Interesting speakeasy in Costa Mesa with amazing drinks! I tried: 1. Shishito sour 2. Smokey tokey - toki whiskey old fashion 3. Ice cream read more

Great food.tasty.yummi.lots of drinks..Strong dranks.bring friends and family..order everything and try read more

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Went there for the first time on a Wednesday night. Food was ok not over the top. Was loud but service and overall ambiance was good. Unfortunately we were asked to vacate our table minutes after paying the bill and there were empty tables in the restaurant. Sorry will not be back .... read more

We had the most fantastic dining experience at Oak and Coal. First time and didn't know what to expect - sit in the speakeasy! Good ambiance, great staff, excellent food. Q is a wonderful host and bartender if you need recommendations. The owner Jeff is oh so gracious and undeniably talented. Every dish was outstanding - Bao bun special, lemongrass chicken dumplings, Korean bbq wraps, garlic noodles with shrimp, crispy rice, and the Japanese sweet bread dessert !! Absolutely recommend 10/10 read more

Oak and Coal has been on my list for a while, thanks to TikTok. It was also on my husband's list to try. Finally made it out with my husband and toddler one Monday evening in October, and we were not disappointed! There was no wait, but the steady foot traffic showed we were in for a treat. Here's what we tried: * Chicken Karaage: Perfectly cooked with a crispy, flavorful batter. The hint of lemon zest in the batter was a great touch, so we didn't even need to add extra lemon. * Chashu Bao Buns: Delicious, fluffy bao buns with pork that was tender and flavorful. Everything in it was perfectly balanced. * Kurobuta Sausage Skewer: The sausage was juicy and flavorful. Can't go wrong with it. * Snake River Wagyu Beef Skewer: Cooked to perfection. The flavor was fantastic, and the beef was melt-in-your-mouth tender. * Seared Hamachi: Good, though we've had slightly better. The grilled asparagus was a nice addition, pairing well with the fish. For drinks, my husband tried a bartender's choice cocktail, which was deliciously refreshing. I went with the lychee spritz--light, refreshing, and not overly sweet. Overall, Oak and Coal was an awesome dining experience, and we can't wait to return and explore more of their full bar in the back (reservations only). Highly recommend! read more

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Improv date night is the best! We didn't have our kid and decided to check this place out and came as soon as they opened. The place is small but cozy and they had a bar side and we got seated at the bar and were able to order anything from the menu. Service here was excellent and the food was amazing...we got some yakitori to share and a beef donburi. Our favorites were the homemade chicken balls with osen egg and tare sauce and lamb chops. read more

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Pricey modern Japanese spot with an oak room "speakeasy" tucked away inside. Service was nice but way too loud to hear each other (this is not the place for intimate date nights or conversation) and also SO slow. Bartenders were rushing to keep up with orders and barely had time to clear plates, get checks, etc. Addison (i think) was really friendly and obviously trying his best to check in on us but they were all just slammed on the friday night we came. Food is not special. Chicken skewers were lightly seasoned .. to the point where I questioned IF they were seasoned. "Not your average miso", their miso ramen, was VERY average. Perhaps even below average with bland broth and overcooked noodles. Also their daily special lettuce wraps came with sauce that I swear was identical to Buldak ramen sauce lol. Which is delicious but that speaks to Buldak and not Oak n Coal.. read more

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Normally when I write a review I start with the food first but for this review I'm starting with the service because the service was OUTSTANDING! Oak & Coal had the best service in recent memory. Not only was everyone nice, helpful and friendly but they treated all of their customers like they were long-time-friends. It really felt like eating a dinner in a restaurant staffed with friends which I haven't encountered in a long time. Now the food also was outstanding! Everything we ordered was delicious, and presented beautifully. Even though it was crowded food and drinks came out quickly and in a progression that made sense (raw first, etc.). The dishes were creative and bursting with flavor! The cocktails were also very innovative and as someone who normally only has one alcoholic drink before switching to non-alcoholic I really appreciated the good selection of non-alcoholic drinks such as grapefruit soda, fresh lemonade, ginger beer, ginger ale, etc. in addition to the normal soft drinks. They also have wine, sake, etc. We ordered a ton of small dishes to share. Our favorites out of all the dishes we ordered are: -Salmon Crudo (my favorite - I actually had to barter with my husband to get an extra piece I liked it so much!) -Garlic Noodles (we just got them plain without protein and they were a great complement to our meal) -Snake River Wagyu Beef Skewers - Also be sure to ask about their specials of the day which are awesome: when we were there it was a katsu sandwich! Next time I want to try the elote and Brussel sprouts and bao buns. We were lucky enough to be seated in the back room - The Oak Room - which has the coolest vibes! Perfect for a date night! We can't wait to return! read more

