Ahoy there, fellow foodies! Just a stone's throw from the bustling Newport Beach Pier, this little gem of a restaurant reels you in with its reliably delicious fare and charming maritime atmosphere. Parking was a breeze, even if I opted for the paid lot across the street ($11.25 for 3 hours) – good to know they have their own lot in the back for future voyages! My culinary journey began with a cup of their Manhattan clam chowder, and let me tell you, it was like a warm hug from the sea. Rich and intensely tomato-y, it had a satisfyingly pureed texture. The accompanying soup crackers were the perfect shipmates, ready to be dunked and soaked in that flavorful broth. For the main course, I cast my net and landed the fresh catch of the day: grilled halibut. Cooked to perfection, it was flaky and moist. The cheesy potatoes were a comforting side, and the simple tomato slices offered a refreshing counterpoint. A crisp Heineken 0.0 completed this delightful midday catch. The service was as smooth as calm waters – my waiter was attentive without being intrusive. The facilities were shipshape and spotless, and the atmosphere was a pleasant haven for adults. Everywhere you look, the nautical theme comes to life with maritime artifacts, fishing gear, and vibrant sea-inspired artwork. It's clear this restaurant consistently sails smoothly. They seem to have their sea legs firmly beneath them and are always on top of their game. If you're in the Newport Beach area, drop anchor here for a truly satisfying meal! There just isn't much for $51 + tip.

First time in town.. We came to this awesome restaurant.. The whole experience was great,, many thanks to Mary Jane, the waiter. She made our experience more enjoyable. The food was sooo yummy.. Starting from the fried calamari,, crab cake, to the grilled fish. The restaurant vibes is great.

Best original red clam chowder type I had in Cali... worth a try and great bars around there!

My friends surprised me with a bday celebration here, and this place did not dissapoint! We had the raw clams which were surprisingly very good! I usually do raw oysters, but I have to say, I've been converted! Ialso had the red clam chowder, because my girlfriend raved about it. It was very good, especially with tobasco. I usually prefer white chowder, so I think I'll try the New Englnd chowder next time. We had some deliciously smoked fish, which I forget what it was called, but it was very good. The tarter sauce that it came with was so good, we asked for extra. We shared a crab cake dinner with a side of verry addicting cheesy mashed potatos and delicious rice pilaf. The crab cakes did not look like traditional crab cakes, but yhey sure were full of crab and delicious! We also had swordfish with the same sides, and let me tell you, I never knew that swordfish could be so good! I've had swordfish once in the past that was dry and horrible, so I never cared to try it again. I'm so glad that my friends ordered it this time because I have a whole new outlook on swordfish and will definitely be ordering it again next time. I don't recall the name of the nice gentleman who served us, but he was very professional, patient and helpful as we struggled to decide what to order. He even brought out the beautiful cake that my friend brought for me with lit candles. I loved the casual and cozy atmosphere as well. It's a great place to celebrate a special occasion without the pretentiousness of a good seafood restaurant. My friends parked down below which they had to pay for. Not sure if the restaurant validates. I got lucky and got free parking right near the restaurant. I can't wait to come back for more!

Great place for lunch! We drove from San Diego and definitely we would do it again. Every product is fresh and with excellent flavour. We tried the clam chowder, the scallops, the lobster and the crab and we all loved each plate. Each one includes 2 extras, we chose mashed potatoes and salads. For drinks we chose beer and sparkling water which was free. We waited like 15 minutes for a table for three at 2pm. There was people waiting, but there was space to wait inside. Our waiter was nice and attentive. We spent like 30 dollars each one. The place is very nice, has many details and is perfectly decorated for the kind of food.

Michael Fung

The Crab Cooker is my new favorite seafood place. It’s been around for 70 years. I don’t think they’ve ever redecorated so it’s pure authentic vintage. This place has a lot of authentic charm and character. The staff, especially the waitress was particularly attentive and knowledgeable. The shrimp and scallop skewer was cooked perfectly and very tasty. They somehow imagine fuse bacon into it, not wrapped it, but somehow infuse because it was not overwhelming. Coleslaw is finally very finally diced and shredded, but not too sweet not too sour is very good. The mashed potatoes is like none other. I’ve had slightly coated in cheese and then grilled so there’s a little crust on it. The south shell crab was OK not crispy enough so you had to bite down and chew a little bit which well no one really wants to do with a crab. The clam chowder was OK definitely not the best. It did not have much clam in it. They do bake their own sourdough bread, which is very chewy crusty and tasty. Definitely stop in if you’re in the area parking can be tough, but there is a structure nearby.

