My Birthday: Nobu | Newport Beach, CA

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The best Japanese restaurant with the best Miso Black Cod. Nobu Newport Beach, CA + locations worldwide.

Composite image of a woman smiling with a dessert in a restaurant, the entrance featuring a Nobu sign, and the chic interior showcasing dining tables and chairs at Nobu Newport Beach CA.

It was my first birthday celebration in California so I had a little extra TLC from my husband as I was away from my family and friends.

The evening kicked off with a surprise Gondola Ride with Gondola Adventures in Newport Beach. That day we happened to have a beautiful pink & purple sunset.
Collage of gondola ride scenes: sunset over water, cheese and crackers plate at Nobu Newport Beach CA, two hands toasting with champagne, and vibrant pink sunset sky with silhouetted palm trees.

We then headed to Nobu (another surprise) and in my mind I knew I was getting the Black Cod Miso, a signature dish.
Collage of Nobu Newport Beach CA, featuring a waterfront restaurant with boats docked outside, an indoor dining area buzzing with patrons, a chic bar setting, and a plate of glazed fish adorned with garnish.

Should you dine at Nobu Newport Beach, I highly recommend dining here during sunset hours so you can enjoy the splendid views of Newport Harbor. I arrived around twilight.
Boats docked at a marina during the evening create a serene scene, with the illuminated buildings and swaying palm trees of Nobu Newport Beach, CA providing a stunning backdrop under the clouded sky.

Sparkling Wine
Mionetto “Prosecco” Italy: light and crisp.
A flute of champagne sits next to a lit candle on a wooden table at Nobu Newport Beach CA, with a blurred cityscape in the background.

Hot
Black Cod Miso: buttery smooth, delicate fish that is slightly sweet and melts in your mouth. Absolutely incredible and a must-do. A favorite.
Grilled fish with a glaze, paired with vegetable tempura and a pink-and-white garnish stick, elegantly presented on a white plate. Discover this delicacy at Nobu Newport Beach CA.

Chilean Seabass with Dry Miso: the seabass was a slightly oily and had a bold lemon flavor. When you pair the seabass, lemon sauce and bean sprouts on top, this dish comes together. Tasty, but not a favorite.
A piece of seared fish is topped with green vegetables and shredded garnish, elegantly served at Nobu Newport Beach CA on a dark plate accompanied by a delicate light sauce.

Crispy Brussel Sprouts: the brussels sprouts were so crispy and perfectly flavored with a jalapeno sauce. Divine, and a favorite!
A rectangular plate of roasted Brussels sprouts sits elegantly on a wooden table, reminiscent of the culinary finesse found at Nobu Newport Beach CA.

Jidori Chicken: although the chicken looks fried, it’s not, it was roasted in a wood-fire oven and was so tender. This dish came with 2 sauces on the side… the Peruvian sauce which is slightly spicy, and Teriyaki sauce which is on the sweeter side. Another side included a bean sprout salad with was flavored with sesame oil and delicious. Personally, I would have chosen one sauce and had the chef toss the chicken in one of the sauces. Overall, very good.
Sliced chicken with a pink plastic sword on a plate, accompanied by two bowls of sauce and a side of shredded vegetables topped with sesame seeds, reminiscent of the culinary finesse at Nobu Newport Beach, CA.

Dessert
Date Cake: A candle to go with the cake as I was celebrating my birthday. The buttery pecan cake was topped with a pecan sauce and vanilla ice-cream. It wasn’t too sweet, it was perfect. A favorite.
At Nobu in Newport Beach, CA, a woman smiles at a dessert adorned with a lit candle. The plate, elegantly arranged, reads happy birthday in rich chocolate.

RESTAURANT REVIEW
Nobu Newport Beach

COST: $$$$
CUISINE: Japanese/Sushi Bar
FAVORITES: Black Miso Cod | Crispy Brussel Sprouts | Date Cake
OVERALL: 4.25 / 5
The food at Nobu is always incredible, especially the Black Cod Miso, you can’t leave here without trying this signature dish. Going forward, I would like to try out more appetizers, sushi, and that famous rock shrimp tempura. In comparison to Nobu Fifty Seven in New York City, Nobu Newport Beach fell a little short in terms of ambiance in my opinion, it had a more relaxed vibe. With that said, if you do visit this location, make sure you dine here during sunset with views overlooking Newport Harbor.
Food: Excellent| Drinks: Excellent | Décor: Trendy/Casual/Classy | Service: Average/Slow | Value: Pricey