Need recs for girls getaway weekend in Newport Coast!

[foodseeker]

A bunch of us will be getting together in Newport Coast for some much needed girl time! Any recs for fun places with fabulous chow either in Newport Coast or Laguna? Nothing super fancy, but definitely great food and fun atmosphere are a must. We will probably try Javiers one night, but recs for other night or breakfast/lunch places are greatly appreciated!! Thanks in advance!

[JAB]

Check out Beachcomber for breakfast and or lunch if you can get a reservation or don't mind a wait to eat decent food on the beach.

[ocshooter]

Here are a few recent relevant topics you can browse...

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You probably know that Javier's is a zoo on the weekends. Complete with long waits and all sorts of wildlife. It gets mixed reviews in the new location.

What are you looking for when you mention food and atmosphere? There are full blown clubs, like Mosun, as well as dive bars like the Sandpiper, and dinner spots with a huge bar scene, like 3thirty3 and Javier's. I would take the eat dinner elsewhere and then head to the Sandpiper out of these 3, but that's because 333 is usually way too crowded to get a seat at the bar and too noisy to talk, and I really don't like club music at Mosun. The live bands at the Sandpiper are more my style. Mozambique has a reggae night on the weekends (I think) and food upstairs as well as steaks downstairs, though I have not eaten there.

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Mozambique Restaurant
1740 South Coast Highway, Laguna Beach, CA 92651

3 Thirty 3
333 Bayside Dr, Newport Beach, CA 92660

Sandpiper
1183 S Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach, CA 92651

Mosun Sushi Saki Bar & Night Club
680 S Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach, CA 92651

[foodseeker]

Thanks so much for all the recs! We're not looking for a bar scene as much as a great restaurant with a fun atmosphere -- I'm talking lingering over long dinners with wonderful friends. . .do you have any recommendations with this criteria?

[ocshooter]

Don't go to Javier's early if you want to linger. They are busy, and I know if I were a waiter, I would be unhappy to have campers in my station unless the drinks kept flowing.

So if you want to linger with friends, I would choose location and comfort, which don't always match the best food in OC. A lot of our better places tend to be on the noisy side. While not remarkable for the food, there is a seafood row on PCH that will boast nice views of the harbor and are good spots to sit and chat, maybe have a bottle or two... The Rusty Pelican, Charthouse, Joe's Crab Shack, and a few others are all within walking distance. On the other side of the harbor is the Cannery.

In Laguna itself, you might try K'ya. The hotel also has a rooftop bar which affords nice views, though I don't think it is open very late.

For a gastrobub not too far away, you might try the Crow Bar, but it can get crowded and noisy. If you like sushi, I adore San Shi Go on the peninsula. As mentioned below, the Sandpiper has a location that can not be beat, but it is too long a wait for so-so food if you don't have reservations. I have not been in ages, but Five Feet might also be a good choice in Laguna. It is a little (very little) off the beaten path for Asian Fusion, and was once one of the tops in food.

You can also just poke around Laguna and see what seems like fun. The whole of downtown is easy to do on foot, and there are a ton of galleries to poke in for a fun walk on a nice evening.

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Five Feet Special Events & Catering
328 Glenneyre, Laguna Beach, CA 92651

Crow Bar & Kitchen
2325 E Coast Hwy, Corona Del Mar, CA 92625

Joe's Crab Shack
2607 W Coast Hwy, Newport Beach, CA 92663

Cannery Seafood of the Pacific
3010 LaFayette Road, Newport Beach, CA 92663

Rusty Pelican Restaurant
2735 West Coast Hwy, Newport Beach, CA 92663

Sandpiper
1183 S Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach, CA 92651

Chart House
2801 W Coast Hwy Ste 100, Newport Beach, CA 92663

San Shi Go Sushi and Asian Cuisine
205 Main St, Newport Beach, CA 92661

K'ya Bistro - Laguna Beach
1287 South Coast Highway, Laguna Beach, CA 92651