4. Restaurants

Sol Grill

110 McFadden Pl, Newport Beach, CA, 92663
  • (949) 723-4105
  • Store is closed

Sol Grill Menu

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  • Trina S.

    Everything is severely over seasoned, maybe even 3 times as much of every kind of seasoning. Cute decor but it's not worth the meal.

    (2)

  • Jackie L.

    Delicious! The funky interior and the laid back staff really compliment the no-nonsense meals. You can't go wrong with anything on the menu. Also, the Sangria is totally worth a try! If you like fresh and spicy seafood then this is the place to go!

    (5)

  • John Z.

    This is a cozy place, nice for a romantic dinner. Food is fresh and tasty. I had the baseball blackened mahi, the spices were plenty and delicious.

    (5)

  • Jason M.

    Go for happy hour, half price on almost all of their signature dishes 5-7 pm. Get meatballs. Any everything else. Cannot recommend highly enough.

    (5)

  • George A.

    Misty and her team are terrific. The atmosphere is wonderful and the food is very special. We were a large table of 7 which is big here and we never felt like we were a burden. I'll definitely be back. George

    (5)

  • Katrina Y.

    Good portions, decent price, and great food! What more can you ask for? Don't pay attention to the outer appearance..the food is amazing here! This place is next to a bar and doesn't initially appear to be a great place for a fancy meal like 21 Oceanfront right across the way, but it really is a gem. I had the cioppino and my boyfriend got the Mahi Mahi picatta. I was so surprised by how much seafood was in the cioppino! The broth was light and fragrant, and by the time I finished the bowl, I was stuffed but craves more because it was so tasty. I will definitely be back here soon!

    (5)

  • Miss K.

    Nice, quaint ambience. Free Sangria with Yelp check in! I had the halibut and it was fantastic! The sides of mashed potatoes and veggies were just ok, but the fish was fantastic. My bf ordered the Lobster Ravioli entree off of the happy hour menu. He said it was good, but you only get 3 raviolis so he was still hungry enough to order a second entree and ordered the artichoke chicken. That was a better portion of food and tasty. If you're hungry order from the regular menu.

    (4)

  • Sean K.

    Amazing spot! Be sure to make a reservation. Great fish, pasta, and steaks the menu has something for everyone check it out!

    (5)

  • Tom B.

    I had the Seafood Cioppino and it was fantastic. Ana had the salmon, Michael had halibut and both came with very fresh vegetables. Matty went with the spaghetti and meatballs off the kids menu and everyone was very happy. If you come, make sure to check in on Yelp. If you do, you get a free glass of sangria. Even if it weren't free it is worth coming down here just to try.

    (4)

  • Sarah N.

    We were at the beach, and wanted to find someplace for dinner that was less than a mile walk. The menu for Sol Grill looked pretty good, and it was just down the beach, so I made a reservation on Open Table. Their happy hour is 7 days a week, and just so happened to be during when we came in. Thus, we ordered A LOT of food. For appetizers we had the Parmesan Bread, Filet Meatballs, and the Ahi Tuna Chowder. My entree was the Artichoke Dijon chicken, and my boyfriend's was some sort of linguini with clams. Pros: Great happy hour prices. The Filet Meatballs and Ahi Chowder were LIFE. CHANGING. Service was pretty quick and attentive too. Cons: The sangria I got was pretty watered down and meh. Both of our entrees were very disappointing (especially after the amazing appetizers). This place is SMALL. Which I normally wouldn't complain about, but when you have two large parties, and a group of 4 drunk people all within a 4 food vicinity of your table, it is very overwhelming. The number one redeeming factors were the meatballs and chowder!

    (4)

  • Shelle H.

    We were looking for a "local's" place to dine at while visiting Newport Beach & we selected Sol Grill because of the positive Yelp reviews. It was a delightful restaurant with a fun eclectic atmosphere. The service staff was friendly & I would definitely come back. I highly recommend a reservation as they don't have a lot of tables. I had the ahi chowder & the blackened ahi as my entree. Honestly, I'd go back again JUST for the chowder. My fiance got a filet & the vanilla creme dessert. Super yummy! Make sure to check in on Yelp & get a free glass of their signature sangria!

    (4)

  • James M.

    Very good salad. Great swordfish. Nice service. Chose as a result of yelp reviews and the three of us agree this place was very good and reasonably priced.

    (5)

  • Yael P.

    Excellent chowder and very tasty meatballs. Big portions and value for money. Very friendly staff!

    (4)

  • Katrina N.

    My partner and I wanted to come here after having disappointing food at Blue water grill for NewportRestWeek. Good thing we didn't eat too much. We drove a couple of extra miles hoping that this place could lift our spirits for NRW. We came in on a weekday at 6 and there was just us and another couple. My partner ordered the prixe fixe dinner menu and I ordered clam appetizer. Prixe fixe dinner included Ahi chowder, Blackened ahi plate, and tiramisu. Ahi chowder wasn't too bad with fresh zuccinni + squash chunks, tomatoes, and a couple of cubed ahi. The ahi just tasted like any normal white meat. Nothing special. -Blackened ahi plate was okay as well. It wasn't the freshest piece of fish but wasn't the worse. By the time dessert we were pretty full. Considering we had two meals it was tough trying to finish the tiramisu. Again just okay. Should've listened to Nick H and not gone here =P Just OKAY. But not bad for $20. I would rather eat here for NRW and pay $20 than $30 at bluewater grill. The overall ambiance of the place is mellow with soft enough lighting to make any date look glamorously beautiful. Our waitress was nice and available whenever we needed her until the restaurant started to fill up with other patrons. The thing we most looked forward to when the bill was paid was the 20% off coupon. She gave 2 whoot!

    (3)

  • Bethany S.

    My husband and I had a LOVELY date here after spending an afternoon at the beach. Sol is right near the beach and pier. We sat by the window, people-watched, and watched the sun go down (the view wasn't great, but at least you could see the colors in the sky...) Loved the atmosphere, the music, the candles on the windowsill. The walls are covered in interesting paintings in a variety of styles. Everything was delightful. By recommendation of previous reviews we tried the sangria and the meatballs - both delicious. I had the baseball cut blackened ahi, which was also good, but very very spicy, so watch out if you don't like spicy. My husband had the cioppino, and loved it. I have no complaints, and would definitely return :)

    (5)

  • James M.

    This place has amazing food! I had the lobster ravioli and my fiance had the Newport linguine! To start off we had the mushrooms, sangria, and I had a few IPA's! The service here is great an the location is convenient. Great customer service. I would definitely come back here again! Thanks!

    (5)

  • Adam B.

    What a great place this is. We came as a party of 9. Sol Grill has a diverse menu, with plenty of selections at different price points, and a kids menu with 3 good offerings at $6 a meal. So the adults can have a nice meal, and the kids will be thrilled with their pasta or chicken or whatever makes them tick and some ice cream. We ordered the meatballs, clams and garlic bread to start. The meatballs and clams were very good, but oddly, it was the garlic bread that stood out. Coming from Boston, I have been spoiled by North End Italian, and I am very critical of Italian food. Translation: I rarely like anything Italian in Orange County. Several people at our table commented that the marinara that accompanied the garlic bread was good. I tasted the marinara sauce, and what followed was a Life Cereal Moment. "Let's give it to Mikey. He hate's everything. Hey! He likes it!" I ordered the Halibut in a "creamy marinara" with white wine and mushrooms. The dish was outstanding and was easily the best Italian dish I have had in my six years in Southern California. The fish was cooked well, but again it was the sauce that impressed me. Not too much cream (I wouldn't call it a "creamy marina"), not too much wine, and solid marinara as the base. A sauce, dare I say, worthy of being served in Boston's North End. My brother had the Cioppino and said it was fantastic. We were served by the owner. The service was great. One critique - I had a glass of Malbec to start and felt it was served too warm. I followed that with a Cabernet, which was probably served at the same temp, but it didn't bother me as much as the Malbec. In sum, everyone in our party enjoyed their meal very much and we look forward to coming back.

    (5)

  • J P.

    Totally deserves its 4.5 stars. Great place from every angle: excellent food, genuinely friendly service, cozy ambiance that's casual and fun but can easily still be romantic. I'm one of those terrible yelpers who frequently read but rarely write, but wanted to make a point of reviewing the Sol Grill following our wonderful dinner. We had the... lobster ravioli - creamy lobstery deliciousness meatballs - an absolute must; our only mistake was not ordering a second caesar salad - easy to get right AND easy to mess up; they get it right blackened ahi - on the spicy side but still excellent cioppino - outstanding (and I eat a cioppino pretty often) pretty killer happy hour plates, and otherwise reasonable prices for what it is. Strongly recommended.

    (5)

  • Jacob L.

    Had valentine dinner here. Great service, good food. Kid friendly. Definitely will be back.

    (5)

  • Juan S.

    While on vacation in California, I had the pleasure of having dinner here one night. Great atmosphere, excellent food, casual decor and live music. Parking could be an issue I guess, a lot of restaurants and bars in this area, but we had no problem finding a spot. After dinner, we enjoyed our drinks and relaxed. Will be returning on my next trip.

    (5)

  • Chase G.

    loved it , didnt wait on a sunday night . loved the meatballs . she loved the the mediterrainien swordfish and i loved my blackend ahi . I will be back soon ,

    (5)

  • Melanie S.

    So. Good. If you like fish, this is the place for you. The fish was cooked perfectly. It was fresh and a pretty large order. The service was great and for half of the evening there was even a live band. It is definitely small and has a laid back vibe, but it is a great date spot!

    (5)

  • L O.

    My husband and I were treated like royalty for our 20th Anniversary Dinner! Greg, our server, was extremely helpful with the menu and helped me find delicious choices that were also gluten free. Although I didn't try the meatballs, my husband said they were to die for! The creamed mushrooms were a wonderfully flavorful appetizer. The mixed green salad was excellent and very fresh. We opted for the Prime Rib with Bleu Cheese which was cooked (medium rare) to perfection. And of course their version of creme brulee was excellent and was a nice finish to a perfect dinner. We got a more private table to the left of the door which was out of the flow of traffic. We never felt rushed and Greg had the perfect blend of fun banter while also giving us space to enjoy our special dinner. The atmosphere was casual, but not boring. Lots of interesting art on the walls, vibrant wall colors and lots of kitsch to make it homey. We will definitely come back when we're in Newport Beach again!!

    (5)

  • Cory D.

    The Filet Meatballs & Lobster Ravioli are absolutely delicious. I do recommend reservations since the restaurant is small.

    (5)

  • Armando P.

    By far the best service we've had in a long time! JC is awesome and his recommendations were on point! Great food, great ambiance and friendly staff!

    (5)

  • Pete J.

    Wonderful family run restaurant at the newport pier. Called last minute on a Friday for a large party & they squeezed us in. Everyone's entrees were excellent. Try the lobster ravioli. Good happy hour menu 5-7, too. Definitely recommended.

    (5)

  • Anitha C.

    You feel instantly at home the minute you walk in to Sol Grill. Fantastic service + to die for food. Make sure to reserve a table in advance because the place can get really crowded on the weekends. Recommend: 1) The meatballs 2) Lobster ravioli 3) Sangria 4) Spicy pasta sauce (and they actually mean spicy) Portion sizes can be shared. (Of course, this is a female's perspective)

    (5)

  • Riley M.

    How the hell are there so many good reviews ot this place? It blows my mind. We made an Opentable reservation early on a Tue. We walked into a completely empty restaurant. This was my first red flag. The waitress sat us and we ordered a pitcher of sangria. The sangria was pretty good, but everything after pretty much sucked. We ordered garlic bread, Dijon Artichoke chicken and ribs. The waitress came back out to tell me they were out of ribs. Red flag #2. With nobody in the restaurant how do you run out of ribs? Since I didn't feel like spending $25-30 on a piece of fish or steak, I ordered a penne chicken pasta dish. Both our meals were mediocre at best, barely worth the $10.50 happy hour price. My sauce was bland, and the chicken MUST have been previously frozen tasting bland and dry. Nothing special at all. When the check came. I tried to use my Opentable dining check only to have the waitress tell me she couldn't accept it because she didn't know how to process it. Isn't this something you should know how to use of you are using Opentable? It even says on the check to run it as a traveler's check and there is a phone number to call of the restaurant has issues processing it. I will not be returning here, the menu is way over priced and I question the freshness of their product. There are WAY better quality places around to eat.

    (1)

  • David M.

    5 stars for food and service, everything was excellent. 1 star for the guys in the kitchen harassing your girlfriend on her way back from bathroom, not so excellent. Average that and you get 3 stars. Definitely come here if you want: A) awesome filet meatballs; or B) all the kitchen staff to whistle at your girlfriend and shout HERMOSURA. Seriously?

    (3)

  • Margaret A.

    Love this place!! It's romantic ambiance just steps from the sand is perfect. The filet mignon meatballs in a creamy gravy sauce are to die for, and I've never had anything I didn't like. Don't forget to try the sangria!

    (5)

  • Ashley W.

    Great place, thank goodness for yelp. Definitely cozy, but not a large place, no booths, and you can look at the other person on the other side of the restaurant a few tables away. This does not take away from it, very casual (we were dressed up bc of a birthday celebration) but were overdressed. Food was great.... The meatballs and kung fu shrimp for appetizers, lobster ravioli and steak & shrimp for dinner. Good wine & great playlis (music plays a factor). Greg was not our server but he made our night special. This place is one of a kind. We will be back. Side note** fun people watching since Sharkeez is next door

    (5)

  • Katy M.

    Started dinner with garlic bread and cesear salad. Both of which were wonderfully yummy. The lobster lasagna was delicious! I had the happy hour portion which was three ravioli and one shrimp. This was plenty of food paired with the starters. My husband had the swordfish which he described as "good" with "good sides. " A rating of "good" for my husband is about the highest honor restaurant food can attain. I tried both the steamed veggies and mashed potatoes from his plate and thought both were done perfectly. This was by far the best restaurant that we tried while staying in the area. We will definately visit again.

    (5)

  • Christy P.

    Disappointing. We picked this venue placed on good Yelp reviews... but find it lacking - most specifically in SERVICE (see paragraph #3 below). We were seated by a dark-haired female server who was chatting with a couple seated at the table by the door when we arrived. She took our drink orders and our appetizer order. We asked for an order of bread from her - ***we NEVER received it.*** She suggested the bruschetta and told us how amazing it is. The bruschetta is most definitely not amazing - it tasted too strongly of the capers in it. I love, I repeat love, bruschetta - it was the least enjoyable I've had in a long time. She suggested the pesto chicken that her friend (in the front table) was eating. A-ha, now I understand her quickness with us and obvious Inattention to the other tables. She promised to put in our appetizer order and return for our dinner order shortly. ***We never saw her again*** A nice young man spent a little more time at our table helping us decide on dinner. We ordered the filet-mignon meatballs from him (which arrived before the bruschetta ordered by her). They were so-so... nothing to rave about. We ordered the meatloaf and the halibut for dinner. My halibut was quite tasty, but my husbands meatloaf was disappointing. It tasted burnt to me. He said it was, "alright," but that it was very dry and he could probably make better meatloaf himself at home. We left with full stomachs, but we're over-all disappointed in the experience. We don't eat out often, so when we do, we're looking for good food, beautiful ambiance, and excellent service. The young male server was very attentive, but the female working was more interested in chatting with her friend in the front table. *****Oh, and eating off her friends dessert plate. There's nothing classier than watching A SERVER EAT DESSERT off a customers plate!!!***** Neither server introduced them self to us - so, I'm not sure which server was assigned to our table or whether it was a team serving type environment. We were on vacation and from out of town. Maybe we're spoiled by the service in our local venues, but, when I pay $100 for dinner, I expect better service than what I received at this venue. We dined here on Sunday, 3/09/2014.

    (1)

  • Otis H.

    Amazing location and great food. I stopped in here for dinner while on a work trip and had a great experience. If you can, try and grab one of the small tables outside. The location is perfect for people watching. I had the ahi tuna starter and it was cooked perfectly. Perfectly tender on the inside with a perfect sear on the outside. For the entree I got the lobster ravioli...you really can't go wrong for $17. It was a steal. Even with a couple glasses of the (delicious) homemade Sangria, I got out of there for under $50. Highly recommended.

    (4)

  • Jen S.

    The food is soooo good! We love the meatballs!!!! Best service in town. The owner treats you like family. Places like this are a gem to home across now a days.

    (5)

  • Ben K.

    Happy hour specials were great! Favorite would be the Elote & the Gogi Quesadilla. All the specials come in twos or fours. Good atmosphere, friendly waiters. A little pricey for portions. But if you have the money, then by all means!

    (4)

  • Rui C.

    Just had an absolutely perfect and wonderful night here! Had a girl date here tonight with one of my best friends, and made a reservation for 7. When we showed up, the hostess was expecting us, and had the table set up. There was live music playing by Caliconscious, whose live guitar playing, singing, and Cali reggae tunes were relaxing and cheerful. We had a groupon, and used it to redeem the steamed clams and mussel appetizer, the ahi main dish, and the rack of lamb. The steamed clams were flavorful and cooked well, and the rack of lamb (my order) was flavorful, moist, and medium rare - just what I ordered. We also redeemed free sangrias by checking in on yelp. The sangrias were tasty, but not strong. Overall, the lovely ambiance and the food were wonderfully paired, and we had top notch service from our hostess (who happens to also be our server). I will definitely come back here again and bring my fiance and have our date night here.

