My fiance treated me to a birthday dinner at 21 Oceanfront while we were vacationing here over the weekend. Located in the very busy oceanfront of Newport Beach, this is a true classic steakhouse. It has that old school steakhouse vibe, but with stunning ocean views. Parking can be tricky if it's during a peak time, but we were able to find street parking a few blocks down and enjoyed a nice walk along the beach. The servers were attentive during our dining experience and made a point to wish me happy birthday multiple times. The bread service was delicious, both rolls were soft and it was hard to not fill up on those alone! I had a lychee martini, which was bright and just subtly sweet. I do feel that it's overpriced at $21, but that's the local pricing. The French Onion Soup was one of the best I've had. The broth was full of flavor, but not a heavy beef flavor like many others. The cheese, onions and bits of bread were plentiful. Our entrees were both delicious. I had the Chilean Sea Bass and it was perfectly cooked, moist and flaky with a nice sear. The mustard sauce was a surprisingly tasty addition. I'm not a mustard fan, so I was leery, but I couldn't taste it, it just added some acidity and rounded out the flavor. The bok choy was sauteed and still had some texture. My fiance had the Prime New York steak, medium, and it was as ordered. We both felt it was good, but not the best steak either of us have had. The garlic mashed potatoes were okay, nothing special. They rounded out our meal with a complementary chocolate dessert for my birthday. It was a cross between a cake and a brownie, it was soooo good! Unfortunately I was so full that I could only have a few bites. This is a great date night or special occasion restaurant with beautiful ocean views. read more

21 Oceanfront - Prime New York - New American Near Me - Newport Beach, California

See all

We left this restaurant disappointed--not because of the food, $400 average dining experience but because of how our dining experience ended; addressed matter with management and it was completely ignored. We enjoyed our meal, ordered dessert, and were still finishing a bottle of wine when we were asked to leave our table and move to the bar because another reservation was waiting. While we understand that restaurants need to honor reservation schedules, asking paying guests to relocate in the middle of dessert and wine felt disrespectful and rushed. Fine dining is about more than the quality of the food; it's about hospitality and making guests feel welcome throughout the entire experience. We never expected to be hurried out before we had finished our meal. Better planning between reservation management and table pacing could have avoided putting customers in such an uncomfortable position. Unfortunately, what should have been an enjoyable evening ended on a disappointing note. We hope management reviews how situations like this are handled, because the last impression is often the one guests remember most. read more

The bf made reservations here for my birthday, we have never been so it was a nice surprise. The restaurant provides valet service $15 and there's public parking which gets busy and full. As we walked in we were greeted by the nice hostess. Our table was ready and by the window overlooking the beach. They have a huge selection of dishes, drinks and desserts. We got the ribeye steak, seafood linguine, pear salad and lobster bisque. I was happy with everything and everything was nicely flavored. Our waiter was very pleasant and helpful, we had an amazing time celebrating my birthday here and will be coming back. read more

See all

I really wanted to have a special birthday dinner so I chose this old style restaurant to celebrate! It's definitely been here forever! Our waitress is sweet and she's only worked here since last April. The music is so dated and they need to redo the interior. My cioppino was very good like four star and Bf's baseball size swordfish was very juicy. I'd say it was solid overall! If I'm in the area again, I would possibly come back but definitely not for a special occasion like my birthday read more

See all

I like the cocktail prawn and lamb chop. But the seafood really depends on the quality that day. But service is good. Live music in the corner of bar area which is nice with sunset view. Overall is okay read more

See all

Located right across the beach Plenty of public parking available and they have valet parking too Lively bar scene where many dine right at the bar. Piano music abounds. It's a peppy atmosphere Food is well done and presented nicely. Classic steak house atmosphere Tomato bisque was absolutely delicious. Tossed green salad was fresh and not overly dressed. Their meats were so tender-- had their filet -- cooked perfectly Desserts are classic like chocolate cake and sorbet. The sorbet had plenty of berries and was so refreshing Service was pretty good since the place was quite crowded read more

