Wonderful service and food. It was Valentine's and despite the crowds, service was personal and attentive. The tuna rye sandwich and quiche were fresh and delicious as was the creme brulee dessert. Setting and ambience were great for conversation. Highly recommend!
Tangata is a fabulous lunch experience in Santa Ana. We went for the Valentine's brunch on Sunday. We have been there many times and are never disappointed. Server was fantastic and food was delicious, as usual. A hidden gem at Bowers Museum in Santa Ana.
Robbie-Ann O.
My friend and I had lunch in there before our lecture at the Bowers Museum yesterday and we were not disappointed. You walk in and are greeted and seated at a table . We had reservations but we're not needed . The tables look beautiful with white table clothes. Later in the day they put out fresh flowers on each table . We were given a paper menu with a limited menu to choose from which keeps food fresh - on the back side is all liquor as they had the bar open full bar . Prices are average - $15-$25 for giant fresh salads that the Kardashians would love - as well as fresh sandwiches and hamburgers and soup and wraps. Could have been more but I didn't get to see it as my friend ordered for us both - 1/2 sandwich and cup soup which was Turkey and soup of day was potato with bacon and cheese it was delicious. I didn't get to take any pics today I was so bummed but take it from me it was great and I would order again . Bread was toasted and bacon was on sandwich- we held the Aioli sauce and onions . Well this is a great place to stop for a bite before a lecture or while visiting the Bowers Museum. I give it a 5 for food - 3 for noise it was very loud can't hear your friends talk - 5 for service . Oh and a 5 for the best parking attendant in the world !!
hungrynomad
The menu is quite limited and unexciting. Years ago before new management, the menu was creative and enticing with unusual offerings, all of which were delicious. This was our first visit since the pandemic. We found the food overpriced for what was offered. Service was very prompt and courteous, which did make for a pleasant dining experience. If this restaurant were not so conveniently located within the museum, we probably would dine elsewhere.
Momograce
Our server, Nikki, was excellent but it took 45 minutes to get our food: soup and 1/2 sandwich, wedge salad. This is unacceptable. One couple who had paid to hear a lecture at 1:30 had to wolf down their food when it arrived at 1:30 so went to lecture late.
Excellent food and service at this wonderful and restaurant at Bower's Museum! Their food is so fresh and delicious and carefully prepared. They have comfortable indoor seating and lovely outdoor seating overlooking the courtyard. I've gone to Bower's sometimes just to eat at the restaurant, but I'm always drawn in by the excellent exhibits at Bowers also!
We waited at least 15 minutes to be seated even though I had a reservation. The host and waiter were very professional, helpful, & friendly but the restaurant was very busy and it reflected on our experience. We ordered two desserts and waited a long time to get them. About 30minutes. The host and waiter did apologize but we were told that our deserts would be on the house but we were still charged for them. We didn't bother to ask because the restaurant was so busy it would just take longer for this to be resolved. Other than that, lunch was great & the restaurant is beautiful!
JaniceH
It was the end of two major exhibitions at the Bower Museum. The restaurant was packed. We had a reservation and even though the traffic made us thirty minutes late, our reservation was honored with no problem. The restaurant was packed and we sat within minutes. Our server was gracious and gave great service. The food was amazing and would be reason enough for this long drive. Not one complaint! I wish that there was a Tangata Restaurant located in West Los Angeles. An amazing restaurant! Thank you.
HBLiz
This modern restaurant is the perfect place to have lunch while visiting the Bowers Museum. The food was both tasty and interesting, and so large we had leftovers for dinner. The noise level was high.
MaryG
I had a reservation for 12:30 pm and arrived on time. There were 5 parties ahead of us in line, all with reservations and the restaurant was full. The line didn't move for 15 minutes, so we left. It would have been a 45 minute wait for our reservation. Very poor reservaton management on their part. The prices were very high and the ambience was "cafeteria", so they did us a favor.
Following a visit to Bowers museum, we lunched at Tangata. The food was lovely. All was fine although the restaurant was at capacity and the waiter was taxed and stressed. It makes the perfect spot for lunch after visiting Bowers.
Jomarie B.
My friend and I went to Tangata Restaurant after visiting the Bower's Museum exhibit of Hokusai. This was our second visit to Tangata. The food was both times amazing. Everything we ate was beautifully presented, and really delicious. The dessert were also amazing. Jorge, our server was exceptional. Both visits we found him very kind, attentive, and personable. He really adds to the warm atmosphere. I highly recommend this restaurante. Ask for Jorge's area. He'll take great care of you.
MichelleA
Tangata is becoming one of my favorite hidden gems in Orange County. Not only does it accompany the great Bowers Museum but it has exceptional food and wonderful service. The staff is always kind, welcoming and professional. Tangata gets busy but it is worth carving out time to enjoy some time to relax and have great food. The flavor combinations are awesome! Cheers to their chef!
Bati P.
The salad was really delicious. They could have a few more vegetarian options methinks. The manager was very friendly and our server Corey (who was super rushed off his feet) was just wonderful. Always smiling and courteous even when he had barely two minutes. The restaurant really needs to hire more than the three people I saw serving so many!
Sher
Love this restaurant and eat here once or twice a month after museum events with friends. The food, atmosphere, and staff are great. It can get busy at lunchtime so we usually make reservations. A special shout-out to server Jorge, who takes excellent care of our little group and makes us feel so welcome.
