Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Bluewater Grill

    4.0 (2.4k reviews)
    Open 11:00 am - 10:00 pm
    Updated 2 months ago

    Bluewater Grill Seafood Restaurant Photos

    Business Info

    BLUEWATER GRILL ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Dogs allowed
    Outdoor seating

    Recommended Reviews - Bluewater Grill

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Oysters!
    Vanessa D.

    We loved this restaurant! Our party of 10 dined in for a bachelorette party, and we were lucky to have an amazing waitress (Brittany) who was so attentive and kind. Everything we ordered was delicious, including drinks and food! We requested to sit outside and they were able to accommodate, which I'm so glad they did. The outside area was beautiful at night and we appreciated the space heaters that kept us warm.

    Pesto pasta
    Leah D.

    Pains me to write a poor review for this restaurant but it needs improvement. For one, I made a reservation and included in the special occasion text box that this was for a birthday. This was no acknowledgement of this by the hostess or the waiter at all, and I thought a nice restaurant in Newport would at least mention it for customer service sake. Two, there was an open table outside and I asked that our small party be seated in fresh air, so we can get the nice view of the boats. I was told there are no tables outside available. I pointed to an empty table and was told it was "reserved." I had a reservation too, and the entire time we were seated inside, no one sat in the table outside. Three, as most waiters do, our waiter asked if we'd like anything to drink. My party and I don't drink alcohol, so we asked for waters to start while we figure out what food we wanted to order. Our waiter seemed annoyed that we did not order cocktails. Later we ordered a few appetizers to share, and he said "was that it for you all, or did you want to order anything else?" This question was offensive, as if he assumed we were not going to order much/spend money on dinner. Later on, a person in the party asked to cancel a dish and she explained that she wanted to order something else in exchange and he was visibly surprised as he assumed she just wanted to go without her own dish. Everyone at the table agreed that he was rude and condescending. Four, ambiance inside needs improvement. A water cup was chipped, and the chairs looked worn. They need to update the interior. We asked for a small bowl to eat some clams, and the bowl we were given was stained. Five, ciopinno dish had overcooked and shriveled mussels and clams. I will say I love the bread, the steamed shellfish starter was a big portion and flavorful, a the fried calamari was excellent. The scallops were rich in flavor with the fried onions and mushrooms, and the seared ahi tuna dish had high remarks and was well seasoned. The pesto pasta dish with scallops and shrimp was absolutely delicious and indulgent. It is a shame the service and ambiance detracted from the experience. Also parking is a nightmare so just give in and use valet.

    Adele M.

    Have been here many times and always have fabulous food & service. The views are amazing of the Newport harbor. Today my server was excellent told me they had added gumbo to the menu again ; being from New Orleans. I decided that I should try it. I have to admit it was very tasty. It had awesome andouille sausage in it shrimp chicken, okra, and tomatoes which I don't normally put in my gumbo. The gumbo was outstanding. It was a large enough bowl. I will have four meals out of it. the cost was $32 but since I'm gonna get five meals out of it, that's pretty good price for gumbo. They have the best sourdough bread, and I had a order of calamari, which was delicious.

    Crab Louie
    Kristine Y.

    Let's start with the food was tasty, not mind blowing but tasty. The evening we went there were no specials so we ordered straight from the menu. The menu has many choices and if you like seafood you are sure to find something you enjoy. The ambiance is very casual. The booths and tables remind me of a diner. The location tho is super nice. Parking is difficult to find so you may have to valet for a $7 fee. The service was simply awful. We went there for my birthday. We had a party of 6 with a reservation. The restaurant was virtually empty when we went so there seemed to be many table choices. Unfortunately we were given a booth, which we did not want, and when we asked for a round table or other table we were told no. It was not until we were walking out to go to the restaurant next door were we given a different table. The waiter was not attentive and didn't seem to know the menu. When we asked for something or a question he would disappear for 15 minutes or so. We were literally sitting at the table without ordering for over 1/2 an hour. Fortunately they did at least bring us water. This service continued throughout the meal. Do not think I need to return :(

    Cup of Clam chowder soup
    Gambit H.

