The Beachcomber at Crystal Cove

We enjoyed an amazing breakfast on the beach! The Beignets are to die for. Service was exceptional! This is such a cute rustic place, right on the beach. We loved all the food and enjoyed a great walk in the beach after breakfast. Parking is a little far away, but they do run shuttles. We chose to walk the state park walking trails to get there instead. Just note that there is a steep set of stairs to get to the restaurant if you walk the trail. But we didn’t feel it was too difficult. All in all super amazing breakfast experience and one we would highly recommend to anyone!!!

The beignets were amazing! Food overall was good, but not great. Biggest hang up was having to travel to find a bathroom off site. Highly recommend the coffee and drinks.

Sensational experience dining at The Beachcomber. We ordered the Short Rib and Scallop Risotto - both were absolute perfection. The Scallop Risotto was beautiful and buttery. The Short Rib melted in the mouth. Up there as one of the best meals we’ve ever had. Flawless. Kellen’s a star and made sure our experience was top-notch. The park & bus system was abit of a surprise to us as tourists, but the food and experience made the faff worth it. Don’t miss out on The Beachcomber, even if you’re in town for a short time!

Atmosphere: Top-notch atmosphere with a great location right by the beach. However, the overall cleanliness was lacking — the floors were dirty. Seating: The seating left much to be desired. The wooden chairs were hard and uncomfortable. The so-called “couch area” was also quite uncomfortable. Food: • Burger: Disappointing. I requested medium rare, but it was served almost well-done. The patty was dry and lacked flavor. • Buns: Surprisingly good — soft and fresh. • French Fries: Just okay; nothing special. • Sparkling Water: I ordered sparkling water, but it tasted like regular tap water. Pricing: Fair prices for a beachfront location. Cook time : The wait time was longer than expected. The food from other clients looked good.

This is a hidden gem on the beach! If there's a wait, please note the bar seating outside is first come first serve and they serve full service menu. Kids are allowed to sit in the bar area. We enjoyed attentive service, strong drinks and beautiful views. The food was very good.

Food was delicious. Fernanda the server did an excellent job. Food and beverages came out quickly and promptly. And the ambiance of being right on the beach was awesome. I would definitely go back. It's a bit of a haul from San Diego. But well worth it for the ambiance.

Actually, I think the food is 4.8 just because the crab omelette tastes good and fresh, but not that perfect. Overall, we did have a fantastic breakfast in this nice cottage style restaurant right located on the beach inside Crystal Cove state park. Besides crab omelette, Our breakfast were featuring a rich fluffy coconut pancakes, and perfectly seasoned corned beef dice with eggs. Each dish was flavorful and thoughtfully prepared. The coconut pancakes were a standout—light, aromatic, and just the right amount of sweet. Service was warm and attentive, adding to the relaxed, welcoming vibe. A great start to the day!

Excellent venue on the Crystal Cove beach. Diverse menu with both seafood, fish and meat dishes. The vegetable salad was outstanding, one of the best of all times. Fresh vegetables, cooked. Vegetables, fruit all on a bed of fresh greens. The shrimp taco was delicious with that touch of Mexican Spice. If you have not booked in advance suggest you book a table with the host, go for a wonderful walk on the beautiful sandy beach and return to dine with an appetite. Fish with a delightful cocktail, you must try their bloody Mary.

This place is a straight-up vibe -- hands down one of the best beachside dining experiences in California, and I'm not saying that lightly. We rolled up when it was super busy, but that didn't kill the mood. Started at the Bootlegger Bar and wow... highlight of the night. Amazing drinks, beach breeze in your face, and that iconic Crystal Cove view -- felt like I was in Nice on the French Riviera. No joke. We waited maybe about an hour, which was expected, but once we got seated it was worth it. I ordered the steak medallions and fries, and they came out cold -- BUT here's the kicker... the manager stepped in immediately, handled it like a total pro. Didn't catch his name, but he brought out a fresh hot plate that was honestly perfect, and even took it off the bill without us even asking. That's how you do customer service. Even with a hiccup, this place earns 5 stars from me because: * The location is unreal (literally steps from the beach) * The vibes are immaculate * The staff handled everything with class * The food, drinks, and atmosphere together make it unforgettable If you're visiting SoCal or just want to be reminded how lucky we are to live here, go to Crystal Cove, start at the bar, and stay for the Beachcomber. Beach, sunset, cocktails, and good energy -- 10/10 recommend.

