Water Grill

Last night, I brought my parents to Water Grill for dinner to celebrate the beginning of 2026. It felt like such a special and meaningful way to welcome the new year—good food, good company, and time together as a family. We didn’t have a reservation, but everything flowed so smoothly. The host was kind and welcoming, the wait was less than five minutes, and parking was easy with validation—only around $9, which was very reasonable. From the moment we arrived, the experience felt calm and stress-free. Our server, Gavin, was wonderful—very nice, sweet, attentive, and made my parents feel comfortable and well taken care of. He brought such a warm energy to the table, and his service truly added to the joy of the evening. The restaurant itself has a beautiful atmosphere—elegant but not intimidating. We ordered lobster, chili sea bass, black cod, and the seafood tower, and everything was fresh and delicious. The French press coffee was especially memorable and the perfect way to end the meal. Desserts were fine, but the seafood was definitely the highlight. Overall, it was a genuinely happy and heartwarming dinner. While the prices are a bit higher, they felt very reasonable for the quality, location near South Coast Plaza, and the overall experience. Most importantly, it was a night filled with laughter, great food, and family time—exactly how we wanted to start the new year. We truly enjoyed it and would love to come back again.

The interior is elegant and refined, with a true high-end atmosphere. Service is impeccable — attentive, professional, and perfectly paced. The food is absolutely outstanding: fresh, beautifully presented, and full of flavor. Every dish feels thoughtfully crafted. Highly recommended for a special occasion or a refined seafood dinner. Valet parking is available and complimentary until 4:00 PM; after that, it’s $9

We pulled up to the valet about 15 minutes before our reservation and were checked in smoothly. The restaurant was lively, but we were seated in less than 10 minutes. The atmosphere was vibrant and full of energy, making for a great start to the evening. We began with drinks and appetizers. I ordered the Margarita Verde, which was refreshing and smooth, definitely a standout cocktail. My friends started with Old Fashioneds made with the house bourbon but weren’t impressed. They switched to a Japanese whiskey instead and immediately noticed the improvement. As for the food, the clam chowder was exceptional, rich, flavorful, and perfectly balanced. The Fat Bastard raw oysters were also outstanding, incredibly fresh and briny. The chilled shellfish platter was good but didn’t quite reach the same level as the other starters. The mussels and chorizo appetizer, however, was fantastic and packed with flavor. For entrées, one of my friends had the dry-aged ribeye and was disappointed—it came out rather subpar for the price and quality expected here. On the other hand, the shrimp scampi was a hit and got rave reviews at our table. Overall, we had a great time. The service, drinks, and seafood made for a solid dining experience. We’ll definitely be back, though next time we’ll be sticking to the seafood and skipping the steak.

I came here to celebrate my birthday, and the entire evening felt absolutely magical. From the moment we sat down, our server took such warm and attentive care of us— I’m so sad I can’t remember her name because they truly made the night unforgettable. We started with the sourdough bread and butter along with a beer and a cocktail, and the bread was so good. For dinner, we ordered the Spanish Octopus, the Crab Cake, Cioppino, and the Sea Bass. Everything was delicious, but the Sea Bass was absolutely perfect. our amazing server surprised me with a delicious birthday dessert to celebrate my birthday. It was the perfect birthday dinner. 🎉💛

First time at water grill. I got Mary’s chicken and I was not disappointed. Others got various seafood items and none of us were disappointed! The restaurant is huge but does not feel busy crowded. There are small tables, large tables, booths and bars and couch lounge areas, perfect for any type of group! This is a must try, and valet is free before 4pm everyday!

We have dined here on numerous occasions. This time, as was last year, for Thanksgiving. Niles was our server, kudos to him. The staff there is primo. Valet parking only. Make reservations. Enjoy! Great seafood. Although I didn't take a photo of the salad we had with our dinner, it was wonderful! Simple, but generous portion and tasty dressing. Cranberry sauce was yummy. Turkey, ok. Good pumpkin cheesecake

Our experience at Water Grill was amazing! The service was truly top-notch — attentive, friendly, and professional. The food was just as impressive; every dish was beautifully prepared and bursting with flavor. Their cocktails were perfectly crafted (highly recommend trying one or two 🍸), and the Key Lime Pie dessert was absolutely to die for. 🥧 A wonderful dining experience from start to finish — we’ll definitely be back!

