Fantastic seafood! Fresh & delicious! I live this place for fresh seafood! The scallops are one of my favorites! I use to work here & had a fantastic experience! I loved Robby read more

Oh man, this place is incredible as soon as I walked out the door I wanted to have dinner there again. Everything we ate was absolutely amazing. We had calamari crabcakes, a shrimp and crab cocktail, that is relatively small so order multiple as apps. My friend had the shrimp and scallop skewer and it comes seasoned perfectly and it's so buttery and it just melts in your mouth. I got the combination skewer and same thing melts in your mouth. It's buttery incredible seasoned perfectly. I can't wait to come back here again. I wish I would've gotten some stuff to go. The menu is kind of hard to understand in terms of whether you're gonna have to pick apart a whole crab or if it's crab legs I think that we asked the server about the Japan item and she told us that it was a full crab and in reality it was crab legs, so that was a kind of a bummer for us because we thought otherwise. So make sure you clarify what you want. read more

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Iconic spot to eat in Newport Beach! Location wise, it's in the middle of the action at Balboa Island so you can come here for lunch and enjoy your day with exploring around the area. We started either the crab cocktail. Taste wise it was great and it was a fair portion, loved the cocktail sauce. The crab was just really overcooked. We also ordered the lunch plate of the combination and scallops skewer. We always ordered the slaw and the cheesy potatoes for the sides. The food was great, scallops never miss here and are always tender. What we really enjoy was the tartar sauce they give. It looks like it was a lot cleaner here than before and renovation was done. It was a lot cozier than before with plenty of seating inside. Staff were nice as well. Service was pretty quick and food came out pretty quickly. read more

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"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. read more

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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. read more

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I have been coming to The Crab Cooker since the 1960s. We landed here for lunch this clear February day. There was no line. We were immediately greeted and seated. The place is comfortably and cheesely decorated. I remember the old place, and, seated in the new place, I honestly can't tell the difference. The food is certainly the same. The freshest sea food simply prepared and served on paper plates with plastic tableware. The lunch special has been a favorite of mine for decades. A bowl of the clam chowder (Manhattan) with the fish salad and a drink for $15! We had a wonderful time eating and reminiscing about this landmark of the Balboa/Newport neighborhood. It is perfect this time of year. The off season is when we locals can really appreciate what a paradise we live in. read more

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

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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

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. read more

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This a very cute place to grab lunch/dinner. It has a very relaxing feel on the inside. They have benches alongside the restaurant for you to sit and wait for your table. The staff is very nice and welcoming. Parking can be a challenge so plan ahead especially if you arrive on a weekend or a nice warm SoCal summer evening. Clam chowder - very good. Soft shell crab - also good and lightly fried to perfection. Alaskan icelandi- the fish tasted very fresh and the potato side was amazing! read more

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. read more

The Crab Cooker - Clam chowder - Seafood Near Me - Newport Beach, California

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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. read more

The Crab Cooker - Scallops On A Skewer Lobster On A Skewer Side of Romano Cheese Potatoes #1 Soft Shell Crabs, and My Sext Date - Seafood Near Me - Newport Beach, California

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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. read more

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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. read more

The Crab Cooker - Lobster was amazing. New England clam chowder was also delicious - Seafood Near Me - Newport Beach, California

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!! read more

The Crab Cooker - Local Spiny Lobster, Oysters in half shell and Calamari - Seafood Near Me - Newport Beach, California

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. read more

The Crab Cooker - Seafood Near Me - Newport Beach, California

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. read more

The Crab Cooker - Sea MKT Seabass - Seafood Near Me - Newport Beach, California

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. read more

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I have been going here for years and the service is always excellent. I had lobster that was so delicious, here's to the cooks that make amazing meals. The coleslaw and cheese potatoes are to die for. But our waitress was amazing also very attentive and checked on us often. Thank you all for a great meal! read more

Went there last week, first time since May. Have been going there for decades. Venerable place which somehow managed to be "reborn" after adjacent construction project ruined their bldg's foundation some years ago. The 'track record' for the chefs here who prepare the fish is unblemished...they NEVER SCREW UP THE FISH! Not a fan of their coleslaw, the rice is forgettable...but the POTATOES! Don't pass them up. All their seafood is always fresh due to how busy they are ALL THE TIME. Don't go if eating on paper plates and drinking and eating with plastic cups and dinnerware offends you. There's a darn good reason this place has been around forever. Long live the Crab Cooker! read more