See all

I spent around $1,000 here for what I hoped would be an unforgettable dinner since it was my 21st. We got oysters, caviar, scallops, clam chowder, sea bass, ribeye, lamb, linguine, mashed potatoes, lobster mac n cheese, and grilled asparagus. The experience had its moments, but overall, it just wasn't worth it. They actually charged extra just to split two entrees in half. Like who does that and why didn't they say that, lots of hidden fees wtf..? It was not mentioned beforehand. The dry-aged ribeye lacked salt and any real presentation, I paid $100 for that and there honestly no real difference. No real deep flavor of that typical dry age and tbh I do better plating at home. The rack of lamb was decent but needed more sauce since the seasoning didn't stand out. The linguine was spicy (in a good way), mashed potatoes were solid, but the lobster mac and cheese was disappointing. There was this overwhelming cheese flavor with no real depth or cheese pull, Legit just tasted like eating goat cheese. The $24 grilled asparagus wasn't worth it either; it was literally just grilled asparagus, nothing special and they charged that much? The biggest letdown was the caviar. They listed it as golden osetra but what we got was just basic sturgeon caviar, the lid didn't say "golden osetra" anywhere. It cost around $300, which was ridiculous for what it was. Everything on the menu is "market value," so prices aren't clear until you get the bill. NOT WORTH. On the positive side, the sunset view was beautiful and the service was genuinely great; attentive, refilled drinks often, and checked in at the right times. But food-wise, it was mid. Nothing special and realllllly lacked seasoning which is sad to say. For the price, the quality and transparency just didn't match up at all, I will not be coming here again not worth it. read more

See all

This is a fantastic family owned and operated establishment. The dirty martinis and oysters are our favorite items to order. My husband and I come here often for dinner, drinks and nibbles. The view is great, the service is hospitable and consistent. Honestly, we feel lucky to be walking distance from here and it's our go to date night spot. If you're in the Newport Beach area it's a must visit. read more

Over rated. No flavor in the meat. fish over cooked. Never told me up front about the corkage $50. Bull shit.waiter was horrible. It took 15-18 to greet us. read more

Lovely birthday dinner here. Made a reservation for 5pm but showed up at 4pm, was able to sit early. Was greeted warmly upon entering. Had a nice view of the pier. Service was very friendly and professional from host to waiter. Ordered 2x of the 14 oz NY. White truffle Mac & cheese + mashed potatoes. Along with a glass of Daou for $189. Came with a complimentary birthday brownie as well. Food was delicious, steak was cooked to perfection. Ambiance was exactly what I wanted, classy and by the beach. Parking is a nightmare unless you valet. I was fortunate enough to find a spot. It cost $8.50 for 2 hours, but is free after 6pm. read more

21 Oceanfront - New American Near Me - Newport Beach, California

I've been to this area of Newport a handful of times and never realized this place was literally right next door to Seaside Bakery. my boyfriend made reservations to celebrate our anniversary at 21 Oceanfront, and included a request for sunset view. I'm happy that they were able to accommodate as we got a gorgeous view during golden hour + sunset during while eating our appetizer! Complimentary bread & butter: standard, but yummy! didn't eat too much of it so to save space for the main dishes Appetizer - Calamari 11/10: some of the best calamari I've had!! it was so soft; you could tell it was fresh unlike some establishments where it can be a little bit too chewy sometimes. The aioli and marinara sauces that is included pairs perfectly with it. Sides - Au gratin potatoes & Pancetta Brussels sprouts 8/10: delicious! The potatoes were our favorite. wish the Brussels sprouts had a little more char/crunch to them and the pancetta kinda overpowered the sauce imo but still a good pairing with our steaks. Entrée - Steaks 8/10: we both ordered the 16oz ribeye; solid steaks! they were cooked perfectly to our requested preferences. got too full from the rest of our meal so we took the rest to go. service was good; I appreciate that our orders were timed very well (so as to not be overwhelmed with food all at once and we never waited too long for the next course). they even gave us a complimentary anniversary dessert! If I had to give one grievance is that parking can be extremely tough. Be prepared to pay for valet. Nonetheless, a great experience & would return in the future for a special occasion (: read more

