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I was so excited to finally dine at Vaca -- it's been on my list for so long. The ambience is cozy with a date‑night feel, and the service was friendly and attentive. Our food also came out fairly quickly, which I appreciated. I started with the Vaca Tonic which was delicious. For food, the standout was the La Bola -- a crispy potato ball with flavorful ground meat inside. I'd come back just for that. The scallops, however, were just okay. They were very small for "sea" or "diver" scallops, and the menu didn't specify what kind they were. The sauce was fine but nothing memorable. I was most excited for the wagyu oyster cut steak and ordered it medium, but it arrived more rare than expected and was surprisingly chewy rather than tender. Overall, the experience didn't quite live up to the hype for me. I love tapas, but this spot fell short.
Vaca is a Spanish tapas style restaurant with great meat and cocktails. Some of my meal highlights was the bikini sandwich and the night's special, which was a perfectly cut piece of steak. I was disappointed in the patatas bravas, however, which I felt lacked much flavor. The cocktails were exceptional. I enjoyed a classic dirty martini, their specialty vaca tonic (A+ cocktail), and had their non-alcoholic drink called Starry Night (very delicious, but not worth $16). [[HIGHLIGHT]]The setting is quite breath-taking, with the restaurant decorated with elaborate cuts of meat and wine bottles. The lighting is very warm-toned and elegant.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Overall, we had a delicious meal and cocktails before heading to the Segerstrom (just a quick walk away). The service was excellent and the meal great, but I think the whole experience was heavily overpriced for what you get.
Had a friend in town so we decided to check out Vaca. I had heard great things so really wanted to love this place, but it was a bit short of my expectations given the prices. First off, my friends had sat at the bar for a good 20 min before the bartender finally acknowledged them and took our drink order. Even then she was not very nice and totally made other patrons orders who had sat down after us before even trying to deliver our drinks to us. Once the drinks were delivered, they were pretty much slammed onto the bar counter rather than being delivered with care. Yikes. I had asked for a bar napkin because the rim was sticky and she completely ignored me. So rude. Our reservation on a Friday night with a show happening at Segerstrom was at 7:45pm which means the show crowd should have already left by this point. We easily didn't get seated until 8:15-8:20pm for a 7:45pm reservation because our table was lingering. Seems like poor table management on the restaurant's part to be that far behind schedule. Once we sat down, we did our best to order right away as we were starving and was pretty sure it would take awhile for the food to come out. Our server greeted us within a few min of sitting down and since we were ready to order by the time she showed up, we ordered everything from appetizers to full meal. Started with the croquetas and gambas. Both were good but honestly I've had better. The sauce for the gambas felt like the ratio of the sherry was a bit much and not enough spice. Ended up with the Paella Valenciana which was okay, but the flavors felt kind of bland and the scallops and shrimp inside seemed like they could have been cooked more thoroughly. I believe we got the 12oz New York Steak to share, and it felt the meat itself was super tender but lacked a bit of flavor for my liking. We wanted the broccolini but they ran out so ended up with the Brussel sprouts instead which were very good. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Overall the ambiance inside the restaurant is a bit tight and chaotic for my liking. I definitely like the bar area better than the tables which were very close together, so may have to try dining at the bar next time.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]
This is the third time coming here and I've loved it every time. The service is usually amazing, food doesn't take 30-40 minutes, and drinks come usually fairly quickly. This time around the service was not great, drinks too forger, and the waiter seemed too busy with other tables. Forgetting our orders and forgetting we were there. We were also celebrating something special and the waiter didn't bother to acknowledge it despite the hostess's asking if we were celebrating something special. This time around our experience was okay, definitely not the vaca we know. I do however recommend their chicken croquettas
[[HIGHLIGHT]]Outstanding Spanish food in a beautiful, contemporary setting.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]Right next to the Segestrom Center, this restaurant has both indoor and outdoor seating.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Service is friendly and efficient and the food was excellent. We had a reservation but we still had a 15 minute wait, as they were swamped on a Saturday evening. [[HIGHLIGHT]]However it became quieter after 7:30 pm.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Their corkage ($40) is steep, but they have a decent wine selection and great cocktails. We ordered a bottle of Tempranillo ($60), which was very good. Menu is expansive. We had 4-5 tapas and a paella. The Pan con Tomato, the meatballs, the chicken croquettes and the Patatas Bravas were excellent. The Valencia paella was to die for. Definitely consider going here or to their sister location in LA. Great for date night. Parking in the lot across the street is validated, otherwise valet parking is $12.
This is easily one of the premier destinations for authentic paella in the United States. I highly recommend the seafood paella, though the Spanish octopus and seared scallops are equally exceptional. Whatever you do, do not skip the Basque cheesecake; it is truly the finest I have ever had. The patio offers a remarkably cozy and romantic atmosphere, perfect for a special evening. While the service is attentive and professional, please keep in mind that the paella is prepared to order and requires a bit of patience--it is well worth the wait.
