Explore Costa Mesa’s bustling arts, shopping and dining scenes through our comprehensive guide to this eclectic city.
Over 4,500 works are housed at the Orange County Museum of Art in Costa Mesa. PHOTO BY YUBO DONG/OFSTUDIO
This famed Taiwanese eatery always has a line out the door at South Coast Plaza, serving steamed dumplings, spicy wonton soup, garlicky greens and noodles swimming in rich sauce.
Fresh Mexican fare has never been better at South Coast Plaza. This newcomer offers a menu highlighted by short rib enchiladas, pan-seared halibut tacos, and a full bar of wine, beer and authentic tequila. Blackberry margarita, anyone?
Habana’s Cuban cuisine is unparalleled in taste and presentation in this shabby-chic setting at The Lab Anti-Mall. Stop by after work for Mojito Mondays or daily happy hour at the bar to try a frozen piña colada and crispy chicharrones.
Michelin-starred Japanese restaurant Hana Re keeps it simple, solely offering a chef-driven omakase tasting experience. Captivate your senses with unique flavor pairings—think sea urchin and chrysanthemum—while the preparation happens before your eyes.
Chef Tony Esnault and restaurateur Yassmin Sarmadi’s contemporary Michelin-starred eatery plates four- and six-course dinners involving velvety caviar, rich American wagyu and many more French delicacies. Find starred Knife Pleat. Knife Pleat on South Coast Plaza’s penthouse level.
Take a seat at the Michelin-starred Knife Pleat. PHOTO COURTESY OF KNIFE PLEAT
Stunning in shades of gold and Tiffany Blue, this classy and chic restaurant concept—located inside Tiffany & Co. at South Coast Plaza—quickly garnered popularity, combining fine French dining with fine jewelry.
Known for its world-class margaritas, Playa Mesa on 17th Street welcomes diners for strong sips and Mexican cuisine, with menu favorites including grilled octopus, carne asada plates and sizzling fajitas.
Cozy into baby-blue booths at this modern bistro at South Coast Plaza. Expect French classics with a twist, such as onion soup toast, escargot Ebelskivers and ground Kobe beef raclette cheeseburgers. J’adore!
Try the ratatouille with crostini from Populaire. PHOTO BY RON DE ANGELIS
Not your average country club, this indoor-outdoor bar and eatery, where everyone is a member, serves farm-fresh fare, lively libations and a boozy brunch every weekend. After hours, the dance floor comes alive.
Executive chef Amar Santana’s Spanish delicacies range from fresh tapas to full-flavored paellas. A toast is in order with the restaurant’s signature drink, The Vaca Tonic, featuring frozen gimlet and basil blossom. Cheers!
A colorful plate of seared scallops from Vaca; PHOTO BY SARAH KING
This seafood-lovers hot spot serves everything but the ocean, from uber-fresh preparations of spot prawns, currently in season, to iced shellfish platters of oysters, scallops, mussels and more.
Farmed New Zealand king salmon with vadouvan curry butter from Water Grill; PHOTO COURTESY OF BRAND
Strut across The Bridge of Gardens after a day at South Coast Plaza. PHOTO COURTESY OF SOUTH COAST PLAZA
Spend the day at Costa Mesa’s premier shopping destination, boasting a luxury collection of boutiques and restaurants under one roof, with the latest openings including Cartier, BVLGARI and Gucci.
Shop Maison Margiela’s bright storefront inside South Coast Plaza. PHOTO COURTESY OF MAISON MARGIELA AND SOUTH COAST PLAZA
Over 70 showrooms, shops and restaurants call this inspiration-destination home. Stop in for a quick lunch at Greenleaf Kitchen + Cocktails, or hunt for unique home furnishings at BoConcept or Roche Bobois.
Stop by floral and event design shop Hadley and Ren at SoCo & The OC Mix. PHOTO BY PHOEBE CHEN
AVENUE OF THE ARTS, A TRIBUTE PORTFOLIO HOTEL
The city’s only AAA four-diamond accommodation offers a posh, music-inspired setting with luxury suites, an upscale bar and restaurant, private poolside cabanas and a retail therapy package to shop VIP-style at nearby South Coast Plaza.
The stunning exterior of Avenue of the Arts, A Tribute Portfolio Hotel; PHOTO COURTESY OF TRAVEL COSTA MESA
Just moments away from South Coast Plaza and John Wayne Airport, The Westin hosts shopaholics and jet-setters who revel in its central location and lush atmosphere. The hotel offers an onsite fitness studio, heated pool and cozy fire pits to sip cocktails by.
It’s only fitting that “The City of The Arts” contains the acclaimed Orange County Museum of Art, housing over 4,500 timeless masterpieces. On display now is Color is the First Revelation of the World by Brazilian artist Hélio Oiticica, exploring how color and form intersect.
Enjoy a live performance at Segerstrom Center for the Arts. PHOTO COURTESY OF TRAVEL COSTA MESA
SEGERSTROM CENTER FOR THE ARTS
Experience a variety of incredible shows, educational programs and initiatives within Costa Mesa’s leading performing arts complex. This April, catch live performances of the American Ballet Theatre’s Woolf Works, Beetlejuice, Tchaikovsky’s Sixth and more.
Photography by:
