If you’re like us, you take your dog everywhere. So, when it comes to dining out on Balboa Peninsula, these are the restaurants that are dog friendly (and some even have pup-approved items on the menu):
The Alley
4501 West Coast Hwy, Newport Beach, CA 92663
ANewport Beach institution that’s filled with good vibes, good drink specials, good comfort food and a great, dog-friendly patio area. (Depending on what night you go, ask what daily food and cocktails specials are available.) The Alley is known as one of the dog-friendliest spots in town, so much so that they’ve created an entire menu devoted to dogs.
// VIEW MENUS
Alta Coffee Co.
506 31st St., Newport Beach, CA 92663
Alta Coffee Co. is one of the few sit-down coffee shops in Newport Beach with both indoor hang-out space and a generously sized outdoor patio that’s totally dog-friendly. For years, Alta has retained its status as Newport’s premier café (and good Sunday brunch option) because the coffee is hot in the winter, cool in the summer and the food is tasty and surprisingly varied; Alta offers everything from homemade English currant scones to buckwheat pancakes to chicken curry pita sandwiches. But first, coffee. At Alta, coffees are roasted every morning in small batches to ensure freshness and always made from certified organic beans. Be sure to get there early on Sunday for brunch or around lunchtime; Newport Beach is full of dog owners, so the outdoor patio tends to fill up quickly.
// VIEW MENU
Balboa Lily’s
711 E. Balboa Blvd., Newport Beach, CA 92661
A dog friendly Balboa Village breakfast, brunch and lunch option (the patio is for the pooches) with farm fresh ingredients and a quaint atmosphere. The honey lavender latte is always a morning crowd-pleaser (the chocolate ganache mocha also never disappoints) and at $12.50 for an elaborate make-your-own omelet special, you really can’t beat the prices.
// VIEW MENU*
*Note: Opens 7 a.m. every day and closes 3 p.m. Monday through Friday and 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Bear Flag Fish Co.
3421 Via Lido, Newport Beach, CA 92663; 7972 E Pacific Coast Hwy, Newport Coast, CA 92657
Bear Flag Fish Co. is the best-kept Newport Beach secret everyone knows about. A seafood spot from Newport native Thomas Carson, Bear Flag is THE place to be for fish deliciousness, complete with dog-friendly, outdoor seating. Carson opened the wildly successful restaurant in 2008 after finding inspiration from a childhood spent working on his father’s fishing boat—named, of course, Bear Flag—and then years of apprenticing for culinary greats like Chef Tim Johnson of San Diego’s Zenbu Sushi. Storied beginnings aside, Bear Flag also has a $2 fish taco special every single Tuesday. So there’s that.
// VIEW MENU
Charlie’s Chili
102 McFadden Pl., Newport Beach, CA 92663
Good for breakfast, lunch and brunch chili plates, including omelettes, burgers and your standard American fare like BLTs, swiss cheese sandwiches and tuna sandwiches. (It’s also open for dinner if you like dining outside int the dark.) The patio is dog-friendly and right in the shadow of Newport Pier, so grab a seat with your pup and chili out!
// VIEW MENUS
Gina’s Pizza
3142 W Balboa Blvd, Newport Beach, CA 92663
Pizza and traditional Italian eats right on Balboa Peninsula! Dogs are welcome in the gated, outdoor patio.
// VIEW MENU
Lighthouse Bayview Cafe
1600 W Balboa Blvd., Newport Beach, CA 92663
The Lighthouse Bayview Cafe, a two-story, dog-friendly waterfront dining experience at the park (serving contemporary American cuisine and craft cocktails for breakfast, brunch lunch and dinner) is open Sunday through Thursday 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 7 a.m. until 10 p.m. Dogs can scuttle along the 10.5 acre park that calls the Lighthouse Bayview Cafe home (on a leash, of course) or stay right by your side as you dine al fresco. A brand-new playground, outdoor gym and freshly paved basketball courts make the eatery’s locale just right for your dog and the whole family to enjoy.
// VIEW MENUS
Wild Taco
407 31st St, Newport Beach, CA 92663
Located a hint off the main road, this semi-hidden joint is everything you’d want and more from a taco place serving up ridiculously good eats. Decorated like an old-timey, secret hideaway somewhere on the Mexican Riviera, Wild Taco is a true taco aficionado’s oasis for Baja-inspired dishes that are as affordable as they are appetizing. Dogs are welcome on the outdoor patio, which has several outdoor tables and two, long communal tables.
// VIEW MENU*
*Note: Wild Taco doesn’t have a website and the menu is seasonal, which means it tends to change. It’s best to head to Wild Taco and see what’s featured that day/night. No taco will disappoint.
Zinqué
3446 Via Oporto, Newport Beach, CA 92663
A dog-friendly eatery with coastal-chic vibes in Lido Marina Village, Zinqué is ideal for indulging in bay-front views, a few glasses of vino and fresh small plates. Dogs are allowed on the outside (heated) patio facing the water. Also, there’s an adorable breakfast-on-the-go shop that faces Via Lido if you’re not feeling a sit-down dining experience.
// VIEW MENU
