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    Memphis Cafe, Restaurant in Costa Mesa
    Restaurant150Points

    Memphis Cafe

    SOBECA, Costa Mesa

    Restaurant in Costa Mesa, United States

    SaveMark VisitedBook with Pearl

    The Read

    Dress

    Casual

    Why go

    Memphis Cafe is a practical Costa Mesa pick when the meal needs to be easy, social, lower-pressure rather than a luxury dining statement. Lunch is the better first visit for value and conversation; dinner works for casual celebrations when booking simplicity matters more than ceremony.

    About Memphis Cafe

    Memphis Cafe is a Costa Mesa venue with a casual dress code and posted hours from Tuesday through Sunday. It offers a practical local option, without specific details on cuisine, chef, menu format, price point, or accolades.

    For planning, timing is most useful. Memphis Cafe is closed on Monday, opens at 8 AM Tuesday through Sunday, stays open until 9 PM Tuesday through Thursday and Sunday, stays open until 10 PM on Friday and Saturday. If you are comparing it with another named option such as Hana re, keep the distinction simple: Memphis Cafe has a casual dress code and flexible posted hours, while any more specific expectations should be checked directly with the venue.

    Use the posted hours as the main planning tool

    Timing should guide the first decision. Tuesday through Thursday and Sunday run from 8 AM to 9 PM, while Friday and Saturday extend to 10 PM. Monday is closed.

    Memphis Cafe offers general details, focusing on a practical decision. Pick it when the casual dress code and Costa Mesa location fit the plan. Compare with ANQI or Hana re when you want another option to consider.

    Use it as a low-friction Costa Mesa option, not a fact-heavy splurge pick

    For a broader shortlist, compare Memphis Cafe with other dining in Costa Mesa and with the named alternatives that fit your plans. For details on menu, price range, reservations policy, seating count, or service format, check the venue's current channels before making plans that depend on those specifics.

    Quick reference: Memphis Cafe is in Costa Mesa, has a casual dress code, is closed Monday, opens at 8 AM Tuesday through Sunday, closes at 9 PM Tuesday through Thursday and Sunday, closes at 10 PM on Friday and Saturday.

    The takeMemphis Cafe is best for diners who want straightforward American comfort food in a low-key setting. It suits locals and repeat guests looking for reliable full-service meals at moderate prices, whether for a relaxed lunch, a casual dinner, or the weekend brunch that features signature items like chicken and waffles. The restaurant’s rhythm—unhurried and conversational—also makes it a sensible stop for after-work meals or informal group gatherings where the point is good food and easy conversation rather than grand presentation.
    Venue detailsLocal Sourcing
    Also considerAlternatives
    Restaurant contextCosta Mesa, United States
    Explore Costa MesaNearby

    Planning details

    Location
    2920 Bristol St, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
    Website
    memphiscafe.com
    Phone
    +17144327685
    Around this placeMore Pearl picks
    The take

    The Take

    The Vibe

    Memphis Cafe reads like a neighborhood American dining room built for regulars rather than spectacle. The service and layout favor unpretentious comfort: guests are seated without ceremony, and the pace is deliberately measured to allow conversation. It presents a quieter, midpriced alternative to the city’s more performative tables — a place that trades culinary theater for dependable dishes, familiar rhythms, and a warm, lived-in atmosphere. The result is understated and inviting: the kind of room where familiarity and routine are virtues, not liabilities.

    Best For

    Memphis Cafe is best for diners who want straightforward American comfort food in a low-key setting. It suits locals and repeat guests looking for reliable full-service meals at moderate prices, whether for a relaxed lunch, a casual dinner, or the weekend brunch that features signature items like chicken and waffles. The restaurant’s rhythm—unhurried and conversational—also makes it a sensible stop for after-work meals or informal group gatherings where the point is good food and easy conversation rather than grand presentation.

    Ordering Tips

    Lean into the menu’s comfort classics: the listing highlights Down Home Gumbo, Buttermilk Fried Chicken, and Chicken and Waffles as signature dishes, so those are safe bets. Expect straightforward, full-service plating rather than tasting menus or chef-driven flights; arrive ready to be seated and to settle into a measured pace. If you’re visiting with friends or regulars, order family-style sharables or a couple of mains to trade plates and lean into the convivial, unpretentious spirit the room cultivates.

