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New Yorkers 1st Choice
Best of Westside Costa Mesa

Food

Somewhere to eat that feels like a local staple instead of a place you only visit when you have no other choice.

Based on 628 Opinions
+625
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Updated May 2026
01
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Restaurant

Small space with southern gothic style and quirky decor sets a unique mood. Southern-inspired dishes made from scratch pair well with craft cocktails and beer. Live DJ and enclosed patio with games create a lively, social vibe for young professionals.

Southern-inspired dishes come from scratch and pair well with a variety of beer, wine, and craft cocktails. The fully enclosed outdoor patio offers umbrella-covered tables for dining.

People are saying

"The American Food here, especially the burgers and fried chicken sandwiches, is amazing."

"You have to try the beignets; they're soft, golden pillows."

"I cannot stop thinking about the burger food I had."

Good to know

1

Parking is extremely disorganized; nearby supermarket offers additional parking.

2

The restaurant is dog-friendly, making it a great spot for pet owners.

3

A DJ is expected to start soon, adding to the evening's atmosphere.

02
Birrieria Guadalajara image 1
Mexican restaurant

Mexican spot serves authentic birria tacos with fresh handmade tortillas. Enjoy a calm atmosphere and fast, attentive service in a clean, comfortable space with plenty of seating and parking.

Food features great quality and fresh ingredients with delicious handmade tortillas. Service is consistently fast and attentive.

People are saying

"Leo gave great food recommendations and was super friendly."

"You have to try the handmade tortillas; they're incredible."

"Parking was easy to find and there was plenty of it."

Good to know

1

There is plenty of parking available, including off-street parking.

2

The consomé needs to be purchased separately.

3

The restaurant was always clean.

03
Tacos & Carnitas Pepe’s image 1
Mexican restaurant

Mexican restaurant serves authentic carnitas and traditional breakfast tacos with generous portions. Located in a small shopping center, it offers easy parking and a casual vibe. Menu features excellent flavor and good value near the beach for quick meals.

Authentic Mexican food stands out with excellent flavor and good value. The menu offers a lot of options near the beach, making it convenient for a quick, satisfying meal.

People are saying

"I thought the carnitas were amazing and authentic Mexican."

"I thought the carnitas were authentic Mexican and super delicious."

"I'd return just for the folded tacos dorados."

Good to know

1

The restaurant is located in a small shopping center where parking is usually available.

2

The location is near the beach, making it a convenient spot to grab food.

3

The prices at Tacos & Carnitas Pepe’s are reasonable.

04
Trenta Pizza & Cucina and Trenta Lounge image 1

Outdoor dining shines with a heated patio and lively live music. Authentic pizza offers fantastic flavors while desserts impress. Cozy indoor space feels slightly cramped but warm and inviting.

Authentic pizza and spectacular desserts define the food here. The dishes consistently deliver fantastic flavors paired with attentive service.

People are saying

"The Italian food, especially the pizza and pasta, tasted like it was from Italy."

"It's a cool spot with a great outdoor atmosphere."

"I thought the food here was great, especially the chicken piccata."

Good to know

1

Parking is limited; valet service is the only option available.

2

Reservations are recommended, especially for outdoor seating.

3

The kitchen closes 10 minutes before the restaurant closes.

05
La Cañada Grill image 1
Mexican restaurant

Bright space with classic Mexican vibes offers authentic flavors in generous portions. Cozy atmosphere pairs well with an in-house mariachi band creating lively, memorable moments. Fresh tacos and grilled meats shine at reasonable prices.

Traditional Mexican dishes come with authentic flavors and generous portions. Grilled shrimp tacos match what you'd find at sit-down restaurants, all served in a cozy, unpretentious atmosphere.

People are saying

"Their tacos and grilled meats are amazing."

"The food here is delicious, flavorful, and generously portioned."

"The staff here is so pleasant and welcoming."

Good to know

1

Ample free parking is available for all diners.

2

The restaurant offers generous portions at reasonable prices.

