Forget marketing on social media. Word of mouth is all these restaurants need to keep a loyal local fan base. And we’re dishing out the secret spots that keep the Newport locals the happiest and best fed crew in all of Southern California.

Lets Start with the
Best Hole-in-the-wall Breakfast Joints:

The surest way to find the tastiest food is to go where there’s a line of customers out the door. This couldn’t be more true about Al Cappuccino. Tucked away in an unassuming strip mall is this small, family-run coffee shop. The line of people you’ll see between the hours of 6:00am-11:00am, however, make Al Cappuccino incredibly conspicuous. Order the Al Capp Special Bagel Sandwich (an everything bagel with tomato, avocado, and cream cheese) and a Peanut Banana Power Smoothie and you’ll be back in line tomorrow morning for round 2.

For the other banging breakfast spot, you’ll need your ID because Mutt Lynch’s is also a sports bar. Before noon, however, breakfast is the name of the game here. And boy do they deliver on all of the breakfast classics! Situated right at the Newport Pier, you’ll be able to dig into omelettes, benedicts, and breakfast burritos, all while watching beach cruisers and beachgoers stream past.

Carnitas La Villa @carnitaslavilla1993

“Locals Only” Lunch Spots

For non-touristy food options, you’ll have to leave the touristy areas. In Newport Beach, this means leaving the popular peninsula and heading a mile or two inland. And what’s a trip to SoCal without digging into some authentic Mexican food? Carnitas La Villa is hands down the best Mexican faire in town. This hole-in-the-wall favorite is also family run and serves up tacos and burritos with fresh made salsas, chips, beans, and rice that are to die for. Well worth the tighter waistband!

Further inland, you’ll find the chicest subs around at the French bakery, C’est Si Bon. This place is always busy, so be prepared to wait in line or order ahead of time on their website. Their baguette sandwiches are the perfect pairing with a day at the beach. Très délicieux!

Te Blue Beet @thebluebeet

Dinner Without a View but with a
Whole Lotta Ambiance:

After long days at the beach, you’ll want to get serious about where you fill up for dinner. Sure, you can sit waterside at some hoity toity restaurant, but what the locals have learned is to head to where the food is fabulous and the bill is a bargain.

Sabatino’s is an Italian restaurant with a large patio that looks out onto a shipyard. And yet, the warm, fuzzy feeling of an Italian grandma’s kitchen is what’s most noticeable here. Anything you order will be homemade and fantastic, but be sure to also order a side of their house-made sausage that comes to your table in a sizzling plume of scent and smoke. It’s like nothing you’ve ever had.

For a night of blues music, brews, and burgers, The Blue Beet keeps the locals and any visitor lucky enough to find this gem entertained 7 nights a week, right at the Newport Pier. They even have a rooftop deck where you can hear (not see) the waves crashing about 2 blocks away. 

Dory Fish Fleet Market @doryfleet

Fish Markets with the Freshest Hook-ups:

Because Newport Beach allows for short-term vacation homes, a lot of visitors have access to a full kitchen. This is good news for those who normally don’t have access to fresh fish, because Newport is the happy home to two incredible fish markets. Pearson’s Port is a small family-run fish dock that sits right on the harbor water. (You have to see it to believe it – it’s a snapshot from a different era!) They have their own boat that catches local fish, shrimp, crab, or lobster depending on what’s in season. The only way to discover their daily catch is to look at their instagram stories. And when it’s lobster season – watch out! The line for lobster forms well before Pearson’s opens.

But if you’re an early riser, you may want to head to the Historic Dory Fish Fleet Market at the Newport Pier for their fresh catch. It’s also a sight for the eyes, with the main structure built back in 1891. Most of their catch is sold out by 8:00am, so be sure to snag a spot in line well before the sun rises. For more info on how to snag some of their catch for yourself, visit their website.

Take our advice: to truly experience Newport’s food scene, you’ll need to take your time in town. So sit back and stay awhile. We have a fleet of vacation homes that are all within walking distance to these one-of-a-kind restaurants and fish markets. Book a long weekend and get ready to tuck in!

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