[[HIGHLIGHT]]Vaca is a solid restaurant for a date night or a pre-show dinner.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] We went on a Monday for dinner and discovered that they have a special discounted menu on Monday nights. It was decently priced and the food was good. Our favorite dish was surprisingly the bikini sandwich. We randomly ordered it and it actually tasted great! [[HIGHLIGHT]]Overall, decent Spanish food with good service and a nice atmosphere.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]
I highly recommend trying out Vaca for Spanish tapas and more! Great spot for celebrating a special occasion or treating yourself. The staff were accommodating, kind, and attentive. The interior was inviting, with moody lighting and fantastic decor. Dining here is a premium experience, and the prices reflect that, but it was so worth the treat. We checked in for our dinner reservations and were seated promptly at a large table on the patio, with warmers and a view of the giant Christmas tree outside. The drink menu offers crafted drinks, Spanish wines, zero-proof cocktails, and more! I had the Georgia on My Mind that had a zero-proof whiskey base--very satisfying. We ordered a bunch of tapas (small plates), a couple of entrees, and sides to share among our table. Some tapa items were so good that I wanted a plate all to myself. A few menu highlights we enjoyed. - Gambas Al Ajillo (sauteed shrimp) - Rabo de Toro (oxtail) was very tender and flavorful. - Carpaccio was so good! I wish I had one order to myself. - Croqueta de Paella was so tasty. - Jamón Serrano Fermin with three cheeses was presented as a charcuterie board with the famous jamón. - Paella Valencia is a seafood paella that we all enjoyed. - Prime Ribeye was delicious, and most of the cut was cooked perfectly (medium rare), yet a few spots were more raw and chewy--still a good choice if you like steak. - Patatas Bravas was delightful with crispy potatoes and a savory sauce - Churros con Chocolates is a classic dessert. - Basque Cheesecake was the perfect ending. Overall, we had a blast, and most of what we ordered was excellent. We also saw Chef Amar Santana (chef/owner) talking with a few guests, but we didn't get a chance to chat with him this time. It was still a treat to see he's around. Other notes: - Valet parking is available for $12 - Self-parking is available nearby in a structure or a lot across the street
Cute date night spot right next to the Segerstrom Center for the Arts. The vibe is moody and intimate, with Spanish-inspired decor, several bar seats, indoor seating, and a nice patio. One of the best Spanish spots in Orange County if you're into tapas (though I'm not a huge fan of their paella). Service was a bit slow probably due to being understaffed or a busy night but our server was friendly and attentive. Scallop Pana Puri: 9/10 - Light, refreshing, and a great palate cleanser between tapas. Carne Cruda: 10/10 - Imagine beef tartare but with spiced lamb. My favorite dish of the night-perfect balance of textures and flavors. Honestly, I'd order one just for myself. Cannot rave about this enough Oxtail: 8.5/10 - Tender pieces that fell off the bone and a generous portion size. Flavor leaned more Italian-style wine braise than Spanish, but still delicious. Fried Artichokes: 8/10 - Deep-fried and paired nicely with the sauce, though I wish they were a bit crispier. Denver Steak: 9/10 - Cooked perfectly, loved the chimichurri and A1-style sauce on the side, and the pickled onions were a great complement.
Vaca is an amazing place to celebrate birthdays /anniversaries or just an overall great date spot! We got the bikini sandwich, which was warm and gooey. It kind of reminded me of the paninis my mom would make growing up. (So not sure if it's worth the $16) The pork belly was so tender and flavorful, we were just picking at the sauce at the end just to get a little more. We snacked on the iberico jamon and goat cheese which came with some crackers, jam, and pickles! The paella was a great way to finish the meal with its flavorful and crispy rice. We've tried a lot of tapas in Spain but Vaca seems to serve a lot of fancy and complex tapas along with some simple bites. Service was amazing and this is definitely a pricier spot for celebrations!
I was so excited to try this restaurant as my dad has gone before and thought it was great, but felt that the food really missed the mark on how classic Barcelona/spanish style food tastes. The dishes I enjoyed were the patatas bravas and the salad. The potatoes were crispy and the sauces suited it well. I also liked the crispy onions on the salad. However the chicken balls/croquettes were incredibly dry and needed a dipping sauce to pair with as we all felt like they just tasted of dry chicken. The paella was a miss for me. Having lived in Barcelona for a period of time I think the comparison may be unfair, but the paella was very dry and quite small/shallow for the price. We got the seafood paella and while it was beautiful, the seafood and rice were dry and it took nearly an hour to come out which was too long as they never mentioned to us how long the wait would be so we sat around waiting with no food or drinks. The servers were nice and it's a beautiful restaurant but the price point is really high for the quality of food we got. I def would say we expected exceptional food for how expensive it was and don't feel we got that.
