It’s Not Backed By Science, But We’re Pretty Sure Food Tastes Better With Ocean Views

Written By: Brittany Lawrence Ocean View Restaurants

There is so much serenity that comes with watching the ocean. The motion of the waves rushing up towards you, only to run back away is therapeutic. A sense of calm and contentment can’t help but overtake your mind. Being in Orange County, we are spoiled with the accessibility of the ocean right in our backyard, or just a short drive away. We have plenty of options to combine our love for the ocean with our other love: food! Here are 15 of the best restaurants in Orange County with stunning waterfront views:

1 | Casual Trip to Baja Ocean View Restaurants

Coyote Grill

Photo Provided By: Coyote Grill

Whether you’re a local or want to do as the locals do, keep it casual and head to Coyote Grill in Downtown Laguna Beach where you can sip on homemade margaritas while enjoying grilled fish tacos under the sun in front of an ocean view. Breakfast, lunch or dinner, the Coyote Grill has had its customer’s backs since 1989.

Coyote Grill
31621 Coast Hwy
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
949.499.4033

2 | Ola-La! Ocean View Restaurants

Ola Mexican Kitchen

Photo By: Gil Cope

Photo By: Gil Cope

Photo By: Gil Cope

Located in Huntington Beach’s amazing Pacific City, Ola Mexican Kitchen has a view of the coastline from almost every seat in the place! But it doesn’t stop there. Ola Mexican Kitchen sets the mood with live music and a creative menu mixing Mexican comfort food with south-of-the-border ideas.  

Native Knowledge: Just hanging out in Huntington Beach for the day? Pacific City is the perfect stop! Whether eating, shopping or just walking to the beach, you’ll be covered at this central location!

Ola Mexican Kitchen
21040 Pacific Coast Hwy, F200
Huntington Beach, CA 92648
714.969.7300

3 | Dine in Style

RAYA

Photo Provided By: Raya

Take it up a notch and dine at RAYA at the Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel. With Latin American pairings, your senses will ignite with the delicious flavors and the breathtaking views. “RAYA not only features expansive ocean views but also exquisite Pan-Latin coastal cuisine by celebrated Chef Richard Sandoval. Offering breakfast, lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch, the food is unrivaled and allows our guests to enjoy the restaurant any time of the day—all while overlooking local surfers hit the waves at Salt Creek Beach from sunrise to sunset,” said Ritz-Carlton’s Director of Food and Beverage, Sheryl Ishizaki. Offering breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner menus, you have plenty of opportunities to be wowed.

RAYA
1 Ritz-Carlton Dr
Dana Point, CA 92629
949.240.2000

4 | Walk the Line, the Waterline That Is Ocean View Restaurants

Waterline

Enjoy the view of the bay from one of Balboa Bay Resort’s restaurants, Waterline. The nautical-inspired decor will put you in the ocean and vacation spirit. Daydream as you enjoy Sunday brunch while sipping unlimited, complimentary sparkling wine or mimosas or back for dinner at sunset indulging on the fresh water-to-table options. “Waterline Newport Beach is a sophisticated yet casual waterfront restaurant that boasts views of the yacht-lined harbor from the dining room and a newly refreshed Mediterranean-inspired outdoor patio, filled with brightly colored furniture and umbrellas. On Sundays Waterline hosts a popular brunch known for its seafood buffet and unlimited champagne or mimosas. At Waterline Newport Beach, diners can expect a water-to-table experience full of natural and organic produce featuring fresh, local California products,” said Chef Vic, Executive Chef at Balboa Bay Resort.

Native Knowledge: Staying at the Balboa Bay Resort? Guests can enjoy in-room dining 24 hours a day from the comfort of their room or suite.

Waterline
1221 West Coast Hwy
Newport Beach, CA 92663
949.645.5000

5 | Please No Splashing Ocean View Restaurants

SPLASHES

Photo Provided By: Surf and Sand

Sit and dine only 25 feet above the water at SPLASHES restaurant in Laguna Beach. Whether on the patio, or inside near the open windows, you’re sure to take in the ocean breeze and relax to the sounds of the waves. Fresh and local ingredients make up every dish on the breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner menus, making the food just as delicious as the view.

SPLASHES
1555 S Coast Hwy
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
888.281.3502

6 | Catch Some Sol

Sol Cocina

Located just off Mariner’s Mile on the Balboa Marina in Newport Beach, you will find Sol Cocina, where you can sit on their waterfront patio and soak up a beautiful sunset. Inspired by trips down to Baja, the menu is full of fresh and simple dishes made from scratch. “We’re a place to kick back and relax—enjoy fresh seafood, specialty tacos & awesome margaritas while taken in the view of the Mariner’s Mile,” said Deborah M. Schneider, Executive Chef and Partner.

Sol Cocina
251 Pacific Coast Hwy
Newport Beach, CA 92660
949.675.9800

7 | Aww Shucks! Ocean View Restaurants

Fly-N-Fish

Photographed By: Mariusz Jeglinski

Photographed By: Mariusz Jeglinski

A short walk from the Newport Beach Pier, come on in to Fly-N-Fish and enjoy freshly shucked oysters, bacon wrapped scallops, New England clam chowder and more! All of this delicious fresh food comes with a breathtaking view and refreshing breeze.

