First time at BF, here are some thoughts: -I'm not a big seafood guy, so my goal was to order something with fish, instead of a burger, etc. -We got pico de gallo as an appetizer. The chips were ok, and the pico was delightful, very tasty! -I got the BF burrito with panko crusted white fish. It was quite good, and very filling. I could easily have shared it for my meal. Not a big fan of the Tommy sauce. Overall cool experience and recommended. read more

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I like everything here EXCEPT the salmon poke - Salmon Poke is normally my favorite but here it just tastes murky. I've even tried putting some lemon or ponzu on it and even that can't brighten it up - it just tastes like sludge sauce. Every time I forget how awful it is, I always regret ordering it since I spend like $27 on it and then I don't even eat it all, I just throw it away. So: Note to self: NEVER get the salmon poke!! The Tuna poke is ok it's like 3.5 stars maybe 4....it's just hard since the poke in Hawaii is so amazing and even places like Poke Wave and Tiger Plate have really good poke but here it's ok. For like $22 for a super basic bowl with only 4 toppings it's really overpriced. I mean this is Crystal Cove...but still.... What Bear Flag does do outstanding here is the rest of the seafood! Their fish tacos are delicious! They also serve really nice varieties of cooked fish (blackened, cajun, butter, lemon butter, etc.) with a variety of sides. Their tacos are actually good value - you can even get a basic $3 fish taco that I'll often get my kids (who like substituting the flour tortillas) - the $3 taco comes with fish, tortilla, cabbage and sauce. For $7.50 you can get the amped up version which I recommend. Their Tommy sauce is really good and you can get it with most dishes. Also be warned if you come here Summer of 2026 they have like half of the parking lot blocked off (dumb to do during tourist season) so parking is a complete nightmare! It took me like 8 minutes circling just to find parking around 5:30pm on a Tuesday and even then I gave up and drove to the far end of the shopping center where I got lucky and saw someone leaving and then just walked a super far way to get to Bear Flag. read more

Came a little late as they close around 9pm. Ordered the Fish sandwich because the roll master wasn't available anymore. Also ordered some grilled shrimp. All were good! Had the Smoky the Bear for the drink. All were good. The only challenge is the parking around here, Crystal Cove. Chris was great as always tending the bar area and the place were both great! Thanks and we'll be back! read more

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First time visiting this location, everything here is great, super fresh fish and high quality ingredients. Sometimes there's a line, but it's never that bad. There are views of the ocean from the patio. Always a go-to for me when in OC. read more

Arrived on a Tuesday for the fish taco specials. It's been a long time and I noticed they expanded the dining area and the outdoor patio has been enlarged. Tacos were yummy & healthy tasting as usual and this place is great for people watching. There are car meet ups in the parking lot so you might catch some supercars and parking congestion. There's usually a line here but the line moves promptly and the entire staff is friendly and efficient. Definitely will be returning here again. read more

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What an incredible location. The ocean is right there. The decor is amazing. The ocean breeze, the beautiful fish on display, the friendly helpers are all there to lure you in. It is a fun place to have lunch. The chowder arrived. We enjoyed it, but it tasted like they added too much flour. Okay, now comes our fish burritos. It is a cold flour tortilla, filled with plain white rice, cold beans, lettuce, fish and avocado. The taste was plain, meh. The fish was not seasoned at all. Not even salt. Why not season the fish? Add some cheese? Some pico? Some corn? Some pickled onions? Anything to add flavor? Chipolte has a much better burrito at half the price. All promise, but no substance. read more

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LOCATION: in the large shopping plaza on highway 1 by Crystal Cove in Laguna, Bear Flag fish is hard to miss and located in the plaza. Parking can be difficult on weekends or busy as we almost didn't find any. SERVICE and ENVIRONMENT: service was great as you order at the counter and sit down with your number. Plenty of seating outside, not much space inside. It can get crowded during weekends forsure and line sometimes was out of the door. Very beachy, wood, and white interior all the seating were clean and the condiments, complimentary water, and sauces were available. FOOD: lots of different options for seafood meals, you can do tacos, burritos, plates, they have fresh poki. Most things are going to run you $15-23$ sometimes more. The burrito's were ok not much flavor and wish there were more fish. Everything tasted normal, however, you HAVE to get the calamari fries. we tried them and then got another one. Perfectly seasoned, light breading and coat on the outside, and the rest is all seas food meat! The sauce with it was incredible. Best food here hands down! read more

