Penguin Cafe

We had a wonderful dinner experience the other night. Service was excellent, especially Charles our…read moreserver. They had a wide selection of food for everyone. I got the bistro plate which included a petite fillet, salad and soup. At my age, it was a perfect amount of food. My wife ordered the salmon plate, which was really good. Nice piece of salmon with mashed potatoes and an awesome flavored sautéed spinach. We finished it off with a warm butter cake. It was decent. A little dry but still yummy with the vanilla ice cream. Overall, a really good done experience. Definitely will be back.

Excellent dinner for my oldest son's engagement dinner! From the moment we entered with a nice…read morebottle of wine and the manager getting it on ice right away for me, to the sommelier opening the bottle of 2003 Dom and making it fun, to the excellent service by Dominic. Nicks comes through as one of OC's hot spots with a well deserved reputation. I had the Cioppino which was Wow good they loaded it with fish and shellfish. I would 100% order this again. My wife got the piccata which I know is a favorite here. Very well done and a huge portion. We started with the deviled eggs which were not my fave with the deep fried whatever in them. I get it, a crunchy take on the ubiquitous deviled egg. But I'm a purist by nature. One of the better multi chain restaurants in OC. I cannot wait to try the SC location close to my house.

Inside

Chicken piccata

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Boulevardier, top shelf

The Cliff Restaurant

3.9(4.4k reviews)

0.4 mi

Celebrated a large number anniversary a couple of weeks ago, and sunsets were a big deal to us…read more They were so accommodating, making sure we had a great sunset view. The food was terrific. The service couldn't be better. Highly recommend. A quick stop by the Wyland Gallery before hand and the overlook between the two was also great.

We decided to try The Cliff Restaurant & Bar while spending the day in Laguna Beach, and we're so…read moreglad we did! We stopped in for lunch and had such a great experience from start to finish. My husband ordered the Surfin' Cowboy with fries and pepper jack cheese, while my son and I shared the mahi-mahi fish tacos with sweet potato fries. I also had a cup of the clam chowder, and everything was excellent! The food was fresh, flavorful, and cooked perfectly. My husband also enjoyed a Laguna IPA. Of course, the views are what really make this place special. The restaurant sits right above the Pacific Ocean, and the views were absolutely spectacular. It was the perfect setting for a relaxing lunch while enjoying the beauty of Laguna Beach. Our server, Peter, was also wonderful. He was welcoming, very nice, and informative with suggesting menu items and he made us feel right at home. Great food, beautiful views, and excellent service...what more could you ask for! We would definitely come back the next time we're in Laguna Beach!

Sunset from the The Cliff.

Fish, shrimp, and chips

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Lemon drop, martini and Modelo from the patio

Oak

Came to Newport for a family vacay and was looking for nearby options for the wife and I to escape…read morefor dinner. We showed up at 9:30, and the owner and servers were so nice and understanding. We never felt rushed or pressured to order quickly. I got the spicy chicken sandwich after seeing previous reviews, and my wife got the Lagunaian wedge and Mac & cheese. Everything was exceptional. I love blue cheese, but am not the biggest fan of fried chicken with cheese on it. This combo flipped me on my head, so delicious with the blue cheese slaw. The Mac & cheese was almost like a hybrid of a baked Mac and a gooier stovetop style Mac, and the six cheese blend added a lot of depth of flavor. We have already agreed that we will be back at least once more while we're down here for the chicken sandwich again.

The interior was very classy and good for a date setting. It's in the second floor with some street…read moreviews. There's a dining section and a bar section. The service was average speed. We got our food in about 10 min or so. I got the mushroom burger which was great. The patty was medium done and very juicy. The salmon dish was not bad, but the vegetables didn't taste as good. There's parking below the restaurant and you can validate. Big plus!