    The Bluewater Grill was the perfect spot for dinner after we visited the New Port Pier. We were seated immediately and dined outside. They serve complimentary sourdough bread with butter. I ordered the cup of New England chowder soup. My husband ordered the fisherman's platter and we had some calamari. Everything is fresh. The swordfish is caught fresh. I like that they kids meals was served in cute bento boxes and with fresh fruit. Our waitress, Woody, was so professional and attentive.

    Trout Amadine
    Shelley V.

    We dined in on a weekday for lunch and sat by the water. The server was very attentive and provided excellent hospitality. The view of the boats was calming and the weather was perfect for outdoor dining. The fresh sourdough bread and butter they brought out while we looked over the menu was tasty. For our entrees, we ordered the fried seafood platter with fries and the trout amandine with scalloped potatoes and green beans. Our food was brought to the table shortly after ordering. Everything was delicious and the portions were generous. We will definitely return. It was a great spot for the food and views.

    Swordfish
    Patience M.

    Appetizers saved the meal! I would suggest ordering more appetizers instead of opting for a dinner plate. Appetizers ranked in my favorite order 1. Scallops -raw 2.Octopus 3. Mussels and chorizo (not pictured) 4. Oysters Rockefeller All were 4-5 star good. Clam chowder was okay-nothing spectacular. Wedge salad was super fresh. If you were to order a main entree, the swordfish was great and the fried plate was also good (tartar sauce 5/5) but all other entrees were forgettable Service was good no complaints at all.

    Front view
    Dome G.

    The day after Disneyland after swimming at our hotel after a late check out we built a cool appetite. This was our actual last day in California before we head back to Vegas. A quick idea since we were in the Anaheim area was to head to Newport Beach to have a final lunch. Didn't want to overthink it so we stumbled upon Bluewater Grill. 30 minute drive from our hotel when we got there the ambiance was very stunning. Beautiful boats and the scenery was amazing not to mention during spring the weather was phenomenal. With all the competition along this beautiful coastal beach area the food here was grade A. Before we ordered food just getting sat down soaking up the vibes was surreal. Imagine sitting right next to the beach along a boatyard with beautiful boats and beneath is the ocean looking down you can see jellyfish as well as other species so cool the kids loved it. The service was great no issues. We ordered the trio sashimi, mussels with chorizo, and fish and chips something simple they had an extended menu with all types of fare mostly seafood and specialize in fish as well. Before we even got our food we ordered some cocktails one called the pain reliever and a Pacifico off tap hit the spot with this spread. They also brought bread and butter and omg this was the best bread and butter I've had in a long time so crunchy and soft and was delicious. The sashimi was fresh and delicious. The fish and chips were ok nothing out of the ordinary. But the mussels with chorizo was amazing came with garlic bread to dip in the sauce so good it's a must try. We will be definitely be coming back to try more of the items there if your in the Newport Beach area Bluewater Grill is a must try!

    Ponzu scallops
    Andrew B.

    If you're looking for consistently great seafood in Newport Beach, Bluewater Grill is it. We've been coming here for years and it never disappoints. The ponzu scallops are my go-to. Perfectly prepared every time. The sand dabs are another standout if you want something simple done right. You can tell the fish is fresh and they don't overcomplicate things. It's also one of our favorite spots to bring the kids. They love the kids bento boxes and the staff is always great with families. Not every nice seafood spot pulls that off. Solid food, consistent quality, and a spot the whole family enjoys. Can't ask for much more than that.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

    Salmon
    Gino T.

    Met family while visiting Newport Coast for an early dinner or as we like to say "Linner". Great location on the water and it was a perfect afternoon to dine al fresco and catch up. Really enjoyed the interior decor with many black and white photos of the location in its early days, historical photos and celebrity fishing photos. Great bar area and dining outside on the deck was very nice located over the channel. Our server was happy and did a very good job helping us out with our orders. We started with a Calamari appetizer for the table which was very good served with a house-made tartar sauce and sweet chili sauce. Our entrees came out all together, hot and plentiful. Prices were reasonable and really enjoyed the location with a view. Definitely worth a try if you are looking for something outside while enjoying the sun and ocean air. A full bar with marvelous house specialties. I will return to try some more of the delizioso items on the menu. Thank you for doing a job well done Bluewater Grill, and I will see you again! Delizioso e tutti, Mangiamo!

