Water Grill - South Coast Plaza

Name: Water Grill - South Coast Plaza
Address: 3300 Bristol St, Costa Mesa, CA, United States, 92626
Telephone: (949) 208-7060
Price range: $31 to $50
Rating: 4.7

4.7

7048 Reviews

$31 to $50

Seafood

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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.

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Party Size

2 people

DateTime

Sep 23, 2023

7:00 PM

Booked 130 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Private dining

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Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
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
Website
http://www.watergrill.com/
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

Location
3300 Bristol St, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
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

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What 7,048 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

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

Orange County
Seafood
Orange County
Most Booked
North Orange County
Seafood
North Orange County
Most Booked

7,048 Reviews

RH
RobertH
Los Angeles
15 reviews
vip
4.0
15 reviews
Dined today
overall4food3service5ambience5
Beautiful place, service was immaculate. Food was a bit underwhelming. Almost bland. I’d return to try something else and mainly due to location and the very friendly and attentive staff.
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AA
ArianaA
Orange County
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined 1 day ago
overall5food4service5ambience5
Great ambience. Service was very attentive. Pricey but delicious. I ordered King crab legs and they were perfect. My mother ordered Sea Bass and it was cooked to perfection!! My son ordered the shrimp scampi with pappardelle pasta and it wasn’t very good at all. Very bland, watery and had a heavy oil flavor. I would not recommend this dish. We made do by adding lots of pepper and a little salt. We were there for a birthday celebration and they added a nice touch with a baked cookie and ice cream.
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CN
CarolN
Palm Springs
16 reviews
vip
3.0
16 reviews
Dined 2 days ago
overall3food4service4ambience3
The food is very good but if you’d like to converse with others in your party, go somewhere else. Extremely noisy!
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Orange County
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined 2 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
Always amazing service, delicious food, beautiful setting!
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Hawaii
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined 3 days ago
overall3food2service4ambience5
The Cioppino we ordered was served kind of cold. When asked to make it warmer, I think they might just microwave them. The soup was served again with all seafood inside kind of overcooked. Both my friend and I can’t finish our dishes. I was a bit disappointed for a high end restaurant like Water Grill did such poor quality control on their dishes.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Corpus Christi
1 review
vip
5.0
1 review
Dined 3 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
Delicious and delightful, from the food to the cocktails!
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Orange County
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined 3 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience4
Excellent restaurant from the appetizers to the main course. We had both fish and steak an both were cooked to perfection. This is an easy choice to go to because all parts of your experience will be excellent.
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MP
MaryP
Los Angeles
4 reviews
vip
3.0
4 reviews
Dined 3 days ago
overall3food4service3ambience3
Food wasn’t as good as in times past. Went in for appetizers prior to a show. Had chowder, Caesar salad and crab cake. Pretty hard not to make those exceptional I would think. Price tag was still high but it’s what you expect there. Waiter was wonderful and deserved a solid tip.
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NP
NileshP
Orange County
2 reviews
vip
5.0
2 reviews
Dined 3 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
Fantastic food and service. The warm bread and house butter is a nice bonus.
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SA
ShaunA
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 4 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
I have dined at both the Water Grill Santa Monica and the Water Grill South Coast Plaza and my lobster roll yesterday seemed to have much less lobster than during my previous visits. The fries were not crispy. My overall experience was great!
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TK
ThomasK
San Francisco
20 reviews
vip
5.0
20 reviews
Dined 4 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
Our Server was the absolute best!!! Took great care of us!!! Was super engaging!!! Food was excellent as always!!! Love the water grill Awesome!!!!
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d
daved
Los Angeles
7 reviews
vip
5.0
7 reviews
Dined 4 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
It was a business dinner and the service made us all feel like VIP’s. Everything was done to get perfection!!
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R
Rosiea
Orange County
8 reviews
4.0
8 reviews
Dined 5 days ago
overall4food5service4ambience5
Good as always delicious, unfortunately even with reservation we waited for a long time! Which it was unfortunate we were there with clients for a very important dinner/meeting and I was embarrassed with them for the wait Once seated good and service was great as always
1 person found this helpful
j
johng
Orange County
4 reviews
4.0
4 reviews
Dined 6 days ago
overall4food4service4ambience4