Feels bad writing this review but this had to be done. First off the appetizer which was the garlic shrimp was SO sour, it was horrible. This dish is supposed to be a simple garlic olive oil dish and it was way too zesty. The second app was the calamari and that was also bad- the batter was not crispy and it came out lukewarm. We told one of the waiters and he did nothing about it. Then we had the steak and potatoes which were actually decent. Our waiter recommended the cheesecake and we went with it and it was way too sweet. Didn't ask us if we enjoyed it or not. All in all a bad experience for us, don't think we'd waste our money coming back here. We've gone to Spain multiple times, and had tapas numerous times. This is disappointing from a service and food level.
If you love tapas, Vaca is a great place to enjoy the small plates with others. We were seated outside on the patio to enjoy our dinner al fresco. Starry Night (5/5) - I appreciated that there was a spirit-free cocktail menu since I wasn't in the mood to drink alcohol. The starry night was fruity and refreshing. 3 Quesos (5/5) - We ordered three different cheeses - cow, sheep, and goat milk. My favorite was the manchego with the fruit puree. Albondigas (3/5) - This dish came with 4 lamb meatballs, which were too gamey for my taste. Datiles Rellenos (5/5) - The blue cheese stuffed dates were my favorite tapas. The sweetness from the dates paired perfectly with the slight saltiness of the bacon. Croquetas de pollo (2/5) - The chicken croquettes were a tad bland. Rabo de Toro (2/5) - I was underwhelmed with the braised oxtail. The oxtail wasn't as tender as I would preferred. Broccolini a la parilla (4/5) - The grilled broccolini was a tasty dish to add fiber to our meal. Paella Valenciana (4/5) - This paella came with a mix of seafood, chicken, and chorizo. The order was enough to feed 4-5 people. I loved the amount of protein the paella came with but it was on the salty side. The service was excellent with the staff checking with us occasionally and refilling our glasses frequently. Vaca also validates for the parking structure.
Review Insights
8 days ago
I have been a big fan of Amar's for years and have been to Broadway in Laguna Beach a couple of times. I've always wanted to try VACA in Costa Mesa and last night was the night. We took advantage of the Friends and Family menu they provide on Mondays Only from 5:00 to closing. We sat at the beautiful bar and were watched over by Jacob. The wife had some special non-alcoholic drink that was very pretty and tasted great. I went with the VACA Tonic, an icy concoction made with gin. It was super refreshing and a nice way to start. This menu has selected tapas items that range in price from $8 to $19. We ordered the Pan Con Tomate ($8) which comes with sliced toasted bread slices, tomato pulp, a delicious olive oil and a side of sea salt. You take a piece of toast, squirt some of the olive oil on top, then pour on the tomato pulp. Light, tasty and delicious. Next up, the Patatas Bravas ($9). Perfectly roasted spicy potato cubes, slathered with tomato sauce and a garlic aioli. WOW! So simple yet so good. I licked the plate clean. Next up, the Bikini Sandwich ($9). Two small perfectly toasted cheesy sandwich wedges that have Iberico ham, manchego cheese and a hint of truffles. It was really delicious and the special ham was the star of the show. These are great starting items, yet surprisingly filling. I couldn't stop there though and wanted to order some of their famous paella. I decided on the Paella De Carne ($53). This is a meat paella with pork belly, chorizo, blood sausage, duck confit (a leg & thigh), beef cheek, with bomba rice and a garlic aioli. You have to wait about 20 minutes for them to make it but it's worth the wait. It was perfectly cooked and awash in flavor. The special paella pan they prepare the dish in looked well seasoned and I wished I could have taken it home. The menu is extensive with lots of choices to accommodate any palate. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The restaurant is beautiful and has a front and back patio seating. If you have a choice, sit on the back patio[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]. There is valet parking for $12, but there is a parking structure right across the street that provides easy access and is free with validation. read more
Splurge restaurant but food is very solid! My husband and I came here for date night and had a great experience~ [[HIGHLIGHT]]Vaca is located next to south coast, interior has tall ceilings and have a small indoor and outdoor seating.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] They have Spanish menu items, several tapas and main dishes. We got 4 wines and both loved with whites and reds! La bola (8.5/10)-the meat inside was delicious wasn't overly crispy, sauce on top was too much but a classed dish Pani puri (9/10)-interesting concept scallop was delicious and sauce was rich, shell was crispy Cauliflower (7/10)-bit too salty and rich but they give you a good portion Steak (7.5/10)-we asked for medium but it was more in medium rare, good quality but small for price Churro (9/10)-cant beat a piping hot churro with chocolate sauce portion not too large Our server was friendly and vibe was classy Would love to try the paella my next visit! read more
2 months ago
3 months ago
