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.