Husband and I come to this restaurant a few times per year and the quality and service has just sadly declined. The chocolate dessert was just a 1 inch by 2 1/2 inch piece with a tablespoon of ice cream. The waitress did not introduce herself nor was she helpful with the menu. Chilean sea bass was slathered in oil and the gnocchi was dry. Overrated restaurant to me at this point.

Went with mis padres and had the best oysters of my life. #1 out of around #200 or so. I'm prone to hyperbole, so it was somewhat shocking to realize I 100% meant this after saying aloud during dinner. We were continually surprised at how good every seafood dish was. Everything we tried was perfectly cooked and ideally paired. Definitely worth eating there if you're willing to pay the money for it. Luckily, they let you mop up end of night as recompense if your mother mows through six martinis. WG, I just watched the South Park episode about Yelp reviewers. Do I get free food outta this or what? Kidding on that. Somewhat. But seriously, best seafood joint west of Santa Ana. Guaranteed.

PARKING (3/5): It's VALET PARKING ONLY! So if you want to self-park. You'll be parking in the garage by Segerstrom and walking quite a ways. Or across the street at South Coast Plaza. It's best to valet here. AMBIANCE (4/5): I love the indoor/outdoor ambiance! It's dimly lit, with candles and fireplaces. Giving off the cutest "date night" vibes! SERVICE (4/5): Service always seems to be good when I come here. Can get busy at times, but good service overall. FOOD (5/5): I love everything here! It's one of my favorite restaurants in the area. FAVORITES: * (free) BREAD ROLLS * MANILA CLAMS * SPANISH OCTOPUS * RAW OYSTERS * WHOLE DOVER SOLE * SAUTÉED ASPARAGUS

Last night, I brought my parents to Water Grill for dinner to celebrate the beginning of 2026. It felt like such a special and meaningful way to welcome the new year--good food, good company, and time together as a family. We didn't have a reservation, but everything flowed so smoothly. The host was kind and welcoming, the wait was less than five minutes, and parking was easy with validation--only around $9, which was very reasonable. From the moment we arrived, the experience felt calm and stress-free. Our server, Gavin, was wonderful--very nice, sweet, attentive, and made my parents feel comfortable and well taken care of. He brought such a warm energy to the table, and his service truly added to the joy of the evening. The restaurant itself has a beautiful atmosphere--elegant but not intimidating. We ordered lobster chili sea bass, black cod, and the seafood Tower and everything was fresh and delicious. The French press coffee was especially memorable and the perfect way to end the meal. Desserts were fine, but the seafood was definitely the highlight. Overall, it was a genuinely happy and heartwarming dinner. While the prices are a bit higher, they felt very reasonable for the quality, location near South Coast Plaza, and the overall experience. Most importantly, it was a night filled with laughter, great food, and family time--exactly how we wanted to start the new year. We truly enjoyed it and would love to come back again.

On a recent trip to water grill we had an amazing time however there were a few minor things that left some are for improvement. The few minor things we felt that needed improvement was the smaller cocktail menu that didn't necessarily have an oh my god I have to have this drink. It was more just a fun name on the basic drinks. Second was the calamari appetizer seemed greasy and lacked a great flavor and was a little overcooked. Other than that the rest of the food was incredible. We had the lobster roll, Massachusetts Black Sea bass and the fish tacos. All were great but the cost of the fish versus what was served was a bit ridiculous. The waiter told us the Black Sea bass was 1.8lbs but by the time it was cooked and served we probably only got 10oz of fish. We also got fresh see urchin which was amazing. The restaurant is large but make reservations especially if there is a play at segrestrom that night as it was busy when we were there. It can be a little loud at times but overall you should be able to have good dinner talk and will enjoy the fun decor and two large bars separating the dining areas. Lastly the service we got was nothing extraordinary but that was just our server. From the other tables we saw most of the workers were going above and beyond to make the night memorable.

Love the ambiance here! Lowlight, dim, and lively! The staff made our night special with a Happy Anniversary card and rose petals at our table! Everything we ordered was very solid! Including the cocktails! I recommend the octopus, very soft, tender and great flavor! The tuna tartare is a must! Comes with caviar, rice and seaweed paper to make your own hand rolls! Very fresh tasting! We also got the clams and the black cod with soba noodles. I thought the clams were decent but not memorable (I may opt for the muscles next time). It comes with bread to dip in the sauce with the clams. I thought the black cod and soba noodles were really flavorful, love the sauce, but didn't really enjoy how the dish was like a soup,'the broth filled up half the bowl. Their cookie ice cream (Kinda like a Pizookie) was delicious! Overall, I would definitely recommend this restaurant!