Erica Wright

My first time visiting, flew in from Atlanta. The crab cakes were delicious, and the service was excellent. Everyone was friendly and polite.

Aaron Gale

I love this place. Normally I just get a point of the smoked albacore and cooked shrimp cocktail to go but this time I ate I. The restaurant. Clam chowder was excellent as was the fish and skewers pictured.

Fixi handyman services

One of the best salmon dishes I've ever had in my life. I recommend it! A place with history and an interesting interior.

John Hornick Chef’s Apprentice

Category: Fish House and Local Icon. This place is so much of a Newport Beach institution that it’s featured in a painting on the wall, the original of which hangs in the Hilbert Museum on the Chapman U campus in the City of Orange, and was even acted out in Newport’s annual Pageant of the Masters. So what’s the restaurant like? It’s sharkingly good (there was a huge taxidermied Great White shark hanging over our table). The first thing you see upon entering is the fish counter/display for purchase and home cooking. From there, proceed to the shark-dominated dining room with the aforementioned painting, the photo of Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra dining there, seafood-themed stained glass above the street level windows, hardwood floors, Tiffany-ish hanging lamps, lifesized mermaid lamp, and fun, fish-related things wherever you look. There’s a similarly themed dining room perfect for private parties, and beyond that the rear dining room with raftered ceiling and fans, and a wall of nautical mementos. All of this, combined with booths and tables with banquettes throughout, make this neighborhoody seafood joint exactly like you would expect. You can even view the busy kitchen through the glass to see the giant, namesake cookers. The crabs and all of the other seafood are sharkingly fresh: crab (of course), shrimp, fish, crustaceans, and mollusks. I can vouch for the clam chowder (Manhattan), shrimp skewer, soft shell crabs, crab cocktail, and grilled halibut special. All delicious and all well prepared. Almost all wines were under $40 (our sweetspot for restaurant wines), with a couple under $30. Excellent service. YouTube’s Chef’s Apprentice

Jacob Stackhouse

A couple friends and my wife and I enjoyed a fantastic meal here the other night. We had oysters, clam chowder, lobster, and scallops. Everything was very good! It was our first time trying non-new England style chowder, and while I do prefer New England style, this was very very good. Highly recommend anything off of the grill as that’s what the groups consensus was the best. And the potato side was phenomenal!!

Cheryl Nasser

If you are a seafood lover, especially crustaceans you will love this place. Came here for my husband’s birthday and Mary Jane took great care of us. They do not take reservations but when we arrived at 6pm on a Saturday they had some open tables for my party of 4. We enjoyed the fried calamari and shrimp cocktail to start. Their main dishes come with sides with choices of coleslaw, rice, tomatoes or mashed potatoes. We had the soft shell crab, lobster, scallops and shrimp skewers. Everything was delicious, well prepared and seasoned. The mashed potatoes come in a big scoop and are seared on the bottom on their griddle, really tasty! They gave a complimentary slice of cake for the birthday celebration and all sang happy birthday. The atmosphere is casual with fun decor.

Brian Osweiler

First time in and I loved it! I was here with a relative that had been coming here for 60 years an and it still lived up to his hype! It starts with a great atmosphere. Very clean and nice surroundings and it has every right to be pretentious, but it’s a perfect casual beach town seafood place. The staff was friendly and efficient, but the food was the star of the show! I had the scallops on a skewer with the potatoes and cole slaw, but I want to come back for half the menu. If you’re anywhere near Newport, do yourself a favor and stop in to The Crab Cooker!

john m.

Ahoy there, fellow foodies! Just a stone's throw from the bustling Newport Beach Pier, this little gem of a restaurant reels you in with its reliably delicious fare and charming maritime atmosphere. Parking was a breeze, even if I opted for the paid lot across the street ($11.25 for 3 hours) – good to know they have their own lot in the back for future voyages! My culinary journey began with a cup of their Manhattan clam chowder, and let me tell you, it was like a warm hug from the sea. Rich and intensely tomato-y, it had a satisfyingly pureed texture. The accompanying soup crackers were the perfect shipmates, ready to be dunked and soaked in that flavorful broth. For the main course, I cast my net and landed the fresh catch of the day: grilled halibut. Cooked to perfection, it was flaky and moist. The cheesy potatoes were a comforting side, and the simple tomato slices offered a refreshing counterpoint. A crisp Heineken 0.0 completed this delightful midday catch. The service was as smooth as calm waters – my waiter was attentive without being intrusive. The facilities were shipshape and spotless, and the atmosphere was a pleasant haven for adults. Everywhere you look, the nautical theme comes to life with maritime artifacts, fishing gear, and vibrant sea-inspired artwork. It's clear this restaurant consistently sails smoothly. They seem to have their sea legs firmly beneath them and are always on top of their game. If you're in the Newport Beach area, drop anchor here for a truly satisfying meal! There just isn't much for $51 + tip.

