The LAB Anti-Mall

Step away from the chaos of city life and into a space that feels like a time capsule. This hidden gem offers a refreshing escape like taking a quick detour out of traffic and into the charm of the past. Relive the nostalgia of the ‘70s and ‘80s, where everything feels simpler, slower, and more peaceful. It’s a place to unwind, recharge, and enjoy the freedom of a calm, retro inspired environment.

I love little treasure spots like this. It's so cute and fun! I visited several stores and restaurants and was not disappointed. Parking was wild and the place was packed and rather small, but worth it!!!

Not a lot of actual shopping it’s mostly coffee shops and one restaurant. It looked like it was under construction when I was there in November but maybe that’s changed. We shopped at probably 2 of the random stores for SUPER small things that weren’t an arm and a leg. Then we just walked into the Buffalo Exchange that they have there. It was my first time at one at all and boy did I get a rude awakening. What kind of a thrift store is that. I guess it’s a place that you have to see and look around if you’re in the area but I would not go back. “For an anti mall it’s pretty capitalistic” - my girlfriend’s words.

Really cool vibe here & the breakfast burrito place is the new love of my life. It's busy here though so be prepared to wait like a civilized human. They're busy because its GOOD GOOD

Great relaxing and artsy spot with a lot of food choices along with eco friendly art and clothing.

We went for an event and as we entered from the parking lot a donut shop with a big BLM Fist bringing politics into a fun event. Never coming back again, leave your activism at home donf ruin it for others .

Such a cute date and photo spot with a great selection of food and shopping choices in this hip outdoor space. I love the little art installation pieces spread throughout and the retro shops that yes, you wouldn’t really find in your everyday mall. They also had a refillery shop which was cool to look around. Parking is a bit tricky for the spot so if you don’t get lucky with your first loop into their 2 parking lots, I suggest finding some street parking and walking in.

Very cool spot with a lot unique stores, bars, and eateries, each with its own flare. The random areas of art make the walk to each place that much more enjoyable. There are two areas to explore across the street from each other. Really cool overall and the people give an inviting vibe.

The LAB Anti-mall, a small outdoor plaza, is located across the street from The CAMP and near South Coast Plaza; parking there can be challenging during peak hours. The LAB Anti-mall，一個小型室外商場，就在The CAMP對街和南海岸精品廣場附近。熱門時段的停車位不好找。

Great concept! A lot of boutique stores in an architecturally unique space and a lot of public art. Great strolling through all the stores, and several places to eat as well. I was impressed with the communal seating areas which seemed fantastical. I was able to finish some holiday shopping. There was ample parking when I went, nice bathrooms in the back.

This anti-Mall is really strange but its quirkiness by definition is fascinating n deserves a visit. I had never heard of this place until I was looking for the 2nd location of the Habana Cuban restaurant. It's a mixture of retro 60s n Greenwich village where hippies n now lbgt folks congregate to dance, parade n protest too. You walked in n thought you were in a different world bc you really were! The entrance to Habana was decorated w a dome full of cds, come back for a review of Habana. There was a boutique, the buffalo exchange selling funky shoes, shoes folks used to wear to Studio54 in nyc or the band KISS dudes used to wear. It's hilarious they sell used clothing at higher prices than the Nordstrom outlet about 5,10 min away in SouthCoast plaza n people spoke highly of this store. There was a gazebo like called the wishing tree where you can put in your wish, girls leaving messages to their x bf, lol a pizzeria where u walk in a Halloween like dark place it's all gimmick I'm sure they'd sell only frozen pizza. The entrance to this antimall entrance was closed at 6:30pm so I could not go in but I remember there were a lot of little businesses inside nothing special maybe souvenirs and knickknacks. So Habana is the anchor restaurant, many others did not survive the COVID lockdown, there was a chicken restaurant still standing n of course the pizzeria. Next to Habana was the RUIN bar! The decoration was 1/2 French boudoir 1/2 Halloween props store w an ominous looking buffalo or boar head at the entrance! lol they had happy hour n I tried to catch it but it was over after I finished dining next door i didn't want to pay $19 for a margarita if the bar didn't look conventional. The Urban Outfitters was a big apparel store here, I love the one in Waikiki, this one just sells a lot of hats n Texas cowboy clothing. There was a big lounge people can relax on a date or hang out w buddies. The people that come here are mostly college kids, young adults coming w their date to hang out at the brewery. The bootleggers brewery had about 30 tabs it reminded me of a brewery in the Block outlet mall that went out of business, if you drink beer it's definitely worth a trip here. I think this place is waiting for a buyer, real estates price skyrocketed n this hippy village is not a good fit n not making business sense so if you are adventurous come to take a look before it's gone.

