The Boulder and I rolled in on a suspiciously perfect Monday afternoon--clear skies, good vibes,…read moreand my dog in tow (a true critic.. of me). My tall Sequoia of a date did the classic awkward shuffle at the front like, "hi, can the dog come through to the patio without causing a federal incident?" The guy we asked looked like we had just asked him to solve climate change (bc he was a customer...), but he very politely redirected us to the cashier, who was lovely. So: Kindness: 10/10. Confusion: also 10/10. ~Balance~ Now the food. The Boulder orders a fish burrito. I go for the chimichurri salmon bowl with quinoa because I, too, enjoy pretending I have my life together. BUT. The boulder also then orders clam chowder--a surprise, a moment of elation, but at the same time... skeptical? Sir? I have lamented over my favorite chowder like a woman waiting for her husband to come back from battle. Were your ears too high in elevation for my voice to reach? ANYWAYS. Let's talk about the clam chowder, because this is where things get serious. I have grown up eating clam chowder in Santa Cruz (my hometown, my birthplace, my origins). I have known greatness (shoutout to Stagnaro Bros., the downstairs fish market). So when I tell you I approached this chowder with standards, I need you to understand the weight of that statement. I put my spoon in. It did not sink. At that moment, I knew. This was not soup. This was a lifestyle. A structural entity. And it was GOOD. Creamy, thick, unapologetically clam-forward. Not quite Santa Cruz enlightenment, clouds-parting-angels-singing, but honestly? Strong contender. We're talking solid top 4-5 chowders of my life, and I do not say that lightly. Now, my salmon bowl? Good. Respectable. Salmon = crispy, quinoa = doing quinoa things (why is it always slightly annoying to eat??). Chimichurri good. The fish burrito (from my observational research + dog validation panel): packed, flaky, generous. My dog approved, which frankly is the highest honor available. Overall: Great food, great vibes, excellent chowder, and quality time with the Tall Sequoia Boulder Man™ on a random Monday. Plus points--chips looked fried on site :D

We drove all the way from San Diego to enjoy this restaurant on a fine Saturday day. we arrived at…read morenoon and there was about five people in line out the door. We waited for 25 minutes and the line did not move. The line only continued to grow about 20+ people wrapping around the corner. What a failure by the business owner to only have one cashier and not offer any shade, apologies, (or potentially a free sample of POG etc) for their 20+ patrons waiting in a stationary line that is not going anywhere. After 30min we called it quits and went to active culture where we were treated with great customer service. Go to active culture!

M-F happy hour IS so bomb!…read more We got pretty much got everything on the happy hour menu. Edamame, fish tacos, burgers, poke nachos, ceviche, and wings. Reasonable price for all of this for just under $45 dollars. We sat outside, so inside we did not get to look all that well. But seemed cozy inside to eat too. The decor was pretty nice too. We had this spot saved on my list from 2 years ago and very happy we came when we did.

Back again and everything was excellent! Tried some happy hour bites along with some main menu…read moreitems:) The clam chowder was perfect this time, potatoes cooked perfectly and a great overall taste to the chowder. Perfect for a cold winter day and we both really enjoyed it. Poke is excellent, the fish is very fresh and I loved the sauce it's served with! We also got some oysters which were a great deal for only $1.50 each, and they were so good! I'm always hesitant with oysters but these were very tasty and fresh! Would definitely get them again. Our favorite item was the tempura shrimp, literally would get an order for each person next time it was that good!! The garlic wings were good too, on our next visit we need to try more of the small bites for happy hour because everything we got was great! For our mains we got the clam steamers and a seafood cioppino. The clam steamers were good and served alongside fries and some tasty bread for dipping. The cioppino wasn't our favorite but we were full from so many tasty things we didn't even mind. Service was fairly quick for how packed they were, literally every table both inside and outside the store were full because everyone was coming for the happy hour. We got a bit of pushback when we asked for a takeout container for the cioppino we didn't eat because staff assumed we wanted to get our happy hour food to go which is not allowed. Once we explained that the 3 happy hour items we ordered were all consumed and cleared from the table and that we wanted the takeout contained for our cioppino, they gave us the box. They also appear to be dog friendly as there were several pups in the outdoor dining area:) We will definitely be back and can't wait to try some new yummy items!

