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    Westend

    4.2 (446 reviews)
    Closed Closed

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    WESTEND ATMOSPHERE

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

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    Recommended Reviews - Westend

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    Jorge F.

    Cocktails are amazing! Food is really delicious! The restaurant/bar makes you feel at home and is the absolute best!

    A S.

    Chelsea our server/bartender was amazing, we shared great conversation with her and one of the owners of Westend, Kaylee. The food was super good, great drink choices w/ a variety of unique alcohol choices too (which can be made into mock-tails). Love that they are open again. I also love the funky vibe that Westend has great feeling and is quaint. Want a fun date night out or a night with friends? I highly recommend Westend.

    Lenny L.

    They are OPEN, and I can't wait to try their awesome food. They smoked their meat and I'm coming back for it. They have an awesome selection of cocktails.

    Chocolate Starfish
    Elise O.

    This is one of my fav places to go out for a drink & a bite. We always have a great time here! Amazing staff and the food/drinks NEVER miss. My go to is a chocolate starfish, veggie empanadas, and beignets.

    deviled eggs
    Nick H.

    Restaurant Bar with a Loaded Menu! 3.5 Stars! This restaurant serves huge portions. They do have outdoor dining and do take reservations. The menu sports various dishes and appetizers. This includes jambalaya, fishing ships, deviled eggs, tater tots...All of which we tried. Jambalaya- I have very high hopes for the jambalaya but it was AOK. If you are expecting NOLA Jambalaya, this is not yet. But, the portion was huge. Fish and Chips were AOK. The fishi and chips were also AOK. Lots of French fries. My favorite dish was the deviled eggs. The deviled eggs were flavorful and Pretty darn good. Customer service was also AOK. It was not very personable. Parking is pretty difficult. If there is a street parking in front of the restaurant or down the block further, the easiest is to park across the street in the shopping plaza. Overall an AOK experience. I would like to come back again and try other menu items and maybe some drinks.

    Aileen K.

    Beautiful place with some serious intimate vibes and romance. It did throw me off a bit though. For example, the cuisine is unexpected,..it's southern comfort and bbq, which doesn't quite match the romantic ambience. (But the smell of the place is heavenly because who can complain about the smell of bbq.) And it's in the middle of a typical Costa Mesa street with no lot for parking, so you have to find street parking or park in the plaza lot across the street (we didn't get our car towed or anything, and when we called, we were directed to that lot). So it was a bit sketchy. No complaints from me though-- which is why I had this place bookmarked and was so glad to finally make it out here in the midst of the covid madness. The brussel sprouts were good, as were the brisket and the fried chicken. Their macaroni and potato salad left a lot to be desired, though...we left pretty much all of that untouched. The drinks were also yummy. Ultimately though I don't think I would come back. PSA: NOBODY WAS WEARING MASKS, EVEN THE SERVERS AND BARTENDERS. We almost left once we saw this but we were starving and really wanted to try the food. In hindsight it was reckless and it still bothers me, which is why I'm alerting folks here. Dine here at your own risk, but I will say the food is good!

    Mac n cheese - average
    Simon K.

    The items I ordered were average. But they have a variety of impressive sounding menu items so I will be back to try something else. The deviled eggs were good with a nice reduction almost like balsamic underneath to provide a little kick. The empanadas were good, homemade, light and mild. The pizza was average - this is not a pizza place. The Franklin sandwich (with Nashville Chicken) was average and rather dry. They smoke their own meats, so I think I'll try that next time. I also heard the Jambalaya is good. Fun ambience in the outdoor patio. It seems to be a lively area with the neighboring establishments blasting party music. I hear this place turns into a big party late at night as well.

    Smoked BBQ Meat Sampler Plate
    Aileen F.

    Had a pleasant lunch here with the hubby. They didn't have coffee (unfortunately) coz their machine was busted according to the server. We were promptly seated since we arrived right when they opened. The server was attentive but overall service could've been improved. Why? I overheard him say that he was also the bartender so he was pretty busy making drinks and serving customers in their patio area (where we sat). We ordered: - kale salad = generous portion, a bit too acidic to my liking - prosciutto, apple, Brie sandwich with potato chips on the side = enjoyed this very much, nice flavor combination; melty cheese is always a winner - meat sampler with potato and macaroni salads = flavorful but needed more barbecue sauce which we asked for Overall, we enjoyed our lunch. We'll probably return if we're in the area.

    Amazing food amazing people! Best vibe! have to try the brisket empanadas! Omg and the mustard sauce omg.
    Rachelle W.

    Great vibe! Awesome people! food was amazing. Great drinks. Have to try brisket empanadas omg! Mustard sauce amazing and I hate mustard! So good.

    Delicious fries. Perfect. I didn't try the sauces.
    Crystal M.