I was so excited to finally dine at Vaca -- it's been on my list for so long. The ambience is cozy with a date‑night feel, and the service was friendly and attentive. Our food also came out fairly quickly, which I appreciated. I started with the Vaca Tonic which was delicious. For food, the standout was the La Bola -- a crispy potato ball with flavorful ground meat inside. I'd come back just for that. The scallops, however, were just okay. They were very small for "sea" or "diver" scallops, and the menu didn't specify what kind they were. The sauce was fine but nothing memorable. I was most excited for the wagyu oyster cut steak and ordered it medium, but it arrived more rare than expected and was surprisingly chewy rather than tender. Overall, the experience didn't quite live up to the hype for me. I love tapas, but this spot fell short. read more
Vaca is a Spanish tapas style restaurant with great meat and cocktails. Some of my meal highlights was the bikini sandwich and the night's special, which was a perfectly cut piece of steak. I was disappointed in the patatas bravas, however, which I felt lacked much flavor. The cocktails were exceptional. I enjoyed a classic dirty martini, their specialty vaca tonic (A+ cocktail), and had their non-alcoholic drink called Starry Night (very delicious, but not worth $16). [[HIGHLIGHT]]The setting is quite breath-taking, with the restaurant decorated with elaborate cuts of meat and wine bottles. The lighting is very warm-toned and elegant.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Overall, we had a delicious meal and cocktails before heading to the Segerstrom (just a quick walk away). The service was excellent and the meal great, but I think the whole experience was heavily overpriced for what you get. read more
Had a friend in town so we decided to check out Vaca. I had heard great things so really wanted to love this place, but it was a bit short of my expectations given the prices. First off, my friends had sat at the bar for a good 20 min before the bartender finally acknowledged them and took our drink order. Even then she was not very nice and totally made other patrons orders who had sat down after us before even trying to deliver our drinks to us. Once the drinks were delivered, they were pretty much slammed onto the bar counter rather than being delivered with care. Yikes. I had asked for a bar napkin because the rim was sticky and she completely ignored me. So rude. Our reservation on a Friday night with a show happening at Segerstrom was at 7:45pm which means the show crowd should have already left by this point. We easily didn't get seated until 8:15-8:20pm for a 7:45pm reservation because our table was lingering. Seems like poor table management on the restaurant's part to be that far behind schedule. Once we sat down, we did our best to order right away as we were starving and was pretty sure it would take awhile for the food to come out. Our server greeted us within a few min of sitting down and since we were ready to order by the time she showed up, we ordered everything from appetizers to full meal. Started with the croquetas and gambas. Both were good but honestly I've had better. The sauce for the gambas felt like the ratio of the sherry was a bit much and not enough spice. Ended up with the Paella Valenciana which was okay, but the flavors felt kind of bland and the scallops and shrimp inside seemed like they could have been cooked more thoroughly. I believe we got the 12oz New York Steak to share, and it felt the meat itself was super tender but lacked a bit of flavor for my liking. We wanted the broccolini but they ran out so ended up with the Brussel sprouts instead which were very good. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Overall the ambiance inside the restaurant is a bit tight and chaotic for my liking. I definitely like the bar area better than the tables which were very close together, so may have to try dining at the bar next time.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more
This is the third time coming here and I've loved it every time. The service is usually amazing, food doesn't take 30-40 minutes, and drinks come usually fairly quickly. This time around the service was not great, drinks too forger, and the waiter seemed too busy with other tables. Forgetting our orders and forgetting we were there. We were also celebrating something special and the waiter didn't bother to acknowledge it despite the hostess's asking if we were celebrating something special. This time around our experience was okay, definitely not the vaca we know. I do however recommend their chicken croquettas read more
[[HIGHLIGHT]]Outstanding Spanish food in a beautiful, contemporary setting.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]Right next to the Segestrom Center, this restaurant has both indoor and outdoor seating.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Service is friendly and efficient and the food was excellent. We had a reservation but we still had a 15 minute wait, as they were swamped on a Saturday evening. [[HIGHLIGHT]]However it became quieter after 7:30 pm.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Their corkage ($40) is steep, but they have a decent wine selection and great cocktails. We ordered a bottle of Tempranillo ($60), which was very good. Menu is expansive. We had 4-5 tapas and a paella. The Pan con Tomato, the meatballs, the chicken croquettes and the Patatas Bravas were excellent. The Valencia paella was to die for. Definitely consider going here or to their sister location in LA. Great for date night. Parking in the lot across the street is validated, otherwise valet parking is $12. read more
6 months ago
This is easily one of the premier destinations for authentic paella in the United States. I highly recommend the seafood paella, though the Spanish octopus and seared scallops are equally exceptional. Whatever you do, do not skip the Basque cheesecake; it is truly the finest I have ever had. The patio offers a remarkably cozy and romantic atmosphere, perfect for a special evening. While the service is attentive and professional, please keep in mind that the paella is prepared to order and requires a bit of patience--it is well worth the wait. read more
