Photo Provided By: Urbana

13 OC Restaurants to Satisfy Your Late Night Cravings

Cater to Your Late-Night Cravings at These Local OC Restaurants

Written By: Gioia McGuire Late Night Restaurants in Orange County

We all have those late-night cravings for ice cream, tacos and everything our hearts secretly desire, but finding a spot to chow down in the wee hours of the night sometimes feels close to impossible. After most restaurants have closed their doors and fast food seems the only dreaded option, the pickings are slim for top-notch food and drinks. Have no fear! We’ve taken to scouring the greater OC area and hand-picked some of the area’s best late-night eateries for those midnight-snack necessities and post-night-out munchies. Enjoy!

Late Night Restaurants in Orange County

Star Struck

https://www.instagram.com/p/BguHBRUgo4I/?taken-by=mesalounge

This indoor/outdoor restaurant offers a separate late-night menu with yummy cravings like Cauli “Mac” & Cheese and Ahi Tuna “Tacos.” A retractable roof allows the night air and stars to peek through and ambient lighting makes for a perfect late-night out.

Native Knowledge: Take dining at Mesa to the next level and order bottle service while you munch on their late-night bites!

Mesa
725 Baker St
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
714.557.6700

Late Night Restaurants in Orange County

Mexi-Go Now

Located in the Anaheim Packing District, this spot offers an eclectic drink menu including micheladas, craft beers and a cold-brew Mexican Coffee cocktail that is sure to cap your night with the perfect dose of Mexican flare. Inspired by Day of the Dead, the restaurant’s owner, Javier Cuadra from Michoacan recommends the Mole enchiladas with their Mole sauce that’s made in-house!

Native Knowledge: Every Tuesday Urbana offers taco and tequila deals. Score!

Urbana Mexican Gastronomy and Mixology
440 S Anaheim Blvd
Anaheim, CA 92806
714.502.0255

Late Night Restaurants in Orange County

Big in Japan

Oak & Coal took Japanese yakitori and brought it to Costa Mesa! Literally meaning “grilled chicken” this take on traditional skewers slides seafood, vegetables and chunks of meat onto a bamboo stick that’s grilled over binchōtan charcoal. Finger food never tasted so good!

Native Knowledge: Try the Yuzu Margarita for a Japanese take on a Mexican classic!

Oak & Coal
333 E 17th St, Ste 2
Costa Mesa, CA 92627
949.287.6150

 

Soup Man

A restaurant that prides itself on encouraging guests to play with their food, this eatery specializes in Japanese hot pot cooking with raw meats brought to the table and cooked by hungry guests. This interactive experience will liven the late-night food run and keep you engaged!

Native Knowledge: Leftover broth? Ask your server to make it into a porridge for you to have an at-home snack even later in the night!

Tabu Shabu
333 E 17th St, Ste 19
Costa Mesa, CA 92627
949.642.2660

 

California Cravings

With thoughtfully created menus and fresh California ingredients, this late-night hot spot offers more than options than you could hope for. Head to SOCIAL on Wednesdays for all night happy hour! Try the Brussels sprouts for only $7 or the Drive Thru Burger for $9. Either way, you’ll be satisfied with your late-night dish that won’t break the bank!

Native Knowledge: Need an early morning jolt after eating all night? Thunderking Coffee Bar, pop-up inside of SOCIAL, offers a variety of delicious coffee drinks for all palates.

SOCIAL Costa Mesa
512 W 19th St
Costa Mesa, CA 92627
949.642.2425

 

Havana Ooh-Na Na

Cuban-inspired with a romantic atmosphere, this spot has been in OC for over 20 years and has an established vibe and menu, and they now boast an Irvine location. Try the drool-worthy Ropa Vieja with braised, shredded beef stewed with bell peppers, onions, garlic, and white rice, plantain and sofrito black beans for a delicious late-night pick me up.

Native Knowledge: Make sure to snag some bakery treats to-go and let the Cuban night continue!

