The LAB

Category:	Shopping Mall
Address:	2930 Bristol St, Costa Mesa, CA 92626, USA
Phone:	+1 714-966-6661
Site:	thelab.com
Rating:	4.5
Working:	10AM–9PM 10AM–9PM 10AM–9PM 10AM–9PM 10AM–9PM 10AM–9PM 10AM–9PM

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 22

Taylor Lamb

The Camp vs The Lab, whats the difference? The Camp is the shopping center and outdoor trendy area that hosts Blackmarket Bakery, Native Foods, Taco Asylum, Seed People, and Vitaly Cafe just to name a few. The Lab also known as The Anti Mall is diagonally across the street in Bristol. That parking lot is smaller and Habana is in there as well as the outdoor bonfire, Buffalo Exchange, Urban Outfitters, and more retailers to restaurants. The Lab is more restaurants to retailers for the most part. Milk and Honey is amazing tea and coffee that you have to check out if you stumble upon this haven. Also 118 Degrees is an all raw food eatery with locations in Anaheim and is locally owned and guaranteed to be a hit for vegans and allergy aware people.

kraz88

This place has a sort of burning man vibe, or what I stereo-typically imagine burning man to be like, as Ive never been but I have friends that go. I wandered through here playing ingress so I didnt buy anything but the streamline trailers shops and various industrial style art made it visually appealing. There is a spot in the middle with sort of porch swings that people were enjoying. I heard someone refer top this place as the "anti-mall", which I suppose it could be considered. Very lacking the usual corporate influence as signage was all low key and things were funky and fun.

Tyler Anneliese Moselle

This anti-mall was done right! It mixes the hipster contingents of high-end coffee, boutique mens clothes, and fine dining with Buffalo Exchange and public space. The yarn bombed trees, street art details and repurposed signage all warmed my eco-artsy heart. Costa Mesa is a cement jungle, so between the Lab and the Camp (across the way) they make this freeway-locked community quite cool. I recommend Cafecito Organicos tasty espresso (served up with bubbly water to cleanse your palate!) and if you like to dig for thrifted treasures, the selection at Buffalo is not to be missed!

Serop Gharibian

Chic, hipster hub of Costa Mesa. I would easily give this anti-mall 5-stars if it wasnt for the dire parking situation!! Otherwise, the Lab is a fun place to visit and hang out with friends. The biggest standouts for me are: Habana (must try their new brunch menu! so many different options) Ruin Bar, attached to Habana. Good drinks with very unique and creative decor, similar to a vintage swap meet on crack Cafecito Organico, get your 3rd wave coffee on Gypsy Den, food is meh, but great ambiance Memphis restaurant and bar

Darrel Ferguson

This place is laid back except for the parking. I went over there on Feb 13 and they had an exhibit showing how plastic waste enters the Ocean and may never leave. Next to that they had a single guitarist playing covers in her own way. Very unique. If you want to see the exhibit it lasts until March 13 and then they probably have something else in there. Its hidden from the rest of the lab sitting on the most remote southern end.

Tami Babi

This place is cool but get ready to run into the most annoying California stereotypes; from Vegans that smoke, total Dude-Bros and Valley Moms, they have it all. The place has horrible parking but if you manage to find one and dont mind the typical people that shop here, then I think you can enjoy yourself. Its seen better days, thats for sure.

Light Nin

Hmm..I like this place. Its nice to get away from busy malls and still get to look at nice stuff. So if you have the cash, go here and find cute rare stuff, and if you dont have that much cash its ok, still go here, cuz Buffalo Exchange is here. The restaurants r so nice here too, and hot yoga across the street. This place is just awesome.

David Singer

Tom is a wonderful man that runs this amazing salon. The staff is very friendly in this place has a great vibe. I have been getting my hair cut from Tom the owner of the crew since 1985. In the last 32 years Tom’s the only person that cuts my hair. We have a Great friendship and I always look forward to getting my haircut.

Nick Nicholson

There are some cool little shops in here like the record store in a trailer (that sells cassette tapes too!). Theres an Urban Outfitters, a sneaker store, and a great vintage shop. The restaurants are great as well. You can also visit the CAMP mall across the street which has a couple cool spots too (SEED, Taco Asylum).

Michael Mauro

A beautiful and unique corner of the world. Surprisingly quaint and quiet for Orange County, and very beautiful. The coffee shop is decent, the stores have unique items and the food is delicious. The architecture, landscaping and decor make this center worth a visit alone.

RD Chaves

A cool shopping strip with a few good restaurants. Very hip area that includes Blends (a sneaker shop) and Urban Outfitters. Across the street from The Camp (another strip of equally "hip" shops). Parking can be a pain, but there is parking in the back around Memphis.

Ian Cook

Super hip. Pretty decently large parking lot. Definitely fun to walk around and take in the scenery. People come here to take pictures pretty often. Prices can be a little above average here, you end up paying extra for the nice quality and artsy environment.

T Nightingale

What a cool mall! Nice variety of shops that cater to the sneakerheads, vinyl collectors, coffee lovers, etc. Not just that, but its aesthetically pleasing to the eye with trees, big wall of ”succulents”, fountain and seating areas.

Citlali Aguilar

This place is like a little hidden shopping area. From the outside you wouldnt guess its a shopping place. Its so cute inside. Lots of places to sit and enjoy. You can come alone or with people and youll still have a great time.

Ying Li

The Lab and CAMP (across the street) are the coolest places in OC. Hip small local shops and restaurants as well as Urban Outfitters. Popbar is coming soon! There are some outdoor seatings /swings in the open area to hang out.

Marissa Selby

Its very trendy and very crowded with people who are oblivious to the fact that theyre not the only people at the mall. I only come here for Calipoke which is why I gave the mall 3 stars because its my favorite poke place.

Nicole Cooper

We ate the Gypsy Den while waiting for the clothing stores to open. Service was good, coffee was hot and the restaurant was trendy. What else would you expect from "The Lab?" They also offer veggie bacon. #LocalGuides

Roland Guilmet

Nice little mall with a hippy twist. Shops made from ltlle car campers selling jewelry, crafts, and vinyl LPs. Gypsy Den restaurant with excellent food. Habana cuban resturant. Only negative is the parking situation.

Stefanie Ziller

Cute and artsy place with unique vendors. Love the macaron place but its so hard to catch them open. Not too crazy about the poke place or popsicle place. Really want to try Habana.. It always looks so crowded.

Michael Ashley Schulman

Fun, varied, shabby chic, shopping area with good novelty stores, restaurants, and cafes, but not enough parking. Seabirds Kitchen vegan restaurant and Calipoke poké restaurant are notable gems here.

Jamie Pierson

Very cool place, nice shops. Blends hooked me up with freshest kicks Ive ever had. Buffalo exchange is another one of my hidden secrets. Its a thrift shop but its not as picked over as other places.

Alex Vasquez

Oh, what a weird little place. Its like a sliver of the Arts District in LA was dropped here. The Gypsy Den and habana are my two favorite spots. Theres a retro sneaker shop here, too. Check it out.