The food was really fresh and delicious. We ordered the tornado, backflip, and beagle rolls. My favorite was the tornado. We also ordered delicious jalapeño poppers and spicy edamame. The restaurant is very close to Newport water so just be aware that it could be cold depending on the weather and if you have outdoor seating. With that being said, it is so beautiful to sit outside near the boats they do have outdoor heaters, and I even saw a basket of blankets. Very cute for date night or girls night. I can't wait to go back. read more

Buddha's Favorite - Sushi Bars Near Me - Newport Beach, California

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Food here is great! The Jamie's crying roll was probably my favorite and that's coming from someone who doesn't typically like sushi! I also had the baked salmon roll which was solid. It's a small place so if you don't have reservations you will be waiting. and I think the hardest park is parking here ... read more

Buddha's Favorite - Baked salmon - Sushi Bars Near Me - Newport Beach, California

We had a very disappointing experience. The server staff, who appeared to be mostly young girls, came across as unfriendly, snobby, and made us feel like we were an inconvenience from the moment we sat down. During our meal, soy sauce was spilled all over our table and even onto one of our phones. No one apologized or made any effort to address the situation. Several food items we ordered were never brought to our table, yet they still appeared on our bill. We were also charged the full price for kids' menu items even though Sundays are advertised as $6 for those meals. The poor service didn't end when we left. As we were walking down Lido Street, one of the servers drove through a stop sign at a high rate of speed, which was both shocking and dangerous. Mistakes happen, but the complete lack of accountability, professionalism, and basic customer service made this an experience we won't be repeating. Unfortunately, we cannot recommend this restaurant based on our visit. read more

Food: The food is always so good! The veggie tempura was so good came out hot and crispy and that's what we want!! The sushi was so good I got the same rolls as last time. Rock n roll and firecracker! They were so good! The spicy edamame were okay! They weren't too hot when they came out almost room temp and not spicy whatsoever. Overall the food was so good! Service: The service was okay when we went. I've been many times but never sat inside. It wasn't the best we waited for about 15 mins for someone to take the check. I understand when it's busy but it wasn't packed as usual. Maybe an off day and that's okay! When we got there there was many many tables open outside. It was a weekday and I understand reservations. But there was about 7 tables open and we had to sit inside because of reservations. And the waitress said about 2 hours for an outside table. I watched the tables I could see and they never got sat. So make a reservation if you want to sit outside I guess! Inside: The inside was small but cute. The decor is so cute! Outside: The parking around here is mostly paid parking. The restrooms are shared with other restaurants within the area. Not very clean or nice. The outdoor patio is such a vibe and so cute it's a part of why we go there! read more

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The service was very slow the day we went. The Omakase was not great. It is a very small place and they do a lot with a tiny kitchen but the sushi wasn't the quality I would have expected for the price. They forgot to give us our Miso soup and salad with the Omakase. The waiter failed to explain the omakase menu or price. I'm not price sensitive so I dismissed it. I personally cannot recommend them. Then I ordered a few other dishes when we realized the omakase was simply a plate of Nigiri. It was decently average. The dishes I ordered came out very slowly. The chefs were less than friendly and gave no description of the fish until I asked him "what do we have on our plate". I won't be going back. read more

Sushi is great! amazing happy hour selection and kitchen variety. We really like the ambience here. Perfect spot near our hotel and pricing is very reasonable. read more

Great food all around. The spicy crispy rice and all the sushi were excellent! Can't go wrong with some good sushi and water view. You definitely need to sit on the patio to enjoy all the experience. Great service and great food. Definitely stop by if you're in the area. read more

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What a beautifully located sushi spot! With an outdoor patio right off the water, you get to enjoy a delicious meal right off the water. Very cute decor and wonderful staff. We both shared a Paradise Roll. It is a California Roll topped with Poke and Green Onions. Very fresh and the ponzu sauce is bright. We also got our own weekend lunch special. This is a steal. A lot of food for an excellent price. We were both very full. A great vacation spot. read more

