Coastal Kitchen

“Arrived right when the restaurant opened on July 4th. Since the weather wasn’t too hot, we decided to sit in the outdoor seating area. We ordered the clam chowder, crab cake salad, and the French dip, and everything was absolutely delicious! The greens and fruits in the crab cake salad were so fresh, and both sauces that came with the French dip paired perfectly with it. The clam chowder wasn't overly salty; it was savory and light, making it the perfect starter for our meal. All three dishes were so good that they are absolute must-tries! I’m already wondering what to order on my next visit. The restaurant itself is super clean and gives off a relaxing vibe, like you're at a beachside resort town. The staff members were incredibly friendly, and even the restrooms were well-maintained.”

“Had a beautiful Grey Goose Martini, BabyBack Ribs with a Starter Caesar (not just the leafy parts but the crispy hearts chopped into a salad that is shared equally!) and a loaded Baked Potato. Everything was amazing i didn’t know whether to have a second drink (ergo the price) or dessert on last night in Dana Point. Saved the best place for last! Edit: The wait staff rotates so you glass doesn’t empty or you need to raise a hand! THANK YOU!”

“Food was wonderful, service was superb. I ordered clam chowder - it was perfect. Temperature was ideal for eating... Served with 4 small bread rolls & "Herb butter" flavored with basil, oregano & other herbs. Highly recommend. Parking is tough - advise using a smaller vehicle if possible, not a big Lincoln or Caddy”

“I’ll be honest: I walked into Coastal Kitchen fully prepared to roll my eyes. The place looks like the kind of spot where the water has a backstory and the bill arrives wearing designer shoes. I was ready to declare it pretentious and overpriced before I even sat down. And then… that jalapeño–cucumber margarita happened. One sip and suddenly I’m rethinking my entire personality. It’s stupidly good. Perfect heat, crisp cucumber, dangerously smooth. The kind of drink that makes you forget you came in ready to judge and instead start plotting your next visit like a thirsty hypocrite. The service? Surprisingly warm. The vibe? Relaxed without the “we only seat influencers” energy I expected. So yeah, Coastal Kitchen won me over. I came in ready to hate it, and instead I left telling friends, “Okay, fine, it’s actually amazing.” If you’re anywhere near Dana Point, get the jalapeño–cucumber margarita. It’s the drink that will make you forgive the fact that you assumed this place was too fancy for its own good.”

“Some of the best food/seafood I’ve had in Orange County. We enjoyed every bite of everything we ordered, and had multiple “I think that was the best _____ I’ve ever had” moments (shrimp cocktail and butter cake with hot fudge were the two biggest hits). Beyond the food though, the service was truly top-tier. Food came out within minutes of ordering, we were constantly refreshed and checked up on by our amazing server Kelly, and she graciously entertained our request to try half a dozen sauces from all sorts of dishes to truly take our experience to the next level. Will absolutely be coming back any time I want to take friends/family to enjoy an upscale, delicious meal”