We visit circle hook about 3 times a month. It is definitely our go-to. Delicious food, beautiful food, great ambiance, and super friendly staff. Some of the best grilled salmon I've had - and I eat grilled salmon somewhat often. We always order fish & chips, their poke bowl (always so fresh & delicious), seafood chowder (not too creamy, one of the best seafood chowders I've had) and the Thai coconut clams & mussels which come in a curry sauce. The clams & mussels are great for sharing! My stomach is growling writing this review. I've also had the chef's tataki which is light and delicious. I've never tried the lobster roll but a friend did. If any dish might need some improvement, it might be this one. HIGHLY RECOMMEND read more

We had the fish and chips, fried pickles, cod fish tacos, and most delicious salmon sashimi with avocado

Collette, Kailey, Josh, Skylar, and Natalie are the best. Love seeing them there as they provide great service and keep the restaurant clean. Love the Cajun fries. read more

Today was the first time we went to Circle Hook for lunch. We ordered the fish and chips and the fried shrimp plate. The fish and chips portion was way too small for the amount charged. The fish resembled two chicken nuggets which was kind of disappointing. The shrimp plate was a good portion and tastier than the fish. We always go to Malibu Seafood for Fish and Chips and hope Circle Hook can take a page out of their book. Location is wonderful though and hope the portions would have too. read more

If you're a fan of Bear Flag Fish then this is a natural progression to visit as it's from the same owners. I actually like Circle Hook better. The location is in Lido (Newport Beach) overlooking the water. There is outdoor counter seating that overlooks the water and boats which is pretty cool. The halibut banh mi sandwich I had was outstanding. It comes on a nice french roll and a side of house made french fries. This along with their seafood lobster and crab chowder, has me wanting to go back ASAP. I'm not the biggest fan of seafood so for me to say their sandwich and soup have me thinking of a near future visit says a lot. You order at the counter and they bring the food to you. Service was friendly and prompt. I can't wait to go back! read more

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This is most definitely the best fresh shrimp cocktail...fresh shrimp I've ever had. Oysters were great! Especially the Grilled Buffalo Bluepoint Oysters! Yum, yum, yum! read more

Circle Hook Fish - Shrimp Cocktail - Seafood Near Me - Newport Beach, California

I've never felt more unwelcome at a restaurant, even in less cosmopolitan parts of the country. I'll refrain from saying why, but I'm sure you'll be able to read between the lines. Let's start with the service. Brusque would be a kind way to describe it - realistically, it was rude and dismissive. After we sat down and started eating, the service staff, even at this order-at-the counter restaurant, was kind and attentive in stopping by to check on other diners, asking if they needed anything. One to the left of us. One to the right. But not us. Three times. I won't even go deep into the ordering experience, which was openly contemptuous. Let's talk about the food. I ordered their Ultimate Fry, hoping to try some of their more popular items. Fish, shrimp, onion rings, and fries. The fish and shrimp were incredibly bland. I can safely say I've never actually added salt to a dish before, but this needed it badly. On the plus side, the fish was tender and the batter was light, airy, and crunchy. But go to any dingy fish and chips place in a mini mall and you'll enjoy about a million times more actual flavor. Their fries seemed like your standard "from frozen" variety with a good amount of fry seasoning, and the onion rings might've been the highlight of an otherwise dismal platter, with similarly light and crispy batter -- cooked perfectly where the entire onion doesn't come ripping out with your first bite. Still, the actual seafood was a massive disappointment, and I could not wait to get out of there, after being made to feel like a fish out of water. I've been on this Earth for more decades than I'd like to admit, and even after having grown up in Huntington Beach (you know what I mean), I've never, ever been made to feel like more of an outsider. If they don't want me there, I'll be sure to never go back. Really sad after having read that this place has the best fish and chips in OC (it's just not even close.) read more

The food is delicious and very fresh. The location is on the dock with a nice view. I recommend the calamari fries and Baja fish tacos.

