Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Chart House

    3.1 (1.6k reviews)
    Open 4:00 pm - 9:30 PM

    Services - Chart House

    Venue rental

    Chart House Photos

    Business Info

    CHART HOUSE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Romantic
    Classy
    Good for kids

    Recommended Reviews - Chart House

    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

    Kids menu Mac and broccolini. Pretty good
    Rumany P.

    This was a tough one. We dined here for my aunts birthday on a Friday evening at 5 pm. Host and initial seating: 1 star. Not friendly. I understand it was busy but no guidance or direction or estimate or information. Seated late which isn't a big deal. We got a table that didn't have a good view and saw an empty one of the same size 2 tables over. We asked to be seated there and she told us. We would have to wait, that she doesn't know how long, and that everyone is celebrating something. We decided to take the initial seats.we called to ask for special printed menus for the birthday and confirmed. There was no menu and the host again was rude and just said she doesn't know anything about it. No apology, no offer to resolve. There is a tiny bar area you can go to wait. She didn't tell us about it. And there isn't much room (maybe why she didn't say anything ) Server. 5 stars. He was extra accommodating and friendly and I think he felt bad by the hosts dismissive responses. Food. Mix ratings. Big portions. Prime rib: chewy. 3 stars. Would not recommend Blackened salmon. Good. Maybe 3.5 stars. Kind of dry Bronzed salmon. Really good. 4.5 stars.juicy and cooked well. Lobster tail add in was cooked well also but small. Flounder francese 5 stars. Lots of flavor on this one. Perfectly crispy on most of it. But some parts could be a little hard. Would order again. Shrimp cocktail. Delicious. 5 stars. View; 5 stars. Parking. They have valet. Looks like a lot of people park in the street. Even at 5 pm it was packed. Valet folks were really friendly. Highly recommend to go get the Landry's gift card from Costco. It's worth it with that discount.

    Jami M.

    What a lovely time we had at The Chart House! Shandrea was our server and she was just so lovely and accommodating. I took my mom for her birthday and they brought her a yummy piece of cake at the end. Mom ordered the grilled salmon with Israeli Couscous and it was delicious! Salmon cooked perfectly. I opted the shellfish route with oysters and mussels which were quite good. Beautiful view of the harbor as well. Seafood restaurants usually are a bit pricier but this place was worth it.

    View
    Lynzee H.

    I always have a great experience at this chart house location. The views are spectacular. I enjoy the happy hour as well as the chart your own course dinners. They always have excellent service and a manager is typically in and makes sure you're having a good experience.

    Rowena B.

    We dined here to celebrate my aunt's birthday with family from Chicago and our experience was amazing! Besides the views of the ocean and the cool architecture, our server was so friendly and attentive. She just brought a great vibe to the table and was so patient with us. Everything we ordered was delicious, I like the course option that included soup/salad, entree, and dessert. Calamari and shrimp mango stacks are must try's. Steaks were all cooked to the perfect temperature. We'll definitely come back soon.

    Lobster tails with veggie medley. SO good
    Taelor G.

    We brought our mom here for Mother's Day and it was absolutely wonderful! All of the staff were very kind and accommodating and our server Shandrea was absolutely amazing. They had a "holiday menu" for Mother's Day that did not disappoint. The views were beautiful, we will definitely be back!

    Kerry S.

    A solid 3.5 stars I visited on a Wednesday evening and loved the cool, concrete architecture, however the service didn't match the decor. Our server was hard to flag down and brought out half the meals 15 minutes before the rest of the meals were served. So, 1/2 of the table has cold food. The hummus arrived with four cold, hard pieces of premade naan, and I had to wait another 10 minutes for my missing salad dressing before I could even start eating. While the rest of the food was an 8/10, the poor timing and lack of attention really brought down the experience.

