Presentation on Map Reviews Nearby

The Beachcomber at Crystal Cove in Newport Coast

4.6 (199) 15 Crystal Cove, Newport Coast, CA 92657, United States

Location on the map

Newport Coast, Orange County, California, US

Phone: +1 949-376-6900
Site: https://thebeachcombercafe.com/

Opening hours

Monday:7 AM–9:30 PM
Tuesday:7 AM–9:30 PM
Wednesday:7 AM–9:30 PM
Thursday:7 AM–9:30 PM
Friday:7 AM–9:30 PM
Saturday:7 AM–9:30 PM
Sunday:7 AM–9:30 PM

Edit info

Total reviews rating 4.6

199 Reviews for The Beachcomber at Crystal Cove 2024:

Review №1

2023-11-13 02:49:35

The Beachcomber is a delightful restaurant in the heart of Crystal Cove State Park. It is housed in a classic restored beach house right on the sand. All of the cottages are slowly being restored one by one, preserving this amazing piece of California history. The food is phenomenal, with an incredible variety. Everything is complemented by their exquisite cocktails and dessert. Not to be missed!

Review №2

2023-08-11 09:34:39

Where we parked it was roughly a 8 min walk.. @ night it does get really dark however they do have some lights along the trail. The appetizers were all good, clam chowder and salmon were delicious. Had a few cocktails as well didn’t disappoint. There’s a bathroom towards the back of the restaurant and on the other side of the bridge. Watching the sunset was really cool it wasn’t cold @ all. Overall great experience.

Review №3

2023-09-20 12:56:41

Beautiful on the beach restaurant. Good food, a tad pricey for what you get (quantity and quality). Get the bread, its amazing. Pass on dessert, we had three different ones and they were meh. You can dress casual or a little dressy. Friendly staff.

Review №4

2023-07-10 23:00:06

I’ve been here twice for lunch in different periods of time. What I like about this place, is there menu! It’s updated with new dishes, so you can try something different which will enhance your experience. Sometimes, you won’t find specific dish you’ve tried before because they remove it.First time, I tried shrimp pesto pasta and chicken dish. Was amazing 😋Second time May 2023, I ate shrimp salad 🍤 🥗 the combination of flavors was so so so satisfying ⭐️Tables on the beach is my favorite. They offered it on weekends and summer time.

Review №5

2023-10-10 23:32:05

Very Good Foods! Friendly services from a server name Marissa, she was helpful and nice! Foods are yummy, I ordered Scottish Salmon Pasta and Mahi Mahi Tacos, both are delish! As well i tried their desserts Beachcomber Beignets which came with chocolate syrup, whipped cream and powdered sugar, omg this was boom. Love it! Overall this place are awesome, I will definitely coming back soon. Very recommended for a place to eat with a calm and ocean view, such a magical place to enjoy foods 👍🏻🙌🏻💜

Review №6

2023-09-21 00:21:39

The Beachcomber is situated right on the sandy shores of Crystal Cove Beach located in Crystal Cove State Park in Newport Beach, California.It offers breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean. Its known for its stunning coastal setting.The Beachcomber is designed to capture the relaxed and casual vibe of a beachside eatery. The open-air patio and beachfront seating provide a laid-back and enjoyable dining experience.The Beachcomber is housed in a historic beach cottage, adding to its unique charm and character. Its a great place to enjoy a meal in a cozy and nostalgic atmosphere.

Review №7

2023-09-04 00:26:48

Atmosphere is great thanks to the location, just in front of the ocean. But it had a very long line to get in. Waited for 30min. Food was just ordinary in a good way but not sure if I’ll visit again with such a long line…

Review №8

2023-09-25 22:36:41

The menu, the view, the service! Rosa was wonderful with our gluten free guest; she knew the selections and answered every question. The cocktails are excellent and the seafood is outstanding. The kobe need skewers are amazing!

Review №9

2023-08-08 01:51:13

The Beachcomber Cafe is a very special place, nestled inside a very special place. Just steps from a beautiful stretch of beach in the charming and nostalgic Historic District section of Crystal Cove State Park, you’ll find fantastic food (especially their breakfasts), excellent service, classic retro vibes and a truly magical and serene setting. Check this place out. Thank me later.PS—There’s also a popular bar called The Bootlegger here

Review №10

2023-07-10 18:03:19

I was here about a week ago and really enjoyed everything they had to offer. We had to wait just a little bit but luckily they are right on the beach so we just enjoyed our time in the sun. My two friends and I all ordered something each and we shared everything and out of the three I tried the chilaquiles were my absolute favorite. I am so ready to go back just for that and try more of their meals. Thanks again for the great service, food, and ambience.

Review №11

2023-04-19 18:26:54

We have been here a couple of times for breakfast and once for lunch, and each time the food, service, and views have been great. We park up in the parking lot with the shuttle (runs 7am-10 pm), but we like to walk down and back up ourselves. There are some cool tide pools nearby, so we like to check them out too before or after we eat.

Review №12

2023-06-14 03:32:24

The draw is the Beignets. It is their famous signature dish. Located right on the beach, its a painless wait if youre stuck waiting over an hour for a table.Outdoor seating has heaters under the benches, so dont fret about being cold. It is very comfortable on the patio.

Review №13

2023-04-10 00:59:34

Lovely Easter brunch! We enjoyed the special Brunch Menu and got the Surf n Turf (short rib was amazing!) and Steak & Eggs (or rather, single poached egg.). The beignets were very airy and warm, delicious. Great location and 3 hours of parking free with restaurant validation. Not a far walk from the parking lot, or $2 each for the shuttle. ❤️

Review №14

2023-08-09 00:25:39

We had to pay total of 19 dollars for parking made a Rsvp waiting for 1houer lunch time very busy. 15 minutes to take our order. The clamshwder soup was so so shrimp salad. Very small shrimp and meet bowl 🥣 the best dish we had. 2 margaritas 🍹. Very expensive place 12o dollars. I want go back again . 😫

Review №15

2023-09-16 05:27:46

The Beachcomber at Crystal Cove is a hidden gem with a stunning oceanfront setting. The decor is charming and rustic, with views that will take your breath away. The lunch menu is outstanding, with a variety of delicious fish dishes to choose from. We started with the creamy and mouth-watering clam chowder, followed by the unforgettable lobster roll on a perfectly aromatic bun. The poached butter made the lobster incredibly soft and flavorful. We also tried the Ahi BLT sandwich, which was cooked to perfection and served on a delicious brioche bun with a great sauce. The service was excellent, making our dining experience even more enjoyable. Overall, I highly recommend visiting the Beachcomber at Crystal Cove for an unforgettable meal in one of the most picturesque locations.

Review №16

2023-04-18 17:50:26

If you dont mind the 500 or so ft hike downhill and up to the parking lot, or sit in a bus that runs every 15-20 minutes, you are in for a great treat!The beachcomber sits right on the sands alongside cabins overlooking the Pacific. The ambiance is very beachy, of course, but it is clean, well-planned out, and has a great vibe to it.The menu though not excessive seems perfect for an afternoon brunch or an early evening linner! Yes linner. The service is incredible with the staff smiling and serving with love.Should it be with family or on a date, I highly recommend visiting!

Review №17

2023-10-29 03:46:31

Their menu changes to much for my taste. It changed for the worst. Their salmon croquettes was just too dry. It was hard to chew and swallow. The plate was abysmally paltry in nature. To its credit it had freshly shaved corn with mushrooms, but substandard presentation.The beignets have consistently been fried in old oil. It tasted terrible. The presentation is amazing, but the taste and quality is appalling. The Ghirardelli chocolate sauce was a bit substandard. The vanilla ice cream is no longer the type flown in from France. It’s just plain old vanilla. That vanilla was special the very first time I had it. It tasted like one I’d had in Paris. The shrimp carbonara was just too greasy. Everything else was just not impressive. We were truly paying for the views. I loved this place, but they are aiding in their own decline. The plain clothed manager with a maroon shirt looked too miserable and mean for a food establishment. That was ridiculous. Our blond server was good. The food took 2 hours to come to the table and the place was not heavily packed as usual.

Review №18

2023-09-24 19:03:53

Incredible atmosphere but incredible high waiting times. There are 15 empty tables but they are onboarding sooooo slow. We have been waiting for 1h 15 min although we were told 30-60 min. I understand the waiting time but why arent you just bringing people in faster with the empty tables. I am not exaggerating, check out the pictures. UPDATE a whole bunch of people waiting started a huge wave of complaints as this was all about the menu change and they didnt announce this. So we come and go in line at 10.30 wait for 1.15 min and then the menu changes. This is Sunday are you guys crazy. Just extend the breakfast menu, no they cant cause the kitchen is small. Who is the General Manager of this facility who plans all of this????

Review №19

2023-05-04 11:19:53

We love this restaurant. We took many guests there. They all love it! It’s right next to the beach. Be sure to make a reservation if you plan to go on weekends or holidays.

Review №20

2023-09-18 16:19:11

Great Experience, the tram ride from the parking lot was nice, the walk to the restaurant was about a quarter mile slight downhill, we arrived about 8am for a weekend breakfast with no food reservations and had a 15 minute wait to sit on patio.