Buddha's Favorite - Sushi Bars Near Me - Newport Beach, California

Good service, it was busy so we didn't see our server often but he was around. We went here on a recommendation from a previous local. I started with Buddhas favorite and subbed salmon for yellowtail. Very good, fresh, loved the chili sauce. Others in my party got the OMF rolls and it was so good we ordered another one. However this is when it got really busy and it took forever for the second roll to come out. Like over 30 minutes. By that time we weren't even still hungry. It's a cute little place right on the water, I'd go back. read more

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Came here on a Thursday night but it started raining so had to eat inside! The inside is a small space. Definitely a spot for locals. And seems to always be busy. Parking is easy either street parking or valet. The sushi was fresh! I got calamari, sashimi & buddhas favorite. Buddha must be a huge fan of cream cheese, if you are too then go for it! Would recommend & come again. read more

We got sushi,chicken yakisoba, miso soup,chicken yakisoba & SOFT SHELL CRAB(Tempura fried Maryland blue crab with sweet soy sauce) Sushi was just OK.Other dishes were horrible.There are better sushi spots in area EDIT Updated the menu item(confirmed it was crab)No idea why 3 top mentioned,actually liked sitting there next to harbor .Must've been another review.Wow,never been gaslighted from business owner on Yelp before lol!With that attitude we won't be returning.Understand you're a small business but no excuse for poor quality food(or gaslighting reviews) read more

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One of my fave restaurants! This time we went with our pup and ordered few rolls. The food and service were great and our server went above and beyond to make sure us (including our pup) are taken care of. read more

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Just tried this spot for the first time and wow -- I totally get the hype. We ordered 3 rolls and my Favorite was the Rock and Roll sushi, the 3 amigos was ok not my personal favorite. The vibe was super chill but still had that nice date-night feel. We sat in the patio outside but the warmers felt really good. The service was attentive. Overall it was a good sushi spot read more

Buddha's Favorite - Rock&roll , Buddha's Favorite - Sushi Bars Near Me - Newport Beach, California

I was really looking forward to taking my boyfriend to Buddha's Favorite. The location is beautiful, and the restaurant has a great vibe. We were seated at the sushi bar and were excited to try it. Unfortunately, the service didn't match the atmosphere. Our server seemed overwhelmed with too many tables and was rarely around when we needed water, wanted to place an order, or were ready to pay. She appeared to be going through the motions rather than providing attentive service. At one point, we ordered a crispy rice dish and weren't sure which varieties to choose. Our server suggested getting two pieces of each. When the order arrived, it was four pieces of the same item. The mistake was quickly noticed by the sushi chef/preparer, who told us not to worry and brought out the two pieces we had originally wanted. We appreciated how professionally he handled the situation. When we finally got our server's attention and received the bill, we noticed we had been charged extra because of the mix-up. We explained the issue, but she didn't seem to understand and told us we were actually getting a deal, which wasn't the case. A manager was eventually brought over to resolve it, but by then the experience had left a bad taste in my mouth. What was disappointing wasn't the mistake itself--mistakes happen. It was the feeling that we were being nickel-and-dimed over an error that wasn't ours. They should have simply checked with Alfredo, who had been handling the situation appropriately from the start. A special thank you to Alfredo for being kind, professional, and helpful throughout our meal. He provided the level of customer service that made us feel welcome and valued. I may or may not give this place another try. The food and atmosphere have a lot of potential, so I'm hoping the service issues were simply the result of an off day. read more

Amazing sushi. Could be some of the best sushi in Southern Cal. Quaint, amazing service, freshest sushi! Have no idea why this was our first time there ! We will be back often! We drove a Duffy boat there and it was one of the best days ! read more

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This is my new favorite restaurant. There is a beagle roll. That rocks. also, saw jellyfish so that's pretty cool read more