    A great experience from beginning to end! The valet was so incredibly nice - what a welcoming guy. Hostess was very sweet & engaging while seating us. She accommodated our patio request - amazing view Our server, Daniel, was on point from beginning to end. Very friendly, great suggestions and our meal timed out perfectly. He really made our experience fantastic. Food: Ahi appetizer - great Crab Cake - amazing Lobster Bisque - yummy Balsamic dressing on chopped - YUM! Grilled Sea Bass & harvest veg - SO GOOD Chimmichuri Steak - fantastic All desserts - ooh la la Thank you so much for a great experience! My Mom loved everything about her day.

    Connie Y.

    This is a wonderful place for happy hour and wine dinners. We have been to three wine dinners so far. Tonight's dinner is Stag's' Leap. Everything is delicious and paired perfectly. We had the bruschetta, avocado blinis, single bone lamb loin, steak frites, and citrus olive oil cake. We will be back. Happy Yelping!

    Great Ambiance and pretty good view from every table.
    Angie A.

    We had a fabulous time at the Chart House. The ambiance, service and food were all excellent. My favorite was the Lobster bisque, but our main course , Swordfish with mango habanero sticky rice was delicious. Our waitress Samantha was so attentive and surprised me with a red velvet dessert - it was moist and delicious. :0)

    coconut crunchy shrimp + whipped ricotta meatballs
    Amanda Z.

    I visited Chart House on a Saturday evening with my family to celebrate my dad's birthday. This was our second time visiting for a birthday celebration, & it was just as enjoyable as the first. Our table had a great view of the harbor, which was perfect for watching the sunset. We ordered the coconut crunchy shrimp & whipped ricotta meatballs to share with the table. I had the lobster bisque, my mom tried the spiced ahi, my sister got the caesar salad, & my dad chose the captain's herb-crusted, slow-roasted prime rib. The service was great & the staff was very accommodating throughout our meal. We also appreciated them bringing out a cake to celebrate my dad's birthday. Already looking forward to our next visit!

    Madeline S.

    The Chart House has some of the best views in OC! It sits on the top of the hill overlooking the Dana Point Harbor. I love the ability to sit on the patio and enjoy the gorgeous views. Also, you can enjoy happy hour from 4pm - 6pm and they have some great choices. Today we got a glass of wine, iced tea, artichoke dip, lettuce wraps and fries for all less than $40! Our server was fantastic as well. Highly recommend!

    Half Dozen Oysters Rockefeller. Warm with diced (sweet) red peppers and melted cheese contrasted by oceanic flavors.
    Jenn R.

    The main entrance starts at the top of the restaurant, working your way down into the dining area via a narrow spiral staircase. Designed with curvilinear lines, the building embraces natural movement as one moves from space to space. The main dining room feels open and communal; its booths are nestled along the edge and flanked by thick angled concrete walls. Each booth has their own spectacular view of Dana Point Harbor and neighboring coastal communities further south. The vibe is rebellious elegance: bold, unconventional, yet familiarly classy. THE FOOD. - Bread Basket (Complimentary) | Fresh sweet brown bread, dinner roll, and crackers. - Half Dozen Oysters Rockefeller | Warm with diced (sweet) red peppers and melted cheese contrasted by oceanic flavors. It sounds odd, but it feels right. - Prime Rib (10 oz.) | Thinner cut, but still marbled and very flavorful with au jus added. The creamy horseradish is mild with a hint of peppery spice. Mashed potatoes are creamy with little chunks of potato. The carrot is deliciously cooked to a crisp, chip-like texture. Recommend trying this dish out. - Caesar Salad | Shaved Parmesan, crunchy croutons, and creamy Caesar dressing tossed in. The flavors complimented each other without overpowering. - Creamed Spinach | Rich and velvety with crumbled croutons on top. - Lava Cake | Chocolate oozes out after cutting into it! Vanilla ice cream creates a cooling contrast from the cake. So deliciously decadent. THE DRINKS DRINKS. - Mango Mojito | Seemed to be more sour and less mango-flavored. - Black Cherry Mojito | Beautifully balanced cocktail. Sweet black cherry flavor with a tangy edge and refreshing finish. - Zuccardi Serie A Malbec ('23 Mendoza Argentina) | Fruity, sweet, and slightly smoky. The finish is smooth. THE PARKING. Valet parking is $8. There's street parking, but read the signs to make sure you can park there. THE RETURN. Loved the vibe! Looking forward to coming back and trying their Alaskan cod!

