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    Habana

    4.1 (6.1k reviews)
    Closed • 11:30 am - 10:00 pm

    Order Habana Takeout or Delivery

    Habana Photos

    Business Info

    HABANA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Romantic
    Moderate noise
    Outdoor seating
    Good for kids

    Recommended Reviews - Habana

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    Reviews With Photos

    Nicole C.

    Took my friend here to celebrate her birthday and we had such an amazing time! We were greeted with complimentary drinks and given the choice of rosé or a tequila shot, which was such a fun way to start the celebration! We ordered the beef empanadas to start, and they were perfectly flaky on the outside and so savory and flavorful. For our entrée, we had the ropa vieja, which had just the right amount of flavor and was absolutely delicious. The ambiance was beautiful and made the whole experience feel extra special. They even brought out her birthday cake with a sparkler, which was such a sweet touch! We truly had such a wonderful time celebrating here. Everything from the food to the atmosphere made her birthday feel so special. I would absolutely recommend coming here, especially if you're celebrating someone you love. We'll definitely be back!

    Cheese Empanadas, El Churrasco
    Catthy H.

    We visited Habana around 12:40 pm on a Tuesday and were seated almost immediately. Parking at The LAB can be a different story though, and honestly may be harder than getting a table depending on when you visit. We ordered the Cheese Empanadas and El Churrasco. I originally wanted a different empanada, but one of the ingredients conflicted with an allergy and couldn't be removed. The staff was welcoming and helpful in pointing out which dishes and components contained it, so we went with the Cheese Empanadas to be safe. The food came out within about 10 minutes. I really liked the pastry on the Cheese Empanadas because it was light and airy, although the cheese filling itself was a little heavy for my personal preference. The El Churrasco was good overall. I enjoyed the chimichurri, corn, and rice, but the skirt steak itself was just okay compared to others I've had. The restaurant itself is beautiful and has a great atmosphere. Overall, Habana is a solid option for Cuban food and everything we tried was good, but nothing particularly shined for me. I'd still be interested in coming back and exploring more of the menu.

    El Churrasco
    Spencer C.

    I came here with some colleagues after work for dinner. The outdoor seating was very nice and the place had a good energy. Our server Jereny was super friendly and was happy to answer our questions about the menu. I ordered the churrasco and it was just OK. Maybe the waiter talked it up too much. The portion was small and not very filling. I enjoyed the tostones and wish they had given me some dipping sauce for them.

    Shrimp Empanadas
    Fuyme J.

    First time visitors Located in the irvine spectrum Indoor outdoor dining Cuban inspired lively spot Date night, group outing, enjoy the music and environment Seemed to be only 1 server for the main dining room and a few server assistant / busters to help with things Though service was slow understandably with shorthand, everyone was very friendly and efficient Drinks were definitely not lacking in alcohol Quality of food very tasty and fresh The ceviche served with plantain and balance of acidity The Caribbean fries aka garlic fries was probably the best The shrimp empanadas soft pillow of flavor Will say on the pricier side but quality was demonstrated Would return back for a treat

    Sonali S.

    BRUNCH!! 5/5 I've only been here for brunch so I can't speak on dinner service. Everything we had was delicious, but the stars of the meal were definitely the paella and the made to order banana ice cream dessert. The paella was packed with flavor, and the banana dessert was absolutely incredible. The atmosphere was beautiful, making it a perfect spot for brunch. Can't wait to come back! Would recommend making reservations the line gets long.

    El Churrasco
    Tiffany J.

    We were trying to decide what to eat and ended up coming to The LAB Anti-Mall because we wanted to try and support one of the independent businesses there. I was hesitant at first because I had never really tried Cuban food before, but I'm so glad we took a chance! I ordered the El Churrasco based on the staff's recommendation, and it was delicious. The steak tasted incredibly fresh, and everything came together as the perfect savory and satisfying meal. The atmosphere has a dark, tropical island vibe, with plenty of outdoor seating. We ended up sitting inside in one of the booths, which was very comfortable. They also offer happy hour from around 3-7 p.m. daily, although the happy-hour specials are only available at the high-top tables. The only issue we had was that our server cleared the wrong plate without asking. He left the empty plate that I was finished with on the table, but took away the plate with my corn on the cob that was only halfway eaten. I'm not sure why he chose that plate, but I wish he had asked whether we were finished before taking it away and throwing out food we were still eating. Other than that, we really enjoyed the food and would definitely come back. I highly recommend this place if you're looking for a great sit-down meal at The LAB!

    This is the churrasco steak
    John F.

