Restaurants in San Juan Capistrano
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Best Restaurants
“Second visit to Limoncello and want to say the food is excellent in every way. Last night I had Arugula salad (very lemony dressing), the Risotto (outstanding) and chocolate gelato which was VERY chocolate. Topped with a nice wine. All Excellent. As for atmosphere, lots of large parties there last night celebrating Christmas and birthdays so was quite noisy, but 'tis the season. Highly recommend Limoncello. Food and service are excellent and above average. Menu is extensive with very different and interesting options. If they would have served a shot of Limoncello after dinner I would have thought I was dining in Italy.”
“I walk in to fragrant Indian spices. My mouth immediately starts to water. The appetizer comes out Some kind of vegetable dumpling my son ordered. One bite dipped in an incredible mint curry sauce and I'm in Nirvanna. It only gets better from there... SO GOOD!”
“Every cup is brewed with care, tradition, and a touch of serenity. Best place to make memories with loved ones,”
“The best tacos I've ever had. Lots of fresh meat and they weren't dry like the kind at a more popular restaurant. The best deals are on Tuesday. We will definitely be going back for more. This place is great and I want to try their other items.”
“Wow ok this is the spot in downtown sjc... We got a great view overlooking swallows bar across the street. Great people watching great atmosphere, relatively chill with a great happy hour and really nice and friendly service... We had a five-star experience with wonderful food. We had the pork ribs and we had tuna. Everything was amazing.”
Restaurants by Cuisine
“Rolled in before I caught train back home, after a day at The Mission. Enjoyed a few items off the Happy Hour Menu. $34 before tax for the Pear & Brie Skillet melt, seasoned olives, and a slice of Key Lime pie. I would pass on the skillet melt next time, did absolutely love the toasted focaccia it came with. Next time I would try the Spinach Artichoke Dip. I sat solo at the bar, several average size groups were at the other end of the bar area.”
“A really great experience.
Friendly and knowledgeable servers paying attention to our needs and recommending dishes.
Excellent food with unique tastes....try the brussel sprouts appetizer with maple syrup, pecans, and raisins.
We plan to go back again even though it is 40 miles from home.”
“One of our favorite places to eat in Orange County. We always bring visitors here because of the fantastic atmosphere. And the fact that it was built when it was still Mexico is such a cool cultural bit, it's also haunted spooky! We had our graduation party here for our daughter, 13 people, people and they did such a fabulous job taking care of us, I just can't recommend this place enough. Go check it out.”
Restaurants with Delivery
“Just ate here today for the first time and the pizza was amazing!! I ordered the bbq chicken and my friend got pepperoni. The crust was insanely delicious and crispy! Cheese to toppings ratio was on point! The mozzarella cheese sticks were also very good! And to top it all off, the customer service was 💯!! Highly recommend!!”
“Second visit to Limoncello and want to say the food is excellent in every way. Last night I had Arugula salad (very lemony dressing), the Risotto (outstanding) and chocolate gelato which was VERY chocolate. Topped with a nice wine. All Excellent. As for atmosphere, lots of large parties there last night celebrating Christmas and birthdays so was quite noisy, but 'tis the season. Highly recommend Limoncello. Food and service are excellent and above average. Menu is extensive with very different and interesting options. If they would have served a shot of Limoncello after dinner I would have thought I was dining in Italy.”
“Tim is Making Great Coffee lives up to its name — and then some. This San Juan Capistrano spot has a cult following among locals for good reason: the coffee is thoughtfully prepared and the personal approach to the craft is genuinely refreshing. Stopped in with clients exploring the historic downtown SJC corridor and it was an immediate hit. The mission-era charm of San Juan Capistrano is a major lifestyle selling point, and cafes like this add to that authentic, unhurried quality of life. When buyers ask me what the daily rhythm of life in SJC looks like, places like this are a central part of the answer. Highly worthwhile.”
“Wow ok this is the spot in downtown sjc... We got a great view overlooking swallows bar across the street. Great people watching great atmosphere, relatively chill with a great happy hour and really nice and friendly service... We had a five-star experience with wonderful food. We had the pork ribs and we had tuna. Everything was amazing.”
“Rolled in before I caught train back home, after a day at The Mission. Enjoyed a few items off the Happy Hour Menu. $34 before tax for the Pear & Brie Skillet melt, seasoned olives, and a slice of Key Lime pie. I would pass on the skillet melt next time, did absolutely love the toasted focaccia it came with. Next time I would try the Spinach Artichoke Dip. I sat solo at the bar, several average size groups were at the other end of the bar area.”
