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    Plums Cafe

    4.1 (3.5k reviews)
    Open 8:00 am - 3:00 pm
    Updated 1 month ago

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    PLUMS CAFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Dogs allowed
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Plums Cafe

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    Reviews With Photos

    Flat Iron Steak & Eggs
    Anthony L.

    We came here for Mother's Day brunch expecting a nice experience, especially considering how popular this place is, but unfortunately it did not live up to the hype or the price point. For 3 people, the bill came out to almost $200, which would've been understandable if the food quality matched the cost -- but it really didn't. I ordered the steak medium rare, but it came out closer to medium and was very dry. On top of that, the kitchen absolutely overloaded it with garlic to the point where it completely overpowered the flavor of the meat. The potatoes on the side were also disappointing -- burnt, hard, and packed with way too much rosemary. All that disappointment for $55 dish! The atmosphere was busy and energetic for Mother's Day, which we expected, but the food itself felt rushed and inconsistent. For the prices they charge, I honestly expected much better execution and quality control. Overall, not the experience we hoped for, especially for a special occasion brunch.

    The two pound Giant Cinnamon Roll
    Steve N.

    As always outstanding food and the service was off the hook. Luke our service was outstanding it was so refreshing to be served by a waiter like him. Good job Plums in hiring Luke!!!!

    Tucked away in the corner of a shopping center, this place is pretty easy to find.
    Dan L.

    I have been a fan of this restaurant for years, and I'm surprised it took me this long to write a review. Located in Costa Mesa right off 17th Street, this place used to be a regular haunt of mine when I lived in Southern California. It is tucked away inside a shopping center, but it's very easy to find. The shopping center itself is very eclectic, there is a a cookie store, a salon makeup places, a few other vendors and another coffee shop. But plums is definitely the star of the show. For starters I have to say they have some of the friendliest wait staff of any place I've ever been. Every single time that I've been there, staff has always been warm, friendly, greet you with a smile, and definitely takes care of your table. Speaking of the tables, the entire restaurant is very light open and airy. It definitely has a very warm, comfortable breakfast time atmosphere. Slightly modern but not overly modern to wear it. Distracts you from your food. They have so many great things on the menu. One of my favorites is the Vietnamese pork bowl, you definitely have to try that! The coffee is amazing, strong but not overly strong, and is just perfect. The atmosphere of the place is semi-quiet, but can get a little bit noisy if there's a lot of people inside. On this particular venture I tried something I'd never had before. The pancakes. Now this is odd because pancakes are my normal go-to. But plum's always has so many great things on their menu. I end up trying those. So today I figured you know what if I'm doing a review. I want to order the simplest item on the menu to see if they nailed it. Spoiler alert : they nailed it I ordered the two stack of the blueberry pancakes with lemon curd and it was phenomenal. Of course I had to do a side of bacon, as well as a milk with breakfast. If there was ever a perfect meal listed in any sort of registry, this would be it. It the pancakes were light and fluffy and the lemon curd was absolutely outstanding and the overall dish was just a pleasure to eat. The waiter that took care of me was friendly, attentive, and not overbearing. It was absolutely the perfect pace for a morning breakfast. Bottom line? If you are ever in cost Mesa and do not go to Plum's, you are cheating yourself out of one of the best breakfasts in Orange county. County. This place has been around for a very very long time, and the quality of the food and the returning clientele shows it.

    Party of 5 automatic service charge
    Mikki C.

    I've given this place another chance and glad for it! We were gifted a mini cinnamon roll as an appetizer, which was awesome. Then we doubled down and ordered the giant cinnamon roll and were delighted how flavorful and moist it was. The iced banana coffee was freaking delicious and my girlfriend loved her hot coffee. I highly recommend the sweet potato hash, super flavorful and makes yummy left overs.

    Hayley H.

    Celebrating OC Restaurant Week with the gorrllls. I had the opportunity to meet up with a few of my coworkers to celebrate one of the best weeks of the year. Plums has it all. A trendy vibe, caffeinated bevvies, and a stacked breakfast/lunch menu. I will admit that their pricing is on the higher side - but what isn't these days? I ordered their banana split latte and a breakfast sammie with turkey. This sandwich came layered with an over-easy egg and all the greens. I also loved their side salad, which came with fresh sliced strawberries and oranges. Their service was a-okay. They did forget about our crew towards the end of our visit, but otherwise were very attentive.

