Best Restaurants that are Worth The Drive in San Juan Capistrano

22 restaurants available nearby

A photo of El Adobe de Capistrano restaurant

1. El Adobe de Capistrano

4.8

Exceptional(1058)

Price: Moderate

• Mexican • San Juan Capistrano

Booked 26 times today

Enjoy authentic Mexican cuisine in a historic setting at El Adobe de Capistrano. This landmark features a wedding chapel, stained-glass windows and additional beautiful architectural details. Its kitchen has a mesquite-burning grill where chefs prepare deliciously flavored seafood and steak dishes. Soups, salads and appetizers are also on the menu, including tasty desserts.Owners Tony Moiso and Gilbert Aguirre have kept the atmosphere and traditions of the El Adobe de Capistrano going. This establishment still prepares the dishes that President Nixon and his wife enjoyed while visiting during his administration. It has a full bar that serves various drinks, a lounge area for socializing and a patio in the front. El Adobe de Capistrano offers private rooms for banquets and other events. The Palenque features a retracting roof, making it ideal for hosting an event under the night sky. It offers brunch and has a Happy Hour.

2. Truly Pizza

4.8

Exceptional(379)

Price: Moderate

• Pizzeria • Dana Point / Monarch Beach

Booked 98 times today

Located in the heart of the Lantern District in Dana Point, Truly Pizza is an artisanal neighborhood pizzeria where friends and family can relax and enjoy the fellowship of sharing pizza - the world's greatest communal food. Our outdoor garden design, rooftop wine experience and nurturing service style promote a welcoming sense of community by offering friends and neighbors a casual dining environment filled with personal touch points every step of the way. *We are an outdoor restaurant with patio & rooftop dining only. We provide blankets and heaters for guests*Please note 20% gratuity is added for parties of 8 or larger.

A photo of RAYA at The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel restaurant

3. RAYA at The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel

4.6

Exceptional(2482)

Price: Expensive

• Latin American • Dana Point / Monarch Beach

Booked 26 times today

RAYA, a restaurant concept by Richard Sandoval, showcases Pan-Latin Coastal Cuisine prepared with sustainable seafood, local produce, natural and organic meats, and Chef Sandoval’s signature Latin flavors.

A photo of Salt Creek Grille Orange County restaurant

4. Salt Creek Grille Orange County

4.2

Awesome(339)

Price: Expensive

• American • Dana Point / Monarch Beach

Booked 72 times today

Nestled along the iconic Pacific Coast Highway, Salt Creek Grille proudly returns to the Dana Point community under new ownership. Our newly remodeled interiors and stunning outdoor patio exude elegance and comfort for unparalleled ambiance, setting the perfect stage for savoring our enhanced menu that features a true, wood-fired American steakhouse with a California coastal twist.

A photo of Wind & Sea Restaurant restaurant

5. Wind & Sea Restaurant

4.6

Exceptional(1863)

Price: Expensive

• Seafood • Dana Point / Monarch Beach

Booked 25 times today

The Wind & Sea Restaurant is located on the water in the Dana Point Harbor. With water on three sides, every table has a spectacular view. We serve fresh fish selections daily as well as Lobster tail, shrimp, steaks, and vegetarian dishes.Monday through Friday (not available Holidays and Special occasions) we have Hawaiian Happy Hour from 4:00 to 7:00 featuring our world famous Mai Tai's as well as draft beer, wine and food specials. Big screen TV's, keep the lounge exciting at all times. The waterfront open-air patio serves the full menu and is heated at night, perfect for an order of nachos and a margarita or a full dinner under the stars. Private banquet facilities accommodate 20 to 75.

A photo of Luciana's Ristorante restaurant

6. Luciana's Ristorante

4.6

Exceptional(3419)

Price: Expensive

• Italian • Dana Point / Monarch Beach

Booked 43 times today

Located in a historical home in the resort town of Dana Point, California, Luciana's Ristorante has been serving the Orange County community for over 40 years. The decor is reminiscent of a cozy European-style inn, establishing it as one of Orange County's most romantic restaurants. Awarded the Southern California Restaurant Writers gold medal since 1996, three stars from the California Restaurant Writers, Zagat's Survey "America’s 1,000 Top Italian Restaurants 2008" and an Award of Excellence for its wine list, Luciana's has been setting the standard for classic as well as innovative Italian cuisine. Whether visiting our cozy restaurant or our Bed and Breakfast and Cooking School in Tuscany, Italy, you are sure to experience the best and freshest combination of the old and new worlds.

A photo of KAHANI - The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel restaurant

7. KAHANI - The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel

4.6

Exceptional(173)

Price: Expensive

• Indian • Dana Point / Monarch Beach

Booked 10 times today

Join Chef Sanjay’s culinary journey from New Delhi to Dana Point and enjoy a contemporary approach to Indian regional specialties that places creative artistry, quality of ingredients, and respect for authentic flavors and ingredients at the forefront of cooking. KAHANI, which means "story" in Hindi, is open from Tuesday through Saturday; 5-9 p.m.

