Newport Beach has the budget to support some serious dining and the climate for plenty of outdoor tables. Most of the best places are clustered around the harbour, the bluffs of Corona del Mar, and the small Lido Marina Village.
For seafood, The Crab Cooker on the peninsula is the long-standing classic; Bear Flag Fish Co. on Balboa is good for poke and grilled-fish tacos at lunch. Sushi Roku at Fashion Island and Bluefin in Crystal Cove are the higher-end Japanese choices. Cucina Alessá on PCH does honest Italian. The Beachcomber Cafe at Crystal Cove is unbeatable for sunset cocktails on the sand.
For breakfast on the peninsula, Sundae's Cafe and Cappy's in Costa Mesa are the local picks. The Pacific Coast Highway through Corona del Mar has half a dozen bistros and bakeries within a few blocks — Bandera for grilled meat and rotisserie chicken, Five Crowns for old-school British pub atmosphere.