Charlie's Chili Restaurant — Restaurant in Newport Beach

This visit was my first time to Charlie's Chili; a very popular beachfront restaurant that was packed the whole time I was there with people waiting to get a table! the restaurant is casual casual, no suits here at all. Experiencing Charlie's is memorable; I really like a lot of things about this restaurant. It is for sure in a great location; the large patio seating area is extended to the street and the Newport Beach Boardwalk. The views of Newport Pier and the plaza are very nice; you can take it all in from here.The seating indoors (open door and windows) is nice; eclectic decor and the talking diners add to the atmosphere.

The server was very friendly and expedient as well as other employees; all helpful and attentive. I was eating on the patio; a very late breakfast which is no problem with Charlie's. I ordered Eggs w Sausage; served w toast (I chose squaw bread... very good) and potatoes. The servings are generous and everything was better than I would have expected considering the casual style of this beachfront restaurant.

I met and talked with some of the other diners and had a good time. The meal wasn't too expensive (consider the area... one of best locations in SoCal).

I enjoyed talking with a friendly waitress for awhile after dining at Charlie's; I then walked the plaza area and talked with a guitarist, also a gal selling things, and then two guys playing a video game on their cellphones. I then rode my bike around this beautiful mistaken for paradise area which does have a lot to offer. I don't know how many restaurants there are in Newport but believe me there are a lot of them and most are busy because this Peninsula attract millions annually.

Parking is a bit difficult. I parked my van a few blocks away; listen up. The parking on Balboa Blvd is free next to the curb to the right of the lanes. The inside, center curb is pay by meter or by other means (this is once you get past the few blocks of all metered parking). Okay, I like to save money and besides I took my bike along to take a ride on the boardwalk and further adventures throughout the whole gorgeous area.

Weekend traffic is really really thick so before 1 pm and after 11:30 pm the access improves. My drive onto the peninsula was easy before 10 am, my exit however was delayed until 11:30 pm and the traffic was still bumper to bumper for quite a ways. I returned on a weekday and had no parking or driving delays.

I hope this helps... Charlie's Chile and the area is worth the bit of congestion. Remember... those are other folks looking for a...

The place and service are always outstanding — warm, friendly, and welcoming as usual. However, the food quality hasn’t really improved much over time. It still feels like something you just eat casually rather than something memorable. I really hope they put a bit more attention into the dishes, even if it means slightly raising the prices. It’s such a charming restaurant that I truly like, but it still feels about 2% short of being perfect. I’d love to see it reach that next level.

We went back this year(2025)with the family for the first time in a while, and just like before, the service was excellent and the prices were very reasonable—everyone loved it. Of course, the food was great, but the friendliness of the staff made it taste even better. I’ll always be happy to open my wallet when I visit.

Cafe near Newport Beach Dori Fish Market. The best restaurant to sit on the street and watch people while enjoying a leisurely cup of coffee and a meal

The food is above average / the prices are very realistic / the staff service is top notch. We had a great brunch here on a weekend morning while walking along the beach with our beloved dog. We...

Food/Service fantastic...However the drug addled beggar who sets up shop with the white pit bull and beggar sign that states "Need Weed" 20 feet from the patio dinning started screaming "F _ _ _ K You" about twenty times at the top of his lungs at apparently no one, ruined the dinning experience with my 74 year old mother and seven year old grand daughter. When the Newport Police showed up, they did absolutely NOTHING. When I approached them to share my witnessing of this outrageous behavior, they admitted they knew of him and of his behavior. They also stated well he is not doing it now....what a disappointment in response from law enforcement. We will NEVER return to New Port Beach. Eventually ALL business's will suffer due to the New Port Beach Police Department's pathetic response to dangerous individuals. And when this manic hurts someone the New Port Police Department should be sued as complicit by not protecting law abiding...