This place is fabulous. Great for show nights has a tonnn of bar and open seating. Reservation is a good idea too. We popped in before Jessica Vosk and snagged bar seats, the place was jammed! Christmas season South Coast Rep Music Hall Performing Arts Center All had shows Six oysters Trojan sushi roll And a mahi mahi dish All amazing!

Waterfall is one of our favorite places for dinner. Love this place. No corkage fee.. fresh seafood.. the seafood tower is a must!! We love the scallops and all the fresh seafood. This last time we tried their uni and it was delicious- can't wait to go back for more. Service is always great ! Their steaks are cooked to perfection and their Seabass or cod are one of our go to dishes. We really love their clam chowder as well and it goes perfect with their fresh bread .

Stop by for lunch after shopping across the street at South Coast Plaza. Free Valet parking provided until 4pm then you'll have to pay to park. I was immediately greeted by the hostess. I gave the hostess my name and sat nearby until my table was ready. I was greeted by my server Mark who offered me chilled water. Mark has an upbeat positive demeanor and is a very good Server. Mark gave me 2 pieces of the salted crusted sourdough bread with butter which was warm and fresh. I ordered the clam chowder bowl ($16.50) and a Coke Zero. My bill came to $23.17. My lunch was satisfying. I'm sure I'll be back before 2026 ends.

One of my favorite restaurants, hands down!! And during the holidays they somehow level up even more. The Christmas décor is genuinely on point without feeling overdone. We started at the raw bar with a dozen oyster sampler (the Kumamotos were the clear standouts), plus shrimp and scallops. All fresh and delicious. For mains, we went with the scallops and the beets salad, both beautifully balanced and satisfying without being heavy. Dessert was non-negotiable: a slice of their key lime pie, which was the perfect finish. My absolute favorite thing about this place, though? Zero corkage. It's such a smart move and, honestly, a big reason we keep coming back. When we're torn between restaurants, that little detail tips the scale every time. Service was excellent, Destino was our server and he was attentive, knowledgeable, and genuinely enjoyable. We also had a mezcalero and a margarita, both fantastic. All around, a consistently great experience that keeps earning repeat visits.

Seems like we enjoy this place over and over again. Ordered the prime ribeye and came out with great flavor and texture. And the Hama Hama oysters were larger than the Kumamoto and a bit if same sweetness as the Kumamoto. The Cesar salad was good as well. To round it out was a good cup of latte. John was definitely personable, friendly, responsive, and helpful. Can't find fault in our experiences here. Keep up the great work guys! And as always, we enjoy the atmosphere, especially after a good shopping day! Verdict - yup, fo sho!

This restaurant is a good look. Beautiful interior, dark woods and metals.... Modern exterior. We had dinner at Water Grill to celebrate my lady's birthday and it was amazing. Jason, our gentleman of a server, was the best. He was friendly, enthusiastic, had great recommendations and simply had the best attitude. We dined on oyster rockefeller ($25), jumbo stone crabs ($120) and fresh pacific shrimp ($3.60 ea) as starters. I had a 16oz prime ribeye ($66) and the lady had a scallop & cauliflower ($49) dish with asparagus gremolata ($15) as our side. We were starved and this meal was perfect for us. The oysters rock were delicious as of course were the stone crabs. The stone crabs are certainly expensive. We hadnt had them in a while so it was reason enough to order them. We usually have them at Joe's Seafood, Prime & Stone Crab in Las Vegas. One of our favorite meals in Vegas. You only get 3 of the jumbo stone crab claws so you decide if its worth it for you. They come cracked, they can crack them more if you request. It comes with a mustard mayo dipping sauce thats good but just not as tasty as the one Joe's makes. The jumbo Mexican shrimp was good. They come with cocktail sauce. The ribeye is from Double R Ranch and is certified USDA Prime... It was deliciously tender and delightfully marbled with fat. Thank you Jason for recommending the ribeye over the NY... The wild eastern sea scallops come with a cauliflower puree, curried roasted cauliflower, golden raisins and a soy brown butter. The lady liked this dish a lot. Ketel One dirty martinis were also ordered. $20.50 ea Jason was awesome enough to bring a deep dish cookie dessert with a candle on it so my lady could make a birthday wish. It was touches like that and her being given a birthday postcard by the hostess with all their signatures on it, that we will never forget. The postcard was placed by her table setting so whenever a staff member saw it, they greeted her a happy birthday. Amazing. It was truly a memorable dinner for us. We cant thank them enough... Thank you Jason! Valet is $9 after 4pm. Entrance to valet is through an alley off Anton Blvd. Exit is out on to Bristol St.

