Italian Restaurants near San Juan Capistrano

“The food and ambiance was amazing , the food was flavorful and the atmosphere was great but felt very crowded in the small space . Only one gender nurtural bathroom so at times there was a long line . Our server seemed to give decent service to everyone but our table , she gave every other table touches and only checked in once after we had already finished our food . We felt very rushed. Overall I would recommend this place for the food and if you're in a hurry for table service food.“

“Best pizza my family & I have ever had & we eat a lot of pizza! The crust was perfect, not to thin & not to thick. Total perfection. The ingredients on the pizza were fresh.This is definitely a great place to eat. The atmosphere was excellent. We will be telling all our friends to try this place. Definitely worth every penny!“

“First time here, and WOW, the food is delicious!! I have a feeling that everything on the menu is fantastic. I appreciate the free bread (a lot of restaurants make you ask or even charge these days). Some improvements to be made: 1. Some artwork on the walls. This spot is so cute. I love the chairs on the patio and I think there's so much potential with just a few small touches. 2. The flies. I really don't understand the flies out front and the few inside. Maybe they know how good the food is too?? Maybe a couple small fly traps would be beneficial. Either way, I'll still be back regardless, but just wanted to add my two cents, whatever it's worth. Last thing to add, our server was very kind and competent. She was alone and managing a few large parties, and yet we barely had to wait and she was very attentive. Thank you for great food and wonderful service!“

“This place was unknown to me until yesterday, and I'm so stoked that we came across it while out shopping. The restaurant was nearly full, but we were fortunate to get a nice table, and we were greeted, served promptly, and the menu was packed with traditional dishes, all of which sounded awesome. But as is my way in a new restaurant, I went right for one of the most difficult dishes to execute....the manicotti :)While I fully expected to be underwhelmed, when it was brought to the table, I was immediately surprised (pleasantly) rather than using manicotti pasta shells, the chef had given it a twist, using a scratch made crepe as the shell to hold the delicious ricotta parmesan blend. I could instantly tell the marinara was handmade, adorned with a beautiful fresh cut chiffonade of basil sprinkled over the sauce and plate. The smell was amazing. And then, the first bite.....omg! The balance, the fresh ingredients, bright marinara sauce, creamy ricotta, fresh basil, absolutely amazing and delicate. It was a 10 out of 10.My wife ordered the italian sub, panini style. It was also packed with beautiful fresh cold cuts, tomato and cheese, perfectly pressed and warmed. Delicious! It isn't often that you encounter someone in the kitchen that truly knows what they're doing, but Sebastian blew us away with his approach to Italian/Sicilian dishes. He is absolutely a master chef.I would wholeheartedly recommend this place to anyone. Can't wait to go back. I was told by our server that the Tiramisu is a family recipe, and on a scale of 1-10, it's a 100. Definitely on my list for next time. :))“

“Love their lunch special (personal 1 topping pizza, salad and drink). Not only was it delicious, but the service was excellent. Great food & price. Shout out to Cody who was very friendly and attentive to our needs. I will definitely be back!“

“Excellent restaurant and bar, with a wine room and a good selection of various wines. They have a surf andturf special on Tuesdays consisting of steak and lobster tail that is very reasonably priced and quite tasty. The service is excellent.“

“After a day of bar hopping at the Swallows Parade, I stumbled upon this gem. Craving carbs, this place delivered exactly what I needed! The food was incredibly flavorful, hitting the spot just right. Despite its location along the main road, parking was surprisingly easy to find. The staff was fantastic, especially dealing with a crowd of tipsy customers. The outdoor area was a pleasant surprise--clean and inviting. A great spot to refuel after a fun-filled day!“

“Off the bat, sorry. We were so hungry and the food look so good. The pictures are not of full plates. The Parmesan wings were so tasty. It had a buttery, Parmesan taste. It was cooked to perfection. The Chicago pizza was excellent. The pizza is smothered in marinara sauce. The Italian sausage was great. The pizza is layered in pepperoni, and yes the cheese is under the sauce. We did order a chicken salad they I did not take a picture of. That was delicious and refreshing. Fill with fresh cooked chicken, creamy avocado, and blue berries. The service was outstanding! The waiter was so polite and cheerful. He checked on us quite often. The ambiance is casual. I came during the day so it was not busy. They have seating for inside and outside. There is also a full bar. They have a great selection of beers. I will definitely come back.“

