Starfish Newport Beach serves up a fusion of Asian and American cuisines. This is their 2nd location, with the 1st being in Laguna Beach. This location is smaller with about seating for about 50. They share a parking lot with other businesses, and when my co-workers and I arrived for a weekday lunch we didn't have an issue finding parking. We shared a few appetizers (Korean tacos and wagyu beef sliders) and I opted for the the Mahi Mahi dish as my main. Mahi Mahi "Hot Fish" - $22 - The mahi mahi came highly recommended from our server and consisted of wok fired crispy mahi with a sweet and spicy sauce, bok choy, carrots, snow peas, and choice of rice. I opted for the coconut rice which was fluffy and had a mild coconut flavor. Overall I really enjoyed this dish as it had a great flavor profile. Korean Tacos (4) - $15 - We got 4 tacos which consisted of 2 small corn tortillas, topped with grilled marinated flat iron steak, pickled vegetables, and gochujang aioli. The Asian flavors really came through on this dish and wowed me and my group. Wagyu black bean sliders (4) - $18 - This consisted of a small grilled ground wagyu beef patty, topped with sauteed onions and mushrooms, Thai basil, and a black bean sauce served , all of which was served in a small bun. The slider tasted great and was so juicy and tender. Overall we really enjoyed our lunch. Some of the other mains my group ordered were the cod ($36), kung pao prawns ($21) and lemon pepper scallops ($21). Service was on point and while the interior was on the smaller side the interior has a modern beach vibe to it. read more

See all

Everytime I come here, I never regret it. EVERYTHING is so tasty. The ingredients are fresh and the flavors are incredible! Their huge menu provides options for everyone. Vegans and meat eaters alike. I personally love their calamari with the 2 delicious sauces. We were told to ask for double the sauce as they go fast and, boy, I will stand by that recommendation! Their lettuce wraps are a huge portion that can be made into 2 meals. Their sushi rolls never disappoint and explode with flavor (including the vegan roll: Naked Buddha)! Their happy hour specials are beyond worth it! It's best to come at 3 right when happy hour begins as the restaurant tends to not be crowded at all. They offer a free dessert for birthdays that is a sort of chocolate covered raspberry fluffy frosting. It's pretty good! Not too sweet. Overall, you can't go wrong coming here- especially if your visit includes happy hour. read more

Came here a couple weeks ago for my anniversary lunch and it was such an incredible experience! The staff were very friendly and the food was amazing!! I tried new things that I hadn't before and was nervous but the quality and flavor made me so glad that I did! They even brought out a dessert to celebrate the occasion and it was almost too pretty to eat!! We loved it and will definitely be back again! read more

Starfish - Asian Fusion Near Me - Newport Beach, California

Came for happy hour because the food is great but Kylie the bartender was excellent. She was friendly, a great server, offered us options, even offered to make us custom mocktails. Will be back solely for her amazing customer service. Thanks again Kylie ! read more

We sat at the bar and our drinks were sooo yummy. I got the lychee martini and then a blackberry lemon drop martini and both were soooo good. My boyfriend got a sirene spirtz and he loved it! The food was so yummy and the service was quick. Kylee was such an amazing bartender/server. She was so fun, good vibes and had good recommendations. We will be back for sureeee! read more

Small restaurant big heart! The restaurant is definitely smaller than I expected but the portions are huge. Came here during OC Restaurant week and had the chance to try the shrimp lettuce wraps, spicy ahi tuna roll, drunken noodles, Chilean sea bass, and flourless chocolate cake. The lettuce wrap was great and super filling we couldn't finish it. The sea bass is definitely the star of the show and a must have in my opinion. The staff was friendly and welcoming but it was super packed when we went so service was expectedly a little slow. read more

I can't rave enough about the Newport location and more importantly Ellen!!! We've been going to Starfish for years but used to frequent the Laguna location. Once we met Ellen, we started coming to Newport exclusively. She has a way of remembering people and making everyone feel genuinely welcomed, which is rare and so important in hospitality. The food and atmosphere are always great, but honestly, she's the reason we've kept coming back again and again. read more

First timer. I sat at the bar and my bartender Kylee was amazing!!! She was hilarious and she even made me an amazing cocktail! I'm a light eater so I just ordered the calamari and it was delicious. 10/10 read more

