Restaurants in Costa Mesa

“Had one of the best dinner’s we’ve had in a VERY long time! Chef’s prix fixe was amazing and filling. The wine pairings with it were really nice. Well done and nuanced.
Curtis our server was absolutely amazing. A ball of charisma and menu knowledge and made the evening truly top notch. You could tell it wasn’t lip service too, as he was equally engaging and personalized his touch with other tables. I hope they take care of this guy, good service is a huge part of what brings people back to restaurants.
That and the to die for food.
Beef cheek done right - move over short rib, the true king of melty fatty connective tissue goodness is here!
Thank you Chef Nick for an amazing dinner. Will try and send more people your way; you’ve made a real gem in an otherwise unassuming location. Nobody misses the Lawry’s….”

“The best açaí I’ve ever had. And I’m from Brazil and know what a good and authentic açaí is! And the service at this place is outstanding! Our attendant Bryan was very kind and attentive with our order! Loved it! Thank you!”

“Delicious! Everything we ate was fresh. This is out go-to restaurant from now on.”

“I would recommend the whole menu honestly and the customer service is amazing especially from Jennifer.. I am a regular and have recommended this place to so many already. Give it a try!”

“Everything was fresh love it”

“The Carmel apple, vanilla custard with shaved ice and Carmel all-over, is worth driving to California. This has become our favorite family experience. For over 10 years, we never miss the opportunity to visit Lynn’s for the excellent customer service and yummy deserts!”

“Very delicious food ❤️Friendly staff❤️”

“Super delicious! It was our first time having inari sushi and we absolutely loved it. The staff was extremely welcoming and friendly. We’re absolutely coming back in the future. Our favorite dishes were the marinated salmon and the spicy salmon, medium spiciness is quite spicy!! But very tasty. Each item is around $5”

“We had a pleasant experience at this establishment for a birthday celebration, and we would like to express our gratitude to our exceptional server, Sarah, for her remarkable assistance and cordial demeanor. We were delighted to be seated on the patio, which offered a delightful view. However, we regret to say that the culinary offerings did not fully align with our personal preferences. The Mama's casserole, in particular, lacked sufficient seasoning, and the chicken was excessively dry. Additionally, the steak, which was ordered medium-cooked, exhibited a chewy texture. We found that the overall flavors were somewhat lacking, although all the dishes were salty.”

“manager Saeed is outstanding the coffee was hot the server was very attentive I'll be sure to go back”

“We celebrated our 24th anniversary tonight and everything was wonderful. Our waiter,Michael, was attentive but just the right amount. Very personable and shared his opinions when asked. We had Blood Orange Margaritas which tasted great. We shared the grilled artichokes with preserved lemon hummus, served with green olives, radishes,celery and toasted Pita bread. Unusual but delicious. I had the lamb and my husband had the filet mignon. Both were cooked perfectly and the sides were delicious . Complementary anniversary desserts were mini cheesecakes. The perfect amount when we were already full and we got our chocolate cravings satisfied. This is our 4th visit and have never been disappointed.. Can't wait to return!”

“We came here because DTF had a 3 hour wait and we really didn't want to wait around. We were pleasantly surprised by the flavor and quality at Paradise Dynasty. Definitely recommend this if you don't want to wait for DTF. Personally, I think it's comparable. The cucumber appetizer was very flavorful and refreshing. The classic pork xlb was on point. Thin wrapper but sturdy enough to be picked up by chopsticks. The tuffle xlb full of truffle flavors. It's a must get if you love truffle in general. The garlic xlb was my second favorite as a garlic lover. The crab xlb was OK, I love seafood but I think it's the soft texture that threw it off a bit. I feel like it needed some texture, maybe from shrimp, to hold it up. We enjoyed the salted egg yolk lava xlb but we agreed it belongs in a bun to truly shine. The rice cake dish was probably our least favorite, a bit underwhelming in flavors.”

“Excellent delicious food, the octopus with the eggplant salad and beets is amazing. Heavily recommended.”

“Great place to enjoy a good meal and awesome drinks. Cadillac Margarita/chicken soup. Best in Town.”

