I don't know how this restaurant is not booked out for months...it is an unassuming location but the service, ambiance and food are anything but. We are from New York, visiting Southern California for the week and I'm beyond jealous for anyone lucky enough to enjoy this food experience over and over again. The food is easily in our top three best. If you haven't tried...run and make a reservation now! We started with the grilled artichokes and the shrimp saganaki. For salads we had the roasted beet and a seasonal grilled peach with burrata, for mains we had octopus, short rib ravioli and pork belly. And for dessert we had a seasonal take on peach crumble. Everything is made from scratch and is just exquisite. The best meal we've had in years, hands down! read more

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My friend and I spent the weekend in Newport Beach and enjoyed our dinner here. We were able to make same day reservations, the waitstaff were friendly, and the food was good. Definitely a local neighborhood joint. read more

Costa Mesa's newest gem! My husband and I had the pleasure of dining here for my birthday back in December and it was such a great experience. Our server and friend Rob was absolutely amazing and made my night special. 12/10 experience and service throughout. The restaurant is a little small but intimate and still accommodating for groups. There is parking available behind the restaurant. We started with bread rolls, ratatouille and a Caesar salad. All were great and tasty. The ratatouille was fresh and savory and I would definitely order the salad again. My husband ordered the short rib raviolis (forgot to take a pic) but he loved it! They were filling and the short rib was flavorful. I got the truffle tagliatelle pasta, omg it was delicious! My husband stole a few bites and fell in love. Please keep on the menu! As a bday treat, we tried the baklava cheesecake and it was delicious and one of a kind, but a little too sweet for me. If you're a cheesecake lover then give it a try! We also tried the espresso martini, it was good! But not sure if they still have it as they only serve beer and wine. Overall I had a great time celebrating my birthday here and already made a reservation to visit again! read more

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Great service & food. Warm lovely restaurant. A wonderful find. This was a second time back & it didn't disappoint.. Highly recommended! read more

This restaurant reminded me of a cozy spot in Europe--small, intimate, and with genuinely friendly service. Each dish was beautifully presented, showing great attention to detail. However, I did find the seasoning a bit on the saltier side. The wine selection is solid. I especially recommend the Sauvignon Blanc from Australia--crisp, easy to drink, and pairs wonderfully with both pasta and fish dishes. read more

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This is our second time at Lemon & Thyme and the food is beyond. It is so flavorful, the service is excellent and the ambiance is cozy, romantic and good for families too. This restaurant is a must try. We had the Wedge salad, Burrata and Peach salad and the most amazing Branzino I've ever had. The Branzino comes on a beautiful wood board with grilled vegetables and beluga lentils. This restaurant is a true gem and I can't wait to be back the next time we visit Orange County. read more

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Ambience: 4 stars, small, clean, and simple. Intimate space with oldies music playing in the background. Service: 4 stars, simple good service. Parking: Free parking in the back of the restaurant. Our Tes took us to the parking lot outback when we punched in their address. Food: 4 stars. Small menu selection with a couple of specials for dinner. Really enjoyed the burger + fries + beer trio. Good solid food. Creative and generous serving portions. This is really out of the way for us, but since we were doing some shopping in Costa Mesa, Grok recommended this restaurant based on a few of our filters... Wow, the food was phenomenal...but what pushed this from a 4 star to a 5 star experience were the warm towelettes and lemon for me to wash my hands with. I guess they saw me using my hands to eat their delectable empanadas, they brought a plate with warm towelettes and lemon over. Pleasantly surprised and impressed. Highly recommended, and will definitely be back. We come down to the OC a few times a month to see friends and escape our regular routine. read more

Went with a party of 6, the waiter suggested we do family style. At first we thought it would be a great idea, we ordered 6 different entrees, some appetizers and dessert. until the food showed up and the portions were very small. Decent tasting food, nothing that was memorable or amazing, but definitely not big portions that would make it a sharing meal. Left hungry and they also only serve beer and wine, so if you're looking for an upscale dinner, this isn't the place. Good and friendly staff. read more

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Our server Gabriel honestly made the whole experience. Food was great! Gabriel explained every detail of what the plate entailed and treated you like he's known you forever haha. The ambiance was calm and enjoyable. Great place for a family dinner. We went for Mother's Day and my mom was very happy with the experience. read more