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I came in there were big fish decorations at the ceiling, it looked beautiful. The inside area had tons of paintings and a big inside seating, but the outdoor seating is beautiful and right by these gated houses with beautiful houses The food came out quick, service was good I only saw someone at the checkout table I got the salmon 1/4 lb for 17$ (1/2 was 21$, I wish I got that) and I got cucumber, soybeans, furikake, and crunchy chili garlic. I honestly didn't notice that they didn't give me crunchy chili garlic until I wrote this, which made me quite upset. The furikake seasoning was almost nothing, so I essentially only got cucumber and soybeans. The cucumber was okay not like a ton of sauce to go with them (I got Tommy sauce) so I'm not that happy with that, the soybeans were good. I got the crunchy chili garlic later, and it's pretty good. Update: I tried my friends bowl and it was so much better than mine. I am incredibly upset with how little flavor I got, as well as the size of my bowl (apart from the fish). Maybe it's the salmon, or what I chose, but get the tuna and make sure you get your stuff. The greens are quite good. This place is good, but my service and food experience was upsetting. I am giving it a 3, it could definitely be a 4 or 4.5. read more

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Bear Flag is my favorite spot to go to, especially the PCH location since you can view the ocean from some of the tables. The food consistently tastes fresh, and the quality keeps me coming back. The only downside is the parking situation, it's almost always a challenge, especially during busy hours. My favorite order is the Bear Flag Burrito. The fish is always fresh and gets a nice sear, which adds great flavor and texture. I do wish they were a little more generous with the Cajun seasoning, though, as the fish could use a bit more spice and depth. The half-pound tuna poke is another staple for me. The tuna is consistently fresh and marinated with shoyu sauce, sesame oil, sesame seeds, and scallions, creating a simple but delicious flavor that lets the quality of the fish shine. I always pair it with their chips, which are incredibly crunchy. That said, I feel like the chips changed about a year or two ago. They used to be thicker and sturdier, which made them perfect for scooping up poke. The current version still tastes good, but they seem to break more easily, and I definitely prefer the original chips. Overall, Bear Flag continues to deliver fresh seafood and satisfying meals. Despite the parking headaches and a few minor tweaks I'd love to see, it's still the best spot for poke and fish burritos/tacos in OC. read more

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I stopped by yesterday at 8:29pm They close at 9:00pm The cashier Reese R. (Her name was on my receipt) was so kind and bubbly even though it was late in the evening, I ordered the New England clam chowder and one Bear Flag Taco To Go. My clam chowder was given to me quick. So I sat down and took a spoonful of the clam chowder while waiting for the Bear Flag Taco. Big mistake though ....I should've ordered 2 Bear Flag Tacos. I'll be back Bear Flag Fish. read more

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Poke here is always fresh. Their seafood is some of the freshest you can find. The fish market sells fresh cuts of whatever is in season and never disappoints. Great location and atmosphere for some healthy fish. The sides are customizable to fit any diet. Healthy and well portioned entrees, an easy pick. Staff is extremely friendly and the service is quick and reliable. read more

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Bearflags has always been my go to spot whenever I'm around the Crystal Cove for the last 10. I could say it wouldn't be a successful beach day without bearflags !! My go to order is always the bearflags burrito and either half a pound of salmon or tuna. This time I went with the tuna. Ahi Tuna Poke - it's not your traditional Hawaiian seasoned poke. But it sure is good. I think the seasoning goes perfectly with chips. The ahi tuna was nice and firm and paired will with the seasoning. Bearflags burrito - Was the star of the lunch! The burrito was filled with beans and rice and pico and avocados with their Tommy sauce. All in combination with the charred blackened flavor on the fish. My go to. I recommend getting their El Yucatera salsa from the counter to go with it ! read more

Bear Flag Fish - Ahi Tuna Loke, Bear flag taco, bear flag burrito - Seafood Markets Near Me - Newport Beach, California

My girlfriends and I were looking for a quick bite to grab for the beach in Laguna, and someone recommended Bear Flag. It's located in a super nice plaza and has so many seafood options to pick from! I ended up getting the tuna poke nachos and they were amazing. I didn't even realize it was an actual fish market too, which was really cool. For a seafood market, I was honestly surprised it didn't smell fishy or bad at all. Super clean inside with a really nice restaurant vibe. Perfect spot to grab food before heading to the water! read more

Bear Flag Fish - Tuna poke with chips - Seafood Markets Near Me - Newport Beach, California

One of my favorite places that compare to poke from Hawaii! I've been to 2 of their locations and quality is always consistent and unmatched. The menu is great and all the food is so fresh and flavorful. The staff are always so friendly and even give suggestions if asked. It's a casual spot so there is seating indoors, in the patio and outdoors as well. Their sushi is delicious and so is their clam chowder. It's a must if you're looking for fresh fish! read more

