50 Best American Restaurants in Costa Mesa

“This was a wonderful find. The menu and food are simple ingredients but they did a great job with flavor, texture, and temperature. All the dishes we ordered were delicious.

The service was great as well. They treated us like guests at their house.“

“The cheeseburger was AMAZING!!!“

“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 !“

“Nice place.“

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

“Happy hour before OC Fight Night!“

“This is a learning experience for chefs and servers. So, knowing that your experience is different every time. It is hard to get reservations, and you need to be added to an email list that goes out and sign up quickly. The meals are themed.“

“I was Absolutely impressed by the tasty food here. I went with the fish tacos and the crab cake. I must say one of the best crab cakes I’ve ever had, and the fish tacos were great too. Also the price is very reasonable.Stayed for the night and what a convenient restaurant. Exited to stay again and most certainly try more of the menu.“

“Great place to watch the games good food“

“Great place for a quiet lunch. Attentive service and good recommendations for wine“

“Roberto is the best cook! The staff was extremely friendly and accommodating. The best part was the breakfast Saturday morning! Roberto made the best cuisine, the servers Roberto (another) and Adrianna were the most friendly and warm welcoming staff!“

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

“We are regulars here however they have cheapened the shrimp and grits, we were seated near a patio door where the employees kept going out for break and the waitress was hovering over us to get us to order and leave. The pork chop was good.“

“Been here a couple of times and they have been very good experiences. Clean location, friendly service, price is fair compared to other places, food is great. Both the chicken Philly and Regular Philly are very good. If I had to choose any issue I had is the vegetables were cut so thick that they overpower the meat/cheese taste when you get the bell peppers in there. Mushrooms also help mask the meat flavor. Still a very good sandwich, I will be coming back.“

“The Duck Confit Spliff is a great representation of the Vietnamese & French cultures “wrapped” up all in one dish. And for a more traditional & fun way to eat it, you definitely have to use your hands. My only wish was for a little more duck in the spliff.

With the Ebelskivers, the concept was again brilliant. The garlic emulsion creates an intense garlic flavor but in a light and airy way. But like takoyaki, I wish there was more escargot in the batter to remind me more of that chewy feel from the traditional dish.

The surprise star of our meal was the Royale with Cheese. The wagyu had great flavor and char. And the sesame seed bun held up well for this napkin-required burger. But those pickles were amazing nuggets of necessity to add balancing acidity to the richness of the dish.

We definitely want to try the Duck Breast, the Spanish Octopus, and the Prix Fixe Meal on future visits. A final thanks to Chef & Curtis for the friendly service and explanation of the menu.“

“The apartment is in a great location with plenty of dining options nearby. It features a well-maintained gym, pools, and secure gated entry. A lot of people refer to it as “Roachpointe” in the reviews, which isn’t entirely wrong, there have been cockroach issues. However, management responds quickly and takes active steps to address and resolve the problem. The place overall is very clean and parking has not been an issue for me. They have on site workers to fix water, broken toilets, etc. This place isn’t the same place from 5+ years ago (where most the negative reviews are from) which is why I gave it 5 stars.“

“Honestly AMAZING! I was skeptical at first because it was in an office space but MAN that breakfast burrito was soooooo good! Exactly what I wanted. Light, good amount of meat and cheese and not greasy. I got a Vietnamese coffee to go with it and it was also delicious! I will be coming back :)“

“Sunday morning breakfast was excellent. It was my first visit, and Bob introduced me to this charming spot. The Hearty Oats and English Breakfast tea were absolutely delicious. The staff was friendly and helpful, and I really enjoyed the period music.“

“This has become my favorite food!
Very healthy and wholesome.
Service is exceptional and owner very kind. I got a complementary baklava piece because I kept eyeing it and kind owner noticed. Thank you Pom & Olive for your kind gesture. May God bless you with many more years of great food and service. Amen.“

“Have been a very satisfied regular @EatChow CM for several years. The menu varies seasonally, selections are plated attractively & are always delicious; love the fried green tomatoes😋. Eric & his crew are cordial with the right balance of attentiveness. Undoubtedly authentic, consistently never fails to please & a local, late night favorite🧘🏻‍♀️“

“I have been to the Sessions in Newport beach a few times and I love everything about the place, great food, great service, and the owner greeted me personally! I would 100% recommend this place for a great family meal!“

“My favorite spot for wonderful food in a funky, hip atmosphere. Chicken and waffles are a must!“

“Good food fast and delicious, today I got the meatloaf special. Now I got to tell you with the soup, salad, and the meal now I'm a pretty big guy I'm 6 ft 249 lb. I could not eat it all and it comes with dessert and I didn't even have room for dessert!“

“We had a late dinner at the Yard House after a Christmas lights cruise in the bay on a Monday in December. The Yard House serves dinner later. We had a an appetizer of queso with meat. It was outstanding. I had Maui Chicken and my wife had a Chicken dish ,also. Both were large portions and fantastic. When we are in the area we will definitely go back!“

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

“It’s a great atmosphere and the owner Monica is very friendly and welcoming. She makes you feel like your at home .“

“Collage Culinary Experience at South Coast Plaza is one of my favorite dining spots! It perfectly combines high-end and casual dining in one beautiful space, offering something for every mood and occasion. The variety of Asian cuisine is incredible — from Japanese and Korean to Chinese, and Vietnamese, every option is authentic and full of flavor. The atmosphere feels modern and lively, and the service is always friendly and attentive. Whether you’re looking for a quick bite or a special night out, this place has it all.“

“Perfect place for lunch sandwiches and burritos. All Fresh Dailey Patio dining Great.“