“A really great experience.
Friendly and knowledgeable servers paying attention to our needs and recommending dishes.
Excellent food with unique tastes....try the brussel sprouts appetizer with maple syrup, pecans, and raisins.
We plan to go back again even though it is 40 miles from home.”
“One of our favorite places to eat in Orange County. We always bring visitors here because of the fantastic atmosphere. And the fact that it was built when it was still Mexico is such a cool cultural bit, it's also haunted spooky! We had our graduation party here for our daughter, 13 people, people and they did such a fabulous job taking care of us, I just can't recommend this place enough. Go check it out.”
“It was my first time here, and the food is delicious. Love the simple & quaint decor. Definitely will be back!”
Outdoor Dining
“We used Kebab Craft to cater my wife’s surprise birthday party and couldn’t have been happier with the food. We had 50 guests and did the 3 the protein option with the chicken, gyro, and grilled veggies. Everything arrived fresh and tasted amazing. The amount of food was more than ample and nobody left hungry. I was repeatedly asked where the food came from because people were so impressed with how good everything was. I’ve never been to the actual restaurant, so I can’t speak to that, but I can’t imagine anything but high marks there too. I certainly wouldn’t hesitate using them for your Mediterranean catering needs.”
“So happy to have found Sushi Kara - amazing sushi and rolls. Unique and delicious. Nice and spicy garlic edamame too. Had been at this location with previous sushi restaurant (not great) and the one before that (very good), but Sushi Kara is the best. Just casual and great sushi.”
“Been wanting to stop in for years. Was in the shopping plaza next door and had some time so I took the opportunity. Being early Sat afternoon, there were only a dozen or so customers. The place isn't huge but if you don't mind standing there's enough space between tables. Some food is available (I didn't order any) and they have food trucks some nights as well as entertainment. True to their website claim, there were indeed 30 taps with 30 beers to choose from, some local/regional and others from afar. I decided to sample and got three 5-oz glasses after talking with Dawn, the bar tender, who recommended a couple based on my preferences. I think my favorite was the dark, coffee flavored beer on nitro. There's something for everyone and I'll definitely return, esp with family and friends seeking good brew. I highly recommend the Brewhouse, you won't be disappointed.”
“Excellent experience at this In-N-Out location! I have never been so impressed with the customer service and friendliness of the staff and customers. Bill especially went out of his way to make me feel like family as I was visiting from out-of-town and truly made this a special and memorable experience. This was the best burger I ever had! Highly recommend Bill and this In-N-Out location!”
“This is our favorite Mexican restaurant in all of San Juan Capistrano. The atmosphere is wonderful and the food is delicious and not overpriced. The Happy Hour is the best deal around. You get so much food and drink for so little price. The service is absolutely the best. I HIGHLY recommend this place!”
“So happy to have found Sushi Kara - amazing sushi and rolls. Unique and delicious. Nice and spicy garlic edamame too. Had been at this location with previous sushi restaurant (not great) and the one before that (very good), but Sushi Kara is the best. Just casual and great sushi.”
“Been wanting to stop in for years. Was in the shopping plaza next door and had some time so I took the opportunity. Being early Sat afternoon, there were only a dozen or so customers. The place isn't huge but if you don't mind standing there's enough space between tables. Some food is available (I didn't order any) and they have food trucks some nights as well as entertainment. True to their website claim, there were indeed 30 taps with 30 beers to choose from, some local/regional and others from afar. I decided to sample and got three 5-oz glasses after talking with Dawn, the bar tender, who recommended a couple based on my preferences. I think my favorite was the dark, coffee flavored beer on nitro. There's something for everyone and I'll definitely return, esp with family and friends seeking good brew. I highly recommend the Brewhouse, you won't be disappointed.”
Online Reservation Available
“This place is awesome, under new Ownership who they really know how to make it happen, their food is great, drinks are also great, their entertainment is by far the best in San Juan Capistrano and their staff is really second to none!!!! A must !!! So if you are looking for the best place in town, this is it.”
“Great food. Best carnitas in OC, hands down! Great margaritas. And the servers are super friendly.”
“Docent is Decent. Got me a Mouthful of Church on Time, 8.2 DIPA. Lisa has a Peel Top.”
