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Friends and I went for breakfast and then later for a milkshake up at the counter. Breakfast was solid and the vibe was classic and timeless. I had the chicken fried steak with gravy, hash browns, two eggs, and toast. Pricing was fair and portions were large. The star came later when my party all came back in the afternoon and ordered milkshakes and malts. Root beer milkshake was delicious and portions were extremely generous. Would come back for shakes, friendly service, and vibes if I was in town.
Open since 1957 I would say that Galley Café is one of my favorite breakfast options in Orange County. Perhaps my favorite of the diners. It's located right next to the water, near the boat docks, so it has some really great views. Inside is quite small and there is usually a line to wait to be seated but the tables turn quickly because service is very fast and efficient here. We had to wait about 15 minutes on a Saturday morning @ 10:30 for a party of two. There is a lot of free parking along the water so parking is very plentiful and close to the restaurant. Both of our servers were extremely polite during our visit and everything that we ordered came out very fast. I really love how cozy it is inside, all the seating options are either booth or counter seating. The menu itself isn't very large, but has a lot of great classic diner dishes on it. For my first visit, I went with the Chili Cheese Omelette and added avocado and chorizo and I thought it was absolutely fantastic. I would highly recommend the combination to anyone and already want to come back again soon to get it again. Pricing is also fair and overall it was a wonderful experience so I would highly recommend to anyone in the area or passing through.
The bacon cheese burger is decent. I got a double, but that it totally unnecessary as the patty is thick to begin with. Next time I would ask for it to be cooked Medium as it was a bit dried out. They didn't ask how I'd like it cooked. It does not come with fries. I choose the coleslaw but it needed more mayo and seasoning. Next time I'd try the potato salad. Regardless you need to order fries separately. They're nicely hand cut thin. They give you a huge pile enough for at least 2 people to share.
Cute, cozy neighborhood, family owned breakfast and brunch spot in the Balboa Harbor area since 1957. Came in on a Friday morning about 9 and seated immediately at one of the 3 booths along the window. From here we could see across to the docked boats. Lots of locals streaming in and out with cheerful greetings and salutations of "Happy New Year!" from the friendly staff. Hubs ordered the 2 eggs hamburger patty breakfast with hash browns and toast. I chose the Combo with 1 egg, 1 pancake and 1 protein (ham steak). Everything came hot and steamy. The pancake is a true griddle cake made from scratch. It was light and fluffy, but not as much flavor as I prefer and I could definitely taste the griddle. I heard a repeat customer tell his family to "definitely get the pancakes, they're amazing!", but I think pancakes are a very subjective food. I'm sure these would satisfy many people, but I delight in a dense, thick, sweet pancake, so I would pass on these next time. The slice of ham was good and the egg was also. Hubs enjoyed his hamburger patty and eggs and his coffee was steaming hot. They are also known for their scratch chili and I heard a few people ordering that for breakfast. It must be good! lol I counted about 6 small booths and 1 large corner booth that sat a family of 6 snuggly. There was also a long counter that seated 10 and I noticed a couple of times people "scooched" over to make room for others which was very kind. Immediate parking in front of Galley is 4 spots, but I'm sure there are more spots in the area. Bathrooms are located around the back of the kitchen by going outside. If we are in the area again and wanting a simple breakfast served by cheerful staff, we will think of Galley Cafe fondly. Cheers! "CC"
Love it! Adrian is always spot on and the place delivers just what I want! My kind of place! Get here early if you want a table!
Always feel welcome here, food is always consistent and what a lovely neighborhood diner... shhh, let's not tell everyone!
Galley Cafe is another bfast & lunch institution in Newport Beach. It has been in biz since 1957, and serves hearty bfasts and good chili. In addition, one of their specialties is homemade applesauce. I was pretty hungry after golf, so I ordered the meatlovers omelette. It has bacon, ham, sausage & cheese, and it is massive. I ordered applesauce as my side. The omelette was outstanding. It was massive, and packed with meat. In addition, the applesauce was nice & smooth vs the crap we get at the store. Regarding the ambiance, its small & quaint with some counter seats and a few tables. I came on a weekday around 1 pm, and it was busy. We were lucky to get a table for 3. This place must be packed in the morning and on weekends. The service was friendly & warm, just what you would expect from a family owned place that has been open nearly 50 years. If I lived in NB, I would definitely be a regular here. I will solely have to settle for the Galley being on our rotation after golf.