“As someone who moved to California from New Jersey, I have pretty high pizza standards and have had a tough time finding a go-to spot that tastes like home….until NOW!!! One bite of the cheese pizza transported me back to NY. I live in LA and will happily make the 1.5 hour trip back to Brooklyn City Market any time, it’s really that worth it!!!“

“aPizza Doho is one of the best new restaurants to pop up in Dana Point. The pizzas are creative and flavors are always on point. Service team is fantastic - always a great experience and welcoming vibe. Personal favorites are the Stingray pizza, the Frito Misto appetizer and the Doho Chop salad. Also their lunch special is the best deal in town and can easily feed 2-3 people. Parking is challenging in the center, but the fight for a spot is worth it for aPizza Doho!“

“Vegetarian options: I can't honestly speak to this since I don't pay attention to it.Dietary restrictions: I asked about ingredients that my guests couldn't have and was graciously accommodated.Wheelchair accessibility: Wheelchair accessibility from the front patio, through the restaurant to the back patio and at least the one bathroom I used.“

“Owner is passionate about making the freshest tastiest pizza on the planet. Plus his creativity on his pizza specialties are not only sumptuous but you won’t find them in any other pizza spot. Great food … great people … give ‘em a try !“

“One of my favorite local spots. The food is always on point and fresh. The service is always great. Go for breakfast and get some incredible pastries. They’re delicious and they rotate the selection constantly which makes it fun. Their pasta is made in house, so we love going for dinner as well. I’ve tried several of the pasta dishes and I’ve never been disappointed. I could ramble on forever. Just make reservations (you have to call at least 24 hours in advance) and leave a little extra time to park. The lot in the back is small and if you can’t find a spot there, you’ll need to street park.“

“Incredible ragu! Meatballs; soft, cooked perfect…Only not nice thing was the toilets… the place of it, I could see some dirty areas close to the kitchen… the cabinet was dripping water..They were too busy I can understand that.Still really good and I recommend!“

“This place is a gem! I went in to meet a friend for a late lunch early dinner. I had the Italian classic panini. It was delicious! My friend had the pasta fagioli. She loved it. After we ordered we got a basket of warm FRESH garlic bread! The owner Michelle is a lovely lady. Warm greeting right away. It’s adorable inside and completely immaculate. Great service by the gentleman. There’s a steady flow of customers at 3:30 and as I was leaving the dinner crowd was coming in and others doing take out. Try the Italian cookies and dessert with an authentic coffee. Put this in your list.“

“My family and I have been coming to peppinoes and then here for over 20 hours and I can't tell you enough how amazing the food is and how amazing the owners are! I get the pasta fajole soup and it always makes me better when I'm sick and or when I'm in any type of pain. It's my miracle soup. Now that I am keto they make it for me without the pasta so I can still enjoy my favorite stuff. My daughter loves the Alfredo pizza and everything is homemade and so fresh! I love love this place and you won't be disappointed. What are you waiting for go put in an order, I know I am! ? ?????“

“Nice place super delicious food. It's worth going there and enjoying the food. I recommend.?Dietary restrictions: I'm allergic to any type of pepper. They were super attentive in this case. So I was able to enjoy what I ordered without worrying. I indicate .“

“Yummy! I ordered their Margarita pizza, light on the cheese, extra basil. I phoned ahead, and it was just out of the oven when I arrived. The pizza was just as I ordered it, and it was delicious. My hairdresser is just across the street, so I will make this my monthly pizza fix.“

“The atmosphere is very nice and comfortable, the service was excellent, and the food was superb. We started out with a buffalo mozzarella and tomato in an age, balsamic vinegar, and then shared an Osso Buco entrée between my wife and I. One of the best Osso Buco we have ever had. And my wife and I are foodies.“

“Got my food to go during lunch. The pics don’t do justice as it’s in to go containers, but the taste…. Oh my, the flavor! They treated me real nice and albeit small the restaurant was very nice. If I was a local, this would be a date night special for certain.“

