50 Best American Restaurants in Costa Mesa

“Absolutely wonderful food. The portions are on the small side. So you will need at least one appetizer and an entree. The appetizers were delightful, we had the cauliflower, the shishito peppers, the fries and the snap peas. For entrees we had the atlantic salmon, the rainbow trout and the steak chili. The sauces were amazing. The salmon was so small. That was my only complaint.“

“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 !“

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

“A great place to stay, as it is close to the freeway, has multiple coffee shops and restaurants within 10 minutes on foot, and offers clean, accessible amenities. Also had a great experience working with Alex (the leasing director) from checking out the space to signing the lease. I wouldn't mind going through the leasing process with her and her team again, but unfortunately, I could only rent one apartment at a time.“

“Happy hour before OC Fight Night!“

“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.“

“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.“

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

“Great atmosphere, great service and excellent food. The 38oz Porterhouse 🥩was delicious and split between 4 people We will definitely be back.“

“I tried the Philly cheesesteak, seasoned classic fried and cheesecake. My god was it good. I was visiting from london 🇬🇧, the cheesesteak was so hot, soft and fresh. The bbq sauce dip is a an absolute must! The fries were so damn good, way better than any of the spots I’ve eaten. And the cheesesteak, I’ve had cheesesteak from the cheesecake factory and from bakeries, this was the best! And for $3.99 I’m so happy with the pricing can’t complain. Will absolutely come again. Thank you for lady who served me at the till!“

“Great place to watch the games good food“

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

“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!“

“Great place“

“Excellent service by Elizabeth, she is so friendly and attentive. The food was delicious and it was obviously made with high quality ingredients. For example, the egg yolks had a deep orange color, and the crab in crab salad tasted very fresh. Solid choice for a meal any time of day.“

“My reservations is patio but since it was pretty warm that day, I asked to be seated inside . There were about 20 empty tables inside but VINCE from the reception won't seat us inside . When we left , there were still 5 empty tables . Why wouldn't he accommodate us ?“

“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 :)“

“I had a wonderful experience at Crocker’s Cafe & Bakery and have been obsessed with this place since then. The moment you walk up, you’re greeted by a beautiful garden full of blossoming flowers. The honeysuckle fills the air, making a peaceful and inviting atmosphere. The service was excellent—the young woman was attentive and served me with a genuine smile. As for the food, the quality is outstanding. Everything was packed with flavor, and the portions were very generous. It’s rare to find a spot that nails both the ambiance and the menu so perfectly. I’ll definitely be back and will highly recommend it to family and friends!“

“Take your baddie here! I’m serious. This place is awesome for a date. There’s boba, ramen, mochinuts, K-food…and did I mention BOBA??? If you want a chance at that second date, The Collage is the place to go. Don’t trust me? Ask Tiffany and Chelsea!“

“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!“

“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🧘🏻‍♀️“

“The owner, Kev is absolutely accomodating! Not to mention every time I've gotten my lunch, the food is so tasty and fresh! They are truly a lifesaver - given I'm at work and always on calls. A lot of their food has a middle eastern twist and it taste soooo good! Its a must-try. You won't be dissapointed at all!“

“Really, really good food and an affordable price. Clean dining area with helpful service from the staff. Temporary construction on the building next door makes it a bit challenging to park but well worth it. Had the chicken swarma plate, a good size portion of seasoned chicken with delicious fluffy rice and tasty salad.“

“Shout out to the entire team. Xavier did a stellar job as our host: attentive, responsive, fast, and very friendly. My whole family felt welcomed.
From making a reservation to getting seated and the actual dinner my experience was great. I will definitely return.“

“Love those breakfast tacos!!!“

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

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

“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 .“

“An absolute stand out lunch . The classic burger was succulent and high quality paired with onion rings that had a satisfying audible crunch . What truly elevated the the vist was the service our waiter was exceptionally attentive and efficient managing the floor with impressive precision. The atmosphere is charmingly retro and impeccably maintained. If you value top tier service and classic comfort food done right . This is the spot“

