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    Bluewater Grill Seafood Restaurant Newport Beach

    4.0 (2.4k reviews)
    Special Hours 11:00 am - 9:00 pm
    Updated 1 week ago

    Bluewater Grill Seafood Restaurant Newport Beach Photos

    Business Info

    BLUEWATER GRILL SEAFOOD RESTAURANT NEWPORT BEACH ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for kids
    Dogs allowed

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    Heather and her !
    Nancy J.

    We decided to give The Blue Water Grill another try, bad idea. Horrific experience, crying children and parents not controlling their children ruined our afternoon. We will never be back again. The food was mediocre service was OK. However, the bottom line is if you want to have an enjoyable adult experience do not come to this restaurant. The management has lost touch with customers who have been eating there for years. We were looking forward to seeing our friends from out of town & having some fresh fish, unwisely chose The Blue Water Grill. Sad to say goodbye, this our last attempt to patronize this restaurant.

    Cheers to a great time!!
    Denise J.

    Hands down our party of 7 had the best of time at the Bluewater Grill on Sunday June 7, 2026. There's valet parking for $7.00 We made reservations for 7:00pm. You receive a text message to inform you when your table is ready. Our server Riley Rose was the best!! She was very patient taking our orders and special requests. Some of us ordered the white clam chowder ($11.00) and agreed it was so delicious and comforting. For my entree I ordered 2 crab cakes ($19.00) which was a decent size and delicious. I liked that you can actually taste the crab and not a bunch of filler. My friends who ordered the Louie Salad with their seafood grilled enjoyed it. Overall everyone enjoyed their entrees including the alcoholic beverages. Cheers to a great time!!

    Ipswich clams
    Rob W.

    Had a great dinner with friends. He started off with some appetizers, some calamari and some crab and artichoke dip. The artichoke and crab was amazing. The calamari was just OK. It was a piece of a cutlet cut up in a smaller pieces. Nothing that exciting. We also try their ipswich clams and shared them a little bit on the smaller side, but still delicious. For the main entrée, most of us had the fresh halibut and one person had the Sandabs. Everything was delicious and tasty. We also had some Amazing asparagus cooked perfectly. For dessert it was a nice piece of key lime pie.

    Delicious salmon in the foreground, my husband's sand dabs in the back!
    Anne I.

    First of all - what's not to like? Sourdough bread on the water on the 4th of July! I had fantastic salmon with scalloped potatoes and spinach. My friend had black miso that she really enjoyed. My husband ordered the sand dabs; he liked them OK, thought they were a little bit mushy. Our server had a little attitude - didn't get his name tho - otherwise this would've been 5 stars. The ambience was a combination of hip and family friendly... Just a few hours before all the chaos happened on the peninsula!

    We split an order of Sanddabs and this was my half wow.
    Kristen N.

    Still a solid spot for fabulous food! Never forget Blue Water! Went today for a late lunch and the patio was full so opted to sit in their bar. They had the Dodger game on! And had an amazing lunch! From the poke to the crab and avocado salad and the sanddabsfood and service was fabulous!! Kudos!

    Scallops - delicious!

    Had a lovely lunch on a Saturday morning to celebrate my dad's birthday. We had a party of 10 that included two rowdy toddlers, so I called in advance to request the patio seating and they were able to accommodate thankfully. The boys cannot sit still so it was nice they were able to easily hop over and run around where the docked boats are (rather than cause havoc in the restaurant). We also had a couple out of town guests so it was the perfect spot to showcase beautifully sunny Newport. The food was all fresh and delicious! We appreciated our server's recommendation for the local swordfish, which was surprisingly soft and buttery. Other dishes ordered included the calamari (good portion), scallops, shrimp cocktail, sand dabs, black cod, shrimp pasta, chicken plate, and even a vegetarian mushroom pasta they were able to make for my sister. Every thing was tasty and everyone enjoyed their meal! I saw a few really bad reviews about service so I was a bit worried because that can always kill a good meal, but our server was great! Friendly, helpful, and attentive. I wish I could remember his name! He did seem very busy though so I wonder if the restaurant is understaffed. Parking is valet ($7) or paid street parking. Overall we all had a great time. Would recommend and will come back!

    Pesto pasta
    Leah D.

