Date: 4/13/24 Seating: 8:30pm Party: 3ppl Let's talk about Starfish! Menu is asian fusion vibes. Relaxing atmosphere, well selected music (ambiant choices)- subdued calming decor and strategic lighting as well. Uniquely crafted cocktails that pair nicely with savory appetizers and small plates. Entrees are well plated and visually appealing, creations are exotic and bursting with fresh and delicate flavors. Since it was my daughter's birthday-I might add that she was the "star" of the show that night ....however, I would have to give the Seabass equal billing! A noteworthy co-star, is the Chilean Sea-bass! Served wrapped up in a banana leaf boat brimming with a tantalizing creamy coconut butter sauce that pours over a bed of coconut rice! Many excellent dishes to choose from. My photos reflect our selection. Each was equally well plated, creatively made with a culinary intent to surprise-! Casual & warm atmosphere and well trained staff. Our server ***jillian*** was warm, personable and attentive to details! Staff was prompt and effective in keeping table's cleared. All dishes were served hot, promptly and simultaneously. Water refills were consistent and drinks refreshed throughout the evening. I hope those looking for a unique dining experience will try Starfish. It's a wonderful addition to the Orange County coastal restaurant variety. Laguna & Newport Locations. AA read more

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There's nothing bad to say about the food at all. Last time my boyfriend and I went, we tried the Naked Buddha roll, chow mein, and bahn mi beef sliders (all of them were DELICIOUS). The staff was super attentive too; they kept refilling our water and checking if we needed anything. I'd give the place 3 stars though, mainly because I didn't like how cramped the seating was. The tables were so close together that I felt like I was practically sitting with the next table. On top of that, the music was way too loud; even though I was face-to-face with my boyfriend, it felt like we had to shout to hear each other. Because of that experience, I always hesitate when someone suggests going back there. read more

Had a wonderful bday party at this venue yesterday. Katie Joy was the manager and she and her team were EXCEPTIONAL!! Food was amazing. What an amazing time thanks to this amazing staff and KATIE is extra special! read more

If you love and have been to the location in Laguna Beach on PCH... you will more than likely love this new location in Newport Beach. One thing to keep in mind it is 1/ third of the size of the one in Laguna Beach so basically it seats 42 people. We highly recommend you make a reservation or you can do what we did. We walked in and found two seats at the bar and were as happy as can be. We had the best bartender , she made the best cocktails had the best pours... and made a smile... my favorite was the butterfly samba and the long life margarita, they were both muddled with delicious fruits. We also shared a cantaloupe cocktail just for fun. Unfortunately it was too sweet.. we started off with the lobster roll so delicious and had some of their sushi sashimi , and then finish that off with some of the Korean tacos. Delish! We really love the location in Laguna Beach as there's so much room to spread out , however, we might come back to this location to sit at the bar again.... read more

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Very nice with cozy ambiance. Food is prepared and served in a timely fashion. Good food.

Love both locations!! Fabulous food! We go multiple times every time we are in the area!

The espresso martini was delicious and lobster had interesting flavors. I really enjoyed the happy hour here! Would 10/10 recommend a nice happy hour spot read more

Starfish - Lobster roll - Asian Fusion Near Me - Newport Beach, California

Very nice Asian themed decor in a relatively small space. There are a lot of menu items and it is a little overwhelming. Japanese, Korean, Thai, Vietnamese, Chinese... they had a little bit of everything. But what this restaurant is a good example of is being a Jack of all Trades but a master of none. Tried the following: Crab Mango Salad - looked fresh but was really bland. Needed more dressing maybe or salt? I don't know, but some kind of additional seasoning. Drunken Noodle - unlike the salad this was like a flavor explosion. Had a kick to it but not overwhelmingly spicy. The noodles were not al dente enough and too soggy. Wild Thai Halibut - average. The flour tortillas were a bit tough. The chili sauce was pretty spicy. Coconut rice was not a consistency I cared for (sticky and mushy). Thai Spicy Beef with Basil - this was probably the best dish out of everything we ordered. Great flavor and there beef was crispy and super flavorful. The coconut rice was disappointing. Same as the one that came with the halibut. Service was ok in the beginning but was slow towards the end. But based on just the food alone probably wouldn't return. read more