Review №21

2023-03-20 05:21:08

This is my first time visiting this restaurant. Such a unique place right on the beach. Had to wait an hour on a Sunday afternoon to be seated and there were no seats available to wait in the bar. However, there was plenty to see around the cove while you waited. Once seated, I wished they had the tarp windows open. It was kind of stuffy inside. Service was attentive and the food was outstanding. Tried the chicken sandwich with a salad and a side of fries. It was delicious!

Review №22

2023-05-05 04:26:57

Highlight of our trip!!! Definitely recommend! We will be back next vacation 😋Crab Cake Benedict .. Challah french toast.. Beignets.. Portuguese sausage.. Lattes.. Everything just yummy yum! & we saw them switch to lunch saw artichokes, lobster rolls & amazing tacos 🤤

Review №23

2023-08-24 23:50:02

If you love a beach experience, youll love it here!! Went on a Wednesday at 2 with a reservation and it was VERY busy. Warning its very noisy!

Review №24

2023-02-03 03:57:41

It was a great place. We went early so we could see the sunset and it did not disappoint. It was a bit chilly but the heaters and covering on the patio warmed it up. I didnt like that there wasnt a restroom to use inside. On most days, I might enjoy the walk outside but it rained a little later and was not an enjoyable walk. We had some good drinks, and everyone enjoyed their food. I kicked myself for not ordering off the lunch menu when they switched to dinner because they had a lobster dish but the tuna was good. The waitstaff was great and they even had someone come and tell us some history of the cove. Definitely would go back!!!

Review №25

2023-05-15 04:48:07

Lets start with why Im not giving a 5 star rating... The wait. It was about 2 and half hours. I must, however, say it was worth the wait. We had an exceptional server (Kellen H.) who looked after every detail, recommended some great dishes, and was very knowledgeable, friendly, and attentive. This guy truly deserves a raise and promotion. He made our stay very pleasant, and the food, drinks, and desert (Beachcomber Beignets) were delicious, not to mention the great ocean views. I highly recommend this place, and hopefully, you get the same server. I do, however, recommended you call first and try to make a reservation to cut down on the wait time. Hope you all enjoy it if you go.

Review №26

2023-10-07 00:52:44

Fabulous view, drinks &food. Our server Rosa was amazing & helped ease the fact that we waited 2 1/2 hours for a table. There are no reservations taken 24 hours prior, so plan accordingly, and book ahead (only 30 days).

Review №27

2023-10-19 15:55:33

Even with the coastal fog at 7:30 a.m. you cant beat the setting! The ocean is right by the front door and the seating plentiful that time of day. The view is amazing but the food and staff friendliness are especially well worth the visit. The prices are steep but youre getting quality all the way around. The food is delicious, fresh and large portions.

Review №28

2022-08-13 15:39:01

WOW! Completely blown away. Eating on the beach is always risky but you know you will at least have a view.At The Beachcomber, you get the view, but the food and service is amazing as well.We started with the beignets and they were great. I had the banana foster pancakes and my wife had the brioche french toast. They were both fantastic.The service was on par with the best restaurants Ive ever eaten at. Our servers recommendations were spot on. Our coffee and water was always full.They recently added some tables on the sand and I highly recommend requesting to sit there if you go. You need to make reservations at least 24 hours in advance as they do not accept them otherwise and they do get very busy.EDIT:We went back again a couple months after the initial review visit. This time, we planned ahead and got reservations for dinner while on a trip to Southern California.Dinner was great. We watched the sunset while waiting for our reservation and then enjoyed the fading light while listening to the sound of the waves.

Review №29

2022-12-31 15:59:13

This is a great oceanfront restaurant. There is a shuttle from the parking area or you can hike down. The food was so good at breakfast, we went back another day for a late lunch and stayed for the early sunset. They had some Christmas decorations and a tree on the beach that made it quite festive.

Review №30

2022-11-20 04:08:01

Everything we got was spectacular and the service was absolutely delightful. All the fish was incredibly fresh. The waitress was so attentive and sweet. Ambiance was relaxed and cozy yet elevated. Would definitely recommend and will be returning.

Review №31

2022-11-21 00:42:50

Great location! Definitely recommend reserving first.Calamari ⭐⭐⭐⭐- typical sauce- didnt taste the sechuan- had the tiniest kick ever- not as crispy as I would have liked but still good- love the banana chips it comes with❤️ Poke bowl ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐- I love the fruits paired with it- the seaweed salad in it was excellent- everything paired so wellClam chowder ⭐⭐⭐- really good but didnt blow my mind

Review №32

2023-08-19 15:17:22

If you are on your first date and want her to put out, this is definitely the place you take her to. The vibes are extraordinary, the food is world class.

Review №33

2022-07-30 23:03:42

This is located directly on the beach! Great location to enjoy your food with the view of the sea and the sound of waves.The food and the service was amazing. The beignets were the best! I do recommend making a reservation ahead for a table on the sand. We will definitely be back.

Review №34

2023-12-03 20:00:54

Can’t love this place more that I do. What a location! Situated at the Crystal Cove in the shadows of the historic surf cottages. The breakfasts are delicious. We always start with the beignets. As for the breakfast entrees, you can’t go wrong. The coffee is great as are the mimosas, etc.

Review №35

2022-11-08 19:23:13

This is a not so hidden gem!Restaurant right on the beach, its a great place for breakfast lunch or an early dinner (to catch the sunset of course). I went for a late lunch around 3pm on a Saturday in early November. They originally told me the wait was going to be 45min-hour but it wasnt busy and we were seated in 15/20 minutes. We sat in the promenade area which is set up about 15 feet away from the restaurant. They have a few tables there with dedicated wait staff and an unobstructed ocean view! We saw dolphins and seals while waiting for our food. The main restaurant area seemed nice as well. Its elevated on a deck and depending on where you sit you may or may not have food ocean views.Parking is a bit tricky. Its across the street and costs $5 an hour. $20 full day on the weekend and $15 mid week. The restaurant does validate which is nice. You can either walk down to the beach (about 8-10 minutes) or you can take the shuttle which costs $2 per person.

Review №36

2023-07-05 23:21:22

Beautiful romantic place with sea view. Food and service was amazing. I tried the clam chowder, tuna plate with coconut rice. The lemon dessert was a perfect ending!. Perfect night for independence day!

Review №37

2023-10-28 05:21:27

Excellent restaurant! We had pork chops, sea bass, and beef short ribs with scallops and shrimp. It was all top notch; excellent quality and presentation. Excellent service, fun location. Great cocktails and wine list. Highly recommend.

Review №38

2023-03-27 03:21:33

Delicious food, amazing ocean views (youre right on the beach in beautiful CrystalCove), charming atmosphere, attentive service, just a delight! But, because it is such a wonderful place, theres always a long wait, especially on weekends, unless you have made reservations online days in advance. We made reservations online over a week in advance for Sunday lunch, and they seated us as soon as we arrived. But there was a long line of people without reservations waiting to get in, and they were being told it was a 1 hour wait.

Review №39

2023-11-17 02:35:23

Excellent breakfast! Also fish-n-chips and shrimp tacos on the lunch menu are highly recommended! My husband said they are the best he has ever had! Dinner was great too; however, we liked breakfast and lunch the best.

Review №40

2023-12-02 22:05:07

I sat outside, beachside and it was so serene. The waiter, Steve M, was great & attentive. I’m not from the area so he helped me with some recommendations, which I greatly appreciate! The food was amazing and as well as the drinks. Highly recommend if you are in the area!!

Review №41

2022-11-07 14:15:22

Absolutely delicious! We ordered a few appetizers, a cup of soup, and dessert! Was not disappointed with anything! Probably the best cup of clam chowder Ive ever had in my life! And the beignets were just heavenly! A little work to get there as you cant drive directly there - you have to park across the street and take a shuttle there for $2/person each way. Beautiful beach view! Probably the best restaurant meal we had during our trip to California!

Review №42

2022-07-19 23:49:54

Had several dishes and drinks;The drinks were strong and tasty, the food was perfect in every aspect.Only two complaints is the logistics to get there, Google took us through a section where you had to pay for parking and take a paid shuttle, that is purely a maps issue though;We were sat at the bar section for about 35 minutes (we came without a reservation) there was open tables within sight, which stayed open through the time we were there, and were sat maybe 1 hour after being at the bar, unsure if they were reserved or what.At the bar you can order pretty much half the menu (entrées), but not main courses, unsure what dynamic that classifies this as.I chose the two chef specials came with a price out of the waiter/ waitress mouth, as my particular dish was much more expensive than most the written menu, which I wish I knew.Our waiter was great and kept us hydrated, his service was greatThe dishes were the Ribeye with mashed potatoes and broccolini, Chilean Bass with mashed potatoes and aparagus, and Braised Ribs, Calamari, and several assorted drinksWould splurge there again.

Review №43

2022-10-13 19:41:54

We came for the bignets. Got even more and great service as well. All the dishes we ordered were done with not even crumbs left on the plate. So obviously, the food wasnt the greatest... Jk. Grapefruit mule was great and I finished it so fast with our realizing. Wendy was professional and kept us stocked with whatever we needed from creamer to water. Highly recommended coming here for breakfast.