The LAB stands for "Little American Business" and that's exactly what they are, although they do have a few chain stores. The LAB opened in 1993 to try to counter retail monotonies. It is super cute, not huge with okay parking. It is clean and all the stores have great service. We loved it and will be back. There really is a need for an original, indoor-outdoor unconventional "mall" packed with a super cafes, restaurants and retail. The LAB pushes creative art installations and local artist features and musical events. It has rotating murals, graphic design, a walk thru gallery and other installations. It is a great place for coffee with family or friends and some super shopping. It is not inexpensive, but what is in Costa Mesa. It is really nice and we like it ever so much.

This place is an artsy girl's dream the layout is so rustic, eclectic, and beautiful to me. I love outdoor layout and the cool stores they have here. I found some cool things at Buffalo exchange and Urban outfitters and would like to come back and work in the common space. There seems to be a lot of thought and artistic presence in how everything is organized. I really enjoyed taking it all in. It felt like a museum and shopping experience all in one. Parking is free and some residential areas are around for overflow. It was a little bit hard to spot from the main road so just keep an eye out for a rustic "the lab" sign. Definitely coming back to work and try the Nook cafe

Such a cute and fun area! Lots to explore, restaurants, bars, shops etc. love that they have an urban outfitters, Habana (yummy food and cocktails) and lots to walk around and see. Art instillations, plenty of free parking, you can spend the day here. Great to come with friends, family, or on a date! You can eat, drink, and shop! Love areas like this with outdoor shopping!

I loved this anti-mall. What a great mix is cool shops in a fantastic indoor/outdoor setting. The kind of place you only find in California. Definitely will keep this handy for future shopping or for taking friends around in Costa Mesa.

Really small place with a lot cool features! While visiting the OC, we went to the South Coast plaza which was filled with a lot of people. We heard about the Anti-Mall and decided hey let's go check it out! So firstly, parking can be a little confusing as we found out there's like two or three different lots. It's also a little tight, but no biggie. I like the cute little stores they have around the area, from clothing, to non-dairy ice cream, to plants, crystals, bars. It's very fun and eclectic! I love that they have little things to do, and I honestly wish they could expand more. Everyone is super nice there and help. Service from all the stores is great and informative. Highly recommend coming here.

I found out there is an across the street part of the Camp /Lab anti mall and wow, the place is huge. I just love all the art work and care that people put into this place. I want to spend more time, checking out more stores. It is a really beautiful place. My kind of place to chill out. Enjoy this very special place in Orange County.

I've heard of this place before, but I've never been. Can't really say that I've been to an "anti-mall" before but I guess I can kinda see what an "anti-mall" is. No huge retailers or shops that you see at every mall (unless you count Urban Outfitters). It's mostly outside with some covered awnings and areas with shops and benches and tables for people to sit and enjoy the food that they have there or just to catch up (they have free Wi-Fi!). Many of the shops and businesses are those that are eco-friendly and sustainable, eateries use organic and locally sourced ingredients, etc. Very creative and unique and perfect for pictures or photoshoots. Lots of plants, greenery, and artwork (art installations, murals, etc.). I actually got lost trying to find the restroom and stumbled upon some neat things like hop scotch, random seating and tables inside what looks like a large ribcage, cat paintings, a walkway of CD's, etc. Definitely worth spending an afternoon to explore.

been here couple times, just 2 walk around, as we were inda neighborhood, shoppin in SOUTH COAST PLAZA + waitin 4 restaurants 2 open 4 dinner theres a variety of stores & fun places 2 take fotos ~ i personally have not dined in this plaza but its a kool lil place 2 check out when inda area

I haven't been here for almost 11 years. I took my daughters here over the weekend and the three of us really enjoyed what this anti-mall offered. Loved the little stores and the art in and around the Lab. Brought back many memories. We got lucky by getting there before the parking lot got full.

This was fun to explore. The vibes are completely opposite from the Camp. We came here first and then the Camp. It's got hipster grunge vibes. The art installations are very cool! We walked around quickly and I was a bit disappointed there wasn't more shops around. I think when we came, some shops were close to closing. There's also a brewery nearby. Parking was easy. There's a clean public bathroom. I'm really glad we came and explored this spot!

