Captain's Table Restaurant
The Captain’s Table is a casual-upscale restaurant located on the campus of Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa, California. Operated by students from the Culinary Arts and Food and Beverage Management programs, the restaurant features a rotating weekly menu showcasing a variety of cuisine styles.
We offer a lunch buffet on Tuesdays beginning in the eighth week of the semester and dinner service every Thursday starting in the third week. Please refer to our calendar for upcoming menus and service dates.
Reservations are required. If you're unable to book through our OpenTable link, it means the service is fully booked for that date.
Tuesday Lunch Buffet Price: $20.00
Thursday Dinner Price: $25.00
Location & Parking
We are located on the second Floor of the College Center building. Parking is available off Fairview and Pirate Way in Lot A.
Please view our campus map for general directions to and on campus.
Tuesday Buffet Lunch Service
BUFFET SERVICE
The students in the advanced Garde Manger class showcase proper techniques in the preparation of canapés, hot and cold hors d'oeuvre, appetizers, salads, cheese and charcuterie, sausage, and other types of forcemeats while demonstrating contemporary styles of presenting food and preparing buffets.
The students in the Buffet Service class prepare the dining room and workstations for buffets and execute buffet service using proper service procedures, equipment, tools, and sanitation practices.
Please note that if you cannot make a reservation via Open Table, it is because we have reached capacity for that day.
Hours:
- 11:30 AM only.
- Diners will have 1 hour to enjoy the buffet. Since the service is in a class setting, students must begin cleaning and breaking down stations to prepare for the upcoming classes.
Spring 2026 Buffet Schedule:
- March 24th - American BBQ
- April 7th - Hawaiian
- April 14th - High Tea
- April 21st - Latin America
- April 28th - Italy
- May 5th - Coastal
- May 12th - Moroccan/Mediterranean
- May 19th - Scandinavian
Fall 2025 Buffet Schedule:
- October 14th - American Picnic
- October 21st - Hawaiian
- October 28th - High Tea
- November 4th - Latin America
- November 11th -CLOSED
- November 18th - Coastal
- November 25th - Moroccan/Mediterranean
- December 2nd - CLOSED
Thursday Dinner Service Information
DINNER SERVICE
Beginning the third Thursday of each semester, we offer a casual-upscale dinner service that includes a multi-course table d'hôte style menu featuring the cuisine of a distinct region each week.
Please note that if you cannot make a reservation via Open Table, it is because we have reached capacity for that day.
We ask that our guests please arrive punctually as service time is limited.
Reservation Times:
- 5:30PM, 5:45PM, and 6:00PM
Schedule of Themes:
- Feb 26: The American South
- Mar 05: Cajun & Creole
- Mar 12: The Midwest
- Mar 19: The Southwest
- Mar 26: The Pacific Northwest & California
- Apr 16: Southeast Asia
- Apr 23: The Mediterranean
- Apr 30: Central & South America
- May 07: Dublin to Düsseldorf
- May 14: Continental Classics