Disappointed Experience for a Special Occasion! My daughter planned my birthday brunch at Beachcomber based on great reviews. Since we were a party of 10 (6 adults, 3 kids, 1 infant), she called ahead -- knowing reservations are limited to parties of six -- and was told we could be accommodated with a wait. That was fine with us. Upon arrival, the hostess confirmed the wait would be 45 minutes to an hour and that we'd be seated together. After an hour passed, we checked in again and were told there were still no tables available, despite seeing other large parties come and go. After over two hours, we were finally seated at two small back-to-back booths -- not suitable for our group -- while a nearby table for 8 sat empty. When we politely asked to be seated there, we were told no, citing "reservations," even though they claim not to take reservations for larger parties. The manager was dismissive and rude, showing no willingness to help or even make eye contact. After all the waiting and being given conflicting information, we chose to leave. Just a heads-up to groups larger than six: despite what you're told on the phone, don't expect much flexibility or courtesy. 1. Inconsistent Communication: My daughter called ahead and was told our party of 10 could be accommodated with a wait -- a perfectly reasonable compromise. However, the in-person experience contradicted that, with staff appearing confused and unprepared. 2. Poor Customer Service: It's especially troubling that the staff, including the manager, were reportedly rude and dismissive. Hospitality is as much about attitude as it is logistics, and treating guests with respect should be the baseline. 3. Misleading Policy Enforcement: If the restaurant doesn't take reservations for more than six, but claims a large table is "reserved," that understandably feels like a contradiction. At the very least, it should have been explained with clarity and courtesy. 4. Lack of Flexibility or Empathy: After waiting two hours, seeing a suitable table remain empty, and being offered two small booths instead of a cohesive setup, my family was understandably frustrated. That moment called for some basic compassion -- which we didn't receive.

Another brunch spot added to my list of favorite places to visit. I recommend making reservations ahead of time if you want to sit on their patio for a view of Crystal Cove. I went mid-week so the service was quick and our server Nancy was so attentive. The restaurant is located steps from Crystal Cove Beach Cottages and a good place to eat after exploring the area. Start off with their beignets, they're freshly prepared. The sweet treat is crispy and melts in your mouth. Worth the hype. Since we chose the inside seating area, we were seated right away, but the wait to sit out on the beach or patio is worth the wait. I'll definitely come back another day to try their dinner menu and their Mother's Day Brunch. Food- 5 stars Service- 5 stars Ambiance- 5 stars Overall Experience- 5 stars

This is the main restaurant at Crystal Cove, so it's pretty hard to miss, but that also means it's pretty busy all the time. We got reservations months in advance for our party of 11. As our party was too big, we actually had 2 reservations for 5 and 6, and they made sure we were all seated together. The price of the food doesn't necessarily match with the place's ambiance. As it is at the beach, the restaurant itself has chill beach vibes and outside seating is on a deck, but I would expect this menu for a semi fancy place. With that said, the food is tasty and at good portions, but nothing too out of the ordinary. I enjoyed our time here, and they even sent over a cake for our bday girl. Overall a great experience.

If you are looking for a place overlooking the water and beach as you are having your lunch- this is the place to be. Wait wasn't too long. I will say the highlight of the meal was the dessert. The beignets are divine. They are like soft little pillows where you can pour chocolate in it. It was delicious and I would come back just for that!

Nice view & yummy food. Honestly all I need. This is the perfect place to take your family, grandparents, or go for a morning/afternoon date. There are indoor and outdoor seating, and I honestly loved sitting outside (a cooler dining experience) by the waves. The service was good, keeping in mind how busy they were that morning. There are seafood pastas, burgers, cute cocktails, and the usual American foods with a fresh twist. It was so good. Things are a little pricier for the taste, but it is a nice location so I understand.

The Beignets were great as always. We get them with a side of maple syrup. I also tried a side of their coconut syrup but I was dismayed that it had lemon undertones. The Classic Eggs Benedict with a side of fruit was great. But next time my wife just wants to get a simple bacon and eggs. The Creamed Spinach and Asparagus Eggs Benedict was alright. I normally like creamed spinach with bechamel sauce but in this case it was contrasting too much with the other flavors. Also you must request your eggs to be poached soft, otherwise they will come medium. The coffee was nice and bold. Parking is always tricky here. My wife has a handicap placard so we can drive right in. But at 8:15am all of the handicap parking spots were already full!

Beachcomber Cafe is a restaurant literally located on the beach at Crystal Cove State Park in Newport/Corona Del Mar, one of the most pristine, hidden gems on the California coast. Parking at Crystal Cove is $20 and it's a short walk to the restaurant or you can pay an additional $2/per person for a shuttle to the restaurant. My wife and I opted to take the 8-10 minute walk to the restaurant from the parking lot. It's a beautiful pathway lined by foliage (and, apparently, poison ivy). My ratings tend to skew more toward food than ambiance and service. If you care about having a cute brunch at a five-star location, this this can be a four star experience. If you are like me and you look more at the food, then it's solidly three stars. I ordered a breakfast burrito and it was texturally one note. Their beignets are puffed and hollowed out like a cream puff and it tastes great with the provided whipped cream, maple syrup, and jams. I ordered a bloody mary, which looks good for the Gram, but is otherwise okay. I liked that it came with a garlicky shrimp and crab claw. I definitely needed all the provided veggies and pickles to down most of the drink. My wife ordered their short rib hash and it had a lot of short rib and less of the hash - it was like a stew, that went well with the provided toasted sourdough. Honestly, the main attraction here is the five star location for a date/boozy brunch with their mimosas and cocktails, but be ready for the Newport Beach prices. If that's what you want, then make a reservation ahead of time, plan for the 10 minute walk in the State Park to get to the restaurant, and enjoy the ocean front view. If that's what you want, then you'll be happy.

