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    Work in Progress

    4.2 (538 reviews)
    Closed 7:00 am - 4:00 pm

    Work in Progress Photos

    WORK IN PROGRESS ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Outdoor seating
    Dogs allowed

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    Recommended Reviews - Work in Progress

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    Blueberry Latte
    Kris S.

    Went here for the first time last week, it was very yummy! I got the blueberry latte and loved it! I hate when coffee shops make latte's too milky and skimp out on the actual coffee, but this was the perfect combo of coffee, milk & sweetness. I didn't get to try the food but will definitely come back to try it :) I am giving it 4 stars since finding parking is very difficult there's literally nowhere to park :( Overall very good place to study/work with great coffee & service.

    Spicy Sando
    Mae V.

    This is one of the cutest places at THE CAMP for amazing sandwiches, awesome coffee/matcha, and friendly service. As soon as you walk in, the space itself is spacious and there's often a lot of people working and chatting with one another. There is always such unique drinks to try from their seasonal menus and they consistently deliver great drinks! Parking is a bit of a struggle in this area but this place is definitely worth the visit.

    Indoor
    Marina S.

    Great coffee spot! Came here for a work meeting with a couple colleagues and there was enough space, while still having a cozy atmosphere. They had indoor and outdoor seating, which was nice. Their coffee was great, perfect balance of sweetness. We also tried a few breakfast items, all were very tasty and filling. Overall, would recommend this spot for a casual meet up or to get some work done.

    Tristen A.

    The coffee the food the place. All of it was soooo good. The seating wouldn't be comfortable for long period of time but plenty of space to work and outlets as well. Everyone is really nice too. One of the top coffee places in Costa Mesa

    Our food and drinks! I got the classic sando with spicy salami
    Yun Ping C.

    I've been here before but never gotten anything for myself! Finally made it here again with some friends. I'm not a big coffee drinker but I got the classic sando with the spicy salami! It was pretty good! I ate alllll of it and I initially thought I would only eat half and save the half for later. My friends got drinks and a sandwich and a pastry. They said they enjoyed it as well. Service was great - nothing special that I remember. They were nice and quick. Ambiance is very relaxed. Cafe vibes. Lots of people in computers working or just hanging out with friends! Would come again!

    jenn l.

    Been wanting to try this place for a while now and finally had the chance recently. It did not disappoint! I got the breakfast burrito with bacon. I was tempted by the pastrami option bc I don't know anyone else that does PASTRAMI in a breakfast burrito! If I'm being honest, it felt more like a wrap than a burrito bc it was full of cabbage and the sauces provided were like chimichurri and sriracha vs salsa. It still was really good and tasty though! It was crowded on a Sunday morning but luckily a few tables were available. The line was out the door but it moved quickly. The inside is cute with natural lighting and a clean white and wooden look. Would definitely come back!

    Chloe N.

    This place is sooo aesthetic. It gets very crowded on the weekend and hard to find parking and seats. On weekdays it gets busy too but doable. Their drinks are unique and their homemade syrups are great. I tried their sandwiches which surprisingly taste good. Highly recommend checking it out at least once. Great vibe

    Ale S.

    First of all, I absolutely love the name "Work In Progress," and the customer service we received was exceptional. The person taking my order offered some great suggestions. We ended up loving our drinks--the taste was delicious and the presentation was beautiful. We also really enjoyed the atmosphere, especially the lighting inside and the outdoor seating area. It was a great surprise to find that they offer food as well. On the day we visited, there was a cheesecake vendor on-site, and it was truly delicious. I will definitely be telling others that if that vendor is there, they should not pass up getting a slice! Thank you for such a lovely experience!

    Vincent P.