See all

Oceanfront 21 was an amazing find right on the boardwalk in Newport Beach The ribeye with garlic mashed potatoes was absolutely delicious, and the Blue Whale cocktail was the perfect pairing--definitely made with love. The food, the drinks, and the oceanfront vibe made the whole experience even better. If you're looking for great food with a beautiful view, Oceanfront 21 is definitely worth checking out. read more

See all

The ambiance was 5 stars. The service was impeccable. Food was fantastic and the wine selection is chefs kiss! All around beautiful place for a special occasion or date night. We enjoyed the Austin Hope for our bottle of wine. Desserts are amazing too! read more

See all

So we've been to this place. Multiple times. It is a beautiful steakhouse with amazing Decor. The ambience is very cool and sexy. The Service and the Wait staff are on Point. The Sommerlei helped us out with a bottle of wine. The appetizer were good. The food was delicious. This is marvel place where you go to absorb the vibes. It is on the expensive side, but it is worth going. If you're in New Port. Don't expect life-changing Food, but you will get exceptional service and you will have a good time. Everyone is very attentive. The unfortunate part of the evening is that their oven was down and we could not get soufflé . Short of that we had a wonderful night. read more

See all

Not service dog friendly. We are locals and came to have dinner and Mark Lamb, the general manger, would not allow a registered service animal into the establishment. I even offered to show him the Orange County animal shelter service dog tags. After he said he didn't care, I told him he didn't want to go that route as it's against the law to not allow a service animals into an establishment. He then touched/grabbed my arm to tell me to exit the establishment. My 88-year-old mother has a legitimate service animal and what Lamb did by not only physically touching me but also not allowing a service animal into their establishment is illegal. I let him know he will be hearing from our attorney in which he said, "you are being "hostile!" read more

21 Oceanfront - Mark Lamb general manager - New American Near Me - Newport Beach, California

Ended our weeklong vacation at this wonderful restaurant on the water. Walked in to hear an amazing talented musician playing all your favorite hits on the guitar and was treated to a great cocktail in the bar area. Service was top-notch and then along came the food. Crab Cake followed by a Ribeye that was to die for. The view was beautiful.... Cheers to a job well done! We'll be back...SOON. read more

See all

Beautiful ocean views and the bar scene is AWESOME! The NY Strip was excellent and Tony the bartender was GREAT!

What a horrible experience we had this evening!! We have been coming here for over 20 years! It started off with the bartender being totally incapable of making a Lemon drop martini. We had to wait FOREVER for bread, water and to order! The shrimp cocktail tasted off. We had to send several drinks back since they tasted watered down. Our dinner order took so long we had to just ask for the check as we only had a sitter til 9 and they STILL CHARGED US FOR DRINKS THEY NEVER SERVED! This was our date night...I'm in the Uber home and I had NO FOOD!! I will never come back here. read more