Okay so do plan ahead if you decide to come here. The parking is across the freeway and you pay $5.50 an hour or $15 flat rate for the full day. You can take the 8 minute walk across through the tunnel or wait for the shuttle to take you over to the historic district where the restaurant is located. We got there 30 minutes before closing and they were still kind enough to seat us however we did not stay as I think it was too late to order. The menu is extremely pricey for what they offer, so do take a look before you pay for parking and make the walk down. Otherwise, the restaurant itself is such a relaxed vibe and the beach out front is beautiful! The Beachcomber might be more for brunch and lunch. I probably won't come back for dinner just due to the options.

I was looking for a place for my boyfriend and I to have a cute brunch date and I remembered that I haven't been to the beachcomber in a while. I was so excited to go back because that's where my mom would take me when I was younger and I remember they had the best beignets. When we got there it was just how I remembered it. The server was amazing and took our orders quickly. The food was just as great as I remember and the beach view made it that more wonderful. We started out with beignets which brought back so many great memories. I ordered a cranberry mimosa with avocado toast, both were great, however I think there could have been more tomato and avocado. I really enjoyed the experience and I hope to be back soon.

Absolutely perfect anniversary dinner. Extremely accommodating, friendly, attentive staff. Waters full, drinks flowing, fast service, delicious food. carbonara was near perfect (pancetta wasn't crispy ). But I would come here every year. Absolutely worth the time and money.... That view and the delicious drinks (they taste like juice) feel so luxurious and you would still be supporting a state park!

This place is UNBELIEVABLE. All I wanted was good seafood with a view and Beachcomber did not disappoint! Highly recommend!

Long wait, but as expected considering it was a perfect weekend day at the beach. Service was friendly and attentive. Highly recommend the beignets, poke nachos, fish tacos. Open and airy on a late June 80 degree day. Tables are close together but noise level is reasonable.

If I could give more than 5 stars, I would! We had the most incredible experience dining here, and it was all thanks to our AMAZING server Maximus . From the moment we sat down -- a group of seven (four adults and three kids) -- he treated us like absolute VIPs. He was warm, attentive, and genuinely kind. Every request we made was fulfilled promptly and with a smile. Our drinks were always full, our food came out perfectly timed, and he even took the time to interact with the kids in such a thoughtful, respectful way. It was our daughter's birthday, and he made her feel so special! Not only did he surprise her with a birthday dessert (which made her light up with joy), but what blew us away was what happened after we left. We had gone to the beach after our meal, and in all the chaos, we accidentally left our daughter's baby bottle behind. Without hesitation, he went out of his way -- literally -- and brought it back to us at the beach. Who does that these days?! That kind of thoughtfulness and going above and beyond is so rare. This wasn't just good service -- this was genuine care, and it meant the world to our family. We'll absolutely be back, and we'll be telling everyone we know to come here. If you're lucky enough to be served by him, you're in for a treat. Thank you for turning a simple dinner into a beautiful memory we won't forget.

I've dined at the beachcomber many times, breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It's a unique and secluded spot. You will have to pay for parking and either walk or pay for a bus ride down to the restaurant, it can get pretty cold and windy most nights so be prepared! Highly recommend making a reservation in advance. Regardless of this, the restaurant is always super busy, the last few times we have dined here there has been an extremely long wait for service, refills, and our food to come out. I am not typically one to mention this as I know many places are short staffed or doing their best, but we have waited excessive times multiple times. The food is okay, it is similar to what you would find when dining out elsewhere, if you're coming to the beachcomber it's really for the views and ambiance. I was also shocked to find out that we were charged regular price after asking for the "steak chilaquiles," without the steak (vegetarian) - we double checked with our waitress to confirm the charge after the bill was brought and she continued to say it was the same price.

I've never had a bad experience at the Beachcomber! Hadn't been in a couple years and finally had the chance to bring my wife here for her first time. Fish and chips for my daughter, Waygu burger for my wife and Lobster Roll with Cole slaw for me. Everything was of course amazing. The toast on my lobster roll was melt in my mouth perfection. Kellen was a wonderful server as well. I also ordered the Beachcomber cocktail which was a perfectly light beachy drink. Just one for me but they're so tasty they could be dangerous. So glad to have been able to come back here today!!

