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The Best Seafood Restaurants In Orange County

By: Claire Barnett, Isabel Haglund | July 20, 2023 | Food & Drink, Feature,

Fly-NFish Oyster Bar & Grill serves ocean-to-fork dishes like a cold seafood platter for two, or shrimp and scallop scampi CRABCAKE PHOTO COURTESY OF BLUEWATER GRILL
Fly-NFish Oyster Bar & Grill serves ocean-to-fork dishes like a cold seafood platter for two, or shrimp and scallop scampi

Here are the best restaurants for seafood in Orange County.

Bear Flag Fish Co.

Website/ Various

With multiple locations across Orange County, Bear Flag Fish Co is a perfect place go-to for eats. Its locally sourced, sustainable catch menu spans beloved seafood bites and dishes like ceviche, seaweed salad, poké, chowder, tacos, sushi and burritos.

Captain Jack’s

Website/ 16812 Pacific Coast Hwy 90742

Tucked away along PCH in Sunset Beach, there’s good reason Captain Jack’s has been open for over 50 years. The family-owned-and-operated business has earned a stellar reputation for its crab legs, but you’ll also keep coming back for the excellent service, cozy atmosphere and other fantastic dishes like the artichoke, escargot, prime rib, potato skins and scallops. Also, Captain Jack’s has live music by Jim Quealy every Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.

Chart House

Website/ 34442 St of the Green Lantern 92629

Chart House overlooks the beautiful Dana Point harbor, allowing guests to watch boats coming in and out while feasting on steakhouse and seafood eats. Menu highlights include the shrimp, avocado and mango stack; the Mac Nut Mahi; swordfish and lemon-herb crusted salmon. And don’t forget to leave room for the Hot Chocolate Lava Cake.

Eddie V’s

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Website/ 1370 Bison Ave 92660

Located in Newport Beach, Eddie V’s pairs its upscale setting with seafood meals made with the freshest ingredients. Alongside one of its excellent craft cocktails, opt for the scallops, lobster, sea bass and hearty lineup of raw bar selections.

Harpoon Henry’s

Website/ 34555 Golden Lantern 92629

In business for more than 40 years, Harpoon Henry’s keeps you coming back for more with the promise of tranquil waterfront views and even better seafood. The Dana Point establishment has everything from burgers to tacos to seafood staples, like Atlantic salmon, fish and chips, jumbo shrimp, calamari steak, cioppino and California halibut. What’s more, there’s also live entertainment on weekends.

Laguna Fish Co. Restaurant & Bar

Website/ 400 S Coast Hwy 92651

Located steps away from Main Beach Park, Laguna Dish Co. Restaurant & Bar has an unbeatable menu of seafood classics and creations for all sorts of eaters. Consider checking out the Laguna tacos, crispy fried oysters and octopus ceviche.

Fisherman’s Restaurant & Bar

Website/ 611 Avenida Victoria 92672

In San Clemente, the Fisherman’s Restaurant & Bar serves fresh oysters daily alongside its other just-as-fresh dishes like mahi mahi, mussels, sea bass, fish and chips and more. Load up on chowder while taking in the ocean breeze from the patio or unwind at the bar over the catch of the day and a glass of Fisherman’s wines.

Walt’s Wharf

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Website/ 201 Main Street 90740

Since 1970, Walt’s Wharf has been supplying memorable seafood feasts to the people of Seal Beach. Known for its clam chowder, fish and chips and macadamia-crusted halibut, Walt’s Wharf offers seafood delights in a casual, but always special-feeling setting.

Rusty Pelican

Website/ 2735 W Coast Hwy 92663

The Rusty Pelican has been a Newport Beach staple since 1972. Its menu features decadent seafood staples like striped sea bass, shrimp scampi and North Australian lobster tail that pair impeccably with the waterfront views.

See Also: Why Sushi Lovers Should Head to The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel ASAP

Bluewater Grill

Website/ 630 Lido Park Dr 92663

Specializing in sustainable seafood, Newport Beach’s Bluewater Grill—the original restaurant that inspired the family of eight Bluewater restaurants across California and Arizona—reopened in April with a new contemporary coastal look after a multimillion-dollar renovation. Set on the water with a stunning patio and guest dock, Bluewater enables guests coming by sea to drop anchor and dine inside or aboard their own boat. Sample favorites like fish tacos or a fisherman’s platter—or bring your own catch, and have the restaurant cook it!