Lemon & Thyme - Ratatouille added chicken to it - New American Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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We had the pleasure of dining at Lemon and Thyme tonight. We truly enjoyed all of the dishes we ordered: Grilled Artichokes, Short Rib Ravioli, Mushroom Risotto, 24 oz Ribeye with Broccolini and Seasonal Mushrooms, and Baklava Cheesecake paired with a refreshing sorbet. Every dish was meticulously prepared and cooked to perfection! We really appreciate the warm hospitality from the attentive and friendly wait staff. We also love the beautiful and cozy atmosphere, which makes it perfect for our birthday celebrations today! Our 10 year old niece is a very picky eater, but she actually polished off her Mushroom Risotto and told us she loved it! All of us would like to thank everyone at Lemon and Thyme for such a memorable night filled with the most delicious food and impeccable service! read more

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I can't remember his name and if he was the owner, chef, waiter, or all of the above, but the sweetest man working there came out to stop me in the middle of many reparking attempts into a very tight parking spot, so he won me over before I even stepped inside. Then he told us about all the specials and favorites and was just very warm and inviting and funny. The food was delicious and the venue was cute but the main guy (sorry I forgot your name!) made the experience. you could tell he really cared. a true host. I'll be Bach! read more

I've been wanting to try Lemon & Thyme for the last several months and I'm so glad I finally did! The atmosphere is beautiful and clean with great background music. Our waiter was so attentive and very informative about the menu options. I got the spicy rigatoni and added shrimp based on our waiter's recommendation; It was delicious! I can't wait to go back again soon. read more

Lemon & Thyme - New American Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Ambiance was understated elegance and the service was exceptional and personal! We tried several appetizers including the cheese board and it was delicious. Our entrees were plated like a Michelin star restaurant and were equally incredible. Very much worth finding and we will be ba read more

The duck was tender, pairing well with the carrots and sweet potato puree. The pork belly was very good too, although the skin could've been a little crispier instead of chewy. The accompanying French beans were perfectly cooked, and the potato puree had a sweetness that was interesting. Overall, a very nice meal for my wife and I! read more

All I can say is Wow! This is one of the best restaurants I have been to in recent times! This establishment is an absolute gem ... To say that the service was outstanding would be an understatement. The romantic ambiance combined with thoughtful service and a meticulously crafted menu result in an undeniably amazing ding experience. Our server was one of the most attentive, appreciative, and friendly service i have come across in a very long time. the staff even opened the door to the restroom for each customer! The food here is on a completely different level! We ordered the octopus Al Pastor and the spicy rigatoni... 10 out of 10. You have to experience this restaurant for yourself. There is a parking available in the front as well as a Jason streets and they are available for reservation on OpenTable. You can thank me later! read more

We were seating at 11am when they opened. We were the first group to place an order. We did not receive our food until 1150. I was offered a water refill after 1hr 15 min. The servers were not very attentive. We were a bit difficult when we asked for the ac to be turned down as it was freezing when we entered, but after a few groups arrived, it became warm and humid. The portions were huge. The coffee was not very good. The home fry potatoes were the best part of the breakfast, perfectly cooked. My picana cut had gristle- not gristle that melted in your mouth after cooking, but a chunk throughout multiple pieces. It was cooked exactly as I asked, rare. My daughter's biscuits and gravy were barely warm when they arrived at the table. We had to ask for coffee refills. The pork in the eggs benedict was fantastic, but one egg for 3 biscuits was a weird amount. read more

Came in with high expectations, but unfortunately this place missed the mark across the board. They start you off with lemon bread, which honestly just tasted like dressed-up King's Hawaiian rolls. Nothing offensive, but definitely not memorable. For appetizers, we ordered the leek potato croquettes. These were a letdown -- undercooked on the inside and oddly gritty, like there was still raw flour in the mix. The filling itself was okay, but not enough to save the dish. For my entrée, I had the short rib ravioli. This was probably the most disappointing part of the meal. There were actual chunks of seasoning salt that hadn't dissolved, which is something you just shouldn't see at a restaurant like this. The mushroom sauce tasted like it came from powdered gravy or beef stock, and the tableside pour felt more gimmicky than impressive -- especially given the quality of the dish. Overall, it felt like something you'd get out of a frozen section rather than a kitchen. Service was alright. Our server was upbeat, but it came off a bit rehearsed, like the same script was being run at every table. Food also took a while to come out, and the dining room was uncomfortably cold with the AC blowing directly onto us the whole time. All in all, not a place I'd return to. There are definitely better ways to spend your money. read more