After a nice coastal stroll along the beach, we finally decided to try Beachcomber Cafe. Best place to park is right across and it's $14 for two hours or $20 for the whole day. To get to the restaurant there's a little walk down through the tunnel or there's a shuttle for $2 each way that is provided for your convenience. The wait wasn't too bad. There's a little shops and historic store next to the restaurant, where you learn about how Beachcomber started. The ambience reminds me a place in the big island that has that Hawaiian vibe to it. Our server Alexis is amazing. She brought condiments after we ordered that paired with our meals. We didn't have to ask. She always gave us status of every stage of drinks, apps, and main course coming out. Very professional and genuine. Everyone is great and the manager Andrew was welcoming and sociable making it feel like we were regulars. What we ordered: everything was delicious from the Tiny Aho Tacos, Ceviche de Camaron, clam chowder soup, and the famous Kobe Beachcomber Burger. Definitely will come back! You can't beat having a place to eat on the sand near the beach and watching the waves. Can't get more serene!

Wanted a sunset dinner and beachcomber was on my radar so this was the place to be for that exact vibe. Be prepared to pay $15 for parking then another $4 per person round trip for the shuttle from the parking lot to the beach area or go on a trek through a tunnel (not sure where it is.) If you are familiar with Newport Beach you know these businesses get pretty rowdy during dinner time with beach-goers finishing off their day with a couple drinks and food and surprisingly this spot was very very mellow. The servers when I came were awesome, frequent check ups and even moving around heaters/rolling up the shades so the fresh beach air can come in. Ordered the Korean steak skewers, Miso Glazed Butterfish, and lastly the Shrimp Basil Pesto Pasta. Korean steak skewers: 4.5/5 Served with black beans and edamame and shishito peppers with a side of coconut peanut sauce. The skewers themselves were bomb! Slightly sweet with a nice savory bite, good quality steak as well, not chewy or tough at all, would definitely order this again. Miso Glazed Butterfish: 4.5 Served with daikon, mushrooms, seaweed, pickled onions and black rice Shrimp Basil Pesto Pasta: 5/5 Very generous amount of flavorful pesto sauce with a handful of shrimp, definitely would order again and I'd 100% recommend anyone to order this! My 4/5 rating is not final, I have to come back for breakfast/lunch, stay tuned! Hopefully a 5/5! Thanks for the great experience here, I'll be back soon!

The food here is really good considering they could just rest on their location ( which is spectacular) and have mediocre food and people will still come to dine and look at the ocean and the sunsets. With that said onto the food . Started with the ahi tacos- 4 mini crispy tacos with a wasabi sauce which complemented the ahi perfectly. The salmon stuffed with crab was excellent I don't know what they do to get such a nice crust on the salmon but it works! Not to be outdone by the salmon the short ribs were excellent. They were flavorful and better yet, juicy! They sat on a bed of ravioli with a rich béchamel sauce, the dish was almost too rich. The weak link here is probably the drinks. The Pimm's cup didn't taste like a Pimm's cup. Too watered down. The blood orange marg was kind of tasteless but the straight margarita was good.. Also, I wished they have a better selection of mescals

Save your money and time. Very flavorless, watery pasta with uncooked shrimp. The shrimp's tails were still grey and the shrimp was very chewy. The steak sandwich was supposed to be medium but came out well done, not seasoned and the sandwich overall was soggy. Definitely overhyped. But you are paying for the location.

I rarely write reviews, but this experience deserves to be shared -- especially so other families don't waste a special occasion like we did. We had a 6:45 PM reservation on Father's Day and expected a quality beachfront dinner. What we got was a disaster from the moment we arrived. There was no real check-in process -- just a long, chaotic line of people all confused about where to go. Once seated, we were placed directly in the sun with no shade or umbrellas, making it hard to even see or talk to my wife and son. It was uncomfortable and completely avoidable with proper setup or accommodation. We ordered the nachos, but never got them. We watched the table next to us -- who came 20 minutes after us -- get what looked like our exact order. No explanation, no apology. We also ordered the mainland lobster carbonara, which took over 30 minutes to arrive. When it finally came, it had a long hair wrapped around the lemon wedge. It wasn't subtle. It was blatant -- completely unacceptable. Anyone in the kitchen should've seen it. Hair in food is one thing -- gross, but sadly it happens. But what really upset me was the lack of accountability. The dish was sent back, only for it to come back tasting terrible and still clearly not made with any care. We eventually just left and grabbed burgers elsewhere, spending Father's Day dinner at another restaurant because the meal here was that bad. We paid $20 for parking, $73 for two drinks and terrible service, and got nothing of value in return except frustration. That's $93 wasted -- no dinner, no apology, no care. Only positive? Our waitress Katie was kind and did her best in a bad situation. But where was the manager? No one came to apologize about the hair. No one apologized when our food was given to the wrong table. And when I called Monday to speak with a manager, I was told someone would call me back. No one ever did. I called again today, and the person I spoke with -- who claimed to be the manager -- was rude, dismissive, and clearly didn't care. No accountability, no effort to make things right. If this was Mother's Day, I'm willing to bet they would've pulled out all the stops. But for Father's Day, the message was clear: "Deal with it." Final thoughts: Yes, the view is nice if you're lucky enough to get a good seat. But the food? Bad. The service? Worse. The management? Non-existent. Wouldn't recommend to anyone.