“Amazingly wholesome food. I came across this local business and it was so well prepared, you could taste the love and care that goes into their meals. I spoke with the owner as I was waiting for my food and you can tell that he really cares about his customers and preparing quality food. They cater too! If you are staying at the Hilton, you must try out this place!“

“Love those breakfast tacos!!!“

“Me and my two sons went to go eat here because they both got good grades on their report cards. We all ordered the same thing a cheese burger in a combo with a drink and fries, and the food was delicious but the service was amazing too. Overall, everything about this place was excellent I'd rate it a 5/5“

“Amazing food and atmosphere. We sat at the bar and have to give our bartender/waiter Jake a huge shout out. He was the best! Definitely going back again.“

“Great so fun very accomidating for large parties nice on the water view and great appetizers Sara Alex amazing jeri hawkins wonderful and so many friends valet Parker didn’t want to get out of my car he was so funny“

“Absolutely amazing burritos“

“This place was our family favorite brunch place prePandemic (before kids got married). After pandemic: price went up ridiculously. For two of us (me and hubby) $100 and we don’t even drink alcohol - just food and tip
We would still go there here and there but not like we used to. They won’t miss us cuz it’s always packed.

Service: service is good. I prefer servers here than Urth cafe in Laguna.

Space is clean for such a busy place. I haven’t yet to use bathroom so —-
Only thing is that it’s very very noisy. I guess people are happy there.“

“delicious food. all fresh ingredients. reasonable prices. outside dining is a beautiful courtyard with a fountain centerpiece - a tranquil oasis. the wait staff makes me feel welcome and at home. I have severe food allergies and the chef has been very accommodating.“

“Love the Chilaquiles and the protein pancakes. Great service of Lucia �“

“I wish I could give this six stars!! This place was amazing, the food the vibe and the service was the best I've seen in a long time. Marvin was the chef and made the best turkey I have ever had, it was juicy and tender and smokey, and all the other meats were the same. Christian greeted us as we were walking in and made us feel so welcomed and checked in all night making conversation that made the experience even better. We got the meat platter and it was a great price for such good smoked bbq. We finished with some amazing banana pudding for desert. I am definitely coming back here soon!!“

“It was chill, not too crowded, great music. I didnt eat anything, just came for the music.“

“Absolutely love Fuelbar! The meals are consistently delicious, fresh, and full of flavor—and I’m genuinely shocked they’ve managed to get me to eat sweet potatoes. The rotating weekly menu is a game changer; it keeps things exciting and prevents that dreaded meal fatigue. Everything is so easy too—just heat it in the microwave and enjoy. FuelBar has made healthy eating not only convenient but something I actually look forward to. Highly recommend!“

“Had a good time , food was really good , Angel the server was excellent Amazing costumer service .“

“exceptional service and employees“

“We went here yesterday with our team, and everything was fantastic! The restaurant has its own brewery with big tanks where they brew their beers, and the IPAs were excellent.

Our server, Gil, was super nice and helpful. He arranged a long table for our whole group so we could sit comfortably and hang out. He also gave us great recommendations , I tried the Ginger Salmon with rice and quinoa, and it was very tasty, healthy, and perfectly cooked. For appetizers, I ordered the Ahi Tuna with tortillas, which I really enjoyed since I’m trying to eat healthy. We also tried a few other appetizers that everyone liked.

My co-workers had a mix of burgers and sandwiches, and everyone said their food was delicious. They don’t serve vodka (only beer and wine), but they were kind enough to bring me hot water with lemon since I asked for tea.

After dinner, we sat outside on the patio by the fireplace, enjoying the sunset and the beautiful sky , such a relaxing way to end the evening. Parking was easy too, with spots in front of the restaurant and plenty more in the nearby shopping center.

Overall, a great experience with amazing food, drinks, and service. Highly recommend it! 🍽🍻“

“Came on a busy day with a reservation. It was busy and a bit slow. But what made up for it was the waitress's great customer service. Even if it may have been stressful for her due to short staff, she was very kind and expressed everything we needed to know. On top of that, the food was excellent. I was so excited to see all the variety of food. Food was pleasant. We sat outside, so it was nice.“

“We always eat here before the theatre. Food is great, service is great, and very convenient. I like dining and then walking over to the theatre.“

“Stopped in at Social in Costa Mesa while spending a weekend down in Orange County, and I’m so glad we did. I’d heard great things from friends, and this place definitely didn’t disappoint. The food was absolutely amazing, the atmosphere was spot-on, and the service was just as good.

It wasn’t too busy when we arrived—probably because it’s Christmas season and everyone’s out shopping—so we got in right before the lunch crowd. I heard it was packed the night before, and I can see why. Everything we tried was top-notch.“

“This outdoor cafe in the middle of the performing arts center is convenient and reasonably priced. The drinks are certainly cheaper than inside. Also the bartenders are excellent and will make you any cocktail they have the ingredients for. The food menu is updated regularly. Currently they have a nice mix of sandwiches, flatbreads, and salads.

Parking: Free parking is nowhere near by“

“Enjoyed a side of breakfast sausages and bacon. Sausages were a good size and had a little spice/pepper... Just the right amount. Bacon was crispy & nice and salty.Ordered both at the aMuse restaurant inside the Marriott, but cost wise it's better to pay for the buffet (which is in a separate room). The only downside for the buffet is the sausage/bacon/ham rotates each day.Nice service, clean and bright space.“

“Okay, I thought this was one of this joints where you order “Xtra Crack” in the comments and you get some smoking crack. Imagine my disappointment when I opened my bag and all I had was delicious chicken, fries and amazing coleslaw. Honestly though, I think that chicken has smoking crack in it cause I just finished eating and I’m already itching for some more…. Maybe you could help a fella out and get me some chicken? Come on man! Please?!?!?“