Habana

Went to Habana in Costa Mesa for the second time — and it did not disappoint. I had gone with friends the first time and instantly knew I had to bring my husband. He finally got to try it, and yep, he absolutely loved it too. The food is just incredible — hands down the best Cuban food we’ve had in Southern California. The drinks were spot-on, and the service was super friendly and attentive. Honestly, everything about this place is five-star. We’ll definitely be back again!

This place is a little harder to find than I would like but the food and service are very good. It has to be one of the best places to get Cuban food in the area. It took me back to the Cuban flavors in Miami but here, they are a bit more mild. The prices are a little bit high for the level of food you are getting and the location but I will definitely be coming back.

I’m not sure where the 4.8-star rating comes from. The portions are tiny and the prices are outrageous. While the food does taste good, the overall experience felt like a scam. The drinks are overpriced, and there’s no restroom inside — you have to go outside and share bathrooms with the rest of the plaza. The service is just okay, nothing special. I left very disappointed, especially because I came from far away based on the glowing reviews. Definitely not worth it in my opinion.

I had such a wonderful experience at Habana in Costa Mesa! This restaurant offers brunch, lunch, and dinner, and it has a beautiful atmosphere with an outdoor seating area that includes heaters. The ambiance is just so fun and vibrant! I especially love the Costa Mesa location because of its unique setting in a charming shopping center. What really stood out to me was how perfect it is for weekend brunch. Unlike many other places where you have to wait in long lines and deal with crowds, Habana is much more relaxed. If you go around 11 a.m., parking is easy and there’s no wait to be seated. The service is top-notch, and the food is absolutely delicious! If you’re celebrating a birthday and make a reservation through Google, they even add a special touch by placing a birthday card under the guest’s name, which is such a lovely gesture. A big shoutout to our server, Maria, who was so attentive and kind. She offered us rosé, but we stuck with brunch and enjoyed every bite. I highly recommend trying the French toast, it’s not overly sweet and has a unique twist that makes it really special. They’re also super accommodating with special requests, so I always get a side of egg whites for that extra protein. Overall, it was a fantastic experience, and I can’t wait to go back!

Loved it there! The food was delicious, cocktails were creative, and staff was so friendly and attentive. It was really nice for the floor manager to even come by our table and talk to us for a bit

We celebrated my fiancée’s birthday at Habana in Costa Mesa and had a great time! The outdoor seating was cozy with trees and heat lamps. We ordered the Chicken Empanadas, Ropa Vieja, and Lechón Asado — everything was delicious and full of flavor. The service, atmosphere, and food made it a perfect night. Definitely coming back!

Amazing menu. We loved every dish! And enjoyed the unique menu. Oh, and the cocktails were good too!

I’m starting off by saying they offered rosé before we sat down, for free… By far the best restaurant I’ve ever been to. Such great service and ton special care for my birthday! I would travel back to CA just for this restaurant. The food no less…. Amazing.

Fantastic Cuban restaurant. We came to celebrate my Son and soon to be daughter in law engagement dinner.. Tawny event coordinator and Chris manager were able to create a magical evening for our party of 20 guest.. The ambiance were true to Cuban traditions, music & decorations. Food was delicious. I would recommend El Churrasco, cooked to perfection. We had 2 great male waiters (forgot their names) Who catered to our every need. Literally checked on us the entire time. Our glasses were never empty and our delicious dinner was served Hot. Chris and Tawny periodically checked in on me and our guest and provided Top Class Service.. I would definitely recommend Habana in Costa Mesa to anyone looking for night out and or to Celebrate a special occasion. Would make this restaurant one on my #1 TOP restaurant to visit in OC.

Made a reservation for their Saturday BRUNCH at 11 am. To my knowledge, they only do their brunch on Saturdays and Sundays at this location. First of all, parking at this time isn't difficult. There was plenty of parking when we arrived. However, once it passed 12pm and we were leaving the anti-mall, we could see that parking could be a bit trickier to find. So if you're up earlier on a weekend, come before lunch time, as it shouldn't be difficult to find parking or a table then. When we had arrived at 11, there were only two other tables at the restaurant. But once it was lunch time, more parties showed up. Next, we chose to sit outside this weekend and the vibes were relaxed yet cute. There was music playing, but not too loud where you wouldn't be able to hear those at your table. Overall great vibes and more on the casual end. Perfect spot for brunch. Our server Maria was also attentive and checked up on us enough. I got the Ropa Vieja and Eggs ($29.50) and it was really good! Portions were a good size. The plantains were done well and the shredded beef was tender. My friend got the Caribbean Pancakes ($24.50) and she enjoyed how it was a fun take on a traditional breakfast. The portions were fair and she had enough for leftovers. We also tried the Pina Colada ($18.50). It was more of a slush consistency, but overall enjoyed it. Price may be a bit more compared to other brunch spots, but I think it's worth coming at least once!