“Met a friend for happy hour at the bar. The female bartender was very friendly and acknowledged my presence immediately. Since the restaurant wasn't busy, my drink was made quickly. The happy hour menu has a nice selection of food choices to choose from and I ordered the cheese pizza which was excellent. Just the right amount of sauce and cheese on top of a delicious thin crust. As for the ambiance, it's a fairly typical bar with at least 8 seats at the bar and enough tables to seat multiple parties. If you're looking for good food, a cold drink and a local place to meet a friend, give Antonucci's a try.“

“Gorgeous cafe located on a beautifully renovated little corner of Dana Point. So many varieties of avocado toasts and mix of European and American style menu for all tastes. We had Avocado toast with arugula and Dutch Boy, they were both fabulous. All the staff that were serving us were super friendly and they looked genuinely happy to be there. One of my new favorite for weekend brunch.“

“Great little gem of a place. I popped in 25 minutes before they closed just to have coffee and dessert. The staff was amazing and very welcoming, and there was no attitude or eye rolling cause of the late walk-in. They made us fresh coffee, and I ordered the cannoli, which was amazing! This place is great and a must try!“

“Angelina's is absolutely delightful and delicious! There's a lot of good food in Irvine, but this is a spot I definitely want to go back to. My chicken entree was some of the best cooked chicken I've ever had; it was a huge cut that was succulent and juicy. I was a bit worried about it being flavorless since I got the Calabrese sauce on the side, but even without it the taste was decadent. The salumi board and cheeses were also a hit, as was the burrata. I definitely stuffed myself with cheese and do not regret it in the slightest. I will say my drink wasn't the most exciting, but for one drink I definitely felt like there was a good amount of alcohol in it. Service, especially with drunks was also a little bit slow and they were bringing out drinks 1-2 at a time, but we had a large party on a week night and it looked like the bar only had one worker so it wasn't a big deal, I am understanding of that! All in all I really liked this spot and want to try more of their menu.“

“OC Pizza was always a place I saw near by when I would do my laundry at the laundry mat next over. Let me just say I hate doing laundry, but the best part is coming to get good pizza and amazing secret sauce. I may not be a sports fan but I am a fan of this establishment. I saw they sell fried zucchini and that's on my next try for the following visit. The young lady that works there is really polite!!! Thank you!!!“

“Ambience was wonderful, our waiter suburb, my lamb rack , above and beyond. My husband ordered ravioli with lobster scallops, shrimp. Really. 5 star meal and service,feel fortunate that they are here in Mission Viejo!! Love this restaurant ❤️“

“Just moved to the area and stumbled across this little gem. We didn't have a reservation but were seated immediately. Mind you it was a Friday night at 7pm so that was a plus. They also had bar seating available and back room tables available for a short wait. Hosts and servers were all so nice The wine selection was decent and the service was great. The fresh bread the gave us with dinner was delicious and served with regular and pesto butter. They didn't skimp on the clams. the spumoni appetizer was great. Will be adding to our rotation of restaurants for date night. We ordered: Bruschetta appetizer Pasta Puttanesca Vongole with white sauce Bottle of Daou wine $50 spumoni bomba paid around 130 before tax? not bad! Place was fancy enough for date night but also causal for families as well.“

“Amazing service, fabulous food!! Enjoy our meal! Love the asparagus fries...one of the best linguini and clam sauce I ever had!! Best tiramisu too! Only concern is that the bathroom needs to be checked in on more frequently...a bit dirty. The restaurant could use a little bit of an update...but will certainly return soon!!~“

“Beautiful Italian menu with lots of variety. No beach view but still close to the shore. Service was really nice... polite, engaging, attentive. We had the meatball sandwich, three pizzas, the bread, chicken parmesan and the ravioli. Everyone enjoyed their meals, although there was agreement that the food was just slightly under seasoned. Great spot for a quick lunch. The favorite was the chicken parmesan.“

“Absolutely love Tutto Fresco! I am a regular here and every visit is a delight. The variety of dishes is amazing, making it a challenge to choose just one. The quality of the food is consistently excellent, and I always leave satisfied. Service is great too. Highly recommend trying out this gem!“