Very tasty and filling! If you're looking for authentic.. probably not the place for you, but overall the food and drinks were tasty especially if you're starving and want something a bit filling. The best thing on the menu was hands down the lettuce wraps. The chicken satay was good, but the peanut sauce on top was goopy and literally no angle could be photographed to not make it look like doodoo but it was still very good. I would also recommend the hung kong lemon chicken. The walnut shrimp was quite small in proportion for the price. Would def come back and try other things. I also think the rice she gave us was either over cooked or in fact in the coconut cream (which we said we did not want) read more

Starfish - Asian Fusion Near Me - Newport Beach, California

Everything is so great: bright ambiance, crazy environment, open airy setting, and OMG amazing seafood! We ordered two appetizers (lobster roll and Korean taco). The roll was ok (didn't taste the lobster), but the tacos are great and they added one taco to the three piece set to accommodate four of us. The highlight was the lunch main course. We ordered kungpao prawn, steamed halibut wrapped in banana leaf, miso glazed cod and seafood Thai curry. Everything is so good and it's hard to say which one we likes better! The only thing not good about the restaurant is a bit tight space when you have a big party, and only one bathroom so there might be a bit wait. Initially I gave it a four star but thought they still deserve a five star giving all the friendless of the staff! read more

See all

We really enjoyed the Starfish in Laguna Beach so we were excited that they opened up another location in Newport Beach. It is much smaller in size than the Laguna Beach location, but it's nicely decorated with beach decor in a small plaza with good enough parking. The menu is expansive and there are so many choices. We got the Naked Buddha Roll, braised bbq pork buns, chicken lettuce wraps, sichuan Japanese egg plant, general star's spicy chicken and their black bean prawns. All the dishes were good and each of the sauces complementing the protein that it came with. The banana bread pudding dessert was also delicious. The server was nice and helpful with selecting items on the menu. We had a pleasant time at the restaurant. It was still really busy even though it was an off peak hour so I imagine this restaurant will do pretty well. We will definitely be back! read more

See all

We have been to StarfishLaguna many years ago, it was great ..... we dined at Starfish Newport this evening , Holy Cow, everything was insanely delicious!!! Started with sushi roll app, noodle dish with chicken breast, Mongolian beef with white rice, and short ribs - seriously the BEST!!! Our incredible young lady who served us , Rylie, was a pleasure, and the owners Archie and Gretchen, we applaud you for such quality and a wonderful dinner & experience- hidden GEM in Newport read more

Had another fabulous time at starfish Newport last night!! We had the pleasure of being served by Chandler who was super friendly and attentive! Cantaloupe martinis were a hit per usual and the food was delicious. Favorite sushi spot by far! read more

This is my go to spot after work with friends or even by myself. They have the best Happy Hour that goes on everyday including weekends. Delicious food, clean place, and fast service. I would love to give a special shout out to Kylee, one of the bartenders, who' has always given us excellent service. Her personality is amazing and her positive energy is contagious . read more

Honestly this place caught us by surprise! We originally wanted sushi and they don't have too many options but the options we got were phenomenal! Portion sizes for all's and salads were great! Amazing flavor! Server was great! Forgot her name, but sweet blonde girl did exceptionally well! Was always aiding out table and thoroughly impressed. Great service! Prices - little too unreasonable for certain dishes as far as sushi and edamame, can be a steep bill if you're not paying attention. read more