I had the most wonderful experience at Habana at The Lab yesterday! From the moment I walked in, the ambiance was warm and inviting, and the staff made me feel very welcome. The service was fantastic--our server was attentive, knowledgeable, and genuinely friendly, making the whole evening even more enjoyable. Now let's talk about the food and drinks: absolutely delicious! Every bite was packed with flavor, and the cocktails were perfectly crafted. If you're looking for a place that combines incredible Cuban flavors, top-notch service, and a vibe that's perfect for a night out, Habana is it. I can't wait to come back and try more from the menu!

We had reservations and came on a Friday afternoon. The restaurant is located in an Artsy part of Costa Mesa . Outdoor seating provided with heaters on a January cold afternoon. Servers and front staff are very friendly. We were never rushed and service was fast and efficient . We started with appetizer sampler of 3 chicken empanadas and 3 vegetable empanadas and garlic bread with meatballs. We ordered and shared paella for 2 which was good for 5 people and even for 6 . And medianoche sandwich with fries, and also salad and plantains. Food is delicious . We ordered Chile mango mojito and classic Mojito . The bill was around $260 plus tips. parking can be challenging at the area but you just have to be patient . All in all, I highly recommend this restaurant.

After being bookmarked on my Yelp list for far too long, I was so excited to finally try it before the end of 2024. We made a reservation the night before so we were seated right away upon arrival. We happened to arrive during their happy/social hour (Sun-Thurs: 3pm-7pm, Fri-Sat: 3pm-6pm) so we were able to order drinks from the rum bar and take it back to our table. So worth it! Unfortunately, I have an allergy with bananas and plantains, so although we wrote that in our reservation, we kindly reminded our server again to avoid any issues. They were accommodating and moved the plantains to a separate dish from my mine. I really enjoyed the vibes and the flavorful food here, so I hope to be back to try out more dishes. || L O C A T I O N. /. P A R K I N G || -Cross Streets are Bristol St. and Randolph Ave. -I'm going to be honest but parking sucks here in the main lot. It's a shared lot with The Lab parking and we were so lucky to find a spot as we pulled up. I felt bad when we were leaving and all these cars were coming in but not many spots were available. You might need to park in the back lot on Randolph. || F O O D. / D R I N K S || Chicken Empanadas $16.50 - Comes with 3 chicken empanadas served with El Churrasco $46.50 - I've had my fair share of strip steak but theirs was so juicy and tender. Would recommend this! Lechon Asado $38.50 - I was intrigued by the name and while I know some fellow Yelpers mentioned that their pulled pork was dry, I can somewhat agree. Some parts of the pork were juicy and I had a couple parts of the pork that were very hard and dry. However, the pickled onions and the light purple rice helped to bring juiciness and flavor to the dish. Caribbean Fries $11.50 - If you loves fries and all things garlic, then YOU have to order this, or else you'll regret it, because you'll literally smell this in the air when it's being brought to someone else's table. Although I'm a fry lover, I usually have leftovers, but this was gone in minutes. The smoky sauce that it comes with to dip the fries in are just chef's kiss. Just do yourself a favor and order this Social Hour Drinks @ $12.50 each - We ordered the Caribbean Lilly and the hickory-Smoked Old Fashioned. I can't speak for the Old Fashioned since I didn't drink that one but I enjoyed the Carribbean Lilly cocktail. It's a gin and butterfly pea drink and I liked how it wasn't overly sweet. Such a light and refreshing cocktail. El Pastelito $29.50 - I'm not a huge fan of chocolate desserts but this one surprisingly was very good! Maybe because it wasn't overly sweet and gooey, I felt like I could go back for another slice even though I was quite full. It's a small sized cake that could probably feed up to 4- 6 people so it was a lot for 2 people, but now we got leftovers to enjoy at home!

Great service. Came for a friends birthday and they brought us drinks on the house. We got the veggie empanadas to share and these were good. I enjoyed the dipping sauce. The breading could have been lighter and crunchier but it did the job. I can't remember what my friends got, but they really enjoyed what they got. I ordered the chicken sandwich and I loved the chicken and bread, but I was not a fan of the mustard sauce they used, as well as the vegetables that were in the sandwich. It made the sandwich feel more basic. We sat outside and the vibes were good.

Extremely pleased with our experience! We stopped here before going to play an escape room in Irvine. We had a little snafu with our reservation - it was for their other location but they were kind and got us seated inside after a very short wait. We got complementary glasses of rose while we were being led to our table. We ordered the ropa vieja, gambas al ajillo, el churrasco, the Kobe burger, and chicken empanadas. The food was delicious and flavorful. Everyone enjoyed what they ordered. My favorite were the chicken empanadas with the mango slaw and sweet sauce. It is a must order for the table. Though we did order dessert (key lime pie) and a cubano, it was good but definitely not necessary. Our server was wonderful and very attentive. Will definitely be coming back! The only downside to this spot is that parking is really difficult. Carpool if you're coming in a large group.