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. read more

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A must try...but not for non-seafood eaters....there are no land choices here. The king crab legs were market price were a bit pricey but so worth it! They were steamed perfectly and even pre-cut for ya. Their unique cheesy potatoes were flavorful and added a nice touch to the palate. Not much more than mixed cabbage in the slaw but tasty nonetheless. The service was prompt and friendly and the place was nostalgic to add to the special dining experience. Parking is tight so we parked a few blocks down and enjoyed the nice walk to and from. It's also off the beach 2 blocks so not a very sandy place which is nice. read more

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We should've walked out as soon as we were seated. David, our server was terrible. He brought out some cold and dry bread that wasn't even fully cut. He also brought some water, not enough for everyone at our table. We ordered appetizers and he never came back to take our order. We had to call him to over. He was rushing through and didn't ask about drinks. I ordered mine and as someone in our party gave his drink order, David walked off. Didn't care to get anyone's order. If you want your drink refilled, David fills one plastic cup like the one you're served in and fills everyone's cup from that. Every place we've been to brings full drinks or pours refills from a pitcher. The food was disappointing. Not one person ate their full meal. The plastic forks and paper plates with parchment paper are for picnics not a sit down restaurant. David needs to re-evaluate his career choices. He also needs some etiquette classes. His rude and disrespectful behavior are going to kill your business. read more

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Food was outstanding, the service was second to none an the ambiance was very inviting. Went for my birthday and enjoyed every minute. read more

The Crab Cooker - Seafood Near Me - Newport Beach, California

The portions have grown slightly but so have the prices which it usual for a seafood restaurant. My tried and true is the light eaters scallops with rice and potatoes. Always visit when we are in Newport. read more

A place that has been around so long has to be doing something right still. Certainly for people of a certain age like me, every dish comes with a dollop of nostalgia. Even if the building is only like 5 years old, this place has been here since my dad took us in the early 1970's back when a Chinese immigrant could buy whole fish straight from fishermen's boats pulled ashore on the beach across the street (at least that's what I remember). So when we happened to take a minute detour into Balboa, and passed the Crab Cooker, I kinda knew dad was telling me to come back that way for lunch and so we did. We probably had the same lunch dad would have gotten us -ie a cheap one: a couple of cups of The Chowder, and a loaf of bread. This has to be my core memory of red chowder, it probably tastes exactly the same, even the funny little soup croutons (that IIRC dad tried to remake at home without success). The loaf of bread was definitely enough for the two of us to share. And definitely worth paying for alongside the chowders. Only thing I didn't get, was a nice cold beer. But my dad wasn't much of a drinker so he probably didn't either back then. Ambiance: we sat in the front room which was nice and bright, and the deco on the walls -some of it has to be from the original building right? One funny thing: my wife wondered at some point before we even walked in: "is this the (late Bay Area chain) Fish Market?" And yeah, from the decor down to the chunky font, they do seem like the same? read more

We ended here after a day at the beach. My son had been saying all day, let's get fish and chips. I didn't look up the menu beforehand, but spoiler alert, the crab cooker does not have fish and chips. Also the famous clam chowder is not New England style. The food we get was fresh and tasty. But slightly disappointed with the selection options. Our server was wonderful! She had great recommendations and made the experience great. read more

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Save your money. The food is terrible. Crab cakes are like under cooked hush puppies. Crab was overcooked, potatoes were burnt on the underside while the center was luke warm. Everything except the bottled beer was $hitty. Years ago it was great place to go, not anymore. Will never go back. For the same money go to the Rusty Pelican. read more

The food here was just okay. And the service here was also just okay. The price of the food was great tho, very reasonable. I wish the food had more flavor and I wish that the server was kinder and more attentive to us. I feel like we were constantly forgotten about. I like the restaurants decor though it was very cute and I like the proximity it is to the beach. read more

On a visit to our grandson at Pitzer College, we took a day trip to Newport Beach. While walking on the pier, we ran into a fisherman and he told us all about the history of the area. We also asked for a recommendation for the most authentic and traditional seafood restaurant in the area and he pointed us to The Crab Cooker. We were delighted with the suggestion that we could go to a place with paper plates, friendly service, excellent decor, and the freshest seafood one could get! We were lucky to be served by Candice, who made some great recommendations. We started with a dozen oysters (a new treat for our grandson), along with some soft shell crabs as an appetizer. Our main courses were the Crab Louie Salad, the Grilled Lobster (8oz. portion), and the grilled combo plate with cod, shrimp, and scallops. We loved the coleslaw and the mashed potatoes with cheese that are the signature starch at the Crab Cooker. Everything was fresh and tasty. read more