Bear Flag Fish - Build your own bowl - Seafood Markets Near Me - Newport Beach, California

I eat at this Bear Flag a few times a month and the fish is always good. The poke is fresh, the entrees, tacos, veggies, burritos and chowder, are all very good. The line usually goes through the restaurant and out the door to the sidewalk! It's worth the wait for a good, casual meal in a nice location. read more

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We had a somewhat underwhelming experience. We tried a variety of items, including the salmon poke, tuna poke, guacamole, and the Bear Flag burrito. While everything was decent, nothing really stood out. The burrito was particularly disappointing, as it was mostly filled with rice and contained very little protein. Given the price, I was expecting a better balance of ingredients. On a positive note, the staff was friendly and attentive, and they did a great job keeping the dining area clean throughout our visit. Overall, it was a pleasant enough stop for brunch, but the food didn't quite live up to expectations. Also, be prepared for a wait, we spent about 30 minutes in line just to place our order. read more

Killer fish burritos and ceviche!! The poke is also a solid. Can get pretty packed but the food comes out quite swiftly once you've ordered. Would definitely return & recommend! read more

Bear Flag Fish - Seafood Markets Near Me - Newport Beach, California

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Love bear flag so much. This is actually the first location I've ever visited. Typically get the ceviche but have tried other items on the menu like the burrito! Such fresh fish. You can never get anything better anywhere else! read more

Bear Flag Fish - Interior - Seafood Markets Near Me - Newport Beach, California

Bear Flag Fish Co. is such an awesome place!! The Bear Flag burrito is SO delicious and filling, and the tacos are fire! Everything tasted so fresh. The atmosphere is great too--fun, lively, and always has such a good energy! Ava helped us and she was amazing. She was super informative, friendly, welcoming, and just so cool and personable! You can tell she's great at what she does and made our experience even better. Such a great experience all around. Can't wait to come back!! read more

Bear Flag is always amazing. We stoped by after some shopping at Fashion Island with the family. There is usually a line but it moves pretty quick and it's worth the wait. During your wait, you can decide what kind of meal you are craving. They always have a good selection of fish available. We started with a grilled artichoke (5/5) - grilled perfectly with a nice garlic aioli for dipping. For my main, I had the ahi poke burrito (5/5) - poke tasted fresh and the burrito is huge - I took half home for lunch the next day. I also tasted the spicy poke bowl (3/5) - poke tasted fresh but it was just too spicy for me to enjoy. I like spicy poke and eat a bunch in Hawaii but this was too much for me. If you love spicy, then this is probably for you. We will absolutely continue to come back. read more

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We had an amazing experience at Bear Flag! The poke was fresh, flavorful, and absolutely delicious. We also ordered a Hugo Spritz and a margarita, and both were incredibly refreshing and paired perfectly with the food. One great tip: if bar seats are available, you can skip the line and grab a seat right away. Great food, great drinks, and a great atmosphere--we'll definitely be back! read more

Bear Flag Fish - Seafood Markets Near Me - Newport Beach, California

Such a shame that the food does not match the aesthetic or vibes of this place at all. Staying in town for the weekend I thought I finally try Bear Flag since I always see how packed the place is. I went with a 1/2 pound poke bowl and a citrus roll, totaling about $40. This is some of the saddest representation of both sushi and poke I've ever seen. You can tell the majority of customers that dine here don't have a clue what they're eating. Starting with the citrus roll, it was so bland and boring and did not match the description at all. The menu reads "spicy crab, cucumber, avocado, gobo, topped with salmon and lemon slices and served with ponzu sauce." Well as my photos show there is spicy crab, avocado, and cucumber . . . it's topped with salmon . . . but where's the gobo? why is there one thick slice of lemon instead of thin slices on the sushi? And where is the ponzu? The salmon was chewy and bland, the rice was stiff and gummy, this was just sad. As for the poke bowl . . . how about some more edamame? The tuna was again just super cold, stiff to the bite, and just bland. I feel like it was just frozen improperly and or way too long. The sauce had no flavor, there was hardly any rice, and overall even the appearance was just disappointing. Not a place I would ever recommend or return to read more