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This place is a tapas style restaurant with yummy cocktails and japanese type food. They have a back bar area which is more dimly lit and vibey and a front area that's more casual. Overall the portions are pretty small but it was nice to try different menu items. Both cocktails we got were solid and food was good. Definitely good spot for date night! Service was quick and everyone was nice! read more

Oak & Coal - lychee cocktail, Steamed Chicken Lemongrass Dumplings - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Food here is delicious!! This has been on my list for a while. We came on a Monday night so wait was only 10 minutes for dinner. They gave us really good recommendations for each section of food. Would recommend family style as everything is pretty shareable here. The snake river wagyu beef skewers were so tender and really delicious. Yellowtail and salmon poke was really good however portion was a bit small and a bit fishy. We really enjoyed the kbbq wraps and unagi crispy rice. They forgot the chashu bao buns in our order but would like to try that next time. read more

Oak & Coal - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

A Japanese yanitori want to be place. I think the target audience for this restaurants are for different type of crowds than myself. I was excited to give this place a try, but the experience was underwhelming. First, the restaurant is super tiny. So if you have a large party (more than 4), you may want to make reservation ahead of time. For the portion of the food, it's definitely hella overpriced. But, given it's located in Newport Beach, I can see why. The food is not authentic Japanese izakaya type. It's mix of American, Japanese and Mexican food all mixed together. I wouldn't come back here again. read more

We started off with the Maui Mai Tai and the Shishito Sour -- both were excellent. The Maui Mai Tai had great flavor, and the little lilikoi foam put a smile on my face. The Shishito Sour had just enough shishito flavor, and the rest of the cocktail was very well balanced. We ordered the agedashi tofu, but that one was pretty underwhelming. I wouldn't order it again -- felt extremely overpriced at $18, and the broth it came in was just meh. The chashu buns were also pretty disappointing. The chashu itself was low quality, and they seemed to try to mask that with ginger and other toppings. On the flip side, the seared hamachi was a highlight -- super fresh, vibrant flavors. The eel was good but could've been served a little hotter. The Wagyu skewer was very delicious and high quality. The Kubota pork sausage was also a standout -- incredibly flavorful and served very hot. For my second drink, I tried the Cocoguava Sour -- very mezcal-forward and smoky. I personally enjoyed it, but if you're not into mezcal, it might not be for you. We ended with the ube banana pudding -- hands down one of the best desserts I've had this year. Served cold with nice pieces of wafers and banana -- perfection. Service was overall good -- the staff was friendly and attentive, and the hospitality definitely added to the experience. Overall, I give this place 4 out of 5 stars. Not every dish was a hit, but the standouts -- seared hamachi, Wagyu skewer, ube banana pudding, and the cocktails -- definitely make it worth a visit read more

7:00pm Friday night Definitely be prepared for a long wait. Not crazy annoying but you'll be waiting after you check in. It's first come first serve. The bar in the back is seated by the host as well the front dinning. You're able to request which room. The staff is exceptional from the minute you walk in. Even with a busy crowd. We ordered their take on chocolate espresso martini. It was pretty delicious. We were sat in the back bar. Which we requested. The menu you couldn't really order anything wrong. I personally don't think it's ideal for large parties even though I saw a few tables of 5-6 people. The space is so small the bigger tables basically take up the restaurant. What we ate: Brussels sprouts Garlic noodles with mushrooms/ shrimp Tuna tar tar - wish there was more egg. Didn't realize it was on the bottom. Chicken skewers Ube banana pudding - could have had more banana and wafers. Was more pudding than anything. The flavors were on point with every dish that came out. Perfectly portioned. Drinks We had the bartender makes us something as a surprise and it was amazing!! Bar staff were super nice and engaging. You can tell They enjoy working there and the people that come in. Definitely a cute date spot or just grabbing a casual dinner. You can go in jeans and a sweater. Definitely don't need to over dress. Will be back to try a few other things that caught my eye. I would say it's kid friendly definitely during the week in the front restaurant. Not so much during the weekend busy hours MOM APPROVED DATE NIGHT OR NIGHT OUT WITH FRIENDS. read more