I would like to start by mentioning I wasn't even a customer of the restaurant on this day (7/8/26) for this particular instance, but I wanted to share an interaction I had with one of the valet attendants because I feel like it reflected very poorly on the business. At approximately 5:20 PM, I asked if I could briefly use one of the clearly marked 30-minute parking spaces so I could take my young children to use the restroom. (he was putting a cone in the space) The parking sign states the space is used for valet service from 6:00 PM to midnight, so I believed the space was still available for public use. If your familiar with the area, the spaces im referring to are right in front of the restrooms at the boardwalk. Instead of politely explaining the policy, the valet attendant immediately told me "no" and suggested I park in the red zone, I'm sorry what? the red zone? not the best advice. I explained that I would only be a few minutes and pointed out that it wasn't even 6:00 PM yet. He simply shrugged his shoulders and started to walked away. As he was walking away I asked if I could get his name and he laughed in my face, bluntly said, "No," and walked away without any further explanation or willingness to help. I understand that parking policies exist, and I fully respect them. However, I was still within the posted timeframe to use the designated 30-minute parking space and would have been gone well before valet service began at 6:00 PM. My issue isn't with the policy, it's with how I was treated. A polite explanation would have been completely acceptable. Instead, I was met with an unprofessional attitude, laughed at, told "no," and dismissed without any courtesy. Even though I wasn't dining at the restaurant, first impressions matter, and this interaction certainly left a negative one. read more

Wha a cute spot. Arrived at 6pm when paid parking my is free. Corner restaurant and door front/opening is so cute for the holidays. We started at the bar and moved to a private spot for 12 of us. It was perfect. Good and service were superb. We never had to wave anyone over because they were so attentive for our drinks and food. We had multiple bottles of wine that they brought, we also ordered different drinks from the bar and we ordered espresso at the end of the night. They did not skip a beat. Would definitely come back. read more

21 Oceanfront - New American Near Me - Newport Beach, California

See all

Great location on the Balboa Peninsula for sunsets and ocean views. The food was very good and the service was excellent. I had the cioppino which was very flavorful and teaming with seafood. Maybe more shellfish would have been nice, but the ample amounts of fish was fresh and not overcooked. The broth was light yet tasty and served with garlic cheese toast. I also had the clam chowder which was very good. Texture was just right and had large chucks of clams. The scallop appetizer was delicious, but it only came with 2 per serving. Overall 21 Oceanfront is a great dinner choice. It's on the boardwalk so you can take a stroll. It's also next door to Seaside Donuts, a popular donut shop, if you're still hungry. read more

21 Oceanfront - Cioppino "21" - New American Near Me - Newport Beach, California

Went to 21 Oceanfront to celebrate my birthday with my family, and we had such a wonderful experience. The restaurant was beautifully decorated for the holidays, giving it a cute and festive vibe. The food was excellent. We loved both the clam chowder and the lobster bisque, and our steaks were so good we practically demolished them. But the star of the night was the Grand Marnier soufflé, absolutely wow. It was the perfect ending and sent us straight into a happy food coma. Being right by the beach and in such a charming area made it even better. Highly recommend this restaurant. read more

21 Oceanfront - Complimentary bday brownie. - New American Near Me - Newport Beach, California

Chose this restaurant for my wife's birthday because she likes seafood and ocean front restaurants. We started with the crab cakes which had lots of crab meat and paired well with the sauce, it made a lovely appetizer. We then split a BLT wedge which was great. For entrees she got the salmon blackened and it was surprisingly good given salmon can be simple sometimes. We asked for lemon butter sauce along with it and it came with brocolini. The cioppino was full of meat, we added the linguine. It was so good and a fear of mine is having it taste and smell like bad seafood but this one hit the spot and was very flavorful, served nice and hot. They then brought out a slice of chocolate fudge or something along those lines to celebrate her birthday. We saw a lot of soufflés at other tables and we wish we had some room for those they looked so good! read more

See all

Service poor food mediocre and they were going to tow my Bentley. I had 10 minutes to leave after I ate. Are you kidding me? Never awful. They wanted to make room for the next victim Left a ton of money for nothing and especially with my son before Father's Day. Disgusting all show no go. read more

Greeted at front door , walked upstairs to a beautiful black booth right at sunset ! Service was great , food was excellent! We will definitely be back ! read more

See all

Great selection of quality, fresh food that is located right at the beach with an upscale atmosphere where the polite and attentive staff know how to do their job. read more

Lobster is my favorite dish in this restaurant. Spectacular service. Amazing ambience. read more