Review №44

2022-10-26 04:20:25

There is long wait to get your table if you want to sit outside and enjoy the beach view but since it is in beach side you can get yourself in line and going for a walk and come back.We ordered calamari for appetizer, the beachcomber cocktail and ipa beer, for main course fish and mashed potato and their special dessert.All were good we liked nothing special bit the dessert and the beachcomber cocktail were really good.But definitely I recommend this place for the vibe and good food as well. All of our orders came out $106 before tip. We ordered only one main course.

Review №45

2022-08-28 06:07:29

Had a very pleasant evening tonight. Weather perfect. Waited about hour which is fine cause theres so much to do while waiting or enjoy I should say..we ate down the lower part and it is admirable of the waiters and waitresses working a shift down there as they have to walk back and forth and carry trays all that way too.. I was exhausted watching her . lol.. She was so amazing and kind. Wished i remembered her name thats an issue with Me.. I forget names!! And the food was great ..if u time it right youll be sitting and watching the sunset like we did .. Its weekend nights down there so it was busy .. But worth it ..

Review №46

2023-02-11 03:38:30

SoCal food at its best!The shrimp ceviche is fantastic! And the fried chicken sandwich also!Too bad I paid the parking as there’s no really information.Validate your ticket and go straight to the entrance.. don’t use the machines

Review №47

2023-04-22 23:53:24

Five stars across all categories.1. Food selection is top notch and inexpensive if a kind on the beach2. Service- Friendly, knowledgeable, attentive3. Atmosphere- ON the beach this throwback to California in the 1920s-30s grabs you from the time you enter the area either by foot path or shuttle from Crystal Cove parking lot#beachcomber#beachcomercrystalcove

Review №48

2022-12-30 20:43:32

***Update***Much improvement from the last review. The food was much better, although the ranch skillet is overloaded on peppers and veggies and lacks eggs. The huevos rancheros are awesome; flavorful with the just the right amount of bite. The coconut macadamia nut pancakes are rich, but darn good. The coffee is also very tasty.***Update***This is our third time coming here in the last 6 months. The first two times were great. This last time was pretty bad. We were told it was 20-40 min wait. It was 45. That’s fine! Not a problem.The problem was the service and food. Food was subpar and the service was awful. We asked three different people for a coffee refill and finally got it after 20 min. It was lukewarm. No one checked in on us. It was just a not fun experience and honestly don’t think we will be back. Bummed because I enjoyed the beach and the food during prior visits.

Review №49

2022-08-31 21:57:25

A fun once in a while place to eat on the beach. Food was great as was the service. It is a bit pricey for breakfast items but the portions are very fair and the view is great. If you are into bloody Marys they have a very good one but it is expensive. It is almost a meal itself. Pictured below is the Corned beef hash (Ive had better and wouldnt order it again), lemon ricotta pancakes (very good) and an omelet with potatoes.

Review №50

2023-02-15 07:50:52

This was a preset menu for Valentine’s Day, and since we’re visiting our daughter, we wanted to celebrate it with her. The charcuterie consisted of one thin slice of salami, one thin slice prosciutto, thin portions of four cheeses and four see through small slices of apple in addition to some cranberries one date cut in half and almonds. The lobster less bisque soup with just a little clump of lobster was the only lobster in that bisque. Our main course was over cooked sea bass on a bed of small amount of veggies drenched in sauce, the worst beef short ribs ever. This The dessert consisted of dried out chocolate moose and donut hole looking pastries on sticks covered in clear plastic tied with red wired tie. We had lunch at this restaurant in the past which definitely was better and more reasonable, but this time around it was absolutely disappointing and not worth $600 (a portion of that was two bottles of water, one tea, two glasses of wine and one scoop of ice cream). We all agreed that this was definitely not even a mediocre food quality. Our server and the staff were very friendly and attentive but the restaurant itself and the food quality were not good.

Review №51

2023-02-10 23:38:00

Great drinks, breakfast, and atmosphere. Park in state beach lot and can take shuttle or walk down, both are nice. got the watermelon mojito, real deal margarita, chilaquiles, and eggs / bacon. amazing spot, definitely book a reservation! can’t wait to go back

Review №52

2023-09-05 04:33:52

Delicious everytime! amazing views — makes for a special night ✨🧡🌅

Review №53

2022-03-27 05:46:06

Great location. Had to park the car a little far away and take the shuttle to the restaurant. The shuttle is available every 10 mins. Parking tickets are validated by the restaurant. If it is not windy or cold then we can also take the trail and walk from the parking lot to the restaurant.The food was great! The restaurant is on the beach. Service was great. April attended us. She helped us with the order. She was very patient & friendly with changes to kids orders. Plan ahead to avoid long wait times on weekends.

Review №54

2023-09-16 21:28:25

Omg! Best egg white omelette I’ve ever had! Yummy mimosas! Great flavors, amazing view, wonderful service! Perfect spot for any meal or get together! You do have to pay for parking ($15 for the day or $5 per hour), but there is a nice walking path or a fun shuttle bus ($2 per person) you can take! Lots of fun little places to look at along the way! Fun tunnel with artwork and hiking path! And of course the beach! Found a new favorite!

Review №55

2022-05-14 13:48:49

I had dinner here, literally right on the beach, as part of a catered corporate event. The food, staff, and (most impressive) THE VIEWS were all lovely. Everything was perfect from cocktail hour through dessert. It got a little chilly because we were right by the water outside, so if thats the plan for you make sure to bring a jacket (we were warned so I was prepared.) Gorgeous event and setting and Id definitely recommend this place to anyone.

Review №56

2022-07-25 01:51:31

A bit pricey, but the quality is great! Their drinks are wonderful, especially their Bloody Mary! The appetizers are great as well! Make sure to try their taco, and grilled artichokes! If you want to go to the bar during the weekends you may have to wait for a while so I would suggest visiting during the week days if possible. The place is cozy and nice and you have a great view! Highly recommended!!!

Review №57

2023-08-02 02:39:28

The ahi wonton tacos are amazing! I could eat like 10 of them. Couldnt ask for a better location too.

Review №58

2022-02-02 08:26:04

It was unexpected that both dishes were excellent, fish of the day and shrimp taco + salad. Quality and fresh food. Even the salad with the subtle dressing was perfect. The shrimps were cooked just right to get that crunch. The beignet dessert was what I came for. They did not disappoint. Great service, but they don’t need to check on you that often. It gets annoying. Fantastic beach sand view.

Review №59

2023-10-15 03:16:09

Came at 9.30am on a Saturday. Dont know if we were lucky but we walked right in without a reservation and got a table for three on the terrace. Service was excellent. Food was very tasty and reasonably priced. They could tax you for the amazing view and/or could be complacent with the food quality given the location. They did neither, and for that, and the service of our server Esteban, the five stars are well deserved.

Review №60

2023-11-24 03:18:30

Great service, great setting and delicious Fish & Chips.

Review №61

2022-03-27 22:56:50

Such an amazing place with amazing food! Not to mention the view! Omg! Best tomato soup Ive tasted in my life! Also, you cant leave without ordering the beignets. Just amazing!!!

Review №62

2023-05-09 15:58:28

Fish & chips for lunch is always greatly been coming here for 12 yrs from Austin TxThe drinks as always great !! Patron in your Margarita !!

Review №63

2023-05-02 03:38:27

Tried lunch today and was absolutely delicious. We had the burger, the cod fish, the mahi mahi tacos, all of them were perfect dishes. My favorite was the tacos, tasted good to the last bite.Big thanks to our waiter, I believe his name was Kinnel.The best place with ocean view to eat at ❤️❤️❤️

Review №64

2023-08-11 13:25:11

Good food, was surprised from a beach side restaurant. Good food, good drinks, great service

Review №65

2023-08-10 04:12:48

Come for the beignet and the view, request to be seated outside. Park by Los Trancos and take the shuttle.

Review №66

2023-10-31 20:26:46

This was the best meal we had all week. We had the famous short rib as well as the ribeye steak. This place is truly enchanted. It’s exclusive to get to which makes it so unique and special. My father made us drive an hour to get there, and I was surprised when we arrived because it was worth it. Magnifique !

Review №67

2023-07-22 14:37:51

First off, our server Leah was amazing, attentive and a joy, anticipating our needs and really providing the most optimal dinner experience possible. The food was also delicious. We ordered the calamari and artichokes as starters, which almost got us a little too full to fully enjoy our entrees but the short ribs and Chilean sea bass were still delectable. Chocolate cake for dessert topped it off. I will say I reserved a table for two for my birthday but was seated 15 minutes after the reservation time at a less desirable table. Just thought a little more consideration would’ve been made as I wrote a note that it was my birthday (more forgivable but also no mention of happy birthday or free cake or anything). Maybe my expectation was a little high because it was my real actual birthday and both my husband and I had a long work day so the dinner was really the only celebration and highlight for my birthday. But it wasn’t too disappointing because the food and service were really great!

Review №68

2021-05-30 01:40:38

We had a good time. Our waitress was great. Loved being right on the beach. We enjoyed a few appetizers and a couple of drinks. The drinks were made nicely and the food was good and hot. Gave a 4 star only because the seating we were placed at faced the 6 or 7 trash cans. Other than that, it was great!

