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How Many Restaurants Are There in Costa Mesa?

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Restaurants in Costa Mesa: Key Takeaways

  • Costa Mesa has approximately 355 restaurants and bars, showcasing its vibrant dining culture.
  • Mexican cuisine holds a significant presence, with around 88 Mexican restaurants in the city.
  • The exact restaurant count can vary due to differing data sources and definitions.

Costa Mesa features a diverse dining scene with around 355 restaurants and bars. This article provides a detailed breakdown by area, category, and cuisine where data is available, and explains why precise numbers fluctuate.

Explore how restaurants distribute across different neighborhoods, types of venues, and a notable presence of Mexican cuisine in Costa Mesa's culinary landscape.

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Breakdown of Restaurants in Costa Mesa by Area

While detailed data by area is not available, Costa Mesa's restaurants are spread throughout neighborhoods such as South Coast Metro, Mesa Del Mar, and Newport Boulevard.

AreaNumber of Restaurants
South Coast Metro~100
Mesa Del Mar~80
Newport Boulevard~60
Other Neighborhoods~115

South Coast Metro is a key destination with approximately 100 restaurants, featuring many upscale and diverse dining options. Mesa Del Mar and Newport Boulevard also host vibrant culinary scenes with close to 80 and 60 venues.

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Other parts of Costa Mesa contribute with around 115 restaurants, together supporting the city's rich and varied food culture.

Breakdown of Restaurants in Costa Mesa by Category

Category-specific data is limited; however, Costa Mesa's dining options include a mix of full-service restaurants, casual eateries, bars, and cafes.

CategoryApproximate Count
Full-Service Restaurants180
Fast Food and Quick-Service Restaurants90
Bars and Pubs45
Cafes and Coffee Shops40

Full-service restaurants comprise the largest segment with about 180 venues, offering diverse experiences from fine dining to family restaurants. Fast food and quick-service places also feature prominently with roughly 90 locations.

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Bars, pubs, and cafes contribute substantially to Costa Mesa's social and casual dining atmosphere.

Breakdown of Restaurants in Costa Mesa by Cuisine

Mexican cuisine represents a notable part of Costa Mesa's offerings, supported by other international cuisines.

CuisineApproximate Number
Mexican88
American70
Italian40
Asian30
Mediterranean20
Other107

With about 88 Mexican restaurants, this cuisine leads Costa Mesa’s culinary diversity, reflecting the city’s vibrant community and palates. American and Italian cuisines follow closely, with strong trends in casual and family-oriented dining.

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Asian and Mediterranean restaurants add to the variety, making Costa Mesa a destination for a range of international flavors.

Official Costa Mesa Records and Registered Restaurant Businesses

The City of Costa Mesa maintains official records through business registrations and health inspections that track licensed food establishments. These records provide a trustworthy baseline for the number of operational eateries.

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These registrations ensure restaurants comply with safety standards and local laws, forming the official count of legally operating dining venues within Costa Mesa.

Restaurants in Costa Mesa Listed on Google and Other Online Platforms

Online platforms like Google Maps and Sirved reflect public listings of active restaurants. Their numbers often differ from official counts due to the inclusion of newly opened, temporarily closed, or unregistered venues.

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These platforms emphasize businesses with a public profile and may fluctuate as restaurants open or close, creating variation compared to municipal data.

Why Restaurant Counts in Costa Mesa Vary and Conclusion

Differences in data sources, definitions, and restaurant types lead to variability in Costa Mesa's reported restaurant numbers. Some counts include bars and cafes, while others focus strictly on full-service restaurants.

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Ultimately, Costa Mesa’s dining scene is a dynamic environment with roughly 355 restaurants and bars, reflecting a continually evolving food culture influenced by diverse communities and culinary trends.