Seabass

Sweet & Spicy Ribs

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Pickle Martini & Rye Not? Paper Plane Cocktail

Sapphire

All the 5 star reviews are NOT an exaggeration! This place is amazing! Me and my daughter ordered…read morethe Mac and cheese and Nutella waffles and WOW, I've never had such a soft waffle before or creamier Mac and cheese! It's rare nowadays when a place serves good food. I also had an oat lavender iced latte, so delicious. And my daughter's juice tasted fresh. I bet everything else on the menu is amazing! The service is great, it's aesthetically pleasing, food 10/10!

Ciana was great! Service was speedy, the food came out great, and Ciana was so kind as to walk me…read morethrough the menu when it came to accommodating my allergies :) I got the Mariposa drink and the chicken Caesar salad, and my dad got the halibut special. In his words "incredible, to die for," and "the wine section was amazing". Ambiance was great, and made even better by the kind service we received! Thank you Ciana for making our evening so special.

Sapphire's ocean view patio

Wide shot.

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Wild Caught Alaskan Halibut ($38) 2/5: The halibut was too dry and the flavor was lacking. The same is to be said for the vegetables.

The Deck On Laguna Beach

4.0(2.3k reviews)

0.3 mi

The Deck is one of those places we have to come to every time we're in Laguna, which is usually at…read moreleast once a year :) And once again, it did not disappoint! Grilled Cheese - Seriously a MUST order. My picture doesn't even come close to doing it justice. So so good! Shrimp & Chorizo Tacos - We've loved these for years! They took them off the menu for a while and we're so glad they're back because they're sooo good. Burger - 10/10. Juicy, cooked perfectly, and really flavorful lots of fresh ingredients. Ceviche - A little on the small side, but super fresh and great flavor :) The location is right on the beach with ocean views and that makes everything better We had a group of 7 and our server was awesome. She was really sweet, kept checking in on us, and made everything easy even with a bigger group. If you're in Laguna and looking for a spot with good food, great views, and a chill vibe, The Deck is always a great choice. There's so many options and haven't had a bad dish here ever. I didn't order them this Time but we normally get the dozen oysters and they are delicious too

Order the burger and it came with potato chips and ketchup. No fries because no fryers for them…read more Air fryer would have been a good solution for these guys. No more ciopino so we ordered the ahi poke. Was good. This place is set to close September 7, 2026 to make room for the new hotel setup. So sad to see this place close down as the location and vibe was so nice! Food was ok. Not the best, but okay. And they had a bar too! Byeeee if we don't meet again and thank you!

Tuna Tartare

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Ice Water for the table

Finney's Crafthouse

4.3(463 reviews)

0.5 mi

Today I came to finnys which me and my friends do every year on our annual Laguna trip. We have…read morenever had an issue in the past but this time we received horrible service. We only got asked and served our orders and never got checked up on. Even when we were leaving she never came to us. This visit I am very disappointed with the service and hope it can improve .

Josiah was our server today, and everything from the food to service was 100. Stopped by for drinks…read moreand food and he surprised me with a birthday dessert. Thank you so much! 5

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South of Nick's

4.6(1.2k reviews)

0.4 mi

This place was FIRE! Came here on a Thursday around 5:30 PM and got seated immediately as a party…read moreof two. The service and food were both great, especially for the price! They start you off with complimentary chips and salsa, and the portions are HUGE--you definitely get a lot of food for what you pay. The vibe was more casual and chill, but the restaurant was super clean and the service was friendly. Would definitely come back!

Holy smokes! There is a reason this place has a nearly five-star reputation on Yelp! We came here…read moreon a friend's recommendation while we were in Laguna shopping for some art for our home. It was the most delicious Mexican food I have ever had! I got the flautas and my BF ordered the soft taco variety plate. We also got the chips, guac, and salsa as appetizers, and we absolutely devoured it all! Sorry we didnt waste time with photos, but the presentation was gorgeous, and whole vibe of the restaurant was bursting with happy people and good energy. The views of the ocean were spectacular from where I was sitting, and I'd say it's probably a beautiful spot to watch the sun sink into the ocean! We were lucky to get a same-day, late-afternoon reservation, which was easy enough. There is a charge for cancelations and large parties, but other than that, everything was amazing! Service was phenomenal, even though it was super hot and muggy, no one seemed like they were unhappy to be working there. The restroom was clean, nicely decorated, and whatever scented room freshener they're using made me want to find out how to buy some for myself...lol. The only drawback is the ladies restroom is small, with only two stalls and one sink, so there was a line and it was a little too crowded, especially on a hot day. Otherwise, a top-notch dining experience, and will be our go-to when we spend time in Laguna!

