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    Work in Progress

    4.2 (534 reviews)
    Closed 7:00 am - 4:00 pm

    Work in Progress Photos

    WORK IN PROGRESS ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Outdoor seating
    Dogs allowed

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    Recommended Reviews - Work in Progress

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    Bacon, breakfast burrito
    Ericka Z.

    I know everyone talks about the coffee at Work in Progress, but honestly I'm here for the breakfast burrito. This thing is unreal. Easily one of the best breakfast burritos I've had in Orange County. The balance of flavors is perfect, the ingredients taste super fresh, and somehow every bite still has a little bit of everything in it. What really takes it over the top are the sauces and the pickled onions on the side. Absolute *chef's kiss*...The sauces add so much flavor without overpowering the burrito itself. I also appreciated that it didn't feel overly greasy or heavy the way breakfast burritos sometimes do. The space definitely gets crowded, especially on weekends, and finding a seat can take some patience. But honestly, grabbing a coffee and one of these burritos and hanging out for a bit is completely worth it. This is officially one of my go to breakfast spots in Costa Mesa.

    Indoor
    Marina S.

    Great coffee spot! Came here for a work meeting with a couple colleagues and there was enough space, while still having a cozy atmosphere. They had indoor and outdoor seating, which was nice. Their coffee was great, perfect balance of sweetness. We also tried a few breakfast items, all were very tasty and filling. Overall, would recommend this spot for a casual meet up or to get some work done.

    Tristen A.

    The coffee the food the place. All of it was soooo good. The seating wouldn't be comfortable for long period of time but plenty of space to work and outlets as well. Everyone is really nice too. One of the top coffee places in Costa Mesa

    Our food and drinks! I got the classic sando with spicy salami
    Yun Ping C.

    I've been here before but never gotten anything for myself! Finally made it here again with some friends. I'm not a big coffee drinker but I got the classic sando with the spicy salami! It was pretty good! I ate alllll of it and I initially thought I would only eat half and save the half for later. My friends got drinks and a sandwich and a pastry. They said they enjoyed it as well. Service was great - nothing special that I remember. They were nice and quick. Ambiance is very relaxed. Cafe vibes. Lots of people in computers working or just hanging out with friends! Would come again!

    jenn l.

    Been wanting to try this place for a while now and finally had the chance recently. It did not disappoint! I got the breakfast burrito with bacon. I was tempted by the pastrami option bc I don't know anyone else that does PASTRAMI in a breakfast burrito! If I'm being honest, it felt more like a wrap than a burrito bc it was full of cabbage and the sauces provided were like chimichurri and sriracha vs salsa. It still was really good and tasty though! It was crowded on a Sunday morning but luckily a few tables were available. The line was out the door but it moved quickly. The inside is cute with natural lighting and a clean white and wooden look. Would definitely come back!

    Chloe N.

    This place is sooo aesthetic. It gets very crowded on the weekend and hard to find parking and seats. On weekdays it gets busy too but doable. Their drinks are unique and their homemade syrups are great. I tried their sandwiches which surprisingly taste good. Highly recommend checking it out at least once. Great vibe

    Ale S.

    First of all, I absolutely love the name "Work In Progress," and the customer service we received was exceptional. The person taking my order offered some great suggestions. We ended up loving our drinks--the taste was delicious and the presentation was beautiful. We also really enjoyed the atmosphere, especially the lighting inside and the outdoor seating area. It was a great surprise to find that they offer food as well. On the day we visited, there was a cheesecake vendor on-site, and it was truly delicious. I will definitely be telling others that if that vendor is there, they should not pass up getting a slice! Thank you for such a lovely experience!

    Vincent P.

    Quick a hip coffee shop, we were in the area and came here to grab breakfast and coffee. I forgot what drinks we all got, but I do remember that we all enjoyed each of our drinks. The AM Burrito comes with your choice of bacon or pastrami and also a side of pickled onions, house green sauce, and hot sauce. The burrito was tasty and made for a delicious breakfast. The price is certainly a little expensive, but it comes sliced, so you can split it with someone. The split portion was a solid amount for breakfast. Overall, it was a solid experience and I wouldn't mind revisiting!

    Brown Sugar Maple- Perfect
    Jeff V.

