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.
