Coastal Kitchen: A Culinary Haven for New American, Seafood, and Wine Connoisseurs in Dana Point

I really loved their cheeseburger—it totally hit the spot! The appetizers were great too, super tasty. We had this amazing cake with ice cream (wish I remembered the name!) and it was the perfect way to end the meal. Also, shoutout to the staff—they were incredibly warm and friendly, which made the whole experience even better.

Some of the best food/seafood I’ve had in Orange County. We enjoyed every bite of everything we ordered, and had multiple “I think that was the best _____ I’ve ever had” moments (shrimp cocktail and butter cake with hot fudge were the two biggest hits). Beyond the food though, the service was truly top-tier. Food came out within minutes of ordering, we were constantly refreshed and checked up on by our amazing server Kelly, and she graciously entertained our request to try half a dozen sauces from all sorts of dishes to truly take our experience to the next level. Will absolutely be coming back any time I want to take friends/family to enjoy an upscale, delicious meal

I’ll be honest: I walked into Coastal Kitchen fully prepared to roll my eyes. The place looks like the kind of spot where the water has a backstory and the bill arrives wearing designer shoes. I was ready to declare it pretentious and overpriced before I even sat down. And then… that jalapeño–cucumber margarita happened. One sip and suddenly I’m rethinking my entire personality. It’s stupidly good. Perfect heat, crisp cucumber, dangerously smooth. The kind of drink that makes you forget you came in ready to judge and instead start plotting your next visit like a thirsty hypocrite. The service? Surprisingly warm. The vibe? Relaxed without the “we only seat influencers” energy I expected. So yeah, Coastal Kitchen won me over. I came in ready to hate it, and instead I left telling friends, “Okay, fine, it’s actually amazing.” If you’re anywhere near Dana Point, get the jalapeño–cucumber margarita. It’s the drink that will make you forgive the fact that you assumed this place was too fancy for its own good.

I had a wonderful dining experience at Coastal Kitchen. The atmosphere was warm, welcoming, and perfect for a relaxing meal. The staff was friendly and attentive throughout, and our server Greg was especially fantastic—professional, cheerful, and genuinely helpful. We tried several dishes, including the Clam Chowder, Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad, and Salmon. Everything was delicious and perfectly cooked. The salads were fresh and flavorful, with a great balance of ingredients. I also appreciated that the kitchen was flexible and allowed us to make small customizations to our orders, which made the experience even better. The service was fast and efficient without feeling rushed, and every dish was served with care and great presentation. Overall, Coastal Kitchen exceeded my expectations. I would definitely recommend it and look forward to coming back!!! :-)

Exceptional dining....the food was so fresh and delicious...the side dishes complimented the main courses perfectly. The ambiance was so nice, perfect place for a gathering. The service was excellent....we loved loved it!

Not the kinda person to go for a fish burger but when your in a coastal restaurant you kinda got to and I was not disappointed. Delicious and my partner had the fishcakes Great place near the coast.

The food was amazing! I got the cheeseburger minus pickles and cheese, and it was very well put together & delicious! The toppings go perfectly together. My mom got the clam chowder and she loved it! She is picky with her soups lol. My brother got the baby back ribs and they were so tender! Falls right off the bone. And the sauce on them was perfect. The staff was all so kind and friendly & our server was great! Definitely give this place a try!

Food was wonderful, service was superb. I ordered clam chowder - it was perfect. Temperature was ideal for eating... Served with 4 small bread rolls & "Herb butter" flavored with basil, oregano & other herbs. Highly recommend. Parking is tough - advise using a smaller vehicle if possible, not a big Lincoln or Caddy