Bar area with chips and dip

Mini Soft Taco Platter; carnitas, roasted chicken, al pastor, and steak

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Pork mole enchilada and chicken chipotle enchilada

AhbA

Quick service, great food & drinks, and even better atmosphere! Will definitely be back!read more

Great food, great service, great vibe! The whipped Feta is a must and the Abha spritz is excellent!read more

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Reunion Kitchen + Drink

4.4(788 reviews)

1.2 mi

Decent New American/Breakfast/Brunch spot in Laguna Beach. I came here for a friend's birthday with…read morea big group on a Sunday and the experience was alright. Going down the list of dishes I tried here: -Miso Garlic Noodles: Solid and good flavor. Nothing special and overpriced for what they were. -Avocado Wontons: These were interesting. It was like a vegan poke only that it's watermelon. Not bad, but the 'wontons' weren't actual wontons. -Ahi Poke Stack: Solid poke and I enjoyed the creamy avocado. Also a bit overpriced considering the portion size. -Matcha Martini: Pretty disappointing. Couldn't really taste any matcha. Only tasted like a sweet and creamy cocktail. -Chilaquiles: Overall enjoyable. I liked the crispy chips. However, the servers forgot my eggs which was annoying, but they brought it out later with an additional egg. -Crispy Fried Calamari: Tasty and I liked the sauce. Calamari wasn't the greatest quality itself though. Service was pretty slow and the servers seemed to forget many details when taking orders which caused service delays wasn't optimal. The interior was decent and not dirty. For parking, there's a good amount located at and around the Pavilions parking lot. Overall, I probably wouldn't come back here again. It just seemed like a standard chain restaurant. It is located walking distance from the beach though.

Laguna Beach: Ample parking and outdoor seating is always a plus in any beach city. We made…read morereservations and glad we did. It was a weekend and the place filled quickly. Loud crowd! Ordered: Salmon Citrus salad. The salmon was cooked perfectly, and my friend was very happy with the amount of salmon to salad ratio. Attractive dish! Sliced Steak & Potato Salad was a nice portion of sliced steak, a decent warm potato salad, and a great side salad. I can't remember if that was one of her side options, but it was a solid choice. Steak was ordered medium rare and it was definitely all rare - but edible. Sometimes it's not a good option to send it back. Fear of over cook. Blackened Halibut Sandwich was my choice and the fresh tasting halibut was cooked to perfection. I would go lighter on the blackened seasoning next time and skip the non-crispy onions straws. Love those but most definitely they were prepped long before we got there. Minor culinary issue as the halibut sandwich was a delicious combo of fresh ingredients that I had to deconstruct so I could manage to eat it. I think only a mega shark could take a bite of this sandwich as it was meant to be built! So it nicely transformed into a Blackened Halibut Salad plate with a highly recommended crispy Caesar salad for the side. I enjoyed every bite. I would go here again. Service was courteous and prompt, and our food was served on the spot. We were too full to try their recommended warm butter cake. Next time it's Brussel sprouts and desert! Well, maybe a side of a self-deconstructed Halibut Sandwich.

