9 Best Restaurants in Orange County and Catalina Island, California

Expect long lines in summer at this indoor--outdoor dining spot serving up the freshest local fish (swordfish, sea bass, halibut, and tuna) and a wide range of creative seafood dishes (the Hawaiian-style poke salad with ahi tuna is a local favorite). Order at the counter, which doubles as a seafood market, and sit inside or outside on a grand patio. This is one of the few restaurants in Southern California with its own fishing boat, so there's a good chance some line-caught local fish will be on the menu. Oysters are a great choice, and the fish tacos topped with the homemade hot sauce are not to be missed. This restaurant is so popular that it opened two other locations at Crystal Cove and Huntington Beach.

Seafood rules at the popular Lobster Trap, because the restaurant's owner has his own boat and fishes for the catch of the day and, in season, spiny lobster. Ceviche is a great starter, always fresh and brightly flavored. Locals (you'll see many at the small counter) come for the relaxed atmosphere, large portions, and happy hour specials (not offered during the summer season) for select $4 pints and other specials. Try the grilled swordfish with mixed veggies and a baked potato. They can prepare it seven different ways including crisp macadamia nut breading. Open daily from 11 am for lunch through late evening. 

On the site of an old sportfishing dock, this popular spot offers a variety of seasonal seafood, shellfish, meat, and poultry. There’s a tranquil bay view from either the dining room, which is adorned with early-1900s fishing photos, or the waterfront patio. Favorites include miso-glazed black cod, local rockfish snapper, and all different types of shellfish including oven-baked lobster tail. There's an emphasis on freshness—the menu changes daily—and wines and craft brews are reasonably priced.

Overlooking the entire harbor, this open-to-the-sea-air patio is the preferred spot to dine on freshly caught fish, savory chowders, and all manner of shellfish. Order a swordfish steak, the lobster roll, or the sand dabs if they are on the menu. Save room for homemade Key lime pie or java mud pie. The dining room has an understated nautical vibe. Fishing rods serve as room dividers, and plank floors lend a casual feel inside and out. Vintage black-and-white photos acknowledge the island's famed sportfishing legacy. Happy hour offers craft beers, potent cocktails, and tasty bites like fried calamari and oyster shooters.

Freshly caught seafood reigns supreme at this homage to surfing legend Duke Kahanamoku; it's also a prime people-watching spot right at the beginning of Huntington Beach Pier. Choose from several fish-of-the-day selections—many topped with Hawaiian ingredients—and shellfish like lobster, king crab, and shrimp. Or try the crispy coconut shrimp or fresh ahi tuna fish tacos. Duke's mai tai is not to be missed. And save room for a slice of the Kimo Original Hula Pie, with chocolate cookie crust, macadamia nut ice cream, hot fudge, toasted macadamia nuts, and whipped cream. Open for lunch, brunch, and dinner. Every Monday they offer a Burger and Beverage special for $19 from 4 to 9 pm. Taco Tuesday special in the Barefoot Bar is two tacos with fresh chips and salsa for $13.

Established in 1999, this trendy restaurant has an open kitchen, comfortable booths, and outdoor seating. The patio is a fantastic place to hang out to enjoy a shrimp cocktail and glass of wine. They make heavenly biscuits, shucked oysters, grilled California artichokes, pan-seared ahi tuna burger, New Orleans barbecue shrimp, and a cedar plank-roasted salmon. It gets noisy near the bar area, so come early or retreat onto the patio if you prefer a quieter spot.

Beach culture flourishes in this Crystal Cove Historic District restaurant, thanks to its umbrella-laden deck just a few steps above the white sand. This is where you can sip a really good mai tai at the Bootlegger Bar, while waiting for your chance to sample ahi tacos, Maine lobster pasta, or blue crab–stuffed salmon. They offer beach chair rentals and you can reserve your own firepit for s'mores.

This 1920s cannery building still teems with fish, but now they go into dishes on the eclectic seafood menu rather than being packed into crates. Many diners arrive by boat, as there's a convenient dock at the front entrance. If you are feeling some boat envy, you can reserve the restaurant's Duffy boat for a two-hour lunch, brunch, or sunset cocktail cruise before dinner for $150 an hour with a two-hour minimum. They offer a special boat rental menu with lobster sliders, cheese plate, and sushi platter. The upstairs Jellyfish Lounge offers one of the best happy hours in Newport Beach with discounted sushi and cocktail specials daily from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. 

Walk through the quaint Laguna Beach artist village to get to the Cliff and its 180-degree views of Main Beach and the Pacific coastline. The multilevel dining patios serve hearty breakfasts and coastal seafood favorites for lunch and dinner. Firepits, outdoor heaters, and blankets keep diners warm when the marine air grows chilly in the evening. This is also a popular happy hour spot where people stay to enjoy the sunset and then remain for dinner.