The 8 best oceanfront dining spots in Orange County right now

From Seal Beach to San Clemente, a bevy of restaurants offer beachside eats a stone’s throw from the Pacific. Some sit directly on the sand while others hover above the coastline with Catalina-facing views. Together, they represent some of Orange County’s most scenic places to linger over seafood towers, burgers, brunch and sunset cocktails long after the meal ends.

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For this guide, the bulk of the following places lean affordable and tasty. While Orange County is home to many oceanfront eateries with awe-inspiring views, many of those spots come with equally eye-popping prices. So with that in mind, here are some of the best oceanfront spots that pair strong coastal views with menus that make lingering far too easy.

The Beach House

15 First St., Seal Beach; 562-240-5444; beachhousesb.com

One of the few truly toes-near-the-sand dining spots, The Beach House, one of the Golden State’s few full-service and full-bar restaurants at the beach, leans heavily into panoramic views with glimpses of Seal Beach Pier. The menu here sticks to approachable coastal fare, like bacon-wrapped scallops and coconut shrimp, alongside more land-based staples like skillet corn bread, burgers and bone-in pork chop. Come sunset, this spot’s prime viewing time, be sure to check out the bar menu, which comes with a standout Bloody Mary. “We are known for our Bloody Marys, which is my own recipe,” said owner Rosie Ritchie in a 2025 interview.

SeaSalt Honky Tonk

17851 Coast Highway, Huntington Beach; seasaltatthebeach.com

Set smack dab on Bolsa Chica State Beach, SeaSalt Honky Tonk offers country-Western beach energy courtesy of live music, line dancing and an expansive oceanfront setting where the sand is practically a part of the decor. The concept, founded by restaurateur Alicia Cox, pairs Huntington Beach surf culture with a two-prong culinary hit: her own menu and barbecue from Heritage Barbecue. Expect brisket, ribs, pulled pork, tri-tip and smoked chicken alongside cocktails and suds, as well as Cox’s own menu of beach-friendly snacks. SeaSalt is less quiet seaside dining and more of a beach party where everyone and anyone is welcome.

ALSO SEE: Check out these 7 LA County restaurants where you can dine by the sea

Woody’s Wharf

2318 Newport Blvd., Newport Beach; 949-675-0474; woodyswharf.com

While Newport Beach offers waterfront dining aplenty, like The Lighthouse Cafe and The Cannery, as well as a slew of high-end restaurants like Nobu or A+O Restaurant, Woody’s Wharf is one of the tonier area’s more budget-friendly, locals-only spots that has stayed true to its roots for 60 years and counting. You don’t have to be a millionaire — or act like one — to feel welcome here. The menu offers breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner options, including lobster omelet, prime rib dip, clam chowder, fish and chips and breakfast burritos. Despite its Hollywood pedigree past — John Wayne and Cary Grant used to sit at the bar, while the late Chuck Norris once owned the spot — Woody’s is for everyone, no Black Amex required. Its eponymous founder, local fisherman Woody Payne, envisioned his eatery as “a waterfront dive bar,” a place where “anyone could go sit at the water and eat or drink,” all while following the philosophy of “good food, strong drinks, reasonable prices.”

Crystal Cove Shake Shack

7703 Coast Highway, Corona del Mar; 949-464-0100; crystalcoveshakeshack.com

While not technically oceanfront dining in the formal sense, few spots along Orange County’s coastline deliver a perch this phenomenal. The historic roadside stand overlooks nearly 180-degree views of the Pacific, especially at sunset when the cliffs and Catalina horizon turn cinematic. The menu is classic California snack-shack food done right: burgers, tuna melts, breakfast burritos, chili dogs and, as its name suggests, milkshakes galore and soft-serve cones. The outdoor picnic tables are usually filled during open hours, packed with surfers, cyclists and locals. While this remains one of the county’s prime casual coastal dining experiences, it comes at a price: Parking at Crystal Cove Shake Shack is a beast, infamously so. Consider yourself warned.

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The Beachcomber Cafe

15 Crystal Cove, Corona del Mar; 949-376-6900; thebeachcombercafe.com

Between Laguna Beach and Newport Beach, and set directly on the sand within Crystal Cove State Park, The Beachcomber remains one of Orange County’s most archetypal dining setups, where waves crash just beyond the patio railing and diners often arrive barefoot from the beach. Like many beachside spots, The Beachcomber leans into crowd-pleasing California comfort grub, including coconut shrimp, fish tacos and hefty slices of chocolate cake. Brunch service here usually draws crowds and lengthy wait times. Design geeks will love the adjacent historic cottages and wide stretch of coastline giving the setting a ye olde California postcard quality. Also of note: Stick around for the bugle blow at 5 p.m. daily as cafe raises the martini flag, signaling the start of cocktail hour.

Driftwood Kitchen

619 Sleepy Hollow Lane, Laguna Beach; 949-749-6367; driftwoodkitchen.com

Few dining rooms along Orange County’s storied coastline feel suspended over the Pacific as Driftwood Kitchen as does, which sits atop the cliffs in Laguna Beach with floor-to-ceiling ocean views and a patio seemingly hovering above the shoreline. The menu, created by the late executive chef-founder Rainer Schwarz, focuses on seafood (ranging from oysters and seafood towers to seared scallops and grilled octopus), burgers and an excellent brunch program of omelets, blueberry pancakes, steak and eggs, granola-crusted French toast, lobster hash and more. Nearly every table here comes with unobstructed views of the surf, making it a phenomenon at sunset, even by Laguna’s standards. Bonus: The private dining room, which seats up to 60 guests, is one of the region’s best.

Young’s Beach Shack

33521 Ritz Carlton Drive, Dana Point; 949-388-2430; youngsbeachshack.com

Tucked beside Salt Creek Beach and below the Waldorf Astoria and the Ritz-Carlton, Young’s Beach Shack, revamped in 2023, offers a more casual and affordable take on oceanfront dining. Here, surfers, golfers and beachgoers alike funnel in for breakfast burritos, chilaquiles, shrimp tacos, burgers and cocktails mere steps from the sand. The menu is created by chef Kyle St. John (Harvest, Lost Pier Cafe) and features locally sourced foods that also make for ideal beach picnic provisions. The open-air setting overlooks Salt Creek’s pumping surf break, making it one of the better low-key sunset spots in South County. And unlike the nearby resort restaurants, the vibe here is always relaxed, where Uggs and board shorts are effectively the dress code.

The Fisherman’s Restaurant and Bar

611 Avenida Victoria, San Clemente; 949-498-6390; fishermansrestaurantsanclemente.com

Sitting directly on the San Clemente Pier since 1982, The Fisherman’s offers another over-the-water dining experience, with waves crashing beneath the deck and nearly every table boasting stellar coastline views. The longtime seafood spot hones in on classic coastal fare like clam chowder in sourdough bowls, oysters Rockefeller, shrimp cocktail, coconut shrimp, mussels, calamari and seafood platters. Breakfast is also a major draw here, especially during early mornings when surfers and beach walkers funnel onto the pier before the lunch crowds arrive.

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