Great place, food was amazing and great location. Would go back again. Why do I have to have so many characters in a review read more

most probably the worst sushi and most expensive restaurant i have ever eaten at. You are better off getting sushi at the gas station. The fish is all frozen the rolls you better take your magnifying glass with to find them on the plate the size of the portions are for people with eating disorders bulimia who cannot eat more than 2 ounces of food. i wort rebrand it to death by Buddha and expensive as a rolls royce hood figurine. Most probably the worst dinning experience i have ever had besides the beautiful view !!! Overpriced frozen fish great view waste of good money much better choices in newport beach Why would i come back to eat frozen fish i would go to albertsons and buy fish fingers Nicole read more

Newport Beach. In a previous life, you'd find me on the peninsula almost every weekend and some weekdays. Skip to 2024, prior to visiting Buddha's Favorite, I couldn't tell you the last time I was anywhere near here. So, parking hasn't changed. Can be challenging. However, valet is offered and though I don't remember the exact price. I know it beats driving around, hoping and praying you find a spot. I pulled right into the valet lot and handed over my key. Service was great! The team from the get go was awesome. I arrived early and was offered the opportunity to be seated and wait. Since adult beverages are available, didn't take much arm twisting. The team still checked in on me even while I waited for my friend to finally arrive. The server, don't remember his name, was attentive, friendly and informative. Knew the menu and offered suggestions that all panned out. I'd say see pics but Yelp for some reason doesn't do well with posted videos. Go find me on IG if you wanna see. I enjoyed everything I ordered and ate and didn't share. I had Sushi and a two Rolls. And there wasn't an item that I wouldn't order again. If ya know me, I normally do Sashimi but this time I went for Sushi and Rolls. And I'd do it again. The vibe was fun. Learned that I could drive my boat up to the docks and be served on the water. There's some indoor seating along with the Sushi bar but you should dine outside. Especially when the sun is setting. Was a nice setting for a great Sushi experience. read more

See all

Don't bother making a reservation they won't hold the table and you will wait for 45 minutes Edit: No, nicole. we arrived 2 minutes before our reservation. We waited at the host stand for 10-15 minutes before someone came to "check us in". Then we ended up waiting 45-50 past our reservation time. read more

I wanted to love this place! But it just didn't blow me away. The location is cute and right on the water, but I was disappointed a bit with the food and staff. There were only a couple vegetarian rolls on the menu, but at least the appetizers had a decent amount of vegetarian options. I liked the flavor of the garlic edamame, they just weren't spicy, and I liked the tempura green beans and shishito peppers. I ordered a mojito and it barely had any mint and wasn't sweet/felt watered down. This restaurant is loud and very busy, so staff checked on our table pretty infrequently. Parking for this restaurant is valet ($7) so if you don't want to valet, you have to park on the street or somewhere else. read more

See all

Ahhhh! Can i give them 6? Get the hidden gem roll for sure! Get reservation through yelp to make sure you have safe spot! We sat on sushi bar and it was THE experience! The chef is really professional and every single plate we tried was incredible! Parking might be challenging but everything else will make it up for you. Get the hot sake and enjoy your fresh rolls lf sushi! Its more intimate place for party of two , for more bigger parties it will be hard to find a right table! read more

See all

Great food and even better staff! Our whole family found something excellent on the menu!

My husband and I came here for our anniversary dinner on Saturday night & sat outside on the cute little patio. Every thing was amazing, food, service, ambiance. Nicole, the owner took time out of her busy night to sit with us and chat about life. Truly a sweetheart. Definitely recommend making a reservation as it was quite busy. We definitely will be returning. We got the Jamie's crying roll 10/10 & the golden toro which was absolutely amazing read more

Buddha's Favorite - Yellowtail, fatty tuna, wagyu - Sushi Bars Near Me - Newport Beach, California

5/5 Location 3.5/5 Food - very heavy on the sauces. Couldn't tell quality or freshness if fish 3/5 Service - mostly high school or early college kids serving Overall, you pay for the location. The rest is nothing special. read more

This place always gives me the warm home-y vibe of local people! I very enjoyed the casual vibe near the port with an incredible yatch view! The food is standard in a fusion way! I love their decorations in every dishes! Very unique and beautifully well-crafted! We arrived on the weekend so it's very hard to get an outdoor seat and the valet parking could be a challenge since this is the local-fave! However, the warm welcoming from the staff immediately takes away the negative thoughts from us! I would prefer get a table here for the sunset catch rather than Nobu for an affordable meal and way better service! By the way, as a Buddhist/sushi-lover, I freaking love the name of this restaurant! read more

Buddha's Favorite - IG: Belly.around.the.world - Sushi Bars Near Me - Newport Beach, California

See all

Absolute jerks. Tried to squeeze 3 of us at a 2 top high top in a walkway. Wouldn't accommodate at a reasonably sized table so we left. Disgusting service and will never go there. I recommend nobody else does. Been before and food is mediocre anyway. read more