I'm used to going to the Habana location at the Irvine Spectrum but I was curious to check this place out. This restaurant is located in a small plaza that gets very busy during the day so I suggest arriving right when they open if you want an easier time finding a parking spot. The restaurant definitely gave off a more rustic vibe compared to the spectrum location. It's located in a large barn-like style with indoor and outdoor seating. There is also a small bar area near the entrance shortly after you walk in. My friend and I arrived for their $28 lunch menu. Their lunch special includes your choice of an appetizer, entree, and dessert. You must pick one from each category from a predetermined list. They then bring your entree and appetizer at once on one plate. I thoroughly enjoyed my meal. It's very filling. I could only finish half of it in one sitting. Service was good. Our waiter came to check on us every once in a while but the restaurant did get very busy because of 2 large parties halfway through our meal so we had some trouble flagging someone down later on. 4 stars because when we asked for to go boxes, we received only one and it was dirty inside. We had to flag down someone to have it replaced. My overall experience was good but I prefer the cleanliness and more parking offered at the spectrum location.

The ambiance was amazing the wait staff was awesome and the food was spot on. I love Cuban food and once was married to a Cuban and this brought me back to her grandmas cooking! Spot on Excellent meal!

Rustic and classic, surrounded by industrial art installations. It was unusual to see the contrast, but still felt cozy. There's a large covered patio with exposed lightbulbs strung overhead and heaters placed throughout the space to keep everyone comfortably warm during cooler evenings. Parking is a breeze; sits adjacent to the restaurant and we had no issues finding an open spot. THE FOOD. - Mariscos Fritos | Fried calamari with a nice, crispy exterior while the interior remains soft and tender. There are also fried vegetables mixed in. - Bocaditos de Picadillo | Flakey pastries with beef and vegetables inside. The jalapeño crema is a great dipping sauce for these pastries. A small side of crunchy mango slaw adds textural contrast. Highly recommend. - Caribbean Fries | Garlicky fries with smoky chipotle dipping sauce. - Habana Stuffing | A unique blend of bread, minced beef, spices, and plantains. Super moist and deliciously savory. - Ropa Vieja | Succulent braised shredded beef with grilled vegetables. Its rich flavors are accentuated with buttery rice, sweet plantains, and black beans. Order it! - Lechon Asado | Pork was juicy and fatty, covered with a mildly pungent garlic sauce and pickled onions, I felt the savoriness vibe throughout. Yeah, probably order this too. - Caribbean Flan | Rum infused flan is my jam. Custard-ly rich with subtle spice notes, it's a heart-warming dessert to close out your meal with. - Key Lime Pie | Tangy and zesty with a creamy texture. The graham cracker crust extends its way to the top in the form of crumbles. THE DRUNK DRINKS. - Guava Smash | Guava with an acidic taste. A sprig of mint helps to balance it all out. - Sparkling Rose (Complimentary) | Bubbly champagne, mildly sweet. COMING BACK? Yep, nicely done dishes and a comfortable atmosphere is worth coming back.

This was my first time coming to the Costa Mesa location. When we arrived the hosted greeted us, told me happy birthday and took us to our table. We sat outside and it was nice cause it was kind of empty. The server came and took our drink order. I got the passion de Cuba but with tequila and it was so refreshing! We also ordered the chicken empanadas. The side slaw was delicious. I got the short rib dish and it was sooo bomb! I love that it was on a hot skillet cause every bit was still warm and tasty! The ambience was very nice. Overall great spot! 4 stars cause our drinks didn't come until half way through our app and we ordered them at different times.

I grew up in north OC in the 90s and I was an indie kid. But being an indie kid I hated what was popular and even worse, hated what was unpopular but popular because it was unpopular. That's what The Camp and The Lab in Costa Mesa were to me. Areas in southern OC who tried to be alt and different from the white washed and corporately owned vibes of the area, but trying too hard to be different. Because of it I refrained from returning to those spaces, even though I ended up going to UCI and working on Real Housewives of OC. However, for my friend's birthday we decided to do dinner somewhere close to her and Costa Mesa was the spot. I chose what looked to be a restaurant even the least adventurous might enjoy and I'm so glad I did because Habana was the start of an incredible evening. Design Style wise this restaurant is easy on the eyes. The smart use of green space integrated with a large open dining space in low lighting creates both an atmosphere of open and intimate. If with a large group you can see you don't stand out from the other tables and you also feel like people fade into the background when talking amongst yourselves. Every design element plays a part in telling the larger story of the restaurant and it all fits. Service Aliza was our server and if you get the chance to have her you should feel so lucky. She has such good energy, enthusiastically giving suggestions on the things she loves on the menu, helping with questions, and easy to converse with. Most of what we ordered were based on her recommendations and none of them failed us. Look for her and try to get her to be your server if possible. We took a picture with her at the end! Drinks This is one of those restaurants you have to try their drinks. Firstly, when you check in at the hostess desk they offer you a free flute of rosé. I don't know if this happens all the time but it was a great first impression. Sitting down and looking at the menu we saw a great selection of different drinks made of mezcal, rum, and tequila. Utilizing the wonderful suggestions of Aliza we got a whole round of drinks. The one I ordered was the Nacional Treasure. Nacional Treasure was a refreshing sweeter rum drink with passionfruit, fresh lime juice, and sugar. It didn't hide the alcohol but instead complimented it while leaving a sweet aftertaste. El Benny is also amazing with a great lingering taste topped with a sweetness balanced with the tang of the salted rim. Food All the food we had were appetizers. There's a reason which I'll explain at the end. However, none of them missed the mark and each were gladly feasted upon by the whole table. The Taste of Habana - 2 pork croquetas, 3 chicken empanadas, 3 vegetable empanadas, banana habanero ketchup, cheese empanadas, and shrimp empanadas. The pork croquetas are amazing. Smoky, rich flavor without being overbearing. The onions it's served with adds balance and the tomato sauce it comes with it gives comfort food vibes. All the empanadas were amazing and I can't even pinpoint anything specific. It's just good. And the sauces were *chef's kiss*. You'll want to spread it on everything. Gambas Al Ajillo - sautéed shrimp in white wine, garlic, paprika chili oil, cherry tomatoes, and grilled bread - one of their most popular dishes. Very fragrant from the moment it comes out. The flavor is smooth, robust without being overpowering, and the oil it's cooked in makes everything delicious. You can pour it on anything and it'll taste phenomenal. It'll be hard to share with other people because it tastes so good. Order multiple to avoid infighting. Ceviche Tropical - Spanish octopus, Argentinian shrimp, halibut, tomato, cucumber, onions, coconut cream, lime, and aji amararillo. The use of plantains for the chips was a fantastic move as it gives a nice textural difference and balance in taste to the bright and soft notes from the ceviche itself. A great start to a meal that'll make you want more and more. End Notes We could've spent our whole evening here. It was just so much fun and the vibes were vibing. However, we were given a time limit of two hours and then we were told we would have to give up our table to the next reservation. An understandable request but the main reason we didn't order any entrees either. Hopefully, we can get another chance to eat here and enjoy this beautiful restaurant. I highly recommend Habana for dinner with any kind of company. But do be mindful of parking and the restrictive time limit.