It's funny that I didn't get a picture of it because we scarfed it down but the reason why we even came here is because my partner wanted a wedge salad. And it was delicious! So a very great start to our dinner tonight. We ordered a bunch of other items. I am such a huge lover of bone marrow and it was absolutely buttery. I didn't know pickled onions would work on it but def elevated it for me. I also was living for the truffle tagliatelle. It was perfectly salty and adding the blackened chicken was a great choice. Thank u to our waiter for suggesting it! I wasn't able to judge the octopus but my partner basically said he liked the flavors but didn't realize the octopus would be one long tentacle instead of cut up. So I guess visually he was just a bit taken aback. But overall still delicious. The baklava cheesecake was the perfect end to the dinner too! The service was excellent & the venue is perfect for a nice quiet date night. I will def want to come back especially for the pasta! read more

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It was out first time here and we were blown away. The location was a little surprising, as the outside is very unassuming, but as soon as you walk in, the small, cute restaurant has the most amazing ambiance. It was the perfect balance of fine dining and comfort. The hostess was extremely kind and walked us in right away. Our server Robert was super funny, kind, and attentive. There was another server who was extremely caring and made sure our cups were full and empty dishes didnt stay at the table long, but we didnt have a chance to get his name. We ordered the Cheese & Fruit Board, Lamb Croquettes, Spicy Rigatoni, Grilled Octopus Al Pastor, and Espresso Creme Brulee. Our two appetizers (the board and croquettes) were amazing starters. The board was light and fun, and the croquettes were a little heavier and rich. When it came to our mains, the Spicy Rigatoni stood out compared to the Grilled Octopus (surprisingly). The Spicy Rigatoni was simple, but so delicious. It wasn't too salty, and it had the perfect tanginess from the tomato that cut through the creaminess of the sauce. The octopus tasted delicious, but felt just a tad overcooked, and didn't stand out compared to the rest of our order. Finally, we ended with the Espresso Creme Brulee. We saw that their cheesecake is super popular, but seeing as my boyfriend and I are not the biggest fans of cheesecake, we opted for the creme brulee and we did not regret it at. Admittedly, we aren't big fans of creme brulee either, but this one blew us away. We must have finished this in 90secs tops. The espresso flavor was infused throughout the top shell, but also all throughout the cream and cut through the sweetness perfectly. One thing we were extremely grateful for was the timing of each course. We tend to eat fast, and at most restaurants we sit with empty plates from our appetizers for a while, but our servers here were on top of it all night. Overall we had such an amazing experience eating here. The quality of the food and service were top notch. We saw so many interesting dishes on the menu so we will definitely be back again. read more

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Located in a small strip mall, the restaurant had decent parking and a cute, cozy interior. Our server Gustavo was very attentive and checked on us often with water refills and to clear our plates. The complimentary bread was slightly salty with sea salt but very fluffy inside. The ratatouille was sweet but baked well. The vegetables were crispy on top and well cooked underneath. Octopus Al Pastor: it included a long skinny but well grilled octopus arm with a side of tasty pork bits, pickled vegetables, and potatoes. It was very filling and interesting. Overall, a great experience and hope they do well. read more

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So glad I finally went here. I've passed by so many times and wondered what it was. The food is exceptional. I had the tartar - so SO good, the chicken empanadas not dry at all and so flavorful, the shrimp sagonoki was great, and the octopus was cooked to perfection. I love the mix of Mediterranean, Italian and Mexican flairs - like Tres Muchachos (also so amazing!) even the little rolls with melted butter and flake salt were perfect. I'll definitely be back. The service was impeccable. read more

Food = AMAZING. Waiter was Gabriel and he was such a gem, so helpful and happy to help out with any questions. This place is such a hidden gem and I cannot wait to come back read more

Lemon & Thyme - Baklava cheesecake and espresso creme brulee - New American Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Once again, delicious and such a warming dining experience. Thankful to Chef who insisted hubby to try grilled Artichokes which now we get in regular basis. read more

Lemon & Thyme - Airline chicken - New American Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Food and service was amazing! Food was top notch. Flavors exploded in your mouth. Service was superb. Server knowledgeable on the menu and recommend the best options. To drink, we had 2 Estrellas and they were served with a chilled glasses. That alone, chefs kiss. For dinner, beef tartar, spicy rigatoni, ratatouille, side of grilled chicken, mac n cheese, and espresso crem brûlée. 10/10 read more

Lemon & Thyme - Espresso crem brûlée - New American Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Food is delicious and the servers are so attentive and kind. The bread came out soft and warm and tasted exactly like their namesake, the perfect combination of lemon & thyme. We ordered the steak tartare as a starter followed by the octopus and duck mole, and all three dishes were delicious. Love how cozy it feels inside. read more