Every time we do our annual Mom's & Kids beach day we hit up the beachcomber for dinner. We are always a large party & check in with the hostess hours before we need to be seated. This past Wednesday we came with 26 people... to say that they were accommodating is an understatement. They went above & beyond to make our large party feel welcome. The food was amazing, service was top notch like always... don't miss the Ahi Tacos, Ahi Nachos & save room for the Beignets. The scallops & risotto was chefs kiss. All the kids enjoyed the kids meals that came with smores. We will be back and shout from the rooftops....how great this restaurant is!! Can't beat the view of Crystal Cove Beach!

You definitely come here for its location and view. Food and service I would say is just okay, not the best but also not horrendous. Surprisingly my sister and I decided to come here on brunchy Sunday morning and we were seated right away (inside that is, the patio is where the longer wait happens). I had their chicken tortilla soup to start as an appetizer (it literally felt like it took 30 minutes for that to come out). I also had a nice mock tail being pregnant and all. And their burger and fries was decent. Again, the access right on the beach is why this place is a hit!

Such a beautiful location! We skipped taking the tram & walked down the path of pretty wildflowers & scenic view. Bloody Mary's at the bar before brunch were delicious & the menu was difficult to decide from. Sweet or savory - both delicious Fun to walk around upstairs, and again, great views!

One of my favorite places. Put your name in at the restaurant, go for a walk in the beach, and by the time you turn around, your table is ready. Nothing is better than beach dining. We had breakfast this trip. The food was delicious- i had the avocado toast and my friend had classic bennie dish. We each enjoyed a tasty & healthy elixir, turmeric citrus skinny lemonade, with our meal. The waitress was quick, informative, and friendly.

This is hands down my favorite brunch spot in all of Orange County! Literally nestled right along the sandy beach at Crystal Cove, the views and atmosphere here are immaculate! Their Eggs Benny, shrimp cocktails, and burgers are delicious. Paired up with a great cup of coffee and beautiful view of the waves? Pure heaven if you ask me! The servers here are awesome as well and given the popularity and lack of reservations, I'd recommend getting here early on the weekend to secure a table right out on the patio. I highly recommend this spot and definitely will be grateful for be back!

Not easy to get down to, so unless you have a handicap placard for your car and score a spot down there, be prepared to walk a lot if you don't take the shuttle. Another idea is to have the driver drop the crew off and then go and park so only one person has to hike or wait for the shuttle. We parked in the lot across the street, and hiked down and under the road through the tunnel ($15 to park as of Jan 2025). Perk is you can park there all day, so hanging at the beach is feasible. Casual atmosphere, but note there are no restrooms in-house. You'll have to walk awhile to get to a restroom. We got down there around 11am and put our name on the list for first table available - inside or outside, although "outside" is covered, so not really outside. Trade a credit card for a device that buzzes when your table is ready. Took around 45 mins to be seated on MLK Day. I imagine it'll be similar on weekends, so be prepared. We walked the beach and looked at tide pools while waiting, so it was a nice way to kill time. Mahi mahi tacos are grilled and served on flour tortillas. Two generously sized tacos and a scoop of their slaw. Plenty for a lunch. Also got the blood orange margarita, which came in a large glass. Those items alone with tax and tip will run you around $50. All great tasting, though!

Came in today with my hubby for brunch and had a fantastic time. We sat inside because the patio was full but we could still see the ocean so we were happy as could be. Oscar greeted us and took our drink order. He was wicked fast! I ordered the blackberry tea (prohibition style) and my hubby got iced tea with extra lemons. Oscar didn't fail- he brought a plate full of beautiful lemons. For brunch I enjoyed the Mediterranean omelette and my husband had a bacon omelette. Both were fantastic. For desert we shared the Beignets which were soft, warm, and lovely in every single way!!! We will absolutely be back! Oscar was fantastic!!

This place is sooo cute! Franky was awesome and so helpful when my friend and I were indecisive about drinks, food, etc. the Bodacious brownie was indeed bodacious! Definitely recommend it and the meatballs too

Beautiful view, great food and some of the best drinks we have ever had. Great date night place and the staff is awesome.

We walked around Crystal Cove trails and ended up here for drinks. The main restaurant had a line so we ended up sitting in the back bar area, which was perfect because we had just eaten lunch before our hike. Service was friendly, drinks were strong and delicious. The view is of course gorgeous. Will definitely come again for drinks, maybe check out the restaurant since the dishes the waiters carried while passing by looked great!

Food was OK. The service is really really great. Location is so nice even though it was a bit foggy we sat outside and the heaters didn't help as much. It would be nice if they had blankets for the kids. We came for Valentine's Day and they did a barbecue on the beach with blankets. Maybe that was a different company I could be mistaken. The kids pancakes were very good. This is the kind of breakfast. You have to walk off, but it's worth it.

