Gulfstream Restaurant Newport Beach, California, is one of the most popular restaurants in this toney part of Orange County. In fact, if you ask a local to make a list of the best restaurants in Newport Beach, Gulfstream will always be at the top of the list. This Hillstone restaurant has a similar menu and vibe to the group’s neighboring spot, Houston’s in Irvine, but with a coastal twist. If you’re a fan of high-quality seafood and that signature Hillstone ambiance, you will love Gulfstream.

Location & Ambiance

Gulfstream’s Newport Beach is located in the Corona del Mar Shopping Plaza and is less than a mile from Fashion Island. The ambiance here mimics the distinct design found in other Hillstone Group restaurants, with intimate two to four-person tables, low-mood lighting, dark wood hues throughout, and an open-concept kitchen that allows you to see the chef’s work.

The sleek, modern, and cozy coastal dining room offers high-top seating in the bar area, as well as ample seating at the bar. The patio at this Fashion Island restaurant is also a great choice.

The Gulfstream Restaurant Menu: What to Order & Why

The menu at Newport’s Gulfstream restaurant is classic seafood with a California twist. You will find entrees like the “Knife and Fork Ahi Burger”, New Orleans BBQ Shrimp, and Ruby Red Trout alongside Rutherford Ribeye and the Emerald Kale & Rotisserie Chicken Salad. 

While the entire menu at Gulfstream is excellent, there are a few must-order dishes when you dine here.

The Grilled California Artichoke is a special dish, and the restaurant only serves 20 a night, so availability is limited. This delicious appetizer is made with heirloom artichokes from the “Artichoke Capital of the World” Castroville, California. If they haven’t sold out for the evening, this is a must-order dish.

The undisputed king of every Hillstone Group Restaurant is the House-Smoked Salmon. Big, tender flakes of perfectly smoked salmon are the star in this dish with a housemade dip that is to die for.

The Wine List: What to Expect

The wine list at this Newport Beach restaurant is pretty “play it safe”. Expect big Napa Valley Cabernet houses like Ridge, Daou, Duckhorn, Nickel & Nickel, and Heitz, alongside approachable bottles of Pinot Noir from producers like Kosta Brown and Paul Hobbs.

In the future, we would love to see this expanded to include wines from more up and coming regions like those Valle de Guadalupe wineries we have been frequenting in our travels abroad.

Having said that, we did find a bottle of Château La Rabotine Sancerre, France, a Sauvignon Blanc, that we really enjoyed.

Corkage at Gulfstream in Newport Beach

One tip we want to share with you before you make that reservation has to do with corkage. Do take a look at the wine list before you dine, as the list does skew towards traditional producers. With corkage at Gulfstream a reasonable $25 per standard 750 ml bottle, it may be worth it to bring a bottle from your collection.

Experience

We stopped in for a quick lunch during the hustle and bustle of holiday shopping. We knew we could count on Gulfstream for a relaxing experience with top-notch service because each time we’ve dined here, the restaurant exceeded our expectations.

Holiday shopping meant that we didn’t have time for a full meal, so we decided to do a sampling of their appetizers. We started with a dozen oysters and then enjoyed smoked fish dip, smoked salmon, and artichokes. For wine, we paired the apps with a bottle of crisp, clean Sauvignon Blanc from Château La Rabotine Sancerre, France. We couldn’t have asked for a better food and wine pairing.

Final Thoughts

Coastal sophistication reigns supreme at Gulfstream restaurant in Newport Beach. Whenever we’re out and about and want a reliably good meal, we go to a Hillstone restaurant. It’s always a homerun when you dine here.

FAQs

Does Gulfstream Newport Beach have a dress code?

Yes, despite its location in beachy Newport Beach, Gulfstream restaurant does have a dress code. Recommended attire is upscale-casual, and the restaurant does not allow flip-flops, tank tops, hats, or team “athletic attire” like jerseys.   

Does the restaurant take large party reservations?

Hillstone restaurants are famous for their intimate dining experiences. Most tables in the restaurant can only seat 4 guests. It’s also worth noting that Gulfstream goes to great lengths on its website to dissuade large groups from doing “walk-in” reservations by saying, “We prefer to host experiences based on smaller, more intimate parties of two. If a reservation is not available for three or more guests, we may not be able to accommodate you.”

Is Gulfstream child-friendly? 

Gulfstream is known for being one of the most romantic restaurants in Newport Beach for date nights. Children are allowed, but they do not have seating (highchairs, booster seats) for children, and strollers are not allowed in the dining room.