Last Updated on December 8, 2024 by Lauren Belzer
After spending four years in Orange County for college and becoming residents again in 2022, we’ve tried a lot of restaurants throughout the county’s various pockets. Some of our favorite spots happen to be scattered throughout Newport Beach.
Newport Beach is not only a picturesque destination for beach lovers but also a haven for food enthusiasts! Here you can find everything from fresh seafood to innovative fusion cuisine and an array of top-notch restaurants that cater to every palate.
Fable & Spirit
Situated in the heart of Newport Beach, Fable & Spirit is a lively gastropub offering a modern and elevated twist on American food. The menu features inventive cocktails as well as a selection of local beers. They also have a delicious-looking brunch menu.
With its welcoming ambiance, Fable & Spirit provides diners with a vibrant experience that celebrates the art of food and drink. Here are some favorites from Fable & Spirit’s dinner menu:
What to Order:
- Guinness Brown Bread
- Hamachi Crudo
- Wood Fired Pizzetta
- Brussels Sprouts
- Cracked Pepper Bucatini
- Alaskan Halibut
Farmhouse at Roger’s Gardens
Nestled within Roger’s Gardens in Newport Beach, Farmhouse offers a menu that celebrates Southern California’s agricultural community. Yes, this means that you get a delicious farm-to-table experience. The restaurant, with its charming farmhouse-inspired décor and lush surroundings, exudes a rustic elegance that perfectly complements this farm-to-table ethos. Visitors can enjoy al fresco dining in the restaurant’s charming garden patio, surrounded by vibrant flowers and greenery!
Farmhouse at Roger’s Gardens showcases a menu brimming with seasonal produce, proteins and more, sourced directly from local farmers, fishermen, and artisans. The executive chef at Farmhouse, Chef Mead, is dedicated to sustainability and flavor, with some of the simplest ingredients thoughtfully transformed into the incredible menu that you enjoy at Farmhouse. The cocktail menu also includes nothing but the finest ingredients. The Voodoo Child is delicious if you like rum, and while not on their actual cocktail menu, they make the best French 75 I have ever had!
What to Order:
- Today’s Pizza
- Roast Beet Salad
- Blistered Maple Glazed Brussels Sprouts and Cippolini Onions
- Roast Fingerling Potatoes
- Panko, Curry, and Coconut Crusted Icelandic Cod
- RG Burger
- Grilled Albacore Tuna Sandwich
JOEY Newport Beach
Located on the outskirts of Fashion Island, JOEY Newport Beach is one of our favorite lunch spots for a tasty bite and delicious sip. You can of course get dinner there, too, but we’ve come to enjoy it more as a lunch spot.
We’ve been to JOEY more times than we can count and I always crave their truffle parmesan fries! It is a luxury restaurant chain that for us, hits the spot every time! Because it’s located in one of Newport Beach’s premier shopping malls, it makes for great people-watching, valet-watching (some incredible cars pull up), and a fun, upbeat environment!
Here are some of our favorite items on the menu:
What to Order:
- Truffle Parmesan Fries – always a good appetizer paired with some Rosé or Sauvignon Blanc
- Spaghetti Pomodoro
- Bollywood Butter Chicken
- Yellowfin Tuna Salad – my absolute favorite, I order it every time!
- Mediterranean Bowl
- Tuna & Avocado Crunch Roll – I usually order it with rice or soy paper instead of Nori (I don’t really love seaweed)
- JOEY Cheeseburger
- Steak Frites
- Steak & Sushi
- Butter Cake
Bear Flag Fish Co.
One of our all-time favorite Orange County restaurants is Bear Flag Fish Co. They have three total locations throughout the OC, with two being in Newport Beach (the other is in Huntington Beach). Both Newport Beach locations are in prime spot – the first right across from the main strip of Lido Marina Village and the second in Crystal Cove Shopping Center.
The Crystal Cove location has recently expanded and is technically closest to us, so this is the location that we frequent the most. It’s the perfect spot to have a glass of wine or cocktail with the freshest of fresh seafood!
What to Order:
- Ahi Poke – hands down the best poke I’ve ever had!
- Chips & Guacamole
- New England Clam Chowder
- Bear Flag Taco
- Bear Flag Burrito
- La Bamba Roll
Molo Osteria
Molo Osteria is a delicious, Italian-owned spot in Newport Beach that took over the place of Sabatino’s. Our first time at Molo was summer of 2024, not too terribly long after they opened, and we were definitely fans. The ambiance on the outdoor patio makes you feel like you’re in a different world, and the fresh ingredients are wonderful!
What to Order:
- Citrus Avocado Salad
- Spaghetti alle Vongole
- Fettuccine alla Bolognese
We are always looking for new restaurants aside from returning to our tried-and-true spots in Newport Beach – so check back for updates to this post as we discover more!