Starfish is one of the best restaurants in OC and the #1 stop I recommend to people visiting & take guests. The ambiance both inside and outside is so lovely and there is something delicious for everyone!!! We have been eating here for 10+ years and every server is so lovely They have so many delicious gluten free dairy free options too including GF calamari!!! My favorite dishes to order are the calamari, chicken lettuce wraps, salmon nigiri & candy dragon prawns ! read more

See all

Personally, I don't think the food is worth the money. I should have caught the red flag when most of the pictures on Yelp had captions saying it was alright and that it looks better than it tastes. I think I'm just perplexed on the pricing. I've been to restaurants in LB where the menu items start at $13 and up. such as Nick's, and the food and the ambiance are worth it. I can see why happy hour is busy and why they have a pretty big opening of hours for it, , but it shaves 1-2 dollars off if anything. Everything was like 19 an item. The menu sounds decent but the food didn't live up to the price tag. We ordered chicken lettuce wraps, Pei Wei is better or PF Changs, the shrimp tempura roll, the lobster roll, and the drunken noodles. My husband barely ate. Each dish he said was alright but wasn't worth eating I guess. Again I think it was fine but for the price wasn't worth the value in my opinion. Like the macadamias lobster roll - It sounded way better than it tasted. I've had a similar roll at sota and Houston's and I think there's is slightly lower in price and was better. The ambiance is fun. I can see people meeting here casually for drinks or catch up with friends. The staff are very nice and attentive. Overall I think that the food was mediocre for the price. I highly doubt we'd come back. read more

I had a very disappointing experience at this restaurant. The food was far too salty and not enjoyable. Unfortunately, the service was even worse. Our waitewas inattentive, unprofessional, and made us feel like we were an inconvenience instead of valued customers. What disappointed me the most was the restaurant the curly-haired female manager's response. When concerns were brought to their attention, they failed to address the situation or take appropriate action to ensure a safe and respectful dining environment. A good manager should step in to resolve problems, but that did not happen.seem like they ( the waiter and the manager)are very racist. Our server is a guy, stay away from him as he did not really respectfully serve us. Overall, the poor food quality, lack of customer service, and ineffective management made this a very unpleasant experience. I would not recommend this restaurant, and I will not be returning. read more

Starfish - Asian Fusion Near Me - Laguna Beach, California

Waited 15-20 minutes without a reservation on a random Saturday evening. We ordered calamari while we were still deciding on the sushi. The calamari was okay. I felt like the crust could've been a bit thinner and crispier. As for the sushi, I didn't like how they added eel sauce for every single dish that came out. Because of that, it was starting to taste the same for every bite and it was also hard to taste the freshness of the fish. Portion size is decent. Overall, I thought this place was okay for the food but still worth a try. I love the service as our server was very attentive, nice, and patient. Large parking lot with plenty of parking in the front. read more

See all

Always great service, always good quality food! Today I met a friend for lunch and we ate small bites. We had the pork buns, Korean tacos, (which I did not get a picture of) and a Philadelphia roll. Our server was welcoming, friendly, and gave us quick service! I made a reservation for a table outdoors, but it was a bit chilly so we sat inside where it's dark and moody and intimate enough. We chose the high booth by the bar, which were very comfortable! The pork buns were absolutely delicious. The buns were nice and soft, and the pork inside was tender and juicy. The Korean tacos were served on small corn tortillas and the meat was very tender and quite tasty with a little bit of a kick. The Philadelphia roll was tasty, but not my favorite! I'm never disappointed at Starfish! read more

See all

This is probably more like a 3.5 star review. Interior is pretty nice. We sat at the bar. Great bartenders, super nice folks, drinks on point. Wasn't blown away by the sushi/rolls/nigiri and we tried multiple dishes. Shrimp wontons were good as well as the steak skewers. We were there on a super hot day outside, and none of the fish was cool enough for my liking, all at room temperature almost, which just wasn't doing it for me. Not sure if it was because of the weather outside or that's just how their standard is. Really wanted this to he a hit as I still am in seek of finding my goto sushi place in OC but not this time! read more

Had dinner once again at Starfish in Laguna Beach and stellar as always. Constructive feedback is their service can lack customer focus at times as far as being attentive but the sushi, sliders, pot stickers, kabobs are delicious. Starfish Chefs are absolutely amazing! read more

