Best Waterfront Dining

MARK RIGHTMIRE, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Visitors to The Beachcomber’s patio are treated to views of Newport Beach’s coastline and Santa Catalina Island as they dine.

1. The Beachcomber at Crystal Cove

15 Crystal Cove, Newport Coast; 949-376-6900 thebeachcombercafe.com

The Beachcomber at Crystal Cove State Park is one of the best waterfront dining locales in Orange County. The restaurant is situated on the beach with views of Crystal Cove’s historic 1930s beach cottages, Newport Coast’s vistas, and the Pacific ocean. The 12.3-acre historic site is overseen by the Crystal Cove Conservancy. The Beachcomber is one of only a few places in Orange County where diners can eat beignets on the beach.

Since opening in 2006, The Beachcomber at Crystal Cove has expanded its offerings. From The Big Jars cocktails including the Big Bad Bloody Mary with jumbo shrimp, a sizable crab claw and fresh vegetable garden at Bootlegger Bar — Register restaurant critic Brad A. Johnson also recommended this Bloody Mary — to beach rentals and special events.

“The Beachcomber at Crystal Cove is honored to be recognized by the community as one of the premier waterfront dining locations in Orange County. The entire Beachcomber team is excited to announce the new Promenade Beach Dining area adjacent to the main deck, bringing visitors closer to the ocean for that amazing California coastal experience,” says Chris Seever, general manager of The Beachcomber at Crystal Cove. “Since its inception in 2006, The Beachcomber at Crystal Cove has strived to provide an amazing culinary experience on the shoreline, and there is no better way to showcase the Orange County lifestyle than enjoying a meal while we raise the martini flag in your honor.”

2. Bluewater Grill, Newport Beach

630 Lido Park Drive, Newport Beach 949-675-3474 bluewatergrill.com/newport-beach

Bluewater Grill in Newport Beach opened in 1996. Founded by partners Jim Ulcickas and Rick Staunton, this location of Bluewater Grill (there are currently eight other sister restaurants) is special because it serves regular diners and boaters cruising in Newport Bay.

The restaurant’s dockside delivery option is available via phone or online ordering. Diners sip on clam chowder or eat crispy calamari that’s delivered directly to their boats.

Ulcickas and Staunton renovated the restaurant after 26 years. They unveiled the updated version by La Jolla-based Robinson Brown Design Inc. in April.

The multi-million dollar renovation closed the restaurant for three months. When it reopened, the 5,000-square foot space featured fisherman’s basketstyle lighting fixtures, comfy booths and banquet seating.

Locals appreciated the updates (Brad A. Johnson even requested the reno in 2019) but the menu remains true to Bluewater Grill’s sustainable seafood mission.

The moment diners pull into the parking lot at Mastro’s Ocean Club in Newport Beach, they can tell the area is affluent. Maserati, Lamborghini, Bently, Ferrari — it’s a luxury car show awaiting the valet. This matches the ambience at Mastro’s Ocean Club, which is an elevated version of Mastro’s.

Inside the restaurant, wagyu steaks and seafood reign. Specialty sushi in the form of hamachi with crispy onions, big eye tuna tostada and maguro lime roll developed for Mastro’s by chef Angel Carbajal of Nick-San Cabo San Lucas is served.

While the sushi tempts, most diners visiting Mastro’s Ocean Club are celebrating. The live music is back in the evenings and the menu includes Bering Sea King Crab legs and lobster tails followed by Snake River Farm 32 ounce wagyu tomahawk chops or Japanese A5 wagyu steaks. Side dishes include wild mushroom truffle gnocchi and the white cheddar lobster macaroni and cheese. The cream spinach, a Mastro’s classic, is still popular as ever.

3. Mastro’s Ocean Club

8112 E. Coast Hwy., Newport Beach 949-376-6990 mastrosrestaurants.com