Food truck turned brick-and-mortar restaurant, opened 2013 at The LAB which also houses other restaurants and shops. Offers a large variety of vegan savory bowls and platters plus small plates, appetizers, desserts, and drinks. Example of dishes include taquitos, stuffed shells in marinara, a cheese sandwich, pancakes, kimchi tacos, tofu scramble, enchiladas, churro waffles, and chocolate ganache cake. Open Mon-Sun 11:00am-9:00pm.
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2930 Bristol St (at 73 & 55), Costa Mesa, California, USA, 92626
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- Outdoor seating
- Accepts credit cards
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Last update on 04 Apr 2025 by villain
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Added by spiceislandvegan on 19 Oct 2013
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164 Reviews
First Review by MrsVeganPizza
Allisonohm
Points +16
favorite restaurant - Edit
Love everything about this place! Food is delicious and service is always great! Couldn't have better things to say
Read morePros: service, food, environment
Guest
JuliaMorrissey
Points +362
Amazing food adorable location! - Edit
The jack fruit sliders are excellent!
Read moreGuest
Violalovingveggies
Points +40
Amazing food! Great atmosphere - Edit
My friend told me about Seabirds and I was surprised that I hadn't heard of it. I quickly took my kids there and we loved it! It offers delicious and healthy meals using a lot of jackfruit, which blew our minds! The portions were large and the menu had lots of options so everyone in our big family could find something they enjoyed. The Chaffle for dessert was awesome! Our server forgot our appetizer so it came after our food was delivered. It wasn't a big deal, but it wasn't the best service either. It was also crowded (Sun night) so we had to sit in the back near the restrooms. I'm still giving it 5 stars because the food was that good!
Read morePros: Incredible tasting food, Healthy variety of plant based foods, Great atmosphere
Cons: Pretty crowded, More expensive than comparable places nearby, Service could have been better
Guest
socalRob
Points +256
Dinner is great, but brunch is sublime - Edit
The vegan grilled cheese here is second to none. Get an order of that, and some pancakes with almond butter to treat yourself.
Read moreDinner is good, but can get expensive.
Guest
Glennielover
Points +31
Yummy! - Edit
This place is absolutely amazing! My favorite dishes are the beer battered avocados, BBQ jack fruit sliders(great for those that love pulled meat, it tastes just like the real thing!). Also, one of the vegan desserts called the "Chaffle" is a churro waffle topped with coconut ice cream and drizzled with chocolate sauce! It is so delicious!
Read moreVegans and Omnivores alike have to try this place!
Pros: Delicious food
Cons: Parking is limited
Guest
AveryBrown
Points +43
Can't Get Enough - Edit
I took my non-vegan parents to this restaurant on my birthday. Two weeks later and this place is STILL on my mind. So good!
Read moreMy parents had never been to a vegan restaurant and were completely blown out of the water by how good it was. The menu features innovative, fresh takes on classic dishes like sliders, enchiladas, tacos, and more. They didn't even miss the meat at all.
The best part? They use fresh, local veggies. You can really tell that the quality is profound. The other best part? It's super inexpensive, considering that each dish is top-notch AND gives you more than enough food!
Try the $4 street tacos. They're amazing.
I have a hard time eating anywhere else after dining at Seabirds! Probably changed my life or something.
Pros: Great Flavors, Inexpensive, 100% Vegan
Cons: Noisy interior, Insufficient parking
Guest
Veegy
Points +25
Just love this place! - Edit
I love this diverse and fun vegan menu. The food is amazing and the atmosphere is laid back. The grilled cheese is so good, I can't recommend it enough. The tacquitos, street tacos, and locals bowl are all super good too. The place is definitely worth checking out!
Read morePros: Great food, Laid back vibe, Friendly staff
Guest
EncinAdia
Points +184
Chaffle is to die for! - Edit
It's allllll about the chaffle! I'd basically crawl over broken glass to get one. It exceeds all of my vegan dreams! As far as other items on the menu, it has been a tad hit or miss. But irrelevant, bc I will forever be loyal to the chaffle.