Oak & Coal - Chocolate espresso martini - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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We have been meaning to try this place for a while, and honestly it wasn't really worth it. My favorite thing was the yellowtail poke and the light crispy wonton chips paired so well with it. The pickled cucumbers had such a strong acidic taste that I loved, that I feel like many other places are too afraid to get this vinegary so yay! I didn't have high expectations for the ramen based on the description.. and this was a skip for sure. Like a super bland miso soup with ramen noodles in it I wasn't that hungry so I snacked on a couple of items with one other person and the bill was almost $90-100. This isn't your typical izakaya so keep that in mind. read more

Oak & Coal - Skewers - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Oak and Coal is a house favorite. The chicken skewers, the veggie noodles, the steak, everything is delicious. Love love this place. read more

I'm a full carnivore and this place is my go to whenever I'm craving a good mixture of delicious cuts of meat straight off the grill. The lamb lollipops are amazing, the sausages, the beef, the chicken, and whatever other skewers they have available are all great choices. It's a Japanese type grill with a great bar speakeasy type room and the main entrance is a typical open shared seating typical of Japanese restaurants. The prices are reasonable and a good value for the experience. The staff are all friendly and welcoming. The place gets packed during the busy hours so it's recommended to book ahead, even if it's just a part of one. Definitely give this place a try, you won't be disappointed and most likely bring your family and friends, or a date next time. Cheers read more

Amazing! A must stop if you're in the area. So fresh and delicious yum! Love the name too

I definitely had a preconceived judgment about this place because it has that aesthetic that many new restaurants adopt when they want to sell you mediocre food for a lot of money. But I am happy to find out that I was wrong. Everything we ordered was tasty and amazing. We ordered a few of the skewers and the wagyu was one of my favorites. The meat just melts in your mouth and everything was juicy, even the shishito peppers. I highly recommend pairing the skewers with a carb like the garlic noodles. There wasn't one dish that disappointed us. Even the miso paste that came with the skewers was so good, they can probably sell that by itself and I'd buy it. Our servers were great and the service was prompt. The only con was that we couldn't talk very well amongst ourselves because the group next to us was basically yelling at one another and since the restaurant is pretty compact, there isn't much distance for all that noise to spread and distribute. Overall, a good find and I recommend and hopefully the quality of the food remains consistently stellar. read more

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I have been the biggest fan of Oak & Coal since I moved to OC 3.5 years ago. The servers, the owners, and the bartenders are all so friendly and make the overall dining experience very enjoyable. The food is the best food in all of OC. I love how everything is shareable so when you go in with friends or family, you can order several dishes and get a taste of everything. My favorite is the Oak Room in the back which gives off a speakeasy feel and allows you to watch the bartenders create their magic. I will never stop raving about Oak & Coal! read more

What a gem in Costa Mesa! It's one of my fave go-to places and every time I bring a friend here, they always say they've never heard of it! But they all loved it! I always get the Bao buns which never disappoints. Honestly, the whole menu is good. Some things can be a little salty but I rather it be a little overly salty than bland. There's also a speakeasy bar in the back read more

I have been coming here from day 1. Ya'll were cutting your teeth, and I had some sloppy experiences, but stayed loyal. Tonight we came up from the peninsula on a 30 minute uber ride to celebrate, after calling and verifying that we would be served when we arrived at 10:30. We arrived at 1030 sharp and were denied service. I believe I interrupted someone's vanilla latte, Payless cowboy boot regerts(yep), which I feel absolutely terrible about. But ya'll can be absolutely certain after I have sung your praises for ten years I will be doing of the sort moving forward. read more

this place offers a variety of japanese and seafood cuisine but yakitori skewers aren't as authentic as you think they are. i believe this place is best when you are having dinner with a group rather than a table for two. chicken and pork belly skewers just taste grilled with only salt and pepper seasoning. however the cucumbers were soft and crunchy where you can taste the brined flavors in it. the stars of the show were the brussels sprout and chasiu pork buns as they are heavily seasoned and melt into your mouth. the price range is heavily high but visiting this place is a one time thing with a group of friends. read more

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Fabulous food, noisy with superb service. Check out this small location; we do not feel you will be disappointed.

