Nice little Mexican food spot located where HUB used to be. They don't advertise it on their menu but they have an unpublished kids menu that includes: grilled chicken with rice and refried beans, chicken strips with French fries or quesadilla (choice of cheese, chicken, or steak) with rice and beans. I really enjoyed the puerto Nuevo enchiladas and my 4 yr old loved them too! He also nearly went face down in the flan with coconut ice cream. My son loves coconut ice cream but now he also loves flan! They have a cool decor in the restaurant and it's very modern. There's a bathroom at the end and they have high chairs if you need them. Service was great and we'd come back again. read more

First time at this restaurant and we were so happy with it! The service was great, fast and friendly. I wish I remembered our waiter's name but he was so attentive. The ambiance was super cool too. Perfect for a date night, out with friends or just happy hour. The food was AMAZING. I had their Salmon Al Pastor and it was simply scrumptious! It was so soft and cooked to perfection! It was almost sweet and the skin so flavorful. It was a side of white rice with a sweet tone to it and fresh veggies. I will definitely order this again! My friend had Chicken Fajitas and they were super yummy. I also had a Watermelon Cucumber Margarita and it was simply delicious. I will also order this again! read more

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Palenque Kitchen by Mezcal is a standout in Costa Mesa we went on a Friday and it delivered exactly the high-energy vibe I wanted, DJ, packed crowd, and a fun atmosphere. Beautiful space that works for date night or a night out with friends, and even with the crowd, service was on point, shoutout to Josue. "The Patron Tree" is super fun and photogenic (mini margaritas). The branzino and the steak were seriously good. Overall, great music, great vibes, and a perfect spot for a night out. read more

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Our visit was in March of 2026. The food was great the place was mostly empty yet were questioned for quite a while by the hostess about having a reservation. Ended up eating at the bar which was nice. For how slow it was we were surprised that the service was a still a bit slow. My husband ordered a Paloma and was charged $20! Receipt attached. While food was good I don't think we will be back. Too many other choices with better service and pricing. read more

Palenque Kitchen - Receipt - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

We came here to celebrate a friend's birthday on a Saturday morning. They open at 11 and a few hours later, the place was still very empty (about 3-4 parties present out of the whole restaurant). I was surprised, since the ambiance is stylish and chic and the drinks are amazing!! Parking in front is a plus, also! Food wise, unfortunately, my breakfast burrito was bland, and so were the rice and beans from my friend's tacos. Another friend who is not into spicy food said her tacos were very spicy (so be careful when you order). My burrito came with green salsa on the side and it still was missing some flavor. Next time I come I will order my friend's chilaquiles, which was very tasty and flavorful!! Drinks are made in house and are perfect. Our waiter was really nice and the food didn't take long to arrive. Great place to come for a date or a large celebration! Yes, they have brunch! read more

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Found this place through instagram. Went there for lunch with a friend on a Saturday and it wasn't too crazy or loud. We got the margarita sampler and carne asada from the dinner menu. 10/10 would recommend! It was all so delicious. Service was fast and we got some great recommendations. read more

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Had our company dinner here and it went very well. I had the Pollo dish and it was so heavenly, super well seasoned and balanced. My husband had the steak and it was great as well and came out perfect temperature. Not pictured was the ceviche which was super bright and enjoyable. Service as great and our waiter was super patient with us being a large party. Will definitely be back soon! read more

Palenque Kitchen - Steak Tampiquena - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Ambiance feels more like a vibey-bar restauraunt than a restauraunt restauraunt. They play loud music which can make it hard to converse. Overall the food was just ok, but the drinks were solid! Great service though. read more

Palenque Kitchen - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Solid spot for date night! We went at 5:30 on a Sunday and it was absolutely dead. I bet it's more poppin for brunch and also later on weekend evenings? Chips and salsa were good, drinks were so tasty, and the enchiladas and Caesar salad were perfect. I do feel it was a bit pricey especially the drinks, but I'd recommend it for a fun night out if you want club-y vibes. read more

Palenque Kitchen - Lobster Enchiladas Puerto Nuevo and Caesar Salad - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Food service and ambiance are all top notch! Music was vibey. I wish I lived closer so I could come here more often. Steak was melt in your mouth and buttery. Not too many great vegetarian options (see other pic) but great for everyone else! Cocktails were also delicious. read more

Palenque Kitchen - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Brought my mom here for an early Mother's Day celebration. The food was amazing and the service was great. read more