    Pains me to write a poor review for this restaurant but it needs improvement. For one, I made a reservation and included in the special occasion text box that this was for a birthday. This was no acknowledgement of this by the hostess or the waiter at all, and I thought a nice restaurant in Newport would at least mention it for customer service sake. Two, there was an open table outside and I asked that our small party be seated in fresh air, so we can get the nice view of the boats. I was told there are no tables outside available. I pointed to an empty table and was told it was "reserved." I had a reservation too, and the entire time we were seated inside, no one sat in the table outside. Three, as most waiters do, our waiter asked if we'd like anything to drink. My party and I don't drink alcohol, so we asked for waters to start while we figure out what food we wanted to order. Our waiter seemed annoyed that we did not order cocktails. Later we ordered a few appetizers to share, and he said "was that it for you all, or did you want to order anything else?" This question was offensive, as if he assumed we were not going to order much/spend money on dinner. Later on, a person in the party asked to cancel a dish and she explained that she wanted to order something else in exchange and he was visibly surprised as he assumed she just wanted to go without her own dish. Everyone at the table agreed that he was rude and condescending. Four, ambiance inside needs improvement. A water cup was chipped, and the chairs looked worn. They need to update the interior. We asked for a small bowl to eat some clams, and the bowl we were given was stained. Five, ciopinno dish had overcooked and shriveled mussels and clams. I will say I love the bread, the steamed shellfish starter was a big portion and flavorful, a the fried calamari was excellent. The scallops were rich in flavor with the fried onions and mushrooms, and the seared ahi tuna dish had high remarks and was well seasoned. The pesto pasta dish with scallops and shrimp was absolutely delicious and indulgent. It is a shame the service and ambiance detracted from the experience. Also parking is a nightmare so just give in and use valet.

    Oysters!
    Vanessa D.

    We loved this restaurant! Our party of 10 dined in for a bachelorette party, and we were lucky to have an amazing waitress (Brittany) who was so attentive and kind. Everything we ordered was delicious, including drinks and food! We requested to sit outside and they were able to accommodate, which I'm so glad they did. The outside area was beautiful at night and we appreciated the space heaters that kept us warm.

    Crab Louie
    Kristine Y.

    Let's start with the food was tasty, not mind blowing but tasty. The evening we went there were no specials so we ordered straight from the menu. The menu has many choices and if you like seafood you are sure to find something you enjoy. The ambiance is very casual. The booths and tables remind me of a diner. The location tho is super nice. Parking is difficult to find so you may have to valet for a $7 fee. The service was simply awful. We went there for my birthday. We had a party of 6 with a reservation. The restaurant was virtually empty when we went so there seemed to be many table choices. Unfortunately we were given a booth, which we did not want, and when we asked for a round table or other table we were told no. It was not until we were walking out to go to the restaurant next door were we given a different table. The waiter was not attentive and didn't seem to know the menu. When we asked for something or a question he would disappear for 15 minutes or so. We were literally sitting at the table without ordering for over 1/2 an hour. Fortunately they did at least bring us water. This service continued throughout the meal. Do not think I need to return :(

    Swordfish
    Patience M.

    Appetizers saved the meal! I would suggest ordering more appetizers instead of opting for a dinner plate. Appetizers ranked in my favorite order 1. Scallops -raw 2.Octopus 3. Mussels and chorizo (not pictured) 4. Oysters Rockefeller All were 4-5 star good. Clam chowder was okay-nothing spectacular. Wedge salad was super fresh. If you were to order a main entree, the swordfish was great and the fried plate was also good (tartar sauce 5/5) but all other entrees were forgettable Service was good no complaints at all.

    Trout Amadine
    Shelley V.

    We dined in on a weekday for lunch and sat by the water. The server was very attentive and provided excellent hospitality. The view of the boats was calming and the weather was perfect for outdoor dining. The fresh sourdough bread and butter they brought out while we looked over the menu was tasty. For our entrees, we ordered the fried seafood platter with fries and the trout amandine with scalloped potatoes and green beans. Our food was brought to the table shortly after ordering. Everything was delicious and the portions were generous. We will definitely return. It was a great spot for the food and views.

    Adele M.

    Have been here many times and always have fabulous food & service. The views are amazing of the Newport harbor. Today my server was excellent told me they had added gumbo to the menu again ; being from New Orleans. I decided that I should try it. I have to admit it was very tasty. It had awesome andouille sausage in it shrimp chicken, okra, and tomatoes which I don't normally put in my gumbo. The gumbo was outstanding. It was a large enough bowl. I will have four meals out of it. the cost was $32 but since I'm gonna get five meals out of it, that's pretty good price for gumbo. They have the best sourdough bread, and I had a order of calamari, which was delicious.

    Cup of Clam chowder soup
    Gambit H.

