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    Café Irvine

    4.8 (20 reviews)
    Closed 8:30 am - 2:30 pm

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    CAFÉ IRVINE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Dogs allowed
    Outdoor seating

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    Phoebe C.

    I had to write a review because Café Irvine absolutely exceeded my expectations. I ordered the breakfast burrito with bacon, and it was huge -- packed, flavorful, and they give both green and red salsa, which I appreciate since I always run out elsewhere. The portion was so generous I only ate half and saved the rest. I also got the iced Spanish latte, and it was perfect: strong coffee flavor, not overly sweet, with a subtle cinnamon finish. Easily one of my new favorite coffee spots in the area. The café offers healthier options, and the entire deli is kosher and halal, which is impressive for a place this size. The menu rotates every few months, so there's always something new to try. Location-wise, it's inside the 19000 MacArthur "pancake" building with free parking validation, which is a huge perk in this area. UCI students and building employees get 20% off. What really makes it special is how passionate the owner is -- not from the restaurant industry originally, but genuinely invested in serving good, wholesome food. Minority-owned, community-oriented, and it shows. Whether you're working nearby, staying in a hotel close by, or just passing through the Irvine/Newport area, this spot is absolutely worth checking out. I'll definitely be back -- and I'll be using them for catering soon too.

    Inside
    Binh T.

    Nice little hidden gem near the airport. Great food and great service. I work in the building and would much rather get something made from scratch from a local business than go to one of the fast food chains nearby. You have to enter a parking garage to access it, but they validate parking.

    Pesto panini

    Got a cute yummy sandwich. Like this place! Customer service is. Love the breakfast sandwich too !

    Bacon Egg and Cheese on sourdough w/ half green half red salsa

    Team is always super friendly and their home made salsa is FIRE. Great place to grab a bite then run back up to the office!

    Chicken sandwich

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    12 days ago

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    3 months ago

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    4 months ago

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    8 months ago

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    Fred N.

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    11 months ago

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    Fred N.

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    4 months ago

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    Fred N.

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    8 months ago

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    10 months ago

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    Fred N.

    Thank you for your comment

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    9 months ago

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    Fred N.

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    8 months ago

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    Fred N.

    Thank you for your support and review Brianna

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    8 months ago

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    8 months ago

    Their Greek bowl is really good. The chicken is very tasty and the salad is very refreshing. It's a must try!

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    9 months ago

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    Fred N.

    Thank you !

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    1 year ago

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    5 months ago

    Great food, Great service, Great atmosphere. Food was made fresh and quick tasted great.

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    8 months ago

    1st time at Cafe Irvine i was very pleased with there food very clean and healthy .And the staff was very nice i highly recommend this place

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    11 months ago

    Freddie does great job at this place, the food and ambiance were great and Alex is an amazing chef. I'm hoping have a future event here.

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    Fred N.

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    9 months ago

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    8 months ago

    Love everything about this place. Food, ambiance, service. Definitely a new favorite for me.

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    1 year ago

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    Ask the Community - Café Irvine

    Review Highlights - Café Irvine

    Their Greek bowl is really good.

    Mentioned in 2 reviews

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    Menu (1/2)
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    Solstice

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    Photos
    Secret entrance to private room
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    Inside
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    Peaches and burrata salad (seasonal)
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    i can't begin to describe how incredible this restaurant is. the ambiance , the professionalism, to…read morethe outstanding food. the staff was great, the host, the server, the kitchen. management is doing an excellent job here. now to the food. the prime rib dip. mouthwatering, tender, juiciness. exceeded my expectations . seriously one of the best things i've ever had... the spinach dip. WOW. have never tasted a spinach dip like this one. the crispy chicken sandwich. was so good, my daughter loved the slaw on it. the yellowtail sashimi salad was the best kale i have ever had and the way the yellowtail melts in your mouth. i will go back for this dish 100 times over to be honest i don't even remember what cocktail i ordered because the food was so good i couldn't even focus on anything else. my new favorite restaurant and will definitely be coming back to try more food . thank you everyone at houstons for your amazing food and service !

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    Hangar 24 Craft Brewing

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    Had a great time at Hangar 24 in Irvine! The chicken was absolutely amazing--perfectly cooked,…read moreflavorful, and easily one of the highlights of the meal. The drinks were just as impressive, with a great selection and everything we tried was excellent. The atmosphere was relaxed and welcoming, making it a great spot to hang out with friends or unwind after a long day. I'll definitely be coming back for both the food and the drinks!

