Newport Beach, California, is beloved for its offering of waterfront restaurants. Nothing beats a delicious meal while enjoying a West Coast sunset on the water, and one way to take this to the next level is with a Dock & Dine experience - boating up to the restaurant's docks, tying up, and sitting at an oceanside table for a delicious meal. It’s a great way to take a break from being on the water and refuel yourself so you’re not hangry while cruising the coast.

This guide provides insight into the best waterfront restaurants for boaters in Newport Beach. These establishments make it possible to pull up, tie off, and enjoy a meal.

While all of these places are known for being great for boat-up service, always call ahead the day of (or check the restaurant’s website) to confirm dock availability, size limits, and any tie-up rules — docks can be limited or reserved for hotel or club guests during special events or other occasions.

The Best Restaurants for Dock & Dine in Newport Beach, California

1) Bluewater Grill — Cannery Village

A beloved spot for seafood in Newport Beach, Bluewater Grill is a great place to dock and dine. You can even cook your own catch if you cruise up with your fishing haul onboard — call ahead for details.

Address: 630 Lido Park Dr (Cannery Village / Lido)
Docking Details: Has a guest dock next to the waterfront patio — boaters commonly pull up and dine on the patio or have food brought to the boat. Call ahead (949-675-3474) for current dock instructions and availability.
Cuisine: Fresh, sustainably sourced seafood with a raw bar, fish entrees, and seafood platters..
Price: $$, midrange, with some more pricy items but also affordable menu items for more casual diners.

2) The Dock — Cannery Village

Enjoy a varied continental menu with an impressive selection of wines and cocktails at The Dock. It’s a great spot for special occasions and is beloved for its waterfront patio with beautiful sunset views.

Address: 2816 LaFayette Ave
Docking: Waterfront patio with direct water access — known as a classic “dock & dine” spot. Reservations are recommended for patio seating; call ahead (949) 673-3625.
Cuisine: Contemporary American seafood-forward small plates and an extensive wine list.
Price: $$$ — upscale; plan on $50+ per person typical for dinner.

3) Woody’s Wharf — Peninsula / Newport Harbor

An American classic with a huge menu of crowd-pleasing options, Woody’s Wharf is a great spot to dock and dine in Newport Beach. Come for a Tex-Mex style brunch or indulge in a delicious seafood dinner; whatever you’re looking for, you can find it on the menu at Woody’s.

Address: 2318 Newport Blvd in the Balboa Peninsula / Peninsula area
Docking: Longtime local landmark with dock & dine space — boaters regularly tie up for brunch, lunch, and dinner. Call ahead (949) 675-0474 to confirm slip availability at busy times.
Cuisine: Classic American / seafood (brunch favorites, steaks, casual dishes).
Price: $$ (casual, family-friendly).

4) A+O Restaurant & Bar at Balboa Bay Resort

A classic Southern California spot, this place serves up delicious seafood, salads, cocktails, and other fare. Enjoy A+O’s food and views of the harbor at a dockside table with a firepit.

Address: 1221 W Coast Hwy, located in the Balboa Bay Resort
Docking: Balboa Bay Resort / A+O is set on the bay with docks and resort tie-ups — many boaters pull into the resort docks or public slips nearby. If you plan to use resort docks, contact the resort concierge (949)645-5000 to confirm guest dock policies.
Cuisine: Casual California / coastal fare — shareable plates, seafood, cocktails.
Price: $$–$$$, typical pricing for a waterfront resort.

5) Billy’s at the Beach

Enjoy a taste of “island life” at Billy’s at the Beach in Newport. This spot is a wonderful, casual place to enjoy Hawaiian cuisine and other tropical-inspired fare.

Address: 2751 W Coast Hwy near the Pacific Coast Highway
Docking: Offers “dockside” service and welcomes boaters to pull up; staff will bring orders to your boat. It’s great for casual dockside meals or takeout-to-boat. Call ahead to confirm size limits if you are in a larger vessel.
Cuisine: Island-inspired / Hawaiian-style seafood & cocktails, including famous mai tais and pupus
Price: $$ (casual waterfront).

6) Harborside Restaurant — Balboa Pavilion

This historic establishment is great for families or couples looking for a waterfront lunch. Serving up seafood small plates, pastas, and tacos, Harborside is ideal for an afternoon stop when cruising in Newport Beach

Address: 400 Main St (Balboa Pavilion / Balboa Island area)
Docking: Iconic Balboa Pavilion location with dock & dine access in Newport Harbor — popular for happy hour and harbor watching. Call for docking availability before arriving.
Cuisine: Steaks, seafood, classic California-coastal plates; lively saloon and dining room options.
Price: $$–$$$ (varies by entrée).

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7) Shorebird — Newport Harbor

A gorgeous modern restaurant in the Harbor, Shorebird serves up a selection of classic steaks and seafood and offers happy hour.

Address: 2220 Newport Blvd
Docking: Many boaters use nearby docks and pull up for brunch/lunch/dinner; call the restaurant for the best dock approach and where to tie.
Cuisine: Coastal steak & seafood with a wood-fire grill approach (raw bar, coastal plates).
Price: $$–$$$ (mid-to-upscale).

8) The Cannery Seafood of the Pacific — Cannery Village

Sip a wine from their extensive wine list while indulging in a variety of seafood dishes. The Cannery is a beloved, historical spot on the water in Newport Beach.

Address: 3010 LaFayette Ave (Cannery Village / Lido)
Docking: Cannery Village is a historic waterfront retail/dining village. Several dining options in the Cannery have docks or easy water access; the Cannery complex and adjacent docks make it a popular cruise-up neighborhood. Check each Cannery restaurant’s tie-up policy first.
Cuisine: Upscale seafood, Pacific Coast specialties.
Price: $$–$$$ depending on menu selections.

Quick docking tips & etiquette for Dock & Dine

If you’ve booked a captained experience and planned a dock and dine during your boat day, they will be well-versed in handling the docking and arrival procedures. If you’ve rented a boat in Newport Beach on your own or are a local boat owner and just want to enjoy dock and dine for the first time, here are some top tips to have a smooth sailing experience.

  • Call ahead. Dock availability, size limits, and fees change quickly — call the restaurant or resort concierge before you go.

  • Bring lines & fenders. Be ready to tie off safely and protect both your boat and the dock.

  • Know size limits. Some docks only accept smaller vessels or have limits on length or draft — ask about maximum vessel size.

  • Be polite & quick. Tie up, go ashore, and if you’ll be there a long time, ask the staff whether they prefer you move to a transient slip afterward. Many restaurants need the dock for multiple arrivals during busy service.

  • No overnight unless allowed. Most restaurant docks are for dining/short visits only — use a marina slip for overnight stays (Newport Harbor has guest slips at several marinas).

Newport Beach is one of California’s premier dock-and-dine destinations, thanks to its expansive harbor, calm waters, and abundance of waterfront restaurants with private docks. The city’s 21-square-mile harbor features more than 10 miles of navigable waterways, making it easy for boaters to cruise directly up to lively eateries ranging from casual seafood shacks to upscale steakhouses. With year-round mild weather, stunning harbor views, and a strong boating culture, Newport Beach offers the perfect blend of coastal dining and on-the-water convenience, making it a top spot for boaters who want to pair a day on the water with a great meal.