Ciao Pasta Trattoria

If you're looking for an authentic Italian dining experience that feels like a slice of the Mediterranean, look no further than this charming Trattoria! From the moment we walked in, we were enveloped in a warm and inviting atmosphere, perfectly complemented by a refreshing bottle of Vermentino Campo al Mare to kick off our evening. Fa Bene indeed! For our starter, we indulged in a delightful salad featuring wild arugula, endives, red onions, walnuts, and Reggiano cheese drizzled with balsamic dressing. Each bite was bursting with flavor and texture; it paired beautifully with the complementary tapenade and crostini—an excellent way to awaken our taste buds. Our server Jorge truly made the evening memorable with his attentive service. He guided us through the menu while ensuring our glasses were never empty. With fresh focaccia straight out of the oven and homemade pasta on offer, we knew we were in for a treat. The star of the night was undoubtedly the daily special of Strozzapreti—hand-twisted pasta that lives up to its intriguing name. Tossed in a rich Pomodoro sauce with fennel and pork sausage, each mouthful felt like pure bliss. It's easy to see why this dish has such an engaging backstory—it's both comforting and indulgent. Overall, this Trattoria is not just about great food; it's an experience worth celebrating! Whether you're dining with friends or planning a romantic evening out, this place promises fine wine, delicious dishes, and unforgettable memories. Buon Appetito!

A favorite restaurant! We've been going here for over 20 years and we have never been disappointed. Great food love the outdoor patio!

This was our first visit and we were not disappointed. The food was delicious! We ate out on the patio which is a beautiful setting. The service was perfect. We all ordered a different pasta; all were so good! The cocktails were also very good.

Ordered twice online through Doordash and was disappointed both times ...first the pasta was completely overcooked and had no taste whatsoever.... Second time there was a fingernail in my lasagne....if you want good Italian authentic food l--go to limoncello down the street from there
PS: the delivery driver said that hostess were completely rude and unfriendly

Always a pleasure to eat here. Great Italian food, fresh and delicious. The outside seating is lovely. We enjoyed a a beautiful summer night here.

We chose Ciao Pasta Trattoria for a business lunch meeting because of its convenient location between Los Angeles and San Diego. We enjoyed a wonderful meal of assorted delicious pasta dishes. The outdoor courtyard seating ambiance was pleasant. Jorge, our server, was friendly and very attentive to every detail to assure that we had a fine dining experience. We had the pleasure of meeting Christina, the owner, upon our departure, which afforded us the opportunity to thank her and compliment our server, Jorge, for the exceptional service that exceeded our expectations. I highly recommend! Ciao Pasta Trattoria!

Ciao Pasta is a family favorite for us! For the last 15 years, we have been here for all the rehearsal dinners, birthdays, anniversaries, and even takeout for get togethers because their food is PHENOMENAL, it has such a cute intimate patio, and the service is always impeccable. Ciao Pasta is a staple of San Juan!

Ciao Pasta is a favorite to bring out of town visitors to! Consistently great food and service! Love the outdoor patio with the backdrop of the historic SJC mission right across the street! Can't beat it!

Had not been back to Ciao Pasta in awhile & was pleasantly surprised @ how delicious everything was, especially their expresso martini's, we will be back!👍🏼😁

Ciao Pasta Trattoria in San Juan Capistrano has a cozy, welcoming atmosphere and friendly service. The calamato olives with bread were a delicious surprise, bold, briny, and super flavorful. I ordered the salmon salad; while the greens were fresh and well-dressed, the salmon was unfortunately overcooked and a bit dry. That said, the overall experience was enjoyable, and I’d definitely come back to try more from the menu.

This was a truly 5 star experience. From the moment we entered to when we left everything was amazing. First off the atmosphere is amazing. There was plenty of space it was easy to talk and it was a beautiful setting. I recommend sitting outside if you can!
Next is the amazing service. Truly the waitress we had was one of the best I’ve ever had in my life. She was so nice to everyone and truly made our experience so amazing. I don’t know her name but we went on 6/24/25 at around 1pm.

Lastly was the amazing food. So many options! You will find something you love! The food came out fast and tasted delicious!

Always like going to grandma's house when you go to child pasta. The food is delicious. The ambience is wonderful servers the best in the city treat you like family if you want great Italian food and San Juan Capistrano make your way to ciao pasta.

The calamari is like rubber, the service is good but the food lacks flavor.

I have water here several times and the food is always amazing. I also love that they have gluten free pasta and pizzas, and they understand what a person who eats gluten free needs! I highly recommend them

Ciao Pasta is a wonderful restaurant! We ordered the the house salad, Rotelle pasta which is a rolled up pasta filled with ham , onions and peas and four kinds of cheese topped with a Bechamel and vodka sauce and it is delicious! Very rich and good to share. We also enjoyed a nice bottle of wine that was produced in Pasquale's hometown (the owner). The restaurant was busy but we sat on the patio so it was not too noisy. We will return! Don't miss this place!