Orange County’s Best 180 Degree+ Ocean View Restaurants

These Orange County Restaurants Will Stun Guests With Their Incredible Views

A magic force tugs at our souls to find water. Even though we rarely give a thought to its value because of its abundance, the comfort we feel in the presence of large bodies of water is ancient and tied to our literal dependence. Whether dipping our toes in a pool, splashing through the surf, or nursing a margarita as the sun dips behind the ocean, we are at ease around water. So, if you have been confined to a cubicle, loosen your tie and make your way to that large body of water that is our backyard. Hop into one of our favorite ocean view restaurants, pull up a west-facing stool, order something served in a frosty glass and enjoy the 180 degree ocean view and 360 degrees of freedom.

Duke’s

Walking into Duke’s feels like stepping into a tropical party on the beach. A charming Hawaiian girl offers leis to guests as they are led to their table, each with its own spectacular view of waves crashing on the pier. The dining room is filled with families young and old, some grabbing a bite to eat after playing in the ocean and others who are spending the day on Main Street. The Barefoot Bar is where the real fun happens. Surfers order drinks from the tiki hut, eyeing all of the beautiful women in the room. They laugh, flirt and sip their drinks while waiting for their food to arrive. The light-hearted atmosphere encourages everyone to let loose, have fun and enjoy each other’s company.

BLK Earth Sea Spirits

Located on the second floor of the Pierside Pavilion, BLK Earth Sea Spirits has a breathtaking view of the ocean. With their specialty rooted in Kobe-Style, hand cut steaks and seafood, you’ll enjoy a decadent meal to pair with the view. The main courses are divided up by Earth, Sea, Seafood Platters, Family Style Side Dishes, and Burgerz. With dishes like Japanese Kobe Steak, you’re sure to have a memorable dining experience.

300 Pacific Coast Highway,Suite 202
Huntington Beach,CA 92648
714.960.0996

Watertable at the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach

Photo Sourced From: Watertable Website

Watertable, located inside the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach, has old-world inspired modern design, surrounded by large arched windows and expertly maintained gardens leading to the palm tree-lined beach. For dinner, guests can create their own meal by picking entrees such as Cedar Plank Roasted Salmon, which can be steamed, grilled, sautéed, or poached. Lunch, bar breakfast, and cocktail menus are also available. For those who prefer outdoor seating, a fire pit will keep you enjoying the surrounding beauty long into the night.

21500 Pacific Coast Hwy
Huntington Beach, CA 92648
714.845.4776 

A&O Kitchen+Bar

Photo Sourced From: A&O Kitchen+Bar Facebook

A&O Kitchen+Bar, short for “Anchors and Oceans,” is a waterside gastro pub with rustic interior that embraces coastal elements. Indoor communal seating creates the feeling of shared experiences and a community vibe that enhances the laidback atmosphere while outside patio seating takes full advantage of the luxurious Newport Harbor location. Dine amongst the beautiful yachts that line the harbor and take in the views for a luxurious evening or night out without the pressures of an overly formal atmosphere. Choose from steak fries, watermelon salad or steamed fish among other options. Items that are gluten free and vegan are also marked.

1221 W Coast Hwy
Newport Beach, CA 92663
949.630.4285 

Splashes

Splashes, located in Laguna Beach’s Surf and Sand Resort, treats guests to delectable seafood dishes mere feet from the beach, or in this case, above it. Splashes uses natural wood tones and warm colors, highlighting the azure ocean framed by the windows that line the walls. Menu items include lobster bisque, king salmon, and seared scallops. For those not in the sea food mood, there are other options such as short rib to choose from. There is also an extensive wine, beer and cocktail list to choose from.

1555 South Coast Hwy
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
877.741.5908 

Raya at the Ritz Carlton

Photo Sourced From: Ritz Carlton Laguna Niguel Website

Raya features Pan-Latin coastal cuisine such as Pan Seared Scallops and Lobster Tacos. Large floor to ceiling windows highlight stunning ocean views while the dining room uses colors that complement the surrounding environment. Dining 150 feet above sea level also comes with its perks, as Dana Point can be viewed from Raya, revealing the city in an entirely new light. Take in views extending to the horizon while enjoying a relaxing day out.