    (5)

  • Rick T.

    We have a small 10 person holiday party there. Atmosphere, food, and service was perfect.

    (5)

  • M L.

    We were very happy with our dining experience here . We went on a Wednesday night at 7pm. There was no wait for a table and we were greeted promptly. There was a singer and the live music was a good feature. We had ahi chowder and shrimp scampi to start. Both had the right amount of creaminess and was very tasty . Bf had the meatloaf (he was happy with it) and I had a medium well filet mignon with mushroom gravy. It was excellent. They were prompt with refilling water and serving bread with olive oil. We will definitely return . Parking could be a problem especially on weekends but we rode our bikes and parked it in the meter in front.

    (5)

  • Alex R.

    Really great experience! We made reservations, they had a table set up for us already, and water came promptly to the table. Our server let us know that she was the only one working tonight and apologized in advance for any delay. They brought out bread with balsamic vinegar and oil, and we ordered off of the Happy Hour menu (VERY reasonable pricing) and got a pitcher of Sangria! Would definitely go back!

    (4)

  • Alichan S.

    Great place to go to for a date or just to eat. The food is delicious, and the service is great. I recommend it.

    (4)

  • jennifer w.

    The meatballs, the ahi chowder, cippino, the halibut, the atmosphere, the guitarist, the vibe is one A kind, The staff.AndMisty (the owner) deserve huge kudos for operating this fantastic restaurant. This was my first time we met people that have been coming here for years and I can see why they all love this place. Come here quickly before the place closes and demand that she reopen in another location

    (5)

  • Trevor Y.

    Good food. Cozy environment. To use the bathroom you have to go through the kitchen which is a little disenchanting. Don't wanna know how the sausage is made...Nice server.

    (4)

  • Alina M.

    I have to confess that this tiny little restaurant in Newport will always hold a very, very special place in my heart because that's where, nine years ago, my baby first told me he loved me. I still remember playing around with my garlic sauteed mushrooms when he took my hand in his and just blurted it out. Luckily, I freaking love mushrooms, so the fact that the flavor profile in my mouth matched what was happening in my life at the moment, in retrospect, is kinda cute. And for two foodie fools that we are, kind of profound. What's not so cute is that when we revisited Sol Grill on our nine-year "I Love You" anniversary, the food didn't rise to the occasion. The mushrooms and the ahi chowder I got were severely underseasoned (although, strangely enough, they tasted a hell of a lot better as next day's leftovers--maybe the flavors gelled together a lot better overnight in the fridge? Who knows, right?) The mushrooms were also undercooked, so they never developed that awesome flavor profile that they take on once the water is shunned from within and a little caramelization appears. For a Thursday, Sol Grill was very crowded. I usually can't fault a restaurant for this because I definitely love successful local joints, but it was actually physically crowded (like, you can't get to the bathroom easily at all) and tables that were set for four were routinely given to couples while a line was forming by the door. The live musician was great, though and overall, Sol Grill is still a really cool place but I know for a fact it can be so much better if the kitchen pays better attention.

    (3)

  • David U.

    We had a special birthday weekend planned at the nearby Doryman's Inn (highly recommended). We didn't want to drive anywhere and so after a brief bit of due dilligence found the SOL Grill across the street. We initially had an early reservation but moved it back when our daughter and her boyfriend were able to join us. Then they were late and so we ended up changing the reservation time/party size three times. Although a little embarrassing Allison and Misty took it all in stride and were easygoing and charming. Between the four of us we had the Chicken Picatta, Halibut with Rosetta Mushroom Sauce, Cajun Swordfish and Grandma Jill's (filet mignon) Meatloaf. All were excellent but I thought the meatloaf was the best. The Seared Hawaiian Ahi Tuna appetizer was very good as was the cheesecake. I can't remember a time in the last ten years when each diner raved that their food was excellent. Location, atmosphere, ease of parking and warmth of staff all contributed to what was a fantastic weekend.

    (5)

  • Nick H.

    Free Sangria Check in and Restaurant Week! This restaurant is easily over looked. It is a typical small restaurant with The distinct Newport feel. I know this corner well, as do many, but somehow never noticed the restaurant. It sits adjacent to Sharkies and a skip away from the pier. The interior is nicely done with local artwork and candles. Sol salad consists of mixed greens, spinach, walnuts, cranberry and balsamic vinegar dressing. My salad had a little too much of the dressing. Lobster ravioli was tasty. Ahi Dinner had a solid chunk of seared ahi, vegetables and rice. The ahi was only seared but was brittle and very heavily seasoned (salty). Tiramasu was served frozen. I had a few crunches. AOK.

    (3)

  • Cindy Y.

    I went here for Restaurant Week because I thought it was a great deal, and the items on the menu looked pretty darn good. I am glad to say, I'm not disappointed at all! I made a reservation and was greeted right away by Misty, who I believe is the owner. She recognized that I spoke with her on the phone and introduced herself in the kindest manner. I felt like the customer service was absolutely wonderful. The vibe of the restaurant is a nice and cozy place, which is really nice and relaxing. It's also right next to the pier, which makes it even more relaxing! For Restaurant Week, I tried some of the following: Ahi Chowder: this was really delicious! If you've ever had bisque, it's kinda like this...except you have actual ahi pieces in your soup. I don't know, but that's pretty hard to beat if you ask me. There were also small bits of veggies here and there in the soup, which made it refreshing but absolutely delicious. Baseball Cut Blackened Ahi: This was prime cut ahi tuna in a Cajun spice blend, seared rare and topped with a fresh papaya-pineapple salsa and sesame seeds, served over rice with a side of fresh grilled vegetables. Prime cut is definitely right--the ahi tuna reminded me of steak. It was extremely soft and tender. Easy to cut into and had a nice amount of flavor. I think the rice and veggies balanced out nicely. One thing though, the ahi was a bit more peppered than I would have liked. There were rice and veggies which helped to balance it, though. Lobster Ravioli: oh my god! This was definitely one of the best entrees in my opinion. The sauce was absolutely delicious--tomato-y and cheesy. The ravioli skin was soft, yet al dente. You could definitely taste the delicious pieces of lobster in your ravioli, so they didn't skimp out on giving you the good stuff. It also comes with shrimp...as if lobster weren't enough good stuff for you! Simply great. On to the desserts! So basically, I came with two other people, and there were three options. That means...try everything :D We got the tiramisu, cheesecake, and brownie w/ ice cream. Tiramisu: this was pretty delicious, there were a ton of layers to it, and one of them seemed almost like ice cream. Each layer added its own sweet flavor to the cake and it was definitely not overwhelmingly sweet. Brownie with ice cream: I'm usually scared to order brownie, since sometimes, the chocolate is just way too dense and heavy. This brownie, however, wasn't! It was nice and moist, and had just the right amount of sweetness to it. Wasn't too heavy either. The ice cream paired extremely well with it, almost reminding you of a pizookie (if you've tried that at BJ's) Cheesecake: the cheesecake was simple, but really delicious. The cheesecake was creamy and smooth, and just melted in your mouth. The bottom crust was not too salty or sweet, but just added a great contrast to the softer part of the cake. It added a nice crunchy crust to the cake. This is an absolutely great place to take a date. The service is amazing and the ambiance is just so fitting. Plus, the pier's right next to you, so after you eat, you can even go for a walk. Or, if you just want a nice, hearty meal, be sure to come here. Misty is great and makes you want to come back for more!

    (5)

  • JD R.

    I was in the area for a conference and wanted to get out of the hotel with a group of friends for dinner. Found Sol Grill via Yelp and decided to go for it based on the fact that they took reservations as well as the great reviews. We had a fantastic time. The location has ample meter parking right out front so getting there was easy. Our group of ten showed up and were immediately seated. The waitress was very friendly and immensely helpful. Food was amazing as well. Great seafood dishes. I had the seafood linguini which was packed full of seafood -- not like some places where you go and get 5 mussels and two tiny shrimp -- this dish was overflowing with seafood. The marinara had a great flavor as well. Everyone else in our party had great things to say about the food as well. I would go back in a heartbeat and highly recommend Sol Grill to anyone who's looking for a laid back dining experience with great food.

    (5)

  • Jenny H.

    Clams, meatballs, lobster ravioli, mushrooms: it was all AMAZING! The service is great! Misti was taking care of us and the entire restaurant and was extremely prompt and courteous! Especially for servicing the restaurant single handed! In our group, my favorite appetizer was the meatballs, others in my parties' favorite was the clams and meatballs, which says how good it all was! For main course, two of us had lobster ravioli in the happy hour portion which was plenty and excellent. The vodka sauce was good enough to drink. The others had the meatloaf and almost inhaled their food and said without a doubt they'll order again. I'm definitely coming back again for the meatloaf! Will be back soon!

    (5)

  • James H.

    Just had the blacken swordfish. WOW! It's been a while since I've wanted seconds. And I want thirds.

    (5)

  • Margaret C.

    Wonderful food and ambience. Live guitar player playing oldies. The hubby had the pork ribs and the meat fell off the bone. I had the lemon and rosemary chicken which was delightful.

    (5)

  • Julie Y.

    I bought a Groupon for $45 where my boyfriend and I got 2 salads and two entrees. I ordered the halibut and my boyfriend ordered the filet mignon. Everything was delicious! The salads were big and filling. Great dressings too! The halibut was cooked perfect and the steak was thick with a proper sized amount of blue cheese sauce on it...,simply amazing meal. Also, the staff was very attentive and the interior was uniquely decorated giving this cozy restaurant an A+.

    (5)

  • Chanel H.

    I just tried this place for the first time for Newport Restaurant Week. And...I'm so glad we chose this place! We were served right away and were provided with great service. The food was excellent! I got the shrimp appetizer, ribs and tiramisu for dessert. My cousin and I also checked in on Yelp for a free sangria. It was pretty mean but also delicious! ;D The ambience of this place is cute. It's quaint and has beautiful artwork and artsy lamps lighting up the place. There was some live music by a guy and his guitar. This place is the PERFECT date spot. I will be coming back!

    (5)

  • Milan R.

    Been going here for years. We love the intimate atmosphere... love the live music... super friendly staff and of course good eats! When the inside is packed we sit outside in front of the restaurant... watch all the peeps roaming the beach! The only thing you have to watch out for is actually getting a seat, try to come early!

    (5)

  • Sue T.

    This place is a real gem on the penninsula! The meatballs are amazing, and the quantity and quality of food exceeded our expectations! It is a smaller restaurant, so recommend reservations during the busy season. Misty and her staff were very welcoming and highly recommend it.

    (5)

  • Paul D.

    Had a reservation and the table was waiting, although others who had not reserved a table had to wait. I was thankful for their honoring of the reservation. The restaurant is very small and quaint. Mirrors make it feel much larger than it is in reality. The wait staff consisted of just one gal and a water boy but they had everyone handled. The whole operation seemed to be in sync with the other. The food was well timed, the food was delicious. We had the meatballs as an appetizer, very good, and wife had fish while I went with the steak. All was cooked to our liking and to cap the evening off, a solo guitarist was strumming and singing some great music. We had just arrived from the midwest and it was a great relaxing dinner after our hectic travel. Would go again. Great for couples, I'd be nice to the patrons and leave the screaming urchins at home. It's a date night or gals night type of place.

    (5)

  • Chris S.

    This is going to be difficult to review because my experience was great and awful. My wife and I came here on a Sunday evening at 8pm. Keep in mind it is Sunday, and it is only 8pm. There was one other couple eating dinner, other than a 3-top of the hostesses friends. Baja Sharkeez is literally connected to this restaurant. From inside there is no escaping the obnoxiously loud bass of techno blasting through the walls. It's not something you can put in the background. This is a problem. The restaurant has a great vibe with all the candles and artwork, but it's like sitting in the lobby of a nightclub with the non-stop bass pounding. The hostess seemed aggravated that I chose to have her seat us rather than me pick a table. That stuff doesn't bother me, but not a great first impression. The sever self-admittedly told us she was working there to help out. She was very sweet, but she is not a server. She couldn't answer the most basic questions about menu items. She pulled the cork of our wine right through the top of the foil. Stuff like that. No big deal... The food was FANTASTIC. We started with the house salad. Excellent! My wife's Filet Mignon was cooked perfectly medium rare. It was beautiful. She ordered a side of portobello mushroom sauce for the filet. This chef knows how to make a great sauce. It was delicious. I ordered Cioppino and couldn't have been happier. The seafood was good and the broth was amazing; a spicy fra diavolo. We left feeling bad that the chef cooks this quality food under these conditions. If Sharkeez is blasting music like that Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights, do yourself a favor and come here on a weeknight.

    (3)

  • Liz W.

    We love this place! We've been coming here for more than 5 years and each time are greeted like long time friends. Excellent sunset specials. Yummy sangria - consistently good food in a low key fun beach atmosphere.

    (5)

  • Loren B.

    One of my absolute favorite places in Newport!!! I live Misty, Mel, and Greg! I'm always remembered when I go there. They give the best service even when they're slammed. Literally everything on the menu is delicious! A few of my favs are the filet meatballs! They're always a must when I go there. I love both the spinach and the lobster ravioli. And the pitchers of sangria is refreshing and a great deal. A great place for date night, girls night, or with the family :)

    (5)

  • Mary R.

    Restautant was nicely located by the pier, staff was friendly and food was good. The prices were more than expected. I would say 3$ not 2. Only real down side is that you have to go throughly the kitchen to use the restroom. Very small and tightly fit. Would not be good for any persons with disabilities.

    (3)

  • David P.

    We were down by the pier in Newport and stopped in here.. So glad we did.. Excellent food without the bar type scene you usually find by the pier.... GREAT food.. 5-7 pm price menu was varied and food will bring us back soon.....

    (4)

  • Joanne M.

    Stumbled upon this place. Wasn't too sure about it as we entered but, it is really a great place. Quaint and romantic. Boyfriend and I arrived a bit after 8pm and the place was full which is a good indicator that the food is good. The place could probably fit about 30 people. I loved the candles and the sparkle along with the array of art displayed. We ordered the cioppino, halibut and bruschetta. All good. But the cioppino was amazing. Very generous portion that could very easily feed 2-3 people. And well worth $28. Definitely going back.

    (5)

  • Ling E.

    4 dollar sangrias on Sunday! This place is right off the beach. Beautiful paintings inside and the food is delicious. The service was nice and prompt, food took a little longer than average but they were packed. Even their bread was good. I would definitely go again. Good spot for a first date.

    (5)

  • Andrew B.

    A fun date night! It's a small place and has a friendly, welcoming atmosphere. The food is flavorful, well portioned, and served promptly by their active wait staff. I definitely recommend Sol Grill for a relaxing evening by the pier!

    (5)

  • Jackie D.

    Atmosphere is amazing if you are going on a date. It's nice and dim and quaint, perfect date place. The Lobster Ravioli is pretty delish and the service is great. Also if you're a lush and I know you are, you will appreciate a pitcher of their strong Sangria. I hear the meatballs are something to write home about. Service is awesome, owner has served us 2 different times and she's great. When you are in Balboa Peninsula and you want a great tasting romantic meal, come here.

    (4)

  • Christine P.

    I purchased a groupon dinner here for 4 which is an AMAZING DEAL. it came with an option of 4 salads or 2 appetizers and 4 entrees for $89. your party could pretty much order the most expensive things on the menu and feel great about it! we also redeemed a yelp check-in for free sangria (hey we're asian ok we like good deals). the service was really super amazing. we had a guy serve us and he was great, but there's no hostess stand. me and i noticed a few other people who just walked in when it was busy they just kinda stood at the door and waited but the restaurant itself is kind of small. it was just like a little bit awkward. the restaurant did begin to fill up as the night progressed though. well on to the food. there was some bread with olive oil and balsamic vinegar that came out which our server recommend we dip some sauces from our appetizers with. we ordered the filet meatballs like everybody else recommended and the clams/mussels appetizer first. the meatballs were really tender and good, but to be honest both appetizers were a little salty for me and my friend agreed. The bottom of the bread of the appetizer was also like super thick and overfloured so you tasted like thick crust and flour. Also, the sauce that everybody raves about for the meatballs was just like stroganoff. as for the entrees i ordered the rack of lamb, two people ordered the steak, and one ordered gnocchi with mussels. the rack of lamb was nicely prepared but i felt it was like super under seasoned. i guess i'm not a huge lamb eater but i've had lamb before, but it just seemed too simply prepared just salt and pepper and sear. it was ok and cooked well, but it just didn't have much of a flavor profile. the steaks were also cooked well and there was something missing which we realized after we got home was that they should've gotten a sauce with it. i think if they had gotten a sauce it would've been amazing because it was also cooked to perfection. the gnocchi i tried, and it was not gnocchi-like at all. gnocchi is supposed to be mostly potato and a little bit of flour and egg (maybe a little bit of other things) to help it bind. this gnocchi had soooo much flour you could tell because it was chewy and glutinous. the best part of this was probably the mashed potato sides the steaks had. they were absolutely perfect! we also had the sangrias which were really good! overall i am really glad we had the groupon because we got to try a restaurant we didn't try but i'm not sure if it would've been worth the normal price tag.

