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    Plums Cafe

    4.1 (3.6k reviews)
    Open 8:00 am - 2:00 pm
    Updated 3 months ago

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    PLUMS CAFE ATMOSPHERE

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

    Recommended Reviews - Plums Cafe

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    Kids chocolate chip pancakes.
    Monica V.

    Delicious brunch place, hits the spot everytime. Always great service, with a casual vibe.

    Pumpkin spice cinnamon roll
    Irena T.

    Im sure you've heard about their ginormous cinnamon roll. We got the pumpkin spice seasonal one, and surprisingly, for such a huge dough, it was very moist. Best for larger groups because it is hefty and sweet. The breakfast I got was average, nothing special about the potatoes or sausage. Likely would try a new dish next time.

    Salmon Benedict
    Laura H.

    Dutch Baby: 4/5. Enjoyable. This was an item our table was looking forward to the most, and it delivered. We added berries for an extra $6 (without berries, it's $20), and it was worth it. This breakfast dish was tasty and comforting yet not heavy, and the berries provided refreshing flavors and textures. Hangover Burger: 2/5. Disappointing. I feel like for being called a "hangover" burger, it should've been very satisfying and had more of...well, everything XD The size of the burger and the portion of fries were both small, and the burger patty seemed dry and unseasoned. It could have used a sauce, some seasoning, a different cheese, or a juicy patty. The fries were yummy, but again, I just wished I got more for being part of the hefty $26 price tag. Despite our entrees being a little lackluster, the atmosphere is nice for a group brunch, and the interior is cool and trendy. Service was ok - a little slow, hard to flag down, and not as welcoming as I thought they'd be for a popular brunch restaurant. Parking in the small lot is tricky as it can fill up quickly during the day. Luckily we got there right when Plums Cafe opened at 8am, so there were lots of available spots.

    Pistachio latte
    Jade M.

    We came here on a weekend, maybe brunch-ish time? Thank god for reservations because goodness is this place hard to get into. Almost just as challenging as finding a parking spot. We were sat outside, which wasn't terrible because it's shaded but really maybe get some fly spinners for the tables outdoors? We ordered tons of food for two people. We asked the server for her advice on the pistachio latte- two which she gave her honest opinion, only if you REALLY like pistachio. Boy was she not kidding, it wasn't bad it just wasn't mixed throughout, because the concentrate was so settled at the bottom the top portion of the drink was mild only to find the bottom had not been mixed and that's where all the pistachio flavor was. The food overall was good, heavy, but good. Could have gotten by with ordering less. But we tried it and we know now how to gauge for next time.

    Santa Fe Eggs Benedict
    Abigail S.

    The interior is cute modern with a bar. There's a big outdoor patio area with lots of seating. Our server was busy but managed to still be attentive and helpful if needed. We ordered the cinnamon roll latte that came with a small cinnamon roll on the side and the banana twist latte that came with honey rock candy. Both were pretty okay. The banana flavor was also lacking but they were presented nicely. We got their famous Dutch Baby that came with lemon syrup and powdered sugar with fresh berries and a nice crispy crust. Inside bottom layer kinda soggy. I got their sante fe eggs Benedict. That was tasty! Eggs were packed well and sauce was yummy. Slight spice. We got sides of shoestring fries (same as McDonald sized fries, not shoestring :( and the Plums potatoes which is just shredded potatoes similar to hash browns. Their hash browns were cooked amazing thought. Overall it was a decent experience. Bathrooms were also very clean.

    Anastasia V.

    I stopped by Plums Cafe after work and was pleasantly surprised by my breakfast. The restaurant was bustling and indoor and outdoor seating was filled with hungry patrons. The wait to sit wasn't too long. If you were interested, they do to-go orders too. For breakfast, I got the eggs and meat order with overeasy eggs and sausage. The sausage was my favorite part of the meal. The texture reminded me of Filipino longanisa and the actual taste of the sausage was so good!! I ordered hashbrowns instead of potatoes but was given potatoes. My server was so sweet about the mix-up. Next time I'm back, I'd like to try out the Dutch baby pancake with a side of sausage of course.

    Adele M.

    Oh my goodness..,I've been wanting to try this place for months. It did not disappoint. We were greeted by a lovely hostess. Very cute patio setting. The drinks (full bar) were superb. The food was amazing. Lots of parking in the strip mall area. Our server, Liz was so accommodating and gracious. We will be back. One thing they need to change - they do not do separate checks -

    Boysenberry, Bacon & Brie
    Tram B.