    Sliders and fries
    Tiffany B.

    Found this place while on anniversary trip. Happy hour is where it is at! We spent like $48 on 4 delicious apps and 2 drinks. And the view is priceless. It was a bit of a luck of the draw on getting a table... but we got one by the window and it was legit. Eden was really sweet and welcoming. Ok the lettuce wraps are a. MUST! The peanut sauce should be bottled. The sliders and fries were good and the coconut shrimp were a bit of a miss. But again, for the price it was amazing! They were "fancy" but there were a few missing technicalities... the bussers were a little less professional and the heaters were disheveled and blocking the views. those are both just observations that didn't impact my want to go back. Honestly the worst part was hoping to get a table for happy hour.... we got lucky! We will be back for lettuce wraps for sure!

    See all

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    17 days ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Sawyer A.

    Sawyer A.

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    16 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    20 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Taelor G.
    12
    22
    11

    8 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 days ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Rhamona A.

    Rhamona A.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 days ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Melanie C.

    Melanie C.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Angie A.
    175
    15
    5

    13 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Doug O.
    241
    85
    20

    7 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    10 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Kait W.

    Kait W.

    Helpful 8
    Thanks 3
    Love this 7
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Kait W.

    Kait W.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Sawyer A.

    Sawyer A.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Sawyer A.

    Sawyer A.

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 1
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    7 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Sawyer A.

    Sawyer A.

    Helpful 6
    Thanks 4
    Love this 2
    Oh no 2

    10 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Sawyer A.

    Sawyer A.

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    7 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    29 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Sawyer A.

    Sawyer A.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Reffy A.
    202
    74
    166

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of CJ W.
    0
    55
    28

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 41

    Chart House Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Chart House

    Is the restaurant handicap friendly for a diner in a wheelchair?

    I'm pretty sure you can drive into the park structure, which is down under the main entrance to get to the same level as the restaurant. I saw an exit to that parking area from the dining room and it was a flat traverse there. I think you'd just… Read more

    Is their a fee for valet?

    Yes. The fee changed recently from $8 to $9.

    Does this location have a salad bar?

    I haven't seen one post pandemic 😷

    Where is your steak sourced from? Creekstone? Australian?

    Newport Meats, a Sysco brand.

    Checking in for 2024, is the salad bar back yet?

    So sorry, but the salad bar has not returned to the Chart House!

    Happy hour menu?

    Chart house Happy Hour. This is one thing that they still do right. Mon - Fri 4p-6p in the bar and patio, great view and not too crowded.… Read more

    Is the salad bar back since being discontinued due to COVID?

    As of May 29, it seems like it's still discontinued

    How many happy hour seats are available on the outdoor patio?

    I didn't count but what could see many seats for happy hour. Hope this helps. If you have large group let the manager know and

    Is it pet friendly?

    Yes. I have seen diners have the dogs with them .

    I see there is a happy hour. Do they serve the happy hour items on weekends and on those regular menu?

    Happy hour items are only available M-F from 4-6pm in the bar area. None of the Appetizers on the HH menu are on the regular dinner menu

    What is the parking situation like?

    There is a parking garage below the restaurant but they now force you to valet park upstairs only. There is street parking but depending on the time of day, on-street parking may be filled up. Be careful with the valets though as they don't wear… Read more

    I am wondering what is the best phone number for this business? The one on file just keeps ringing and then hangs up. I've been trying for several days. I am not able to get a hold of anyone.

    avoid them the customer service has turned to crap. they don't answer their phone anymore

    Does the staff where masks? Are the tables distanced?

    As of tonight, no one was wearing a mask

    Hi! Do you have any vegan options?

    Don’t know

    Is there a covered outdoor seating area in case it rains?

    There is umbrella.

