Date Night

WHERE TO EAT (AND DRINK) IN MORRO BAY IN 2020

You know that “seafood diet” joke? The one you probably grew up hearing your dad say - that he’s on the seafood diet - he sees food, and he eats it? (Enter a laugh track here.) Well during our babymoon in Morro Bay, we were literally on a seafood diet - nearly all of our meals involved seafood… and it was AMAZING. You wouldn’t believe the amount of oysters Bobby consumed in a 72-hour period.

Anyway, this quaint seaside town is bursting with cozy restaurants and fabulous fresh fish, and if you’re on a “seafood diet” - it’s a definite must. (And even if you’re not a seafood fan, there’s plenty of spots for you too!)

Here’s our list of where you should eat (and drink) in Morro Bay:

BREAKFAST SPOTS:

BUTTERCUP BAKERY AND CAFE :: If a warm latte and a light breakfast is your jam in the morning, then Buttercup Bakery and Cafe is the spot for you. This homey and welcoming cafe has everything from breakfast bowls to avocado toast, and their baked goods are out-of-this-world delicious. It’s a casual, order-at-the-counter type place, and it’s easy to see why it’s such a favorite among locals. We’d hands-down be regulars here if we lived in MB!

FRANKIE AND LOLA’S :: For a more hearty, full-service breakfast experience, there’s no place better in town than Frankie and Lola’s! From their specialty omelettes to their famous iron skillet potatoes, to their hearty breakfast burritos, this is the kind of place you come hungry. If you’re in the mood for a sweet treat, try one of their delectable brioche cinnamon rolls!

Delicious breakfast bowls at Buttercup Bakery!

Picturesque breakfast views

Breakfast sandwich goals at Frankie & Lola’s

SEAFOOD SPOTS:

TOGNAZZINI’S DOCKSIDE TOO :: Ask any Morro Bay local where to get to go for lunch, and chances are they’ll send you to the family-owned Tognazzini’s Dockside Too! This fish market sells some of the freshest, most delicious fish in town, and their spacious patio nearly always has live music. AND, it’s dog-friendly… so bring your pooch!

THE GALLEY SEAFOOD GRILL & BAR :: We’re big fans of this cozy seafood restaurant for two reasons - the unparalleled ocean views, and their dedication to fresh, local seafood and ingredients! Most of their fish is supplied from local fishermen, and their produce comes directly from their head chef’s farm! Oh, and if that’s not enough, The Galley Seafood Grill & Bar has a really impressive wine list, too!

DUTCHMAN’S SEAFOOD HOUSE :: You can’t go to Morro Bay without popping into Dutchman’s Seafood House and having a bowl of their famous clam chowder. It’s absolutely delicious, as is the rest of their extensive and affordable menu. (If you’re looking for a break from all of the seafood options, try their burger!)

WINDOWS ON THE WATER :: Our pick for a classy date night, Windows On The Water serves some of the finest, highest quality seafood in town, and boasts picture-perfect views of Morro Rock! They also have some incredible steak and woodfired pizzas on the menu (we opted for those), and the ambiance couldn’t be more romantic. Make a reservation in advance! 

Do you think we have enough food at Tognazzini’s?

Come for the oysters!

Incredible seafood at The Galley!

And more yummy seafood at The Dutchman!

And a burger for Alli :)

Had to try the steak at Windows on the Water!

SPOTS TO HAVE A DRINK:

TOP DOG COFFEE BAR :: We love stumbling upon local spots, and this fun and welcoming coffee shop is definitely one of them. Top Dog Coffee Bar serves some of the best micro-roasted coffee in Morro Bay, and every purchase aids local dog shelters! Talk about a win/win! (They specialize in some pretty delicious hot dogs too, if you’re hungry!)

LIBERTINE BREWING COMPANY :: We knew we loved this bar from the moment we walked in and saw they were playing reruns of The Office on their TV’s. Known for their Double IPA’s, Barrel-Aged Stouts, and Belgian Sours, Libertine Brewing Company is a must-stop for beer drinkers. And Wednesdays-Saturdays they have live music!

Bobby found his coffee spot at Top Dog!

Bobby found his coffee spot at Top Dog!

And his favorite beer at Libertine Brewing

And his favorite beer at Libertine Brewing

Three Hot Date Nights in Irvine, California

Now more than ever, our date nights are sacred. In a month (or less), our lives will change forever - and date nights will undoubtedly become a little more difficult to arrange. (But don’t worry, we’ll still make them a priority!)