    New England Clam Chowder
    Kent R.

    This has become a destination work lunch spot for us. This restaurant has a great combination of location (in the marina waterfront), good food, and fast service. Posted my first review of Blue Water over 8 years ago and happy to say it's just as good now. The service is prompt, seafood fresh & cooked well, and one of the best outdoor tables in OC. Also has one of the best tartar sauces money can buy.

    Inside
    Joy K.

    The Bluewater Grill in Lido Island, Newport Beach is a beautiful location for dining. You get the cool ocean breezes when dining on the patio. Where we sat there wasn't really a view of the harbor, but it was till very nice. We are frequent customers of their Temecula location and we almost always have a great meal and great service. Same goes for this location. They serve complementary crusty bread and butter. Their clam chowder claims to be the best in the area, and I have to agree, it's pretty good. Appetizers on this day was artichoke crab dip, which was rich, cheesy and just right heat for me from the jalepenos (though it was too spicy for some at our table). We also ordered crab cakes, which is always a crowd pleaser. Several of us ordered their Miysoyaki Cod and we all enjoyed it. Overall, our meals were pretty good. There is a $7 valet parking fee. Considering limited parking and summer crowds, this is a good deal and less stress than having to find your own parking. We actually walked to the restaurant after a cruise on Paradiso, which shares their parking lot. This was super convenient for us.

    Beautiful neon sign
    Fernando R.

    We stumbled across Bluewater Grill in Newport Beach around 5pm on a Friday and at first thought, "Wow... a restaurant in Newport that isn't packed?" Well... that didn't last long. Within an hour the place was absolutely bustling, and after eating here it was easy to see why. First off, the service was phenomenal. Not the forced, overly scripted kind you sometimes get at nicer restaurants -- it felt like we were being taken care of by a good friend or family member. Friendly, genuine, and attentive without hovering. We sat outside overlooking the water, and even though it was a bit chilly, they immediately turned on the heating lamps which made it super comfortable. The view alone made the experience feel special. Now for the food. I had the blackened swordfish, and wow -- easily one of the best fish dishes I've had in a long time. The flavor balance was incredible and knowing the fish was freshly caught off Catalina made it feel like a true coastal gourmet meal. We started with oysters, and let's just say they were so good they lasted about two minutes before disappearing. My wife and mother-in-law ordered the salmon with scalloped potatoes, and it was unbelievable. The salmon was melt-in-your-mouth tender, the potatoes were rich and perfectly cooked, and the chimichurri sauce brought everything together beautifully. The drinks weren't anything extraordinary, but they were solid and definitely did the job. To finish things off we had crème brûlée, and it was fantastic -- perfectly torched top, creamy center, exactly how you want it. Overall this was one of those memorable dinner experiences you don't forget -- great service, amazing seafood, beautiful views, and the kind of atmosphere that makes you want to come back again and again. We'll definitely be back.

    cioppino

    See all

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Rob W.
    462
    842
    1373

    24 days ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 0
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Kassidy S.
    112
    42
    38

    18 days ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Jim U.

    Jim U.

    Thank you so much! I will reach out to you with a direct message

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Robert A.

    Robert A.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Robert A.

    Robert A.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    25 days ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Robert A.

    Robert A.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Robert A.

    Robert A.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Jim U.

    Jim U.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Jim U.

    Jim U.

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Jim U.

    Jim U.

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 2
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    19 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Bob J.
    107
    991
    5405

    2 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Robert A.

    Robert A.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    29 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Chris R.

    Chris R.

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Robert A.

    Robert A.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Mia O.
    1
    33
    43

    3 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Robert A.

    Robert A.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Margaret W.
    81
    673
    3823

    1 month ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Jim U.

    Jim U.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    29 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Jim U.

    Jim U.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Robert A.

    Robert A.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Jim U.

    Jim U.

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Robert A.

    Robert A.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 days ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Jim U.

    Jim U.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jill S.
    116
    751
    2614

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Bluewater Grill M.

    Bluewater Grill M.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Bluewater Grill M.

    Bluewater Grill M.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    21 days ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Jim U.

    Jim U.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 days ago

    Great food, great seating, great view. Wow! This place is quickly becoming one of mt favorite places to dine!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Bluewater Grill M.