I love coming here. The vibes are always so chill. So much seating that you really don't even have to worry. Luckily I haven't had any trouble with any parking from the times I have came to visit. The Nook is the place to stop by before walking around. There's so many stores to check out, from clothing, shoes, jewelry, stationery, and plants. All the workers I've come across have been so nice and great customers service. If you want a place to sit, relax, even hangout & journal or read, this is a really cool spot as well!

I have to say, this mall is absolutely adorable! It's not your typical shopping center; it's a place that's perfect for bringing your date or hanging out with friends. The selection of shops is amazing, with each one embodying great ideals and offering unique designs and styles. From charming small shops to cozy coffee houses, delightful dessert places, trendy clothing store and a variety of food options, there's something for everyone's taste. My favorite part is their out-of-the-box thinking type of decoration and design. It embraces environmental friendliness, creating a refreshing and sustainable environment. Oh, don't forget to bring your camera for some IG posts.

This is a cute little place. Great place to just hang out for some coffee and drinks and shop at the few stores. Parking is definitely difficult and it always seem packed.

Love the vibe here! Artsy, eclectic, thoughtful little place to grab a bite and hang out. The place is quite small and parking can be tight especially on the weekends but still love the atmosphere and all the cool little shops, businesses, and restaurants here. Next to south coast mall so if you're in the area I suggest you check it out!

Visited the other day with a friend and love the artwork installations and small shops. Vibes remind me of Rodeo 39 in Garden Grove but more outdoors. It's a great place to chill with friends while checking out some clothing/jewelry/plants etc and it's right across from the Camp which has plentiful of food places. Parking can be a hassle but luckily, my friend and I got a spot as someone was leaving.

We stumbled upon this gem during move-in weekend at nearby UC Irvine as we searched for alternative shops for clothing and de or options. What an enchanting find! The eclectic creative Maker-type space was so refreshing in the indoor- outdoor anti-mall that exuded creativity! It was obviously a favorite hangout to work and gather around communal tables which were popular but provided ample space. Vintage clothing, retro vinyl, sustainable recycled goods, gourmet doughnuts, craft coffee and ohso much more! Such a great vibe in this place! We found lots of pre-loved treasures at Buffalo Exchange and great funky options to style around the college campus at Urban Outfitters. It was a win-win!

This place was within walking distance from the Camp and has so many cute little things going on within it. My group got some vegan ice cream and sat down to play Uno on one of the tables. I saw a security guard and thought he might kick us out. But no, it was a lovely night, and I would definitely return!

I love food halls and small businesses and seem to only find these when I travel to SoCal!! They definitely have unique shops, food, and drinks. They have something for everyone. Will definitely return when I am back in the area. It is also right across the street from another food hall/ business "the Camp".

SUCH A CUTE CONCEPT. Dairy free ice cream, modern clothing, eco friendly products, plants, jewelry, contemporary clothing for toddlers, etc. a great place to explore, eat, and shop on a morning or afternoon. Free parking. You just gotta experience it for yourself

The Lab is a gem! It is one of my favorite places to go. I love going to Nook coffee and urban outfitters. I could seriously stay here all day and be so happy. I take my college homework there and enjoy the interactions with the business and employees. Love them! Thank you Anti-Mall for being my go to space for shopping, relaxing and coffee :) (Love you all)

An outdoor shopping center of shops and food. There's a lot of seating and people were hanging out to work/study or just chill. Free parking lot and bathrooms. I loved this concept and the indoor/outdoor vibe. It was aesthetic and I enjoyed most of the spots.

Cool and unique vibes. Fun and comfy indoor and outdoor seating. Great for people watching, reading your book, doing your work, eating your food, whatever. Interesting shops too. Worth exploring. You feel kinda transported elsewhere. I suppose that's why it's call the Anti-Mall. Check it out!!

I feel like I say this all the time but truly I've been wanting to go here for years and it's finally happened!! I definitely thought that the space was bigger and it's not really a place you could spend hours at but it's still really cute and fun! I love the vibe of the not mall mall, complete with their unique art installations that make the place more lively. Even their trash cans are so pretty! The vibe of the place and their stores are very cohesive together, giving an urban renewal/vintage vibe to it which I love! I also love that Buffalo exchange was incorporated into the plaza, I feel like thrift stores should be normalized into mall like structures! The prices of the rest of their clothing are definitely on the higher end though, but they had some really cute and unique stuff that I just might have to come back soon!