    (3)

  • Chip B.

    Saw this place featured on the local tv news channel and wanted to check it out. Had the Cajun Swordfish (it had a little too much vinegar flavor for my taste) and my friend had their popular filet mignon meatloaf. I tasted that and it was outstanding. Although I really would not call it a meatloaf in the traditional sense. After checking with our server literally 5 times, she indicated that it was basically pressed meat without the traditional meat loaf mix. I gave this place a 3 stars because our server was kind of aloof when we asked questions. She basically had no answer when we asked what was popular and what she reccomended. "Everything's good." Huh?? If the server says this, then they really don't know their food. When we asked how the meatloaf was prepared, we had to follow up 5 times before she finally found out. Setting is small and intimate. Bathroom was located right in and next to the kitchen. So you literally walk into the kitchen and see the cooks preparing your food as you go to the john. Kind of funny see the guys back there cooking

    (3)

  • Natalie H.

    Went with a large party and they were very accommodating. The happy hour specials were great, I had the lobster ravioli which was delicious! The fresh bread was soft and served warm, I used it to dip into the appetizers we ordered like the mushrooms and yummy spicy meatballs. Great cozy little restaurant.

    (4)

  • Jennifer S.

    Loved the decor, food, and service! My husband went last week with a coupon and liked it so much he brought me on a date.

    (5)

  • Marko B.

    A "whole in the wall" type place....great Robb Havassy surf art, live music (some eves), and fun ambiance.....nice food. Delivered by Misty, Peter and co.... A Newport gem! (Don't miss the hand-ground filet meat balls!)

    (4)

  • Kathy P.

    If you want a place that is close to the pier (beach, ice cream, bars, restaurants)...this is a great option. The only downside is it's a terrible place to find parking, but that's not their fault. It's a small place with great food, unique decor and live music. From the beginning, we loved the bread to dip in olive oil. I ordered the Chicken Pesto Primavera (sliced chicken breast, sauteed veggies and basil with a creamy pesto sauce) and my husband ordered the Filet Mignon Meatloaf with veggies and mashed potatoes. We both commented on how the food tasted just perfect-No need to add salt or pepper, it was seasoned perfectly. Meals were not super expensive so I would definitely go back. The service was great-I'm pretty sure it was the owner that served us which says a lot about a restaurant. It does get pretty cramped in there because of the size, but it wasn't really a problem. We enjoyed listening to the singer/guitar player in the corner. A funny thing...as we left, I saw two people sitting at an outside table enjoying their meal while wearing rollerblades. This restaurant clearly caters to all different types of diners-How fun is that?!

    (4)

  • Tammy S.

    Everything was really tasty and the service was outstanding. Jordon was a stellar waiter. He was there when we needed him, friendly but not overbearing. Dinner with our good friends. Lobster ravioli, rack of lamb, filet mignon, and halibut w/ mushroom glaze. Also tried the meatballs and mushroom appetizers. ALL very good. Great atmosphere and service. We used a Groupon for the 4 of us, and we would come back again! Thanks Jordon for your great service with a smile!

    (5)

  • Casey E.

    Amazing! Ate here one night, them decided to go the next night! Had the chicken piccata then the meatloaf. Both pretty much changed my life. Congrats to the owners of this place!

    (5)

  • Daniel D.

    I had the chowder and it was delicious! Very hearty and a huge helping. I had enough to take home for another meal. Also had some bread with dipping oil. The lady that served us was super friendly and helpful in my decision making. And the free glass of sangria for checking in on yelp was the perfect cherry on top. Oh! And they had live music (on Wednesday) which was a very nice touch. If I'm in the area I'll have to come back.

    (4)

  • Chad P.

    Love this place. Staff is super friendly and all of the food is spot-on! Filet mignon meatballs are to die for!!! Owner Misty is extremely friendly.

    (5)

  • Robert S.

    Sol food for the artsy fartsy Californians... Damn hippies. If this place wasn't this good, I wouldn't come back to avoid the local art crowd. Sol Grill is one of the better seafood restaurants in the area. I'm surprised there's people on Yelp giving it 1 star, but the 3 times I've been here have all been pretty good experiences. Parking is a pain in the butt here, so if you want to try this place, either come early to fight for parking or be prepared to walk several blocks. The restaurant itself is very, very small. There's literally 8 tables in the whole place. The walls are filled with painting from local artists and occasionally they will have a live musician playing. Customers that come here have the tendency to eat, then sit at the tables for the rest of the night to enjoy wine and listen to the band. It's a good idea to make reservations on weekends to make sure you don't have to wait. As for the food, order the Sol Seafood Chioppino. I think this might be the best I've ever had. Very generous portion of seafood with huge chucks of ahi, clams and mussels. They don't skimp out on the shrimp either; they use high quality jumbo shrimp. The tomato seafood broth is very light and succulent. If you're into music, art, and seafood definitely check this place out. It's a great summertime date place. A little about my credentials: I first got into cooking & food when I was in college. After being rejected by numerous girls and getting zero action, I decided it was time for a change. I needed a new makeover to boost my geeky, engineering image. I applied for a cooking position at a Mediterranean-Italian Restaurant near my home and learned to cook all sorts of pastas and dishes. I never became a professional chef, but I continue to enjoy & love food. 8 years later and 55 lbs heavier, I am now an engineer that travels all over the world trying new foods and learning about different cultures.

    (4)

  • Michael H.

    I am not going to add much to the other reviews, but hopefully there is something to just reinforcing what has already been said. What a great place! The meatballs are to die for and the cioppino was chocked full of mussels, clams, and shrimp. Although the fish was a bit overcooked, the broth was hearty and just spicy enough. If I had any complaint about it, I would have liked some crusty sourdough bread but the sliced bread they provide with balsamic and olive oil was satisfactory. We weren't at all bothered by the music next door, and though we got there after 9pm we were cheerfully welcomed. An interesting note is that at one point the waiter turned off the open sign, but when a couple came in about 30 minutes later, they were also welcomed and seated for dinner. Now that is customer focus! We were on a romantic weekend getaway and this was a fantastic place for us to be together.

    (5)

  • D W.

    Good food, nice atmosphere. Only serve beer and wine, i was hoping for a martini. Sangria was good though. Small inside, bathroom is through the kitchen, weird? Right next door to sharkeez so it can get a little load, not so you have to speak loud to your date though. and parking can be a nightmare.

    (4)

  • Melissa H.

    This place is out of control...everything on the menu is absolutely incredible. Sangria good, meatballs good, Ahi Sol Salad gooooood. Misty does an incredible job with Sol and the service is impeccable. I only wish I would have started eating here years ago. Awesome happy hour specials to boot. Great place for a night out with your ladies or date night with your sig-fig. My hubs and I do date night here frequently. You are missing out if you don't eat here.

    (5)

  • Murielle F.

    Small homey restaurant. The food was actually delicious. I ordered the chowder and the ciopino. Really good flavors to savor. We also loved the live music, a younger woman singing and playing the guitar. Service was outstanding but they offered a dessert on the house after the waitress spilled something on our table. I will definitely come back for their delicious plates. Very intimate.

    (4)

  • Brian L.

    Been here twice, them filet mignon meatballs are killer. Throw in some great sangria and live acoustic guitar music and now I love this place. The first time we went, the service was lacking, but the 2nd time it was stellar so I chalked it up to a one time thing. Will be back here for sure.

    (5)

  • Doug V.

    Great atmosphere. Cool music. The steak was so-so. Not the best cut of beef (I had the fillet) I have ever had. My Friend had the ravioli and was happy.

    (3)

  • Denise H.

    This is a cute little restaurant that is unfortunately located right next to a dive bar. We had the tremendous misfortune to be seated next to a common wall with Sharkeez next door. The music blasting from that place and coming through the walls reminded me of my freshman dorm room at UCLA on a Friday night. F.U.N............IF YOU ARE 18!!! It was really hard to hold a conversation with that thud, thud, thud coming through the walls. After a while, the music felt like Chinese torture and I wanted to RUN, not walk, but RUN of of the Sol Grill! I go out to eat to relax and enjoy my food, not to listen to that kind of garbage coming through the walls. The girl who was the waitress (the owner maybe?) was really sweet about it and she said she can't stand it. Maybe they can find a better location for this restaurant since the music coming through the walls and also the police coming up to question people coming out of Sharkeez was really the pits! Also, the riff raff coming out of Sharkeez and standing in front of the windows smoking cigarettes kind of ruined my appetite. I don't want to look at drunk people smoking while I eat dinner. If I come again, I will request that we sit on the opposite side of the room. Now for the food. It's good...not great but good. My lobster ravioli was good but was was totally drenched in some kind of tomato sauce. It looked like a giant bowl of soup. I was thinking this place would be a good lunch spot since the bar next door does not get hopping until the evening but they are not open for lunch. All in all, I would only come again if we could sit on the other side of the room.

    (3)

  • Jessica W.

    Sol Grill is a cute restaurant. It is decorated with a cool artsy/gypsy vibe. The sangria, bread and meatballs are all excellent. They do have some great happy hour deals. However, it is beer/wine only and much of the food includes heavy, creamy buttery sauces, which are not my favorite.

    (3)

  • Juan M.

    Really good spot in Newport that's right by the pier. It's a bit pricier than I expected but the ambience was nice and cozy. Took the girlfriend here on a Tuesday night and it was very romantic. They even had a guy with a guitar play some ambient live music. A really nice touch I might add. Oh, and the food is fantastic. Also, their Reisling was just fantastic! Try the Pork Tenderloin.

    (4)

  • J. H.

    Meatball appetizer = amazing The rest of it was just ok. The meatloaf and bread were both burnt, the vegetables were undercooked, and the mashed potatoes were bland. Service was good, but the place was pretty dead for a busy Saturday night when every other restaurant had a line outside the door.

    (3)

  • Stephanie R.

    I love this place ! The staff is always friendly and accommodating. The food is fresh and delicious. I would recommend trying the Filet Meatballs- AMAZING!!!

    (5)

  • Luanna Y.

    Came here for all-night happy hour on a Tuesday. Small, cute place. Seats maybe 30 people max. Ordered: -Filet mignon meatballs -Dijon chicken -Jambalaya -Sangria Filet mignon meatballs - SO GOOD. Tender meatballs drowning in smooth, creamy, delicious gravy. I started spooning up the gravy and drinking it like soup.. no joke. It was amazing. Dijon chicken - the chicken was a little dry. But then the creamy dijon sauce made me completely forget, and the chicken just became a vehicle that I could use to soak up as much sauce as I could. Jambalaya - yumm-alaya!! Spicy, smooth, with delicious chunks of sausage. Again... the sauce!! They must put crack in this stuff because it was that good. Order anything with sauce in this place and I'll bet it will taste amazing. The regular house bread here is good too. Soft and paired with some high quality olive oil. Sangria - "meh". I've had way better in spain. But one glass made me slightly buzzing, so I was happy. Total meal came out to $50 for 2 people, including tax and tip. Not very cheap for happy hour, you say? Yeah, seriously. The main dishes were $10.50 each, which isn't bad. What did us in were the 2 sangrias we ordered at around $7/glass and the filet mignon meatballs, which aren't on happy hour menu and cost $7.50 or so. The service was good (just one waitress working the entire restaurant, but she was doing a solid job). The area is also fun to just walk around - right by the water and next to a bunch of bars and other places to hit up. Just don't expect super cheap prices at this place, though. If you order off the happy hour menu, dishes are in the $15-$25 range, depending on what you get. Happy eating!

    (4)

  • Goldy H.

    Ohhhh this place is AMAZING! My coworkers and I visited Newport Beach while we were traveling to OC and I came across this place on Yelp. The restaurant is small, and tables are like right next to each other, but we didn't mind. My boss and I got the filet mingon meatballs and my colleague got the cioppino. We all loved our meals. I'm telling you the meatballs are divine. So tender, paired with rice and the sauce.. It was phenomenal! I also got the vanilla pot- creme brulee for dessert which was amazing as well!

    (5)

  • Brian H.

    I have to give credit where credit is due. Sol Grill is one of my favorite places to go in Newport when I want a great meal. The atmosphere is very cozy, the service is wonderful and more then likely you will meet Misty the owner when you are there. I highly recommend as a date place. Many times they have a guest artist sitting in the corner strumming on a guitar which really adds to the great experience you will have at Sol.

    (5)

  • Stephanie N.

    GREAT little spot for dinner/happy hour!! It's a small joint so I don't know that I would go with a big party. It's dimly lit and gives off a pretty personal vibe. They offer happy hour specials until 7. On Thursdays there is no corkage fee so bring your own wine!! Amazing live music set up in the corner. I was sitting right next to the artist and was still able to have a conversation and enjoy my meal/company- the music was not too loud or overbearing it was perfect. The meatballs on the appetizer menu are out of control GOOD served in some sauce, spectacular and a Must get!! I will definitely be going back here soon!

    (4)

  • Melis T.

    Dijon artichoke chicken and sangria were really very tasty. We were a group of 6 and everybody loved their food. Nice live music and cosy atmosphere. Would definitely recommend.

    (5)

  • Maggie G.

    Sol Grill is a great place for a nice dinner at the Newport Pier. It's small, eclectic little restaurant located next to Sharkeez. Love the decor--kind of a bohemian style, with candles and red walls. Very nice, friendly staff--the cooks watch soccer in the back, you can catch a few minutes of the game with them on your way to the bathrooms! The food is awesome! If you get there before 7pm, you can try the Small Plates for just $5 each. We always get a variety: chicken skewers, bruschetta, ceasar salad, meatballs, cheese bread, cajun shrimp. Get the filet mignon meatballs in gravy. They've got a nice spicy kick to them. We get two orders every time. The seafood cioppino is another of their spicy specialties. You should also get a meal that comes with mashed potatoes--they are so damn good, I lick the plate so I don't miss even a speck of them! The sangria is one of my favorite things here. Get the pitcher--you'll want more than one glass. Plus, they have live music a few nights a week, a singer strumming a guitar. Just don't go on Mondays, as they are closed that day.

    (4)

  • Karen L.

    I can not say enough good things about this place to capture the real experience. Filet mignon meatballs appetizers should begin every meal for the rest of my life. The only thing wrong with my fetticini jambalaya was that I had so much I had to take half of it home with me. The atmosphere was amazing and cozy. The artwork displayed was almost as enjoyable to look at as my supermodel waitress Misty. Only caution I have is beware the cost of adding an extra side veggie and mushrooms on Joe's steak added $10 to the tab.

    (4)

  • duane u.

    SPOILER ALERT: Absolutely NOTHING bad to report about this restaurant. Sol Grill is Newport's hidden gem of a dig; had it been more mainstream chances are I'd have heard of it before the other night. My first experience here is what will keep me goin' back for more. Inside is comfortably cozy, intimate enough for a first-date yet casual enough for rounding up your circle of friends. The staffers hustle, and I don't mean they "look" like they're busy... they work hard and diligently to offer you keen service without pressure. Rightfully so, as the wait for a table hardly ever took longer than "industry standard" 15-20 minutes. I was tasked with finding a selection off their menu; every item sounded amazing. Finally settling on the seared ahi my tastebuds and tummy were in nirvana with every bite. Flavors were distinct and deliberate without being overbearing upon each other. The ahi was in fact seared, not over cooked or dry. The gal sitting next to me ordered the veggie soup and lobster ravioli (I believe), and both dishes not only looked inviting but will take be back again to give them a try. I found their prices to be fair and portions generous; I've been to places in the area that charge more for less, so I was definitely pleased. Sol Grill is small town restauranting at its finest. My only word of caution to you goes without saying for those that know the area; patience is key for finding parking in the area. Mahalo for reading this!! :)

    (5)

  • Thea C.

    Must try if you are ever in Newport. The lobster ravioli are excellent!!! The place has such a cozy eclectic feel with excellent service and food. Highly recommend!!!!

    (4)

  • Jack R.

    Went to dinner on Thursday night with a Groupon Coupon. Deal was supposed to be $89 for 4, for a $155.60 Value, savings of 43% ($66.60 savings). Actual deal they gave us was $89 for 4, for $110 value, saving of 18% (cost me $45.60 more). Not really much savings here. The meatballs were good and the filet was excellent. The cioppino they rave about is about a C+, too many mussels, chewy clams, only 1 shrimp and very dry fish chunks, no crab at all.

    (2)

  • Tatum H.

    Love this place!! It's my go-to spot! Great food, atmosphere, and service. You can't go wrong....try it!

    (5)

  • Michelle A.

    Great little hidden gem! I purchased a Groupon for dinner for 2 to try this place out. We started with the steamed clams and they were outrageous! So good! My husband had the Cioppino for dinner and I had the filet. Everything was really good and flavorful. Although the Cioppino was excellent and out shined my filet. Good luck on getting into this place without reservations as it is a small quaint restaurant. This was a great new find for us!