    Quick a hip coffee shop, we were in the area and came here to grab breakfast and coffee. I forgot what drinks we all got, but I do remember that we all enjoyed each of our drinks. The AM Burrito comes with your choice of bacon or pastrami and also a side of pickled onions, house green sauce, and hot sauce. The burrito was tasty and made for a delicious breakfast. The price is certainly a little expensive, but it comes sliced, so you can split it with someone. The split portion was a solid amount for breakfast. Overall, it was a solid experience and I wouldn't mind revisiting!

    Brown Sugar Maple- Perfect
    Jeff V.

    For a place called Work in Progress, it seems to have figured things out already. It's always buzzing, rarely empty, and the overall vibe suggests this café is starting to outgrow its own footprint. Service is smooth, and efficient. The line moves quickly, and everyone seems genuinely happy to be there. The interior is bright and open, lively without feeling hectic, with a minimal industrial calm. No table charge means laptops stay awhile, but spots still open up sooner than you'd think. Of the list of sandos, I've tried the SPICY SANDO, CLASSIC SANDO, and the BREAKFAST SANDO. All were excellent. The focaccia bread stood out in particular. Light, buttery, and crispy. It holds up well and ties everything together. Of the drinks I tried, the PUMPKIN SPICE LATTE WITH ALMOND MILK, DE LA ROSA MAZAPAN PEANUT LATTE, MAPLE BROWN SUGAR LATTE, PISTACHIO CREAMTOP MOCHA, and VANILLA LATTE WITH SEASONAL CINNAMON CREAM TOP were all solid, with flavors that stayed controlled and not overly sweet. Work in Progress, currently in high demand. Repeat visits feel inevitable.

    Bacon, breakfast burrito
    Ericka Z.

    I know everyone talks about the coffee at Work in Progress, but honestly I'm here for the breakfast burrito. This thing is unreal. Easily one of the best breakfast burritos I've had in Orange County. The balance of flavors is perfect, the ingredients taste super fresh, and somehow every bite still has a little bit of everything in it. What really takes it over the top are the sauces and the pickled onions on the side. Absolute *chef's kiss*...The sauces add so much flavor without overpowering the burrito itself. I also appreciated that it didn't feel overly greasy or heavy the way breakfast burritos sometimes do. The space definitely gets crowded, especially on weekends, and finding a seat can take some patience. But honestly, grabbing a coffee and one of these burritos and hanging out for a bit is completely worth it. This is officially one of my go to breakfast spots in Costa Mesa.

    Dirty Earl
    Felina V.

    Popped into Work in Progress for a caffeinated beverage before a road trip to San Jose. The Dirty Earl was unfathomably delicious! Can't wait to go back to try out more beverages, and maybe even pop in for a wine night. :) Super friendly service!

    katrina a.

    Nice place to hang out. Very cool place. They have outdoor seating so perfect to bring the pup out.

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    2 months ago

    Very yummy, good service, beautiful ambiance. Beautiful restroom. Yummy burrito. So yummy.

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    4 months ago

    Coffee is pretty good; the shop is just a bit crowded and not conveniently located. A bit hard to park.

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    Page 1 of 14

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    Ask the Community - Work in Progress

    Do they have outlets and Wi-Fi?

    Yes to both, however there's only 3 so you sometimes have to wait or sit in a corner!

    Do they stop serving AM foods (i.e breakfast burritos) after a certain time?

    They sell it all day until one hour before closing!

    View All 3 Questions

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    Knife Pleat

    Knife Pleat

    4.0
    (435 reviews)
    1.0 mi
    $$$$

    I accidentally posted on my wrong account!…read more This place is amazing and BEYOND 5 stars. Knife Pleat at South Coast Plaza is one of the three closest I've found to a proper afternoon tea here in Orange County, and as someone born and raised in Britain for 20 years, I hope that's high praise! Haha! I've been at least five or six times now, and every single visit has been wonderful! The afternoon tea is beautifully done. The tiered stands are a feast: delicate finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and jam, exquisite little pastries and macarons, all elegantly presented and genuinely delicious. The tea selection is excellent, and everything tastes as refined as it looks. What keeps me coming back, beyond the quality, is the service. They've consistently and graciously accommodated my allergies every time, which makes such a difference and lets me relax and enjoy the experience fully. The staff are attentive and lovely. If you're looking for an authentic, elegant afternoon tea in Orange County, Knife Pleat is the place. I can't recommend it enough, I'll keep coming back!