New restaurant in Newport Beach! It's in the same parking lot as Whaler, and across the street from Louie's and Billy's. The competition is steep. I tried getting a reservation on open table but it was OC restaurant week and there weren't any to be had! I called and the host told me I could come in at 2:15 for my friend and I (to celebrate her birthday) We arrived at 2:20 and were told our table had another reservation at 4 and we needed to leave by then.. a little odd to start out the lunch with the remarks. The restaurant is very pretty and has island tropical vibes, but it is super small! There aren't many tables inside or outside, so I suggest coming with a group of 4 and under. They take the seat time limit seriously. My friend ordered one of their speciality martinis and said it was fragrant and she enjoyed it but didn't want another. I had the butterfly samba cocktail, light and delicious with a foamy top. The drink was tiny and honestly I could have drank a few (didn't taste any alcohol in it) we opted for the Orange County restaurant week menu- Phenomenal deal! Tons of food, good sized portions.($50 for 2 people) We had the pork dumplings and they were chewy on the outside, a nice crisp from being pan fried to finish and the inside was tender and flavorful. The sauce served on the side gave it a nice little zing too. The Korean tacos (OMG) I had the sauce all of my face, these are a must order. So different from any other Asian inspired taco I've had. Entrees we ordered the Mongolian beef which melted in your mouth, the sauce it was served in we were scooping up with a spoon. Served with white rice on the side. We ordered the pad Thai (gluten free) as well and it was delicious, we really enjoyed the combination of flavors and the little spice in it was great to round out the dishes. Dessert we had the flourless chocolate cake (gluten free) with ice cream, it was a small piece of cake but it was the perfect amount for the both of us. My friend was really rubbed the wrong way when our server came over to drop off the check (immediately following our food being dropped off) We paid it - but they didn't sent over another server. We had to ask the host for to go boxes for the food and if we could have another server to order drinks. 3-6 is happy hour (insanely good deal on food on drinks!) We were told our time was up in 30 minutes- we didn't want to feel rushed so we decided to walk across the street to Louie's also having happy hour. We were told by a parking attendant (he had a badge on, so maybe security?) we had to move our cars and couldn't stay parked there. I loved the decor, ambiance of the restaurant and the food. I wouldn't go back based on feeling rushed by the servers unless it was a week day and more quiet. Great for vegans, vegetarians and they have options for gluten free and dairy free. There were plenty of open tables (but the host was only seating reservations) otherwise people were filling up the bar. Be sure to make a reservation before coming or you won't be getting in! read more

See all

We dined here for Thanksgiving and it was fantastic! We're back tonight for Christmas Eve and it was just as amazing! The food is sooo good! Such a nice variety and everything was so well prepared and flavorful! Looking forward to dining here regularly! Merry Christmas read more

See all

You have to come to their happy hour. Everyday 3-6pm. They do Asian fusion. Quality of the seafood is great especially for the price. Their happy hour menu is huge so we will be back to try it all. Not suitable for large groups, the space is small. Recommended for 2-4 so you don't have to wait that long. It's also very dark but that's probably the ambiance read more

I love STARFISH , Newport Beach! I am a foodie and I frequent restaurants almost every day. Starfish is my favorite restaurant in this area. You are greeted by Ellen when you first come in as a hostess- manager. She is amazing! Always welcoming, always smiling, always very attentive.! The food is excellent and prices are great especially for happy hour Do yourself a favor and give yourself a treat go to starfish Newport Beach amazing food, prices, and Customer service ‼ read more

Have order take out dozens times. Every time the food is excellent. The variety of dishes available for takeout is great. Obviously, they offer the right dishes that travel well for takeout out. read more

Our food, the service the atmosphere is fantastic! Kylie Makes the best lychee martinis in the whole state of California. Plus, she has the best personality of a barkeep that I've experienced in many years. Keep on rocking. read more

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

Ordered to-go during a stay in Newport. Everything was delicious! The bao, shumai, rolls, fried rice - all great!

My wife and I have been going to Starfish on a regularly basis since they have opened. It has never disappointed us. The food, drinks, and atmosphere are great, but what brings it life and that extra spice is their hostess Ellen. Rain or shine, she's on her A Game welcoming everyone and brings so much joy to each table. If I didn't know her, I would think she was the owner. Great work Ellen and the Starfish staff for always making this our favorite spot in Newport Beach! read more

Came into Starfish on a Friday evening with a group of 4. We made a reservation, which I highly recommend if you are able to plan ahead. First, the decor in Starfish is phenomenal. It feels like you are in not just another restaurant. I absolutely love the paintings, and although it's a small space it didn't feel squishy to me. Our waitress was awesome. Starfish has a larger menu, but she gave us great suggestions and we actually ended up ordering the perfect amount of food. The drinks are extremely unique, and we all got different drinks but unanimously loved them all. For the food, we ordered a sushi roll, dumpling, miso cod, and basil chicken. All food items were absolutely phenomenal. From presentation, to portion size, to taste, we were blown away by the dishes that came out. One suggestion, is that we got the spicy dumplings. And be ready for the spice! They were too spicy for me, however others at the table thought they were incredible. Overall I was more than happy with my dining experience, and can't wait to be back to try other items on the menu. read more

