Coliseum Pool & Grill

As a South Orange County local and photographer, I've had the pleasure of witnessing this resort evolve beautifully over the years. It stands out as a truly stunning venue for all kinds of gatherings, from impactful networking events to festive holiday parties and professional corporate functions

The best thing was definitely the location, and the view from there. The service was on point, attentive and polite. Drinks were ok. The prime rib was very good and the salad was wonderful. Overall, highly recommended.

Revised review: we have eaten at the Coliseum multiple times and it has been very good. However, we had lunch on April 19, 2025 and our experience was different. The food/burgers were barely warm and cold in the middle. When we told the server she stated the kitchen is overwhelmed and shrugged. To me that's a poor excuse. As a customer, I/you should expect much more from a 5-star resort.

We celebrate my girlfriend’s birthday here. Food is good, service is great. Very nice pool and beach view with bright sunshine, perfect place for photography.

I was meeting a friend for lunch and asked for a table for two. I was led to the only outdoor table in direct sun and no umbrella. I asked for one and it never happened, so I asked again and they finally brought one. But halfway through lunch, they asked if they could move it to shade another guest sitting behind us, and they told me they will bring another one, which they never did. They left me sitting in direct sun on a hot day for the remainder of the lunch and I had to keep moving my chair around to find shade. On top of thar, the burger was completely burnt, the fries had an awful amount of salt, and the server took 20+ minutes to bring back the check after taking my credit card, leaving me in the sun all along. I went home with a sunburn and it was one of the worst dining experiences for me. If i am paying $100 for a burger and a glass of wine, i should expect a much better service.

I dined here today, and there were about 6-8 Chinese ladies dining behind me. They were so obnoxious and ridiculously loud, so I had a bite of my food, and I couldn’t eat any more. It was just so painful seating there. The manager did comp my meal and coffee, but I will probably not come back to this restaurant

I visited this restaurant for brunch yesterday, and unfortunately, it didn’t meet my expectations. I ordered a latte, which took 20 minutes to arrive and was served cold. The omelette I tried lacked any remarkable flavor—it felt like something you’d get at an average restaurant. The service was below standard, even though it wasn’t particularly busy.

The only appealing aspect of this restaurant is its view and ambiance, which are quite nice. However, the food quality was disappointing, at least for the items I ordered. Definitely not a place I’d recommend for the food.

The hostesses at this establishment consistently demonstrated an egregious manner of conduct to my family and I throughout our stay. Every morning the hosting staff would tell me there would be a twenty minute wait, while the restaurant was near empty. I even overheard the hostess turn down a group of two, claiming there would be a wait time of 1.5-2 hours without a reservation. Again the restaurant was empty. Not only do they grossly overestimate the wait times, they have a condescending and rude demeanor that is not acceptable for a place like Pelican Hill. Besides the Hosting staff… the food here is adequate but nothing special, especially for the price. Overall, You would be better off going to your local diner for breakfast than spending 28$ for a bowl of oatmeal while being treated subhuman.

The restaurant was fenomenal I got the poke bowl it was unbelievable the sauce over the food fresh tuna and yummy ginger. Even though the food was fenomenal the price for the food wasn’t very fair especially because 3 pieces of pretzel bread was 10 bucks. The service took a while to serve our food. When they handed out the tea they are supposed to give it to the lady first but they didn’t. Overall I give this restaurant a 4

Great atmosphere and service. Food is good, not the best. Presentation is amazing.

The combination of gorgeous views, elegant decor, and a serene poolside setting creates an unforgettable vibe.

However, the food, while good, felt a bit overrated for the price. The menu had some interesting options, but the quality didn’t fully justify the high cost. For the premium pricing, I was expecting something a bit more special in terms of flavor and presentation.

That said, it was still a good overall experience. I’d recommend it for the atmosphere and experience, but maybe temper your expectations when it comes to the food.

There is a gate before you go to Coliseum Pool & Grill, so you need to request to open the gate.

Servers are very kind, and valet parking is complimentary.

You can see a wide Newport Beach and the heated swimming pool at the same time. 🏊‍♂️

It's a very beautiful scenery.

In a late fall and winter time, outside is cold.
If you want to sit outside, you'd better wear warm clothings or request to bring some blankets.

I ate smoked salmon eggs benedict, and it was tasty.

5stars! Marvelous place for a bday celebration or anniversary! I had the best time there and can’t wait to come back!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Coliseum Pool & Grill is a rare gem in the world of high-end hotel dining! I usually can’t stand upscale spots because the food is often bland and overpriced, but this place completely blew me away. The menu may not be extensive, but the quality is outstanding—definitely a "quality over quantity" kind of spot. I ordered the pokey, and we shared a variety of appetizers, and let me tell you, every single dish was fantastic! The flavors were unique, and nothing felt generic like you’d expect from a hotel restaurant. The service was top-notch too; everyone was so friendly and eager to help, which made the experience even better. And the ambience? Absolutely breathtaking. With views like this, you’ll want to soak in every moment. If I were local, I’d probably have breakfast, lunch, and dinner here every day. Five stars, without a doubt!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Flatbread, Lobster Bisque, White Chocolate Panna Cotta, Braised Short Ribs, Cobb Salad, French Toast, Fries, Crab Dip, Prime Flat Iron Steak Frites, Day Boat Scallops, Steak Quesadilla, Caramelized Brown Sugar Oatmeal, Egg Benedict, Grilled Chicken Sandwich, Fish Tacos, Hummus & Toasted Pita, Sorbet, Cake, Jumbo Lump Crab & Artichoke Toast, Coliseum Crab Cake

Always love this Restaurant! Heaters overhead allow you to sit outside, when it is cool, beautiful view of ocean and pool! Our waiter Edward, ( Jesus) was wonderful getting our order perfect!