I recently checked out this super cute Cuban restaurant in Costa Mesa, and it was such a good time! The vibe was romantic, perfect for a chill night out with friends or a date. Service was fast and friendly, which always makes a difference. I got the El Churrasco Style Grilled Skirt Steak and the Kobe Burger, and they both had those bold, yummy Cuban flavors you'd expect. But honestly, the highlight for me was the corn on the cob! I wasn't expecting much, but it was so buttery and perfectly seasoned--definitely stole the show. Overall, I'm really glad I got to try it out. You should definitely go if you're in the area!

Amazing service. They served complimentary rosé. We tried three dishes today. Everything was good. Ambiance was great and good for a date night or friends/family. THREE CHEESE CHORIZO MAC & CHEESE 12.50 GAMBAS AL AJILLO Sauteéd shrimp in white wine, garlic, paprika chili oil, cherry tomatoes, grilled bread 26.50 SHORT RIB PICADILLO HASH Braised short rib, roasted cippolini onions, crispy yucca con mojo, sunny egg, Jimmy Nardello pepper, tomatillo salsa, arugula 24

I discovered this place on a whim because my friend was in town and we were looking for a place to get cocktails. Fast seating around 7pm on a Wednesday night. Parking is iffy and tough. I absolutely love the ambience of this place. Soft lighting, candles, great music and vibe. Our server Gavin was very friendly and welcoming. I got the sangria and my friend got a few cocktails off of their menu. Everything was very delicious. I scoped out some of the food that people were getting around us and everything looks delicious. A few people were celebrating birthdays and they have this chocolate lava cake that they light on fire which was fun. I definitely have to come back for dinner.

Pleasantly surprised when we took our son an daughter in law for her birthday dinner the food and service was outstanding

Habana is one of my favorite restaurants, took our kids here for thanksgiving dinner and it was amazing. My kids love it and the food was delicious. So much food to choose from, desserts.

I came here to celebrate a friend's birthday. I made an open table reservation for lunch and we were seated on the patio. The vibe and atmosphere here is super fun and would be great to come at night when all the lights are giving it a more romantic feel. We ordered cocktails to begin, both were yummy and strong! Food we ordered the servers suggestions, both dishes weee great! Delicious portions of meat, veggies, and rice. Everything was flavorful and I would definitely come ba

From the moment we stepped into Habana, it was an incredible experience! The restaurant greets you with complimentary rosé while you wait, which sets a relaxing tone right away. Although we made a reservation, the wait time wasn't long. Once seated, we had the pleasure of being served by Sophie--who deserves a promotion and a raise! Sophie was attentive from the start, immediately bringing us water and swiftly taking our drink orders, which arrived in minutes. She was super helpful in answering all our menu questions (and we had quite a few). Thanks to Sophie, our experience was beyond enjoyable--she truly made our night and deserves recognition for her outstanding service! The busser, Sandra, was also amazing! She was so kind and always had the biggest smile on her face, making our time at the restaurant even more enjoyable. Sandra's warmth really stood out, and she was awesome in every way. The ambiance of the restaurant is also top-notch. We sat outdoors, surrounded by charming lights and greenery, which made for a cozy and inviting atmosphere. As for the food, we ordered the paella for one and the Churrasco, and both dishes were fantastic! I highly recommend Habana for anyone looking for great food, service, and a wonderful dining experience!

