While malls are no longer the major community and commerce epicenters that they once were in the ’80s and ’90s — due to the rise of e-commerce, changing consumer behavior, finicky market demands and other issues — Orange County’s remain popular destination spots. Famously so. This is especially true for South Coast Plaza, which sees more than 20 million customers each year. That’s a lot of bellies to fill.
As part of Orange County Register’s new guide to mall dining, the iconic shopping center in Costa Mesa will kick things off. Considered our region’s most high-end mall (sorry, Fashion Island), the 1967 shopping extravaganza has undergone makeovers, expansions and changes to its dining scene over the decades.
Note: This guide focuses on the restaurants and food stops located within the main South Coast Plaza structure itself. This means several eateries attached to the South Coast Plaza name (e.g., Vaca and Maggiano’s Little Italy) at spaces like South Coast Plaza Village and Metro Pointe at South Coast won’t be included here.
AnQi Bistro
This California Asian and Vietnamese-inspired cuisine is a sister of the Crustacean restaurant in Beverly Hills. Popular dishes include tombo tuna tacos, truffle sashimi, shrimp and lobster dumplings, salt and pepper calamari, AN’s famous garlic noodles, filet mignon potstickers and misoyaki butterfish.
Recommended: Garlic noodles and the kimchi fried rice are a must.
Find it: Level two, Bloomingdale’s wing
Armani/Caffè
Charming little cafe just off the concourse walkway area, part of the clothing empire’s dining portfolio Armani Restaurants. The menu features coffees, pastries, salads and light bites. A great place for watching passersby as you refuel.
Recommended: Ideal for a quick coffee pitstop.
Find it: Level two between Jewel and Carousel courts, next door to Giorgio Armani
Bruxie
Fried chicken and waffle stop that also offers a habanero honey hot chicken sandwich, chicken tenders, waffle-cut fries, spiced tots and sweet waffles.
Recommended: Nutella shake, chicken tenders for the kids and, of course, the fried chicken and waffle sandwiches.
Find it: Level two, Bloomingdale’s wing
Caló Kitchen + Tequila
The third location of Clemente Heredia’s popular Mexican restaurant, highlights here include giant burritos, halibut tacos, combination plates, short rib enchiladas and shrimp taquitos.
Recommended: Why, tequila and mezcal, of course. Calo has more than a dozen labels on the menu. Also of note are the short-rib enchiladas that come with crispy onions, rice and black beans.
Find it: Level 1, Carousel Court
The Capital Grille
An upscale, throwback-to-yesteryear steakhouse with a dress code (its website suggests “business casual or resort evening wear” while “men’s shirts must have sleeves,” so leave the athleisure wear at home) that features a menu of classic steakhouse staples: Porcini-rubbed bone-in ribeye, shrimp cocktail, tenderloin with butter-poached lobster tails and coconut cream pie. Don’t miss the paintings of John Wayne and U.S. presidents gracing the walls.
Recommended: A dry martini at the bar with an order of fries.
Find it: Level three, Bloomingdale’s Wing, entrance is on level two
Cha Redefine
A quaint spot for an array of classic milk teas, fruit teas and other crisp beverages. Waffles with ice cream and other sweet treats are also available.
Recommended: Black sugar boba and matcha latte are both excellent choices.
Find it: Level 1, Bloomingdale’s wing
Churriño Gourmet Dessert
This place is all about churros and ice cream, offering a variety of churros that you can fill with different sauces. It also has a decent selection of ice cream and coffee.
Recommended: The churros with a caramel filling and a scoop of dulce de leche ice cream.
Find it: Level one, Bloomingdale’s wing
Claim Jumper
A onetime larger chain with only a few spots still in operation, this one at South Coast Plaza offers comfy fare including chicken pot pie, Southwest chicken egg rolls, steaks, burgers and salads.. This place is known for its ample portions and massive desserts, like the six-layer chocolate motherlode cake.
Recommended: The appetizers are a better bet, like the spinach artichoke dip and lightly fried lemon-pepper zucchini.
Find it: Level two, Din Tai Fung wing
Din Tai Fung
Known for its soup dumplings (xiao long bao), Din Tai Fung, a Taiwanese chain with a location in Downtown Disney, is very busy so be prepared to wait. The menu also includes noodle dishes, fried rice and vegetable plates.
