I thought Barnes & Noble was going out of business after closing so many locations nationwide, but this location at the south coast mall still stands! On top of that, it is three levels and so spacious inside. The cafe is on the third floor with lots of seating indoor and outdoor. I recommend everyone to come check it out. This is definitely a book lover's paradise. They have tons of books and gifts. I found a few signed books! read more

Barnes & Noble - Cafe inside B&N - Bookstores Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

I'm so happy to see at least one bookstore chain is still opening new locations. I miss Borders with a passion, which used to be South Coast Plaza (and also the Block of Orange which has also just opened a new Barnes and Noble), so I welcome Barnes and Noble to South Coast. And even better, it's the Macy's Home Store part of South Coast which i actually shop more often. So, it's a win-win or me. As soon as I entered, it still had the new store, recent construction smell, which I actually love. I know it won't last one, but I'll what I can get. The footprints of the newer stores are a little smaller, but it feels like it's mainly due to the music/video sections being eliminated. They still have record albums, but not the sprawling section some of the order stores still have. While I was there, I go to talking to an author who were promoting her books. I was seriously going to by one, but the line to check out and way to long for me to want to wait, so I passed. The layout is a bit of a maze so you might have to hunt for your section, but that just means you'll probably find something interesting that you weren't looking for. read more

I found out on Instagram that a Barnes & Noble had opened at South Coast Plaza, so when I had some free time, I decided to stop by and check it out. First, just a heads-up: this Barnes & Noble is not in the main part of South Coast Plaza. You have to cross the pedestrian bridge to get to the building next door. I actually walked across the bridge since I wanted to get some steps in, and when I arrived, I found the Barnes & Noble on the 3rd floor. The store itself is clean, modern, and really nice. There is a café inside with seating, and because the cafe area has floor-to-ceiling windows, the view is really nice. The space also feels quite spacious. There were a lot of people when I visited, so I couldn't find a seat, but I could definitely see myself coming earlier to study or get some work done here. The newly renovated Barnes & Noble also has some new sections, including accessories and journals, along with plenty of other things to browse. I ended up spending quite a bit of time looking around because there was so much to see. Just be prepared, though--the prices aren't exactly cheap. The books are also organized nicely by category and section, so it seems pretty easy to find something based on your interests. One thing I found disappointing was that I didn't really see any employees walking around the floor. There were a few times when I had questions, but there wasn't anyone nearby to ask. Of course, I could have gone to the cashier and asked, but I think having employees walking around and interacting with customers on the floor makes a big difference in a bookstore. I missed having that kind of customer interaction here. My second disappointment was actually at the café. (I'm not sure if this is the right place to mention the café since this review is mainly for Barnes & Noble, but I wanted to share my experience.) I ordered a matcha frappuccino, but I was told they were out of milk. They said I could either use nonfat milk or choose a milk alternative. The problem was, I didn't want a milk alternative, and I don't like nonfat milk either, so it felt a little like I was being forced to choose one of those options. So I just ordered an Americano instead. Maybe it's just me, but when you go to a café, little things like this can make you think, "Wait...what?" Running out of milk at a coffee shop feels a little bit like a restaurant running out of coffee beans. It's one of those basic things you expect a café to have. Overall, I really liked the Barnes & Noble itself. It was clean, well-organized, modern, and had plenty to look at. The lack of employees on the floor and the fact that the café didn't have regular milk were the two things that disappointed me. Parking is, of course, a little less convenient since you have to park in the structure and then take the elevator up, but once you're there, I think it's a nice place to stop by while shopping. I would recommend coming here if you want to take a little break while shopping, study or work somewhere with a nice view, or even if you need a gift but have no idea what to buy. There are so many different gift and accessory sections that you can browse around and usually find something interesting. Overall, I'm glad I stopped by, and I think I'll come back again--especially to browse the books and all the fun little things they have around the store! read more

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This is such a fun and modern B&N! It was easy to spend 2 hours here - starting with great service in the cafe and learning their baked goods are from a local bakery (not to typical Starbucks foods - WAY better). The store is laid out in a really cool way, staff were friendly and helpful. We already plan on coming back for dates and shopping trips! read more

Barnes & Noble - Ham Croissant, iced coffees - Bookstores Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

