Cruise Over to These Waterfront Gems for Bites, Sips and a Good Time
Have you ever driven by a restaurant and were so intrigued by the beautiful design or scent of the food that you pulled over to dine there? Now imagine doing that—but on a boat! There’s something about that sea breeze that stirs up the appetite (and thirst!). Vision Electric Boat Rental, Duffy Electric Boat Rentals and Pacific Electric Boat Rentals in Newport Beach all make it easy to sail along the bay and simply dock your boat right outside the restaurant. Whether you’re celebrating a birthday or simply enjoying the weekend, cocktails, good food and beautiful weather are guaranteed to make it a time to remember. Here are 10 places to dock and dine this spring in Newport Beach. Dock and Dine Newport
Tavern House Dock and Dine Newport
Enjoy fresh seafood and amazing views a half story above ground level at Tavern House. With the elevated seating, you get to look beyond the boats and out across the harbor. The menu boasts dozens of seafood options, including the ever-popular red snapper ‘Veracruzana” or the spicy ahi poke for something a little lighter. Be sure to try one of their refreshing blood orange margaritas!
Dock and Dine Newport
The Cannery
Cruise on over and dine at The Cannery, a seafood haven preserving 90 years of American history. This family-owned restaurant serves up tons of seafood dishes, including sashimi and sushi rolls. The dining area’s dark rustic decor extends over multiple levels and features a downstairs speakeasy called Snug Bar, where skilled bartenders create cocktails just as unique as this hideaway.
6/9
Shorebird
Maintain that sea breeze by dining just along the dock on Shorebird’s outdoor patio. The sleek California-coastal design features spacious seating in a dining room that lets in plenty of natural sunlight. Their menu includes almond wood-fired specials like prime skirt steak, filet mignon and Duroc pork chop, all available after 5 p.m. Pair your entree with the smoked blueberry sour with Buffalo Trace bourbon for a cozy evening on the bay.
Dock and Dine Newport
Bluewater Grill
For a classic diner-style vibe, steer your boat to Bluewater Grill. This establishment made Newport Beach its home in 1996 and has been expanding up (and down) the coast ever since. The menu boasts an award-winning New England clam chowder that you can order by the quart to take home. Other favorites include the lobster roll, fish and chips and a variety of oyster shooters. Their Captain’s Mai Tai is delicious and can be served in a souvenir mug to take with you back on the open sea.
EXP 11/20
Billy’s at the Beach Dock and Dine Newport
Get the party started with world-famous mai tais from Billy’s at the Beach. This dockside restaurant’s Hawaiian-inspired food and decor will have you thinking you sailed from Newport to Maui. The pupu platter for two incorporates Billy’s favorite pupus (aka appetizers): crab cakes, coconut shrimp, cho cho skewers, black sesame-crusted ahi and BBQ baby back ribs. It’s sure to be a good time!
A+O Restaurant | Bar
Looking for the perfect place to watch the sunset after your day at sea? Cozy up next to a fire table at A+O Restaurant | Bar, located at Balboa Bay Resort. Enjoy tasty starters like the beer-battered fish tacos before you dig into entrees like the seared scallops. The drinks here are colorful and handcrafted. They make everything from classics and smoked cocktails to drinks like the “Newps Spritz,” a concoction featuring sparkling Rrosé and Ketel One Botanical Peach & Orange Elderflower Liqueur.
Lido Bottle Works
The Dock Dock and Dine Newport
This waterfront open-air restaurant is upscale with a cozy feel—a hard combination to come by! The classic Californian-coastal menu options are endless and offer seasonal changes to ensure the freshest quality. Wine connoisseurs will have a field day here with the wide selection of domestic and imported fine wines.
Buddha’s Favorite
Looking for a fun yet relaxed place to dock and dine? Try Buddha’s Favorite—a sushi spot that’s a hidden gem to the masses but a favorite of locals. The dishes here are made with the freshest ingredients using family recipes all the way from Japan. Pair your favorite roll with their premium sake, from floral flavors to the Suehiro Gensai, which comes in a specialty wood box keepsake and is said to “awaken your taste buds.”
Lighthouse Café
If you’re playing captain for the day, dock your boat at Lighthouse Café! Hop off right onto the sand, which surrounds the café’s outdoor patio. You’ll also notice Marina Park next door, where the kids can stretch their sea legs. Quench your thirst with a frozen cocktail—frosé or margarita—or a local draft beer. Try your favorite shellfish in the seafood alfredo as you soak up the beautiful bay views.
Reyes is a graduate of Hope International University with degrees in General Management (BA) and Marketing Management (MBA). She loves visiting new and trendy restaurants, pop-ups, lounges, etc. Exploring Southern California keeps her busy!