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We've been coming here for years. But we haven't been back as often lately. However, recently, we have been and reminded us how we love this place. It was packed on a nice lovely Saturday afternoon. We were still full from our late lunch so we just had the La Bamba roll (one of our faves), a half a dozen fresh raw oysters (they have Kumiai at this time, which I like among others) and bear flag tacos. For drinks, I had my fave here, Smokey the Bear. Prices have gone up (for a while now) and we're sad. We used to order their hamachi hand roll a lot, but it has doubled in price. It was good and fresh, but we just think it's over priced. However, the ones we ordered, as usual are really good and fresh. Bear flag always just hits the spot! This is our fave Bear flag location! Across the ocean, along PCH. It is especially lovely on a nice sunny day. And service is always good! We still love this place a lot! Just wish they will reconsider adjusting the hand roll prices down. read more

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It was a last minute dinner plan to meet up with a couple of friends. One of them suggested the Bear Flag Fish and I was impressed. The fish in the coolers looked extremely fresh. So I had high hopes of the meal to come. I ordered the fish burrito and it was delicious. Had the right amount for freshness with the lemon wedge juice, the beans, rice and the grilled flavored fish. The chowder was pretty good too. The ambiance was very nice, too. Casual, comfortable, and not overly loud. The ocean inspired decor was a very fitting theme as well. The young lady behind the register was pleasant and helped when we asked questions. Although I think there may have been too many choices for her to give us a good recommendation. I would definitely go back again. Enjoy read more

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Stopped by Bear Flag for Taco Tuesday, and was pleasantly surprised! the ambiance and decor were top notch, and I especially loved the paintings and the giant swordfish hanging from the ceiling. We opted for the Bear Flag special (panko crusted white fish) tacos and the Ahi tacos. Between the two, I would definitely recommend the Ahi over the bear flag tacos. The Ahi came in big chunks that were slightly seared, topped with lettuce and tomatoes. The bear flag tacos were very thin and had a strong fishy smell. Overall, it was a nice, light dinner. Service was great also, with staff coming around to drop off food and clear the table. There is plenty of seating both indoors and outdoors, and even though it was chilly outside, the heat lamps helped a bit. read more

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Delicious fish and poke. I prefer the ahi poke over the salmon but both are good. Can't go wrong with any of the fish tacos/burritos either. I like the sea bass, yellowtail, opah, red snapper, wild salmon, ono, mahi mahi, etc. Don't be a fool and stand in line like everyone else. Order online and pick up your order in peace! A word to the wise.. you're welcome. read more

Anytime we visit family in Newport - this is our go to spot!! The freshest seafood!! Everything is delicious and it doesn't hurt that you're right across from the beach Highly recommend trying this spot - it does get extremely busy on weekends! But worth the wait! read more

Bear flag is always a great choice. This location has a good amount of patio space that allowed us to bring the dogs. While pretty busy in a Saturday at lunch, food never takes to long. I always enjoy their fish plates. It's light and flavorful and the rice perfectly cooked. Their poke bowls are very fresh and loaded. read more

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I didn't know that there was such a good poke spot in Newport Beach! Though it is a bit of a pain getting parking due to the limited spots, we were lucky and found a spot right outside of the restaurant. We got in line, and even with a bit of a wait we soon ordered our poke and we grabbed our numbers to try to find somewhere to sit. The one con about this place is that it is suuuper busy, so that it is also hard to find seating here, but we managed to grab a space on the bar-looking tables that were outdoors. By the time we ordered, which was a bit after noon, some of the poke that we had wanted to try was sold out, so we ended up getting the spicy salmon and the ahi, both of which were super fresh tasting and I think was worth the wait. read more

Bear Flag Fish - Salmon Poke + Coronas - Seafood Markets Near Me - Newport Beach, California

Food was great but kitchen items take a while when they're busy. Calamari fries were tasty Burrito was kind of bland but it's better with the side sauces. Pole and tuna poke were amazing. Clam chowder was good as well. Staff is very friendly read more

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Bear Flag Fish Co. is a chain seafood restaurant offering tacos, burritos, sandwiches, and sushi. They use locally-caught fish at their three locations in Newport Peninsula, Crystal Cove, and Huntington Beach. This location is at the Crystal Cove Shopping Center along PCH. We ordered a pound each of the ahi poke and the salmon poke along with a couple sides of rice. They also provided a whole bag of chips to eat with the poke. Both were fresh and soft but I preferred the flavor of the ahi more. My only gripe is that they had big chunks of green onions and I would've preferred either smaller slices or thinly-sliced onions. This is a good spot to grab some lunch and bring to the beach for a nice picnic, especially with the tons of beach and coastline in the area. read more