    What is your cork fee?

    $25 per bottle, max 2 bottles per group

    Does this location offer a salad bar buffet?

    Yes and you can either dine on the salad bar solo or have it with an entree.

    What is the dress code?

    I wore Hawaiian Shirt with Levi's , it's Dana Point not Beverly Hills

    What is the earliest I can come and get a table for 6 outside for Happy Hour?

    Hi Shana. Happy hour is from 4:30 p.m to 6:30 p.m.

    View All 20 Questions

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Seafood 17,487 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    Seasurf Fish Co - Laguna Niguel  - Mexican corn

    Seasurf Fish Co - Laguna Niguel

    4.2(373 reviews)
    2.2 mi
    $$

    M-F happy hour IS so bomb!…read more We got pretty much got everything on the happy hour menu. Edamame, fish tacos, burgers, poke nachos, ceviche, and wings. Reasonable price for all of this for just under $45 dollars. We sat outside, so inside we did not get to look all that well. But seemed cozy inside to eat too. The decor was pretty nice too. We had this spot saved on my list from 2 years ago and very happy we came when we did.

    Back again and everything was excellent! Tried some happy hour bites along with some main menu…read moreitems:) The clam chowder was perfect this time, potatoes cooked perfectly and a great overall taste to the chowder. Perfect for a cold winter day and we both really enjoyed it. Poke is excellent, the fish is very fresh and I loved the sauce it's served with! We also got some oysters which were a great deal for only $1.50 each, and they were so good! I'm always hesitant with oysters but these were very tasty and fresh! Would definitely get them again. Our favorite item was the tempura shrimp, literally would get an order for each person next time it was that good!! The garlic wings were good too, on our next visit we need to try more of the small bites for happy hour because everything we got was great! For our mains we got the clam steamers and a seafood cioppino. The clam steamers were good and served alongside fries and some tasty bread for dipping. The cioppino wasn't our favorite but we were full from so many tasty things we didn't even mind. Service was fairly quick for how packed they were, literally every table both inside and outside the store were full because everyone was coming for the happy hour. We got a bit of pushback when we asked for a takeout container for the cioppino we didn't eat because staff assumed we wanted to get our happy hour food to go which is not allowed. Once we explained that the 3 happy hour items we ordered were all consumed and cleared from the table and that we wanted the takeout contained for our cioppino, they gave us the box. They also appear to be dog friendly as there were several pups in the outdoor dining area:) We will definitely be back and can't wait to try some new yummy items!

    Photos
    Seasurf Fish Co - Laguna Niguel  - Outside

    Outside

    Seasurf Fish Co - Laguna Niguel  - Chowder Fries

    Chowder Fries

    Seasurf Fish Co - Laguna Niguel  - Beer Battered Fish and Chips

    See all

    Beer Battered Fish and Chips

    Hook & Anchor - Shrimp Cocktail

    Hook & Anchor

    4.3(203 reviews)
    0.6 mi

    We've been to the other Hook & Anchor locations starting with Newport and then Costa Mesa, but this…read morewas our first time visiting the Dana Point location -- and it did not disappoint! Beautiful restaurant with great outdoor seating. My family and I sat outside and it was very peaceful and relaxing. The service was excellent, and Karina, our server, was awesome from start to finish. We ordered the Oysters Rockefeller, which were amazing, along with the Connecticut-style lobster roll and the lobster carbonara. Both were absolutely 5-star dishes. The lobster roll was cooked to perfection with the warm butter sauce, and the lobster carbonara had incredible flavor throughout. My kids got the cheeseburger and fries, and I have to say, for a kids meal the cheeseburger was surprisingly meaty and very tasty. The fries were perfectly crispy as well. Highly recommend stopping by if you're in the area!