    If I said this was the best meal I can remember then I'd be telling the truth. All I seem to do is eat, eat, and the eat some more. Frankly, I've gotten tired of eating. Why? Most restaurants lately seem to want to waste my time. I've had a lot of lazy, nasty food for the past several years. Sometimes there can be a thing or two on a menu that is okay, or tasty. Westend blew my Foodie mind last night. I had the Aperol Spritzer and it was completely refreshing. Actually, I bet all of their drinks are refreshing. This was very well balanced with sweetness, citrus, and with my second one there was a super thin cucumber slice. I was a little grossed out because I hate cucumber drinks. It still worked. The fizz was long lasting and I loved the cool metal straw they gave me. I ordered the Wedge as an appetizer. I told my husband so many times, like with each bite, that it was the best wedge I'd ever had. I'm quite confident that I've eaten at least 100 wedge salads in the past year. Most are just a big hunk of iceberg that is screaming for help. The first thing I noticed was the insanely crispy bacon. I've never had bacon so crunchy that wasn't also burnt. The pieces were tiny. Somehow I had just enough for each bite and the salty flavor was able to compliment the dressing, blue cheese, and herbs. The temperature was also perfect. I'm often disappointed when I get served an ice-cold, wilted, fresh from the fridge salad. There was only a slight hint of chill. We also shared some calamari. It want well with my wedge. It wasn't super fresh calamari, but it was fried well. I never eat any dipping sauces with my calamari. I'm all about just using the lemon. It was yummy. Not the best ever. Then our jambalaya arrived. I must admit that I normally would not order Jambalaya, Gumbo, or even an etouffe. This is because they normally are pretty gross. I decided to take a chance. It was the best chance. Like I hit the jackpot. I'm actually eating omg the leftovers for breakfast. I can safely say that this is a delicious dish. I wanted to make sure that I wasn't famished or delusional last evening and somehow imagined this fantastic food. Nope! It's still awesome. First, there is tons of meat. Chicken, sausage, and jumbo shrimp. Tons of meat. I think I had five shrimp in my plate. I told my husband to eat some of my food because he inhaled his jambalaya. Somehow this morning I'm still finding tons of meat. This is what I would consider mildly spicy. I love extremely hot food so proceed with caution. This may actually be very hot for a normal mouth. It was perfect. I'm glad that I could enjoy all of the flavors without having heat overwhelm my tongue. In the middle of the jambalaya and while enjoying the spritzer, I decided I needed an order of fries. Wow! They were like a gift. Perfectly crispy and salty. Well done. You could poke someone's eye out. So delicious. In summary. It's Monday morning and I wanted to eat at Westend for breakfast. They are closed on Monday's. Boo hoo!

    Joseph Z.

    When we walked into West End last evening, we were pleasantly greeted by the bartender and the server and told we could sit wherver we liked. This is such a pet pieve of mine that you are greeted property when entering a business. My wife and I both own medical business and we pride ourselves on having great staff. It turns out that this is a one woman show in that the bartender was also the owner, the waitstaff, everything. It was her, one server and the chef. Thr dining experience was very nice and food was top shelf. We ordered the meat board, think charcuterie but with pulled pork and brisket.. its a can't miss dish. The atmosphere is great, it's very quaint like a small European restaurant. Our community needs restaurants like this as opposed to thr big corporate chains. These businesses are the essence of our community. We can't recommend the West End enough. We will be back.

    Brisket Sandwich, lunch special
    Steve B.

    I have been up and down 19th street for years and witnessed the influx of new bars and restaurants. Westend by far is the best I have visited. Across the street is El Metate Market and La Canada, that is saved for another favorable review. What drew us in is the smoker out front with the $10 lunch sign. Wow, what a score. We had the pulled pork sandwich and brisket sandwich . The Chef/Pit Master is a craftsman. If you like smoked meat this is a must go. Just enough rub and smoke, meat was tender and moist as you would hope. The bonus is they put the BBQ sauce on the side not on the meat. There is so much more on the menu and the cocktail selection looks great too. Highly recommend.

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    Place has killer ambiance, service and the food was spectacular! We will be back soon! Love it!!!!

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    2 years ago

    The best food, especially beignets I've ever had! Drinks are phenomenal too! Highly recommend. Service is A+

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    Cutest place with delicious food! Great cocktails! Love this place! Bartenders are fantastic!

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    Page 2 of 12

    Westend Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Westend

    Will there be a DJ for Halloween night? What kind of music? I made a reservation for 8:30 :)

    We are always full of surprises. Best bring those dancing shoes...

    I made reservations on Open Table, and the confirmation page says "Cash only at this time." Is that correct?

    Yes this place is cash only they have an ATM outside but if you wanna avoid the fees with the banks bring cash.

    Is there a music on Wednesdays?

    Yes, if you bring your phone and use an app.

    Are babies allowed?

    At a bar? What's wrong with you??

