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  • Driftwood Kitchen

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Driftwood Kitchen
Driftwood Kitchen

Driftwood Kitchen Details

  • Dining Style: Casual Elegant
  • Website: http://driftwoodkitchen.com/
  • Phone: (949) 715-7700
  • Hours of Operation: Driftwood Kitchen is open 7 days a week
    Breakfast Mon-Fri 9am-11am
    Lunch Mon-Fri 11:30am-2:30pm
    Brunch Sat & Sun 9am-2:30pm
    Dinner 5pm-10pm

    Stateroom Bar is open daily from 5pm-12am
  • Payment Options: AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
  • Cuisine: Seafood, American, Californian
  • Executive Chef: Rainer Schwarz
  • Dress Code: Resort Casual
  • Accepts Walk-Ins: Yes
  • Additional Details: Banquet/Private Rooms, Bar Dining, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Farm to Table, Fireplace, Full Bar, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Getting there

  • Cross Street: Coast Highway
  • Parking: Valet
  • Parking Details: $6 for 2 hours with validation
A word from Driftwood Kitchen
Driftwood Kitchen features a classic California Coastal vibe that reflects the breathtaking oceanfront views, and a menu with the freshest and finest seafood, steaks and hand-shucked oysters.
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Diner Reviews
  • "The appetizer menus was great, but nothing really called my name from the larger plates menus. I ended up splitting a bunch of apps with a friend. My husband's food was good, but he wasn't impressed."
    Dined on 7/27/2014
  • "If you wish to eat near sand and waves... This is a great view location that offers delicious and beautiful food. Ask for patio or deck seating. The patio is open to the sky but protected by large walls of windows. The deck offers seating for two along the edge of the deck with on obstructed views to sand & surf below. The food was prepared as ordered, friendly efficient staff are present including excellent & easy valet parking. Loved our brunch and drinks!"
    Dined on 7/27/2014
  • "The only great thing about this place is the view!! Many other choices out there"
    Dined on 7/27/2014
  • "Music was so horribly loud and the type of music was completely not appropriate for dining. You could tell that 20 year old's run the restaurant. That was very disappointing. Plants in flowerbeds at the entrance to the restaurant were dying. Our waiter Dale was awesome however. When we complained about the music he said they could turn it down but not the type of music. Other people there that were dining around us couldn't believe the music either. It really catered to the young tourists. We live walking distance to it and might not go back because of the music."
    Dined on 7/26/2014
  • "The food was outstanding. It was carefully prepared with perfect flavor profiles. A foodies heaven. The Cod, moist and skin crispy - sauce a perfect balance. The baked oysters with the potato coulis and uni - only one word BEAUTIFUL. The duck breast, succulent and rich balanced with the fruit huckleberry(?)sauce. However, I found the decor very disappointing. The charm is gone, and was not replaced with anything creative or inviting. I've always loved the old building, but it seems the owners put very little effort into it after the structural building renovations. The entry patio is uninviting, and the bathroom doors open to the foyer - you can see right in -Yuk. Thank goodness their food is 100% on the mark."
    Dined on 7/25/2014
  • "Great food and view! Service a bit slow but friendly. Big problem no umbrellas outside so we backed in the sun. Chair plastic so didn't help with the hot sun!!"
    Dined on 7/25/2014
  • "This was my second visit to Drifwood Kitchen for a birthday celebration with the girls and it was fantastic to say the very least!! The food was amazing and service was top notch!! We had a fantastic time enjoying the view, food, great cocktails and of course one another!! My only, small, complaint would be that it can get hot in the dinning room (there are no shades or enough windows that open) and the sun was right in our face for a time being - I would recommend to the restaurant that they put in shades so when the sun in the guests faces they can enjoy their meal. But otherwise great place that I would recommend to anyone!!"
    Dined on 7/24/2014