“It's my second visit here and both times have been nothing short of pleasant and delicious experiences. I recommend the peppered ribeye steak taco ?  if you enjoy a good tender favorable steak, you'll sabour this taco till its last bite! I normally eat 4 tacos but I couldn't eat more than two here. The difference In quantity and quality is tremendous in this place.”

“So good!!! I stopped in randomly to get a coffee and they only have Vietnamese coffee and it is probably the best iced coffee I've ever had in my life!! After ever sip im like "how is it this good...like how"... I never post reviews but when it's that good you gotta say something! I'm posting this and going back. mindblowing coffee. I just got the 16oz Vietnamese coffee”

“Delicious… go there!!!! Eat!!! Drink!!!”

“I had an incredible experience at Dave’s Hot Chicken! The chicken was perfectly crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, with just the right amount of heat. The flavor was amazing, and the spice levels allow everyone to find their perfect match. The portions were generous, and the sides complemented the meal perfectly. The staff was friendly, and the service was quick even during a busy time. If you're craving delicious, flavorful hot chicken, this is the spot! I'll definitely be coming back!”

“Absolutely Awesome!! This location has a great atmosphere and the employees are very attentive and friendly. The food came out fast, hot and fresh!! AND they are open 7 days per week !!! EVERYDAY!!”

“2024: Am happy to say that Shunka has maintained its attention to quality.
Enjoyed the Shunka roll (would just have it without sriracha next time) and the Spider Roll—delicious.
Also the 8-piece Omakase with 1 hand-roll was excellent ?
This is a more traditional, delicate sushi restaurant—the kind I enjoy. Dishes and rolls are thankfully not slathered in mayonnaise and sticky sauces.

Pre-pandemic: This was one of my consistently favorite sushi places ?

Parking: There is a free parking lot, but it can sometimes get crowded; side street parking is available if you are willing to walk a block.”

“My family and our friends stumbled across this cute vegan burger place after leaving the beach. Our kids were all starving. It was close to their closing time, but a woman (we are assuming was the manager) had pity on us and took us all in and let us order a bunch of food. There was 12 of us…the other workers you could tell were irritated but the woman who took care of us was amazing!!!! She got all our food out and quickly. She even let us stay and eat in the restaurant past her closing time. She was a REAL gem because we had small children. Everything was fresh, hot and so delicious!!!! Burgers were delicious and cooked just right. Chicken nuggets and tenders were perfectly crisp on the outside and juicy and tender on the inside. The regular fries and sweet potato fries were SOO good, and cooked to perfection. Nothing was greasy, only delicious. I wish I had pictures because the presentation of the food was just as good. We fed our family of 6 (entree + side of fries, no drinks) for LESS than $100. Yes the restaurant is a little pricey, but it’s a 100% vegan restaurant that’s expected. It was delicious!

Kid-friendliness: They have kid friendly options, nice jr burgers, chicken nuggets and chicken tenders. That’s awesome!! My picky 5yo loved her nuggets and fries. The manager even turned on cartoons for the kids while they ate. She was amazing!!”

“This place is good enough to make me post my first ever review. Vibe is great, employees are top tier, and the damn bacon and friends burrito comes out of nowhere as the best breakfast burrito I’ve ever had. They have pancake tacos. What? That’s awesome. Great great place.”

“Amazing Valentine’s weekend dinner! Six courses made for a most Indulgent Aphrodisiac’s menu created by Chef Tony. The plating was exquisite, service very attentive, and relatively low-carb, very copicetic with my diabetic precautions. The French Chardonnay we had enjoyed was lovely, paired well particularly with the scallop crudo, oyster and lobster dishes. It was also a pleasure to meet and chat with Yassmin, the co-owner and wife of Chef Tony. We are planning to dine here again, next time for The restaurant’s High Tea, which is offered on Sunday afternoons.”

“This review is after my second dine-in experience at Pom & Olive. I've already enjoyed their Chicken Shawarma and Tabouleh. This time, I selected the Koobideh Combination. It's a DELICIOUS mix of beef and chicken skewers with rice and salad.”

“We've been here several times and their dry ramen doesn't disappoint! We got the Vegan Tokyo Mazemen and all of the flavors just instantly melt into your mouth. The presentation is fantastic, service is professional, and environment is great. We also tried the mogu chucken and edamame and that didn't disappoint. Overall, one of the best dry ramens we've eaten, so highly recommend!”