Maxemiliano Padilla

A quintessential part of Newport. Been coming here since the breadsticks were already on the table and the salt water taffy was complementary on the way out. 30 some odd years now? For our family it’s a tradition to stop in for a bowl of the clam chowder.

mackfrack

Delicious and fresh seafood with a wonderful atmosphere! Standout dishes were the fried calamari and the cheesy potatoes. The mosaic tiles and stained glass throughout the building are beautiful, and the shark hanging from the ceiling was the icing on the cake.

Gabrielle Shiozawa

Easily the best seafood I’ve ever had. Incredible crab and shrimp cocktail, amazing crab cakes. Such good service and such a fun atmosphere!!

NASSER

First time in town.. We came to this awesome restaurant.. The whole experience was great,, many thanks to Mary Jane, the waiter. She made our experience more enjoyable. The food was sooo yummy.. Starting from the fried calamari,, crab cake, to the grilled fish. The restaurant vibes is great.

Chester Ritchie

I’ve been coming here since I was a kid, for 40+ years. Freshest fish dishes and the wife loves the Alaskan King Crab legs. All served on paper plates; no frills, just great seafood. Their clam chowder is Boston style and there will be a line of people ordering it just to sit on the bench outside to consume it at all hours, so plan accordingly. A local jewel.

Travel Chaser

My friends surprised me with a bday celebration here, and this place did not dissapoint! We had the raw clams which were surprisingly very good! I usually do raw oysters, but I have to say, I've been converted! Ialso had the red clam chowder, because my girlfriend raved about it. It was very good, especially with tobasco. I usually prefer white chowder, so I think I'll try the New Englnd chowder next time. We had some deliciously smoked fish, which I forget what it was called, but it was very good. The tarter sauce that it came with was so good, we asked for extra. We shared a crab cake dinner with a side of verry addicting cheesy mashed potatos and delicious rice pilaf. The crab cakes did not look like traditional crab cakes, but yhey sure were full of crab and delicious! We also had swordfish with the same sides, and let me tell you, I never knew that swordfish could be so good! I've had swordfish once in the past that was dry and horrible, so I never cared to try it again. I'm so glad that my friends ordered it this time because I have a whole new outlook on swordfish and will definitely be ordering it again next time. I don't recall the name of the nice gentleman who served us, but he was very professional, patient and helpful as we struggled to decide what to order. He even brought out the beautiful cake that my friend brought for me with lit candles. I loved the casual and cozy atmosphere as well. It's a great place to celebrate a special occasion without the pretentiousness of a good seafood restaurant. My friends parked down below which they had to pay for. Not sure if the restaurant validates. I got lucky and got free parking right near the restaurant. I can't wait to come back for more!

Love this place! We came on a Saturday afternoon after fishing. We came right at noon, parking is always a challenge in the area but there is a close lot nearby. Nearby. Service was absolutely amazing, that in combination with the food coming out hot and delicious was definitely a great way to top off the afternoon. I will be back 😍😍

Morris Florist

What's not to like? Our family has gone here for over 50 years. While the portions have gotten smaller since the rebuild, the quality of the fish is still tops and pricing is reasonable. We love to take home a quart of their clam chowder and breadsticks! Yum!

I wanted to round up on this one, but couldn't bring myself to give it a 5. This is a Newport Beach classic. However, with so many more restaurant options these days, the bread is just OK and you have to pay separate for it. The salmon meal was fine, but the tartar sauce isn't my favorite. The King Crab was actually really good, but expensive (although fairly priced for the quantity). I have to agree with the overall consensus that this is a below 4.5 star experience. But, above 4 keeps you on the list in my book. Especially with all the nostalgia.

