23 Best Cafes in Costa Mesa

“Stopped in this cafe on a whim today and was so happy I did. I got the breakfast sandwich with bacon. Everything was cooked to perfection. The sourdough was amazingly good, crisp and chewy, and the eggs were fluffy. The staff was so friendly and nice and the pricing was very reasonable. Wished I took photos but it was too good and I ate it so fast! Highly recommend this spot.“

“Such a gem of a coffee spot! This cute little neighborhood café has quickly become one of my go-tos. They have a lot of different flavors so you can customize your cold foam. Everything tastes fresh and thoughtfully made. Their cold brew is bold but super smooth no bitterness at all 👏 and they have tons of great milk options from Straus.
The vibe is welcoming, perfect for grabbing a quick morning coffee or hanging out for a bit. You can tell they care about quality and the small details. Highly recommend if you’re in the area and want something that feels local and special! 🌿☕️✨“

“I would sell all my designer bags for their chicken gravy sandwich. My partner had the bacon burrito and it left him without words (he’s an amazing chef). I absolutely love this place, the staff is so kind. Great atmosphere- hidden gem. Would come back everyday if I can.“

“άψογο μαγαζί και άψογη εξυπηρέτηση“

“The iced chai, churro latte (hot or cold) and their bagels are to die for. I live out of state but cannot wait to go back when I’m in So Cal! Employees are so nice too - seems as though they are very happy working there:)“

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

“We had a wonderful breakfast. The service was fantastic and the food was great. The only thing was they had to keep the door open for the guests outside and it was very cold and it had been raining. It also got very windy but our server mover our table so that it was further away from the door. That made a big difference and made us much more comfortable. All in all, it was a great experience and I'm sure we'll be back“

“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!“

“So much fun! Been here multiple times. Had so much fun the first time I had to bring back my adult daughters to check it out. Can’t wait for the next trip.“

“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.“

“Love our experience at Eightfold Tea Shoppe this past weekend. The girl working was very efficient and was straightforward with us letting us know that the drinks were going to take a little bit longer than usual as there were several orders ahead of us and she was the only one at the moment. It was definitely worth the wait, the drinks were made to perfection; good balance with the tea taste and sweetness. We ordered the Earl grey cheese cream and mango swirl.

Will definitely be coming back next time we are in the area.“

“Absolutely love this place, come with an appetite though. We generally just have appetizers and salad for lunch and even splitting appetizers they are huge. We had a dessert last time after checking they were small, well they weren't. The food we've had us delicious, the service is really good and although a tight space it's not too noisy. A little spendy but it's worth it, and hey, you're at south coast plaza!“

“The employees at this 7 Leaves are always so nice and fast! The decor is minimalist, but I always get my drinks to go anyway. My favorites are the assam milk tea and summer mint tea! Pro tip: you can get the assam milk tea with no ice for no extra charge. But I typically do light ice. Plenty of parking.“

“Amazing deli, with great healthy food.The front of house staff was super nice and the kitchen was incredibly fast considering it was lunchtime.The prices were incredible and the value included a pickle spear and a small pasta salad.A lot of food for under $11!Thanks for a great lunch!!“

“We got brunch here with 3 adults and 3 toddlers. The back area was beautiful and a perfect enclosed area for us all to enjoy before eating some delicious food. The mimosa, breakfast burrito and peanut butter & chocolate bar were highlights.

Kid-friendliness: Lots of outdoor space. On the morning we were there the back was empty, which was perfect for letting little people do some exploring without bothering other customers.“

“friendly, knowledgeable staff. I let them know it was my first time and they took the time to explain everything in detail. They even put on the cup "enjoy your first time " the coffee is outstanding!“

“Service was amazing and food was great! I’m in a food coma with the sample Mimosas that put me into the coma“

“I came here with my 3 daughters from Corona. I loved the atmosphere. It's outdoors, not a big line. Many dessert options to choose from. I had the chicken pesto sandwich. We most enjoyed the outdoor seating and having a relaxing time with our dessert and drinks.“

“This is small place. They have a very good variety of coffee. I love the Ethiopian. I kind of retired my Nesspresso machine because of the Wilson Coffee. 😱“

“I’ve never come across a place like this—it’s small, with maybe two or three employees, but they’re incredibly professional. The coffee? Always consistent. Every single time. And it’s absolutely magnificent.

The flavor of the coffee is unmatched. You simply won’t find anything like it anywhere else in Southern California. I’ve tried coffee from many places, visited countless cafes, but nothing compares to the experience here. The atmosphere, the quality, and the professionalism of the staff—everything about this place stands out. There’s truly nothing like our Manniqain.“

“I was asked if I wanted to top off my shaved ice with condensed milk and I said yes which was the most delicious decision I ever made however I think I might be lactose intolerant because my stomach hurted a little bit after this but it's not their fault“

“The cakes and tarts are great, but unfortunately they don't have an oven and don't heat up their croissants! Which is a bummer because cold and stale aren't the best. But other pastries like mille feuille and lemon tart were incredible. Best mille feuille I've had in OC! There's no place to sit inside the cafe, but you can take your food and pastries to the general complex with portola etc, and there's lots of open seating spaces there“

“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.“