“Exelent servís the food is exelent”

“Great speakeasy with amazing cocktails and friendly staff. Love this place never disappoints and great for dates.”

“Food and service was amazing. Alberto the manager was very hospitable and acknowledged my wife's birthday. We definitely recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for great Italian food and great service.”

“Good coffee/latte people are nice location is convenient”

“Everything we had was so delicious. My 12 year old non vegan son loved it all too!”

“I chose this experience to celebrate my birthday, and it didn't disappoint. Zack, my waiter, revived me very kindly, and explained to me the whole menu. He understood my personal taste to craft me a cocktail and then I just got immerse in the flavors and the ambience. Thank you very much for the hospitality, I had a great Birthday celebration ???”

“My friend and I went for the Wagyu burger special with wine pairing. It was an extraordinary value. The truffle fries were amazing. The cheeseburger was beyond belief.! we are planning to go back next week to try another wine and another burger selection. This is a perfect place to go with a friend and have a memorable experience.”

“We love coming here. The food is great, and the service is friendly. I real neighborhood vibe. Love the 2145!”

“Impressive array of the best ingredients unavailable in most Japanese restaurants in the US prepared in different styles”

“Great food !! Had no chance to take a picture of the food but I got the chipotle rice bowl! Delicious, big portions. Dad got the pull pork he said it was yummy ! The desserts were AMAZINGLY DELICIOUS! Will definitely be back out next trip to Cali. You will also see the owner greet every table, I think that’s amazing! Makes you feel well taken care of. Thank you !”

“This restaurant was flavorful and delicious!”

“Good food and happy to eat”

“Very good pasta and pizza. We have eaten there often over at least 10 years. Never disappointed! The best pizza and pasta in OC. Always attentive service. Family owned and guests always feel like family as well.”

“The cheeseburger was AMAZING!!!”

“This is an excellent spot for date night. Drinks are great and the ceviche was so good - very refreshing with so much flavor. We also couldn't pass up on the papa rellenas!”

“Food was delicious champagne was nice we also enjoyed the music”

“Chef deserves Michelin status! Everything is sooooo delicious! Tonight makes 3 nights in a row”

“Unexpected joy exploring the art museum! ? Stopped by a nearby spot—surprised by the great atmosphere, delicious food, and kiddo-friendly vibes. ? Highly recommend for a delightful experience!”

“Very tasty Pizza!!! And the owners are very friendly!!”

“This spot has been here for 15 years! I’m still shocked. My wife and I popped in for a drink on a lazy Sunday. I had the Hazy, which was delicious, and she had Rose. It’s a cool spot. We’ll be coming come back to enjoy their food next.”

“Don't hate.... Yes sometimes your order is wrong but they will correct it. Big fan of del taco. I think there are better del tacos but this is my closest one.”

“I love the fresh salsa at this location. Unfortunately I've never seen it and any others and I don't live close to this one. Please consider putting this in more Del Tacos”

“Great service and price still matching with the meal I got ..

Wheelchair accessibility: The doors swing open wide open wide enough to allow for a wheelchair to to be wheeled in”

“Amazing vegan options. The scoops are generous and I love that they have a section of rotating seasonal flavors. Favorite is the mango sticky rice, it's not too sweet, the texture and the flavor are awesome. It pairs nicely with the the other vegan flavor, chocolate covered banana, or with the dairy flavor, Ube toffee. Both of these add crunchy texture bits!”

“Very good”

“I came to Que Vida on my way home from a Yosemite hiking trip. I just wanted a really good carne asada burrito, and this place had excellent reviews.

My hopes weren’t too high, however I was super surprised and impressed with the quality and portion size. I ordered the Cali Asada Burrito, minus fries, add a double portion of asada. Wow, was the burrito massive and very tasty. The meat was very robust and thick, tasty, and plentiful. I have ordered extra asada at other restaurants and just received a basic portion. Que Vida does not skimp on portions or quality.

I was so impressed I ordered a breakfast burrito with asada to-go, after finishing my first burrito lol. Que Vida has great food, I will eat there again.”

“It was yummy and fast. Everything was fresh and clean”

“Hands down the best sushi place in town!
Taste was 100% there and the fish was fresshhh ?
Atmosphere was inviting, clean and modern!
Service was great.”

