After an overnight backpacking trip through Crystal Cove State Park, me and two friends hiked out in the morning and headed over to The Beachcomber pretty hungry. We were hoping to make the breakfast menu but just missed it, so we ended up ordering lunch instead. Even on a busy Saturday afternoon, the wait was only about 30 minutes, and they give you a buzzer so you can freely walk around while waiting. That actually worked out great since there's a lot to explore nearby. We checked out the Crystal Cove shop, the small park/history office nearby, and even a cool little film museum in one of the preserved cottages with vintage movie equipment. I ended up ordering the steak sandwich, and it was seriously filling -- I could only finish about half even after hiking earlier that morning. Everything in the sandwich complemented each other really well without overpowering the steak itself, and the steak was cooked perfectly medium like I ordered. The fries were also surprisingly amazing: super crispy and addictive. We also shared the beignets, which were honestly one of my favorite parts of the meal. They were super flaky and almost croissant-like inside instead of the usual dense beignet texture, and the chocolate syrup with whipped cream paired perfectly with them. The service was great throughout the meal. Our server was attentive and checked in often to make sure we had everything we needed. The ambiance inside was really unique too. We sat closer to the kitchen in a darker wood-filled dining area that almost felt like being inside an old wooden boat. The booths were a little small for me since I'm on the taller side, but overall it added to the cozy atmosphere. I really enjoyed the experience and would love to come back someday to try their breakfast menu. Even though it gets busy with families and beachgoers on weekends, the restaurant handles the crowds efficiently, and having the beach and nearby attractions to explore while waiting makes the whole experience even better. read more

The Beachcomber Cafe - Grilled Steak Sandwhich - Seafood Near Me - Newport Beach, California

I stayed overnight at Crystal Cove Cottage last night and had a nice breakfast at your restaurant this morning. The weather is nice and I enjoyed my meal at your restaurant, which all of my family likes. But the behavior of our table waitress made us feel bad. Her name is Nancy and when I asked her for the receipt after the meal, she suddenly pointed her finger at us and ignored it and passed by. I don't think it's possible for an employee to hold back with finger to a customer. I wonder if you are educating employees to behave this way. I had a delicious meal after a pleasant break, but her behavior completely ruined my mood. It seems that education is needed to prevent such behavior from ever again. read more

Absolutely stunning! I don't know where to start! This place has got it all Ambience views good food good drinks good service!! All boxes checked Parking - makes sure you park at the top hill near Los Tarcos and take the beachcomber shuttle down to the beach and restaurant. The shuttle is adults $2 one way kids ride free! Also check their instagram stores for parking highlights! Food- I ordered a kids lunch meal and fish tacos for me along with watermelon margarita! Everything was delicious and portion was great Please please make or have a reservation unless you are ready to wait an hour or so!! read more

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Great experience eating right on the beach. Awesome service too! Kids enjoyed everything. Lots of options and fun things to do before and after eating. read more

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Love this place but be prepared to spend some money for parking. If you make it a beach day, it is not so bad. I would also recommend making a reservation as this place gets very busy, especially on the weekends. Can't beat the location with the ocean right in front of you. Friendly staff, solid food choices. read more

The Beachcomber Cafe - Seafood Near Me - Newport Beach, California

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I would say the food is a solid 3.5 and the view is a 5. Came here after a long walk at Crystal Cove, which honestly is the perfect setup because you're already right there and ready to sit down and enjoy the view. We got there a little after 10am and the wait was about 30 minutes, which felt totally reasonable. We hung out by the bar, grabbed a drink, and ordered the beignets while we waited. The beignets aren't traditional, so just know that going in. They're more crispy and flaky than soft and pillowy. You can definitely taste the oil they're fried in, but they're still buttery, slightly sweet, and really satisfying. They come with syrup, which works well with the texture. They initially sat us inside, and I'm not going to lie, it smelled pretty bad. I asked to move outside and it completely changed the experience. Sitting right on the sand with that ocean view is what makes this place worth it. I ordered the tiny ahi tacos and those were actually really good. The ahi tasted fresh, the wonton shell added a nice crunch, and the slaw had that slightly sweet, crunchy element that tied everything together really well. We also had a cocktail that leaned more sweet and didn't really taste like alcohol, so just something to keep in mind depending on what you're looking for. Service was great. Our server was super nice and helpful the whole time. Overall, it's one of those spots where the location really carries the experience, but the food holds its own too, especially if you order right and sit outside. read more