“This is our favorite Mexican restaurant in all of San Juan Capistrano. The atmosphere is wonderful and the food is delicious and not overpriced. The Happy Hour is the best deal around. You get so much food and drink for so little price. The service is absolutely the best. I HIGHLY recommend this place!”
Takeout Restaurants
“Oh my gosh! This is actually such a hidden gem, came in expecting the usual chewy meat or cold rice and came out with some BOMB orange chicken, steaming hot rice and some actually good Thai tea with boba, the cashier was SUPER sweet, letting me try samples and overall just being super kind and patient with me. Love this place and will DEFINITELY come back.”
“Just love this place!! This past week our group was there for an early dinner and we were treated with such great customer service. Our server, Taylor, was so attentive and friendly and quick to respond to any of our requests. The food was so good and the ambiance was lovely.”
“An absolutely exceptional omakase experience that defines luxury dining. From the first course to the last, the sushi was nothing short of extraordinary—impeccably fresh, masterfully prepared, and thoughtfully composed to highlight the purity of each ingredient. Every bite reflected true craftsmanship and precision.
The sake pairing was perfectly curated, enhancing the flavors of the sushi without overpowering them and adding a refined rhythm to the entire experience. Each selection felt intentional and elevated the progression of the meal.
The dessert was a stunning finale—elegant, balanced, and a brilliant complement to the journey of flavors that came before it. It tied the entire experience together in a way that felt both indulgent and refined.
This is not just a meal, but a world-class omakase experience. Ideal for special occasions or anyone seeking the highest level of sushi and hospitality. Sue and her husband have something very special that they want to share with all their customers. This is a foodies paradise.”
“Outdoor seating was nice on a warm day. Service was quick and friendly. Food came out fairly fast. Serving size is good and the food did have flavor. If the wait is too long for bbq come next door for a quite good meal”
“Great place to dance. Lots of energy. Older crowd a bit (like 50s up) but some younger as well. Eveeyone was moving to Monkey Puddle who were superb. Great dance floor with fans (I think one vent for AC directly above middle of the dance fair might be not working well, but there are others available as well as a casual outside area to sit and drink and get fresh air). Copious amounts of free ice water was much appreciated. Cheap well drinks.”
Drive-Thru Restaurants
“Best pizza I have ever had! The crust was absolutely delicious and had the best crunch, the dough wasn’t doughy at all and was so, so delicious. You can tell they’re using very high quality, fresh ingredients and the flavor profiles he built for these pizzas are so good! The wowie sauce added even more flavor and somehow made a perfect pizza even better!
The ordering process may be slightly unconventional but it is EXTREMELY SIMPLE. You’re literally given step by step instructions on how to order and it couldn’t be easier.
My Mom picked up our order and couldn’t stop talking about how wonderful her experience was and how much she enjoyed the owner.
Super stoked we found this place and absolutely can’t wait to go back!”
“Great place to dance. Lots of energy. Older crowd a bit (like 50s up) but some younger as well. Eveeyone was moving to Monkey Puddle who were superb. Great dance floor with fans (I think one vent for AC directly above middle of the dance fair might be not working well, but there are others available as well as a casual outside area to sit and drink and get fresh air). Copious amounts of free ice water was much appreciated. Cheap well drinks.”
“Crivello’s Italian Bistro is hands down the best place for amazing Italian food! Every dish we’ve tried has been absolutely perfect—fresh, flavorful, and beautifully prepared. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, and the staff is always kind and attentive. Highly recommend Crivello’s if you’re looking for authentic Italian cuisine paired with outstanding service!”
“The atmosphere is quiet and comfortable, the staff are friendly, and the food is of high quality. It is a genuine Asian restaurant that meets the high standards of the American service industry. The attitude issues commonly found in the American service industry are not present at this restaurant. Safe to visit.”
“What an awesome venue. David and Joe took very good care of my group. I brought 48 people up from San Diego for a viewing of Top Gun. We couldn't have asked for a better experience. The food was great and the atmosphere was just incredible. I love the nostalgia behind Rick's cafe and the theater was not only comfortable but absolutely gorgeous. Might people are raving about their visit. I would like to thank David and joe, and the rest of the staff at regency theater. You made our day trip perfect.PS. Cleanest, best smelling restrooms ever!”