    For a place called Work in Progress, it seems to have figured things out already. It's always buzzing, rarely empty, and the overall vibe suggests this café is starting to outgrow its own footprint. Service is smooth, and efficient. The line moves quickly, and everyone seems genuinely happy to be there. The interior is bright and open, lively without feeling hectic, with a minimal industrial calm. No table charge means laptops stay awhile, but spots still open up sooner than you'd think. Of the list of sandos, I've tried the SPICY SANDO, CLASSIC SANDO, and the BREAKFAST SANDO. All were excellent. The focaccia bread stood out in particular. Light, buttery, and crispy. It holds up well and ties everything together. Of the drinks I tried, the PUMPKIN SPICE LATTE WITH ALMOND MILK, DE LA ROSA MAZAPAN PEANUT LATTE, MAPLE BROWN SUGAR LATTE, PISTACHIO CREAMTOP MOCHA, and VANILLA LATTE WITH SEASONAL CINNAMON CREAM TOP were all solid, with flavors that stayed controlled and not overly sweet. Work in Progress, currently in high demand. Repeat visits feel inevitable.

    Dirty Earl
    Felina V.

    Popped into Work in Progress for a caffeinated beverage before a road trip to San Jose. The Dirty Earl was unfathomably delicious! Can't wait to go back to try out more beverages, and maybe even pop in for a wine night. :) Super friendly service!

    katrina a.

    Nice place to hang out. Very cool place. They have outdoor seating so perfect to bring the pup out.

    Karen G.

    This place was recommended to me by my YE friend Bonnie, so my bf and I stopped by on a Sunday morning. I almost had a full moment here but I got sidetracked by the cafe across the street and we ended up doing coffee here and breakfast over there. Lol. The vibe is super chill. It's a smaller space, but they make good use of it with both indoor and outdoor seating. Service was quick and efficient, even with how packed it gets. The coffee was delicious! We also shared a croissant topped with pistachio cream and the Ube madeleine but that was a total miss. They were dry like Sahara desert dry and tasted like it had been sitting out for a while. I'm not convinced they make their pastries in-house. Still, I'd absolutely come back for the coffee and would love to actually try their breakfast next time minus the pastries.

    Chloe L.

    Updating my review since I got coffee drinks this time and honestly, I prefer the coffee over there Matcha any day. The cold brew was really good and the cream top wasn't too sweet. Parking is always a bit of a struggle at this area in Costa Mesa, but overall would definitely come back for the coffee.

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    1 month ago

    Very yummy, good service, beautiful ambiance. Beautiful restroom. Yummy burrito. So yummy.

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    4 months ago

    Coffee is pretty good; the shop is just a bit crowded and not conveniently located. A bit hard to park.

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    Page 1 of 14

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    Ask the Community - Work in Progress

    Do they have outlets and Wi-Fi?

    Yes to both, however there's only 3 so you sometimes have to wait or sit in a corner!

    Do they stop serving AM foods (i.e breakfast burritos) after a certain time?

    They sell it all day until one hour before closing!

    View All 3 Questions

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    Knife Pleat

    Knife Pleat

    4.0
    (431 reviews)
    1.0 mi
    $$$$

    Favorite fine dining / Michelin-star restaurant in OC! Can't say enough great things about it!…read more A super intimate, upscale-casual (smart casual vibes with no enforced dress code) restaurant located in the third-floor penthouse of SCP. The space feels intimate because it's on the smaller side, and they thoughtfully stagger reservations so the dining room never feels overcrowded. You can be seated in the main dining room, on the outdoor patio, or on the indoor patio next to the penthouse shops. I come here at least once a year for my birthday because the staff are genuinely warm and make every guest feel special. They clearly care deeply about hospitality and creating a true culinary experience. Honestly, the entire team is top-notch, but on our most recent visit, Kara took especially great care of us. She remembered our preferences, made sure we were comfortable and had everything we needed without needing to ask, and made my birthday feel special while also giving my husband and me space (I dislike when wait staff at smaller restaurants hover - they don't do that at all). The way the staff serves, takes orders, clears, etc. is like a really well-rehearsed dance - they want everything to be paced, smooth, and efficient (without feeling forced or robotic) and it really makes a difference. The food is delicious and beautifully presented, with thoughtful attention put into every detail of the flavor profile and color palette. They NEVER miss. I love how they refresh the menu a few times during the year to showcase seasonal ingredients while still staying true to the restaurant's overall identity. They also have a selection of dining experiences - I always go for the 3 course prefix during lunch and the portion sizes and timing of each course is perfect. Also highly recommend their afternoon tea on Saturdays. Couldn't find a more luxurious afternoon tea experience in OC! I genuinely hope they continue to do well! It's a pleasure to be a guest and feel pampered for a special day or an elevated casual meal with friends/family. Will be back many times in the future!

    I was excited to try the Michelin-starred afternoon tea set at Knife Pleat, and it came to about…read more$150 per person after tax and tip. The presentation was pretty, and the staff here provided attentive service. Unfortunately, there were several fruit flies around our table, which made it difficult to fully enjoy the experience. I ended up leaving some of the food unfinished because of it, which was disappointing at this price point. I understand it's summer and these things can happen, but I expected a more polished environment from a Michelin-starred restaurant. Overall, the tea service was enjoyable, but the fruit flies took away from what could have been a memorable experience.

