One of the best things about living in Southern California is enjoying a meal while admiring the exceptional views. Whether beach-side overlooking the Pacific Ocean, or taking in a panoramic view of the city, meals with friends and romantic evenings are all more memorable at these Orange County restaurants with a view.
Check out our list of Best New Restaurants too!
180 blu @ the Ritz Carlton
1 Ritz Carlton Dr, Dana Point, CA 92629
180 Blu is located at the Ritz Carlton Laguna Niguel. The upscale restaurant with an outdoor lounge-like setting is perched 150 feet above the sand, overlooking Salt Creek Beach. The menu serves small plates and desserts from Raya, the main restaurant at the Ritz Carlton, as well as unique hand-crafted drinks.
A+O Kitchen & Bar
1221 West Coast Hwy, Newport Beach, CA 92663
A+O Kitchen & Bar is a waterside dining destination at Balboa Bay Resort complete with a patio and fire pits. Diners will enjoy views of the boats sailing through Newport Harbor. The menu at A+O includes jalapeno empanadas, carnitas fries, fish tacos, spaghetti squash, a Kobe cheeseburger, a selection of salads, and more. They also offer a Liquid Brunch menu and a social hour menu.
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The Beachcomber Café
15 Crystal Cove, Newport Coast, CA 92657
At the Beachcomber Café, guests will enjoy classic California cuisine and breakfast favorites at this converted cottage turned restaurant located on the beach at Crystal Cove. The Beachcomber Café is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and serves delicious entrees including clam chowder, stuffed salmon, mahi mahi spring rolls, avocado toast, corned beef hash and eggs, and so much more.
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Bear Flag Fish Company
21058 Pacific Coast Hwy #124 Huntington Beach, CA, 92648
Bear Flag Fish Company is located at the Pacific City shopping center in Huntington Beach and offers views of the Pacific Ocean and the famous Huntington Beach Pier. There are two other locations, one at Crystal Cove Promenade and one on the Newport Peninsula, but the Huntington Beach location offers the best view. All three locations offer a full bar and sushi bar in addition to the general menu which features fresh, sustainably harvested, and mostly local fish.
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The Boardwalk Restaurant
21100 Pacific Coast Hwy, Huntington Beach, CA 92648
The Boardwalk Restaurant located at the Hilton Waterfront Beach Resort is set in California modern style serving up ocean views for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The stylish and casual spot is a great place to meet up with friends for lunch on a Saturday afternoon or to grab a bite after work with coworkers. Entrée options include braised short ribs, pub fries, squash salad, salmon and more.
The Bungalow
21058 Pacific Coast Hwy #240, Huntington Beach, CA 92648
The Bungalow Huntington Beach is located at the Pacific City center and offers views of the ocean and the Huntington Beach Pier. The Bungalow is a casual spot with a rustic, vintage charm that celebrates the history of Surf City. The Bungalow serves signature cocktails and exclusive small plates from Bear Flag Fish Company. The Bungalow also has a location in Santa Monica.
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Cabo Wabo Beach Club
Waterfront Hotel (21100 Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach, CA 92648)
Sammy Hagar’s Cabo Wabo Beach Club at the Waterfront Hotels serves up coastal Mexican cuisine, handcrafted cocktails and a lively atmosphere. You can dine and drink cocktails at the restaurant’s flaming guitar fire pit at the outdoor palapa bar while enjoying panoramic views of the sun setting. The club is open for breakfast, lunch, dinner and even late night bites and libations.
The Cliff Restaurant
577 S Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach, CA 92651
The Cliff restaurant in Laguna Beach offers outdoor dining with panoramic views of the ocean on a multi-level patio. It’s a perfect spot for a romantic dinner, or an outing with friends. Live music is featured at the bar 6 nights a week, with fire pits to relax and enjoy. The Cliff is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and the menu includes Eggs Benedict, oysters on the half shell, blackened ahi, sandwiches, and a variety of pastas and specialty dishes.
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The Deck on Laguna Beach
627 Sleepy Hollow Ln, Laguna Beach, CA 92651
The Deck on Laguna Beach offers beachside outdoor dining just steps from the crashing waves. The restaurant specializes in creative cocktails and fresh seafood served daily for lunch and dinner from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Menu items include small plates, sandwiches, and entrees with oysters, cioppino, Sea Bass, lamb chops, and more. The Deck is a great dining destination for fun or romance in a unique seaside setting.