Recommended: The pork xiao long bao and the shrimp and pork wontons with spicy sauce are the way to go.
Find it: Level 2, Din Tai Fung wing
Hamamori Restaurant and Sushi Bar
This spot offers a choice selection of traditional sushi and innovative Japanese dishes by chef James Hamamori.
Recommended: Go for the omakase (chef’s tasting menu) for a heightened experience. Available upon request.
Find it: Level 3, Macy’s Home Store wing
K Soul Food
Located in the new-ish food hall, this spot offers a modern take on Korean classics. Its South Coast Plaza outpost focuses on favorites like spicy rice cakes (tteokbokki), Korean fried chicken and rice bowls. You’ll find a mix of traditional and modern dishes, including popular items like bulgogi and skewers.
Recommended: Tteokbokki is always the way to go. Also of note are the kimchi fried rice and the Instagram-friendly tornado potato skewer.
Find it: Level 1, Bloomingdale’s wing
Knife Pleat
One of Orange County’s two Michelin-starred restaurants, chef Tony Esnault and Yassmin Sarmadi’s French restaurant is, along with Paradise Dynasty, the mall’s destination dining spot. Many skip the shopping and just come here for the food. The menu changes with the seasons but always features refined, high-end cuisine in a drop-dead gorgeous setting. Knife Pleat also has bar seating available for those who prefer solo dining.
Recommended: The afternoon tea service is fantastic.
Find it: Level 3, penthouse
Läderach Chocolatier Suisse
This Swiss chocolatier is a boon for chocolate zealots. The main draw is the FrischSchoggi, or “fresh chocolate,” which is handcrafted in Switzerland. These giant slabs of chocolate are broken by hand, so you can pick and choose your favorite flavors and textures, like milk chocolate with roasted corn nuts and almonds, or dark chocolate with fruit and nuts. The spot also offers a variety of pralines, truffles and other chocolate-covered treats.
Recommended: Go for the FrischSchoggi, which you can sample (the friendly staff are generous with samples) before selecting your favorites. And go ahead and get the Dubai chocolate version if available.
Find it: Level two, Bloomingdale’s wing
Le Shrimp Noodle Bar
An offshoot of Paradise Dynasty, this lively spot is a fusion of Chinese and Japanese flavors, specializing in a rich and savory broth made from a blend of prawns, spices and chicken. Its hand-pulled noodles are the standout star, served in broths or dry noodle dishes. Keep an eye out for occasional collabs with O.C. restaurants.
Recommended: The signature trio shrimp noodle boasting a big prawn, prawn ball, and prawn dumpling all in one bowl.
Find it: Level one, Bloomingdale’s wing
Marugame Udon
A lively spot where you can watch the chefs make fresh udon noodles right in front of you. Choose your noodles, broth and then add your own tempura, rice balls and other toppings.
Recommended: The kamaage udon is a classic choice. Add tempura shrimp, should the mood strike.
Find it: Level one, Din Tai Fung wing
Miàn
From the team behind the Michelin-starred Sichuan restaurant Chengdu Taste, Miàn specializes in Chinese street food, most notably spicy and numbing noodles from the Sichuan province. Menu includes dishes like zajiang mian (noodles with a rich pork sauce), spicy noodles with beef and a variety of other tasty, fiery options.
Recommended: If you love heat, the spicy beef noodle soup is a must-try. For something with less kick, try the pork rib noodle soup.
Find it: Level one, Din Tai Fung wing
Mochinut
Mochinut is a popular spot for two specific and delicious treats: colorful mochi donuts and Korean rice flour hot dogs. The donuts have a nice chewy texture and come in a wide range of flavors, from churro to ube. The Korean hot dogs are coated in a batter made with rice flour, giving them a crispy, chewy bite.
Recommended: Try the half and half hot dog with a crunchy batter topping like potato or ramen. And the black sesame mochi donut is a solid choice.
Find it: Level one, Bloomingdale’s wing
Moulin
This charming French cafe and bakery serves pastries, fresh bread and classic French dishes like quiche and croque monsieurs.
Recommended: Grab a flaky croissant and a cafe au lait.
Find it: Level two, Bridge of Gardens
Paradise Dynasty
Famous for its colorful, eight-flavor signature pork dumplings, this restaurant offers unique twists on the classic soup dumpling. The menu also includes a variety of Chinese dishes, from stir-fried rice cakes to crispy duck. If you snag the right booth, you can watch the chefs in action as they make noodles and dumplings. Paradise Dynasty and Knife Pleat are, at least for me, the two gastronomic highlights at South Coast Plaza.