10/10 experience. We were greeted pleasantly and promptly sat. The menu is tremendous. And the execution on all food was superb. Our waitress Paige was fantastic. The kind of personality I'd hire 10/10 times. Very attentive and on point. Top recommendation!! read more

Very good food and drinks!happy hour drinks very nice food flavorful and plenty! Several dishes of sushi were large and shareable

Great food, got pad thai and it was great. Great service and nice atmosphere. Looking forward to coming back read more

Starfish - Pad Thai chicken - Asian Fusion Near Me - Newport Beach, California

Took my kids there on weekend. No customers when we got in. Service was extremely slow as the server was chatting up a storm with other servers. We waited more than 30 min after I asked for the server AND after the cook waved at the server at two different times lol though by then there were only 2 tables including us need to be served. Food was mediocre. Drinks are good. Not sure if I'd go back. read more

Intimate, small restaurant perfect for date night. We had reservations at 8pm and were seated right away! They have a variety of Asian fusion food to choose from. I ordered a frozen Rosè cocktail and it was really good and refreshing. We wanted to try a variety of things on the menu being it was our first time so we had sushi, chicken spring rolls and for entrees I had a pad Thai and added chicken and the black bean wagyu sliders. Everything was really tasty and fresh! Our server was attentive and overall enjoyed dining here! read more

See all

Went here for the first time. We went specifically for a happy hour and the food/drinks were great! The ambiance was poppin and a great environment! read more

Takeout was our first exposure. Person taking my order answered call on third ring. She was quick, but helpful and thorough. My order was ready in 12 minutes. Our two sashimi/nigiri dishes were reasonably priced, very fresh and delicious. Paper menu seems very comprehensive; decor is modern; lots of takeout business when i grabbed my order, so i plan to return several more times. read more

Excellent service although the reception and seating is a little "rocky"....we made reservations for 230pm on Saturday and when we arrived the place was empty save two tables. We parked right in front no shortage of spaces. We're pretty short and sitting at high tables leaves us with our feet off the ground. Over the space of a meal that's uncomfortable. So we started out our visit uncomfortable and when we asked for a better table the choices were worse. Also it was a cool day for California...we just finished a rain and we starting to get another and the two front doors were wide open and the breeze was cold blowing through the dining room. We asked for the doors to be closed and they obliged...thank goodness we "won one." I know the other guests thanked us. By 330pm the place was packed and every table filled. The noise is so loud and the music makes it necessary to shout over the others guests...older people with Tinnitus are just not going to make it here...seems like a place for young people. And because the tables are very close together, the problem is even more aggravating. We tried eleven different items for 3 people and shared. Every dish was excellent but we especially liked the Nigiri Sushi, Pork Dumplings, OG Vietnamese Roll, Samba String Beans, Rickshaw Ramen Noodle, and the desserts. The most troubling thing about the menu is the lack of sourcing information. We don't know how they purchase their fish...we don't know how they purchase their meat....we don't know how they purchase their produce...most people trust them to procure the best of everything....I get it. But each of these products have hidden problems and most of the top chefs spend 50% of their time on sourcing....visiting local farms, checking ranches for how they raise their chickens, checking ranches for how they raise their cows, etc. You can save alot of time when you don't feel the pressure to answer questions about sourcing. But as food gets more and more toxic, as fish become inedible, and as protein is attacked by people who want to sell you insects...the sourcing question becomes even more important. This is not a place to have a relaxing meal with feet on the ground and the ability to hear your dinner mate over the soft music. This is a place that serves excellently prepared menus where you overcome the poor reception, seating, and sound level in order to enjoy their food. read more

Starfish - SUSHI & DUMPLINGS - Asian Fusion Near Me - Newport Beach, California

Beautiful restaurant. Small but quaint. Service was impeccable. Food was delicious. They offer a great happy hour that is offered daily! Menu is huge and offers all sorts of flavors influenced by Thailand, Vietnam, and other Asian flavors. Calamari here is delicious! Comes with a very fragrant creamy Vietnamese coriander sauce that I am obsessed with. Thai chicken satay is delicious. Spicy Ahi roll was fresh and flavorful! Candy Dragon prawns are huge! So crisp and flavorful! Black bean scallops were amazing. Very generous portions and so flavorful. Honestly I can go on, and on. Don't think there is any dish that isn't good! Highly recommend! If you do go, make a reservation! read more