3

Complimentary tortilla chips and salsa are served with meals.

06
Mariscos El Pulpo Sports Bar & Grill image 1

Lively Mexican spot shines with fresh seafood and juicy tacos. Energetic vibe fueled by loud conga music. Clean space suits adults, not families.

Authentic Mexican food stands out with every dish. The ingredients stay fresh and the flavors stay delicious throughout the menu.

People are saying

"The Mexican food here is so authentic, especially the shrimp tacos."

"I found the carne asada tacos to be really good."

"The Mexican food here is so fresh and delicious."

Good to know

1

The restaurant is very clean, including the bathroom.

2

Prices are reasonable and portions are big.

3

The restaurant is usually not very busy, making it a good option for a quiet meal.

07
Built By G Personal Training Costa Mesa image 1

Personal training offers a fun atmosphere with full-body workouts tailored to you. Nutrition guidance uses familiar foods and portion control to make weight loss easy. Sessions keep energy positive and supportive, helping build lasting fitness habits.

Meal plans focus on familiar foods and portion control. Guidance shifts thoughts on food and makes losing weight feel easy and fun.

People are saying

"This weight lifting gym transformed my life and improved my relationship with food."

"I'm finally building sustainable habits and trust with my body."

"I'm losing weight eating this much food."

Good to know

1

Personalized training plans are tailored to fit individual schedules and lifestyles.

2

Ongoing support and adjustments to workouts and meals are provided regularly.

3

Nutrition education is a key component, helping clients make informed food choices.

08
El Campeon Carniceria #2 image 1
Mexican restaurant

Hole-in-the-wall carniceria offers authentic Mexican street tacos with fresh homemade tortillas. Small space with lively local vibe and reasonable prices makes it a great spot for fresh, tasty Mexican food.

Food tastes incredibly fresh and authentic to Mexico. Menu features delicious Mexican dishes like tortas and tacos served with consistent quality.

People are saying

"I thought their al pastor tacos were stellar."

"The tacos at this market are unreal good, especially the carnitas."

"The food here, especially the tacos, is fantastic."

Good to know

1

Prices average around $50 per week for protein purchases.

2

Bilingual staff are available to assist with ordering.

3

The market offers a variety of fresh meats, vegetables, and hot food by the pound.

09
NUDAE Coffee image 1
Coffee shop

Small coffee shop offers generous portions and great coffee with a bright, beachy vibe. Space feels dog-friendly and lively with pop music. Outdoor seating adds to the chill atmosphere and community energy.

Generous portions come with the food here. The coffee stands out as great alongside the meals.

People are saying

"This cafe is my absolute favorite coffee shop."

"I thought this breakfast burrito was the best I've ever had."

"The food here is amazing and they have unique drinks."

Good to know

1

Nudea offers a monthly drink and food special, so there's always something new to try.

2

NUDAE Coffee has limited indoor and outdoor seating, so arrive early.

3

The café gets really busy around 9am, and tables fill up quickly.

10
The Wayfarer image 1
Live music bar

Small rock and roll bar offers intimate live shows and excellent acoustics for music lovers. Burgers and tacos provide classic bar fare that pairs well with a full bar. Energetic crowd enjoys a dance area and patio in a punk rock vibe.

Food includes burgers and tacos served as bar fare. The menu pairs well with a full bar and pool tables nearby.

People are saying

"I thought the food here was great, even better than expected."

"I found The Wayfarer to be a great spot for live music."

"The fun activities here are great, especially the trivia nights."

Good to know

1

There is usually a cover charge when a band is playing, typically around $5.

2

Parking is generally easy, especially since the venue is in a strip mall.

3

The venue accepts both cash and card payments.

11
MoonGoat Coffee image 1

Greenhouse-style design fills the space with natural light and offers diverse seating options. Food is cooked to perfection with just right seasoning. Loud pop and eclectic music create a club-like energy while the atmosphere stays trendy and chill.

Food comes cooked to perfection with just right seasoning. Coffee and food both deliver top quality that stands out even in places known for coffee.