Habana Irvine
708 Spectrum Center Dr.
Irvine, CA 92618
949.419.0100

Habana Costa Mesa
2930 Bristol St
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
714.556.0176

Play Time

Brought together by childhood friends, this rustic eatery offers modern-American tapas with ingredients from their onsite garden and 25 craft beers on tap. Menu items range from charcuterie to fried chicken, and desserts including their Fluffer Nutter and Cereal Milk Creme Brulee.

Native Knowledge: Enjoy the outdoor patio for board games and other activities.

Recess Room  
18380 Brookhurst St
Fountain Valley, CA 92708
714.377.0398

 

Good Dog

For when you feel like eating a hot dog, but not just any hot dog. Wursthaus brings the best of the best of sausages and bratwursts. Exotic meats include alligator, boar and buffalo, oh my!

Native Knowledge: Wursthaus offers a reverse happy hour from 10 p.m. to 12 a.m. to get your sausage on.

Wursthaus
305 E 4th St, Ste 106
Santa Ana, CA 92701
714.760.4333

 

Ring the Alarm

Hot for ice cream? You bet! The Drill’d Ice Cream mixmasters have taken ice cream flavors to a whole new level. The Hot as Hell flavor begins with vanilla ice cream and then is blended with Xxtra Flamin’ Hot Cheetos and sprinkled with some more! From avocado flavors to potato chips, any late-night craving is sure to be satisfied here.

Native Knowledge: Get your phone out! There’s a whole wall of cereal boxes and other photo ops available.

Drill’d Ice Cream
18279 Brookhurst St, Ste 2
Fountain Valley, CA 92708
626.221.3347

 

Dinner and a View

Take your late night eats up a notch and dine at Lido Bottle Works! With a view of the water and a wine glass in hand, you’ll never want to leave. Opt for the charcuterie board, loaded with a variety of cheese, house mustard and pickles, perfect for sharing and is sure to satisfy your late-night cravings.

Native Knowledge: Skip Taco Tuesday and enjoy Beer Bites & Flights at Lido Bottle Works Tuesdays at 7 p.m.

Lido Bottle Works
3408 Via Oporto, Ste 103
Newport Beach, CA 92663
949.529.2784

 

We All Scream

Can’t decide between a donut or ice cream? Afters gladly offers the best combination: an ice cream donut sandwich they’ve coined as The Milky Bun™. Your ice cream/donut dreams have been answered! All you have to decide on is which ice cream will be warmly hugged by the glazed donut.

Native Knowledge: Afters now offers a whole line of collaborative merchandise and swag in their online store featuring well-known characters like Hello Kitty, Spongebob Squarepants and a line of ice cream-themed socks.

Afters Ice Cream
Multiple Locations Throughout Orange County

 

Game Changer

This late-night eatery offers a broad menu full of ingredient-driven dishes updated daily for an always fresh and new dining experience. Much like a true playground, the menu lists plenty of items to swing you high and slide you down into a food-coma of satisfaction.

Native Knowledge: Pro tip! Enjoy free corkage for your table’s first bottle.

Playground
220 E 4th St
Santa Ana, CA 92701
714.560.4444

 

Live Más

This sit-down version of your favorite midnight food run offers all the same delicious menu items but with an oh-so-tempting addition. Beer—on tap and in bottles! This classic fast food upgrade includes TVs, cellphone charging ports and shareable appetizer options.

Native Knowledge: When dining, take a peek at the murals inside and take note that they were done by Volcom artist Joe Frizzelle!

Taco Bell Cantina
2121 W Balboa Blvd
Newport Beach, CA 92663
949.673.1630
MidnightMunchies? Have A Late-Night Bite At One Of These OC Restaurants.

Website | + posts

This article is brought to you by one of the many talented writers associated with Locale Magazine! We are a group of locals (whether born and raised or transplanted) who love this county we now call home!

Trending

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER

INTERESTS

Related Content

Skip to content