Food was delicious great service Out server Dana was very nice had a great personality Very good ambiance read more

Best food. Best service- everyone is happy to work here. This place is underrated!!! I can't get over the quality of the food and cocktails. Try the guavamente! If she's available, Dana is the best! LOVE YOU PALENQUE read more

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I had a great experience at Palenque Kitchen. The service was quick and respectful. The aesthetics is amazing. The food was top quality as well. Overall, a very nice restaurant to dine. read more

Palenque Kitchen - Quesa Birria Tacos, Frida's Maggie - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Great vibes, good food, awesome customer service... thank you Danna Will be coming back read more

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Palenque in Costa Mesa definitely nails the moody, Instagram-friendly aesthetic, but once you get past the low lighting and chic decor, it feels a bit more like a scene than a real value. It's a fun spot to grab a drink for the ambiance, but as a full meal, it leaves a lot to be desired. The food itself is okay--the quesa birria tacos have decent flavor and the carne asada comes with a nice char--but given the steep prices, you expect way better execution and more generous portions. Paying high-end money for pretty standard street food staples dressed up on nice plateware just feels overpriced. Service was fine enough, nothing to complain about, but the value just isn't there for what they're charging. On top of that, parking can be a bit challenging since it's tucked away in kind of a weird location. If you're going purely for photos, fancy cocktails, and a trendy date night backdrop, it fits the bill, but if you're looking for great food value, there are much better spot-on Mexican joints in OC. read more

Palenque Kitchen - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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This place is adorably decorated with lots of opportunities for photo opps but like many people and places made for social media moments, there's not much substance underneath. The prices are over the top for what you get and the food bland. Drinks were watered down and service slow and oddly rude. We came in on a very slow Sunday, there was barely anyone in the restaurant and the host/waiter/manager playing all roles except bartender seemed bothered and annoyed that he had to work. The food and drinks we ordered were mid at best. This place looks like it could have a fun vibe on Friday or Saturday nights but the prices don't justify the food or the experience. read more

18 dollars for a small Guacamole. This is my first yelp. Bartender and manager are incredible. There's a reason why there's 4 people in this place on a Thursday night. Don't go here. read more

I've been to Palenque twice now. Once on New Years where the food, service and dance party were superb. Revisiting on my sisters birthday the salsa is some of the best i've had at a Mexican restaurant. It actually has a kick. The fajitas are delicious the beans & rice are great and the staff are friendly. Decor is beautiful too. Will return. read more

Came here tonight with a girlfriend for the first time. The parking lot was quite full and I ended up having to park on the street a little further. This was a Thursday night so heads up for weekends might be tough. Was pretty much empty when we got there at 6:30 but ended up getting a little busier by the time we left around 8. I got the CDM steak tacos and they were amazing! Good size and delicious. Comes with rice and beans on the side. Pretty happy with the experience but nothing to write home about. I want to try some of their drinks and other menu items next time. Would come back! read more

Palenque Kitchen - CDM steak tacos - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

First time at this restaurant and we were so happy with it! The service was great, fast and friendly. I wish I remembered our waiter's name but he was so attentive. The ambiance was super cool too. Perfect for a date night, out with friends or just happy hour. The food was AMAZING. I had their Salmon Al Pastor and it was simply scrumptious! It was so soft and cooked to perfection! It was almost sweet and the skin so flavorful. It was a side of white rice with a sweet tone to it and fresh veggies. I will definitely order this again! My friend had Chicken Fajitas and they were super yummy. I also had a Watermelon Cucumber Margarita and it was simply delicious. I will also order this again! read more

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Stopped in here for date night and some futbol watching. Sat at the bar which has all the vibes, decor is absolutely beautiful and great people watching on a Saturday night. Has a weird entrance though, it's not the main doors it's like the side door and you gotta shimmy past a large table to get in. But beyond that, they have a great cocktail list, I recommend the watermelon cucumber one with the tajin rim, then we ordered the cdm ribeye tacos... they were to die for! And my husband had the shrimp and steak fajitas which was a ton of food, we end up taking half of his home. Servers were very nice and on top of it. Some tables ordered a patron sampler bottle thing, they had the flashing lights to go with it. Gave off club vibes. All young couples here and single ladies getting ready for the night out. Great spot, would recommend! read more

Palenque Kitchen - Steak and shrimp fajitas $28 - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Loved the drinks, food was amazing and on Fridays after 8:30 they have music. Our server Mary gave great recommendations. Can't wait to come back. read more

Palenque Kitchen - GUAVE MENTE - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

We had such a great time at Palenque for brunch on the first NFL Sunday of the season! Dana was our server and she was fantastic. She was super attentive and made the experience even better. We ordered the steak empanadas, CDM steak tacos, and poblano Caesar salad with steak, and everything was so good. The guava mocktail and mezcal cocktails were also delicious. The ambience was great, the food was amazing, and we'll definitely be back. read more

Dana gave great service and gave us her favorite recommendations The food was 10 out of 10 will be coming back.