Wonderful service and food. It was Valentine's and despite the crowds, service was personal and attentive. The tuna rye sandwich and quiche were fresh and delicious as was the creme brulee dessert. Setting and ambience were great for conversation. Highly recommend!
Tangata is a fabulous lunch experience in Santa Ana. We went for the Valentine's brunch on Sunday. We have been there many times and are never disappointed. Server was fantastic and food was delicious, as usual. A hidden gem at Bowers Museum in Santa Ana.
My friend and I had lunch in there before our lecture at the Bowers Museum yesterday and we were not disappointed. You walk in and are greeted and seated at a table . We had reservations but we're not needed . The tables look beautiful with white table clothes. Later in the day they put out fresh flowers on each table . We were given a paper menu with a limited menu to choose from which keeps food fresh - on the back side is all liquor as they had the bar open full bar . Prices are average - $15-$25 for giant fresh salads that the Kardashians would love - as well as fresh sandwiches and hamburgers and soup and wraps. Could have been more but I didn't get to see it as my friend ordered for us both - 1/2 sandwich and cup soup which was Turkey and soup of day was potato with bacon and cheese it was delicious. I didn't get to take any pics today I was so bummed but take it from me it was great and I would order again . Bread was toasted and bacon was on sandwich- we held the Aioli sauce and onions . Well this is a great place to stop for a bite before a lecture or while visiting the Bowers Museum. I give it a 5 for food - 3 for noise it was very loud can't hear your friends talk - 5 for service . Oh and a 5 for the best parking attendant in the world !!
The menu is quite limited and unexciting. Years ago before new management, the menu was creative and enticing with unusual offerings, all of which were delicious. This was our first visit since the pandemic. We found the food overpriced for what was offered. Service was very prompt and courteous, which did make for a pleasant dining experience. If this restaurant were not so conveniently located within the museum, we probably would dine elsewhere.
Our server, Nikki, was excellent but it took 45 minutes to get our food: soup and 1/2 sandwich, wedge salad. This is unacceptable. One couple who had paid to hear a lecture at 1:30 had to wolf down their food when it arrived at 1:30 so went to lecture late.
Excellent food and service at this wonderful and restaurant at Bower's Museum! Their food is so fresh and delicious and carefully prepared. They have comfortable indoor seating and lovely outdoor seating overlooking the courtyard. I've gone to Bower's sometimes just to eat at the restaurant, but I'm always drawn in by the excellent exhibits at Bowers also!
We waited at least 15 minutes to be seated even though I had a reservation. The host and waiter were very professional, helpful, & friendly but the restaurant was very busy and it reflected on our experience. We ordered two desserts and waited a long time to get them. About 30minutes. The host and waiter did apologize but we were told that our deserts would be on the house but we were still charged for them. We didn't bother to ask because the restaurant was so busy it would just take longer for this to be resolved. Other than that, lunch was great & the restaurant is beautiful!
It was the end of two major exhibitions at the Bower Museum. The restaurant was packed. We had a reservation and even though the traffic made us thirty minutes late, our reservation was honored with no problem. The restaurant was packed and we sat within minutes. Our server was gracious and gave great service. The food was amazing and would be reason enough for this long drive. Not one complaint! I wish that there was a Tangata Restaurant located in West Los Angeles. An amazing restaurant! Thank you.
This modern restaurant is the perfect place to have lunch while visiting the Bowers Museum. The food was both tasty and interesting, and so large we had leftovers for dinner. The noise level was high.
I had a reservation for 12:30 pm and arrived on time. There were 5 parties ahead of us in line, all with reservations and the restaurant was full. The line didn't move for 15 minutes, so we left. It would have been a 45 minute wait for our reservation. Very poor reservaton management on their part. The prices were very high and the ambience was "cafeteria", so they did us a favor.
Restaurantji Recommends
Following a visit to Bowers museum, we lunched at Tangata. The food was lovely. All was fine although the restaurant was at capacity and the waiter was taxed and stressed. It makes the perfect spot for lunch after visiting Bowers.
My friend and I went to Tangata Restaurant after visiting the Bower's Museum exhibit of Hokusai. This was our second visit to Tangata. The food was both times amazing. Everything we ate was beautifully presented, and really delicious. The dessert were also amazing. Jorge, our server was exceptional. Both visits we found him very kind, attentive, and personable. He really adds to the warm atmosphere. I highly recommend this restaurante. Ask for Jorge's area. He'll take great care of you.
Tangata is becoming one of my favorite hidden gems in Orange County. Not only does it accompany the great Bowers Museum but it has exceptional food and wonderful service. The staff is always kind, welcoming and professional. Tangata gets busy but it is worth carving out time to enjoy some time to relax and have great food. The flavor combinations are awesome! Cheers to their chef!
The salad was really delicious. They could have a few more vegetarian options methinks. The manager was very friendly and our server Corey (who was super rushed off his feet) was just wonderful. Always smiling and courteous even when he had barely two minutes. The restaurant really needs to hire more than the three people I saw serving so many!
Love this restaurant and eat here once or twice a month after museum events with friends. The food, atmosphere, and staff are great. It can get busy at lunchtime so we usually make reservations. A special shout-out to server Jorge, who takes excellent care of our little group and makes us feel so welcome.