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We came here to celebrate a friends birthday dinner. I started with a lemon drop martini and the spinach dip. Definitely recommend this as a starter. I got the Scottish salmon which comes with an apricot glaze. For my side, the Campari Tomatoes & blue cheese are to die! This is bar far my favorite side!!! We also had the Crispy chicken Caesar, and a side of fries. For dessert, I had high hopes on the butter cake but unfortunately it tasted really dry. The ice cream and topping was good, but the actual inside was overcooked.
Went here for dinner with some girlfriends and thought it was super cute! We enjoyed the food and the drinks. The rolls were very fluffy. The chicken tortilla soup was also very good, but nothing stood out for it since it just tasted like your average tortilla soup. The ahi tacos were also pretty good - I loved the cheese on the inside of the taco, but overall didn't have anything that made the taco particularly amazing. Service was great, they were attentive and always getting us refills of our water. It does seem a little pricey for the food you're getting, but that can seem expected in Dana Point. I would go here again, but probably for drinks and apps.
Always keep coming back for more.... enjoyed our lunch today, hamburger & fish tacos! Service is so fast & friendly and the place has such lively , cool vibes. We love it here!
We were visiting Dana Point and had heard about this spot. Our hotel also recommended dining here too. We made a reservation and I highly recommend you do too. It was a Monday and the place was packed with people waiting. The hostess sat us at a booth next to the open kitchen, very cool. We both had the Clam Chowder and Halibut with garlic mashed potatoes, both so delicious! Ricky was our server and he was amazing! We can definitely recommend dining here, you will be so happy!
Everything was great!! We were here a few days ago and the food was so delightful and the servers and the atmosphere was excellent we had to come back in our way back home. This is a late post but I had to share!
Super cute restaurant in downtown Dana point! Came on a weekday for lunch and thankfully did not have a wait, we were seated immediately. The French dip sandwich was yummy but could have been more flavorful. the crabcake salad was so high-quality and well balanced. Would surely return to try new dishes!
Good food and friendly service. I had the Cajun shrimp starter as my main dish, and it was so good (and absolutely soaked in butter, so proceed with caution if you're watching your cholesterol). Parker house rolls were ok but too salty, and became hard as soon as they cooled which makes me think they're not made in house. My husband loved his grouper fish sandwich, and the kids meals were pricey ($16) but substantial. The included ice cream sandwich with the kids meals was a packaged grocery store item, so would've preferred a better priced option without it. It would also be nice if they had greenery or something to hide the highway view, like Truly does down the street.
Love coming here whenever I have a chance. Came with a group and we decided to split the small plate and three entrees. We came for a birthday and everyone was so kind and wished them a happy birthday. I've been here before and everything I've ever had was delicious. The artichoke and kale dip was perfect. The chips were light and crispy and was the perfect vessel for piling on loads of the dip. Out table inhaled the chips in under five minutes. Out of the baby back ribs, pork chop and rib eye I have to say that the rib eye was so tender, so moist and so flavorful. I might have to order it every time I come back. We were so full we didn't get any dessert but they still have the butter cake on their menu. So I'll definitely have to get it again next time
located right by Dana Point Harbor, popular among locals and tourists. offers both indoor and outdoor dining. Place Gets busy even during weekday lunch, reservations are recommended. . Parker rolls with sea salt on top are the best! Trout dip and spinach dip are great starters. Crab salad and ahi tuna salads are great lunch choices. Fish sandwiches sea bass, babyback ribs and ribeye steaks for main course. Dessert pie and butter cake Amazing cocktails
I've been here many times and I love everything on their menu. I would recommend making a reservation 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!
We were stunned by the flavor explosion that came from such a simple plate of food. The humble halved fresh tomato was curious yet a pleasant complement. I have to admit the broccoli was flavorless, over steamed and under salted. The brownie was over baked and not chocolatey enough to our liking. However, I'm still rating Coastal Kitchen 5 stars because the main coarse more than made up for the rest and we will for sure return and would still recommend to others.