See all

I finally got to try Starfish after hearing so much about it, and I'll definitely be back again! The chili wontons were SUPER spicy -- our server did warn us beforehand -- but they were honestly really good. If you're not into spicy food, I probably wouldn't recommend those though. The roll we ordered was really good as well, and we also got the banh mi slider which was delicious. Everything had great flavor, the atmosphere was fun, and the service was great too. Definitely worth checking out if you're in Laguna Beach! read more

Starfish - Shrimp Tempura Roll Banh Mi Beef Sliders, Traditional Style - Asian Fusion Near Me - Laguna Beach, California

See all

We finally tried this restaurant. The ambiance is awesome. Very beautiful & relaxing. Service was great. The cocktails were watery and not that great. We tried 3 of them. ....& finally the food!! I feel bad to tell my honest opinion since many people love the food at this restaurant. We got Thai spicy beef & basil which was too sweet and couldn't taste the basil @$29 Thai curry chicken with a lot of boiled potatoes but not much chicken and could taste the coconut milk taste which goes in the panang curry as part of this food explanation @ $28. We also got the Solag Drunken noodle that its pad see ew noodles were so overcooked that looked and felt like chewed. Not appetizing! @$17! I felt very disappointed! I will try it again with their sushi and will update. read more

Starfish - Thai Thai Spicy Beef with Basil Thai Curry Chickencurry SoLag Drunken Noodle - Asian Fusion Near Me - Laguna Beach, California

Now after a day for business out in sunny California. I figured I'd have a bite in Laguna Beach... This is a for sure spot to eat I while in Laguna. Easy parking. Great location and parking. Even close to the beach where after eating, you could take a walk. The service was fair. Smiles and quick. Delicious food. No complaints from this review. But if you're in a mood for a bite and a drink. Check out Starfish! Thank you Starfish! I had a pleasant experience.... read more

Starfish - OG Vietnamese Roll and a roll on the side.... - Asian Fusion Near Me - Laguna Beach, California

I was really excited to try out this place because I've heard good things about it from other people. However, the main reasoning for my low rating is due to the food. I ordered the shrimp and chicken wonton soup, and I was not impressed. Although this place is labeled as Asian Fusion, I would have hoped that their food would still make the effort to respect the authentic versions of the dishes they serve. 1. There was so much spinach. Most wonton soups are served with baby bok choy, but spinach has a different taste and texture so I wouldn't overdo it. 2. There were also so many slices of water chestnuts like they were carrot slices. I just thought it was odd because I was expecting water chestnuts to be added into the filling of the wontons rather than a handful of cut slices in the soup. 3. The shrimp was hard to bite into so they were overcooked. There were also free pieces of white chicken meat in the soup, which I wasn't expecting either. I had assumed all the shrimp and chicken would be minced together to be placed in the wonton. 4. The chicken broth tasted off. I'm not sure really what it was if it was lack of ginger and garlic but it just wasn't as flavorful as I hoped. Service was okay, my waiter was nice and attentive. Inside the restaurant has a nice dim light environment so it just felt very calm to have a meal across the beach. I'm willing to come back if someone invited me and hope that other dishes wouldn't disappoint as much. read more

Starfish - Shrimp and chicken Wonton Soup - Asian Fusion Near Me - Laguna Beach, California

Great spot, especially during happy hour! They have a lot of their best items on the happy hour menu rather than the random items that don't get picked. The waiter was extremely nice and even when I didn't quite enjoy the sushi, he took it off the bill without hesitation or me having to ask. Very cute place loved going after a day on the beach. read more

See all

Starfish has one of the best options for this year's Orange County Restaurant Week, especially if you use InKind, too. It did not disappoint! They still serve full portions, and they also have broad options. Small Plates - Banh Mi Sliders 4.5/5 The patties were great, with the right amount of grilled flavor and the pickled vegetables were not overpowering. This was one of those simpler dishes that was prepared very, very well. - Crispy Chicken Spring Rolls 4/5 They were just fried with a great crunch, but the ingredients still felt fresh. The sweet and sour had almost a ginger kick to it. Large Plates - Cambodian Black Pepper Fillet 5/5 The filet was incredibly tender and there was a generous serving. The vegetables added a good, fresh crunch. (The table next to us ordered it and as soon and we smelled it, we knew we had to try it, too.) It is well worth the mark up. - Mongolian Beef 3.5/5 This dish has potentional, because the beef was tender and the flavor profile of the dish was great. However, the asparagus was thin and had a chew to it, and the snow peas were stringy. Dessert - Flourless Chocolate Cake 3.5/5. The texture was amazing, but the flavors felt muted, especially the berry puree. Drinks - Enlightenment 4.5/5 It was so refreshing, yet effective, with the right hint of sweetness - Lagniappe Margarita 4/5 Strong but well balanced flavors The lighting was dim, but it is still inviting. It was great for conversations, even with the tables being pretty close together. The kitchen and bar were both backed up, but the staff was aware and communicated it well. They also apologized as each dish was served, but it was all hot and freshly prepared, so we were not complaining. read more