I wish the OC had more spots like this: public art and outdoor shopping in a unique urban feeling setting. The retail here is limited but it's a good spot to buy some plants in a Airstream, get metaphysical with crystals, buy vintage records, browse gently used clothes at Buffalo Exchange, enjoy a craft beer and take a photograph next to a colorful fountain incorporating painted metal barrels. There is a large parking lot adjacent to LAB Anti-Mall and it does include some traditional retail :ie a large Urban Outfitters. Fun, unique and quirky.

Just last weekend, I had my first visit to the LAB Anti-Mall and it was such a treat. If the world ended tomorrow, and you wondered what the shopping malls of the future could look like, this is what the Anti-Mall offers. I was not expecting what I saw, but in a kitschy way, it's quaint beyond words!

The LAB is a very cool place to shop or eat. I like the decor around the mall. The employees in the shops and cafes are very friendly. The selection of stores,restaurants, and cafes is good. The donut shop is cool as well as the clothing store. They also have a good coffee shop, but the value could be better

Is it a Mall???? Maybeeee. Or is it a Lab??? We may never know... But in realty the Anti mall is great! Refurbished and reused product's and natural products is everything you can expect in this hipster type of Mall/not mall, Lab not lab. I walked over here from the camp across the street. The Camp had more shops and restaurant's, if the mall had more then I'd properly rate it the same. Still great service and value at all the shops here, but don't expect to be here for more than 20 min LOL.

So glad I found this mall! It has such a nice chill vibe, with small shops and coffee, dessert, bars, and food places! There is parking and not too many people, perfect for an afternoon visit. The interior is super cozy and aesthetic, and lots of instagram worthy picture taking spot! There are also a lot of study tables for casual talks or for studying. There is also an urban outfitters here you can shop at. I enjoyed my visit to the LAB Anti-Mall a lot, i wish there are more shopping stores though.

Cool spot to check out if you're in the Costa Mesa area. Parking is free. Dog friendly. They have a variety of shops and eateries. Be sure to stop by the Nook Coffee Bar to get your caffeine fix. Would recommend.

We've been here a few times to shop around and to eat. We like the small business shops as well as the eateries. We like the vibe here. Most of the times we would just sit and chill inside or enjoy the sun outside by the CD tunnel. The decors and different art installations also give a pleasing ambiance. They host special events on the weekends, too! Parking: There's a parking lot at the entrance and in the back

It's smaller than I imagined, and a couple of the businesses were closed when I visited. That being said, the ones that were open were very cute. I love the vibe to it. It's definitely worth checking out.

Even though there isn't much here, I like to come here whenever I'm in the area because it's one of the only things that is cool in OC. What I like most is how the artwork changes periodically. Yes, the barrel wall has always been there, but everything else changes ever so slightly. I like what they've done to the outside of the restrooms, for example. Shopping wise, I visit Urban Outfitters and Buffalo Exchange. The majority of the other surrounding businesses come and go. Currently, it's more of a space to drink, dine, and just hang out. I observed individuals with their laptops, sitting in the common area tables. It's fairly quiet and this place gives off a calm, relaxed vibe. Parking: It has its own parking lot, and it's free. If the lot's full, there's plenty of free street parking as well on the side street.

A very cute anti mall ...lol it like walking through a lush green park with stores n between. We found a store that reminded me of a grown up version of urban outfitters. They had great selection of menswear and everything in between

The Lab has been around since the 1980s. And, I've been coming here since that point in time. Throughout the years it really hasn't evolved too much. It offers a nice selection of interesting shops, eating establishments, and a few other things like a salon. Of course, there is one of the original Urban Outfitters located here, so you know there's always a place to grab some interesting new clothing if you need to. The thing that has always made The Lab unique is its artistic nuances. These have changed somewhat throughout the years but this has been the one element that has remained the definitive factor of this establishment. Overall, The Lab is a fun place to come and shop, eat, have a drink, or just hang out. It has remained true to its nature of the 80s punk rock era from which it arose. Fun place!