    Our group visited Plums Cafe early in the morning, so it wasn't too busy when we went. All the food sounded so good that we had trouble deciding even with the help of Yelp pictures. We knew for sure we would be getting the Dutch baby to share, but it was the separate entrees we couldn't decide on. Our waitress was super patient while we went through the menu. Boysenberry, Bacon, and Brie Grilled Cheese - If you like boysenberry, this dish will not disappoint you. It was extremely generous with boysenberry jam on it. So much that I actually removed some to try with the Dutch baby. This works very well if you can do sweet and savory flavors together as the bacon brings out a bit of saltiness. Vietnamese Pork and Egg Bowl - My cousin ordered this so I only got a small bite. The pork was so soft and tender. I love grilled pork too, so this tasted amazing. Dutch Baby - We tried a bite of it plain. We like things more on the lighter side, so we were okay with how little sweetness it had. Then we squeezed lemon over it and added powdered sugar like our server recommended and man the lemon was the magic. It's like biting into two completely different things. As plain, it's like a soft and super thing pancake. With the lemon? It really brought out a strong citrus flavor complemented by something fluffy and light.

    Coconut French Toast
    Madeline S.

    Plums cafe is always spectacular!! Came here for my mom's birthday and enjoyed some brunch on the outdoor patio. The service is great and the food is even better. I haven't tried something I didn't like. I always have to get the coconut French toast. Yum!

    Vietnamese Pork&Egg Bowl over a bed of sautéed spinach with sourdough, berry jam, and whipped butter.
    Timothy M.

    I tried the Vietnamese Pork & Egg bowl based on the online recommendations. It was beyond delicious! The pork is slow cooked to perfection. There is a good amount of fat but it has been prepared so that it melts in your mouth. The flavor is not overly sweet or over seasoned. It pairs well with the carrots and cilantro. I got mine over a bed of sautéed spinach. I am glad I did, considering the fat content. It came with sourdough. I usually don't care for bread with my meal. Except, they provide the most amazing berry jam and whipped butter. I thought about asking for more of the butter. I was excited to see that other patrons around me ordered the same thing. The service is relaxed and friendly. They were super busy on a weekday lunch. Their artwork is Pacific Northwest themed. There's a couple pictures of Oregon. I came here once before and tried just the sausage and eggs. I bragged about the breakfast sausage to other people. It's amazing. Also, great coffee with unlimited refills.

    Flat Iron Steak & Eggs Santa Fe Eggs Benedict Mimosas
    Daniel C.

    Came here for Saturday brunch and there was a bit of a wait, but that's expected during peak brunch hours. The place was busy and lively with a really nice atmosphere. We ordered the steak and eggs and an Eggs Benedict, along with mimosas. The steak and eggs were really good, the steak was cooked medium rare, the eggs were good, and I especially liked how good the breakfast potatoes were. The Eggs Benedict was also good, and our server was really nice despite how busy the restaurant was. Overall, everything was solid. Good food, good service, nice ambiance, and somewhere I'd eat again for brunch. It just didn't have that wow factor or one dish that really stuck with me enough to push it into 4 star territory. 7.5/10

    Hayley H.

    Celebrating OC Restaurant Week with the gorrllls. I had the opportunity to meet up with a few of my coworkers to celebrate one of the best weeks of the year. Plums has it all. A trendy vibe, caffeinated bevvies, and a stacked breakfast/lunch menu. I will admit that their pricing is on the higher side - but what isn't these days? I ordered their banana split latte and a breakfast sammie with turkey. This sandwich came layered with an over-easy egg and all the greens. I also loved their side salad, which came with fresh sliced strawberries and oranges. Their service was a-okay. They did forget about our crew towards the end of our visit, but otherwise were very attentive.

    Tucked away in the corner of a shopping center, this place is pretty easy to find.
    Dan L.

