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Life’s too short for boring meals. Remember that first unforgettable bite, or the joy of dining out with our favorite people, or even channeling a Roman emperor with an extravagant, over-the-top feast? Costa Mesa’s dining scene delivers big on decadence, and this list of standouts is unapologetically indulgent. These are the kinds of food experiences you talk about, and show off in your photo gallery, for years to come.

Getting to Costa Mesa for your day of indulgence is a breeze, since it’s conveniently situated between L.A. and San Diego. Not driving? Here’s a local tip: fly into OC’s John Wayne Airport (SNA) and beat the stress of LAX.

Destination Decadence

We’re starting strong with a luxurious experience from the Michelin-starred French restaurant Knife Pleat. There’s three caviar options for caviar service, each of them more decadent than the last. Savor your buttery, popping bites with a chilled cocktail. We love the Iris Van Herpen for the shiso and plum notes. 

Photo by @knifepleat

Epic Bites

Some burgers just hit different. That’s the case at Matty’s Patty’s Burger Club, a Toronto fave with a Costa Mesa location (lucky us!), owned and operated by actor-chef Matty Matheson of The Bear fame. Ooey-gooey poutine is always a solid pick, but the burgers are the superstar of the show here: get yours with Matty’s Patty’s Sauce or Pickled Jalapeño Mayo. 

Photo by @mattyspattysburgerclub

The tapas at Top Chef alum Chef Amar Santana’s Vaca is beyond. This Michelin Guide–rated spot serves Erizos Con Huevos are scrambled eggs and fresh sea urchin with miso butter toast, an ingenious combo of buttery, salty, umami flavor. Savor a plate of Canelon de Pollo Ahumado, or smoked chicken cannelloni, especially the duck liver sauce and sherry reduction. And if you’ve never had the chance to try Ibérian ham, save room for some of the most complex morsels of your life.

Photo by @vaca_costamesa

No Holding Back

We have one word for you: omakase. The “chef’s table” sushi experience at Michelin-starred Hana re, led by Chef Atsushi Yokoyama, is about as intimate an indulgence as you can get, given the limited seating and serene atmosphere. Settle in for fifteen courses of hand-selected fresh seafood.

Photo by @hana_re_sushi

Locals know about Costa Mesa’s Ramen Row, or the plethora of ramen shops in a three-block radius around Baker Street. Take yourself on a ramen crawl and hit up Hakata Ikkousha for the definitive standard of tonkotsu-style, Kashiwa Ramen for Black Garlic Ramen with roasted garlic oil chicken, Kitakata Ramen Ban Nai for Green Chili Shio Ramen, and Mogumogu for soupless noodles for a novel finish.

Photo by @kashiwaramen_oc

Sweet Escapes

The two-pound Giant Cinnamon Roll at Plums Cafe is worth a photo opp for sure—how often do we get to try baked goods as big as our heads? But don’t order this scrumptious baked good just for the novelty; it’s unbelievably delicious. We do advise bringing some friends to share the love or asking for a take-home container, so no bite goes to waste.

Photo by @plumscafe

The Straw makes milkshakes that push the boundaries of flavor while respecting nostalgia. Saigon Sin is a Vietnamese-inspired coconut cream and durian treat, and it’s a flavor exclusive to their OC location. If you want something a little more traditional, try La Bella Donna, an espresso milkshake with tiramisu. (Also, vegans, you can substitute with vegan ice cream!) 

Photo by @thestrawmilkshakes

Indulge your imagination and your taste buds at Elixir, which serves up whimsy alongside boba and ice cream. Creative drinks (like Labyrinth, a green tea latte with dragon honey and boba), fantasy decor that demands you get your pose on, and magical staff take the vibes from great to extraordinary. Every single drink is alcohol free, so it’s a great spot to hit up if you’re sober or just sober curious.

Photo by @katielovesboba

Ever dipped a piping-hot, crispy churro into rich, velvety hot chocolate? That double hit of crunch and smooth is worthy of closing your eyes and sighing. Hit up Mexico City–based legend Churreria El Moro (at Mercado Gonzalez) for the best churros and ice cream you can imagine, and count yourself lucky that Costa Mesa is the first El Moro location outside of Mexico.

Photo by @elmoro_usa

Meals like the ones we’ve included in this roundup of decadence deserved to be savored. Why rush home after a long, flavorful day? Stay the night in one of Costa Mesa’s top hotels and make it an Eatcation® instead of a one-day indulgence.