Came to breakfast here looking for a more relaxed place that was by the ocean and I'm so happy with my breakfast here. It's a small dinner that reminds me of Al's in Minnesota. I went with 2 sausages an over easy egg and a pancake with fresh squeezed orange juice. The pancake was very fluffy and delicious. My brother ordered a chili cheese omelette and WOW! Now I know next time to order that. The flavors worked so well in an omelette version and there was cheese that was melted and the chilly was just delicious. That was definitely a unique dish I would come back here for that. You are able to park on the street as there is no parking lot but we got lucky with a spot right next to it. You have the option of sitting at the bar or the booths. Really great place that has history and great food!
Breakfast by the Bay. The meat lovers omelette with loaded jalapeños was a plateful. Quick service by a very friendly and efficient staff. You will never have to ask for a coffee refill. Awesome diner feel & experience. The staff knew what all the locals were having before they even sat down. My new favorite breakfast spot in Newport Beach.
3 months ago
24 days ago
This diner is a neighborhood gem in the Newport Beach area. There's no reservations but do not be discouraged by the line you might see. It tends to go by fast and the experience is worth every second of the wait. The tight but family-style feeling of the interior makes you feel as if you're being served a home cooked meal. The waiting staff during my visit (Gabriella, Adrienne, and Ally) were attentive and work as team so feel free to grab anyone's attention if you need anything. Stop by if you're in the area! read more
Friends and I went for breakfast and then later for a milkshake up at the counter. Breakfast was solid and the vibe was classic and timeless. I had the chicken fried steak with gravy, hash browns, two eggs, and toast. Pricing was fair and portions were large. The star came later when my party all came back in the afternoon and ordered milkshakes and malts. Root beer milkshake was delicious and portions were extremely generous. Would come back for shakes, friendly service, and vibes if I was in town. read more
Open since 1957 I would say that Galley Café is one of my favorite breakfast options in Orange County. Perhaps my favorite of the diners. It's located right next to the water, near the boat docks, so it has some really great views. Inside is quite small and there is usually a line to wait to be seated but the tables turn quickly because service is very fast and efficient here. We had to wait about 15 minutes on a Saturday morning @ 10:30 for a party of two. There is a lot of free parking along the water so parking is very plentiful and close to the restaurant. Both of our servers were extremely polite during our visit and everything that we ordered came out very fast. I really love how cozy it is inside, all the seating options are either booth or counter seating. The menu itself isn't very large, but has a lot of great classic diner dishes on it. For my first visit, I went with the Chili Cheese Omelette and added avocado and chorizo and I thought it was absolutely fantastic. I would highly recommend the combination to anyone and already want to come back again soon to get it again. Pricing is also fair and overall it was a wonderful experience so I would highly recommend to anyone in the area or passing through. read more
The bacon cheese burger is decent. I got a double, but that it totally unnecessary as the patty is thick to begin with. Next time I would ask for it to be cooked Medium as it was a bit dried out. They didn't ask how I'd like it cooked. It does not come with fries. I choose the coleslaw but it needed more mayo and seasoning. Next time I'd try the potato salad. Regardless you need to order fries separately. They're nicely hand cut thin. They give you a huge pile enough for at least 2 people to share. read more
2 years ago
Cute, cozy neighborhood, family owned breakfast and brunch spot in the Balboa Harbor area since 1957. Came in on a Friday morning about 9 and seated immediately at one of the 3 booths along the window. From here we could see across to the docked boats. Lots of locals streaming in and out with cheerful greetings and salutations of "Happy New Year!" from the friendly staff. Hubs ordered the 2 eggs hamburger patty breakfast with hash browns and toast. I chose the Combo with 1 egg, 1 pancake and 1 protein (ham steak). Everything came hot and steamy. The pancake is a true griddle cake made from scratch. It was light and fluffy, but not as much flavor as I prefer and I could definitely taste the griddle. I heard a repeat customer tell his family to "definitely get the pancakes, they're amazing!", but I think pancakes are a very subjective food. I'm sure these would satisfy many people, but I delight in a