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Plums Cafe

4.1 (3.5k reviews)
Closed 8:00 am - 3:00 pm
Updated 3 weeks ago

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Plums Cafe Photos

Business Info

PLUMS CAFE ATMOSPHERE

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

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Recommended Reviews - Plums Cafe

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Reviews With Photos

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.

Party of 5 automatic service charge
Mikki C.

I've given this place another chance and glad for it! We were gifted a mini cinnamon roll as an appetizer, which was awesome. Then we doubled down and ordered the giant cinnamon roll and were delighted how flavorful and moist it was. The iced banana coffee was freaking delicious and my girlfriend loved her hot coffee. I highly recommend the sweet potato hash, super flavorful and makes yummy left overs.

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.

Breakfast Sandwich
Erika N.

Plums is an OC staple brunch spot on 17th street. I would highly recommend making reservations and pretty easy to schedule the day before as it a pretty busy and well known spot in Costa Mesa. When you get seated, best play is to order the Dutch baby before your full order. It's an amazing pastry dish but does take about 20mins or so to cook. We added the berries and pro-tip is to squeeze the lemon, add the berries then sprinkle the powdered sugar. I ordered the breakfast sandwich with bacon. The greens to meat & bread ratios is fantastic. I love a well-balanced sandwich that doesn't feel too decadent. The side salad with a light vinaigrette was a great pairing. They have tons of refreshing cocktails and lots of options on the menu. Another great dish is the Vietnamese bowl but will be adding this sandwich to my brunch rotation. They have indoor and outdoor seating, I enjoy sitting inside due to the aesthetics since outdoors is just a little space between businesses and near parking lot.

Patty melt for breakfast?  Yes please!
Jimmy C.

The only place you're gonna get a Dutch baby in socal! But try some of other things on menu too! Nothing wrong with a patty melt to start your day off on a lazy Saturday morning with the wife and kids.

Cindy L.

Came in with my husband for Valentine's Day brunch and the week after because it was too good. The food was fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. The atmosphere was cozy and trendy, and the staff made us feel so welcomed from the moment we walked in. Everything we ordered was delicious, especially the Dutch Baby and Eggs Benedict. Perfect spot for brunch with friends or family -- definitely coming back soon!

Patrick O.

Very upsetting that this place raised it prices on Mother's Day! My plate was originally $22 on the regular menu, but on their "Special" Mothers Day menu, it was a set price of $35, $45, and $55!! It would've been cheaper to order online / to-go since those prices wasn't raised. My family of 5 total bill was almost $300!! Ridiculous!

2 pounder
My W.

Plums had me in a chokehold for months. Reel after reel of their famous 2-pound cinnamon roll had me dreaming, drooling, and fully influenced by these influencers that moaned after each bite of the cinnamon roll. So when my kids asked what I wanted to do for my birthday, I immediately said, "I need the 2-pound giant cinnamon roll." Birthday rules applied. They had no choice. I got to have my "yes" day. The wait wasn't terrible, it was about 30 minutes. We did have to sit outside in the rain, but there were heat lamps. It was fine. I even enjoyed the sound of the rain for a bit. Then the cinnamon roll arrived. Yes, it was massive. It was definitely Gram worthy and I received a lot of likes but... it was all looks, no substance. Four of us ate about half and took the rest home. Unfortunately... it was really dry. The best part was the very center. The edges were burnt and crunchy, not in a good way. It was just hard and flavorless. I left sadly disappointed. It was my birthday. I had waited so long for this moment, only to walk out of Plums utterly sad. Sometimes the hype wins. This time, it didn't.

Julia J.

Come back for brunch on last weekend. This Plum cafe always busy ( popular place !). We got a table around 30 minutes waiting. I still ordered a deep fried Dutch baby pancake skillet baked, crispy edges & soft body with nothing adding ( less sweet) Service was great here . Their pricing was on the higher side . Restaurant simple and clean all the time

Ken C.