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Are you ready to take your taste buds on an Eatcation®? Come to Costa Mesa, the foodie capital of Orange County, where you don’t need a cocktail to get taste buzzed. From hidden gems to emerging hotspots, we’ve collected all the must-try restaurants in Costa Mesa for all appetites—all of them are must-tries, no skips! 

Getting to Costa Mesa is a breeze; it’s nestled between L.A. and San Diego. If you’re not close enough to drive, here’s a local tip: fly into O.C.’s beloved John Wayne Airport (SNA) and beat the stress of LAX. You’ll thank us later

Where Flavor Meets Fun

Mercado Gonzalez is 70,000 square feet of authentic, family-owned goodness inspired by the famous food markets of Mexico. Any craving you have, they’ve got it covered—birrieria, carnitas, seasonal fruit, and even fresh seafood? All of it and more is available in one space (FYI, it’s great for groups!).

Photo by @northgatemarket

Small but mighty, Folks Pizzeria has some of the best pizza we’ve ever tried, and they’ve got indoor and outdoor seating depending on how much sunshine you want with your ‘za. Get the Beef Tallow French Fries if you’re a fry aficionado, and pair it with the Soppressata white pie. Sooo good.

Photo by @folkspizzeria

Vaca brings Spain to SoCal via three-time Top Chef competitor chef Amar Santana. We’re big fans of the Bocadillos, or Spanish sandwiches, with vegetables or tuna. It’s our mission to get through the entire tapas menu someday, but it’s hard when we absolutely have to save room for the paella. 

Photo by @vaca_costamesa

No Meat, No Problem!

Seabirds Kitchen is a staple of California vegan cuisine, and Costa Mesa is lucky enough to be its home. There’s no going wrong with the Seabirds menu, but we specifically rec the Beer Battered Avo Taco and Purple Potato Taquitos. Yum.

Photo by @a_fit_bird

Head to The CAMP for The Plot, serving up shareables like the Chronic Sushi Roll and hearty, plant-based comfort food like Shepherd’s Pie. Try the Mango Crème Brûlée for a perfect finish!

Photo by @theplotrestaurant

A Taste of Asia

If you haven’t stopped by South Coast Plaza, you’re missing out on some of the best Asian cuisine in the city. There are two soup dumpling heavy hitters: Din Tai Fung (we’re always down to DTF here, and we can’t get enough of their stir-fried veg), and Paradise Dynasty, with eight-spice soup dumplings pushing the bounds with flavor (you have to try the Crab Meat with Roe Xiao Long Bao). AnQi Bistro has a noods and dumpling bar, but don’t overlook the small plates or the steaks. The large plate of Peking Roasted Chicken with Truffle Hainan Rice is our favorite.

Photo by @anqibistro

Mesa Munchies

If you’re craving something simple, fresh, and with tasty options for the whole crew, try one of the two Mendocino Farms locations in Costa Mesa. You can’t go wrong with the half-sandwich combo (we rec the “Not So Fried” Chicken) with a cup of Thai Sweet Potato Soup.

The Collage is another great solution if you’re feeding a group: it’s a two-story dining collective at South Coast Plaza with lots of choices. One person might be feeling a gourmet waffle sandwich at Bruxie, but another might want to get drinks on the patio at Blossoms & Brass. Everybody wins.

Photo by @blossomsandbrass

For spice lovers, Bred Hot Chicken serves up hot chicken in basically every variety you can think of. Share a crispy and juicy chicken platter with friends, or snack on a Big O’ Sandwich by yourself; just don’t skimp on sauce or sides.

Photo by @bredhotchicken

New to the Scene

Ospi is a winning mashup of Italy and California, led by another Top Chef alum, chef Jackson Kalb. The Persian Cucumber salad followed by Ceci e Tria pasta and Sole Milanese as a main is, at least to us, a meal for the history books. Come check Ospi out at Paseo 17, a newly revitalized corner of Costa Mesa’s must-visit 17th Street.

Photo by @ospi

Get Your Buzz On in Costa Mesa

Whether you’re craving casual or fine dining, Costa Mesa satisfies any appetite. Remember: take it easy and don’t rush the experience of getting your taste buzz on. If you want to try everything the city has to offer, turn your foodie trip into a weekend Eatcation® at one of our favorite hotels.

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