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    Galley Cafe

    4.1 (493 reviews)
    Closed 7:00 am - 2:00 pm

    Galley Cafe Photos

    Business Info

    GALLEY CAFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Good for kids
    Dogs allowed

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    Recommended Reviews - Galley Cafe

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    Double bacon cheeseburger - decent
    Simon K.

    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.

    Just a coffee!
    Brian W.

    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!

    the menu
    Zan L.

    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.

    View from our booth inside Galley Cafe.
    Cynthia C.

    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"

    Erin T.

    Always feel welcome here, food is always consistent and what a lovely neighborhood diner... shhh, let's not tell everyone!

    Meat Lovers Omelet
    Scott B.

    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.

    Eggs Benedict
    Sherma F.

    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!

    Meat Lovers Omelet w/ homemade applesauce ($15.99 | inc toast not pictured) winnahzzzzz
    Joe P.

    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.

    Sausage, egg, pancake, orange juice
    Genesis M.

    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!

    Michael D.

    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.

    Omelette
    Dave G.

    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.

    OG menu

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    2 months ago

    Great old school diner in Newport Beach good food and service and location. On the water

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    4 months ago

    Best breakfast spot in Newport hands down. Classic dinner feel on the bay with delicious food and incredible service.

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    6 months ago

    The galley is a wonderful, locals only, hidden breakfast place. Expect a short line on weekend mornings. It is the best!!!

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    1 year ago

    Just the best. Sure would cost you less than half in missouri. but great and great service ! Great vibe. great music !

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    Page 1 of 13

    Galley Cafe Reviews in Other Languages

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    Mutt Lynch's - MUTT'S MARG

    Mutt Lynch's

    4.0(1.2k reviews)
    2.0 mi
    $$

    This is one of my sister in law's favorite bars in Newport, so we came in here while we were in…read moretown on vacation. We came relatively early on a Saturday, totally forgetting it was St. Patrick's Day weekend and this place would be poppin (which it definitely was as the day carried on). We were seated right away for breakfast. On weekends, they don't start serving lunch till 11:45am, but we got to enjoy their breakfast. I didn't even realize they serve food. We were seated in the upstairs area which was pretty awesome because you got more of a view of the ocean! It was awesome. The guy that seated us was one of the brothers that works there and he was so nice! He told us to let him know when we were ready to leave because it gets crazy and people try to steal tables hahah. He even tried to get us to stay later and offered to buy us all a shot if we did, which of course, my family never says no to, so they all got to enjoy that haha. He was fantastic! Our server was also amazing though I didn't get her name. The staff here really is outstanding! To eat, I ordered the chocolate chip pancakes and a side of their fruit bowl. It was all really good. The food came out pretty quick which was great. My family all enjoyed their HUGE beers and mimosas. But really, the drinks look like they could be a bowl of soup haha. We loved it here and I'd definitely come back. Once the afternoon hit, they turned the music up for the St. Patrick's Day crowd. It was definitely a fun atmosphere!

    I like bar food and sports, so I went to Mutt Lynch's about twice in one week since hockey playoffs…read moreare this time of year. Their food isn't too bad especially if you want to watch sports, enjoy greasy food with a friend, or need a quick bite after a beach day. I think kids are allowed until a certain time (but I'm not sure when) cos once the sun sets, they have a bouncer checking IDs. Lots of seating available. Service is ok. When you get inside, you can pick any table of your choosing and your server will find you. Also, the restrooms are clean! First time I came here, I tried the lemon pepper pterodactyl wings and sweet potato fries. The wings were kinda bland and needed ranch for flavor. The sweet potato fries were pretty greasy but went great with a beer. I've also tried their California Dreamin' burger with garlic fries. This burger was so yummy and filling!! The bun is like a grilled cheese and the toppings go so well together. The garlic fries were meh.

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    Woody's Wharf - Twin Lobster Tails

    Woody's Wharf

    3.7(1.9k reviews)
    1.9 mi
    $$

    Today March22, 2026 i visited Woody's Wharf with my husband and another couple for our friend's…read morebirthday. The ambiance is great to see the harbor and the boats going by. I did not know that on the weekends they have bottomless champagne brunch. After taking a look at the menu i was sad i did not see clam chowder in a bread bowl available on the menu. I asked our waitress Kristina if it would be possible to get that. She advised me that it is only available after 3:30pm. To my disappointment i had to chose something else that was on the menu. While we were waiting for our food Kristina approached me and said she talked to the chef and they will be able to prepare some for me if i still want. I was very happy that they could accommodate my wish. Big shout out to Kristina for going out of her way.

    Bridget was absolutely incredible as the Events Manager at Woody's. She went above and beyond in…read moreevery way so kind, professional, organized, and attentive from start to finish. She made the entire event feel seamless and stress-free. Our party was a surprise celebration, and thanks to Bridget, it was perfect. She handled every detail with care and made sure everything ran smoothly. She and the entire team were wonderful to work with. The food was delicious, the atmosphere was fantastic, and they truly made the night feel so special. I highly recommend Woody's for any event, and if you get the chance to work with Bridget, you'll be in amazing hands.

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    Steak and lobster extra lobster tail total $54 unbeatable

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    Bee’s Knees Southern Kitchen - Eggs benedict

    Bee’s Knees Southern Kitchen

    4.6(748 reviews)
    1.9 mi
    $$

    Took the family here while we were visiting Newport Beach for spring break. The proprietor was…read morelovely and has been running the business for over 25 years. The food is high-quality and quite delicious. We would absolutely come here again!