Palenque Kitchen - Pulpo - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Cute place in downtown Riverside. Definitely nice to sit down and relax with family or friends. Restaurant itself is cute. The food is ok but the drinks are delicious. Very much enjoyed the margarita flight with hibiscus, watermelon, cucumber and a normal one. Highly recommend. The cheese enchilada was ok, a little too salty for my taste. My husband got the chicken enchilada and thought it was ok. Would come back for drinks and apps, but will likely pass on entrees. read more

Went for new years with their set menu. Our server Laz was excellent from the beginning, he was helpful and friendly. The salad and soup to start were delicious Also they fry their own tortilla chips in house and they're served warm. Delicious! Main dishes were salmon and steak, both were about average but not bad in any way. Our nye ticket included party favors Dj was playing awesome throwbacks mixed with modern hip hop, enjoyed it Recommend this place - lots of seating so reservations are easier than others in the area read more

I visited here on a rainy night and it was an intimate and visually appealing restaurant. Even though there were barely any people inside (though my guess is because it was a Tuesday night and it was raining), the music and visuals made me feel excited to eat here. My enchiladas with the shrimp was cooked to perfection and the beans and rice were also good but nothing outstanding. They serve chips and salsa and honestly those were some of the best I've had at a Mexican restaurant. I think my friend got some Al Pastor dish and he really liked it too. I think it is on the pricier side for what is served but the service was friendly; I would definitely come back here. read more

Palenque Kitchen - Enchiladas Mazatlan - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Food was good, I had the chicken enchiladas, very cheesy. We put in for a reservation at 7 for 8 of us which made me put down a credit card stating if we canceled within 24 hours of making the reservation we would be charged $25 per person. Considering the place was nearly empty, it seemed excessive. Apparently there was a larger group in back so our services was just ok. We had a nice dinner but overall the experience was just ok. Seemed like a lot of staff compared to the business they were doing and the service they were providing. read more

Josett was hands down the best waiter I've ever had. He went above and beyond from start to finish and made our entire experience memorable. He sang Happy Birthday for my kids, helped cover our tab with an extra $30, and treated my family with genuine kindness and respect. He even complimented my wife and made her feel special, which was very thoughtful and appreciated. On top of that, we ended up talking about video games and found out we like many of the same games, which made the experience feel even more personal and enjoyable. It's rare to meet someone who is not only excellent at their job but also such a genuinely great person. If every restaurant had a waiter like Josett, dining out would be a completely different experience. Outstanding service, great personality, and an all-around amazing guy. We will definitely be back because of him. Thank you, Josett! read more

Food was AWFUL!! We started with the Cesar salad came with dark blue tortilla chips. The salad was the only meal we enjoyed. We ordered shrimp Diablo which comes with beans and rice. APPARENTLY tortillas are separate. We also ordered the chile relleno no rice no veggies no sides at all. Let me tell you about the beans, they were disgusting,. First of all they don't look like beans at all, the texture is like fluffy mash potatoes so gross. Tortillas are separate Oh! and they are paper store bought tortillas. What ever they do to the beans is not only gross but disgusting and a disgrace to beans. For being à la cart it's so not worth it at all. This place is by far crazy overpriced and way overrated. Another thing if you request salsa yes you will be charged for it, and the amount that they bring is insulting. Service was mediocre they never came around to refill our waters, I'm sure we probably would have been charged extra for that too. Ambiance is very loud and dark so if you happen to have hair in your food or bugs you wouldn't be able to see. All in all I give this place a 2 out if 10 I WOULD NEVER GO BACK NOR WOULD I EVER RECOMMEND THIS PLACE. Not worth it at all. read more

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Palenque is such a beautiful spot. The ambiance is stunning and you can tell they put a lot of thought into the design. As soon as we sat down they greeted us with water and chips and salsa. The chips are homemade and really good. I ordered the cheese enchiladas and overall everything tasted great. My only small caveat was that I wish the dish came out hotter temperature wise. One other minor thing was when we were waiting for the check the music got very loud and I couldn't hear the person sitting right next to me. I am not sure if it was accidentally turned up. That said, overall it was a good experience and I would definitely come back. read more

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First time visitor. Great vibe, friendly and welcoming staff. Sat at the bar, and our bartender, Josue, treated us like family. Will definitely come back for his service and mixology skills, as his recommendations were perfect and drinks were delish! Guacamole was fresh, and food was good. Hubby had the octopus and almost cried tears of joy! I had the appetizer tacos and we shared the poblano Cesar. Tacos were ok. Not bad, just not my flavor profile. Salad was fresh, light and bright, and would definitely do that as an entree with a protein. Overall, highly recommend! read more