Too crowded, too cramped, feels chaotic. if you want a relaxing dinner, this is not the place. we're like sardines insode. And the service it slow, the food is meh, not good not bad. just meh but overpriced . read more

Service was immaculate. Our server Jason was great and made sure we were taken care of. We also happened to forget something after we left and Nolan helped us so much getting it back even after the place had closed. Lovely people. read more

Service was a bit slow on a busy weekend. Went for my wife's birthday, but the food and drinks were fantastic. Server did well to acknowledge how busy it was and helped us out with a drink on the house. Highly recommend for outside dining and intimate meals when you have longer times to spend. read more

Buddha's Favorite is a fantastic date night spot! The sushi is super fresh, and I highly recommend any of their rolls. But the hidden gem for me was just so unique and my favorite, it's a sushi roll with a hint of truffle flavor--absolutely delicious! read more

Buddhas doesn't just have great food but also amazing service. The dock service is also a major plus. They are all so attentive and friendly. Nicole is the owner is a true gem. Beyond friendly and so accommodating. Can't recommend this spot enough read more

Buddha's Favorite - Sushi Bars Near Me - Newport Beach, California

Jason and Nolan! Amazing service and perfect birthday dinner to celebrate my bestie! Food was delicious, and they were quick to make the birthday surprise so special. Thank you for making it such a great night for us. read more

I've only been to this impeccably-located gem a handful of times, but have yet to be disappointed. Location is definitely Buddha's biggest draw, making its romantic right-by-the-water setting ideal for dates and celebrations. Perhaps even more exciting than the view itself is the feeling of being PART of the view. Solid service and tasty food. Quality-wise, Sugarfish might be the slightest bit better, but Buddha's still holds its own. Must-order items include: -Black Cod "Saikyo Style" -Salmon Candy -Yellowtail Jalapeño roll -I Like It Raw roll -Lollipop roll Bonus points accommodating my dairy allergy without fuss; pescavegan-friendly. read more

Great location, fresh delicious Japanese food and best service Great location, fresh delicious Japanese food and best service read more

Perfect Neighborhood Spot! Buddha's is our favorite local gem in Lido. Everything is incredibly fresh and tasty, and they always have creative rolls that keep us coming back. The casual vibe is perfect for a quick dinner or hanging out with friends, and being right on the water makes it feel special without being fancy. The staff here are amazing - always smiling and genuinely happy to see you. They remember your order and make you feel like family. It's that kind of warm, neighborhood hospitality that makes this place so special. The sushi is consistently delicious and reasonably priced. Buddha's has become our regular spot because it's exactly what you want in a neighborhood restaurant - great food, friendly service, and a relaxed atmosphere where you can just enjoy good sushi by the water. Lido is lucky to have this little treasure.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ read more

The sushi is pretty good and I was pleasantly surprised by the rice-less sushi. Not sure if I caught service on a bad night or if its just kind of like that. They asked us to sit inside even though there were plenty of tables of outside open, even while leaving. Our waitress was not flat out rude just kind of different but toward the end of our visit she was super nice. No big deal. This review is mostly about another waitress who would occasionally drop plates at our table, I believe her name was Kylie. Every time she set a dish down she'd basically ram her arm against my date and reach right across to set it down. Each time without a word. It was not something that could have happened accidentally or in a way where the waitress could not feel how rude she was being. I don't really leave reviews but since I visited I've thought about the service often. read more

This place serves some very unique cut rolls that are just delicious with very beautiful presentation. The rock shrimp appetizer is really tasty as well. Great location! read more

See all

Cute small place right on the water. Very busy but we had good service and the food was fresh and amazing! We sat at the sushi bar because we didn't have a reservation- we will def be coming back! read more

See all

Love the ambiance and setting! The sushi is always great and fresh. Service was fantastic from the tall kid who seated us to the waiter who was on point. Great night and great spot. read more

I visited Buddha's Favorite recently with some friends, and we were all so surprised by how disappointing the experience was. The hosts were lovely when we arrived, and that ended up being the only positive interaction we had with the staff. Once we were seated outside, our server took our order, jotted it down, and then walked away without saying a single word. No acknowledgment, no warmth--just nothing. Every server we encountered had the same cold, unfriendly attitude. It felt extremely entitled and unprofessional, the kind of "Newport Beach vibe" that gives the area a bad reputation. One server in particular kept walking by in an outfit that was just far too revealing. Her skirt was so short that it made our entire table uncomfortable, and she seemed scattered and out of it. It came across messy and inappropriate for a restaurant setting. At one point, we asked a very simple food-related question, and the server just stared at the dish for an uncomfortably long time--maybe thirty seconds--without responding. We all looked at each other like, What is going on? The food itself was just okay. Not terrible, but definitely nothing special, and certainly not worth dealing with the attitude or the lack of professionalism. We had to send one dish back. After reading some of the owner's responses to other one-star reviews, I can't say I'm surprised. The replies come across defensive and extremely rude, which unfortunately matches the culture we experienced from the staff. Beautiful view, but service this poor ruins the whole evening. We won't be returning, and I wouldn't recommend this place to anyone looking for a pleasant dining experience. read more

This is my 3rd attempt to go to this restaurant and I probably lt won't go back. We had reservations when we got there were told our table wasn't ready. We watched multiple people get seated that had the same amount of people we only had 3. When I asked the host he said there wasn't space yet but there were a couple tables wide open. I brought it to his attention he said ok I'll have to get it set up. 30 minutes later we were crammed into a space and it took another 15 minutes for someone to wait in us. read more

Favorite sushi spot in OC. great vibes and views. Perfect date spot. Our favorite is the Salmon Candy.