See all

I really wanted to like this place they have Rombauer Chardonnay which is great not too many places have it on the menu. First of all their menu is HUGE like Cheesecake Factory which I don't appreciate. Everything has sugar very very sweet. Too many things going on when you taste the flavor profile of their dishes. Unfortunately for me is a NO. read more

Starfish - The food OK - Asian Fusion Near Me - Laguna Beach, California

See all

Kia was great very attentive . We ordered the spicy tuna roll, definitely had a kick to it . Tempura rolls was ok, nothing special . The crab wonton was crab forward . The whiskey blossom was very delicious, smooth and tasty . My lychee drink was to heavy on the lychee, i guess I don't really like lychee . I would choose a different drink next. Only a couple issues the crispy chicken spring Roll was a little dry, I would suggest cutting it in smaller pieces and adding a different dipping sauce ( I added a side of wonton sauce , tasted like sweet and sour ) . Another issue I was swatting gnats away from my food which was annoying . read more

Starfish - Spicy tuna , wontons - Asian Fusion Near Me - Laguna Beach, California

Food is awful!! Sliders dry! Sushi rolls are garbage fish! I've been here 2 times and it was still awful

I was thoroughly impressed with their sushi rolls, which boasted a uniquely distinctive wasabi flavor. The sushi itself was incredibly flavorful and fresh, earning a well-deserved 10/10. The drink was also noteworthy for its originality, and I absolutely adored it. The service was top-notch, and the atmosphere and decor were equally impressive. Thank you. read more

Starfish - Asian Fusion Near Me - Laguna Beach, California

See all

Excellent selection the food was tasty. The drinks were creative.. We especially liked the coconut vodka, strawberry muddled drink with basil and the ginger martini was also nice. We had great service from Kaylee. She was very informative and helpful helpful suggestions. Lobster macadamia roll was delicious and unique. Wasn't a big fan of the cucumber salad we liked in Thai Phung's much more. It's more refreshing with the rice vinegar. The seafood and the seafood curry was cooked to Perfection and the flavor was great. The coconut rice was a nice twist. We look forward to coming back some day to try the Mongolian beef. Pleasant but dark ambience with Asian decor. read more

See all

This is delicious high end Asian food at very reasonable prices. The menu has a lot of variety. Our family split the spicy Ahi Tuna roll. It is made fresh to order. It is packed with flavor and the fresh ginger and wasabi can add as much heat as you like. We also had the crispy Chicken Spring rolls. Nice sauce of sweet and sour to dip into. The braised bbq pork buns were fabulous. Soft chewy buns stuffed with delicious pork. The freshness of the vegetables inside offset the richness of them. And lastly we had the steamed pork dumplings. These could have been fried. Full of meat, perfectly cooked and delicious. We ordered take out and the service was good as they checked our order, made sure we had extra sauce if we needed. The restaurant is easy to get to off of Coast Highway in Laguna with plenty of parking. read more

Last night we had dinner at Starfish. The restaurant was so loud we were yelling across the table to be able to hear each other. Sadly, the service and food was not good. We were sharing different entrees and the waitress said she would pace everything. The food came out quickly and wasn't paced. We didn't have enough room on the table and had to ask them to hold onto entrees until we had room. When the waitress came by, she did not clear empty plates. The table was a disaster and really uncomfortable for all of us. When she dropped the check, she didn't bother to pick up the 10+ plates and empty glasses. Starfish food was mediocre and with so many great restaurants in Laguna Beach, we will not return. read more

Came here shortly after my engagement, and there was quite a bit of a wait, about 15-20 min despite the place not looking very crowded. Once we sat down, the service was pretty good, and they helped us take some pictures. The actual food was ok. Had the calamari rings which were not bad, wish the breading was thinner and crispier. Great sauces on the side though. The rolls also were acceptable. The sunset roll was probably the best one as it had the most fish, but was also drizzled in sauce as was every single roll that we ordered. Many had too much sauce and was monotonous. It's nice that some of them included avocado to mix up the texture and flavor, but not all had it. The meal ended with a chocolate cake which was a very nice engagement gift I appreciate from the staff. Again very good service here! read more

