Beach views are on point, but more than that - the food is good. My steak hating hubby loved the steak chilaquiles because the meat actually had flavor beyond "beef." Also said the tortilla chips still had a bit of crunch despite being softened. I had the special - a MD blue crab omelette. Not heavy on flavor, but I snagged hubby's avacado and a little salsa and my dish got worked over good. The artisan bread is pretty good, too. The pricing is low for the food and drink quality relative to the area. Please note - I didn't say the prices were low. read more

Good: view. Nice servers. Pistachio covered cauliflower was delicious and had a great sauce. Bad: high prices. Cold sesame crusted ahi tuna plate. No sesame around the ahi tuna slices. A little spicy. The rice was a terrible bland lump that was no bueno. Crystal cove parking: $6 per hour read more

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You really can't beat the location--it's right on the beach, which creates an amazing vibe. The atmosphere is casual and very kid-friendly, and the prices are quite reasonable. The food was solid, and the service was friendly and attentive. A couple of things to keep in mind: there's no private restroom inside the restaurant, so you have to use the public beach restrooms. Also, parking is off-site, meaning you'll need to take the shuttle (or walk down). Overall, a wonderful place to enjoy a meal by the ocean! read more

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I knew the views would be good from this restaurant, but I didn't have super high expectations for the food when I booked the reservation. The food was delicious and they didn't skimp on the seafood portions. We had the seabass ceviche for our appetizer and then I ordered the cioppino and my husband had the butterfish. Both dishes were really good. I think my cioppino broth could have had slightly less salt but they packed in the fresh seafood and it was very yummy and came with good ciabatta bread. For drinks, we tried the blood orange margarita and skinny mule. Our waiter was attentive and it was overall a great dinner eating good food overlooking crystal cove beach. read more

The Beachcomber - Ciopinno (bottom) and Hawaiian Style "Butterfish" (top) - Seafood Near Me - Newport Beach, California

Very satisfied all around - location, ambiance, service, food, and drinks. Especially dessert!! My godmother takes all of the cousins and family here and it was the first time I've been. We had drinks and apps next door at the bootlegger while we were waiting for our table. We ordered wagyu meatballs, ahi tuna tacos, bloody mary, and coconut mojito. I love me a good pina colada and the coconut mojito hit the spot (menu is similar to Beachcomber - sister restaurants). We then seamlessly transferred to our table after we closed out at bootlegger. We ordered mahi mahi tacos, fish and chips, and beignets. Honestly should've just ordered another round of ahi tuna tacos but eyes were bigger than stomach lol. Barely touched our entrees and went straight to dessert. Best choice coz we devoured the beignets. So fluffy and good. To die for! Can't wait to take my family back to this little gem. read more

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I have come here with my now fiancé a few times throughout our relationship (including on our third date) and it's a very special place to us now as we just got engaged right outside there this past weekend!! It is the most beautiful and charming restaurant and quite literally on the beach! We always go for breakfast and get their delicious beignets. This most recent time I went I got an iced mocha and we split a side of bacon. Our wonderful waitress was kind enough to give us a complimentary brioche french toast (TO DIE FOR) as a congratulations gift. Highly recommend this beachy spot! read more

The Beachcomber - Seafood Near Me - Newport Beach, California

Tried this restaurant while on a work trip and it was literally the highlight of my trip. We sadly got there late but I was still able to catch a small glimpse before the sun set completely. It was beautiful. I am literally going to plan a trip just to come back here one day. Anyways, the food was delicious as well. We ordered a few appetizers and the salmon I ordered for entree was amazing! Good food + Ocean Views will always = A good time. Our server was really sweet and she gave us lots of good suggestions to try on the menu. I ended up leaving my brand new Lorvae sunglasses here too so whoever ended up with those, I hope you are enjoying them because I miss them so much. read more

