Exceptional experience tonight. Found restaurant on open table but decided to just drop in, was seated immediately. Sam our waiter was very attentive. Food was good value and excellent. The manager checked in with us which elevated our evening. I would highly recommend!! read more

Hook & Anchor in Costa Mesa just hits. Oysters on the half shell were super fresh and clean. Then the lobster roll stole the show. Pure, generous, and ridiculously good. Fresh seafood, no pretension. Go for the oysters and that lobster roll. read more

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Got a lobster roll ($50) and pasta. The most expensive lobster roll I've ever had. Both dishes were bad. Bad service. The place was empty. And prices are really high read more

Great concept with a minimal menu focused primarily on seafood. The standout of our experience was our waitress she was knowledgeable, engaging, and did an excellent job describing and recommending menu items, which made us excited to try them. Unfortunately, the food itself didn't live up to the presentation. The lobster bisque was only room temperature, and I prefer my food served hot. The ceviche was average and didn't stand out in any way. The lobster roll had good flavor but was also served at room temperature, which took away from the experience. The host was not particularly warm or welcoming, and the restaurant serves Pepsi products, which is a personal downside for me since I prefer Coke. Overall, it was a decent meal, but nothing memorable enough for me to add to my regular dining rotation. read more

This was a solid lobster roll! There was plenty of lobster pieces within the roll itself. My only complain was that I felt like it was a bit too buttery for my liking, especially since they also give you a side of melted butter for dipping. The inside is very cute and nautical themed, and overall the service was solid and quick. read more

Hook & Anchor - 4 oz Lobster Roll - Seafood Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Finally was able to try this place. Kept driving by it when we have water polo tournaments in Newport. Outdoor seating is nice, especially when the weather is sunny and it's not too hot. Inside is spacious. Loved the Aqua colored glass chandelier. They have a great cocktail menu! I wish I had time to enjoy a drink because they looked good when I saw a waiter delivering drinks to other tables. Our server, Abbie, was gracious and friendly. She was attentive to us and to all her other tables. Never skipped a beat on what part of the meal her customers were at (ordering, mid-meal, refills, dessert, paying, etc.) We ordered: A bowl of clam chowder - creamy and flavorful. Good amount of clams. A side salad - my hubby and I couldn't agree on dressing so Abbie brought both for us on the side. 3-piece fish and chips - crispy fish batter, not too thick. It's mahi-mahi so it's meatier than the typical cod. Fries were perfectly cooked and seasoned. Doused all of this goodness with their malt vinegar. We recommended this place to the other water polo families. Hopefully they stopped by too. I will definitely return! Thank you. read more

Hook & Anchor - Fish and Chips - Seafood Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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My friends and I were craving lobster roll, so we decided to pick Hook and Anchor since it has been on our bucket list to try! We got the lobster mac & cheese, fish & chips, and 4oz lobster roll. The Mac & Cheese was good, but I didn't like the choice of the noodle. The pasta was a bit undercooked, but the lobster was good. The batter for the fish and chips is so good, but the fish was a bit dry. I would def come back for the lobster roll. Lobster was fresh and the brioche bun was buttery! The lobster roll was def the high light! The ambiance was nice! Def a cute date spot for couple to go on a night out. Service was a bit slow for how empty the restaurant was. read more

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Gina was the most attentive & friendly waitress. The food was excellent, fresh & tasted awesome - There were four of us ladies & we all order different entrees - lobster roll, crab cakes, blackened red fish and fish/chips!! We ended our meal with a warm bread pudding topped with ice cream with fresh fruit. Everything was amazing. There is a full bar & our drinks were scrumptious!! Cutest restaurant with beautiful fish sculptures! - Parking right out front. read more

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Heard they have the best lobster roll in the nation so of course, the little food critic that I am had to come check this place out for myself. They give you the option of either a 4oz or 6oz, priced at $34 and $49. It's a Connecticut style roll made with buttered lobster on a toasted brioche bun. It also comes with a side of fries and you can choose your choice of seasoning, "Chef's way" or "Maine style." The roll is pretty expensive but honestly worth it in my opinion because of how much lobster they pack into it. The brioche bread was perfectly toasted. The lobster was fresh and buttery without making the bread soggy, even after pouring extra melted butter on top. This is definitely the best lobster roll I've had. read more