Coastal Kitchen captures the perfect Dana Point vibe: beachy and fun, yet sophisticated and fresh. From the moment we walked in, the staff was exceptionally welcoming and navigated the menu with impressive expertise. My wife and I had front-row seats right outside the kitchen, which offered a fun, "behind-the-scenes" look at the culinary team in action . The meal itself was flawless. My lunch filet was a perfect medium-rare, paired with a house salad that was easily one of the best I've ever had. My wife's Crab Cake salad was equally superb--fresh, flavorful, and expertly prepared. What truly sets this place apart is the pacing. Even with a packed house, the staff never made us feel rushed to turn the table. We actually wanted to linger for another round of drinks, though we ultimately moved on to let others enjoy the experience. Pro tip: Definitely make a reservation. We're already looking forward to returning for dinner.
Cool little restaurant with sophisticated beach vibes! Its dining room hummed with energy, while the bar was occupied by chattering guests. Outdoor seating is great on a nice day, but it sits next to a busy thoroughfare so, expect street noise. We were seated right next to large glass panels overlooking the kitchen. Unfortunately, our spot was near the area where servers congregated around a central terminal to input orders, which meant they were all facing our table. I found myself making eye contact with them several times, which made the experience a bit awkward... THE FOOD. - Parker House Rolls. Dense and springy, their tops dusted with a sweet-savory seasoning and paired with a dollop of pesto butter. I liked it, but as the bread cooled down, it was a bit too firm. - Starter House Salad. Fresh veggies and the portion size is bigger than expected! - Starter Caesar Salad. The tiny fried capers added crunch and a pop of salt to this delicious salad! Highly recommend. - Hawaiian Ribeye. Served at a perfect medium rare with slightly charred edges and sweet teriyaki marinade. I don't like teriyaki marinade, but this was quite subtle and delicious. The side of tomatoes tossed with feta and basil offered a bright counterpoint. Highly recommend. - Halibut. Buttery & delicately flaky, the halibut was perfectly prepared and rested in a rich, silky white sauce. Fresh rock shrimp sat on top the halibut for added oceanic flavors. The side salad was a small mound of gold and ruby beets, mixed in with walnuts and tangerine slices that delivered an earthy, citrusy sweetness. Highly recommend. THE DRINKS. - Spiced Old Fashioned. Layered spice and cherry bitters with notes of lemon for a slight zing. - Stone IPA. Boldly hoppy with a sharp bitterness and notes of piney evergreen. THE PARKING. Parking is free but limited, and the small lot fills up fast. The layout is one-way with a dead end, so if the lot is full, you'll need to three-point turn it back out. Street parking is a fallback, but it's also difficult to find an open spot, so pick your poison. THE VERDICT. Beautiful dining space with lively, sometimes overwhelming acoustics. The kitchen turned out some delicious dishes and the wait staff kept our plates cleared and glasses filled with efficiency. I'd return for another meal!