Recommended: You have to try the eight-flavor dumplings — each one has a different, often surprising taste. Also of note: The occasional collaborations; the Paradise Dynasty x Heritage Barbecue dishes were standout moments of 2024.
Find it: Level two, Bloomingdale’s wing
PhoHolic
This restaurant focuses on creating a high-quality broth that is rich with beef flavor, serving up a variety of pho dishes with different cuts of meat. Come for the pho, stay for the peaceful solo dining environment where in your very own enclosed space, your dish is served to you from behind a shuttered window. An introvert’s dream spot.
Recommended: The broth here is the highlight. Go for a classic pho with brisket and meatballs and be sure to add some onions with vinegar.
Find it: Level one, Bloomingdale’s wing
Populaire
A swank yet still casual restaurant offering classic American fare with a focus on seasonal, local ingredients. An ideal spot for a relaxed lunch or dinner, or a lively, mimosa-spiked brunch spot.
Recommended: The ratatouille egg yolk, comte, gochugaru and crostini.
Find it: Level two, Saks Fifth Avenue wing
Quattro Caffé
A classic Italian cafe with a prime location right in the center of the action. Its menu focus on paninis, salads, pasta and desserts. Another choice spot for watching shoppers sporting designer threads pass by.
Recommended: If one dish could summarize a mall dining experience, for better or for worse, it would be the ever-popular chicken pesto panini.
Find it: Level one, Between Jewel and Carousel courts
Ruscello
Located inside Nordstrom, Ruscello offers a menu of Mediterranean- and Italian-inspired dishes in an open-air setting. The menu features salads, pizzas and pasta.
Recommended: The prosciutto and arugula pizza.
Find it: Level three, inside Nordstrom
Seasons 52
As its name suggests, this eatery (with locations throughout the U.S.) focuses on seasonal dishes that are noted for being healthier than typical food court fare. The menu includes flatbreads, seafood and grilled meats.
Recommended: The mini indulgences desserts served in tiny glasses and downright adorable.
Find it: Level 2, Bloomingdale’s wing
See’s Candies
Founded in Los Angeles in 1921 by Charles See and his widowed mother, Mary See, this beloved candy empire is always an ideal spot for grabbing a single chocolate or box of them.
Recommended: This is such a personal decision. My favorites are the Milk Bordeaux, Scotchmallow and Peanut Butter Patties,
Find it: Macy’s Home Store wing and Carousel court
Sugarfina
A luxury candy boutique that reimagines classic candies into gourmet Unique treats include the popular champagne bears and rosé-flavored gummies to bento boxes filled with treats. (Kosher and vegan gummies also available.)
Recommended: The champagne bears are a classic for a reason — they’re made with Dom Pérignon and come with a bubbly taste.
Find it: Level one, Carousel court
Vox Kitchen & Bar
A newer addition to the dining scene, Vox Kitchen & Bar, which also has a location in Fountain Valley, specializes in Chifa cuisine, a Peruvian-Chinese fusion. Its menu offers garlic noodles, fried rice and creative plates like saltado with your choice of protein. Part of the Kei Concepts restaurant portfolio.
Recommended: You can’t go wrong with their steak garlic noodles, and the Peruvian salad with romaine, pico de gallo, corn, cucumber and queso fresco is great. Also of note: the spicy won tons.
Find it: Level one, Crate & Barrel wing
Wahoo’s Fish Taco
A beloved Orange County institution, Wahoo’s offers a casual and laid-back vibe with tasty, simple food. You can get a variety of tacos, burritos and bowls with grilled fish, carnitas or chicken.
Recommended: The classic fish taco, which helped put Wahoo’s on the culinary.
Find it: Level two, Macy’s Home Store wing
Yu Cake
A recent addition to South Coast Plaza, this Japanese-inspired dessert shop specializes in desserts galore, like light and fluffy cheesecakes, mouses cakes and multi-layered crepe cakes.
Recommended: Go for their original signature cheesecake. Or the blueberry double cheesecake. Or the stunning crepe cakes. Or the cake rolls. Or the cake jars. I could go on.
Find it: Level one, Bloomingdale’s wing