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Water Grill - South Coast Plaza, Costa Mesa, CA

Water Grill - South Coast Plaza

4.7
4.7
7251 Reviews
$31 to $50
Seafood
Located across from South Coast Plaza and steps from Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Water Grill is a true seafood destination. Family owned and operated, Water Grill focuses on first-of-the-season seafood and has delivered a superior dining experience for more than 30 years. Their devotion to quality seafood sourced in-house, is illustrated on their daily menus.

Sourcing from local fishermen, Water Grill’s seafood arrives from boat to table in a matter of hours. Water Grill Executive Chefs prepare the dishes with care, allowing the fresh seafood to shine, while using high-quality ingredients to elevate the recipe. From Spiny Lobsters in the fall to Wild Salmon in the spring, Water Grill’s focus is all about local, sustainable seafood and a one-of-a-kind experience.


Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 PM


Booked 227 times today
Experiences are available.

Order delivery or takeout

Private dining

Private dining

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Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Seafood, Fine cuts, American
  • Hours of operation
    Mon–Thu, Sun 11:00 am–10:00 pm Fri, Sat 11:00 am–11:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (949) 208-7060
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, JCB, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Executive chef
    Chef Peter Lai
  • Private party facilities
    Water Grill has been Southern California's seafood destination since 1989. Located in the heart of Orange County, and with the Segerstrom Center for the Arts and the renowned South Coast Plaza within walking distance, Water Grill is the perfect location for any event.
  • Private party contact
    Gina McDaniel: (949) 208-7061
  • Neighborhood
    Costa Mesa
  • Parking details
    Valet Only
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Full Bar, Indoor Fireplace, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine
Gift card

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Experiences

  • Celebrate New Year's Eve at Water Grill

    $135.00 per person

    Dec 31, 2023 only
    Come celebrate New Year's Eve at Water Grill South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa! Enjoy a four-course prix fixe menu ($135 per person) showcasing Guest favorites and chef-inspired creations, plus a champagne toast to bring in the New Year. An additional wine pairing enhancement is available ($50 per person). Please note that only the prix fixe menu will be available for New Year’s Eve dinner, starting at 3:00 p.m. Full menu coming soon.

What 7,251 people are saying

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
  • 4.6Food
  • 4.7Service
  • 4.7Ambience
  • 4.2Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Orange County

    Seafood

  • Orange County

    Most Booked

  • North Orange County

    Seafood

  • North Orange County

    Most Booked

7,251 Reviews
  1. KathereneS

    Los Angeles

    21 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    21 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Food was delicious. This is my go to restaurant for lunch or dinner on any day. Service was great.

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  2. OpenTable Diner

    Orange County

    36 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    36 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

    overall3food3service4ambience2
    Service was great… food were cold, very noisy from the street

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  3. OpenTable Diner

    Orange County

    1 review

    vip
    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 3 days ago

    overall5food3service5ambience5
    Tim our server awesome. The food did not come out very hot. The sea bass was not very tender and flaky like it should be. The purée under the sea bass really didn't have any taste. The lobster sushi rolls and drinks were great.

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  4. ARTHURG

    Las Vegas

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Fantastic. The food was excellent. The ambience was great and the service was high caliber. Our waitress provided us with such excellent service I would hope to have her again upon our return to the Water Grille.

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  5. ALdiner

    San Diego

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Never been before, was a nice place to have dinner before seeing a theater show at South Coast Repertory. Definitely make reservations on a weekend evening, gets pretty busy. Service was excellent, ambiance was a little on the livelier side, might be turnoff for some who want more quiet but it wasn't super nosy.

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  6. MarkK

    Orange County

    28 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    28 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

    overall4food1service4ambience5
    Asked for my burger medium it was well done. Had it sent back. My burger came out again this time it was a little better, but still probably medium well, not medium. Manager offered a free desert, but declined. Service is always good and the ambience can’t be beat.

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  7. OpenTable Diner

    Orange County

    1 review

    vip
    1.0

    1 review

    Dined 4 days ago

    overall1food1service1ambience1
    Waited an hour and a half for our reservation, was told they were “cleaning up” our table when we checked in which turned out to be a lie.

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  8. OpenTable Diner

    Los Angeles

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined 4 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Server Kayla and hosts were attentive, professional, and polite. Fun experience choosing our king crab from the tank. Food was all amazing. It was a memorable birthday dinner. Thank you Water Grill.

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  9. Samantha

    Orange County

    19 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    19 reviews

    Dined 4 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We had an excellent experience for our anniversary! Nikki was incredible with her timing, her suggestions & her menu knowledge! She was personable, kind, and absolutely on top of everything. Her table maintenance was perfect & we never had an empty wine glass. Managers Tim, Nitin, Alex & James came around several times to make sure we were enjoying our celebration. Everything was amazing and we will most certainly be coming back to see Nikki!