21 Oceanfront - Lobster - New American Near Me - Newport Beach, California

If I could give this restaurant "10" stars, I would! Everything about this evenings dinner was amazing! The service was great, the ambiance was beautiful, the view and sunset was the icing on the cake. I had the scallops with spinach, it was absolutely delicious! The scallops were cooked perfectly and the Beurre Blanc sauce was amazing! It complimented the spinach and scallops nicely. We also had the lobster Mac and cheese, hands down the best I've had. Our second dish ordered was the pot roast which was also delicious. Wine: I recommend the Orin Smith red blend. We didn't get desert, but will make sure to do so when we visit again. read more

We've ridden by this spot on our bikes multiple times over the last few years and always wanted to stop in. With my mom in town, who has been looking for abalone for as long as I can remember, we thought we'd finally give it a shot. The decor is warm and old-world styled, with gorgeous views, though it certainly wasn't stuffy. There was live music on a Friday night and the crowd was very... lively, lol. Loud might be another word, but it was actually fun and a nice contrast to the formal interior design. There were three of us, with mom having the prickly pear margarita, which she loved, and me having a split of champagne and another of white wine, both of which were fine but unremarkable. She had the advertised abalone, which she reported was delicious (though pricey) and husband and I decided to splurge on the caviar service. It was great, with all of the accoutrements (the chips were especially nice, contrasted against slightly thicker then normal blinis... listen, this whole section of the review sounds pretentious as heck so I'm moving on). For mains, we had the filet with blue cheese, the scallops, and a dozen oysters. All were delicious and then we shared a chocolate soufflé for desert (order with your mains if you don't want to have to wait for it, though it's worth it) that was just bitter enough to not be overwhelmingly sweet and served as a fantastic end to the meal. I'm trying to convince some friends to come to town to check out one of the wine nights in December, so obviously a great enough place to visit again even with the higher price tag. It also seems like it would be a wonderful place for a special event, so if you get a chance to check it out, do! read more

See all

It was our 53rd wedding anniversary. The booth location was wonderful. The staff very attentive. The food amazing...hands down the best swordfish we've ever had. But...please get rid of the 60's music, pit on Pandora smooth jazz. read more

This restaurant has great service,great food and great ambiance. You get a beautiful view of the Newport Beach and ocean. It's a great date night restaurant. Staff is knowledgeable on great menu items. I definitely will be back here. read more

21 Oceanfront - Escargots de Bourgogne - New American Near Me - Newport Beach, California

See all

First time here...what a beautiful spot for a drink, a tasty appetizer, and to watch a fantastic sunset. Prices are frisky (I call it "looking at the water pricing") but a gorgeous old-school chophouse vibe. I had a delicious Oysters Rockefeller while enjoying a great glass of wine. Not for those on a budget; if not, LIVE IT UP ! Also close to a venerable old pier, and walking distance to other cool spots. read more

The ambiance is the winning component of this restaurant. The ocean is great too but at night there is zero visibility of the ocean, so if that is your key concern either come during the day or at sunset. Old school steakhouse w dark interior, leather booths, holiday decor etc . Lovely. Prices are high, food is "decent" but not overly fabulous or unique - nice special occasion spot read more

See all

21 Oceanfront in Newport Beach offers a remarkable dining experience. The highlight of my meal was undoubtedly the swordfish, perfectly cooked and bursting with flavor. The incredible soufflés were another standout, light and airy, making for a delightful finish to the meal. Even on a gloomy day, the restaurant's views are nothing short of spectacular, providing a beautiful backdrop that enhances the dining experience. Overall, 21 Oceanfront delivers exceptional cuisine and a stunning ambiance, making it a must-visit spot for anyone in the area! The service is 5 Star from checking in with the host, the servers, expo, bartender, manager... all amazing and such a delight to chat with. I'll be back! read more

