If South Coast Plaza is the enclosed giant of Orange County retail luxury, Fashion Island is its breezy, open-air counterpart. The nearly 60-year-old mall defines the Newport Beach vibe — and tax bracket — through its manicured environment, ocean views, fountains aplenty and famous koi pond.
Fitting for one of the wealthiest retail hubs in Southern California, the dining scene here is designed to match that upscale, outdoor energy. Here, the patio seating can be just as important as what’s on the menu. Although the retail institution offers a bounty of high-end spots, it also offers a food court with refreshingly affordable options.
While there are many dining and beverage options at Fashion Island (yes, of course there’s a See’s Candies), consider this your jumping off point to finding your perfect meal in between rounds of shopping.
Bacio di Latte
The gelato shop is as noted for for the long line snaking out the door as it is for its smooth glacial dessert. One of two gelato spots at the mall, this one sets itself apart due to the coated “Ciocchinio” cone, where the interior is coated with a luscious layer of pistachio cream or Nutella and the rim gets studded with crushed nuts. While the ingredients are pure Italian luxury, the experience hits a distinctively nostalgic note. As I already wrote earlier this year, the hidden layer of cream reminds me of the chocolate shellac found at the bottom of a drugstore Drumstick. The perfect union of highbrow quality and lowbrow childhood memories.
Find it: Suite133, near Macy’s
Cucina Enoteca
A California-Italian spot featuring pastas and sauces. Antipasti include burrata and roasted pear, a giant meatball under a bed of mascarpone polenta, grilled octopus and tempura fried stuffed squash blossom. This sit-down space also features a slew of pizzas (from margherita to soppressata and sausage), pastas (tagliatelle bolognese and the short rib mafaldine are ideal orders) and large plates (like seabass and lentils, whole branzino and a burger with American cheese and tomato jam).
Find it: Just outside Nordstrom, across one two-way street on the southwestern side
Fleming’s
For an old-school steakhouse vibe, head to a literally old-school steakhouse like Fleming’s. White tablecloth.Caviar service. Martinis. But wait, there’s more: Guests can look forward to a wedge salad, lobster bisque with sherry cream, bone-in ribeye steak, a whopping tomahawk steak, garlic butter mushrooms, truffle-poached lobster and osetra caviar in a bearnaise sauce. Don’t miss out on the impressive dessert wine menu of sherries and ports, for those who imbibe. A great date-night spot to boot!
Find it: Suite 455, just outside the main mall, across the parking southeastern parking lot
Great Maple
From fried chicken and doughnuts to a ribeye patty melt to the beloved chop salad, Amanda and Wing Joe Ho’s Great Maple remains one of Fashion Island’s most popular restaurants. Small wonder what with Amanda graduating from Le Cordon Bleu in Pasadena and Wing Joe having attended the Culinary Institute of America. Additional highlights here include the “It’s a Date Salad” featuring kale, arugula, dates, almonds, chickpeas and pickled onion; chilaquiles; Cajun shrimp biscuit benedict, a Southern take on the classic brunch dish featuring a white cheddar biscuit with sour cream and onion scalloped potatoes; soda pop baby back ribs and more.
Find it: Suite 1133, next to Buck Mason
Joey Newport Beach
This upscale chain eatery, found across the parking lot from the main mall, features an outdoor firepit, making it a choice spot for al fresco lounging. The menu boasts a mix of contemporary and international/fusion fare like sake and soy-marinated bang bang chicken, mini steak french dips with an au jus pour over, an inventive fire-roasted seafood tower (wine-braised clams, grilled lobster tails, seared scallops, garlic-lemon prawns, crab dip and grilled sourdough) and lobster spaghetti.
It also offers guests a full bar with craft cocktails galore, beer, wine, zero-proof/low ABV beverages and more.
Find it: Suite 453, across the southeasternmost parking lot, next door to Fleming’s
Red O
A visually dazzling Mexi-Cali spot featuring such staples as a wagyu smashburger, short rib torta, slow-braised duck taquitos, crispy carnitas empanadas, birria tacos, fajitas, seabass and more. Margaritas, tequila flights, craft cocktails, champagne, beer, an impressive wine list and zero-proof cocktails makes this a choice spot for an adults-only night out.
Find it: Suite 143, across the southernmost parking lot, just before Newport Center Drive.
R+D Kitchen
An upscale chain with locations in such tony environs as Dallas, Santa Monica and Yountville, this spot serves sandwiches like crispy chicken and tuna, burgers and salads. Heartier entrees include rotisserie chicken with kale panzanella, roasted salmon, wild mushroom meatloaf and chicken meatballs and spaghetti. But the “sides” menu, oddly enough, is where this spot really shines with deviled eggs, chicken meatballs with mole amarillo, polenta and roasted peppers.