  • "We made reservations and were sat at our table right away. I was facing the sun and the umbrella's were not shading me. However I wore more sunglasses and I was fine. At first we felt the menu was a bit limited but once we ate everything was delicious. There was a lull waiting for our salad and rolls but we were enjoying the ocean scenery and did not take much notice. My husband did not love his glass of wine but drank it anyway. When he ordered the second of a different kind, the bartender came over to him and apologized he was dissatisfied with his first glass. The bartender gave him a glass on the house that he personally picked out. My husband enjoyed it very much. They brought us an anniversary dessert on the house!"
    Dined on 7/22/2014
  • "My guests again commented on the limited lunch menu. My friend asked for a roll to accompany her salad and was served an oder of rolls for $5. Again, this place is too impressed with itself. Even though we requested shade thru our OT reservation, the "shade" portion was taken by a raucous birthday party group. We struggled under the sparse amount of shade that the umbrellas provide midday. Great waiter on last visit. This time a "deer in the headlights" young person who had little sense of timing. Came by the table only once after food had been served. Had to hunt her down when we needed her. Hope this place gets out of the clouds and down to earth."
    Dined on 7/22/2014
  • "Service and ambiance are paramount but if the food sucks you've blown it and I am here to say breakfast was fabulous. The Frittata was excellent, light, the cheese they used was just enough flavor-not overbearing, the cutest tomatoes bursting with flavor... the Kean coffee was hot and worthy of a second cup! My dining partner said the Laguna Omelet was really good. The view doesn't suck either!"
    Dined on 7/21/2014
  • "Food was good. We sat on tha balcony overlooking the beach. Our waitress was amazing. I will def be back to this restaurant"
    Dined on 7/20/2014
  • "Much improved over the old Beach House. There were 4 of us and we all had something different and each of us enjoyed our meal. Russian River Chardonnay was excellent. My only complaint would be charging for "Parker House" rolls. I find that ridiculous. I have no objection to the server asking if we would like bread as I'm sure a lot is tossed."
    Dined on 7/19/2014
  • "We were there at noon on a Saturday. Menu is limited, thank goodness they serve breakfast till 3 pm. However who serves egg dishes without bread? No one mentioned bread didn't come with omelet or eggs and bacon, had to order as an after thought. With valet parking and tip, lunch for two was $60, not something we'd do very often."
    Dined on 7/19/2014
  • "a little impressed with itself. very limited lunch menu. only salad green is KALE. seemed so foodish that I saw a lot of hamburgers going by. the wine list is so extensive and arranged in such a way that we asked the waiter what it meant. he said its poetic confusion. go early for lunch to get a seat in the shade. not enough umbrellas"
    Dined on 7/17/2014
  • "such a great time! wonderful ambiance and delicious meal!!"
    Dined on 7/16/2014
  • "We went to Driftwood Kitchen for my girlfriends birthday lunch and there were six of us total. We all loved our food, drinks and more!! Our service was GREAT, our food was delicious and the views were breathtaking!! I already made a reservation for another birthday celebration at Driftwood next week!! GREAT job re-doing The Beachhouse!! Very impressed!!"
    Dined on 7/16/2014
  • "Great view lovely remodel but food is still coming out a little slow. Tasty but not fantastic, but that view....."
    Dined on 7/12/2014
  • "The restaurant allows views from every table. The food was excellent. Our table had squash blossoms stuffed with ricotta and fries for an appetizer. Great cocktails but the waitress took 30 minutes to bring a second round of cocktails and proceeded to set the $80 bottle of Chardonnay on the small table. I asked for an ice bucket.She brought one mych later and set it on our table.No ground stand. Weird! This is an upscale restaurant with poor, unpolished wait staff. The entrees were Halibut, Salmon and Steak. They were fabulous. The Sticky Toffee dessert was nothing special...nothing else on the dessert menu appealed to us. We will definitely be back... We hope the service will be much improved as the views and food are not to be missed!"
    Dined on 7/11/2014
  • "Terrific addition to Laguna for great view and great food!"
    Dined on 7/11/2014