    Ok my first time here & I am not Cuban but Puerto Rican & our food is similar! Not authentic but glorified Cuban to warrant the high prices! In all fairness food taste very good & fresh. The best dish I would say was the "Lechon" , so referred "the other white meat" my daughter ordered! My wife had the Osobuco, not a Cuban dish in my mind, but good. I had the Churrasco, I believe it's call very good cut of flank steak & I think Argentine sauce! I enjoyed this we also had "Mofongo" ( mashed Plantain) good! I thought the Flan was Very good! Not to sweet great consistency! Very price although keep in mind it is Orange County! Lastly Service was good not great but good. Friendly not quit as attentive as I was like! Worth a dent on your credit card!

    Exploring the many cool rooms
    lauren k.

    You immediately feel like you are transported to Cuba ! The decor is so well thought out and is literally the most perfect restaurant I have ever seen. The food was spectacular and I really recommend the roasted chicken. It was to die for. My friend had the Kobe burger and she loved it as well. Service is top notch. Def a must try if in the area !

    Chicken Empanadas
    Haley B.

    Great vibes, food, and cocktails! Ambiance is 10/10!! Service is fantastic. I LOVE this place and come back time and time again!

    Host was able to accommodate my party of 2 on-demand with no reservation, luckily
    Benjamin P.

    Authentic Cuban food that was utterly delicious. Great portions too. Service was attentive and stellar overall. Food came to the table quickly, albeit drinks took a bit longer than expected to arrive, but then again it was an at-capacity night. Loved the ambience of Habana. Great romantic date spot. Highly recommend!

    Yana R.

    So good! Called in for reservations to celebrate a graduation and they did so good with accommodations and the decorations. Our server was so lively and attentive, it made the whole experience great. We ordered various dishes and all of them tasted amazing! Definitely coming back

    Roasted Chicken
    Hannah W.

    I mean who doesn't love Habana?? This is by far one of the most romantic restaurants in Costa Mesa and located in such a unique outdoor mall (worth walking around afterwards). The lighting and vibes can't be beat and neither can the food for that matter. While it may be a little pricey, worth the splurge. I always recommend the mojitos with sugar cane stirring sticks as well as the empanadas. The service is excellent! I can't wait to come back.

    Flan.
    Jeff Y.

    We came here to celebrate a friend's birthday. Parking is always tricky in the small lot for this complex, but after circling around someone left. We had a reservation for 6 people at 3PM so there was no wait. Our server was very friendly throughout the whole meal, and we were seated on the patio which had a very cool vibe, as if we were really in Havana/Havana. The menu is actually not that big, and prices were definitely on the pricier side. I ended up ordering a paella for 1 with a side of tostones. Fortunately, the paella portion was generous. I also enjoyed a tasty non-alcoholic piña colada. For dessert, I had their flan. The food was all very tasty and again the service and atmosphere were fantastic. Just be aware and prepared to spend a little more when dining here.

    Outside seating

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    Habana Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Habana

    Does this Costa Mesa location offer mofongo on their dinner menu? I checked their website and it's not on there.

    Hi Anthony, Yes, we do offer mofongo at both of our locations! Please let us know if you have any other questions. We look forward to welcoming you soon!

    I hear it's a very pretty restaurant. Where is the nicest place to sit at for lunch?

    Outside I'd say

    Do they have bottomless mimosas for brunch?

    Yes they do!

    Do you offer weekend brunch buffet like in irvine and what are the food choices thanks?

    Great question! We don't have the buffet at our location but we have an amazing brunch menu available Saturday and Sunday. Our brunch menu includes both Cuban and traditional favorites plus amazing cocktails and bottomless drink options!

    Does this place have a live band?

    We do not have a live band however we have music playing throughout the restaurants speaker system which gives it a lively feeling.

    Do you have high chairs?

    Hi Samantha, we do have high chairs.

    Is this dog friendly?

    Good morning, Our venue is not recommended for pets.

    Do you have to be 21+ to reserve a table for a dinner at Habana?

    Hi Insiya, We do not have an age restriction to reserve tables.

    Do you guys have a live band on Saturdays?

    Hi Harlyn, Both locations do not offer live music. We do however have music that is played throughout our speaker systems.

    What are brunch hours on Saturdays and Sundays?

    We are open from 10:00am-2:45pm for Brunch.

    Are you serving Thanksgiving dinner?

    YES, JOIN US ON THANKSGIVING FOR A DELICIOUS CUBAN INSPIRED 3 COURSE MENU. $65 PER PERSON… 

    Can you smoke cigars?

    We do not allow smoking of any kind at our venue.

    What is the dress code attire?