Halibut fish and chips, just amazing…read more Love the outdoor seating Best regards everyone

Sadly it's now permanently closed as of May 3, 2026, after over 46 years in business…read more Our family wanted to make sure that we went there today. To thank the very kind owner who loves the Dana point community for generations, and visitors, first time equally as much. We wanted to get their delicious clam chowder, and wonderful fried fish, on today, their final day. The service was always excellent. The chill Dana Point Harbor, was always relaxing, nurturing, all year. Thank you, once again, and blessings for all the decades of wonderful deliciously fresh seafood, an extremely affordable price as well. - That you provided all your customers. Hopefully that beautiful large realistic looking swordfish that's been hanging on the restaurant wall ever since I was 10 years old - Will find a wonderful new home! oh, and that huge shark! (this place has personality, and heart, and will be missed dearly)

We've been to the other Hook & Anchor locations starting with Newport and then Costa Mesa, but this…read morewas our first time visiting the Dana Point location -- and it did not disappoint! Beautiful restaurant with great outdoor seating. My family and I sat outside and it was very peaceful and relaxing. The service was excellent, and Karina, our server, was awesome from start to finish. We ordered the Oysters Rockefeller, which were amazing, along with the Connecticut-style lobster roll and the lobster carbonara. Both were absolutely 5-star dishes. The lobster roll was cooked to perfection with the warm butter sauce, and the lobster carbonara had incredible flavor throughout. My kids got the cheeseburger and fries, and I have to say, for a kids meal the cheeseburger was surprisingly meaty and very tasty. The fries were perfectly crispy as well. Highly recommend stopping by if you're in the area!

I had heard through social media and reviews that this place has the best lobster roll in Orange…read moreCounty and once again I find all the hype to be inaccurate. The menu looks great, offering what looks to be delicious seafood. And I imagine that they offer great seafood. , just not in the form of a lobster roll. I was born and raised in New England and I know what a Maine style lobster roll is. What they offer here is nothing like a Maine style lobster roll and honestly, it tasted gross.. The iconic Maine lobster roll is made from simple ingredients, It is the perfect combination of mounds of lobster , mayonnaise, and lemon juice maybe a little salt.. served chilled in a toasted bun. Sometimes you get minced celery . What was served to me at Hook and Anchor was a lobster roll served in a brioche bun, and when I looked at it, it looked like it had hot cheese on top of it. But that wasn't cheese.. That was hot garlic mayonnaise, or aoili. I had to eat it with a knife of fork, and the overwhelming flavor is garlic. That's too bad because lobster has a delicate flavor and overpowering it with hot garlic, mayonnaise , it just was not very good It was bad. Again a lobster roll is served cold and that it was hot made it worse. If this is what you serve please don't say it's a Maine style lobster because it absolutely is not. However, we did split a clam chowder and that was delicious so my guess is that they have items on the menu that are good and I probably will go back to try their other entrees But please don't tell people that this is a Maine style lobster roll. And lastly, there is another classic style of lobster., I think that's considered New York, and that is warm a lobster with melted butter, drizzled all through it that I think does have minced celery . This style of lobster roll is decadent and delicious. And I don't understand how people who review lobster rolls on TikTok and Instagram somehow in Orange County don't know what a classic Maine lobster roll is

If you're looking for authentic, fantastic Mexican food in San Juan Capistrano, El Zabandeja is…read moreabsolutely worth your time. This is the kind of place where the food speaks for itself. As a local gringo, sure--I wouldn't mind a few pictures on the menu--but honestly, it doesn't matter. Just pick something and go for it. Everything I've tried has been excellent, and you really can't go wrong. What makes it even better is that it's truly family-owned and operated. And I mean that literally--you'll see them in the front, in the back, and serving tables. There's something special about that level of care and pride in what they're doing. It's incredibly important to support places like this, especially in South Orange County and particularly in San Juan Capistrano. Restaurants like this are what give the area its character. Take your time when you go--make it a date night or bring family when they're in town. If you want real, authentic, fantastic food, this is the spot.