The Cannery

Website/ 3010 Lafayette Ave 92663

Housed in a historic building with roots that date back to 1921, The Cannery in Newport Beach is a favorite for seafood, steaks and chops. From a cozy indoor dining area and stunning outdoor space, The Cannery offers classic American seafood entrees with a diverse selection of wines. Enjoy buttery and delicious lobster rolls, as well as mouthwatering seared diver scallops, Chilean sea bass, a delectable array of fresh sushi selections, and colorful cocktails and spirits.

Driftwood Kitchen and The Deck on Laguna Beach

Website/ Sleepy Hollow Ln 92651

These Pacific Edge Hotel waterfront spots in Laguna Beach offer delicious seafood and scenic ocean views. Inventive drinks and lots of California wines are available at The Deck—along with a fresh SoCal menu. At the adjacent Driftwood Kitchen, guests can enjoy executive chef Rainer Schwarz’s California-inspired cuisine on the alfresco terrace or in the open-air dining room outfitted with floor-to-ceiling windows facing the rolling Pacific waves below.

Fly-N-Fish Oyster Bar & Grill

Website/ 2304 W Oceanfront 92663

This ocean-to-fork dining experience is located in the heart of the boardwalk and just a short stroll from the Newport Beach Pier. Enjoy freshly shucked oysters, seasonal specials and classic creations, which include signature dishes like Maryland crabcakes, bacon-wrapped scallops, cioppino and an award-winning New England clam chowder. Finish off the experience with a decadent homemade dessert.

Glasspar

Website/ 24961 Dana Point Harbor Dr 92629

This West Coast take on an East Coast-style seafood hall in Dana Point features an oyster bar, locally sourced dishes and even a fish market. New seasonal menu items include fresh Mexican bay scallop aguachile verde, grilled swordfish and togarashi seared ahi tuna with udon noodles, as well as summertime cocktail additions like the Aquadisiac with The Botanist gin, lime, germanium syrup and fresh cucumber juice.

Gulfstream

Website/ 850 Avocado Ave 92660

Inspired by classic seafood houses from America’s history, Gulfstream in Corona del Mar Plaza serves fresh fish and North Pacific oysters shucked to order in a contemporary, marine-themed atmosphere. Try favorites like cedar plank Scottish salmon, Vince’s fried shrimp and true Dover sole, flown in from the North Atlantic—which you can pair with a fine bottle of California wine. Sip indoors or on the popular patio that’s outfitted with fire pits for when the temps dip at night.

Mastro’s Ocean Club

Website/ 8112 E Pacific Coast Hwy 92657

This upscale, sophisticated restaurant brand combines high-quality steaks and seafood with stellar service, in a cosmopolitan setting. At the Newport Beach branch in Crystal Cove, seafood fans can indulge in caviar, oysters, jumbo lobster tail or a sushi selection created by chef Angel Carbajal, an alum of the renowned Nicksan restaurant in Cabo San Lucas. Pair dishes with premium wines from the extensive list or try a showstopping cocktail.

O SEA

Website/ 109 S Glassell St 92866

You won’t find lobster rolls or crabcakes at O SEA, located in the heart of Old Towne Orange and on the forefront of innovative seafood. Instead, try something like salmon ceviche in coconut leche de tigre, tuna poke in blood orange ponzu or crispy Oaxacan hot shrimp. O SEA also serves an extensive list of international wines, beers from local O.C. brewers and nonalcoholic beverages like yuzu lemonade or strawberry-lime agua fresca.

Water Grill

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Website/ 3300 Bristol St 92626

This national seafood eatery has SoCal locations in downtown L.A., Santa Monica, San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter and South Coast Plaza in Orange County. Come for breakfast, lunch or dinner and dine in the main dining room, a private room or on the upscale patio. In addition to elaborate raw bar and sushi selections, and charcoal-grilled or oven-roasted fresh whole fish, try new summer dishes like wild copper river salmon and soft-shell crab from Chesapeake Bay.

With our plethora of oceanside towns, top-notch seafood is always just around the corner.


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Photography by: Courtesy of Fly-NFish Oyster Bar & Grill

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