Habana in Costa Mesa is a whole vibe! The moment you walk in, you're transported to a Cuban paradise with a super chic, tropical ambiance that's perfect for any occasion. The food is divine--the flavors are bold and authentic. The skirt steak was good, but I didn't feel it was worth the value. However, the Jamaican Rum Shrimp was phenomenal--the best part of our meal! Mallory was great, but I wish we had gotten a simple dessert for my girlfriend's birthday. Overall, a must-visit spot with a few tweaks needed.

We celebrated our wedding anniversary at their Costa Mesa location this weekend. Reservation was easy via OpenTable. The restaurant staffs were super friendly and attentive. They offered us unlimited FREE Róse, and a happy anniversary card ! The food were amazingly delicious. Our service staffs, Jordan and Milton, were very attentive, and even chatted with us for a few minutes. Jordan sprinkled rose petals on our table. Took pictures for us. The restaurant's decorations were cute, warm and inviting. The heat in the covered patio area was spaced out near the ceiling, thus we didn't feel too hot. We had a great time, definitely would return and recommend this restaurant to our friends and family. A 5 Stars dinning experience.

My visit to Habana was an exceptional experience. I came here last Saturday around 5:00 PM. The wait time was about 5 minutes, which was very surprising given that it was a weekend. I was given complimentary champagne upon arrival. Who can complain about that? The restaurant was massive. There were tons of different rooms that maintained the cuban decor and aesthetic. It was beautifully decorated. There were so many nice touches, such as the vintage television near the front of the restaurant, to the black miniature ceiling fans. The staff were all dressed in traditional cuban attire. The men wore straw hats, guayabera shirts, and the ladies wore graceful dresses. We were seated in the main room at a booth (per our request). This was easily accommodated as there weren't too many guests in that section at the time. Our server was very warm & friendly. I ordered a pina colada (which was excellent), probably one of the best I've had honestly. For appetizers my friend and I ordered calamari, & yuca frita (not on the menu). Our entrees were the new york strip, and the plantain crusted chicken. The appetizers were really good. I would've liked to have more yuca though. The side sauce (mayo/ketchup) was lovely, and it complimented the yuca well. There was a slight hiccup in that the server misheard my friend's order and instead brought the churrasco steak instead. They quickly rectified the issue, and ensured it was taken off our bill. They also took my meal back to the kitchen to bring both entrees out together, which was nice. The plantain chicken was fantastic. The breading was falling off a little, but not terribly so. The side of shredded zucchini & squash was so garlicky and tasty (I want to recreate it), and the plantain/yuca mashed potatoes was unlike anything I have ever tasted. I wanted to have more of it. My friend enjoyed his steak, plantains, and asparagus, but the chorizo mac was a little too cheesy for him. I am very glad I was finally able to make it to Habana. I most definitely will be back. I'll likely try something new & yummy to rave about next time.

Such a cute place! Food was so good, definitely order the empanadas. Dominic was our server and he was the sweetest! Our friend had just turned 21 so he gave us good recommendations for drinks. If you happen to dine in ask for Dominic!

Had this restaurant bookmarked and finally got to visit after a shopping day at South Coast plaza. However, the food was mediocre at best unfortunately and not worth the price. TLDR: skip What I ordered: 1) appetizer: crab cake (1 cake, seems more like a filling than pieces of crab) Rating: 2/5 2) entree: el churrasco- skirt steak portion was small, texture was chewy, but the chimichurri sauce was delicious. Rating 3/5 3) entree: lechon asado- slow roasted pork was extremely dry. This was very disappointing since the flavors were lacking for a slow roast. Eating: 1/5 Service: 5/5 our waitress was very energetic, welcoming and kept our glasses filled. She checked on us frequently and we loved her enthusiasm! Dessert: skipped since the other food was underwhelming

Came by for my birthday dinner. I found this restaurant on the Michelin Guide and decided to try it out. We were greeted with complementary glasses of rosé, which was a pleasant surprise! I love the atmosphere of the place--seating is outdoors so it was a little windy that day, but vibrant and energetic. I will say that I was not fond of the empanadas, but the other dishes we ordered were delicious. For my birthday, they gave me a cute birthday card and some colorful petals. It was a fun experience!

Wife and I were long overdue for a brunch date and Habana seemed promising enough. The outdoor seating is (in my opinion) the best way to enjoy a meal here, especially for brunch. The rustic decor and being outside on a nice summer day makes for a very pleasant experience. My wife and I ordered Medianoche: Personally not really a sandwich person, but this just sounded too good. And it was! Imagine a nice, toasted sandwich but elevated. Every bite was so good and comforting. Picadillo hash: Perfectly fried potato chunks and tender bites of short rib. I did have some bites that tasted a little... gamey? Other than that it was excellent. Spanish Chorizo Sofrito Steamers: Say that one 10 times in a row hurrr hurrr. Wife and I love shellfish, so naturally this was a non-negotiable for us. Wish it came with more bread to soak up all the soupy goodness. Bit salty on its own, but otherwise very delicious. We also ordered a bottle of champagne after finishing our complimentary ones! Definitely not our usual move, but it was nice to have something bubbly and refreshing. In addition to the food, service was excellent too! Oscar always made sure we had what we needed throughout our meal. There's other stuff I wanna try on their menu, so I look forward to coming back soon. The Irvine Spectrum location also seems to be doing a brunch thing starting at the end of this month! Brunch buffets are rare and the places that do offer it are very mediocre at best. If the food/service was an indicator of things to come, I'd imagine their buffet is going to be hopefully just as good!