    Bluewater Grill M.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 2
    Love this 0
    Oh no 2

    8 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Bluewater Grill M.

    Bluewater Grill M.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Jim U.

    Jim U.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Jim U.

    Jim U.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Bluewater Grill M.

    Bluewater Grill M.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Robert A.

    Robert A.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ed M.
    0
    22
    1

    1 month ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Jim U.

    Jim U.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 61

    Bluewater Grill Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Bluewater Grill

    Is there a sport screen to watch baseball?

    Yes

    Is the full menu available on Sunday for brunch?

    Yes, in addition to our brunch menu, the full menu is available on Sundays.

    Is there a parking lot, or just street parking?

    As of Feb 2023, the valet parking is $6.

    What is corkage charge at Bluewater Grill?

    We have complementary corkage on the 1st two 750 mL bottles. $10 after that

    Do they have King Crab Legs?

    The wholesale market for king crab legs is so expensive that we have decided not to feature them because we would have to sell them for too much and we don’t think it’s worth it. When the market comes back down we will bring back on our menu.

    Can I make reservations for April 30?

    They take reservations so it should not be a problem

    Are they opened on Christmas?

    We close Christmas and Thanksgiving! So sorry…open tomorrow!

    Do you open Xmas or New Year?

    Closed Xmas day, open NYE!!!

    Is it dog friendly?

    Yes

    Is there a kids menu?

    Don't subject your kids to this place. Go somewhere else.

    Is there a kid menu?

    Yes

    Going there with few ladies on Friday. I'm most impressed with that one waiter a customer wrote about, Luke and what a conscientious server he is. Are the rest of the servers just as engaging?

    We feel that all our servers have great personalities and are conscientious. We will give Luke a shout out and if you want to request him upon arrival and he is working we can seat you in his section!!

    Hi! Do you take reservations?

    Go to our website, ww.bluewatergrill.com and you can make reservations.

    Is there outside seating and ocean views?

    Yes. They have an outside patio overlooking the bay and tables on the dock.

    What are the vegan options?

    I'm not exactly sure what their vegan options are but I know they have a lot of fantastic salads and they're really good about custom making orders.

    How munch is the Brunch, this Sunday Sep 9 its my daughter's Birthday, do you ofer something especial for B-days?..do you have a Champagne Brunch or corkage fee?

    https://www.bluewatergrill.com/locations/newport-beach#menus. All of their menu options and prices are listed here. This is for the Newport Beach location. See the website for other locations.

    Is the patio dog friendly?

    Yes! You can't reserve a table outside, but if you arrive early for lunch or dinner, you won't have trouble getting in with your pooch!

    Do you offer brunch?

    Yes! Our brunch is on Sundays from 10-2

    What is the corkage fee?

    Hi Jerry, The first two bottles are free and it’s $10 for every bottle after that.

    View All 21 Questions

    Fable & Spirit - Flatbread

    Fable & Spirit

    4.2(838 reviews)
    0.3 mi
    $$$

    I am no stranger to Fable & Spirit and I'm surprised I haven't reviewed them until now. While I…read morecould go on with how great my dinner experiences have been (cocktails, Guinness brown bread, fish & chips, burger) and the glamorous Hollywood Regency/Gatsby aesthetic, what really prompted me to write a review was my first brunch experience with them! For drinks, my husband started off with a gin spritz which was refreshing and not too sugary. I wanted herbal tea but all they had was black, so my server got creative and put fresh mint leaves in hot water which hit the spot! For food, we shared the sourdough pancakes with lemon mascarpone and blueberry compote and the shakshuka (with extra poached eggs on the side). Both meals were incredible! The pancakes were the perfect amount of sweetness as the batter was not overly sugary to account for the compote and mascarpone. The shakshuka was bold and rich in flavor and my husband particularly loved the naan that came with it. The struggle now, is whether we come for brunch or dinner!

