Where to eat (and drink) in Costa Mesa
Breakfast should be a bagel, and will involve choosing between father and son: Shirley’s, an Orange County classic serving up soft, chewy bagels since 1986, has been co-owned by Carlos Perez since 1998. His son, and namesake, spent his teen years in the Shirley’s kitchen and then in 2022, started his own bagel joint just a few minutes away called Boil and Bake. Here, they use a variety of local purveyors to make everything in house (down to the butter) that they use to top and spread on their delicious 72-hour fermented sourdough bagels. Get there too late on a weekend and there will likely be a line out the door, but they are planning an expansion soon.
To embrace a California breakfast tradition, Hola Adios is there to provide breakfast tacos, burritos, and biscuits, along with some of the best coffee in the county. For a unique bakery experience, head to Eller Bakery, where they have both an in house flour mill and coffee roastery. It will be very difficult to see, and not order, their cinnamon roll.
As with much of Orange County, food and beer culture intertwine in Costa Mesa. Though some breweries, like Green Cheek Beer Co. make their own (indulge in the cheeky style tots and a smash burger), others, like Salty Beer and Synth Beer Co, have a delicious rotating food truck schedule or allow you to bring your own takeout while enjoying a pint. In the laid back O.C. style, these breweries have serene outdoor patios to relax and spend the afternoon or evening chatting with friends.
For fine dining before a show, three Costa Mesa restaurants appear in the Michelin guide. Hana re, located in the Lab, is an inventive and intimate (there are only 10 seats at the counter) sushi bar where patrons watch Chef Atsushi Yokoyama prepare their meal with seasonal fish. There’s no menu, so expect only a chef omakase course, which means your meal will be picked for you. Knife Pleat, a contemporary French restaurant, is run by husband and wife duo Tony Esnault and Yassmin Sarmadi and offers a Californian take on French cuisine. Last, but not least, is Vaca, which offers a diverse range of Spanish cuisine, includes an extensive tapas menu and multiple paella options. You’re going to want to show up very hungry.
Mexican food is also a must—try Baja Fish Tacos or Birrieria Guadalajara for the crispy or consommè-soaked variety of Cali-Mex tacos. If variety is of interest, or if you desire to acquire ingredients to do some cooking of your own, Mercado González is the place to be, featuring 20 stalls ranging from tortillerias to tamelerias and carnicerías.
Located in The Camp, and recently expanded to Los Angeles, Folks Pizzeria serves up pizza with a thick bubbly crust and amazing sides, such as their little gem caesar and beef tallow fries. (Pro tip: it gets crowded, so make a reservation or get it to go to enjoy at one of the breweries listed above that are all within walking distance.)