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Hands down the best lobster roll in the city! This has easily become my go-to spot for fresh seafood and a killer Bloody Mary. The service is always incredibly friendly, and Angel at the bar is absolutely fantastic! Love the relaxing, laid-back vibe here--it's filled with locals who know exactly where to find high-quality seafood. read more

Hook & Anchor - Lobster roll 6 oz - Seafood Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

My foodie adventures friend was hankering for a lobster roll, so we decided to take a drive down to Hook & Anchor to try theirs. Hook & Anchor is nestled in a long shopping strip right along Newport Blvd. There is a nice outside dining area with both bar seating along the wall and a few tables. The inside is medium sized with mostly booths and free standing tables, but there's also a bar (for cocktails or oysters) as well as counter seating that overlooks the patio. The whole space has a cozy and inviting feel to it. Since we arrived just after opening, we were greeted and seated right away. I believe for busier hours, they do take reservations. My friend did indeed order the small lobster roll (listed on the menu as "market price") which comes with a side of fries. She did enjoy her sandwich, doused in melted butter (yum!!), but felt that there was a little too much bread. There were so many delicious thins on the menu, but I went with a lobster taco, a fried shrimp taco, and a side of sautéed seasonal veggies. Portions for all 3 things were perfect. The veggies were fresh and perfectly sautéed. The tacos were generously filled and the first bites required both hands to keep the filling from tumbling out of the corn tortilla. The lobster taco was my favorite: the lobster was sweet, succulent, and perfectly prepared. The fried shrimp taco was tasty, although I was a little disappointed that there wasn't much crunch or crispness to the shrimp. Overall it was a fun outing with good food, great service, and a very welcoming environment. read more

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Came for a late night bite after flying all day. The staff were so friendly and everyone checked in and asked how we're doing. I got the Caprese salad with shrimp and the fish tacos. Everything was delicious. I also got the blackberry lemon drop which was fantastic. I will definitely be coming back and can't wait to try more things on the menu. read more

good food.........best waiter I have had in years in Brandon. Best seafood we have had that is not located in San Francisco........Scallops were incredible........crabcakes were salthy, though...........amazing amount of fish in the ciopinno. I had them put 2 more scallops in the ciopinno and that was well worth it read more

Friday reservation for a party of 6 is not an issue so that's good. The service is also wonderful. Our server was attentive and made sure Al had a great experience. The ambience is "happening" a lot of families and date goers fill the room. Noise around is not bad as you can still carry a conversation with your party. The food... Raw oysters was the best out of all the ones we ordered. The risotto is a no. I found it runny and lacking flavor. The salad is over powering with dressing, masking the freshness of the seafood. Maybe I will ask the dressing on the side for next time. read more

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Was looking for a spot to watch the World Cup and everywhere we went had either no room or the parking was a nightmare. My friend knew of this place so we decided to test our luck and try it out. Lucky for us there were a few spots at the bar which was actually perfect! I got a margarita which was good and pretty strong and we shared the poke and I got the fish and chips and clam chowder which were phenomenal! Definitely going to come back. read more

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I have been meaning to try this place for a while so when my son's auntie wanted to do dinner, we met up. This place is very child friendly thankfully. My son was a bit over sugared with the lemonade we ordered but when he calmed down it was better. They have a published kids menu but they have additional items not on the website available. My son ordered the Mac n cheese but ate 2 bites. Instead, this 4 yr old ate the lobster deviled eggs and calamari fries like they were his last meal. I think it's safe to say he's going to be expensive when he grows up. The poke stack was similarly good as was the Chardonnay I ordered. I have to say a big thank you to staff for being very patient with an over stimulated 4 yr old. I was trying very hard to get him to lower his voice and chill out and yall thought nothing of it. Thank you so much for your kindness. Given this experience we'll have to come back again to apparently give my child his fix of lobster, deviled eggs and calamari fries. But no lemonade! Thanks again! read more

Place is so nice And clear enough to the water that u you can smell it. Service was amazing, staff was really kind and helpful with the oyster selection. Lobster roll was 100/10. Best we've ever had. Clam chowder was 100/10. Best we've ever had also. Monday had a fish & chips special with a cup of clam chowder was delicious too. We also ordered the side of mushroom medley and it was delicious alone but even better topped on the clam chowder. Side of fries were super yum too! Can't wait to come again. read more

