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Welcome to Palenque Kitchen Costa Mesa

Palenque Kitchen Costa Mesa offers a unique blend of vibrant Mexican cuisine and an inviting atmosphere. Located at 1749 Newport Blvd, this cocktail bar is known for its imaginative dishes like Shrimp Aguachile and Puerto Nuevo Lobster Quesadilla, showcasing fresh ingredients and bold flavors. The trendy decor and lively ambiance create an ideal setting for anything from casual brunches to festive celebrations, with attentive service that enhances the dining experience. Guests rave about the delicious cocktails and the welcoming vibe that transforms at night, making Palenque a must-visit for culinary enthusiasts looking to indulge in authentic Mexican flavors.

LOCATIONS

Welcome to Palenque Kitchen Costa Mesa, a vibrant culinary oasis located at 1749 Newport Blvd, Costa Mesa, CA. This trendy eatery seamlessly blends the tropical vibes of Mexico with the laid-back charm of Southern California, making it an ideal spot for brunch lovers, cocktail enthusiasts, and fans of authentic Mexican cuisine.

The moment you step into Palenque Kitchen, you're greeted by a lively atmosphere infused with colorful decor and the unmistakable rhythm of Mexican music. The space is designed for both intimate dinners and lively gatherings, featuring small tables for two, larger communal spaces, and an inviting bar area. It's a perfect place to unwind after a long day or to celebrate special occasions with friends.

One of the highlights of Palenque Kitchen is their impressive menu, which offers a range of tempting dishes. Start your meal with their Baja Fresh Ceviche ($22.00) or Shrimp Aguachile ($23.00), both bursting with fresh flavors. For something comforting, don't miss the Poblano Caesar ($18.00) or the Palenque Salad ($14.00), which are meticulously crafted to please even the most discerning palates. If you're seeking a bit of indulgence, the Puerto Nuevo Lobster Quesadilla ($33.00) is sure to leave you delighted.

And let’s not forget the enticing antojitos! The Guacamole ($14.00) is a fan favorite, while the Crispy Beef Tacos Dorados ($16.00) perfectly satisfy that craving for something crispy and savory. If you fancy a shared experience, the Patron Tower is a crowd-pleaser, making it a perfect addition to your dining adventure.

The ambiance is equally as noteworthy as the food. Customers are raving about the friendly service, often highlighting attentive servers like Laz, who brings warmth to every interaction. Reviewers have emphasized the welcoming vibes, noting how the restaurant feels both trendy and cozy. Whether you’re there for a casual lunch or a festive birthday celebration, Palenque Kitchen aims to exceed expectations.

However, be mindful of the bustling atmosphere, especially during peak hours. Some diners have mentioned a slight wait, even with reservations, but the friendly staff and excellent food often make it worth it.

In conclusion, Palenque Kitchen Costa Mesa is not just a restaurant; it’s a culinary journey through Mexico, right in the heart of Costa Mesa. From the delicious menu to the lively ambiance, every visit promises delightful experiences and flavorful memories. Make sure to stop in for your next brunch, dinner, or celebratory occasion!

START YOUR REVIEW OF Palenque Kitchen Costa Mesa
Jafet A.
Jafet A.

Food here was better than I thought it would be. The vibes were cool too. The seating was kinda weird though. I also had a reservation and pulled up a couple minutes early and they still made me wait like 20 minutes.

Jessica H.
Jessica H.

My friend and I passed by for "lunch" around 5 pm Saturday. We were greeted warmly and attended by Hannah and Brittany throughout our visit. The inside is trendy and well put together. The bathrooms are also clean and have amazing lighting! I'm sure this place gets pretty packed later throughout the night, but since it was a bit slow, we were consistently checked up on, which I really appreciate. They have smaller tables for two, longer tables for big parties, and of course the bar area. My friend ordered shrimp aguachiles and I got the palenque salad, both of which were super good. We decided to share the patron tower as well (definitely something worth sharing). I look forward to coming back to see how the vibes are at night!

Angie R.
Angie R.

Awesome! Food is great and quick service! Our waiter, Las, was very attentive! Love the music!! Def need to check it out.