    I have been a fan of this restaurant for years, and I'm surprised it took me this long to write a review. Located in Costa Mesa right off 17th Street, this place used to be a regular haunt of mine when I lived in Southern California. It is tucked away inside a shopping center, but it's very easy to find. The shopping center itself is very eclectic, there is a a cookie store, a salon makeup places, a few other vendors and another coffee shop. But plums is definitely the star of the show. For starters I have to say they have some of the friendliest wait staff of any place I've ever been. Every single time that I've been there, staff has always been warm, friendly, greet you with a smile, and definitely takes care of your table. Speaking of the tables, the entire restaurant is very light open and airy. It definitely has a very warm, comfortable breakfast time atmosphere. Slightly modern but not overly modern to wear it. Distracts you from your food. They have so many great things on the menu. One of my favorites is the Vietnamese pork bowl, you definitely have to try that! The coffee is amazing, strong but not overly strong, and is just perfect. The atmosphere of the place is semi-quiet, but can get a little bit noisy if there's a lot of people inside. On this particular venture I tried something I'd never had before. The pancakes. Now this is odd because pancakes are my normal go-to. But plum's always has so many great things on their menu. I end up trying those. So today I figured you know what if I'm doing a review. I want to order the simplest item on the menu to see if they nailed it. Spoiler alert : they nailed it I ordered the two stack of the blueberry pancakes with lemon curd and it was phenomenal. Of course I had to do a side of bacon, as well as a milk with breakfast. If there was ever a perfect meal listed in any sort of registry, this would be it. It the pancakes were light and fluffy and the lemon curd was absolutely outstanding and the overall dish was just a pleasure to eat. The waiter that took care of me was friendly, attentive, and not overbearing. It was absolutely the perfect pace for a morning breakfast. Bottom line? If you are ever in cost Mesa and do not go to Plum's, you are cheating yourself out of one of the best breakfasts in Orange county. County. This place has been around for a very very long time, and the quality of the food and the returning clientele shows it.

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    Page 1 of 89

    Plums Cafe Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Plums Cafe

    Do they take reservations?

    Yes, go to OpenTable

    Do you guys serve Mimosas?

    Yes, we offer a full bar including Mimosas

    We plan to come on Easter. Are you offering only the Easter brunch on that day or can we also order off your regular menu?

    Every Easter and Mother’s Day (two days a year), Plums offers a special brunch menu in order to offer the best service and highest quality brunch items as possible. The Easter Brunch menu can be found on Plums web site under the menu section.… 

    Any vegan foods as I sure don't see any. Amazing so many places are stuck in the past and won't offer a healthier alternative like vegan foods, fresh veggies & fruit maybe?

    There are a few limited vegan options like the Brazilian Bowl, fruit, whole cut oats, and salads.

    Ok so I saw that you have a two pound cinnamon roll that if you finish it by yourself you get a tshirt. What does the tshirt look like? Is the cinnamon roll free if I finish it fast enough? Can I expect confetti when I conquer the beast?

    We offer a tshirt with different size options that say I ate the whole Cinnamon Bun at Plums Cafe if you finish in 20 minutes.

    Do you have a gluten-free pancakes French toast or GF waffles?

    Yes, we offer gluten-free pancakes, waffles and toast.

    Do they allow small 10lbs well behave inside?

    People? Sure. Dogs? No.

    Are there gluten free options?

    Yes, they have lots of gluten-free options!

    Vegetarian friendly? Dog friendly? These are the two things I look for when finding a weekend brunch spot.?

    Do you have Apple Pay?

    Yes

    Do we need reservations?

    No, you don't need reservation.

    Is there a to-go option?

    Yes

    Do they deliver?

    No they don't

    Can we eat lunch inside today?

    Yes

    So they do Delivery?

    Pick up only

    Do they offer bottomless mimosas?

    No.

    Do they take reservations?

    Yes they do online 24 hours in advance. After that call the restaurant and make them.

    What are your gluten free options?

    Water

    Can you bring Dogs?

    Yes

    Any vegan options?

    Hello Morgan. First of all, I am not a vegan so I don't want to give any incorrect information. However, if the point is to avoid all animal byproducts, (by my experience) Plums would be difficult.… 

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Lemon & Thyme - Pork belly and black garlic bbq

    Lemon & Thyme

    4.7(331 reviews)
    0.9 mi

    If you are looking for a hidden gem in Costa Mesa, this spot is an absolute must-visit. From the…read moremoment you step inside, you are greeted by an adorable interior and decor that cleverly and beautifully matches the restaurant's theme. ​ ​Every single item we ordered from the menu was exceptional: ​Beet Salad & Bone Marrow: Both made for fantastic starters, setting a high bar for the meal. ​Beef Tartare: Served with house-made potato chips that are a masterclass in texture--thin, fried, airy, and crispy all at the same time. ​Steak and Fries: Classic execution and wonderfully prepared. ​Duck Confit: Superb. The pairing of the rich mole sauce and sweet potato puree takes the dish to an entirely different level, complementing each other effortlessly. ​Baklava Cheesecake: A creative and delicious twist on a classic. The cream cheese filling is light rather than dense, and instead of a traditional graham cracker crust, it features a fantastic baklava crust. It is nicely balanced and not overly sweet, though you will definitely want to pair it with a cup of coffee to finish it off. ​ ​Service: The staff is exceptionally friendly, highly attentive, and organized, making you feel well cared for throughout the meal. ​Portions: Portions are slightly on the smaller side. My husband and I ordered three appetizers and two main entrees to share, and we were still quite hungry by the end--so you may want to order an extra dish or side if you have a hearty appetite! ​Overall, a wonderful dining experience with incredible flavors and charming ambiance. Highly recommended!

