Summer tastes better in Costa Mesa. From juicy burgers to fresh-made paletas and handscooped treats, things just hit different here. Maybe it’s the sunshine, or maybe it’s the bold flavors and new spots always pushing the boundaries. Whatever the reason, Costa Mesa is a necessary foodie stop, and we’ve curated the best summer bites here.
Costa Mesa sits in the heart of Orange County. This means we’re minutes from beaches and a quick ride from John Wayne Airport (SNA). If you’re driving in, we’re nestled between Los Angeles to the north and San Diego to the south. If you like, make it a foodie trip and follow your appetite down the coast.
Take a Bite Out of Summer
Palms n’ Patties is one of the newest additions to Costa Mesa’s dining scene. It’s a haven for burger lovers who prefer quality, organic, grass-fed beef. There’s no seed oil, either; their tasty fries are cooked in beef tallow. Our fave is the Grilled Smash (with house Pn’P Sauce) with a side of Green Mayo. Think In-N-Out but elevated.
Salt and Lime Modern Taqueria is the sort of place to have a perfect meal on the perfect SoCal day. With their house-made blue-corn tortillas (and tortilla chips), fresh local produce, and innovative flavors, we’ve sipped and savored some of our favorites here. Try a Smoky Pear Mezcal Margarita with a Seared Yellowtail taco (we live for the yuzu aioli and pickled ginger). If you’ve got a sweet tooth, you can’t go wrong with the Churro Sundae served with small-batch horchata ice cream. Yum.
Dine on the patio to watch the sunset or simply to take in a little extra sunshine.
Stella Jean’s 17th Street location in Costa Mesa actually shares space with Pop Pie Co., so this is a best of both worlds dinner-and-dessert event. After a tasty, savory pie like Green Hog & Cheese, Get yourself the best of small-batch flavor with Stella Jean’s mainstays like the vegan and gluten-free Mango Sticky Rice flavor, or try a seasonal treat while it’s available.
The combo of outdoor dining options and delicious tapas at Cafe Sevilla couldn’t be more summery if it tried. The sangria is an absolute must try, but our favorite is always Happy Hour, Wednesday–Sunday from 5 to 7 p.m. Can’t beat a $10 craft cocktail!
Looking for nostalgia? Looking for nostalgia but better? Hit up The Straw for milkshakes out of your dreams with a bright, retro feel. There’s flavors for everyone, ranging from over the top (like The STREET, which is a cookies-and-cream shake with cookie dough topping that’s colored to look like everyone’s favorite muppety consumer of cookies) to beautifully subtle (like Mr. Grey, an earl grey, lavender, and honey shake).
Inside Mercado González, you’ll find paletas made fresh daily—fruity, creamy, and crafted right in front of you. Through the glass walls, you can watch the team mix, pour, and freeze each batch, turning simple ingredients into the most refreshing summer treat.
Make it an Eatcation®
With so many summer bites, cool treats, and new flavors to explore, Costa Mesa is the perfect place to turn a day of snacking into a full Eatcation®. Stay overnight in a Costa Mesa hotel, enjoy easy access to every dining district, and savor every last bite of your summer getaway.