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I came here with my family to celebrate my birthday and my grandpa's birthday! The ambiance was fantastic given that it is directly on the beach; the service was fast and given that it was kind of cold, the bus boys were able to turn on the heaters. My party of 8 came without a reservation (on a July 4th wknd, I know haha!), and although they said it would take 1 hr and 45 min to wait, it only took about 45 minutes before a table opened up -- so we took that time to take photos of the sunset and talk/catch up! Of note, we tried to go to the bar behind the restaurant to see if we could order main dishes and sit at the bar; however, you're allowed to order drinks, apps, and soup/salad! Regarding the food, it was definitely not quite right. My salmon crab dish was bland & the petite salad I got was DEFINITELY petite and WAY too salty (and I love salt!!). The shrimp appetizer was okay (felt chewy) and the meatball appetizer was mediocre too. My husband got the cove cioppino which he described to be okay and not as flavorful either. My uncle got the filet mignon which he really liked! Amongst my other family members, we had two kids with us who each got spaghetti and strawberry banana smoothies (which they seemed to love!). Regarding service, again - it's great here! They gifted s'mores on the house for the kids and gave me & my grandpa a warm, soft brownie with ice cream on top as a birthday treat (which was delicious!). We were also seated away from the sunset (which makes sense in that we didn't have reservations!) so if I were to come back, I would get reservations for this place and request for a table that was directly in front of the waves! It's surely a nice place for kids and families -- but if it was just a date night with my husband, we'll kindly skip this one next time and opt for other places in this area :) Also, there are no restrooms in the restaurant but plenty of (clean!) public restrooms in the area. Parking is at this location (you'll park with a QR code! Be aware of the time limit - I think it was $70+ fine if incorrect) https://maps.app.goo.gl/3gq7GgkzvEX9HxC36?g_st=i&utm_campaign=ac-im There is also a $2/person shuttle from the parking lot to this cafe! TLDR - food is not the best overall (very $$ for the portion size) but of course come here (WITH a reservation!) if you have kids or elderly family members & want a place to sit down, enjoy the sunset/waters and catch up with the best service! read more

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I really enjoy this place, great view, great drinks and the food so far has been delicious. The staff is friendly and very efficient and attentive read more

The Beachcomber - Seafood Near Me - Newport Beach, California

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Absolutely stunning! I don't know where to start! This place has got it all Ambience views good food good drinks good service!! All boxes checked Parking - makes sure you park at the top hill near Los Tarcos and take the beachcomber shuttle down to the beach and restaurant. The shuttle is adults $2 one way kids ride free! Also check their instagram stores for parking highlights! Food- I ordered a kids lunch meal and fish tacos for me along with watermelon margarita! Everything was delicious and portion was great Please please make or have a reservation unless you are ready to wait an hour or so!! read more

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This place is a gem! I had a beach day with the family and started off by parking the car and then taking the shuttle bus ($2 a ride) to head down to the beach and to check out this restaurant. Ambiance was relaxed and chill. LITERALLY right on the sand... on the beach, it was perfect! You can dress up or dress down and perfect for any occasion. Family friendly restaurant and service was great. We had couple dishes from the Dinner menu. I would come back again for location and ambiance! Shrimp basil pesto pasta: I loved! Very delicious with creamy pesto sauce and the shrimp was very plumped. Kung Pao Calamari: just ok, average. Sauce tasted sweet. Pan Roasted Blue Crab Stuffed Salmon: we substituted for mash potatoes but tasted sweet and not my preference. Salmon was good! Blue crab was questionable, I didn't see it lol Strawberry sunset: average but pretty to hold for pics Cadillac margarita: average, I wish it would've been more fancier looking. Just a yellow drink in a tall glass read more

