23 Best Cafes in Costa Mesa

“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 :)“

“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.“

“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.“

“Been coming here since day one! It’s my fiancé’s and my favorite coffee spot in Orange County. As a heavy coffee drinker and connoisseur, it’s in my top three across all of OC, LA, and the IE. I always recommend it to friends and family.“

“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!“

“άψογο μαγαζί και άψογη εξυπηρέτηση“

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

“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.“

“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.“

“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.“

“This review is for my server Nuvia. I stopped by in the late afternoon with my Fiance. We were shopping and decided to try this spot for a relaxing drink. We decided on the espresso martini and were pleasantly surprised by how delicious of an alcoholic drink it was. It had a taste between a latte with a bold espresso aftertaste.

I definitely want to stop by for dinner to try the food sometime. We had a nice conversation with her during our time here and she has excellent customer service skills and making sure people have a great dining experience. Thank you for making our experience here an enjoyable one!“

“Iʻm from Hawaii so I was so happy to see that a 7 leaves still existed after pandemic! They make the best thai tea in my opinion but their vietnamese coffee is hands down so fresh and tasty. The employee was patient, funny & kind. He even have us a sample lf the Holiday Peppermint Coffee Drink, sooo good! The place was still cute and cozy! Love it! Aloha!“

“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!“

“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.“

“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!“

“got the focaccia turkey sando w fries. lwk feeling big cuz i finished everything on my plate LOL and its a lot of food ahhhhh 👺 the focaccia was really fluffy and had a nice crust, loaded w organic turkey, tomato, arugula, spicy aioli, jalapeños, and BURRATA 🧀 fries were perf cooked and seasoned 🙂‍↕️🙂‍↕️ $16 for all this is pretty good imo
i also got the hawaiian cowboy latte: espresso+hawaiian honey+maple walnut milk. SO GOOD. ☕️🍯
went on a saturday at 11am and there was quite a long wait, hard to find parking + seating, but the food is worth it >< all their menu items are quite creative and unique!! the interior is really cute too, love the vibes here 🤍“

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

“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. 😱“

“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.“

“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“

“Nan & Reece Make the Armani Cafe Shine!

My visit to the Armani Cafe at South Coast Plaza was a lovely escape and honestly, the service made the experience truly exceptional. It's chic, comfy and elevated, but the atmosphere remains incredibly warm and inviting, thanks entirely to the fantastic team.

I have to give a massive shoutout to Nan and Reece. They are always amazing and welcoming every single time I stop by! Their friendly faces and professionalism make you feel cozy and right at home.

The desserts are just as impressive as the service. If you have a sweet tooth, you're in luck. The selection is divine—I particularly enjoyed the flaky, buttery croissants and lemon ricotta cookies are to die for - I highly recommend popping in to treat yourself!“

“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.“