Dine & Watch the Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade

The Newport Beach Boat Parade and Ring of Lights kicks off in December! Residents and visitors will have optimal viewing of the beautifully decorated yachts, boats, kayaks and canoes that sail in the parade from the Dine & Watch waterfront and Dine & Walk dining options within walking distance of the many public viewing spots.

Here are some of the restaurants at which you can dine and watch the parade.

The Winery is on PCH right off Newport Blvd and offers excellent waterfront view. This Restaurant & Wine Bar pairs contemporary California regional cuisine with a hip, vibrant, sophisticated setting, to create a cutting-edge dining experience. The restaurant’s menu focuses on contemporary California regional cuisine at its finest, with Executive Chef & Partner Yvon Goetz directing a team that delivers a culinary experience straight from the Wine Country. Their menu is complimented by the restaurant’s wine list, which currently offers 650 selections and changes weekly.

Another great option is The Lighthouse Café, which is on the bay on the Balboa Peninsula’s Marina Park community. The restaurant resembles an actual lighthouse and the views are spectacular from most of the restaurant. They offer extensive breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus, along with happy hour daily from 3-6pm.

If you’re looking for something more upscale, Waterline at the Balboa Bay Resort is perfect. With its nautical-inspired design, Waterline is a sophisticated yet casual waterfront restaurant. They serve seasonal and fresh water-to-table experience led by executive chef Rachel Haggstrom. Newport Beach restaurant guests can enjoy intimate meals in the main dining room with scenic harbor views or al fresco on the patio.

Also at the Balboa Bay Resort is A&O Kitchen and Bar. Abbreviated from “Anchors & Oceans”, A&O is an inviting gastropub with rustic wood floors, reclaimed barn siding walls, live edge wood communal dining tables, and an iron-clad bar tap overlooking the harbor. Anchors embraces antiqued and subtle ocean elements with rich espresso colors. The outdoor patio offers relaxed rattan furniture with two fire pits to keep guests warm while they watch the boat parade.

These are just a few of the nearby selections. There are several additional options within walking distance of the parade, too. Luckily, the area features a multitude of culinary options to satisfy even the most discerning of palates. Enjoy the boat parade!

Written by Debbie Miller