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After an overnight backpacking trip through Crystal Cove State Park, me and two friends hiked out in the morning and headed over to The Beachcomber pretty hungry. We were hoping to make the breakfast menu but just missed it, so we ended up ordering lunch instead. Even on a busy Saturday afternoon, the wait was only about 30 minutes, and they give you a buzzer so you can freely walk around while waiting. That actually worked out great since there's a lot to explore nearby. We checked out the Crystal Cove shop, the small park/history office nearby, and even a cool little film museum in one of the preserved cottages with vintage movie equipment. I ended up ordering the steak sandwich, and it was seriously filling -- I could only finish about half even after hiking earlier that morning. Everything in the sandwich complemented each other really well without overpowering the steak itself, and the steak was cooked perfectly medium like I ordered. The fries were also surprisingly amazing: super crispy and addictive. We also shared the beignets, which were honestly one of my favorite parts of the meal. They were super flaky and almost croissant-like inside instead of the usual dense beignet texture, and the chocolate syrup with whipped cream paired perfectly with them. The service was great throughout the meal. Our server was attentive and checked in often to make sure we had everything we needed. The ambiance inside was really unique too. We sat closer to the kitchen in a darker wood-filled dining area that almost felt like being inside an old wooden boat. The booths were a little small for me since I'm on the taller side, but overall it added to the cozy atmosphere. I really enjoyed the experience and would love to come back someday to try their breakfast menu. Even though it gets busy with families and beachgoers on weekends, the restaurant handles the crowds efficiently, and having the beach and nearby attractions to explore while waiting makes the whole experience even better. read more

The Beachcomber - Grilled Steak Sandwhich - Seafood Near Me - Newport Beach, California

I would say the food is a solid 3.5 and the view is a 5. Came here after a long walk at Crystal Cove, which honestly is the perfect setup because you're already right there and ready to sit down and enjoy the view. We got there a little after 10am and the wait was about 30 minutes, which felt totally reasonable. We hung out by the bar, grabbed a drink, and ordered the beignets while we waited. The beignets aren't traditional, so just know that going in. They're more crispy and flaky than soft and pillowy. You can definitely taste the oil they're fried in, but they're still buttery, slightly sweet, and really satisfying. They come with syrup, which works well with the texture. They initially sat us inside, and I'm not going to lie, it smelled pretty bad. I asked to move outside and it completely changed the experience. Sitting right on the sand with that ocean view is what makes this place worth it. I ordered the tiny ahi tacos and those were actually really good. The ahi tasted fresh, the wonton shell added a nice crunch, and the slaw had that slightly sweet, crunchy element that tied everything together really well. We also had a cocktail that leaned more sweet and didn't really taste like alcohol, so just something to keep in mind depending on what you're looking for. Service was great. Our server was super nice and helpful the whole time. Overall, it's one of those spots where the location really carries the experience, but the food holds its own too, especially if you order right and sit outside. read more

The Beachcomber - Beignets - Seafood Near Me - Newport Beach, California

Stopped in after doing a long hike and got seated right away for breakfast. The chilaquiles were so delicious and we shared the lemon Ricotta blueberry pancakes, yum! Just wish they had a stronger Lemon flavor. (Oh and FYI they don't have their own restrooms) Will definitely come back if we are in the area again. read more

The Beachcomber - Steak Chilaquiles and Lemon Ricotta Blueberry Buttermilk Pancakes - Seafood Near Me - Newport Beach, California

I came on Tuesday at 12pm for lunch. I made a reservation for 1 person. Not sure i needed it but it helped. I was 15min late and had no issues. Something to note, cars can't go down there. So it's about a 5-10min walk from where you can get dropped off by a taxi. I think the parking is even further, but i took a Lyft there. I got the ahi tuna taco appetizer and the beignets. Definitely recommend both. Ahi tacos can easily be finished by 1 person but the beignets need to be split with two people or you have leftovers. The servers were great. I do wish they refilled my water more often. But overall excellent service. It's a bit pricey for sure, i think my total was $40-ish for these two items. Food is excellent but for the price, not sure. You're paying for the view and that there's nothing else to eat on the beach. read more

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Had such an amazing experience at The Beachcomber Café! I can't believe this place was hiding in plain sight all this time--I'm always driving along PCH toward Laguna Beach and Shaw's Cove and never realized this gem was here. We made reservations and were seated right away, which I really appreciated. The location is unbeatable--literally right on the sand. The vibe is super chill and beachy, but the food feels elevated, almost like a white-tablecloth restaurant. I loved that contrast--sand on the floor, ocean views, but beautifully plated, high-quality dishes. I ordered the Grilled Skirt Steak Sandwich, and wow... it was incredible. The fries were perfectly crispy and crunchy. My brother got the Fresh Salmon Plate, and my sister-in-law had a Spaghetti Squash dish, and both were just as delicious. Everything came out looking amazing and tasting even better. We also ordered the bread and butter--so simple but SO good, warm, crunchy, and totally worth it. And the drink? I had the Strawberry Sunset Martini, and it was absolutely perfect--refreshing and super tasty. The service was wonderful from start to finish, and the whole experience just felt effortless and enjoyable. Definitely a hidden gem I'll be coming back to again and again! read more