    Venue details

    Ambiance

    Midcentury digs with a hip vibe featuring indoor and patio dining amid a roadhouse-style bar.

    Tags

    Vibe

    CozyTrendy

    Best For

    BrunchCasual HangoutGroup Dining

    Experience

    Open Kitchen

    Sourcing

    Local Sourcing

    At the Table

    Dress Code
    Casual
    Noise Level
    Conversational
    Service Style
    Upscale Casual
    Meal Pacing
    Standard
    Capacity
    Medium

    Signature Dishes

    • Down Home Gumbo
    • Buttermilk Fried Chicken
    • Chicken and Waffles
    Planning details

    Location

    2920 Bristol St, Costa Mesa, CA 92626 · Directions

    +17144327685

    memphiscafe.com

    Also consider

    Where to go if this does not fit

    Pick ANQI if the meal needs more polish for a business dinner or celebration. Pick Hana re if the night calls for a higher-budget Japanese experience and the booking is worth planning around.

    Restaurant context

    How Memphis Cafe compares in Costa Mesa

    Choose Memphis Cafe when ease matters more than a formal dining arc. Hana re is the splurge comparison, with a Japanese $$$$ signal and a more occasion-forward feel; it is the better fit for diners who want the meal to carry the night. Memphis Cafe is the lower-friction choice for lunch, repeat visits, groups that do not want the pressure of a luxury counter or tasting-style plan.

    Izakaya Hachi and Manpuku make more sense when the group specifically wants a Japanese meal and is willing to orient the night around that format. ANQI is the more polished Asian Fusion alternative for a business dinner or dressed-up celebration, while Paradise Dynasty is the better cross-shop when the group wants a larger, more shareable meal structure.

    For value and booking ease, Memphis Cafe is the practical play. For ambiance, culinary focus, or a stronger special-occasion signal, ANQI or Hana re should sit higher on the shortlist.

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    Unlock the full Memphis Cafe guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.

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    Compare Memphis Cafe
    Memphis Cafe Costa Mesa and similar venues
    VenueLocationCuisinePriceAwards
    Memphis CafeCosta Mesa; ; No published awards
    Hana reCosta MesaJapanese$$$$
    2026 Michelin Plate2025 Michelin Plate2024 Michelin 1 Star
    Izakaya HachiCosta Mesa; ; No published awards
    ManpukuCosta Mesa; ;
    Tabelog 100 - Yakiniku - EAST - 2025 · #75
    ANQICosta MesaAsian Fusion;
    2026 OAD Casual in North America Recommended2026 Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence2025 OAD Top Restaurants in North America2024 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #4622023 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Recommended
    Paradise DynastyCosta Mesa; ;
    2026 OAD Casual in Asia Highly Recommended2024 OAD Casual in Asia Ranked · #1092023 OAD Casual in Asia Ranked · #76

    How Memphis Cafe Costa Mesa compares with similar nearby venues.

    FAQ

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What should I order at Memphis Cafe?
    What should a first-timer know about Memphis Cafe?

    Memphis Cafe is in Costa Mesa and has a casual dress code. It is closed Monday, opens at 8 AM Tuesday through Sunday, closes at 9 PM Tuesday through Thursday and Sunday, closes at 10 PM on Friday and Saturday.

    Is lunch or dinner better at Memphis Cafe?

    Use the posted hours to plan: Memphis Cafe opens at 8 AM Tuesday through Sunday, closes at 9 PM Tuesday through Thursday and Sunday, closes at 10 PM on Friday and Saturday.

    Is Memphis Cafe good for a special occasion?

    Memphis Cafe is suitable for a casual Costa Mesa visit. If your plans depend on menu format, pricing, reservations, or service style, check directly with the venue before booking or visiting.

    What are alternatives to Memphis Cafe?

    Other options to compare include Hana re, ANQI, Izakaya Hachi, Manpuku, Paradise Dynasty, depending on the kind of meal you want. Check each venue's current details before making plans.

    Can Memphis Cafe accommodate groups?

    For group accommodation details, contact Memphis Cafe directly if your visit depends on party size, seating, timing, or reservations.