2 years ago
Very nice ambiance indoors and charming fire ice fireplace coziness outdoors. Consistently good food and service, but we would love to see daily specials or new additions to the menu or seasonal changes for more variety to draw us in more often! read more
2 years ago
AR and I came here for my birthday dinner - looking for something new and different. AR had been here once before and suggested it as an option. Coastal Kitchen had been on my radar for a while, but I hadn't found a reason to make the trip until AR gave it the thumbs-up. The restaurant is bright and airy, with large windows, clean, minimalist decor, and a cozy patio that's perfect for sipping something cold and watching the world go by. (We almost sat outside, but it was a bit too chilly that evening; even with the fire pits.) It's the kind of place where you can stroll in straight from the harbor or dress up a little for date night - it works either way. Fire pit - https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=O6EBodP3Fgu_n67efSKnBQ&select=PxN0jYTNEVcdye-iha-Azg AR and I arrived just before 6:30 PM and were greeted warmly by the two young ladies at the front podium. We were quickly seated in a booth, which felt cozy and perfect for the evening. To our surprise, the restaurant was fairly busy - unexpected for Super Bowl Sunday when most people were likely glued to their TVs watching Kansas City and Philadelphia battle it out. It was nice to see we weren't the only ones out enjoying dinner that evening. Our server, Ricardo, was fantastic - friendly, helpful, and super knowledgeable about the menu. He struck the perfect balance between being attentive without hovering. It's clear that the staff here are well-trained; you'll never feel rushed, but you won't be left wondering where your server disappeared to, either. If you're unsure about what to order, just ask - they've got great recommendations. In our case, Ricardo nailed it with his starter suggestions, and we were off to a great start. Our order: Cajun Shrimp Starter - Very good; served in rich sauce. Photo - https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=O6EBodP3Fgu_n67efSKnBQ&select=5d7RVWbeQriygjSlftm-Lg Parker House Rolls Starter - Good; rich. Photo - https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=O6EBodP3Fgu_n67efSKnBQ&select=MIazEkIqlvJJNlvD5VFjwg Jalapeno Margarita - Okay; fair pour. Dark & Stormy w/Capt Morgan - Okay; fair pour. Photo - https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=O6EBodP3Fgu_n67efSKnBQ&select=wxLX3g1FUluEKkqyOOivKw Hawaiian Ribeye - Okay; marinade was too sweet for my taste; teriyaki ribeye. Photo - https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=O6EBodP3Fgu_n67efSKnBQ&select=gvD302OnLr3JxhZJwIJAag Crab Cakes - Good; tasty in a mustard sauce. Photo - https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=O6EBodP3Fgu_n67efSKnBQ&select=hEL12rzC1q7KGUu9kOztMw Spiced Old Fashion Jalapeno Margarita - Good; good pour. Paloma Martini - Good; good pour. Photo - https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=O6EBodP3Fgu_n67efSKnBQ&select=TSXd8r9Inl-U6gFYXxUavQ Grand total: $240 (Including tip) Overall, for the $$$, it was "good," not great. Coastal Kitchen strikes a nice balance - perfect for a casual lunch or a celebratory dinner. The ambiance is polished yet approachable, the kind of place locals love but visitors stumble upon and rave about. While the prices lean on the higher side, the quality of food, drinks, and atmosphere makes for a pleasant experience. Treat yourself - you'll leave satisfied! - Big Aloha! Food/Drinks: 3+ Ambiance: 4 Service: 5 Value: 4 read more
2 months ago
2 months ago
I finally had the opportunity to have dinner here with my husband! This was his first time eating at this restaurant. We were seated on the patio quickly which was so nice because the weather of course was fantastic and we were seated next to the fire pit, which makes for a nice romantic evening. Our servers assistant come take our drink order immediately. Then Tanya, who I have been lucky enough to have before came to take our cocktail and appetizer order. Tonight I branched out and had the chicken dinner, which was really difficult for me to do... I ALWAYS order the pork chop! It has been my only meal here since they first opened! We started out, of course, with the trout dip, which was as good as always! I love this restaurant and can't wait to return! read more
Wonderful place with a delightful coastal ambiance and delicious food. Our server, Nicole, provided excellent service, making the experience even more enjoyable. The crab cake was absolutely delicious--perfectly crispy on the outside and flavorful inside. Highly recommend! read more
5 months ago
The food was amazing! The crab cake salad was incredible. No fillers, all crab! My husband loved the French dip as well. The staff is friendly and our waitress was very attentive. We were seated outside by the fire pit which was so very nice! Have been back already! read more
2 months ago
2 years ago