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Everything was perfect. Samuel, our server, provided service above our expectations. Kimberly, the restaurant manager, made sure that we got expedited service and the item on the menu that we had come for, the Lobster Roll, which was in short supply. Great service, great ambience and great attention to detail. I'm from Boston, and the lobster roll here is as good, or better than those we get in Boston. We discovered Hook and Anchor a year ago, when we were here for 3 months. We are back for 3 months this summer and will return every time we're in Orange County. The value of the food and experience at Hook and Anchor is exceptional. Highly recommend. read more

Rating: 7.5/10 First time trying Hook & Anchor in Costa Mesa. The space has more of an outdoor seafood shack vibe. Pretty casual and laid-back, though the interior felt a bit warm since there didn't seem to be much AC and it was a hot day. Service was alright, albeit they were pretty busy. Fish & Chips Solid but nothing particularly memorable. The fish was crispy and flavor was standard. but the portion was small. Overall around a 7.5/10 dish. Ceviche Similar story here. Fresh and enjoyable, but it didn't really stand out compared to other ceviches. Good, just not especially memorable. Lobster Roll Definitely the highlight of the meal. Comes with a generous amount of lobster, and the flavor was great. Simple and well executed. Overall, a decent seafood spot with a casual atmosphere. The lobster roll is the standout here, while the other dishes were good but fairly standard. read more

Hook & Anchor - Ceviche - Seafood Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Love that the Costa Mesa location is open for lunch, for the Best clam chowder, this side of the Mississippi! Their Dana Point location won the cities chowder cook off, so I was excited to find, it's consistent / of the same quality in Costa Mesa! Bravo Hook & Anchor Now if Dana Point would open for lunch, my tummy would be very happy read more

Hook & Anchor - Chowder Bowl - Seafood Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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I ordered the 6oz lobster roll chef style with the aoli on the side to dip my fries in. I was disappointed in the amount of lobster- it was very tiny peices and mostly bread. Compared to the other person in my party who had big pieces of lobster and it was very full of lobster. I also noticed the lobster was very chewy. I don't think I truly got 6oz of lobster that I paid for, the look of it seemed like 4oz read more

This sure is a good find in costa mesa area! My family and I went from a whale watching trip and craved for seafood brunch place and whoa their calamari fries no joke but so gooood! Everything we ordered was top notch amazing! Service was great too, Alma our server was prompt in taking our orders, refilling our water and with her wonderful smile . The Ambiance was homey and relaxing for a 11am time-- love their seats too very comfy We will definitely come here again.. they had full bar too. read more

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Solid place to get a lobster roll in SoCal (probably one of the few places in OC). It comes with fries but they were okay and I found them a bit much. Interior is interestingly decorated. read more

Heard so many great things about Hook and Anchor so I had to try for myself. My husband and I came in during happy hour (25% off all menu items)started with the lobster deviled eggs-what a delight! We followed up with chef choice oyster plate! WOW! What a great experience! Followed by the fish plate with mushrooms medley! Get the caper sauce! Also ask for Mia. She made a killer margarita! read more

Hook & Anchor - Margarita with house made with cilantro, lime and cucumber - Seafood Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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I've tried many lobster rolls during my trip to Maine and I can say the lobster rolls at Hook & Anchor is on par with and better than most lobster rolls I've had in Maine. The lobster rolls is definitely a must order!! It is so good!! worth every penny. I love that the lobster rolls come out hot, the lobsters are cooked in butter and season to perfection. The brioche bun is nicely toasted on both side with a nice pillowy center. The lobster rolled is served with the same butter that it is cooked in, and comes with season fries. Definitely one of the best lobster rolls I've had. I did come on their 2 year anniversary, so the lobster rolls were only $22 for 4oz. The clam chowder cup was also good. The fresh shucked oysters are definitely a must order as well. read more