Warm butter cake

Brussel sprouts appetizer

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Lemon bar brûlée

Driftwood Kitchen

4.0(3.3k reviews)

0.3 mi

The best experience! Valet is easy and a must…read more Excellent cocktails and service by everyone- from valet to host to servers. Everyone was terrific. Especially our server, Lillie! She knew how to take care of everyone in the room. She anticipates needs and was proactively helpful with our energetic five year old. We loved Lillie! Prawn cocktail was fresh. Lump crab cake was huge. Loved the corn salad and zesty sauce. Solid crab Louie and Parker house rolls. My husband devoured his surf and turf. My kiddo was delighted with his kids meal and finished the whole thing. Extra star for having an extensive, and healthy kids menu. Incredibly thoughtful. View is everything. Vibes are amazing. Charming little building with tasteful fine details. Literally couldn't ask for more. I get why this is Taylor's spot.

You absolutely cannot beat the amazing View here at Driftwood. Unfortunately, the entire…read morerestaurant, including the deck will be closing permanently September 8 so if you want to get in for a beautiful meal, you definitely need to hurry. Our server, Jose did a great job suggesting different drinks and menu options. We celebrated two birthdays with a delicious dessert. He was sure to put in two candles for us. Two of us had the crab omelette which was delicious and the other person had the avocado toast, which she really loved. The sticky toffee cake is so good. Don't miss this!!

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The View as You Walk into Driftwood Kitchen

DK Benedict with Steak

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Main dining looking out to balcony seating. Ocean view

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30 reviews that are not currently recommended

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Brandon L.

3 months ago

Stopped by Penguin Cafe with a group of 6 before spending the day in Laguna Beach and had a great experience. I ordered the patty melt, while the rest of the group got breakfast burritos, avocado toast, and a quesadilla. The food came out quickly, portions were generous, and everyone enjoyed what they ordered. The patty melt was especially satisfying and hit the spot. The atmosphere is exactly what you'd want from a Laguna Beach breakfast spot casual, welcoming, and full of local charm. It's the perfect place to grab a meal before heading out to explore the beach and downtown area. Service was friendly, our group was accommodated without any issues, and the overall experience made for a great start to the day. Would definitely come back the next time I'm in Laguna Beach. read more

Scott F.

2 years ago

It would be much better if it had not gone out of business. Maybe some other review also indicates that it's out of business, but I did not look at the reviews. We walked here and sure enough it's closed. read more

Tom M.

10 years ago

For the best breakfast in town.....come here. Great quick service and friendly people all around makes this our spot to enjoy. Ok not the Ritz but neither are the prices!! read more

Jon C.

14 years ago

tiny hole in the wall, but thats the point. the atmosphere is great and they have the best bacon in the world. if you dont like it then chances are you dont live here. read more

Belinda W.

14 years ago

for me its between Zinc and Penguin for breakfast/lunch in Laguna. Both have great breakfast but I like the fruit bowl here, which is a lost art at many places. read more

Arian J.

11 years ago

Service: is really really bad and unprofessional. The food:like below-average chain restaurants, nothing special The ambience: small, old and meh waste of money. read more

Kristen S.

102

7 years ago

Fantastic little breakfast spot. Great food, super friendly, and our food came really fast. We may even come back for lunch!

Kelly T.

12 years ago

Quite possibly the worst breakfast I have ever eaten. Very bland, very dry. All of our meals tasted like card board.

Mike J.

13 years ago

One of the few laguna beach org. Family run for ages, it takes tastes like a $$$ but so cheep you'll giggle

Linda M.

13 years ago

Nothing great about this place!! Place looks dirty and staff is unfriendly. First and last time here....

Paige G.

14 years ago

This place has the BEST bacon ever! Potatos have no flavor, but the rest of the food is pretty good.

Trevor W.

9 years ago

Ok food, service was good but no tomato juice and won't let you use their WiFi ....bull and bye

James G.

143

9 years ago

Home cooking and the food is perfect ,all the people are very friendly just like eat at home !

Pam F.

9 years ago

I love this place! Never a disappointment, the food is great and the staff is super friendly!

Liz B.

1317

10 years ago

Best breakfast in town! The owners and staff are always friendly and the food can't be beat!

Larwen H.