    (5)

  • Jevon P.

    Love the food. Love the service. Misty the owner is very personable and inviting. Our server was Tien. She has been there a while and my fiance and I had so much fun with her as our server. Really great experience.

    (5)

  • Jennifer K.

    really great little restaurant right off the Newport beach pier. they have slightly smaller portions than i was expecting in comparison to other restaurants however I felt that it was the perfect amount. It left you satisfied rather than stuffed and about to burst. For starters we shared the cheesy pizza bread that was awesome, as well as the provided bread basket with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. You could tell the bread was fresh cause it was soft and fluffy rather than those stale dinner rolls you can find at a lot of other places. For dinner I had the rosemary chicken or something like that, and my boyfriend had the lobster ravioli. Both were absolutely delicious :) Both entrees were off of the happy hour menu for $10 each, a great deal. Only complaint could be the metered parking outside. If i remember correctly it was $1.50 per hour (but that may just be me being cheap)

    (4)

  • Cat H.

    Superfun low key dinner. Wednesday night and there was a crew of random people taking advantage of the open mic including a wannabe John Mayer singer, a wannabe Eminem rapper/ "poet" type guy, a cowboy singing Bob Dylan covers, and some other random singers. It was very entertaining. Food wise, I'm a fan. I had the blackened Ahi tuna (5oz) which came with veggies n rice n some pineapple n peppers. It's cajun spices n a bit spicy for sure, but definitely yummy. I was definitely sipping on my water and my sangria. The pitcher of sangria is an actual pitcher and it's large. She quoted us about 6 small glasses, but it was more like 10. It was light wine and fruit, a little less potent than most sangrias, but still yummy. The bread and dip (oil/ vinegar n rosemary) was pretty good too. Overall, it's a tiny place decorated in shabby chic. The service seemed to be one girl who was a bit slow, but given that she was serving everyone in the restaurant, it was pretty decent. And the food was awesome. I'm a fan.

    (4)

  • Olivia G.

    Amazing meatballs, chicken skewers, shrimp, clams! Happy hour is awesome with bread! If you are in Newport GO here or ur missing out! AMAZING!!

    (5)

  • Scott A.

    I was generally disappointed with this place. My girlfriend and I walked in at 630 on a Friday and only 3 of 12 tables were occupied. The hostess told us they had reservations so she couldn't seat us, but offered to have us wait at the bar for 20 to 30 minutes, and if a reservation cancelled we could sit at a table. We told her no thank you, we'll go somewhere else. The hostess was very nice, but we walked into an empty restaurant where no reservations are required and were told we couldn't be seated. That's not the best way to make a first impression.

    (1)

  • Brandi R.

    Love this place. I had dinner here a few weeks ago. Food was amazing, and the service was great! Very nice atmosphere and fun place to have a nice date night. Will definitely return!

    (5)

  • Ace J.

    I went here with a group of friends recently. We loved the vibe of the place. It is an open room but still feels cozy. Maybe it was the lighting but I can't say for sure. It just felt good being there. Awesome painting of a Chiwawa on the wall, which I found myself staring at more and more after several cucumber margaritas. Oh, I do recommend the cucumber margaritas. Who would have thought that would have worked but it really does. These were very tasty, refreshing, and perfect to go with the food. There is a lot of thought and interesting experimentation going on within the menu. On recommendation, I steered more towards the Mexican side of things with tacos and ceviche. However, they have a menu to suit most anyone I would think. There are full entrées but on this night, I went more for nibbling and trying some different things. Tacos... You are not going to get a typical taco here. This is not Super Mex. Sol has someone in the kitchen that has talent and the food has excellent taste. The ingredients are super high quality and the sauces are varied and interesting. I had a spicy beef taco and a fish taco. Both were excellent. The spicy taco had a kick, which I liked. The fish taco and all its ingredients were fresh and good. I could have eaten another. My wife and her friend shared a dish that had 3 different lobster tacos on it. I thought that a clever idea because the lobster was the same for each but the sauces were what set each off. It was an excellent example of how food can comes alive in different ways when someone knows what they are doing to expand on the main ingredient. Another of my friends had the BBQ ribs and loved them. We heard they have some excellent entertainment. Some person that plays guitar there is said to be quite talented but the night we went, we missed him. Next time perhaps. We ended having a great evening and will definitely be back to try more items on the menu.

    (5)

  • Jen H.

    I thought it was a nice place for an intimate dinner. Deco seemed like it should be located in NYC. Everything i tasted was delicious...from the complimentary bread, to the spinach and artichoke dip (which is a must try!). I enjoyed my cioppino however my friend had the sol penne and he said it was crazy salty. I also had a glass to red sangria which I really liked as well. Overall very happy with my dinning experience at Sol Grill.

    (4)

  • Miguel R.

    Without a doubt a great place to go eat and enjoy dinner. Misty is so nice. The food is wonderful. Ambience is terrific. I go out of my way to eat dinner there.

    (5)

  • Thuynga N.

    I LOVE this PERFECT for a DATE PLACE.... I love the OWNerrr she is smokin" HOTTTT I love the LIVE entertainment and the owner makes a MEAN SANGRIA!! I would say take your date here THE HAPPY HOUR has great DEALS..... Come here with a date, he/she will be impressed and bring a jacket and take a stroll on the BEACH!!! Nothing beats NEWPORT BEACH, I want to RETIRE here.....

    (5)

  • Brian H.

    Sol Grill is located on the Balboa Peninsula. It is a small walk away from the Newport Beach Pier. Inside the grill you will find a welcoming ambiance full of happy customers. Sol has warm food, cold beer, and friendly service (in Newport Beach); how can you go wrong? Misty, you have a great restaurant! Cheers to your 100th Yelp review! :)

    (5)

  • Alan C.

    If you are looking for a relaxing place on Balboa Peninsula to enjoy good food, great hospitality and reasonable prices, check out Sol Grill. Located just steps from the Newport Pier, Sol Grill offers an intimate dining experience with personal service, often provided personally by the owner, Misty Miller. Famous for their Filet Mignon Meatballs, the restaurant has something for everyone: seafood, beef, lamb, pork, chicken, all prepared to order on the premises. Pair your meal with one of their many excellent wines, or choose from over a dozen bottled beers. On a budget? Try one of their $5 small plates. I've had the meatballs, ahi tuna, swordfish, Sol Salmon, Filet Mignon and Halibut and have yet to be disappointed. I especially enjoy the personalized attention from Misty and the camaraderie of the "regulars" at the bar seating. A great place for a date, business, family, friends, birthday party or just to recharge after a walk on the beach. Same management for the last ten years - a local treasure you'll want to add to your Newport Beach routine.

    (5)

  • Charlie S.

    The ladies and I stopped into Sol Grill on a whim and wow was I pleasantly surprised. The owner, I think her name is Misty? (or maybe that's just what she did to my eyes) greeted us with a beautiful smile and down to earth warm attitude. She took our drink order right away and I have to say the Sangria is bomb. Four pitchers later we're ready for food. Misty comes over to take our order and I'm looking at her thinking Chowder. The girls ordered muscles and Newport Linguini. The food was outstanding, made fresh, with unreal flavor. We discovered there was no corkage fee, as if I really care, so one of the girls ran out to the car and brought in a bottle of her favorite wine. It was open anyway so hey let's enjoy it! The ambiance was great. Small intimate dinning area, some dude playing his guitar in the corner, candle lit tables, cute couples obviously on there first date feeling each other out....not up. Just an overall great vibe from this place. The service in my opinion is outstanding and personalized. Seeing Misty walk up to us was a complete Joy. Seeing her walk away from us was equally joyful. I so recommend this place to anyone that enjoys freshly made food in an unpretentious atmosphere. Winning!

    (5)

  • Craig M.

    In the land of Orange County filled with mediocre corporate and chain restaurants, Sol Grill is a true gem of a restaurant. I have now been 5 times and can honestly say each visit has been totally solid. Not only is the food delicious, but the vibe is truly special with live music each time we have been. My stand out dishes have been the meatballs which are stellar, the Ahi Chowder and the Seafood Gnocchi which are made in-house...a rare thing these days. I also couldn't stop eating my friends Sol Salad with Portobello Mushrooms...to die for. This is clearly a owner operated restaurant with the owner walking the room making sure everyone is attended to. This is a not to be missed restaurant.

    (5)

  • Amanda T.

    Sol Grill is right next to Sharkeez. I've been to Sharkeez a million times and never noticed...so sad. Anyway, decided to try this place out since I had a gift certificate to use. The ambiance is very intimate (dark, cozy red colored walls, small size, and live music). The service was good- welcoming and friendly, not the most attentive but worked just fine for me. They give out bread to start with and you can ask for more throughout your meal which is a good idea since their sauces are tasty and make a good dip for the bread. Sol Meatballs- filet mignon meatballs, which according to most reviews here are a must. $10 for 7 meatballs in gravy. Don't get me wrong, they're good and the gravy is even better but real talk, pricey. Ahi Tuna- meh. At 6-7 slices for $11, I've had better. I suggest you skip this and put that money towards another dish. Sol Seafood Cioppino- I'd say this dish should cost around $17-$18, but you'll get it for $24 here. Mussels, Clams, Shrimp, and cubed veggies, good. The broth was even better and to alleviate the price, it'll feed 2. I enjoyed coming here, but I gotta say I won't be making a return trip for the same price. It also didn't hit me until I got home, but the meatballs and cioppino are a bit heavy on the salt. They have happy hour (5-7pm) where some of the food is cheaper, but I hear the drinks don't go down (don't quote me on that). I suggest coming by for happy hour before committing to a full-on dinner meal. There's parking right outside, meters don't run past 6pm- so yay for that.

    (3)

  • Kevin S.

    The place was alright. I'd give it two and a half stars but Yelp STILL doesn't offer half marks. I had the dijon and artichoke heart chicken with mashed potatoes. The chicken was a little over cooked and the potatoes were somewhat soupy, but the veggies were fresh and flavourful. The room was homey but tacky. No question it was decorated by ardent amateurs. Perhaps this is part of its charm, I don't know. The service was lacklustre. I got the sense that all the pleasantness was perfunctory and nothing more. Try some other place.

    (2)

  • Stefanie H.

    I went here for a business dinner last night, and it was fantastic. I initially had my doubts because the restaurant was very small, the decor was artsy and a bit chaotic, and the restaurant was empty (it was just opening, though, so that's to be expected). All of those doubts were erased, though, when I saw the quality of the service and the food. The staff was very warm and friendly, and the bruschetta and lobster ravioli were definitely memorable. I don't imagine that I'll be back in the area any time soon, but I would certainly recommend the place to anyone who is.

    (5)

  • Gina S.

    I didn't like the look of the restaurant at first, but service and food were great. I also liked the wine that was recommended to us. Will definitely come back.

    (5)

  • Ann R.

    If you like small, eclectic, local spots, then I highly recommend this place. Great food, great service! Salmon was excellent. Flavorful sauce, with a bit of a bite, very smooth. Challenging parking, but what else would you expect for the area. Will definitely eat here again, have to try other dishes.

    (4)

  • Donna Blue H.

    Great place, atmosphere, and food. I expected tourist food and tourist service, but instead I got locals restaurant with a wonderful atmosphere. Wish I lived closer.

    (4)

  • Debbie D.

    We celebrated my birthday at the Sol Grill and used a Groupon I had purchased. I cannot say enough about the warm friendly service provided by Misty. The food was delicious and generous. The singer playing the acoustic guitar was amazing. Call me sentimental, but I would describe our evening at the Sol Grill as magical. We will return!

    (5)

  • Al A.

    Free Sangria if you check in on yelp and claim the deal. This was a nice quiet spot near the Newport Beach pier. Parking is nearby. Free after 6pm. The meters take credit cards. I came here for dinner with a friend. It was very empty, and service was great. Got the free sangria off the top, which was very nice. The Sangria was pretty decent. The food itself was decent. I wish I had ordered a fish entree, instead of a pasta entree, to try it out.

    (4)

  • Zwe A.

    The waiter was great. But we waited long for our food. Weird decorations inside. Better vibe outside.

    (4)

  • Chie T.

    Came here with a big group of people - about 10 in all. Nothing crazy but if you've been here you know that's about half the restaurant and they were nothing but accommodating. The night we went, they had run out of the ribs which was a disappointment but we ordered some other things and everything was enjoyable. The newport linguini had a satisfying amount of seafood and the flavoring was good but proportionally not that much pasta. That being said - the menu is large. It's got a fun ambiance with a bunch of art and decorations. The bathroom is funny in that you have to walk through the kitchen, but all in all a cute date place.

    (3)

  • Brinda J.

    Awesome service, nice live music in the corner. Love the art and the ambiance. Had the ahi tuna, the cajun swordfish and the brownie for dessert. Everything was really really yummy. Sad to be discovering this place now, as I'll be moving, but glad I did come to know this was here in the first place. Their sangria is a deal here, and I would come back just for that! My only only gripe, please don't take away my plates so fast that I didn't tell you I still had one bite left....but otherwise A+ place!

    (4)

  • Erik W.

    Enjoyed dinner at the Sol Grill Saturday night. The fillet meatballs with portobello mushroom reduction were a great way to start. The seared ahi was good but the clear winner at the table was the Halibut with mushroom sauce. Nice decor, friendly service, and great location. The price points were a touch high on some of the options but overall a good experience.

    (4)

  • Christopher R.

    Great location, good ambience, BUT the food and service was terrible. If you have 2 hours for a bad dinner and a mediocre wine list you should go. Otherwise skip it

    (2)

  • Annie G.

    A favorite when I lived in Newport, the place was so cute the decor made you feel like you were in a special place. A great place for date night, I would assume, but I only went there with a girlfriend and her mom. We loved it! One of our faves was the blackened ahi Caesar salad and the Kung Fu shrimp (a delicious soup of shrimp and spicy cream sauce, great for dipping bread!) The lady that owns the place is a delight, very friendly and beautiful. Great music and great art on display. Almost makes you forget that there are a bunch of drunk fools at the next door bars.

    (4)

  • Paul K.

    We had a great meal there. Took all of the recommendations from yelp. Meatballs, clams, ahi app, sangria, seafood gnocchi. Gnocchi homemade and doughier than I am accustomed, but good. Halibut piccata excellent. Salmon also excellent. Enjoyed the pot de creme (sp). Tiramisu ok. Plan on a slower pace to your meal. We got the last table before the wait, and if I had been on a tight schedule, the pace would have driven me nuts. It is small, and the four-stool bar was filled with people eating, so there is no place inside to wait for a table. Could have had more attentive service. One server and one busser for the 10-12 tables. Rating would have 5 star if these issues had been better. The area outside was a little sketchy. Puking girl from the bar next door as we left, then a fire engine pulled up to tend to a guy passed out on the sidewalk. And his was 8pm, not bar time. We noticed none of it while inside. There is a happy hour from 5-7 where select apps are half price. Allowed us to try more than we probably would have.

    (4)

  • Donna H.

    Yum! Try the Swordfish Fettuccine with the Cajun sauce.

    (5)

  • Erson B.

    Great atmosphere, great food, great location. Oh n don't forget about the bread! It's soo good!

    (5)

  • Candace C.

    Saute'd Mushrooms. Pitchers of AMAZING fresh sangria. Do I really need to say anything else? you can find me there tonight. Yum.

    (5)

  • Lanee' K.

    What is there not to LOVE here? Every dish tastes so fresh & delicious. The creamy pesto chicken penne is A-MAZING! The Ahi chowder soup with a cream base & veggies with a side of bread is the best soup on a cold winter day. Dont forget to try the sangria!! Simple comfort food thats fresh and delicious!

    (5)

  • Doug S.

    Pretty good place, the location is nice because it is directly before the pier. We were seated right away and the food was delicious. Only problem is that my girlfriend and I both felt sick an hour later. We both had the lobster ravioli so im not sure if it was just a bad batch.

    (3)

  • Emily M.

    I've been to Sol Grill 3 times with my boyfriend. The owner lady was our server the 1st 2 times and she was great. Food is usually mediocre but the sangria and live music is why we go there. We went there last night with another couple and service was just terrible. My boyfriend and i got there b4 our friends. 10 minutes until we even got menus and it wasn't even busy. Our sangria was served to us in plastic cups with hospital straws. Our friends arrived late and we had to ask for menus and to order them a drink. They never even got napkins when they arrived. On top of that my girlfriends chicken caesar salad came with lettuce and chicken no parm or croutons. Even though the menu said it came with. We waited for our bill for about 30 minutes. Our waiter never checked on us was very inattentive. We always give 20%+ tips most of the time but this time the guy deserved a 10%. Just terrible. Very unprofessional.

    (2)

  • Eric J.

    Behind the bar, Cassidy is incredible. The food is phenomenal...Ahi tuna amongst others; never had a bad meal. In fact, never had a mediocre meal - fantastic! The sangria and the creme brûlée are 'must haves'.

    (5)

  • Crystal T.

