Come enjoy authentic Mexican food with amazing margaritas and beautiful cocktails on our coastal-inspired patio surrounded by fireplaces and succulent native plants. Enjoy a resort-style experience at our outdoor bar. Bring a date, or come celebrate with your friends at La Vida Cantina in Costa Mesa, CA.
We provide a menu of fresh, high-quality ingredients where traditional recipes are presented with a modern twist. Featuring a spacious outdoor bar, lively atmosphere, and five fire pits under two oversized palapas. Our extensive cocktail menu includes premium tequilas, an array of signature margaritas and uniquely crafted martinis.
Just wait till you join us for Orange County’s Best Taco Tuesday Promotion!
Traditional Mexican fare is given a modern spin at this lively spot with fire pits & an outdoor bar. Based on 743 reviews, the restaurant has received a rating of 4.0 stars. Price $$
✔️ Dine-in ✔️ Takeout
Address:
1870 Harbor Blvd, Costa Mesa, CA 92627
Phone: (949) 612-2349
Social Profile: 
Hours
| Friday | 11 AM–2 AM |
| Saturday | 10 AM–2 AM |
| Sunday | 10 AM–1 AM |
| Monday
(Labor Day)
|
11 AM–12 AM
Hours might differ
|
| Tuesday | 11 AM–2 AM |
| Wednesday | 11 AM–12 AM |
| Thursday | 11 AM–1 AM |
Menu
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Menu Photos
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Order and Reservations
Reservations: opentable.comspoton.com
Reviews
De De
Friendly staff and server. Surprisingly not crowded for Friday happy hour time. Delicious chips and salsa and lived the Pineapple Pom .
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Gil B. Jr.
I came here with a group and we were very well accommodated. The staff was very friendly and quick with both taking our orders and bringing us our items. Not sure if they have a full bar or not, but they definitely had plenty of drink options. Their patio seating is wonderful, with plenty of shade, and plenty of heat options for once the sun goes down (for pits and heat lamps). They were playing local sportsball playoffs on the televisions, and the crowd was very into it. I believe that it turns into more of a nightclub scene in the evening, so plan ahead for that.
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Lainie Willow
We came here as a large group on a Saturday evening. I shared the asada fries appetizer with a friend, they were very yummy. The staff is friendly and the atmosphere is fun and engaging. When we left around 10pm there was a line to get seated / or in. They have plenty of good looking security guys working too. I am local to this place and have been a few times but this is my first review. If you are coming to Costa Mesa or Newport this place is a must on your list.
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Leif Satermo
Yea it’s pretty good Mexican food. But the real charm is in the atmosphere. Outdoor bar, outdoor patio seating, outdoor TVs with bug huge tables and tiles lining everywhere. On the inside, there’s a full bar and lots of TVs dotting the walls. I’m sure the place is so sick on a Friday night. The service was good, my water was refilled frequently and the food came out fast. The food was really good and there are a ton of menu options.
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Angelica Le
We came for a joint birthday dinner for a party of ~20 people. They sat us along the back wall by the fire pit which was nice. They started us off with free chips & dips which was pretty good, especially the chips. It did take awhile for the food to come out but that’s to be expected for a large party. The chips helped the table keep hunger at bay. They do have a dance floor and a live dj near the bar so you can go dancing after you eat. It wasn’t packed for a Saturday night which was nice.
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Axay Desai
I went to dinner @ La Vida with my family. I must say very disappointing. From the start to the end, except for the atmosphere, everything was of the lowest quality from the service to the food. We had to ask multiple times for everything from Napkins to Silverware. The food was all messed up and not according to the order. Our daughter’s food came almost 40 minutes after ours. And on top of it, Manager was trying to defend rather than apologize. We got their early so they were not that busy even though it was a Friday. So, they can’t use that excuse either. Good atmosphere, but that’s all. Will never go again.
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Karla Alfaro
Although I made a reservation, There was No table available when We arrived! Restaurant has this very strong policy that you need to Add a credit card in case you don’t show up, they will charge you $20 per person. I don’t have a problem with that, But at least I EXPECTED To have a good Service. I had a party of 6 and Host just offered us a table with patio style seats and a Very low table which Is perfect if you just go to have drinks and Talk. But with Family of 6 and for a Sunday Bruch It’s obviously UNCOMFORTABLE AND IMPOSSIBLE TO EAT. I had 2 small kids and I spoke to her and tell her about the situation and That I needed a PROPER table to eat with my family. They seated me within a couple minutes, But ridiculously we waited a long time for a server to come to our Table until My husband went to ask for someone to take our Order. Because No one was putting attention. There was a Big party like 20-25 people next to Us and every server was more concentrated in that big party. Finally the waitress came and Took our orders, she was Nice and friendly. But definitely this place NEEDS more organization. If they don’t have enough personal to work they should put an stop on the amount of people they took on reservations! I Didn’t see any manager At all around to talk about the situation. Drinks looked good But poorly made. I will Not recommend this place to go with Family. For me is most like to go with friends, enjoy the music and have some drinks
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Nae
10/10 definitely recommend! We were seated within minutes, not even a minute later we have water, chips and salsa on the table. The chips AND the salsa were soo delicious and fresh! We let the waiter choose our first drink which was the pomegranate margarita 10/10! Then we had the pineapple plum drink 10/10 that one was my fave! We tried a few others but those were my top two! We then ordered their roasted corn and guac for appetizers and followed up with the sopes for entrees. Everything was hot and yummy! The food was amazing! The drinks were top tier! The service was extremely delightful. Prices were reasonable. The atmosphere was such a vibe and I definitely cannot wait to return.
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Meagan McCall
While they do have both indoor & outdoor seating, my favorite part about the ambiance at La Vida Cantina is the outdoor patio with huts.
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Wilfred Cho
Food portions are really big.
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