“I did the 3 day cleanse. The result was amazing! I lost a few pounds and felt good during the cleanse without the typical discomfort when juicing. They all taste delicious specially the Superfood juice. Thanks Shad for sharing your products and knowledge. I can’t wait to do again.”

“Great coffee and chai! My husband and I stopped in while visiting our kids in the area. Adorable place and some of the coffee we have had. He had the Vietnamese Iced Coffee and I had an iced dirty chai. We loved them both. We will be back any time we are in town!”

“One of the best udon Noodle place I’ve eaten this side of Japan. Noodles were fresh and firm. Broth was perfectly tasty. Highly recommend.
It’s a vey small establishment but it packs superb quality service and yummy food. Wait list only. We will be back.”

“It was my man’s dream to go here. So on our roadtrip to Cali I squeezed it in our timeline. They went above and beyond. I highly recommend & since my man was a fan they showed a lot of love! He is always watching big boy on YouTube! Thanks so much until next time. We will be back!”

“O.B is the only coffee shop in OC who HAS NOT BURNT my espresso!! The iced latte is delicious simply with organic milk and a little maple. NO pretentious hipster energy here unlike many other shops around town. For the people who love nerding out on coffee, you'll love this place”

“cute, delicious, fantastic customer service”

“Beat place ever. Food is always delicious and fresh.”

“Nothing fishy about this place. It's a small family run business. Blame covid for the price increases and there are sign posted to make you aware of the increase. it's the best food and most reasonable prices in town. if you cant afford a 11 dish then don't buy or complain about it. These reviews are for the food not whiners.”

“Great food, great place! We had corn chowder, and schnitzel with red cabbage, potato and mac salad.”

“Super cool Chef owned pizzeria! Roman style crispy crust, unique combinations as well as classic pizza styles. Friendly and super knowledgeable staff. Prices more than fair for superior quality.

Vegetarian options: Some of the pizzas that have meat can be made vegetarian. Margherita, pear pizza, truffle pizza.”

“Great coffee,food,atmosphere and service!”

“Food was great and service was quick”

“Love the enchiladas! Service is fast too!”

“It's a nice little diner in the mall. If you want to eat good food at a reasonable price and not eat high-end very expensive food that's leaves you wanting. This is a good little spot.”

“Clean environment. Very friendly staff. Food is just right taste”

“I've been to Halal Guys many times and have had nothing but good experiences. Their portions are generous, the food always tastes fresh, and is ready quickly.”

“Great workshop space with absolutely good vibes.”

“These guys were fantastic! Peter made me an entirely different drink after I tried the 'New Iced Energy' tropical flavor, which I typically love. I chose the Sunner Refresher, that I knew I loved! AND added another pump of Vanilla in the little babes ' Pink Drink'... Grade A customer service!”

“I would like to thank an employee named Alena for her kindness and service: she always smiles, always tries to help, always remembers what you ask. This is an appeal for customers, but especially for the manager of this cafe: such as this employee is hard to find, please take care of her. I've been to many places and expensive restaurants, but I've been served worse several times than in a regular coffee establishment. Thank you for your work and for your service.”

“I love Pollo Loco in General but Harbor is my favorite location. They're fast, polite and my food is always delicious, no matter what I get from the menu. Keep it up!”

“Las hamburguesas muy buenas”

“I pass by the drive thru to get a burrito, it was delicious. I'll be back. If you are planning to go to the Newport crystal cove, this will be the best spot to stop. Get food before you go.”

“Great management! Thanks for serving the Costa Mesa community.”

“Tacos were awesome...still the best onion rings!!!”

“Baja grill chiken burito.”

“Finally able to try this place and we went during lunch. I wanted to try their preset menu which is reasonable and a great way to try the place. The week I came, steak wasn't on the menu so I'll have to come back and visit.

I had the seabass and everything tasted great! I loved the grilled cauliflower the best!

Service was good. It's close to Segerstrom so people go before a show for a nice dinner.

I would go back and try again. :)”

“Unit shots and Madai with yuzu kosho”

“(Translated by Google) Very good service and the best birria tacos and quesadillas! Nicole is always very friendly!(Original)Muy buen servicio y los mejores tacos y quesadillas de birria! Nicole es siempre muy amable!”