Palenque Kitchen - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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I came in on a Saturday morning, it was pretty slow but as the place started getting busier the bartender was still the only "server" on. He was super attentive and really really nice, no complaints about him, it just seemed like a lot of work for one person, although he handled it pretty well! I got the Brioche French Toast and added bacon, it was so good! I asked for coffee, got cream and sugar, it was a pretty decent cup of coffee ! The place is very lively looking, every room had a different vibe, nonetheless pretty! Will definitely be back for Lunch and maybe Dinner another time! read more

Palenque Kitchen - Bar - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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The service was great! Wednesday night after work we had dinner and cocktails. The spicy margarita was super tasty! The food was good. read more

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My friend and I passed by for "lunch" around 5 pm Saturday. We were greeted warmly and attended by Hannah and Brittany throughout our visit. The inside is trendy and well put together. The bathrooms are also clean and have amazing lighting! I'm sure this place gets pretty packed later throughout the night, but since it was a bit slow, we were consistently checked up on, which I really appreciate. They have smaller tables for two, longer tables for big parties, and of course the bar area. My friend ordered shrimp aguachiles and I got the palenque salad, both of which were super good. We decided to share the patron tower as well (definitely something worth sharing). I look forward to coming back to see how the vibes are at night! read more

Palenque Kitchen - Patron tower + palenque salad w/steak - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Service, was A+. You definitely leave wanting to try more dishes, will be back soon. The roasted salsa and chips also great to enjoy with a drink while you wait for your food. read more

Palenque Kitchen - The best octopus I have had. - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Best Margaritas in the city! Came here for drinks bartender let us know they freshly squeeze their mixers....made all the difference in the world. Good date spot, will be back to try the food. read more

Had reservations for 830pm. When we got seated everything had to be rushed even eating our dinner do to them closing early. Doesn't make any sense for them to have a slot open online for 830 if they dont give you enough time to enjoy your food. read more

We ordered a variety of dishes and left wondering how this place has 4 stars. * Pulpo: Crispy (yes, fried), but not enjoyable. The Brussels sprouts it came with were the best part. * Branzino: Just a plain fish dish served with beans and rice. Nothing memorable. * Puerto Nuevo Lobster Enchiladas: Underwhelming and bland. * Beef & Shrimp Combo Fajitas: Apparently two shrimp qualifies as a "combo." Disappointing. * Refried Beans: Across the board, they were runny and watery. Why? On top of that, the presentation was poor. Looking back at Yelp photos, I thought maybe people just weren't great at photographing, but no, nothing came out looking appetizing or picture-worthy in person either. Overall, the food was uninspired and not worth the hype. At least now we know we don't need to come back. read more

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I came here with some friends while I was in Costa Mesa. I'm not super familiar with the area, so naturally I read the reviews. And it didn't disappoint! It was pretty hot outside, so we sat indoors in the air conditioning. The inside is kind of a vibe. I feel like it's a great evening spot. But we went around 2 when they were slower. I ordered the tuna tiradito which was delicious. The pickled onions on top of the tuna sashimi were the best part. Our server said that it was his favorite dish on the menu too. I'd definitely come back, maybe later in the evening to try other dishes. read more

Palenque Kitchen - Tuna Tiradito - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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We were at another place a few spots down in this little shopping center and were hungry. My girlfriend loves Mexican food and I've driven by this place a several times and it always catches my eye. The menu on their website is excellent and has pictures of almost every item including both food and drinks. The front of the restaurant looks very cool, especially at night, so we decided to give it a try. The parking lot out front was full but we were fortunate to grab a spot earlier in the day. They apparently have parking in the rear also. We walked in a bit past 5:30pm on a Sunday evening and were a little concerned at first because the place was empty except for one table. The reviews were good and we were having dinner earlier than most so we proceeded. The inside of the restaurant looks as nice and trendy as the outside. The big bar is kind of the focus with some neon signs around and the whole restaurant is lit by a great variety of different fixtures. The lighting is on the dim side and gives the place a great lounge type vibe. There was some Mexican music playing that was almost a little too loud but not quite. Our server Hever greeted us who was very friendly and gave great service all night. We asked if they had chips and salsa and they came right out along with some extra salt which we requested. The chips were great and the salsa was very flavorful and was a generous size. I ordered the Sandia Pepino cocktail which was excellent. It was perfectly balanced, the chile rim was great, and I loved the garnish with a round scoop of watermelon pinned between a long cucumber slice. My girlfriend just had a diet coke but it was kind of cool that they serve a Mexican Diet Coke bottle with a glass of ice. The bottle is a little on the small side and your tab might add up quick if you order several. Next came the entrees. She had the Tacos De Papa and the plate looked nice. She enjoyed them but there was a little too much cabbage piled on top. I had the Enchiladas Mazatlan which almost looked like lasagna at first because the layer of cheese on top was so thick. However I really enjoyed the thick layer of cheese and there was a generous amount of shrimp, some in almost every bite. The arugula salad on top was something I had never seen before. I pushed most of it off to the side and had it after the enchiladas. It surprisingly worked, was very good and light and was a nice way to finish off a dish that was a little heavy from the all cheese. We really enjoyed our meal here and would definitely return again. read more