    I had heard through social media and reviews that this place has the best lobster roll in Orange…read moreCounty and once again I find all the hype to be inaccurate. The menu looks great, offering what looks to be delicious seafood. And I imagine that they offer great seafood. , just not in the form of a lobster roll. I was born and raised in New England and I know what a Maine style lobster roll is. What they offer here is nothing like a Maine style lobster roll and honestly, it tasted gross.. The iconic Maine lobster roll is made from simple ingredients, It is the perfect combination of mounds of lobster , mayonnaise, and lemon juice maybe a little salt.. served chilled in a toasted bun. Sometimes you get minced celery . What was served to me at Hook and Anchor was a lobster roll served in a brioche bun, and when I looked at it, it looked like it had hot cheese on top of it. But that wasn't cheese.. That was hot garlic mayonnaise, or aoili. I had to eat it with a knife of fork, and the overwhelming flavor is garlic. That's too bad because lobster has a delicate flavor and overpowering it with hot garlic, mayonnaise , it just was not very good It was bad. Again a lobster roll is served cold and that it was hot made it worse. If this is what you serve please don't say it's a Maine style lobster because it absolutely is not. However, we did split a clam chowder and that was delicious so my guess is that they have items on the menu that are good and I probably will go back to try their other entrees But please don't tell people that this is a Maine style lobster roll. And lastly, there is another classic style of lobster., I think that's considered New York, and that is warm a lobster with melted butter, drizzled all through it that I think does have minced celery . This style of lobster roll is decadent and delicious. And I don't understand how people who review lobster rolls on TikTok and Instagram somehow in Orange County don't know what a classic Maine lobster roll is

    Photos
    Hook & Anchor - Booth interior seating

    Booth interior seating

    Hook & Anchor - Lobster Deviled Eggs

    Lobster Deviled Eggs

    Hook & Anchor - 6oz Lobster Roll with grilled veggies

    See all

    6oz Lobster Roll with grilled veggies

    Seasurf Fish - poke nacho

    Seasurf Fish

    4.5(649 reviews)
    6.0 mi
    $$

    The Boulder and I rolled in on a suspiciously perfect Monday afternoon--clear skies, good vibes,…read moreand my dog in tow (a true critic.. of me). My tall Sequoia of a date did the classic awkward shuffle at the front like, "hi, can the dog come through to the patio without causing a federal incident?" The guy we asked looked like we had just asked him to solve climate change (bc he was a customer...), but he very politely redirected us to the cashier, who was lovely. So: Kindness: 10/10. Confusion: also 10/10. ~Balance~ Now the food. The Boulder orders a fish burrito. I go for the chimichurri salmon bowl with quinoa because I, too, enjoy pretending I have my life together. BUT. The boulder also then orders clam chowder--a surprise, a moment of elation, but at the same time... skeptical? Sir? I have lamented over my favorite chowder like a woman waiting for her husband to come back from battle. Were your ears too high in elevation for my voice to reach? ANYWAYS. Let's talk about the clam chowder, because this is where things get serious. I have grown up eating clam chowder in Santa Cruz (my hometown, my birthplace, my origins). I have known greatness (shoutout to Stagnaro Bros., the downstairs fish market). So when I tell you I approached this chowder with standards, I need you to understand the weight of that statement. I put my spoon in. It did not sink. At that moment, I knew. This was not soup. This was a lifestyle. A structural entity. And it was GOOD. Creamy, thick, unapologetically clam-forward. Not quite Santa Cruz enlightenment, clouds-parting-angels-singing, but honestly? Strong contender. We're talking solid top 4-5 chowders of my life, and I do not say that lightly. Now, my salmon bowl? Good. Respectable. Salmon = crispy, quinoa = doing quinoa things (why is it always slightly annoying to eat??). Chimichurri good. The fish burrito (from my observational research + dog validation panel): packed, flaky, generous. My dog approved, which frankly is the highest honor available. Overall: Great food, great vibes, excellent chowder, and quality time with the Tall Sequoia Boulder Man™ on a random Monday. Plus points--chips looked fried on site :D

    Busy spot during lunch but the wait wasn't too long. You order first at the counter and you're…read moregiven a number and seat yourself. We opted to sit outside as it was nice out. The portion sizes are large. Food was flavored well. For the poke bowl, the rice to protein ratio was off as had too much rice. Plus only a few pieces of uni. I like that they have non alcoholic beer available

    Photos
    Seasurf Fish - Prepped and ready for pick up orders

    Prepped and ready for pick up orders

    Seasurf Fish - Poke Nachos and a cold beer for the win!

