The Ritz Prime Seafood
Whether you’re seeking a beautiful evening out or a “Sunday Funday” brunch, the menu selections at the Ritz Prime Seafood will tantalize your taste buds for all occasions. This brand new fine dining restaurant is located on the water at Mariner’s Mile in Newport Beach. In addition to classics from the original Ritz restaurant, the menu features modern dishes with a creative culinary twist. Must-eats are the crab and hamachi roll and smoked salmon brioche toast (available for brunch). 2801 W. Coast Hwy., Newport Beach, 949.720.1800. ritzprimeseafood.com
King’s Fish House
Offering multiple locations throughout Orange County and Long Beach, King’s Fish House features a menu that blends tradition with creativity and invention. The newly renovated Long Beach location takes the chain up a notch with its stunning redesigned interior and exterior as well as a new curated handcrafted beverage menu. At all locations, enjoy menu highlights such as a daily rotation of 9-10 seasonal oysters from both coasts, wild Baja stone crab, farmed Peruvian bay scallops and Penn Cove black mussels. 7691 Edinger Ave., Huntington Beach, 714.793.1177; 24001 Avenida de la Carlota, Laguna Hills, 949.586.1515; 1521 West Katella, Orange, 714.771.6655; 100 W. Broadway Ave., Long Beach, 562.432.7463. kingsfishhouse.com
Mastro’s Ocean Club
Build your own dry-ice enshrouded seafood tower with heaps of chilled oysters, crab, lobster and mussels or savor entrees like vanilla battered twin lobster tails, Hawaiian big eye tuna and a selection of top steaks. In addition to the menu, the bluff-top Newport Beach destination offers ocean views and a glass-topped grand piano in the O Bar. Proper attire is required. Crystal Cove Shopping Center, 8112 E. Coast Hwy., Newport Beach, 949.376.6990. mastrosrestaurants.com
Slapfish
A food truck-turned-restaurant, founded by Chef Andrew Gruel, offers a menu emphasizing bib-worthy dishes and bold flavors. Highlights include chowder fries, natural cut fries smothered in creamy clam chowder and bacon, and the Clobster Grilled Cheese, a half crab and half lobster sandwich oozing with cheese and its signature awesome sauce–a creamy and smokey chili sauce. Also enjoy classics like fish and chips or the lobster roll. The casual, relaxed setting of this modern seafood shack is perfect for indulging any day of the week. 19696 Beach Blvd., Huntington Beach, 714.963.3900; 211 Broadway Street, across from Main Beach at PCH, Laguna Beach, 949.715.0460; 2727 Newport Blvd., Newport Beach, 949.723.0034; 4249 Campus Drive, Irvine, 949.737.2090. slapfishrestaurant.com
Bluewater Grill
Enjoy a fun, casual dining experience and daily seafood offerings. Chipotle-blackened swordfish, lemon pepper mahi mahi and cedar plank king salmon are just a few examples of what you might find on the menu. Enjoy the outdoor waterfront dining at the Newport location. Both Orange County locations are pet friendly and invite guests to bring their canine for outdoor dining and a free treat. 630 Lido Park Drive, Newport Beach, 949.675.3474; 2409 Park Ave., Tustin, 714.258.3474. bluewatergrill.com
The Cannery
The historic fine seafood restaurant of 40 years serves only wild, line-caught fish and offers seating right on the water’s edge in Newport Harbor. Chef Nicolas Weber takes full advantage of the wood-burning grill to produce a remarkably tender finished product. Perfect for happy hour, the bar features a large variety of liquors, cognacs, ports, beers, sakes and seasonal specialty cocktails. The Jellyfish Lounge specializes in sushi. 3010 Lafayette Road, Newport Beach, 949.566.0060. cannerynewport.com
Taps Fish House and Brewery
Reminiscent of a grand old New Orleans or San Francisco brick warehouse, TAPS Fish House & Brewery in Brea Downtown provides a sense of upscale comfort and delicious food. Enjoy a casual, but epic, Sunday “TAPS Brunch Extravaganza.” Savor fresh and flavorful fish, shrimp, crab and lobster and plump oysters on the half-shell at the oyster bar. 101 E. Imperial Hwy., Brea, 714.257.0101; 13390 Jamboree Road, Irvine, 714.619.0404. tapsfishhouse.com