    Photos
    An elegant restaurant!
    An elegant restaurant!
    Finishing off with miniaturized desserts! The serving plate is perfect for placing a ring in the middle for that special special occasion!
    Finishing off with miniaturized desserts! The serving plate is perfect for placing a ring in the middle for that special special occasion!
    My favorite dish of the night, risotto. Probably the best I've ever had! You will love it!

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    My favorite dish of the night, risotto. Probably the best I've ever had! You will love it!
    Antonello Ristorante

    Antonello Ristorante

    4.3
    (991 reviews)
    1.2 mi
    $$$

    We were in a group of 7. We made reservations a few hours prior and were ecstatic they were able to…read moreaccommodate our large group. Restaurant was very cozy and romantic. Entrance/host lobby area is a little snug. We were sat at a large round table. They had kids menus for my girls. We ordered Pellegrino and a bottle of wine. Table bread and a delicious pesto butter was given to the table. I'm not a pesto gal, but boy, I'll tell ya. That butter was delectable. We ordered a caprese salad and a beef carpaccio to start. The caprese was really nice and refreshing. Served with arugula on top. They also added I think fried crispy capers on top omg. So good. The carpaccio was. DELICIOUS! Thinly sliced beef, fresh parmigiana, topped with arugula and capers. Probably one of the best I've had. For entrees, my girls both ordered the hello kitty pasta with bolognese sauce, husband ordered fettuccini bolognese, brothers ordered porcini risotto, linguini vongole, and mamas lasagna. I ordered rigatoni with vodka sauce. Everyone enjoyed their dinners. They brought out the giant cheese block for my brother's risotto!! My pasta with vodka sauce was very good. I could've sworn on the description that it was served table side, but it wasn't =0(. Dessert was something else. We shared the cheesecake and tiramisu. Top notch. Service was immaculate. Our server was present without being too overbearing. Our waters were filled and wine glasses stayed full. Very accommodating to our children. Definitely recommend for any occasion.

    I made a reservation at Antonello to celebrate my Dad's birthday. I am in awe of the hospitality…read moreand would highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for an event space. I made the reservation a couple weeks out, I mentioned we had an infant with us and they recommended booking one of the rooms they had. The catalog they provided showed really great room options and we chose one that was private with beautiful paintings around us. We ordered the lamb chops, the special cheese block pasta, calamari, etc. Honestly, everything was so good there wasn't anything I wouldn't recommend. I would suggest adding a protein to the famous cheese block though. We also ordered one of every dessert and were very happy with everything. The food came out timely, the room was cozy and great photo op opportunity, and the servers were so attendant. Overall, would come back again for an event.

    Photos
    Grilled Salmon with Calabrese sauce
    Grilled Salmon with Calabrese sauce
    Antonello Salad
    Antonello Salad
    Antonello Salad

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    Antonello Salad
    The Capital Grille

    The Capital Grille

    4.3
    (2.6k reviews)
    0.8 mi
    $$$$

    The Capital Grille is always a hit for me. One of my favorite times to visit is during The Wagyu…read moreand Wine Pairing. They offer Wagyu burgers paired with a glass of wine for $35. If you appreciate a great burger, and just happen to like wine.. you will be as happy as me. The event happens every April and November. Check it out. As usual, the customer service was always. The ambiance is nice and relaxed.

    came here with bestie for my late bday celebration & we were sooooo surprised at how amazing our…read moremeal was we ordered the calamari & shrimp cocktail for apps for entrees i ordered the steak frites w caesar salad & hg ordered the seared salmon with salad just WOW... the calamari with peppers ???? WE ATE THAT HOE DOWNNNNNN the peppers added the most delicious twist on those perfectly seasoned & crispy calamari. each bite sent us into orbit truly so sexy the shrimp were SO BIG and PLUMP absolutely juicy and bursting with every bite we looooooved our salads, the veggies were super fresh and perfectly seasoned with dressing my steak frites was so good, i got mine medium rare & it was perfectly cooked, and that chimichurri sauce?? so good fries were crunchy and yummy and the green dipping sauce paired perfectly the seared salmon was soooo good like omgggg the couscous & the sauce was SEXY ASL truly so yummy !! the veggies were a fantastic pair with each bite and so cronchy service was AMAZING!! i forgot our servers name but girl, WE LOVE YOUUUUU our waters were refilled before we could even think to ask and she surprised me with free dessert i love how ambient the interior lights are it's perfect for meals with family or date night HIGHLY RECOMMEND

    Photos
    Lobster Mac 'N' Cheese – Made with freshly poached lobster and topped with a Grana Padano crust.
    Lobster Mac 'N' Cheese – Made with freshly poached lobster and topped with a Grana Padano crust.
    Jumbo Lump Crab Cocktail served with housemade mustard sauce.
    Jumbo Lump Crab Cocktail served with housemade mustard sauce.
    14 oz Dry Aged NY Strip au Poivre finished with our housemade Courvoisier Cream for a decadent finish.