People are saying

"This coffee spot has great vibes and plenty of seating."

"It's nice to have shaded outdoor seating available."

"The food here is cooked to perfection and seasoned just right."

Good to know

1

Live music and open mic nights occur on Fridays and weekends.

2

Parking is extremely limited, making it hard to find a spot.

3

Valet parking is available but may not be convenient.

12
Tom's Place image 1
Fast food restaurant

Diner-style spot boasts a well-manicured patio where smoking is allowed, creating a calm vibe. Menu shines with large portions of quality burgers, wraps, and burritos served fast. Friendly staff add value despite higher prices, making meals satisfying and often exceeding expectations.

Food here offers great value with large portions and quality ingredients. Prices stay reasonable while delivering satisfying meals and occasional free extras for service hiccups.

People are saying

"The food here is amazing and always fresh."

"You have to try their huge burgers; they're amazing quality."

"The staff at this lunch spot were all super friendly."

Good to know

1

A burger, fries, and a drink cost $20.

2

The breakfast at Tom's Place is reasonably priced with daily deals.

3

Parking can be a little difficult at Tom's Place.

13
Captain Mike's Fish Fry image 1
Seafood restaurant

Retro style creates a casual vibe with a clean, welcoming space. Quick service delivers perfectly fried fish and standout chicken in about 10 minutes. Menu variety invites trying different items alongside classic sides.

Food stays consistent over the years with quick service, arriving in about 10 minutes. Meals do not come to the table, but the menu offers enough variety to try different items.

People are saying

"I found the fish and chips to be fantastic."

"The warm tortillas were perfect for making tacos."

"The fish food here is fried perfectly and so flavorful."

Good to know

1

Expect your food to arrive within about 10 minutes after ordering.

2

The restaurant maintains a clean environment for diners.

3

Prices are reasonable, making it a good spot for a meal.

14
Hong Kong Express image 1
Chinese restaurant

Offers quick service with huge portions at low prices. Food is fresh and tasty, balancing quality and value. Atmosphere is quiet and clean, with a family-run feel.

Food comes out fresh and fast with huge portions at a low price. The Chinese dishes are high quality and offer a lot of tasty options.

People are saying

"I found the food here to be delicious and top tier."

Good to know

1

The restaurant offers a wide variety of quick Chinese food options.

2

Portions are generous, providing good value for the price.

3

The food is known for its quality and freshness.

15
Eller Bakery image 1

Spacious bakery offers fresh ingredients and unique pastries in a cozy, modern space with limestone counters and a shaded patio. Atmosphere is lively with varying noise levels, perfect for enjoying quality food indoors or outdoors.

Food features rich flavors and fresh ingredients with a clear focus on quality and care. Pastries and bakery items stand out as delicious and unique offerings.

People are saying

"The bakery's cinnamon rolls were a game-changer and sold out by 11 a.m."

"I recommend taking home a loaf of their bread."

"The food here is amazing, especially the crispy potatoes."

Good to know

1

Parking is limited, so check options before arriving.

2

Prices are not displayed on bakery items or the menu.

3

Valet parking is offered, which is unusual for a bakery.

16
Semi Tropic Wines image 1

Small wine bar shines with natural wines and a rotating food menu featuring cheese and tinned fish plates. Chic decor and jazz music create a relaxing vibe. Pet-friendly space offers cozy seating for a welcoming experience.

Rotating food pop-ups offer a variety of dishes alongside wine selections. The food pairs well with the drinks and complements the relaxed atmosphere.

People are saying

"I loved their natural wine selection, especially the orange wine."

"The food pop-ups here are delicious and make it a place to revisit."

"I experienced a great atmosphere with the Jazz."

Good to know

1

Semi Tropic Wines hosts jazz night every Thursday at 8pm.

2

Food pop-ups occur regularly, offering new dining experiences each visit.

3

Parking is available in the lot across the street, but can be limited.

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Westside Costa Mesa, Costa Mesa

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