This place is beloved by many people, but every single menu item I had was gross. The clam chowder was disgusting and the few clams were extremely tough and stale tasting. The bread was completely ordinary, and not even warm. The crab cakes were disgusting: they were deep-fried and had that dark color that shows that the oil hasn't been changed in forever. The texture was mushy, with zero indication that there was any actual crab in it. It tasted like deep fried expired baby food. The crab in the crab Louis salad was not fresh. There are many great restaurants in Newport Beach, this is not one of them. Don't waste your money or time here. Sorry to be so harsh, but my experience was terrible. The only positives are the nice atmosphere and friendly service. But that doesn't make up for bad food.
Mindy Griffith
*I'm editing this in response to the kind Crab Cooker response. I want to be clear that the food was good, even though their salmon was not for me. I will go back and try something else. Cheers!*
Super cute place with lots of charm—bonus points for a clean, nice bathroom (always appreciated). I ordered the salmon filet with sides of mashed potatoes and rice pilaf, plus a glass of Ruffino Prosecco. Sadly, the meal didn’t hit the mark for me; the flavors just weren’t my style. That said, the bread—though not complimentary—is surprisingly tasty and worth mentioning. I’d definitely go back to give something else on the menu a try.
B Bitsky
An old favorite. Always a stop when in town. Crab is awesome, plentiful and served with sides like Cole slaw, rice, potatoes.
M K
Great lunch experience. Food was amazing, fast and prompt service. Our waitress was very helpful and her recommendations were spot on!
Christine A.
Consistently great seafood and service! Small menu but it never disappoints.
bk hidalgo
We ordered carb on skewer, and calamari both were delicious
josh hagin
Great service food was good. Calamari and crab cakes on point. Potatoes were ok. Clam chowder was just Manhatten. It was OK not the best but very good 7 out of ten. But overall will be back. Thank you
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Dom
Amazing king crab $80 a pound
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: King Crab Legs Claws
Rhonda Santos
I was not impressed. I had been looking forward to going here for quite some time. I've been walking past the building for years, on my morning walks, but am always back to Huntington Beach by the time they open. I loved the signage on the outside of the building, and the colors. However I decided to stick around this time, and go to lunch. I was excited for some crab! I walked in, and was greeted quickly with a nice smile, and seated at a table near the window. A bench seat on the window side, and a wooden chair opposite a small table near the neighboring diners. I chose to sit in the chair to face the window, as I was dining alone. I asked if they had out door seating, they said no. Which is a shame being across the street from the beach, and it was a beautiful day. Having been given a menu, I began to look through it. I had expected it to be expensive so the prices didn't surprise me. I knew I wanted crab, so the choice was either a one pd plate, or an A la carte. The waitress came over, asked if I wanted something to drink, I ordered a margarita, and the crab A la carte. The waitress said it would be two claws. No legs. I went with it. As I waited, I noticed there was no music. I really didn't like the room in general, I was looking out the window. People watched. The waitress brought my margarita in a glass, and my water in a plastic cup. I thought that was odd. The wait for my two crab legs was long. In fact, so long, that while I waited, at the table next to me was seated an elderly woman and a young man. They ordered, received their plates of salmon, rice ect, then notified the waitress the fish was burnt. Had the plates taken away and replaced, all before I got my two dinky crab claws and butter on a paper plate with plastic utensils. Oh, yes, did I mention they use paper plates, paper napkins, plastic knives and forks? The only thing on my table they needed to wash was my margarita glass, and the metal crab cracker. I really, just couldn't wait to pay the $75. 00 bill to get out of there and go back to the beach. I'll never go back there again. If only just to save the planet from all the extra plastic in the landfill.
This has been my favorite Restaurant for many years.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Crab Cocktail, Clam Chowder Soup, Lobster on a Skewer, Oysters on the Half Shell, Chowder, Lobster, Shrimp Cocktail
Drea Sto
They were out of Dungeness crab (which is why we went there but apparently there is a shortage in Alaska or something so that's not really on the eatery itself. It didn't mean that I got to have king crab Alaskan king crab legs and they were phenomenal and we had the Blue plate special which was also really good. I was a little skeptical at first but it's a little fun taste of a couple of different things and it was really delicious. Our waitress was super attentive and very sweet.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Mashed Potatoes, Alaskan King Crab
Rene “Cannonball” Carrasco
Rene Cannonball Carrasco here - I recently came back to Crab Cooker to see all the improvements. I had an order to go .....1. small smoked albacore, 2. Clam chowder, 3. Rice with tomatoes, and a bowling ball looking fresh bread ! Dee Lishus !!!!! I think the manager was Leti ..... nice gal ! Good service. Kinda pricey....but then it seems like it's that way every where nowadays ! The improvements look great !