The Beachcomber Cafe - Beignets - Seafood Near Me - Newport Beach, California

Some of the best fish and chips I've ever head. Such a great meal! And the view was amazing! Tucked away in its own little area that makes you feel like you're on vaca somewhere other than Cali. I really enjoyed this spot and will be back read more

Stopped in after doing a long hike and got seated right away for breakfast. The chilaquiles were so delicious and we shared the lemon Ricotta blueberry pancakes, yum! Just wish they had a stronger Lemon flavor. (Oh and FYI they don't have their own restrooms) Will definitely come back if we are in the area again. read more

The Beachcomber Cafe - Steak Chilaquiles and Lemon Ricotta Blueberry Buttermilk Pancakes - Seafood Near Me - Newport Beach, California

Had such an amazing experience at The Beachcomber Café! I can't believe this place was hiding in plain sight all this time--I'm always driving along PCH toward Laguna Beach and Shaw's Cove and never realized this gem was here. We made reservations and were seated right away, which I really appreciated. The location is unbeatable--literally right on the sand. The vibe is super chill and beachy, but the food feels elevated, almost like a white-tablecloth restaurant. I loved that contrast--sand on the floor, ocean views, but beautifully plated, high-quality dishes. I ordered the Grilled Skirt Steak Sandwich, and wow... it was incredible. The fries were perfectly crispy and crunchy. My brother got the Fresh Salmon Plate, and my sister-in-law had a Spaghetti Squash dish, and both were just as delicious. Everything came out looking amazing and tasting even better. We also ordered the bread and butter--so simple but SO good, warm, crunchy, and totally worth it. And the drink? I had the Strawberry Sunset Martini, and it was absolutely perfect--refreshing and super tasty. The service was wonderful from start to finish, and the whole experience just felt effortless and enjoyable. Definitely a hidden gem I'll be coming back to again and again! read more

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After walking 3 miles we were seated in the Front with a clear view of the Waves and the Surf. It was a beautiful day with blue skies and whales spouting on the horizon. Service was great thanks to our Friendly Server Ambiance was excellent * We Were At The Beach She had the Beach Burger and a Salad I had 2 Mahi Mahi Tacos (Yum) with Cole Slaw The Food Quality and Taste was Better than we remembered it from the last time we dined there. read more

The Beachcomber Cafe - Mahi Mahi Tacos (So Tasty) with Cole Slaw - Seafood Near Me - Newport Beach, California

Glad we booked a reservation at sunset for this fun, charming café on the beach. The outdoor covered patio was perfect to watch an amazing sunset. The service was very good and the drinks and food were good, too. Parking is across the street but there's a shuttle you can take or it's only a 10-15 walk. Spend the afternoon exploring Crystal Cove trails and the beach and it's a perfect spot to relax and enjoy a brief respite in Newport Beach!! read more

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The Beachcomber Cafe is quite the beachside dinner experience. It's a find in Newport Beach with incredible sunsets, vacation-style cocktails and solid food. I had a delicious Manhattan variation made with Blood Orange liqueur and Orange bitters. It was a fun spin since I wasn't in the mood for a typical Mai Tai or Bahama Breeze. When you find it, there is a moderate parking nuance where you park off the highway. You will need to take a short shuttle or walk down to the beach where the restaurant is. It's a fun walk so no worries there. Thanks to my good friend for the recommendation because the whole experience was perfect, especially the sunset When you're in Newport Beach you have to go check out this incredible spot. Salute @thejohnnycocktail.com Blood Orange Manhattan Rye Blood Orange Liqueur Orange Bitters read more

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Great place to unwind after a 3-mile morning hike. This place is located right on the sand. There is seating inside and outside on the deck (has great view of the beach). We didn't have reservation, but was seated after a 15-20 minutes wait. Our server was friendly. Our food came out quickly, which was perfect since we were all hungry. Everything was delicious and the portions were generous (we had leftovers). I really like the Beignets. They were fresh and just melts in your mouth yummy. I'll have to come back to try the other dishes. read more

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What an amazing experience the spot has an amazing view of the beach. The service is amazing. The drinks are super strong. I brought my mom here. She was visiting from Arizona. We are ordered the artichokes the fish and chips the chicken sandwich. Everything was delicious. I got me two Tito's on the rocks. What a wonderful day will be back for sure. read more