The further I get into this pregnancy, the more we appreciate staying close to home. Being “OC” residents, we’re realizing just how much there is to do, see, and explore in our own backyard. And now that our doctor prefers that we quit traveling for a while, we’re having a blast re-discovering the many thriving cities around us. 

Recently we’ve been hooked on Irvine. It’s a city that can get easily overlooked by its flashy and touristy neighbors- but we’re here to let you in on a little secret. Irvine is on the rise. It’s bursting with culture, adventure, culinary delights, and a chic nighttime scene. But don’t just take our word for it, here’s a few of the many fun (and eclectic) date nights we’ve had in Irvine - be sure to take notes! ;)

DIAMOND JAMBOREE

If you’re an OC local, chances are you’ve driven past Diamond Jamboree numerous times… but have you ever stopped and explored? This bustling shopping center has a little bit of everything - from an extensive Korean grocery store, to sushi, ramen, ice cream, coffee shops, karaoke - and even an escape room! 

While you really can’t go wrong with any of the Diamond Jamboree restaurants, we recommend trying Tim Ho Wan, an acclaimed Hong-Kong based Dim Sum institution that’s truly an experience. Ask the friendly servers for recommendations, or follow the picture-heavy menu for guidance, and get ready for a culinary adventure. Their Baked BBQ Pork Buns are a must (they’re even Michelin Star rated!), and their Deep Fried Spring Roll with Egg White and Shrimp had us fighting over the last bite. It’s a fun, casual, and interactive kind of place - and the perfect spot to try something new!

After dinner, take a short walk to SomiSomi, a Korean soft-serve shop that’s famous for its “Taiyaki” (a fish shaped waffle cone), and it's fun and unique soft serve flavors. Don’t be deterred if there’s a line, it’s well worth the wait. (And it’s the perfect excuse to let your dinner settle!) 

Choosing can be touch with so many delicious options.

Yum!

Always room for dessert! Somisomi is so good!

HIVE AND HONEY & THE IRVINE SPECTRUM

Did you know there’s a chic and stylish rooftop bar in Irvine? We didn’t either - until now! Hive and Honey might be one of the best kept secrets in Orange County… and while we love that it’s still relatively under-the-radar, we’d be remiss if we didn’t share it with you! Located in the Marriott Irvine Spectrum, we recommend arriving just in time to have a drink (and maybe an appetizer or two) and watch the sunset. Their skilled mixologists make some flavorful (and totally Instagrammable) cocktails, and the views simply can’t be beat!

Afterwards, hop on over to the Irvine Spectrum for dinner. We love TLT Food for tasty and creative Latin-fusion dining, and a welcoming and casual ambiance. Many of their dishes are shareable, and their street tacos are mouth-wateringly good!

If you’re not ready for the night to end, take a $5 ride on the Spectrum’s iconic Ferris Wheel! It’s surprisingly high, and the view at night is really something special. Plus, what’s more romantic than that?

Bobby enjoying the views and Alli the popcorn…

Sunset silhouettes at Hive & Honey

Love the flavor at TLT Foods!

THE BUTCHER SHOP & YNK

Keeping with the “under the radar” theme, did you know that the Irvine Marriott has not one, but TWO hidden speakeasies? YNK (which stands for “You Never Know”), has an ever-changing travel theme, with rotating menus, videos, and decor every few months. It’s intimate, dimly-lit, and cozy… and it’s just our kind of place. Sit back, name a drink, and watch the talented bartender do their thing!

After you’ve enjoyed a round of specialty cocktails, have the bartender usher you through the kitchen, to The Butcher Shop, a speakeasy within a speakeasy! It’s open only on Friday and Saturday nights, and entry is reservation only, so be sure to plan accordingly. Cocktails are listed on the wall, but the friendly bartender will happily make you whatever kind of mixed drink you’re in the mood for. And we can guarantee it will most definitely be delicious. But shh… let’s keep this secret spot between us, ok?

Tasty cocktails at YNK

The Butcher Shop is basically a speakeasy IN a speakeasy! You’re welcome.

Friends, don’t sleep on Irvine. There are so many restaurants, bars, and experiences that are absolutely worth your next date night out. And leave a comment and let us know if you have a favorite spot we’re missing - we’ll be sure to check it out!