Elke, Shawn, Blaise, some of the nicest people you'll meet who have one of the most difficult jobs but make it look easy--shout out to them for making our experience at Water Grill exceptional every single visit. Water Grill in Costa Mesa is not only a place to dine, it's a place to unwind, completely relax and escape from the day to day stress and just envelop yourself in delicious seafood--their variety is not only exceptional it's truly the gold standard for seafood in Orange County. Whether you're going to impress a date, or just want to gorge yourself on crab, look no further than Water Grill. From the time you arrive, the experienced and attentive valet will greet you, open your door and prepare you for your culinary journey across the sea. I recommend their raw oyster selection, their salads and of course, some of the best whole fish. I usually get it grilled because it's the most simplistic prep and also the most delicious. When that sourdough bread hits the table you'll be more than tempted to fight whoever is at the table for the last piece, but try to exercise restraint, the best is yet to come. For those wanting a crazy, baller night out and not to mention a ton of food, they carry king crab ranging from 7-10lbs which could easily feed 4+. I would say definitely come and check out their dining room if for nothing else but to experience one of the most ambitious, elaborate setups out there, out of all the Water Grills, Costa Mesa is the most impressive, sprawling with an open air atmosphere that is just simply awesome.

We had the half dozen oyster sampler and the ice shellfish seafood platter. We really liked the scallops so we added on another half dozen of those. The east coast oysters were all so sweet and they were such a great treat. I would definitely order them agaib The decor inside gave a nice ambience where they mix fanciness and nautical. And all people servicing us were quite nice.

A group of seven decided to get together for some holiday cheer and taste a few champagnes. The food was fantastic and delicious. I had the Chilean Seabass with a brown butter sauce and gnocchi. Excellent!!! we also tried a few appetizers, including the calamari pokey and the amazing ceviche. The crew did a fantastic job and we were very well taken care of. We were so lucky to have Emily as our server. What an amazing job she did, thank you again Emily!! The hostess did a great job to accommodate us, thank you again. We had the perfect table and setup. I love coming to this restaurant and always feel like I get treated like a king. I will be back again and again thank you!!!

Place is jammin with great food and services Valet parking is available off street parking is limited The calamari has good tasty crunch and seasoned well The miso cob is delicious and tasty Clam chowder is buttery and loaded with clams Great food

Popped in for a visit today and had a few appetizers: pink bream ceviche, oysters rockefeller, crab cake, and blue fin tartare. It certainly lived up to our expectations and we were quite satisfied. Water Grill does prides itself delivering quality and consistency and couldn't agree more. Staff was extremely helpful and friendly. If you're in the mood for seafood (and steaks.. yes they have that too), be sure to visit Water Grill, you'll be happy you did!

Attended a large team dinner 20 people, we had a set menu that was fantastic, All the food was delicious. The restaurant itself self is superbly decorated, ship/ sea themed and very homey feeling. The staff is excellent, the glass was always full, very friendly and happy folks.

Menu changes everyday and the food was fantastic. The service was quick and a great view to go with it. Bit pricey

Restaurant requires valet parking, lucky I didn't have to pay because it was validated by the event I was attending. We were seated in a private room with 3 tables of about 8-10 people with large screen TVs for the presentation. There was an extra cocktail area that wasn't used. The menu was very good starting with house bread and butter, and a beautiful oyster and jumbo shrimp cocktail platter. The oyster was very fresh but the shrimp tasted a bit fishy to me. The second course was a choice of clam chowder or heirloom tomato salad. I opted for the salad which was light and refreshing but the clam chowder definitely looked delicious. I was extremely impressed with the sea bass. It was perfectly tender and flaky with a bit of crispy on the outside. So incredibly delicious and I would definitely order it again and again! Highly recommend it! We also had super creamy and buttery mashed potatoes and broccolini with Chinese sausage as side dishes to share. They were both quite tasty despite the strange combination of the veggie and sausage. Not sure it quite goes together but I ate it nonetheless. For dessert the New York style cheesecake was actually somewhat light tasting. I was expecting it to be more dense as most New York cheesecakes are supposed to be. However it was somewhat good it wasn't too rich after such a huge meal.

