Last Updated on April 27, 2026 by Lauren Belzer Sanford
After spending four years in Orange County for college and returning as residents in 2022, we’ve tried countless restaurants across the county. Some of our very favorites are scattered throughout Newport Beach, a destination that perfectly blends ocean views, laid-back coastal charm, and a dining scene that consistently punches above its weight.
Whether you’re craving fresh seafood, handcrafted cocktails, or an elevated Italian dinner, Newport Beach offers something for every mood and every occasion. These are the spots we keep coming back to — hand-picked from years of personal favorites. If you’re planning a full trip, my Newport Beach travel guide covers where to stay, what to do, and how to make the most of a weekend on this stretch of the California coast.
Bear Flag Fish Co.
A Newport Beach staple, Bear Flag Fish Co. serves up some of the freshest seafood in all of Orange County. With two prime Newport locations—one across from Lido Marina Village and another in Crystal Cove—it’s the perfect casual spot for poke, tacos, or a glass of wine by the coast. There’s also a Huntington Beach location in Pacific City, for those who spend their time in OC a little further north.
Bear Flag has an easygoing, beach-town vibe that makes it ideal for a sunny afternoon meal after a walk along the water. The seafood is incredibly fresh (you can even see it being prepared behind the counter), and the portions are generous without feeling heavy. It’s the kind of place that draws a devoted crowd — and once you go, you’ll understand why it’s so loved.
What to Order
- Ahi Poke – hands down the best poke I’ve ever had!
- New England Clam Chowder – a classic
- Bear Flag Taco – Panko-crusted white fish
- Bear Flag Burrito – Panko-crusted white fish
- La Bamba Roll – Spicy tuna, cucumber, avocado, topped with albacore, served with ponzu sauce.
As much as it’s a restaurant, Bear Flag is also a fish market. You can grab a quick bite for lunch and some fresh fish to take home to throw on the grill for dinner!
Bello by Sandro Nardone
For an upscale (yet approachable) Italian experience, Bello by Sandro Nardone is a must-visit in Newport Beach. Ran by Chef Sandro Nardone, this modern Italian restaurant brings a contemporary twist to traditional Italian dishes, blending creativity with familiarity. The sleek, minimalist interior—decorated with bold artwork, soft lighting, and an open kitchen—creates a dining experience that feels elevated and chic.
Every dish is rooted in authentic technique but elevated through unexpected flavor pairings. Think classics like Rigatoni Amatriciana alongside playful, temporary, and seasonal creations. It’s one of those rare spots where everything—from the service to the plating—feels intentional. Oh, and they’re on the Michelin Guide!
What to Order
- Frittura di Calamari – Calamari, Shishito Peppers, Lemon
- Dolce Diavola – Tomato Sauce, Di Stefano Mozzarella, Calabrese Salame, Wildflower Honey
- Amatriciana – Rigatoni, Guanciale, Peperoncino, Pecorino, Pomodoro
Be sure to see what’s on the menu for dessert; some insane flavors are going on on that menu!
Fable & Spirit
Situated in the heart of Newport Beach, Fable & Spirit is a lively gastropub-style restaurant offering a modern, elevated twist on American dishes. The menu features unique cocktails and a thoughtful selection of local beers, plus a delicious brunch menu that’s perfect for a weekend treat.
The restaurant’s interior is cozy yet chic, with dark accents and the kind of warm, buzzing atmosphere that makes it perfect for date nights or a nicer dinner out with friends. We’ve visited a few times, and the service is consistently friendly and attentive, which makes the experience feel special every time.
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 – European butter, clover honey, Jacobsen sea salt
- Kona Kampachi Crudo – poke tomatoes, yuzu wasabi aioli, crispy taro, Hawaiian sea salt
- Wood Fired Pizzetta – burrata, pesto, broccolini, spring garlic, pearl onions, hazelnuts, balsamic
- Brussels Sprouts – house-smoked bacon, bourbon barrel-aged maple syrup, dijon, citrus zest
- Fish & Chips – Icelandic cod, crushed peas, curry remoulade, hand-cut fries
- Cracked Pepper Bucatini – Manila clams, pancetta, parmesan, smoked cured egg yolk (think of it like a seafood Carbonara, in a sense)
- Alaskan Halibut – celeriac, chanterelle mushrooms, English peas, guanciale, citrus nage (my personal favorite item on the menu, I order it almost every time)
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 specialty cocktail menu, they make the best French 75 I have ever had!
What to Order
- Today’s Pizza – a local’s favorite, the pizza of the day rotates with available ingredients (if you’re lucky enough to come on a day where they have the pear & prosciutto – order it!)
- Roast Beet Salad – arugula, goat cheese, walnuts, horseradish & dijon vinaigrette (this is one of my favorite things on the menu – I always have to have it as a starter!)
- Roast Fingerling Potatoes – olive oil and garlic, pancetta bacon
- Panko, Curry, and Coconut Crusted Icelandic Cod – orange coconut tehachapi grain project sonora grain, shiitake mushrooms, roast carrots, cipollini onions, spinach & grilled baby bok choy, pineapple relish, sweet & spicy thai sauce (one of my favorite menu items to order time and time again)
- RG Burger – autonomy farms smoked bacon, Vermont cheddar cheese, butter lettuce, red onion, tomato, brioche bun, house-made pickles & french fries
- Grilled Albacore Tuna Sandwich – arugula, pickled ginger, red onions, basil aioli, Hawaiian bun, French-fried satsumaimo sweet potatoes with papaya mustard dipping sauce (Max loves this sandwich!)