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  10. PamelaK

    Orange County

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 5 days ago

    overall4food4service2ambience5
    The room is lovely! The food was good, though not particularly memorable. The worst part of our experience was at the front desk, where we were treated rudely. It's not the first time this has happened. The staff have more "attitude" than I remember in the past. This makes the experience less enjoyable. We did like our server.

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  11. OpenTable Diner

    Los Angeles

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 5 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    I ordered the filet mignon and lobster. The meat was perfectly cooked how I wanted (medium rare). Lobster melted in my mouth. Our waiter Andrew was phenomenal. When I initially made the reservation, I had noted that I am Sober. Our waiter Andrew made it a point to actually read the notes because he offered all the non-alcoholic drinks that Water Grill offers. The fact that he took the time to actually pay attention to a small detail like that is huge for someone like me who is sober. It speaks volumes of the customer service that this individual had. As for dessert, I had the maple cheesecake and the bread pudding and both were amazing. I will definitely be coming back and hopefully I will run into Andrew because he was great!

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  12. Scotty

    Orange County

    21 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    21 reviews

    Dined 6 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great food great service great environment, big portions, very expensive

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  13. OpenTable Diner

    Orange County

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined 6 days ago

    overall3food5service5ambience5
    MARK was an excellent server. Attentive and funny. Will ask for his section next time.

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  14. TomB

    Los Angeles

    8 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined 6 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Excellent service and food. Very professional. Great time. Thank you !

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  15. MBechay

    Los Angeles

    54 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    54 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    All was great feom the minute walking in Hostess friendly greating with smiles Management very attending to all guests Server very awesome job everything was perfect Food was delicious special my 6.25 pounds king crab. All that it really show how this beautiful restaurant is operating under the GM ..i think his name Natin ... great job Mr Nitan And Thank you

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  16. Bryant

    Los Angeles

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on November 27, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience4
    First time been there, need valid parking ($8/per vehicle) all the time, reception was easy and personnel were friendly. the food is good, might be little over price, Jessica, the waitress was friendly and knowledgeable. Thank you !

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  17. KimberlyM

    Cancun

    5 reviews

    2.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on November 27, 2023

    overall2food1service5ambience5
    My husband and I wanted a nice meal for our anniversary, food was extremely dry, the spiny lobster was over cooked and the Mac and cheese was dry and tasteless. Emily our server was great, the ambience was nice I really wanted to love this place for a $400 meal but either the chef had an off day or this is the standard. Very disappointed.

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  18. Lisabum

    Las Vegas

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on November 26, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    All was great as usual. Service was perfection. Will be back with friends.

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  19. sensiblediner

    Los Angeles

    19 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    19 reviews

    Dined on November 26, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Ian, our server was very attentive and patient with our big group. Would also like to give a shout out to the manager who worked to keep our 2 tables next to each other. We will definitely make Water Grill our go to restaurant for our annual after Thanksgiving dinner with friends and family.

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  20. OpenTable Diner

    Orange County

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 26, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    A great place for seafood - always a memorable and delicious evening!

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  21. OpenTable Diner

    Orange County

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 25, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great overall no complaints in any aspect food & service

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  22. samy

    Orange County

    5 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on November 24, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Been here many times.. food is always consistent and taste great!

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  23. VincentB

    Phoenix

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on November 24, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience5
    AMAZING service! Manager is on top of it all. Impressive. Our server was amazing too.

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  24. OpenTable Diner

    Portland

    7 reviews

    3.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on November 24, 2023

    overall3food3service5ambience3
    Wedge salad had brown pieces of lettuce mixed in already and starting to go bad. Dressing was watery and lacking any real taste. Pieces of bacon sprinkled very sparingly on top, was hard, overcooked and inedible. $16.00…the opposite of good value, tasty and fresh. Wife ordered Cioppino. She thought it was good. They served an Italian type roll for dipping that was burned and hard as a rock. We asked for another order of the regular bread rolls that you receive when you first sit down to use with the Cioppino instead. Those rolls were delicious paired with the salted butter the gave. I got the 12oz Filet Mignon, which was good, with french fries. Fries were oily and over fried. Server was excellent, professional, timely and still as busy as he was refilled our beverages without us having to ask him. Overall, not worth the money.

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  25. NYGeorge

    San Diego

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 24, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Loved the setting of indoor with a breeze. Sean is a master of his craft, he's been there for 6yrs and fluent in the cuisine. Perfect Birthday/Thanksgiving dinner.

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  26. ginger

    Portland

    2 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on November 24, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Our server was amazing and the management staff was on it! Great evening Thank you!!!

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  27. DanielQ

    San Francisco

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on November 24, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Everything was Fantastic, the food-Wow! The ambiance-Amazing! Best of all-The service-Tim was fun, attentive and most importantly…Genuine!!! A Great Thanksgiving!