We had dinner here the other day and everything was top notch and delicious. The place is stunning, vibrant, elegant, yet mysterious with just the right lighting. The waiters and staff were attentive, offered suggestions and were kind. We had a full course a meal experience. From oysters, to sushi, to lobster, everything was an experience. Definitely worth it to enjoy a dinner with drinks from lemon drops, to margaritas or an old fashion. They say pictures as worth a thousand words, I'll let them speak for themselves. `

We came here for our son's 21st birthday! I was able to make reservations online which made it very convenient for a party of 6. Upon arrival, they have only valet parking. There are signs letting you know where to stop at the front of the restaurant. Valet was $9 and we came on a Friday evening. We only waited about 5-10 minutes with reservations. They have a beautiful wait area surrounded with bookshelves, books, wine, and reading material. We sat near the window close to the bar. Our only issue was the heat. It was about 90 degrees outside and sitting near the window with open ceilings doesn't feel cool at all. We were hot for the majority of our stay. The food was great! The waitress was excellent and so attentive and helpful!! She suggested most of our dishes and they were perfect!

Across from South Coast Plaza mall. Excellent location for a celebration! The interior is modern and inviting. It's spacious for big parties and intimate meals too. Valet parking free before 4pm. Hostesses were welcoming and seated us fairly quickly with a reservation. You can request indoor or outdoor. We sat on the outdoor side and the heaters made it comfortable with the crisp open air. Servers Brandon and Jenny are super attentive and friendly. I think we went with most of their food recommendations. The drinks were delicious, you can't go wrong with any drink on the menu. Food was incredible. Perfect for sharing. Highly recommend the Farmed Totten Inlet Mussels Garbanzo appetizer. The mussels are huge, the sauce is addicting with the warm crusty bread to dip. We kept that sauce the entire meal just to keep dipping bread into the sauce, it was that good! For sides, we got the Mac & Cheese and Sautéed Asparagus Gremolata. Main dishes included Wild Pacific Halibut, Wild Ross Sea Chilean Sea Bass, and Cioppino. All the dishes were flavorful, beautiful presentation, and worth coming back for! We celebrated a birthday and out came a three-flavor cookie topped with ice cream and a seahorse cookie and it was perfect! After dinner drinks menu looked amazing too! Definitely an underrated restaurant in OC! Although the restaurant is known for seafood, there are delicious options for your meat-loving companions too! See daily menu online! Looking forward to trying more food and drinks in the future.

This expansive restaurant can seat up to 500 guests, and yet, the curated nooks of dining spaces make it feel intimately cozy. The theme is nautical and for good reason; most of their menu is seafood-based. Reservations are highly recommended as peak dining hours can be a full house. THE FOOD. - Bread | Crisp top with sea salt and a soft, warm interior. - Oysters Rockefeller | Layers of plump oyster, spinach, fennel, and broiled melted Parmesan cheese. It's briny, earthy, and cheesy all at once. Highly recommend. - Grilled Broccolini with Chinese Sausage | Slightly firm broccolini and even firmer Chinese sausage. Didn't quite hit the mark for me as it was a little too tough to chew. - Crisp Calamari | Very tender squid and lightly crisp batter. - Wild Alaskan Black Cod (Sable Fish) | Extremely tender and flaky cod, swimming in a shallow pool of intensely seasoned (herby, zesty, briny) broth and firm soba noodles. It has an overall exotic flavor (lemongrass stood out for me). If you're looking for soup that warms the soul, here it is. - Wild Ross Sea Chilean Sea Bass | Incredibly soft and flaky, the sea bass exudes butteriness while maintaining its mildly fishy flavor. The butternut squash gnocchi is pillowy and softly chewy. HIGHLY RECOMMEND. THE DRUNK DRINKS. - Campfire Sling | Sweet and slightly citrusy with a smoky aftertaste. This cocktail is strong, so small sips! THE PARKING. Complimentary valet but $8 after 4PM. THE RETURN. Yes! Their seafood is fresh and prepared perfectly. I love the restaurant's vibe as well.

I love sitting at the tables in the bar area because it has such an open, airy feel and is green with plants. I had the traditional lobster roll today and our waiter kindly substituted a very delicious salad for the french fries. My husbnad enjoyed his very fresh oysters from the raw bar. We had good service from Javier. Don't forget you can bring your own wine to Water Grill with no corkage fee.