    To the Management Team at Hangar 24, I wanted to share some…read morefeedback regarding the recent changes to your live entertainment format. For years, Hangar 24 has been a place where families can gather, enjoy great food and drinks, listen to live music, and allow their children to safely play and have fun. It has created a welcoming environment that appeals to a broad audience, and that family-friendly atmosphere is one of the reasons so many people continue to return. Last night, however, I noticed a significant change that concerned me. Instead of having the live band perform earlier in the evening, a DJ played first and the band performed much later. Many people, including myself, came specifically to enjoy the live band, and the new format seemed confusing to much of the crowd. As I observed throughout the evening, very few people were dancing during the DJ set. Most guests remained seated, looking uncertain about the change. In addition, some of the music selections and volume level felt inappropriate for a venue that attracts so many families with young children. I noticed several children covering their ears, and many parents appeared uncomfortable. From my perspective, Hangar 24's customer base is largely made up of families. Those families purchase food, drinks, and often stay for several hours while their children enjoy the outdoor space. By scheduling the live band later in the evening, many parents are forced to leave before the performance begins because their children are tired or it is simply too late for a family outing. If the goal is to attract a younger nightlife crowd, a better approach might be to have the live band perform earlier in the evening when families are present and then transition to a DJ later at night for guests who prefer that atmosphere. This would allow both audiences to enjoy the venue without alienating the families who have supported Hangar 24 for years. I am sharing this feedback because I genuinely enjoy coming to Hangar 24 and want to see it continue to succeed. I believe many guests share these concerns, and I hope management will carefully consider how these changes may impact the loyal family customer base that has helped make Hangar 24 such a popular destination. Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely, A Concerned Customer

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    Bar and entry
    Bar and entry
    Grilled Baja Mahi Mahi Tacos & Carne Asada Tacos
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    Fireside Tavern

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    4.0
    (241 reviews)
    1.6 mi
    $$
    Free parking
    Discounts available

    STAFF HERE IS AMAZING! If you get the chance to chat with Charles you won't regret it, super cool…read moredude and helped me figure out the area and where to go. Give this man a raise!!!!

    I stayed at the Crowne Plaza Costa Mesa (July 14-19) while undergoing active cancer treatment at…read moreUCI Medical Center. When I originally booked, I specifically asked about a medical rate for UCI, so management was fully aware from day one of the medical nature of my stay. What should have been a restful haven during a grueling week ended in an appalling display of cruelty, public humiliation, and total failure of service. On checkout day, my family and I went to the hotel's Fireside Tavern at 12 PM to watch the FIFA final. Due to my treatment, I cannot tolerate heavy, fried foods. I specifically asked the staff for a salad or any healthy, non-fried option, but they flatly told me they did not have any salad or meal items available before 5 PM. Because their kitchen refused to provide any healthy option, I ordered a salad from outside to eat alongside my family, who were actively purchasing drinks at their bar. When I asked for cutlery, the bartender rudely barked that outside food was banned and told me to go eat outside. I explained that I was a staying guest, wanted to watch the game with my family, and physically could not eat fried food due to my ongoing cancer treatment. His cold response? "That's the rule." My father escalated this to the restaurant supervisor, who doubled down on this heartless stance. The hypocrisy was glaring: while I was forced out over a medically necessary salad, the bar actively allowed a family with three young children under 12 to sit directly at the bar top, making a mess and popcorn all over the floor. Apparently, hotel rules and age restrictions are selectively enforced--buying their nachos gives children a pass to sit at the bar, but being a paying guest undergoing cancer treatment gets you kicked out for eating a salad. When I stood at the front desk in tears--physically exhausted and emotionally degraded--I explicitly asked the receptionist if the restaurant was managed as part of the hotel. He confirmed that it was, yet I didn't see him make any attempt to step over to talk to the bartender or restaurant supervisor to advocate for me or resolve the situation. Instead of offering genuine service recovery, he casually just asked if I wanted breakfast--completely ignoring my distress and trivializing the dehumanizing treatment I had just experienced. To deny a simple, health-necessitated food accommodation to a registered guest while taking our money at the bar is disgraceful. The management and staff at Fireside Tavern and Crowne Plaza Costa Mesa lack fundamental decency. I urge anyone expecting basic compassion or professional hospitality to stay far away.

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    Café Irvine - tradamerican - Updated August 2026

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