See all

Starfish in Laguna is one of our favorite spots! The sushi is always incredibly fresh, the cocktails are great, and their happy hour is definitely worth checking out. It's a smaller restaurant, but the staff always goes above and beyond to accommodate my mom, who has mobility challenges. We truly appreciate their kindness and hospitality every time we visit. Great food, great drinks, and amazing service! read more

Starfish - Asian Fusion Near Me - Laguna Beach, California

People told me this was their favorite restaurant my husband I would and he's literally not picky I was like that food was the worst we've ever had we will never go back I should've just ordered from Perez was like all the dry. And I was up all night sick after eating the sushi which when they brought it to me it had a smell and seemed disgusting should've never eaten it because I knew I didn't want to but I like people love this place I'm sure it's fine. We will never go back. And hear me out I know everyone loves this place but it's gone downhill! read more

Extensive drinks and food menu. Nice patio area for dining. Servers are friendly and attentive. read more

Starfish - Thai crab fried rice and hamachi/tempura sushi - Asian Fusion Near Me - Laguna Beach, California

I was totally satisfied while here. Everything I ate was a five. They have an Happy Hour from 3 to 6 and if I lived here, I would never miss it. The ribs were cooked perfect. This was the best chicken lettuce wraps I ever had. The waiter was extremely patient and walked me through the menu. Is not a huge restaurant but the perfect size. Very cute outdoor seating. When I come to visit again this will be my first stop to eat. read more

See all

blown away once again! I celebrated my birthday at starfish and was so pleased with my delicious go-tos, highlight of the meal was definitely the Vietnamese rolls it's a must try! service was wonderful and the desserts were very unique, the banana in filo dough had great presentation and it was delicious! read more

See all

We went during "Opium Hour" basically their happy hour. We ordered exclusively off that menu and put together a good meal for under $150 with cocktails. It is daily from 3-6. The service was quick and the cocktails were tasty. We went on a Saturday evening and took advantage of the beautiful scenery across the street that overlooks the ocean. The sushi was the highlight of the food, with the California roll being the table favorite with the sides of Wasabi and Ginger. The Bahn Mi slider was also really good but tasted more like a burger than what you would expect from a traditional Bahn Mi in Vietnam. That one in particular really puts the fusion in Asian-fusion. read more

See all

Brandon is so awesome. We've been here countless times and having him as our server the past few times has been absolutely awesome! Thank you for being so positive and welcoming! FYI drunken noodles are delicious! read more

I'm a little torn about this review. Read on to find out why. Was on a business trip in Laguna Beach, California. Not my usual stomping grounds. Due to my travel itinerary I ended up on my own for dinner on the last evening. I was there. Somebody in my party recommended I try Starfish. Because it was such a busy establishment, I ended up ordering over the phone the Chilean Seabass, an order of edamame, a mocktail and a highly recommended (by the wonderfully friendly front desk) dessert: the mango pudding. Even though I ordered ahead of time, this place is so hopping, I had to wait about another 15 or 20 minutes after arriving. I received the text, saying my order was ready, stepped inside the restaurant, the lady at the front, checked my order and saw that the mocktail was missing and went, went back to retrieve it, which took about another five minutes or so. So far, all was fine. Headed back to the hotel, and literally just as I was stepping across the threshold, the restaurant called me back to let me know that they had forgotten the mango pudding. They offered to hold it for me if I went back or to take it off the bill. I was hungry, and really did not want to return all the way back to the restaurant, so ask them to take it off the bill. The lady on the phone tried to get the manager to do it, but apparently they were so busy, manager was not able to come to the phone. She assured me they would take the charge off that evening, and hung up the phone. Well, all of that was last week and I just checked my credit card statement. The charge was not taken off, even though it should have shown up by now if it had been. This is so disappointing. Let me say that this restaurant is pricey, not just because of location, but the quality and taste of what they serve is incredible and, in my humble opinion, well worth it. Even though I ended up having to eat takeout, so didn't have a chance to see their presentation or spend time in what was clearly, a cute and happening place, I would definitely go back again. I also wasn't thrilled, but could understand the accidental omission of the mango pudding. Props to the front desk, lady, for realizing that it was missing, even though that realization came about because the putting apparently was brought out after I had left despite the rather long wait for the food which presumptively was more because of the cooked items than the mango pudding. However, the failure to refund the mango pudding after I was expressly told they would do so is really very disappointing for what otherwise is a well-run and well-regarded establishment. (For those of you who may think it's not a big deal or ask why I didn't just run back for it, first again many items here are very expensive, second it was very late and it had been a long day and I was hungry and just wanted to eat, so I didn't feel like turning around and returning to the restaurant while my food got even colder) So, three stars more because of the unfortunate experience regarding the missing dessert that I paid for, but never got to try and never received a refund as promised, then for the quality of the food, which I have to say, was absolutely amazing. No pictures because once I got back to my room, everything was gone very quickly! read more