The Beachcomber is a cool place located in paradise, in the beautiful beach of Crystal Cove. The food is good, the cocktails are excellent and the service is attentive. My first two visits were to have breakfast and it was delicious as well, I don't know why I didn't write about it. Both were during the weekdays. This time was different, was at lunch and on a Saturday. All the times we had reservations, but in my opinion during the weekdays you don't really need them. This time our table was straight on the beach which was awesome! What did we have? To drink : a Beachcomber nice and refreshing and a Big bad Bloody Mary, almost too pretty to drink from it. To eat: grilled shrimp tacos simply delicious and shrimp pasta. Theme of the day shrimps. Great place, unpretentious with good food and with the best view. Of course I'll be back!

Gorgeous sunset spot!!! You're definitely paying for the view. The ocean is so pretty from here and you can take a lot of cute pictures. Our waitress was super friendly as well, were able to walk in and get seated without a reservation on a Friday night. Love how they had a gluten free spaghetti squash version, it was pretty good and the shrimp tasted good as well. But the location is the best part in my opinion

We checked out Beachcomber at Crystal Cove. It was so cute! We took a little bus down near the restaurant & then walked the remainder of the way, which wasn't far. We were able to get a table for 5 quickly. We ordered the Beachcomber Beignets to start out with. They were delicious! Tasted like they literally melted in your mouth. They were so light. I ordered a mimosa & it was good, not too much orange juice. I shared the special that day with my MIL which was a breakfast sandwich with egg, cheese, avocado, & bacon on a brioche bun. It was amazing!! It had a really good sauce on it which made it not so dry as well. I really enjoyed this. The breakfast potatoes it came with were cooked to perfection! I would have liked a little more seaonings/salt on them but they were really good. I felt like the serving size was great for 2 people to share as well. One of my SIL ordered the Zucchini & Mushroom Frittata. I tried a piece of this & I loved the mushrooms in this dish! I also didn't realize that a Frittata is like an egg/omelet kind of meal. Another friend in our group ordered the avocado toast & it was beautiful! I don't think I got a phot of this unfortunately. Service was great! I would definitely go back!

The food was delicious! And I love how it's right on the beach so if you sit outside you get a nice view. However, if you go in the morning for breakfast, expect a wait. Breakfast ends at 11am. The only con was that our buzzer kept buzzing even though our table wasn't ready yet. It was probably just one faulty buzzer.

Wow, wow, wow! This place is stunning, right on the beach. In all our years my mother and I have always wanted to come here and we finally had the opportunity to. Definitely make reservations as I could see this place filling up quickly. Pay attention to their instructions as you do have to park in the public beach parking lot. Leave time for the shuttle and/or walking, I highly recommend walking down and riding the shuttle back up. We came for breakfast and that was definitely a winning play. Our server started us with some iced coffee (yum!) and we opted for pancakes, the coconut and lemon ricotta, and both were out of this world. Luckily my mom opted to split with me otherwise I might have just gone for the coconut pancakes ;) This would be a great spot for a special occasion or just a fun relaxing meal. This is such a special spot.

I visited the Beachcomber recently for my dad's birthday and it had been a few years since my family and I have been here. I think this restaurant is in such a beautiful location and the service is great, but I think the food here can be hit or miss. I also had a minor issue with my reservation. I had my reservation here booked 3-4 weeks in advance so I was expecting to be seated immediately but unfortunately despite our entire party being there on time, we waited an additional 20 minutes past our reservation time before we got seated. It could've been worse if we were hungrier and if the view wasn't so nice, but I think that's a bit much of a wait for having reservations. The appetizers we got were solid! We ordered the Ahi Nachos, Mini Brioche Lobster Rolls, Ceviche de Camaron, and Clam Chowder. The Ahi Nachos were so fresh and flavorful, and the texture of the wonton nachos were soooo perfect! The Lobster Rolls were so cute and had amazing flavor and the lobster was cooked perfectly. The Ceviche was also super fresh and limey. The Clam Chowder was a bit salty for me unfortunately. If I had to pick one appetizer though, definitely go for the nachos. As for the entrees, we got the Pan-Roasted Blue Crab Stuffed Salmon, Frutti di Mare, Miso Glazed Butterfish, and the special of the day which was the Swordfish. All portions were generous which is appreciated. I was disappointed by the Frutti di Mare as someone that loves seafood and pasta. I think the flavor was more tomatoey than it was seafoody despite being packed with seafood (and I love tomatoes too). I was most excited for this dish, but it fell kind of flat for me. I just expected a little more flavor and the texture of the sea bass wasn't my favorite since it was kind of firm. But the bread it comes with is delicious, we ended up asking for extra! The rest of the entrees I only had little tastes of so take what I say with a grain of salt. The Blue Crab Stuffed Salmon wasn't my favorite but I think that may just be personal preference. I like both blue crab and salmon but maybe not together. I feel the same towards the Swordfish which was average for me, but that's mainly because I find swordfish to run drier. BUT the star of the show here is 1000% the Miso Glazed Butterfish. This is the one dish I remembered from my last visit here and it continues to be the best entree I've gotten to try here. It's so so so good. Buttery, flaky, juicy. The crust is even better, just perfectly thin and crispy but packed with flavor. I LOVE this dish, it's a must have. Cocktails!! All solid, but beware of the big jars hahaha they're pretty strong. If that's what you're going for though, good bang for your buck. They taste good though! Love the Watermelon Mojito the most. Since it was my dad's birthday, they brought out a warm gooey brownie with vanilla ice cream and whipped cream on top. I swear these simple desserts are always the most unsuspecting but it was delicious. The brownie was PERFECTLY gooey which is just the best paired with vanilla ice cream and that's all I have to say about that :) Loved our server, she was super sweet and attentive. We enjoyed having her for the evening! The ambience is warm, visually, but also literally. I love how they have their heater set up to run up through the ground. You will feel nice and toasty even on the chilliest day on the patio. Love the lighting and the aesthetic here, it's a cute upscale beach shack. A tip if you're a first timer here, park at the Los Trancos Parking Lot ($15) and either take the $2 shuttle or take a short 5-10 min walk to the restaurant. Arrive a little early to enjoy the nice view and take some pictures! I definitely take the beach for granted despite living so close. Overall, my experience at Beachcomber was on the positive side. This place is a good destination type restaurant and has that unique flair, but it's the kind of place I'll only come to every once in a while for a celebration.

