Water Grill - Costa Mesa (CA)

5 /5 Daria Babenko: The interior is elegant and refined, with a true high-end atmosphere. Service is impeccable — attentive, professional, and perfectly paced. The food is absolutely outstanding: fresh, beautifully presented, and full of flavor. Every dish feels thoughtfully crafted. Highly recommended for a special occasion or a refined seafood dinner. Valet parking is available and complimentary until 4:00 PM; after that, it’s $9

5 /5 Flemdan Mixam: First time at water grill. I got Mary’s chicken and I was not disappointed. Others got various seafood items and none of us were disappointed! The restaurant is huge but does not feel busy crowded. There are small tables, large tables, booths and bars and couch lounge areas, perfect for any type of group! This is a must try, and valet is free before 4pm everyday!

5 /5 Jeremy B: We pulled up to the valet about 15 minutes before our reservation and were checked in smoothly. The restaurant was lively, but we were seated in less than 10 minutes. The atmosphere was vibrant and full of energy, making for a great start to the evening. We began with drinks and appetizers. I ordered the Margarita Verde, which was refreshing and smooth, definitely a standout cocktail. My friends started with Old Fashioneds made with the house bourbon but weren’t impressed. They switched to a Japanese whiskey instead and immediately noticed the improvement. As for the food, the clam chowder was exceptional, rich, flavorful, and perfectly balanced. The Fat Bastard raw oysters were also outstanding, incredibly fresh and briny. The chilled shellfish platter was good but didn’t quite reach the same level as the other starters. The mussels and chorizo appetizer, however, was fantastic and packed with flavor. For entrées, one of my friends had the dry-aged ribeye and was disappointed—it came out rather subpar for the price and quality expected here. On the other hand, the shrimp scampi was a hit and got rave reviews at our table. Overall, we had a great time. The service, drinks, and seafood made for a solid dining experience. We’ll definitely be back, though next time we’ll be sticking to the seafood and skipping the steak.

5 /5 Chen Chrisy “Rinka”: Last night, I brought my parents to Water Grill for dinner to celebrate the beginning of 2026. It felt like such a special and meaningful way to welcome the new year—good food, good company, and time together as a family. We didn’t have a reservation, but everything flowed so smoothly. The host was kind and welcoming, the wait was less than five minutes, and parking was easy with validation—only around $9, which was very reasonable. From the moment we arrived, the experience felt calm and stress-free. Our server, Gavin, was wonderful—very nice, sweet, attentive, and made my parents feel comfortable and well taken care of. He brought such a warm energy to the table, and his service truly added to the joy of the evening. The restaurant itself has a beautiful atmosphere—elegant but not intimidating. We ordered lobster, chili sea bass, black cod, and the seafood tower, and everything was fresh and delicious. The French press coffee was especially memorable and the perfect way to end the meal. Desserts were fine, but the seafood was definitely the highlight. Overall, it was a genuinely happy and heartwarming dinner. While the prices are a bit higher, they felt very reasonable for the quality, location near South Coast Plaza, and the overall experience. Most importantly, it was a night filled with laughter, great food, and family time—exactly how we wanted to start the new year. We truly enjoyed it and would love to come back again.