12 years ago

Cheap and yummy mom-n-pop shop! Great food for a great price! All American breakfast.

Paul D.

4 years ago

Great service. Great food at reasonable price. We will definitely be back next trip

Harold J.

Elite 18

108

688

13 years ago

Nothing special, just a average dive dinner. My food was what I expected.

Patricia F.

758

15 years ago

The best part is you can take a walk on the beach when you're done...

Chris P.

13 years ago

Great good and service. Well worth the the 30 minute wait.

Penguin Cafe - breakfast_brunch - Updated September 2026

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Great little brunch spot if you want to enjoy some outdoor dining. It's a little cafe with drinks…read moreand delicious food. I highly recommend the breakfast burrito with their homemade salsa and the breakfast sandwich. Honestly priced well for what you're getting, especially for being a spot on PCH in Laguna Beach. It's also very dog friendly. Perfect for a casual and easy brunch before a walk along the beach!

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This place is the best. Nicest staff in Laguna and nicest breakfast spots on a Saturday after the…read morefarmer's market. My favorite dish is the eggs anna as it comes. My group also got the waffle and the eggs napoleon and they loved it. Tip: hot coffee there is better than the cold coffee, leave extra time to find parking on a Saturday, try the croissant!

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Board & Brew nailed it. The Chicken Club was packed with flavor, and the Turkado was the perfect…read morecombination of turkey, avocado, and fresh ingredients. Of course, the Secret Sauce deserves its own shoutout--it makes everything better. We also tried the Artifex Honey Blonde and the Board & Brew IPA. Both were cold, refreshing, and a great match for the sandwiches. What stood out most was the customer service. The staff was attentive, upbeat, and made us feel welcome the entire time. If you're in Laguna Beach and looking for a casual spot with quality food and great beer, this place is absolutely worth a stop.

Really more like 3.5 stars. Had the Turkey Deluxe (add avo and sprouts) and Tom's Choice…read more Unfortunately, both are on bread ("French Baguette") that is WAY too tall and dense...hides the taste of the ingredients, takes away from the sandwich. Way too much breading top (mostly) and bottom and not flavorful. Secret sauce is just OK - tastes like French dressing. Service is great, prices are amazing especially for being across the street from the park/beach. Inside dining area is kinda dated/dingy. They have $4 beers all September, which is awesome and has some very nice beers on there, especially for $4! Next time will go for sandwiches on regular sandwich bread, not the French Baguette.

Maro Wood Grill

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I would much rather come in here and sit at the bar then order on Uber Eats but I had cravings plus…read morethey had a two for one special so I ordered pasta with shrimp for the BF. I just had a. $17 completely undercooked almost inedible artichoke and grilled edamame. I love the staff here I can't wait to come back and have them cook my artichoke to perfection!

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We walked in spontaneously, no reservations. Lucked out and got a high top table facing the ocean…read more The weather was absolutely perfect today, sunny and breezy. Perfect for a few drinks by the ocean. We even got to see some dolphins in the water! The service was great, the food was ok. The cocktails were a little weak, but I'm not a heavy drinker so I don't mind. It was a quintessential, So Cal day. It felt like everyone was enjoying the day in the sun. Honestly, we couldn't have asked for more. We had a great time.

The Hotel Laguna Restaurant has such great ambiance; there is an indoor space, and an outdoor space…read moreavailable to choose with the dining experience. The service was excellent....however, we must say the food did not equal the rest of the amenity and let the whole experience down. We ordered steak, salad, and drinks. Good to bad; Good; drinks were well presented and tasteful. Good; salad (classic Caesar) was good if not memorable. Bad; Steak was over salted, and did not live up to the potential of this establishment. With so many choices in Laguna Beach available I'd suggest that the best idea is to go to the hotel and enjoy the beach view while having a drink. Then, go to one of the other excellent area restaurants for dinner. I will end by saying the price was fairly reasonable for Laguna Beach, just sad to say that the food was not adequate to the space.

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Las Brisas Restaurant