This place is beloved by many people, but every single menu item I had was gross. The clam chowder was disgusting and the few clams were extremely tough and stale tasting. The bread was completely ordinary, and not even warm. The crab cakes were disgusting: they were deep-fried and had that dark color that shows that the oil hasn't been changed in forever. The texture was mushy, with zero indication that there was any actual crab in it. It tasted like deep fried expired baby food. The crab in the crab Louis salad was not fresh. There are many great restaurants in Newport Beach, this is not one of them. Don't waste your money or time here. Sorry to be so harsh, but my experience was terrible. The only positives are the nice atmosphere and friendly service. But that doesn't make up for bad food.
*I'm editing this in response to the kind Crab Cooker response. I want to be clear that the food was good, even though their salmon was not for me. I will go back and try something else. Cheers!*
Super cute place with lots of charm—bonus points for a clean, nice bathroom (always appreciated). I ordered the salmon filet with sides of mashed potatoes and rice pilaf, plus a glass of Ruffino Prosecco. Sadly, the meal didn’t hit the mark for me; the flavors just weren’t my style. That said, the bread—though not complimentary—is surprisingly tasty and worth mentioning. I’d definitely go back to give something else on the menu a try.
An old favorite. Always a stop when in town. Crab is awesome, plentiful and served with sides like Cole slaw, rice, potatoes.
Great lunch experience. Food was amazing, fast and prompt service. Our waitress was very helpful and her recommendations were spot on!
Consistently great seafood and service! Small menu but it never disappoints.
We ordered carb on skewer, and calamari both were delicious
Great service food was good. Calamari and crab cakes on point. Potatoes were ok. Clam chowder was just Manhatten. It was OK not the best but very good 7 out of ten. But overall will be back. Thank you
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Amazing king crab $80 a pound
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: King Crab Legs Claws
I was not impressed. I had been looking forward to going here for quite some time. I've been walking past the building for years, on my morning walks, but am always back to Huntington Beach by the time they open. I loved the signage on the outside of the building, and the colors.
However I decided to stick around this time, and go to lunch. I was excited for some crab! I walked in, and was greeted quickly with a nice smile, and seated at a table near the window. A bench seat on the window side, and a wooden chair opposite a small table near the neighboring diners. I chose to sit in the chair to face the window, as I was dining alone. I asked if they had out door seating, they said no. Which is a shame being across the street from the beach, and it was a beautiful day. Having been given a menu, I began to look through it. I had expected it to be expensive so the prices didn't surprise me. I knew I wanted crab, so the choice was either a one pd plate, or an A la carte. The waitress came over, asked if I wanted something to drink, I ordered a margarita, and the crab A la carte. The waitress said it would be two claws. No legs. I went with it. As I waited, I noticed there was no music. I really didn't like the room in general, I was looking out the window. People watched. The waitress brought my margarita in a glass, and my water in a plastic cup. I thought that was odd. The wait for my two crab legs was long. In fact, so long, that while I waited, at the table next to me was seated an elderly woman and a young man. They ordered, received their plates of salmon, rice ect, then notified the waitress the fish was burnt. Had the plates taken away and replaced, all before I got my two dinky crab claws and butter on a paper plate with plastic utensils. Oh, yes, did I mention they use paper plates, paper napkins, plastic knives and forks? The only thing on my table they needed to wash was my margarita glass, and the metal crab cracker.
I really, just couldn't wait to pay the $75. 00 bill to get out of there and go back to the beach. I'll never go back there again. If only just to save the planet from all the extra plastic in the landfill.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 3
Service: 2
One of the very best seafood restaurants.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Clam Chowder Soup
Restaurantji Recommends
This has been my favorite Restaurant for many years.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Crab Cocktail, Clam Chowder Soup, Lobster on a Skewer, Oysters on the Half Shell, Chowder, Lobster, Shrimp Cocktail
They were out of Dungeness crab (which is why we went there but apparently there is a shortage in Alaska or something so that's not really on the eatery itself. It didn't mean that I got to have king crab Alaskan king crab legs and they were phenomenal and we had the Blue plate special which was also really good. I was a little skeptical at first but it's a little fun taste of a couple of different things and it was really delicious. Our waitress was super attentive and very sweet.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Mashed Potatoes, Alaskan King Crab
Rene Cannonball Carrasco here - I recently came back to Crab Cooker to see all the improvements. I had an order to go .....1. small smoked albacore, 2. Clam chowder, 3. Rice with tomatoes, and a bowling ball looking fresh bread !
Dee Lishus !!!!! I think the manager was Leti ..... nice gal ! Good service. Kinda pricey....but then it seems like it's that way every where nowadays ! The improvements look great !
Wheelchair accessibility: Yes, wheelchair accessible...
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Clam Chowder Soup
We went to the Newport Beach location. The remodel looks great! The food was awesome as usual! Love the scallops and sides.
I split the halibut and swordfish with my dad for dinner. Both were excellent. Fish was fresh and perfectly cooked!
Our waiter was super friendly and accommodating! It's my favorite place to stop when in Newport Beach.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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