I always love visiting here when I come to Newport Beach! Making a reservation is a must in my opinion, otherwise you might be waiting quite a while. Our server was quick and friendly. I got the special which was a seared fish BLT, it tasted great, though if you don't like arugula I would skip bc it was very strong. We also got the beignets which were amazing. The view is the best part of course! read more

The Beachcomber Cafe - The special of the day - Seafood Near Me - Newport Beach, California

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We visited for breakfast this morning with family in Newport Beach, and while the service and atmosphere were okay, the cleanliness of the tables was honestly disappointing. The wooden tables have deep gaps between the slats, and those spaces were filled with visible dirt, crumbs, dust, and old debris that clearly hadn't been cleaned properly in a long time. It's not something customers should notice while trying to enjoy a meal. Basic sanitation and attention to detail matter, especially in a restaurant. I hope management takes this seriously and starts deep-cleaning the dining tables regularly instead of only wiping the surface. read more

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Worth the hike to see the sunrise with my adult kids and walk by the beach to have a wonderful breakfast with a great view and ambiance! Oh must try their Beignet, a french donut.... just melts in your mouth! Service was so so but it can be improved-- it was just packed with people that I understand the waiters were a bit overwhelmed but also because we came at Valentine's day so is all good . read more

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Been wanting to eat here for a while and finally made a reservation. Came by with a friend for lunch on a Friday afternoon. We went and had a drink at the bar before we got our table. The atmosphere is great. You're right on the beach. The drinks were good. I had a salad that was delicious. But.. I wouldn't order the calamari again. It's was mostly the kind with the tentacles. Not a fan! And sadly, our server was a complete robot. No personality. No eye contact. Very short with us. I'm sure she was just having a bad day but you gotta fake it in the service industry! A good friendly server really makes the experience that much better. I'll try again another time. read more

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Good vibes with a great view. This is not a place I frequent often, but a good beach front spot to bring friends from out of town. Some notable menu items, were the steak chilaquiles and the avocado toast. We also started with the beignets for the table which was plenty to share a very tasty! read more

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Had a great breakfast here on a Thursday and a great lunch on Saturday. Saturday lunch, after sitting on the deck with drinks, comprised of a tuna melt with tomato/basil soup, and a shrimp salad. Excellent! read more

The Beachcomber Cafe - Tuna melt and tomato soup in foreground, shrimp salad in background. - Seafood Near Me - Newport Beach, California

Not my first time here nor my last (for those who know La Bamba). Great service and drinks. The watermelon mojito is great and so is the Beach Comber. The Jar Bloody Mary is a bit much for me but worth a try if you never had it. The beignets were damn good. So good I didn't get a chance to take a photograph of them. Outdoor beach with a cool breeze makes for a perfect setting. Service was outstanding. read more

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We ate lunch here on a Thursday. We tried to visit on Saturday when we rolled in but they only allow parking across the highway and shuttle you to the restaurant and we didn't have patience for all that so we decided to change plans. We made reservations online through Open Table and we were lucky enough to have Hector as our server. We started with the Ahi Tiny Tacos which were yummy although I would have preferred the ahi to be a little colder. My husband ordered the Spring Salad and enjoyed it immensely. My friend ordered the Mahi Mahi Tacos and as shown in the picture there was a very large portion of coleslaw and 2 huge pieces of fish. She was very happy with her selection. I ordered the Macadamia Nut Crusted Mahi Mahi over mashed potatoes with broccolini and I loved every bite. We ended with a huge slice of Pineapple Cake that we shared, no picture because we devoured it immediately after it was served. We liked the ambiance on the front porch and highly recommend the food and of course, Hector. We will definitely visit again when we are in town. read more

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Critical thinking is not something you do once with an issue and then drop it. It requires that we update our knowledge as new information comes in. Time spent evaluating claims is not just time well spent. It should be considered part of an implicit bargain we've all made - Daniel Levitin After last night's birthday dinner, need to update review. The views of course still cannot be beat. But I'd rather just pay the parking fee and walk the trails and beach of crystal cove instead of eat here again. Food quality now doesn't come close to matching the prices, especially at dinner. Wine list is still pedestrian. Service was smug and inconsistent. We had to ask no several times for one of our dishes but once it arrived we wished we hadn't. I get it, you are always packed so now you don't have to try as hard. My birthday was on the reservation but not acknowledged. I think the server recognized this at the end and said something snarky like "Happy anniversary". I was eating dinner with my son... Nothing food related was memorable. View was fantastic. Again, will buy a trail pass instead of eating here. Recommended only for a one time visit. read more