Wasn’t the best water grill meal I had. Spicy lobster roll was okay. Filet was cooked and seasoned perfectly, mashed potatoes tasted great. Drinks tasted good. Just so very loud tables around us. Service was a little slow but no complaints
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J
Jen22
Las Vegas
5 reviews
3.0
5 reviews
Dined 6 days ago
overall3food3service4ambience3
Service at our table was wonderful Bar service mediocre Food not impressed Miso Cod came in a soup broth
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Orange County
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 6 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
9/16/2023, Went for my wife’s birthday dinner, just wife and our 3 year old and myself. We got seated next to a table with a larger party. They were loud and and annoying, breaking glass and , making my 3 year old look like a calm grown adult. My wife was not having a good time. Manager and server came over and asked if everything was ok. Wife mentioned about the table next to us and the manager and server was very understanding and did an excellent job handling the situation and trying to accommodate everyone’s dining experience.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Orange County
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined 6 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
Excellent experience. Frequent customer however was gone for a bit came back to find that the elevated service and food quality still remains #1. You cannot get seafood more fresh than here if not on a boat. I will continue without a doubt to send my top VIC clients to this restaurant. The food is spectacular and the ambience incredibly enjoyable. The staff is friendly, knowledgeable and prompt on tabling your dishes.
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JB
JenniferB
Orange County
6 reviews
4.0
6 reviews
Dined 6 days ago
overall4food4service4ambience4
We had a great experience and were very grateful for our server who did a great job getting us out on time for our SCFTA performance! It was loud but we still enjoyed ourselves and tried some new items in the menu.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Los Angeles
6 reviews
vip
5.0
6 reviews
Dined 7 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
Wonderful service!! Nikki was the best, so attentive and knowledgeable. we really enjoyed the fresh shrimp cocktail and fresh oysters!
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G
George
Orange County
3 reviews
4.0
3 reviews
Dined 7 days ago
overall4food3service4ambience5
Ambience was very nice. Wife had halibut which was overcooked. I had Alaskan crab legs which was served without utensils. Oyster and shrimp appetizers were good as were the cocktails. Server was very charming but not as attentive for great service. Felt he had too many tables to handle Cookie/ice cream dessert provided for our anniversary was not good but they did provide a replacement.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Orange County
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on September 14, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great experience
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F
Finediner4321
Portland
13 reviews
vip
4.0
13 reviews
Dined on September 13, 2023
overall4food5service4ambience5
As always, the food was excellent. The setting is lovely, and the servers are very nice. But they were struggling to manage the crowd. Waited more than half an hour to be seated despite a reservation. When we finally made it to a table, the servers were great but seemed to be slammed. Still overall great place - fabulous hot bread, terrific fish dinners, nice wine selection, and extravagant seafood platters in a nice upscale setting. Drink service in the waiting area would have helped since they were so backed up.
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GP
GPenn
Orange County
83 reviews
vip
4.0
83 reviews
Dined on September 11, 2023
overall4food4service5ambience5
Our favorite place to connect with friends before a show at the theater. Ian and the entire team at Water Grill made us feel so welcome and they were all so attentive to us and our pressed schedule due to the early evening show.
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WJ
WeJi
San Diego
25 reviews
vip
4.0
25 reviews
Dined on September 11, 2023
overall4food5service3ambience4
The food was great! The only thing was that we were seated 20 minutes late. I made the reservation for 5pm and had a show to catch at 6:30pm. It was very rushed as a result
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JM
JackM
Los Angeles
22 reviews
4.0
22 reviews
Dined on September 10, 2023
overall4food3service5ambience5
Beautiful space. Wonderfully attentive and professional staff. Food was ok; nothing to complain about, nothing to rave about.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Exclusive
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on September 10, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Can’t get a table? Sit at the bar! The experience isn’t diminished. I also found out that on a holiday when the rest of the house has a Prix fix menu, you can still get the whole menu when you sit at the bar!
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D
Dbcdb
1 review
1.0
1 review
Dined on September 10, 2023
overall1food1service5ambience3
Halibut so dry it was like some starkist canned tuna.
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T
Tammy
Los Angeles
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on September 10, 2023
overall5food4service5ambience5
Water Grill made my father’s birthday a meal to remember. Fantastic service and ambiance. I am so grateful for the delicious food even though the soba noodle broth was a little too salty for my taste. Overall a superb seafood meal!!!!
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M
Michele
Orange County
40 reviews
vip
5.0
40 reviews
Dined on September 10, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