    Came here for Valentine's Day dinner. We had reservations at 6 PM and ran about 20 min late but called ahead of time. They were really nice about it and still let us keep our table. The only thing that threw me off was that when we got there it took a while to get seated and when we sat down the person helping us told us we only had until 7 so just be aware of that if you have reservations and are running late. Got the lobster ravioli which was really good! Like others have said, you definitely can tell they don't skimp out on the lobster. The sauce is creamy and just delicious :) The portions for the ravioli weren't as big as the chicken dish my boyfriend had but it was still filling. The lighting reminds me of the cheesecake factory which I'm personally not a fan of but I guess it makes it more romantic.

    (3)

  • Chris H.

    Was there with a big group, we took over half the place. Misty the owner took care of us, great meatballs and chicken apps. I had the cajun swordfish, excellent. Can't say enough good things.

    (5)

  • Molly T.

    The only reason I'm giving it 4 stars is the location...right next to Sharkeez which had really loud music, bass beating through the walls, etc. But the rest of the experience was fabulous. The restaurant itself is very small and intimate, with only a few tables but very pretty artsy decor. We ordered the rack of lamb and a ravioli dish, and both were superb. The owner (and our waitress) was really accommodating and pleasant. Good date night restaurant.

    (4)

  • jessica e.

    I went here with some friends last Saturday. It's a small place located near the pier, with live music in an intimate setting. It is also within walking distance from a few bars, which is convenient if you want to get straight to drinking afterward! As it was my first time here, I wasn't sure what to expect. The wait time in between getting drinks, appetizers, and dinner seemed pretty long but wasn't that big of a deal. What really irked me was the shortage of menu items, i.e. no spinach for the spinach & artichoke dip, no pinot grigio (listed on the menu), and no evident lobster in the lobster ravioli. The food itself was quite scrumptious despite the lacking ingredients, but for a busy Saturday night, a restaurant should anticipate what it will need. Overall, an OK first experience. If we go again, I might go during the week when it isn't so busy. Definitely make reservations and if possible, use a restaurant.com gift certificate.

    (3)

  • Todd B.

    This is a great place to take a date. The atmosphere is cozy with an eclectic mix of decorations. Art from local artists decorates the walls and there are various chandeliers and lamps. The service is always friendly and will give you excellent suggestions for wine or food. The menu offers a variety from lobster ravioli to meat loaf, and everything I've had there has been delicious. Definitely a must try in Newport Beach.

    (5)

  • George S.

    Came in just to try a few appetizers, on a recommendation. We tried the filet mignon meatballs, lobster ravioli, and shrimp. All were great (at least according to my friends). I personally was so fixated on the meatballs that I tried nothing else- delicious. Well, except for dessert- a nice creme brûlée topped with strawberries. I'll definitely be back to try a more full dinner. The owner was extremely nice and we all intend to return.

    (4)

  • Dana H.

    The food at this place is great, but it is difficult to get a reservation. I am giving it 3 stars not because it is hard to get a reservation, but because they never called me to confirm or denied my reservation. This is a problem for me because since they didn't get back to me I had a hard time getting a reservation anywhere else so late. The food is really yummy it's just a bummer they have poor customer service.

    (3)

  • Sharon S.

    We ate here during the busy Holiday season in December. I had purchased a voucher for dinner for four people which included a glass of wine. I am not a local so I knew nothing of the place except what I saw on their website. I knew it was a relatively small place but the website pictures were attractive and the menu looked enticing so I purchased the voucher not really knowing what to expect. When we arrived, even though the place was small, it was packed. It was obviously a popular place with the locals. Even so, our table had been reserved and was waiting for us. We were warmly greeted by the owner who was also waiting table. I was fully expecting to be advised as to what entree's we could have with the voucher, and was pleasantly surprised when she told us that the voucher was good for any entree' including the filet Mignon and other of the pricier menu items. The prices, by the way, are not inflated and are in an affordable range for this type of fare. They serve a complimentary bread with dipping sauce which was delicious but we also ordered some of their Parmesan Garlic Bread and it was outstanding. Really buttery and loaded with garlic and Parmesan. Of course we all ordered the fillet Mignon, except for my husband who ordered one of the halibut dishes. I am not a fish eater but he raved about it. I had a bite and had to agree that it was delicious. I think it was the one with the creamy marinara. The filets were superb, absolutely perfect! I am not usually this exuberant about filet Mignon as I've only had it really done right a handful of times. It can be a difficult cut to prepare correctly unless you really know what you're doing, as it is thicker and easy to under or over cook. All of us who had it agreed that they were excellent, perfectly done to the point of melt-in-your-mouth tenderness, and to order. Medium rare was medium rare and not medium. We shared a Pot de Crème for desert which was also deliciously decadent. It's a very neighborly and cozy atmosphere with a quiet elegance. They even have entertainment certain days of the week and special events like two for one glasses of wine on Tuesdays, Kids eat free and no corkage fees(which means you can bring your own wine!) on Thursdays, and Sangria Sundays (they make their own). Happy hour is every day 5-7. I am only sorry that we cannot frequent Sol Grill more often as we are out-of-towners. However we will be back to Newport for a stay over on our way to Catalina in March, and we will be sure to make this a destination point for dinner! Please check it out for yourselves. A great place. We will be back!

    (5)

  • Christine K.

    Found out about this place from the Aston Martin opening in Newport Beach. Intimate. Right near the boardwalk and pier. Try the meatballs. They are to die for!

    (4)

  • Kristen N.

    Perfect place to go on a date- small, cozy & cute atmosphere, dim lit, candles, live music, wine, and filet mignon meatballs!! You will never have a bad experience here.

    (5)

  • Maria B.

    Sol Grill is right on the beach in Newport and a great place to grab dinner before a night out. They have great happy hour specials too. It's got a cool vibe and atmosphere, and they usually have live music. The service is good: friendly and attentive. The food doesn't disappoint either. It's a good time overall

    (4)

  • Chervey F.

    Great food, service, ambiance -- everything! It's a tiny, cozy place! Of everything we ordered, the only thing that was just average was the garlic bread, but the rest was so good! Big enough portions to share and take some home. Our group ordered: - filet mignon meatballs - sauteed mushrooms - garlic bread - clams/mussels - ahi chowder - Sol salad with ahi tuna - blackened ahi - mahi mahi - jambalaya

    (5)

  • Adam D.

    Made a reservation. They didn't honor it, let us wait 30 minutes, and then still didn't seat us. There was no indication that they cared about doing so either... no apology. They promised to call when our table was eventually ready and then never did that either. Update: We received a text after 45 minutes when we had just ordered at a mexican restaurant across the street. The restaurant offered drinks and appetizers for the delay but it was too late. When we had asked how long a table would be if we continued to wait I was told to probably leave if we were hungry. Disappointed by the experience overall. Maybe be careful about reservations on the weekends. We picked originally based on proximity, yelp reviews, and having guests in town from Michigan. Would have definitely planned the night differently and not stood on the sidewalk waiting. No idea how the food or waitstaff is but unfair to give 1 star since they did follow through with a text and offer to try to fix the night.

    (3)

  • Jenny K.

    Filet mignon meatballs and sangria were delicious. The service was friendly, but the space was cramped for our party of 6.

    (4)

  • Robert G.

    OMG, the food is off the hook!!! No, seriously!!! Grab your date, drive down to the beach, walk on the boardwalk for a romantic sunset, and stop at Sol Grill after for an amazing dinner. We have been there and met Misty, Tien and Greg, and they will all go out of there way to make you have the best experience.

    (5)

  • Rou M.

    Thanks yelp foot this great find! The ahi chowder was amazing and I was really shocked about amount of tuna in there! Also the meatballs were absolutely fantastic! I would come here again. I can imagine it would be hard to find parking and get a table on weekends.

    (5)

  • Marta M.

    This place is wonderful. The atmosphere and the decor is very warm and welcoming. I loved the huge mirrors and the red walls. And all the art. The service was nice. There was a guy playing a guitar and I was positively surprised how good he was. The food was amazing. I had the clams, mussels and the halibut. Strongly recommend.

    (5)

  • Shan P.

    I've come here multiple times-the food has been consistently amazing and the service has been exceptional! If you get here during Happy Hour, you get the best value. Our favorites are the seared Ahi tuna and clams in their starter menu. The owner walks to each table and makes sure everything is okay! Definitely coming back! Love it!

    (5)

  • Brook B.

    Great food. I recommend the meatballs. It is also great value for Orange County. In a place where you usually overpay for underwhelming food, this place knocks your socks off with great tasting food at a great value. Note that a bowl of soup is closer to the size of a bucket.

    (5)

  • Robin R.

    I went here for date night with my boyfriend. I love the ambiance and all our food was delicious. Also, I was impressed by the portions. We got the filet mignon meatballs, lobster ravioli, and Dijon chicken with artichoke hearts. It was all soo delicious! But I must say, I think I'll be dreaming about the meatballs for like a week! I thought our meal was absolutely worth the prices. We will be returning for sure!

    (5)

  • tom k.

    Service is great. Relaxed and low key. Very good food. 5-7 is happy hour too! The space is small and quaint. Love the atmosphere, service and food. Great date place!

    (5)

  • Brian L.

    Great food and amazing atmosphere! 1) Filet Mignon Meatballs - A must have. Gravy is a bit salty, but amazing overall! 2) Lobster Ravioli - I dig it. Sauce was on point and it was yummy and filling. 3) Cajun Swordfish - This was alright. Fish was a little on the drier side, but the flavor was there. 4) Staff was great! Great recommendations and super friendly. Came to check on us frequently to see if we needed anything. 5) Decor was neat! Great lighting and atmosphere for a little date. :) Overall a pleasant dining experience! Would recommend!

    (5)

  • Roselia D.

    The Sol Grill is a small restaurant located just off of the Newport Beach pier. Parking is great as there is a large parking lot just in front of the restaurant. And this place is easy to get to as it's located just off of Balboa Blvd, south of PCH. Our "group of 8" has dinned here twice now. Most recently for out SEPTEMBER dinner night! We arrived at the time of our reservation and found our table was ready for us! The waitress opened the wine we brought, and took additional drink orders. She returned often to see how we were doing, taking appetizer orders and replenishing our break baskets. Everyone at the table LOVES the meatballs with Portobello gravy. We always order two orders and wonder why we didn't order three! The Fettuccini Jambalaya is delish! A huge portion, for sure enough to share. If you like meatloaf you must try Grandma Jill's Meatloaf. The night we dinned here there was a very talented guitarist that entertained the guests. The restaurant is very eclectic, decorated kind of like a gypsy den. We love it! It's a laid-back atmosphere with delicious food yet reasonably priced.

    (4)

  • Tatiana M.

    Can I give them 11 stars, pleaseeee?? Since we got here, the owner/waiter had a big smile on his face (even when we didn't have reservations) they were attentive and I didn't wait at all!! We had the shrimp scampi (appetizer) and the lobster ravioli and the Mediterranean swordfish. O-M-Gsh!! Was delicious!!! Everything!!! Sooooo coming back for more!! Don't pay attention to bad reviewed? I'm sure that's the jealous competitors around here. Love his place!

    (5)

  • David L.

    Best food on the newport peninsula!!!! you're treated very well here, nothing on the menu will disappoint in flavor and portions. Happy hour prices are amazing, and let me tell you about the best sangria around,sold by the glass or the pitcher this sangria is made fresh and will give you a refreshing splash of flavor to your palette. tuesdays through thursdays live music while you enjoy your dinner. the only negative thing i can say about this place is that they aren't open enough.

    (5)

  • Audrey C.

    Pros: I liked the quirky decor, they have amazing free bread, and my Sol Salad with blackened tuna was good. Cons: Service sucks. They're really slow. I paid in cash and was expecting about $6 back in change. The server never gave me back my change until I asked for it. That pissed me off considering that $6 was was way over 20% for tip. I was going to leave her a nice tip but then I said screw it. So go to Sol Grill if you want nice decor and good food. Service really dragged this place down for me. It's in a beautiful part of Newport Beach, but I don't think I'm going to come back because they work at the pace of turtles and didn't give me back my money.

    (3)

  • Afi S.

    Sol is always the best place for taco Tuesday. Exceptional service as always and great ambiance. It can get pretty crowded, but as always there is always place to stand at the bar. Very professional, very accommodating. No complaints. There are lot of parking space on the right of the entrance. You don't have to valet if you don't want to:-)

    (5)

  • Jorge D.

    Drinks: Sangria was amazing, definitely got a little tipsy off just one. Peroni was served in the bottle, was very good. My fiancé' dish: lobster ravioli Pros: the shrimp and pasta tastes fresh. Cons: over drenched in sauce, and for being called a lobster ravioli there was hardly any lobster or lobster taste, and over priced for the quality. My dish: rack of lamb Pros: the mashed potatoes were good, but definitely not good for a $30 plate. Cons: the spinach was very bland and room temp. The lamb had a lot of fat on it and was chewey, and not a lot of flavor to the meat and little seasoning. A few good bites near the bone only. Overall: the place is nice and cozy, decor is a bit strange but still makes it a little fun dining near the beach. Servers were very good, gracious, and she even took the lamb of the bill.

    (3)

  • David R.

    Great food, great vibe, small and romantic place. About 7 tables. We had great service and even better food. The mahi-mahi was good, a little too much can cream sauce for my taste, but still excellent. The seafood pasta was excellent as well. Highly recommend this place!

    (5)

  • Selina T.

    I am giving 2 stars for the atmosphere of the restaurant. It is cozy and very nice to stay in. As for the food, it was the most ridiculous meal I have ever had in a restaurant: I ordered the sautéed mushroom for starters. The mushrooms were not sautéed at all, they were put raw in a huge bowl of hot water (that may have had a spoon of cream in it). Then the grilled vegetables were not grilled either, but were barely steamed, and a huge amount of garlic was thrown in it. The "popular" house wine was equivalent to vinegar and could not be drunk, unless you like to drink vinegar.

    (2)

  • Joe N.

    I went here with two friends last night and it was fantastic. The ambience is a little hole in the wall with interesting paintings everywhere. There is also a love musician that plays. That created the best ambience. The server there was also amazing! He was kind and patient and gave us everything without any problems. As for food I shared the filet mignon and pesto pasta. The filet mignon was good meat and good size but the flavor was a little lacking. There were options for a sauce and I should have chosen one of them. The veggies with it though we're grilled to perfection. Also the mashed potatoes were very delicious and perfect texture. The pesto pasta was the best part though. The chicken was very sufficient and there was enough to be very filling. The sauce was amazing and covered everything perfectly. Also the noodles were just perfect and the right texture. The veggies that were in the pasta too added a great texture to everything. Overall I would give the place a 9/10. I will definitely be back.

    (5)

  • Vicky A.

    Was looking for a decent meal on a Tuesday night and decided to stop by this spot (thanks yelpers) tucked away by the Newport Pier. Ordered the Ahi Chowder which is a unique blend and quite good. It is a creamy tomato based chowder with large chucks of fresh veggies. The steamed clams and mussels in garlic and white wine is good fairly typical. The dense white bread with olive oil,balsamic and garlic is a nice table side appetizer. It was slow on the night we went and the service was definitely not quick. If you use the bathroom you will know why. It is a small and quaint kitchen that you walk thru to use the restroom but a great way to spot a new dish you might want to try. We had the halibut and filet for our entrees. The halibut is excellent with a tomato based salsa over the top. It is very very good!! It was served with mash potatoes which where excellent and that is from two people who don't like potatoes. The filet was ordered with the portabella mushroom sauce on top which was forgotten albeit I repeated several times to the waitress. Hey everyone has an off night. After a few minutes they brought it. (See pic) the mushroom sauce was amazing with a little spice and heat to it. Both dishes came with sautéed zucchini and squash. The acoustical guitar player made for nice ambience. This is a great place within walking distant from the boardwalk. Eat to live, live to experience life! Aaron

    (4)

  • Ali W.

    We found Sol Grill on YELP and when I called to make a reservation, they were booked - bummer. However, their customer service is what absolutely made me come back. About 10 minutes after I got off the phone, I received a phone call back from the hostess letting me know that the just had a reservation cancel for that night and they could get my family and I in for dinner. That, in and of itself, is a great example of a company who wants my business, so I was already impressed. Very cute venue, small, but the food was really amazing!! The sangria was good, not watered down, so we ordered three of those :) For appetizers, I cannot recommend anything more highly than the Sol Bruschetta. Imagine the most delicious piece of bed, topped with fresh tomatoes and some cheese - and it's way better than that. The flavor was outstanding, I cold have eaten all 5 pieces by myself. SO AMAZING. We also ordered the mushrooms, which was giant! They were cooked perfectly sitting in a delectable sauce. We took them home and ate them for days. :) For dinner, I got the fresh fruit salad which was amazing. Perfectly flavor - light dressing with a good amount of cheese, and I also added the grilled chicken which made it even that much better. My mom got the swordfish, which she also loved. My sister got the filet, which unfortunately wasn't cooked medium rare as she had asked and didn't taste to be the most flavorful cut of meat, but trust me, she still devoured it. Overall, a great experience at a really awesome restaurant in Newport, really close to the pier!