dense, thick, sweet pancake, so I would pass on these next time. The slice of ham was good and the egg was also. Hubs enjoyed his hamburger patty and eggs and his coffee was steaming hot. They are also known for their scratch chili and I heard a few people ordering that for breakfast. It must be good! lol I counted about 6 small booths and 1 large corner booth that sat a family of 6 snuggly. There was also a long counter that seated 10 and I noticed a couple of times people "scooched" over to make room for others which was very kind. Immediate parking in front of Galley is 4 spots, but I'm sure there are more spots in the area. Bathrooms are located around the back of the kitchen by going outside. If we are in the area again and wanting a simple breakfast served by cheerful staff, we will think of Galley Cafe fondly. Cheers! "CC" read more
6 months ago
Love it! Adrian is always spot on and the place delivers just what I want! My kind of place! Get here early if you want a table! read more
4 months ago
9 months ago
5 months ago
10 months ago
Always feel welcome here, food is always consistent and what a lovely neighborhood diner... shhh, let's not tell everyone! read more
7 months ago
8 months ago
Galley Cafe is another bfast & lunch institution in Newport Beach. It has been in biz since 1957, and serves hearty bfasts and good chili. In addition, one of their specialties is homemade applesauce. I was pretty hungry after golf, so I ordered the meatlovers omelette. It has bacon, ham, sausage & cheese, and it is massive. I ordered applesauce as my side. The omelette was outstanding. It was massive, and packed with meat. In addition, the applesauce was nice & smooth vs the crap we get at the store. Regarding the ambiance, its small & quaint with some counter seats and a few tables. I came on a weekday around 1 pm, and it was busy. We were lucky to get a table for 3. This place must be packed in the morning and on weekends. The service was friendly & warm, just what you would expect from a family owned place that has been open nearly 50 years. If I lived in NB, I would definitely be a regular here. I will solely have to settle for the Galley being on our rotation after golf. read more
3 months ago
3 years ago
Came to breakfast here looking for a more relaxed place that was by the ocean and I'm so happy with my breakfast here. It's a small dinner that reminds me of Al's in Minnesota. I went with 2 sausages an over easy egg and a pancake with fresh squeezed orange juice. The pancake was very fluffy and delicious. My brother ordered a chili cheese omelette and WOW! Now I know next time to order that. The flavors worked so well in an omelette version and there was cheese that was melted and the chilly was just delicious. That was definitely a unique dish I would come back here for that. You are able to park on the street as there is no parking lot but we got lucky with a spot right next to it. You have the option of sitting at the bar or the booths. Really great place that has history and great food! read more
Breakfast by the Bay. The meat lovers omelette with loaded jalapeños was a plateful. Quick service by a very friendly and efficient staff. You will never have to ask for a coffee refill. Awesome diner feel & experience. The staff knew what all the locals were having before they even sat down. My new favorite breakfast spot in Newport Beach. read more
1 year ago
I stumbled upon this gem randomly during a work trip. Probably the cutest diner I have ever been to. It sits in the harbor with views of the water / boats. You can tell the patrons are regulars. Just a very magical + nostalgic feeling the minute you step foot inside. The service was wonderful and the Eggs Benedict was delish! Will definitely be back the next time I'm in town! read more
9 months ago
1 year ago
The food was really good. The service was great and the atmosphere is really cool like an old diner on the beach. It is very small and cute. It is a bit pricey so it's a once in a while kind of place. read more
1 year ago
6 months ago
Love this gem tucked away in Newport's Lido Island. Step back in time to the 60s where the eggs are fluffy, the bacon crackles, and the hash browns are crisp like God intended. Service is great but arrive early or endure the wait as it seats only 35 or so. read more
The Galley Cafe is a local old school diner that's been around for longer than I have! It's been family-owned since 1957 and it's only open from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 This is a gem of a classic breakfast & lunch spot that has about 30 tables as well as counter seating that serves solid & no frills food. I love the breakfast burrito with pico de gallo. Expect a waiting list on the weekends, but it always hits the spot. It's right next to the marina and the service is prompt and friendly. Friendly regulars and neighborhood vibes! I love the Galley Cafe! read more
