24 Best Cafes in Costa Mesa

“This was my first visit here, it came highly recommended. I was warmly welcomed, the barista explained my mocha/syrup/foam/milk options, and my order was ready quickly. The coffee was delicious and the café is such a vibe! I'll definitely be back.“

“Came in yesterday around 1:30 after doing our taxes a couple blocks away. Ordered the bacon breakfast burrito - no Pico de gallo. Burrito was excellent and portion size was also very good. Salsa that came on the side was really good. We will stop here again when in the area 👍🤙“

“I recently stopped by Chailo Coffee Club and it did not disappoint. The drinks are seriously good—everything tastes fresh and well-crafted. The sisters who run the place are incredibly friendly and welcoming…. “ You know who you are”, which makes the whole experience even better. The vibe is super chic and stylish, perfect for grabbing coffee and hanging out. Definitely a go-to spot if you’re in Costa Mesa and want a great cup of coffee.“

“This is my favorite coffee shop in the area, hands down. I work remotely and stop by multiple times a week to get out of the house. They have super fun seasonal drinks, amazing flavored cold foam, and strong high quality coffee. Plus no upcharges for alternative milks. Pastries are delicious and so are their breakfast burritos.

Beyond the fantastic drinks and food, the staff is incredibly nice and part of the reason I keep coming back. Hospitality makes a huge difference, and they're doing it right. Absolutely no notes!“

“άψογο μαγαζί και άψογη εξυπηρέτηση“

“Do yourself a favor and try this place out if you haven't already. The food is sooooo good. Fresh every time and the best part the prices are great! Amazing food for and amazing price. The people are super nice. This place is a hidden gem in Costa Mesa. I come here for breakfast mostly but they have a great burger for lunch and don't get me started on their coffee. Everything I've had here hits. You will be happy you came here.“

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

“highly recommend!! the bò lúc lắc and phở tái were delicious, the beef in the bò lúc lắc was cooked nicely and the flavor was great. the soup had a nice star anise scent to it (which i liked) without being too strong in a particular spice!! the matcha latte was a good default sweetness (not usually the case in many places in my opinion) and the strawberry matcha has chunks of strawberry in it!!“

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

“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 ???“

“This was the best breakfast experience I've had in a long time. A coworker and I were in town for travel and happened to stop in. Crocker's had amazing food, fantastic customer service and the cutest atmosphere. The bakery items were fresh and warm and their chilaquiles were delicious!“

“I have never wanted so badly to be able to give an experience 10 stars.

The host stand was very helpful and sat us earlier than our reservation time, despite how busy it was.

We ordered the create your own omelette, the cheddar scone, and the biscuit. Everything down to the side salad was fresh and delicious, and I especially recommend the ginger peach tea. Our food came out promptly and I was very impressed.

Our server, Liz, was incredibly attentive and sweet and made our experience even better. She was very accommodating of our requests and gave us lots of good recommendations.

I cannot wait for the next time I'm in Costa Mesa so I can return to Plums.“

“They have the best coffee selection and their food is amazing! Also helps that each location is a cool vibe and their staff is pretty awesome.“

“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.“

“Pretty much what I expected except the food which was tastier than I thought it would be (arguably the best part). It's obviously built for take away. Service workers were pleasant, preparation time wasn't too long, all food comes in take away containers, inside was stuffy and hot so I wouldn't eat inside. There were 3 small 2-person tables outside. Prices were more than I thought they'd be, but of course it's Orange County so that is true everywhere it seems. Over 10 dollars for most things. I ended up getting the French toast because it was only 7.99 and it was better than I thought it was gonna be for being one of the cheapest things on the menu.“

“Every location of 7 Leaves consistently delivers exceptionally fresh and tasty ingredients with perfectly cooked boba. Definitely my favorite and I will drive out of my way for them. Can’t wait to see them expand into south OC and beyond!“

“Whenever I’m at South Coast Plaza, I often come to this Quattro Cafe. I’ve been here many times, but this is actually my first time leaving a review.

This time, we ordered the pepperoni pizza, beef lasagna, and seafood pasta. Honestly, the pizza was just okay. If you asked me if I would order it again next time, probably not. My son actually wanted pizza, which is why we came here today, but even he said the pizza wasn’t that great and ended up liking the beef lasagna much more.

The beef lasagna was really good, and the seafood pasta was definitely my favorite. It had a little bit of a spicy kick, just enough to give it some heat, and it was really flavorful.

I’ve tried different dishes here on my previous visits, and overall, the food has always been good. I would definitely come back—I'd just skip the pizza next time!“

“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!“

“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 had an amazing experience at Salty Horse! It’s definitely a must-visit spot in Irvine if you're looking for a high-quality brunch.
We ordered the Breakfast Burrito, which was incredibly satisfying. The portion size is generous, the ingredients are fresh, and every bite offers a wonderful depth of flavor. I also highly recommend the Steak and Fries—the steak was cooked perfectly, tender and juicy, and the fries topped with cheese were absolutely addictive.
As for the drinks, I went with the Hawaii Cowboy Coffee, which was a standout. The flavor profile is unique, rich, and aromatic—the perfect refreshing pick-me-up that paired beautifully with the food.
The atmosphere in the shop is fantastic and very photogenic. The staff were also super friendly and welcoming. It’s the perfect place to relax, enjoy a great meal, and soak in the vibes. I’ll definitely be coming back for a second visit! Highly recommended for anyone looking for great coffee and delicious brunch in a cool setting.“

“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.“

“Quiet place on your way to the bridge that connects the two malls. First off the floors, display windows, counters are clean. It's a French place with freshly baked pastries, cakes, chocolate loafs, baguettes, sandwiches, salads, coffee, champagne and imported goods from France. I recently discovered this place. Their salads are so big and very fresh. They offer a few selections...a beet salad, chicken pesto Ceasar and a House salad. Their sandwiches are also made that day and once they are gone they are gone. The girls are super friendly with that French flair and ready to box up a whole lot of goodness for you. So much selection for a petite place. Skip that Yu Cake that isn't even fresh but bussed in from God knows where and try this place. It's so affordable and a step up from homemade. They offer umbrella seating outside and because it overseas the garden and water ponds... it's really charming.“

“I needed a quiet spot to study as my mom and sister went to shop for family. This cafe generously provided a warm decaf oat milk latte that helped me get through a long evening. There’s comfy, well kept seating nearby with small tables and chairs to work. Service was polite, kind, and awesome. I loved the presentation of everything. The foods begin running out close to closing hours so try to grab them earlier if you can! God bless you all+“