I was highly anticipating this B&N to open and managed to stop by after work on their grand opening Wednesday August 26, 2026. On their website, it is said "The new Barnes & Noble spans more than 27,000 square feet on the upper floor of South Coast Plaza Mall, bringing bookselling back to a space that was once a Borders Bookstore. The new store will have the extensive presentation of books expected of so large a store, as well as exclusive gifts, a large selection of curated toys and games, vinyl, newsstand and much more. The store offers a Barnes & Noble Café featuring an outdoor patio with stunning views. The new Costa Mesa, CA Barnes & Noble is located at 3333 Bear Street, Suite 340, Costa Mesa, CA 92626, in the former Sports Chalet space." I came specifically curious to see how big this new location is since their old location at Metro Pointe was two levels. This new location is beautiful. The register is very open and huge, makes it feel like an Apple Store service center. Though the guy who helped me at checked out when I was there (late afternoon) seemed already checked out himself! Didn't even ask if I wanted a bag, or offered any of the Grand Opening day perks.. though I understand he probably beat by that time but still... Regardless, I can't really tell if this new location is actually bigger than the former one. But, the numbers don't lie and this flagship location supposed to be bigger than the former and offers a lot more. It's very modern and the cafe is in the corner with full floor to ceiling glass wall so it's very bright! I love their stationery and art sections though I feel like they didn't have as much selections of notebooks like the one in Vegas. Overall, it seems like they utilized every square footage of the space and mindfully put things and places in locations that's to me were very interesting. I also like how they have a lot of Japanese stationary and gifts such as Studio Ghibli items.. the kids section though I did not enter fully to check out but it did seem smaller and more crowded than the old location. Overall, it's a B&N and if you love books you will love any B&N! This didn't have the wonderful paper smell aroma like other B&N locations, (the Irvine Spectrum one you can smell the wonderful books and new pages aromas just walking right outside the store), however, it gives very popular and fun library vibes. There are calendars stands everywhere so it's like a treasure hunt to go to every section to see what kind of calendars they have there. Highly recs guys and girls!! read more

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ITS FINALLY OPEN & HEREEEE. such a good & smart spot to open a barnes & noble! inside was hugeee and so pretty. i heard they have outside seatings?! i didnt really get to check it out because i was on a time crunch but i was at least able to explore my favorite sections. they definitely need a bigger romance section. it felt like a maze inside with how big it is but a maze i'm very well known too (and love being lost in especially at barnes & noble). i will be swinging by again but definitely not a time crunch so i can explore. i love their manga & fantasy selections, along with their legos & vinyl section. theres a barnes cafe inside as well. customer service was fast and easy, super nice workers! read more

Well organized. A lot of vinyls. I like the layout of the store. Well organized. A lot of vinyls. I like the layout of the store. read more

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I'm so happy this location is open. ample parking, super open and airy, and grateful for the cafe!!!! when the tustin location opened and they didn't have a cafe i was like, wttt? it's spacious and not too crowded and people don't over stay their stay. they also have an outdoor patio too. for it being open very recently they can do a little more tlc on the restrooms. i know they are busy but it is def important they maintain the upkeep. other than that, love this location sm already. read more

i came here when i found out there was a new barnes & noble opening, mostly because i wanted to see what it would look like. i feel like every barnes & noble near me has either moved further away or undergone that newer design where everything feels a little too industrial, which i personally don't love. but i really liked how they set this one up. it's so spacious and big, and i especially liked that they have a whole cafe dining area. it makes the store feel much more welcoming and like it's actually encouraging you to stay and hang out for a while rather than just buy your books and leave. there are also so many different sections and options to peruse, and i feel like they did a really good job utilizing the space without making it feel cramped. it feels like a place where you could easily spend a few hours just browsing, grabbing a coffee, and looking through everything. overall, i really liked this location and i'm excited to come back and spend more time here. read more

It is wonderful to have Barnes & Noble inside South Coast Plaza. The store is spacious and well laid out. The magazine section is plentiful. I want to try the Café during out next visit. read more

This location is beautiful I love it , the only thing was that I saved my spot with some books and a lady came and sat at my spot due but to her advanced age I didn't say anything to her *** I did tell her that it was rude to sit at a spot reserved already read more

Barnes & Noble - Lady who took my spot - Bookstores Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

I love this Barnes & Noble store. It's basically my neighborhood B&N where I enjoy buying books and gifts. BUT it's been abused. There are regulars who have turned the huge lounge area into their very own Free workspace. A visitor like me (who happens to be a senior) never gets a chance. One time, I even saw a couple of desktops on the tables. The time they can spend usurping on those tables must be regulated - like maybe 2 hours Max. I hope mana will do something about it. read more

Modern and very spacious Barnes and noble, I do wish it was a little "darker" more cozy... there's so much bright light coming in which is nice but it makes it a little too modern.. they have so many magazines (love) and books. The guy at the register was very helpful and friendly! Plenty of seating next to the cafe but I did find it weird to find a couple chairs in front of the book shelves, kinda weird and on the way of us customers trying to grab a book or even look. read more