[[HIGHLIGHT]]Vaca is a solid restaurant for a date night or a pre-show dinner.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] We went on a Monday for dinner and discovered that they have a special discounted menu on Monday nights. It was decently priced and the food was good. Our favorite dish was surprisingly the bikini sandwich. We randomly ordered it and it actually tasted great! [[HIGHLIGHT]]Overall, decent Spanish food with good service and a nice atmosphere.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more
I highly recommend trying out Vaca for Spanish tapas and more! Great spot for celebrating a special occasion or treating yourself. The staff were accommodating, kind, and attentive. The interior was inviting, with moody lighting and fantastic decor. Dining here is a premium experience, and the prices reflect that, but it was so worth the treat. We checked in for our dinner reservations and were seated promptly at a large table on the patio, with warmers and a view of the giant Christmas tree outside. The drink menu offers crafted drinks, Spanish wines, zero-proof cocktails, and more! I had the Georgia on My Mind that had a zero-proof whiskey base--very satisfying. We ordered a bunch of tapas (small plates), a couple of entrees, and sides to share among our table. Some tapa items were so good that I wanted a plate all to myself. A few menu highlights we enjoyed. - Gambas Al Ajillo (sauteed shrimp) - Rabo de Toro (oxtail) was very tender and flavorful. - Carpaccio was so good! I wish I had one order to myself. - Croqueta de Paella was so tasty. - Jamón Serrano Fermin with three cheeses was presented as a charcuterie board with the famous jamón. - Paella Valencia is a seafood paella that we all enjoyed. - Prime Ribeye was delicious, and most of the cut was cooked perfectly (medium rare), yet a few spots were more raw and chewy--still a good choice if you like steak. - Patatas Bravas was delightful with crispy potatoes and a savory sauce - Churros con Chocolates is a classic dessert. - Basque Cheesecake was the perfect ending. Overall, we had a blast, and most of what we ordered was excellent. We also saw Chef Amar Santana (chef/owner) talking with a few guests, but we didn't get a chance to chat with him this time. It was still a treat to see he's around. Other notes: - Valet parking is available for $12 - Self-parking is available nearby in a structure or a lot across the street read more
Cute date night spot right next to the Segerstrom Center for the Arts. The vibe is moody and intimate, with Spanish-inspired decor, several bar seats, indoor seating, and a nice patio. One of the best Spanish spots in Orange County if you're into tapas (though I'm not a huge fan of their paella). Service was a bit slow probably due to being understaffed or a busy night but our server was friendly and attentive. Scallop Pana Puri: 9/10 - Light, refreshing, and a great palate cleanser between tapas. Carne Cruda: 10/10 - Imagine beef tartare but with spiced lamb. My favorite dish of the night-perfect balance of textures and flavors. Honestly, I'd order one just for myself. Cannot rave about this enough Oxtail: 8.5/10 - Tender pieces that fell off the bone and a generous portion size. Flavor leaned more Italian-style wine braise than Spanish, but still delicious. Fried Artichokes: 8/10 - Deep-fried and paired nicely with the sauce, though I wish they were a bit crispier. Denver Steak: 9/10 - Cooked perfectly, loved the chimichurri and A1-style sauce on the side, and the pickled onions were a great complement. read more
Vaca is an amazing place to celebrate birthdays /anniversaries or just an overall great date spot! We got the bikini sandwich, which was warm and gooey. It kind of reminded me of the paninis my mom would make growing up. (So not sure if it's worth the $16) The pork belly was so tender and flavorful, we were just picking at the sauce at the end just to get a little more. We snacked on the iberico jamon and goat cheese which came with some crackers, jam, and pickles! The paella was a great way to finish the meal with its flavorful and crispy rice. We've tried a lot of tapas in Spain but Vaca seems to serve a lot of fancy and complex tapas along with some simple bites. Service was amazing and this is definitely a pricier spot for celebrations! read more
9 months ago
I was so excited to try this restaurant as my dad has gone before and thought it was great, but felt that the food really missed the mark on how classic Barcelona/spanish style food tastes. The dishes I enjoyed were the patatas bravas and the salad. The potatoes were crispy and the sauces suited it well. I also liked the crispy onions on the salad. However the chicken balls/croquettes were incredibly dry and needed a dipping sauce to pair with as we all felt like they just tasted of dry chicken. The paella was a miss for me. Having lived in Barcelona for a period of time I think the comparison may be unfair, but the paella was very dry and quite small/shallow for the price. We got the seafood paella and while it was beautiful, the seafood and rice were dry and it took nearly an hour to come out which was too long as they never mentioned to us how long the wait would be so we sat around waiting with no food or drinks. The servers were nice and it's a beautiful restaurant but the price point is really high for the quality of food we got. I def would say we expected exceptional food for how expensive it was and don't feel we got that. read more
