180blu

Typically when there is a stellar view the food and service take a dip, but that is not the case here. It’s the full package of delicious cuisine and cocktails, attentive and personable service staff and million dollar views. They don’t take reservations so be sure to time a potential wait if you want to imbibe watching the sunset. Also you can order items from the Raya bar menu here. They even had live music that was great background and added to the full experience. The swordfish dip (on the Raya bar menu) and the ahi tuna sandwich were top picks!

Stopped in a few times on our trip, the views are amazing. Good place to have drinks and maybe an appetizer. Wanted to try their spicy orange coriander wings and was quite disappointed, wings were dry and not appetizing at all, whipped feta dip was alright, the pita bread could have been better. Drinks were good and so was the service. Not sure how they can serve food like this at the "Ritz" but it is a miss compared to places around them.

Great spot for a nice relaxing lunch 🥗 The service was great as well as the food. The portions aren’t huge and the cost wasn’t outrageous.

I went here on my birthday for a drink and light dinner with my friend last Monday. The waiter was so attentive and kind making sure the heaters were on and even gifting our appetizer. I’ve been to the hotel for a wedding and will definitely make it a tradition to return. ☺️

The rooftop restaurant is incredible! We ate there 3 times during our vacation! Amazing food, amazing view! Excellent service! Dog friendly, even a doggy menu! Soo great!!

very fun dining location inside the Ritz. Prices were a tad high but not crazy.

We stopped here for the “light fare” post lunch menu. The cocktails were delish and refreshing. Fantastic salads. Get the cheesecake! Service was quick and top tier. And you can’t beat this view!

Went there for a drink. This so-called “Laguna Sunset” drink is so good and pretty too. The ocean view is also amazing. Staffs there are also very sweet and friendly. Will bring my dog for the pet menu next time!

A long-time favorite that never disappoints. I've been coming to 180blü at The Ritz-Carlton in Dana Point for years, and it continues to be one of my all-time favorite spots in Southern California. This patio restaurant is a true destination experience--perched above the Pacific with panoramic ocean views that are nothing short of breathtaking. The ocean air, the sound of the waves, and those unforgettable sunsets make every visit feel special and serene. The food is always fresh and consistently excellent. My go-to light bites never fail: the flavorful surf 'n turf tacos, the juicy and satisfying Raya Burger, and the decadent potatoes and caviar--each one thoughtfully prepared and delicious. And then there's the service, which is top-tier. Allan, my longtime server, is an absolute standout. He's welcoming, attentive, and has become a familiar, friendly face over the years--a true fixture at 180blü who always enhances the experience. Whether you're a local or just passing through, this place is a must. Come for the views, stay for the food and service--you won't be disappointed.

The views here are incredible! We dined here on a Friday night to start our babymoon weekend at the Ritz Carlton. We were able to get a table right away. There was live music which was really nice. The patio is all outdoors and dog friendly. All the seating was high tops. I'm not sure we ordered very well. The best thing was the surf and turf tacos! My husband and I split that. The whipped feta was unexpected and not my favorite. The stuff in the middle, maybe harissa, was too spicy for me. The guacamole was also a bit spicy for me. Unfortunately something I ate that night or earlier in the day upset my stomach and I think it was the spice in the food, which I wasn't prepared for. My husband got a butter washer whiskey cocktail and was it was really good. If I go back I'd just get the tacos.

As guests of the hotel we had very high hopes the onsite restaurants would be fantastic. However this rooftop spot fell short in a few ways. Don't get me wrong, the view and open fresh air is wonderful, but the ambiance we experienced as well as some of the food weren't the best. There was a live musician playing keyboard and singing however it wasn't very good, and the musician gave off-putting vibes as if she hated being there. Since we were with a small child we chose a shorter table so we could use a high chair. All the other tables are high tops that wouldn't accommodate a high chair. The shorter table was near the doors and they kept opening and closing every time someone would walk by, which was quite distracting. For food, we tried the tacos, the lobster roll, the guacamole and the kids salmon dish with a side of regular fries. The tacos were terrible. The protein inside was apparently a combo of beef and shrimp but it looked and tasted unidentifiable. They were scant with filling and the nut-based salsa was awful and oily. The guacamole was actually wonderful, and using it on the tacos saved the dish a bit. The lobster roll was much much tastier, and I would recommend this dish a million times over the tacos. Lastly our child's salmon dish was ok but the fries were limp. Overall, I can see how this spot is desirable for the views but I wouldn't rush back for any other reason, especially at the price point.

