Suggestions
Explore the featured selections!
Dry Aged Ribeye Family Meal
Prime Skirt Steak Family Meal
Paella Valenciana
Prime Tomahawk (2lbs)
About
Vaca
If you're searching for a culinary gem that encapsulates the essence of Spanish cuisine right here in Costa Mesa, look no further than Vaca. This vibrant steakhouse offers a delightful array of flavors in an ambiance that perfectly balances trendy sophistication with a casual, welcoming atmosphere. Nestled at 695 Town Center Dr, Suite 170, Vaca is a prime destination for anyone eager to indulge in authentic Spanish-inspired dishes, with a focus on superior quality and presentation.
Vaca’s menu is a delightful journey through traditional and contemporary Spanish fare. Start your culinary adventure with their Smoked Chicken Cannelloni dressed in a rich foie gras sauce, or be captivated by the croquettas de pollo—crispy on the outside and bursting with flavor within. The highlight of any visit, however, is the wood-fire grilled prime meats. The Prime Skirt Steak and the majestic Prime Tomahawk stand out, cooked to perfection and accompanied by vibrant sides like patatas bravas that offer an irresistible crunch.
- Family Meals: If you’re feeding a crowd, don’t miss the Paella Valenciana—a fiesta of scallops, shrimp, chicken, and chorizo that promises to satisfy.
- Catering: Vaca also caters, making it a fantastic choice for events celebrating life's special moments.
- Vegan and Keto Options: Inclusivity is key at Vaca, with thoughtful menu options that cater to various dietary preferences.
Vaca is not just about remarkable food; it’s about the overall experience. The atmosphere is lively yet comfortable, perfect for groups and families alike. The attentive staff ensures that every guest feels special, often providing fabulous wine pairings to complement the dishes. Plus, with its convenient location and validated parking, accessibility is a breeze.
Whether you're stopping by for a casual dinner or marking a special occasion, Vaca delivers an unforgettable experience. Its combination of exceptional flavors, welcoming service, and stylish design makes it a standout option for both local patrons and visitors. Treat yourself to a memorable evening at Vaca—you’ll leave with a full belly and a happy heart.
“ We got a variety of dishes: the seafood paella, prime New York strip, octopus, cheese board with 3 cheeses and 2 meats, roasted cauliflower, oyster mushroom, and the beef cheek toast. The best dishes were the seafood paella, steak, and roasted cauliflower. The beef cheek toast was not very impressionable and too salty for me. Also by the time it came, the toast was kind of soggy and oily. The seafood paella takes about 45 minute to make but it's worth the wait - it was cooked perfectly. Not too soggy or dry. The shrimp was also very good. The steak was also cooked tenderly and salted just enough. Ambiance is very nice, we sat on the patio in the back but it did get a bit windy/cold at times. Overall, the service was very attentive and friendly. Food is great, would recommend to friends and family. There is a self parking structure across the street or valet parking for $10. ”
“ So excited I made it here after all these years! From the hostess answering the phone, to the valet, to our waiters, they made our first experience here very enjoyable. Vaca is known for their meats and tapas style plates so we ordered 6 plates between the 2 of us: the octopus, the cannelloni, Wagyu meatball, pork belly, blue cheese stuffed dates wrapped in heavenly heavenly mmmmmmm bacon and the beef oxtail. 10 out 10 for flavor! Every. Single. Dish. I need to come back again to try more plates!! Drinks were tasty too. As the DD, I only had one drink- the manda panda (i think? The one with lychee liqueur in it) and it was quite delicious. And kudos to our waiter Paul for all his recs and being so attentive and hospitable. Ambiance is cute and cozy, ideal for date nights or dinner with the girlfriends. The back patio is nice this time of year bc you can see the giant Xmas tree all lit up. Valet is $10, bring cash for tip. ”
“ Love this place!! The bar tender Nadine is super friendly and so sweet. I will definitely go back again soon. :). Suzanne. ”
“ Went here to celebrate a birthday and enjoyed the dinner very much. Parking was easy with the parking structure across the street that they validate for. We ordered the brussel sprouts, patatas bravas, paella valenciana, and a New York strip. For two people this was more than enough food, and we had some leftover paella. The brussel sprouts were probably the best I've had at a restaurant. Patatas bravas were also good, but I would want to try something different next time. Steak was cooked well and the paella was delicious. Portion size was large and perfect for sharing. For dessert we had the tres leches and it was amazing, the cake was very moist and I would definitely get it again. Overall it was a great experience and I would not hesitate to return for another meal here. ”