Feels bad writing this review but this had to be done. First off the appetizer which was the garlic shrimp was SO sour, it was horrible. This dish is supposed to be a simple garlic olive oil dish and it was way too zesty. The second app was the calamari and that was also bad- the batter was not crispy and it came out lukewarm. We told one of the waiters and he did nothing about it. Then we had the steak and potatoes which were actually decent. Our waiter recommended the cheesecake and we went with it and it was way too sweet. Didn't ask us if we enjoyed it or not. All in all a bad experience for us, don't think we'd waste our money coming back here. We've gone to Spain multiple times, and had tapas numerous times. This is disappointing from a service and food level. read more
10 months ago
If you love tapas, Vaca is a great place to enjoy the small plates with others. We were seated outside on the patio to enjoy our dinner al fresco. Starry Night (5/5) - I appreciated that there was a spirit-free cocktail menu since I wasn't in the mood to drink alcohol. The starry night was fruity and refreshing. 3 Quesos (5/5) - We ordered three different cheeses - cow, sheep, and goat milk. My favorite was the manchego with the fruit puree. Albondigas (3/5) - This dish came with 4 lamb meatballs, which were too gamey for my taste. Datiles Rellenos (5/5) - The blue cheese stuffed dates were my favorite tapas. The sweetness from the dates paired perfectly with the slight saltiness of the bacon. Croquetas de pollo (2/5) - The chicken croquettes were a tad bland. Rabo de Toro (2/5) - I was underwhelmed with the braised oxtail. The oxtail wasn't as tender as I would preferred. Broccolini a la parilla (4/5) - The grilled broccolini was a tasty dish to add fiber to our meal. Paella Valenciana (4/5) - This paella came with a mix of seafood, chicken, and chorizo. The order was enough to feed 4-5 people. I loved the amount of protein the paella came with but it was on the salty side. The service was excellent with the staff checking with us occasionally and refilling our glasses frequently. Vaca also validates for the parking structure. read more
13 days ago
3 months ago
The best of the best! Great service! Delicious yummy tasty food! [[HIGHLIGHT]]Cozy ambience atmosphere![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]My family love love it![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Best Mother's Day celebration ever! Definitely will refer to family and friends. Thank you Chef Amar read more
1 month ago
Drinks, food and service were amazing. Second time coming to Vaca. [[HIGHLIGHT]]We sat outside in their back patio.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] We started with four of the tapas and also had a flank steak. You'll want to order a few things and share with your group. It was also my birthday and they came out with a surprise dessert. read more
Vaca has always caught my eye whenever I've walked by, especially being right by the Segerstrom Center for the Arts. I went on a Saturday. The entrance to Vaca was a bit confusing to find but once inside, we were met with a vibrant and bustling atmosphere. The service was unorganized at first as nobody was there to greet or help us when we arrived but once we were seated, Michael took great care of us. We went for some appetizers and drink and they did not disappoint. We had Gambas al Ajillo (Garlic Shrimp) and every bite was flavorful and citrusy and went perfectly with the grilled bread. La bola is a crispy potato and ground beef ball which was reminiscent of Porto's but elevated. Great crunch and packed with flavor topped with a decadent sauce. The drinks were strong and delicious. Overall a great experience once you find their hidden entrances! I can't wait to come back and try more food. read more
Definitely a great place for date night. We went for an early Valentine's Day before the rush. Food was delicious! We parked in the parking structure that is between Vaca and the Segerstrom Center for the Arts theater. read more
Food was amazing, the drinks came out great and perfectly matched the tapas. I love the tapas style since we can order more and try more stuff. Our server was very attentive and always checking up on us. Great spot for date night or just a nice dinner with friends. They have outdoor and indoor seating. read more
Vaca reminded me of our trip to Spain, where the menus offer large selections of tapas, jamon iberico, and variations of paella. For tapas we ordered La Bola, Huesos Al Horno, & Bikini Sandwich. We built a cheese board with the Mahon semi soft cheese and Jamon Serrano. From the grill we ordered the imperial wagyu New York strip with patatas bravas on the side. Lastly for dessert we ordered the churros con chocolate. Each dish was so delicious, it is actually difficult to choose a favorite. The meat was cooked perfectly, there was no need to use the sauces they offer with it. The bone marrow, potato/bread dishes were crispy and packed with flavor. And I loved our cheese board which came with all the special accoutrements (walnuts, Jam, pickles etc.) I definitely want to come back to try more tapas and even their paella, which I saw some parties order. The restaurant can accommodate larger groups and has a front and back patio with heated lamps. So if you're looking for a place to host a larger dinner, Vaca has a special-occasion appeal. read more
First time, celebrated my best friend's birthday dinner. It was packed and because they are next to the theater, it gets really busy and it definitely lived up to the hype. The atmosphere was lively yet upscale, making it perfect for a nice night out. We ordered a few dishes to share, and everything was beautifully presented and full of flavor. The service was attentive and knowledgeable, which made the experience even better. It's on the pricier side, but the quality of the food and overall experience made it worth it. Definitely a great spot for a special occasion or a fun dinner out--I'd come back again. Make sure you RSVP. read more