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  28. RobertH

    Orange County

    5 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on November 24, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Food and service on Thanksgiving were exceptional.

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  29. SquirrelMaster

    Orange County

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on November 23, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Our holiday dining experience was Phenomenal!!! Our waiter, Pete was EXCELLENT in all aspects of our dining experience!! He took care of guiding us; giving us suggestions, direction & guidance through the evening.

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  30. OpenTable Diner

    Las Vegas

    5 reviews

    1.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on November 23, 2023

    overall1food1service5ambience4
    Great service! Great staff! Wife’s spiny lobster was perfect. My sea bass was dry and way overcooked. The maple carrots were hard and flavorless the cauliflower purée was runny, watery at best. Very disappointed. It was Thanksgiving and the rap on this place is that the food quality goes to zero when it’s crowded / busy. I would agree. Many reviews indicate luke warm food, dry fish etc. they are accurate. So the food quality is terrible for the price. I understand it was busy and the place was full. If you can’t handle volume you need to rethink how things are being done in the kitchen ands who is doing them….

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  31. NatNat

    Los Angeles

    2 reviews

    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on November 23, 2023

    overall3food4service1ambience4
    Came with family for Thanksgiving around noon. The restaurant was very busy at this time. We had a great table and loved the breeze that flowed through the open window. The food and drinks were delicious. The service on the other hand was terrible, our server who also said he was a bartender had terrible attitude, rarely checked in throughout our meal, and it felt like we were overstepping on his toes if we asked for something. Luckily, we made the best of it, but given that it was a holiday with family, we spent a lot of money between the appetizers, entrees, dessert, and bottle of wine, I would have hoped for a better experience.

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  32. JulietA

    Orange County

    3 reviews

    4.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on November 23, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience4
    The Thanksgiving dinner was a good price. But the gravy was bland. They ought to have added one vegetable side. That wouldn't cost much, and would be more traditional. The service was amazingly attentive and quick. I would definitely return.

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  33. Yasa

    Los Angeles

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on November 23, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great Thanksgiving lunch. Thanksgiving special 3 course meal was very good, turkey was moist and well seasoned. I just wish that they had options for sides. I wanted to eat turkey and I am allergic to sugar and flour, so I could not eat two out of three sides.

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  34. GregoryC

    Orange County

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on November 23, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    This is not an inexpensive restaurant, but you get what you pay for. We enjoyed excellent food, incredible service and beautiful surroundings!

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  35. Cyndy

    Los Angeles

    9 reviews

    5.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on November 23, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Server was absolutely amazing and so on top of everything. We missed our starter plate with the calamari but we were able to get that comp'd from our bill. Would definitely go back. The bread pudding dessert was amazing.

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  36. MatthewH

    Phoenix

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 23, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    This restaurant is excellent! Niles was a great server. Will be back!

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  37. OpenTable Diner

    Orange County

    64 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    64 reviews

    Dined on November 23, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Food, service, and ambience was great as usual! Will be back soon!

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  38. OpenTable Diner

    Orange County

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on November 22, 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience5
    Jason was our man and he was excellent. Food was out of this world,amazing 💙🙏🏻

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  39. AmandaH

    Orange County

    25 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    25 reviews

    Dined on November 20, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    One of my favorite places. Service is great and the food is amazing. My recommendations…the Peruvian scallops, clam chowder, Toro tartare, hamachi nachos, fish and chips, sea bass and the key lime pie.

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  40. Neglected

    Orange County

    11 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on November 20, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Server was great! Food was excellent. Made reservation and waited a little longer than expected.

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FAQs

Water Grill - South Coast Plaza offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (949) 208-7060.

Water Grill - South Coast Plaza is rated 4.7 stars by 7251 OpenTable diners.

Water Grill - South Coast Plaza 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.

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 PM


Booked 227 times today
Experiences are available.

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for Water Grill - South Coast Plaza

3300 Bristol St, Costa Mesa, CA 92626

Additional information

  • Neighborhood
    Costa Mesa
  • Hours of operation
    Mon–Thu, Sun 11:00 am–10:00 pm Fri, Sat 11:00 am–11:00 pm
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Seafood, Fine cuts, American
  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Parking details
    Valet Only
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, JCB, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Chef Peter Lai
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Full Bar, Indoor Fireplace, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Phone number
    (949) 208-7060
  • Private party facilities
    Water Grill has been Southern California's seafood destination since 1989. Located in the heart of Orange County, and with the Segerstrom Center for the Arts and the renowned South Coast Plaza within walking distance, Water Grill is the perfect location for any event.
  • Private party contact
    Gina McDaniel: (949) 208-7061
Gift card

Gift card

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

Send a gift card
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