Harborside Restaurant and Grand Ballroom

Best lobster bisque I've had. Onion rings out of this world.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

It was a great lunch place so I we visited the beach. Had great tasting food, loved the chicken cups and the house margaritas!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Old traditional place with great location, scenery and food!

It may be best to park near the Balboa Beach Pier.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Really wanted to like this place as it has character and we’d had a lovely day out at Newport Beach. And it’s OK. But only OK. The six of us shared sourdough bread to start, and it was the most sour thing we’d ever eaten. Appreciate some people may like it like that, but we didn’t. The main courses (fish, steak, meatloaf) were fine but nothing to write home about. The decor in the restaurant is drab/dated. But the staff were all friendly and efficient.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 3

Service: 4

Everything was great, service, atmosphere, most of the food. But I ordered the blackened ahi and not only wasn't it charred the inside was cooked beyond belief. Obviously instead of being pan or flame seared this was thrown in an oven forever. The garnish and sides, sauce, vegetables, rice, guacamole were excellent, just need to cook the fish right.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 3

Service: 5

Went here for lunch, and then dinner after our whale watching experience! Mckenna was super nice and did a great job, and our food was amazing!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

I feel so bad and guilty for choosing Harborside Restaurant for a family birthday dinner. We don’t get to see our relatives often, so we wanted something special, and instead it ended up being one of the most disappointing meals we’ve ever had. Our server, an older gentleman, was unfriendly from the start and made no effort to acknowledge the birthday. The “birthday dessert” was a soggy bread pudding that no one enjoyed.

The food was mediocre across the board, especially for the price. Our total bill was around $250 for four adult entrées, a kids’ meal, and a couple of appetizers. For that amount, the quality was on par with something you could get at a quick café, a seafood fast-food place, or even a casual Thai spot — and in fact, those would probably be better. The birthday girl’s $75 crab leg plate came with cold, unflavored rice and vegetables. Even my husband, who is happy with almost anything, didn’t like his entrée.

The interior feels outdated and the atmosphere flat. It’s one thing to have bad service, but when the food is also underwhelming, the whole evening ends up feeling like a waste. I dropped the ball on picking the right place, and honestly I think I could have chosen almost any other restaurant and it would have been a million times better.

Please, please pay attention to the bad reviews. I read a few and brushed them off because there were enough good ones to make me think they weren’t true. They were absolutely true.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

Stopped here after a whale watching tour for lunch and was not disappointed! Allison was very attentive and the food was great. We only have a couple days left in town but wouldn’t mind eating here again before we leave. Highly recommend the lobster ravioli!

Very clean and fancy bar and restaurant, came and got the house beer and a Mahi taco and the harborside blonde draft and both were on the happy hour menu (everyday 11:30am-6pm) and they were both very good! and they had a lot of great options of food and drinks is for happy hour which was a plus, server named was Allison who was super cool and very nice and awesome at giving me top recommendations for what to eat and she was awesome 👏

They definitely have an awesome view of the water and the environment was a bit quiet but chill and respectful, highly recommend trying this place out! Also they have gift shops and other good spots right near here as well!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 4

The restaurant looked messy when we entered. I sah directly 4 dirty uncleaned tables and Chairs without table in the guest room.
The restaurant was empty, but they have no active service. I have to ask more times to order something. Unfortunately they forgot us two times. The swertfish was over grilled, burned and dry. The Hawaiian Opakapaka was well. I wouldn’t go there again for a $100 bill!

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 2

Service: 1

Great happy hour

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 4

Great food Great service and beautiful place to spend a time

This place is very very good. Fresh, homemade food. Onion rings are awesome. Lobster bisque is first class.

My husband and I went here a few times during our stay in Newport Beach and loved being there. The drinks & food items were happy hour and the price is pretty good. The location is right on the bay so you can look out and watch the boats and Marina.

Pretty restaurant on the harbor. Went with a group of 15 with a reservation and we were seated fairly quickly however the service after that was not great. We were out of water the whole time. Also when they brought out our food they just yelled what the food item was and had us call out who ordered it. Not very organized and not what I would expect with how expensive the food was. Also they wouldn’t split the tab at all. The redeeming factor was the clam chowder in the bread bowl was very very good. Also VERY filling. I liked how they really emptied the bread bowl.