1 Ritz Carlton Dr
Dana Point, CA 92629
949.240.2000 

The Deck

Photo Sourced From: The Deck Facebook

The deck specializes in seafood inspired by the restaurant’s beachfront location. Menu items include freshly caught oysters on the half shell, Grilled Spanish Octopus, and Scottish Wild Isle Salmon. All of this can be enjoyed from their beach-facing outdoor dining area with stunning views of the Pacific. Have all the fun of dining on the beach without the hassle of getting sand in your food. Feeling a little cold outside? Don’t worry, as ample heat lamps and umbrellas will keep you enjoying the great outdoors.

627 Sleepy Hollow Ln
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
949.494.6700

Sol Cocina

Photo Sourced From: Sol Cocina Facebook

Photo Sourced From: Sol Cocina Website

Sol Cocina offers an upscale Mexican dining experience with a beautifully decorated interior. Design elements include exposed beams and warm hues, creating an elegant ambience. This is highlighted by its Newport location, surrounded by the picturesque Balboa Marina. Large windows running the length of Sol Cocina flood the space with natural light and open it up to the surrounding natural beauty. Menu items include mouth watering tacos and ice cold margaritas.

251 E Coast Highway
Newport Beach, CA 92660
949.675.9880

Studio at the Montage

Photo Sourced From: Montage Studio Facebook

Studio offers modern French cuisine with a California twist, all paired with one of their carefully selected wines from their extensive list. Studio has built a relationship with the region’s organic farmers, allowing the restaurant to fully utilize the fruits and vegetables found locally. Large windows allow diners to fully enjoy the panoramic bluffside location and the doors are often left open, allowing the ocean breezes to waft in and add to the experience.

30801 S Coast Hwy
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
949.715.6000 

The Loft at the Montage

Photo Sourced From: Montage The Loft Facebook, Scott Frances

The Loft is Montage’s all day dining restaurant and features airy décor and light colors, which complement the large windows that frame the Pacific Ocean. The menu includes items such as morro bay black cod and pan-seared Maine scallops, as well as pan-roasted chicken, various greens and soups.

30801 S Coast Hwy
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
949.715.6000 

Stonehill Tavern at Monarch Beach Resort

Stonehill Tavern is Michael Mina’s Forbes Four Star acclaimed restaurant concept. Guests can enjoy modern American cuisine that captures the Southern California essence. There are also various seafood dishes to choose from, all served in an elegantly designed main dining room.

1 Monarch Beach Resort N
Dana Point, CA 92629
949.234.3200 

Monarch Bay Club at Monarch Beach Resort

Photo Sourced From: Monarch Bay Club at St. Regis Resort Website

Monarch Bay Club offers California cuisine such as Albacore Tataki with breathtaking views of the beach. The interior is lined with floor to ceiling windows, allowing diners to take in the scenery, while the patio will completely immerse you in the environment. A private resort tram is even available to shuttle guests to the restaurant, creating an unforgettable dining experience.

1 Monarch Beach Resort N
Dana Point, CA 92629
949.234.3200 

Las Brisas

Photo Sourced From: Las Brisas Facebook

Las Brisas serves up cuisine inspired by Mexico’s west coast prepared with the freshest ingredients found across California. The list of drinks, including the specialty sangrias, all use ingredients equally as fresh as the food and share the same inspiration. Menu items include the Ceviche and the Seafood Tower. There are also fresh soups, salads, and Mexican combos to choose from. Enjoy your food and drink surrounded by an interior inspired by the sea and windows that emphasize the beautiful beach side location, palm trees and all.

361 Cliff Dr
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
949.497.5434

Club 19 at Monarch Beach Resort

Photo Sourced From: Club 19 at St. Regis Resort Website

Club 19, named for its golf course-adjacent location, continues the trend of offering fine American dining options from Huevos Rancheros to Smoked Pulled Pork Sliders and much more. The main dining room flows into the outdoor patio, creating an ambience enhancing open plan layout. Watch golfers tee off as you dine in style with views that stretch out across the course and to the ocean.