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Duke’s Huntington Beach
317 Pacific Coast Hwy, Huntington Beach, CA 92648
Duke’s is situated at the start of the Huntington Beach pier just above the sand. Diners will enjoy views of the ocean, the pier, and the surfers carving the waves. Named for Duke Kahanamoku, the legendary Hawaiian swimmer and surfer, it was here in 1925 that he introduced surfing. The sport increased in popularity quickly, spreading along the California Coast. The surfers that flocked to the beaches earned Huntington Beach its nickname: Surf City USA®. Duke’s serves up delicious meals for lunch and dinner, and Sunday Brunch. Menu items include coconut shrimp, lobster tails, king crab legs, burgers, chicken, and ribs.
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The Fifth Rooftop Restaurant
1650 S Harbor Blvd., Anaheim, CA 92802
The Fifth Rooftop Restaurant (at the Grand Legacy At the Park Hotel) has an assortment of food, craft beer, and cocktails. However the best part about the rooftop are the amazing views of the Disneyland fireworks all without having to navigate the crowds or purchase a ticket. The rooftop also has panoramic views of Disneyland, California Adventure, and all of Anaheim. Disneyland fireworks begin at 9:30 and last for about 20 minutes so be sure to book a reservation around that time.
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The Fisherman’s Restaurant & Bar
611 Avenida Victoria, San Clemente, CA 92672
The Fisherman’s Restaurant & Bar is a casual beachside dining spot located at the San Clemente Pier. The Fisherman’s Restaurant is open daily for lunch and dinner, serving up fresh seafood and traditional favorites. They also offer the Fisherman’s Feast style dinners, served family style for two or more people with four separate courses. Options for the feast include salmon, crab, halibut, or prawns.
The Hangout Restaurant & Beach Bar
901 Ocean Ave, Seal Beach, CA 90740
The Hangout is a surf-themed casual dining spot located across the street from the Seal Beach Pier with window views of the ocean, the pier, and Main Street. The Hangout is an award-winning restaurant specializing in burgers, BBQ, and seafood, and serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner with popular items like the lobster omelet, the jalapeno burger, pulled pork sliders, the lobster & clam bake pot, and more. The Hangout also offers a large selection of craft beers, cocktails, and wine, with many of the craft beers rotating throughout the year to offer new and fresh flavors to guests.
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Lighthouse Café
1600 W Balboa Blvd, Newport Beach, CA 92663
For a more casual option offering breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner check out the Lighthouse Café located at Marina Park on the Balboa Peninsula. Both the upper deck and lower patio offer expansive harbor views where you can watch people paddle boarding, sailing, and drinking mimosas all at the same time. The menus changes throughout the day featuring items such as beignets, organic eggs dishes, pancakes, fish and chips, burgers, shakes and many seafood dishes.
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The Loft
30801 Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Montage Lobby Lounge
30801 Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach, CA 92651
The Lobby Lounge at the Montage Resort is a specialty bar that serves tea, coffee, and a variety of adult cocktails with a small selection small bites and desserts. The upscale Lobby Lounge features panoramic ocean views from a living-room style setting with couches, arm chairs, bookshelves, and a fireplace.
Mozambique Steakhouse
1740 S Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Mozambique Steakhouse is an upscale restaurant and bar offering a unique dining and entertainment experience with a panoramic ocean view specializing in South African flavors. House specialties include Peri Peri Prawns, Vegetable and Beef Samoosas, grass-fed steaks, and Chilean Sea Bass. Mozambique serves lunch and dinner, Sunday brunch, and offers an extensive late night menu. Guests will enjoy full bars on all three levels of the colonial-style, ocean side Mozambique with live music on select nights. Free transportation within 10 miles is available after 5:00 p.m.
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Offshore 9 Rooftop Lounge
21100 Pacific Coast Hwy, Huntington Beach, CA 92648
Offshore 9 Rooftop Lounge is one of the new additions to the Hilton Waterfront Beach Resort in Huntington Beach. Located nine floors up at the top of the Twin Dolphin Tower, guests can take in the ocean views from the highest rooftop lounge on the Orange County coast. The unique menu features small plates, high end wine and champagne, and specialty cocktails, including patatas bravas, ahi tuna poke, and sous vide spanish octopus. The outdoor lounge is elegant yet casual and perfect for a date night or get-together with friends.
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Ola Mexican Kitchen
21040 Pacific Coast Hwy #200, Huntington Beach, CA 92648
Ola Mexican Kitchen is located at the Pacific City complex in Huntington Beach on the top level with ocean views throughout. The menu offers elevated Mexican comfort food including ceviche, tortilla soup, tacos, and specialty plates that feature ribeye, enchiladas, and seafood. The sophisticated casual dining spot serves lunch and dinner seven days a week and offers happy hour, Taco Tuesday, and Sunday brunch.