“GG’s Bistro is a rare find: excellent food in a tourist town. I went today and loved it! If you’re willing to walk just a block up from the tourist traps, GG’s offers a clean and spacious new outdoor patio, as well as a nicely decorated indoor dining room. Service is very pleasant. They offered me a taste of Turkish Raki, and gave me good advice over all.I recommend the Meze Platter. And I loved the blackened salmon sandwich, which I ordered today for lunch.Parking: There is ample parking in the paid public parking lot behind the establishment.“

“I’ve been eating Guicho’s for years! And have always gotten the fettuccine with shrimp, and will always love the incredible flavor, but lately the shrimp have been overcooked and even after asking to not overcook the shrimp …it comes out tough and dry, have you guys changed your method of cooking ? Disappointing but will have to try something else. Tonight we’ll order the linguine seafood. Hoping for the best.“

“I almost don’t want to leave a review because it will inevitably mean more people come to the restaurant, but there simply is no better New York style pizza in Southern California that I’ve been able to find. The owner is great, the value is good, the pizza is amazing. Be sure and come for the lunch special, and make sure one of your slices is the house pizza. You won’t regret it. Just please don’t come too often, I don’t want a long line when I come here twice a week.“

“Great food, great service, and the waiters really wait on you. The team takes great pride in the details. We felt like part of their family from the moment you walked in.Thank you for the great memory! I love this Italian restaurant.(part of our 35year anniversary / road trip)“

“I have a picky palate, and Sal's is my new favorite pizza restaurant. I just wish they were more conveniently located, because at this time, I must park one or two floors down and finding parking is not so friendly. They do have nice table seating inside. I also buy pizza here and take it into the movie theater next door, because they allow it. Better and cheaper food, why not?Kid-friendliness: The place is PG.“

“Excellent Pizza with amazing flavor. The toppings were more than plentiful. They offer good choice specialty pizzas or build your own. The crust was very tasty all by itself. It's quick serve kind of place with both inside and outside seating. You're at the beach so bring a light weight jacket. Staff very friendly and recognized local repeat guests. We will definitely return soon!“

“Wow! This little gem in Lake Forest. We were running errands and it was cold and cloud day so we pulled into this cozy Italian restaurant! We were greeted by Zachary. He was incredible! He has THE BEST customer service. I knew I was going to leave a 5 star review before we even ordered. My husband wanted a Bloody Mary but can't handled spicy ones. Zachary offered to bring a sample of the base and the bartender even came over to chat about it. Btw if you like a little spice in your bloody, order it! It had the best flavor and was handmade. The food was amazing, the restaurant was clean and charming and Zachary was just so good at his job! We stayed way longer than we normally would because it was so comfortable and a place where you just want to take your time. We will absolutely will be back and look forward to another perfect experience! Portions were generous, the pizza was so good, as well as the pasta fazool, amazing! Super fresh salad, bread was fresh and warm. Go here! Ask for Zachary and enjoy a cocktail by an exceptional bartender!!“

“This place is so special!! The food is amazing, atmosphere is great, the owners are the kindest people you will ever meet. I ordered catering from here for my college graduation and engagement party and everyone was complimenting the food for days! You are seriously missing out if you haven’t tried Sabatinos!!!“

“Another wonderful evening at Lucci's! Back to my favorite Lasagne Melania I. Others had the special Lobster Ravioli. Excellent as usual! Best service! Fun atmosphere. Donna played accordian music which we love. If you have never eaten here, you are missing a gem!“

“We love Briccio! They have live entertainment, the owner goes around to say hi to everyone, they remember their customers and the food is great. We just had their butter cake - the most delicious butter cake I ever had. Definitely a neighborhood gem.“

“Convenient place for a good sandwich or slice of pizza.They have a free trivia night on Thursdays at 7.Clean restaurant and restrooms.Dietary restrictions: There are Gluten Free pizza crusts available. Not sure about prevention practices regarding cross-contamination for celiacs.“