Service is good. I was greeted right away and the hostess reviewed the table we reserved that night to make sure we were happy with it. That was very kind. Anyhow, The decor is cute, the food and drinks are delicious & I love the presentation. Everything looked great and also tasted great. Our server was very kind and pleasant too. This seems like a local spot as everyone was dressed Newport casual. It's a nice vibe. Not a big fan of the pretentious Newport crowd, so coming here was very refreshing. I'd definitely dine here again. read more

After much indecision about where to go, we came here to celebrate my birthday and it ended up being the perfectly choice. We were sat outside in a lovely courtyard, which worked out great with a wiggly 4-year old. It was still happy hour so we were able to take advantage of that, as well as many dishes off of the main menu. Everything that we ate was a hit, even with the kiddos so that's a huge win. They brought out a birthday dessert and candle, which was a very nice gesture. Lovely meal and lovely service and just a great experience. I'm thrilled to have starfish in Newport Beach now! As for our dishes: -salmon sushi - the kid's gobbled it up before anyone else tried any. It looked very fresh and the kids approved -chicken wontons - crispy and flavorful without being greasy. Another hit with the kiddos (and the adults who managed to nab some) -Buddha roll - delicious vegan sushi with really flavorful spicy sauce. Yum! -green beans - one of my favorites of the night. Not greasy like so often this dish tends to be at other places -eggplant- again, bursting with flavor without the grease - garlic noodles - my kids split it and liked it a lot. Huge portion! - miso cod - my dad's dish. Very big portion and big on flavor. He liked it a lot - Thai seafood curry- my mom's dish. Chock full of seafood and another gigantic portion. She really enjoyed it - hot n spicy mahi mahi - my husband liked it a lot too Desserts were the chocolate cake and the banana pastry and no complaints here lol read more

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We live a few minutes away , love to stop here on our way home from bike riding. Always greeted nicely by the staff. Food is delicious , love the happy hour and regular menu ! The lychee martini is fabulous with the brandied cherry & lychee garnish! The Szechuan shrimp is great , lil kick to it ! Hamachi ( yellowtail ) fresh and delicious, had the sake sushi ( salmon) as well ! read more

Starfish - Lychee martini ! - Asian Fusion Near Me - Newport Beach, California

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Visited with Friends for Lunch. Service was great. We had attention of the waitress when we needed it. We ordered 2 small Plates. Korean Tacos and Wagyu Black Bean Sliders. Both were delicious. Had the Kung Pao Prawns. Prawns were good but missing flavor. Small Plates were the highlight of Lunch. Friends seemed to enjoy their meals. read more

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First if all the food was excellent although it took sometime to arrive at our table. It's also an extremely loud environment to enjoy dinner, i.e. "The Quiet Woman". Alcohol always arrived in a timely manner, but water was always the last to arrive. Following several years of sobriety I notice things like this in restaurants all over the county. read more

The service at Starfish Newport is excellent! The staff, ESP. JESSE, is polite and attentive, going above and beyond to provide a wonderful eating experience.Great Opium hr. Bring back service night Archie! Much love read more

connor was so sweet! he gave perfect recommendations and conversed with us when we sat at the bar! 5 stars!!!

Finally, a top of the chart's contemporary restaurant in Newport Beach, alive with beach style overtones, yet elegant and sexy. I was there the second day of opening, and it was smooth sailing in this packed reservation only venue! The hosts and server were nothing but kind, cool, and professional! The service was outstanding which is unusual with a new restaurant, however this was the exception, and telltale sign of the experience, and passion behind Starfish Newport Beach. If the ambiance and drink selection doesn't bring you back the food certainly will. Only the freshest hand picked ingredients were chosen for this offering, healthy flavor filled choices for any guest. From vegan to omnivorous! read more