    The Bluewater Grill was the perfect spot for dinner after we visited the New Port Pier. We were seated immediately and dined outside. They serve complimentary sourdough bread with butter. I ordered the cup of New England chowder soup. My husband ordered the fisherman's platter and we had some calamari. Everything is fresh. The swordfish is caught fresh. I like that they kids meals was served in cute bento boxes and with fresh fruit. Our waitress, Woody, was so professional and attentive.

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    3 months ago

    Great food, great service! We always enjoy our meals at Bluewater! Sit outside if available and take a little walk by the water after.

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    20 days ago

    I love this place. I have been coming for years. Everybody is so nice. We could take our dog out on the deck. It is really chill.

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    Attentive service, quiet patio table and lovely lunch. Really enjoyed our Sunday lunch. Will be back

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    Page 1 of 62

    Bluewater Grill Seafood Restaurant Newport Beach Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Bluewater Grill Seafood Restaurant Newport Beach

    Is there a sport screen to watch baseball?

    Yes

    Is the full menu available on Sunday for brunch?

    Yes, in addition to our brunch menu, the full menu is available on Sundays.

    Is there a parking lot, or just street parking?

    As of Feb 2023, the valet parking is $6.

    What is corkage charge at Bluewater Grill?

    We have complementary corkage on the 1st two 750 mL bottles. $10 after that

    Do they have King Crab Legs?

    The wholesale market for king crab legs is so expensive that we have decided not to feature them because we would have to sell them for too much and we don’t think it’s worth it. When the market comes back down we will bring back on our menu.

    Can I make reservations for April 30?

    They take reservations so it should not be a problem

    Are they opened on Christmas?

    We close Christmas and Thanksgiving! So sorry…open tomorrow!

    Do you open Xmas or New Year?

    Closed Xmas day, open NYE!!!

    Is it dog friendly?

    Yes

    Is there a kids menu?

    Don't subject your kids to this place. Go somewhere else.

    Is there a kid menu?

    Yes

    Going there with few ladies on Friday. I'm most impressed with that one waiter a customer wrote about, Luke and what a conscientious server he is. Are the rest of the servers just as engaging?

    We feel that all our servers have great personalities and are conscientious. We will give Luke a shout out and if you want to request him upon arrival and he is working we can seat you in his section!!

    Hi! Do you take reservations?

    Go to our website, ww.bluewatergrill.com and you can make reservations.

    Is there outside seating and ocean views?

    Yes. They have an outside patio overlooking the bay and tables on the dock.

    What are the vegan options?

    I'm not exactly sure what their vegan options are but I know they have a lot of fantastic salads and they're really good about custom making orders.

    How munch is the Brunch, this Sunday Sep 9 its my daughter's Birthday, do you ofer something especial for B-days?..do you have a Champagne Brunch or corkage fee?

    https://www.bluewatergrill.com/locations/newport-beach#menus. All of their menu options and prices are listed here. This is for the Newport Beach location. See the website for other locations.

    Is the patio dog friendly?

    Yes! You can't reserve a table outside, but if you arrive early for lunch or dinner, you won't have trouble getting in with your pooch!

    Do you offer brunch?

    Yes! Our brunch is on Sundays from 10-2

    What is the corkage fee?

    Hi Jerry, The first two bottles are free and it’s $10 for every bottle after that.

    View All 21 Questions

    Palmilla Cocina y Tequila - Lobster  Tacos

    Palmilla Cocina y Tequila

    4.4(1.1k reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$$

    10/10 Most…read moreimportantly: Oliver @ the bar made this is most memorable experience. All of the cocktails and margs we had were delicious! The hand made tortillas with salsas was such a great and unique choice! Someone finally realized that as delicious as they are, eating that many fried tortillas in one setting can't be good ...Oh! And that honey butter. Divine. Fruit margs, spicy margs, every single one of them is PERFECTION. Make sure you upgrade to Ocho blanco (trust me it will save you a hangover)... Shared the carne plate with chimichurri with asparagus and spanish rice...so flavorful and delicious. Large portion and perfectly cooked. Seabass ceviche was spot on and the plantains were next level. Music, ambience, people and vibes were just POSITIVE. New favorite Newport spot...I mean seriously, what other place has a motorized ceiling that opens at sunset hour? Take my money.