I would recommend coming here for fun and innovative drinks and tapas. I think the meat wasn't special and took quite a while to come out. The best bite was the dish was the Canelon de pollo ahumdo - I'd come back just for this. Think a chicken taquito doused in a flavorful duck umami/almost like a mole. The pan con tomate was also a standout despite being so simple in concept. Their hot drink on tap that night was a twist on a hot toddy. I'd deduct half a star mainly because the meat took so long to come out and really didn't have much flavor/wasn't well salted and relied on the accompanying sauces to provide flavor. Service was really attentive, and sitting at the bar was nice because you got to interact with the bartenders. Good spot for a date night! read more
Upscale, attractive tapas bar and steakhouse with *strong* drinks. We came here for my birthday and had an overall pleasant time. Service is okay. The waiter took our orders, then other staff brought out our food and bussed our table as we ate. But we had to fight them off to keep them from taking food we were still eating off the table. The general feeling was organized but cold and not the most attentive. For the food/ drinks: -drinks: STRONG. Lots of gin options, which is my favorite spirit. Vaca Tonic tasted like a gin based frozen margarita and was delicious; Djinn and Juice was potent and spicy and served in a cheeky juice pouch; King Crimson was good but didn't appeal as much as the others to me, low key tasted like a glass of Captain Morgan. -erizo con huevo: sweet uni on top of fluffy creamy eggs and served with miso toast. Was a special of the day and it was amazing, almost like a Spanish chawanmushi. Un cháwañmushi if you will. -vieira a la plancha: smoky, flavorful, delicious, my second favorite thing we tried. -bikini sandwich: tasty, dense, and small. An upscale grilled ham and cheese. Allowed me to try Iberico ham for the first time. Recommended by a friend but probably would skip next time. -prime skirt steak: flavorful and tender, very well seasoned. But, and it may be my fault for specifically ordering skirt steak, it tasted like slightly elevated $70 carne asada. For that price I kind of wished I was instead eating 15 carne asada tacos. Which is what it tasted like when you combine the steak with a sauce and some onions anyways. -bizcocho tres leches: I *love* tres leches cake in general; I liked this cake. Kind of dry with thin milk and cold, tart berries. -almond cake: came out as a birthday treat. Definitely tasted like almond. Beggars shouldn't be choosers, but... it was pretty dry. Again, we had a pleasant time. We'd definitely come back for powerful drinks and delicious tapas, and would ask to sit at the bar instead of a table. But for a place called Vaca, I wasn't blown away by la aforementioned vaca. And I'd skip the desserts if we did come back. read more
Came here for my birthday dinner with a few friends. My experience was okay. I really wanted to like this place but it didn't hit the expectations from what I've seen and read. The staff were friendly but service is slow. We were sat outside and it took awhile to order. I'm well aware that paella takes a while to come out but not THAT long. I was so excited to try the paella but definitely missed. We got the paella valenciana. The flavors were great but it was so mushy and without crispy rice texture at the bottom. If it took that long I would hope the texture would be on point. We also ordered a few tapas as well. My favorites were Panipuri, Cauliflower, and Patatas Bravas. The ones I wouldn't want to order again are canelon de pollo ahumado and pulpo a la gallega. Presentation of the food was nice though. They add a 3% surcharge to the bill. This place is definitely on the pricier side and smaller dishes. I thought it would be a nice restaurant to splurge on but I'll pass next time. read more
3 months ago
Overall, this place has delicious food tapas style to share, everything is amazing. Service is great! I recommend making a reservation. Always love to come back here. Cocktail are unique, always amazing combinations. read more
7 months ago
We dined at Vaca on 1/24/26 to celebrate our mother's birthday and ordered a significant amount of food. While the meal itself was fine, what happened at the end completely ruined the experience. We had leftovers, including a broccolini dish with cheese and pecans and a skirt steak cooked medium rare. The server or bus staff offered to box them for us. When we opened the containers in the car, we were shocked to see both dishes smashed together into one small container. Steak juices soaked into the broccolini and cheese, making both items unappetizing and essentially inedible. This is basic food handling and completely unacceptable for a restaurant at this price point and reputation. No guest expects two very different dishes to be mixed together like leftovers from a cafeteria, especially during a special occasion. Very disappointing and careless, and it overshadowed what should have been a memorable family celebration. read more
Celebrated a special evening last night with a friend who picked Vaca as her choice of restaurant. Since it was Monday night, we decided to choose from the friends & family tappas. We tried five and all were exceptional in taste and quality. We overstayed our welcome, and enjoyed the beautiful patio on a comfortable summer night. The wait staff was friendly and attentive and checked on us often. She finished the night with another cocktail and we shared the tiramisu for dessert. Next time, I'd really like to try one of their paellas, which is obviously their specialty. read more