    I was excited to try the Michelin-starred afternoon tea set at Knife Pleat, and it came to about…read more$150 per person after tax and tip. The presentation was pretty, and the staff here provided attentive service. Unfortunately, there were several fruit flies around our table, which made it difficult to fully enjoy the experience. I ended up leaving some of the food unfinished because of it, which was disappointing at this price point. I understand it's summer and these things can happen, but I expected a more polished environment from a Michelin-starred restaurant. Overall, the tea service was enjoyable, but the fruit flies took away from what could have been a memorable experience.

    Photos
    An elegant restaurant!
    An elegant restaurant!
    Finishing off with miniaturized desserts! The serving plate is perfect for placing a ring in the middle for that special special occasion!
    Finishing off with miniaturized desserts! The serving plate is perfect for placing a ring in the middle for that special special occasion!
    My favorite dish of the night, risotto. Probably the best I've ever had! You will love it!

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    My favorite dish of the night, risotto. Probably the best I've ever had! You will love it!
    Antonello Ristorante

    Antonello Ristorante

    4.3
    (992 reviews)
    1.2 mi
    $$$

    We were in a group of 7. We made reservations a few hours prior and were ecstatic they were able to…read moreaccommodate our large group. Restaurant was very cozy and romantic. Entrance/host lobby area is a little snug. We were sat at a large round table. They had kids menus for my girls. We ordered Pellegrino and a bottle of wine. Table bread and a delicious pesto butter was given to the table. I'm not a pesto gal, but boy, I'll tell ya. That butter was delectable. We ordered a caprese salad and a beef carpaccio to start. The caprese was really nice and refreshing. Served with arugula on top. They also added I think fried crispy capers on top omg. So good. The carpaccio was. DELICIOUS! Thinly sliced beef, fresh parmigiana, topped with arugula and capers. Probably one of the best I've had. For entrees, my girls both ordered the hello kitty pasta with bolognese sauce, husband ordered fettuccini bolognese, brothers ordered porcini risotto, linguini vongole, and mamas lasagna. I ordered rigatoni with vodka sauce. Everyone enjoyed their dinners. They brought out the giant cheese block for my brother's risotto!! My pasta with vodka sauce was very good. I could've sworn on the description that it was served table side, but it wasn't =0(. Dessert was something else. We shared the cheesecake and tiramisu. Top notch. Service was immaculate. Our server was present without being too overbearing. Our waters were filled and wine glasses stayed full. Very accommodating to our children. Definitely recommend for any occasion.

    I made a reservation at Antonello to celebrate my Dad's birthday. I am in awe of the hospitality…read moreand would highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for an event space. I made the reservation a couple weeks out, I mentioned we had an infant with us and they recommended booking one of the rooms they had. The catalog they provided showed really great room options and we chose one that was private with beautiful paintings around us. We ordered the lamb chops, the special cheese block pasta, calamari, etc. Honestly, everything was so good there wasn't anything I wouldn't recommend. I would suggest adding a protein to the famous cheese block though. We also ordered one of every dessert and were very happy with everything. The food came out timely, the room was cozy and great photo op opportunity, and the servers were so attendant. Overall, would come back again for an event.