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First time checking this place out and WOW. Not sure how this spot isn't packed on a Friday night, because Palenque is hitting all the right notes. Literally and figuratively. Let's break it down: Delicious food - I had the veggie tacos and honestly, I wish I took a photo before I devoured them, but they didn't stand a chance. Flavorful, and super satisfying. Great ambiance - Trendy with the kind of lighting and vibe that makes you want to stay awhile. No cover - In this economy? That alone is a win. Plenty of parking - A rare gem in OC nightlife. Fabulous service - Friendly, attentive, and genuinely welcoming. Music on point - I couldn't stop moving, even mid-bite. Every beat felt like it was synced with my soul . TheDJ knew what they were doing. This place is perfect for a chill dinner that turns into dancing, and it deserves way more attention. If you're looking for a new weekend go-to with great vibes, great music and even better food, Palenque is where it's at. read more

Palenque Kitchen - Crispy Beef Tacos Dorados- replaced beef with sautéed veggies for vegetarian version - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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I was there last night to celebrate a friend's birthday, only the two of us. The service was mediocre, to say the least. My beer and water glasses ran dry, and I was never asked for a refill on either. The queso dip, which our waiter recommended, was grainy and tasteless. Fish tacos, two. I ate half of one, left the other. Again, not tasteful! So overall, just a mediocre experience all around. read more

Staff was very friendly! The whole place is such a vibe, and the drinks were delicious. Great atmosphere to hang out, whether you're catching up with friends or just looking for a good spot in the area. Definitely a place to try! read more

The atmosphere here was amazing and the food was delicious! Our waiter Laz was very polite and provided excellent service! Definitely recommend! 100/10! read more

Adding to this very negative experience at Palenque, we saw on our credit card that they overcharged us by $50. I have left them two voicemails in the past week to ask them to refund us this error, with no response. Maybe this review will get their attention. Something is seriously wrong with this restaurant--I would definitely stay away. read more

We loved everything about Palenque! Let's start with the ambience of the ambience was great. The music was great. The food was amazing. I had the scallops and hubby had the shrimp and it was simply delicious with some of the best salsa and chips in the area. read more

Bella was the best server , checked In frequently, refilled our waters , made sure we had all that we needed to ensure our time here was one to remember, First time here too actually , I'd recommend the carnitas , pollo chipotle's and margarita samplers ! read more

Palenque Kitchen - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Was looking forward to checking this place out, but our group was left disappointed. Patron margarita tower looked super cool on social media, but for what you get, and how much you pay, it's a total joke. $60 for four mini margaritas pretty much. For food we ordered the guacamole which was good, and two quesadillas. While the quesadillas were good, they were overpriced for what you pay, and no sides are included. Took forever for our tower to come out. Probably waited 20 minutes for drinks, and the place seemed pretty dead for a Saturday night. I'm okay with paying premium prices for premium food, and drinks, but the quality doesn't match the prices at this place. In addition, the size of the salsa they hand out is laughable. You're better off going to other Mexican Restaurants in Newport that are a lot better in my opinion. read more

Palenque Kitchen - Tower - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

This place was pretty dead on a Thursday night. Ambiance was nice and bartender/server was good. Food came out semi slow for not being busy. The drinks and food were meh. Not bad but not great either. Don't think I'd return. read more

Laz made my margarita so good and he was very nice answering all our questions for us being here for the first time. The food was great i loved the barbracoa bowl the meat so soft and my boyfriend got the fish tacos and he loved absolutely them. definitely coming here for the night life next! read more

The relleno is very salty. The branzino fish is not fresh. The accompanying salad is also very sour. Best thing on the table is the complimentary chips and salsa. The table next to us also did not enjoy their meal. We could not finish our plates and left. So dissapointed as we drove out of way to eat here because the place is beautiful. The host and waiters were very nice and took care of us. Food is very bad :( read more

Great food! Great service! Laz was a great server! Ambiance was beautiful, would come back read more