My friend and I decided to try this restaurant for the first time. It's very unassuming from the outdoors so we weren't sure what to expect. Well, we were blown away by the entire experience. We shared everything and there was plenty to share. We had the beet salad, the artichoke appetizer, and the salmon entree. The wait service was amazing. The ambience is cozy elegant. The food was delicious! I know I'll definitely come back .oh yeah, she took home half an artichoke and I took home the rest of the salad. Great value! read more

Was in the area some time ago and was looking for a place to eat. I didn't choose this place, but im glad we stopped by. Service was amazing and the food was just as good. Our waiter was very attentive, made great recommendations, and let me try some sweet wine in which I ordered after since I ended up liking it. I absolutely have no complaints and look forward to coming back in the future. read more

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Service was excellent our server was super sweet and welcoming. I can't remember his name but I'd definitely come back and ask for him again Thank you for being so kind. The Food was so tasty and delicious everything we ordered had amazing presentation and the flavor was on point. Came in for Sunday brunch with a couple neighbors to celebrate a birthday and we all had an amazing time and had some delicious food and mimosas. We will definitely be back for dinner soon. read more

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Nice Ambiance with music playing in the background. Table or booth seating. Excellent service. Food was very tasty, portion was very small. read more

Lemon & Thyme - Nice ambiance & Comfortable seating for all size people. - New American Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Suuuper mediocre. Pretty inexpensive but mediocre both in terms of food and service. We didn't enjoy our experience.

A hidden gem recommended by a friend that did not disappoint! Gabriel our server was so kind and attentive. He makes you feel like family. We went with his recommendation for the special burrata and peach salad along with the artichokes. So good! We got the steak frites and short rib ravioli as mains. No exaggeration, we could have licked our plates! Can't go wrong with homemade pasta and that sauce. For dessert we took the baklava cheesecake to go but had to have one bite before leaving. That bite had us thinking we could have just stayed and eaten it all right there. We'll be back for another date night soon. read more

Lemon & Thyme - Steak frites and short rib ravioli - New American Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Limited but very diverse menu. Affordable gourmet food. exceptional service. intimate attractive setting with very clean restrooms. it's clear the chef and owner take great pride in the restaurant and food. very good and eclectic food. I had the braised short rib ravioli in a savory beef mushroom gravy fir $29. read more

So i am responding to the servers comment on my review. If you read my review, it really isn't saying that the food is bad or that i had an awful experience. I was giving my perspective where most if not all reviews are 5-stars. I am informing people which i believe the portions are small and it is expensive. I said the food tasted good and the service was fine. But i dont find it fair to bash on my honest review that isnt even bad. I am letting people know what to expect in terms of if you'll be full off an entree and how much it'll cost. In this economy i'm letting ppl know lol. If i'm too broke to eat here just say that. read more

Lemon & Thyme - server at lemon and thyme not vibin w my review - New American Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Found this gem when I was looking for a dessert place. We came here for a dessert but the menu was very impressive and we ended up ordering our 2nd dinner. We ordered the steak and baklava cheesecake. Both were delicious!! Staffs were very friendly and we had one of the best service. The place is clean and spacious. I really recommend this place for anyone who likes delicious meals. read more

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A MUST TRY CULINARY EXPERIENCE. Food had a unique and delectable flavor. Unlike your typical, with a tang of lemon and a refreshment of thyme! From the Salmon to the Airline Chicken to the Beet Salad. Flavor was fresh and inspires you to greatness in every bite. But the bread? Oh the bread! We look forward to returning for a reservation next Thanksgiving Day. Don't let the size fool you, the environment is cozy yet comfortable. Who do you need as an escort in your journey? Gabriel! He will be your guardian angel on your culinary adventure. His personality will entertain while his genuine enthusiasm for the fare will Lead you to a meal that will not disappoint. Must try: -Baklava Cheesecake: Creamy cheese consistency, a crunch of flakes and a puddle of honey. Dressed with a sheer overcoat of a sparse spritz of rose water to bath it in an almost invisible vail of floral notes. He doesn't like Baklava but he devoured this one! Please, don't let the name mislead. Give it a shot and be surprised even by the delivery. -Bread pudding (special occasion menu) read more