My wife and I have been here twice and both times left feeling like we wasted our time and money. This place is the sister restaurant of Bear Flag Fish Company, which we love, so we made the incorrect assumption the same quality of food would exist here as well. Not the case. Also, while having only been there two times, in both cases we had an item of our food take so long that we had to cancel and go seek a refund at the register. The only thing I will say is that the FOH staff are all friendly and seem to care that everyone has a great meal/time. It is just a shame the BOH can't deliver. read more

Totally in love with this place. What a great relaxing spot right by the water. The food was delicious! We tried the lobster bisque (which is a must) along with the Shrimp Po'Boy. I got the house Chardonnay and my husband got beer. We can't wait to go back it's definitely a new favorite spot for us. read more

Circle Hook Fish - Seafood Near Me - Newport Beach, California

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We came here on a Friday evening and found a great atmosphere to catch up with friends. It was a casual yet classy setting that is not always easily accomplished. The food was great, service impeccable, and view priceless. Our friends last minute wanted to stop by and the staff was very accommodating to get them food just before their kitchen closed. I will definitely return soon. read more

We love to come here for fish and chips, use to paying 13$ on the menu stated, and last time we were surprised to be charged 20 $ for it and got about half the amount fried to a over fried crisp, mostly fried batter and served with a runny slaw which was 2/3 of the plate very disappointed read more

We had the calamari and Unicorn Juice draft beer. All I can say is it was excellent! Our server was Bella and she did a great job!

Service was very good, ambiance was great, but it's worth noting the lobster roll is crawfish, not lobster. It was ok... mostly dry. And again, not truly a lobster roll. Chowder was decent, calamari fries were good. read more

Right on the water! What a great experience! Joel and his team are fantastic! The music and food were amazing!! I will be telling all of my friends where to go for a great time !! We will be back ! read more

Have to knock a star down for the service on the most recent visit. This past Saturday, my friend and I came here around noon. The patio was full so we took a seat on the bar inside, which was completely empty. We ordered two beers, 1/2 dozen of oysters, 2 rolls and a soup. Food came out quickly, but not the beers or the oyster. We didn't want to start our food without the beer, and we were sure they would bring out the rest of our order shortly. 10 minutes later, we haven't gotten the rest of our order, and no one checked on us, or gave us anything indiction that our missing order was coming. So we finally asked for the beers, and they completely forgot. The oysters still haven't came. So we started eating, thinking the oysters would come soon. Well they didn't, and we had already finished all our food. So we asked about the oysters and the girl staff said curtly "we are really understaffed, he is working on it right now' and hurried away. No apology. We eventually got the oysters, and food here was still good, but the service today was disappointing. read more

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This is a cute little hidden place. My wife and I both had poleboy sandwiches that were good. The bread was a little over toasted but still good nonetheless. And sitting outside with a view of the harbor is great too. read more

Circle Hook Fish - Great view of the bay - Seafood Near Me - Newport Beach, California

Came during Newport Beach restaurant week. Online it said it was $20 but in the store it was $25. They were very nice to honor the price online. Small little shop so make sure to come on a sunny, nice day. Great place to chill & eat. I had the ceviche (very freshly), homemade chips, and the chowder was amazing!! Creamy and chunky, yum!! I got the red snapper bahn mi. My friend got the peppers, chowder & red snapper as well. Everything was fresh! So glad I now know about this place! read more

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Visited this place from out of state. The location was nice, staff friendly and quick. The food was delicious. We had the chance to talk with the manager, Joel, nice guy. He over heard we were from out of state and be came over, spoke with us and offered some sight seeing suggestions. We went back and ate there 3/5 days of our stay!! Worth the visit, hands down!! Thanks for the great food and hospitality Joel! We WILL return!!! read more

Amazing food. Fresh without the weird preservative taste that most restaurants are plagued with. The lobster roll and seafood chowder is the best in the are. read more

Yikes, super disappointing. Came with a bunch of family and ordered a bunch of dishes and the best thing to come out of it was a side of fries, which says a lot considering this place is all about local, fresh seafood. The absolute worst of the bunch was the ceviche which had no flavor whatsoever. It was like eating chunks of nothing floating in a bowl of water and lime. Baaaaaad. Seafood gumbo had decent flavor but was gloopy in texture like cornstarch was spilled into it. Thai mussels and clams were room temperature. Crab chowder reminded me of Yoplait yogurt?? On the plus side, the environment is nice and you'll feel real Newport Beach-y eating here. read more

Had our lunch here recently. We enjoyed the view! Amazing food. Service was good. Will definitely visit again read more