    Breakfast Sandwich
    Erika N.

    Plums is an OC staple brunch spot on 17th street. I would highly recommend making reservations and pretty easy to schedule the day before as it a pretty busy and well known spot in Costa Mesa. When you get seated, best play is to order the Dutch baby before your full order. It's an amazing pastry dish but does take about 20mins or so to cook. We added the berries and pro-tip is to squeeze the lemon, add the berries then sprinkle the powdered sugar. I ordered the breakfast sandwich with bacon. The greens to meat & bread ratios is fantastic. I love a well-balanced sandwich that doesn't feel too decadent. The side salad with a light vinaigrette was a great pairing. They have tons of refreshing cocktails and lots of options on the menu. Another great dish is the Vietnamese bowl but will be adding this sandwich to my brunch rotation. They have indoor and outdoor seating, I enjoy sitting inside due to the aesthetics since outdoors is just a little space between businesses and near parking lot.

    Plums Famous Dutch Baby & Prime Rib Sandwich
    Tulisa T.

    we made a reservation on a saturday morning and it was very crowded. we arrived and got seated right away. service was quick and friendly. dutch baby was good but definitely average for the price. the prime rib sandwich was delicious and flavorful. very filling and a good portion. the place is very spacious with indoor and outdoor seating. overall, it was good but would probably get something different next time.

    2 pounder
    My W.

    Plums had me in a chokehold for months. Reel after reel of their famous 2-pound cinnamon roll had me dreaming, drooling, and fully influenced by these influencers that moaned after each bite of the cinnamon roll. So when my kids asked what I wanted to do for my birthday, I immediately said, "I need the 2-pound giant cinnamon roll." Birthday rules applied. They had no choice. I got to have my "yes" day. The wait wasn't terrible, it was about 30 minutes. We did have to sit outside in the rain, but there were heat lamps. It was fine. I even enjoyed the sound of the rain for a bit. Then the cinnamon roll arrived. Yes, it was massive. It was definitely Gram worthy and I received a lot of likes but... it was all looks, no substance. Four of us ate about half and took the rest home. Unfortunately... it was really dry. The best part was the very center. The edges were burnt and crunchy, not in a good way. It was just hard and flavorless. I left sadly disappointed. It was my birthday. I had waited so long for this moment, only to walk out of Plums utterly sad. Sometimes the hype wins. This time, it didn't.

    Ken C.

    Open from morning till 2pm, Plum's cafe is a local spot in Costa Mesa that specializes in brunch items. Most of their entrees run around $20 (except their steak and eggs and crab omelette). I went with their chocolate banana waffle ($20), that's topped with banana, whipped cream and caramel sauce. The waffle was chocolatey, and I enjoyed the caramel sauce and whipped cream. My wife and I shared their granny smith apple salad, which was a refreshing mix of greens, apples (dried and fresh), hazelnuts, pinot vinaigrette, goat cheese, and dried cranberries ($19) and added chicken for $9. I got their cinnamon roll latte ($10), which, to my surprise, came with a "mini" version of their signature cinnamon roll. Overall, this was a good experience for a early lunch/late breakfast as we got a nice balance. $28 for a salad with a little bit of chicken is on the steep end of what I'd want to pay for a light entree, which ultimately impacts where it ranks on my top brunch destinations; however, we did enjoy what we ordered and we would consider coming back if we were already in the area.

    Coffee
    Michelle K.

    I love coming here for lunch. Their brie panini is absolutely delicious!!! Its a must try. If you love relaxing with your friends with chilled white wine and delicious food choices then check this place out. Plus, for tmobile dining cash back if you book reservations n dine using your registered CC. Its a win win! Also, portions are big! It can be pricey but worth the price! Food starts at like $19/dish.

    Patrick O.

