25 Best Restaurants in Newport Beach for 2025

Last Updated on September 20, 2024 | 0 Comments
restaurants in Newport Beach

Searching for your new favorite restaurant in Newport Beach, CA? This culinary hotspot has a huge selection of eateries to enjoy. From lively neighborhood pubs to scenic waterfront dining, there is sure to be a delicious experience for you in Newport Beach.

Explore the fresh seafood, local wine and innovative California cuisine that Orange County is famous for on your next trip to Newport Beach.

 

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The 25 Best Restaurants in Newport Beach

1. Javier's Restaurant

Celebrate the rich flavors of Mexico at Javier’s Restaurant. Lauded for its authentic Mexican cuisine and an impressive selection of premium tequilas, Javier’s is a premium special occasion restaurant in Newport Beach. Sleek sexy interiors, hand-shaken margaritas and a gourmet menu make Javier’s a must-visit in Newport Beach.

The Vibe

Javier’s is a swanky upscale restaurant serving elevated Mexican cuisine. 

What To Order

Don’t miss out on the margaritas at Javier’s. Try the signature beverage, Javier’s Cristalino, or sample one of the many other flavored options on the extensive drink menu. Taste one of the many fresh ceviche options, sample the tacos, or indulge in the premium fajita plate known as the La Tablita. 

Javiers | Multiple Locations | $$$$

This is a very upscale restaurant in Newport Beach
via Javiers

2. Pelican Grill 

Experience easy-breezy dining al fresco on the California coast at Pelican Grill. This upscale joint offers an elevated, but approachable menu of California-inspired dishes. This restaurant in Newport Beach has it all, from oceanfront outdoor views to a lively open kitchen and luxurious wraparound bar sure to make your dining experience unforgettable.

The Vibe

Pelican Grill exudes an air of quiet luxury with sweeping ocean views and fresh California cuisine. 

What To Order

Get classy with Caviar-Topped French Fries with crème fraîche and chive oil. Order the forest mushroom risotto and have an exclusive tableside experience with a Parmigiano wheel. 

Pelican Grill | 22701 Pelican Hill Road, S. Newport Coast, CA 92657 | $$$$

3. Marche Moderne

Dine like the French at Marche Moderne. Indulge in a modern menu exploring the rich culinary heritage of France. This fine-dining restaurant in Newport Beach explores rustic French cooking combined with an artfully selected wine menu. 

The Vibe

Marche Moderne is perfectly elegant, featuring attentive white linen service and tastefully indulgent menu items.

What To Order

Order the rich duck confit or the perfectly seared filet au poivre. Don’t miss the wide selection of after-dinner cheeses available as well.

Marche Moderne | 7862 E. Pacific Coast Highway, Newport Beach, CA 92657 | $$$

This fine dining restaurant in Newport Beach serves filet mignon.
via Marche Moderne

4. Nobu 

This might be the most well-known sushi restaurant in Newport Beach and for good reason. Made famous for its premium hand-rolled sushi and authentic Japanese cuisine, Nobu is a must-visit. 

The Vibe

Enjoy expansive views of the Pacific in this artfully modern Japanese eatery. 

What To Order

Order outside the box with the chilled monkfish pâté with caviar or indulge in the many fresh sushi options available.

Nobu | Multiple Locations | $$$

5. VIEW 

Enjoy the best of indoor-outdoor dining at the VIEW restaurant in Newport Beach. Watch the sunset over the Pacific Ocean on the Lanai while cozying up by the firepits and eating great food. VIEW offers breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner and late-night menus to suit any occasion.

The Vibe

California cool meets fresh coastal cuisine at this easy-breezy eatery. 

What To Order

Try the flaky salmon and dill croissant for breakfast or keep the party going with the American Burger Royale on the late-night menu.

VIEW | 900 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach, California, USA 92660 | $$$

Get a breakfast at this breakfast in Newport Beach
via VIEW

6. Basilic

Be transported to the French countryside at Basilic. This old-school French restaurant in Newport Beach harkens back to an earlier age of refined culinary excellence. The menu offers traditional French cuisine without feeling dated or boring and an expertly curated wine list made up of strictly French wines.

