi tuna
• Crispy kurobuta pork belly lollipops
• Crisp almond dusted calamari, 
• Slow-braised beef short rib

The many waterways surrounding the Newport Beach area offer many opportunities for boating and exploring. Let Boatsetter help you plan your next boating adventure in Southern California. We offer boat rentals, captained boats, and excursions. Rent a boat in Newport Beach today!