Fly-N-Fish
2304 W Oceanfront
Newport Beach, CA 92663
949.673.8400

8 | Birds of a Feather, Dine Together

Pelican Grill

Photo Provided By: Pelican Hill

Grab the rest of your flock and fly down to the Pelican Grill at The Resort at Pelican Hill in Newport Coast. With a stunning view of the sea and American grill favorites like steak, burgers and pizza, you and the rest of your crew are sure to enjoy an experience like no other.

Pelican Grill
22800 S Pelican Hill Rd
Newport Coast, CA 92657
844.443.0022

9 | A-O-Kay Ocean View Restaurants

A&O Kitchen+Bar

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Photo By: Michael Wesley

A&O Kitchen+Bar, short for Anchors and Oceans, is the antique-styled waterfront gastropub that is waiting for you. “Exclusive to A&O Kitchen+Bar is its California Distilled cocktail menu. From grain to glass, this menu highlights farmers, small producers, local spirit distillers and purveyors in the Golden State. At A&O Kitchen+Bar our guests can sip on craft cocktails in the daytime and during the evenings, locals can relax by one of three fire pits while they listen to live music on the weekends or create their own tableside s’mores. This summer, I am excited to unveil a new menu that focuses on bright and ingredient-driven dishes which pay tribute to the restaurant’s waterfront setting,” said Balboa Bay Resort Executive Chef Vic. Get ready to mingle at social hour or stay for dinner, bonding over drinks and sunsets at the communal style dining tables.

A&O Kitchen+Bar
1221 West Coast Hwy
Newport Beach, CA 92663
949.630.4390

10 | Poolside Sippin’

Dana Pool Café

Need a little time to relax? Breathe in the fresh ocean air while sitting poolside at the Dana Pool Café at the Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel. Chill out and work on your tan while enjoying bites at a poolside eatery!

Dana Pool Café
1 Ritz-Carlton Dr
Dana Point, CA 92629
949.240.2000

11 | Lounge in the Clouds Ocean View Restaurants

180blu

Photo By: Mariusz Jeglinski

Watch the waves roll in from above at 180blu at the Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel. “By far the endless ocean views and stunning sunsets at 180blu make our outdoor cocktail lounge a coveted and favorite spot for locals and visitors alike. The lounge features 180-degree views of the Pacific Ocean and sits atop a 150-foot bluff overlooking Salt Creek Beach,” said Ritz-Carlton’s Director of Food and Beverage Sheryl Ishizaki. Pair our unparalleled views with fresh seafood appetizers, craft cocktails and live music on the weekends, and you have the perfect Southern California dining experience.” This lounge setting is ready for you to come and unwind whether that be on a sofa, a hightop table, or just traditional seating, enjoying desserts from RAYA and beverages crafted from expert mixologists.

180blu
1 Ritz-Carlton Dr
Dana Point, CA 92629
949.240.2000

12 | Life’s A Beach

The Deck on Laguna Beach

Photo By: Dhrumil Desai

What is better than a view of the beach, a view ON the beach! That’s what you’ll get at The Deck on Laguna Beach, one of the few waterfront restaurants actually ON the beach. Enjoy the Daily Catch of oysters or keep it traditional and indulge in a burger. Whichever your preference may be, you’re sure to enjoy your meal with a side of beach.

The Deck on Laguna Beach
627 Sleepy Hollow Ln
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
949.494.6700

13 | Don’t Go Adrift! Ocean View Restaurants

Driftwood Kitchen and Stateroom Bar

Photo Provided By: Driftwood Kitchen

Experience fresh, ocean-to-table dining at Driftwood Kitchen and Stateroom Bar, a waterfront restaurant whose slogan is “Any closer and you would have to swim.” If that doesn’t give you an indication of the view you’ll get then we don’t know what does! Try their California-inspired cuisine with seasonal ingredients, and of course, a thing or two from the ocean.

Driftwood Kitchen and Stateroom Bar
619 Sleepy Hollow Ln
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
949.715.7700

14 | Party on the Rooftop!

Tanner’s

Photo By: Mathew Martinez

Get all the fresh air you need at Tanner’s, the rooftop restaurant atop the Paséa Hotel & Spa in Huntington Beach. With a breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner and drinks menu, the view can be taken in from any time of day. Or take it up a notch, literally, and go up to Tanner’s Treehouse, a rooftop lounge, for happy hour Monday through Thursday, 4-7 p.m.

Native Knowledge: Get $8 valet parking for three hours at the Paséa Hotel & Spa with validation when eating at Tanner’s!

Tanner’s
21080 Pacific Coast Hwy
Huntington Beach, CA 92648
714.698.6101

15 | “Shooby-Dooby Down to Ruby’s” Ocean View Restaurants

Ruby’s Diner

Photo By Ed Visions

If you have not been to Ruby’s Diner on the pier, then have you ever really been to Huntington Beach? What more of an ocean view can you ask for than a restaurant at the end of the pier surrounded by water? Grab a table and enjoy their amazing milkshakes, bottomless fries and a burger or sandwich!

Native Knowledge: Ruby’s Diner has a walk up to-go order window on the outside of the restaurant! Perfect for a quick meal as you walk the pier.

Ruby’s Diner
1 Main St
Huntington Beach, CA 92648
714.969.7829