Haven't been here in a while, but realized that one of the things that I love is the Caesar salad with grilled salmon, It's actually not on the menu, but they always make an exception and tweak it a little bit for me . The service was great. We had a guy named Nick was on fire great stories very attentive.. great with the recommendations even though we have all been there quite a few times. Somehow, we got talked into two desserts. They're famous butter, cake, and the hot fudge sundae. Both , to die for... So damn good .... There's limited parking in the back of the restaurant, but there's also parking across the street . They have these great heaters outside, but I recommend sitting on the inside . It's Cozy. read more
2 months ago
2 years ago
11 months ago
Met a friend for an impromptu late lunch here today, and it was DELICIOUS. We had cherry Cokes, the pan bread appetizer, the seared ahi tuna salad, and some butter cake for dessert. It's pricey -- the salad alone was $30 -- but it was amazing. The butter cake was tasty but kind of hard on the exterior... it was somewhat difficult to cut into at first. Our server was incredible, though... she made great recommendations, refilled our drinks, took our late dessert order, and didn't seem to mind that we spent hours just hanging out and chatting. The restaurant is beautiful on the inside as well -- so fun to get to watch the chefs do their thing as we chatted and ate. We'll be back! read more
1 year ago
5 months ago
Stopped in for Father's Day lunch with my family and we are all happy that we chose this spot. It's a casual seafood centered American restaurant fairly close to the water in Dana Point. It's above the harbor so not as close to the boats as you can get, but parking in this area is much easier. They have a medium-sized parking lot attached so there is plenty of free parking. Inside of the restaurant is designed really well, it's a new construction with California colors and textures, tall ceilings, white walls, and spread out seating. We were seated at a booth near the kitchen and it was actually very quiet. It would be easy to bring small or large groups here because they have booth and small to large table options. Our server was very polite and all of our food items came out quickly. They have a medium-sized menu, but it is full of a lot of classic American dishes that have a seafood lean to them. I started off my meal with the Clam Chowder and thought it was fantastic. It was less creamy than I am used to, but the bacon addition really added to the overall flavors. For my entrée, I chose the Chicken BLT and added avocado and was really happy with my choice. The chicken is fairly skinny, which makes it easier to eat and the breading on it had a great and well balanced flavor. I recommend adding avocado because it added a level of creaminess to each bite. Overall a great lunch or dinner option in Dana Point. I live in West Los Angeles and my family lives in San Diego so this area is a meeting point for us so we all plan to be back in the future to try more items. read more
2 years ago
The food was delicious, and the service was excellent. We ordered the Parker house rolls, and I loved them. If you don't like herbs, ask for regular butter. My hubby ate around it because he didn't like the herbed butter on top. I ordered the double-cut pork chops. They're a monster. I ate a quarter of them. The fig compote is good but very sweet, so go easy on it. My hubby got the cheesesteak "sandwich" served on a brioche bun. He liked it very much. I did get a little grossed out looking up at the chandelier. The bulbs were caked with dust, and there was a spider web running across them. I didn't like that it was right above our table. I caution about parking if you're not used to this area. It's a pain, and parking is very limited. We parked pretty far off one of the streets. read more
7 months ago
Coastal Kitchen in Dana Point is an upscale yet casual New American restaurant situated in a historic 1924 building, the first commercial structure in the city. It is highly regarded for its clean, nautical design, featuring white beadboard, navy accents, and an open kitchen view. The restaurant has a sophisticated beach cottage vibe that is bright and airy. It is known for being lively and high-energy, though some guests find the indoor acoustics quite loud during peak hours. You can choose between two indoor dining rooms, a large marble wrap-around bar, or an outdoor patio equipped with fire pits and heaters. Popular items include the Hawaiian Ribeye, French Dip sandwich, and Parker House rolls served with herb butter. Famous for jumbo lump crab cakes (noted for having no filler), northern halibut, and seared ahi tuna salad. The private parking lot is small and fills quickly, though free street parking is available nearby. Because it is a popular local spot, reservations are strongly recommended, especially for dinner and weekends. read more