    Very upsetting that this place raised it prices on Mother's Day! My plate was originally $22 on the regular menu, but on their "Special" Mothers Day menu, it was a set price of $35, $45, and $55!! It would've been cheaper to order online / to-go since those prices wasn't raised. My family of 5 total bill was almost $300!! Ridiculous!

    Huevos Rancheros
    Hailey F.

    We tried this place again today. We walked in without a reservation around 10:30 on a Saturday. The place was packed, and the wait was about 30 minutes. They offer plenty of indoor and outdoor shaded patio seating, and the overall vibe is relaxed and easygoing. I ordered the Dutch baby with berries which was excellent, and my husband ordered the huevos rancheros and he was satisfied with his plate as well. They have lots of fun drinks on the menu, and I'm looking forward to trying some next time. Most importantly, our server was attentive and courteous and didn't rush us out like the server we had the last time. We will definitely be back again.

    Francine G.

    We were craving a Dutch baby pancake and decided to try Plums Cafe after seeing it on TikTok. The Dutch baby itself was pretty good, but the berries were an extra charge. I usually don't mind paying extra for toppings; however, the fruit wasn't sweet at all and was actually quite sour, so it felt like a waste. We also ordered the smoked salmon Benedict and were disappointed with the flavors--it was way too salty. The potatoes, however, were really good. Service was fast, but unfortunately the food wasn't even warm when it arrived, which was disappointing. Overall, the food had potential, but a few things missed the mark.

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    Page 3 of 88

    Plums Cafe Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Plums Cafe

    Do you guys serve Mimosas?

    Yes, we offer a full bar including Mimosas

    We plan to come on Easter. Are you offering only the Easter brunch on that day or can we also order off your regular menu?

    Every Easter and Mother’s Day (two days a year), Plums offers a special brunch menu in order to offer the best service and highest quality brunch items as possible. The Easter Brunch menu can be found on Plums web site under the menu section.… Read more

    Any vegan foods as I sure don't see any. Amazing so many places are stuck in the past and won't offer a healthier alternative like vegan foods, fresh veggies & fruit maybe?

    There are a few limited vegan options like the Brazilian Bowl, fruit, whole cut oats, and salads.

    Ok so I saw that you have a two pound cinnamon roll that if you finish it by yourself you get a tshirt. What does the tshirt look like? Is the cinnamon roll free if I finish it fast enough? Can I expect confetti when I conquer the beast?

    We offer a tshirt with different size options that say I ate the whole Cinnamon Bun at Plums Cafe if you finish in 20 minutes.

    Do you have a gluten-free pancakes French toast or GF waffles?

    Yes, we offer gluten-free pancakes, waffles and toast.

    Do they allow small 10lbs well behave inside?

    People? Sure. Dogs? No.

    Are there gluten free options?

    Yes, they have lots of gluten-free options!

    Vegetarian friendly? Dog friendly? These are the two things I look for when finding a weekend brunch spot.?

    Do you have Apple Pay?

    Yes

    Do we need reservations?

    No, you don't need reservation.

    Is there a to-go option?

    Yes

    Do they deliver?

    No they don't

    Can we eat lunch inside today?

    Yes

    So they do Delivery?

    Pick up only

    Do they offer bottomless mimosas?

    No.

    Do they take reservations?

    Yes they do online 24 hours in advance. After that call the restaurant and make them.

    What are your gluten free options?

    Water

    Can you bring Dogs?

    Yes

    Any vegan options?

    Hello Morgan. First of all, I am not a vegan so I don't want to give any incorrect information. However, if the point is to avoid all animal byproducts, (by my experience) Plums would be difficult.… Read more

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    I tried the Killer Smash Burger and WOW... 10/10. It was so satisfying -- perfectly cooked with…read morecaramelized onions and chilis that gave it the perfect amount of spice without being overwhelming. Definitely a must-try! The sweet potato fries never disappoint, and adding cheese just takes them to another level. And don't even get me started on the truffle fries... so addicting, definitely meant for sharing (or not). If you're thinking about trying something new here, this is your sign!