    (5)

  • Laura B.

    Wonderful ambiance as soon as you walk in the door. Very welcoming staff. Food is delish. Highly recommend the sangria!

    (5)

  • Kelly C.

    I really wanted to love Sol Grill. Husband & I went for date night before going to a show at the Segerstorm Center for the Arts. Husband found Sol Grill on yelp and we were very excited to try it based on the reviews, pictures, and Hunter Pence eats there! I got a free sangria with my yelp check in (yay!). The restaurant itself is really cute but the walk to the bathroom is unpleasant. To get to the bathroom you have to go behind the bar, pass the dish wash station, then turn left where the chefs are cooking, through a closet. Not exactly the bathroom I expect from a restaurant that calls themselves fine dining on the website. They have nightly happy hour. We ordered the happy hour sol salad and seared ahi. The salad had way too much dressing which seemed to be a theme for the night. I ordered the Sol Salmon that came with sautéed zucchini squash, penne and COVERED in white wine tomato sauce. My entire meal was swimming in a pool of sauce. The sauce completely over powered the fish and I was shaking it off each bite of food. The husband had the bbq chicken with veggies and mashed potatoes. The chicken was overcooked and covered in bbq sauce, and the mashed potatoes were dry. We enjoyed the ambiance, people watching, seeing the sunset, but the food itself was meh.

    (3)

  • Kevin L.

    I recommend Newport linguini and it has just the right amount of red pepper. Sol salad was excellent Small room. After 7 get a reservation.

    (4)

  • Jules S.

    I want to rate this place more because of the service! But the food wasn't all that fantastic. I read reviews extensively before going somewhere and this place seemed like it was a hit! Maybe just the penne pasta I got, plain... The server was fabulous though! Brought out some Alfredo for the kiddo to switch up the taste. The bread they serve though, oh my!!!! 5 stars just for that...dense, very flavorful, and I couldn't get enough! The sangria was mediocre. Perhaps the next time I'll have better luck. Cute small location with a romantic ambience.

    (3)

  • Vlad W.

    Based on Yelp reviews, four of us had dinner here last Thursday night. Overall it was quite good, but several glitches. First: remember to do your Yelp check-in - that gets you a complimentary Sangria - very nice and the hostess expects it. Based on reviews, we were expecting bread to arrive at this time, but it did not. So we ordered a couple of appetizers: the scampi and the steamed clams. Clams were nothing to write home about, scampi was very good, but not traditional. Instead of shrimp with a lot of garlic butter, it was in a creamy white sauce with chopped veggies and very mild garlic sauce. Was very good, but at this point we had to ask for bread - can't let that sauce go to waste! They brought it, but had to be requested to refill it several times - not a good sign... A comment on the bread - nothing special. It's dense, but no flavor - have had much better. On to the first course. We ordered two house salads and two Ahi Chowders. The salads were ok, but should have been tossed. The chowders were FANTASTIC!!!!! Lots of ingredients, and a huge flavor to the base. If I lived in the neighborhood, I would order and take it home - absolutely delicious!!! Would definitely have again! We then ordered: Cioppino, Lamb Chops, Mediterranean Swordfish, and the Mahi Picatta. We all agreed that none of us would order the Swordfish or the Mahi again, they were ok, but nothing special. The Lamb was good, perfectly cooked, but, next to the ocean...... And then the Cioppino. And yes, that was my order: GREAT!!!. Lots of seafood, very tasty broth (similar to the Ahi Chowder), and LOTS of food. (Did I say LOTS already...... you get the idea.) Would definitely order it again. So we would return, but with lower expectations. The service was very sporadic. You would have several people asking what they could do to help, and then you would go for a few minutes, with hot saucy food in front of you, waiting for someone to bring you some bread. No consistency. A very good tourist place, close to the pier.

    (4)

  • Janel D.

    My family and I were visiting from the east coast and used yelp to find this resturant. All the positive reviews were right on. Friendly staff, delicious food and quaint local charm.

    (4)

  • matthew m.

    This place is fantastic, the food is incredible, the service is even better. If you like to support to local people this is your spot. Last night was my first time here and I've lived in Newport for 15 years. I'll be a regular I've got a feeling. The ahi chowder was rad, and fettuccine Alfredo was great! I got broccoli instead of mushrooms. If you're from out of town, then you gotta stop here at least once for dinner.

    (5)

  • Jessica S.

    My boyfriend surprised me with a reservation here on Valentines and by the end of the night we were both surprised at just how much we loved this place! We made a reservation at 6:30 and got seated right when we arrived. Sol is located right next to a bar and at first glance we were iffy on whether or not we'd be able to enjoy our dinner with the music blasting next door, but we sat on the other side (away from the bar) and there were not disturbances/annoyances at all. They bring out complimentary bread with olive oil and balsamic vinegar which was great, only change I would wish for is for the bread to be warmed up, but the taste made up for it. My boyfriend suggested we get the meatball appetizer from all the reviews we read on Yelp so we ordered that ahead of time while we looked through the menu. Once our appetizer came my boyfriend ordered the rack of lamb and I ordered the filet mignon with the addition of shrimp scampi for an additional ($8). Meatball appetizer (3/5): Came with six meatballs that was accompanied by a creamy gravy sauce. The meatballs were very tender and moist, really tasty! The sauce was a little too salty for my taste so I ate it with the complimentary bread which helped balance it out. Filet Mignon with additional Shrimp Scampi (5/5): I ordered my filet medium rare and I could tell just by the touch that it was cooked to perfection. Each bite of my filet was perfectly seasoned and cooked, my boyfriend even said that it was his first time he really felt like he could understand the saying of "meat melting in your mouth". I chose steamed broccoli and mashed potatoes as my sides, both delicious. The broccoli was steamed to the perfect texture, not too firm and not mushy, and the mashed potatoes was so silky and had this amazing garlic-y taste that I couldn't get enough of. The shrimp scampi came with four pieces of shrimp and had mushroom and tomatoes within a creamy white sauce. The scampi was absolutely divine! There was not one complaint I had about this dish. Rack of Lamb (4/5): I'm not the biggest fan of lamb but my boyfriend is so I have tried his lamb whenever he ordered it and this was probably one of my favorites. He ordered his lamb at a medium and was also cooked perfectly. The lamb did not have an intense gamey taste (the reason why i usually do not like lamb) and was seasoned perfectly. It came with a side of mashed potatoes and sautéed spinach and my boyfriend loved them both. Sangria (4/5) Great sangria! Got a free sangria for checking in on yelp (YAY!) and it was super refreshing and yummy. Only wish was that it was a little stronger but I don't know if that's even possible haha. Service (5/5) We were served immediately and our server was very attentive but was also caring enough not to come up to us constantly, especially since we were there on a date during Valentines Day. We never found ourselves looking for the server since they always came to us before we ever needed to ask. All in all GREAT first experience! It's a great place for a romantic date or just a nice dinner with friends. Would definitely come again!

    (4)

  • Renato T.

    Big mistake, by the service girls, not to serve me, I came with my wife to have a nice dinner, I need a reservation, rely, I'm going to post 2 pictures, tells all, the place was half empty, o maybe my clothes ,o ya i forget my Armani suit and tie, no jeans and Adidas allow sorry. I will not go back there again, we have here other restaurants with great food, your not the only one. ...

    (1)

  • Steven D.

    So this is a cozy little establishment very close to the beach. It's pretty nice, and to celebrate my girlfriend and my anniversary, I decided to come here based on favorable reviews. Final result? Not entirely to my liking. On a lighter note, the bread they give you is PHENOMENAL. The outside of it is lightly crispy, and the inside is so full and soft. It's like there are almost no air bubbles in this bread. Their bread definitely set some high expectations for me. We got the seared ahi tuna for an appetizer, and t was actually very nice. The outside had a sort of Cajun seasoning, and the inside just melted in your mouth. It was definitely a great choice. The entrees, however, were where it went downhill. I ordered the filet Mignon. Since this place was labeled a steakhouse, I figured it would be somewhat of a specialty. The mashed potatoes and vegetables were very nice. The meat itself...ehh....it was very tender, no doubt. However, all I tasted was a burnt flavor...and it was not very appetizing at all. For $28 I expected much more flavor, not just burn and bland. I definitely regretted ordering this. I give Sol Grille 3 stars because their bread and appetizer were delicious. However, I can't entirely recommend a restaurant solely on its free bread and happy hour special. I do hope that I caught them on an off day, although I'm not sure I'd come back and pay $28 for that again.

    (3)

  • Hello K.

    Amazing amazing date night restaurant ! The food, ambiance and service deserve 5 stars. Just found out the restaurant is closing :( I have to go back again soon!! My meal: the mushrooms in broth were delicious. I literally drank the broth like a soup. The garlic bread and marinara dip were spicy an cheesy. The Caesar salad is probably one of the best. Very crisp and fresh. Lastly, the mahi entree was bursting with flavor from the lemon cream sauce to the pasta! Mm! A must in the area!

    (5)

  • Rachelle O.

    I love this little hidden Gem! The ambiance is great, the staff are great, and the food is AMAZING!! I have had an array of dishes from Filet Mignon meatloaf, Ahi Chowder, Halibut, salads, etc. I would say the Filet Mignon Meatballs/Meatloaf and Ahi Chowder are a must try-- very unique. You will not be disappointed with any choice.

    (5)

  • Art V.

    Meatballs were awesome. Ribs were not good...way way way over salted! Ambiance is cool! Service was average.

    (3)

  • Aaron L.

    Great place at the Newport Pier. I hosted by bday party with my wife and 10 friends. Although it's not a large place, we got there when it opened at 5pm. They easily accommodated us and service was good. Food was very flavorful and got lots of compliments from my entire group. We'll be making this a regular stop when we hit up Newport. Would've given it 5 stars except there are no acceptable options for parking. Pros: tasty food, good service, pleasant atmosphere, only $10 corkage fee Cons: located in the heart of Newport Pier so parking is almost impossible...wish they would bring back the valet option

    (4)

  • Colleen C.

    Sol grill is a wonderful restaurant with great food. The filet meatballs are a classic delicious dish and there are so many more amazing dishes. Great ambiance and staff. Love it!

    (5)

  • Shant D.

    Warning! Do not eat here. Went in on a Thurs night an hour before they closed. Waitress had a bad attitude. Ordered Lamb Chops, asked for medium, got it rare. Sent it back, came back medium rare. Decided to box it up and take it home. Never ate it. My brother had the filet and it was good. My friend had the halibut, it was ok. We all shared the meat loaf, which also was okay. You're better off going to CPK or Yard House.

    (1)

  • Mette W.

    Very disappointed with our dining experience.!!!The food was tasteless and bland to say the least and the service was just ok. We ordered the Sangria, Bruschetta, Salat, lobster ravioli and filet Mignon with Shrimp scampi...no flavor at ALL and the dishes were swimming in way too much sauce...too bad, we were really looking forward to going and felt we could have spend $142 on a better meal some where else!! We are a bit puzzled by the 4-5 star reviews and wondering if there is more to it!!!

    (2)

  • Joey M.

    Sol Grill is a must have in Newport Beach. I took my SO here for her birthday. Sol Grill has the perfect atmosphere for a special occasion. The food was delicious and the staff was attentive. When I told them it was my SO's birthday, they comped us a dessert and wished her a happy birthday. It just felt more personal than most restaurants. Pros: -Atmosphere -Friendly home cooked meal feel -Great staff -Reasonable prices -Great food Cons: -Small (perhaps a pro depending on your preferences) -Not a large selection If you are in Newport Beach and looking to have a quiet night at a small friendly restaurant, this is your spot.

    (5)

  • Peter S.

    Great laid back atmosphere with great food and a killer sangria just as advertised. The server was really personable and gave us a ton of recommendations for places to eat and things to do since we are visiting. You definitely need to swing by for the ahi tuna and the shrimp.

    (4)

  • Elizabeth B.

    This place is unbelievably amazing!!! What a gem! Tiny place- maybe 30 seats. Soups are made to order, sangrias are fantastic, every bite was just AMAZING! One of those places you feel so lucky to have found and don't know how you lucked out. Seriously cannot go on enough about it!!!! Service, atmosphere, food, everything!!

    (5)

  • Kim F.

    The food and service was amazing!!! Prices were reasonable for the high quality of food. Can't wait to go back. The shrimp scampi sauce was so good that we asked for more bread just for the sauce. My seater ahi was cooked perfect and so was my friends halibut.

    (5)

  • Matt D.

    Food was good Waiters were very friendly and helpful. Ambiance inside the Restaraunt could be much better.

    (4)

  • Alicia C.

    Traveling for work and wanted dinner on the beach. Eclectic decor. Love the colored glass. Food was good. Decent portions and very friendly staff. Recommend the Cajun bass.

    (3)

  • Rebecca D.

    I really like this cute little restaurant located by the Newport Pier. Every time I have gone I've had great service and the food is really good. I always order pasta here and it's always delicious. Recently I ordered the ahi tuna soup with fresh vegetables and it was amazing. The broth was so delicious and the vegetables were so fresh and crisp I noticed that I was constantly searching for the fresh veggies rather than the ahi pieces. They start you off with complimentary bread with vinegar and olive oil and if you check in on Yelp you get a free glass of Sangria! You can tell that all of the ingredients are fresh and everything is made to order with generous portions. My only complaint is the loud music bumping through the walls from Sharkeez, but it's not their fault. Overall a great restaurant on the peninsula.

    (4)

  • Nicole N.

    My BF and I came here for date night. We sat at the bar because there was no space in the regular dining area. Seats are very minutes here and usually ppl submit reservations. We got in around 6:30 pm and the servers was very attentive to us. I was a little miffed that the servers didn't tell us that happy hour was still going on. We only found out bc the couple next to us had a happy hour menu. We ordered the meatballs, sangria, Newport linguini and BBQ ribs. The meatballs were so tender and the sauce it comes with so very creamy. Think ikea meatballs but 100x better. The sangria wasn't that strong but I like it bc you get one free one with a yelp check in! The food didn't take that long to come out and my BBQ ribs were very tender. It comes with grilled vegetables and mashed potatoes. Yummmm. I didn't try my bf's newport linguini but he scarfed down that plate really quick. Sitting at the bar was cool bc we got to see them bring out all the dishes to the other tables and I'm excited to come again.

    (4)

  • Sacha T.

    Superb service and food! Highly recommend the halibut and the filet. Can't wait until next time

    (5)

  • Danielle C.

    I could tell this restaurant was understaffed, and could of used an extra body on to help run food etc etc. I ordered the filet mignon medium rare, it came out over done, and was burnt on both sides. When you're serving food, your hair should be up (unless it's above shoulder length) otherwise it's unsanitary. It wasn't awful, but after reading the yelp reviews, I expected a little more. Maybe they just had an off night, I might give it another chance if I lived in the area.

    (3)

  • Chloé R.

    The food was goog, but not amazing. Prices are a little bit higher than I thought as soon as you want some meat or fish. 20-25 for the main course) The place was full when we arrived (around 9pm) but we were lucky and got a table pretty fast

    (4)

  • Glen N.

    Your friends, date, wife, or family want to meet at SOL? Well, you are SOL (shit out of luck) if they do. I find the five star reviews shocking... do these people own stock in the pre-grillmarked chicken they use, or are they the amateur artists who provided the decor? (Nice wave, clown) Let me say the servers seem nice and friendly and smell clean, but it's the service that really pissed off my wife. Though it is small, it is understaffed. One guy (who looks like one half of Matt & Kim) was our host, the bartender, and one of the two servers bussing their own tables, running around like a pre-grillmarked chicken with its head cut off. So, it's more fair to blame management for the poor service. The party of six next to us was served so sporadically my wife was sure one finished his entree before another even got his. Though my wife hated that nobody even acknowledged us for ten minutes, what really irked her was that the server said, "Oh, sorry but I have to give you a big pour" on her refill of her wine, essentially giving her the remnants of the bottom with a pour even smaller than the last. We took a picture of this pour it was such a joke, especially considering it was $10. (Look for it) The glass before that she had to stand up and get herself, the server having forgotten it. As for ambiance, the noise level is high, probably from diners talking over the constant bass thump coming from Baja Sharkeys next door. One side of the wall is art (oh look another wave), the other is a mirrored wall which I stared at the whole time, perfect for viewing the reverse image of bad service. We did enjoy that it was dim until the server also added windowshade puller to his duties, inexplicably opening the shade without asking (who does that?), flooding our table with so much light I felt like I was in an 80s movie where the mom tries to get the lazy kid out of bed. Oh, and good luck going to the bathroom. You have to squeeze past the diners, behind the bar area, dodge the servers coming out the green curtain, sheepishly passing the hot smoke and tejano music in the world's tiniest maze. I was "Excuse me, Sir"'ed for trying to exit the back, not realizing that the bathroom was through the tiny pantry on the other side of the handle-less door marked EMPLOYEES ONLY. As for the food, the garlic bread w/ marinara sauce is the best value, but my fettuccine (the cheapest entree on the menu at $14) was watery and bland, though her blackened chicken was so salty her breath could kill a slug. Oh, and parking? Have fun. So SOL GRILL is named SOL because you are shit out of luck if you go there expecting a great meal. Or because the two servers are the SOL workers there.