“Beach Pit BBQ knocked it out of the park.
I ordered the brisket sandwich with a side of mac and cheese, and from the first bite it was clear this place understands barbecue. The brisket was incredibly tender with a beautiful smoke-kissed flavor and a well-developed bark. What I really liked was that it wasn't soaking wet or dripping with grease. Instead, it had that burnt-end style character with rich, concentrated beef flavor and those slightly caramelized edges that BBQ lovers appreciate. Every bite delivered a perfect balance of smoke, seasoning, and beef.
The sandwich itself let the brisket be the star. No need to drown it in sauce when the meat is cooked this well. The brisket had great texture, pulled apart easily, and tasted like it had spent the proper amount of time in the smoker.
The mac and cheese was the perfect companion. It was creamy and silky smooth without being overly rich or loaded with cheese to the point of becoming heavy. The cheese flavor was balanced and comforting, coating the pasta perfectly while still allowing the dish to remain light enough to complement the barbecue.
I ordered my meal to go, and the customer service was excellent. The person who took my order over the phone was patient, friendly, and very helpful. They answered my questions and made the ordering process easy and enjoyable.
Good BBQ takes time, attention to detail, and respect for the meat. Beach Pit BBQ clearly has all three. Between the properly smoked brisket, the outstanding mac and cheese, and the great customer service, this was a meal worth coming back for. If you're a brisket fan, this place deserves a spot on your BBQ rotation.“

“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.“

“Absolutely amazing burritos“

“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.“

“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.❤️“

“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!“

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

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

“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“

“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.“

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

“Highly recommended!
I was in Costa Mesa for work and went here for dinner. I don’t drink, but we ordered food, and it was great! I very much would recommend getting the grilled zucchini and the Brussels sprouts. Both were exceptional.“

“Can not get any better. Chef Ross and his team absolutely exceeded all expectations this past Friday. Every dish was beyond delicious with incredible flavors and impeccable presentations. We loved every bite and seriously enjoyed the maestro at his creative best. This was a seven course Omakase style dinner - virtually free (for special dinner offering) with major league portions Immaculate restaurant - seating inside or outside via an elegant and very comfortable Terrace seating. This was a special dinner which Terrace offers frequently. Service is fantastic! Great restaurant - great location with convenient parking.“

“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.“

“I had a great experience at The Social in Costa Mesa. The atmosphere was beautiful, with a very aesthetically pleasing design that made the entire experience enjoyable from the moment we walked in.
What really made the evening stand out was the service from the bartender, John. He was charismatic, friendly, and genuinely enjoyable to talk with. His recommendations were excellent, and everything he suggested exceeded our expectations. The drinks were crafted perfectly, and his attention to detail and customer service made a great experience even better.
I highly recommend stopping by and, if you can, asking for John. He truly helped make our visit memorable.“

“This is such a cute café. I’ve been here several times, I love their selection on all the different options they have. The workers are really nice and friendly. I’ve never had a bad experience coming here before. I’ve tried many other different items and never have been disappointed. It’s a good safe to café to visit if you’re looking for something consistent and always good.“

“Such a cute brunch spot and def lived up to the hype. The vibe was cozy, welcoming, and just had that easy weekend brunch energy.

The staff were genuinely so nice and friendly, which honestly makes a huge difference.
For food, we tried the Smoked Salmon Benedict and the Baby Dutch, and both were really good. The Smoked Salmon Benedict was fresh, flavorful, and balanced perfectly without being too heavy. The salmon tasted fresh and the eggs were cooked just right. The Baby Dutch was honestly a fun experience and super worth trying. Light, fluffy, slightly sweet, and perfect if you want sth different from the usual pancakes or waffles.

Definitely worth checking out if you’re in the area.“

“This is my go-to fast food on super busy days. I like the 1/2 and 1/2 with white rice. I've also tried the veggie one and the white meat chicken one. They're all good. Service is friendly and fast and healthier than other fast food choices.

Kid-friendliness: They have child size meals

Parking: Parking is available in front of store

Wheelchair accessibility: They are accessible for wheelchairs, and although the door is heavy, they can accommodate“

“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?!?!?“