Probably the most hipster of all places if there was such a thing as a hipster mall, lol. I don't say that as a bad thing. The seating, the decor, the shops, everything here is very enjoyable to me. Hipster would be the first word that comes to mind when I'm asked to describe this place. I used to live in the apartments next door to this anti-mall so I used to frequent this spot. Loved it then and still love it now. It's been a while but definitely enjoyed visiting again. We went on a Monday and parking was not hard to find, but the lot was pretty full still. I could imagine parking being quite difficult on a weekend. So plan ahead for that, and hopefully they will expand parking in the future. Great spot if you want Instagram-worthy shots too

I came to the lab to try Seabirds out and I was taken aback by how beautiful it was. The art throughout this mall is so rad. The other restaurants and small shops nearby get quite busy so I would recommend planning ahead if you are going with a big group. I was over the moon with all the pop and vibrant colors! Definitely a must see.

(3.5/5 STARS) I used to come here a lot in college and still feel very indifferent about The Lab. The place itself is great, there's a good variety of food options and the place is the definition of hipster. I love how they maximize every corner with decor and art. This plaza is very tiny so don't expect to spend too much time here. A lot of the food spots here are just quick service dining. My main complaint is still the same today as it were during my college days. The parking here blows. They actually have two parking lots, the main one that is towards the back and a side parking lot that is by Memphis. Parking can be extremely scarce especially during peak hours and weekends. At one point, the closed the back half of the lot for valet parking here which is a really stupid idea. On top of that, the parking spaces are puny and really hard to squeeze in. Nonetheless, despite the bad parking, the plaza itself is worth checking out. It's very pet friendly here. Our little pug had a blast strolling around and enjoying the atmosphere.

Really creative and unique shopping experience. Definitely worth checking out. It's something you don't want to pass by

Stopped by here while shopping at a local mall nearby and was very very surprised and intrigued as to what it was. Well ended up eating at one of the restaurants here but also got a quick look at some of the other businesses they have. I like that most were privately own small businesses and it gives it a very cool and mixed vibe. The location spreads through two sections (cross street to other side for more). Parking seems to be aplenty too which is great. Some shopping, food, drinking, seems like they have it all. I am looking forward to coming back and check this place out a bit more.

It's nice to walk around and take cool pictures! It's a heavy trafficked place so I would not recommend to work or study, especially in the evenings!

Wow what cool and eclectic place! Definitely recommend if your looking for a place to hang in Santa Ana Costa Mesa or anywhere near that area! So many great spots and tons of options to grab a drink or two! Plenty of parking . Your map may seem a little off when you arrive depending on gps but just look for the big sign that says anti mall!

I came here because of Nook Coffee and I was so very pleasantly surprised to discover this awesome Anti-Mall. The restaurants are all open and this "anti-mall" was designed to be an outdoor mall, or anti-mall, so this place is still hopping even though we're in the era of social distancing. There were plenty of outdoor dining areas. On this Sunday morning, there were vendors setting up for some sort of market - looks more like an artisan market than a farmer's market, with their cute airstream trailers used to display their wares. Adorable! We will definitely have to come back and try out all the other vendors here... and the market too!

This is a great place to take A date A loved one, you name it! We are going to go to the Buffalo exchange today, the Gypsy den is where I wanted to eat at but it was closed. There's a really cool record shop, there's eco now And house of intuition! I really do you suggest that if you live in Orange County especially, you should have visited this place within the past two months!

The LAB Anti-Mall is an eclectic open-air mall with restaurants, shops, and an art gallery, where independent artist can display their work. It's a fun place to grab a drink or a bite to eat, spend some time shopping, check out some cool art, or hang out and relax at one of the common area tables. I hadn't heard about this place until a friend invited me to meet him here for brunch. I was early so I had a few minutes to walk around and take in the ambience. The monthly pop-up market (which is held on the 1st Sunday of the month) was also taking place that day, so there were a number of small vendors selling their creations. Visit the website (thelab.com) for updates on special events, which also include art installations and live music. Dogs are welcome and parking is free. There is a lot at the main entrance and another lot half a block down. And, don't forget to take a photo in the incredibly cool CD lined archway. It's definitely IG worthy.

Plenty of seating, scarcity of parking. This hipster collection of stores and shops seem to change somewhat frequently but the solid options are habana, the coffee shop, and seabirds kitchen. Great photo op and check out the bar if you're looking for a unique vibe.

The parking is free. It is an outdoor place with few shops, cafes, and restaurants. Very cozy atmosphere, with a lot of chairs, sofas, and benches to sit on. I feel like, when you are in this place, you have to take your time and seize the moment. I will definitely come back again here and try some of the restaurants. I highly recommended this place to visit.