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The food wasn't the problem! I paid by a vanilla gift card, and the staff could not process a Visa card that was virtual. They told me they couldn't use the full amount of the card and that would only be able to charge $80 of $100 card. I came home to find out they charged $96 instead of $80. So I called the crab cooker. I asked for the general manager, and they told me that they were too busy to talk to me. About my experience today. I told him about the situation he said who pays by virtual credit card. I hope the owner -Jim Wasko -sees this review and knows how upset I really am. I was a loyal customer. I will never go back after how I was treated. . I hope other people don't get treated like this. The person on the phone should be fired read more

My husband and I went to Newport Crab Cooker for lunch. What happened to the great tasting food besides price increase again? Their french bread was so doughy and the cook messed up on the mashed potatoes. We also have been going out of our way to eat here it's not the same seems the coleslaw recipe changed. Sorry good by, Adios we don't recommend. People want more more for less quality. read more

My parents used to take me here as a kid. I loved clam chowder soup back then. I was down here for a birthday party next door and I wanted to bring some back to my parent to reminisce. We loved the New England clam chowder and I should've checked to make sure I got the correct one but it was covered by these hard bread nuggets. I wish they still carried the old style oyster crackers but oh well. I won't be back for a long time to come. By the time I got home it turned out to be the Manhattan red chowder which wasn't my favorite. The shop was closing so we got everything at the bottom of the pot which did include a lot of tomato bits, clams and potatoes plus it was so so salty. The guy behind the counter was quick but he definitely didn't ask the right questions and I didn't verify what I was getting because I would've requested the New England instead. read more

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I've been coming here since I was attending ding UC Irvine. They've updated the restaurant since & now serve food a real plates. They used to serve them on paper plates which were very flimsy. Good food & fresh crab. My hubby likes their clam chowder. A portion of the dining area has open windows to the Balboa side. I like that room as it's bright, breezy & welcoming. Their mashed potatoes are cheesy good! read more

They have the best clam chowder ever. I don't really get anything but a few bowls and a couple pints to take home to Vegas. The smoked fish is also to die for. It's a good tourist spot I've been going to for 30 years. We used to have a boat on a buoy down there so I tried everybody and they are still the winners read more

The highlight were the oysters and the mussels. I liked the option of ordering per oyster instead of 8. Clam chowder essentially tasted like a creamy minestrone soup. Didn't really have the seafood essence. So I wouldn't order that again. The breadsticks had a stale taste to the them. Aside from the food- The staff was friendly and parking was free after 6pm on the street. Restaurant is in a really cute area in Newport. read more

The Crab Cooker - Clam Clam Chowder #5 - Seafood Near Me - Newport Beach, California

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I have been coming here my whole life, I'm 40 years old. They have the best casual seafood dining around. Everything is always so good and the mashed potatoes are sooo cool! Always recommend read more

Hear me out. When my boyfriend first introduced me to this place for fish years ago, I thought, what is this place?! However, I have fallen in love with their grilled salmon amongst other things. 1. The restaurant is a little campy, but it adds to their charm 2. The staff are always friendly (who doesn't love good customer service. It can make or break a meal for me, personally) 3. The rice pilaf. You got to get the rice pilaf. It's that good! 4. Their grilled salmon is not over cooked. VERY important. That means it's still moist and buttery tasting. I love butter! That's my favorite food group! 5. They have an amazing seafood selection that you can choose to purchase and enjoy at home. We love the Dungeness crab meat. You can't go wrong with crab. I hope everyone doesn't write it off like I did, initially. I would be missing out. Glad I didn't. read more

The Crab Cooker - Grilled salmon (partially eaten bc, too hungry). Rice pilaf (usually get two sides of this) & salad. - Seafood Near Me - Newport Beach, California

Love visiting here! Shrimp skewers are always yummy, potatoes and coleslaw are definitely the best sides. We also tried the crab, halibut, salmon, and clam chowder which were all fresh and delicious. Love the fun and casual atmosphere! read more

I adore this place because it is a piece of my history of summer vacations and every trip to Disneyland. Great location and quirky artwork inside. Paper placemats and the same menu. We ordered the swordfish and scallops and enjoyed it. Our server was Nisha and she was attentive and nice and brought everything we needed. The one thing I took a star off for was less than environmentally friendly things like all plastic and disposable cutlery and cups. It made me so sad knowing all of these things were used once and off to the landfill. We can do better! I honestly prefer stainless steel silverware to eat anyways. read more