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Orange County Mining Company
10000 S Crawford Canyon Rd, Santa Ana, CA 92705
Orange County Mining Company is a traditional steakhouse and saloon that opened in 1974 that features an unobstructed view of Orange County from a hillside over the city of Orange. Watch the sunset while enjoying classic favorites like top sirloin steak, rainbow trout, shrimp and scallops, filet mignon, prime rib and more. The rustic and charming location offers an authentic atmosphere for families and friends to gather with large rooms available for group events. Ideal for families, or for a romantic dinner with a view. dinner only is served beginning at 5:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 4:30 p.m. on Sunday.
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Orange Hill Restaurant
6410 E Chapman Ave, Orange, CA 92869
Orange Hill Restaurant is perched on a hill in Orange County up a winding road. Visitors are greeted by koi ponds, waterfalls, and a fireplace. The Orange County Register awarded Orange Hill with Best Sunday Brunch and Most Romantic Restaurant. Guests will enjoy a menu featuring high-quality ingredients and local produce, and house specialties like perfectly aged Prime Steaks and Chilean Sea Bass. Orange Hill serves brunch on Saturday and Sunday, and dinner all week long.
Parkestry Rooftop Bar
JW Marriott, Anaheim Resort, 1775 South Clementine Street, Anaheim
Enjoy an elevated experience on the JW Marriott Resort’s 11th floor rooftop bar. Parkestry offers unmatched views of surrounding Orange County, including nearby Disneyland Resort and California Adventure. The rooftop bar also overlooks Anaheim GardenWalk. Open to hotel guests and the general public, Parkestry serves handcrafted cocktails and specialty bites from Chef Amol Agarwal. Parkestry’s soothing and modern atmosphere represents night and day, with mosaic floor tiling that mimics the night sky, and a gold and crème tiled bar that symbolizes the sun.
Pelican Grill
22800 S Pelican Hill Rd, Newport Beach, CA 92657
Pelican Grill offers indoor and outdoor dining perched on a hill in Newport with picturesque ocean views. The laid-back modern American grill features steaks, burgers, fresh seafood, salads, and wood-fired pizzas made with top-quality ingredients. Guests will enjoy the cozy and casual atmosphere where they can relax by the fireplace, watch the game with a drink at the bar, or see the sunset from the terrace.
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Raya Dana Point
1 Ritz Carlton Dr, Dana Point, CA 92629
Raya, located at the iconic Ritz Carlton Laguna Niguel, is an elegant fine dining destination with sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean. Chef Richard Sandoval’s menu features Pan-Latin cuisine with specialty dishes like duck chili verde, chipotle miso black cod, and pan seared scallops. Menu items are prepared with organic meats, sustainable seafood, and locally sourced produce. Raya serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily.
The Rooftop Lounge
1289 South Coast Highway, 4th Floor, Laguna Beach, CA 92651
The Rooftop Lounge in Laguna Beach is located on the 4th floor at the top of La Casa del Camino Hotel. Guests will enjoy lunch or dinner and sprawling ocean views from the outdoor deck, or choose to dine indoors. The California casual cuisine includes specialty food and drinks including their signature fresh fruit mojitos, Hibachi Salmon, Blackened Sea Bass, and Shrimp Scampi Ravioli.
Ruby’s Shake Shack at Crystal Cove
7703 East Coast Hwy, Newport Beach, CA 92657
Ruby’s Shake Shack is located just along Coast Highway, perched on a hillside overlooking the ocean and Crystal Cove. The Shake Shack has limited parking, and a limited but delicious menu featuring the 40’s diner chain favorites of burgers and milk shakes. There is a very small section for seating here, so the Shake Shack is a place to take in the view and grab a bite on the go.
Splashes Laguna beach
1555 S Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Splashes is located in the Surf & Sand Resort in Laguna Beach. The upscale seaside restaurant with views of the ocean, which sits just 25 feet below, offers a delicious menu selection featuring fresh, local ingredients. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner is served daily, with brunch on Saturday and Sunday. Menu choices include Branzino, lobster, pork belly, and a variety of salads, sides, and small plates. Special chef’s tasting and pairing menus are available during select dinner hours, there is a delectable dessert menu, and live music is available on select nights.
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Watertable at the Hyatt
21500 Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach, CA 92648
The Watertable restaurant is an upscale eatery and bar with a perfect mix of modern and rustic design and a menu featuring West Coast comfort food with seasonal and regional flair. Not every table has an ocean view, but the atmosphere is comfortable and refined. Watertable serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily and offers a wide selection of menus from general dinner options, to the kids menu, to bar jars. Selections include lamb meatballs, oysters, steak tartare, Wagyu Tomahawk, Branzino, pork tenderloin, and so much more.
Honorable Mention
- Driftwood Kitchen
- Larsen at Hotel Laguna
- Las Brisas
- Mosaic Bar & Grille
- Nobu Newport Beach
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