The seafood was fresh and full of flavor, and everything tasted very well prepared. I highly…read morerecommend trying the agua chile con salsa negro -- it had great flavor and was one of my favorite dishes. The camarones a la diabla and camarones al ajillo were also both delicious, well seasoned, and cooked perfectly. If you enjoy seafood, this is definitely a place worth trying. I would gladly come back again.

A true local favorite right on the iconic pier with amazing ocean views and the perfect sunset…read moreatmosphere. Their Sunset Hour specials daily all week are definitely worth checking out. Don't skip the smoked fish appetizer -- absolutely incredible. And whatever the giant chocolate dessert is in the photo... order it. Totally over-the-top and worth every bite. Great food, friendly service, and classic beach-town vibes. Always a great experience

Great views, fast and friendly service. Make sure to ask for a table at the edge for the best view…read more The sourdough bread they bring at the beginning is amazing. Warmed up and crispy. The halibut fish and chips were amazing. The fried soft shell sandwich I would pass on. The fries were also a bit lackluster- needed seasoning. But for a place with such great views the food was up to par.

Parking 5/5 -plaza parking lot with plenty of spots…read more Service 5/5 -friendly staff and thorough service, checked up on table and refilled water, adjusted silverware after order(steak) Food 5/5 -lobster roll $32, generous amount of lobster and perfectly toasted bun that's soft but a sturdy vessel, cucumber salad was refreshing but would love to see a bigger portion or more sides to accompany the main sandwich(maybe potato salad) -filet mignon medallions $46, comes with two medallions that were cooked to perfect medium rare as requested, elegant presentation, side veggies were great Ambiance 5/5 -came on a Friday night, mixed lively vibes of bar and dining area, medium dim lighting, perfect for dates if you don't want attention to your conversations; super clean bathroom and modern interior overall

We had wonderful Saturday dinner at Glasspar today，it's our second time and we will come back every…read moretime we visit Dana point. All staff are extremely attentive and friendly.Ambiance is amazing，very relaxing. Food is extraordinary！！Everything is very delicious and not salty .I finished them all and shared a little bit with fur babies they loved it！！ Very much looking forward coming back next time！！

Thanks Jett! He was our server that night. The rest of the staff was great as well. It was my bday…read moreand they made me feel special. Went above and beyond. On top of the drink they gave me on the house, they were able to make my favorite drink (they gladly made it even if it was off the menu, some resto won't). The food was tasty and Jett's recommendation was great. From starters to dessert. The ambiance even it was raining it was good. The lighting and all was perfect. Thanks again Jett and the staff for a lovely evening!

The positives: The staff was genuinely friendly, the decor was lovely, and the food was relatively…read moregood. There's a foundation here worth building on. That said, as locals, we likely won't be returning -- and that's a shame, because it is in a nice location. The valet experience was a bit of a stumble right out of the gate -- my boyfriend was directed to navigate between two tight rows of parked cars with no guidance and wasn't given a valet ticket. He had to go back and ask for one. For a resort charging resort prices, that's not a great welcome. The restaurant was also under construction during our visit, which blocked all views of the ocean and pool -- the very thing that typically justifies resort-level pricing. No adjustment was made for this. Then came the bill. A bagel with salmon and a coffee came to $40 before anything extra. Add an automatic 20% gratuity (applied without disclosure to a party of two), $10 for parking, and what started as a simple breakfast crept up to nearly $70. We weren't given a choice about the gratuity -- at that point it's not a tip, it's a mandatory dining fee. Just call it what it is. Has everyone forgotten that gratuity is supposed to be a choice -- based on customer service and satisfaction? Apparently some have. When we brought it up on the way out, the woman at the front mentioned that auto-gratuity is now "the norm" and that tipped workers make below minimum wage. We're in California, where that's actually not legally permitted. Offering misinformation as justification for a policy that removes the customer's choice isn't a great look. We've dined at fancier hotels in the area and have never encountered a surprise mandatory gratuity. The restaurant was also nearly empty during our visit, with mostly hotel guests. If this restaurant wants to attract locals rather than just captive hotel guests, reconsidering these pricing and gratuity practices would be a genuine step in the right direction. What could have been a lovely morning out left a bad taste -- and not from the food.

