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The Crab Cooker

3.6 (1.7k reviews)
ModerateSeafood
Closed 11:00 am - 9:00 pm
Updated 3 months ago

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The Crab Cooker Photos

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THE CRAB COOKER ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Casual
Good for kids
Good for groups

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Recommended Reviews - The Crab Cooker

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Travis T.

"The Main Thing is to Keep The Main Thing The Main Thing" This place has been around forever. Newport Beach was a big party destination for me back in my college days. We used to go to the Crab Cooker all the time for some clam chowder and breadsticks. Back in those days, the breadsticks came free in a container at your table. Us broke college kids would order some soup and devour all of those free breadsticks. Now they just give you a few with your cup of soup. But despite the changes, I still enjoy coming here after all these years. The Crab Cooker is full of nostalgia and still serves up some yummy classic seafood. You cannot miss this place when walking by Newport Pier. They still have the red neon sign on the outside of the building. The decor inside pays homage to Newport Beach's fishing history. The Crab Cooker opened in 1951. It is family-owned and has always been about delivering quality seafood. They catch fish by hook and line only and never with nets. The environment is always a fun crowd. They sell merch too if you want to grab some on your way out. I came here recently and grabbed some chowder and shrimp on a skewer. I absolutely love their clam chowder - so good! Parking is still a pain, but I got lucky and found a spot nearby. Not sure if they still do this, but the Crab Cooker used to have postcards in the front that you can fill out and they will stamp and mail for you. I always thought that was pretty cool. The Crab Cooker also has a location in Tustin.

Fun branded to-go containers
Sunday B.

A classic Newport landmark. I hadn't been since the remodel so I was excited to be here! Parking is always a tad stressful so I got her at 5 and got really lucky and parked on the steet. For $2.10 a per hour- total bargain!! I was glad to see The menu stayed the same. We Got the crab cakes (they we're just okay..not big chunks of crab like a tall, meaty Maryland crab cake - but more like shredded crab flat pancake) coleslaw (bland) potatoes (cheesy goodness-star of the show) smoked salmon appetizer (nothing to write home about) They do a great job with their branded merch (hats, mugs, t-shirts) and the fresh seafood counter at the entrance looks fantastic.

Outside
Judy A.

This place has vintage nostalgic charm with great service, and amazing food! The grilled halibut was cooked perfectly!

Salmon Fillet
Ellen W.

A Balboa staple packed with memories and history. With the location, comes parking challenges. We ordered clam chowder (the favorite of our group and we bought some to take home), salmon, crab cakes (both yummy) and smoked fish (ok). The smoked fish was an appetizer but came out after the entrees were served. The Cole slaw side was yummy but the cheese potatoes did not live up to the hype. Too many tables were sat at the same time and the server seemed spread to thin.

Clam chowder
Tommy L.

Been coming here for ages since I was a teenager but shamefully I'm admitting I haven't been in about five years. I hadn't been here since the remodel, but the place still has that same personality I remember. I came in today with one thing on my mind, their famous clam chowder. By far the best I've ever had and they even put it on the menu as the world's best lol. The chowder came out nice and hot and you can immediately tell it's made fresh. It's thick but not heavy, super creamy with clams in every spoonful along with soft potatoes and little bits of veggies mixed in. The flavor is rich and buttery without being overpowering and it has that perfect comforting homemade taste that keeps you going back for another bite. Every spoonful just tastes complete and balanced. Honestly it tasted exactly how I remembered it and now I remember why I used to come here all the time.

Scallops On A Skewer Lobster On A Skewer Side of Romano Cheese Potatoes   #1 Soft Shell Crabs, and My Sext Date
Alannah M.

Upon entering this staple of Newports original Crab Cooker, we were sat quickly and with a smile by Victoria. She was the only Server on the floor as it was an hour before closing. She had the other side of the .-reastruant, and '11 topsea/1 15 min before closing.--She is professional and with a smile. The food fan fare was quite the best and different than *normal* seafood restaura,nts. And so delicious. Ambiance is eclectic with nautical beauties and oddities.. recomend to all. Price decent to fir the area.