First time her Liked the bar area Vibe is cool People and employees are nice I really like the food read more

Starfish - Asian Fusion Near Me - Laguna Beach, California

I love starfish. I live in NorCal and every time I come down, this is the one and only spot I make a date to go. It's just me and I don't need much, so HH is perfect. The libation of choice: lychee martini. Though this last visit, I finally tried another at the rec of Alexis - enlightenment. It's very refreshing- now I've got two favs. The wontons are fire! I normally go for shrimp chive, but also tried the pork Saigon ones this last visit, pan fried. Also super delicious. Crab Philly sushi was quite yum, I had a few left over and ate on my drive home. The roll is big!! Alexis is phenomenal- I only wish I could be as natural and on point as she. Fantastic server... I mean, fantastic person really. A++ Two drinks, an app or sometimes two and my evening instantly livens up. Gd I wish I lived in Laguna. One day! This is a local must. Love what the owners do, all the responses are genuine, the staff are great, and the vibes/drinks/food will keep you coming back. Till next time starfish! read more

See all

I still think about their chicken satay. The bits of mango in it were so good and one of my favorites I've tried. The crispy and flaky sea-bass with the curry was also a great combo I never had before. The staff was also very kind and personable. Our waitress always had a smile on her face. This dinner experience overall was amazing and a bonus that they can make any of their cocktails into mocktails :D read more

Starfish - Wild Lychee Martini (Mocktail) - Asian Fusion Near Me - Laguna Beach, California

See all

Cute vibe. Friendly staff and the peanut sauce was delish. I just got take out. I want to get drinks here soon!

Always delicious!!! Vegan options are available and the servers have always taken time to engage in pleasant conversation. read more

Starfish - Naked Buddha roll - Asian Fusion Near Me - Laguna Beach, California

The food at starfish was delicious. I'm taking my son for his birthday there this week, but I was especially impressed with a young lady named Chantelle the hostess. !She helped me make plans with seating, etc., for a birthday get together. A great asset to the restaurant when you first walk in. Thanks again read more

We came here for lunch and had a great experience! When first walking into the restaurant, it's fairly dark but has an upscale vibe to it. They have both outdoor and indoor seating as well. We chose to sit outside because it was a nice day and had more light. We were sat very quickly as the restaurant was fairly empty during lunch. I'm guessing this place is more of a dinner spot. Starting with the food, it's delicious but just keep in mind that it's pretty heavy. We got their sunset and Asia de Philly rolls, Shao Mai, Rickshaw Ramen Noodles, and Braised BBQ Pork Buns. The rolls were super fresh, the meat in the Shao Mai was The staff were great too! Our waitress was very attentive and had great recommendations and everyone was very nice. I would give this place a strong 4. read more

See all

As a vegan with life-threatening allergies to gluten and animal products, I'm always very scared to eat out at non-fully-vegan kitchens. However, I was pleasantly surprised by having two options safe to eat! The tofu lettuce wraps were amazing, though I'd probably pass on the Naked Buddha roll the next time. Pricing for the entrées were pretty fair! The drink menu was a bit outlandish though with pricing. I do really wish they would denote on the menu what is gluten free or GFO for peace of mind. I'm ultimately super grateful to have been able to go out with my business partner & friends. I'd love to revisit the spot again. read more

This is one of my absolute favorite restaurants in Laguna Beach. They have the BEST happy hour. The decor is dark and moody. Kinda like a cool "opium den" in Myanmar. The Lagniappe Margarita is my most favorite margarita that I don't make myself. Super flavorful without being overly sweet. The mint thai chicken rolls are something I crave weekly. I have never had anything as good anywhere else. The bartenders are super friendly and warm. Lots of locals come here regularly. I haven't had anything on the menu I don't love. 10/10 go see this place! read more

Love the Happy Hour and our waitress Leslie gave perfect suggestions and phenomenal service!!!

My absolute favorite sushi spot in Orange County. Happy Hour is the best I've ever experienced. Servers are always super nice. The inside and outside seating are both great. Go during their opium hour from 3-6! Lobster Macadamia Roll is my favorite roll on the menu. read more

Starfish - Lobster Macadamia Roll - Asian Fusion Near Me - Laguna Beach, California