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I give them a five star cuz their food and service is so good. The only suggestion that I would make is that their booths have some kind of foot rest. Your legs just hang and I found my legs falling asleep. They need something to put your feet on read more

Absolutely delicious. This is our first time here, but it's definitely not our last time. Lauren was our server and she was fantastic. The food tasted great and the restaurant decor is contemporary and chic. And for a restaurant like this in Newport Beach, the prices were so reasonable. No wonder you can't get into this place without a reservation. read more

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A great addition to Newport! I just wish it was open a little later since they're positioning it more as a wine bar than the Laguna location. I also hope they have outdoor seating in the summer because there is a beautiful courtyard in the front. The restaurant of the restaurant itself is pretty small. Favorite dishes: Wok Fired Edamame (the crispy garlic was delicious!!), drunken noodles So-so dishes: wild thai halibut in banana leaf (some in our group loved it, some didn't), Thai Spicy Beef with Basil (this was good but we didn't realize the beef was coated or pan-fried) Least favorite dishes: sunset roll, banana in filo dough (dessert) read more

Seated promptly at a nice table. Food tasted delicious . The service was excellent.

I've been coming to Starfish for years now, and it's truly one of my favorite places. Everything about it is just consistently great. From the moment you walk in, the atmosphere is warm, welcoming, and full of good vibes. Ellen at the front is absolutely the best. She always greets you with a big smile and such a friendly, genuine energy. She makes you feel right at home every single time. The bartenders are incredible too. They're always on it, super attentive, and so nice. Whether you're a regular or it's your first visit, they make you feel completely welcome. The food is always delicious and the drinks are just as good. Every dish is full of flavor and you can tell there's real care put into everything they serve. The whole environment at Starfish is just something special. It's inviting, fun, and feels like a place you want to keep coming back to. I honestly have nothing bad to say. If you haven't been here yet, you're missing out. I love this place! read more

We came here to celebrate our anniversary. We've been here multiple times since this place has such great foods, but Chandler really set the bar high tonight. We had such a great experience with her as a waitress. She was so knowledgeable about the menu, had such a bubbly personality, and made our night so enjoyable. I HIGHLY recommend trying the chili fire wontons (ask for a glass of ice.. trust me) and the wagyu burgers. Best sushi spot by far. Nobu doesn't even compare. This place is way better. read more

We were looking for a classic Newport vibe with a hip twist and this was it. Had a rough day but walking through the doors we were immediately transformed. The decor, lighting and vibe were cool. The bartender (truly a classy professional) JESS, guided us on cocktails AND a perfect selection from the food menu. It was the perfect night that we needed! THANK YOU JESS and CHEERS!!! read more

I wanted to give a huge shout out to Paige, our waitress Saturday night. She was truly amazing! We had several people that had special needs with both drinks and food. She was so helpful in getting everyone what they needed and with a big smile! She really made our experience so enjoyable Top Notch Waitress! Five Stars Plus for sure!! read more

Why haven't I been here sooner? By far the best happy hour menu you'll find in Newport Beach! Food was great and service was excellent. The ambiance is so chill. read more

OMG!!! it starts with Ellen, who must be the owner because she makes it happen every time!! The service from Page and the food is so so good !! This place has excellent service from when you walk in and Ellen always finds you a table to the outstanding servers to the absolute delicious food!!!! read more

Food and drinks were delicious. Moo Shu with pork was tasty. Would definitely get again. Sunset Roll tasted fresh. It's a small place so likely to get busy fast. Sat at the bar. Same service as at a table. Glad this place is down the street now. read more

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The daughter's reservation for early Celebrate of Her father's Day comes. This restaurant is pretty small, in the same location as Ces't is BON. I like the decorative wood door, the Buddha, and the status...at the entryway Services were ok, food was quick, and the side of food was a little pricey, but...Newport Beach location! read more

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I have been here twice now and I have enjoyed my meal both times! They have a great happy hour and you can make reservations which is always a plus! I've tried a variety of items and everything has been fresh and tasty. I have to say the salmon salad I had today was my favorite so far! Light and refreshing and the salmon just melted away! The candy prawns were also huge and had great flavor! Their drinks looked really good too but couldn't partake at lunch, lol. Definitely worth a try! SYOY! read more