Buddha's Favorite - Sushi - Sushi Bars Near Me - Newport Beach, California

Buddha's Favorite is definitely one of my favorite sushi spots for many reasons. Right on the water in Lido, the restaurant is the perfect spot for a night out. My friend is here from out of town and although we didn't have a reservation, we got seated pretty quickly. I think our favorite item of the night was the salmon nigiri or the baked lobster roll but everything was great! read more

Buddha's Favorite Sushi in Newport Beach absolutely blew me away. I've been to a lot of sushi spots throughout Orange County, and this place easily stands out. The quality of the fish was top-tier--everything tasted incredibly fresh, and the variety on the menu makes it easy to find something you'll love no matter your preferences. The Salmon Lemon and Salmon Candy rolls were next-level and easily my favorites. Service was just as impressive. Kate took great care of us--attentive, friendly, and on point the entire time. We also had the chance to talk with Nicole, the owner, and hearing about the restaurant's history was genuinely fascinating. I had no idea this place has been around for decades--it really adds to the experience and shows in the consistency and quality. All around, an outstanding experience. We'll definitely be back soon and I'm already looking forward to trying more from the menu. read more

Buddha's Favorite - Waiting area - Sushi Bars Near Me - Newport Beach, California

We went to Lil Buddahs on accident when trying to find this place. This is the "big sister" to Lil Buddahs! Thankfully, workers helped guide us in the direction to actual main restaurant. Gorgeous little setup they have going on the peninsula. The waiter was a bit blunt, but the service was quick. We did have a group of 6, so we were seated inside. It was quite crammed, so not sure if this is the most ideal place for bigger groups. Sushi was fresh and flavorful. The menu had lots of options and some non-sushi options too, which is nice to see. Appetizers were also quick and tasty. read more

Buddha's Favorite - "I like it raw" (left) - Sushi Bars Near Me - Newport Beach, California

First time here and it was amazing! From the moment we walked in, the experience was top-notch. Katie was our server, and she was absolutely wonderful--super sweet, gave great recommendations, and was refreshingly honest about what she personally liked (and didn't like), which I really appreciated. All the servers were friendly and made us feel so welcome. The food was fantastic, and the ambiance was adorable--such a cute spot! I had such a great time, and I'll definitely be coming back. Highly recommend! read more

Buddha's Favorite - Baked Salmon Roll + Golden Toro Roll - Sushi Bars Near Me - Newport Beach, California

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Buddha's Favorite is hands down one of the best dining experiences in Newport. Not only is the food consistently fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented, but the service is on another level. A huge shoutout to CJ and Marissa, who took care of us on the dock. Their warmth, attention to detail, and genuine hospitality made the night unforgettable. From perfectly timed recommendations to their friendly energy, they made us feel like VIPs the entire evening. If you're looking for a place where great food meets an incredible waterfront vibe and top-notch service, this is it. CJ and Marisa made the experience 10/10--I can't wait to come back! read more

Buddha's Favorite - Patio seating overlooking the water. - Sushi Bars Near Me - Newport Beach, California

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Came here on a Tuesday evening with my honorary dad, who's a vegetarian. Thankfully was able to get a reservation online same day and were seated quickly in their outdoor space, which is fitted with heaters so we weren't too cold. We started off with their garlic spicy edamame and a miso soup - both pretty standard and yummy. We also got the black cod "saikyo style," which was a fairly small portion but honestly quite delicious! Roll-wise, we ordered the Buddha's favorite alongside the vegetable and veggie crunchy rolls. I did really enjoy the cream cheese and salmon combo of the Buddha's favorite, but I think the size of the roll was a bit too small. The veggie options were surprisingly robust and quite fresh and yummy, especially the veggie crunchy! Overall, a good experience. I wouldn't say the strongest in terms of sushi options and amount for the price, but a fun place to drop by for the lovely ocean view and good service. And, of course, if one of your party is vegetarian and can't eat fish, it's great that this place had other options. read more

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It was alright. Overpriced and not the best. Won't be back. Very visually pleasing. We were also offered free edamame that was then on the bill and had to be taken off. read more

