OPAH Seafood Grill

We were seated right away and had a great experience from start to finish. We ordered the filet and the halibut—both cooked medium, which many places get wrong, but here they nailed it. Everything was flavorful and perfectly prepared. The waitstaff were all warm and attentive, and they even comped our dessert for our anniversary, which was such a thoughtful touch. We’ll definitely be back!

A delightful restaurant with excellent cuisine and outstanding service. I had dinner with my family, enjoying perfectly cooked steaks and fish, all beautifully presented and full of flavor. The staff was attentive and friendly, ensuring a seamless experience in a cozy and elegant setting. Highly recommended for both casual dinners and special occasions!”

In the midst of a brief business trip to the area, and just looking for a decent meal, we found Opah at the center of Aliso Viejo, surrounded by several other restaurants that had good reviews. What we lucked out and found was wonderful! We entered at 9:10 pm on a weekday to a restaurant that had a few people around the bar, but all the booths were already empty. Elsewhere we often we get that “look” that says perhaps we arrived too late but instead we immediately got a very warm welcome and our host was happy to sit us outside, despite it being far from the kitchen. The music was nice, great old pop, but not too loud. The menu and cocktails looked and were wonderful. I had the evening special, an Alaskan halibut that was *easily* the best I’ve ever had, and I love fish. My companions also enjoyed their meals thoroughly. Our servers were very friendly, and we never felt rushed and were able to enjoy our meal at a leisurely pace. In fact, the owner, Joe, came over to check how we were doing and we had an enjoyable chat both then and again for quite a while after we finished and paid. A longtime restaurateur, he only recently bought Opah and is putting in 14 hour days with a lot of energy and ideas to make it a place worth making a special trip to. He and the crack staff are making that happen. Go for it!

We had an absolutely superb lunch, from the food to the atmosphere to the service. I haven't been to this Opah location before. Our server, Holland, was on top of everything, super nice and made the experience great. The food was really good. Very impressed overall and had a great lunch experience..

It was Father's Day and we made a last minute decision to go out for dinner. We were lucky enough to snag a reservation for our party of 6 adults. We were greeted by the friendly hostess when we arrived and seated at a nice table out on the patio, the weather was perfect for al fresco dining. We agreed on some appetizers to share, the Kung Pao Calamari and the Ginger Chicken Meatballs as well as a nice bottle of wine. Everything was really good, we then did our entree orders and got the Toasted Garlic Salmon, Maryland Blue Crab Cakes, Filet Mignon and the Reserve Skirt Steak. Everyone agreed the food was especially good, we ended up ordering a second bottle of the Katherine Goldschmidt Cabernet which was very nice. I made a quick restroom stop before leaving and the men's room was clean and well stocked. As we finished taking care of payment at our table, we were greeted by the owner who asked how everything was. I always find this such a nice touch, it shows that the owner really cares about his customer's experience. Needless to say we expressed how much we enjoyed our meals.

Opah Seafood Grill in Aliso Viejo is absolutely thriving under its new ownership! While the restaurant has long been a beloved spot, and rightly so with the dedication of people like Everett who has been a cornerstone for over 30 years, the recent change in ownership has clearly injected a new level of energy and excellence. From the moment you step inside, the inviting atmosphere that Opah is known for, along with the impeccable service provided by Kevin. The food is outstanding. The seafood was incredibly fresh, expertly prepared, and bursting with flavor. Each dish we sampled was a testament to the kitchen's commitment to quality ingredients and skillful execution. From perfectly seared scallops to the flavorful grilled fish, every bite was a delight. It's clear the new operator has elevated, the high standards Opah has always been known for. Finally, our server. Kevin was attentive, knowledgeable, and genuinely enthusiastic about the menu. The entire staff well-trained and dedicated to ensuring every guest had a memorable experience. It was a seamless and enjoyable interaction from start to finish. It's exciting to see a restaurant with such a strong foundation, thanks to the long-term dedication of individuals like Everett, embrace a new chapter with such promising results. The new ownership, Joey G, clearly understands how to build upon that success and has created something truly special in Aliso Viejo. If you haven't been to Opah recently, or if you're new to the area, now is definitely the time to experience this exceptional seafood grill. Highly recommended!

Opah is an incredible food experience! They prepare fish better than anyone. The Opah fish we had last night (not always available) was heavenly and our server, Lucio, could not have been better. Really friendly, very informative, willing to take as much time as we needed to explain the menu and offer suggestions. Everything about this place was Incredible. They are now our favorite restaurant in OC!

Great drinks, the food was absolutely fabulous and delicious. The service was incredible and they were very attentive to us. 100 % recommend