Came on a Sunday afternoon for some light bites before a ginger bread house decorating workshop. It was quick to get a seat, and also quick to move when a better view came available. The service was attentive and the surf and turf tacos were delicious! Flavorful and full of goodness. I enjoyed the hard taco shell for a bit of crunch. A lot of ooey gooey melted cheese as well. A bit on the pricier side but that's to be expected at the ritz. Would dine here again!

The food was delicious. The chicken sandwich was juicier than I've ever had. (Chicken sandwich's are usually dry.) And the steak/shrimp tacos were unmatched. Plus, the drinks were literally perfect. (We recommend the Brown Butter Old Fashioned). And our server, Joshua, was awesome. He really took care of us and surprised my girl with the perfect dessert. Even brought us a blanket when we got cold. No complaints!

Jennifer at 180blu can I give her a round of applause! From helping me as I walked in to when sitting down my server Rose was there but Jennifer on it!! The food I got truffle fries from the crunchy texture and soft interior to the truffle infused flavor it was there. The dirty martinis that I ordered delicious! The view just topped off my solo date. Sunset view is just gorgeous. Date night, solo date, family gathering for small bites this is it!! Crème Brûlée to top off my dessert why I think yes. Never can go wrong with crème brûlée. Definitely coming back here for a date night, family get together, or a treat yourself night!

Views are great and service is good. Nice little snack spot. The food is lowk mid and overpriced but worth for the view in my opinion.

Fresh, authentic, great techniques, and fabulous presentations by staff. Jose, our server was very knowledgeable about the menu, made great recommendations and was at his best with everyone at the outdoor patio

Came here again and got our same server Jose! Jose and Matthew are amazing! Jose is friendly, funny and he provided excellent service again! This place is incredible! Great place to bring guests!! Dog friendly with excellent dog menu!

As soon as you walk in the view, just takes your breath away. We are able to get a table right against the wall with the most amazing view of the ocean. Our server Jose was on point and made some amazing recommendations. The tacos were seriously some of the best that I've ever had. Just a great experience.

Beautiful place to get delicious mock tails and cocktails with a view of the ocean . Our server was great and very helpful. She said sunsets were beautiful from the patio. $30 parking for hotel/ VALET ONLY $15 parking AFTER validation

Food was ok, not great, and the service was inattentive and slow. My Ahi Tuna Ceviche was very good but the Truffle Fries were soggy. It also took nearly 30 minutes for my food to come out and the waitress called me by the wrong name a couple times throughout the process. I suspect if I hadn't corrected her she'd have billed someone else's room for my lunch. The view, however was outstanding. Unfortunately, it was so good that people were constantly coming up the stairs, taking photos in the middle of the terrace, interrupting those of us paying to eat there.

What went well... everything! From the front entrance down the corridor and toward 180Blũ was exquisite, from the floral ambiance to the scents throughout was nostalgic. Our server was Ioana, she was attentive and engaged in conversation. We stopped in for a short lunch break and post birthday celebration on a Tuesday in February. The weather was typical. Sunny with a slight breeze and clear skies. The rosé bubbly was divine. Other worthy mentions is the swordfish dip, battered shrimp, FETA, a puff pastry with sprinkled power sugar ‍, and BAILEYS AND COFFEE with fresh whip . The Executive Sous Chef has it going on, this place and menu is dialed in. Note: Under renovation!! Coming soon is a facelift to an already incredible establishment. Must try once or many times in your life. Do what you will with the advice bestowed upon you.