    (2)

  • Nina S.

    As a vegan, the worst thing in the world for people to say to you is "EAT A SALAD". However, in this case, I was treating my brother who was vacationing in California so I voluntarily ate a salad and it was pretty darn good. The complimentary bread sticks w/oil and vinegar - delicious. I cannot attest to the food, as I cannot eat it, but my review is more relating to the service. The waitress/hostess was very warm and friendly. Not to mention, quite attentive! The atmosphere of this restaurant is very calm, relaxing, and quiet. I can see how a place like this could also be romantic. For a bit of insight on the food, my brother did order a jambalaya dish and seemed extremely satisfied w/the food and service. Enough to double the tip, and she was tipped quite well. While the rating of four stars describes one as a fan, I would not call myself a fan but I would spread the word about this place to others who could eat here & would visit again if people of that nature accompanied me.

    (4)

  • Lisa N.

    The food was pretty good and the place is small with a nice and cozy romantic vibe. I had the filet meatballs and the ahi chowder. Meatballs were very tender and the ahi chowder came with a decent amount of ahi. Only thing was some pieces seemed over cooked while others were more flaky. Complimentary bread was also good - came out warm and the balsamic/olive oil dip with herbs was great! I celebrated my birthday here with 5 other patrons. I reserved a table for 6 at 8:30 only to get there and our table wasn't ready until 20 minutes after 8:30 (8:50). It kind of worked out anyway because two of my friends were running late but regardless, my table wasn't ready when I had arrived. Then the place was so small that when i had to get up to use the restroom, someone on my right or left had to get up also. Also, the waitress only brought out one plate of bread so my friends on the right had to reach to across the table to get the bread and i had to pour the balsamic/olive oil dip into everyone's plates because she only brought out one plate of bread. After we ordered, we had to wait about 25-30 minutes for our food to come out. They brought out a cheesecake for my bday which was nice. Overall, I liked it, but i wouldn't come here with a group again. It's a good place for a romantic dinner date. Check in for a free sangria! :D

    (3)

  • Ivy V.

    My husband and I came here for a date night and we loved this place. Amazing food, ambiance and service. We loved the jambalaya, clams.mussels and filet mignon meatballs.

    (5)

  • Gary S.

    I always forgot about this place amongst the tourist crap and bad bar food near the Newport Pier. My girlfriend and I walked down last week and had an outstanding meal. I've eat at Sol probably 2 or 3 times year and it is always solid in a non Newport atmosphere which is a plus! Feels like Silverlake. We shared a Caesar Salad - Yummy, the dressing was tasty and lettuce was fresh. She had a Fish piccata which was very good......I can't remember the type of fish they used, but a creative dish with lot's of flavor. I've had the swordfish from Sol several times and as others have mentioned their sauces are excellent. I had lobster ravioli - It hit the spot and I used the fresh dinner rolls for dipping in the red sauce. The service is always good. We ordered a bottle of Pinot, that we both enjoyed. I'll be back again and I appreciate they took a reservation on short notice for Saturday night at 8:00......Much appreciated!

    (4)

  • Stacey T.

    We ate there last night and they have a happy hour entree menu! The bread that comes out before your meal was very good, we kept going through it so fast so the waiter brought us a huge loaf...we also ate that. Haha. I ate the spicy jambalya pasta dish that was on the happy hour menu and it was very good. I had to add more red pepper flakes because it wasn't too spicy for me. I accidently ate the whole bowl of pasta so I was TOO full when I left, the bread probably didn't help. The only problem with this place is that they didn't have any happy hour drink specials. Its a very small place but not too many people know about it so we were able to get our group of 7 in with no problem! Great food!

    (4)

  • Giggly G.

    I've eaten here several times but my first time to review. Noticed some of the reviewers haven't had similar experiences to me in the way of ambience and thought I would put my two cents in. When I have wanted to just dine alone, listen to acoustic music, enjoy delicious food with the sunset in the background. I crave this spot. Go out of my way even to get there - because once I sit down to enjoy a glass of wine and just relax - its got a great energy. I can people watch - lots of couples on dates, lots of out-of-towners happening upon it as they are walking the beach to find a nice place to dine. The place is quaint and intimate. Menu help: I've tried the Lamb -Amazing!, the soup- hot at first but worth the wait for it to cool down, the Caesar Salad with Grilled Shrimp - Decent sized shrimp but Grilled to Perfection!, the Mushroom appetizer - delicious, the Meatballs A MUST, but I'll admit - I keep coming back for the Lamb. They always have artwork that changes out regularly so you can't assume you know the decor until you get there. It feels like a new gallery opening at each sitting - but its always "Beachie" - I'm a fan all-around and just had to share.

    (5)

  • Eric T.

    Really good, and fresh! Ive had the ribs, not bad. Seared Ahi and Prawns really good! I suggest going here for a date night!

    (4)

  • Debbie B.

    I love this place! There's nothing on the menu that isn't amazing! The atmosphere is great with live music on some nights. It fills up quick, but even sitting at the bar is worthwhile. Favorite items: Vegetable soup, filet mignon meatballs, mussells, meatloaf, Jambalaya.. really everything is good! I would recommend this place for anyone, locals or out-of-town!

    (5)

  • David L.

    Hands down the BEST KEPT SECRET of Newport Beach seafood. You have GOT to try their Ahi Chowder. I almost fell out of my chair!! But that's ONLY the beginning. Then I moved on to their Cioppino and that took me to a whole new level of flavorgasm. This joint is small and intimate. Perfect for a night with your date. I can't wait to go here again when I visit the OC next time.

    (5)

  • Melissa B.

    The decor is my favorite part of this place. Dark walls, candles and colorful lights everywhere. This is THE perfect date spot. We got the back table by the chandelier and I know it was the best table in the house! There was a mediocre musician playing acoustic guitar and singing. My dish was not even worth mentioning. I actually sent it back. But I had a bite of my daughters Spinach Ravioli and it was absolutely orgasmic. I would definitely recommend that dish!!!! With a glass of red of course. I will most definitely come back here. The only reason it didn't get 5 stars was because I sent my dish back and the service was just okay... she was really nice, but the service was so-so. But everything else about the place was amazing! Don't miss out on the restaurants.com gift certificate too. The minimum food purchase is only $35.00 and they don't add on that annoying 18% tip. You get to leave your own tip which I appreciated. We finished our evening with a quick walk down at the beach which is literally outside the door of the restaurant. Overall, it was a great night and I'd never hesitate to come back here!

    (4)

  • Ryan S.

    Great, eclectic atmosphere makes it perfect for a relaxed quiet dinner. The only reason I give it 4 stars instead of 5 is because it's located right next to Sharkeez which steals away some of it's charm. Regardless, the food is very well done; home cooked with unique flavors and spices that are clearly evident and well used. The filet mignon meatballs are a must have. They come in a sauce that would make anything taste good. We had the ribs and the artichoke chicken which were both simple, but very delicious dishes. Great wine selection and a happy hour menu for their food items (we each paid $10 for our dinner items which is amazing in OC).

    (4)

  • Michael X.

    My wife and I went here the other day - and *loved it*. The atmosphere is awesomely romantic, the food was fabulous, and the owner was super friendly. We'll definitely be coming back here.

    (4)

  • Emily O.

    Good food. Great atmosphere. Fantastic location. Bottomless Sangria--be careful.

    (4)

  • Robert F.

    This place has incredible food and is right on the Newport Peninsula. It's not the cheapest place ($15-25 entrees), but to see the pier and watch the sunset while eating dinner, that's pretty unbeatable. I've had the blackened ahi tuna, the swordfish pasta, and the jambalaya pasta and they've all been terrific. From 5-7 they have happy hour with $6 appetizers and $10 entrees! It's great for dates and has excellent ambience, though the party goers raging over at sharkeez can be loud. Overall, absolutely worth going to.

    (5)

  • Howard B.

    I Travel to Southern California a few times a year and in 2011 in the last 2 trips I have been to the SOL Grill. It is a MUST visit stop each return. The location is awesome and the food is fantastic. The Filet Mignon Meatballs are without a doubt a requirement to order. Everything is fresh and made to order and that is apparent in the quality and flavors. Last week I had the Ahi Chowder, hands down the best soup I have ever had. The cup serving was amazingly filling and was like a meal, very hearty and full of Ahi, veggies and flavor. You always hear of reviewers and chefs talking about depth and layers and without question this chowder lets you experience what that means. I moved on to the Sol Salmon, although I could have use a bit less sauce on the dish it was again full of flavor and layers. The fish, pesto and garlic wine butter sauce was amazing, so much so that I didn't want to leave anything behind no matter how full I was. Interestingly enough the freshness was made abundantly clear on this plate; usually the sides especially veggies do not get too much notice, but as I was eating I mentioned to my co-worker that that carrots on this plate were absolutely amazing and the flavor was fresh, sharp, sweet and really stood out. He laughed because he was thinking the same thing but felt silly being impressed with plain roasted carrots... That should say something. Oh an one last note the fresh tomatoes had such a nice acidity again I have never had that stand out especially in the midst of so much on the plate or in the soup. The restaurant is small and only open from 5pm to close, so get early or wait (well worth it). When I was there in June it was also an open mic night for musicians, the atmosphere was real nice and the décor is eclectic art but really feels nice and friendly. Most definitely a place not to miss if you are in the area!

    (5)

  • Beverly T.

    What a gem! Right when we walked in, we were immediately greeted by a friendly waitress and seated right away. 2 seconds later, water, menus, and bread were on the table. The ambiance is very very warm and eclectic with local artists' paintings showcased on every inch of wall space. But it works. It's a small place. I ordered a small bowl of the ahi tuna soup. They make it to order, so it's not premade and sitting in a pot. This was AMAZING. It came out piping hot and I could smell the aroma and knew I would love this soup. It's creamy tomato bisque with chunks of fresh veggies (carrots, green and yellow squash) and large cubes of ahi tuna. The chunks of veggies are not soggy like canned soup stuff. They still have a small bite to them, which makes the soup even better. I could be happy with just the soup for dinner. The small is actually quite a large bowl and with everything in the soup, I would consider it to be a very hearty meal. For entrée I ordered the halibut with tomato and mushrooms with veggies and garlic mashed potatoes on the side. The fish was a very small size for the price. Maybe... 1.5 x 2 x 5. it was also over cooked. Very try in all around. The flavor was still good. The tomato sauce seems very reminiscent of the soup I had just 15 minutes earlier. The color and taste was almost the same... except this had more of a mushroom flavor, which I liked very much. I guess... if you like the soup you'll like the halibut. Husband ordered the swordfish. Very very large piece of very very blacked fish. It came with a knife. When you first bite into it, it's dry, but when you eat towards the center of the piece, the fish becomes very very flaky and moist. When you bit into it, you immediately think season salt and makes you question if you're really in Sol Grill because it tastes a lot like Red Robbins fries. The fish came with some diced up onions and red and green bell peppers, which really complimented the whole dish. Altogether, I enjoyed this meal very much. Everything was tasty. The only reason why I gave it 4 instead of 5 stars is because the fish was dry and the swordfish seemed like it was just sprinkled with season salt. But that's it. Flavors were good. Service was excellent. And do not forget your Restaurant.com coupon.

    (4)

  • Tracey P.

    I never expect much from restaurants in choice beach-y locations, but this one delivered on all fronts. The cozy interior is warm and eclectic with glowy lighting, inviting shades of red and orange, original art on the wall, and service perfectly balanced between attentive and unobstrusive. The bread is warm and the sangria is both potent and tasty. Together, they set the tone for a relaxed evening with friends just right. We ordered several appetizers and a few entrees for the table. All were perfectly executed. I particularly enjoyed the meatballs and the mussels. I wouldn't think of hitting Newport Beach without a return trip. :-)

    (5)

  • suzanne T.

    I feel like I owe this place a review because I have been here multiple times. Its very small but thats what I like about it. The wine list is ok and the food is always good. It won't be the most amazing meal you have ever had but It is a nice change then just one of the bars. We always start with a app. the meatballs are very good as well as the shrimp they also have soup which is good as well. I have had a chicken dish once which was good and every other time I order the ahi baseball. The veggies are great the ahi is cooked perfect and I always leave happy. So I would recommend this place.

    (4)

  • Rob F.

    I'm working in Santa Ana for a couple weeks, and decided to go for a walk along the beach. I walked along the waterfront, checking out the menus of all the places, eventually deciding on the Sol Grill. The place is charming, interesting art adorns the walls. The lighting is rather dim, which works to make this a romantic type place, but for a solo expense account diner, I prefer a little more light. The menu looked appetizing from top to bottom, I opted for the Fettucini Jambalaya, it just lept off the page. The cream sauce was terrific, the meats tender and juicy, and the onions and peppers were cooked and had a great snappy crunch. The heat factor was decent, but not overly powerful. The staff was very attentive, the tasty bread was brought out right after I was seated, and refilled as I was sopping up my last piece in the olive oil. I can't vouch for the live music, as I went on a Tuesday, but I was quite satisfied with the ambiance of the music-less place.

    (4)

  • Devon D.

    Walking in, I never would have expected such delicious food. Sol Grill has the best darn meatloaf I've ever had. The owner is super nice, the live music is pleasant, and no corkage fee night is such a great idea! Don't miss the cajun swordfish or giant seafood gnocci.

    (5)

  • Reina B.

    This place is family owned and operated. There is a family vibe here where all are welcome. Local art on the walls, moroccan lanterns, candle-lit. The food is excellent and family portions. Great place for a date. Totally comfortable to come alone and sit at the bar to meet new people or chat it up w/Misty or others. Wed night they have open mic night and there is regular live music on the weekends. Right by newport pier. You should try. Will be your new favorite place to return. Great happy hour specials you can go in quick and eat at the bar watching a surf movie. Anytime a friend would ask what to order, I would tell them, try anything. Everything is good.

    (5)

  • Brian D.

    Cool spot, live music, artsy. Red. Great spot to take a date.

    (5)

  • Robert H.

    Ive been living down at Lido for 2 weeks now, and ive been to Sol Grill 3xs already. This place has a great selection of fun dishes. For starters: The homemade veggie soup is awesome. The seared ahi is as good as any, except mastros. The sauteed mushroom caps are heavenly. Entree: Meatloaf is something that i would never order, however, i tried some of my dad's when he ordered it and its sooooo good. The filet is pretty solid choice. The Baseball cut seared ahi is really tasty and prepared nice. OK im tired of typing. Just try it. :)

    (4)

  • Ted D.

    Great place, my wife and I went there for a romantic dinner and it did not dissapoint. The atmosphere was very ambient with candles lit everywhere. A pitcher of sangria and lobster ravioli and you're set!!! 2 thumbs up!!

    (4)

  • Morgan W.

    Great little restaurant! Manager (owner?) and server were really nice. Decently priced and delicious food. Sangria is awesome!

    (4)

  • Alicia L.

    "I will be reading your review, Alicia, and you'd better tell those Yelpers about the whole experience!" as he shakes his fist at me. Okay, okay, I got it. My Dining Companion was adamant that I hold back no punches. So I'll lay out the bad with the good. This place is slow. It took us forever to be seated. We were the victims of a very large, loud and raucous party that took up about half of the compact, hole-in-the-wall cafe. They were drunk and immobile, but this probably won't be the case (I pray) most of the time we visit. It was only made worse by the fact that we then waited a long time for the food in a near-empty restaurant, but again, to mitigate, it was very late on Sunday night. I get them being slow, it's a beach town. In a drunk part of the beach town. Life takes an easy pace. My big WTF is a beach cafe that ran out of clams and mussels before closing. Again, granted, it was late, but...out? Really?? That nixed about half the menu. The seemingly more awesome half. I got the Penne del Sol, which was penne (duh) with sliced chicken, tomato, basil, and garlic. They probably should have mentioned it was pretty spicy. I didn't care, but others are sensitive and might want some warning (consider this your warning). Dining Companion got the meatloaf, which was a little dry, but still decent. Sangria was good, I've had much better. Three things brought this place all the way from a 3 to a 4 (more like 3.5): 1) Location 2) Ambiance - we were there while a live band was playing, it was pretty cool (except that it encouraged people to stay and delay), plus the decor is very interesting 3) Service - very friendly. But again, sloooow. But hey, she had a smile on her face and warmth in her voice when she said "nope, still no table" and "let me rip out your heart and crush it when I tell you we're out of mussels."

    (4)

  • Tracie H.

    Meatballs Meatballs Meatballs!! i'm not even a meatball fan but these little buggers are AMAZING! great food, great atmosphere, and the owner/waitress is the BEST!! Highly recommended!!

    (5)

  • Char S.

    I love this restaurant! It is romantic with live music. Wonderful service and the food is soooo good. It is a small place with unique artwork and lots of candles. Misty and Peter the owners have put their heart and soul into this place and it evident. Try the meatballs! Yum! After you have eaten way too much, you can take a walk on the beach. How perfect is that?!

    (5)

  • Heather G.

