Tapas Restaurants near Costa Mesa, CA

“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.“

“Love the Brussels sprouts!!!“

“Exelent servís the food is exelent“

“Food was great and service was quick“

“I love this place. I met someone there for a business dinner. The food was amazing and quite a variety of tapas to choose from. The wine was well paired the server was just right, checking in at the right times but not bugging us as we discuss opportunist. The price might be high for some but the quality of the food was worth it. Valet parking too! Only down side, the table are close to each other in the area we were sitting so I was cautious about what we discussed.“

“We came on a busy weekend but we found a seat at the bar and we were attended too fairly quickly. We did the recommended wine tasting and we enjoyed each glass. I like the idea of pouring it into a tube to go with the theme but I do enjoy an extra pour when it’s poured by hand to be honest lol but it was a great vibe over all I would highly recommend stopping by for a tasting if you are in the area. Very affordable. Parking can be terrible but it’s worth supporting local businesses I say.“

“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.“

“We had an awesome time there. The bartender was great! She really made us feel at home.“

“Absolutely great food and incredible music. Both rooms offer variety of music and definitely invites you to hit the dance floor to show off your moves. Overall great atmosphere either for some dancing classes, fine dining or social dancing.“

“Alas, a local place with unique charm, expert staff and a creative menu. We will be back often.“

“Best dinner of my life?? I’m too tipsy because I got the wine pairing, but as far as I can remember, yes- best dinner of my life. The sushi was impeccable. The tempura was the best I ever had. The avocado tempura?? A sensual experience. I was SO disappointed to hear they’re closing down permanently by summer. You must try this place before we lose this chef to Spain.“

“It’s a decent bar with reasonably priced food, but I found the final bill a bit steep once the service charge was added. That said, it’s actually quite standard for the area, after all, this is Laguna Beach. There’s an art gallery next door.“

“Great service, amazing atmosphere and delicious food.“

“This is our favorite place for dinner, cocktails and brunch! We love a date night there but it’s also great for kids too. The food, the cocktails, the atmosphere, the service, etc… I can’t say enough about how wonderful it is!“

“Loved the different dishes with unique flavor profiles. Our server Steven was very attentive, explaining the dishes and making suggestions. Service was excellent from entire staff. Owner/Chef Zach checked on us throughout the night.
Dishes were very unique and tasted amazing. Highly recommend!“

“excellent food atmophere and service!“

“First night for dinner was AMAZING!! Food was on point!!! Second night…. Both our steaks were cold“

“This is my go to place afterwork with my colleagues! We love the food, ambience and to top it off , the owner is a Dodger fan so he always has the game on. They have a great happy hour. I need a place like this closer to home but till then, love coming here.“

“😃Bonito lugar,muy rica comida,y bonito ambiente,muy buena atención.“

“Tiny burrito joint with taco in the name, lol. Literally one of my top two burrito joints in the universe. If you are nearby, you are foolish if you don’t stop by and get a tasty meal.“

“Excellent restaurant the wine was amazing in the ceviche so delish thank you we will be back“

“I sometimes stop by this bar after work — either to grab a drink or have dinner after picking up groceries. Great atmosphere, wide selection of drinks, and it’s very convenient being right inside the same building. Always a nice spot to relax for a bit.“

“Food is great and staff is fabulous!!!“

“I went to Europe for two weeks and my entire time there I ate at a lot of tapas places. The only way to describe those places is that they felt like home, they felt warm and places that after a busy and stressful day of work you just want to sit there, rest, replenish and build back the courage to get back to business. Element felt just like that. In the heart of Santa Ana, the heart of Orange County, this place allows you to slow down through the business of life and recharge, laugh, connect with the local community and get right back to it. You can enjoy some incredible food that is cooked with precision and by a chief that enjoys his craft, you can drink some cocktails that have been carefully crafted to suit your needs and you can enjoy a community that cares about you and is proud of their upbringing. If you want to feel at home, if you want to feel refreshed and want to get a taste of the European fun while being close to home, Element is the place to be.“

“Tried for the first time this gem of a restaurant for authentic Mexican cuisine here at downtown Santa Ana. We sat outside with our dog and we’re greeted by our server Vanessa, lovely lady that made us feel so welcome. She’s gregarious and amiable enough to accommodate our search for the right food on the menu. Started with the watermelon margarita with guacamole chips and salsa. For our main menu, we end up with their mole and the fish dish so tender and delicious. Overall the place is such a rare find and wouldn’t mind coming back here again.“

“Muy buen servicio al cliente“

“My buddies and I do a “Bros Night” every couple of weeks, and we’re always looking for a new local spot to check out. This time we cruised over to Balboa Island in a friend’s golf cart from Corona del Mar, took advantage of the ridiculously convenient golf cart parking, and headed to Snipe Island.

The restaurant has a great vibe. I love the open-air feel with the large windows and bar seating facing the street. It’s a fun place to sit, relax, people-watch, and enjoy everything that makes Balboa Island special.

The food was good. I had an ahi salad that was fresh and tasty, and one of my friends ordered a pizza that looked incredible. I was doing keto that day, so unfortunately I didn’t get a slice, but if it tasted half as good as it looked, I’m ordering it next time.

The real highlight of the night was our server, Taylor. Honestly, she was incredible. The place was busy, and it seemed like she was handling just about everything, but somehow she never missed a beat. We always had what we needed, our drinks stayed full, and she made us feel like we were her only table. Great service can make or break an experience, and Taylor absolutely crushed it.

The prices felt fair, the atmosphere was fun, and overall we had a great evening. If I had one piece of constructive feedback, I’d say the restroom could use a little attention and maybe a refresh. But as someone who owns a business, I know there are always a hundred things competing for your attention.

At the end of the day, I have a soft spot for local businesses that are out there working hard and serving the community. Snipe Island delivered a fun night with friends, great service, and a great Balboa Island atmosphere. We’ll definitely be back.“

“Enjoyed delicious burgers and fries. They really were exceptional, great flavor and we loved the sauces for the fries. Had their brown sugar butter cake ala mode….cleaned the plate. Delicious adult beverages too!“

“amazing atmosphere! the crowd at the bar is the best in orange county. beat prices in town, great community, all the Regulars make you feel welcome!“

“When you taste them, you'll know he qualities they possess that you can't resist“

“Discovered this gem while on the search for lunch! Amazing sushi 🍣 sashimi options, and the tempura was fried to perfection (very crispy)! Also tried the non alcoholic Sapporo and it was light and foamy. Miso soup was okay! Loved the restaurant ambiance, very quiet and clean/nice decor, attentive and friendly servers (more upscale than a casual place). I think we found our new sushi 🍣 spot in Irvine 🥰 highly recommend!“

“great place for dining....“

“Tiny burrito joint with taco in the name, lol. Literally one of my top two burrito joints in the universe. If you are nearby, you are foolish if you don’t stop by and get a tasty meal.“

“Such nice service and delicious sushi, udon/soba, sake, yam fries, edamame and tempura! (pictured is the Tekka naki and Unagi and California , crunchy eel roll, and spicy tuna roll!“

“amazing as always the best“

“great eats cool people the beach within walking distance... what's not to love“

“Filling and well prepared!“