I had brunch here and it was incredible! Everything, from the service to the food, was truly outstanding. The restaurant is spotless and beautifully designed. Highly recommend, and a big thank you to Danna for the amazing service! read more

Palenque Kitchen - Quesa Birria Tacos - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

We came here to celebrate a friend's birthday on a Saturday morning. They open at 11 and a few hours later, the place was still very empty (about 3-4 parties present out of the whole restaurant). I was surprised, since the ambiance is stylish and chic and the drinks are amazing!! Parking in front is a plus, also! Food wise, unfortunately, my breakfast burrito was bland, and so were the rice and beans from my friend's tacos. Another friend who is not into spicy food said her tacos were very spicy (so be careful when you order). My burrito came with green salsa on the side and it still was missing some flavor. Next time I come I will order my friend's chilaquiles, which was very tasty and flavorful!! Drinks are made in house and are perfect. Our waiter was really nice and the food didn't take long to arrive. Great place to come for a date or a large celebration! Yes, they have brunch! read more

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We had a nice birthday dinner here. The steak fajitas were delicious. The ambience is such a breath of fresh air, beautiful decor, low lighting and chill beats music! We loved it! read more

Had our company dinner here and it went very well. I had the Pollo dish and it was so heavenly, super well seasoned and balanced. My husband had the steak and it was great as well and came out perfect temperature. Not pictured was the ceviche which was super bright and enjoyable. Service as great and our waiter was super patient with us being a large party. Will definitely be back soon! read more

Palenque Kitchen - Steak Tampiquena - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Ambiance feels more like a vibey-bar restauraunt than a restauraunt restauraunt. They play loud music which can make it hard to converse. Overall the food was just ok, but the drinks were solid! Great service though. read more

Palenque Kitchen - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Nice little Mexican food spot located where HUB used to be. They don't advertise it on their menu but they have an unpublished kids menu that includes: grilled chicken with rice and refried beans, chicken strips with French fries or quesadilla (choice of cheese, chicken, or steak) with rice and beans. I really enjoyed the puerto Nuevo enchiladas and my 4 yr old loved them too! He also nearly went face down in the flan with coconut ice cream. My son loves coconut ice cream but now he also loves flan! They have a cool decor in the restaurant and it's very modern. There's a bathroom at the end and they have high chairs if you need them. Service was great and we'd come back again. read more

Found this place through instagram. Went there for lunch with a friend on a Saturday and it wasn't too crazy or loud. We got the margarita sampler and carne asada from the dinner menu. 10/10 would recommend! It was all so delicious. Service was fast and we got some great recommendations. read more

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Food was sooo delicious and the service was top notch! Had the ceviche tostada for our appetizer . The enchiladas were unlike any other I've had before... EXCELLENT! Mary provided us with the best and most attentive service! Thank you Mary! read more

Came for dinner! Danna was our server and she was very attentive. Great service, constantly checked in on us. Food was delicious. We shared the chicken enchiladas and biria tacos. So good! read more

Food was great! We ordered the chicken enchiladas and birria tacos. Both were very good. Danna took great care of us and made we sure we got the most of happy hour. read more

Solid spot for date night! We went at 5:30 on a Sunday and it was absolutely dead. I bet it's more poppin for brunch and also later on weekend evenings? Chips and salsa were good, drinks were so tasty, and the enchiladas and Caesar salad were perfect. I do feel it was a bit pricey especially the drinks, but I'd recommend it for a fun night out if you want club-y vibes. read more

Palenque Kitchen - Lobster Enchiladas Puerto Nuevo and Caesar Salad - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Amazing food! Gilberto the chef is gifted. Dayna was so attentive, beautiful Smile! Music ambiance, feels like you are at a club, fun, lighting, and overall experience is great!!!!!!!!!!!! Highly recommend! read more

I had an amazing experience at Palenque Kitchen. The service was quick and great. The food was really tasty. We got excellent food & drink recommendations from our waiter Laz. read more

Palenque Kitchen - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Food service and ambiance are all top notch! Music was vibey. I wish I lived closer so I could come here more often. Steak was melt in your mouth and buttery. Not too many great vegetarian options (see other pic) but great for everyone else! Cocktails were also delicious. read more