“ Vaca is hands down one of the best spots for Spanish-inspired cuisine in Costa Mesa! The ambiance is stylish yet welcoming, with a great vibe that makes it perfect for a night out. We started with the croquettas de pollo, which were crispy on the outside and packed with flavor on the inside--so good! The bikini sandwich was another highlight--loaded with Jamón Ibérico, Manchego cheese, and a touch of truffle oil. Every dish was beautifully presented and bursting with flavor. While the tapas can be on the pricier side, it's totally worth it for the quality of the ingredients and the overall experience. The staff was friendly, attentive, and made great wine recommendations to pair with the meal. If you're in the area, definitely check out Vaca for a memorable dining experience! ”
“ Visited here prior to going to a show. The food is fun, unique, and so so tasty! Since it was our first time, the waiter recommended a few of the favorites and also how many tapas to order so that everyone enjoys. The cocktails were fun and a nice compliment to the tapas. Seeing that the restaurant is so close to the show the waiter made sure our order was in and we were out in perfect timing. ”
“ Always best to make a reservation but we were still able to get a patio seat last minute (90 minutes before showtime). Tapas come out quick and are super tasty. Steaks and paella need 45 minutes on busy nights so be sure to plan ahead if you want to enjoy those dishes. Eat and drink up, then walk to the show! ”
“ Still one of my favorite places for tapas. I always tend to get recommendation from my server because they have some items that are new-thus can be a hit or miss. It's a somewhat small space-expect the indoor tables to be very close to one another...and if you come during weekends...book in advance. Mt favorite was their uni, branzino, cheeseboards, duck prosciutto and drinks-depending on your taste, there's always a drink that will aligning with your taste buds. ”
“ We got a variety of dishes: the seafood paella, prime New York strip, octopus, cheese board with 3 cheeses and 2 meats, roasted cauliflower, oyster mushroom, and the beef cheek toast. The best dishes were the seafood paella, steak, and roasted cauliflower. The beef cheek toast was not very impressionable and too salty for me. Also by the time it came, the toast was kind of soggy and oily. The seafood paella takes about 45 minute to make but it's worth the wait - it was cooked perfectly. Not too soggy or dry. The shrimp was also very good. The steak was also cooked tenderly and salted just enough. Ambiance is very nice, we sat on the patio in the back but it did get a bit windy/cold at times. Overall, the service was very attentive and friendly. Food is great, would recommend to friends and family. There is a self parking structure across the street or valet parking for $10. ”
“ So excited I made it here after all these years! From the hostess answering the phone, to the valet, to our waiters, they made our first experience here very enjoyable. Vaca is known for their meats and tapas style plates so we ordered 6 plates between the 2 of us: the octopus, the cannelloni, Wagyu meatball, pork belly, blue cheese stuffed dates wrapped in heavenly heavenly mmmmmmm bacon and the beef oxtail. 10 out 10 for flavor! Every. Single. Dish. I need to come back again to try more plates!! Drinks were tasty too. As the DD, I only had one drink- the manda panda (i think? The one with lychee liqueur in it) and it was quite delicious. And kudos to our waiter Paul for all his recs and being so attentive and hospitable. Ambiance is cute and cozy, ideal for date nights or dinner with the girlfriends. The back patio is nice this time of year bc you can see the giant Xmas tree all lit up. Valet is $10, bring cash for tip. ”
“ Love this place!! The bar tender Nadine is super friendly and so sweet. I will definitely go back again soon. :). Suzanne. ”
“ Went here to celebrate a birthday and enjoyed the dinner very much. Parking was easy with the parking structure across the street that they validate for. We ordered the brussel sprouts, patatas bravas, paella valenciana, and a New York strip. For two people this was more than enough food, and we had some leftover paella. The brussel sprouts were probably the best I've had at a restaurant. Patatas bravas were also good, but I would want to try something different next time. Steak was cooked well and the paella was delicious. Portion size was large and perfect for sharing. For dessert we had the tres leches and it was amazing, the cake was very moist and I would definitely get it again. Overall it was a great experience and I would not hesitate to return for another meal here. ”