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Had an absolutely amazing time at the Beachcomber! Our server, Gabby, was top notch and the food was amazing. Ordered the Fromt Porch Blackberry Tea and Watermelon Mojito for drinks. Was recommended the Crispy Artichoke, sooo good! Also had a great bowl of Clam Chowder. The Garlic Shrimp was ordered (but had it as an entree), and I got the Braised Kobe Beef Short Ribs. Also ordered the Asiago Gnocchi to share. Everything was fantastic, absolutely delightful! And that gnocchi...chef's kiss! We were seated a little after 4:30 so we got to see them hoist their little black flag at 5. The also got to see the sun set. Perfect seats. Perfect ambience. The parking was an absolute nightmare, but Beachcomber can't control that. I had to send one part of my party ahead on the shuttle first to check us in while I circled around the parking lot for about 30 minutes looking for a spot. Half of my party was looking for 40 minutes and they decided to go some place else as they were immensely frustrated. If you have a reservation, get there at least 30 minutes before so you can be sure you get a spot and can be on the shuttle in time. read more

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After walking 3 miles we were seated in the Front with a clear view of the Waves and the Surf. It was a beautiful day with blue skies and whales spouting on the horizon. Service was great thanks to our Friendly Server Ambiance was excellent * We Were At The Beach She had the Beach Burger and a Salad I had 2 Mahi Mahi Tacos (Yum) with Cole Slaw The Food Quality and Taste was Better than we remembered it from the last time we dined there. read more

The Beachcomber - Mahi Mahi Tacos (So Tasty) with Cole Slaw - Seafood Near Me - Newport Beach, California

We decided to come here as part of a last-minute change in plans, and I get why it's popular amongst tourists. The view, vibe, and menu are perfectly in line with the beach and what people want from a visit here. I, however, found it underwhelming. We were sat inside, which was dark and loud because it's where the kitchen is. We ordered a few dishes to split: tiny ahi tacos, Korean steak skewers, and chicken sausage pasta alla vodka. The highlights were the tacos and skewers, while the pasta was just as expected. The tacos and skewers just had more flavor overall. read more

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Glad we booked a reservation at sunset for this fun, charming café on the beach. The outdoor covered patio was perfect to watch an amazing sunset. The service was very good and the drinks and food were good, too. Parking is across the street but there's a shuttle you can take or it's only a 10-15 walk. Spend the afternoon exploring Crystal Cove trails and the beach and it's a perfect spot to relax and enjoy a brief respite in Newport Beach!! read more

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The Beachcomber Cafe is quite the beachside dinner experience. It's a find in Newport Beach with incredible sunsets, vacation-style cocktails and solid food. I had a delicious Manhattan variation made with Blood Orange liqueur and Orange bitters. It was a fun spin since I wasn't in the mood for a typical Mai Tai or Bahama Breeze. When you find it, there is a moderate parking nuance where you park off the highway. You will need to take a short shuttle or walk down to the beach where the restaurant is. It's a fun walk so no worries there. Thanks to my good friend for the recommendation because the whole experience was perfect, especially the sunset When you're in Newport Beach you have to go check out this incredible spot. Salute @thejohnnycocktail.com Blood Orange Manhattan Rye Blood Orange Liqueur Orange Bitters read more

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Great place to unwind after a 3-mile morning hike. This place is located right on the sand. There is seating inside and outside on the deck (has great view of the beach). We didn't have reservation, but was seated after a 15-20 minutes wait. Our server was friendly. Our food came out quickly, which was perfect since we were all hungry. Everything was delicious and the portions were generous (we had leftovers). I really like the Beignets. They were fresh and just melts in your mouth yummy. I'll have to come back to try the other dishes. read more