Being a SoCal native, I can't believe I've not yet been here! It feels like an authentic 50's diner....love the history behind it! Great servers. I had pancakes, eggs & bacon. Everything was pretty mediocre but my hubby's pastrami sandwich was very good. I plan on trying the tuna melt next time. Overall it was a fun spot to try! read more
The Galley is a perfect little diner on the harbor in Newport Beach, good food, good service, & good views-- the essentials. Is the waiting situation a little odd? Yes. Does it work? Absolutely yes. We ended up waiting about 20 minutes on a gloomy, yet busy Saturday morning. Once you find parking either on the street or in the lot, you'll stand in line and wait for a party number to be called, no names taken down or anything, if your party fits, you sit. It's a bit of a smaller place, a long countertop and booths throughout the restaurant. The walls are lined with old photos, christmas cards, paintings, & other fun memorabilia of the like. We sat at the corner end of the bar, honestly ideal with the flow of traffic & space provided but we would have been happy anywhere. I started off strong with a Pineapple Mimosa which was graciously filled to the brim -- I also want to note that I was very obviously intrigued by how they make cherry coke (like, the real way) and I was given a bit to try, definitely amazing and that's coming from someone who does NOT like Coke at all, they really stick to the classics -- 10/10 (on both) The Eggs Benedict was great, if I'm being honest I don't tend to go for a Benedict unless it comes with salmon (I know, I'm annoying, mind your business and I'll mind mine!) but this one restored my faith in the classic Benedict, the hollandaise was particularly good -- not sure why but it was perfectly rich and not overbearing -- 9/10 The hash browns were the perfect diner hash browns, perfectly and only needed a bit of salt and pepper (and a little hot sauce but who doesn't, ya know?) -- 7.8/10 The biscuits and gravy were fine. I think the biscuit did more for the dish than the gravy itself, it was a bit bland and though it had good texture, it really didn't do much for me, even jazzing it up with some seasoning didn't do it any justice -- this is something that I would not get again (maybe just the biscuit) but I can see the vision -- 4/10 Overall, great price (I usually add the prices of things here but I failed to take a menu photo and it looks like everything online is outdated!), really friendly service, nice ambiance with the harbor in the background, the music, & the chatter of the patrons -- I'll definitely be back for a Saturday brunch (or maybe a weekday lunch) read more
5 years ago
I'm not sure how I feel about this little hole in the wall diner located at the harbor in Newport Beach. It really truly is a "Galley" by galley standards... The owner was so nice as she was bopping around the restaurant trying to accommodate everybody in the tiny space. it's a local favorite so the lines get quite long. ( Est. 1957 ) It's all really just comfort old fashion diner food. We actually went as a group on the request from one of our partygoers saying that the Galley café had the very best biscuits and gravy. ( I don't eat this kind of food so I wouldn't know) I did have the oatmeal which was very nice, nothing fancy... just oatmeal. They only make regular coffee. So you will not be getting anything fancy like a cappuccino or latte here. The location is so fun as we were heading out to take a Duffy ride around Newport Harbor. read more
10 months ago
2 years ago
WOOOOW...that was the best breakfast I've had in a long time. Eggs Benedict can be hard to nail on the trigger, but the Galley does it right. Perfect amount of hollandaise and the poached eggs were PERFECT. I went for bacon instead of ham and it was awesome. Super crispy. Also not to mention their staff is so nice and pleasant. Highly recommend getting a soda because they do it the old fashioned way with syrup first then club soda. Again, WOW this place made me have faith in society once again. I will be back. Mark my words. read more
*Galley by the Sea* My family likes to come here for breakfast and this was my 1st time. The place is extremely popular with the locals. It's always tremendously busy and there's usually a 20-40 minute wait which varies day to day - it's all about timing & luck of the draw. We arrived kinda early on a Friday morn, but still had to wait a good 30+ minutes. I'm not really a big breakfast guy and very happy eating my daily ritual bowl of oatmeal & fresh organic blueberries at home. But that doesn't mean I don't enjoy other breakfast foods -- I just rather not eat pancakes or French toast or sweets and high sodium bacon or sausages to start my day. I ordered 2 eggs scrambled, hash browns and also a burger patty - which I rarely do but wanted some