    Very cute restaurant serving fusion cuisine, sort of a mix between Spanish and traditional…read moreSteakhouse fare. Our server was very talkative and did a good job at suggesting dishes. We had the Duck and Steak frites. The duck was my personal favorite of the two. One duck leg set in a flavorful mole sauce that made the dish incredibly delicious. The steak was cooked perfectly to my liking although it was a bit tough. The French fries were addictive. Seasoned well and oh so crispy! They were some of the best I've had!

    Photos
    Lemon & Thyme - Inside

    Inside

    Lemon & Thyme - Peaches and burrata salad (seasonal)

    Peaches and burrata salad (seasonal)

    Lemon & Thyme - Peaches and burrata (seasonal)

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    Peaches and burrata (seasonal)

    Wild Goose Tavern - Fried Chicken Sandwich with habanero marinated fried chicken, hot honey, avocado corn slaw, habanero ranch

    Wild Goose Tavern

    4.3(1.3k reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$
    Outdoor seating
    Sports on TV

    Went looking for a good spot to watch a World Cup game and originally tried the Harp. Big mistake…read more It was absolutely packed and standing room only, so we headed over to Wild Goose Tavern instead. Great decision. We got there a little before the game and had plenty of choices for seats. It definitely filled up as kickoff got closer, but with TVs everywhere, this place is pretty much built for watching sports. The food was surprisingly good, plenty of choices, good beer selection, and the service was excellent. Our waitresses were friendly and attentive even as the place got busier. The whole crowd had a fun energy, which made watching the World Cup even better. I've heard Wild Goose really cranks up at night with a younger crowd, but I haven't experienced that side of it yet. For a big sporting event, though, I'd absolutely come back. Great atmosphere, good food, cold beer, lots of TVs, and friendly service. Hard to ask for much more.

    Tried this place after discovering on yelp. I was looking for a good espresso martini and this…read moreplace was a suggested result. I will say the espresso martini was not 5 star, but other drinks were good. We tried the blood orange marg, the spicy strawberry marg, and the cowboy marg. My mom liked the blood orange but the second round did not taste the same as the first. A bit of a consistency issue but she nursed it and finished it. My favorite drink was the cowboy marg. It was on the sweeter side but refreshing. For food. We had an assortment. Standouts were the steak dinner and onion rings! I would come back to try other things. The short rib grilled cheese was mid, but would be great to soak up alcohol. Cassidy was an excellent server, even as it got really busy for a UFC fight. Ambiance is definitely fun and unique. Generally, the experience was good. I would give it another shot to try other food and drinks.

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    Wild Goose Tavern - Margaritas

    Margaritas

    Wild Goose Tavern - NEW Ahi Salad

    NEW Ahi Salad

    Wild Goose Tavern

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    The Country Club - Coming soon !

    The Country Club

    4.3(1.4k reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$

    We hosted my retirement party at The Country Club. We wanted something different from the usual…read morebuffet thing. The Country Club is beautiful. It's decorated in a 1930's speakeasy theme and is very clean and very well maintained!! My wife contacted Megan, the Event Coordinator who invited us to have dinner so we could check out the venue, go over some scenarios and sample the food. Megan was so super cool, friendly and knowledgeable. She made it easy...she was straight forward with pricing and had great suggestions. She listened to what we wanted and made all the necessary accommodations. We then did a food tasting to select the menu for the event. There was soooo much good food it was hard to make decisions but we did it!! Then came game day!! Megan and here team had everything ready to go. Megan introduced us to the staff members who would be serving us. Everyone was so nice, professional and attentive. Then came the food!! Everything was fantastic and beautifully displayed. All my guests had great time and loved the food and loved The Country Club!! Thank you Megan and the team and thank you to The Country Club!!