Ambiance: The place is really cool! I recommend sitting near the bar because the area is dimly lit which gives it a really classy feeling Food: FOOD WAS 10/10 I went with one friend and we finished everything!! Our favorite by far was the salmon sashimi (think it's called something else on the menu) it is izakaya like so portions are smaller and a bit more expensive but we liked it! Service: the staff are really nice and chill! They have tattoos so that means they are cool! Rec for like a date if you are trying to impress or you have a lot of money! read more

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This review is for vegetarian friendly options only. I know. It seems idiotic to come to a sushi place and eat nothing but greens. But I do not regret a single bite. Even if I wasn't eating all veggies, I would still love and consume all of their edamame hummus. The drizzle of the soy sauce reduction was perfect and the airy-fried wonton sheets. Damn. The miso soup had generous amounts of adorable Japanese mushrooms. Whatever they're called. The plumper cousin of Enokis. Nice and solid miso flavor with tons of fresh veggies mixed in. The roasted broccolini's are so addictive. Though it's a little greasy and dabbed with fish sauce, the flavor and crunch were certainly not lost. And the cabbage salad was adorable and flavorful. Any Asian ginger dressing would perk up a salad like this but with the pre sliced cherry tomatoes, nightly ritual please! The service was also tentative and the girl who took our order and sat the table was just a cute little exchange. I would definitely return. read more

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Food was great! Server was nice. Bussers were pushing on the verge of a little annoying with the constant wanting to buss even though we clearly had food on our plates still and were trying to have conversation, but kept getting interrupted. I would suggest a little more awareness on that part. Nice little back room with a full bar. Would totally come back for the food. Paid about $91 after tax, tip and splitting with my two friends. read more

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First time at O&C. Great ambience with the speakeasy vibe, amazing food (try the Charred Unagi Skewers), and awesome service. Everyone was very friendly! The drink menu is also really nice with some great cocktails in the lineup. read more

Oak & Coal - Outside entrance - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Stumbled upon on a Friday night and we were able to sit in the bar area. The food, drinks, ambiance, and service was amazing! We ordered the oak elote, Korean bbq wraps, snake river wagyu beef, pork belly, and lamb chops. All were 10/10! We came in for a date night/celebration and the owners surprised us with a complimentary shot for our celebration. It was so sweet of them! We cannot wait to come back and would def recommend for a date night! read more

Oak & Coal - Oak Elote, Lychee sprits, and Oak Fashioned - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Decided to try something new and different for date night. We love Asian food, specifically Japanese, and thought this place would be so much fun! Definitely make sure to add yourself to the waitlist on Yelp. The back room is the cute intimate area. We were served by Nick at the bar who is an institution here but sadly will be moving soon. He served me the Bitter Bitch drink which is a perfect drink to balance out the wagyu or pork belly skewers. The Wagyu skewers was the best thing ever! I also loved the garlic noodles and the Japanese elote which is such a fun twist on a classic. The only thing I would skip next time is the miso soup appetizer which didn't have much flavor to me. If you can come while Nick is there he will show you a good time. Be sure to try as much as your wallet allows! read more

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Wow!!!! The cocktails and food are beyond delicious!! Everything is unique, fresh and oh so tasty! A bit noisy for our group of old folks with hearing issues.....but we will be back for the yummy food, excellent cocktails and lovely ambiance!! read more

I really like this place and the cool part is they have a speakeasy in the back. All the food is really good in terms of flavor, plating, etc but the only thing I must say is it is definitely on the expensive side. I would come back, but I didn't pay for this meal and if I did, I don't know if I would come back as often. read more

The service and food were amazing .We enjoyed everything.. looking forward to returning with the family

The bar area was really nice, but the service was a bit slow. Maybe they were understaffed during my visit, or perhaps I was a bit impatient. I want to clarify that the staff were friendly and polite; however, I felt they could have been more attentive. The food was just okay--you can find better options elsewhere. Nothing that I tried blew me away and the price for the food quality is extremely difficult to justify. You're paying for the ambiance. The Ube Banana Pudding was notable, but the banana flavor overpowered the ube. Adding more ube and some crunch, like Nilla Wafers, would improve the texture. Considering the food and service, I'd suggest this spot if you're looking for a quick drink and some unique bar food before moving on. read more

Oak & Coal - Ube Banana Pudding could use some more texture and more Ube!! - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

