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Rusty Pelican Restaurant, Newport Beach, CA

Rusty Pelican Restaurant

4.7 (6483)
$30 and under
Seafood
2735 W Coast Highway, Newport Beach, CA 92663

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 62 times today

About this restaurant

  • Great for scenic views
  • Good for special occasions
  • Charming
With spectacular waterfront views and an eclectic menu of fresh seafood and tender steaks, it's no wonder Rusty Pelican has become a Newport Beach dining destination. We are proud to be a recipient of Wine Spectator's Award of Excellence for 2011-2020 – a distinction bestowed upon only the nation's premier restaurants.

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Seafood, Steak, American
  • Hours of operation
    Mon–Thu 11:30 am–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 11:00 am–10:00 pm Sun 11:00 am–9:00 pm
  • Phone number
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Private party facilities
    We welcome you to explore our Private Dining options, perfect for any occasion.
  • Private party contact
    our Private Event Coordinator: (949) 642-3431
  • Delivery & takeout
  • Neighborhood
    Newport Beach
  • Cross street
    Riverside Dr
  • Parking details
    Valet
  • Entertainment
    Enjoy live music in our upstairs lounge on Friday and Saturday nights.
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Indoor Fireplace, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, View, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine
Gift card

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Private dining

What 6,483 people are saying

Rusty Pelican Restaurant reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.7
4.7 based on recent ratings
  • 4.7Food
  • 4.6Service
  • 4.7Ambience
  • 4.4Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Orange County

    Seafood

  • South Orange County

    Great for scenic views

  • South Orange County

    Seafood

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Rusty Pelican Restaurant offers "delicious food" with "spectacular views" of the bay. Guests appreciate the "friendly" and "attentive" service, making it a favorite for special occasions. The seafood, especially the "Orange Ginger Seabass," is a highlight. While some report service inconsistencies, the "classic ambiance" keeps patrons returning.

6,483 Reviews
  1. Jennifer

    Los Angeles2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The halibut special was fantastic. Ate on the patio, only negative was our neighboring table had yappy dogs, but that wasn’t the restaurants fault.

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  2. Elizabeth

    Orange County7 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Rusty Pelican is my favorite, food and service always consistently good. I've been going there for more than 30 years. Love this place.

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  3. Jaril VIP

    Orange County61 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Our server Jordan was amazing! He went above and beyond to make us enjoy our dinner! He was very attentive and have checked on us, recommended great dishes and everyone enjoyed the meals! The ambiance is also excellent, sunset, over looking the harbor. Rusty Pelican is always 5 stars for us!

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  4. Keith

    Las Vegas2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 27, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The food is the best in class. The waffle had fresh fruit, puree, and a sugar crust that made it taste amazing. My wife's omelet had hollandaise sauce on it and taste out of this world. The view was amazing and great service!

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  5. Claudia VIP

    Las Vegas14 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on April 27, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    The ambience is really nice with a beautiful view. Service was good and fish was fresh and delicious. Was expecting a free dessert as chef forgot to add mozzarella on the grilled swordfish as described on the menu. But all in all a great experience. Will come back

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  6. Susie VIP

    Orange County4 reviews

    2.0

    Dined on April 24, 2025

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 1
    I want to start by saying that we are usually very happy with the food and service at Rusty Pelican. I would also like to say that today’s issue had nothing to do with our waitress. Shortly after we arrived, we discussed a (mild) pepper allergy with our waitress. She wrote it down and went to tell the kitchen. She then returned to assure me that the kitchen was aware. When my salad came another waitress delivered it. I quickly discovered that the kitchen had put pepper on top of the salad. I didn’t say anything until the waitress asked why I wasn’t eating it. When she offered to bring me another salad, I refused, but she insisted. It happens sometimes, so I wasn’t upset. However, shortly after we arrived, a group showed up and was seated in the large round booth below the hostess station. The group was a blond woman, two young blond girls, and a little boy. Clearly, the restaurant staff knew the group well. The kids started wrestling. They were crawling all over each other. The girls were hitting and shoving each other (playfully, but roughly), and the little boy was standing up and jumping up and down on the booth seat. The adult at the table said nothing. She sat there with her mouth open staring into space. Occasionally she would pull out her phone and take pictures. The staff said nothing. The food came and the kids started smacking each other in the face and head with shrimp. Still nobody said anything. The bartender, who was working the private event upstairs, came down to sit with them (and snack on their food) several times. I have two teenage boys. I know kids can be unruly sometimes and I know taking them out to eat doesn’t always go as planned, but I have never in my life seen kids behave this way in a restaurant and had NOBODY address it.

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  7. Jennifer

    Orange County19 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 22, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We went from my mom’s birthday and the food was excellent. Our server was amazing and so nice and the food was fantastic! Also, the ballet was wonderful on arrival and departure. Super nice!!

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  8. Nathaniel

    Orange County2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 20, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We had our wedding reception at Rusty in 2023 & we absolutely love it and the staff and management, they have always been so kind & taken care of my wife & I & today was a blessing to have our brunch there. Thank you from the bottom of my wife & I's heart for todays service and just taking care of us. We will be back for our anniversary dinner on 8/30. God bless you.

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  9. Barbara

    San Diego4 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 20, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Easter Sunday 2025: It was a lovely prix fixe $59.00 each 3 course Easter Brunch. The salads, clam chowder, grilled sea base with balsamic Seafood Omellette. Fruity very generous crême brulée was over-the-top, a 10+! Devon, our server was attentive, the ambience classic white tablecloths, just as expected. It was a bit chilly inside but they turned the heater on for us. Their Lavazza coffee is good!

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  10. Ryan

    Los Angeles6 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on April 18, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    We come here alot. Food is consistently good, location is great, parking is easy, and overall experience is good. This last visit we had an exceptional waiter (Joel) and staff. It was busy and we still felt like we were top priority. One of our favorite places

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FAQs

Rusty Pelican Restaurant offers delivery in partnership with Postmates and Uber Eats. Rusty Pelican Restaurant also offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (949) 642-3431.

Rusty Pelican Restaurant is rated 4.7 stars by 6483 OpenTable diners.

Rusty Pelican Restaurant does offer gift cards which you can purchase here.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. Orange County
  4. South Orange County
  5. Newport Beach

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 62 times today
Google Map for Rusty Pelican Restaurant

2735 W Coast Highway, Newport Beach, CA 92663

Additional information

  • Cross street
    Riverside Dr
  • Neighborhood
    Newport Beach
  • Hours of operation
    Mon–Thu 11:30 am–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 11:00 am–10:00 pm Sun 11:00 am–9:00 pm
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Seafood, Steak, American
  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    Valet
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Entertainment
    Enjoy live music in our upstairs lounge on Friday and Saturday nights.
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Indoor Fireplace, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, View, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Delivery & takeout
  • Phone number
  • Private party facilities
    We welcome you to explore our Private Dining options, perfect for any occasion.
  • Private party contact
    our Private Event Coordinator: (949) 642-3431
Gift card

Gift card

Send gift cards instantly by email or print to present in person.

Send a gift card
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