Excellent experience. From the ambiance, cool breeze with fresh air, delicious salty bread and butter, to the seafood of course. The Octopus appetizer was fantastic! The Cioppino was great but very hands on, i tried it but I ordered the Chilean Sea Bass myself for less hands on. It was excellent but came with Ricotta gnocci like balls which I didnt understand. It wasnt good, wasnt bad, and did nothing for the dish. The Sea Bass itself was excellent. The only other thing was someone ordered the white bass and it came out tough. Not fall off the fork flaky, bit tough, and we had to send it back. We got the Chilean Sea Bass instead. All in all an excellent meal! Just make aure you order the right thing or ask for recommendations.

Second time here - and I keep forgetting how much I want to keep coming back. Great service, valet parking, I love the style, design and atmosphere of Water Grill. The menu is perfect size and the portions are as well. Only been for lunch twice - so I can't wait to hit it up for dinner. I didn't know what lobster roll is like better, so my boss and I split each version. What do you like? I prefer the traditional- but I'm not a mayonnaise girl. Fries were on point! The clam appetizer - I need to get my hands on that sauce and just soak it up with bread- that alone can be a meal. I believe last time I had scallops and they were cooked perfectly and absolutely delicious. It's so great to find a place like this, with everything on point- nice staff, comfortable and a shiek, yet homely ambiance. And a menu that you want to try everything and can't wait to come back and try more.

the food here is SO amazing. we got the clam chowder and split it and it was enough to satisfy us-- the flavor was so good. the spanish octopus was okay, the last time we had it was really good. my boyfriend had the iced shellfish and he said it was so amazing and tasted so good. the service was so great! we came here for my boyfriends birthday and we had complimentary dessert! i absolutely loved the ambiance, its nice and dim in there, so perfect for a date night spot! we will come back again!

We hosted our firm's holiday dinner in the Segerstrom private dining room. It was a beautiful room with a wall of wine and glass sliding doors overlooking the oyster bar. Our server was great and attentive. A hiccup during our dinner - food came out at various time. Now I can understand a few minutes in between but someone didn't get their entree until we were all almost done dining (we had even waited but he encouraged us to begin so food didn't get cold) Finally when his entree arrived - it was prepared wrong! Luckily, we're an easy going bunch and had shared some sides and other items with our poor hungry coworker. The restaurant management recognized their error and removed the F&B minimum and comped all desserts. They tried to make it right and we appreciated that. The food we had was delicious and service was on point. We will return again.

We've been coming here for years now and we still love it! In fact, we probably love it more now than before. I always get their fresh raw oysters. Delish and fresh. Love downing it with a good Cabernet. I used to get their Truchard cab but it's pricey. And noticed that a few months ago, they added Ancient Peaks cab... cheaper than Truchard but also good, may be even better! We love their Caesar salad. So fresh and refreshing. One of our fave is their Bluefin Tuna Tartare. I think we get this all the time. Other faves are their Cheeseburger, Bone-in Ribeye. Their coffee is really good too! Service is always good. Recently, Vanessa has been attending to us. She is nice, witty, & funny! We love their cozy, elevated ambiance. Sort of a man cave vibe. Really nice but not intimidating.

I can't believe I haven't been to this restaurant! The ambiance, crowd, service and the food were top notch. Clams with Chorizo appetizer was amazing, I could have just ordered that and would have been happy. Their bread was perfect. Their Chilean Seabass was wonderful too. Calamari was also good as well as their fish and chips, steak was pretty straightforward. I will definitely come back for their clams and hip vibe.

I came here for my birthday dinner, and it was such a wonderful experience. Our server was incredibly kind! We started with the sourdough bread and butter along with a beer and a cocktail, and the bread was unbelievably good. For dinner, we ordered the Spanish Octopus, Crab Cake, Cioppino, and the Sea Bass. Everything was delicious, but the Sea Bass was absolutely perfect. An unforgettable evening, an incredible meal, and the perfect way to celebrate my birthday. I'd come back in a heartbeat.

Very wonderful service at this establishment. I came here for a company dinner and it was very beautiful ambiance once inside. My only complaint is the heart of palm on the Mahi Mahi were not too tasty (would have preferred mushrooms). I would return to try the rest of their menu. Highly recommend you to start your experience with half a dozen of the wild clams.