A beautiful and delicious very popular restaurant! Their seafood selection is very large! One of our entree’s wasn’t quite the way we had expected but their Manager was extremely helpful, VERY impressive setvice! Our waiter Jason was above and beyond making our evening extra special! A place to go for occasions to remember!
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LP
LindaP
Orange County
12 reviews
vip
1.0
12 reviews
Dined on September 10, 2023
overall1food2service2ambience2
We find Water Grill hit or miss. This time it was mostly miss. It took a half hour to get cocktails and when we did, mine was incorrect. However, a manager fixed it right away. Still too long a wait in the first place. My halibut cheeks were dry. The crab my husband had was delicious. It was so loud we couldn't talk to each other. That was not relaxing and kind of like eating dinner out by yourself.
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L
Lucas
Central Coast
39 reviews
4.0
39 reviews
Dined on September 9, 2023
overall4food4service5ambience4
As usual our experience was a lot better than our last visit. Angeline was a superb server and we even got a little treat since it was my wife’s and I wedding Anniversary. Exquisite and will definitely keep coming back.
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S
Sean
Orange County
21 reviews
vip
5.0
21 reviews
Dined on September 8, 2023
overall5food5service4ambience4
Great food and drinks. It was a little noisy, but there are pockets of space where you can still have a conversation depending on where you are seated. Valet service was great too especially if attending a show at the Segerstrom after dinner. No need to move your car!
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GS
GregoryS
Los Angeles
3 reviews
vip
2.0
3 reviews
Dined on September 7, 2023
overall2food2service5ambience5
Food came out cold. Crab cake had too many fillers. Had same dish a few months ago and it was not the same.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Orange County
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on September 7, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Water Grill delivers again per usual. It’s my go to spot for a reason…exceptional ambiance and great food and drinks
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DP
DanielP
Orange County
2 reviews
2.0
2 reviews
Dined on September 7, 2023
overall2food4service2ambience2
We have enjoyed Water Grill for many years. However - they don’t handle crowds well. Despite having a reservation and requesting a booth by the window - they attempted to seat us at crowded inferior tables. My wife and l wanted to celebrate our anniversary in style but had to wait nearly an hour to get the booth we requested. The server was also overwhelmed and was running behind the entire evening. Ultimately - however - the food was excellent as always.
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AW
AndrewW
San Diego
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on September 7, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
everything was amazing! our server Caleb did a wonderful job, thank you water grill.
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g
gaylep
Orange County
20 reviews
vip
5.0
20 reviews
Dined on September 7, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great service by Nikkey. She made our evening fun and got us out in time for show
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RA
RobinA
Portland
17 reviews
vip
5.0
17 reviews
Dined on September 7, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Ask for the ceviche if you do not see it on the menu. It is delicious with a bit of salt added. The beet salad is fantastic, and the dessert of three types of cookies with a scoop of ice cream they brought my friend was yummy.
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JS
JennaS
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on September 6, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Beautiful restaurant- food was fresh and delicious with some unique flavors. I had lobster bisque and the arugula beet salad. My date had the soft shell crab which was reportedly a bit tough but I don’t like that anyway so I couldn’t speak to that. The desserts were divine and the coffee good and strong, just the way I like it. My only complaint would be the noise level but any more at my age I always struggle with that. The service was excellent and servers were friendly.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Los Angeles
14 reviews
vip
5.0
14 reviews
Dined on September 6, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Always excellent. Amazing oysters with the perfect Albariño. Food is always great… sorry we forgot to take photos but we were engrossed in the food, wine, and friendly/fast service. There is nothing not to love about Water Grill.
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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 7048 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

Party Size

2 people

DateTime

Sep 23, 2023

7:00 PM

Booked 130 times today

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
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

Website
http://www.watergrill.com/
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

Featured in

Gift card

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

Send a gift card

Water Grill - South Coast Plaza

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Private dining

Additional information

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Gift card

Menu

What 7,048 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

FAQs

Does Water Grill - South Coast Plaza offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

How is Water Grill - South Coast Plaza restaurant rated?

Does Water Grill - South Coast Plaza offer gift cards?

Is Water Grill - South Coast Plaza currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

Featured in

100 Orange County Restaurants to Love This Valentine's Day

50 Orange County Restaurants to Connect In For Mother's Day

Gift card