Atly Logo
New Yorkers 1st Choice
Guide to South Coast Metro

Lunch spots

A midday meal that actually fits into a workday without feeling like a rushed compromise.

Based on 616 Opinions
+613
User
User
User
Updated April 2026
01
VOX Kitchen & Bar - South Coast Plaza image 1
VOX Kitchen & Bar - South Coast Plaza image 2
VOX Kitchen & Bar - South Coast Plaza image 3
View all

Indoor dining buzzes with lively energy, while bar and outdoor seats offer calm, natural light. Lunch is quick with a fast service vibe, and the Lychee lemonade is a standout drink. Stylish design meets laid-back comfort for any mood.

Lunch offers fast service and a great vibe. The Lychee lemonade stands out as a popular drink choice.

People are saying

"I thought the lemonade was pretty good."

"The food here is so delicious and comforting."

"You have to try the garlic noodles with prawns at this Lunch Spot."

Good to know

1

Happy hour is available from 2-5 PM, Monday to Friday.

2

Reservations are recommended to avoid long wait times.

3

The restaurant can get very busy, especially during dinner service.

02
Costa Contemporary Kitchen image 1
Peruvian restaurant

Bright space with prominent windows and concrete floors sets a warm, stylish vibe. Enjoy exceptional pisco sours and Peruvian dishes like ceviche and curry seabass. Hector's exceptional service makes it ideal for lunch or casual dining.

Exceptional service from Hector stands out during lunch. The menu features ceviche and curry seabass, making it a solid choice for a business lunch or casual meal.

People are saying

"The authentic Peruvian food here is fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented."

"The pisco sours here are exceptional and handcrafted with passion."

"This Lunch Spot's ceviche was out of this world."

Good to know

1

Reservations are recommended due to the small dining space.

2

Parking is available at the Plaza parking structure nearby.

3

Expect small portion sizes, which may not be suitable for large appetites.

03
Knife Pleat image 1
Fine dining restaurant

Elegant minimalism meets intimate atmosphere with a surprisingly casual energy. Enjoy impeccable afternoon tea and creative dishes like American Wagyu steak and duck confit. Weekday lunch features a 3 course French special paired with cocktails and wine.

Lunch offers a multi-course meal with a variety of options. The 3 course lunch special on weekdays provides an authentic and delicious French experience.

People are saying

"The food here is delicious and beautifully presented."

"The dinner spots here are a culinary journey with thoughtful, layered flavors."

"I had a delightful lunch; the food was amazing."

Good to know

1

Reservations are highly recommended due to the small size of the restaurant.

2

Expect a 25% automatic gratuity added to your bill.

3

The afternoon tea costs $115 plus a 23% service charge.

04
Quattro Caffé image 1
Italian restaurant

Cozy Italian spot offers intimate atmosphere and a nice outdoor patio perfect for a quick lunch. Warm service makes family shopping breaks pleasant. Live music adds a lively vibe with singing and dancing, creating a soothing yet energetic setting.

Great for a quick lunch stop while shopping with family. The warm and hospitable service adds to the enjoyable lunch experience.

People are saying

"This Lunch Spot has delicious Italian food, especially the pizza."

"I experienced authentic Italian food with ingredients imported directly from Italy."

"The live music here really made the atmosphere just right."

Good to know

1

Quattro Caffé has live music every day after 5.00 pm.

2

There's a 3.5% surcharge for credit card payments.

3

The restaurant offers halal chicken and steak options.

05
Paradise Dynasty image 1
Chinese restaurant

Large space with modern Chinese decor offers an elegant vibe for lunch or casual dining. Menu variety and Happy Hour options make it a great lunch spot. Background music adds a lively atmosphere perfect for date nights.

Variety on the menu and quality of each dish make it a solid choice for lunch or brunch. Great Happy Hour options suit late lunch or early dinner times.

People are saying

"The food here is delicious and top quality."

"The 8-color dumplings are juicy, flavorful, and fun to compare."

"The XLB here are redefined with bold twists like truffle and tom yum."

Good to know

1

Happy hour runs Monday through Friday from 2:30 pm to 5 pm with 40% off select items.