    Photos
    Grilled Salmon with Calabrese sauce
    Grilled Salmon with Calabrese sauce
    Antonello Salad
    Antonello Salad
    Antonello Salad

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    Antonello Salad
    The Capital Grille

    The Capital Grille

    4.3
    (2.6k reviews)
    0.8 mi
    $$$$

    Locsted on the corner on the second floor of the South Coast Plaza. There's plenty of parking…read morenear it. When I went theres a lot of construction on the exterior which made it look less then. But once your inside its nothing but opulence and class. You walk in on the first floor. If its your first time there, its kind of confusing as theres just a small room and a stairway to greet you. Go up the stairs and thats where the front desk people will meet you. We were here for a surgical joint infection webinar. So we had the entire back room reserved. Lots of bottles of wine. When you enter the room, the noise of the main dining room melts away. Its a really nice private room!! Customer service here is amazing. Lots of great wait staff. They were so on point with service. Because we were here for a meeting everything including alcohol (wine and cocktails and shots) were included. The food too was also included for attending the webinar. I dont think it was because it was "free" that thr food tasted so good. But oh my gosh the quality and the taste was simply top notch. The breads to begin with were really good. Then the appetizers were so good. We had their calamari, prosciutto wrapped mozzarella and lobster and crab cake. Each dish was decadent without being heavy. Tasted amazing. Really built your anticipation for dinner. Their wedge salad was extremely fresh and crunchy. Never had one before but if this is what salads are meant to taste like, I will be ordering more in the future! Tasted amazing. Almost acted like a palate cleanser. Entrees we had their porcini rubbed bone in ribeye in 15 year aged balsamic sauce and their pan seared sea bass. They were both so good!! Best steak I've had at a restaurant in a very long time. The crust was amazing. The sauce was to die for. The steak was cooked perfectly (medium rare) and it literally melted in your mouth. The sea bass was cooked perfectly as well. Well seasoned. Flaky. And just so good. The table had shareable sides including mash potatoes, lobster mac n cheese and grilled asparagus. The large chunks of lobster was amazing in the dish. Everything tasted great. They had the drinks flowing. Wines beers, seltzers and cocktails. For dessert it was a trio of different desserts. Beautiful presentation and tasted amazing. Its a very nice restaurant. The quality of food is top tier. The taste is next level. Customer service is amazing. Fortunately for us it was all paid for. But if not be prepared to pony up some Benjamins!!

    The Capital Grille is always a hit for me. One of my favorite times to visit is during The Wagyu…read moreand Wine Pairing. They offer Wagyu burgers paired with a glass of wine for $35. If you appreciate a great burger, and just happen to like wine.. you will be as happy as me. The event happens every April and November. Check it out. As usual, the customer service was always. The ambiance is nice and relaxed.

    Photos
    Lobster Mac 'N' Cheese – Made with freshly poached lobster and topped with a Grana Padano crust.
    Lobster Mac 'N' Cheese – Made with freshly poached lobster and topped with a Grana Padano crust.
    Jumbo Lump Crab Cocktail served with housemade mustard sauce.
    Jumbo Lump Crab Cocktail served with housemade mustard sauce.
    14 oz Dry Aged NY Strip au Poivre finished with our housemade Courvoisier Cream for a decadent finish.

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    14 oz Dry Aged NY Strip au Poivre finished with our housemade Courvoisier Cream for a decadent finish.
    Bar Tinto

    Bar Tinto

    4.6
    (23 reviews)
    0.0 mi

    Bar Tinto is more than a hidden gem. It is a rare find in Orange County. It offers some of the best…read moreMexico City style food items I've had anywhere other than CDMX itself. The chef uses his free range of creativity and offers such unique and amazing ingredients in all of his dishes. He truly cares and has a passion for beautiful food. My wife and I know alot of chefs and restaurants in SoCal and this is some of the best food we can find. Chef Jonathan and his kitchen staff are all one of a kind. They shop for only the freshest ingredients and offer a variety of seasonal dishes throughout the year. The Pork Belly Taco has been a long standing menu item that literally NEVER disappoints. It is incredible. Every tostada the chef creates is amazing. And the Green Goddess dressing on their salad is worthy of bottling and drinking straight. The wine program is also incredible. The range of wine is amazing and everyone on staff is SO knowledgeable about every wine they offer. If you aren't sure about wine or how to pick out you can give them the simplest explanation of what wine you want and they will bring over several bottles to chose from and will give you an in depth and beautiful description of all of them before you decide what you want. Amazing food, wine, music and vibes are all huge perks but what really sets Bar Tinto over the edge is the hospitality and kindness of all the staff. Great for date night, for a night out with friends, a spot to bring the parents too, literally any occasion. We look forward to sitting in tinto and enjoying the food and wine at least twice a week!! Gracias, Bar Tinto! 10/10