Find it: Suite 555
RH Ocean Grill
One of the latest additions to the tony Newport Beach mall is its Restoration Hardware restaurant christened RH Ocean Grill. With a dripping chandelier, bronze lions and a water element, it’s definitely a looker. Menu highlights at the top-floor eatery include a sky-high seafood tower, carpaccios crowned with caviar, an exceedingly elegant steak frites, lobster salad and more. This eatery, which features oceanic views and floor-to-ceiling windows, also has a wine bar with an ample wine list, cocktail selection and other tipples. Should you still have some shopping energy left, you can peruse the decor at the Restoration Hardware showcase below. Word to the wise: Call for reservations; when it opened in early 2025, the restaruant had a two-month waiting list.
Find it: Suite 1101X, top floor of Restoration Hardware
Scratch Bakery and Cafe
Handmade bread made here daily. Guests can look forward to coffee, pastries, desserts, breakfast fare, salads, sandwiches, soups and more.
Find it: Suite 561
Sessions West Coast Deli
This sandwich favorite channels the surf-shack soul of SoCal into the operation of a New York City shop offering deli-style sandwiches. The recommendation here is the Summer Zephyr, a sandwich packed with layers of mozzarella, marinated tomato, basil aioli on a Jersey roll. It’s the No. 1 selling sandwich on the menu for good reason. Also of note? The rosemary skinny fires, a chorizo breakfast burrito and salads (the Thai Chop is aces).
Find it: Suite 101X at Macy’s
Sushi Roku
An essential Fashion Island spot for those seeking more than just a California roll or simple sashimi. The kitchen incorporates nontraditional flavors from places like Latin America and Europe (think jalapeños and olive oil) to produce design-savvy dishes. In 2015, food critic Brad A. Johnson gave high marks to the signature tuna jalapeño, noting it was “fantastic” and “tastes of fresh, raw, pristine tuna, the creaminess of which plays gently against avocado, followed with a faint whisper of yuzu-infused olive oil.” Other highlights include the yellowtail with sliced chiles or the hanabi (spicy tuna on crispy rice). Sushi Roku also offers a range of hot appetizers and entrees, making it an appealing choice for those who eschew the glories of raw fish, looking for a great steak or a perfectly shaken cocktail.
Find it: Suite 327
Sweetgreen
Popular salad chain that serves up salads, bowls and healthy plates to order.
Find it: Suite 853
True Food Kitchen
Noted for being healthy (see: seed oil-free) and tasty, this stand-alone eatery is a perfect fit for the wellness-focused Newport Beach clientele. Rooted in the anti-inflammatory food philosophy of Dr. Andrew Weil, this spot careers to every dietary need, from gluten-free to vegan to carnivorous, without sacrificing taste. The kale salad, to no one’s surprise, is particularly famous here. The menu also offers a rotating selection of fare, with seasonal offerings including edamame dumplings and roasted butternut squash soup. Additional highlights include salads, bowls, sourdough pizzas, burgers, hearty entrees and desserts like spiced carrot cake, cookies and vegan ice cream. An ideal spot for a light lunch with a bright and airy open patio space.
Find it: Suite 451, across the southeast parking lot, next door to Joey Newport Beach
Wahoo Fish Tacos
Wahoo’s Fish Tacos is the antithesis of luxury at Fashion Island — which I mean in the best way possible — and perhaps the most authentic taste of coastal Orange County on the property. This spot features a surf-spot vibe with a roster of fish tacos, as well as combination plates and rice bowls with fish, chicken, steak or pork. For the retail weary, it also comes with a full bar as well as a patio overlooking the Atrium Garden Court for a recharge.
Find it: Suite A101
Zentrl
Found attached to the Lot luxury cinema, Zentril isn’t merely a pre-show pitstop, it’s a full-service restaurant offering a blend of California-Asian fusion cuisine with a Mexican bent. Popular fare here includes ahi poke tacos and adobada pork belly bao buns.
Find it: Inside the Lot, suite 999X
Last but not least, the food court
More often than not, when I make a trip to Fashion Island, this is where I land for lunch, the affordable dining zone. I love the transition from the outdoor fountains and walkways to the enclosed Atrium Court, where the bottom floor food court and dining area basks in natural light.
Here you will find familiar names like Panda Express, Hudson Cookies, Mochinut, Hana Grill, Amalfi, Five Guys, Gelato Paradiso, Kaleido Rolls and Happy Lemon, plus plenty of seating for people watching. Bonus: it’s right next to a Barnes & Noble, so you can grab a book and take a break from your phone.