    Called in a last minute order about 15 minutes before the kitchen closed; ordered the filet mignon…read moretacos, the filet quesadilla, sides of refried beans and Spanish rice, the churros, and the flan for dessert. I appreciated that the quesadilla was super cheesy, it was a great size too and was perfect as an entree with the beans and rice. I was very happy with the flavor of the beans, you could tell they were cooked with a lot of love! The tacos were delicious as well, the roasted salsa was slightly smoky with a good jalapeño flavor, the meat was tender, and the tortillas had a great chew. The churros are not to be underestimated- they were thick and fluffy, and the dipping sauces were perfect accompaniments. The flan was the super star of the whole night for me- genuinely the most perfect, custardy, unctuous flan I've ever had. The vanilla bean specks throughout gave it such flavor, there wasn't a ton of syrup but it honestly did not need it. There is absolutely nothing that could have improved that flan. Will definitely come back, hopefully dine in and try a few drinks!

    Photos
    Palmilla Cocina y Tequila - Bar and dining room

    Bar and dining room

    Palmilla Cocina y Tequila - Ceviche Tres Maneras

    Ceviche Tres Maneras

    Palmilla Cocina y Tequila - Inside decor

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    Inside decor

    Fable & Spirit - Flatbread

    Fable & Spirit

    4.2(856 reviews)
    0.3 mi
    $$$

    My husband and I sat out on the patio with our small dog. The staff was friendly and even offered a…read morewater bowl for our dog. It was nice to sit outside and people watch, and the food was delicious!

    After several trips to the LA area and countless recommendations, I finally made it to Fable &…read moreSpirit, and it definitely lived up to the hype. The restaurant has a warm, inviting atmosphere with a beautiful design that strikes a nice balance between upscale and comfortable. It's the kind of place where you can settle in and enjoy a leisurely meal. We started with the roasted bone marrow, which was pure indulgence. I spread that rich, nutty, buttery goodness over the crispy toast points, and every bite was better than the last. Next came the prawns. The chefs did an outstanding job highlighting the natural umami from the shrimp head before the sweetness of the corn and shallots blended perfectly with the tender, succulent shrimp. It was a dish that kept evolving with every bite. The smoked short rib was the star of the meal. I asked for the sauce on the side, but it was clear the meat had already been cooked sous vide with the sauce, allowing those deep, savory flavors to fully penetrate every bite. The result was an incredibly tender short rib that practically melted in my mouth. Absolutely delicious. From the welcoming ambiance to the thoughtfully executed dishes, Fable and Spirit delivered a memorable dining experience. I'll definitely be making a return visit the next time I'm in the area.

    Photos
    Fable & Spirit - Massive wine selection

    Massive wine selection

    Fable & Spirit - The Ritual.  My favorite. So smooth.

    The Ritual. My favorite. So smooth.

    Fable & Spirit - Bell pepper cocktail

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    Bell pepper cocktail

    Pioneer - Transfusion...sooo good!

    Pioneer

    4.6(212 reviews)
    4.0 mi
    $$

    We made a reservation at Pioneer and really enjoyed this little spot! It's tucked inside a diner,…read moreso it can be a little hard to find at first, but it's just inside the back patio area with a cute wooden saloon-door entrance. The space is small, cozy, and intimate with just a few tables. Our waitress was super friendly and took the time to explain the menu and different options to us. - Guava Y Queso (4.5/5): I loved this! It was really unique with the cream cheese topping, but the combination worked so well. Definitely a fun spot for cocktails and something a little different!