Review №69

2023-01-02 01:39:29

Yes this is a bit of a tourist trap, and yes, they have a monopoly on your appetite. However, this is still a darling spot to watch the sunset, tides and all the while, being served with tasty foods. This restaurant is not relying solely on its location. It is serving ample portions of your favorite dishes and offering some surprises, like their must try beignets! Kudos to Nathans excellent service,

Review №70

2022-03-01 05:37:02

I highly recommend!!! The views are amazing and it was warm with multiple heaters outside! Service was impeccable and they had a SKINNY MULE!!!! It was beyond delicious!! Food came out very quickly and it tasted great!! We ordered the artichokes and we didn’t know what we were in for. You have to scrape the artichokes with your teeth in case you’ve never tried them. We will be returning!!

Review №71

2022-04-03 01:49:07

Expensive but delicious. The rustic decor fits with the beach milieu. Servers are friendly and efficient. Prices are high, but the food looks great and tastes better than great.We started with appetizers. The calamari fitting was perfectly prepared, tender and delicious. There was less calamari than I am accustomed to seeing as an appetizer at other restaurants. The plate was augmented with homemade potato chips. The chips were excellent, but they werent calimari. We also had grilled artichokes and jackfruit tinga tostadas. They were very good.There were five of us, but my daughter didnt order an entrée. She had tomato soup. I had tomato soup and a Mediterranean salad. The salad was just ordinary, but the soup was the best tomato soup Ive ever had. My son-in-law and my two grandchildren had seafood entrées. We all had bigness for dessert.The bill, including a 20% tip, came to over three hundred dollars. I am including pictures of the menu so that you can preview the prices.The Beachcomber has great food. If you can afford this place, I recommend it.

Review №72

2023-02-15 17:13:07

It was amazing! The valentines menu was great. The chef did a phenomenal job with it. Our hostess had an amazing personality, was very nice, attentive and was of great help when asked about the menu options. Everyone there had an amazing hospitality behavior. Will definitely try it again!.

Review №73

2023-11-09 00:58:06

Absolutely love this gem.. right on the beach, breakfast are the best, what more can you ask for..

Review №74

2022-05-05 04:32:33

Love this place, great wine selection, excellent service. Be ready to wait sometimes up to 3 hours, they have no reservations options. Awesome ocean view

Review №75

2022-09-18 14:53:33

Fun place on the beach to have lunch. Hector our waiter was very pleasant. We were told a 90 min wait for our table and got seated before the 90 min.I had the fish rack so which were good. Friends for the poke bowl and was so big the could have split it.

Review №76

2022-11-07 01:34:29

Had lunch on a table right on the beach. First time so wanted to try a few things. We had the fresa spicy margarita, shrimp tacos, ahi poke bowl, prime rib melt, and beignets. Every single thing we tried was delicious. So good!!! Marisa, our sever, was awesome 👏

Review №77

2022-12-21 02:47:04

Save yourself some time...this restaurant has been my all time favorite for 15 years. Amazing menu, drinks, service. Consistency...view...no cars!! You can walk the beach before and after your scrumptious meal. Poke bowl, kobe beef, lobster roll, bass...?

Review №78

2022-02-26 16:18:30

The Beachcomber is always a treat to visit and it is located on Crystal Cove state beach. The parking is north of Highway One and you can either walk across the street and head down the road to the restaurant, or you can take the shuttle. You can also take the path next to the shuttle waiting area and walk down to a tunnel which will take you under the highway and close to the restaurant. This visit was my first time having lunch there. First my group and I shared a Big Bad Bloody Mary. It comes in a large mason jar, and it was blended well with just the right amount of spice, and tomato flavor to make it an enjoyable treat. We ordered, Crispy Calamari for an appetizer which was light on the batter and the Sichuan aioli that they put on the calamari was tangy, sweet, with just a little spice. It was so good I didnt need the arrabiata sauce on the side. For the main course we ordered the Mahi Mahi Tacos, Pacific Shrimp Baguette, and the Grilled Salmon Pasta. The tacos, seemed to have two different bites to it. One was the Mahi Mahi, which didnt have a lot of flavor, and the other bite was the guacamole. Overall not impressed. What I tasted most in the Pacific Shrimp Baguette was the shrimp and the baguette. I could barely taste the pesto sauce and the goat cheese was non existent. Last dish was the Grill Salmon Pasta and the flavor of tomato was so overwhelming that it was all that I could taste. Finally for desert we had the Beachcomber Beignets and as always they are great. Crispy on the outside with a bit of chew on the inside. The vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce it comes with is also very good. Overall I enjoyed my visit but I think in the future Ill stick o the breakfast menu.

Review №79

2021-03-02 19:09:42

Went here for valentines day. Beautiful view. Obviously the prices were a bit inflated but I really enjoyed the food. The cheese plate and salad were delicious. Service was great although I wish the guests next to us werent so intoxicated because that definitely made it less romantic.

Review №80

2021-08-10 16:40:16

First off, let’s start by saying WHAT A VIEW. The food was decent. There was nothing that we had that blew my mind. It was good, but not fabulous. Maybe the owners/manager and chef need to look into that.

Review №81

2022-02-09 20:25:09

There is a reason this place is so popular. You cant beat the view, right on the beach facing the Pacific ocean. Their whole patio platform is heated (had heating vents on the floor). Friendly and experienced staff. Delicious food. We were there for breakfast, made a reservation online. We had their beignets, covered in a little too much powdered sugar with a side of maple with our coffee. It was hot out of the frying oil, a very good way to start breakfast. Their crab cake benedict had a lot of crab in it, served with small well seasoned potatoes. Their spinach and mushroom frittata with cheese was delicious as well. Overall, I would take every chance I have to come here if I had a guest in town. I bet its a whole new experience here during sunset/dinner time.

Review №82

2020-11-15 17:50:13

This was our first time to Beachcomber’s and it was perfect! The weather was amazing for our outdoor dining experience.Very safe and sanitary.The beignets are just as great as New Orleans!We had an array of breakfast items and none of them disappointed. The scenic route to get to the restaurant through the tunnel is so fun and adventurous- great artwork!The whole atmosphere is everything you want from a beach side restaurant! HIGHLY RECOMMEND!

Review №83

2021-11-26 23:20:27

The view was great, our waiter was nice, and the food tasted decent ( not mind-blowing though), but the portion size was soo meager.. The salmon spaghetti ( 27.95$) was barely the size of a adult males fist, and the spring rolls (16$ ish) came in 6 small pieces and a tiny dipping sauce. So not reasonable for what they cost. Even fine dining restaurants bring out WAY MORE than this. Maybe come for the view and order the burgers (which are sized pretty reasonably), and definitely come if youre a tourist that has lots of coins to squander. Were def not coming back.

Review №84

2022-08-29 01:04:01

A must try! This is a hidden gem right on the beach. It was our first time here for breakfast but it wont be our last. The food, drinks and of course the views were amazing.

Review №85

2023-02-14 04:13:55

Five stars all around! the food was outstanding. if you go there I highlt recommend trying the beignets. they were seriously life changing!

Review №86

2023-09-28 22:17:46

One of the best places in Newport Coast! We didnt have reservations but only had to wait for about 15 minutes (breakfast). While we waited, we saw a pod of dolphins about 200 yards out, leaping in and out of the water, it was an amazing sight to see! The ambiance, view, food and service were awesome and the beignets are an absolute must!

Review №87

2020-11-06 01:28:32

Great location right on the sand in Crystal Cove with indoor and outdoor seating available. Service was friendly and on top of things. And the food was fantastic! Must order the beignets! Light, crisp, airy and so yummy! All of the main dishes were enough for 2 and delicious also.

Review №88

2021-08-05 13:35:51

First thing to know: You have to walk to this restaurant or take the trolley.The views are fantastic, the service was great, the food was decent and the cocktails were pretty good!The Views: Youre on the beach, it doesnt get much better!The Service: Our waiter was attentive and friendly and did a great job explaining the menu and recommending things to get.The Food: You absolutely must get the Beignets - theyre absolutely amazing and possibly the best outside New Orleans!TINY AHI TACOS were great!FIRE GRILLED ARTICHOKES were good (we needed a How to eat an artichoke tutorial)CRAB STACK had great fresh flavors.BRAISED SHORT RIBS was absolutely FANTASTIC! Id also say this is a must get.Cocktails:the Coconut Mojito was a definite favorite!

Review №89

2022-01-30 21:59:41

Visit here for the first time with my wife. Its in the Crystal Cove State Park. What a nice location!!! But need to park away from the restaurant due to the parking permit is only for guest who is staying at the lodge. There is a shuttle bus from the parking lot to the restaurant with $1.5 per person for one way ticket.Even all these kind of things, the experience at Beachcomber was really great. It is located in right next to the beach. What a great location again.We had dinner with a Big Jar Bloody Mary, Mediterranean salad, Shrimp Carbonara, Frutti di Mare. Our dinner was fantastic especially for the Frutti di Mare. These were tasty and big enough to cover both of us. One thing was we, both are not a big fan of alcohol. So we left almost 2/3 of the Big Jar Bloody Mary which cost about $21.After having dinner, we walked along the dark beach after sunset. Still few people out there with camp fire and good music.It was a great experience having dinner at Beachcomber and I wanna come again later with my son and daughter to have brunch.