This is the original Habanna that's been around for a while and what a transformation it's been they over the years! It's a very beautiful Cuban restaurant with a very nice outdoor seating area but it's fully tarped and heated during the cold season. They have a little indoor area with a nice bar as well. I started with the Shrimp Empanada which were 3 pieces with a nice green salsa selves on the side. I personally loved the cheesy flavor it had to it and it went nice with the salsa. As for the entree it was tough cause I wanted to try a few things but I had ordered the Plantain Crusted Chicken for myself and I also got to try their Salmon. The Chicken was very tasty and I personally loved the sides it came with like their mashed potato and veggies. The salmon was extremely tender and my personal favorite side which was their plantains. I wished they came with the chicken but I was lucky enough to try some. They have some flashy desserts like the Flambé where they will do a table side show but I had ordered their Flan which was maybe one of the better flans I've had since it was so rich and had some flavor of rum in it. Service was good by every one from hostess to the server.

It was our first time here, we found this place on Yelp, we were scared since it was a two hour drive (we're from Santa Clarita) and we seen it's so popular so we made a reservation on open table. We checked in and they gave us complimentary rose. We were seated inside and our server was SASI! She decorated our table with a postcard and rose pedals, it was so adorable. the service was 10/10!!! We loved our server, SASI!! she was so nice and welcoming! She always checked up on us. The food was amazing! We got the "taste of habana" the empanadas were sooo warm and filling. We also got the " el churrasco" and the "La paella" super good! This place exceed me and my partners expectations. I recommend sasi as your server, she made this unforgettable - we will be back with our friends!!

Great food (although limited menu), and great service. The restaurant is very loud, so I wouldn't suggest this for dates because you have to talk quite loud to be heard. We couldn't get the drinks we requested because the machine was broken, which is very unfortunate for a Saturday evening.

Everything was super flavorful, loved the rice. Service was good even though it was busy our waiter made sure we had what we needed. Environment can be loud but lively. The only thing was the wait time even though we had a reservation.

Great service and delicious food Highly recommended I love the design of the patio Perfect place for any occasion

Food was delicious And our server Marléne was amazing! Was very knowledgeable about the menu which helped a lot . Overall A great experience.

母親這個角色，母親的愛，影響了每一個人的人生，有母親在身旁的日子，會覺得很心安，就算是再普通的時光，也能覺得幸福～ 可能要等到長大以後，歷經過人生的坎坷，才會發現原來母愛是那麼的溫存，那種綿綿溫暖的感覺， 不管拿世上什麼尊榮，名譽，地位，都比不上待在母親身旁，那最溫柔的港灣～ 昨天故意訂下午四點吃飯，想說能避開母親節的人潮，沒想到有訂位還是要等待，又等了差不多40分鐘左右才到我們進去，我以為是墨西哥餐廳， 但好像是古巴風味，不過餐廳的態度很好，在等待時提供我們免費的酒，還有免費的墨西哥餃子可吃，只是我不曉得母親節是固定的菜單，一個人是$68加稅加小費，這家應該算是名店，是我從未來過， 前菜非常喜歡， 主菜， 我的魚很好吃，兒子就不太喜歡他的豬肉， 甜點布丁， 就是糖不用錢的作法， 希望天下所有偉大的母親， 昨天都過了一個開心的母親節

Based on how popular this restaurant is, I went ahead and made reservations ahead of time. When I got to the restaurant, I was told that they didn't have inside regular seating, even though I had noted my preference on seating on my reservation. The hostess made some quick changes & was able to sit inside. However, we got stuck in a tight corner; thankfully our server had us move to a more spacious spot. I did notate that my party was celebrating a birthday on the reservation, but neither the hostess nor our waiter mentioned anything or acknowledged it which was super disappointing. The restaurant was smaller inside than expected, but it had a fun vibe & good music playing minus it being heavy on the bass which was distracting. 9/10 - Ropa Vieja: very filling flavorful shredded beef which was super tasty with the rice & beans; rice wso yummy that ordered extra on the side. 7/10 - Plantain Crusted Chicken: garlic mashed yucca & sautéed zucchini were the stars of the plate; yucca was garlicky, silky, & addictive; zucchini was seasoned & cooked to perfection; sadly, the chicken was just okay, as it needed more flavor & dry without the sauce-the sauce had a sour tang that tasted odd.

I love this place! I've been here several times over the years, but usually for dinner. This time I went for Sunday brunch and enjoyed it. The patio ambiance is really nice on a sunny afternoon. I started with the vegetarian empanadas and they were good, but nothing amazing (3.5 out of 5 stars). I then had the Short Rib Piccadillo Hash and ate every bite because it was so good (5 out of 5 stars - would absolutely order it again)! Even my 2-year-old daughter happily ate some with me. My friend had the Huevos Habaneros and she really liked that as well (she gave it a 4 out of 5). I wish they had a kids' menu, but this is more of an adults place so I'm not surprised that they didn't have one. My daughter still ate enough between the empanadas and my short rib dish so it was fine.