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Great experience eating right on the beach. Awesome service too! Kids enjoyed everything. Lots of options and fun things to do before and after eating. read more

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Came in for dinner and was extremely underwhelmed by the food. We got the calamari and ceviche to start and the calamari was overcooked and dry, while the ceviche was bland and needed salt. I got the ahi tuna and the fish and veggies were way too salty and the rice was soggy. We also ordered the cioppino and the seafood was overcooked. The one decent menu item we ordered was the shrimp pesto pasta. Service was fine, but the redeeming quality for this restaurant is the location. The ocean front views is nice but I don't know if this warrants a second trip since the food wasn't the best in my opinion. read more

Love this place but be prepared to spend some money for parking. If you make it a beach day, it is not so bad. I would also recommend making a reservation as this place gets very busy, especially on the weekends. Can't beat the location with the ocean right in front of you. Friendly staff, solid food choices. read more

The Beachcomber - Seafood Near Me - Newport Beach, California

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Worth the hike to see the sunrise with my adult kids and walk by the beach to have a wonderful breakfast with a great view and ambiance! Oh must try their Beignet, a french donut.... just melts in your mouth! Service was so so but it can be improved-- it was just packed with people that I understand the waiters were a bit overwhelmed but also because we came at Valentine's day so is all good . read more

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Critical thinking is not something you do once with an issue and then drop it. It requires that we update our knowledge as new information comes in. Time spent evaluating claims is not just time well spent. It should be considered part of an implicit bargain we've all made - Daniel Levitin After last night's birthday dinner, need to update review. The views of course still cannot be beat. But I'd rather just pay the parking fee and walk the trails and beach of crystal cove instead of eat here again. Food quality now doesn't come close to matching the prices, especially at dinner. Wine list is still pedestrian. Service was smug and inconsistent. We had to ask no several times for one of our dishes but once it arrived we wished we hadn't. I get it, you are always packed so now you don't have to try as hard. My birthday was on the reservation but not acknowledged. I think the server recognized this at the end and said something snarky like "Happy anniversary". I was eating dinner with my son... Nothing food related was memorable. View was fantastic. Again, will buy a trail pass instead of eating here. Recommended only for a one time visit. read more

The Beachcomber - The view of course is always a standout - Seafood Near Me - Newport Beach, California

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Been wanting to eat here for a while and finally made a reservation. Came by with a friend for lunch on a Friday afternoon. We went and had a drink at the bar before we got our table. The atmosphere is great. You're right on the beach. The drinks were good. I had a salad that was delicious. But.. I wouldn't order the calamari again. It's was mostly the kind with the tentacles. Not a fan! And sadly, our server was a complete robot. No personality. No eye contact. Very short with us. I'm sure she was just having a bad day but you gotta fake it in the service industry! A good friendly server really makes the experience that much better. I'll try again another time. read more

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We heard about this amazing, hidden gem of a restaurant on the beach called the Beachcomber, and we had to check it out! It's a no-reservation spot, so you're in luck if you can snag a table in 20 minutes--we managed to get one in 30! The line was always out the door, especially around dinner. We were seated quickly, and our waitress, Gabby, was super helpful. As we looked around, we realized we arrived just as the sun was setting, and the view was absolutely stunning. She gave us the lowdown on the specials. For starters, I went with the fried artichokes, and my husband chose the shrimp scampi. The fried artichokes were melt-in-your-mouth without any greasy taste, and the shrimp scampi was swimming in a fantastic sauce of shallots, white wine, and butter--delicious! The drinks were also delicious and worth the price, as the glasses were at least 8 oz. Now, onto the meals: I had the Chilean sea bass, and wow, it was fantastic! It came with a creamy lemon sauce on mashed potatoes and a few asparagus on the side. Yum! Then my husband had the salmon with a honey sauce, which wasn't too sweet but had a nice tang on a bed of jasmine rice with grilled carrots and other veggies. And then, we ordered the pineapple coconut cake--wow, wow, wow! I'll definitely be back! read more