The Vibe

Dining at Basilic is a stately white linen affair. Expect multiple courses, attentive service and exquisite French dishes.

What To Order

Order the all-you-can-eat raclette for a unique dining experience or try the five-course tasting menu for a decadent dinner.

Basilic | 217 Marine Ave., Newport Beach, CA 92662 | $$$

7. The Dock

Eat right on the water at The Dock. This restaurant in Newport Beach offers a stunning view of the ocean and an upscale continental menu. The Dock was rated not only as one of the best restaurants in Newport Beach but one of the finest in the country by OpenTable, making it a favorite choice among locals and tourists alike. 

The Vibe

The Dock features al fresco-style dining with large open windows facing the waterfront.

What To Order

Start with the spicy, crispy, Spanish-style octopus drizzled in saffron emulsion or keep it light and fresh with the Japanese hamachi sashimi. For the main course try the rich and indulgent prosciutto-wrapped Maine diver scallops served with crispy parsnips.

The Dock | 2816 LaFayette Avenue, Newport Beach, CA 92663 | $

Try some light meals at this restaurant in Newport Beach
via The Dock 

8. A+O Restaurant

Bask in the cool ocean breeze while dining at A+O Restaurant in Newport Beach. Located in the Balboa Bay Resort, this casual eatery offers breathtaking views of ships meandering along the Pacific coastline. The chef-inspired menu features approachable seafood dishes sure to be enjoyed by everyone.

The Vibe

The ambiance is laid back, relaxed and family-friendly while still offering great service and gourmet cuisine.

What To Order

Try the popular beer-battered fish tacos or sip on the fruity signature margarita, Mr. Pablo.

A+O Restaurant | 1221 W. Coast Highway, Newport Beach, CA 92663

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9. Tavern House Kitchen + Bar

Kick back and relax in Tavern House Kitchen + Bar, a down-home neighborhood drinking spot. This laid-back restaurant in Newport Beach serves scratch-made comfort food and craft cocktails by the ocean. 

The Vibe

Tavern House Kitchen + Bar is all flavor, no fuss. Indulge in gourmet-quality dishes while relaxing with friends and socializing.

What To Order

Chow down on the artisanal pear and prosciutto flatbread or tuck into the home-style buttermilk fried chicken plate.

Tavern House Kitchen + Bar | 333 Bayside Drive, Newport Beach, CA 92660 | $$

Get buttermilk chicken at this restaurant in Newport Beach
via Tavern House Kitchen+ Bar

10. The Winery Restaurant and Wine Bar 

Is there anything better than enjoying a glass of wine while gazing out at the gentle waves of the sea? If that sounds good, then The Winery Restaurant and Wine Bar is the ideal spot to enjoy a drink on the coast. This sophisticated steakhouse restaurant in Newport Beach offers upscale cuisine and intriguing craft beverages.

The Vibe

The Winery Restaurant and Wine Bar feels contemporary and coastal, ideal for special occasions.

What To Order

Partake in a classic surf and turf combo with options such as prime cuts of steak, king crab and lobster tails. 

The Winery Restaurant and Wine Bar | 3131 W. Coast Highway, Newport Beach, CA 92663 | $$$

11. Lighthouse Cafe

Towering above the bay, The Lighthouse Café offers majestic ocean views from its rooftop deck. This family-friendly restaurant in Newport Beach offers brunch and dinner with no reservations needed.

The Vibe

This airy American eatery is perfect for enjoying brunch with the girls or a casual dinner with family.

What To Order

The seafood omelette with lobster and shrimp is a decadent brunch option, or try the warm Maine lobster rolls served with melted butter.

Lighthouse Café | 1600 W. Balboa Blvd., Newport Beach, CA 92663 | $$

Visit this outdoor restaurant in Newport Beach
via Lighthouse Cafe

12. Shorebird 

The coastal kitchen at Shorebird offers an innovative twist on traditional American cuisine. The beautiful seafront patio is the ideal spot to sip on a mimosa at brunch or enjoy the sunset with a glass of wine at dinner. 

The Vibe

Shorebird is a welcoming upscale restaurant in Newport Beach with a gourmet menu made from scratch daily.

What To Order

Dig into the Duroc pork chop served with Brussel’s sprouts, white sweet potato and orange honey mustard.