    My husband actually came across this spot on OpenTable or Resy and made a reservation for us to…read morecheck it out--and I'm really glad he did. We started with the Caesar salad, which sounded unique with kale and capers mixed with romaine. It did not disappoint--my husband took the first bite and immediately loved it. For mains, we ordered the Fable Burger and the 12-hour Kurobuta porchetta. The burger was next level, especially with the addition of pork belly--it added so much flavor and made it stand out from a typical burger. The porchetta was also a hit: perfectly cooked, tender, and paired so well with the polenta. We ordered the kids cheese pizza for our toddler and we were surprised how big it was. Definitely worth the price! Honestly, we loved everything we ordered and enjoyed every single bite. Service was fantastic as well--friendly and attentive throughout our visit. The only reason I'm giving 4 stars instead of 5 is because the food took a while to come out. It wasn't a dealbreaker, but definitely noticeable. Overall, a great dining experience and definitely worth trying!

    Photos
    Fable & Spirit - Massive wine selection

    Massive wine selection

    Fable & Spirit - The Ritual.  My favorite. So smooth.

    The Ritual. My favorite. So smooth.

    Fable & Spirit - Bell pepper cocktail

    See all

    Bell pepper cocktail

    JOEY Newport Beach - Steak & Ravioli Bianco* sliced Filet Mignon(extra), shrimp, crispy onions, grana padano, truffle beurre blanc sauce

    JOEY Newport Beach

    4.7(4.6k reviews)
    3.1 mi
    $$$

    Great experience at JOEY Newport Beach. The happy hour is excellent with great drink options and…read morereally good food. The atmosphere is lively but still relaxed making it a great spot to meet friends or unwind after work. Danya was awesome! She was friendly, witty and made sure everything was perfect throughout the visit. Drinks came out quickly recommendations were spot on great job Danya and she created a really welcoming experience. Definitely a place I'll be coming back to for happy hour. Great drinks, great vibe and outstanding service.

    If you are looking for a dining experience that feels elevated from the very first moment, look no…read morefurther than JOEY Newport Beach. What other restaurant greets you at the door with a complimentary glass of sparkling wine? That welcome toast instantly sets the tone- stress melts away, and you know you're in for something special. From the start, the service was exceptional. Our server, Brennan, welcomed us with a genuine smile and warm energy that turned what could have been an exhausting evening into a relaxing and memorable experience. He walked us through the menu with confidence, offered thoughtful recommendations, and truly knew how to guide the table. What stood out most was his attention to detail. Brennan anticipated our needs before we even had to ask- including refreshing our plate settings before each course. That level of table service makes all the difference. The food presentation was stunning- beautifully plated and inviting. Even better, the flavors lived up to the visuals. Each selection was balanced and perfectly seasoned. The portions were satisfying, leaving just enough room to indulge in dessert. I recommended this restaurant to friends tonight (3/3/36) and I'll absolutely be back. I am partial to a dining experience that blends hospitality, ambience, delicious food and this is why I will return to JOEY NB. Salud!

    Photos
    JOEY Newport Beach - Good looking boys n girls work here! Is it a fashion show here? Happy Labor day everyone!

    Good looking boys n girls work here! Is it a fashion show here? Happy Labor day everyone!

    JOEY Newport Beach - Caviar* 1 oz royal osetra caviar with warm gaufrette chips, sour cream, shallots, chives

    Caviar* 1 oz royal osetra caviar with warm gaufrette chips, sour cream, shallots, chives