  • "Driftwood replaces the old Beach House. I love the updates they have made. Patio is bright and right on the ocean. Staff was extremely easy and friendly. No hurry after we were done eating. The patio in front is missing all those shade trees! Hoping for more greenery out there. Our breakfast was about $15.00 each. Omelets did not come with any toast or bread. With ice tea looking at $20.00 for a simple breakfast. But the view is incredible."
    Dined on 7/10/2014
  • "This is my second visit to Driftwood Kitchen. This group has done an amazing job. Pete is wonderful directing the performance in the restaurant. The food is fresh, healthy, unique and delivers an exceptional tasting meal. What can you say about the ambiance -- overlooking the Pacific Ocean in the heart of Laguna Beach it doesn't get any better. They kept the charm of the old venue, note the great wood themed bar, and completely freshened up the dining area, it's like eating in magnificent seashell! The staff is warm, casual and friendly and they know how to serve up a great evening."
    Dined on 7/9/2014
  • "The service was excellent Matt was spot on and we were not an easy table. Mgr Pete came over and was so gracious and generous. You will be in good hands here. The bar menu is great loved the tribute drinks from past Laguna restaurants that were some of my favorites but have closed such as French 75 and The Cottage. The appetizers are interesting and tasty especially the crab and stuffed squash blossom. Would prefer more fish entrees. Surf and turf was excellent and large enough to share. Look forward to returning."
    Dined on 7/6/2014
  • "I was surprised how delicious the food is! VERY good, and they did a good job of updating the space."
    Dined on 7/6/2014
  • "The food was average. I could have made something nicer in my own kitchen. My daughters hamburger arrived 20 minutes after the rest of our food. The waitress insisted there was no espresso machine yet I caught the bar tender frothing milk in the corner. When I got up from the table and asked him if there was espresso, he agreed to make me one. The service was very slow, our water glasses stood dry, servings were small and birds kept pooing on our table. The cost for the view was just not worth the quality and amount of the food."
    Dined on 7/6/2014
  • "This used to be the Beach House restaurant but has been beautifully renovated. The dining area is now open air - they literally blew the roof off- and it's light, bright and fresh. When it was the Beach House we'd request a table on the deck so we could enjoy the beach while dining, but now all tables have the beach vibe. The the new menu was a pleasant surprise too. Very creative but all delicious. My husband always worries that trendy menus come with smaller portions, but he left happy and full. We'll definitely be back. Where else can you enjoy fine dining on the beach while wearing shorts and flip flops?"
    Dined on 7/5/2014
  • "Amazing food so close to the beach you can almost feel the salt spray. What more can you ask for?"
    Dined on 7/5/2014
  • "Excellent restaurant, considering it has only been open two weeks. Staff was personable, waitress friendly and so accommodating. We had sustitutions but she went back and asked the Chef and he did as we asked. Excellent food, incredible desert with toffee. Only complaint is the $6 charge for valet. Ridiculous and no sign telling you this!"
    Dined on 7/3/2014
  • "Met by the warm and welcoming staff and shown to a beautiful table with views of the beach and ocean, we proceeded to dine on fantastic small plates, seafood and desserts. This is a new vibe for Laguna Beach. Contemporary, warm, well designed & welcoming combined with excellent food, Driftwood Kitchen is a home run in the Laguna area. The appetizers and small plates were amazing, the Branzino and salmon were as good as Europe and desserts topped off a fine meal. If you're looking for a wonderful evening with ambiance and excellent food and service this is the place."
    Dined on 6/27/2014
  • "Lovely renovation of an outstanding "location" restaurant. Despite drinks never showing after 20 minutes and a $50 surf and turf being overdone, as locals we will give it another try. The waiter was very accommodating when we requested to cancel the drinks and brought wine immediately. It was the first week and the bar and kitchen may be just getting into the groove."
    Dined on 6/23/2014
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