The Beachcomber Cafe - The view of course is always a standout - Seafood Near Me - Newport Beach, California

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Perfect view for lunch, this place is even better when the weathers nice. We had Conley as our server and he was great. He had good recommendations on what to order, everything we ate was delicious. Recommended making reservations if you want a better table outside during lunch. Beautiful views of the ocean and all the dolphins swimming by. We didn't have room for dessert but it looked amazing! read more

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Another visit with delicious drinks & yummy Avocado Toast. I ordered the watermelon mojito, surprised at the size! My friend had the Endless Summer and the other a mimosa! We each had the toast, delicious! Both Nancy & Rosa were great, attentive and great sense of humor! Will be back again! read more

The Beachcomber Cafe - Large Bloody Mary! - Seafood Near Me - Newport Beach, California

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Really solid food! Great vibes and very close to the beach. Service was quick and everyone was very polite. read more

The Beachcomber Cafe - Shrimp tacos - Seafood Near Me - Newport Beach, California

One of the best brunch spots in OC, especially if you're craving that true beach day vibe. Brunch with your feet practically in the sand just hits different. Make a reservation if you can, or put your name down and make a little adventure out of it: go for a hike, hang out on the beach, then come back to eat. The view is unbeatable no matter what you do but the wait can be real long (I've seen it at 2 hour wait for our group of 4), especially on the weekends. Last time I did the 5 mile hike first, then ended it here with brunch and their Bloody Mary (which they say is the best in OC), and honestly, I believe it. Everything was perfect. Service is always solid, and there's even a cute resident cat that hangs around. Parking is $15, and you'll need to walk about 10 to 15 minutes from the lot to the restaurant. You'll know you're on the right path when you pass through the tunnel covered in kids' art. There's a shuttle too if walking's not your thing, I think it's a couple bucks, though I've never taken it. Tip: Bring your beach gear, because once you're done (or before) eating, this is the perfect place to just chill on the sand read more

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What a great restaurant to enjoy the beach and the sunsets. I ordered the clam chowder and I found it to be accessible. That may not be the right word but the clam chowder was okay. I was hoping for more . The fish and chips were a good choice. The fish was a good size and it had a great flavor as were the chips. This is a restaurant to put on your list The service was over the top . The waitress made the our visit The restaurant is right on the beach with a great outside seating The restroom is a little bit of a walk. read more

The Beachcomber Cafe - The restaurant - Seafood Near Me - Newport Beach, California

Lively restaurant with a really nice ocean view. Even though it was very busy, the wait wasn't long at all. Good food, beautiful view, and a fun vibe. read more

The Beachcomber Cafe - Ahi Nachos, Korean Steak Skewers - Seafood Near Me - Newport Beach, California

It's a very charming restaurant with great ambiance. I highly recommend you get reservations or the wait time can be very long! We came on a Wednesday for lunch. The hostess Tia really took care of us. We had reservations, but a few friends wanted to join us with no time to add them to the reservation. We arrived 45 min before our reservation time, so she was able to accommodate adding them in. However, they arrived late and Tia was so helpful and sweet to still get us a table without a wait. She was amazing!! The service was outstanding. Jesus never rushed us and came by always making sure we had everything we needed without interrupting us. He was very friendly and helpful. The food came out in a timely manner. For our appetizer we had the calamari which was excellent. We shared the Beachcomber burger which looked good, but had zero flavor. The restaurant ut it half and brought us an extra plate without an extra fee. However, I wouldn't order it again. I'd definitely come back again just for the atmosphere and ambiance! read more

We came late afternoon without Reservations and waited for a bit. Bring a blanket, so you can sit and watch the ocean while waiting. Or you can walking around to The Crystal cove visitor center and gift shop. During the holidays, they have a holiday shop which has many cute items for sale. We sat down and ordered food. Service was great! But there were some hiccups on the order as we had some Substitutions. The beef steak sandwich was very tender and delicious. My buttermilk chicken sandwich was so so and a bit dry. The manager Brian was amazing as he helped us clear up some of the confusion. The location was amazing as we sat on the patio. We had ordered beignets afterwards. That was amazing. It came in about 15 pieces with chocolate syrup. The location is awesome. If you are staying at the Marriott, you get 10% off by showing your digital discount card. read more