Circle Hook Fish - Seafood Near Me - Newport Beach, California

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I have changed my rating to one star from last time. Something told me I needed to try the fish and chips so I was in the area and went back today. SIDENOTE: They must have fired the pretty bartender....and hired her brother because he is just as lame! Read on.... I ordered the fish and chips and the menu says it comes with 2 sides. I was asked which 2 I wanted so I said cole slaw and grilled veggies. "You can only have one - the chips count as a side" WTF Then why call it fish and chips with 2 sides? Why not just call it deep fried battered fish and pick your sides? So I ordered it and the bill was $16.19 I gave him $21.25 Why you ask. Do the math. I wanted a $5 bill back as I already had a bunch of $1s. Yep...he comes back with 5 $1 bills. "Dont you have a $5?" I asked. I do, I just thought you wanted some $1s - maybe to tip. God help people that are mathematically challenged. If I wanted $1s, I would have asked or just used the ones I had in my hand. There were only a couple people there but my order still took a lot longer than it should have. I finally see it come to the window....but my bartender / server doesnt even notice. After about 5 minutes I asked a girl that works there if those are my fish and chips. She bags them and brings them to me. She puts everything in...but lemons. Whatever. I got them to go and when I got back to my office ate one of them and threw the other 2 out. I wonder how often they change their oil. If you have ever been to Vegas by Paris, Gordon Ramsey has a fish and chips place where the fish is lightly battered and light and airy - and they go through 1000 a day and are consistent. This place they were overcooked and tasted like old oil. The fries and coleslaw were pretty good tho. I honestly hope they contact my to invite me back on the house....so I can turn them down as I would not go back there even for free. read more

First time here. And it will not be my last. Lobster Roll was good. But the Seafood Chowder was evening. Chow for now read more

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Extremely Disappointing! 1 star for food 1 star for price 1 star for seating 2 stars for staff My 2 friends and I wanted to try this restaurant after reading reviews that this place is causal with great fish and low cost. Casual was the only true part. We got there at 7:30 and ordered the lobster roll. They said they ran out of rolls and were not serving sandwiches. We each ordered a starter of the large size of ceviche with black cod fish. It cost $17.99 for 1 cup of bland fish with a couple veggies in a paper cup. We each threw 1/2 away. We each also ordered a side order of roasted veggies. Cost $7.99 for 3/4 cup in a paper cup. Again, nothing fantastic. That's all we had and it cost $25 per person!!! Since most of the seating is counter seating either facing the water or with your back to the water we opted to sit in the breezeway next to the restaurant so 3 people didn't have to sit in a line. We sat at a table that had chairs that were too low for the table. The table came up to our chest. Don't eat here if you don't want to sit in a line. The staff were friendly and came out tell us that the one ceviche would be coming soon. One person got their ceviche 1/2 way through the meal. We had to ask a couple times where it was. Newport Beach has so many wonderful restaurants where you can get a delicious huge meal for $25. I do not recommend this restaurant. read more

Circle Hook is the sister restaurant of Bear Flag Fish Company, which is also located in Lido. They have outdoor seating scattered about, and a small bar area. It's pretty casual - you order at the counter, take a number, and wait for them to bring your food out. You get a nice view of the harbor while eating, which is an awesome bonus. I got the swordfish with coconut coleslaw and fries. Everything was delicious, and surprisingly the coleslaw was my favorite even though I generally don't like coleslaw. The cocktail I got (blood orange margarita) fell flat for me though, and I wish I didn't get one. I'd probably be back to try the oysters and the lobster roll. read more

My husband and i stopped by here today! Let me start with thee lobster bisque! Holy cow! Phenomenal! Soup is my favorite category of food. ThE lobster bisque here May have stole first place. We also had the pleasure of being helped by Bella. She knew the menu and beer on tap. She also happens to know her tim petty music. Can't wait to try more at this gem. read more

I used to come here all the time and it was great. I went yesterday and it has honestly gone down hill so much. I ordered the lobster roll which I've had in the past. The lobster was so tiny...more like langoustine and there was zero flavor. My friend had the seafood chowder and she found a giant hair in it. Also, the server was wearing a mask with a zipper across the mouth and she had it UNZIPPED the entire time which really defeats the point? All in all, I was really disappointed and will not be going back. read more

So disappointed. Ordered a lobster roll and received a crawfish roll, WTF! Please stop false advertising "lobster roll" and state the facts "mostly crawfish roll" read more

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This is one of my favorite spots for relaxing casual lunch. It's located in the Lido Marina Village. Lido is a nice and relaxing place to walk around with little boutiques. I love to seat outside looking at the harbor while enjoying lunch but Circle Hook has very limited seats outside :( According to their servers it's all wild fresh caught but it seems I can't order anything else than their lobster roll and lobster bisque; I am so addicted to these 2 items :)) My only complaint is the bread of my lobster roll was COLD the last 3 times I was there... I am not the kind of person that sends their food back for minor mistakes but I guess I'll have to do it if it continues like that... read more

My husband and I ate here four or five times over our 3 week stay in Newport. Their food is so damn good! Do yourself a favor and try the lobster bisque and banh mi (I had mine with seared ahi!) read more

Honestly... AMAZING, if you're looking for a quick seafood bite with a certain twist COME HERE. I've dined a lot of seafood joints in the OC and this is a definite new top 5. Great service, spectacular view, and delicious grub you can not go wrong here!!! read more