I've been here many times and I love everything on their menu. I would recommend making a…read morereservation especially on the busy weekends. Restaurant is nice with some booth seating in the back and even some outdoor seating. Parking itself-there's a small lot next to it but it's almost always full so you can do some street parking in the surrounding neighborhoods. When I last came here, we ordered the red pepper hummus to share and I ordered the French dip! It was excellent as per usual and the service was good. One critique I would have though is that one of the people in my party was a vegetarian and had ordered a veggie burger. The people bringing out the food accidentally swapped the plates of someone else in the party who had ordered a chicken blt when placing the dishes in front of each person. Unfortunately the vegetarian did take a bite of the chicken blt before realizing it was not the veggie burger and spit it out. It is what it is and was an honest mistake. But, maybe confirming the dishes before placing it in front of the person would be good. First time it's happened but we hope it doesn't happen again because we love this place!

To start off, parking is an absolute nightmare. Aim to get there earlier and don't be surprised if…read moreyou have to take use the side streets for parking in the neighborhoods. As for the food, it was pretty good. We got the Salmon, Rotisserie Chicken and Baby Back Ribs. The baby back ribs was definitely the best bang for your buck thing on the menu and they were delicious. The Salmon was ok and the chicken was a little dry. The fries and Cole slaw were very good and our dessert was also very rich. The service was solid and it felt like a place to dress a little nicer but no pressure to wear a suit or anything.

Our first time trying lobster shack and we already can't wait to go back! The seafood is fresh, and…read morethe sides have unique twists. Highly recommend the slaw with blue cheese and the sweet beans. The lobster rolls are packed with meat and tons of flavor, on a perfect brioche bun. Dan is also a friendly owner who puts a lot of love into his business. Can't wait to try the deviled eggs next!

came here for a quick bite on valentines day. rating would've been ~3 stars, but the service really…read moremessed it up for me and my partner one of the owners (i'm assuming) took our order, but he repeated the same things many times, to the point where i asked for the receipt at the end to make sure everything was correct (and good thing i did, too). they then gave what i'm assuming was our order to another couple, and also served people who arrived after us. i had to get up and hang out by the cashier for them to notice me, and they didn't know whose order was tied to who since they almost gave away our order to someone else again. the cashier man even said "was i the one who took your order?" when he did literally 15 minutes ago. then, when they finally called our name, they gave us a packaged to-go order when we wanted to dine in, and the order was completely wrong. the other owner (i'm assuming his wife), went back and forth to the kitchen 3 more times to either correct our order or bring back things they forgot that we had to remind them to bring. even when we gave her the receipt i kept, the order would still come back wrong. the other parties served had finished eating and left by the time we finally got all of our food the staff was generally nice. they apologized a lot, thanked us for our patience, checked up on us, & offered 1 free coleslaw (~$3.50) and 2 little chocolates. but they didn't offer us any sort of real compensation and after messing up our order 3+ times, and being understanding about it, we were pretty surprised i am strict with lobster rolls since i'm always comparing it to what i've had during my time in boston (impossible to beat), and i thought the food was just alright. boyfriend thought it was pretty dry and not that tasty for $100+, i'd expect much better service and better food