Review №90

2023-11-19 06:46:04

Great ambiance and awesome location. the food is meh. Came for dinner, should’ve come for lunch. Appetizers were better than entrees. meatballs were delish, Brussels & gnocchi sides also very yummy, lobster app was ok but hard to eat & fell all over you. Got 4 entrees including salmon & seabass both were over cooked, tuna & surf n Turf were both also whatever and came out a lil cold. Sauces on all of them were thin. Excellent service! Staff is awesome and so friendly.Parking Situation beware… It is $15 to park in lot and then the shuttle from the lot to the restaurant is $2 per person EACH way. Waiter said they used to validate parking for all diners up until a couple months ago but then the Crystal Cove state park just abruptly changed the rules. It’s free parking if you show a Library Card though!The lot is also very dark at night; would be a nice walk during the day.Would like to come back for brunch and give it another chance.

Review №91

2019-06-12 16:01:41

Honestly, the location of this restaurant is amazing. This is the cutest little nook down on the beach, and there are a few cute little rental cottages right next to it. Its almost like a small town, right on the beach. So lovely. You can hear and see the waves while you are eating, and its just amazing. The food is good, but more expensive than it should be, but obviously youre paying for location here. Definitely worth paying $15 here rather than $15 for parking :) we got the truffle fries, truffle wild mushroom mac, and the tomato soup with this like baked puff pastry thing on top, it was all really good! And the BlackBerry margaritas are delicious as well.

Review №92

2023-03-04 18:51:07

Always a great experience at this restaurant! The service is always great and you cant beat the view. Thank you, Hector, for taking such good care of us! Cant wait to go back! ...and of course! Dont forget to get the BEIGNETS!! so good!

Review №93

2023-02-13 20:45:26

Seated right away indoors, the beach was gorgeous and the food was large helpings. I had the crepe of strawberries, bananas, and mangos in combination with bakers whipped cream, and the crepes filled the plate, so plenty to eat. very sweet and delicious. I had a side of ham which was deliciouscpp

Review №94

2023-10-16 22:34:01

It wasnt amazing for gluten free, but I appreciated how real our server (Megan? She was white with I believe short brown hair or possibly dirty blonde) was with us. The price was nosebleed, but youre paying for the view. Personally Id always prefer a picnic (the ultimate outdoor seating without a wait amirite?), but a lot of the world disagrees with me there, so its good to know this place exists.oh, careful of the cauliflower steak. It is not steak cauliflower as we carelessly first thought.disclaimer: one of our party took issue with our server for not being sufficiently obsequious given the (extremely high) cost of our meal. I think she was wrong, and my assessment of the service may therefore be unjustly high.

Review №95

2023-10-03 21:05:06

A reservation was made in error at 7 AM for six people. It was supposed to be 7 PM for six people. The reservation was on. It was canceled the restaurant Ch was unbending in his answers to allow us to move the reservation remake the reservation, correct the reservation he suggested that we come and wait an hour and have a good time walking on the beach, unacceptable answer unacceptable. Customer service unacceptable place to spend your money granted it’s a very busy restaurant in the area and the food may be great but I will never taste it. They will like get my money.

Review №96

2021-07-23 11:57:48

The views, the service, and the food. All excellent! The wait on a mid-day Thursday was about an hour, but with the Pacific right there, there’s plenty to see and do to kill some time. I had the Mediterranean, but others at the table had shrimp, burger, chicken fried steak… everyone had good reviews of the food. Fun place. Highly suggested.

Review №97

2019-09-03 14:32:10

The best place to go get breakfast in the morning. You cant park near by you have to take a shuttle. The shuttle is $1.50 per person each way, so make sure you have cash.The food is fantastic, you cant go wrong with any menu item. The bar in the back opens at 10am which makes for a great place to wait, because there will be a wait.

Review №98

2021-05-17 16:41:43

First time ever coming here. Friends of ours gave us a gift card a while back and finally made it in. We tried walking in without a reservation which was not the way to go. In fact, we had to plan a couple weeks out to get the last reservation during the week. All of that said, it didnt disappoint whatsoever. Food was top notch but a little pricey. Definitely recommend for anyone visiting the area or for a local destination.

Review №99

2018-09-10 18:23:13

We got to the restaurant an hour early so we could catch the sunset. When it was over we stopped in to see about having a drink on the bar side before dinner, but encountered staff that was so friendly and helpful that they were able to accommodate us for immediate seating even on a busy night. Our server Courtney could not have been sweeter to us, and even brought me extra brandied cherries because I mentioned how much I love them. Dinner was lovely - I had the swordfish, friends had ribeye, it was all a great experience, under the stars. Try the yummy beignets for dessert and the cocktails are all awesome!

Review №100

2023-06-18 03:24:51

Service was great but seemed to wait longer than others to be seated and to get food service. Food and view was worth the wait.

Review №101

2022-03-27 21:30:23

It was a long wait. But we added our names to the wait list and spent time on the beach. Many of us were vegetarian and they were more than happy to make changes/add to make it vegetarian friendly. Very tasty food. Plus points for fresh squeezed juice.

Review №102

2023-09-21 14:40:41

Get down there for sunset pic! Beignets are incredible!

Review №103

2023-09-04 23:41:37

Happily surprised by the quality / taste of the food, reasonably prices for a beach Cafe, great service... and it was a perfect day meaning comfortable temp outside and inside the water.Recommend it.

Review №104

2016-10-19 02:29:16

We nearly walked the beach to the restaurants down the street, but decided on this place instead, and were glad we did. The food, service, and view were amazing. The waiter was charismatic and funny, and definitely made our experience better. The food was delicious. I had the Mahi fish tacos and my wife had the tuna melt with tomato soup. Both were truly impressive. We had the beignets for desert... Oh my gawd. Dont second guess yourself and GET THEM. Prices were reasonable too, outside of the booze.

Review №105

2018-09-17 00:00:48

This place was great! Not to miss the grilled artichokes. The place was very crowded, be sure you make reservations. It is located on a National Park, the parking is located on the other side of the highway. You can walk to the restaurant and beach via a trail, or they offer a shuttle service that runs every 10-15 minutes approximately, for a cost of $2 per adult. It is on the beach, you step on the sand so dress accordingly.

Review №106

2021-07-07 06:26:30

The Beachcomber was one of the most wonderful and romantic dining experiences Ive ever had, both in terms of the food and the ambiance. We were seated just as the sun set and enjoyed a painterly sky full of soft blue and vivid pink. Matched with the crashing waves, it was nothing short of romantic.Concerning the food, the calamari was some of the best Ive ever had. The gazpacho was refreshing, delicate and delicious.The sesame crusted yellowtail tuna was incredible, as was the crab stuffed salmon. The ribeye was lackluster, however, and was the only disappointing aspect of the meal.All in all it was a wonderful experience. It comes highly recommended.

Review №107

2023-11-26 19:09:23

Go for the beignets. Stay for the sunset. Walk the dune trail and relax on the gorgeous beach. Handicapped parking available. Beach wheelchairs. Treat your parents and grandparents!! I cant think of a better way to spend the day.

Review №108

2023-08-16 23:55:15

There was a long wait. That being said it is located right on the beach so it is in an ideal location. The prices are on the higher side but their food is good. I got the grilled artichokes and they were great! I would go back but be better prepared next time for the crowd.

Review №109

2021-08-02 20:29:53

The wait staff is polite and attentive. Kiki is really nice to interact with. Reservation is strongly recommended, especially during the weekend. We waited about one hour for a table, because we did not have a reservation.The breakfast dishes we ordered were fairly standard.

Review №110

2022-06-21 15:50:25

First time at Beachcomber. The food earned this location all the stars. At first I was disappointed to learn there wasn’t a bathroom but then realized it’s due to logistics for being on the beach. However, they do not have a sink for customers to wash hands which is more concerning during the pandemic. You have to walk about 4 minutes across a mini bridge to the bathrooms or 2 minutes to a small single restroom.The security to the entrance of the Crystal Cove now rudely encourage all guests to use their shuttle to arrive. Uber drivers cannot even drop you off. They are told they HAVE to turn around and drop you off across the highway in order to promote using their shuttle. I snuck out of my Uber once I saw family so I didn’t have to backtrack 5 minutes.The menu was okay, nothing spectacular taco dishes all come with just two tacos. Keep in mind this restaurant, for large parties (5+) only puts half the order in, and then the rest later. It wasn’t a big deal, just the waitress told us this detail after she served only less than half our party because they was food missing.The pictures dish is their yellow spaghetti squash. After the first bite I forgot all mentioned above and had a great experience. I tend to not make my own spaghetti squash but was curious about how they prepared it based off the ingredients. It was great and I’m so glad I ordered it! For dessert we tried their beignets and they were the best I’ve had. Keep in mind I’ve had beignets only in Savannah Ga and only didn’t like them there because of the pecan sauce. I’ve had some too in MN but they can’t compare to even the ones from Georgia. At Beachcomber they prepare the beignets smaller, lighter, and the sauce is the perfect dressing!

Review №111

2023-06-09 20:29:52

Great place to get a bite to eat and drink on the sand. The crashing waves are part of the atmosphere. The restaurant has views of the beach. Its really easy to make a reservation. Food is excellent and so is the service. I booked a special menu Fathers Day brunch right after my visit. Its located in the historic district of Crystal Cove so you can get some great pictures too. The prices are really affordable for the location. Would recommend for special occasions.

