Brown bread - tasty, but it's a quick bread, very soft and crumbly like a cake. Prawns - best dish of the night, only complaint was that there were tiny shards of shell scattered in the corn topping. Porchetta - delicious but VERY rich, the dish is like 90% meat. Short rib - all the fat was trimmed off, and there wasn't a lot of jus, so it ate rather dry. Good flavor though, although I can make a better one at home. The horseradish gremolata was too subtle for my taste, but the sides were very good.. They also changed the rib cap dish on their online menu (what I originally planned to order) to a rib eye, again with all the fat - and the cap, unfortunately - removed. Carrots - the carrots themselves, and the meyer lemon sauce, were flavorless. The chimichurri, hazelnuts, and cheese were a good combination though. Bucatini was good from what I heard (it was the one thing we ordered I didn't try), except for the clams, but I don't know if they were bad, or if my friend just doesn't like clams. They didn't have the beignets that night, so we skipped dessert. Nothing was bad, but most of the dishes were not worth the cost. I guess you pay a premium for the location. Our server was very good, and the manager came to our table almost immediately after we settled the bill to ask how everything was (also likely a subtle hint to leave, as multiple reviews have said they are quite strict about time limits, and there was a line out the door). Atmosphere was lively and somewhat loud, and tables are small. It's Newport Beach, so don't expect an eclectic crowd.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 4
Alan
Great classic American restaurant in Newport Beach. I ordered the halibut which unfortunately was overcooked and tough. With that said, other foods very flavorful and the portions were reasonable for the prices. Staff friendly. Seating both inside and outside. This place is known for their cocktails but the food is equally impressive. Dessert menu a bit limited but otherwise great dining experience. Paid street parking available but difficult to find. There is a paid public parking garage across the street
Maryam P Garg
Fable & Spirit hits all the right notes—coastal elegance, delicious food, and service that makes you feel like a regular from the moment you sit down. Nestled in Lido Marina Village, it has that effortless Newport charm with a chic Marina vibe, especially if you grab a seat outside. Bonus points for the free parking lot tucked away in the back—huge perk.
Let’s talk about the food lineup. The Kale Romaine Caesar was an absolute standout—tossed with black garlic, capers, cherry tomatoes, pita crisps, and crunchy croutons. I added the sous-vide chicken breast, and it was tender, juicy, and full of flavor. We also shared the roasted cauliflower, the woodfired pizzetta with a perfectly blistered crust, and the Alaskan halibut, which was buttery, flaky, and cooked to perfection.
The burger? Unreal. Juicy, perfectly seasoned, and served with a side that somehow made fries feel gourmet. The citrus salad was bright and refreshing—exactly what you want as a palate cleanser in between bites. And don’t sleep on the bread—it comes out warm, with a perfect crust, and is just begging to be devoured.
I sipped on a Last Word cocktail to start—smooth, herbaceous, and beautifully balanced—and we wrapped it all up with the warm bread pudding, which was rich, comforting, and worth every bite.
Big love to Munoz (amazing GM) for his incredible service and kind, upbeat energy. He made the night feel extra special. Fable & Spirit is one of those places where everything just clicks—and you start planning your next visit before you’ve even left the table.
Brian Ahn
I had an amazing time at FS. We really wanted to try the beet agnolotti but they were sold out of them. Instead, we got the pizzetta, heirloom carrots, and their cracked pepper bucatini.
For their pizzetta, I was expecting a basic pizza, but their dough they use felt like a crispy pancake, with a good texture of soft and crunchy from their burrata and hazlenut. This comes in 4 pieces.
Heirloom Carrots were tasty, and helped balance out the meal, the chimichurri went perfectly with the carrots.
The Bucantini was good but the noodle was a bit overcooked for my taste. All the taste profile was pleasant.
For cocktails, we got the beet cocktail with Gin being the base, and it was very pleasant and tasty! Our 2nd cocktail was a vodka based orange/vanilla cocktail. I personally liked it, but some people may not like the smell of the egg white so be aware!
Service was very welcoming, with all the workers being very attentive. Will visit again!
Iman Reza
Good brunch and atmosphere
Al Joseph
Very elite place, solid management…Alejandro the manager is bringing new spirit to this awesome place, paying attention to all details to each and every table and guests. Thank you for an awesome evening and vibe.
Tatiana PUJKIS
Amazing food, outstanding service & great atmosphere - amazing dinner here!
Mika Astono
Nestled among the iconic Lido street in Newport, Fable & Spirit certainly can stake a claim as one of its best.
All of the dishes were well seasoned and cooked, but our favorite was definitely the Pork Porchetta. Nearly falling apart with a touch of your fork, it’s got a great mix of meat and fat that just melts in your mouth. Add in a little bit of soft and truffle-y polenta and I couldn’t help but ask for more
A great, helpful staff and a refined, yet still friendly space really knots this place together
Holly Hofgaarden Gailey
This is our favorite place for dinner, cocktails and brunch! We love a date night there but it’s also great for kids too. The food, the cocktails, the atmosphere, the service, etc… I can’t say enough about how wonderful it is!