    I was introduced to Eat Chow by a close friend and overall had a pretty good experience. Their…read moreservice was surprisingly quick, the food came out in 15 minutes from the time we ordered. The iced horchata matcha latte leaned much heavier on the horchata flavor, so don't expect a strong matcha taste if that's what you're looking for. The best thing we ordered was definitely the Chow Chorizo Burrito. It was fully stuffed, the chorizo was seasoned really well, and the avocado balanced everything nicely. I'd absolutely order this again or even pick up to-go for a full beach day. We also got the Strawberry Haute Cakes, which were massive, fluffy pancakes topped with fresh strawberries. Definitely a good option if you're sharing. A couple of things to note - parking is pretty limited, which is honestly expected for this area, so just plan ahead. The interior also feels a bit cramped for the amount of seating they try to fit in, but the space is at least nicely decorated and has a cozy vibe. Would come back here again for brunch, but only in small groups of 2-4 people.

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    Lemon & Thyme - Pork belly and black garlic bbq

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    4.8(303 reviews)
    0.9 mi

    First time at Lemon & Thyme and it was a great experience overall. The ambiance was calm and quiet…read moreenough for our group to comfortably talk throughout dinner. The food was excellent, but our server Gabriel really made the night. He was attentive, funny, and gave great recommendations while answering all of our questions. We started with the prime beef tartare, shrimp ceviche and roasted cauliflower. All three were delicious. For entrees, we ordered the grilled octopus al pastor, short rib ravioli, branzino, and the 24 oz ribeye. Every dish was flavorful and well executed. The ribeye with mashed potatoes and mushrooms was cooked perfectly, but the standout for me was the short rib ravioli. I had heard of it before but never tried it until this visit. The pasta to filling ratio was spot on and every bite was excellent. For dessert, we ordered the espresso crème brûlée, which was rich, creamy, and well balanced. Gabriel also surprised us with a baklava cheesecake on the house, and our group could not stop talking about it. Combining baklava and cheesecake was a game changer. Definitely a place I would come back to.

    Absolutely loved Lemon & Thyme! My boyfriend and I live right across the street and have been…read moredriving by this place for months, so we're so happy we finally came in. The service was 10/10. Our waiter was incredibly attentive, warm, and genuinely enthusiastic about the food. He gave us the best recommendations, and everything he suggested was amazing. The meal itself was incredible. The shrimp saganaki was my favorite, and my boyfriend loved the short rib ravioli. You can tell everything is made with love it has that true mom and pop restaurant feel that's so hard to find. The chef came out at the end and we had such a great conversation. We'll definitely be back!

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    We hosted my retirement party at The Country Club. We wanted something different from the usual…read morebuffet thing. The Country Club is beautiful. It's decorated in a 1930's speakeasy theme and is very clean and very well maintained!! My wife contacted Megan, the Event Coordinator who invited us to have dinner so we could check out the venue, go over some scenarios and sample the food. Megan was so super cool, friendly and knowledgeable. She made it easy...she was straight forward with pricing and had great suggestions. She listened to what we wanted and made all the necessary accommodations. We then did a food tasting to select the menu for the event. There was soooo much good food it was hard to make decisions but we did it!! Then came game day!! Megan and here team had everything ready to go. Megan introduced us to the staff members who would be serving us. Everyone was so nice, professional and attentive. Then came the food!! Everything was fantastic and beautifully displayed. All my guests had great time and loved the food and loved The Country Club!! Thank you Megan and the team and thank you to The Country Club!!

    This place was a real awesome surprise. Excellent food,…read moredrinks and service. From the outside you dont expect to walk into a beautiful room with such a stunning bar. I definitely recommend this place!

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    The Country Club - Large covered patio - great for event space and brunch parties