“Came here for a group lunch (4 adults and 3 kids) and had a wonderful meal! We started with salads and also their Fennel Caprese appetizer. The salads were super fresh, quality veggies and perfectly seasoned. The Fennel caprese was a delicious and refreshing starter, slices of sweet juicy orange on crisp fennel and with a creamy slice of mozzarella, and topped with pops of pomegranate seeds- flavors fondly reminded us of our travels to Sicilia. Then we had the short rib ravioli- a must-try! Tender chunks of short rib fill each ravioli, and topped with plentiful mushrooms, earthy and rich- decadent for sure (and well balanced with the salads). Our friends had the Amatriciana bucatini which was another winner- rich tomato sauce with satisfyingly salty guanciale and a hint of spice. We had their house white wine (Pinot Grigio) that went perfectly with our meal. Great friendly service - and appreciated that they let us blab away and didn't rush us for the bill (another lovely reminder of Italia). Highly recommend and looking forward to returning next time we're in town!“

“The food here is amazing! But let me tell you about the staff, they are incredible! So this past weekend, I was eloping in San Clemente at the beach. I had been planning it for 6 weeks with another restaurant in town. When I went to finalize everything the DAY before my elopement the other restaurant ended up canceling on us. I called around and Cassano's did not even hesitate to take my party of 28 and let us have their entire patio! The day came, Saturday 9/30/23 and we were suppose to elope at the beach but it was raining, so I called Cassano's and they let us have our little ceremony on their patio! They helped us set it up, they helped organize everything with my step mom and aunts and honestly it was the cutest little wedding I could have ever imagined!The owner was hands on, so sweet and so accommodating! Shout out to Heidi our main go to person who streamlined everything! Shout out to Joe who took my endless calls and reassured me it would be amazing and he was right! Everyone enjoyed themselves!We will be coming back for every anniversary and can't wait to make a lifetime of memories at this restaurant!Thank you Cassano's for saving my wedding day, having amazing truly caring staff and the food is beyond one of the best italian food I have ever had!“

“We needed to find a place last minute to host a small baptism dinner in Dana point and we are from SanDiego area, I was looking online and found this Gem!!! Not only were they accommodating and very patient the whole staff there were great!! They were all happy and polite. The food came out at perfect timing. All the guests were happy and kept saying how they enjoyed themselves. The food was Delicious (prosciutto flatbread) was my favoritethe desserts were good too! The prices were very reasonable The atmosphere was perfect for the occasion. We will definitely be back the next time we are in town can't wait to try their breakfast menu and one of those cupcakes!“

“This place serves the best pizza I've ever tasted, hands down. The flavors, the crust, the toppings - everything is just perfect. I find myself craving their pizza constantly! Not only is the food incredible, but the staff are also top-notch. They are friendly, attentive, and always make you feel welcome.“

“Driving home and wanted to try a new spot and was in the mood for either a good small Pizza or Pizza by the slice. Ended up getting a few slices for the family and Mozzarella Sticks. The Mozzarella Sticks were the perfect balance of breading and cheese. 5/5. The pizza is slightly thicker than traditional New York but the ingredients and preparation were fantastic. It's a small place so pizza on the go hits the spot. Service was good too! Sometimes big taste comes out of small shops!“

“Great everything here at this restaurant.They have friendly staff and have "gluten free" options for my severe allergic reactions !!!!!So grateful to have options here... And the waiter always checks with the cook!GO HERE.......Thank you“

“This is not your usual Pizza Kitchen-this is magic!Chef David and his amazing team source the best local ingredients mixed with some of the best imported grain to ensure the highest quality flavor. More than that-the team pours their love into every dish!Be sure to ask about what they are working on as they may give a sneak peak.Hands down best in South Orange County!“

“Best pasta place ever! The garlic cheese balls are to die for. Only 3 or 4 tables, but it reminds me of the Italian restaurant s back in the day. With red table cloths and food cooked to order. We ordered our go to Penne Bella Roma with extra sauce, so creamy, artichoke hearts, sun dried tomatoes and chicken. Been going there for years quality unchanged. Wanted the antipasto salad, but weren’t sure if we’d have room. Food was served PDQ with crusty garlic bread and excellent service. Sandwiches and pizza is great too. Recommend this place for lunch or even an early dinner since they are open until 9;30.“