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The LAB Anti-Mall

3.8 (460 reviews)
Open 7:00 am - 12:00 AM (Next day)
Updated 2 months ago

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Nice place to sit and listen to the waterfalls :)
Stacy L.

Beautiful outdoor plaza with great restaurants, a brewery, and a super Kool Speak Easy :)

Marisela S.

We had fun exploring here. Lots of art you can look at, walk through, old school memories that it gives you too. Shops also of all varieties. Parking is cray, we got lucky, but could have been circling for sure. Food and drinks too, also have a variety for kids and grown ups. Cool to visit.

David C.

The LAB is a pretty cool outdoor "anti" mall with a few shops including an ice cream shop, a record store, and a clothing store with more to come. It is a little underwhelming as it currently is but I believe the place is relatively new. I think most people visit here to work or hang out in the central common area that is actually a very cool spot with some benches and nice sunshine that comes through.

Ice cream from Stella Jean's
Steve S.

Lovely indoor / outdoor experience for locals and visitors in the Costa Mesa area. From food and cocktails to retail and novelty experiences... there's something for everyone at the LAB.

Katrina S.

This place is so cute ! Has so many places to get food and drinks . Parking may be difficult at certain times on the day but I've been lucky not to come during super busy hrs . I love the vibes here and places they offer . The prices at the places here are pretty high but they are all unique places . A lot of options and types of food to choose from . I went to two places the lady told I went a both places had great customer service.

The cool walkway with CDs
Arturo M.

The LAB in Costa Mesa is one of those places that feels instantly cool the moment you walk in. I love that it's not your typical mall experience. Instead of just stores, there are open areas where you can hang out, relax, and enjoy the atmosphere without feeling pressured to buy anything. At the same time there are plenty of food spots and unique shops to wander through, so you get the best of both worlds. The vibe here is warm and welcoming, perfect for a casual day out with friends or even just solo time. I stopped at Seabirds for a bite during my visit and the food was pleasant, but what really stood out was how easy it was to just slow down and enjoy being there. The layout makes it feel like a little hidden community spot rather than a big shopping center. Another bonus is the location. It's right next to another shopping area within walking distance, so you can make a whole afternoon of exploring without having to move your car. Between the creative touches, the chill atmosphere, and the mix of shops and restaurants, I definitely plan to come back. This is the kind of place that makes you want to linger, whether you're eating, shopping, or just soaking in the scene. Highly recommend.

Ivy S.

Loved the laid back vibe and handful of cute family owned boutiques and eateries. Savored a matcha chai latte from the Nook and triple berries vegan donut from GoodTown Donuts. A great outdoorsy space to read a book and spend with friends :)

cool decor
Tony J.

This is always a wonderful place to go to, no matter what you in the mood for. Wonderful activities, such as looking for vintage vinyl records, picking out incense, potted plants, vegetarian or vegan meals, or protein dishes such as shish kebab! Furthermore, if you're looking for a great place to take a first date, and you're worried about conversation, just walking around here will surely initiate so many topics of conversation. Enchanting, would be my one word description of this place. Whimsical would be my second choice of one word verbiage. There's always something new and artistic to be seen and shared here. There's so many shops here that I like to visit ! so many restaurants, that are delicious and out of the norm. And those shops and restaurants always provided something, such as a service like a haircut, or the latest trend in clothing, etc. However on the other side of that ,if you'd like something vintage, or grunge, punk, etc., this is always a fine place to look for that as well ! Such as the shirt that we purchased from the Buffalo Exchange, Robert Smith from The Cure band, featured on a retro shirt! The LAB meets everybody's budget, whether they want to indulge or be thrifty.

Stella's Vegan ice cream Maple banana bread
Aguilar C.

There's a bunch of cool merchants in this mini Mall. All local and very cool vibe. Me and my Bestie enjoyed Stella's ice cream parlor.

Madeline S.

I LOVE The Lab so much!! I've been coming here for years and I've loved seeing it evolve. It has a really cool, trendy vibe. I love that while it has evolved over the years, some things have remained the same -- like the CD tunnel! There's a great selection of shops and restaurants, as well as hangout spots. I do miss the huge Urban Outfitters and Gypsy Den, but hopefully something new will take their place too! I also love all the art and attention to detail too. Parking can be tough some days, but they do offer valet and it's very affordable.

Entrance  old cds  that make noise in the wind
Lydia S.

Ot's just a cool place to hang out - I love Habana restaurant, the amazing donut shop at the other end, a large Hippy Dippy oils candles shop a beer establishment and LOVE the little card, shops, etc., in the tiny Airstreams buy your vinyl in the in the V dub. There's a cool vintage shop that has newer and older. Parking can be a bit of a challenge sometimes on the weekend your mileage may vary. !

Me in archway made of CD's that are customized
Diana M.

This place is incredibly cute, the atmosphere is extremely artsy and pleasant to walk around at. Most of the stores were closed when I arrived around 6 PM but I can imagine earlier, its probably packed and lively. This is a quick go to shop spot or a spot for foodies. Definitely worth checking out.

Kwang C.

The LAB Anti-mall, a small outdoor plaza, is located across the street from The CAMP and near South Coast Plaza; parking there can be challenging during peak hours. The LAB Anti-mall,一個小型室外商場,就在The CAMP對街和南海岸精品廣場附近。熱門時段的停車位不好找。

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Linda S.

Thank you Tony for shopping small and for the great review and pics!

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Ask the Community - The LAB Anti-Mall

Is this place suitable for studying?

Hard to say. If you can find the right restaurant in back.

I came here to planning to study but could not find any guest Wi-Fi. Does anyone know if they offer free Wi-Fi and if so what's the password?

Hi Brian! The LAB does offer free Wi-Fi - the password is LABLOVESU in all caps. Hope that helps!

Does it get crowded on saturday afternoon for taking pictures?

I just went there today, a Saturday, during the afternoon hour from 3-ish to 6. Not very crowded during the first half but all of a sudden got jam-packed around 5. However, I expect it to be even more crowded around dinner time at 7 tonight!

Is this kid friendly? I have 2 teenagers

Yes it is.

Is it LGBTQ+ friendly? Are there gender-neutral restrooms?

They have bathrooms for men and women if you happen to fall into either category.

Does this place have decent wifi?

I wouldn't even call it decent. It is constantly connecting and disconnecting for me. Cant really get anything done because it is a WiFi for anyone to use and thus the sheer number of people connected to it reduced the bandwidth

Are dogs allowed?

Yes! People often come here with their dogs to take cute photos. It is an outdoor mall. Each store might have their own pet policy though.

Do they have bike locks there, a place to store bikes?

It's all the way passing seabirds, basically behind urban outfitters facing the windows of the van it was very hard to find but I found it haha ! No where near the car parking lot.

Any restaurants that you could recommend for a group of 10 folk an the Anti Mall Lab?

Hi Rosaline, Thanks for reaching out today! We recommend that you contact our restaurants… Read more

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Review Highlights - The LAB Anti-Mall

I came here because of Nook Coffee and I was so very pleasantly surprised to discover this awesome Anti-Mall.

Mentioned in 5 reviews

Read more highlights

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