Another review! Water Grill never fails to disappoint us! We recently came back again and decided to try the sashimi ceviche special of the day that our server had mentioned to us. It was delicious! It wasn't what we excepted at all when it arrived, but it blew us away. Such a light and flavorful dish before getting our entrees :) As always, the service is just perfect! I couldn't ask for more

I'd been wanting to try WaterGrill for a while, and we finally went to celebrate a special occasion. Even without a reservation, we were seated right away since it was a weekday afternoon. The interior is absolutely stunning -- one of the most beautiful and well-designed restaurants in Orange County. It has a classy, elegant vibe while still feeling lively and ambient. We were a party of four -- two of us ordered seafood and two went for steak. The Maine lobster (we chose the larger size) and the octopus were both incredible and more than enough to share. The others ordered the steak and filet mignon, and surprisingly, both were just as impressive -- perfectly cooked and full of flavor, which you don't always expect at a seafood restaurant. The service was outstanding, and our waiter was friendly and attentive. Since we were celebrating, they even comped us a dessert, which was such a thoughtful touch. Overall, it was a wonderful experience. I'm not sure if they have a happy hour, but I'd highly recommend it to anyone in the area -- whether for a nice meal, a drink after work, or a special celebration. I'll definitely be going back!

Had dinner here while in town and they didn't dissapoint. Great food and service definitely will be back.

I normally love Water Grill but I took a foodie friend here and was so disappointed that was experience was poor. I hope it was just a bad day. In the past when I had the battered calamari here it was to die for. Perfectly crisp batter and calamari that was still tender and juicy inside. The most recent time we went, it was just overcooked - browned on the outside batter and the inside was chewy, which is such injustice to calamari lol. Luckily the waiter kindly took it back and ordered us a new one but we had to correct our bill because we ended up being charged for 2 calamaris!! Honestly the best dish that night was the chicken dish ... Which is just odd to say at a seafood restaurant... I love Water Grill for it's beautiful environment and delicious high end food but this evening really disappointed us.

The service and food was excellent. The Caesar salad came with anchovies. The Black Cod entree was perfectly cooked to be tender and juicy with a excellent butter glaze The seafood platter came with fresh oyster and lobster. The sauce and vinaigrette paired perfectly with the seafood. Perfect date night spot and price wise is much better value than other luxury dining

The guru comes into town on occasion looking for a fine meal. On this particular day I was really in the mood for a nice piece of fish. I come to discover a surprisingly good seafood restaurant this far from the coast. Yes I would consider this high end but worth it. Everything here really is incredibly fresh and flavorful. They even have an oyster bar, a rarity in southern California. I guess if you really got to have your oyster fix go for it but if you got that kind of cash you might as well fly to Maryland and eat from the source. for the appetizer I went for the clams in chorizo broth. I have to admit it was a very nice appetizer despite dealing with shells which I generally don't like doing. I also got a lobster roll just to try that as well. Having recently travelled to Boston I had a lot of great lobster rolls there and I was pleasantly surprised how good this one was. The lobster was very fresh and just done right. It's paired with some steak fries and makes for a nice light meal. without a doubt the star of the show and I'm glad to see it on the menu is the sablefish (sometimes known as the alaskan butterfish or cod). It's a really nice and flavorful flaky fish that just melts in your mouth. This is becoming one of my favorite fishes. But how they do it here was super interesting. they pair it with asian style noodles and and fish broth that has a wonderful umami flavor similar to miso but way better. this was really tasty and I highly recommend. the food all came out in a reasonable amount of time but clearly these servers are busy as this is a very large restaurant. They do get to you but it will take a bit of time. This is a great place for a date and for a medium size party. I'd say no more than 20. there's lots to look at as this place is packed full of areas to explore. I wouldn't bring a small child here as there's no kid menu which I think needs to be rectified. Parking is valet only. The one weird thing that I would recommend fixing is the butter for the bread. It's super salty. Way too salty even for me and that's saying something. Ok I get that some people like salted butter but this is a bit much. That too needs to be rectified as well.

This restaurant is gorgeous! Be prepared to wait for a table unless you can find something at the bar area! We sat at the bar which has these lovely big couches! Service was kinda slow, we figured it was because we were seating by the bar! We ordered a few items, which were all very delicious! My favorite was the king salmon sushi roll! The cooked scallops were yummy, definitely tasted like a curry dish! Highly recommend this restaurant! Valet parking only! No dress code enforced!

Went here for my uncles birthday and the atmosphere was welcoming and cheerful! Everyone said happy birthday to him! Seating was prompt and right in front of the kitchen. It was nice to see all the fresh live crabs and lobsters. Our server was attentive and friendly. We had a lobster and filet and then they brought a delicious dessert for his birthday! Such a nice and wonderful lunch. He was delighted and said he'd like to come again! Highly recommended!