See all

Came here for our one year anniversary. Food was delicious. Service was great atmosphere was just right. Thank you

Love This Beautiful Restaurant!! Love The Ambiance & Lovely Decor!! We Have Been Guests Here For Many Years!! We Always Enjoy Our Time Here, Date Nights, Family Gatherings, Celebrations, & Holiday Time!! We Love Dining In The Bar, Lounge Area!! The Managers, Chefs, Bartenders, Hostesses & Staff Are Amazing!! ThankU For Your Smiles & Kindness!! Great Menu & Amazing Service!! Our Recent Family Visit, We Shared Chopped Salad, Clams & Shrimp Bar Menu, Clam Chowder, Burger & Lamb Chops!! Everything So Delish!! Great Wine List & Bar Service!! Always Nice To Say Hi To Pete & GM Mark!! ThankU For The Hospitality Team 21 Oceanfront!! Looking Forward To Our Next Visit!! Special Shout Out To Our Bartender Tony L!! ThankU So Much For Exceptional Service & Always Making Our Visits So Memorable!! See You & Team 21 Oceanfront Again Soon!! read more

See all

Colleen was amazing. I had a reservation for 6 and she was able to make it happen. I proposed before I went, and they definitely delivered for food and service. Rose petals on the table. The service. Servers were amazing. Cole I believe or something with a C similar to Colleen. Killed his service too us. Food was amazing and came in a decent amount of time. Overall. Thank you to the staff here. PS Vallet is a nice plus read more

This was my very first time at 21 Oceanfront, and I absolutely loved it. From the moment we walked in, I was impressed by the dress code--it instantly sets the tone and makes the experience feel elevated and special. There's just something about the atmosphere here that makes you feel good, like you're truly somewhere exceptional. We started our date night with the calamari, which was perfectly cooked and delicious. I ordered the filet, and it was buttery soft, cooked to perfection--absolutely melt-in-your-mouth amazing. My fiancé had the rack of lamb, which was equally incredible. We finished the evening with dessert, which was the perfect ending to a flawless meal. I cannot wait to come back, and I can't recommend this place enough. If you're looking for an elevated dining experience with incredible food and ambiance, 21 Oceanfront is a must. read more

See all

The minute you walk in you feel the ambience! The Decor is on another level! The Service was amazing from the Host that greets you to the amazing Servers! The food was delicious! Started with some great tasting appetizers to the main Course! Everything was on point! Great service Great Food and Drinks! When you're all done you can take a nice stroll on the pier or by the water to end a great evening! read more

This review can get long very easily... I hope I can give this place the credit it deserves. To start... I found this place just simply by doing A LOT of research. My "husband" & I came in to visit, we instantly fell in love & knew we had to have our wedding reception here. We reserved the whole alley west room, lounge & bar area with patio included. The place alone is a true gem & the views are beautiful! Colleen  She is the event coordinator ... she helped execute my vision, & always responded quickly. She kept in contact throughout the weeks to make sure she would have everything in order for us. She has such a sweet and happy personality. Nothing you ask is too small to her, she will do what she has to do to achieve whatever it is you're asking for.  I can't thank her enough. Colleen we appreciate you! The day of...  walking in I was just in awe of the whole set up! The views this place has are amazing. Specifically during sunset! The food is top tier. I had family members calling me the next day to say how amazing everything was. Shoutout to the chef(s) & whole kitchen staff. The drinks/cocktails were too good lol. Thank you to the bartenders for always catching when a glass was empty & being ready with another!  The team directly helping us... Steve, Andrea, & Colyn Thank you so much for being so attentive to my family. We are a wild group, (especially by the end of the night) but you somehow managed to take care of everyone. All 3 of them were always checking to make sure we had everything we needed. When I received the phone calls from family, your names were included & specified.  This day for us was executed beautifully...  so thank you to everyone at *21 Oceanfront* for helping make our day so special. read more

See all