Coastal Kitchen gives me vibes of Cape Cod. Staff always immaculately dressed and attentive. Seafood menu is top notch and fresh, yet reasonably priced. The New England clam chowder is legitimately from Down East. Crab Cake salad is wonderful, as is the halibut. New menu item is the blackened grouper sandwich. Tender and flaky, superb in a sandwich. Come here to hangout with some gin & tonics. Classic east coast beach vibes. read more
3 months ago
11 months ago
There are a lot of these type of restaurants in S OC. They are all very good but Coastal Kitchen stands higher. The restaurant itself is beautiful. Light bright. Unfortunately ALWAYS slammed but if you go early or even just after 7:30 you can eat at the bar. They have a unique couple of things on the menu that I love. Trout dip and red pepper hummus apps. Fried chicken Caesar with fried capers Pan seared salmon Great food. Cool vibe. Lots of pretty people. Definitely worth the wait. read more
1 year ago
3 months ago
7 months ago
Best restaurant in Dana Point! Very delicious food and top level service. Although it's hard to find a parking spot during the weekend but overall the location and service is top notch! Bravo read more
2 years ago
Upscale casual atmosphere with indoor, outdoor and bar seating. Full service, sitdown restaurant. They have a small private parking lot accessible from the back alley, but good luck with parking if it's a busy weekend. Fast and friendly service. For lunch on a Sunday, I tried the chefs tacos (choice of several different meats and comes with three tacos), and the french dip sandwich (includes choice of fries or coleslaw). Everything was amazing! Not the most generous of serving sizes, and pricey to boot, but that's expected in a town like Dana Point. read more
I have been here several times and it's one of my favorite places to go when I'm in the area. To start, we order the Parker house rolls and they are absolutely delicious. Freshly baked and dolloped with pesto butter and flaky salt, they are perfect. I always order the crispy chicken Caesar and it's the right combination of fresh and indulgent. The chicken is crispy and seasoned well and the dressed salad is bright. The kids menu is really great. My son loves their chicken tenders and fries. Kids meals come with an ice cream sandwich. We always make a reservation when we visit so we never have to wait for a table. The restaurant is clean and bright. I have no negative comments to share! read more
7 months ago
1 year ago
3 months ago
1 year ago
1 year ago
We were a family of 7 with one baby. Did a walk in for a late lunch at 2:30 and got seated right away. Ambience is bright coastal theme, the interior design is beautiful and I loved the vibe here. Great for date night, big groups and family outings. We got the crab salad as appetizer to share and I ordered the rock snapper and fried cauliflower. I wasn't a fan of the fish, unfortunately. The rock snapper wasn't tender and the food was rather bland. However the crab cake salad next time, tender and flakey, nicely paired with grapefruit and salad. There's plenty of parking available by the restaurant. Service was impeccable. Will definitely get the crab cake salad next time! read more
7 months ago
This place is a must go. The flavors are amazing. The service is fantastic. The ambiance is perfect. Our server Maggie was very warm and welcoming. I didn't snap a pic of the butternut dessert, but YUMMY! The only downside is there aren't many vegetarian options, but the veggie burger tasting just so good made up for it! read more
3 months ago
9 months ago
1 year ago
2 years ago
Cute restaurant in the heart of the lantern village in Dana Point. Recommend making reservations as we had to sit outside (even with the heaters still a bit chilly). Service was outstanding. Food was good but admittedly expectations were higher given how crowded it was. read more
7 months ago
More info about Coastal Kitchen
34091 Pacific Coast Hwy
Dana Point, CA 92629
Directions
(949) 449-2822
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Visit Website
http://www.coastalkitchendanapoint.com
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Ask the Community - Coastal Kitchen
Do you have outdoor patio seating?
They have a small patio area in front of restaurant and a very large tent set up on the side of restaurant
Are little dogs allowed in a stroller?
Is the fried Brie salad still on the menu? I know at one point it was taken off
I understand that Coastal kitchen has reworked their menu because of the lock downs . I would ask if they are going to place it back on the menu when the lock down ends . Hope this helped .
Are there ocean views and patio seating?
No ocean views. All the seating is outside right now
Is there a Kids menu?
Yes. For ages 12 and under, includes beverage, French fries or vegetable, and ice cream sandwich. The choices were grilled cheese, cheese quesadilla, buttered pasta & parmesan, cheeseburger, chicken strips, and salmon.
Why does Yelp recommend reviews?
69 reviews that are not currently recommended
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