“We stayed at the Hilton in Costa Mesa and had coupons for complimentary Continental breakfast 2 mornings. The first morning we upgraded to hot buffet breakfast that included scrambled eggs, hash browns, bacon, sausage, oatmeal. The eggs were powered, the sausage tasted like cardboard and bacon was so-so. The oatmeal was homemade and was good! This breakfast cost $18.00 + tax. The second morning we ordered off the menu and was better choices getting fresh cooked food. My wife had omelet with hash browns and toast and I had eggs Benedict with hashbrowns and tomato slice and coffee. We both enjoyed these menu options!”

“Whatta wonderful treat to be at this fabulous place! Such great classic dishes that you don’t see anymore on menus like King crab legs & all the different types of steaks. The lights are low & the service is impeccable. A gem in the coastal cities of the OC.❤️”

“Food was absolutely incredible. All the staff and waiters are extremely polite and friendly. Great experience for my birthday!”

“Really good beer ecellentvred Skipper”

“More of a locals bar in Costa Mesa than the ones you typically find when you search online. The menu is rather small, but the food we’ve had there is great. They also have some good specials. Taco Tuesday offers carne asada, al pastor, carnitas, or chicken street tacos and quesadillas for $2.50 each, and they’re tasty. The OUR Burger is really good, too, as well as the pizza. We also like that they offer tots! Clean, roomy restrooms, pool tables, TV’s with sports and Chive. All of the servers have been great with us.”

“Staff was super friendly, service was quick, and the food was great. fresh large portions. highly recommended putting it in your dining rotation.”

“I got the chicken and waffles, with a strawberry lemonade.The tenders were unbelievably fresh and perfectly delicious . Whatever the signature sauce is-you HAVE to try it! Amie was so sweet and deserves a raise for working on a late night Saturday and keeping a sweet friendly attitude. She went above and beyond. Much love and respect for this girlie! ♥️”

“We ordered breakfast burritos and a loaded bagel & all was great. The lady at the front desk had forgotten about my chai latte order and felt bad so she also gave us a free brownie that was delicious. I liked that there was indoor & outdoor seating areas.

Kid-friendliness: Kids & pets welcomed on patio”

“Great food! Great service! This is one of the best places for lunch in Irvine!”

“THey have great food. Friendly staff Quick service and a clean pleasant eating environment.”

“Service was top notch -extremely nice and informative on menu. Food was ridiculous good I recommend the grapefruit salad with chicken”

“Incredibly well tasting Turkish food. The best we have had on all of the West Coast!

The lentil soup is perfect. We tried the meatballs with cheese (kasarli kofte), çöp shish and ribeye shish kebab. The plates were beautifully filled with delicious rice, grilled tomara and spicy pepper and onions. All of kebabs were awesome.

I hope the owners get their own place soon and can put more tables and build their own environment.

We'll be going regularly!”

“Very delicious, fresh fish and great portions! My new favorite restaurant!!”

“Came here for my first time with my best friends and will be coming again! Amazing and perfect customer service, very professional, patient, helpful, and knowledgeable! The pizza was the best part, very tasteful and delicious, didn't even take a picture because it was that good.
Very well organized and clean, with such a nice vibe and scenery truly did have an awesome experience!”

“Delightful hidden gem! The Spinach Feta Omelet was fresh and delicious. The cheddar chive biscuit was one of the best biscuits I ever had. The small secret garden vibe of the patio seating was enchanting. Breakfast was so good we had to buy one of their "over the top" pastry items to go.”

“Amazing family owned business. Great food and customer service. Stuffed French toast a must.”

“Best desert for a work lunch or treat for sports or a get together with friends/family. Everyone always loves the cookies! So pretty and delicious! It’s a creative and good dessert. They are my go to for sure!”

“So good!!! A must when in Orange County!”

“I don't understand why Nick's closed. I really want to know why. So if there is any one who can tell us why we would really appreciate it.”

“Nothing fishy about this place. It's a small family run business. Blame covid for the price increases and there are sign posted to make you aware of the increase. it's the best food and most reasonable prices in town. if you cant afford a 11 dish then don't buy or complain about it. These reviews are for the food not whiners.”