Gulfstream
Gulfstream is one of those restaurants that earns its place on the list for a very simple reason: it is consistently, reliably excellent — every single time. Part of the Hillstone family of restaurants (which, if you know, you know — the margarita alone is reason enough to visit), Gulfstream has a warmth and polish to it that feels effortlessly Newport Beach. The bar is lively without being loud, the dining room is comfortable and well-designed, and the service always hits the right note between attentive and relaxed.
It’s the kind of place we keep coming back to, and the food is a big part of why. Start with the honey biscuits — served warm, with just the right hit of rosemary that makes them genuinely difficult not to want to order a second plate. The jumbo crab cakes are the real thing: generous portions of actual crab, topped with breadcrumbs, rather than the breadcrumb-forward crab cakes you find too often elsewhere. The shrimp curry is another favorite, and on the cocktail front, the Gulfstream Refresher is exactly what it sounds like — light, crisp, and perfect for a warm afternoon (or evening) on the coast.
What to Order
- Heavenly Biscuits — warm, rosemary-kissed, and dangerously good; start here, always
- Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes — the real thing: mostly crab, lightly topped with breadcrumbs (not the other way around)
- Coconut Shrimp Curry — flavorful, satisfying, a reliable favorite
- Gulfstream Refresher — the house cocktail and a perfect warm-weather sip
- The Margarita — a Hillstone staple for good reason; consistently one of the best around
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 an elevated 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
- Yellowfin Tuna Salad – seared rare, mango, peanuts, avocado, crispy gyoza strips, cilantro ginger dressing
(my absolute favorite, I order it every time!) - Tuna & Avocado Crunch Roll – marinated ahi tuna, avocado, pickled ginger, tempura flakes, spicy emulsion (I usually order it with rice or soy paper instead of Nori – I don’t really love seaweed)
- Steak Frites – 5 oz cut, garlic butter, rocket greens, preserved cherry tomatoes, fries (you can upgrade the cut of meat for an additional charge, if you want)
- Steak & Sushi – tataki-style steak, ponzu sauce, seared salmon sushi, or tuna & avocado crunch roll
- Butter Cake – raspberry coulis, Tahitian vanilla ice cream
Palmilla Cocina y Tequila
Tucked right along the Balboa Peninsula, Palmilla is as close to a Cabo San Lucas escape as Orange County gets. And that’s meant as a compliment. The whole vibe is breezy and festive, with that particular warmth that makes you want to linger well past your second (or third) drink.
A word of warning (and encouragement): the frozen margaritas are enormous. Order accordingly. While you wait for your food, you’ll be greeted with complimentary house-made flour tortillas served with honey butter — the kind of small detail that immediately tells you this kitchen cares. It’s an unexpected, genuinely lovely touch that sets the tone for the whole meal.
What to Order
- Braised Short Rib Taquitos
- Tacos de Filet Mignon – so tender and delicious (add the rice and beans for a complete meal)
- Potato Taquitos – a personal favorite
- Enchiladas Mariscos Suizas – good with anything, but especially shrimp
And you can never go wrong with a mojito (perfect limey flavor), or a frozen mango margarita. Again, be prepared, the frozen margs are massive.
Molo Osteria
Italian-owned and effortlessly chic, Molo Osteria brings authentic Italian flavors to the harbor. It took over the space once occupied by Sabatino’s, right across from the Lido Tasting Room by Bravante Vineyards. The patio’s warm, European ambiance makes it the perfect date-night spot, especially in the evening as the sun starts to go down.
The menu focuses on simple, high-quality ingredients — pastas, seafood, and seasonal vegetables. You can truly taste the difference in the homemade sauces and just-right al dente texture of the pasta. The staff are welcoming, and the whole experience feels like a little escape to Italy tucked into the shipyard.
What to Order
- Focaccina – pizza bread
- Citrus Avocado Salad – oranges, grapefruit, arugula, avocado, almonds, balsamic, goat cheese
- Spaghetti alle Vongole – manila clams, white wine sauce
- Fettuccine alla Bolognese – beef ragout
- Bombolone alla crema” – with chocolate sauce (basically an Italian donut – so delicious)
My menu recommendations are simple, yes, but that’s because I’m a firm believer that the restaurants that can do the basics, and do them as well as Molo does, are worth visiting.
These tried-and-true favorites are the places we return to again and again — and the list will keep growing as we discover more spots worthy of a spot here. Newport Beach’s dining scene rewards exploration, and there’s always something new to find tucked along the harbor or just off PCH.
For more Orange County dining, my guide to the best restaurants in Laguna Beach is a natural next stop — just 15 minutes south and well worth the drive. And if you’re building out a full OC itinerary, my roundup of 12 Italian restaurants in Orange County, the best coffee shops in Orange County, and things to do in Orange County will keep you well fed and well entertained.
Planning a place to sleep between meals? Browse hotels in Newport Beach on Booking.com or head to my dedicated guide to where to stay in Newport Beach for a curated breakdown by style and budget. And if you want to get out on the water between dinners, Newport Beach boat tours and sunset sailing cruises on Viator are some of the best ways to see this coastline from a different angle.