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    14 oz Dry Aged NY Strip au Poivre finished with our housemade Courvoisier Cream for a decadent finish.
    Bar Tinto

    Bar Tinto

    4.6
    (23 reviews)
    0.0 mi

    Bar Tinto is more than a hidden gem. It is a rare find in Orange County. It offers some of the best…read moreMexico City style food items I've had anywhere other than CDMX itself. The chef uses his free range of creativity and offers such unique and amazing ingredients in all of his dishes. He truly cares and has a passion for beautiful food. My wife and I know alot of chefs and restaurants in SoCal and this is some of the best food we can find. Chef Jonathan and his kitchen staff are all one of a kind. They shop for only the freshest ingredients and offer a variety of seasonal dishes throughout the year. The Pork Belly Taco has been a long standing menu item that literally NEVER disappoints. It is incredible. Every tostada the chef creates is amazing. And the Green Goddess dressing on their salad is worthy of bottling and drinking straight. The wine program is also incredible. The range of wine is amazing and everyone on staff is SO knowledgeable about every wine they offer. If you aren't sure about wine or how to pick out you can give them the simplest explanation of what wine you want and they will bring over several bottles to chose from and will give you an in depth and beautiful description of all of them before you decide what you want. Amazing food, wine, music and vibes are all huge perks but what really sets Bar Tinto over the edge is the hospitality and kindness of all the staff. Great for date night, for a night out with friends, a spot to bring the parents too, literally any occasion. We look forward to sitting in tinto and enjoying the food and wine at least twice a week!! Gracias, Bar Tinto! 10/10

    Went to check out the Jazz nights at Bar Tinto and had a nice night out with a girlfriend. Seating…read morewas limited so make sure to come early, managed to grab one in the corner. Staff was really friendly and accommodating. They recommended an orange wine that we liked. The oysters were fresh too and the bread had a nice crunch. Make sure to purchase tickets for the Jazz night in advanced they do sell out!

    Photos
    Bar Tinto
    Oysters
    Oysters
    Bar Tinto

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    Darkroom

    Darkroom

    4.6
    (314 reviews)
    2.2 mi
    $$$$

    First time trying this place. If you are a "foodie" and enjoy trying different creative flavor-…read morethis is the place for you!!! Hamachi crudo- comes with the best sauce, ever! Jimmy nardello peppers- fun to eat Scrambled egg agnolotti- unique flavor Pork tomahawk - perfectly cooked and seasoned! Maitake mushrooms - such a fun dish to eat! Salted corn senifreddo- just try it :) Service was a 10. Food was creative, fun, and delicious!

    my ratings are usually based on my overall experience (food/ambiance/service/location) and darkroom…read moreleft me confused and with lots of questions. service was good. servers were attentive and knowledgeable about current menu (menu does change often except for some staple dishes). per server, ingredients are farm to table. i did enjoy the food-- rating from most to least favorite 1. tuna carpaccio $28 - light and refreshing. i enjoyed the bits of fruits 2. egg agnolotti $26 - loved this! it didn't taste "eggy" at all. very creamy and not doesn't taste "heavy" in ingredients 3. king salmon $44 4. ricotta donuts $15 5. caesar $26 - i like the herbs on here but it has way more cheese than i would like i do not agree with price points. $26 for 4 little gems that you're supposed to eat like a taco? $15 for 6 donut holes? Mmm what left me confused and with questions: is this a casual establishment? fine dining? it looks kinda nice but kinda not? there's a "nice" bar area but the servers are in wrinkled t-shirts, aprons, and hair in messy buns? there's an area with vinyls but the rest of the restaurant seems to be out of place? they have romantic table lamps and black silverware but the chairs remind me of the chairs at shakey's pizza. there were people in tanks and shorts and then some dressed really nice. the ambiance is left to be a confused teenager trying to figure out their identity. it truly felt like 93% of the budget went to food ingredients and 7% went to everything else. i had a good time.. but was it worth $280 of a time?

    Photos
    Inside ambiance
    Inside ambiance
    Tuna crudo
    Tuna crudo
    Black truffle risotto

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    Black truffle risotto

    Work in Progress - wine_bars - Updated August 2026

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