Very neat place but a cross between fancy and cafeteria. Had swordfish and it was cooked perfectly. The sides came via ice cream scoop portions. The Cole slaw was meh at best, cheese potato's same. The clam chowder was more minestrone +clams. Not my style but you might like it. This place reminds me of Harry carry in Chicago. All the wait staff dressed fancy and nothing special. Everything was served on paper/plastic which I assume is beach no glass kiz people are dumb rule. This is more of a fast seafood meal than a fancy date dining experience. Was happy overall and would return.

David Hazar

I wanted to round up on this one, but couldn't bring myself to give it a 5. This is a Newport Beach classic. However, with so many more restaurant options these days, the bread is just OK and you have to pay separate for it. The salmon meal was fine, but the tartar sauce isn't my favorite. The King Crab was actually really good, but expensive (although fairly priced for the quantity). I have to agree with the overall consensus that this is a below 4.5 star experience. But, above 4 keeps you on the list in my book. Especially with all the nostalgia.

Michael C

Very neat place but a cross between fancy and cafeteria. Had swordfish and it was cooked perfectly. The sides came via ice cream scoop portions. The Cole slaw was meh at best, cheese potato's same. The clam chowder was more minestrone +clams. Not my style but you might like it. This place reminds me of Harry carry in Chicago. All the wait staff dressed fancy and nothing special. Everything was served on paper/plastic which I assume is beach no glass kiz people are dumb rule. This is more of a fast seafood meal than a fancy date dining experience. Was happy overall and would return.

The saw the sign “world best seafood” with good rating so I decided to give this place a try. This place unfortunately did not “wow” me or give me that “world best seafood” vibes. I would say it’s a little pricey for the quality of the food. The shrimp cocktail tasted ok. The claim chowder was tomato soup based and it definitely tastes like tomato soup with tiny pieces of clams. You have to order the sourdough separately. Soft shell crab was definitely soft and you can eat the whole thing. The potato and rice were lack of flavors. There was only one waitress and multiple cooks in the back and our order/food took forever to arrived.

Stuart Lighton

Food was terrible. The clam chowder (red) tasted like beef and was very spicy. The bread wasn’t even served warm. I ordered a shrimp Louie salad and it was horrible. I ask that it be tossed, it was not. There was no eggs in the salad. The thousand island tasted like it came out of a wishbone jar. Overall terrible experience. Sorry Crab Cooker you need a complete redo of your menu.

Crab Cooker in Newport Beach looks charming at first, but sadly, the food tells a different story. This isn’t a proper seafood restaurant — more of a casual diner setup, but with restaurant-level prices and low quality. All plates, glasses and cutlery is single use and thrown away. We ordered 2 crab cakes $18 per plate, deep-fried in what tasted like reused oil — soggy and lacking flavor. The *clam chowder* (tomato-based, not creamy) was honestly the worst I’ve had anywhere, Wholefoods is even much better. Our server was friendly and upfront about the chowder being different (tomato base), but it still didn’t taste like clam chowder at all — just a bland tomato broth with tough pieces of clam. We also had fried calamari and 3 lemonades. Total bill $90 before tip. For that price, you’d expect fresh seafood. Sadly, this felt more like a (tourist) trap with nostalgic branding. Our waiter was kind, but it doesn’t make up for food that just doesn’t deliver. Many reviews mention the same issues — poor food quality, small portions, and high prices. Plenty of better seafood spots in Newport Beach. Skip this one.

Andres

Crab Cooker in Newport Beach looks charming at first, but sadly, the food tells a different story. This isn’t a proper seafood restaurant — more of a casual diner setup, but with restaurant-level prices and low quality. All plates, glasses and cutlery is single use and thrown away. We ordered 2 crab cakes $18 per plate, deep-fried in what tasted like reused oil — soggy and lacking flavor. The *clam chowder* (tomato-based, not creamy) was honestly the worst I’ve had anywhere, Wholefoods is even much better. Our server was friendly and upfront about the chowder being different (tomato base), but it still didn’t taste like clam chowder at all — just a bland tomato broth with tough pieces of clam. We also had fried calamari and 3 lemonades. Total bill $90 before tip. For that price, you’d expect fresh seafood. Sadly, this felt more like a (tourist) trap with nostalgic branding. Our waiter was kind, but it doesn’t make up for food that just doesn’t deliver. Many reviews mention the same issues — poor food quality, small portions, and high prices. Plenty of better seafood spots in Newport Beach. Skip this one.