“Poul’s Bakery took our breath away , we couldn’t believe the cake we have taken pictures from we have searched the internet images and sent it to her the custom cake we wanted , and not only she made the identical one ,the taste was so delicious actually finished the entire slice, it’s rare for me to eat the whole slice, as many cakes are made with to much sugar , it overwhelms to entire cakes other ingredients, this was so perfectly balanced ,and l asked for second , so did few guests , we as host wished we ordered the bigger size , we don’t like the buttercream topping due to its excessive sugar , we ordered her soexisl topping , while you others ask no buttercream but we want Poul’s Bakery special topping we heard so much about it , sorry l don’t remember what it was called . My bad ,this Poul’s baker we also find out been around for decades as she is the second owner but uses the same original recipes. She said it’s a company secret Lol, we respect that Try Poul’s Bakery , it won’t s sidelong you and ask for a sample of their fantastic cannolis . And on the spot in events she actually make the cake front of your guests . We never tried that but people are ranting about it and went at viral with millions of views and shared ,,we saw it in her website . Poul’s Bakery didn’t disappoint us , give them a try Best from Goldstein family”

“Why did it close it was a great place? Now its something called MOON. Did Pan Asia move??”

“This is my favorite restaurant! I loved it back when it was on Bristol, but I have been back to the new Red Hill location twice now and it is even more of a special dining experience. Massimo has come out to explain the history of the wine and food and the sources of his ingredients. He tells wonderful stories with a great sense of humor, and his daughter who helps serve is also very knowledgeable and delightful. I feel transported and hosted in a way I have never experienced in a restaurant. The food is amazing. The fresh handmade pasta melts in your mouth. We have eaten every dessert and they are all spectacular. Every wine and appetizer we have tried has been extraordinary. I couldn't recommend this place more.”

“Delish and great staff. The staff IS family and they treat not only their customers like family, but the other staff as well. That means a lot. We had a fun time with DJ and Pleng. About the food... We had 4 dishes... Hanuman's ceviche, Tom Kha Gai, Massaman, Pad See Ew and a nice glass of Malbec. My favorites were the ceviche and Massaman. But everything was so good. Hubs liked everything. There was literally no wait at 3 pm but come soon... Once word gets out this place will have a 45 min wait just like the mother location on Bristol.”

“Food was absolutely incredible. All the staff and waiters are extremely polite and friendly. Great experience for my birthday!”

“Delicious! Everything we ate was fresh. This is out go-to restaurant from now on.”

“It was first time we went there, food amazing and stuff friendly”

“I have to write a review , I love this place !!! The best burritos and tacos. The service is pleasant and friendly. And I think I'm addicted to this place. Thank you for your work! ❤️❤️❤️”

“manager Saeed is outstanding the coffee was hot the server was very attentive I'll be sure to go back”

“It was delicious. Authentic food.”

“I had an incredible experience at Dave’s Hot Chicken! The chicken was perfectly crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, with just the right amount of heat. The flavor was amazing, and the spice levels allow everyone to find their perfect match. The portions were generous, and the sides complemented the meal perfectly. The staff was friendly, and the service was quick even during a busy time. If you're craving delicious, flavorful hot chicken, this is the spot! I'll definitely be coming back!”

“The best açaí I’ve ever had. And I’m from Brazil and know what a good and authentic açaí is! And the service at this place is outstanding! Our attendant Bryan was very kind and attentive with our order! Loved it! Thank you!”

“It was yummy and fast. Everything was fresh and clean”

“First time here, won’t be the last. Five stars all around. Friendly and informative staff. Great quality food and the atmosphere was perfect on the patio with hookah flowing. The prices are reasonable and the portions are plenty. Family owned and operated makes for that special touch.
Would definitely recommend to friends and family!”

“The valet guy asked me to move my bike out of the bike rack so he could fit a car there! Global warming fueled by car centric design wins again. Most items were great, except my croissant tasted burned. Oven too high perhaps? But still worth five stars”

“Really fun theme and environment, exotic tea elixirs served in Magical mystery mood. We loved it!”

“Great management! Thanks for serving the Costa Mesa community.”

“The Pho broth legit made me cry it’s delicious. Only thing I don’t like is the location is in a den and has no windows. But the Pho will provide warmth anyhow!”

“Great Greek salads. Get the Chicken and fried pitas.”