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Very accommodating. Food is either amazingly delicious or needs a little work. We loved the spring rolls (have ginger but not listed on menu). The wagu beef sliders were scrumptious. The calamari was chewy but good panko batter. We tried 90% of the hapoy h our food and loved the margueritas. Enjoy! read more

Great that there's now a Starfish in Newport Beach. The good - Everything. The whole menu. Appetizers, entrées, sake, mixed drinks, dessert, service, vibe, parking and location. The not good - The solo unisex bathroom is very nicely done but could be a wait if many need to use it. The ugly - absolutely nothing. Though it is smaller than the Starfish in Laguna Beach. It is a great place for a party of 2 or 4. We were fortunate to get a table for 6 for a late weekday lunch. Maybe they can also open a larger place down the street at the corner of PCH now that CPH restaurant is no longer there. Or expand in their current space. read more

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Super yummy spicy flavorful food! Great service and delicious he ambiance is beautiful

Great service! Making a reservation online the day of for happy hour was quick and easy. Parking for a Thursday evening was easy as well. The lobster macadamia roll was ok. Really liked the ahi poke taro bites except they were a little too salty. The star of the show was the seafood Thai curry with Jasmine coconut rice. So yummy! read more

Starfish - Asian Fusion Near Me - Newport Beach, California

My friends and I just started coming to Starfish recently all of our experiences have been great. The Mongolian beef is the best and lobster roll is to die for. Matt is the best waiter is classy, so courteous and funny! Yeah but. He made my birthday special! read more

The food is a 10 out of 10 , the ambiance is so awesome, our server was professional, attentive and very delightful. I will definitely come back. They even offered me a FREE DESERT for my birthday. read more

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This is the 2nd time I come here and it is always amazing. The hostess, Ellen, was very cute, and we did not wait too long for a table during a busy happy hour afternoon. Kylie was our server, and I would request her. He was very professional without being a robot- we all really liked him. The four of us shared everything and I cannot pick a favorite. Chicken Satay, Lobster Macadamia rolls, steamed muscles, crab wontons and Ahi tacos. This is the place to come if you want to try new twists on favorites. The cocktails are clever too. I had a Vodka Ginger pinch that was so good. It was busy but we never felt rushed, which was a delight. I highly recommend this place read more

Wow, wow, wow, what a find!! We came across Starfish by coincidence and man, I'm glad we did. It's a cute little place with phenomenal Asian food. They have different options, but what we liked in particular was the small plates, which were like Asian tapas. We shared a bunch of them, like the Peking Duck Bao buns, the Korean tacos, the Bahn mi sliders but the stars of the show were the mussels in Thai curry sauce. We also had some of the dumplings, which were great too. The staff was really nice and accommodating. The restaurant has a nice, modern vibe without being pretentious. Next time we're in newport beach, we will definitely come back! read more

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Best part of our experience was the service. The staff was great and the food came out fast. The space is a little bit cramped but overall had a good vibe. For the food, I would say this is definitely an Asian-fusion-type place. I wouldn't expect to have the usual pad Thai you get from an authentic restaurant in Thai town. Or dimsum from Chinatown. Otherwise food was ok. read more

Starfish - Shrimp dumplings - Asian Fusion Near Me - Newport Beach, California

The older maître d' was very unwelcoming. We arrived a little after 3:00 pm on a Tuesday, the restaurant was pretty empty, and we were told to sit at the bar area as the restaurant fills up quickly (which it did not), and not to sit in the middle of the bar, instead sit like the animals in Noas Arc (2 by 2 by 2). The other end of the bar was dirty. People who came in after us were given the choice of other tables if they could be out in an hour. We felt very unwelcome by her. We would have loved to have made this restaurant a go to place for us, as we just live up the street, but unfortunately she has dampened our desire to dine here. read more

The food was fresh and delishious ,the Ambiance had an awesome vibe and the service was great. Will be back.