Open from morning till 2pm, Plum's cafe is a local spot in Costa Mesa that specializes in brunch items. Most of their entrees run around $20 (except their steak and eggs and crab omelette). I went with their chocolate banana waffle ($20), that's topped with banana, whipped cream and caramel sauce. The waffle was chocolatey, and I enjoyed the caramel sauce and whipped cream. My wife and I shared their granny smith apple salad, which was a refreshing mix of greens, apples (dried and fresh), hazelnuts, pinot vinaigrette, goat cheese, and dried cranberries ($19) and added chicken for $9. I got their cinnamon roll latte ($10), which, to my surprise, came with a "mini" version of their signature cinnamon roll. Overall, this was a good experience for a early lunch/late breakfast as we got a nice balance. $28 for a salad with a little bit of chicken is on the steep end of what I'd want to pay for a light entree, which ultimately impacts where it ranks on my top brunch destinations; however, we did enjoy what we ordered and we would consider coming back if we were already in the area.

Coffee
Michelle K.

I love coming here for lunch. Their brie panini is absolutely delicious!!! Its a must try. If you love relaxing with your friends with chilled white wine and delicious food choices then check this place out. Plus, for tmobile dining cash back if you book reservations n dine using your registered CC. Its a win win! Also, portions are big! It can be pricey but worth the price! Food starts at like $19/dish.

Huevos Rancheros
Hailey F.

We tried this place again today. We walked in without a reservation around 10:30 on a Saturday. The place was packed, and the wait was about 30 minutes. They offer plenty of indoor and outdoor shaded patio seating, and the overall vibe is relaxed and easygoing. I ordered the Dutch baby with berries which was excellent, and my husband ordered the huevos rancheros and he was satisfied with his plate as well. They have lots of fun drinks on the menu, and I'm looking forward to trying some next time. Most importantly, our server was attentive and courteous and didn't rush us out like the server we had the last time. We will definitely be back again.

Francine G.

We were craving a Dutch baby pancake and decided to try Plums Cafe after seeing it on TikTok. The Dutch baby itself was pretty good, but the berries were an extra charge. I usually don't mind paying extra for toppings; however, the fruit wasn't sweet at all and was actually quite sour, so it felt like a waste. We also ordered the smoked salmon Benedict and were disappointed with the flavors--it was way too salty. The potatoes, however, were really good. Service was fast, but unfortunately the food wasn't even warm when it arrived, which was disappointing. Overall, the food had potential, but a few things missed the mark.

Tastes as dry as it looks

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Page 3 of 88

Plums Cafe Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Plums Cafe

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.… Read more

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.… Read more

Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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3.9(496 reviews)
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Beautiful space! Staff was extremely friendly and working hard!…read more Came to try out their drinks but ended up ordering food as well! Steak and frittes were decent. Steak was cooked perfectly, frittes could use some work. My friend had the poke and cleaned his plate (bowl?). Tried the matcha berries & cream which was nice. I also got an iced jasmine with a vanilla cloud (cold foam?). Very yummy and great to sip on while soaking in the great ambiance. It was pretty busy when I arrived on Tuesday late afternoon, but we were still able to snag a table pretty quickly. I'll be back :)

Salty horse, I hate how much I crave you...especially when I need something quick…read more It's one of the newer coffee shop / cafes in Costa Mesa and is still on the Hot List as the line is 15 min minimum on random Tuesday at 11 am. (Does anyone work anymore!? ) The longest I waited was an hour but that was 3 weeks after opening. And I can tell you, as long as you have the time it will be worth it. The overall aesthetic is coastal cowboy meets rustic modern. There is a ton of seating with a great outdoor patio. Parking in the back is pretty slim, so your best bet is street parking. You can either get lucky or park around the block, depending on the day / time. My absolute favorite coffee is the Hawaiian Cowboy. It flavor profile is a nutty tasting honey that's refreshing yet not overly sweet. You can actually taste the espresso without it being too powerful. This coffee is worth the wait. Their other drinks are also good, but this one takes the cake. They have a pretty expansive food menu as well, so it's much more than "just a coffee shop". And you can't forget about their baked goods. O M G. It's from a local bakery (sift bakery) who makes the best non basic treats around. Salty horse found its place at the top of my list in a very saturated coffee market.