Had a great time! We booked a fire pit with the basic package that comes with smores and sodas. You get 4 chairs but you can have up to 10. There's a charge for extra chairs. You can also get hamburgers or hot dogs but we ate at the bar before we sat down. Trevor was our server for that area and he was so helpful! He checked on us a few times and he was very attentive and nice. He really made sure we had a good experience!

Summary - beautiful view, lovely restaurant This was a such a lovely place to visit. You would need to park at a public parking (12$ I think) and take a shuttle to get to this place, or just walk. (Shuttle was 2 dollar pet person) I think) after a bit of walk, we found this beautiful restaurant that sits right next to the beach. Place can get a little cold since its next to a beach but it's a lovely restaurant to just chill on a lazy sunday morning. I would come here for the view & vibe alone. Staff were very friendly and helpful as well. Just adds to positive vibe of the restaurant. We ordered too many food because we were starving but couldn't finish half. Overall, not anything too particular about their food. Its not bad but not amazing. I do remember that their tacos were saucy w/ chipotle mayo sauce. Clam chowder was meh, ceviche was meh. Their beignet was greasy but fun to eat ever so often. Would I return to this place again? Ofcourse, but will order half of what we ordered.

Extremely disappointed in Beachcomber's policy and attitude over fire pit reservations. What a terrible look for a fine restaurant with otherwise great reviews. We planned and paid as a group for our 8th graders' pre-grad celebration to have a goodbye bonfire this past week, booking three fire pits (at nearly $200 each). On the day of the bonfire, unforeseen to us all, the weather changed drastically -- pouring rain, thunder, high tides. I understand the rules say "rain or shine," but I'd imagine the rules to be within reason. A little rain here and there is perfectly fine, but when a class of junior high kids is reserving three fire pits and the weather becomes hazardous I'd think it's well within reason for such rules to be broken -- to ensure the safety and welfare of the children if nothing else. The manager, Greg, was incredibly hostile to the idea and despite pleading as the weather grew worse, kids and food got soaked, the rising tide pulled in, the lifeguard truck got stuck, and a power line sparked fire (twice) and took out the electricity of nearby homes (prompting a call to the fire dept), he didn't budge. It was alarming to see the workers set up the pits while being soaked to the bone -- the regard for their welfare also thrown to the (very cold!) wind. Parents debated sending their kids, but some took the chance in hopes the weather would subside, given the restaurant's absolute refusal to let us postpone or give us credit to rebook on a better and safer day weather-wise. When all the chairs got soaked and the rain didn't let up, considering the health and safety of the kids, we decided to pack up and leave. The kids and chaperones were so excited for the bonfire -- to give the kids a chance to enjoy a final event together in a more private and enclosed area of the beach we parents felt they'd be safe. We've lost nearly $600 we'd collected for the pits and more in terms of preparation of food. And my son ended up getting sick, with a fever, the day of his graduation as a result -- which had us scrambling to break it in time for the ceremony. He's currently sick again with signs of pneumonia. Obviously I wouldn't recommend any group reserving multiple pits for an event, especially involving children. In fact, I'd strongly advise against it. Beachcomber fire pits just aren't the place for it -- too risky. The prudent thing to have done would've been allowing us to rebook at a later date with better weather and safer beach conditions. Beachcomber would've still made money off us and got our business, and retained an even better reputation for decent customer service. Nothing makes parents happier than products and services that ensure their children's well-being. (Risking liability to stick to an unreasonable rule is not the flex anyone should want for their restaurant!)