extra protein. The eggs were a little undercooked & runny, the burger patty was overcooked & dry. But thank goodness the hash browns were just right & hit the spot. My meal came with a choice of toast but I didn't want the gluten & extra carbs and ordered it for my stepmom and was told their sourdough is very good. The wife had a veggie omelette and was a very happy camper. She also said the fresh applesauce was some of the best she's ever had. And she too enjoyed the sourdough toast. Dad & stepmom both had their usual - a pancake, a sunny side up egg, bacon...and both enjoyed their meal. The place is kinda small & cramped but all the tables are booths and cozy & comfy. It's a cool & fun old school diner with a nice neighbor vibe...and there's also counter seating that doesn't seem to fill up as much as a table. The service is amazing with friendly smiles throughout the meal. They run an extremely tight ship inside the Galley Cafe, the food comes out very quickly, and the two very sweet gals running the show enjoy what they do and it really shows. The diner is right near the harbor so there's pretty ocean views, depending on where you're seated. Docking a parking spot is challenging but if you try hard enough, there's spaces on street along the sidewalks in this residential neighborhood. Their prices are very reasonable & affordable. They're also open for lunch and I'd consider coming back another day to try a different type of breakfast and hopefully up my review to 4 or 5 stars. read more
1 year ago
Really good, fun, hidden gem of a place to go and get some breakfast. I really get the feeling that the people who run this are not in it to make a bunch of money, they seem to do it because they love it. If I was a secret multimillionaire (or Billionaire these days) this is EXACTLY the kind of place that I would want to have. Only open 7am to 2pm. All of the people are very nice, very accommodating. Terrific location, nestled discreetly amongst multimillion-dollar homes and near an ocean pier/dock area that has some boats close to that price range as well. But this diner/cafe is very unassuming, laid back, great vibe and wonderful people who run and take care of it. Smaller place, only about 25-30 seats so it's cozy. On to the food, overall, very good! There are a few things that they are famous for and known for. One is the Chili Cheese omelet. Secret recipe from the owner's family, been around since the 50's. Also well known for their Benedicts. I saw someone who had the pancakes and they looked amazing, definitely ordering those to try on the next visit in some sort of combo. Two of us did have the Chili Cheese Omelete, the third person had the corned beef hash and eggs plate. The omelet was good, not blow your mind good, but hearty and a good portion size. Corned beef hash was pretty good as well, eggs cooked correctly and the hash browns a little extra crispy as requested. I did think that we should have all gotten 2 pieces of toast with our orders, but alas, only 1 each. The pricing is more than reasonable, especially considering the area and location. It must be that secret millionaire thing that I mentioned earlier...lol. I am totally planning on going back and trying them again, especially during the week when maybe they are not quite as busy. We had about a 15-minute or so wait outside (not bad) but be aware that you are on the water, and it can be breezy and cool so dress appropriately if you run a little cold anyway. One thing that I would like to suggest is that for the people waiting outside, it would be nice if they offered a cup of coffee service, in Styrofoam cups if there is an ordinance about glass/ceramic outside, for those that are waiting. I used to live in Laguna Beach and there was a terrific breakfast place called Corky's that used to do this. No one there is going to run off w/o paying and just add it to the bill as they get seated. I can wait 30 minutes or more for a table if I have a cup of coffee in hand but will start wanting to leave after about 15 minutes if I don't. Just a suggestion. Highly recommend the Galley Cafe and am excited to go back and try some other menu items. I hope that you find this review helpful. read more
2 years ago
1 year ago
2 years ago
2 years ago
Absolutely fantastic. This iconic little hidden delight is a must visit. First come first serve basis. Give yourself a 10 min wait on weekends. Plenty of beautiful scenery at the basin. Plates are a more than fair value. Breakfast and lunch. Make it early or you might miss out because the Galley closes early. read more
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More info about Galley Cafe
829 Harbor Island Dr
Newport Beach, CA 92660
Directions
(949) 673-4110
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https://www.thegalleycafenewportbeach.com
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