Inside
Dan W.

This place is always. Lean and inviting. Fresh fish when you walk thru the front door. The service is always good. They are on it. Paper plates make it easy for them to clean up. Not too loud inside. Lots to look at. Always a good meal here. Parking can be tough at times.

Lobster was amazing. New England clam chowder was also delicious
Ali R.

I hadn't been to The Crab Cooker in Newport Beach in years, and wow--what an amazing reminder of why this place is such a classic. From the moment you walk in, it feels timeless in the best way. The seafood was incredibly fresh, perfectly cooked, and full of flavor--exactly what I remembered, maybe even better. The atmosphere is casual and no-frills, which just adds to the charm, and the staff was friendly and efficient. It's the kind of place that doesn't need to change because they've been doing it right for decades. If you haven't been in a while, do yourself a favor and go back. Still absolutely worthy of five stars and then some.

Local Spiny Lobster, Oysters in half shell and Calamari
Lori J.

Love the holiday decor and Christmas music this time of year! Service was prompt, and super friendly. It was a bit quiet because of the construction (repainting the building) and midday on a Thursday. Food had fantastic flavor and was a perfect afternoon. We ordered the local Spiny Lobster, 8 oysters on half shell, calamari and cups of chowder. DELICIOUS!! Also got their Holiday Seafood Dip to go - may need go get more!!

Kelly H.

We ordered the seabass, Cole slaw, rice, crab cakes, and smoked salmon. Everything was delicious! You can really tell they have perfected their menu and ingredients, the service and ambiance are also 10/10. Best seafood in Newport.

Sea MKT Seabass
Anthony H.

Fantastic! This place always delivers! The food is so good, the specials are always fun, the staff is friendly and efficient which makes the service second to none and the atmosphere is nice, clean and lively. I love the decor and how quality everything feels. The paper plates are an interesting choice given that everything else feels like a high end place but I think it's kind of fun and the prices certainly are hard to beat for this quality. A staple in Newport Beach.

Shrimp on a Skewer
Melani S.

This place was recommended to us and we finally had a chance to check it out. We went on a Tuesday at lunch time and were seated right away (party of 3). The service was great- they were super friendly, attentive and made recommendations for us. Everything we got was fresh, flavorful and unique. They do the manhattan clam chowder, it was our first time having it, and we enjoyed it. The salmon was cooked to perfection, my daughter loved her shrimp, and my son had the best time learning how to eat the crab. It was on the pricey side and they only have seafood, so be prepared. The menu is small, but if you like seafood I'm sure you will like this place.

Crab cake lunch plate
Megan P.

Everything tasted alright but the portions were a little on the smaller side for what you pay. We visited in the past & feel a bit of a difference as of quantity from before. Service was nice though.

MKT King Crab Legs

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I had the scallop and shrimp skewers. They were cooked perfectly juicy and tender, and the fish was so fresh delicious

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The Crab Cooker Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - The Crab Cooker

Reservations can be made?

I'm not sure about reservations. We were there on a Wednesday and they had a steady flow but no wait so, I never thought to ask about reservations. Sorry

Is there a Wait List?

There certainly can be a wait list depending upon the usual factors as time of day, time of year, tourist season, etc. This is a very popular restaurant with a great reputation. Newport Beach itself can be overrun with visitors during the summer… Read more

How is Parking?

Expect to find a spot on the street and pay a meter.

Do they take reservations?

No, they don't take reservations. Fri - Sun, they can be busy, especially as the weather warms up and the beach crowd increases. I usually go during the week, and if you get there before 6:00 P.M., you usually have no problem getting immediate… Read more

Are repairs complete? Are they open for pickup / delivery?

Yes, they are back in business, sorta.

Is this location open or not yet?