This was a nice, casual, fun dining experience. The decor and ambiance of the place was cozy. We enjoyed the musical artists art. Our server was cool and took a few moments commiserating with our party about the current Laker loss. He was quick to take our order and shared many suggestions to try. Everything we ordered was tasty. We all really enjoyed the miso cod and edamame humus (my fave!). You all should give Oak & Coal a try. It's a fun date night or girlfriend's hang out dinner spot! read more

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This place is such a fun vibe. It's lively, a wee bit loud if you're looking for a quiet dinner but it's perfect people watching. The service was kind and super helpful. I was in the mood for a mocktail and the bartender did a great job at getting me exactly what I was looking for. My friend really enjoyed the guava sour, so yummy and the egg white added a nice smooth texture to round off the flavor. We order loads of food, the pork belly skewers, lamb chops, bacon wrapped asparagus, and garlic noodles. The lamb chops were phenomenal so tender and cooked perfectly. It had just the right season and the touch of wasabi was delicious. The garlic noodles are always our favorite anywhere and this was done right. The shrimp were supple and seasoned well. The pork belly and the bacon asparagus skewers needed something more than lemon to round out the fatty flavor. The acid of the lemon helped it. Overall great experience. read more

Oak & Coal - Seafood Garlic Noodles and Kurobuta Pork Belly Skewers (3) - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

My bf took me here for my birthday, and it was great! He really wanted the backroom, but it was full. That was okay though. I just wanted good food. The servers were really nice and gave great suggestions. Make sure to make reservations as it was pretty busy when we went. We started with the lychee spritz and it was very refreshing. The unagi rice patties were really good. I love a good unagi piece and it was really well seasoned. The rice was definitely on the thick side, but it was still good. The garlic noodles were flavorful with the bonito flakes. I think the flavors could've been a little stronger though. The miso as probably the bummer. I was really excited based on the way it looked, but the flavor was a bit bland. I think the miso they use could be on the stronger side and honestly, I wasn't a big fan of the noodles and egg. I like my miso soup very traditional, and I appreciate the ramen-like take, but a traditional miso soup with a punch of flavor would've been my preference. We also had the wagyu sticks and those were great! The best bite of the night. The meat was tender and the sauce was a great combo. Overall, I would like to go again and try the backroom, but order some of their other things next time. read more

Food was amazing. Just bursting with flavors! We were seating shortly after we checked in and Gabriel was our server. He was friendly and recommended some items. We finished our dinner with the ube banana pudding. Definitely coming back to try other menu items. The inside seems small and I heard there's a back room or "speakeasy" we were completely full and didn't get a chance to check it out. Next time for sure read more

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YUM!! Received a gift card and I used it that very night and already want to go back. We sat in the back which I highly recommend if there is space. The service was so great from seating to check. The food tastes even better than it looks and I loved my gimlet! Will be back soon! read more

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I couldn't say why it's taken me so long to write about Oak & Coal, but this place is amazing. It's been a while since I've been back but if anyone is wondering, they have an entire bar area built out and the bartenders are fantastic. All the cocktails here are delicious and the bartenders are all extremely talented. For drinks aside from any classic cocktail, the Shishito Sour on the menu is delicious. With the current bartenders they have, this place is easily one of the best bars in the OC. Now regarding the food, this place is a wonderful place to grab a bite. The food is definitely a modern twist on Japanese Iyazaki and there's not a bad thing on the menu that I've tried. We came here during dinner and they do have a yelp check-in so please be aware to check-in as the waitlist can get long especially on the weekends. The location itself is pretty small and all the servers are super sweet and managing tables as best they can. For food I really enjoyed the tuna poke, pork belly skewers, waygu skewers, and chicken karagge. From previous visits I can say there's really not a bad dish on the menu, though their daily specials can be hit or miss. If you are really hungry and want to fill up, the garlic noodles here are super good and a great way to add in some carbs if you didn't want to order a bunch of skewers. Definitely add this place to your list if you haven't been, and especially if you're on the search for a great cocktail bar. Since the pandemic all the good bars closed, and now Detention also closed to become a membership only lounge, so this place is easily the best cocktail bar I've been to in the OC right now. read more

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I have exactly one regret from my experience at Oak & Coal ... and that is that I didn't take any pictures of the food!! Gah!! 8 of us were in town visiting and we found this place on Yelp! We went family style and it was fantastic. Our server was extremely helpful. Food and drinks were fantastic and came out timely. Everything really was fantastic. Simply put, we'll all loved it! read more