1 Monarch Beach Resort N
Dana Point, CA 92629
949.234.3200 

The Dana Pool Café at the Ritz Carlton

Sip cocktails poolside and enjoy a variety of delicious starters. Who doesn’t love sipping poolside signature cocktails? Whether spending an hour or an afternoon, this is the perfect location for some quality relaxation time. The ocean breezes and beautiful hotel grounds surrounding the pool will easily help you forget all your stresses.

1 Ritz Carlton Dr
Dana Point, CA 92629
949.240.2000 

Fly-N-Fish

Fly-N-Fish is located right in the middle of Newport’s bustling boardwalk surrounded by the shops and sights, not to mention the beach that draws in countless tourists from around the world. Specializing in sustainable seasonal seafood, you know you are only eating the freshest of what the ocean has to offer. Enjoy the savory oysters on the half shell, fresh catches like the Mahi Mahi, house specialties, soups, salads, sandwiches and more. A full bar is also available and customers can choose from a large list of wine and craft beer among other spirits. After the meal, take some time to stroll along the pier or simply enjoy one of California’s finest beaches, all just steps away.

2304 W Oceanfront
Newport Beach, CA 92663
949.673.8400 

Driftwood Kitchen

Driftwood Kitchen and Stateroom Bar features an ocean to table dining experience with a menu inspired by the pacific framed through the brilliant windows and open air concept of the patio dining room. On warmer days, a retractable awning shields customers from the sun while ocean breezes drift in through the widows. Immerse yourself in Laguna Beach’s beauty as you dine on items such as Dungeness Crab Cake. If a drink is what you are after, head to the cozy stateroom to try handcrafted cocktails.

619 Sleepy Hollow Ln
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
949.715.7700 

Mosaic Bar & Grille at the Montage

Mosaic Bar and Grille is Montage’s poolside restaurant, which offers California inspired beach food including seafood and sandwiches among other options. This location, only steps away from the beach, allows guests to experience the true California beach lifestyle, elements and all. As a result, weather can occasionally alter hours. Stop by in the summer to enjoy beach side service and live entertainment seven days a week and all day Saturday and Sunday.

30801 S Coast Hwy
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
949.715.6000 

Orange Hill

Photo Sourced From: Orange Hill Restaurant Facebook

Seated on top of one of Orange’s scenic hills, Orange Hill Restaurant gives patrons stunning views of the surrounding town that stretch across Orange County and out to Catalina Island. Inside, large windows frame the memorable views, making sure remain the evening’s centerpiece. If outdoor eating and the unobstructed views that come with it is more your style, look no further than the patio. With heat lamps and fire pits, the cold is no obstacle and city lights are never out of sight. Come around sunset and dine with the lights of Orange County as your backdrop. There is even a sunset menu that runs from 4:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m. and includes a three-course prix fixe meal of your choice of starter, entree, and dessert for only $31.95 per person.

6410 East Chapman Ave
Orange, CA 92869
714.997.2910 

Ruby’s Shake Shack

Located off Pacific Coast Highway in Newport Coast, this unassuming shack with a nostalgia-inducing design offers classic American food mere steps from Crystal Cove. The menu features Ruby’s Chili, the Super Burger, all-American sandwiches and seafood. Enjoy your meal in the seating terrace surrounded by the beauty of Newport’s famous coastline or get it to-go and enjoy your meal on the beach itself. Ruby’s Shake Shack represents the laidback attitude Californians are known for with its down-to-earth exterior and menu, so keep that in mind as this spot is quite popular, especially in the summer months. With that being said, who could complain when you’re surrounded by such amazing scenery?

7703 E Coast Hwy
Newport Coast, CA 92657
949.464.0100 

Mutt Lynch’s

“What’s a Schooner?” a girl asks the waitress. “It’s what everyone’s drinking, ” she says, pointing at every table in the bar. The rowdy, fun-loving crowd enjoys their goblets of beer around family-style tables, with old friends and new ones who happen to take a seat nearby. A few people walk in from the beach to grab lunch and a drink while others come to watch the game. Stick around late enough and you might see a parade of costumes from a theme party down the street. The crowd is a mix of college kids and people who have known each other for years, but they all share a love for this laid-back pub with a killer ocean view. People flow in and out of Mutt’s like it’s their second home, and this pseudo-family wouldn’t have it any other way.