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Come here many times and always in good feelings. Cocktail in hand and watching a beautiful sunset. Will be back! read more

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Unfortunately updating my 5 star review for The Beachcomber today. I've been coming to the restaurant for about 12 years now, and 2 yrs ago I remember being a bit disappointed in the dinner food (just okay) I have to say the food quality has dropped to diner level since we first ate here 12 yrs ago. The prices are still very high, and the ambience of beach dining is still the same (can't beat the sunset experience here) but our family was very disappointed in the food. This was specifically the lunch menu this time around, and while the offerings were varied, the dishes that we ordered were 'meh'. read more

Prime location right on the beach. Service was fantastic. Food was delicious and the portions were very generous. read more

The Beachcomber Cafe - Shrimp and crabcake Benedict - Seafood Near Me - Newport Beach, California

You are paying for location, location here. You can't beat the views from here and you eat basically on the beach. You can't get closer unless you pack your own food. There is always a wait for walk up so I would suggest you make a reservation. Even with a reservation, you may wait a little. We tried the ahi poki tacos from apps, ribs dinner plate, mushroom & truffle mac & cheese, fries and lemon mouse. The Ahi poki were good but the crust tasted a little stale to me. I wish they had more of a crunch but good. Great value for ribs dinner plate. The cream corn was more of corn, not overly creamy and the ribs had a lot of fat on it. They can't control that but I felt like it was more fat then meat. But good. Mushroom & Truffle mac & cheese was on the watery side. If you are thinking it's a thick, rich mac & cheese, it is not that. Fries were good-could have been a little hotter. And I thought I was ordering lemon mouse cake but it was more of a mouse cup. Overall, good dinner and fun to treat yourself once in awhile. read more

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The location is everything! The little Crystal cove village is cute and the Beachcomber Cafe is set right on the ocean. We went for breakfast without a reservation, but were able to sit inside. I recommend making one if you know in advance. The juices were all so beautiful and tasted delicious. The beignets were, warm, light and fluffy. It's definitely a share size. My friends and I shared the crab and shrimp eggs Benedict and the macadamia coconut pancakes. The pancakes were delicious, but the syrup is fairly sweet. Unfortunately, the service was slow for us. Because the server had been on break, we didn't get much attention initially. She was great when she did come back. read more

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This place is such a gem! Stunning views, you're literally on the beach. You can make reservations online (recommended) or there can be a good wait. But even with the wait, you're at the beach! I have always gotten the lobster roll, buttery and stuffed with great lobster. Drinks are good there too, recently tried the red grapefruit mule 10/10 read more

The Beachcomber Cafe - Maine Lobster Rolls - Seafood Near Me - Newport Beach, California

We've been here so many times that we feel like it's one of our "go to" stops. It always feels like being in the islands, great food, great service, and unbeatable scenery and ambiance! Don't miss the chicken fried sandwich. Wow! read more

The Beachcomber Cafe - Beignets for dessert with Chocolate, Caramel and Maple Syrup! Phenomenal! - Seafood Near Me - Newport Beach, California

FOOD: The food here was great! We got the beignets to start and they are so good!! So airy and fluffy and delicious! I also got a mimosa with elderflower and it was very good! Great flavor. To eat, I got the skillet but with impossible sausage and it was really good! It was my sisters bday so they brought out a brownie dessert for her and it was so good! SERVICE: Our server was so nice and friendly! He chatted with us a bit and was helpful in every way! AMBIANCE/DECOR: It's definitely got total beach vibes and love that it's right on the beach so it's nice to go walking after. PARKING: The only con is the parking! We parked in the out across the street and paid $15 for a day pass because we didn't have enough reception to pull up the website and pay hourly. They should have an option to do that in person or have machines there. Also there is a $2 each way fee to use the shuttle. We couldn't walk because my dad is unable to so we had to use the shuttle. read more

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The greatest breakfast you will ever have. A quick note to anybody coming to the beach comber for breakfast. You are about to have your perception of French toast ruined. Ever since I had the French toast here. I cannot eat French toast anywhere else. The French toast these guys make is jaw dropping. The beignets are amazing as well. But hands down the French toast is what makes this my number one favorite breakfast spot out there. I wish they took reservations, however I understand due to the popularity that can be tough, but wow is it amazing. I cannot recommend this restaurant enough. Plus, you eat on the sand! Gorgeous. read more