Kevin Chen
Excellent food, service, and atmosphere! Highly recommend the mussels and anything with their toasted bread. Beignets were tasty and great as a starter. Server was very attentive and made the experience great! Highly recommend!
The service was disappointing and exceedingly slow. The staff's attitude seemed to convey a sense of indifference, as if they were saying, "Please don’t bother me" and "I don't really care." While the food portions are on the smaller side, that's acceptable; however, the poor service does not justify the prices.
The octopus was excessively salty. When we raised this concern, the response was simply, "That's how we prepare it; we heavily season the octopus." It's important to be attentive to customer feedback and to maintain a positive attitude if you want your restaurant to succeed. We won't return
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 1
Rob Linders
Everything was amazing from food, service, drinks, etc. Our waiter knew the menu inside and out, great recommendations (rabbit for the 1st time, incredible!). Wine sommelier also knew his stuff with (2) great recommendations bottles we enjoyed. Thx u!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Grilled Bone Marrow
Barbara Di Padova
Food was mediocre at best. Ridiculously expensive for what is was. I was the only one at a table of 6 that enjoyed my meal. The porchetta was good but way over salted. We ordered 10 bottles of water! Lamb chops were ok but not worth the giant $72 charge. Rib eye cap was horrible x 2. Brussel sprouts were good. Fish and chips got a ok. We ordered crispy fries. Didn’t happen the first time. Second time somewhat better. We were all of the conclusion they’re frozen Sysco fries so leave that nonsense alone! Drinks were meh. ? No espresso although on the menu. Wines were overpriced and not very good. We tasted 3 or 4 different reds and gave up. ? Also overpriced Server was relatively new but tried. Never told us of the special. Training training training or lack there of. When this place first opened it was a true winner. Not so much anymore. Add enough salt to anything and it’ll taste good. McDonald’s anyone. Not worth $1200 for 6 None of us will return. We all enjoy dinner out 3-4 times x week. This was one of the most disappointing meals in quite a while. Two of us restauranteurs.So many great restaurants in the OC I’d look elsewhere ?
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 3
Justin Chu
delicious yummy yummy
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Maya S
A solid New American restaurant. We came for brunch and enjoyed every dish we ordered. The ingredients were fresh, well-cooked, and beautifully plated. I’m saving this as a place to come back to. I especially enjoyed the butter that came with the brown bread; it’s creamy, and you can taste the texture and flavor of the salt flakes inside. Their coffee and orange juice are also solid.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Guinness Brown Bread, Avocado Shrimp Toast, Avocado Toast
Brown bread - tasty, but it's a quick bread, very soft and crumbly like a cake. Prawns - best dish of the night, only complaint was that there were tiny shards of shell scattered in the corn topping. Porchetta - delicious but VERY rich, the dish is like 90% meat. Short rib - all the fat was trimmed off, and there wasn't a lot of jus, so it ate rather dry. Good flavor though, although I can make a better one at home. The horseradish gremolata was too subtle for my taste, but the sides were very good.. They also changed the rib cap dish on their online menu (what I originally planned to order) to a rib eye, again with all the fat - and the cap, unfortunately - removed. Carrots - the carrots themselves, and the meyer lemon sauce, were flavorless. The chimichurri, hazelnuts, and cheese were a good combination though. Bucatini was good from what I heard (it was the one thing we ordered I didn't try), except for the clams, but I don't know if they were bad, or if my friend just doesn't like clams. They didn't have the beignets that night, so we skipped dessert. Nothing was bad, but most of the dishes were not worth the cost. I guess you pay a premium for the location. Our server was very good, and the manager came to our table almost immediately after we settled the bill to ask how everything was (also likely a subtle hint to leave, as multiple reviews have said they are quite strict about time limits, and there was a line out the door). Atmosphere was lively and somewhat loud, and tables are small. It's Newport Beach, so don't expect an eclectic crowd.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 4
Great classic American restaurant in Newport Beach. I ordered the halibut which unfortunately was overcooked and tough. With that said, other foods very flavorful and the portions were reasonable for the prices. Staff friendly. Seating both inside and outside. This place is known for their cocktails but the food is equally impressive. Dessert menu a bit limited but otherwise great dining experience. Paid street parking available but difficult to find. There is a paid public parking garage across the street
Fable & Spirit hits all the right notes—coastal elegance, delicious food, and service that makes you feel like a regular from the moment you sit down. Nestled in Lido Marina Village, it has that effortless Newport charm with a chic Marina vibe, especially if you grab a seat outside. Bonus points for the free parking lot tucked away in the back—huge perk.
Let’s talk about the food lineup. The Kale Romaine Caesar was an absolute standout—tossed with black garlic, capers, cherry tomatoes, pita crisps, and crunchy croutons. I added the sous-vide chicken breast, and it was tender, juicy, and full of flavor. We also shared the roasted cauliflower, the woodfired pizzetta with a perfectly blistered crust, and the Alaskan halibut, which was buttery, flaky, and cooked to perfection.