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Had this place bookmarked forever and finally made it happen. It's in the same plaza as Elixir: the boba speakeasy (fun little pre- or post-dinner stop). From photos I was expecting a super casual, toss-the-peanut-shells-on-the-floor kind of place but it ended up being way more charming than that. Chill, cozy, low key romantic Friday night energy, especially with the plush booth we lucked into. FOOD Grilled octopus - 7.5/10 Really enjoyed this. The frisée was great and added a nice bite. Wasn't obsessed with the bed of beans but overall solid. Cauliflower steak - 6/10 I was so excited for this one. The cauliflower itself was cooked beautifully and the mushrooms were tasty but wow...way too much oil on the bottom. Like, drowning. It got hard to eat after a few bites. I'd try it again but would 100% ask for less oil next time. Half dozen oysters - 8/10 We did 2 of each variety. All were fresh, clean, and delicious. No complaints here. Seared scallops - 9/10 Best dish of the night, hands down. Perfectly cooked, sitting on a bed of mushrooms that were amazing, with a lemon caper sauce that totally worked. Fries were ok. CORKAGE - $20 We brought our own champagne. They brought out properly chilled glasses which I really appreciated. SERVICE We had Sam. She was friendly and pleasant, no issues. PARKING Easy and free, right out front. Overall, a great spot for a relaxed date night or a nicer dinner without feeling stuffy. A few tweaks (looking at you, cauliflower oil situation) but definitely somewhere I'd come back to. read more

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We tried the Calamari and the Shrimp Po Boy, both were delicious; as well as the Espresso Martini We sat outside which was nice because it's close enough to the water to get a good breeze and it was incredibly hot out today but felt perfect. While the food and ambiance was great, giving 5 stars because our server Gina was absolutely incredible. She was personable, on top of everything, and just overall gave us such a wonderful experience. We walked away talking about the food being great but couldn't stop talking about Gina. read more

Hook & Anchor - Shrimp Po'boy Sandwich - Seafood Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Fresh fish perfectly prepared and packed with flavor is found here. My ceviche was not only visibly beautifully, it was perfection. Yes you can taste freshness. The mahi fish and chips were the best I've ever tasted. Crispy, not greasy, tender pieces of mahi perfectly paired with tartar sauce and/or malt vinegar. The french fries were hot and crispy just as they should be. Kat, our server was friendly and attentive. Thank you Kat. Lastly, thank you Chef for your skillful preparation of these fresh and tasty meals. I'm hooked. read more

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If you're looking for a loaded lobster roll, Hook and Anchors is where it's at! They're known for their "Fan Fave" Lobster Roll filled with your choice of 4oz or 6oz of fresh Maine lobster meat in a toasted brioche bun. You also have the option to get it Chef's way "saucy" which includes a Lemon Sriracha Aioli. You can also get it on the side, and it makes a great french fry dipping sauce! We also got Newport's Finest Salad which is great for seafood lovers. It has lobster, crab grilled shrimp, tomato, cucumber, and avocado. You get a choice of dressing, but I definitely recommend the cilantro dressing! Hook & Anchors also offers brunch on weekends! I really enjoyed their Crab Cake Benedict. It's two English muffins with a crab cake on each, poached, egg, hollandaise sauce, and a side of homestyle potatoes. They also have a Lobster Benedict which our server highly recommended we try next time! Service was friendly and attentive. We arrived on a Sunday at 11am, and it wasn't too crowded, but by the time we left the restaurant was pretty full. The parking lot isn't huge, so plan to arrive a little early to look for parking if you're coming during a peak meal time. read more

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Came to Hook & Anchor for lunch on a weekend, when they also had a brunch menu. It was fairly empty when we came after 12, but got more crowded once 1pm rolled around. Having been to the one in Dana Point and been impressed by their crab cakes, my husband ordered the crab cake Benedict, which came with potatoes. The crab cakes were just as good as we remembered - full of crab and little filler. Less successful was the grilled fish burrito. It had a lot of rice, which made it kind of bland. The fish was good but overwhelmed by the rice. I would have preferred less rice and maybe some beans or slaw to balance out all that rice. Wish it came with a salsa instead of the pico de gallo and spicy crema. Our server was very attentive. I would totally return, but would order something other than that burrito. read more

Hook & Anchor - Grilled fish burrito - Seafood Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Hook and Anchor where do I begin. Was super stoked that this place was open late and some of the most delish seafood! Our waiter was super sweet and nice. Cracking jokes along the way, he also made some pretty spectacular recommendations. Think his name was Alex but he certainly made the night even better! We had ordered the lobster bisque, crab cakes, Spanish octopus that was some of the most tender I've ever had, and then the scallops to split between 5 people. The overall vibe of the restaurant was a dark divey vibe, but stunning restaurant. read more