    Is there a corkage fee? And will you have live music this Friday?

    Hell, yes the fee is $15. This Friday we may have a dj hand selecting various genres all night.

    Is the Live Jazz going on all day on weekends? Thanks!

    Not when we were here on a Saturday 7pm...but the music selection was truly awesome!

    Is there live music here on Sundays?

    Not yet, at the end of March we will host Live Jazz on Sundays!

    What is their most popular dish or drink here?

    Shrimp PO'Boy or the Southern Pulled Pork BBQ Sandwich

    View All 9 Questions

    You might also consider

    P10NEER

    P10NEER

    4.6(199 reviews)
    2.7 mi
    Takes reservations
    Romantic vibe

    My partner and I came here after dinner on Valentine's Day, and I absolutely loved this little…read morespot. She had told me about it before and really wanted to take me, so I was excited to finally check it out. It's a very small place, so I'd definitely recommend making a reservation online. That worked perfectly for us we were able to get in right away without any wait. Even though it's cozy, it doesn't feel cramped at all. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, and the drinks were wonderful. The staff really stood out to me. They were attentive, kind, and professional throughout the night. At one point, a patron started to get a bit too tipsy, and the staff handled it with such care and respect while making sure everyone else didn't feel awkward in the situation. It was clear they genuinely care about their guests' experience. Overall, such a great spot and we will definitely come back.

    Tried the speakeasy cocktail lounge inside Dick's Church because we saw it on Resy and honestly, it…read morewas a huge disappointment. The atmosphere could have been cool, but every 5 minutes the bright hallway light blasted through the western-style swinging door and completely ruined the dark speakeasy vibe. The drinks were tiny and overpriced. We ordered two Old Fashioneds and the giant ice cubes took up almost the entire glass. Larger than a normal square ice cube- a little taller. But it seriously felt like they split one drink into two. Barely a shot in each glass, and the cocktails themselves were just so-so. Very syrup-y flavor. Definitely not "bespoke" or unique the was the server was upselling us. Service started good but when he got busy it went downhill. And by busy he got (1) 5 top.....He was excited about explaining the menu but then never once came back to check on us. When we finally flagged him down and asked for the check, he just dropped the handheld payment terminal on the table, walked away, grabbed it when we finished paying, and said absolutely nothing... no "thank you," no "have a great night," nothing. And this was after we still tipped 20%. Definitely not worth the money, service, or atmosphere. We won't be back.

    Photos
    P10NEER
    P10NEER
    P10NEER

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    Ruin Bar - Drinks for the night #tasteofcsuc

    Ruin Bar

    4.1(476 reviews)
    3.6 mi
    $$

    Fun little spot! Would definitely swing by again. You just go in and order your drinks and find…read moreyour own seat. They whip up the drinks super fast! Came on a Saturday afternoon and was such a cozy area to sit outdoors and enjoy drinks with friends :) Tucked in the corner with a vintage, maximalist, whimsical vibe. I got the bees knees and the estoy enamorado and both were a tiny bit sweet for me but still really good!

    A very special bar, from the drinks to the decor. I really like that they are open during the day…read moreand also late at night, with mixed indoor and outdoor seating (though the outdoor seating is a bit worn). Vibes are always good. If you have some time while browsing The Lab during the day, I recommend stopping by for a drink! It's also nice to include in your barhopping itinerary in the evening since there are a number of breweries around too. I've had mixed experiences with the bartenders. Luckily, the gentleman manning the bar during my most recent visit was very friendly. Drinks are always great. I've tried a variety of drinks from the menu here, but my favorites are: -Love in Drunk, a lovely cocktail with cucumber and grapefruit flavors that create a fresh watermelon taste when mixed together -Bee's Knees, short but strong and sweet -London Mule, very herbal thanks to the gin and very refreshing

    Photos
    Ruin Bar - Old fashion. House bourbon. Better than anywhere else.

    Old fashion. House bourbon. Better than anywhere else.

    Ruin Bar - Coconut pineapple peach shots. Phenomenal.

    Coconut pineapple peach shots. Phenomenal.

    Ruin Bar - Outside patio

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    Outside patio

    Playa Mesa - A house favorite: Taco Combination with our Spicy Cucmber Margarita

    Playa Mesa

    4.4(3.4k reviews)
    1.6 mi
    $$
    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

    Photos
    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.

    Palenque Kitchen - tacos and margaritas sampler

    Palenque Kitchen

    4.1(767 reviews)
    0.7 mi
    $$$
    Takes reservations
    Happy hour specials

    Nice little Mexican food spot located where HUB used to be. They don't advertise it on their menu…read morebut 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.

    First time at this restaurant and we were so happy with it!…read more 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!

    Photos
    Palenque Kitchen - Dining Room

    Dining Room

    Palenque Kitchen
    Palenque Kitchen

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    Westend - newamerican - Updated June 2026

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