Habana in Costa Mesa is in such a great location. My friends and I had a great time. I had the fried plantains which were pretty good.

Habana is a Cuban restaurant that has become very popular in the OC. It has such an aesthetic interior that really makes you feel like you've been transported to a new place. They have plenty of seating in the Costa Mesa location in The Lab and I surprisingly did not have to wait for a table of party of 8 on a Saturday at lunch time. My only gripe is that it is horrendous to find parking in this plaza. Make sure to go across the street and check out The Camp after your meal to walk off the food! What we tried: Ropa Vieja & Eggs - shredded beef braised with sweet peppers, onions, garlic, tomatoes, eggs any style, sweet plantains, congris Kobe Burger - ground Kobe beef mixed with chipotle, manchego & cheddar cheese, butter lettuce, tomato, onion, horseradish mayo, tomatillo salsa on a brioche bun, Carribean fries Huevos Habaneros - grilled chorizo bilbao, egg coddled in spicy tomato sofrito, mojo bread Instagram: @jessgoeat

Habana was a delicious hit! We went for a business lunch and each had the 3 course lunch meals. The empanadas were amazing! So fresh and really had so much great flavor. I had the short rib hash and that was so good! The meat was very tender and really done well, combined with the delicious sauce and the eggs, amazing!! I would highly recommend this place and will absolutely be back!

母親這個角色，母親的愛，影響了每一個人的人生，有母親在身旁的日子，會覺得很心安，就算是再普通的時光，也能覺得幸福～ 可能要等到長大以後，歷經過人生的坎坷，才會發現原來母愛是那麼的溫存，那種綿綿溫暖的感覺， 不管拿世上什麼尊榮，名譽，地位，都比不上待在母親身旁，那最溫柔的港灣～ 昨天故意訂下午四點吃飯，想說能避開母親節的人潮，沒想到有訂位還是要等待，又等了差不多40分鐘左右才到我們進去，我以為是墨西哥餐廳， 但好像是古巴風味，不過餐廳的態度很好，在等待時提供我們免費的酒，還有免費的墨西哥餃子可吃，只是我不曉得母親節是固定的菜單，一個人是$68加稅加小費，這家應該算是名店，是我從未來過， 前菜非常喜歡， 主菜， 我的魚很好吃，兒子就不太喜歡他的豬肉， 甜點布丁， 就是糖不用錢的作法， 希望天下所有偉大的母親， 昨天都過了一個開心的母親節

Definitely recommend sitting outside - has a nice vibe. We had: 1) shrimp empanadas - 3/5. Rather dry, not the best I've had, but the slaw helped. 2) el churrasco - 4/5. Good flavors and meat was grilled just right. 3) salmon a la parrilla - 5/5. The best dish here. Tender salmon with good sauce. 4) bread pudding - 3/5. Dry and doughy. 5) mojitos - 4/5. raspberry and mango. We had to ask for more club soda cuz the mango puree was too thick, but after that, it was good. Service was good - nice touch on some welcome bubbly. Would return!

I had a dreadful experience at the camp, so I was hesitant to come to the lab when my friend invited me to meet her here. However, I'm delighted that I gave this location another chance. When we arrived, we were warmly welcomed by Megan, who was very pleasant. She offered us the choice of indoor or outdoor seating, and we opted for the outdoor seating. As soon as we sat down, Aliza greeted us with the most radiant and welcoming smile I've ever seen. She was incredibly helpful, guiding us through the menu as it was my first time here, and she patiently answered all my questions. While we waited for our scrumptious meal to be served, I couldn't help but admire the beauty of the restaurant, surrounded by lush plants on the patio and candles creating a cozy ambiance. The abundance of nature here is truly remarkable and unlike anything I've seen before. This place exudes a romantic atmosphere, perfect for a date night or catching up with your girlfriends. I highly recommend visiting, although I must warn you that parking can be a bit of a hassle, so it's best to arrive early!

I had a delightful experience at Habana, snagging a same-day reservation for 7:45, the ambiance was romantic and vintage, providing the perfect setting for a date night. Located at The Lab, be prepared for parking mayhem, but once you check in, the hostess might surprise you with complimentary Rosé. The food was a mixed bag; while some dishes were just okay, others, like the steak with chimichurri, were exceptional. The Ropa Vieja had more peppers than meat, which might not be to everyone's taste. I also tried the blood orange margarita, which was delicious, but despite requesting it spicy, it lacked the kick I was hoping for. We also ordered their chocolate cake, which comes out with a sparkler. It was so rich and decadent, a perfect end to the meal. Overall, Habana is a great spot for a date night, with its charming ambiance and excellent service stealing the show. If you're looking for a place with a romantic atmosphere and attentive staff, this is the place to be.

Amazing ambiance. Generous portions. Over-the-top service. Been wanting to try Habana for some time and can't believe it took me this long. Had a reservation for 2 on a Monday night. Immediately sat close to the bar--a little tight but still comfortable. Received complimentary Rose to start. For apps we got the empanadas and ceviche. The plantain chips were a nice substitute for the usual chips. For mains, we got the Churrasco steak and plaintain crusted chicken. Literally every aspect of these dishes was top notch! Their sauces really stand out. Mashed potatoes and rice were even unexpectedly amazing. Last for dessert we got the banana flambe--won't ruin it but its perfect for a special occasion! Definitely recommend this spot for your next outing.

If you crave delicious Cuban cuisine, you've come to the right place. Although we didn't have reservations, we were fortunate that the bar area opened up quickly for us to sit and order. The restaurant was busy, with no empty seats in sight. The Medianoche sandwich was cooked to perfection, offering just the right balance of ingredients and crunch. The cheese empanadas had a comforting, soulful flavor. The Ropa Vieja disappeared quickly--it was that good. As for drinks, bartender Jerry's spicy mango margarita was a masterpiece. It had the perfect blend of alcohol, sweetness, and spiciness that left us thoroughly satisfied. The flan had more of a custard cream flavor than the traditional rich caramel taste it's known for.

Favorite date night spots. One of two locations, Irvine Spectrum - which feels a little dressier and this one at the Lab Anti-mall - that gives you more al fresco casual vibes. At this location, parking can be difficult during peak hours. Highly suggest booking a table via Open Table or their website so you don't have to wait. We have come here on many occasions including their Sunday brunch which we all really enjoy! On a regular basis, our date nights here consist of ordering the Taste of Habana (pork croquetas, chicken empanadas, vegetable empanadas) & Gambas al ajillo for appetizers. For entrees, we love El Churrasco (skirt steak, chimichurri, with corn on the cob, rice, beans, and plantains) & the salmon a la parilla. For sides, the chorizo mac & cheese, tostones (smashed fried plantains) and the corn on the cob are delicious! We usually get a variety of sides and share it among the table. Now I don't know if they still host their Sunday brunch buffets but last time I had it... it was amazing. Live music, fresh coconut (with alcohol) station, an omelette bar, tons of protien options like their ropa vieja & lechon. So so good! On our most recent visit, we had noted celebrating a birthday on the reservation, they surprised us with a little Habana post card that said Happy Birthday and our server gave us 2 tiny glasses of champagne to celebrate. Service has always been wonderful and we've recommended so many friends and visiting family to dine here and enjoy the ambiance and the food.