    Casual.

    Do you have mocktails?

    Hi Liz, Our bartenders will be more than happy to create mocktails! We also have a non-alcoholic sangria!… 

    Okay last question lol My birthday is on the 25th of august. It's only going to be like 5 people trying to come around brunch time. Do I have to book it before? And any birthday celebration / special? Thank you 😊

    Hi Melany, Reservations are not required but are strongly encouraged. Please give us a call at 949.419.0100 and someone from our team will be more than happy to help book… 

    Can you dance here lol ? What kind of music do they play anyone know ??? I'm Hoping reggaeton bachata merengue salsa even hip hop lol a little bit of everything? Lmk!

    Hi Melany! Although we do not offer dancing, we do play Spanish music ranging from Bachata to Reggaeton. We play a little bit of everything!

    Would this be a good restaurant for an anniversary for my girlfriend of five years?

    Yes, I believe so. Done several birthdays here. Make a reservation and let them know the special occasion

    Is the French toast only served on the weekend?

    Do you do frozen drinks. Pina colado?

    I have only tried their mojitos and sangrias! Definitely recommend!

    Are they doing buffet if yes which days?

    Habana Costa Mesa and Habana Irvine do not offer buffet style brunch. All items are ordered a la carte.

    View All 151 Questions

    VOX Kitchen & Bar - South Coast Plaza - Our NEW Spring/Summer menu! New dishes, new cocktails, new mocktail. Available exclusively at VOX South Coast Plaza.

    VOX Kitchen & Bar - South Coast Plaza

    4.4(688 reviews)
    1.1 mi
    •$$
    Minority-owned & operated
    Happy hour specials

    Such a fun fusion restaurant with so many good options! Everything we've tried has been really…read moretasty. My favorite thing on the menu is the Saltado Fries with steak. You can upgrade to garlic noodles, which are also delicious. The lychee lemonade is really refreshing too! The staff is attentive and so nice. Definitely a fun spot if you want something a little different!

    I was honestly ready to leave a 1-star review based on how our experience started, but our server…read moreJoseph completely turned things around and bumped this up to 4 stars. We joined the waitlist and were quoted 10-20 minutes. After waiting about 20 minutes, we could see that we were #2 in line, but people kept getting seated ahead of us. I checked with the hostess and was told we would be seated soon, so we waited. More people continued to get seated. When I asked again, the hostess seemed a little flustered, checked the tablet, then pointed to a patio table and said they were setting that one up for us. Another 10-15 minutes passed and we were still waiting. By this point, I was hangry and went back to the host stand. Another host explained that they were seating reservations first, which I understand, but we had also seen multiple names called for people who appeared to have arrived after us. She checked with the original hostess, who then pointed to a completely different table INSIDE and said that was the table they were preparing for us. I pointed out that 15 minutes earlier, she had specifically told us we were waiting for the patio table. After that, they finally got someone to clean the table and seat us. The whole seating process felt disorganized and unnecessarily frustrating, especially because we kept being told we were about to be seated without anything actually happening. BUT THEN... Joseph came to the rescue! He was exactly the server we needed after that experience. Super attentive, genuinely friendly, and just had a great personality and sense of service. He kept our drinks filled, checked on us at the right times without hovering, and completely changed the mood of the meal. The food was great as always. We had the ceviche, which came with a sweet potato garnish that pleasantly surprised us. I got my usual Lomo Saltado and swapped the rice for garlic noodles. So good. Food: 5/5 Table service: 5/5 Host/seating experience: 1/5 Overall, this probably would have been around 3 stars for me, but Joseph absolutely bumped the experience to like 4 stars!

    Photos
    VOX Kitchen & Bar - South Coast Plaza - Carne Asada Fries. Part of our new Spring/Summer menu at VOX Kitchen & Bar.

    Carne Asada Fries. Part of our new Spring/Summer menu at VOX Kitchen & Bar.

    VOX Kitchen & Bar - South Coast Plaza - Corn Ribs

    Corn Ribs

    VOX Kitchen & Bar - South Coast Plaza - Hamachi & Carne Asada Tostadas. Part of our new Spring/Summer menu at VOX Kitchen & Bar.

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    Hamachi & Carne Asada Tostadas. Part of our new Spring/Summer menu at VOX Kitchen & Bar.

    Verdant

    Verdant

    4.0(34 reviews)
    1.0 mi

    We were going to OCMA so my friend suggested we dine at Verdant which is in the museum, or at least…read moreit used to be. We checked in at the museum front desk and my friend said we were going up to restaurant on the third floor. The person at the desk said they moved it and it was on the first floor now. She pointed over to what I knew to be the snack bar that had been there since opening. We went over and sure enough it was just drinks snacks and a few pre-packaged light meals. I have to guess they just quietly went away.