The restaurant has survived being at The Lab when almost everything else has turned over. I think it's because they stay vigilant about customer experience and food quality. Both are very high. I hadn't been here in over a decade because there are so many restaurants to try. I am glad we came back. We had a party of ten and they handled it well. Everybody got some cheap pink sparkling wine as you arrive. That's a fun touch and a bit of the give more than is expected mentality. Food was on point and pacing of the meal was good. The one odd thing was regarding my friend's inquiry about gluten free options. The waiter basically told her that salad or paella were the only things on the menu that were gluten free. She inquired about a couple of dishes that seemed unlikely to have gluten but the waiter insisted that the 'universal butter' and crema they used had gluten. I have dined with my friend for 20 years and never been told the butter and cream had gluten. Very odd.

Is a cute Cuban theme restaurant. They have inside and outside heated patio seating. Went with a party of 6 and the service was very attentive and responsive. We shared a combo of empanadas that were pretty hearty. Had the median noche sandwich , which hit the spot. Friends had steak, fish and had the Mac and cheese, all enjoyed their meals. They have alcoholic beverages and variety of coffee drinks. They are not a rush you out restaurant, so it's very pleasant to be there. It's well spaced out and not a challenge to have conversations with your own party. Plenty of free parking.

Our recent dining experience at Habana was just as memorable as always. Even though it was a busy evening, our group of nine, including kids, was quickly accommodated. It was fortunate that we didn't have to wait long. It would be a good idea to make reservations in advance. The warm and inviting atmosphere made it an ideal location for a family excursion. In past visits, I've enjoyed their outdoor seating area. The service at Habana was outstanding. The staff were welcoming and kind, contributing to the overall enjoyable ambiance. We were delighted by the kind gesture of a complimentary rosé that was offered to our table, creating a wonderful atmosphere for the rest of the evening. The culinary highlights of our meal featured the Taste of Habana appetizer platter, which offered a delectable assortment of Cuban flavors and was ideal for sharing. The main courses were impressive, with the Ropa Vieja offering a rich and flavorful profile, and the Rum Pepper Shrimp providing a delightful balance of sweetness and spice. The perfectly grilled Salmon a la Parrilla was an absolute delight that left a lasting impression. Although the majority of our dishes were delicious, a couple of the new items we experimented with fell a bit short, like the Medianoche. Nevertheless, this small hiccup did not overshadow the generally pleasant dining experience. Our young diners had a great time enjoying, though there isn't a specific kids menu, they still enjoyed their the filet mignon with fries. The meat was prepared just the way they preferred, and the fries were delightfully crispy and fulfilling. Habana also offers a wide variety of drinks, and each one we sampled was exceptional, simply enhancing our dining experience. Overall, the blend of classic and inventive Cuban cuisine, exceptional service, and lively ambiance creates an experience that we eagerly anticipate revisiting.

One word. Brunch! I went on a brunch date with my boyfriend last weekend and we easily got a same day reservation on the patio. What a hidden gem when it come to drinks.... A Bellini flight for $18 and a guava Bellini for $5? I was sold! The pancake breakfast was amazing and we were OBSESSED with the guava jelly. I took one star off because it took like 25 mins to get our bill and pay. It was very annoying... other than that great experience.

Definitely recommend sitting outside - has a nice vibe. We had: 1) shrimp empanadas - 3/5. Rather dry, not the best I've had, but the slaw helped. 2) el churrasco - 4/5. Good flavors and meat was grilled just right. 3) salmon a la parrilla - 5/5. The best dish here. Tender salmon with good sauce. 4) bread pudding - 3/5. Dry and doughy. 5) mojitos - 4/5. raspberry and mango. We had to ask for more club soda cuz the mango puree was too thick, but after that, it was good. Service was good - nice touch on some welcome bubbly. Would return!

Habana is a Cuban restaurant that has become very popular in the OC. It has such an aesthetic interior that really makes you feel like you've been transported to a new place. They have plenty of seating in the Costa Mesa location in The Lab and I surprisingly did not have to wait for a table of party of 8 on a Saturday at lunch time. My only gripe is that it is horrendous to find parking in this plaza. Make sure to go across the street and check out The Camp after your meal to walk off the food! What we tried: Ropa Vieja & Eggs - shredded beef braised with sweet peppers, onions, garlic, tomatoes, eggs any style, sweet plantains, congris Kobe Burger - ground Kobe beef mixed with chipotle, manchego & cheddar cheese, butter lettuce, tomato, onion, horseradish mayo, tomatillo salsa on a brioche bun, Carribean fries Huevos Habaneros - grilled chorizo bilbao, egg coddled in spicy tomato sofrito, mojo bread Instagram: @jessgoeat

Food was excellent, service was amazing, and the ambience was terrific! This place hit it out of the park in all ways and we can't wait to go back. Highly recommend!