    I lovr this place. The food is wonderful and the sangria is delish! Right at the pier of Newport so whats there not to like about it? I ordered the ahi-tuna which is so refreshing! yummy!

    (5)

  • Cristalina A.

    Other than the fact that this place is extremely small! But, its an intimate dining experience, that's if not everyone in Newport decides to come all the same time. Its beautifullly decorated and they had a singer playing with his guitar to entertain. The bread wasn't as great as I liked it to be, but the food was awesome! I'm not into seafood, so I had the rosemary chicken which was delicious!! But, my friends has seafood entrees and they were in awe! Definitely would come again :)

    (4)

  • Monique O.

    Yum went to this restaurant about a month ago with my family and wow can't wait to go back. The staff was friendly and the atmosphere was very nice dark with lit candles and a live singer (nice). Almost felt bad to have kids here since the place is such a mellow kinda date night place. But my kids are great and well behaved so it was not a problem. I had the fantastic Blackened Ahi dish so good I could not stop talking about it cooked perfectly and SO flavorful and spicy I love that. My husband had the halibut with mushroom sauce it was wonderful as well. We also had the sangria and that was great and my kids loved their pasta. Oh also had the tiramisu and that was just so so but not taking off any stars for that I did not need it really anyway just always on the search for the best tiramisu. We will be back soon for sure.

    (5)

  • John taylor U.

    Great date night spot. Dinner then walk on boardwalk. Grandmas meatloaf and the jambalaya are amazing. Live acoustic music also.

    (5)

  • Kasey U.

    All I can say is WOW, I took my mom here for her for her birthday, We first started with the Filet Mignon Meatballs which are so appetizing, we ordered a bottle a Resling to compliment our food, I order the Chicken Piccata, and let me tell you, Every single ingredient was so fresh you'd swear it was handed picked as soon as we arrived. They have live music there which is very mellow great for a romantic date as well. The owner is a beautiful woman very kind, likes to talk to everyone which I love. All and all I love this place if I wasn't such a broke ass I would eat here all the time : )

    (5)

  • Samarie R.

    Cute little place right at the base of Newport Pier. Eclectic decor leaning toward artsy with lots to see. The food was delicious. I had the Mediterranean Swordfish which was cooked perfectly and full of flavor. I also tasted the Ahi Chowder which was out of this world. There was live music the night I was there being performed by The Blues Pirates. They were very good, entertaining, interacted well with the audience - over all lots of fun. I would love to see them again. I look forward to going again.

    (4)

  • cameron M.

    I love this place. It has a very eclectic vibe, and the food is solid and reasonable. I went on open mic night which was a touch bizarre and different, yet uniquely cool. The Sangria was pretty good by the pitcher, as you get close to ten glasses out of it. I had the ribs which were a half rack, (if that) for 15 bucks and were pretty good. No complaints for this place at all. The only reason it gets 4 out of 5 is because of less than average portion sizes and the worst thing: It is directly next door to Sharkees

    (4)

  • akzidenz g.

    wtf? clearly the ppl writing these reviews dont know great food. oh yeah, they must all be from OC, specifically newport beach. we ordered the pan-seared tuna, penne pasta, and ribs. tuna: was clearly frozen in another life, then defrosted in the microwave before we ordered it. despite the unfresh tuna, the spices were quite delicious. the best meal of the night. pasta: boiled pasta w boxed sauce. it was disgusting...! i couldnt take more than 3 bites. ive never had pasta so disgusting in my life. ribs: there are only 1 kind of ribs on the menu: pork ribs w bbq sauce. what we got: chicken breast w bbq sauce. wtf? dont try to pull that on me.

    (1)

  • Aimee W.

    Fun place to go with friends or on a date night. It's candlelit, eclectic, local artist paintings up on the wall you feel right at home. Most nights there is live music. Fresh seafood, great jambalaya, but my fav is the lobster ravioli. Kid friendly, but for parking bring quarters for the meters.

    (5)

  • Allen L.

    the glowing reviews this place is getting completely baffles me. though i shouldn't be surprised since i've lived in the OC in the past and i'm totally aware of the low standards of food OC patrons have. anything that isn't a chain, containing "cute" interior is deemed wonderful. which is ironic since the OC is full of farms and local ingredients are within an arms reach. lets just say everything they serve here is clearly frozen. box powdered mash potatoes? yep, thats just one example of how low they go. want another example? microwave heated BBQ ribs. the fact that they charge $16 for an entree of frozen food is downright theft.

    (1)

  • Sidra G.

    Run, don't walk to Sol Grill! We had one of the best dining experiences ever. Great location in Newport Beach just a short walk to the pier. The ambiance was comfortable and friendly. We had lamb and the filet and both were tender and juicy. The mashed potatoes and the vegetables were perfectly cooked. Extensive wine list, but skip it and go straight for the Sangria. They have both white and red. I had the red and it was to die for. I would go again just for the Sangria! Our server Misty was so friendly and open. It was only later when we asked about the owner that she told us she was the owner. They also have daily specials and live Entertainment. We can't wait to go again! Enjoy...

    (5)

  • Georgie C.

    Sol Grill is a lovely little eatery in Newport where you will always be treated like a regular even if its your first time there. Misty is warm and friendly and the food always seems like home cooking. Many places come and go in that town and its really nice that you can always count on this charming spot.

    (5)

  • Lilee N.

    service was alright. they didn't seem very attentive and ignored us except when we flagged them down to order and to pay our bill. had the steamed clams to start. the butter sauce is nice and you just want to pick up the bowl and slurp it up! we actually just took the bread they gave us and dipped it in the sauce! fettuccini jambalaya was good. overall, the food here is solid. we came during happy hour so the portions were just right and so were the prices. not sure if i'd pay the full price for some of the menu items (even if the portions are bigger!) it's a small place and you might not notice it tucked away in balboa amongst all the touristy restaurant choices. cute decor, intimate place for a dining experience and live music.

    (4)

  • Jennifer F.

    This is my all time favorite place in the area! The food is delicious, the music is fun, the customer service is outstanding! Everything I have ever had here is amazing. The customer service is out of this world, they remembered me by my third time going there and before I could ask for a water they brought me out a red sangria, remembering how much I love it and always order it. If you go, you must order the Ahi Chowder, it's a pretty large bowl, so it's perfect to split! The owner is always so kind and friendly, and the rest of the staff is pretty amazing too. I highly recommend.

    (5)

  • Eve C.

    Very cute restaurant which would make a great date spot. The place is cozy so I strongly encourage reservations. The atmosphere is romantic and a little bohemian. Surf culture is evident from the art on the walls. Perfect for its beach locale. The food is amazing. The seafood is fresh and portions are generous. I have had on various occasions, the seared ahi tuna, and fettucinne with clams, homemade meatballs, and various appetizers. The food is always delicious. I have to disagree with the other bad reviews which says that the food is frozen. It has never been nothing but fresh and yummy. If you are ever in the Newport Beach area, make sure to check out this restuarant. The prices are reasonable (considering it is the OC), and it has got tons of character which beats chain restaurants hands down.

    (5)

  • Kat N.

    Very cute spot considering its Newport peninsula location, what with it being surrounded by rowdy bars like Sharkeez and the lot. Paintings cover almost every inch of the deep colored walls. Given its cozy and intimate setting, Sol Grill is great for a date or relaxed night out with the girls, to nosh on dinner and sip on wine. The food here is solid, above average. Service is great, usually v. warm and friendly. Of the few things I've sampled off the menu, I am a huge fan of their ... vegetable soup. Yeah, vegetable soup. It's delicious. Fresh chunks of zucchini, tomatoes, carrots, etc. in zesty and flavorful broth that you can add chicken or pasta to for a heartier meal. I've even ordered it to go on a few occasions and I don't think I've ever done that for any other soup before. Other offerings, like the blackened ahi, chicken piccata and artichoke dijon chicken are also done well.

    (4)

  • Freddy A.

    Sol Gril is a gem in the rough. Located right next to Sharkies in Newport Beach, this little tiny restaurant serves up some mean dishes. (The place probably seats no more than 15-20 people) I have kept this place a secret since my first time about 2 years ago. The filet topped with Portabello mushroom sauce is to die for, as well as the garlic mashed potato. The food, drink and style is superb. It can get a little pricey, but it's worth every penny. (Dinner for 2+a Bottle of wine+ desert = about $120 w/ tip) Knock it, try it, and enjoy...

    (5)

  • Vernon F.

    great times to be had! the atmosphere: cool. the food: unbelievable. the service: very friendly.

    (5)

  • Amy D.

    Just went here last weekend for a double-date. Called in about an hour prior to our arrival for a reservation on a Friday night w/o any issues (a plus!). We never realized this place was located to the right of the Sharkeez Bar. As we arrived, it was a full house (in a good way) with a dark ambience, candles lit everywhere, and LIVE relaxing music. I was suprised knowing that you couldn't hear any rackets or noise coming from Sharkeez next door (another added bonus). Our server was very pleasant and had no problem introducing us to their NEW items and going over the rest of the menu. I had their sangria (MY FAVORITE) and my fiance got their new guiness beer that they just came out with. There's a lot of fusion with italian items and seafood. We ordered the filet mignon meatballs, lobster ravioli in red sauce, garlic bread, and arugula salad. I must say that every single plate was wiped clean. We are definitely returning customers! Another good thing, we used the coupon we purchased through Restaurant.com . Let the server know first rather then waiting until the bill comes b/c some restaurants have conditions or will exclude alcohol in the discounts. However, this place was really cool and just took the discount off the total bill that included the drinks.

    (5)

  • steve d.

    One of the best spots on the peninsula. The food is good, the location and ambiance are great, and the owner is super nice. This place just has an awesome vibe! I actually dont like live music at restaurants, but i can live with it here. the art is great, and if you get a table at a window you can watch all the dorks in line for sharkeez next door!

    (4)

  • Daniel T.

    its good service is excellent the bread that they give you in the beginning is really really good. had the swordfish and it was good. I ate so much of the bread that I couldn't finish the swordfish. will come again for sure. just bring some coins for the meter parking. its a bit small so not good for parties greater than 8 at the most probably.

    (4)

  • Julia J.

    Started with amazing bread, HOT from the oven. Then, the meatballs, oh so good! The house salad is wonderful. And finally, the lamb chops were the best I've ever had. This was our first visit, I don't think it will be our last!

    (5)

  • Paul H.

    Love this place: great food, great art, great music. A big draw is the staff --all of them sweet and friendly, especially Misty, the owner. The food is fantastic - Try the ahi chowder, filet mignon meatballs and meatloaf. Some reviewers below complain about the crowd, and size of the restaurant - but I don't see how you can fault a restaurant for drawing a crowd because it is successful. If you want a great experience in a small, unique, intimate place, you may have to wait a few minutes. Make a reservation and you won't have an issue. I've been going a long time and dig the eclectic group of musicians. Like the art on the art on the walls and food on the table, it's local, homegrown and anything but corporate.

    (5)

  • Martin K.

    Last week a friend and I were looking around for something to eat with an adult beverage on the side. Not being thrilled by the Irvine offerings lately, we decided to give the Newport Beach Pier area a shot. As we stumbled around aimlessly, we saw the usual stuff. Loud bars were plenty. But all we wanted was a cool place, with at least some degree of ambiance, where we can sit, eat, relax and have a beverage. And maybe listen to some music of some sort. So right by the pier, we saw the Sol Grill. "What's with that one there, Sol Grill?" buddy asks. "Dunno - Let's go check it out then." So in we walked. There was a guitar player, who played some mellow tunes. The place was nicely decorated, lots of Arts on the walls. Dim lighting, nice, relaxed ambiance. Exactly what we needed! The wait staff was friendly and attentive. The food was good, and not too pricey, in my opinion, considering the beach front location. The night we were there - Thursday (when large parts of SoCal went dark during the big power outage), it was quiet. We arrived around 07:30 pm. It filled up some more when we left, which was towards 0900 pm. Again, the food was tasty. I had the chicken ravioli, and my buddy had some dead fish with caper sauce (sorry for forgetting the exact details) and really liked it, too. I'll definitely go back there.

    (4)

  • Adam P.

    SO and I had the same word to describe this restaurant: Odd. People aren't kidding when they say the place is small. There are about 7-8 tables in the whole room, a small bar in the back, and one waitress/bartender/hostess (Would be a 2.5 star). I don't know how anyone could describe this as romantic. More like cacophonous. I don't typically mind live music, but in a restaurant this tiny, the band is on top of you, and they weren't particularly good. I'm not sure who would come here for the bar, considering its Beer & wine only, there are 4 seats, and its in the middle of frattacular bar city. Nonetheless, several folks who didnt have seats at the bar thought that the back of my chair was an appropriate place for them to lean. Id move my chair and theyd keep moving with it. As to be expected with one waitress/bartender and one busboy, service was spotty. So why still 3 stars? The food was FANTASTIC. Appetizers were a mix- vegetable soup- mild improvement over progresso, but the "sauteed mushrooms" (which were really just whole mushrooms cooked (and served in) a garlic broth) were fantastic- and a huge portion for 4.95. For entrees, had the rack of lamb and lobster ravioli- both delicious. Sangria was tasty. Price point was ok - $26 for the lamb and $17 for the ravioli. Cheaper options available, nothing more than the lamb. If youre looking for a quiet, or even loud, chic spot for a nice dinner out, I dont recommend this place. If you want to a right on the beach or pre-bar crawl tasty dinner, then you may want to try it. Get reservations if you do try it.

    (3)

  • Brian N.

    Where do I begin... Is it the awkward open mic night, the drunken locals, seafood they shouldn't be serving, or the sauces so bland and salty, I might as well have been slurping saline solution. The only redeeming factor of this joint was the wonderful and sympathetic server. I think she felt our pain. The bread was good, the wine was tasyt, and the menu looked good, but the rest was just another very bizarre incident in a SoCal surfer neighborhood... Plus, it was really expensive. Stay away.

    (1)

  • Kelly Y.

    I was pleasantly surprised with Sol Grill. Went on a Friday night for my boyfriend's birthday. I made a reservation even though I didn't think we would need one, and I'm glad I did. At 8pm every table was full and there were 2 guys playing guitars and singing, which made the ambiance great! We shared the Kung Fu Shrimp appetizer, which was much more like a stew than anything else. Very spicy and good regardless. I ordered the seared ahi, and my boyfriend got the Cajun Swordfish. Both were very good, but the ahi was a little overcooked. I should have specified that the more rare, the better. Overall, I really liked the ambiance of the place, and there's lots of cool artwork on the walls to look at. I will definitely be coming back...especially with a Restaurant.com coupon!

    (4)

  • Gina R.

    What a nice surprise! I had purchased a groupon and had never been...we had five in our party . We all loved it! It s a little gem with great food and yummy sangria.

    (4)

  • Greg L.

    AWESOME ahi tuna chowder! Don't miss it. Everything else was decent too, and good service, great location. It's a small place, so make a reservation.

    (4)

  • El M.

    My best friend showed my this secret hiding spot. The food was 3/5, but the atmosphere was a 5/5. Local artist showing off thier work monthly (mostly skate/surf art) very cool, acoustic artist performing nightly (except tues I believe). I had some sort of steak dinner, that was OK. I think seafood dishes looked better.

    (4)

  • Bob K.

    great food and atmosphere. small bar, but quaint. guitar dude was good. filet meatballs good. salmon with sauce on side good. def a must visit place

    (4)

  • Craig S.

    Profoundly one of the best spots throughout the peninsula. Nestled closely to the pier, Sol Grill defines atmosphere with perfection. Warm, vibrant colors sooth ones mood upon entrance. Upon being seated, a relaxing echo of tranquil music allows for patrons to feel at ease. Occasional live musicians give an even greater flare to an already perfect setting. Upon being seated, service comes promptly from a slew of beautiful hostesses who quickly respond to any request or order taken. While the wait for food is not long at all, patrons have a chance to admire breathtaking original artwork adorning the walls. While seafood is there specialty, all of the dishes are excellent. Rich and full of flavor, dishes range from simple chicken pastas mixed with one of the most flavorful and rich sauces I have ever tried. No ones swordfish or mahi-mahi is better on the peninsula. Overall, the entire menu is excellent. And if you so happen to be on a date, a moonlight stroll along the beach, boardwalk or pier are only steps away and sure to set the mood for the night. Or if with friends and you are in a party mood, local bars are also only steps away. Yet, aside from all of these things, Sol Grill is a must eat. Combining the excellent, yet kind and homely service, plus a space that envelopes ones mood with such soulful and deep admiration for a beach style of life, Sol Grill touches ones soul in ways many other establishments can't. A must go, even if only once.

    (5)

  • Todd S.

    best food in town. love their blackened ahi!

    (5)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Tue

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : Yes
    Delivery : No
    Take-out : Yes
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Good For : Dinner
    Parking : Street
    Bike Parking : Yes
    Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
    Good for Kids : No
    Good for Groups : Yes
    Attire : Casual
    Ambience : Romantic
    Noise Level : Average
    Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
    Wi-Fi : Free
    Has TV : No
    Waiter Service : Yes
    Caters : Yes

Sol Grill

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