180blu, located on the patio of the Ritz-Carlton, offers stunning ocean views. The vibe is laid-back with relaxing music, and the drinks are good. It's the perfect spot to unwind and enjoy a drink with friends. i came here on Christmas Day. It's busy but good experience.

It is a casual vibe. Not really a sushi bar. Why would they call this a sushi bar? It's a deck that serves appetizers and drinks and maybe a couple of basic rolls. Not a sushi place AT ALL. Would I go back..... the view is nice. But no. False advertisement. Not a sushi place at all.

View is 1000% amazing. Come here just for the view and you will not be disappointed. As its name suggests it really does offer a 180° view of the ocean blue. The seating is self seating and we waited around for seats by the front to give us an unobstructed view of the ocean. I think that they can use a few more table servers and they seemed to be short staffed as it took a while for someone to come clean our table and take our orders. We ordered the oysters, ahi tuna tartare, surf and turf, tacos, swordfish skewers. Everything was solid. The watermelon mule is refreshing. We would have ordered more, however, the menu is brief. I would love to return!

Great views, good service. Food was good. Drinks were good. Perfect place to relax and enjoy the surroundings.

Extremely limited menu. I am a guest at the hotel and ordered a salad to eat with the leftover food we had from lunch. The main course salad ($17), was more like a side salad. Fresh but completely overpriced. The staff was nice in the brief interaction we had with them while ordering the food to go. The view from was incredible.

OYSTER. Hey guys two reviews in one day because I love you. This review is about the oyster from 180 blu and ritz Carlton. My best friend (and lover) brought me here for a nice afternoon date to celebrate him coming home from the military right now. I don't like seafood or any kind of ocean food for that matter So you can imagine my shock at the menu being all ocean food We had a nice server named rose !! Hi rose if you're seeing this. She was nice and helpful to us and even encouraged me about trying the oyster a As it went I got that oyster loaded up with lemon and red wine vinegar and then I just had to do it It really was not good because I don't like oyster but if I did it would be so 5 stars !!! This place is gorgeous and you should come with any loved ones to cherish eachother and share a nice meal over the ocean Also one cool thing is there was a hawk hanging out there now some nice places have falcons who keep the seagulls at bay but allegedly this hawk had no keeper he was there on. His own which is neat you don't usually see hawk and beach 6/5 stars for hawk.

This is an outdoor patio restaurant at the Ritz Carlton Dana Point, overlooking the ocean. Beautiful view. Seating is bar height tables & chairs that are very uncomfortable as they are hard slats of wood. The menu I viewed online was not the same menu I was given to order from. I had the surf & turf tacos $27, husband had double cheeseburger $32. My plate was sparse with 2 small tacos with little meat inside. That's all. Server was not too attentive even though restaurant was not busy on a Monday. Not impressed.

The food and the views at 180blũ were amazing! I had the surf and turf tacos, which were delicious. The meat was cooked well and all the ingredients tasted very fresh and bright. The service here was also great. Highly recommend visiting and having a relaxing meal outside.

Breathtaking views and impressive grounds. Fabulous service. Hey it's The Ritz Carlton of course!

Food is not been vegetarian/vegan friendly here so we only got drinks. Got the tamarind togarashi margarita. Pretty yummy and there was live music too. Server gave us some bar snacks (rice crackers and peanuts) which were a good addition to our drinks. We first sat at one of the low tables in the back but once the space cleared up a little they let us move to a high table overlooking the beach. The view is really amazing and is the highlight of this place! The drinks and food alone I think are not worth it given the price. $15 validated valet parking.