Lemon & Thyme - Bread Pudding (special occasion menu) Served warm and bathed in a light yet creamy sauce. Not too sweet. - New American Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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**May 2024: Friday Night Visit** My elementary school friend and I planned to visit another Italian restaurant, but were met with an hour plus wait, PLUS valet parking. We were both hungry after attending an event together, so we opted to see what other tasty options Costa Mesa had to offer. I did a quick yelp search and saw Lemon & Thyme with a perfect rating! The photos of the food looked really tasty, so we decided to head there instead - and boy we LOVED it there! The restaurant is located on Harbor near the Triangle Square Shopping Mall and there are a few parking spots up front. Otherwise there's additional parking in the back as well. I actually missed the restaurant and parked in front of SOCIAL Costa Mesa, the restaurant behind it. Regardless, I made it! Upon entering, I was greeted by one of the most friendly servers on the planet. He had a huge smile on his face and was incredibly warm and welcoming. I want to say his name was Gabriel - but remembering names is one of my biggest weakness - forgive me! He went ahead and explained the menu and gave us some great recommendations. We decided to take him up on a couple of the recs and were not disappointed DISHES Grilled Artichoke ($16) - I'm embarrassed to admit that aside from Artichoke dip, I didn't know how to properly eat an artichoke. lol Nevertheless, he taught us! Pull out the petals, dip it in the sauce and bit the meat. When we made it to the center we could cut off the interior and eat that. It's certainly a dish that was interactive as my friend and I'm happy to say that I'm an artichoke eater pro now! ha! Mushroom Risotto ($22) - Wow! Carb lovers rejoice! This was so incredibly creamy and decadent. My friend and I were "mMmmm"ing the entire time. Grilled Octopus Al Pastor ($24) - This dish was so beautifully presented. Certainly has the same level of presentation as any fine dining restaurant and the octopus was perfectly charred. Loved! Dragonfruit Sorbet - I loved everything that we tried on the menu, but this sorbet was out of this world. While it didn't have any dairy, it was so smooth and thick. I even asked my friend and wondered if they'd sell this by the pint for take out. I would definitely buy it! SUMMARY Overall, the experience was 5 stars! From the service, to environment, to the food everything was wonderful and such a great place for family and friends to catch up while not compromising quality food. I can't wait to come back! read more

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Chef Jackeline created a beautiful private birthday brunch for my daughter's 15th birthday! She has a calm demeanor and her goal was to make sure the birthday girl was happy. Goal accomplished and then some. She was a joy to work with. We had an Amalfi Coast lemon theme which matched the restaurant perfectly. She accommodated our private party of 26, created a gorgeous custom birthday brunch menu (I offered to print it), custom brunch menu selection, beautiful fruit trays, mocktails, prepared delicious food, homemade sorbet (I can't stop thinking of the lemon one) and baklava cheesecake sprayed with rose water (this dessert alone is worth the visit) and provided us with the best servers. Their brunch is phenomenal but I highly recommend going there for dinner as well. For dinner, I think it's best to do family style as there are so many options to try and the portions are generous. read more

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Took my girl here for Mother's Day. The food was excellent, but the service is what made our evening. It was one of the best service experiences we have had in a very long time. Thank you for a wonderful evening Lemon & Thyme! read more

Blown away by server Robert's greeting... Robert approached the table and was aware of my dietary preferences based on my dining profile. He'd already taken a menu a noted which items met my preferences and which could be modified to meet preferences. WOW! I've had restaurants mention my profile preferences during their greeting, but have never had a menu marked up that could be left so I had something to look at to make a decision from. Beef tartare Delicate house chips with a bit of vinegary zing. The chips were fresh, light, and salty. Excellent touch of the capers layered within the tartare. Subtle shallots and light smoke mussel aioli. Caesar Salad Fresh crisp baby gems. Pungent anchovies as garnish. Croutons that melt in your mouth and pop with savoriness. Finished with a sprinkle of shaved pecorino. One of the top caesers I've had!!! Ora King Salmon Perfectly prepared medium, excellently seared top and crispy skin on the bottom. A very sweet honey citrus glaze. I was able to sub broccolini for pomme purée. The vine roasted tomatoes are a lovely accompaniment of acid with the honey glaze. This has been a highlight of my dining experiences! It's only a matter of time before reservations will be booked weeks, if not months, in advance. The interior is elegant and romantic. There's parking in front and behind the restaurant. I had the pleasure of meeting Chef de Cuisine, Jackeline, while dining... what a gem she is... Heart of gold and a woman who shares my passion of exquisite food. read more

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Really good! Hidden gem. Had brunch items. Delicious & beautifully played. Friendly staff. Free parking. read more

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