A photo of Harpoon Henry's Seafood Restaurant restaurant

8. Harpoon Henry's Seafood Restaurant

4.6

Exceptional(1494)

Price: Expensive

• Seafood • Dana Point / Monarch Beach

Booked 17 times today

OPEN FOR DINING INDOORS AND ON OUR WATERFRONT OUTDOOR PATIO Join us dockside for dining with sweeping Harbor views; for a weekend breakfast, or lunch/dinner daily... in the evenings we have patio heaters to keep you warm!Harpoon Henrys Seafood Restaurant is proud to offer a spectacular waterfront view, fresh seafood, and the latest in California Beach Cuisine. We offer our guests harbor views from our dining room and our outdoor waterfront patio. For 46 years, we have provided the best in service, ambiance, and cuisine. We have been winners of awards from the Southern California Restaurant Writers Association”, a finalist for Dining Excellence from both the Dana Point Chamber of Commerce and the County of Orange, and our wine list has been awarded a Wine Spectator “Award of Excellence.”

9. Stella's

4.5

Awesome(1286)

Price: Expensive

• Italian • Dana Point / Monarch Beach

Booked 9 times today

Stella's is the embodiment of serious Italian cuisine - original recipes and techniques alongside the freshest organic products, housemade cheeses, and carefully selected Italian flavors. Stella's is the perfect place for friends and family to gather - be it at the bar with a chilled martini, an appetizer in the lounge, or dining alfresco while tasting your way through the wine list and menu. Whatever your pleasure or mood, Stella's can make it happen!

A photo of Bricco Cucina and Wine Bar restaurant

10. Bricco Cucina and Wine Bar

4.7

Exceptional(70)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • Aliso Viejo / Laguna Niguel

Booked 9 times today

Owners Jordan and Creig Mullikin love to eat delicious food, drink great wine and be treated like family. They want every bite, every sip, every visit to be delicious and a treat. Our goal is to serve you fresh, homemade, and thoughtful dishes focused on our family's heritage and our customers' needs to make everyone feel like family at our neighborhood spot which sports a modern yet vintage vibe. We have a large outdoor patio that is both heated and covered. One of the more popular things here at Bricco is our live music Friday's and Saturday's with very talented singers and performers.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

S
sharon
Oklahoma City •1 review
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
One of the best restaurants we’ve dined at in 49 ststes. Everything was prepared to perfection.
More info
El Adobe de CapistranoPrice: Moderate• Mexican• San Juan Capistrano
•
4.8
S
Susanne
Los Angeles •4 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
Our guest who has traveled frequently in the Middle East and loves that regional food was very favorably impressed. Those of us new to it enjoyed it very much too. The service and ambience is lovely.
More info
AMMATOLIPrice: Moderate• Mediterranean• Long Beach
•
4.8
A
Alicia
Orange County •1 review
5.0
Dined 4 days ago
Bosscat is an amazing experience. Great food, drinks,service and ambiance.
More info
Bosscat Kitchen & LibationsPrice: Expensive• American• Irvine
•
4.7
M
Marie
Orange County •7 reviews
5.0
Dined on 3 Jan 2025
We went to Stella's last night for Happy Hour. It's a beautiful restaurant but not fussy. Happy Hour is served only at the bar or at 3 tall tables so seating is sort of limited for the Happy Hour but we sat at one of the taller tables and it was great. The HH menu is extensive. There are about 23 items listed for whatever mood you might be in--seafood, salad, pastas, etc. We ordered the carpaccio, penne Bolognese, crab cakes and the scallops. Everything was delicious! Our server was friendly and knowledgeable. We all ordered drinks and they, too, were perfectly crafted. We were very impressed and will definitely be back.
More info
Stella'sPrice: Expensive• Italian• Dana Point / Monarch Beach
•
4.5
L
LaurenVIP
Orange County •28 reviews
5.0
Dined on 1 Jan 2025
Always a great time eating here. My husband and I LOVE this place. Shout out to Juan for being absolutely amazing every time we eat here. He is the real MVP of this place!
More info
Driftwood KitchenPrice: Expensive• Seafood• Laguna Beach
•
4.5

Best Restaurants that are Worth The Drive in San Juan Capistrano

Price

Cuisine

Regions

Areas

Top Rated

Dining Options

Seating options

Accessibility

22 restaurants available nearby

1. El Adobe de Capistrano

2. Truly Pizza

3. RAYA at The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel

4. Salt Creek Grille Orange County

5. Wind & Sea Restaurant

6. Luciana's Ristorante

7. KAHANI - The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel

8. Harpoon Henry's Seafood Restaurant

9. Stella's

10. Bricco Cucina and Wine Bar

See what locals rave about

Explore OpenTable