    Went to check out the Jazz nights at Bar Tinto and had a nice night out with a girlfriend. Seating…read morewas limited so make sure to come early, managed to grab one in the corner. Staff was really friendly and accommodating. They recommended an orange wine that we liked. The oysters were fresh too and the bread had a nice crunch. Make sure to purchase tickets for the Jazz night in advanced they do sell out!

    Photos
    Bar Tinto
    Oysters
    Oysters
    Bar Tinto

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    Ruin Bar

    Ruin Bar

    4.1
    (485 reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$

    What a great little trendy bar hidden away! After the OC Fair we felt like a little nightcap &…read morethrough Yelp found this little gem. The ambiance was so cool with lots of Asian inspired decorations, total eye candy. The line for the drinks was a little long but went pretty fast and we were lucky to score 2 seats inside almost immediately. If not, you can stand around or sit on other little tables on their outside patio. You can view the drinks through a QR code, a wall menu or above the bar. The drinks were really good with fun names, it was hard to decide which I'd make my first! A great place to visit and enjoy a good drink.

    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
    Old fashion. House bourbon. Better than anywhere else.
    Old fashion. House bourbon. Better than anywhere else.
    Coconut pineapple peach shots. Phenomenal.
    Coconut pineapple peach shots. Phenomenal.
    Outside patio

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    Outside patio
    Darkroom

    Darkroom

    4.6
    (321 reviews)
    2.2 mi
    $$$$

    Incredible food and service. You would have no idea from the outside of this location what…read moredelights are inside. The entire team was friendly, knowledgeable and attentive. The chef/owner came by our table to check on our experience more than once. The food was incredible, my husband surprised me with this place so I had no idea what to expect, and every single bite was phenomenal. I can't believe I've never heard of Darkroom, as this is exactly my favorite type of restaurant. Chef owned, seasonal menu, cool service, rad vibes. Hard to find this combo anywhere, especially Orange County. I look forward to being a regular here.

    We went to Darkroom for my fiancés birthday and were slightly disappointed…read more The good: the steak was really tasty and had different flavor components like the crispy chilli and shishito peppers that complimented the meat very well. It was well balanced and the best dish of the night. The scrambled egg agnolotti was delicious as well and was paired with a savory slightly sour sauce what helped with the heaviness. The bad: We were recommended the house made focaccia to dip into the steak sauce but it was served 15 minutes before the steak came out so was cold by the time we needed it. The biggest disappointment of the night was the $29 tuna crudo. We should have taken the description by face value: tuna, tomato water, vanilla nori oil (we thought this might be the flavor but we were wrong. It was just oil), passion fruit. It quite literally tasted like oily tuna in plain water with passion fruit seeds floating around. The passion fruit overwhelmed the flavor profile. There was so little tuna for the steep price (like 3 sashimi pieces chopped up). It wasn't even a high quality cut. Even if it wasn't, the flavor of the tuna was somehow completed sapped - leaving just the texture. The overall pricing for the menu was very steep with small portion sizes but at least the other plates we had actually tasted good. We also appreciated the complimentary dessert that was given for my fiancés bday. The service was great as well. Looking at previous reviews, it seems that the experimental dishes are either a hit or miss

    Photos
    Inside ambiance
    Inside ambiance
    Tuna crudo
    Tuna crudo
    Black truffle risotto

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    Black truffle risotto

    Work in Progress - wine_bars - Updated August 2026

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