Newport Beach is open, finally.

Is this location still open?👀

Yes NB is open, regular hours. (What do you mean "still open".)

Does anyone know if June 1, 2019 is a firm re-open date for the NB location?

That's a firm NO. But June 2022 would be a better guess. It is worth waiting for.

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Shorebird

Shorebird

4.3
(1.1k reviews)
0.0 mi

Came here for Mother's Day brunch and it turned out to be one of my favorite brunch experiences…read more 5+++ stars on all fronts: ambiance, service, food! First of all, the harbor ocean views and interior decor are absolutely beautiful and airy. Love the ambiance!! Then our waitress was just the sweetest and made the experience so pleasant and warm. Finally, the FOOD. Omg - it's hard to be impressed by brunch food because you often get the feeling that you can just make it at home. But the food here was a culinary experience not easily replicated at home. We loved everything we ordered - oysters, chicken and waffles, the breakfast burrito, my cocktail - you can't go wrong with whatever you get!

Location and views are beautiful. Service is good…read more Food and drinks are good. Came here on a Saturday evening for a friend's birthday dinner. She made a reservation for a table of 6, and we were sat by the water with great views. Buffalo onion rings- giant crispy, beer-battered onion rings on top of a buffalo sauce with blue cheese crumbles and tiny bits of celery. Crispy cauliflower- crispy, flavorful, so simple, but it was pure perfection. I'd get these again. Salmon carpaccio - beautiful presentation, looks and tastes like summer. Refreshing. I'd get it again. Aperol spritz - goes with the vibes of this place. Cubano - very flavorful and plentiful. Familiar, yet unique. I'd get it again. Key lime pie - I've had the best in Key West and this was comparable. The sorbet is also a refreshing palate cleanser. Brownie - decadent. Bananas Foster Split - plentiful, simple, delicious.

Photos
Shorebird located on Balboa Peninsula in Newport Beach offering coastal cuisine in a modern, airy setting with views of the o...
Shorebird located on Balboa Peninsula in Newport Beach offering coastal cuisine in a modern, airy setting with views of the o...
Tin's Dressed Oysters
Tin's Dressed Oysters
Smiling bartender creating a fresh craft cocktail with exceptional hospitality and care at Shorebird in Newport Beach.

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Smiling bartender creating a fresh craft cocktail with exceptional hospitality and care at Shorebird in Newport Beach.
Hook & Anchor

Hook & Anchor

4.5
(2.4k reviews)
2.0 mi
$$

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

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

Photos
The Dolphin beckons
The Dolphin beckons
Lobster roll - small kine
Lobster roll - small kine
Bloody Mary

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Bloody Mary
Lighthouse

Lighthouse

3.9
(4.3k reviews)
0.3 mi
$$

Stopped in for breakfast on a Thursday morning. Light and airy inside, outdoor seating. View of…read moreharbor. Food was excellent. My omelette was stuffed with seafood - not skimpy! Others enjoyed lemon blueberry pancakes and bacon, cheese and avo omelette.

FIRST OFF: I just wanna say this review does NOT reflect our server, he was fantastic and so…read moreattentive, shoutout carlos!! this review is for the manger and whoever answers the phones, i had come here for a birthday brunch for one of my close friend and first things first she said when she had called they were rude and short with her and said they cannot hold her birthday cake inside, fine, we get there and all of a sudden they can put the cake inside the fridge which was cool, food and service was great, thanks again carlos!!! we get the bill and there was a 25$ cake fee, they did not cut the cake or anything, just stored it in the fridge... i asked why this was there we had zero knowledge of this, manager told us to look on website and when we asked if he can show us where it was he said no handed us a menu in which it said $20 outside dessert fee in tiny fine print,... but yet we were still getting overcharged $5, then we got the new check, said $45 cake fee. so then had to get it fixed for the 3rd time, manager was rude and dismissive the whole time, it isn't about the money, it's about the lack of communication to us (the customer) and hey maybe let your employees know about this cake fee since they were all confused as well. long story short, Carlos was the best thing about this brunch, but because of management we will not be back.