Establishment is classy, clean and comfortable. Staff was very professional and attentive. They provide bread rolls with easily spreadable butter. I chose the clam chowder and the farmed New Zealand King Salmon. For sides I had their Yukon gold mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetables. The bread rolls were warm and fluffy, served with easily spreadable butter. The Clam Chowder was excellent, very fresh, and you could see all the ingredients used. The salmon was also excellent with crispy skin and tender, paired with an excellent risotto and sauce. Mashed potatoes were creamy and rich, one of the best mashed potatoes I've had. Seasonal vegetables were roasted and well seasoned, also excellent. Presentation for all of the dishes was exemplary. While I wouldn't recommend coming here frequently, this restaurant has amazing value for the ambiance and quality of food provided. This is certainly one of those "treat yourself" restaurants, so be prepared to spend some money here. TLDR: Excellent service, excellent food, excellent establishment, good value. Would recommend!

Want a great, attentive, knowledgeable server? Sit in Brandon's station. He had wonderful recommendations that did not disappoint. We started with the grilled octopus (which was a bit chewy) while Brandon offered to get a new order made, It was Mother's Day and the restaurant deserved a bit of grace. Service was impeccable. Bowl of delicious clam chowder, two light fried fish tacos and a small chilled seafood platter was a perfect meal for Mother's Day. I took half my chilled seafood home. And don't forget to indulge on the rolls!! A couple of old fashions (by suggestion) incredible French pressed coffee and chocolate Ganache dessert rounded out one very delish meal. Kudos to the kitchen team, chef and wait staff! Would I come back? Heck ya!! The bonus? Complimentary valet before 4p.

Came here for a work event, it's nice that they had a large private dining area to seat us. I ordered the salmon, which was delicious with incredibly tender meat and crispy skin. The mashed potatos were also very nice and creamy. We ended with the cheesecake, which had an amazing creamy texture and strawberry jam. Service overall was great and the ambience is more upscale.

We celebrated our Mother's Bday here, one of the Asian upscale restaurant. The Black Massachusetts Sea Bass is one of her favorite, we ordered that for her special day as it's considered as a healthy fish. The service is incredible, I don't remember my server's name but he is very sweet, he helps us with our personal cake. Very beautiful ambiance, we had a great time during the celebration. We are sure coming back again :)

We celebrated my mom's birthday at Water Grill with a big party, and our server Chris was truly exceptional. He is the definition of hospitality done right. We never once had to ask for refills--he anticipated everything before we could even think to ask and made the entire experience feel so thoughtful and seamless. On top of that, the food was absolutely amazing. Yes, it's definitely on the pricier side, but the level of service and quality makes every dollar feel worth it. Chris spoiled our table in the best way and made the night feel special from start to finish. Because of him and the incredible food, we'll 100% be coming back. Highly recommend!

Had an early dinner with my girlfriend after seeing a matinee at the segerstrom theater. We arrived about 10 minutes before our reservation and were seated a few minutes later. The Water Grill is always an upscale dining experience. We started with drinks and a crab cake appetizer. For our main courses i had the shrimp and my girlfriend ordered the cioppini. We enjoyed our meal, the server was attentive in spite of having a number of tables that were all seated at the same time. I love the ambiance, lots of fishing and ocean related decor. We will return.

This used to be one of our favorite spots for lunch, but our visit last Sunday for our father's birthday was underwhelming. The overall quality has definitely gone down. The food didn't taste as fresh, and the sushi was very mediocre. The only standout dishes were the bread and the Chilean sea bass. We left pretty disappointed, hoping it was just an off day.

What can I say this place is one of my favorites food good service is great some of the freshest seafood around I like the sea bass & lobster roll my ribeye steak was full of flavor..if your in the area stop by here

This Water Grill is a massive fine dining seafood restaurant experience with warm spaces, comfortable areas and a welcoming ambiance. The covered bar patio is up front and can accommodate many groups of all sizes. The service was very friendly, incredibly helpful and very attentive. Caleb, our waiter, was exceptionally magnificent and took care of our every request and need. He made some outstanding suggestions we followed and absolutely loved! The variety of oysters here are some of the best in Orange County. The shrimp scampi with hand crafted flat noodles were superb. It was very flavorful and buttery. The crustaceans offered here are some of the freshest and best you can find in southern CA. We have been to other Water Grills in southern CA but this BY FAR was the best. It's now one of our most favorite restaurants in the country. Well done Caleb and the Water Grill team.