Guidebook for Newport Beach
Food Scene
Serves great donuts & donuts and of course, the famous Balboa Bars and Frozen Bananas. They also have cookies and ice cream for dessert runs after dinner.
17 locals recommend
Dad's Donut & Bakery Shop
318 Marine AveServes great donuts & donuts and of course, the famous Balboa Bars and Frozen Bananas. They also have cookies and ice cream for dessert runs after dinner.
Great Italian food - pizza is delicious. Staff are very nice. Great for families.
6 locals recommend
Ciao
223 Marine AveGreat Italian food - pizza is delicious. Staff are very nice. Great for families.
Great Mexican food for a quick, casual bite to eat. They also have great breakfast burritos too. Staff are super friendly and have been on the island for years. Don't expect luxury dining because their focus is on the food. They do take out too.
Picante Martin's
17951 Sky Park CircleGreat Mexican food for a quick, casual bite to eat. They also have great breakfast burritos too. Staff are super friendly and have been on the island for years. Don't expect luxury dining because their focus is on the food. They do take out too.
An icon on the island, they have been a mainstay of Balboa residents and visitors since the 70's. Reliable food (breakfast, lunch & dinner) - Come early for weekend breakfast as waits can be long by mid-morning.
15 locals recommend
Wilma's Patio Restaurant
203 Marine AveAn icon on the island, they have been a mainstay of Balboa residents and visitors since the 70's. Reliable food (breakfast, lunch & dinner) - Come early for weekend breakfast as waits can be long by mid-morning.
Ever heard of Newport's "Banana Stand"? Well, this is it. Slide up to the window of this old Balboa landmark for a Balboa Bar or Frozen Banana. They stay open late (10pm) for dessert-getters. Also have good shakes, ice cream, sundaes, and hot dogs.
Sugar 'n Spice
310 Marine AveEver heard of Newport's "Banana Stand"? Well, this is it. Slide up to the window of this old Balboa landmark for a Balboa Bar or Frozen Banana. They stay open late (10pm) for dessert-getters. Also have good shakes, ice cream, sundaes, and hot dogs.
Amazing fresh-from-the-ocean fish tacos and other fish foods - seared tuna, poke, etc. Super casual & great for lunch - order at the counter style. Delicious local spot!
78 locals recommend
Bear Flag Fish Company
3421 Via LidoAmazing fresh-from-the-ocean fish tacos and other fish foods - seared tuna, poke, etc. Super casual & great for lunch - order at the counter style. Delicious local spot!
Super small and cozy local spot for amazing steak & cocktails. Dark and romantic. Sometimes live music, happy hour can get a little loud. Be sure to get a reservation!
41 locals recommend
The Quiet Woman
3224 CA-1Super small and cozy local spot for amazing steak & cocktails. Dark and romantic. Sometimes live music, happy hour can get a little loud. Be sure to get a reservation!
Gastropub with delicious burgers & tots. Other food very tasty too - great selection of craft beer, wine, and cocktails. Bruch is great too.
12 locals recommend
The Dub CDM
2325 East Coast HwyGastropub with delicious burgers & tots. Other food very tasty too - great selection of craft beer, wine, and cocktails. Bruch is great too.
Ruby's Diner
1 Balboa PierBurger joint with dozens of yummy shake flavors.
Take in iconic views off of PCH and grab a shake too. Weekend lines can be long & parking is limited.
32 locals recommend
Crystal Cove Shake Shack
7703 East Coast HwyTake in iconic views off of PCH and grab a shake too. Weekend lines can be long & parking is limited.
Sprinkles and next door Sprinkles Ice Cream offers up exotic flavors. Can get busy
12 locals recommend
Sprinkles Newport Beach Ice Cream
952 Avocado AveSprinkles and next door Sprinkles Ice Cream offers up exotic flavors. Can get busy
Kéan Coffee Artisan Roasters
2043 Westcliff DrGreat coffee!
Amazing artisinal donuts in crazy & seasonal flavors - Stumptown coffee too - go early, it gets super crowded
60 locals recommend
Sidecar Doughnuts & Coffee
270 E 17th StAmazing artisinal donuts in crazy & seasonal flavors - Stumptown coffee too - go early, it gets super crowded
Swanky Newport establishment - has great fish & steaks. $$$$ but worth every bite. Reservations are essential.
82 locals recommend
Cannery Seafood of the Pacific
3010 Lafayette AveSwanky Newport establishment - has great fish & steaks. $$$$ but worth every bite. Reservations are essential.
Super delicious sushi & noodle spot! A little hidden, down at the end of the dock. Very tiny, not super great for groups unless you go early. Outside seating available.
23 locals recommend
Buddha's Favorite
634 Lido Park DrSuper delicious sushi & noodle spot! A little hidden, down at the end of the dock. Very tiny, not super great for groups unless you go early. Outside seating available.
Drinks & Nightlife
Village Inn is the Island's only "full bar" bar (they also have food too). Weekends there can be live music, stays open late (12am) for you night owls.
22 locals recommend
The Village Inn
127 Marine AveVillage Inn is the Island's only "full bar" bar (they also have food too). Weekends there can be live music, stays open late (12am) for you night owls.