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People have raved about this place. I thought it was just okay. You walk in, there is often times a line. There is a menu on the board, but it's a little hard to get all the details. You order at a counter, and that takes up a lot of time. If you order soups and sides, the cashier gets it's all for you right then. But you are not given a tray or anything to take it to your table with. So you end up having to do multiple trips, and walk back in front of the next person ordering. It's a poorly run system. The cashiers are young and not super helpful with any questions. There is a bar, but you have to order separately. The food? I have high expectations. The clam chowder was fishy. Possibly from using canned clams? Not sure. The chips with the poke are essentially unsalted and flavorless. The poke was good. Just good. 4.5/10 We got the fish taco for taco Tuesday and a fish burrito. Again, but they good, but I have had way better at a place that doesn't specialize in fish. This is a good casual spot to bring family. It's a little awkward to meet for a date for bring friends. It's hard to find a table sometimes. It's a little chaotic inside. This restaurant needs to figure out if it's a regular old casual walk up and order kind of place or if it's a step above. It kinda rides the line. I've been to other places that have this same concept that excelled. We will try again. I'm into second chances. read more

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Came here on a Monday and it was still pretty lively for a weekday, which is always a good sign. The plaza has parking available if they know you're coming to Bear Flag, which makes things convenient. I ordered a pound of salmon and half a pound of ahi. I usually prefer salmon over tuna, but this time I was really impressed by the ahi poke -- super fresh, clean, and flavorful. The salmon was solid as always, but the ahi definitely surprised me in a good way. We also got sides of seaweed salad and guac, and they were generous with the complimentary chips, which was a nice bonus. Overall, a great spot for fresh poke with good portions and a lively atmosphere. read more

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I had a disappointing experience at Bear Flag. My burrito took over 25 minutes, and while I understand it was busy, the line itself moved quickly and there wasn't any communication about there being a long wait for food. My friends ordered clam chowder bowls, which were served right away, and they were done eating before I even received my burrito. I also noticed a dog on one of the outdoor dining tables directly outside the restaurant, which raised sanitation concerns. Bear Flag later explained that those tables are public seating and not owned or controlled by them, those were their customers and it still impacts the overall guest experience since the area is right by the restaurant entrance. I wonder if the health department would be ok with them ignoring their customers creating a health code violation. When I reached out, the response felt dismissive rather than helpful. They said 25 minutes is fairly standard because they're one of the busiest restaurants in Orange County. I would have appreciated more accountability and a more customer-focused response. The experience left a bad impression. read more

Bear Flag Fish - Seafood Markets Near Me - Newport Beach, California

Bland, overcooked "premium" fish taco. Peruvian ceviche lacks lime and salt. Tuna poke tastes only like sesame oil. Yuzu lemon and salt would go a long way. Not what I was hoping for and I'm sure the fish started out as a fairly high quality. Location was great employees were very friendly. Kitchen a bit lost. read more

I was visiting California last weekend and found this while looking for affordable seafood. It did not disappoint. I started with cioppino which was very good although it had carrots and zucchini and the carrots were a little undercooked. It also could have been spicier. It was served with a few slices of bread that was meh. I like a crunchy crust bread with soup. For my entree I had the small seafood plate which was a choice of 1/3 lb of fish and 2 sides. For what it was it was very good. Not the best seafood I've had but given the price I very much enjoyed it. I'll definitely be going back at some point when we make it out there again. read more

Bear Flag Fish - Small fish plate - Seafood Markets Near Me - Newport Beach, California

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I can't believe I haven't reviewed Bear Flag Fish. Food is consistently delicious. Great quality fish. Service is fast: stand in line, order, and they deliver to your table. Ambiance: casual. read more

Bear Flag Fish - Seafood Markets Near Me - Newport Beach, California

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Very fresh fish and gorgeous views of crystal cove! Parking is quite limited and the line to order can get crowded during peak lunch hours on weekends, but there is usually available seating and their poke + bear flag burritos are amazing! This is a great option for healthy, clean, and sustainable seafood with high quality ingredients and generous portions. read more

Bear Flag Fish - 1/2 lb ahi tuna poke - Seafood Markets Near Me - Newport Beach, California

Best for your Bucks$$! Fresh food, fresh seafood whatever seafood you want or even clam chowder the best! Service is fast, food delivery is fast too and just the freshness on every bite with great view of ocean and breeze... very well lit! Just awesome . Well done guys! read more

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It was good but not wait-in-line-for-an-eternity good. Love that they serve it with chips! Took it down to crystal cove and had it while enjoying the ocean view on a hot day. read more

Bear Flag Fish - Seafood Markets Near Me - Newport Beach, California