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We had a wonderful experience at the Beachcomber, drinks were fantastic and service by Aza was top notch! We had the clam chowder and fish & chips, the chowder was one of the best we have had, and we have had many up and down the coast. I love a great tarter and theirs was also one of the best! Great views and cute cafe. So happy we stopped in, we were also seated right away with no reservations. read more

Had lunch here today. The only thing better than the hypnotic crashing waves of the ocean was the server , Taylor. She made our experience even more memorable with her stunning personable service. We loved her local perspective and enjoyed our conversation. Management MUST hang on to her. Good luck on your cross training as Bartender, Taylor, ( and tell Mom your career path will unfold- in due time! ) read more

The Beachcomber - Seafood Near Me - Newport Beach, California

Pros : Service was A+, Views and atmosphere was exactly what I was hoping for, and the food was very good Cons: Cost to park across the street, cost to ride what I thought would be a free shuttle from the parking lot to the restaurant, and the drinks. I'm not even complaining about a lack of alcohol in the drink. Its just the fact it was a pint of what I have to assume is 14 oz. of mixer and 2 oz of tequila for $19. Just odd. Pros outweigh the cons imo. Would come back. read more

Another visit with delicious drinks & yummy Avocado Toast. I ordered the watermelon mojito, surprised at the size! My friend had the Endless Summer and the other a mimosa! We each had the toast, delicious! Both Nancy & Rosa were great, attentive and great sense of humor! Will be back again! read more

The Beachcomber - Large Bloody Mary! - Seafood Near Me - Newport Beach, California

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Good vibes with a great view. This is not a place I frequent often, but a good beach front spot to bring friends from out of town. Some notable menu items, were the steak chilaquiles and the avocado toast. We also started with the beignets for the table which was plenty to share a very tasty! read more

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My family and I had a delightful experience together at The Beachcomber. We had a 7:45 reservation in order to watch the sun set, and arrived early to take advantage of the beach and tide pools. The ambiance was perfectly retro -- reminiscent of old California. What a gem of a place! read more

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Had a great breakfast here on a Thursday and a great lunch on Saturday. Saturday lunch, after sitting on the deck with drinks, comprised of a tuna melt with tomato/basil soup, and a shrimp salad. Excellent! read more

The Beachcomber - Tuna melt and tomato soup in foreground, shrimp salad in background. - Seafood Near Me - Newport Beach, California

I usually love the Beachcomber. Today the clam chowder was yucky. It was yellow and salty instead of how it formerly was: white and herby. The server said the cook said the recipe has not been changed, but I know my chowders! read more

My wife took me to the beachcomber for my birthday. We got the ceviche appetizer to split, I got the butterfish, and my wife got the cioppino. All of the food was delicious and the service was very good. They even gave us a dessert for my birthday. Can't beat dinner on the beach, great ambiance. read more

The Beachcomber - Hawaiian Style "Butterfish" - Seafood Near Me - Newport Beach, California

Not my first time here nor my last (for those who know La Bamba). Great service and drinks. The watermelon mojito is great and so is the Beach Comber. The Jar Bloody Mary is a bit much for me but worth a try if you never had it. The beignets were damn good. So good I didn't get a chance to take a photograph of them. Outdoor beach with a cool breeze makes for a perfect setting. Service was outstanding. read more

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One of the best brunch spots in OC, especially if you're craving that true beach day vibe. Brunch with your feet practically in the sand just hits different. Make a reservation if you can, or put your name down and make a little adventure out of it: go for a hike, hang out on the beach, then come back to eat. The view is unbeatable no matter what you do but the wait can be real long (I've seen it at 2 hour wait for our group of 4), especially on the weekends. Last time I did the 5 mile hike first, then ended it here with brunch and their Bloody Mary (which they say is the best in OC), and honestly, I believe it. Everything was perfect. Service is always solid, and there's even a cute resident cat that hangs around. Parking is $15, and you'll need to walk about 10 to 15 minutes from the lot to the restaurant. You'll know you're on the right path when you pass through the tunnel covered in kids' art. There's a shuttle too if walking's not your thing, I think it's a couple bucks, though I've never taken it. Tip: Bring your beach gear, because once you're done (or before) eating, this is the perfect place to just chill on the sand read more

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