Talk about disapppointing. This has been a spot on my list of places to try for some time. So after a long day out hiking we decided it was close enough to come try before heading home and let me just say youd really expect more from a place to dine at a Ritz Carlton. Leaving more to be desired feels like an understatement and I can not even begin to express the depths of our disappointment not only with the overall quality of the food but with the service. The only positive point is the beautiful views but even that is not enough a redeeming quality for us to ever consider returning. Our initial server Tyler was great and I sincerely wish we would have stayed in his section, but we wanted to sit with a bit more of a view. As soon as we sat down I knew it was somewhere we wouldn't sit at and relax or enjoy long, the chairs were hard and uncomfortable. I had shorts on and had to sit on my sweater because the seat was so uncomfortable causing pain to the backs of my legs. We ordered our cocktails and they arrived quickly, they were fine, not particularly exciting. We moved to the balcony edge table and were switched servers. We asked for water and watched the table seated after us recieve their cocktails and we still hadnt gotten a glass of water. My partner had to go up to the bar and ask for water himself because we had waited so long, and after he sat back down and we got our water from Tyler (thank you!) Our waitress brought water for the table next to us shortly after we finally got ours. We placed our orders and someone else brought our food, and we hadnt even taken a bite before our waitress asked if everything was prepared fine and tasted good. The burger was incredibly lack luster, the double patty doesnt make up for the lack of flavor. And shockingly was not even asked how we wanted it prepared. I could get a better burger from in-n-out for less than half the cost. As we ate we listened to our waitress give so much time and attention to the table next to us who she seemed more than happy to be attentive to, and was even offering to provide them with food items not on the menu. I am certain they were provided far better service than we got. No water refills, $130 bill before we tipped. For 2 cocktails and two burgers. Take it from me, save your money an go anywhere else. This is not a place I will be returning, try any other restraurant at any other Ritz.

Service was mediocre and forgetful. Food was good and well plated, but absurdly expensive for what you get. You'll leave hungry if you only spend $60. I got surf and turf tacos and a cheesecake. Both were good. Has a beautiful view and is located in the Ritz Carlton. I would expect better service for being Ritz related. Perhaps we just got unlucky with our server. Wouldn't recommend.

Amazing view, friendly staff and very tasty food. I want to pay special attention to oysters.

First and foremost, the view here is absolutely spectacular. The cocktail bar is tucked away at the end of the hotel and offers a literal 180 degree view of the ocean. It's truly breathtaking. Post-covid, the menu has been limited which is a huge shame. The oysters were up to par, the truffle fries were okay, and the ahi tacos are the best thing on the menu. Most of what they offer are just small plates, which is fine, but pales in comparison to the full meals they used to serve. I'd recommend skipping the food and just coming here for the view and the drinks. If that's all you need, 180 Blu does it best.

The view here is amazing. I got the burger and you can tell from the brioche bun before even biting into it was going to be good. Definitely recommend it.

Have always enjoyed coming here for drinks and food, and we tend to come in the afternoon before it gets busy. Yes, pricey... you cannot beat the spectacular view so there's a premium. It's been a while since our last visit here but I thought the food, the drinks and the service were all spot on. It's a casual seat yourself patio. They have beer, wine and full bar. Limited food menu but we got a couple burgers and the steak tacos and they were fantastic. Burger buns nicely toasted and burger patty prepared perfectly juicy. Fries were perfectly crispy. The steak tacos were so tender and flavorful. Ordered the caramelized banana cake (outstanding) as well as some sorbet for dessert. Our server, Allen, was fantastic... happy to take photos for us and make recommendations on drinks and food. Went with one of the cocktails Allen recommended but with mezcal instead of regular tequila (don't remember the name) and it was tasty. Overall had a wonderful visit here.

Perfect view was able to enjoy some tar tar and martinis . I highly recommend for any occasion

This place is my happiest place for peace, tranquility, and last but not least, food and cocktails. The ambiance is everything!

The service at the top of this cool bar was amazing. We enjoyed the outdoor atmosphere overlooking the ocean.

The view is incredible, the food is really bad, and the price is really high! Came here one night for date night, currently you can only order takeout from the marketplace shop and the seating is first-come first serve. They were making wood fire grill pizza here out on the open patio so we decided to give it a try. A very small pizza cost $28. And it was terrible in both presentation and taste. You know you're paying for the view, and not for the food. We also ordered a drink which they give to you in a plastic cup, a lot of ice, and no alcohol at all. Besides the view, everything else about this place is nothing to rave about.

