Restaurant in Costa Mesa, United States
Anton Boulevard Collaboration Table

Costa Contemporary Kitchen at 650 Anton Blvd puts you in the middle of Costa Mesa's South Coast Metro dining corridor, with easy bookings and a contemporary format that suits both a low-commitment lunch and a fuller dinner occasion. Verification on pricing and hours is recommended before you visit. For first-timers testing the venue, lunch offers the lower-risk entry point.
Costa Contemporary Kitchen sits at 650 Anton Blvd in the heart of Costa Mesa's South Coast Metro corridor, making it a practical pick for anyone staying nearby or heading to the Segerstrom Center for the Arts. With limited public data available on pricing and hours, the safest move is to check current availability directly before planning your visit — but booking difficulty rates as easy, so last-minute reservations are generally within reach.
The name signals the format: contemporary cooking in a kitchen-forward setting. For a first visit, arrive with an open mind on the menu format — contemporary kitchens at this address and price tier in Costa Mesa typically run a mix of shareable plates and composed mains, leaning on seasonal California produce. The visual cues matter here: look at the room and the plating before you order. Contemporary venues in this category tend to communicate their ambition through presentation, and that first look at the dining room tells you whether you're in a casual-leaning or occasion-ready space.
If you're planning a lunch visit versus dinner, understand that the daytime experience at contemporary restaurants in this tier usually offers better value per dollar , shorter menus, faster pacing, and lower price points , while dinner unlocks the fuller range of the kitchen's output. If your goal is to assess the venue efficiently, lunch is the lower-commitment entry point. If you want the complete picture, dinner is the right call.
At contemporary American restaurants in Costa Mesa's mid-to-upper range, the lunch-to-dinner value gap is real. Lunch services in this category often run $20–$45 per person before drinks; dinner pushes $55–$90 or higher depending on how many courses you run. For a first-timer evaluating whether Costa Contemporary Kitchen deserves a return visit, lunch is the lower-risk test. Dinner is where the kitchen typically has more room to operate , more components, more technique on display , but it asks more of your budget. Plan accordingly.
Reservations: Easy to secure; no extended lead time required for most dates, though weekend evenings may book faster. Location: 650 Anton Blvd, Costa Mesa, CA 92626 , walkable from the Segerstrom Center and area hotels. Groups: For parties of four or more, contact the venue directly to confirm table availability and any group policies. Dietary needs: Reach out ahead of your visit; contemporary kitchens at this level generally accommodate common restrictions but confirmation in advance is the responsible move. Dress: Smart casual is the safe default for this style and neighborhood. Bar seating: Bar or counter seating availability is unconfirmed , call ahead if that's your preference.
See the comparison section below for how Costa Contemporary Kitchen stacks up against Knife Pleat, Hana re, and other Costa Mesa options across price tiers.
| Venue | Cuisine | Price | Awards | Booking Difficulty | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Costa Contemporary Kitchen | Easy | — | |||
| Knife Pleat | Contemporary | $$$$ | Michelin 1 Star | Unknown | — |
| Mastro’s Ocean Club | Seafood | Unknown | — | ||
| Sidecar Doughnuts and Coffee | Doughnuts | Unknown | — | ||
| Hana re | Japanese | $$$$ | Michelin 1 Star | Unknown | — |
| Vaca | Spanish | $$$ | Unknown | — |
What to weigh when choosing between Costa Contemporary Kitchen and alternatives.
Keep this venue in your Pearl passport, rate it after you visit, and track it alongside every other place you collect.