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    Came to celebrate my cousin's 21st birthday with all the family & friends last night and it was an…read moreamazing experience. I would like to thank the staff for letting us rent out the place and providing excellent service for all 50 of us. My uncle spent almost 15k that night! Shout out to him for hosting! The beautiful interior strikes a nice balance of upscale and coastal vibe, with a modern design that feels welcoming. We were seated by the harbor with views of the ocean and yachts. It was stunning and love the natural light coming down on us as the sun was setting. It definitely felt like a movie scene. Lowkey tip: Parking is limited so get valet next door for $6. On the preselected menu, there were appetizers and then three types of entrees to choose from. My gf got the Chilean Sea-bass, I got the Filet Mignon with risotto, and my sister got the Crispy chicken dish. Everything was a 5/5, but my meat was a bit charred on the surface. It was still medium rare just how I like it, so it's still juicy. The Sea bass was soft and tender. The meat just melts on your mouth like butter. So good.As for the drinks I got a whiskey sour and it was tasty. My gf got the sunset cocktail, which tasted like a refreshing grapefruit. We also got a couple Caymus bottles from Napa that we brought over and it was bold, a bit tarty, and very smooth to drink. I forgot how much corkage fee was though. The whole night was fun and filled with good talks and laughter. Birthday girl had fun! It was splendid, indeed. The nice woman who served our side of the table was so fast and efficient. Im just amazed by how remembers all that stuff we wanted to order without asking twice. Brain capacity is at large, lol. Service was excellent. You guys gotta come and try if you haven't yet!

    Visited Shorebird for the first time recently. The food was okay, not the best, but I do want to…read morevisit again and give it another try...the atmosphere makes me want to love it so badly! Starting with parking, this is Newport so you need to be aware. There's an underground parking structure right to the left of the entrance (if your car is pointed towards the marina). Shorebird validates at the hostess stand, valid 2 hours. Atmosphere is great. It's clearly a more upscale (but casual enough) brunch spot on the marina. The decor is beautiful and high quality but not overly done nor overly extravagant. Can imagine the vibe leaning more formal in the evening because it does give "ocean club with the lights on" during the day. Menu items all sound and look delicious but the execution is slightly off. An example was with the lemon ricotta hot cakes - gorgeous in photos and such a great idea on flavors but they had a horrible bitter aftertaste that made them really hard to eat (about 1/4 way in I couldn't do it). Similarly the meatballs looked delicious but the meatball itself was not nearly as flavorful as it looked and sounded on the menu. Passion fruit margarita (zero proof) tasted like passion fruit flavored sparkling water. Was definitely a miss for us. Will try again and order different items, but honestly not sure another visit could make up for the disappointment and get this in my top 5. If it wasn't for the location, they would get my business once and I'd never look back...

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    Takes reservations
    Happy hour specials

    Went here with two colleagues and had a wonderful experience. The food was delicious, the décor was…read morebeautiful, and the lighting created a warm, intimate atmosphere. The service was excellent, attentive, friendly, and welcoming throughout our visit. A funny side note: We had purchased two $20 gift cards from a friend about 1-2 years ago and had been meaning to visit ever since. When we arrived, we realized we couldn't find the gift cards anywhere. They must have been misplaced or lost at some point, and neither of us is sure when that happened! Despite our missing gift cards, we had a fantastic meal and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. I would definitely recommend this restaurant for great food, ambiance, and service. We were so hungry and we didn't even remember to take pictures hahaha

    I was a little weary when my friend mentioned this cool spot in Costa Mesa for brunch. Why? Because…read moreof parking. However, parking is not something you have to worry about for this spot as they have their own parking lot. The place has an open window concept, so you will not get out of there smelling like the food, however the rich flavors of Mexican cuisine can be definitely experienced. The decor is beautiful and picturesque. The staff were super friendly and attentive. So very attentive that they kept trying to take my plate as I was actively still eating lol but I know they were just trying to be attentive. I got the breakfast tacos. Simple but delicious. The flavors were so good. And the 2 tacos were super fulfilling. I enjoyed every single bite and I'd totally recommend it. I also got a mimosa to celebrate my graduation, although their mimosa flavors were basic and the orange juice was the bitter type. Also the glass for the mimosa wasn't the best. I attempted to cheer a couple times but it was filled to the top and it spilled everywhere. Anywho, the girls all loved their brunch and we totally recommend this spot. You'll feel like you went to a Cancun vacation

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    Playa Mesa - Margarita flights!

    Margarita flights!

    Playa Mesa
    Playa Mesa - Weekend Brunch served Sat - Sun, 9am-2pm.

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    Weekend Brunch served Sat - Sun, 9am-2pm.

    Plums Cafe - breakfast_brunch - Updated June 2026

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