“I love this place so good, the ladies here are super helpful, the quality is great and the place is super clean. I’ve been to other locations with and this one is the best by far. I walked in not sure on what to order I explained to the girl what I was craving and she made it just like I wanted it. Sooo good 😊”
“We came for lunch right after visiting the mission. It was right across the street and we wanted to try a different lunch spot. The food was great. We ordered steak and shrimp and a Shepards pie and calamari as an appetizer. The drinks were great and we enjoyed some music from the patio. Overall a great experience and we will definitely be back. The only odd thing was when our waitress came to take our order, I asked about the drink menu and was asking for recommendations and she seemed confused about my questions. She didn’t offer any suggestions and when I asked about a drink on the menu, she asked if I wanted a shot of grapefruit juice.”
“This El Pollo Loco location is always solid! The chicken is perfectly fire-grilled, juicy, and full of flavor every time. The sides are fresh, the portions are generous, and everything tastes made-to-order. The staff is friendly and the restaurant is clean and well maintained. Quick service and consistently good food — definitely one of my go-to spots!”
“Delicious burgers, they are my children's favorites, we always go there, good service
Just one comment, I don't like you when we go to order computers at the counter, it's not the same as having a person serve you, it would be better as before if someone served you and ordered as you like without repeating yourself.
Thanks the best Carl Jr”
“My favorite morning routine is coming here and grabbing the delicious and fresh raw juice (tastes like its made with the freshest ingredients every time and I LOVE that they use the whole fruit and vegetable and its not too pulpy. Their juicer is high quality for sure), and a delicious salt bagel that isn't over done or too heavy. Not to mention, everytime I eat something here (even the sandwiches are delicious and they actually use enough ingredients to make it not to bready) my sensitive stomach doesn't hate me. They are definitely doing all the right things! Their coffee is always hot too and will offer to make more if they are out of your favorite. I look for the closest thing to a New York bagel everywhere I go. I have had some come close, but this one is the best!! They are also reasonable on pricing. They are friendly and work well with everyone. THANK YOU for your high quality ingredients, caring attitudes, and consistency with my orders. I can always find everything I need here. Also, I appreciate that DoorDash is available here so that I can continue my routine wherever I am!!”
“Crivello’s Italian Bistro is hands down the best place for amazing Italian food! Every dish we’ve tried has been absolutely perfect—fresh, flavorful, and beautifully prepared. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, and the staff is always kind and attentive. Highly recommend Crivello’s if you’re looking for authentic Italian cuisine paired with outstanding service!”
Cheap Eats
“This is our go to stop on our way to Disneyland. It's conveniently right off the 5 freeway. The bathrooms are always clean. The parking lot can get crowded depending on what time we get there. Food is McDonald's food, but fast. The last few times that we've had a little trouble with the accuracy of our orders. However, when pointed out, our orders were always fixed quickly and friendly.”
“Just love this place!! This past week our group was there for an early dinner and we were treated with such great customer service. Our server, Taylor, was so attentive and friendly and quick to respond to any of our requests. The food was so good and the ambiance was lovely.”
“Phenomenal experience every time! If you are not a member of the Rancho Capistrano wine club you are missing out!!!!”
“An absolutely exceptional omakase experience that defines luxury dining. From the first course to the last, the sushi was nothing short of extraordinary—impeccably fresh, masterfully prepared, and thoughtfully composed to highlight the purity of each ingredient. Every bite reflected true craftsmanship and precision.
The sake pairing was perfectly curated, enhancing the flavors of the sushi without overpowering them and adding a refined rhythm to the entire experience. Each selection felt intentional and elevated the progression of the meal.
The dessert was a stunning finale—elegant, balanced, and a brilliant complement to the journey of flavors that came before it. It tied the entire experience together in a way that felt both indulgent and refined.
This is not just a meal, but a world-class omakase experience. Ideal for special occasions or anyone seeking the highest level of sushi and hospitality. Sue and her husband have something very special that they want to share with all their customers. This is a foodies paradise.”
“Totoya is awesome! Chill vibe and nice atmosphere. We had the salmon lemon roll, calamari, the baked scallops roll, and chicken teriyaki. Food was delicious. Highly recommend!”
“What an awesome venue. David and Joe took very good care of my group. I brought 48 people up from San Diego for a viewing of Top Gun. We couldn't have asked for a better experience. The food was great and the atmosphere was just incredible. I love the nostalgia behind Rick's cafe and the theater was not only comfortable but absolutely gorgeous. Might people are raving about their visit. I would like to thank David and joe, and the rest of the staff at regency theater. You made our day trip perfect.PS. Cleanest, best smelling restrooms ever!”
