Mariposa — Restaurant in Newport Beach

What an unexpected find! You take the escalator up three floors and suddenly you’re in this tucked-away spot that feels calm and relaxed, a world apart from the mall below. Perfect place to sneak away for a peaceful lunch.

They start you off with a complimentary puff pastry and warm chicken broth. The pastry is golden and flaky, and dipping it into the broth makes it even better. The broth itself is light and refreshing, the kind of thing that wakes up your palate without being heavy. Such a thoughtful touch and not something I expected at all.

For lunch, I had the Green Goddess salad with salmon—a good 4–5 ounces, perfectly grilled with just salt and pepper, flaky and clean. The lettuce was crisp and fresh, a healthy but elevated option. The asparagus was another favorite, creamy with fresh chives on top, just the right balance of richness without being heavy. The warm bowl was outstanding too, with portobello mushroom, grilled chicken, quinoa, mango, avocado, a lightly dressed coleslaw, and a fried egg with a soft yolk. Slightly Asian flavors, light and fresh, and every bite so well put together.

Dessert turned into a whole experience. I couldn’t resist ordering the chocolate soufflé, the pineapple upside-down cake, and the warm chocolate chip cookie—all served warm with scoops of ice cream. The soufflé takes about 35 minutes, made by the chef from Bistango, and it was absolutely worth the wait—tall, rich, and oozing. The pineapple upside-down cake was a dream, finally a great version close to home. The cookie was gooey and decadent, the perfect comfort.

And I have to give the biggest shout out to Marcelo. He was on top of everything from start to finish—attentive, warm, and just genuinely thoughtful. He even brought out a birthday cheesecake for the kiddos, which completely made their day, and sent me home with a complimentary pastry and soup sample. That kind of service is rare and honestly what made the whole experience unforgettable. I’m so glad I finally discovered this spot, and I can’t...

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ An Unforgettable Dining Experience at Mariposa, Newport

Mariposa in Newport is a true gem, and every visit reminds us why we keep coming back. The service here is consistently outstanding — warm, attentive, and polished from start to finish.

I started with their new tuna tartare, beautifully paired with mango purée and fresh mango slices. This was not just a dish; it was a work of art — the presentation could have been in a designer food magazine, and the flavor matched its beauty. My husband had the burger, and it was exceptional — juicy, flavorful, perfectly cooked. The French fries deserve their own mention: crispy, golden perfection, truly to die for.

My jasmine tea arrived in a gorgeous sachet, served in an elegant teapot — such a thoughtful, refined touch. Dessert was nothing short of heavenly. I had the berry dessert, bursting with fresh flavor, while my husband had the peach cobbler — warm, comforting, and topped with some of the most amazing vanilla ice cream we’ve ever tasted.

A heartfelt thank you to Mr. Reza, the manager, who is always the epitome of a gracious host. We spoke briefly on the phone before arriving, and in person, he was just as kind and attentive. Our server — the same wonderful gentleman we usually have — once again delivered exceptional, top-notch service.

From the flawless hospitality to the designer-level cuisine, Mariposa is in a league of its own. We love it here and will most certainly be coming back. Thank you to everyone at Mariposa for making each...

The real star of Mariposa is the service, specifically our server Richard. More on that below.

Food options and quality were standard for the area, but we were started with complimentary popovers with strawberry butter and consommé which impresses from the start.

Outdoor seating on the balcony was exactly what we were looking for, understated, quiet and away from the hustle and bustle of Fashion Island.

Our server Richard was a rare gem. He is clearly an actual professional server who understood the perfect balance of helpfulness and ability to give diners space. He was able to anticipate our needs and made our dining experience exactly what we wanted it to be. We had a party of just two, an adult and child, we were not wearing flashy designer clothing and had a modest meal, yet Richard chose to provide us with service I would hope to get (but sadly am not guaranteed) while spending quite a bit more at finer restaurants. This kind of service just isn’t standard anymore and when it is provided it is worth calling out. I would definitely come back here for Richard’s service alone.

One minor gripe, the interior is undergoing some construction so there are very large screens to hide the dust. The result is an atmosphere that is less than elegant if you’re trying to impress your dining partner. Easy solution, eat outside which was our...