    JOEY Newport Beach - ESPRESSO MARTINI absolut vodka, kahlua, espresso

    See all

    ESPRESSO MARTINI absolut vodka, kahlua, espresso

    A+O Restaurant | Bar - Outside patio featuring fire pits and waterfront dining

    A+O Restaurant | Bar

    4.0(467 reviews)
    0.7 mi
    $$$

    We had a great experience at A +O restaurant | Bar located in the Balboa Bay Club…read more We enjoy stopping at A + O while visiting NPB. Although it is located in a resort, it is definitely a locals spot. Everyone appeared to know each other from the area. Very friendly. We arrived around 11:00 am for Brunch and to watch the final day of The Masters. It was a rainy morning so we elected to sit at the bar. We typically enjoy sitting outside on the patio at the tables or the fire pits, if you still at the bar, you still have a nice view of the boats lined up in the harbor. Tia was the bartender when we arrived. She was very attentive and professional. Tia explained brunch was already over which we were a little bummed but she said she could still do a couple of breakfast boards. Neither looked like what we were interested in eating so we elected to go for lunch. We ordered Bloody Marys and they were delicious. We started with the Chef's Seasonal Burrata - Pistachio pesto, roasted beets, pomegranate, lemon olive oil, fresh herbs, grilled house made focaccia. This was very refreshing and tasty. It is also GF and Veg. I ordered the A+O Burger - Brioche bun, butter lettuce, 1000 island, farmhouse cheddar, caramelized onion, pickles, fries. I ordered it Medium and unfortunately the burger was cooked well done. It had great flavor but it was a little dry since not cooked to order. The fries were delicious, hot and crispy. My husband ordered the Pork Belly Sliders - Pork belly, butterleaf lettuce, roma tomatoes, fresh sliced pickles, spicy aioli, Kings Hawaiian slider bun. He said they were delicious. Tia left and Joe took over. Joe was amazing. Very attentive and friendly. Joe went out of his way to grab a drink I requested that was not available at the bar and brought it out for me. Very nice! The bar was crowded and Joe took care of everyone with ease while giving everyone attention. Cameron also came in shift and was very friendly as well. The service was excellent and we liked the food. If they had cooked my burger to requested temp it would have been perfect. We will be back!

    TLDR; Pretty sure this spot used to a pretty crappy brunch buffet spot. Decided to come and see…read morewhat the new spot is like. Advertised live dj on sundays when we made reservations and there was no live music. Food is overall bland as hell, steak was chewy and dry and unsalted it seems. Chicken and waffles board was probably the worst chicken and waffles I've had, and all the sides that came with it seemed random as hell. We were excited to try a newish brunch spot out and to get a bottle of champagne for mimosas. Little did we know, that the mimosa would be the best part of the meal. This spot replaced a super crappy brunch buffet, that was one of the saddest buffets I've ever been to. Saw that they opened a new concept and saw that they advertised live DJs on sundays for brunch. So we decided to try it. We sat down and ordered the chicken and waffles platter and steak and salad plate. The chicken and waffle plate was really not that good, not a single item on the platter was good. Waffles, you can tell they tried to make it fancy, but just tasted weird and dry. The syrup, looks like they make in house also, not sweet enough and bland. The chicken was the least bland item out of everything, but it's not worth it at all. The steak was one of the chewiest, dry steaks I've had in a while also under seasoned, maybe even no salt. The chicken platter also had random items on it, that made no sense. Random sprigs of rosemary, marshmallow amongst other items. Nothing seemed to gel and it looked like they were just trying to fill the space with easy things. The mimosas that came with the chicken and waffles platter was the star of our meal. Honestly, I'd say it's hard to make food taste this bland and whatevers. With what they are charging, the steak shouldn't be dry and chewy, let alone not seasoned. Everything was under seasoned like we were in a cardiatric ward in the hospital. You can make better food following any recipe on YouTube. 2 stars for the mimosa and the server was very friendly, service wasn't anything to write home about though. Not busy at all, and a lot of workers just standing around. We didn't get checked on much throughout the meal. Oh and the valet was free at least.

    Photos
    A+O Restaurant | Bar - Enjoy cocktails and delicious food by the fire pits!

    Enjoy cocktails and delicious food by the fire pits!

    A+O Restaurant | Bar
    A+O Restaurant | Bar - Breakfast on the patio

    See all

    Breakfast on the patio

    P10NEER

    P10NEER

    4.6(198 reviews)
    4.0 mi
    Takes reservations
    Romantic vibe

    My partner and I came here after dinner on Valentine's Day, and I absolutely loved this little…read morespot. She had told me about it before and really wanted to take me, so I was excited to finally check it out. It's a very small place, so I'd definitely recommend making a reservation online. That worked perfectly for us we were able to get in right away without any wait. Even though it's cozy, it doesn't feel cramped at all. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, and the drinks were wonderful. The staff really stood out to me. They were attentive, kind, and professional throughout the night. At one point, a patron started to get a bit too tipsy, and the staff handled it with such care and respect while making sure everyone else didn't feel awkward in the situation. It was clear they genuinely care about their guests' experience. Overall, such a great spot and we will definitely come back.