I'm surprised this place doesn't have more reviews. I was skeptical and almost didn't go but I'm so glad I did. The restaurant is located in the Ritz. We went on a Sunday late afternoon (no reservation required). The friendly valet parked our car and we did a quick walk through the property. It's beautiful and overlooks the beach and water. The restaurant is located on a balcony. There are a few tables and you can sit at whichever table is open. Most people try to sit by the edge to look at the lovely view but all the tables have some sort of a view. It's definitely picturesque. We had a few drinks and the Brussel sprouts and sweet potato fries. The fries were tasty but I was a big fan of the brussel sprouts, delicious! The drinks were pretty decent, the best one being the bourbon blueberry lemonade. Everything is pricey, you're paying for the view and location otherwise the prices wouldn't be justified. P.s. valet is $5 if you get parking validated at the restaurant. The staff didn't charge us the $5 either that day, free parking is a great deal!

Expensive but worth it. Music starts at 3 pm on the weekends. No reservations first come first serve. Delicious food and great drinks. I especially love the wings, Caesar salad, French fries, and steak tacos. Seems a bit understaffed. Valet is free with validation.

People that go to the Ritz Carlton in Dana Point , naturally gravitate straight to 180 blu.... It offers the most amazing views of the Pacific ocean. unobstructed views. And this is why people come back again and again however, trying to find a table is a challenge on any given day at any givenhour.... this is my go to with my girlfriends and I try to get there at least 30 minutes before and get a table if I can.... Weekends are absolutely packed so if you go, go early the food, it's OK the drinks just OK, the service is great... And if it gets too windy like it did last night, we just took our drinks went inside to the bar and sat by the fireplace which was so cozy and inviting. ended up staying another 2 1/2 hours

This is the perfect spot for a light lunch or cocktails. We ate there 4 times during our stay at the Ritz-Carlton. The food is solid, the drinks are good, the view is amazing, and if you join a group table you can meet some amusing people (I'm looking at you, Texans!). Highly recommended.

I met some friends here yesterday afternoon and ordered the ahi tuna salad with 4 seared thin pieces of bluefin tuna which was very light and not filling at all then Brussels sprouts which were WAY too goopy with tons of sauce that was allegedly gluten free but mayo too and I had a bad stomach ache after. The view is spectacular though so it's worth eating here! Food is a no more than 2 stars but the ocean views make it a 5 star experience.

Amazing service and even more amazing cocktails. I definitely recommend checking it out. This is probably one of the prettiest views in the OC.

180Blu has excellent view overlook the beach. We got there around 4:20pm which just 60 minutes short of Sunset. We quickly seat down at a empty table which is near the door. A waiter approached us and provided us with menu about 5 minutes later. Place it good for lunch and snack and to enjoy the great ocean view. We ordered 2 desserts and 2 coffees to enjoy the view. After our order the table next to the fence becomes vacant so we request to move over. It was nice they let us move to the next table but they forgot to wipe the table. Desserts and view were nice but service was ok. I would have given a 5 if it wasn't for the dirty table.

The food was very good. It is not over priced for nice hotel and beach price it is perfect. The view was nice and our server was even nicer then the view. she gave us a dessert on the house and she didn't even know it was our anniversary. will come back when i'm in the area. Food, service, and view is what it's all about. (most ppl that were there just got drinks and were more on the older side but don't hesitate to grab a bite to eat)

Remember that part in the movie that says something like, ".. walk in like you own the place"? This is one of those places. 180blu is a self-seating area, so walk straight to an open table, and flag down a member of the wait staff. Yes, not what you would expect for an establishment on the Ritz-Carlton grounds, but the views are spectacular (if you grab one of 3 tables situated on the edge of the cement wall) overlooking the ocean. I had a tamarind margarita for my brunch beverage (because you're staying at the Ritz and it's brunch so why not), baja tater tots, a salmon entree, and chicken on a bed of rice (ordered for later delivered to the room). Tasty palette of flavors but the chicken was slightly undercooked (cut it open and I saw pink, and a white but just barely changed from pink color). Overall, I paid for the chance to slowly sip a margarita for brunch, while leaning over the edge of the cliff and looking straight down to the water - and some munchies. Great self-seating experience despite the COVID times, and a random customer who kept coughing without her mask on behind the other table..