1 year ago
Parking: They offer both self parking at the structure (free if validated by the restaurant) and valet parking directly in front of the restaurant ($10 I believe). Ambiance: Restaurant is very beautifully decorated! Nice bar too! There's one main indoor dining and two outdoor dining options. Loved the decorations. Service: They were a bit slower and harder to flag down because it was pretty busy. They let us know the paella would take around 40 minutes to make. We were there on a Friday night for a friend's birthday (8-10ish). So definitely make lots of time to dine here. The waiters and waitresses were very nice and friendly! Food: Patatas bravas (8/10)- pretty yummy. Loved how crispy and hot the potatoes were. Aioli was flavorful. Salsa was yummy (could be spicy for some) Paella Seafood (7/10)- it was well done. I'm just not a big seafood person so it wasn't my favorite. Extra large prawns with lots of mussel! Good quality! Bikini Sandwich (8.5/10)- I liked it because I like truffle. My only comment is it was a tad too salty for my taste, but still really yummy! read more
2 months ago
10 months ago
Really great Spanish/tapas option. Nice mix is vegetarian and meat options, always appreciated. The patatas bravas is one of the best I've had, minus in Spain itself. Fresh flavors. And the servers are always very attentive. Would miss the veggie and paella. Stick with the mariscos, the shrimp is what makes that dish. It's expensive so loses a star, definitely a special occasion place. read more
Vaca is a small cozy but upscale Spanish restaurant near Segerstrom Center for the Arts. The steak here is excellent - you can choose the cut and it comes out sizzling. It can cost a pretty penny, quite expensive depending on the cut and size. Their paella and Jamon Iberico are standouts as well. It's worth the splurge if you crave good Spanish cuisine and steak on your way to the theatre! read more
10 months ago
The food was genuinely disappointing. All the appetizers and paellas arrived hot on the outside, but were cold inside. It was difficult to tell whether the seafood was thoroughly cooked or not--maybe we were unintentionally eating sushi? The Brussels sprouts tasted okay, but were much too salty. Overall, I wouldn't recommend dining here unless you're comfortable eating food that is only "half well done." read more
5 months ago
The food was delicious and the service was great as well Maria was an amazing and attentive [[HIGHLIGHT]]The space is beautiful as well[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]Great vibe[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more
5 months ago
We haven't been back in a while, but just wanted to give a shoutout to Rain and Jacob at the bar, who were very attentive and caring. They served the best wine and whiskey pairings with our food! Thank you! read more
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More info about Vaca
695 Town Center Dr
Ste 170
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Directions
(714) 463-6060
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https://vacarestaurant.com
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Ask the Community - Vaca
We plan to eat at Vaca, get the parking validated by Vaca, then go to watch a show at Sergstrom. Do I need to pay for parking since the parking ticket is validated much earlier than the exit time?
Yes, Vaca restaurant in Costa Mesa validates parking in the nearby parking structure. Guests can either use valet parking or self-park in the structure. If self-parking, you'll need to bring your parking ticket to the restaurant for validation.…
Do they take reservations for small groups?
Yes they do- however they've been victims of reservation swatting lately so best to call to make a reservation
Does Vaca offer a Thanksgiving menu, dine in and/or takeout, and what is included?
I doubt that. But, it's April. There's a lot of time for things to change lol
How many people do you need to get a paella? Could a person eat one all by himself?
2. 3 if you order other tapas. 1 is doable if you're a big eater or you are willing to take leftovers.
What meat is in the Spanish platter?
Best parking if seeing a play at seger storm after diner?
Absolutely yes! That's what we always do. Park at Vaca, eat there, go to theater, then pickup car afterwards.
Hi, is the menu different if you sit at the bar?
I don't believe so. I think they only use the one paper folded menu.
Does the Lunch menu offer tapas as well or is that only for dinner?
We went for lunch and decided to do only the tapas.. You can mix and match
What is the corkage fee for a magnum?
Their corkage fee is listed in FAQ...$30 for one bottle and need to contact them for additional bottles.
Which seating area is better: indoor or outdoor? If outdoor, by the front or the back?
If it's just two, I'd sit at the bar. Otherwise a table in the back. Outside lacks the vibe.
Is there a dress code?
It's like fun-upscale but basically just shoes shirt and pants. :)
What fully vegan options are there?
There's a paella there with noodles and veggies.
During this covid season, are they open for lunch? I heard they had lunch specials, are there any right now?
Should I bother eating here if I can't eat dairy? Food looks great but it looks like most items have cheese
This place is a meat eater's paradise. Especially if you like Spanish cured meats i.e. Jambon. All things Spanish are available here especially a wide array of Spanish cheeses, but dairy would be a small part of what you could order here. This place…
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Vaca - tapasmallplates - Updated August 2026
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