    Lets try this again since my original review was removed…read more The night was going great. We just had dinner near by and decided get drinks here. We've been here a few times before and always thought it was decent. So, we made the last minute reservation online and got here 15 minutes early. When we arrived, there was a short line, but per the reservation instructions, one of my friends went in to check in while we waited outside. Friend: Hi, I'm checking in for a reservation. Bartender: What time is your reservation. Friend: 10 Bartender: What time is it now? Friend: 9:45 Bartender: Then I'll see you at 10pm. Friend came back annoyed and explained what happened. The bartender didn't say it in a joking way, but with attitude and annoyance. Most staff would respond "Thank you for checking in, we will let you know when your table is available." We weren't going to let this ruin our night, so we waited and were seated by the hostess. The bar itself is dimly lit and very tight. The music was loud enough that we had to almost yell to hear each other. The waiter came by soon after and was extremely friendly. We said we'd been here a few times before, but it's been a while. He refreshes our memory by saying they specialize making variations of classics. They want customers to focus on the flavors and that's why the menu doesn't list the spirit in their drinks. Also, they only make drinks on the menu because their drinks are prebatched/premade. We ask for recommendations which he was happy to give. We each order a drink and a snack for the table. As we're talking (very loudly so we can hear each other), we lose track of time before we realize that it's been 20 minutes and we haven't gotten our drinks yet. For something that's prebatched, it shouldn't take long. Before we can flag down the waiter, he comes by and apologizes that they lost our order and had to put it back in. We appreciate the honesty and say it's no problem. 5 minutes later, our drinks and food arrives. He again apologizes for the wait and has a second order of our food that he's including for free. Honestly we were ok with just the apology, but extra food too? Hell yea. Sounds like it was turning around. The drinks were okay. Not amazing, but definitely above average 3.8 / 5. The snack, bread and butter, were surprisingly good. 4.5 / 5 When we asked for the check, the waiter brought the credit card reader and told us we can swipe our card any time and left it on our table. We look at the bill and realize the waiter not only gave us the 2nd snack for free, but comp'd 2 of the drinks also. We all agree this waiter is GREAT. So why the 2 stars? Well first let me say, I would leave it at 1 star, but the waiter definitely earned them another. We wanted to pay cash, so we waited for him to come back. Instead, the original rude bartender comes by and realizes we haven't paid yet. We ask if we can pay with cash. He explains that they don't accept cash. Friend: Are you sure? *Proceeds to try to insert cash into the chip reader slot* Bartender: You're pretty stupid, aren't you? Friend: Maybe if I swipe it instead *Doubles down and proceeds to swipe the cash through the magnetic strip reader* Bartender: Wow, you really are stupid. My friend is a 100% a goofball and having fun with the bartender. It was OBVIOUS that he was joking. Was it funny? A little. Was it stupid? 100%. But for the bartender or ANY customer service staff to call a paying customer "stupid", that's simply unacceptable. We're all pretty pissed at this point and simply swipe the card and the bartender leaves. As I said earlier, we've come here a few times. We don't live especially close, but when we're in the area, we would always consider coming here. Now, there's no chance. For any business, even if your drinks and food are great, customer service can easily DESTROY your experience and that's exactly what the bartender did. Note to the male bartender with no hair: You really shouldn't be interacting with customers. You were rude from the start and have no sense of humor. Could you be having a bad day? Sure, but that's not an excuse to be rude to customers. I know management saw my original post because it was removed, probably because I referred to the bartender by his hairstyle (or lack thereof) multiple times. If they rather remove my post than deal with their bartender, that's another sign to avoid this place.

    Photos
    Pioneer - Sourdough bread

    Sourdough bread

    Pioneer - EL CAPITAN Grape Leaf * Soft Herbs * Pomegranate Summer 2026

    EL CAPITAN Grape Leaf * Soft Herbs * Pomegranate Summer 2026

    Pioneer - New york sour, in the fall menu

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    New york sour, in the fall menu

    Playa Mesa - Plato del Patron. Roasted Jidori chicken, confit spare ribs, cesina, chile toreados, pico de gallo, ceboilltas, papas bravas & refried beans

    Playa Mesa

    4.4(3.5k reviews)
    1.4 mi
    $$

    Late review but I felt like I should leave this here just in case people are wondering cause if…read morethey closed down cause of the food quality. -- Came back to Playa Mesa for my friend's birthday. The chips and salsa were really good. The aguachile had a nice spicy flavor that made it stand out. The queso fundido was SO good super cheesy, and paired with the handmade tortillas it was one of my favorites. We also ordered the calamari and I was surprised by how good it was. Everyone ordered different rounds of cocktails throughout the night and honestly, not one missed. Service was a little slow, but it was a busy Friday night, so that's somewhat expected. I've been here before and the grilled octopus tacos and carne asada burrito were just as good as I remembered them. They also made the birthday celebration really cute. They sang happy birthday, brought out a small ice cream, and gave my friend a big mariachi hat. Good food, great drinks, and still consistent as I remembered it. So long Playa Mesa. 9.5/10

    Playa Mesa has a great atmosphere with beautiful aesthetics. In the evening, the open windows…read morecreate a nice breeze, though they do let a few flies in. The hostess was friendly, and our server was funny and kind. He was a little less attentive as it got busier, but the staff worked well as a team, so we never had to wait for refills or anything we needed. Parking in the back can be a little tight. The birria tacos were packed with flavor, and I loved the inside-out cheese crust. My husband's fajitas were flavorful, although the chicken was a little overdone. The guacamole was excellent, especially with the pepita seeds adding great texture. Overall, we enjoyed the flavorful food, service, and atmosphere. We'd definitely come back!

    Photos
    Playa Mesa - East Side Sunset

    East Side Sunset

    Playa Mesa - The eastside cocktail - all the drinks here are delish!

    The eastside cocktail - all the drinks here are delish!

    Playa Mesa - Lovely interior...

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    Lovely interior...

    Bluewater Grill Seafood Restaurant Newport Beach - seafood - Updated September 2026

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