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Nook Coffee Bar - Filthy Mexican Chai

Nook Coffee Bar

4.5(717 reviews)
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I've now been to both The Nook in Costa Mesa and Torrance and I can confidently say... I get the…read morehype. At the Costa Mesa location, parking was a little tricky at first, but after circling we got lucky with a corner spot. The location itself is SO cute! It's right next to colorful barrel fountains, and on a sunny day it honestly felt like the perfect coffee outing. The line was pretty long and you are standing in direct sun, so just keep that in mind, but the service was quick and efficient once you order. Inside, it's small but really charming, with Sunny Angels hidden around and a very open, friendly vibe. My sister (who is basically a professional coffee drinker at this point ) got the matcha and said it was her favorite, which says a lot. I got the iced Spanish latte with oat milk, and it was SO good. Spanish lattes are my go-to, and this one had the perfect hint of cinnamon without being overly sweet. Even as the ice melted, it still tasted great, which is rare. The Torrance location was just as good! Parking was easier, the space is bigger, and the service was still super friendly and fast. My husband got the cold brew "Nook way" and finished it in like 10 minutes. He said it tasted like Golden Grahams cereal. Highly recommend both locations and especially the Spanish latte. Definitely worth the visit!

My manager and I went to go get an afternoon pick-me-up of coffee after a meeting for our work…read more Nook was down the street and I always wanted to try because I heard the hype. The parking however, was VERY filled during this time. The line was huge for a 11:00am on a Friday morning. We were bummed that the QR code was not working on the very cute wooden signage outside the coffee shop while we were in line, which was a bummer. The Honey Oat Latte with oat milk was delicious. I am notorious for chugging my iced coffee but this was absolutely delicious. A sweet, subtle honey sweetness taste and the creamy oat milk was divine. My manager's Spanish Latte was so much better & I will be getting that next time! We bought our other coworker the Strawberry Matcha, which we did not try & we were worried after the fact because it did not look like it had strawberries in it, but she confirmed it was very tasty and tasted the strawberry! The outside seating areas in this outdoor area was very cute. Lots of fun art, the directory was creative, the CD tunnel was the coolest part! We also walked over to the breakfast burrito place as well. This seems like a nice area to come and relax and just people watch and enjoy a delicious iced latte from Nook.

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Chailo

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4.6(107 reviews)
1.0 mi
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I decided to check this place on a whim since I was in the area! And this place didn't disappoint…read more They don't play about their coffee. Stepping in, the cafe has a lot of seating and I can see how it'd be nice to study in. I ordered Kashimiri Chai and the drink was so light and the cardonom really shines through. Their banana pudding is DIVINE, it is on the sweeter side but it's homemade and you fs tell! They also make their syrups in houseee! I tried the House chai but I ended up prefering the Kashimiri Chai! I'll def be coming back for more since the staff kept raving about their coffee. Sarah and Patrick were the sweetest! Service was top tier, so friendly! and they gave me reccomendations based on my taste. I wasn't familiar with the menu and they gently guided me through my questions.

My boyfriend and I were fiending for some coffee at around 9 PM. You know how OC goes. No coffee…read moreshops open past like 7. Not gonna lie, we were a little skeptical about the quality for it being this late but we checked it out anyways. The verdict is in. This place rocks. I got the banana bread latte (half sweet). Really enjoyed that. Boyfriend got Spanish latte and he was amazed. Our coffees weren't too sweet. No acidity. Just a good cup of coffee. Customer service was great. They were very communicative and just made you feel at home. Ambience is also great. They have a lot of indoor and outdoor seating. I will definitely be back to work at this little coffee club. Thanks, Chailo

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3.8(326 reviews)
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If you are in Newport Beach area and you need a charging station, this is THE place to visit!…read more The cafe is soooo cute and cozy. The patio with a giant tree in the middle, it makes it so peaceful. We opted for latte, tea and couple of pastries. Everything was delicious. What was THE most memorable was the fact that a nice employee brought a warmer lamp for us w/o us even asking! It was raining very lightly so it was kind of chilly and he noticed that we kind of need the warmer, so he brought it to our table! That was so nice and kind! Thank you to whoever his name was! Be mindful that the parking is a zoo there and it is Valet only!!!! Bookmark it!

We arrived around 9:30 AM, and by 10:00 AM our table was still empty--even though we only ordered…read moretwo simple breakfast dishes. The wait was extremely long, and we eventually had to ask for our food to be packed to-go and leave without being able to enjoy the meal at the restaurant. Unfortunately, the experience didn't improve. When I finally ate in my car, I found eggshells still in my food, which was very disappointing. The servers were kind and polite, but overall the experience was poor due to slow service and lack of attention to food quality. Management should really work on time management and quality control. If you're planning to dine here, be prepared to wait at least 20-30 minutes for your order.

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Plums Cafe - breakfast_brunch - Updated May 2026

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