“Excellent place to eat/ snack/ drink/ dessert, relax, hang out, shop, or people watch at various hours of the day. Many choices to select from. Lovely views, enjoyable ambience, and plenty of seating indoors and outdoors. Nice areas to walk around. There are restrooms. Depending on what you order you can spend anywhere from a few dollars to plenty more. It can get busy and wait times certainly vary from a few minutes to almost 30 minutes. Good place for all ages and groups.”
Latest Reviews
“Brought my sunglasses to the eye ware department , San Juan store on Doheny Pk Rd., for an adjustment. I accidentally sat on them. Corey in the eye ware department was superb in adjusting them back to original condition . He had a very friendly attitude and positive attitude”
“Second visit to Limoncello and want to say the food is excellent in every way. Last night I had Arugula salad (very lemony dressing), the Risotto (outstanding) and chocolate gelato which was VERY chocolate. Topped with a nice wine. All Excellent. As for atmosphere, lots of large parties there last night celebrating Christmas and birthdays so was quite noisy, but 'tis the season. Highly recommend Limoncello. Food and service are excellent and above average. Menu is extensive with very different and interesting options. If they would have served a shot of Limoncello after dinner I would have thought I was dining in Italy.”
Most Popular Restaurants
“Just ate here today for the first time and the pizza was amazing!! I ordered the bbq chicken and my friend got pepperoni. The crust was insanely delicious and crispy! Cheese to toppings ratio was on point! The mozzarella cheese sticks were also very good! And to top it all off, the customer service was 💯!! Highly recommend!!”
“We came at near closing time at around 10:53 PM on May 22. We were most likely the last customers of the day. We wanted spicy drumsticks only (this is what we always order at popeyes, since our family do not eat any other parts), and the employee was very nice and said he doesn't have enough, and the left over 3-4 pieces are old, but if we want to wait, he will cook new ones for us. We said we will wait and he asked how many pieces we want. He stayed until after closing to make our chicken. Great customer service! I don't know his name, but I'm sure popeyes can find out who I am talking about given the date and time. He was the last person there (unless there were other members that we do not know of but the lights were already off except for the kitchen while he was making the chicken for us, so I doubt there were anyone else left). If a manager sees this, please give him a promotion or raise for going above and beyond, and being so kind! He totally deserves it! We need more people like this in this cruel world.”
“Excellent experience at this In-N-Out location! I have never been so impressed with the customer service and friendliness of the staff and customers. Bill especially went out of his way to make me feel like family as I was visiting from out-of-town and truly made this a special and memorable experience. This was the best burger I ever had! Highly recommend Bill and this In-N-Out location!”
“Tim is Making Great Coffee lives up to its name — and then some. This San Juan Capistrano spot has a cult following among locals for good reason: the coffee is thoughtfully prepared and the personal approach to the craft is genuinely refreshing. Stopped in with clients exploring the historic downtown SJC corridor and it was an immediate hit. The mission-era charm of San Juan Capistrano is a major lifestyle selling point, and cafes like this add to that authentic, unhurried quality of life. When buyers ask me what the daily rhythm of life in SJC looks like, places like this are a central part of the answer. Highly worthwhile.”
New Restaurants
“Excellent place to eat/ snack/ drink/ dessert, relax, hang out, shop, or people watch at various hours of the day. Many choices to select from. Lovely views, enjoyable ambience, and plenty of seating indoors and outdoors. Nice areas to walk around. There are restrooms. Depending on what you order you can spend anywhere from a few dollars to plenty more. It can get busy and wait times certainly vary from a few minutes to almost 30 minutes. Good place for all ages and groups.”
“We were walking around shopping and stopped in to have a cocktail and a snack. The cocktails were great - not too sweet and the bartender put hearts in the foam - cute addition. We had the coconut shrimp and wings - both were good and hit the spot! Everyone was so friendly and personable - had some laughs!”
“We love Hudsons cookies! I was really impressed with Alex’s service today. The cold brew coffee machine broke, and she went out of her way to make me a perfect iced coffee 🥰 she was so kind and was great to talk to.
Confetti cookie is always a hit. My kiddo loves this place.”
“Delicious crispy tenders, plenty of seasoning and sauces. The staff are always friendly and smiling. By the way, they had done an amazing job on Super Bowl Sunday, which must be one of their busiest days: They were efficient, friendly, and above all patient with everybody. I don't know how they do it, this team is unbeatable. I keep coming back and have never been disappointed.”

“Beef rib today was mostly fat It was pick up so no way to complain Overpriced Disappointing”