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On our way home from San Diego and decided to stop by here for a late lunch. We ordered a fried shrimp taco, clam chowder in a sourdough bowl and tuna poke, all was cooked and seasoned perfectly. Good customer service. If we're ever in this area again will definitely come back! read more

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We have been through Costa Mesa many times over the last couple decades and this year with the loss of Santa Monica Seafood Market and Shuck Oyster Co, I was starting to look for restaurants that could have great oysters selections and lobster rolls. We started with the 4os lobster roll - Maine Style (which I appreciate it they give you three options Connecticut, Maine and Chef's (aioli)). Surprisingly for a 4oz, it was very filling, huge chunk of lobster, roll was perfectly toasted. Fries were also delicious with their seasoning. Restaurant ambiance is a mix of nautical, bar, and what' I'll be coming back for their fresh fish and oysters bar. Service was attentive and friendly. For our restaurants we tried this summer, it is one of top favorites. Definitely glad we tried it and will be back again. read more

Hook & Anchor - 4 oz Lobster Roll - Seafood Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

I was a bit hesitant because the location looked sketchy. But I'm glad I tried it because the service and food were incredible! Our server, Jay Jay, was very kind and sweet. Shared his favorites and recommendations, he was very knowledgeable and patient. Checked in a few times with us, refilling our waters. The food -- was flavorful and delicious. Loved them all but my top favorites would be the lobster mac and cheese and lobster roll. Absolutely loved it! Would definitely recommend. One of the best seafood restaurants in Costa Mesa! read more

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Got the lobster roll and it was spectacular. Lobster was cold and fresh. Buns were perfectly toasted and buttered. Fries were piping hot and had a good crunch. The sauce they provided was also very good. Make sure to be mindful of when dinner time starts because otherwise you won't be able to order food until then. read more

We had no plans and stumbled upon this restaurant. I am not a fish eater and had a salad which was really good. They also have burgers and chicken to choose from. The menu is primarily dedicated to sea food and their choices will not disappoint a sea food lover. The drinks are nice and strong with great texture. My husband had the famous lobster roll. He liked it a lot. The vibe inside is great and our server, Abby, was phenomenal. We had a great experience. We will return on a special occasion and deep dive into the menu. Thanks for a great dining experience! ( Upscale seafood restaurant) read more

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Overall place is good. The star of the food was the lobster deviled eggs. They were seasoned wonderfully. Lots of flavor. The clam chowder was not good and I wouldn't order it again. Felt it lacked seasoning and too many veggies. The service was great though and our waiter was very nice and attentive. My hubby and I shared the 6 oz lobster roll with fries. Food came out at a good pace and they had the NBA finals game on the screens which was nice. read more

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Ordered the chincoteague and kimamoto oysters; the chincoteague are salty and great with the vinegar sauce and the kimamoto have a delicious umami flavor! Ordered the clamp chowder; has a slightly creamy gravy taste and it makes it so good! Like any chowder, anywhere, it could always use more clams. Came out piping hot so it was perfect! The lobster carbonara was so tasty! Super creamy with a subtle taste of egg. Had about 4-5 small chunks of lobster claw. Thr pork cheek was chewy, which i preferred. Ordered the scallops with cauliflower potato puree and coleslaw. The scallops melted in your mouth and were cooked to a point where they was still tender. The cauliflower was pureed very smoothly. The coleslaw had a nice citrus taste. Ordered a couple alcoholic treats, and they were made beautifully. Not overly sweet and well balanced. Our waiter was super friendly and recommended wonderful dishes. The restaurant is dim and has some really neat light fixtures. Definitely gives a nautical vibe. read more

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Service is great. Although they were not open yet, they still asked the chef if he was ready and willing to make my order, so they did! I love the service, very nice and attentive! I love the food, very fresh and amazing. I always get my fish and chips here, it's just the best, all the time! They have awesome indoor and outdoor seating, but I took my order to-go. Parking is easy here too. Definitely try the fish and chips, that Mahi Mahi is so good!!!! read more

This place is pretty pricey, but it's for good reason. The food is so good here! I literally just ate here and the food was amazing. In fact, it was hard to choose what to eat because everything on the menu looked good. But I ended up with the fish sandwich and it was very delicious and fulfilling. Plus the staff was nice and welcoming. I would recommend this place to everyone. Next time I am in town, I will come back for more. read more