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I love Buddha's favorite, it's the best sushi restaurant in Newport Beach. The ambiance is incredible. When you walk in you feel a familiarity because of how well the host/hostess greet you to start your dining experience. The owner is impeccable with making sure you feel comfortable and at home. The food is outsourced from the best quality sushi you can have in Newport Beach, 10 out of 10 would come here again. :) read more

Came here for a late lunch on a Saturday and ordered the bento box special and shishito peppers. The service was a bit slow, but my fiancé and I enjoyed our lunch and plan to return. read more

Buddha's Favorite - Bento Box - Sushi Bars Near Me - Newport Beach, California

Loved the vibes of this place!! Very Newport-esque with it being right on the marina people driving up on their boats. The sushi was good!! Not the best I've ever had but it's a fusion place. We got the blue crab roll, oh snap roll, hidden gem roll, and tornado roll. All pretty good but the oh snap roll stood out to me - so yummy. We also got the chicken yakisoba noodles which were just okay. A lot of their apps looked yummy so I would try those next time. FYI - the bathroom is a literal shack in the parking lot so I would keep that in mind. read more

The food was tasty! Bento box was a good amount of food and the crunchy roll was delicious. I didn't care for the salad dressing and the spicy edamame needed more garlic. Good service. Nobody rushed us. read more

Buddha's Favorite - Bento box - Sushi Bars Near Me - Newport Beach, California

Service was good with a super pretty view of the harbor, but the sushi was nothing to rave about. It was pretty basic. read more

Buddha's Favorite - Sushi Bars Near Me - Newport Beach, California

DON'T, DON'T, DON'T... JUST DON'T! I am still on the quest for great sushi in Newport Beach. Learned this today... It's NOT Buddha's Favorite on Lido peninsula! CAVEAT... BF might be the best sushi this side of Okinawa, but I'll never know. I (literally) couldn't get past the slack-jawed, half-assed, JV attempt at service. Looking forward to date night in OUR NEW NEIGHBORHOOD... We arrived early for our 4/30, 6:15 reservation (our first AND last visit to BF). No host/hostess to be found... Eventually, we connected with BF staff, who proceeded to seat us at the high-top bar seat (no!... this isn't Stag Bar at 1AM) or the AWESOME SEAT (sarcasm intentional) between the bus tub and the door to the kitchen. (Mind you... the restaurant is basically EMPTY. Who does that?!?!) Seeking a seat change, we sought out the phantom hostess (nowhere to be found). Instead, we approached a bartender/server/manager inside the sushi bar who countered with "We TRIED to seat you over there." (Enter Napoleon Dynamite expression of your choice here.) At this point, we simply lost patience. Date nights are precious and options in my neighborhood are PLENTY. SAVING GRACE... On the (defeated) walk out, another guest recommended: "That's bad! You should say something to the owner. That's his golf cart right there!" If only... Maybe he reads Yelp reviews! read more

Maybe Buddha likes it but we didn't think it was worth mentioning, let alone a favorite. Cramped inside. They seat 3 people at 2 tops so plan on feeling like a lobster that has been caught in a trap. Service is rushed and not authentic. Drinks came in large glasses which usually means size over flavor and this is not an exception here. My margarita was too sweet and the Moscow mule was the same. As for food- the firecracker and the lobster roll were pretty good. But they fell apart with the crispy rice spicy tuna which was a soggy disappointment and the poke nachos that were are a mixture of whatever they had left in the kitchen- no thank you. I thought they would be assembled as nachos with a sauce over them but no such luck. Prices are high for what you get. read more

Buddha's Favorite - Sushi Bars Near Me - Newport Beach, California

Wow the service, ambiance, & food were all top notch. The location was right on the water & so cute. Each seat had a heat lamp too which I appreciated. Service was fast & super friendly. Loved our server. We got the drunken whale for sake which was great. For dinner we got the crispy tuna rice and a ton of nigiri which were all amazing. Would reccomend to anyone. Parking was not bad either! read more