Shorebird | Multiple Locations | $$$

13. Rusty Pelican 

The Rusty Pelican offers spectacular waterfront views and a standout menu of fresh seafood and prime steaks. Established in 1972, this restaurant in Newport Beach is a staple in the community. 

The Vibe

The fresh seafood, stunning views and impeccable service at The Rusty Pelican can’t be beaten.

What To Order

The Newport crab cakes include pineapple mango salsa for a fresh California twist on a classic dish.

The Rusty Pelican | 2735 W. Coast Highway, Newport Beach, CA 92663 | $$

Get some seafood at this restaurant in Newport Beach
via The Rusty Pelican

14. The Beachcomber Cafe

A vintage beach cottage located right on the sandy shores of the Pacific Ocean, The Beachcomber Cafe is a unique eatery serving award-winning California cuisine at brunch and dinner.

The Vibe

This laid-back beachside restaurant in Newport Beach offers a different dining experience perfect for families.

What To Order

Start with the crispy kung pao calamari and follow up with the decadent miso-glazed butterfish entrée.

The Beachcomber Café | 15 Crystal Cove, Newport Coast, CA 92657 | $$

15. Crystal Cove Shake Shack

Cool off with a thick hand-mixed shake or indulge in a sunrise breakfast burrito on the seashore at Crystal Cove Shake Shack. This modest food stall offers a wide variety of milkshakes and malts, breakfast items and juicy old-school burgers. With this restaurant in Newport Beach situated right by the coast, you can take your food to go and sunbathe on the sands. 

The Vibe

Crystal Cove Shake Shack is a fast, casual and fun eatery located on the beach.

What To Order

Order the fresh seared ahi sandwich or the Triple Cove burger, washing it down with your favorite flavor of milkshake.

Crystal Cove Shake Shack | 7703 E. Coast Highway, Newport Coast, CA 92657 | $

Go to the beach and visit this restaurant in Newport Beach
via Crystal Cove Shake Shack

16. Cucina Enoteca

Indulge in the flavors of Italy at Cucina Enoteca. Known for its large shareable portions and extensive wine list, this Italian restaurant in Newport Beach is a great place to relax with family and friends. Enjoy handmade pasta, housemade sausage and a staggering selection of artisanal cheeses. 

The Vibe

Warm and welcoming family-style dining featuring the flavors of Italy.

What To Order

Standouts of the Cucina Enoteca menu include the wood-fired burrata pizza and the clam and squid ink linguini.

Cucina Enoteca | Multiple Locations | $$

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17. Mutt Lynch’s

A quirky oceanfront pub famous for its home-style breakfast menu and gourmet bar food, Mutt Lynch’s dog-friendly, making it the ideal restaurant in Newport Beach for grabbing an ice-cold beer whilst you watch the game with your favorite furry friend.

The Vibe

This friendly neighborhood bar is laid back and casual with fast service.

What To Order

Try Mutt's famous Pterodactyl Wings, the hulking pastrami dill sandwich or the famous fish and chips.

Mutt Lynch’s | 2300 W. Oceanfront, Newport Beach, CA 92663 | $

Check out this unique restaurant in Newport Beach
via Mutt Lynch’s

18. Session’s West Coast Deli

Hailed as the original West Coast deli, Session’s delivers on the hype with innovative sandwiches, fresh salads and local draft beers. This casual joint is known for its fresh ingredients and authentic sandwiches.

The Vibe

Sessions West Coast Deli offers a little something for everyone, with handheld bites and brews.

What To Order

The giant half-pound foot-long corn dog and the Face Plant vegan sandwich are both local favorites.

Session’s West Coast Deli | Multiple Locations | $

19. Sidecar Donuts and Coffee

If you are looking for a quick grab-and-go breakfast then Sidecar Donuts is your stop. This quirky doughnut shop is the self-proclaimed home of the world's freshest doughnuts. These sweet breakfast treats are made from scratch daily and are available in a variety of gourmet flavors.

The Vibe

This restaurant in Newport Beach is an elevated take on the classic doughnuts and coffee shop.

What To Order

Try the rich butter and salt doughnuts or the decadent salted malted chocolate chip cookie doughnuts.