Palenque Kitchen - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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We came here around 12:30 on a Sunday and it was pretty empty. Only 3 tables were filled which was surprising considering they have a Brunch menu. That emptiness should have been my que to leave but was looking forward to trying something new. We got chips and salsa with an appetizer meanwhile a group of 4 sat next to us. 20mins later we see the table of 4 getting all their food and we still had not. The waiter could see my face and he went immediately to the kitchen. He comes out with no food stating that they are starting to work on our food. WTH it's now after 1 and you just now starting it. He states they like to give ppl time to enjoy their appetizers, it don't take that long to eat no appetizer. Needless to say we got the check and left. Very disappointing and a waste of time. Do Better!!! If I could give a zero I would read more

Great huevos rancheros and excellent service from Dana! Highly recommend. We enjoyed our brunch

Our visit was in March of 2026. The food was great the place was mostly empty yet were questioned for quite a while by the hostess about having a reservation. Ended up eating at the bar which was nice. For how slow it was we were surprised that the service was a still a bit slow. My husband ordered a Paloma and was charged $20! Receipt attached. While food was good I don't think we will be back. Too many other choices with better service and pricing. read more

Palenque Kitchen - Receipt - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Palenque Kitchen by Mezcal is a standout in Costa Mesa we went on a Friday and it delivered exactly the high-energy vibe I wanted, DJ, packed crowd, and a fun atmosphere. Beautiful space that works for date night or a night out with friends, and even with the crowd, service was on point, shoutout to Josue. "The Patron Tree" is super fun and photogenic (mini margaritas). The branzino and the steak were seriously good. Overall, great music, great vibes, and a perfect spot for a night out. read more

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Had such a great experience at Palenque by Mezcal! Mary was our server and she was so friendly, attentive, and welcoming. I ordered the protein bowl with chicken and it was absolutely packed with flavor! Everything was fresh and delicious. Definitely recommend! read more

Cute place in downtown Riverside. Definitely nice to sit down and relax with family or friends. Restaurant itself is cute. The food is ok but the drinks are delicious. Very much enjoyed the margarita flight with hibiscus, watermelon, cucumber and a normal one. Highly recommend. The cheese enchilada was ok, a little too salty for my taste. My husband got the chicken enchilada and thought it was ok. Would come back for drinks and apps, but will likely pass on entrees. read more

Went for new years with their set menu. Our server Laz was excellent from the beginning, he was helpful and friendly. The salad and soup to start were delicious Also they fry their own tortilla chips in house and they're served warm. Delicious! Main dishes were salmon and steak, both were about average but not bad in any way. Our nye ticket included party favors Dj was playing awesome throwbacks mixed with modern hip hop, enjoyed it Recommend this place - lots of seating so reservations are easier than others in the area read more

I visited here on a rainy night and it was an intimate and visually appealing restaurant. Even though there were barely any people inside (though my guess is because it was a Tuesday night and it was raining), the music and visuals made me feel excited to eat here. My enchiladas with the shrimp was cooked to perfection and the beans and rice were also good but nothing outstanding. They serve chips and salsa and honestly those were some of the best I've had at a Mexican restaurant. I think my friend got some Al Pastor dish and he really liked it too. I think it is on the pricier side for what is served but the service was friendly; I would definitely come back here. read more

Palenque Kitchen - Enchiladas Mazatlan - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Palenque is such a beautiful spot. The ambiance is stunning and you can tell they put a lot of thought into the design. As soon as we sat down they greeted us with water and chips and salsa. The chips are homemade and really good. I ordered the cheese enchiladas and overall everything tasted great. My only small caveat was that I wish the dish came out hotter temperature wise. One other minor thing was when we were waiting for the check the music got very loud and I couldn't hear the person sitting right next to me. I am not sure if it was accidentally turned up. That said, overall it was a good experience and I would definitely come back. read more

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The ambience is so nice and aesthetically pleasing! The service was quick and very nice. I recommend getting the fajitas they were super yummy and seasoned well, plus it had a good amount of food. Definitely worth it and would come back again read more

Palenque Kitchen - Fajitas - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Great Food & Drinks! Had a great experience at Palenque Cocina in Costa Mesa! I had the Pepino Margarita and the Protein Bowl, and both were excellent. My wife had the Watermelon Margarita and the Chilaquiles, and she loved them as well. Everything we ordered was fresh, flavorful, and really well prepared. The margaritas were especially good, and the food was just as impressive. Definitely a place we'd come back to. Highly recommend checking out Palenque Cocina if you're in Costa Mesa! read more

Brought my mom here for an early Mother's Day celebration. The food was amazing and the service was great. read more

Palenque Kitchen - Pulpo - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Costa Mesa, California