This little sushi place is in the harbor next to all the big yachts and parking right Smack in the middle of the parking lot . If you make it to the water Grill, just keep going, and you'll end up a Buddha's Favorite . Lots of outdoor dining dog friendly tiny inside restaurant very stuffy If you have your heart set on sushi on a Saturday night, make a reservation this place was packed . The cuts of fish were on the smaller side. , but they were very tasty. Nothing over the top however, I did love their crispy rice with tuna . That was my favorite. We also had a couple bottles of the Junmai sake. A hint of cantaloupe, a hint of banana, and some other fruits mixed together very refreshing. I would recommend if you go try to sit on the patio deck . They do have valet parking. read more

See all

Amazing sushi and ambiance! No better place to have sushi on the water than Buddahs! I recommend making reservations because it gets busy but totally worth it! read more

Ambiance is nice, sunset dinners are so lovely at this establishment. My favorite dish is the crispy tuna rice, the rice is so crispy and they give such a generous amount of fish! Great and delicious options. Love that there's no rice options as well! read more

See all

If I could give this restaurant 10 stars, I would! Nicole has made out it a memorable experience every time we come! We've been here every few months & always choose to spend our anniversary at Buddha's Favorite. The host, staff, & especially Nicole are very accommodating & welcoming. No matter what food we order, everything is so fresh and quick! We try something new everything we visit, but our absolute favorites are: Jamie's Crying, Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice, Stinky Roll, Back Flip, & the spicy garlic edamame! My boyfriend & I have been coming for the last 5 years and can't see us ever going anywhere new in Newport! Thank you Nicole & thank you Buddha's Favorite staff for making our anniversary one to remember. This restaurant is such a Newport exclusive! If you are ever in the area, definitely check this place out! read more

Buddha's Favorite - Sushi Bars Near Me - Newport Beach, California

Great sushi and amazing location on the water. Service was quick and efficient and everything we ordered was great...especially cod

Service and sushi are 10/10! We made a reservation for 9 for our friends visiting and everyone had the best time and meal. Can't wait to go back. read more

Great spot, my family and I were visiting from NY and were looking for a nice lunch spot. Peaceful and food was great. Service was slow even with one other couple being in the restaurant. Bathroom upgrade is needed. read more

Sushi is so yummy and decent prices, right on the ocean and decorated very nice. There was fast service but definitely get a reservation! read more

Buddha's Favorite - bar area - Sushi Bars Near Me - Newport Beach, California

The Restaurant is buzzing with people. The vibe is very positive and happy. The food is the best sushi I've ever had. There is such a variety of tastes and so many different things to try. Everything tastes delicious! read more

Great sushi and service! Came with my family for dinner and picked Buddhas because it was right on the water. We loved all of our rolls. Brittany gave us great service, we were shocked to learn it was her first week. Parking is a bit tricky but we're definitely coming back. read more

I had heard so many rave reviews about Buddha's Favorite, I decided it was a perfect opportunity to check it out when we had a Duffy boat rental. I called ahead to make sure they had room at their dock during our restaurant reservation so it was all set! We got to the tiny, no-frills restaurant on time but the electric boat rental company next door (we had rented from a different company) refused to let us dock. The man was belligerent and the staff at the restaurant were so apologetic. Luckily we found room at the public dock which was a 10 min walk away. Our food was good. Nicely presented. Staff was attentive. Our seating on the outdoor patio overlooking the water was scenic. But there was definitely no wow factor (with the exception of the black cod). Worth a try, but probably won't be back. read more

See all

Sushi quality is good but cant make up for the routinely horrible service and rude "management". I feel bad for the kids they hire who are subject to poor leadership. Most seem burned out by the owners. It is on the docks, so if you are ok watching the boats while you wait a long time at every step of the process then it may be a good fit. Seems to be mostly be frequented by tourists and friends of the owner. Smart diners go elsewhere. So many good options nearby with same quality food and professional management. Update: See owners responses to negative reviews which validates all the negative feedback. At least she's consistent. read more

We used to eat here frequently but haven't been in at least a year. It was our anniversary so we thought it would be a great choice. What a huge disappointment all around! The staff was unprofessional and disengaged. They ignored us for 20 minutes after they sat us, then took a drink order and when we asked another 20 minutes later where our drinks were, she blamed it on the "bartender" who she said sometimes "misses" orders. Strange. It was very loud and didn't feel like the same place at all. We left and celebrated with better food and higher quality staff elsewhere. read more