Sidecar Donuts and Coffee | Multiple Locations | $

visit this restaurant in Newport Beach for a donut
via Sidecar Donuts and Coffee

20. Lido Bottle Works

Looking for a craft beer, wine and bottle shop all in one? If so, Lido Bottle Works is the restaurant in Newport Beach for you. This locally owned spot offers small-batch beers, premium wines and tapas-style sharing plates. With a Michelin star under their belt, the chefs at Lido Bottle Works are masters of their culinary craft.

The Vibe

Lido Bottle Works is upscale casual dining with attentive service, perfect for date night or happy hour.

What To Order

The pork belly bao buns are a local favorite, as is the innovative octopus al pastor.

Lido Bottle Works | 3408 Via Oporto, Ste. 103, Newport Beach, CA 92663 | $$$

21. A Restaurant 

Having been operating in Orange County since 1926, A Restaurant is the longest-standing eatery in the area. This fine dining restaurant wows diners with its contemporary new American menu.

The Vibe

This upscale steak and seafood restaurant in Newport Beach has a lush, old-money interior, proving that excellence never goes out of style

What To Order

Start with the 1855 chilled beef carpaccio and then try the rare Japanese A5 Miyazaki beef steak.

A Restaurant | 3334 W. Coast Highway, Newport Beach, CA 92663 | $$$$

Get a juicy steak at this restaurant in Newport Beach
via A Restaurant 

22. Pizzeria Mozza

Regarded by multiple food critics as one of the best pizzerias in the country, Pizzeria Mozza was founded on an intense dedication to the art of pizza-making. In short, it delivers perfect pizzas, every time. 

The Vibe

An Italian-style pizzeria restaurant in Newport Beach featuring imported Italian wines and gourmet dishes.

What To Order

Try the classic Bianca pizza and finish with the butterscotch budino for dessert.

Pizzeria Mozza | Multiple Locations | $$$

23. Royal Hen

Looking for California comfort food? The Royal Hen has been serving up warm and cozy dishes since 2016. The internationally inspired menu offers a great selection of locally sourced gourmet dishes to please every palate. 

The Vibe

Royal Hen is a warm and cozy restaurant with friendly table-side service.

What To Order

The homemade chicken pot pie has diners raving about the buttery flaky crust. 

The Royal Hen | 311 Marine Ave., Newport Beach, CA 92660 | $$

Try a chicken pot pie at this restaurant in Newport Beach
via Canva

24. Sol Grill

Located on the scenic Pacific North Highway, Sol Grill has been welcoming visitors to its restaurant in Newport Beach for 21 years. The innovative menu features classic California cuisine prepared with the freshest ingredients.

The Vibe

An upscale restaurant in Newport Beach serving fresh seafood and traditional American fare.

What To Order

Try the Sol seafood cioppino for a hearty helping of fresh seasonal seafood.

Sol Grill | 2400 W. Coast Highway, Newport Beach, CA 92663 | $$$

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25. The Cannery Seafood on The Pacific

Known for its sunset dinners on the patio, The Cannery is housed in a historical building that has been operating in Newport Beach for over a hundred years. The rich history and stellar quality of the food make The Cannery a must-visit restaurant in Newport Beach.

The Vibe

For a more formal dining experience visit the downstairs restaurant or head upstairs to The Jellyfish Lounge for happy hour and small bites.

What To Order

Don’t miss out on all the fresh seafood options. From whole branzino to Ora King salmon, there is something on the menu for everyone.

The Cannery | 3010 Lafayette Road, Newport Beach, CA 92663 | $$$

Get fresh seafood at this restaurant in Newport Beach
via The Cannery

Try Cooking Orange County Foods

Orange County has a long and delicious culinary history spanning over a hundred years. From authentic Mexican cuisine to fresh seafood, it has it all. And while experiencing the great restaurants near Newport Beach is an amazing opportunity, sometimes cooking at home can be just as fun. Discover how to cook innovative California food like a professional by booking Newport Beach cooking classes. Learn from a five-star professional chef to create authentic restaurant-quality cuisine in your own home.

For even more ways to explore Newport Beach and beyond, check out other experiences happening on Cozymeal.