The burger? Unreal. Juicy, perfectly seasoned, and served with a side that somehow made fries feel gourmet. The citrus salad was bright and refreshing—exactly what you want as a palate cleanser in between bites. And don’t sleep on the bread—it comes out warm, with a perfect crust, and is just begging to be devoured.
I sipped on a Last Word cocktail to start—smooth, herbaceous, and beautifully balanced—and we wrapped it all up with the warm bread pudding, which was rich, comforting, and worth every bite.
Big love to Munoz (amazing GM) for his incredible service and kind, upbeat energy. He made the night feel extra special. Fable & Spirit is one of those places where everything just clicks—and you start planning your next visit before you’ve even left the table.
I had an amazing time at FS. We really wanted to try the beet agnolotti but they were sold out of them. Instead, we got the pizzetta, heirloom carrots, and their cracked pepper bucatini.
For their pizzetta, I was expecting a basic pizza, but their dough they use felt like a crispy pancake, with a good texture of soft and crunchy from their burrata and hazlenut. This comes in 4 pieces.
Heirloom Carrots were tasty, and helped balance out the meal, the chimichurri went perfectly with the carrots.
The Bucantini was good but the noodle was a bit overcooked for my taste. All the taste profile was pleasant.
For cocktails, we got the beet cocktail with Gin being the base, and it was very pleasant and tasty! Our 2nd cocktail was a vodka based orange/vanilla cocktail. I personally liked it, but some people may not like the smell of the egg white so be aware!
Service was very welcoming, with all the workers being very attentive. Will visit again!
Good brunch and atmosphere
Very elite place, solid management…Alejandro the manager is bringing new spirit to this awesome place, paying attention to all details to each and every table and guests. Thank you for an awesome evening and vibe.
Amazing food, outstanding service & great atmosphere - amazing dinner here!
Nestled among the iconic Lido street in Newport, Fable & Spirit certainly can stake a claim as one of its best.
All of the dishes were well seasoned and cooked, but our favorite was definitely the Pork Porchetta. Nearly falling apart with a touch of your fork, it’s got a great mix of meat and fat that just melts in your mouth. Add in a little bit of soft and truffle-y polenta and I couldn’t help but ask for more
A great, helpful staff and a refined, yet still friendly space really knots this place together
This is our favorite place for dinner, cocktails and brunch! We love a date night there but it’s also great for kids too. The food, the cocktails, the atmosphere, the service, etc… I can’t say enough about how wonderful it is!
Excellent food, service, and atmosphere! Highly recommend the mussels and anything with their toasted bread. Beignets were tasty and great as a starter. Server was very attentive and made the experience great! Highly recommend!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
The service was disappointing and exceedingly slow. The staff's attitude seemed to convey a sense of indifference, as if they were saying, "Please don’t bother me" and "I don't really care." While the food portions are on the smaller side, that's acceptable; however, the poor service does not justify the prices.
The octopus was excessively salty. When we raised this concern, the response was simply, "That's how we prepare it; we heavily season the octopus." It's important to be attentive to customer feedback and to maintain a positive attitude if you want your restaurant to succeed. We won't return
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 1
Everything was amazing from food, service, drinks, etc. Our waiter knew the menu inside and out, great recommendations (rabbit for the 1st time, incredible!). Wine sommelier also knew his stuff with (2) great recommendations bottles we enjoyed. Thx u!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Grilled Bone Marrow
Food was mediocre at best. Ridiculously expensive for what is was. I was the only one at a table of 6 that enjoyed my meal. The porchetta was good but way over salted. We ordered 10 bottles of water! Lamb chops were ok but not worth the giant $72 charge. Rib eye cap was horrible x 2. Brussel sprouts were good. Fish and chips got a ok. We ordered crispy fries. Didn’t happen the first time. Second time somewhat better. We were all of the conclusion they’re frozen Sysco fries so leave that nonsense alone! Drinks were meh. ? No espresso although on the menu. Wines were overpriced and not very good. We tasted 3 or 4 different reds and gave up. ? Also overpriced
Server was relatively new but tried. Never told us of the special. Training training training or lack there of.
When this place first opened it was a true winner. Not so much anymore. Add enough salt to anything and it’ll taste good. McDonald’s anyone. Not worth $1200 for 6
None of us will return. We all enjoy dinner out 3-4 times x week. This was one of the most disappointing meals in quite a while. Two of us restauranteurs.So many great restaurants in the OC I’d look elsewhere ?
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 3
delicious yummy yummy
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
A solid New American restaurant. We came for brunch and enjoyed every dish we ordered. The ingredients were fresh, well-cooked, and beautifully plated. I’m saving this as a place to come back to. I especially enjoyed the butter that came with the brown bread; it’s creamy, and you can taste the texture and flavor of the salt flakes inside. Their coffee and orange juice are also solid.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Guinness Brown Bread, Avocado Shrimp Toast, Avocado Toast
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