Great place, food was amazing and great location. Would go back again. Why do I have to have so many characters in a review read more

This is my second time here at Buddha's and I have enjoyed both times coming here. We had friends visiting from NY/NJ, and a few had never been to California. Our reservation for 7 last night and service was fast! We got served drinks, apps, & food all within a reasonable amount of time for a decently big group. I was not raised on fish so sushi is still new to me. Staff was knowledgeable, and my Rock N' Roll was SO delicious! Heat lamps and blankets were available being that it was a little cold once the sun went down! Excited to try new rolls! read more

Buddha's Favorite - Rock N' Roll - Sushi Bars Near Me - Newport Beach, California

most probably the worst sushi and most expensive restaurant i have ever eaten at. You are better off getting sushi at the gas station. The fish is all frozen the rolls you better take your magnifying glass with to find them on the plate the size of the portions are for people with eating disorders bulimia who cannot eat more than 2 ounces of food. i wort rebrand it to death by Buddha and expensive as a rolls royce hood figurine. Most probably the worst dinning experience i have ever had besides the beautiful view !!! Overpriced frozen fish great view waste of good money much better choices in newport beach Why would i come back to eat frozen fish i would go to albertsons and buy fish fingers Nicole read more

Don't bother making a reservation they won't hold the table and you will wait for 45 minutes Edit: No, nicole. we arrived 2 minutes before our reservation. We waited at the host stand for 10-15 minutes before someone came to "check us in". Then we ended up waiting 45-50 past our reservation time. read more

If you are looking for a spectacular sushi spot on the water in Newport Beach, this is the place to go. They have very unique rolls that are catered specifically to what type of sushi you like. The service was a bit slow, took a while to get the rolls and the appetizers, but our server was very nice and apologetic about the wait. The restaurant has lots of valet parking in the back or street parking free of charge. read more

Great food and even better staff! Our whole family found something excellent on the menu!

Absolute jerks. Tried to squeeze 3 of us at a 2 top high top in a walkway. Wouldn't accommodate at a reasonably sized table so we left. Disgusting service and will never go there. I recommend nobody else does. Been before and food is mediocre anyway. read more

I wanted to love this place! But it just didn't blow me away. The location is cute and right on the water, but I was disappointed a bit with the food and staff. There were only a couple vegetarian rolls on the menu, but at least the appetizers had a decent amount of vegetarian options. I liked the flavor of the garlic edamame, they just weren't spicy, and I liked the tempura green beans and shishito peppers. I ordered a mojito and it barely had any mint and wasn't sweet/felt watered down. This restaurant is loud and very busy, so staff checked on our table pretty infrequently. Parking for this restaurant is valet ($7) so if you don't want to valet, you have to park on the street or somewhere else. read more

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Newport Beach. In a previous life, you'd find me on the peninsula almost every weekend and some weekdays. Skip to 2024, prior to visiting Buddha's Favorite, I couldn't tell you the last time I was anywhere near here. So, parking hasn't changed. Can be challenging. However, valet is offered and though I don't remember the exact price. I know it beats driving around, hoping and praying you find a spot. I pulled right into the valet lot and handed over my key. Service was great! The team from the get go was awesome. I arrived early and was offered the opportunity to be seated and wait. Since adult beverages are available, didn't take much arm twisting. The team still checked in on me even while I waited for my friend to finally arrive. The server, don't remember his name, was attentive, friendly and informative. Knew the menu and offered suggestions that all panned out. I'd say see pics but Yelp for some reason doesn't do well with posted videos. Go find me on IG if you wanna see. I enjoyed everything I ordered and ate and didn't share. I had Sushi and a two Rolls. And there wasn't an item that I wouldn't order again. If ya know me, I normally do Sashimi but this time I went for Sushi and Rolls. And I'd do it again. The vibe was fun. Learned that I could drive my boat up to the docks and be served on the water. There's some indoor seating along with the Sushi bar but you should dine outside. Especially when the sun is setting. Was a nice setting for a great Sushi experience. read more

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