Malarky's Irish Pub
3011 Newport BlvdSuper local dive bar.
Just call it Sharkeez. Watch out for the "party buckets" because those things are nuts. Decent Happy Hour. Local hangout. Great place to watch sports. Gets rowdy/loud late night.
36 locals recommend
Baja Sharkeez
114 Mc Fadden PlJust call it Sharkeez. Watch out for the "party buckets" because those things are nuts. Decent Happy Hour. Local hangout. Great place to watch sports. Gets rowdy/loud late night.
Old school dive bar where all the real salty dogs hang out. Billiards. Cash only.
22 locals recommend
Blackie's By the Sea
2118 W OceanfrontOld school dive bar where all the real salty dogs hang out. Billiards. Cash only.
Essentials
Head to Hershey's if you're ever out of coffee, milk, or wine - in a pinch, because they aren't the cheapest. Head to the back and get great made-to-order sandwiches at the meat counter.
Hershey's Market
200 Marine AveHead to Hershey's if you're ever out of coffee, milk, or wine - in a pinch, because they aren't the cheapest. Head to the back and get great made-to-order sandwiches at the meat counter.
Great grocery store that has pretty much everything. Made-to-order sandwiches at the deli counter & great wine selection too.
100 locals recommend
Pavilions
3100 W Balboa BlvdGreat grocery store that has pretty much everything. Made-to-order sandwiches at the deli counter & great wine selection too.
Rite Aid
211 E 17th StPharmacy.
Everything and anything your alcohol-mind could possibly dream of. An incredible selection of wine, beer & spirits. Locally-owned & very knowledgeable staff.
12 locals recommend
Hi-Time Wine Cellars
250 Ogle StEverything and anything your alcohol-mind could possibly dream of. An incredible selection of wine, beer & spirits. Locally-owned & very knowledgeable staff.
Want to give your car the luxe treatment? This carwash has high-end washing (as well as less expensive options) and drinks & snacks for purchase if you're hungry.
The Car Spa
1200 West Coast HwyWant to give your car the luxe treatment? This carwash has high-end washing (as well as less expensive options) and drinks & snacks for purchase if you're hungry.
Sightseeing
For a nominal fee, be sure to ride the ferry (in the car, on foot, or bike) to get to the peninsula side of Balboa. Offers amazing views up and down Newport Harbor. Summer months can have a long wait for cars. Either way you get across, it's something thats "iconic" Balboa, since 1919!!
313 locals recommend
Balboa Island Ferry
Agate AvenueFor a nominal fee, be sure to ride the ferry (in the car, on foot, or bike) to get to the peninsula side of Balboa. Offers amazing views up and down Newport Harbor. Summer months can have a long wait for cars. Either way you get across, it's something thats "iconic" Balboa, since 1919!!
Iconic surf & bodysurf spot with super dangerous break due to shallow water. Professionals only, but fantastic sunbathing and surf watching!
106 locals recommend
The Wedge
E OceanfrontIconic surf & bodysurf spot with super dangerous break due to shallow water. Professionals only, but fantastic sunbathing and surf watching!
Cruise over to the pier after a Ferry ride and Fun Zone Visit to take in sights and talk with local fishermen. Stop at Ruby's on the pier for a shake and fries.
82 locals recommend
Balboa Pier
Balboa PierCruise over to the pier after a Ferry ride and Fun Zone Visit to take in sights and talk with local fishermen. Stop at Ruby's on the pier for a shake and fries.
Shopping
Newport Center/Fashion Island
401 Newport Center DrSouth Coast Plaza
3333 Bristol StLido Marina Village
3434 Via LidoCrystal Cove Shopping Center
7845 - 8085 East Coast HwyIconic Newport Surf shop that has everything you need to surf (or look like you do)
10 locals recommend
Jack's Surfboards
2727 Newport BlvdIconic Newport Surf shop that has everything you need to surf (or look like you do)
Small, local spot for great selection of wetsuits and surfboards - also have trunks and fins too.
8 locals recommend
Frog House
6908 West Coast HwySmall, local spot for great selection of wetsuits and surfboards - also have trunks and fins too.
The Lab Anti-Mall
2930 Bristol StInteresting "anti-mall" with on-trend shopping & dining.
Great outdoor "mall", a collection of shops and cafes, with more outdoorsy/bohemian vibe.
63 locals recommend
The Camp
2937 Bristol StGreat outdoor "mall", a collection of shops and cafes, with more outdoorsy/bohemian vibe.
Entertainment & Activities
Have an evening (or afternoon) of fun - several arcades, bumper cars, ferris wheel, etc. to explore and carnival treats to try. Here you can go on harbor cruises or rent boats, paddle boards, peddle boats to cruise around the harbor on your own, or catch the Catalina Flyer to Catalina.
114 locals recommend
Balboa Fun Zone
600 E Bay AveHave an evening (or afternoon) of fun - several arcades, bumper cars, ferris wheel, etc. to explore and carnival treats to try. Here you can go on harbor cruises or rent boats, paddle boards, peddle boats to cruise around the harbor on your own, or catch the Catalina Flyer to Catalina.
Arts & Culture
Orange County Museum of Art
3333 W Sunflower AveDebra Huse Gallery
229 Marine AveGreat selection of local plein aire paintings.
Segerstrom Center for the Arts
600 Town Center Dr