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Water Grill South Coast Plaza Main Dining Room - Water Grill - South Coast Plaza, Costa Mesa, CA

Water Grill - South Coast Plaza

4.8 (8624)
$31 to $50
Seafood
3300 Bristol St, Costa Mesa, CA 92626

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 117 times today

About this restaurant

  • Good for special occasions
  • Lively
  • Good for business meals
Water Grill South Coast Plaza is an iconic seafood destination to enjoy the first catch of the season and a deep variety of fish, lobsters, crabs, oysters and shellfish on a robust menu that changes daily. Located across from South Coast Plaza - just steps from the Segerstrom Center of the Arts - Water Grill South Coast Plaza is the perfect place to dine, celebrate and host an event for business or pleasure. New product arrives from boat-to-table in a matter of hours from our exclusive seafood distribution company and our chef’s preparations allow the high-quality product to shine. Consistently rated as one of Orange County’s top seafood restaurants, Water Grill South Coast Plaza also offers multiple, customizable private dining rooms for your business meetings and special events. Book your next meal, event or private room with us!

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Seafood, Shellfish, Fish
  • 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
    Ben Ringer
  • Private party facilities
    Water Grill South Coast Plaza is the place to meet in Orange County! Consistently rated as one of Orange County’s top seafood restaurants, Water Grill South Coast Plaza offers multiple, customizable private dining rooms for your meetings and events.
  • 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, Outdoor Firepit, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine

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Private dining

Menu

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What 8,624 people are saying

Water Grill - South Coast Plaza reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.8
4.8 based on recent ratings
  • 4.7Food
  • 4.8Service
  • 4.8Ambience
  • 4.4Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

  • Orange County

    Seafood

  • Orange County

    Most Booked

  • North Orange County

    Seafood

  • North Orange County

    Most Booked

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Water Grill - South Coast Plaza offers "consistently great" seafood with a "beautiful atmosphere" and "outstanding service." Guests rave about the "amazing" sea bass and "delicious" clam chowder. Despite some concerns about noise and pricing, the "professional and attentive" staff make it a favorite for special occasions and business lunches.
8,624 Reviews

  1. Joe

    Orange County4 reviews

    2.0

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    My wife and I had dinner at Water Grill you celebrate our 23rd wedding anniversary. First time here for both of us. The restaurant is beautiful and the ambiance is great. The food was good. My wife had the "off menu" special whole Pink Bream, cerviche style. She liked it a lot. I had the 8 oz. filet, which was nicely charred. I also had the wedge salad. The server asked if I wanted it chopped. I said no. Someone wasn't paying attention, because I got it served chopped anyway. I also asked for some exter blue cheese dressing on the side, which I never got. Unfortunately, the selection of sides is quite limited, and not very interesting. I ended up with French fries, which were good but over priced at $11. We had high hopes for Water Grill, but I don't think we'll back.

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  2. Steve VIP

    California Central Coast37 reviews

    4.0

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 3
    Food was good, portions adequate ----but service was exceptional. Our waiter (I think his name was True) made the meal and the experience exceptional.

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  3. Jason VIP

    Los Angeles5 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Excellent experience, great service and good food.

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  4. Sandra

    Las Vegas1 review

    5.0

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    My name is Sandra Love. I had a 4 o'clock rev.and ot was my first time visiting. Our waitier was extremely wonderful. He made my birthday dinner perfect.. Thank you

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  5. Schenae' VIP

    Los Angeles29 reviews

    4.0

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Ballet was courteous and not expensive. We were able to get a reservation for two on a Friday evening. The rules tasted different than the ones that I’ve gotten in LA. Although I did like the chewiness of them and the salted butter was great. The cioppini was sweet, which was surprising to me. I’m used to a more Savary stew and we also got a Seabass. The flavors were not overwhelmingly great but they were not bad. Service really made up for it. He was really attentive replaced plates and utensils, cleaned the table, Made sure our glasses were full. The entire team seemed very positive and this was reflected in the way they treated the guests. The desserts were decent as well. The Key lime pie looked really great, but the meringue was not hitting for me. The portion size was pretty large.

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  6. Christopher

    San Diego3 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Always great service at any water grill. Food is always top notch as well!

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  7. hannah VIP

    Los Angeles17 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    It was such a pleasure celebrating our special day.

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  8. Cheryl VIP

    Los Angeles20 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on June 16, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Monday was a perfect day to sit by the open air window and take in this beautiful So Cal Weather and a perfect lunch thanks to Madalyn for suggesting the Spot Prawns PancaTare

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  9. Kelvin VIP

    Austin3 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on June 16, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    We both had the halibut entree which was the BEST halibut either of us has ever had, absolutely delicious, moist (unlike the usual halibut steak at other restaurants). And the calamari appetizer was the BEST calamari either of us has ever had at any restaurant worldwide (we have both traveled a lot separately). The decor was nice, but it was a little loud given that the restaurant is pretty much one HUGE open space. Not exactly conducive to having an intimate conversation having to shout to hear each other. Prices were on the higher side at $50 for one halibut entree.

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  10. Gregory V

    Los Angeles7 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on June 15, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Father's Day celebration... Brandon treated my parents as if he were taking care of his own. Thank You Brandon!!! You made my Father's celebration memorable for him at 89 years of age.

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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 4.8 stars by 8624 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.

  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. Orange County
  4. North Orange County
  5. Costa Mesa

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 117 times today
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, Shellfish, Fish
  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Parking details
    Valet Only
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, JCB, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Ben Ringer
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Full Bar, Indoor Fireplace, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Outdoor Firepit, 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 South Coast Plaza is the place to meet in Orange County! Consistently rated as one of Orange County’s top seafood restaurants, Water Grill South Coast Plaza offers multiple, customizable private dining rooms for your meetings and events.
  • Private party contact
    Gina McDaniel: (949) 208-7061

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