Review №112

2019-11-19 08:14:39

⚫️ Great relax atmosphere⚫️ Beautiful beach view from the restaurant.⚫️ Friendly staff⚫️ Food presentation was very good⚫️ Food taste was very good my favorite dish in the menu was the ahi tuna taco 🌮. They were exquisite. Definitely recommend ordering more than 1 set.⚫️ Drinks 🍹 were also very good my favorite was the Bloody Mary filled with shrimp 🍤 and crab 🦀 legs⚫️ Easy access to the restaurant from the parking lot since the have a shuttle. Make sure to have cash 💵 to pay the shuttle. I believe is $1.50 per person. That price might be subject to change.⚫️ Also a great place to visit on weekends for breakfast 🍳

Review №113

2022-04-12 05:47:01

The perfect little hidden beach restaurant. Nice and breezy with indoor and outdoor seating. The food and drinks are delicious. I had the Luscious Lemonade and the vegetarian stew. My colleagues enjoyed their seafood dishes, as well.

Review №114

2023-09-28 19:26:44

Usually a bit of a wait but worth it. Fun place to dine. Im local but love to bring out of town guests here for that beach dining experience. Food is always delicious.

Review №115

2023-09-21 14:55:11

Just found out that they no longer validate parking, which makes lunch here an expensive outing with the already high prices. Then after paying $15.00 for parking, turns out that they are no longer pet friendly. The teen at the desk suggested I leave the dog somewhere(!!) Weve brought our dog here several times with no problem. Our aging dog is in a stroller and they have an outside deck, so I cant see what the problem is. Ended up having appetizers at the Barefoot Bar, served by a surly, unfriendly barman. After so many years coming here, such a shame that I doubt well come again.

Review №116

2022-06-17 00:57:01

Perfect little spot on the beach. Outdoor and indoor dining. The parmesan truffle fries are great! I had the shrimp carbonara, which had an awesome citrus flavor.

Review №117

2019-04-16 14:58:36

Was having a mother-daughter weekend in Newport Beach. We were staying elsewhere and looking for a place to eat breakfast. I picked this cafe, but you have to understand my mom is super picky. So I made her check it out first then went and parked. We both had the Avocado Toast and it was delicious.We saw an order of beignets go by that looked tasty. Long story short...we had breakfast there all 3 mornings and wanted to go back for dinner but couldnt. Good reason to come back for another visit. The staff members were all delightful and made the experience that much better. I love the story about Crystal Cove as well.

Review №118

2023-07-26 14:37:25

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 The Beachcomber Restaurant at Crystal Cove, California, is an absolute coastal paradise! From the moment we arrived, we were captivated by the breathtaking ocean views and the soothing sound of waves crashing nearby. The restaurants beachfront location creates a magical ambiance that is simply unparalleled. The service was exceptional, with a friendly and attentive staff that made us feel welcome and valued. As for the food, it was a casual beachside masterpiece! Each dish was expertly prepared with fresh, and locally sourced ingredients, and the flavors were an explosion of delight. Their seafood selection was particularly outstanding, with dishes that showcased the essence of the ocean. The attention to detail and presentation added an extra touch of casual enjoyment to the dining experience. Whether youre enjoying a leisurely brunch or a romantic sunset dinner, the Beachcomber Restaurant offers an unforgettable and world-class dining experience at the stunning Crystal Cove. 🌊🍽️🦞🌞✨

Review №119

2021-02-26 14:24:52

The filet mignon is amazing, and the artichokes appetizer. The drinks are also a hit. The bread and butter are soooooooo fresh and delicious 😋. The food and deserts are as good as they look in the photos. I cant wait to come back.

Review №120

2023-06-18 03:17:11

Food was delicious. Were promised 30-60 min wait, ended up waiting almost 2 hours. Hosts are incredibly incompetent- 3 people working “hard” but not even trying to be efficient / manage the right expectations. Food is great, view is lovely, but try to come only with a reservation. Pricey. But yummy

Review №121

2022-07-30 21:59:14

Definitely a fun and unique spot. We went ahead and sat at the bar area and enjoyed delicious drinks and apps. The tiny ahi tacos and crab stack were so good - so were the mini beignets! Great view of the beach and historic little cottages, shady respite from the sun, and perfect spot for people watching. Staff was also super friendly and they even brought us a free fudge chocolate cake for our anniversary. Would definitely recommend! Seems weird to park across PCH since it’s so hidden down below, but take the walk down through the tunnel instead of crossing the highway.

Review №122

2020-03-04 04:39:24

Amazing view since youre literally on the beach. The food is good, but nothing extraordinary. Go early or expect to wait. Negative is that there is no parking. You have to park across the street where they charge you for a shuttle or about a 15 minutes walk.

Review №123

2023-10-22 03:14:13

AMAZING service from CarlosI highly the recommend the grilled artichokes and the Chimmichurri shrimp!!!

Review №124

2023-11-15 05:43:38

Actually, we rented a firepit & chairs & smores. It was great! We brought our own hot dogs & fixings. The guy who helped us, Matt, was wonderful. He even brought more skewers & stuff to bbq with. Great experience!

Review №125

2023-04-16 15:18:44

We started out with beignets. Yummy! We shared the lemon ricotta berry pancakes and an omelette That was stuffed full of deliciousness! Very attentive wait staff.

Review №126

2021-11-24 07:37:06

We love The Beachcomber for brunch but have never had dinner there. We went on our Anniversary, a cool early November evening made warmer by heaters and hanging plastic sheets that kept the sea breeze off the patio. Unfortunately the noise inside the patio was deafening because of those sheets. We had a very difficult time communicating at our table. The meals were excellent, our server great, and our complimentary dessert much appreciated, but the noise was rough. I think well stick to brunches without the plastic sheeting.

Review №127

2021-04-11 13:46:08

It’s hard to make RSVP because it’s usually booked far in advance but they’d take walk-in that is if you’re willing to wait for roughly two hours on a gorgeous day during the weekends. We brought along a beach towel and enjoyed the beach while we waited for our table.You can drop off your baby stroller, beach chairs and loved ones and then go park the car across the street. There’s a short free shuttle ride taking you back to the cafe.There’s a short walk from the parking lot without having to cross the busy highway located behind the bus stop. Just follow the sign to the beach.Service was very pleasant, food was prepared fresh and the soft pillowy beignets served with vanilla ice cream were to die for!!

Review №128

2023-05-24 16:42:55

Our favorite place to eat at our favorite beach. We have been coming here for decades and it never disappoints.

Review №129

2023-08-24 18:16:14

The food here is vastly over expensive! Only here is a chicken piccata is over $30. I found the chicken really tough and rather flavorless. The filet mignon I received was completely overcooked and it was tough to chew. The server completely forgot about my familys table failing to check in with us. I requested a check several times and it was obvious that he was more occupied with helping another table. The alcoholic drinks are completely overpriced here as well. I know this is the Newport coast, but I also think that my family should get a good value for the money. It didnt happen here. The parking is a nightmare here as well.

Review №130

2023-08-01 17:13:35

We will be moving nearby from across the country and got this place from a local as a recommendation for breakfast on the beach. It is also on OpenTable’s list of Hundred most popular places to dine outdoors in the US.Reservations are a must if you want a specific time, but you can also check in with the restaurant when you arrive at the beach then sunbathe and explore the tide pools for a couple hours while waiting for a table.The food was perfect. We had calamari, very generous entrees including unique vegetarian options, and their beignets for dessert. I enjoyed their signature cocktail. Everyone in our party, including the picky teenagers, was delightfully satisfied.

Review №131

2019-03-06 11:03:24

Great sun sets, Our dinner was delicious. Presentation was nice. 2nd time there. Its around $40 a plate. Wine runs $35 a bottle. Our bill for 4 was $235.00 . Enjoy your meal !

Review №132

2019-05-14 05:05:49

Certainly a super location, incredible southern Califorian experience, a piece of California history and a true feeling how California used to be before the overcrowding took place. I gave it a three star due to overpriced menus, truly based on supply and demand and not so much merit. The quality is there but not for this price tag. Besides the pricing a great place for a romantic date, to take away a sliver of authentic SoCal.

Review №133

2021-10-16 07:10:20

Great place to have lunch or what ever time. Great view of the beach and ocean.Great place to hang out with family or friends. You need to park on the parking lot opposite of the road and walk for 8-10 minutes. The walk is leisurely and the tunnel is nice.

Review №134

2023-06-24 22:12:42

Notes of caution: A)the breakfast menu ends at 11, must be seated by 11:15. B)the walk up wait times run 1-2 hours so come early if you are expecting a weekend breakfast! [You can correctly infer that we missed breakfast by a good hour on our visit.] C)the restaurant shares restrooms with the beach, so, ya, theres that.

Review №135

2022-04-10 17:36:23

We had a great time here. Had my 34th anniversary dinner with my wife and it was great. We both had the Halibut and it was fantastic. The price is a bit high but the beach view and pleasant environment is worth it for special occasions.

Review №136

2022-12-04 22:24:52

Small town feel, gorgeous views on the beach, service was amazing. Staffer James was WONDERFUL.

Review №137

2022-08-29 04:22:59

Best spot for on the beach dining experience with the best view to the beach. The blue crab stuffed salmon is a must try.

Review №138

2021-10-26 23:21:14

Waiter was nice. Food is just ok. However, they can keep the fire roasted artichokes which came with a disgusting caterpillar in it.

