Restaurant in Anaheim, United States
James Beard-nominated tiki worth the hard reservation.
Strong Water is a James Beard Award-nominated tiki bar and Polynesian restaurant in Anaheim's Packing District, built around a sunken treasure ship concept. It's the strongest special-occasion bar-restaurant in the area — hard to book, atmospheric after dark, and operating well above the local competition on cocktail program depth. Book evenings for the full effect.
Yes — and it's one of the harder reservations to secure in Orange County for a reason. Strong Water earned a James Beard Award nomination, which places it in a different bracket from most tiki bars anywhere in the country. If you're planning a celebration dinner, a date night, or a group event with some theatrical atmosphere, this is the right call in Anaheim. If you want a quiet, conversation-first dinner, read further before committing.
Strong Water is a James Beard Award-nominated tiki bar and Polynesian restaurant at 270 S Clementine St in Anaheim. The concept is built around the visual language of a sunken treasure ship — low light, layered decor, and a cocktail program serious enough to attract national recognition. That nomination puts it in the same conversation as venues like Le Bernardin in New York City or Lazy Bear in San Francisco in terms of credential weight, even though the category and price tier are very different. The James Beard recognition here is for program quality, not fine dining formality , which is exactly what makes it interesting for a celebratory booking that doesn't require a jacket.
The evening experience is where Strong Water delivers its full value. The sunken-ship atmosphere is designed for dim light and layered sound , that sense of being somewhere theatrical and removed from the ordinary is most effective after dark. If you're booking for a special occasion, dinner is the correct choice without qualification. The mood, the cocktail pacing, and the energy of the room align in a way that daytime visits simply can't replicate.
Lunch or earlier visits, if available, are a different proposition. You'll get the same bar program and the same kitchen, but the atmospheric payoff is reduced when natural light softens the room's dramatic effect. For a first visit where the experience is the point , a birthday, an anniversary, a client dinner , evening is when this venue performs at the level that earned its nomination. If you've already been and want a lower-key return, an earlier slot is worth exploring.
Evening visits on weekdays give you the leading combination of atmosphere and booking availability. Weekends fill quickly given the venue's profile and Anaheim's tourism volume, so if you're targeting a Friday or Saturday, plan well in advance. The sunken-ship concept translates leading in cooler months when you're inclined to settle in, but the cocktail program works year-round. If you're visiting Anaheim for a Disneyland trip and want one serious dinner out, slot Strong Water on a weeknight and book as far ahead as your schedule allows.
Strong Water works well for dates, milestone celebrations, and group dinners where atmosphere matters as much as food. The James Beard nomination signals a kitchen and bar program operating above the surrounding competition, which means you're not trading food quality for the experience. Compared to booking 21 Royal at Disneyland , which requires Disney connections and carries a very different formality , Strong Water is accessible, opinionated in its design, and doesn't ask you to dress for a white-tablecloth room. It's the better choice for guests who want a strong sense of place without the ceremony of a tasting-menu format like The French Laundry in Napa or Single Thread Farm in Healdsburg.
Reservations: Book as early as possible , this is a hard reservation in Anaheim, especially on weekends, given the national profile from the James Beard nomination. Dress: No specific dress code is confirmed in available data, but the theatrical atmosphere suggests smart-casual is appropriate; check directly before visiting. Budget: Pricing is not confirmed in available data; contact the venue or check current listings before setting expectations. Getting there: Located at 270 S Clementine St, Anaheim, CA 92805 , in the Anaheim Packing District area, walkable from several downtown hotels. Group suitability: The immersive atmosphere and cocktail-forward format make this a natural fit for groups celebrating something; solo or duo visits work equally well at the bar.
| Venue | Cuisine | Awards | Booking Difficulty | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strong Water | A James Beard Award-nominated tiki bar and Polynesian restaurant in Anaheim, California, that immerses guests in the ambiance of a sunken treasure ship. | Hard | — | |
| The Ranch | Steakhouse | Unknown | — | |
| Club 33 - Disneyland | Unknown | — | ||
| 21 Royal - Disneyland | Unknown | — | ||
| Burritos Los De Juárez | Unknown | — | ||
| Anaheim White House | Unknown | — |
A quick look at how Strong Water measures up.
The sunken-ship atmosphere at this James Beard-nominated venue skews theatrical, so lean toward the occasion — a step above casual fits the room. Shorts and flip-flops will feel out of place; a simple dress or collared shirt won't. Think beach-adjacent but intentional rather than resort-casual.
Secure a reservation before you plan anything else — Strong Water is one of the harder bookings in Orange County, and the James Beard nomination means demand consistently outpaces walk-in availability. The experience is built around atmosphere as much as food and drink, so arrive on time and let the full room work on you. An evening visit delivers more of what the concept is designed for than a daytime drop-in.
Specific menu details are not confirmed in available venue data, so contact Strong Water directly at 270 S Clementine St, Anaheim before booking if dietary needs are a deciding factor. For a James Beard-nominated restaurant operating at this profile, it's reasonable to ask at reservation time — most venues at this level are equipped to accommodate common restrictions, but confirm rather than assume.
Strong Water is primarily known for its core concept and execution in Anaheim.
Keep this venue in your Pearl passport, rate it after you visit, and track it alongside every other place you collect.