Benjamin B.
Benjamin B.

I've been coming here since they first opened and been coming here ever since. I always get served by Laz and he's always a good time. I had my 23rd birthday party and they were able to host my 18 guest, they are a great place for big parties. The food is excellent, prices are great, and the atmosphere is a 10/10!

Brenda G.
Brenda G.

It was our first time and overall a great experience. Laz was our server and was very attentive and nice. He suggested the margarita sampler and all the drinks were good. Very fun ambience and good music.

Jasanne O.
Jasanne O.

The ambiance to the restaurant is so beautiful! It looks like you're in Cancun. We went on a Thursday night the service was excellent. The food was so delicious, and I'm not a pork person but there was a pork dish that tasted amazing. The meat literally was so soft and fell off the bone! This place has really good appetizers as well

Izzy O.
Izzy O.

OUTSTANDING. My hubby and I were ecstatic to stumble into this place today after being mistreated at the restaurant next door (Hook & Anchor). From ambience to service and food--if iwe could give them 10/10 stars, we would! Daniel treated us like VIPs as soon as we walked in, even if they were transitioning to dinner. Alicia and Laz were such amazing servers. Alicia complimented us on ordering "all of the right things". Laz took over afer Alicia's shift was over and gave us the best recommendations for entrees and desserts, as well. We ended up ordering the best Tres Leches cake. We are definitely coming back to have a big celebration here for daughter's 21st birthday since they have live music on Fridays and Saturdays. We highly recommend this place!

Doug B.
Doug B.

We were at another place a few spots down in this little shopping center and were hungry. My girlfriend loves Mexican food and I've driven by this place a several times and it always catches my eye. The menu on their website is excellent and has pictures of almost every item including both food and drinks. The front of the restaurant looks very cool, especially at night, so we decided to give it a try. The parking lot out front was full but we were fortunate to grab a spot earlier in the day. They apparently have parking in the rear also. We walked in a bit past 5:30pm on a Sunday evening and were a little concerned at first because the place was empty except for one table. The reviews were good and we were having dinner earlier than most so we proceeded. The inside of the restaurant looks as nice and trendy as the outside. The big bar is kind of the focus with some neon signs around and the whole restaurant is lit by a great variety of different fixtures. The lighting is on the dim side and gives the place a great lounge type vibe. There was some Mexican music playing that was almost a little too loud but not quite. Our server Hever greeted us who was very friendly and gave great service all night. We asked if they had chips and salsa and they came right out along with some extra salt which we requested. The chips were great and the salsa was very flavorful and was a generous size. I ordered the Sandia Pepino cocktail which was excellent. It was perfectly balanced, the chile rim was great, and I loved the garnish with a round scoop of watermelon pinned between a long cucumber slice. My girlfriend just had a diet coke but it was kind of cool that they serve a Mexican Diet Coke bottle with a glass of ice. The bottle is a little on the small side and your tab might add up quick if you order several. Next came the entrees. She had the Tacos De Papa and the plate looked nice. She enjoyed them but there was a little too much cabbage piled on top. I had the Enchiladas Mazatlan which almost looked like lasagna at first because the layer of cheese on top was so thick. However I really enjoyed the thick layer of cheese and there was a generous amount of shrimp, some in almost every bite. The arugula salad on top was something I had never seen before. I pushed most of it off to the side and had it after the enchiladas. It surprisingly worked, was very good and light and was a nice way to finish off a dish that was a little heavy from the all cheese. We really enjoyed our meal here and would definitely return again.

Trisha V.
Trisha V.

Finally went here to celebrate birthdays and it was so nice inside. Apparently they are strict on the reservation because one of the girls kept making sure I would be able to make it since she had to reserve with her credit card. This place wasn't even busy and there wasn't even live music that my friends were waiting on. They were very disappointed and kept asking the waiters and all they kept saying was it depends on the night and the crowd. The food was good and even got the patron tower. It was super light with the alcohol so I was able to actually drink it, haha. So many photo opps which we definitely used to our advantage. I would definitely recommend this for groups.