Review №139

2022-05-23 02:24:00

Walked to the beach comber for lunch on my Sunday walk in Crystal Cove.Tiny Ahi tacos and a glass of champagne.TINY AHI TACOS*An Original Beachcomber Favorite. Sushi grade Ahi Tuna, Asían Slaw, and Sriracha AioliAnother stop in on a walk during the holidaysTHAI STEAK SKEWERS*Thai Marinated Hanger Steak * Shishito Peppers * Edamame Salad * Coconut Peanut Sauce .Split of Gambino Prosecco

Review №140

2023-05-16 04:37:08

The food was AMAZING! We both had a seafood pasta dish that was so delicious! It was a great time even though it was a gray evening, it was well worth the trek from where I live. I will definitely go back! Leah was our waitress and she was stellar!

Review №141

2021-07-12 16:37:22

The food was delicious, the service was excellent and the drinks were strong. Very beautiful setting, it overlooks the ocean. There is a 45 minute timer per meal but missed it bother me. Very romantic place to take a date.

Review №142

2018-06-27 04:57:15

First time visitor and expected mediocre food like you get in a lot of beach front restaurants. To my surprise, the food was insanely good! I would go to this restaurant just for the food regardless of the setting, but thats there too so makes for a really great experience. Server we had (Annie) couldnt have been nicer. Will def make another trip here for this spot alone.

Review №143

2022-10-16 01:41:01

I like the burger (medium-well) but I feel overall price is a bit costly. Parking 3hrs free with a validation.

Review №144

2022-05-08 04:20:23

Beignets we’re amazing! All of the food was delicious and the staff was wonderful. It’s a perfect date night spot. We were very full but the food was so good we finished everything.

Review №145

2022-01-15 20:21:05

Had the jackfruit tostadas and the hearty vegetable stew (was more like stirfry) but both really good.The bread Pudding also great!

Review №146

2021-12-28 02:34:47

We had drinks and appetizers. They were well done the crab stack hit all the right notes and the Mahi spring rolls were hot and delicious with a beautiful and tasty salsa. So why 4 stars instead of 5? We came in during lunch and ordered appetizers, by the time we went to order our lunch chicken sandwiches, oh it is dinner time and the server took our lunch menus and came back with dinner menus. No thanks...no courtesy...

Review №147

2021-06-30 02:34:12

Beautiful views and very good food. Get a spot on the patio and watch the kids play in the ocean. Depending on the season you visit, you may even see a whale out in the Pacific!

Review №148

2021-10-24 19:26:05

Incredible experience and food. Great service. Not a wild crowd. Just you, the ocean breeze, the sounds of the waves, and good food.

Review №149

2020-08-09 19:14:12

Great little Cafe, friendly employees. I did not done in. Its right on the Crystal Cove State Beach. You cannot order pickup from the regular cafe to take to the beach. There is a truncated beach menu with more basic grub food. Im attaching a photo of the menu to this review so you know whats available if you want to do the takeout option without dining in.I called the number and no one picked up. The message on the machine says that you should make a reservation one day in advance and no more than 30, and no more than 6 people due to Covid-19. But its also clear that you can walk up and wait for a table.Im giving this place a 5 star for convenience and the pleasant staff. Im vegan and the vegan burger looks like a great option, but its not available at the express.

Review №150

2022-03-22 21:25:54

We came for drinks, appetizers and to sit on the beach, with our toes in the sand with our pups for lunch. Sadly, even though there are dogs allowed everywhere here, they aren’t allowed at the restaurant, so we ended up spending time at the bar area around the corner. Also, if we were able to eat at the restaurant, expect a 2 hour wait. We also, if we didn’t have the dogs, would have loved to experience the toes in the sand type of restaurant, which is not accurate at all compared to the photos on Google. Expect a restaurant that has a tent type of feel looking through tent windows out to the ocean, rather than open air and clear view to the ocean. Our experience at the bar area was good, but overall, this was a much different experience than we expected to have based on what we saw online.

Review №151

2022-07-09 14:30:57

We had a great dinner here after exploring the tide pools. It looked really busy but we were seated without a wait. We sat right on the beach with plenty of shade from the table umbrellas - the views were priceless. The food and drinks were delicious. The service was thoughtful and friendly and able to accommodate an odd request - so thankful for his creativity! This meal was a highlight of our vacation!

Review №152

2021-12-19 06:08:10

Wonderful experience- you feel like youre on a tropical island. Food was great, service was good and the views are amazing!

Review №153

2023-10-19 17:55:56

It was the first time for me. The food and atmosphere were great. My daughter compared it to eating in Hawaii I would agree. I want to go back.

Review №154

2021-11-21 04:02:10

Lovely, scenic spot set in Crystal Cove State Park. We had a delicious breakfast that keep us going all day. It was all very reasonably priced. The wait staff was very friendly and helpful!

Review №155

2023-11-18 21:52:49

Catalina in the horizon, excellent food and service! Loved it 👍🏼😊

Review №156

2023-05-19 03:53:04

The food was awesome and the view of the ocean was great.

Review №157

2021-11-29 00:14:32

Nothing worth having comes easily!Getting to the Beachcomber involves stairs, state run parking lots, $1.50 shuttle rides of like 700’, and a good chance you’ll get towed if you mess it up…BUT, once you’re at the Beachcomber you feel like you’ve been transported to a barefoot tropical island paradise! Not only are the views a 10, but the food and the staff are as well.You can’t go wrong there for breakfast, but come early to beat the crowds! (Like 8am - 9am is perfect)Try the crepes and strawberry banana mimosa!

Review №158

2021-09-29 18:04:21

The food is excellent and the location cant be beat. The servers are friendly.Make sure you make a reservation if you dont want a 2 hour wait or take your beach chairs and enjoy the pacific ocean. Either way its worth it.

Review №159

2017-09-10 04:23:00

Amazing place at a beautiful beachfront location. Food is great and view is even better. Play in the sand and water while waiting for your name to be called; definitely want to try to avoid the peak times. Perfect for brunch, and good place to take kids as well.

Review №160

2018-12-30 18:55:48

Such a lovely experience. Love the trolly, the renovated cabins, and amazing restaurants! You must order beignets! Sat inside and got seated immediately. Outside wait was 10-30 min wait at 10:00am on Sunday. Not bad at all!

Review №161

2019-03-06 16:40:59

Great location and excellent food! We did have to wait about an hour but you can grab a drink at the bar in the back while waiting, or wander along the beach to nearby tide pools (we did both). The view is amazing and the atmosphere is friendly and relaxing. Would recommend trying this place out and giving yourself time to walk along the beach and enjoy the environment around the restaurant!

Review №162

2023-08-12 18:36:30

Our waiter James was wonderful! He was attentive and had a great personality! I took my daughter for her birthday and she loved it!

Review №163

2023-11-05 00:44:34

Enjoyed our lunch greatly. Great place and would return! Loved the Kobe meatballs. Recommend.

Review №164

2020-08-02 16:36:43

Loved my visit here. Wonderful views, great staff, good food and awesome drinks!! I had the omelet that was filling and delicious. I wasnt sure about the blackberry mimosa but my waitress recommended it so I decided to try it. I was not disappointed! It was perfect I even ordered a second one! Even though there was a small wait it was definitely worth it!

Review №165

2022-10-24 05:16:00

This is my favorite breakfast spot. Being right on the beach is so lovely. The only downside is needing to walk so far from the distant parking lot or having to pay for the shuttle. The food is fantastic and the have a nice selection of drinks.

Review №166

2023-06-06 17:18:43

This little hidden gem was hard to find but worth the long walk through the tunnel and under the freeway to find it. Food and drinks were outstanding and service was very good. Being on the beach and listening to the waves was part of the outstanding atmosphere. Such a cool place. Dont miss it

Review №167

2020-11-09 03:44:25

If you are looking for a good breakfast, Lunch or Dinner right off a sandy beach Beachcomber Cafe at Crystal Cove is a great place to eat. Great service. High quality food.

Review №168

2022-08-02 04:35:29

Doesn’t allow takeout!! The google info is wrong. The service is pretty bad and food is Meh and overpriced!! It is doesn’t operate like a fancy restaurant should but prices everything including the gratuity like it is. They have monopoly in that area of the beach so are surviving as in any other crowded tourist location in California, Else this is not a place to go for food in general. Enjoy the sunset elsewhere next time.

Review №169

2017-01-09 08:28:52

Beautiful view, Friendly staffs, Awsome food, Interesting Parking set up. Better to make reservation unless you want to wait for like an hour (based on my experience of a Sunday lunch)

Review №170

2023-05-09 11:24:39

It was our first morning in the United States, although we have been to California before, we were both keen to try something different for breakfast. We wanted something light yet filling, we were not disappointed. Together with orange juice (freshly squeezed) and coffee we both enjoyed a wonderful breakfast overlooking the ocean. The atmosphere was very tranquil despite the restaurant being quite busy. The food was delicious and the staff couldn’t do enough for us. I would highly recommend this gem of a restaurant and would also recommend a long walk on the beach.

Review №171

2022-09-11 20:38:40

Getting there is a bit cumbersome. You have to park across pch and take a shuttle or walk.That said, it’s on the beach which is unbeatable!!!Food is basic with sub par ingredients. They stop serving brunch at 11:15am on Sunday so that was a bummer. The drinks weren’t well mixed and the fries were stale. The staff is sooo nice though and it’s a very interesting conserved area.All to say, some of the most interesting people watching!!!! So many California stereotypes in one establishment.