Read morePros: Unique Dessert
Cons: Parking
Guest
Kelsurfs
Points +87
Go there, make sure you do. - Edit
This place is awesome. Creative, consistent and authentic. You won't be disappointed.
Read moreGuest
SonjaCPA
Points +5270
Lovely dinner - Edit
I finally made it here with an out of town friend. We arrived as the sun was setting and sat outside. The patio area is just delightful. We started off with beers along with Brussels sprouts and BBQ jackfruit sliders. Both delicious. For my entrée, I got the enoki reuben which was terrific and creative. My friend got an avo taco with the kale strawberry salad. We shared the peach crumble for dessert which was very tasty. Our waiter was very friendly and informative. The location at the Lab is nice, but the parking is a bit crazy. Overall, we had a great time and look forward to returning.
Read morePros: tasty and filling, nice atmosphere, friendly staff
Cons: parking
Guest
yourmoderndayhippie
Points +214
Great place for date night! - Edit
The hurt Brussels sprouts are amazing and spurred a new addiction of mine, although I'm never able to make mine as food as there's. I look forward to going back soon to try the enchiladas! Service and atmosphere was amazing! We love the lab and this restaurant!
Read morePros: good service, yummy food
Cons: pricey but worth it
Guest
merimac
Points +160
Creativity Done Right - Edit
Came here on a recommendation and it was a great call. Trendy and comfortable. All our food was delicious. Mushroom taco with almond feta and shredded beet, beer battered avocado taco with cabbage for starters. Butternut squash and black bean enchiladas with green sauce is very spicy. Holy Smokes bowl with bbq jackfruit, greens and carmelized red onions over rice is hearty and just the right blend of sweet and spicy. Sorry to say we didn't have room to try any of the creative vegan desserts. Will definitely come back for those and also Sunday brunch.
Read morePros: Great service, creative and varied menu
Guest
vegan_chick
Points +24
Good special-occasion place (not just for vegans) - Edit
Stylish, innovative kitchen tucked among cute boutiques at The Lab in Costa Mesa. I call it a "special occasion" place because many of the dishes are rich/saucy, and it's a little pricey (although very good quality) if your goal is just to grab something quick. However, if you want to try something out-of-this world, go here. Every dish is layered with complex flavors and interesting preparations of your favorite vegetables. The blackened brussels sprouts are particularly good. Homemade kombucha and iced teas are delicious and the dessert waffle is amazing. If you need an excuse to treat yourself, find one and go!
Read morePros: Innovative and delicious vegan fare, Attractive dining room
Cons: A bit pricey, Shopping center gets crowded
Guest
kglaguna
Points +99
Favorite Restaurant in OC - Edit
Hands down my (non Veg) husband and my favorite restaurant...visit weekly and have never been disappointed. Very excited for them in that each visit is more and more busy...Casual atmosphere, indoor and outdoor seating. Located in "The Lab" there is plenty of parking, but it can be busy mid-day. Hubby's favorites favorites are the locals bowl and the chiliquiles (sp?). My favs are the butternut squash enchiladas and Holy Smokes Bowl. They also have a brunch menu on the weekend...my current favorite is the tamales...you HAVE to try these!! The appetizer menu is also full of great options w/purple potato taquitos being a favorite. Lastly, save room for dessert or plan to bring something home. They make homemade "pop tarts" in cinnamon or berry...sooo good.
Read morePros: convenient parking, friendly staff, great atmosphere
Cons: parking can get busy during lunch
Guest
kenvegan
Points +13513
Best Tamales! - Edit
I have had many tamales in my life, but I had the best one I have ever had at Seabirds. perfect in texture, sweetness, and tanginess.
Read moreI sat in the lovely patio area. the waiting staff is really helpful. Recommended!