Classy and Cozy restaurant. First time here with my friend and we love this place. The place is beautiful and very clean. We ordered Sushi and Shrimp tempura roll and it was very delicious. Staffs are knowledgeable and nice. read more

Starfish - Shrimp Tempura Roll - Asian Fusion Near Me - Newport Beach, California

Where do I start? Our host was very kind to accommodate our 4 person party to find us some tables to push together so we could sit together. It took quite some time for our server to get us our food, forgot half the time to fill our waters and never happened unless we asked. Almost everything we asked for took multiple times to receive our requests. The worst offense is where we were gaslit by our host claiming my sister in law's meal did not have cashews but did. My brother has a severe nut allergy and found himself outside throwing up in the bushes. While the host and our server were nowhere to be found and it wasn't until my brother came back in and told them we just wanted to pay and leave. Horrendous experience and customer service. Where's the positive intent? Where is trying to make the moment right? Do better Starfish. The fortunate thing is the food was mostly enjoyable and we hopefully, in the future, maybe give customers an opportunity to trust that the servers, hosts, and menu can be honest. Brutal. read more

Aaaaaa, I'm so excited this location has finally opened!!!! I've been waiting on what seems like forever! I made reservations and I would definitely recommend it. I always went to the Laguna Beach location because the food here is so damn good, but I would always have to do it on a day where it was going to go for their Happy Hour which is actually a good deal because they offer it everyday from 3-6pm!!!! That rarely happens. But the fact that they are so close to me now and it's actually close to my work, makes this even more exciting. I'll list what we ordered in the end but I'll tell you the good and the bad. First the bad stuff...This place is so small, I was actually expecting them to be in a different area where the clothing shop was going to be so I was surprised that all they did was take up a small corner. Also, going to the bathroom is very odd, you have to walk by the servers and there's only one bathroom so if you are waiting until it's open, you are literally standing to the side where all the servers are standing to wait for the food to come up to the window. It's just in a weird spot I feel like and very awkward if you are waiting for the bathroom to be free. There's mostly high tables and a few spots right in front of the bartender to sit. I just don't really like the set-up in this location. I would still prefer the ambiance and the big space at Laguna, but as for convenience, I would definitely be going to this location a lot more just because I really do love their libations and their food. Here's what we ordered: Island Geisha Maui Water Shrimp Lettuce Wraps Soft shell crab Banh mi sliders Crispy Lobster spring rolls Crab california roll Thai spice beef with basil They share a parking lot with other businesses so parking can be a nightmare. read more

10/10 . Came here for happy hour and everything was more than amazing. We were greeted warmly and quick and offered happy hour menus. I started off with a lemon drop , bf got a beer. The lemon drop was exceptional. We ordered a few various happy hour items and every single thing was amazing quality and taste wise. They use real crab in the rolls , the fish for sushi is extremely fresh and good quality . I used to work at a sushi restraunt and this is very good quality. I had another lemon drop and an expresso martini to end the night. Bryn was helpful, and kind and a breath of fresh air honestly . I will be back as soon as I am in the area for sure. It's nice to see staff that are passionate about their workplace and love what they do. It can be a rarity nowadays . Will reccomend to everyone I know read more

Starfish - Happy hour - Asian Fusion Near Me - Newport Beach, California

See all

The food and drinks are delicious, even my toddler thinks so, which makes dining out as a family so much easier. We have gone to both locations and everything on the menu that we have tried, we would order again. read more

Starfish - Toddler-approved chicken chow mein - Asian Fusion Near Me - Newport Beach, California

I'm a huge fan of the original location in Laguna beach and had to come stop by the new one here in Newport Beach. The ambiance is very similar and on trend with the original location. Is a smaller spot and they do get busy so highly recommended reservations! There is no outdoor seating here and we not recommend larger parties. As always you need to take advantage of the stellar happy hour menu and prices! There is so much to choose from and all the cocktails are amazing! I tried the Chilean sea bass for the first time and it was amazing! I highly recommend giving this a try for your main course. Definitely will be back! Can't wait ! read more

See all

Food here is really good! Great service! Attentive staff! Our waiter was extremely nice and made the best drinks.