    I was conflicted on writing this review. Normally, I don't post if it wasn't anything less than…read moregreat (especially for small businesses) but I had to share this experience. This has nothing to do with the food and the service. Our server was wonderful and accommodating. The food was quite good and we would have visited again. The rudeness of the owner was beyond words. We were seated with 4 kids and 6 adults. My child is 4 and was hitting his utensils on the table to make music. The owner immediately reprimanded him. She suggested giving the kids pencils and papers as an activity. I thought that was a great idea and said, "yes please". My son, like most children, began hitting his utensils again while waiting. When she saw, she said she would not give the kids the activity if they didn't stop. She then proceeded to snatch all utensils from the kids. I should have said something at that point but I didn't want to ruin the mood. We were celebrating my nephews 8th birthday. After that incident, my husband went up and gave her a suggestion about their menu. He was getting something from the car and didn't witness what happened with the utensils. He has a hard time reading and told her. She proceeded to say, "well we have 5 stars. Then added sarcastically, "well Happy Mother's Day to you too." Rude and uncalled for. I am not good with confrontation and we should have left the restaurant. However, I did not want to penalize our waitress and the other staff who have been great. The owner ultimately left the hostess area but I could hear her telling others that something was wrong with the atmosphere. Obviously that was directed at us. I like to give people the benefit of doubt but not from this type of treatment. She might have had a bad day but you can't act on emotions as a business owner. The thought also crossed my mind that she may have been racist. Needless to say, our birthday lunch was ruined and we couldn't help but discuss the treatment. Our waitress apologized on behalf of the owner but that was seriously inexcusable.

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    Shorebird - Fluffy hotcakes served warm at brunch in Newport Beach, finished with butter and syrup for a classic start.

    Shorebird

    4.3(1.1k reviews)
    1.9 mi

    What a wonderful restaurant, great location with a gorgeous view. A wide variety of fine dining…read morechoices, we loved the crab cakes, the tomato soup with grilled cheese, the espresso martini, the steaks. The staff is always friendly and attentive, service has been pleasant and we have come again and again since we like it so much. Definitely a place to stop at next time you are in Newport or if you are local!

    The ambiance at Shorebird was really nice. Being right on the water overlooking the boats was…read moredefinitely the highlight of the experience. There's also a very close parking garage which made getting there super convenient. Food-wise, everything was just okay. We had the steak and eggs and the portion was pretty small, but the steak itself was actually really good. The chimichurri sauce was disappointing though since it was blended too smooth and more like a liquid sauce without the fresh herb texture you usually expect. The chicken and waffles were mid overall. The waffles were bland, although the chicken was decent. The blueberry lemon ricotta pancakes were also just okay. The syrup tasted a little off and the lemon flavor was way too overpowering. I prefer just a hint of lemon, but these were definitely very lemon-forward. The passion fruit drop cocktail was probably my favorite thing we ordered. Sweet but still strong... my favorite! Also really enjoyed the butter and the fresh strawberry jam. We had a decent time and enjoyed the atmosphere, but nothing really stood out enough to put this place high on my return list.

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    Zinqué - Exterior / patio

    Zinqué

    3.9(1.5k reviews)
    2.0 mi
    $$

    Definitely one of my new favorite brunch spots - made it into my top 5 (in terms of food and…read morelocation, at least)! Love the casual vibe of this place. It's waterfront and can be accessed via the boardwalk (it's behind the street-side shops). Parking can be tough and very expensive - you'll likely have to park in the structure and walk over. Make sure to take your ticket with you for validation. Seating is available inside and outside on their covered patio. Plenty of space for parties of all sizes. I was pleasantly surprised by how easy it was to make a same-day reservation for a Sunday afternoon. They had plenty of open seating even when we got there. Tables were very dirty. They have a lot of work to do - it seems like months if not years of food, dust, and salty moist air mixed together and collected in the creases in the tables, on the walls, etc.. It's like a sticky gross residue that never gets completely clean. Many people like to dress nice in the area but honestly I would hate to wear something nice here out of fear it would get dirty. We also required new plates as ours had old food stuck to them. Service was not great. Our waiter was somewhat attentive but not nice - the poor guy seemed miserable like he hated his job and did not want to be there. Despite the restaurant being full, he wouldn't come by often when we actually needed something - he even disappeared towards the end and a new waiter had to help us. Food is delicious. Besides the location, their saving grace. We tried the sandwiches and yummy! Fries were also delicious with the spicy mayo. Love the different options they have, overall. They also had some great looking food on the brunch and drinks section of the menu. You can scan the QR code at the table to see pictures of each menu item. Overall was good and we'll be back every once in a while because we love Lido. Will try sitting inside in hopes the tables are decent. Really hope management makes some improvements though!

    Zinqué is always a good idea. Made a reservation for a Saturday evening and we were seated…read moreimmediately. We sat right along the boardwalk walkway and it was so relaxing with the water view. It was the Saturday before Mother's Day, so it was a little busier than usual, but it didn't compromise the service. Drinks came out a little slow, but the food arrived in a reasonable time. I ordered the house margarita and it was better than expected. I usually opt for wine here. The salmon was delicious and the yogurt sauce really set it off. Perfect portion, fresh, and overall a great guilt-free option. The bolognese wasn't my favorite dish, it lacked protein, but the sauce was tasty. Whether you're stopping in for apps or a full dinner, the vibes won't disappoint.

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    Galley Cafe - breakfast_brunch - Updated May 2026

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