🌊 Top 5 Ocean View Restaurants in Orange County
In Orange County, a great meal is often about more than what’s on the plate. When the Pacific Ocean is part of the experience—crashing waves, golden-hour light, or a calm harbor backdrop—the right restaurant can turn dinner into a memory. These five ocean-view restaurants deliver front-row scenery paired with food, atmosphere, and service that justify the setting.
To help you plan, we’ve included budget indicators so you know what to expect before you book.
💡 Budget Guide
💲 Under $25 per person
💲💲 $25–40 per person
💲💲💲 $40–70 per person
💲💲💲💲 $70+ per person
Splashes Restaurant — Laguna Beach
💲💲💲💲 | Fine Dining
Set dramatically atop the coastline at Surf & Sand Resort, Splashes is one of the most romantic dining rooms in Orange County. Floor-to-ceiling windows and a cliffside patio create uninterrupted ocean views, especially spectacular at sunset. The menu leans coastal California with refined technique, making it a favorite for anniversaries, proposals, and special celebrations.
Best for: Sunset dinners, special occasions, romantic nights out
Driftwood Kitchen — Laguna Beach
💲💲💲 | Upscale Casual
Just above the sand, Driftwood Kitchen blends relaxed coastal energy with polished execution. The atmosphere is airy21 Oceanfront — Newport Beach and approachable, but the setting—waves rolling in just feet away—feels undeniably special. It’s equally popular for oceanfront brunches and casual dinners that still feel elevated.
Best for: Brunch with a view, laid-back date nights, coastal comfort dining
21 Oceanfront — Newport Beach
💲💲💲💲 | Fine Dining
A Newport Beach classic, 21 Oceanfront sits directly on the boardwalk, offering unobstructed views of the Pacific and timeless steakhouse-style dining. The experience is polished and traditional, ideal for milestone celebrations or an elegant evening that feels distinctly Newport.
Best for: Celebrations, refined dinners, sunset reservations
LSXO — Huntington Beach
💲💲💲 | Trendy / Nightlife Dining
Perched above Pacific City, LSXO delivers one of the most visually striking dining rooms in Orange County. Sweeping views of Huntington Beach Pier meet bold, modern Vietnamese flavors in a space that feels equal parts restaurant and night-out destination. As the sun sets, the energy shifts from scenic to electric.
Best for: Food-focused nights out, group dinners, ocean-view nightlife
Fisherman’s Restaurant — San Clemente
💲💲 (some 💲 plates)
Located directly on the San Clemente Pier, Fisherman’s Restaurant is one of the few places in Orange County where you can dine literally over the ocean without committing to fine-dining prices. The menu leans classic and casual—think chowder, seafood baskets, burgers, and breakfast plates—while waves roll beneath the pier just outside your window.
It’s especially popular during the day, when the ocean views are clearest and the experience feels relaxed and quintessentially coastal.
Best for: Casual meals, daytime dining, post-beach lunches