Review №172

2018-11-16 08:54:55

A beautiful place to sit and enjoy a meal or a drink. I chose breakfast cause its peaceful at that hour. Parking is on the other side of the road. The walk from there is about 10 min. Its free as long as you get it stamped from the cafe. Great food and kind staff.

Review №173

2017-09-03 01:07:18

I just love it when you go to a place with no expectations and they wow you.This is a beach restaurant where you expect nothing more than hamburgers, fries & cold beer.I was seated at the 3 stool bar in front of the kitchen window and watched the food that was coming out before I ordered food. It was amazing to see how this small kitchen was putting out amazing looking dishes. Ordered grilled artichoke and crab stack. Both dishes were light, fresh, full of flavor.I would definitely go back. Highly recommend it.

Review №174

2019-08-19 04:19:23

This place is awesome! The food, the views, the people, ambience. Had the halibut on mashed potatoes with a side of broccolini, it was mouth watering. Definitely a romantic place to come eat dinner and enjoy the views.

Review №175

2022-01-03 07:33:40

Consistently wonderful. Breakfast, lunch and dinner or just drinks at the bar, always exceptional. French toast and their bloody mary, as big as my head, does not disappoint. Waitstaff is delightful!

Review №176

2018-06-30 21:03:14

Newports hidden gem. Accessible by foot or shuttle. Always packed. Expect to wait online. Staff are friendly. Bring your parking ticket for 3-hour validation. $15 for whole day parking if unvalidated.

Review №177

2023-07-08 20:08:38

DO YOU BONFIRES OR LATE NIGHT DINNERS ELSEWHERE!After dozens of times of going to the place, yesterday will be our last time. I would suggest going elsewhere for your beachside dinners or bonfires.Beachcomber as a restaurant is great! We have gone there many times over the years and never a problem before yesterday.Now, Beachcomber is no longer validating parking. Additionally, they have a patrol car coming exactly at 10pm to write $96 tickets for those there at 10:01pm. You do not have enough time to finish your meal or fire pit at 9:30, go to the restroom, grab your stuff, wait in line for the shuttle or walk in the dark, and get to your car in time. There was a cop waiting there, notebook in hard, to write the tickets the moment the clock hit 10:01 and we saw him trying to fill out the tickets as fast as he could.

Review №178

2020-08-12 17:46:57

Wonderful! This place is very special. Enjoying delicious food with a gorgeous view of my favorite beach in Orange County, Crystal Cove. We went for breakfast today and everything we had was great. The wait staff were attentive and cheerful. After our breakfast we took a nice walk down to see the tide pools. It was like being on vacation near home. Highly recommend going to The Beachcomber. You can make reservations or walk up and wait. Enjoy!

Review №179

2023-09-22 15:05:41

Love love love this place! If in Southern California this is a must! Food and drinks are wonderful! You sit very close to the beach so view is the best!

Review №180

2023-10-15 22:51:25

Our waiter was not attentive to us never came back with coffee never checked after food delivered. Had to go to a bus person and another waiter to get ours to come by with coffee and my bacon tgat did not cone when food served.

Review №181

2017-08-20 01:06:03

Wow, what a fun and pretty place with great food and great service. Their unique drinks are great and their desserts are delicious! Curtis, you are a great waiter and we had a great time! Curtis chose a great virgin drink for my wife who is 5 months pregnant. Check it out if you have a chance. Sunset is beautiful.

Review №182

2020-10-12 00:02:11

3.5 stars. Now obviously the location of this place makes it THE place to eat if youre at Crystal Cove. We (2 of us) really only wanted coffee and were told that it would be a good 1.5 hours to get a table. They have a pager system. It vibrates when the table is ready. We walked down the beach for about 10-15 mins max when it buzzed and bravo, we had a table. So guess you could get lucky.We got a cappuccino, hot chocolate and a plate mahi mahi spring rolls to share. The cappuccino was NOT good. The hot chocolate was ok. The spring rolls were decent. I was a little surprised by how small they were. The server said 6, so well, I expected 6 whole spring rolls, not 3 cut in half 🤷 the accompanying mango salsa was ok (per me) and delicious (per bf).Pricy side of course. Go enjoy the vibe, water, views and somewhere in there, the food.

Review №183

2021-06-12 02:29:19

Hubby and I had a very yummy dinner here. We split the clam chowder, he had the scallops, I had the tuna (which would have been ahi style but they cooked it for me as Im 8mo pregnant - still so yummy!), and then we split the bengiets. Very cute little spot. Food was well prepared and fast.

Review №184

2019-06-02 09:40:26

Terrible experience while they were setting up our table. It took us more than and hour and a half to be seated even though they had our table ready minutes after we requested it. We had one family member missing that was running late and they couldnt seat us until we were all together. We told them it might take some time and they told us to wait outside. They didnt even allow us to have some bread or something while we were waiting. We arrived for breakfast and ended up having lunch. We told them to change our table and exclude the person that was missing but they told us that it wasnt possible since our original request included that person. Splitting up to two tables wasnt possible either. Then after our family member arrived he left to take a phone call and when he came back and sat down a lady came to us tell us that we couldnt have more people sitting down at out table. Poor her, unable to count. Worse of all they brought us the wrong order at first but then finally came out with our order which was delicious. Bathrooms are a bit far away from the restaurant which makes it difficult for people with disabilities. All in all, service is terrible, you get better service at a 1 star restaurant, but food is amazing. Wouldnt return to this restaurant again unless Im going alone so Im able to be seated on time.

Review №185

2023-07-01 03:41:19

Great exhibit in the Japanese American farming experience at the Crystal Cove State Beach! My family and I visited there and we learned so much. Never knew that there was such a large Japanese population in Crystal Cove.The cottages were also very cute.

Review №186

2023-09-09 15:21:26

The food was excellent. Everything tasted amazing and fresh. No fish smell at all. The lobster roll, clam chowder, Mahi tacos, the ceviche Everything was delicious

Review №187

2019-08-20 01:11:30

Really youre just paying for a beautiful scenic place to eat. portions are pretty small for the price, and the Maine lobster roll that I ordered was more like a soggy wilted bacon lettuce tomato with heavy emphasis on the lettuce. The lobster was non-existent. For $23 that was kind of a bummer. The only saving grace were the beignets that we ordered for dessert after. Service was good, but just beware that there is up to an hour long wait on weekday afternoons. Youre better off making reservations beforehand or going somewhere else altogether. also keep in mind that you will have to park up in a lot thats about one third mile hike from the restaurant itself. Also I dont know if they were thrilled that our young children were dining with us.

Review №188

2021-02-14 21:54:21

A very eclectic brunch on the beach vibe. Really enjoyed the mahi spring rolls, steak skewers, & ahi salad. Looking forward to visiting again! Also the watermelon mojito was amazing! 🍉🤩

Review №189

2023-07-12 15:49:49

Limited menu, we found later if we had sat in a different place, we would have had a better menu. Plus we were seated promptly and then promptly ignored for nearly an hour. Way over priced for quality and quantity. Without the ocean view..

Review №190

2019-01-12 22:07:03

Amazing place. Great views of the beach. Entrance is on the sand. The food is amazing and the prices reasonable. The staff are super nice and kind. The burger was filling and huge. The portions of everything were sufficient. Finally, the beignets were amazing.

Review №191

2023-08-29 22:44:40

Cool place on the beach!! No doubt youre on the water here! Great vibe & service and food was great too. Will go back on next trip.

Review №192

2018-07-11 22:00:37

The food was amazing and so its the view hearing the waves crash as you are having dinner is very peaceful, great service its the third time being here and plan to return, the Lamb sirloin was cooked perfectly, service is always top notch, Ive also had the Rosemary chicken and Salmon just as great also.

Review №193

2021-03-09 18:12:53

I came here for my birthday yesterday and the drinks were amazing! I loved the view, the experience and the weather. The food was amazing too and I can’t wait to come back! I miss it already...

Review №194

2022-03-15 14:28:53

The food was yummy and the staff were friendly and professional. We felt very welcome here.

Review №195

2021-04-23 03:02:43

This is a nice little restaurant right on the beach. Lots of hiking trails near by so it’s a good place to treat yourself afterwards. The restaurant could have a long wait time so I’d recommend getting into the back bar section. Their ahi tacos are pretty tasty

Review №196

2023-06-10 04:03:25

Good food, great beach atmosphere

Review №197

2023-05-30 04:40:34

One of our very favorite places to eat. We come here without fail every time we are in Newport Beach. It was a bit hard to find the first time. You have to park across the street and either take the tunnel or the shuttle over to the beach side. Totally worth it though. My favorite is the chilaquiles. And this time we met Thomas! He’s the nicest kitty that lives on site.

Review №198

2023-09-18 12:12:52

Food was good. I had the seabass with asparagus & polenta. The fish was excellent but the polenta was a bit watery, & not as tasty as Ive had other places. The asparagus also was so so.

Review №199

2022-09-02 18:05:56

This place is nestled right in the cove on the beach. It was relaxing and fun. The staff are friendly and knowledgeable, great service. The food is amazing. Loved my evening here!