"Newport Beach's enduring waterfront seafood house - sweeping harbour views, oysters and prime steaks at a table over the water since 1972."
About Rusty Pelican
Rusty Pelican has sat on West Coast Highway over Newport Harbour since 1972, and the view is still the headline - a wall of water glimpsed from nearly every table on Mariner's Mile. It is one of the most reliable special-occasion rooms in our Newport Beach guide and a fixture of the city's seafood scene.
The format is classic California coastal: a raw bar, fresh fish, prime cuts and a long cocktail list, served in a buzzy room that fills for sunset. It earned OpenTable Diners' Choice nods in 2025 for both best seafood and best scenic view, which sums up the draw.
The Kitchen
The kitchen leans on the raw bar and the grill: oysters and chilled shellfish to start, then mesquite-grilled fish, cedar-plank salmon, lobster and a short list of prime steaks for the surf-and-turf crowd. A seafood omelette stacked with snow crab, shrimp and scallops anchors the popular weekend brunch.
This is dependable coastal cooking built around freshness and view rather than fireworks - generous plates, a strong cocktail and wine program, and a kitchen that knows its audience after five decades on the water.
The Room
The room is large and glassy, angled at the harbour so the boats and the sunset do much of the work, with a lively bar and a patio for warm evenings. It runs from business lunches to anniversary dinners and big celebrations without missing a beat.
Book ahead for dinner and weekend brunch, and ask for a window or patio table - the water view is the whole point.
Not for
Not for a quiet, chef-driven tasting-menu night - it is a big, buzzy view restaurant where the harbour and the occasion lead, not avant-garde cooking.
Frequently Asked
What is Rusty Pelican known for?
Fresh seafood and sweeping harbour views on Newport Beach's West Coast Highway. Signatures include a raw bar, mesquite-grilled fish, cedar-plank salmon and a snow-crab, shrimp and scallop omelette at brunch, served over the water since 1972.
Where is Rusty Pelican in Newport Beach?
At 2735 W Coast Highway on Mariner's Mile, perched over Newport Harbour with water views from nearly every table.
How much does it cost?
It sits in the upper-moderate $$$ band, with mains running roughly $28-58 and a typical dinner for two around $120-160 with wine.
Is Rusty Pelican good for a special occasion?
Yes - the waterfront room, sunset views and full bar make it a popular choice for anniversaries, birthdays and celebration dinners; it took OpenTable Diners' Choice nods in 2025 for seafood and scenic view.
Do I need a reservation?
Reservations are recommended for dinner and weekend brunch, especially if you want a window or patio table at sunset.
Reserve a Table
Reserve at Rusty Pelican
Reservations are recommended for dinner and weekend brunch; ask for a window or patio table. Phone +1 949 642 3431. Find it at 2735 W Coast Hwy on Mariner's Mile, over the harbour.
Affiliate disclosure: Restaurants for Kings may earn a commission when you book through our reservation links, at no cost to you. Our scores are editorial and never paid for.
Practical Information
Address2735 W Coast Hwy, Newport Beach
NeighbourhoodMariner's Mile, West Coast Highway
CuisineSeafood
PriceMains roughly $28-58; expect around $120-160 for two with wine
Dress CodeSmart casual
SeatingBig waterfront room and patio over the harbour, with full bar and water views
ReservationReservations recommended for dinner and weekend brunch