2

During happy hour, many dishes are 40% off with few menu restrictions.

3

Reservations are recommended for larger groups to avoid long wait times.

06
Brazuca Café image 1
Restaurant

Enjoy authentic Brazilian flavors with live music in a cozy, modern café setting. Lunch features healthy, home-cooked meals that satisfy midday hunger. Indoor and outdoor seating with heaters create a spacious, inviting atmosphere perfect for relaxing.

Lunch offers a variety of dishes that grow more delicious with each course. The spot serves healthy meals that feel like home-cooked Brazilian food, making it a solid choice for a midday break.

People are saying

"The Brazilian food here is authentic and delicious."

"The food at this Cafe is amazing and perfectly seasoned."

"The food at this lunch spot is always fresh and delicious."

Good to know

1

Visiting on weekends is recommended for Feijoada, a national specialty dish.

2

The café is self-serve, so customers get their own silverware and condiments.

3

Parking can be a hassle due to the location in a strip mall.

07
Le Shrimp Noodle Bar (South Coast Plaza) image 1

Small noodle shop offers shrimp broth ramen and braised scallion soy chicken for quick, flavorful lunches. Cozy space with warm lighting creates an intimate vibe despite lively, sometimes loud energy. Seating is limited, so visit off-peak for a relaxed meal.

Quick lunches focus on Japanese noodles with options like braised scallion soy chicken dry noodle in a lunch special. Seating is small, so visiting outside peak hours helps avoid crowds.

People are saying

"The shrimp noodle soup has a really tasty, deep shrimp flavor."

"The shrimp here are succulent and tender, bursting with flavor."

"The staff at this Lunch Spot were so helpful with my friend's allergy."

Good to know

1

Happy hour offers a 30% discount from Monday to Friday, 2:30 to 5 pm.

2

The restaurant automatically adds a 20% tip if no custom tip is selected.

3

Ordering is done via a QR code system, which is efficient but may require good internet.

08
Marugame Udon image 1
Udon noodle restaurant

Cafeteria-style setup with handmade noodles visible in an open kitchen creates an authentic Japanese vibe. Seating is tight and crowded, making the space feel small and sometimes uncomfortable. Loud modern music contrasts with the otherwise cozy and lively atmosphere typical of a busy mall location.

People are saying

"The udon here is so good, perfectly chewy and flavorful."

"The soup here is savory and uniquely flavored."

"I found the fresh noodles at this lunch spot to be incredible."

Good to know

1

Happy hours are Monday to Thursday from 2 to 5 pm.

2

The restaurant is located on the lower level of a large shopping mall.

3

Seating can be limited during busy hours, so arrive early.

09
Phởholic image 1
Restaurant

Small Vietnamese spot serves authentic pho in a modern, chic setting. Private booths offer quiet privacy for solo diners. Lunch is quick and satisfying with efficient service, perfect for a fast, quality meal.

Offers a quick and satisfying lunch experience with efficient service. Ideal for those needing a fast meal without sacrificing quality.

People are saying

"I found the pho delicious with a perfectly cooked broth."

"It's a nicely arranged hidden gem with flavors that make the journey worth it."

"This Lunch Spot's pho broth is rich, flavorful, and super fresh."

Good to know

1

Phởholic is located on the first floor of the Food Court in Bloomingdale’s.

2

Prices are a flat rate of $14.50 for any pho with thick or thin noodles.

3

Meatballs can be added for free to your pho order.

10
Ramen Nagi image 1
Restaurant

Restaurant combines traditional and modern vibe with a fun, lively atmosphere. Seating includes long communal tables and a large outdoor patio, creating a somewhat cramped but energetic environment. Popular spot with customizable ramen options and a steady flow of diners.

People are saying

"The ramen here is delicious, especially the original."

"The fried chicken here is delicious and has a great crunch."

"This lunch spot serves food within minutes."

Good to know

1

Reservations are recommended because the restaurant is very popular and there may be a wait.

2

Expect a 40-minute wait during peak hours, especially around lunch.

3

There is plenty of free parking available near the restaurant.

Discover more

South Coast Metro, Costa Mesa

Area guide
Loading Map...