    The ambiance is almost like a high class mountain lodge, dark, classy but can be casual and cozy as…read morewell. Our server was very sweet and informative. We loved the theatrics of the smoked drink, they bring a cart over to your table and the fragrance is amazing! I recommend getting a bunch of plates and eating family style so you can try a little of everything. My favorites were the beet and burrata salad, the wagu steak and the Chilean sea bass. I feel like you can go wrong with anything on the menu!

    Photos
    The Country Club
    The Country Club
    The Country Club

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    Shorebird - Fluffy hotcakes served warm at brunch in Newport Beach, finished with butter and syrup for a classic start.

    Shorebird

    4.3(1.1k reviews)
    1.7 mi

    We came to Shorebird around 8 pm with a reservation for a larger party and waited about 10 minutes…read moreto be seated. The restaurant itself is spacious with a beautiful view of the water. Service was good throughout the meal, though nothing particularly stood out. We ordered several dishes to share, including the Butter Basted Hokkaido Scallops, The Shorebird, Swordfish, Prime Skirt Steak, Prime Skirt Steak Taco Platter, Chilean Seabass, Yellowtail, and Carrot Cake. Everything was definitely on the pricier side, but the quality reflected the price for most of the meal. The only miss was the Swordfish, which was too dry for us. My personal highlights were the Prime Skirt Steak, Chilean Seabass, and The Shorebird, especially the risotto that came with it. Everything tasted high quality and well prepared. We found street parking directly in front, which was free after 6 pm. There's also an underground lot where Shorebird validates two hours of parking. Overall, Shorebird is a great option for a special occasion or a nicer dinner out. I'd recommend making a reservation, especially if you're coming with a larger group.

    We went for a large work party and were seated right away. First I will say the service was the…read morestandout here, all the humans we engaged with , were super kind and supportive. I have an allergy so I always have to navigate food carefully-they took such wonderful care of me, and made it so easy to feel comfortable. The view was great, I sat close to the water and enjoyed a bit of a breeze and a great view of the boats coming and going. The only issue we had, was getting cell service to call ubers for our large group after dinner lol. Over all great experience.

    Photos
    Shorebird - Shorebird located on Balboa Peninsula in Newport Beach offering coastal cuisine in a modern, airy setting with views of the o...

    Shorebird located on Balboa Peninsula in Newport Beach offering coastal cuisine in a modern, airy setting with views of the o...

    Shorebird - Tomato & Avocado Omelette

    Tomato & Avocado Omelette

    Shorebird - Tin's Dressed Oysters

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    Tin's Dressed Oysters

    Playa Mesa - Plato del Patron. Roasted Jidori chicken, confit spare ribs, cesina, chile toreados, pico de gallo, ceboilltas, papas bravas & refried beans

    Playa Mesa

    4.4(3.5k reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$

    Late review but I felt like I should leave this here just in case people are wondering cause if…read morethey closed down cause of the food quality. -- Came back to Playa Mesa for my friend's birthday. The chips and salsa were really good. The aguachile had a nice spicy flavor that made it stand out. The queso fundido was SO good super cheesy, and paired with the handmade tortillas it was one of my favorites. We also ordered the calamari and I was surprised by how good it was. Everyone ordered different rounds of cocktails throughout the night and honestly, not one missed. Service was a little slow, but it was a busy Friday night, so that's somewhat expected. I've been here before and the grilled octopus tacos and carne asada burrito were just as good as I remembered them. They also made the birthday celebration really cute. They sang happy birthday, brought out a small ice cream, and gave my friend a big mariachi hat. Good food, great drinks, and still consistent as I remembered it. So long Playa Mesa. 9.5/10

    Playa Mesa has a great atmosphere with beautiful aesthetics. In the evening, the open windows…read morecreate a nice breeze, though they do let a few flies in. The hostess was friendly, and our server was funny and kind. He was a little less attentive as it got busier, but the staff worked well as a team, so we never had to wait for refills or anything we needed. Parking in the back can be a little tight. The birria tacos were packed with flavor, and I loved the inside-out cheese crust. My husband's fajitas were flavorful, although the chicken was a little overdone. The guacamole was excellent, especially with the pepita seeds adding great texture. Overall, we enjoyed the flavorful food, service, and atmosphere. We'd definitely come back!

    Photos
    Playa Mesa - East Side Sunset

    East Side Sunset

    Playa Mesa - The eastside cocktail - all the drinks here are delish!

    The eastside cocktail - all the drinks here are delish!

    Playa Mesa - Lovely interior...

    See all

    Lovely interior...

    Plums Cafe - breakfast_brunch - Updated September 2026

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