{"id":10906,"date":"2025-12-03T11:08:00","date_gmt":"2025-12-03T19:08:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.travelcostamesa.com\/blog\/?p=10906"},"modified":"2025-12-22T11:56:09","modified_gmt":"2025-12-22T19:56:09","slug":"costa-mesas-best-food-shopping-and-experiences-in-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.travelcostamesa.com\/blog\/costa-mesas-best-food-shopping-and-experiences-in-2025","title":{"rendered":"Costa Mesa\u2019s Best Food, Shopping, and Experiences in 2025\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

We\u2019re thrilled to share our end-of-year guide to the best Costa Mesa has to offer. From mouthwatering meals to one-of-a-kind shopping and unforgettable experiences, we\u2019re celebrating the highlights from each of Costa Mesa\u2019s diverse neighborhoods<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How did we choose the best? We tapped into staff and community favorites, kept our finger on the pulse of everything new, and thrilled with every viral video. The result is a curated list of what captured the heart and soul of Costa Mesa in 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We couldn\u2019t include every stop we loved, so we recommend you use this to kick off your itinerary and discover\u2014or rediscover\u2014everything that makes Costa Mesa an unexpected favorite.  Let\u2019s dive in and celebrate the best of this year!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Eastside Costa Mesa<\/strong><\/a>  <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Eat: <\/strong>Salty Horse<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What makes it special: <\/strong>You\u2019ll be ooo-ing<\/em> over the drink menu, aaa-ing<\/em> over the food, and somehow end up with a full spread at Salty Horse. The space is a cowboy meets coastal<\/em> vibe, with a fusion menu pulling flavors from Asian, Mexican, and American cuisines. In a hurry? Grab their classic Cowgirl Matcha to go. Got time to settle in? The pink pitaya pancakes and loaded soyrizo breakfast burrito are perfect for brunch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shop: <\/strong>Paseo 17<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What makes it special:<\/strong> This Spanish courtyard-style retail space has everything you need to build-your-own perfect day. You can start with coffee at Milligram<\/a>, then treat your skin to a facial at Freeface<\/a>. Refresh your wardrobe at Purre Boutique <\/a>or find a new signature home scent at Slow Goods<\/a>. Pick up a freshly made bread at Rye Goods<\/a> and pair it with artisanal jam from Mercado Mesa<\/a> or finish strong with an Italian dinner at OSPI<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Experience: <\/strong>Snake Yoga<\/strong><\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What makes it special: <\/strong>Only in Costa Mesa! What started as a passion project quickly became a viral sensation at LXRYOGA<\/a>. As seen in People Magazine,<\/a> this snake yoga experience pairs you with friendly, non-venomous ball pythons for a unique class that\u2019s both calming and exciting. In small-group sessions, yogis first learn how to hold the snakes, then are paired with their own snake for the duration of the class. It\u2019s the perfect way to conquer your fears\u2014or try something totally out of the ordinary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Westside Costa Mesa<\/a> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Eat: <\/strong>Neat Coffee\/<\/strong>Third Place<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What makes it special: <\/strong>A local favorite in Costa Mesa\u2019s coffee scene, Neat lives up to its name with simple, elegant d\u00e9cor in minty green and cool cream. Their menu is equally neat, dotted with latte essentials, seasonal favorites, and a lime jasmine green tea that you\u2019ll be coming back for. As day turns to night, Neat undergoes its own transformation, becoming Third Place in 2025, a wine bar with cozy, glowing lighting and rich conversation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shop:<\/strong> Saltwater Leather Co<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What makes it special: <\/strong>Tucked into a creative enclave just minutes from the Pacific Ocean, Saltwater Leather Co is named for the water that nips at their heels. A true family affair, primarily run by mother and son, Jaime and Chase Huante. Some may call Jaime a multi-hyphenate, an accomplished chef, and formerly embroidery and crochet teacher at The CAMP, but it\u2019s her leatherworking that shines the brightest. Their Belt Bar and Custom Italian Leather Sandal experiences are hands on, creatively affirming experiences where attendees walk away with luxury goods made by their own two hands. It\u2019s an experience only possible in Costa Mesa, and it\u2019s one that utterly captivated us in 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Experience: <\/strong>Wayfarer<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What makes it special: <\/strong>The Wayfarer<\/a> is Costa Mesa\u2019s live music venue and gastropub, celebrating over ten years of bringing live performance right to the community. Every style of music has a home at The Wayfarer, and everyone is welcome. Drop by and you might discover your next favorite band. We couldn\u2019t help but take notice of the calibre of talent taking the stage this year, and we can\u2019t wait to see what 2026 holds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Mesa Verde<\/a> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Eat: <\/strong>Il Girasole<\/strong><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What makes it special: <\/strong>Blue velvet seats, modern art with colorful impasto<\/em>, bright and tangy passionfruit, silky smooth tiramisu\u2014Il Girasole is a rich delight for the senses, from the decor to the cocktails to the dishes and dessert. Soon to round out a year in Costa Mesa, the concept belongs to Florence-born Chef Antonio Bevacqua.  Il Girasole is California-forward Italian food that has a way of lingering even after you\u2019ve left. Find it at SOCO and The OC Mix<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shop:  Thrift & Secondhand Finds<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What makes it special:<\/strong> \u201cThanks, it\u2019s vintage,\u201d is what you\u2019ll be saying after a day spent making your way through Costa Mesa\u2019s upcycling shops. Start out at the brand-new Goodwill of Orange County<\/a> on Harbor Blvd, where you\u2019re going to need a few hours and a double shot of caffeine to power through. We didn\u2019t know what a treat a brand-new Goodwill is until we had it. The treasures are bountiful, the shop is sparkling clean, and your cart will be overflowing. Follow up with 2nd<\/sup> Street at The CAMP, Buffalo Exchange at The LAB, and Landers Supply House right across the street from Goodwill.

Experience: Costa Mesa Country Club<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What makes it special:<\/strong> If a professional golfer\u2014aka Jake Knapp\u2014has teed off here, then it\u2019s definitely a must-do. The Costa Mesa Country Club is a quiet, scenic gem featuring two classic municipal courses, a 30-tee driving range, and pristine practice areas where pros and amateurs alike fine-tune their game. Designed in 1967 by William F. Bell and Ronald Fream, the courses have stood the test of time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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South Coast Metro<\/a> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Eat:\u202f<\/strong>Ramen Row<\/strong><\/a> <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What makes it special:<\/strong> No Eatcation\u00ae<\/a> is truly complete without a slurp-worthy stop at Costa Mesa\u2019s famous Ramen Row<\/a>! This noodle nirvana is where locals\u2014and now lucky visitors\u2014find bowls of soul-soothing broth brimming with umami-packed flavor. Don\u2019t miss local favorites like Ramen Nagi,<\/a>  Slurpin\u2019 Ramen Bar<\/a>,  Hakata Ikkousha Ramen<\/a>, and  Kashiwa Ramen<\/a>. Trust us, one slurp, and you\u2019ll understand why this is the ultimate comfort food row! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shop:\u202f <\/strong>South Coast Plaza\u202f<\/strong><\/a> <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What makes it special:<\/strong> In the shopping Olympics, South Coast Plaza takes gold. It has the highest concentration of luxury brands in the United States, and this year brought several notable firsts:<\/p>\n\n\n\n