Why you should experience Habana in Costa Mesa, California.
Habana is a lush Cuban courtyard of mojitos, slow-roasted flavors, and tropical Havana romance glowing at the heart of Orange County nightlife.
Located inside The LAB Anti-Mall along Bristol Street in Costa Mesa near the intersection with Baker Street and minutes from South Coast Plaza and the cultural district surrounding Segerstrom Center for the Arts, the restaurant sits within one of the city's most eclectic creative corridors. Step through the entrance and the atmosphere transforms instantly. A leafy courtyard opens beneath hanging lanterns while palm fronds sway gently above wrought-iron tables and warm stucco walls. The scent of garlic, citrus, and roasted pork drifts from the kitchen as live music and conversation mingle across the patio. Guests linger over mojitos and rum cocktails while plates of Cuban classics arrive from the kitchen, ropa vieja rich with slow-braised beef, sweet plantains caramelized to golden perfection, and seafood dishes bright with lime and herbs. The space feels transportive, a pocket of Caribbean warmth tucked into Costa Mesa's vibrant cultural landscape.
What you didn't know about Habana.
Habana reflects the rich culinary heritage of Cuban cuisine, a tradition shaped by Spanish, African, and Caribbean influences layered over centuries of cultural exchange.
Cuban cooking developed as a fusion of ingredients and techniques introduced through colonial trade routes and migration across the Caribbean. Spanish cooking methods combined with African spices, tropical fruits, citrus, and slow-cooking traditions to produce a cuisine known for its depth of flavor and comforting richness. Dishes like ropa vieja, lechón asado, and black beans with rice became staples of Cuban kitchens, often accompanied by plantains, citrus marinades, and garlic-heavy sauces that define the island's culinary identity. Restaurants inspired by this tradition aim to recreate not only the flavors but also the social warmth of Cuban dining, where meals unfold slowly and conversation flows as freely as the cocktails.
How to fold Habana into your trip.
Habana works beautifully as an evening destination while exploring Costa Mesa's arts and dining scene.
Begin the night with a walk through The LAB Anti-Mall where independent boutiques, coffee shops, and creative storefronts create one of Orange County's most distinctive retail environments. As the evening settles in, step into the courtyard restaurant and claim a table beneath the lantern-lit canopy. Order a mojito or rum cocktail and let the flavors of Cuban cuisine unfold plate by plate while the courtyard fills with music and conversation. After dinner, continue toward nearby Segerstrom Center for the Arts or South Coast Plaza where Costa Mesa's cultural energy carries the night forward.
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