3Thirty3

3Thirty3 offers a private view of Newport Marina, where diners sit directly above the rippling water. A woman sits at a bistro table sipping a cocktail and watching the people in the restaurant around her. Colleagues discuss business over a meal in the dining room and men in dress shirts settle in at the bar, having a beer or two before heading home. As the sun fades, the crowd transitions into a nightlife scene. Friends move from the bar to the wrap-around couches overlooking the water and order a round of drinks. The posh lounge area is open late, perfect for a pre-club drink or after-party munchies any night of the week.

The Rooftop Lounge & Bar

On the roof of La Casa del Camino, Rooftop Lounge offers panoramic views of the piece of paradise known as Laguna Beach. Be surrounded by the hills and sea as you dine on California inspired cuisine. Menu items include a Cheese Plate, Ahi Poke, and Grilled Ahi Nicoise Salad. Visit Rooftop from 3:00 p.m.- 5:00 p.m. Monday to Friday to take advantage of half-off mojitos, beer, and wine as well as all well drinks. Whether you look forward to spending a casual evening with friends sipping drinks or are looking for a great spot to have a meal and enjoy the view, you will not be disappointed. Sunsets are especially magical here and make the perfect end to a busy, or not so busy day.

1289 S Coast Hwy
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
949.497.2446 

21 Oceanfront

Every aspect of 21 Oceanfront is elegant, romantic, and sophisticated in a way that instantly sweeps you off your feet. Each dining room provides an intimate setting for couples and small parties to enjoy a glass of wine while admiring the view. Every waiter assists in upholding the fine dining ambience, prepared to fill your glass, and meet every request at a moment’s notice. Each diner is treated like family, served and cared for with the utmost respect. This is where new couples fall in love and others celebrate special occasions, or simply enjoy a well-prepared meal in a wonderful place.

Javier’s Finest Foods of Mexico

This is destination dining at its absolute definition. Every element of the restaurant is sexy and chic, from the gorgeous Mediterranean décor to couches where diners lounge surrounded by candles, sipping cocktails, and watching the sunset over the Pacific. Javier’s provides all the lavishness and leisure of a South American hotspot where one can indulge any day of the week. Grab a margarita at the door and enjoy a romantic dinner date or a fun night out with friends. The panoramic view of the coast surrounding the patio is the finishing touch to an unforgettable dining affair.

The Beachcomber

Even with the miles of shore lining Orange County, there are precious few restaurants that reside on the sand. Park across the street and walk under PCH or grab the five minute shuttle for a buck. Upon arrival, do not be dismayed by the wait time. The waiting area is the Pacific Ocean guarded by cliffs dotted with colorful historic cottages. The view is so nice you might just give up your table the first time your name is called. For breakfast, order a coffee and a basket of Beach Beignets. The Bootlegger bar is fully stocked and a great place for a cocktail.

Coliseum Pool & Grill – The Resort at Pelican Hill

A cocktail is placed on the table at the Coliseum, its red-orange color matching the sunset beyond it. This Roman-inspired oasis in the hills of Newport Coast has a subdued extravagance that is both enchanting and inviting. On one side of the terrace is a party of ten sipping glasses of wine and tasting decadent desserts, their laughter filling the air. Kids in bathing suits run in and out checking in with their parents, yet nothing distracts from the tranquil mood the Coliseum exudes. This is the ideal same-day getaway that helps time stand still for a moment while you unwind. When it’s time to leave, your only thought will be planning your return.

The Lobby Lounge at the Montage

The lobby lounge continues the light and airy theme of Montage’s restaurants while offering beautiful panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean in a relaxed and informal environment. The lounge offers signature cocktails such as the Last Call, as well as beer, wine, vodka, whisky, rum, tequila and any other spirit you desire. For the lovers of blended Scotch whisky, Johnnie Walker is available.

30801 S Coast Hwy
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
949.715.6000