Large portions and super flavorful! Habana is located in the lab in Costa Mesa. Parking can be tricky at the lab but there is street parking if you can't find one in the lot. They start you off with a complimentary rose at the beginning. Outside patio seating is covered with trees and has a tropical vibe. For food we got the osso bucco (special), ropa vieja, ceviche, and media noche sandwich. For drinks my fiance and his aunt got a red wine and I got a el cubanito. Service was fast and our server was friendly. Ceviche (8/10)- light and refreshing came with plantain chips, a little pricy for $25 but nothing bad to say about this dish. Osso Bucco (10/10)-super flavorful and meat was fall off bones, came with side of potatoes and greens. Ropa Vieja (9/10)-beef was tender and rice was well cooked, not overly salty, classic Cuban dish. Medianoche (9/10)-thin sandwich, not overly salty and came with a side of fries! For dessert we got the banana with ice cream! Not overly sweet and bananas fried to perfection. My cocktail was strong but had a deep rum flavor with coconut. Overall very pleased with the atmosphere, service, and food. Would love to come for HH my next visit!

The food was so disappointing! We came here for dinner after a performance at Segerstrom, it's been a while since we were here last. I had the chicken, the description sounded amazing. my meal was not. (2) breaded chicken breasts with no flavor at all, most likely straight from the freezer, the mashed potatoes were ok and zuchinni squash thinly sliced for $36!! we didn't say anything to our server because we were hungry, disappointed and just wanted to leave. My husband had the mendenoche (sp?) sandwich and he too, said it lacked flavor and he could not taste the mustard or pickles at all to compliment the pork. The outside patio did have the ambience we remembered when we were there last, sadly the food did not mirror this for us. Disappointing.

We had a beautiful experience at Habana! We went for a bachelorette and right off the bat the service was excellent and that rang true through the whole meal. Everyone we interacted with was so kind! The space was also beautiful and so fun! It was the perfect ambiance but I can really see it suiting any dinner! For the food, the empanadas were absolutely spectacular. I normally don't love empanadas because they always have too much filling but these were amazing. I also got the New York steak cooked rare and it was cooked to perfection. The plantains could've been a little crispier but they were so sweet and delicious I still loved them. For me, the cheese sauce for the Mac and cheese could've been thicker, I definitely had to keep mixing it to get the flavor I wanted but it was still delicious! I also had a blueberry mojito (or two) and it was light and delicious!! I can't wait to come back the next time I'm in the area!

Parking is difficult here so you may have to park and walk a bit. The ambiance is great. It's pretty cute and definitely giving Cuba vibes. The music was a bit too loud for my liking and I could barely talk or hear my companion. The service was great. The waiter was friendly, attentive and made recommendations. The drinks and food came fast. The food was pretty good. Their ceviche was delicious, but I wish more chips came with it. The empanadas were pretty good too. Perfect little bite size.

I love this place , the vibes and the food are great! I wanted to give this 5 stars so badly but the service wasn't great and they give you a hard stop time which is uncomfortable and awkward. Especially for a party of 6, we spent a decent amount of money here and it was uncomfortable when they asked us to leave after we paid the check due to a time limit , that I think was 90 minutes.

Favorite date night spots. One of two locations, Irvine Spectrum - which feels a little dressier and this one at the Lab Anti-mall - that gives you more al fresco casual vibes. At this location, parking can be difficult during peak hours. Highly suggest booking a table via Open Table or their website so you don't have to wait. We have come here on many occasions including their Sunday brunch which we all really enjoy! On a regular basis, our date nights here consist of ordering the Taste of Habana (pork croquetas, chicken empanadas, vegetable empanadas) & Gambas al ajillo for appetizers. For entrees, we love El Churrasco (skirt steak, chimichurri, with corn on the cob, rice, beans, and plantains) & the salmon a la parilla. For sides, the chorizo mac & cheese, tostones (smashed fried plantains) and the corn on the cob are delicious! We usually get a variety of sides and share it among the table. Now I don't know if they still host their Sunday brunch buffets but last time I had it... it was amazing. Live music, fresh coconut (with alcohol) station, an omelette bar, tons of protien options like their ropa vieja & lechon. So so good! On our most recent visit, we had noted celebrating a birthday on the reservation, they surprised us with a little Habana post card that said Happy Birthday and our server gave us 2 tiny glasses of champagne to celebrate. Service has always been wonderful and we've recommended so many friends and visiting family to dine here and enjoy the ambiance and the food.

Food: I ordered the Ropa Veija and my partnered ordered the Lechon Plate. First thoughts that came to mind was that the Ropa Veija portion seemed a bit small. Compared to my partner's Lechon plate, hers look significantly more. We also ordered the Mariscos, which was their calamari and shrimp appetizer, but I can pass on it next time. The quality and taste was definitely better than Porto's. They also offer a nice mezcal. Service: We came on a Thursday for lunch and were seated immediately. We were able to order pretty quickly, but the food did take a few notable minutes. Ambiance: Located at the Lab. Inside is small but offers enough seating. It's very clean inside. We came here because they offer Cuban food, similar to Porto's Bakery. Location was a bit difficult to find since it was our first time there, but there is a small plaza to walk around.