    Poke Nachos and a cold beer for the win!

    Seasurf Fish - Motif is the best!

    See all

    Motif is the best!

    The Lobster Shack - New England beans and blue cheese cole slaw

    The Lobster Shack

    4.3(648 reviews)
    4.4 mi
    $$

    Our first time trying lobster shack and we already can't wait to go back! The seafood is fresh, and…read morethe sides have unique twists. Highly recommend the slaw with blue cheese and the sweet beans. The lobster rolls are packed with meat and tons of flavor, on a perfect brioche bun. Dan is also a friendly owner who puts a lot of love into his business. Can't wait to try the deviled eggs next!

    came here for a quick bite on valentines day. rating would've been ~3 stars, but the service really…read moremessed it up for me and my partner one of the owners (i'm assuming) took our order, but he repeated the same things many times, to the point where i asked for the receipt at the end to make sure everything was correct (and good thing i did, too). they then gave what i'm assuming was our order to another couple, and also served people who arrived after us. i had to get up and hang out by the cashier for them to notice me, and they didn't know whose order was tied to who since they almost gave away our order to someone else again. the cashier man even said "was i the one who took your order?" when he did literally 15 minutes ago. then, when they finally called our name, they gave us a packaged to-go order when we wanted to dine in, and the order was completely wrong. the other owner (i'm assuming his wife), went back and forth to the kitchen 3 more times to either correct our order or bring back things they forgot that we had to remind them to bring. even when we gave her the receipt i kept, the order would still come back wrong. the other parties served had finished eating and left by the time we finally got all of our food the staff was generally nice. they apologized a lot, thanked us for our patience, checked up on us, & offered 1 free coleslaw (~$3.50) and 2 little chocolates. but they didn't offer us any sort of real compensation and after messing up our order 3+ times, and being understanding about it, we were pretty surprised i am strict with lobster rolls since i'm always comparing it to what i've had during my time in boston (impossible to beat), and i thought the food was just alright. boyfriend thought it was pretty dry and not that tasty for $100+, i'd expect much better service and better food

    Photos
    The Lobster Shack - Just a view of where you order. There is inside seating, and a patio also.

    Just a view of where you order. There is inside seating, and a patio also.

    The Lobster Shack - You can look at this photo and see it's a cold gelatinus mess. Butter? NOPE

    You can look at this photo and see it's a cold gelatinus mess. Butter? NOPE

    The Lobster Shack - Very cute and welcoming.

    See all

    Very cute and welcoming.

    El Zarandeado  - Aguachile negro

    El Zarandeado

    4.8(386 reviews)
    3.7 mi

    If you're looking for authentic, fantastic Mexican food in San Juan Capistrano, El Zabandeja is…read moreabsolutely worth your time. This is the kind of place where the food speaks for itself. As a local gringo, sure--I wouldn't mind a few pictures on the menu--but honestly, it doesn't matter. Just pick something and go for it. Everything I've tried has been excellent, and you really can't go wrong. What makes it even better is that it's truly family-owned and operated. And I mean that literally--you'll see them in the front, in the back, and serving tables. There's something special about that level of care and pride in what they're doing. It's incredibly important to support places like this, especially in South Orange County and particularly in San Juan Capistrano. Restaurants like this are what give the area its character. Take your time when you go--make it a date night or bring family when they're in town. If you want real, authentic, fantastic food, this is the spot.

    The seafood was fresh and full of flavor, and everything tasted very well prepared. I highly…read morerecommend trying the agua chile con salsa negro -- it had great flavor and was one of my favorite dishes. The camarones a la diabla and camarones al ajillo were also both delicious, well seasoned, and cooked perfectly. If you enjoy seafood, this is definitely a place worth trying. I would gladly come back again.