    I'd like to start out by thanking our server, Christian for being very accommodating and helping us…read moreout on Sunday! I had made a reservation online for 6 people at 12:30pm and my reservation was accepted. When we got to the museum, we were told the restaurant was closing at 12:30pm and I felt very upset. Why was the reservation accepted then? When I got to Verdant, there was no one in sight. The restaurant was empty and there was 1 other party, but no staff. I actually ended up making my way near the kitchen, and that's where I found Christian, who appeared really busy. He explained that they had a wedding later that day and had to close at 1pm for set up. He still sat our party and was very kind, accommodating and helpful. He gave me a great tip and said when making cafe reservations, it's best to call ahead, because they do sometimes have event buy outs. As far as the ambiance, it is a really beautiful space. But, it was SO cold. It seemed like the AC was on full blast. The food was pretty good, but the menu seemed to change since I was there last.

    Photos
    Verdant
    Verdant
    Verdant - Setting up...

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    Setting up...

    The Great Room

    The Great Room

    4.3(7 reviews)
    0.9 mi

    The great room is a restaurant within the Weston. It's got a casual but ups ale type vibe. I had…read morebreakfast there and it was on point. I had the classic American breakfast of eggs, bacon, hash browns and sourdough toast. The servers were attentive without being too present. I always appreciate that. I'd come back tomorrow if I was staying another night.

    Brunch at The Great Room in Costa Mesa was such a classy casual vibe. The ambience feels modern and…read morerelaxed, and we had a lovely view of the fountain outside which made everything feel a little more elevated and serene. We ordered the Lox and Bagel with smoked salmon, capers, cream cheese, pickled red onions, fresh dill, and sun dried roasted tomatoes. The salmon was fresh and silky, and I loved the brightness from the pickled onions and dill. The roasted tomatoes added a nice depth of flavor. I also had the white crab white omelette with spinach and substituted the fruit for hash browns. The omelette was light and fluffy, and the crab added a subtle sweetness. The hash browns were crispy and satisfying. Cappuccinos were great, rich, smooth, and perfectly foamy. Just note they are nine dollars each, which feels a little steep, but they were well made. Service was pretty good overall, attentive and friendly without being overbearing. Overall, a solid four stars. Great atmosphere, quality brunch options, and a polished setting that feels perfect for a relaxed weekend catch up. I would come back for the vibes and the cappuccino.

    Photos
    The Great Room - Fire Table

    Fire Table

    The Great Room
    The Great Room

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    Pioneer - Transfusion...sooo good!

    Pioneer

    4.6(212 reviews)
    1.0 mi
    •$$

    We made a reservation at Pioneer and really enjoyed this little spot! It's tucked inside a diner,…read moreso it can be a little hard to find at first, but it's just inside the back patio area with a cute wooden saloon-door entrance. The space is small, cozy, and intimate with just a few tables. Our waitress was super friendly and took the time to explain the menu and different options to us. - Guava Y Queso (4.5/5): I loved this! It was really unique with the cream cheese topping, but the combination worked so well. Definitely a fun spot for cocktails and something a little different!

    This place is well hidden, but unfortunately the experience was ruined by how rude and dismissive…read morethe employees were. I asked about seating for two and was simply told to wait outside with no explanation. After 15 minutes, I asked for an update and was again given a vague, dismissive response. Why not give a yes or no answer to whether accommodations can be made? There were several parties waiting in the brightly lit hallway with no A/C, despite plenty of tables seemingly available. At one point, another party peeked inside and a young kid employee with an Afro came out and rudely waved his hands in a "what do you want" manner without saying a word. Two waiting parties immediately left, and we decided to do the same after witnessing that. Another party with a reservation waiting told us this happens regularly and that the staff can be rude. Whether that's their normal practice or not, it was enough to make me not want to give this place my money. We ended up going to two other bars nearby that the one party waiting there recommended and had a completely opposite experience, welcoming and respectful. Definitely disappointing and don't recommend wasting your time as there's so many other places to try.

    Photos
    Pioneer - EL CAPITAN Grape Leaf * Soft Herbs * Pomegranate Summer 2026

    EL CAPITAN Grape Leaf * Soft Herbs * Pomegranate Summer 2026

    Pioneer - Sourdough bread

    Sourdough bread

    Pioneer - New york sour, in the fall menu

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    New york sour, in the fall menu

    Habana - cuban - Updated October 2026

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