Came here for breakfast and ended up staying for lunch! I started with the chilaquiles, and they were absolutely delicious--packed with flavor and the right about of kick. After enjoying a nice morning at the beach, I returned for a refreshing watermelon mojito and a selection of appetizers. I tried the calamari, Korean steak skewers, and the tuna tacos, and everything was fantastic. The calamari was crispy and tender, the steak skewers had bold flavors, and the tuna tacos were fresh and tasty. The whole experience was so enjoyable, from the food to the beachside atmosphere. Definitely a spot I'll visit again for both breakfast and lunch!

My hubby tried this place for dinner for the first time while waiting for the sunset. There was a long queue so we waited for atleast 45 mins before we were seated. We ordered the Ceviche de Cameron and Brioche lobster rolls and it was both good. I also had the Big Bad bloody Mary and it is quite big so it is good for sharing. I also ordered a cup of clam chowder with extra buttered brioche and it was also good. My hubby ordered the Miso Glazed butter fish but he said it didn't taste fresh so he didn't finish it. Service was good. Overall this place is nice for brunch or dinner.

One of Orange County's most stunning locations: on the beach in Crystal Cove. I've eaten here 6 times and very much prefer to walk from the parking lot, through the tunnel and emerge into the fascinating cottage area and beautiful beach. This time the four of use brought a blanket, a bottle of something and wine glasses and enjoyed watching the sun set on the Pacific Ocean. Our server was friendly and knowledgeable about the menu (for example, she answered my question about the Coq au Vin ingredients, including the wine used). The vast majority of foods I've had here have been quite good. This time, I was disappointed with my choice. For example, I thought that the chicken breast portion of the Coq au Vin was over cooked: cooked that long, I thought that only dark meat should have been used. However, on this Restaurant Week night, the mushroom soup and dessert were outstanding with each having a tasty blend of flavors.

Unfortunately, the experience and food wasn't really worth the amount of effort it took to get here. Tiny Ahi Taco - taco had a nice crunch, fish tasted fresh, liked the sizing of the fish Mini Brioche Lobster Rolls - classic appetizer, real lobster chunks , ratio between bread and lobster could have been better Kung Pao Calamari - dish didn't resemble traditional Kung Pao flavoring at all, calamari was bite sized and crunchy, sauce felt more like sweet and sour Shrimp Basil Pesto Pasta - favorite out of all the dishes, shrimp good size, subtle pesto sauce went well with pasta Braised Kobe Beef Short Ribs - sauce made dish unenjoyable, beef tender, ravioli with sauce tasted off While the service was attentive, the restaurant itself lacked cleanliness. It is located right on the beach with only has outdoor seating. The tables and chairs felt sticky so it was a bit uncomfortable eating here. Not to mention, you had to pay for parking and take the bus just to eat here. Overall, I wouldn't really recommend this place unless you were already at the beach and hungry.

Amazing view of the beach. Ahi tacos taste fresh. Great service. Loved their short ribs plate.

Very nice yummy cafe. It is right on the beach. Beignets are amazing!!! Plus the service. Will definitely come again.

Great spot for breakfast or brunch. It just so relax and cozy feeling eating with the view of the Pacific Ocean right in-front of you. But you have to work for it. If you're not staying at the bungalows then you have to park your car across the street then you take the free bus (from the hotel) to the entrance, then have to walk down, through the bungalows to the sand then you are arrived to the restaurant. Worth it...you just burn 10cals and now you don't have to feel guilty eating the foods. The service is great, straight forward and quick. They got me at the Bloody Mary....and it was great. The bill is high for sure but you have to remember that you are paying for the exercise and the views. Now up the hills and to the parking lot.

We hadn't been to this beach before and were looking to find something cute near the water. Well this place was just the ticket. We got to watch the sunset from our table, which really set a nice ambiance. It is RIGHT on the sand and has such a cute vibe. You can tell it's been there forever and has a history to it. It was super kid friendly- actually had the best kids menu activities I've ever seen- my kids enjoyed it so much that they brought it home to finish it. The kids menu also had a great selection. I tried some of my son's fish and chips that were really tasty and fresh. It also came with cute little smores! The adults in our group had a hard time deciding on the menu so we opted to order a few different things and share them. Some appetizers and shareable sides- the ahi tacos, mini lobster rolls, truffle and mushroom mac. All absolutely delicious. And the icing on the cake was the amazing beignets! We saw them go out to a few tables and couldn't resist. I'd drive back to the restaurant for this alone! And finally- the service. Kellen was so friendly, informative, attentive, and personable. He was outstanding. A manager came by the table at the end of our meal to see how it went, which I always love. We'll definitely be back!