Pros: great tamales
Guest
eric
Points +21348
not great - Edit
I was really looking forward to trying this place while in the area. I've had food from them when they had a truck years ago and it was excellent.
Read moreIt was mobbed and they said there was a 45 min wait so i took food to go. I ordered the local organic broccolini and some jack asada tacos. the broccolini was pretty burned, and tacos were quite sour. I know that jackfruit can be sour, but it somehow just didn't sit well. perhaps I ordered the wrong thing, or maybe they were just overwhelmed by all the people coming from the vegfest that just ended nearby and the dishes didn't come out right. Wasn't a great experience.
Pros: interesting menu
Cons: burned food
Guest
ShantiPeace
Points +496
Excellent. - Edit
Wholesome yummy food served with authentic kindness in an easy Californian atmosphere. I had a delicious bbq Hawaiian bowl. Tasty, wholefood and well rounded.
Read moreGuest
Fit_Fathers
Points +307
A Costa Mesa Favorite - Edit
Check this out, I booked a flight from DC to LAX and drove an hour south to Costa Mesa to meet my wife for dinner at her favorite place in the world, Seabirds Kitchen. It was highly worth it, and I took a red eye after the scrumptious meal. Fellows, sometimes our ladies just need us to show them how much we do care and love them!
Read moreThe vegan eatery is hidden in a trendy and eclectic area in the Lab. Parking could be challenging so plan ahead. Jackfruit tacos, Broccolini, Farro salad, grilled cheese sandwiches and a cadre of bowls such as the Zippy Tofu Bowl make this place a top choice every time. Prices are moderate and portions are large. The BBQ Jack Sliders are the bomb for example. Soups, salads, tacos, empanadas, and enchiladas will only add to the confusion, but all are delicious. Enjoy!
Pros: Abundant Menu, good sized portions
Cons: none
Guest
WokWildside
Points +244
Seabirds is Amazing!!! - Edit
Seabirds Kitchen is among the best restaurants I've had the pleasure of dining in. The menu is seasonal to a certain extent, so there are always some crowd favorites on menu as well as some special items that are only available for a limited time. The thing about Seabirds Kitchen is that they have honed their craft from their food truck days. The kitchen is fast, customer service is professional and friendly, and the food flavors are well-thoughtout.
Read moreSK has great attention to detail. The sauces, garnishes, and main ingredients all go well together and provide flavor, texture, and eye appeal. In terms of ingredients, Seabirds emphasizes fresh, plant-based foods. Proteins are usually in the form of beans, tofu, and tempeh. If you're looking for the various plant-based meat analogs, you won't find many here (if at all), and that's one of Seabird's main draws. They make plant-based about the plants... and it's just tasty food.
One of the best things they do is tacos. The Jack Asada and Fried Avocado tacos are always brilliantly executed. The bowls are also a favorite. The Locals Bowl and Zippy Bowl (seasonal) are among the best.
It's the seasonal items that often become huge favorites. From pierogis to empanadas to enchiladas to biscuits and gravy, there are many items that become so popular, they end up coming back.
If there is any negative it's that some of the dishes with mushrooms can get a little on the salty side, but it's a very small Con in a vast sea of Pros.
The brunch menu is different from the regular lunch/dinner menu, and the items are a must-eat if you get the chance. Waffles, tofu scrambles, breakfast burritos, and sandwiches are just some of the treats here.
Pros: Great food that's consistent, Amazing service, Keeps getting better
Cons: Some mushroom dishes get a little salty
Guest
Moneyz
Points +497
Good But Expensive. - Edit
I thought the portions were really small for the price. All the food was wonderful but too expensive in my opinion. They also had some pretty healthy options so that was good :) Staff was friendly, service was fast, the parking as mentioned tends to suck.