    Photos
    El Zarandeado  - Inside

    Inside

    El Zarandeado  - Camarones Playa de Melaque

    Camarones Playa de Melaque

    El Zarandeado  - Tiquio the mixologist special drink

    See all

    Tiquio the mixologist special drink

    Legends Seafood & Steakhouse - House Salad

    Legends Seafood & Steakhouse

    4.4(211 reviews)
    3.0 mi
    $$$

    2nd Anniversary Celebration What a beautiful evening !…read moreAnother class act hosted by Legends Seafood & Steak Restaurant last night ! Food and friends, enjoyed with a delicate oaky Chardonnay and robust Cabernet wine ! Ricardo and team never disappoint! Toast to many more years of fabulous food and events. Your staff is profession and friendly making an experience memorable. Thank you again for a top notch evening. Only suggestion : reduce noise level by adding some acoustical remedy in dinning room.

    The restaurant itself is nicely decorated and has a good atmosphere. Our server was wonderful and…read moreshe stayed on top of everything throughout the meal. As for the food, just don't go into it expecting Selanne's Steak Tavern or Mastro's. I specifically wanted halibut and ordered the panko halibut. The fish itself was good and not overly fishy, which I prefer, but overall it felt more like an upscale fish and chips dish than a true fine dining halibut entrée. The potatoes were good, but I didn't care for the pasta at all. It was very dry. The salad tasted good, but it was nowhere near worth the price. It had maybe two tomatoes and a light sprinkle of nuts. At $13, it felt extremely overpriced. Would I come back? Probably not. For the price, I expected more, and the fish was really the only thing I genuinely enjoyed. That said, it is a nice addition to the area since there honestly aren't many places around like it. The biggest downside for me was really the side dishes overall. The pasta and salad just didn't match the pricing or the level the restaurant seems to be aiming for. I also wasn't a fan of the music. The atmosphere would fit much better with more of a Frank Sinatra style instead of what sounded like generic 90s elevator music in the background. Overall, for the area, it's a nice spot. But for the price point, there are definitely better options.

    Photos
    Legends Seafood & Steakhouse - Dining room interior

    Dining room interior

    Legends Seafood & Steakhouse - Linguine del Campo

    Linguine del Campo

    Legends Seafood & Steakhouse - Dining room interior

    See all

    Dining room interior

    Coastal Kitchen

    Coastal Kitchen

    4.2(1.5k reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$$

    I've been here many times and I love everything on their menu. I would recommend making a…read morereservation especially on the busy weekends. Restaurant is nice with some booth seating in the back and even some outdoor seating. Parking itself-there's a small lot next to it but it's almost always full so you can do some street parking in the surrounding neighborhoods. When I last came here, we ordered the red pepper hummus to share and I ordered the French dip! It was excellent as per usual and the service was good. One critique I would have though is that one of the people in my party was a vegetarian and had ordered a veggie burger. The people bringing out the food accidentally swapped the plates of someone else in the party who had ordered a chicken blt when placing the dishes in front of each person. Unfortunately the vegetarian did take a bite of the chicken blt before realizing it was not the veggie burger and spit it out. It is what it is and was an honest mistake. But, maybe confirming the dishes before placing it in front of the person would be good. First time it's happened but we hope it doesn't happen again because we love this place!

    To start off, parking is an absolute nightmare. Aim to get there earlier and don't be surprised if…read moreyou have to take use the side streets for parking in the neighborhoods. As for the food, it was pretty good. We got the Salmon, Rotisserie Chicken and Baby Back Ribs. The baby back ribs was definitely the best bang for your buck thing on the menu and they were delicious. The Salmon was ok and the chicken was a little dry. The fries and Cole slaw were very good and our dessert was also very rich. The service was solid and it felt like a place to dress a little nicer but no pressure to wear a suit or anything.

    Photos
    Coastal Kitchen
    Coastal Kitchen
    Coastal Kitchen

    See all

    Chart House - seafood - Updated May 2026

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