    Tried the speakeasy cocktail lounge inside Dick's Church because we saw it on Resy and honestly, it…read morewas a huge disappointment. The atmosphere could have been cool, but every 5 minutes the bright hallway light blasted through the western-style swinging door and completely ruined the dark speakeasy vibe. The drinks were tiny and overpriced. We ordered two Old Fashioneds and the giant ice cubes took up almost the entire glass. Larger than a normal square ice cube- a little taller. But it seriously felt like they split one drink into two. Barely a shot in each glass, and the cocktails themselves were just so-so. Very syrup-y flavor. Definitely not "bespoke" or unique the was the server was upselling us. Service started good but when he got busy it went downhill. And by busy he got (1) 5 top.....He was excited about explaining the menu but then never once came back to check on us. When we finally flagged him down and asked for the check, he just dropped the handheld payment terminal on the table, walked away, grabbed it when we finished paying, and said absolutely nothing... no "thank you," no "have a great night," nothing. And this was after we still tipped 20%. Definitely not worth the money, service, or atmosphere. We won't be back.

    Photos
    P10NEER
    P10NEER
    P10NEER

    See all

    Playa Mesa - A house favorite: Taco Combination with our Spicy Cucmber Margarita

    Playa Mesa

    4.4(3.4k reviews)
    1.4 mi
    $$
    Takes reservations
    Happy hour specials

    OMG!!! What an amazing experience from the time we came in the door till the time we left! Friendly…read moreand inviting atmosphere! We were in from out of town and celebrating 31yrs of marriage. We sat at the Bar and really enjoyed our time with Mario! He was great and really took care of us, not to mention the food was amazing!

    What a great find. I had not eaten at this place before, but it came highly recommended from a…read morefriend of mine so I thought hey I'm going to check this out. I am so glad I did, especially since it was happy hour. The place definitely has a great vibe to it. Plenty of seating throughout the restaurant. I recommend sitting at the bar as that's where all the action happens. You definitely want to make sure you get there for happy hour and Taco Tuesday especially, $10 Margaritas $4 tacos and these are not cheap tacos. These are like serious tacos that will fill you up. Their salsa is great, not super spicy and makes great for munching while you're talking with friends. The margaritas are definitely strong, which is nice, as some places tend to water them down for happy hour. I would say that this is a great choice to go check out and have a taco or two or three or four. I had the carne asada, the carnitas, and the pastor, every single one of them was perfect and the salsa that they came with was out of this world. Bottom line? This is a great place for Taco Tuesday as well as just a hangout and have a drink after work. Whenever I am in Costa Mesa. I am definitely coming here again.

    Photos
    Playa Mesa - Margarita flights!

    Margarita flights!

    Playa Mesa
    Playa Mesa - Weekend Brunch served Sat - Sun, 9am-2pm.

    See all

    Weekend Brunch served Sat - Sun, 9am-2pm.

    Viamara - Delicious flourless chocolate cake

    Viamara

    3.7(38 reviews)
    3.0 mi

    Parking is valet only unless parking in one of the nearby structures a bit farther away. Valet is…read more$45, but the restaurant validates it down to $15. The ambiance is so cute and soft, and the decor really adds to the overall vibe of the place. Service was fast and friendly throughout the meal. The hot honey pizza was great to share, and the spicy pasta was especially tasty with a really good kick of flavor. Prices felt reasonable considering the location & atmosphere. Overall, definitely a spot worth coming back to.

    Underwhelmed at best…read more First you walk in the chairs are all stained and look dirty. The afternoon tea is $110 and the Los Rios Tea House blows this tea away. You receive your choice of tea and it comes out in metal tea pots. Usually a tea is served in cute porcelain tea pots into cute tea cups with florals on them. These were just regular coffee shop tea cups. There were no florals on the table except for TWO stems with a yellow round bulb on them. They forgot to give us spoons to stir our tea. We had to ask for them. A tea is usually 3 tiers. Savory, sweet and scones. This was 2 tiers. Savory and sweet. The sandwiches were average at best. The Pendry doesn't live up to any of my expectations for what they charge. The Elwood membership is ridiculously priced for the very little that you get. I will not be back. To many other restaurants in town that do a much better job with food, ambience and service.

    Photos
    Viamara
    Viamara
    Viamara

    See all

    Bluewater Grill - seafood - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...