Photos
Great atmosphere!
Great atmosphere!
Beignets
Beignets
Lobster Roll

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Lobster Roll
Rockin' Baja Lobster Coastal Cantina

Rockin' Baja Lobster Coastal Cantina

3.8
(1.5k reviews)
0.1 mi
$$

Rockin' Baja Lobster is one of my favorite restaurants in Southern California. I've been going to…read morelocations in San Diego since I was a child. We were in Newport Beach on a Friday night and decided to eat at Rockin' Baja. We added our names to the waitlist and walked the pier while waiting for our table. It was a 30 minute wait and they're definitely a popular spot on a Friday night. We ordered the signature bucket for two and the lobster and shrimp bites for our entrees. We started off with the chips and dip appetizer. Everything we ordered was delicious. I'll continue to go to Rockin' Baja when I'm in Southern California.

If you are looking for authentic unapologetically Puerto Nuevo style seafood the search ends here…read more We stopped by this place for a casual family dinner, and ordered the Bajas Trio Magnifico, Fajitas De Baja, and California Burrito Bowl. Let me begin by saying the shrimp were grilled to perfection, and the carne asada in both plates was tender with an amazing Smokey charred flavor. The pinto beans were flavorful with a toasty creamy texture, and the perfect amount of cheese on top. Unfortunately, I did not eat the cilantro lime rice that also came with the dish. Service was great, Enrique did a great job with keeping our water glasses, and drinks full the entire time. He was also very attentive without hovering. This is a must-visit, if you are in or near Old town San Diego.

Photos
Rockin' Baja Lobster Coastal Cantina
Rockin' Baja Lobster Coastal Cantina
A trio of fish tacos, shrimp, lobster and cod. Blackened fish bowl is the other dish. Ask for the cilantro lime dressing too

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A trio of fish tacos, shrimp, lobster and cod. Blackened fish bowl is the other dish. Ask for the cilantro lime dressing too
Gulfstream

Gulfstream

3.9
(2.1k reviews)
3.1 mi
$$$

I love Gulfstream, the restaurant is always lively and fun. The service is spot on and the food is…read moreAMAZING! Their salmon appetizer is perfect and their biscuits are out of this world good! All of their fish dishes are fantastic and I have never had a less than stellar meal there!

OC is my home but IN is my new home. So when we come back we love to come here…read more The great? Our server Courtney who was friendly and attentive. Ambiance was on point for a busy Saturday evening. Reso at 7p, we got there early and sat outside on the cocktail patio. Kate one of the servers outside was OUTSTANDING and never stopped moving. She was soooo outgoing and handled the extremely busy section with ease and grace. I got a virgin Bloody Mary with blue cheese stuffed olives. Absolutely yummy. Once seated inside we immediately ordered the heavenly biscuits and I got the Caesar salad that was outstanding bc it had corn and ample dressing the the soft and crunchy croutons. I could eat just those lol. I got the ruby red trout and since they were out of Dover sole, my hubby got the crab cakes. We both got the wild rice with almonds. It came COLD which I wish we would've known. It was not his cup of tea. The crab cakes he said were not hot but not Cold. A little bit of a let down. Would love to see a more varied dessert menu. Only had lemon meringue which is such a specific choice, hot fudge sundae (basic) and tres leches. Add a creme brûlée or butter cake please! Or something appley. Will be back but prob will call ahead to make sure Dover sole is available.

Photos
Interior when you walk in
Interior when you walk in
Vodka martini, (call drink, $22) -- LOVE that they replace your glass mid-drink with a cold, frosty one!
Vodka martini, (call drink, $22) -- LOVE that they replace your glass mid-drink with a cold, frosty one!
Salmon Salad

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Salmon Salad

The Crab Cooker - seafood - Updated June 2026

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