Where to start. Often times restaurants with spectacular ocean views over charge for food and drinks thinking it's ok since you get to enjoy the view. This is not the case here. Definitely not cheap but you shouldn't be surprised since this is the Ritz. But at least the food and drinks are of a high quality. If you're going to order one food item here get the lobster tacos. They come in 4 almost bite size pieces but don't let the size fool you as the taste is amazing (juicy + buttery). Sometimes in life less is more and these tacos are the perfect example. Other recommended dishes are the grilled cheese (we hesitated before ordering) which is perfectly crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside and the sushi (served only on weekends I believe). For drinks I've ever only had the spicy tamarind margarita (if it ain't broken dont fix it). Only negative for this place is that it's a free for all when it comes to seating so you have to be a hawk. I wish they would just manage the seating but I'll take the good with the bad. They also validate valet so you only pay like $5. Recommend taking a nice walk to the Salt Creek park after you meal.

Great cocktails, service, and views!! Apparently I was too "in the moment" to take. Picture of the food & drinks. But, the view is truly unmatched!

We dined here tonight and enjoyed our experience. Nice evening sunset views while we are at the table eating. We ordered: 1) Ahi tuna Ceviche - so fresh & tasty 2) Shrimp quesadilla - very good 3) Truffle fries - delicious, toddler loved it 4) Chef's Grilled cheese - should have gotten 2 orders of this, yum!! Glad we ate here for dinner tonight and didn't have to leave the premises. Felt tranquil & peaceful. Husband gives thumbs up and rates it a 5 star!

Went here for a late night snacks. Great food and view!. Very pleasing server, Diego! Very attentive and great customer service!

The ambiance was okay. I would have expected more from the Ritz. The views were nice, but I enjoyed the views from the Waldorf beach club better. The food was standard. The service was attentive. Overall I would rate it a solid 4.

Solid. Solid. Solid. Dan Murray is my new bff. Swoon. Haha our "glorified busboy" made our night. He introduced my sister to her new favorite drink the strawberry chichi! It's a fun cousin of the pina colada. CJ our server was nice and prompt! Referred me to the passion fruit Mojito -- big fan! Overall the food is meh. Not bad, not memorable. You'll def think paying $20 for 6 wings or a grilled cheese sandwich cut in 1/4s is wild, but the ambience, great weather, and super amazing staff will almost make you turn a blind eye to your wild bill. Overall a nice way to end a great stay at this hotel. No reservations. You have to stand in line. Tbh if you want to see the sunset you're gonna need to get in line by 5pm. We waited about 45mins and got seated around 5:15. The sunset is gorgeous. Started setting around 6:10. And haha if you really want to wait for a perimeter seat good luck. When ppl know the sunset is on the horizon they're not moving. Loiterersssss aplenty on my Saturday evening sunset. But for the most part you get a decent view of the skyline no matter where you're seated.

Here's the good: The view is incredible; hostess was darling Edamame; pretty hard to screw these up Shrimp tempura (5 pieces)-light and airy; real good Ahi bomb (5 pieces)-delish Ahi poke bowl-decent, but definitely lunch size Steak tacos were good, but only were two street taco size. Maybe call this an appetizer because it's definitely not a dinner entree. And that folks is where it ends. Menu was extremely limited. The have one page of 'specialty items' and a n extra sushi sheet. The kids menu seems more substantial. And even within the menu, the Lobster Grilled Cheese came with fries, the steak tacos came without a side. So disproportionate. Lobster grilled cheese and fries. $38. We had to send it back because it tasted like butter and nothing else. Zero flavor and rather nauseating. Such potential, wasted. When you are going to the Ritz you except quality. This was far from it. $400 and by FAR the worst meal during our vacation by far; crappy since it's our last night here. Most plan to eat our leftover pizza from Truly Pizza (hit them up in Dana Point, because they were incredible) when we get back to the Laguna Cliffs Marriott. Do yourself a favor, eat somewhere else.