Such a great place! Happened to stumble upon it when in lido marina village and was so impressed! They were still in the process of opening so didn't have a full menu but ended up getting the panko crusted fish and chips and a Pinot and was so impressed. The staff is so friendly and the location/view is killer. Also pretty reasonably priced for where it's at. Would 100% recommend! read more

Circle Hook Fish - Seafood Near Me - Newport Beach, California

I've had this place bookmarked for a while and finally decided to give it a try today. Sad to say I was very disappointed. The worker that initially helped us wearing glasses and a hat was very friendly and helpful. I also noticed our food sitting in the window/pass for a good 5-7 minutes before being brought to us, I assumed they were waiting for the rest of the dishes but nope, the waitress brought those two items sitting there only. Between the two of us we ordered a good variety: Half dozen oysters, 3 Kumai, and 3 Fanny Bay - I personally didn't eat any but my bf said they were decent. He's an oyster lover and always orders fresh oysters when available. Lobster Roll - very disappointed as this was maybe 2 small pieces of claw meat and the rest what looked like to me crawfish but the worker corrected me and said langoustine. There was nowhere mention on their menu nor their photos other yelpers provided. The roll was overly toasted rather than a nice golden brown or caramel, it was burnt. The roll/baguette did not work with this. One of the workers noticed I was disappointed and offered to change dishes but at this point I was a bit over things. Smoked fish platter - I enjoyed this as the two fish options were good, one had a light flavor and the other had the right amount of smoke. Served with sliced baguettes which were also overly charred. Sliced eggs, and pickled veggies. I love the pickled veggie option to this. Calamari - A simple fried calamari fry, but the batter was appreciated as it was not oily. However nothing to rave about, pretty basic. Our lunch along with an IPA for him was around $70+ I believe. I believe the prices are pretty appropriate except for the lobster roll. I don't mind different interpretations of a dish being done differently but their variation did not work. Also noted because it was a chilly day, the food was not hot to us since it sat in the window for so long. Again I assumed at first it was bc they were waiting for the rest of our dishes but those were brought out later. read more

Great food Lil Ian Edward loved the fries and calamari. Can't wait to come back soooooon! read more

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Came here for dinner. Ordered the fish and chips and was very disappointed. The portions were so small like a kids meal size. Way overpriced for the food portions. The fish was good but the fries were very salty. I was still hungry when I left. You're paying for the ambiance. read more

Great food, great service and great location! Shout out to the General Manager Kyle for his warm welcome and positive vibes! Best fried calamari I've ever had, hands down!! read more

I came here for the first time last night and I have to say, this is the best dinner I have had in awhile. It is very casual but the interior is quaint and the view is unbeatable. I sat at the bar and my lovely bartender just made recommendations for me. We started with the oysters, shucked right in front of us and extremely fresh. Also got an order of the mussels and clams in yellow curry sauce. It was outstanding. We got an order of the fish and chips - piping hot and absolutely delicious (it was pretty light for being fried, much better than heavy fried food) and also the seared tuna with asian slaw. There honestly were so many items I wanted to try but I will just have to come back. Service was phenomenal - I am drawing a blank on the bartender's name but I will come back and find out. Do try: 1. Oysters - we had the kumamodos 2. Clams and mussels in yellow curry broth - if you are only getting one item, GET THIS ITEM. It will blow your mind (and honestly I don't even like curry.... but this changed me) read more

You guys rock!! The best crab cakes I have ever had, bate none!! Service needs to work out their quirks, but they are trying!! This place has been slammed, so go light on the service. Food is awesome, so tranquililo your butt! read more

We ordered "To Go": Beer batter fish & chips with garlic fries & coleslaw, crabcakes, seafood chowder & lobster bisque. Total bill came to $50 we felt was the norm. The young guy taking our order was cocky in nature which was irritating. When we brought our "To Go" food home we were seriously disappointed. The only decent item on the whole order where the crab cakes. The beer batter fish and chips had so much batter & was so over-fried in oil with dry cod fish. The Garlic french fries they put in the container was not even enough for a 6 year old in terms of quantity. The coleslaw was a none event with very little seasoning. We ended up throwing it away. The seafood chowder had very little seafood, instead looked & tasted like a bowl of thick flour & milk we also threw away. The lobster bisque tasted better than the seafood chowder but was also way too thick. So.....basically we paid $50 for (2) crabcakes & having to discard 3/4's of our take home food. We live 50 miles north of Lido & wasn't about to drive back & return their food. We chaulked it up as a first & last visit. read more