Read morePros: Yummy, Service, Healthy Options
Cons: Parking, Expensive , Portion Size
Guest
chobesoy
Points +1110
adorable place, excellent food, vegan brunch star - Edit
This former food truck did so well, it became a restaurant and has been making seekers of vegan food very happy since. We had burrito bowls, squash enchiladas, biscuits and gravy, and loved all of it. I really liked how they use jack fruit as one of the meat stand-ins for dishes. In general, items sounded imaginative, but there was also the standard waffle with fruit breakfast item.
Read moreThere are some pies I have to grab next time, the beautiful dessert display was so tempting.
The place is nestled in a hipster part of town, has quaint outdoor seating, and the serving staff was great. No complaints, I just wish were rich enough to come here more often. The place is popular and we were glad to see a nice crowd.
Fresh, delicious, completely vegan, loved it.
Pros: delicious, outdoor seating, large vegan menu
Cons: a bit pricey
Guest
Keith_Thode
Points +717
From Very Good to Great - Edit
It's almost right across the street from Native Foods. I started with the BBQ Jack Sliders - Wonderful. Then I had the Locals Bowl - very good but not great. Too many black beans for my taste.
Read moreGuest
ambiec28
Points +24
so yummy!!! - Edit
Everything we ordered from the drinks, apps, to the desert was amazing. We were not disappointed! We only wish we had a place like this where we lived so we could visit it more often!!
Read moreGuest
Azbigmike
Points +68
great grub - Edit
Had the brusell sprouts, beets, avocado taco and squash flatbread. They were all great. Favorite was the flatbread.
Read morePros: fresh and fast service
Cons: parking
Guest
CarleneParrish
Points +49
Avocado tacos will make you smile - Edit
You may feel like smiling when you first bite into one of their fried avocado tacos, but you may not take the time to because you're going to want to keep eating. They're that good. But when you're done, you will definitely be smiling. They are sold individually, so unless you're getting a side dish, I recommend that you order two. My kids (they're adults) had the jack fruit sliders and liked those.
Read morePros: Avocado tacos are delicious, All vegan, casual
Cons: Seems slightly overpriced, but still delicious
Guest
spiceislandvegan
Points +1706
Holy Smokes, it's good! - Edit
Seabirds don't disappoint! The truck food was delicious. It is true with this brick and mortar location (kitchen) too.
Read moreThe PDX, The Holy Smokes, and Burnt Brussels we ordered were memorable meals. These bowls look small but really filling and satisfying. The brussels were caramelized and had tid bits of garlic slices. I recommend to have the garlic and sprout at the same time in 1 bite. Yum! The food here has bursts of flavors. Everyone in our table liked it.
The desserts were just ok. We had snicker doodle cookie and zuchinni bread. A bit on the dry side.
I will be repeating this experience and try other dishes. They serve salads, small plates, bowls, desserts, and drinks. Small plates are reasonable prices and can order 3 and will satisfy 2 people. Bowls are filling. I will need to try the slider, arancini, and taquitos next.
Service was fast and friendly. Everyone was nice and helpful. I like the dining atmosphere.
Will be back!
Pros: Yummy, Vegan, Close to home
Cons: Parking can be difficult
Guest
russog22
Points +31
Seabirds Kitchen - Edit
This all time favorite Food Truck has just landed in Costa Mesa, "The Lab". It's filled with delicious, nutritious Vegan Delights. I highly suggest the Good Fu Yu Salad, Holy Smokes or PDX Bowl, Beer Battered Avocado Tacos (these are a must), BBQ Jack Dilla and leave room for some delicious Pie, Cookies, or Cheesecake! Some meals and desserts are gluten free too! They even have a bowl called, "The Billy" just for those in a Paleo diet! I love this place and eat here almost everyday. Atmosphere is wonderful, staff is friendly, and the food is absolutely mouth watering! Open now for Brunch too! Yup, they now have a vegan brunch Sat & Sun! Yummy..
Read morePros: Delicious Food / Desserts, Great Atmosphere, Friendly Staff
Cons: Parking
Guest
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