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Ciao Pasta, San Juan Capistrano, CA

Ciao Pasta

4.8
4.8
1260 Reviews
$30 and under
Italian

Make a booking

2 people
23:00
Booked 7 times today
  • Neighbourhood gem
  • Great for outdoor dining
  • Good for special occasions
Ciao Pasta offers the most authentic flavors of southern Italy in a historic setting reminiscent of the old world. Located in the heart of San Juan Capistrano, we take pride in bringing the rich flavors and traditions of Italy right to your table. Our menu features a delightful array of dishes, from handmade pasta and artisanal pizzas to fresh seafood and seasonal vegetables, all crafted with the finest ingredients.

At Ciao Pasta, we believe that great food is best enjoyed in good company. Our cozy atmosphere is perfect for family gatherings, romantic dinners, or casual nights out with friends. With a selection of carefully curated wines and house-made desserts, we invite you to indulge in the taste of Italy.

Happy hour at Ciao Pasta includes discounted house wine and beer, where guests are free to indulge in the beverages as they share affordable appetizers and select entrees.

Join us for a culinary journey that celebrates the passion and culture of Italian dining. Buon Appetito!

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Italian, Seafood, Vegetarian / Vegan
  • Hours of Operation
    Daily 11:00–21:30
  • Phone number
    (949) 496-5002
  • Website
    http://www.ciaopasta.net/
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Executive Chef
    Pasquale
  • Catering
    Catering Menu available for all your small or big parties
  • Private party facilities
    Private area for up to 80 people for any special occasions Preset 4 Course Dinner available from $29 per person
  • Location
    31661 Camino Capistrano Ste 201, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
  • Area
    San Juan Capistrano
  • Cross Street
    Ortega Highways
  • Parking details
    Street parking or back lot parking
  • Public transit
    Amtrack and Metrolink
  • Entertainment
    Sunday jazz 12.30 to 4pm
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Delivery, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeaway, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Featured in

Menu

Corkage fee $30 per 750ml bottle. Any entrée item may be split for an additional $6. No half orders and no substitutions

Antipasti

  • CalamariUS$18.00

    Fried calamari + Pomodoro Sauce

    • CarpaccioUS$17.00

      Slices of Beef + Capers + Shaved Grana Padano + Arugula

      • Burrata e BietoleUS$17.00

        Burrata + Roasted Beets + Cherry Tomatoes + Pesto Drizzle

        • CapreseUS$16.00

          Mozzarella + Cherry tomatoes + Basil + Extra Virgin Olive Oil

          • Polpette CasarecceUS$15.00

            Homemade meatballs + Pomodoro sauce + Burrata

            • Crostini al ProsciuttoUS$17.00

              Toasted Rustic bread + Aged Parma Prosciutto + Stracciatella Cheese + Arugula

              Insalate

              Add chicken $5, Add Salmon $9

              • CesareUS$14.00

                Romaine + croutons + Grana Padano shavings + Caesar dressing

                • PeraUS$15.00

                  Baby greens + endives + arugula + grapes + pears + Blue cheese + pecans + raspberry vinaigrette

                  • TagliataUS$22.00

                    Grilled Angus ribeye steak + arugula + cherry tomatoes + lemon infused olive oil, shaved Grana Padano + Balsamic reduction

                    • Di BietoleUS$15.00

                      Roasted Red / yellow beets + arugula + endives + goat cheese + balsamic reduction vinaigrette

                      • Al SalmoneUS$23.00

                        Grilled wild salmon + organic greens + walnuts + dried cranberries + strawberries + goat cheese strawberry vinaigrette

                        • Ai GamberiUS$18.00

                          Grilled shrimps wrapped in pancetta + endives + arugula cherry tomatoes + feta + pesto drizzle lemon dressing

                          Le Pizze

                          Thin crust with homemade dough. Gluten free available

                          • MargheritaUS$18.00

                            Tomato sauce + Mozzarella + fresh basil

                            • CrudoUS$19.00

                              Tomato sauce + Mozzarella + arugula + Grana Padano + Parma prosciutto

                              • DiavolaUS$19.00

                                Tomato sauce + Mozzarella + spicy salame + Italian sausage

                                Le Paste

                                Artisanal fresh pasta, gluten free pasta available

                                • Ciao PastaUS$20.00

                                  Bowtie pasta + grilled chicken + mushrooms + tomato cream sauce

                                  • TonnarelliUS$20.00

                                    (Carbonara) Pancetta + egg yolk + Pecorino cheese + black pepper

                                    • TortellacciUS$21.00

                                      Spinach Ricotta giant Tortellini + Pomodoro Sauce + Fresh Ricotta

                                      • PappardelleUS$22.00

                                        Wide ribbon pasta + Porcini mushrooms + black truffle + touch of cream

                                        • SpaghettiUS$20.00

                                          Cherry Tomatoes + Garlic + fresh Basil + extra virgin olive oil

                                          • Mezze ManicheUS$21.00

                                            Short rigatoni + ground sausage + shallots + mixed mushrooms + touch of cream

                                            • TagliatelleUS$21.00

                                              Bolognese style meat sauce

                                              • LasagnaUS$19.00

                                                Meat sauce + Ricotta + Mozzarella + Pecorino

                                                • RavioliUS$22.00

                                                  Portobello Mushroom & Cheese Ravioli + Shallots + Artichokes + Sun dried tomato + cream

                                                  • PaccheriUS$27.00

                                                    Large tube pasta, Pancetta, Shrimps, Pomodoro sauce, Basil, Burrata Cheese

                                                    I Secondi

                                                    • BranzinoUS$31.00

                                                      Grilled Mediterranean Sea Bass + cherry tomatoes + olive tapenade + grilled vegetables

                                                      • TonnoUS$31.00

                                                        Seared Ahi Tuna Steak + Caramelized onions + Balsamic sauce reduction + Grilled vegetables

                                                        • Limone e CarciofiUS$23.00

                                                          Chicken breast + artichokes + lemon sauce + grilled vegetables

                                                          • ParmigianaUS$23.00

                                                            Breaded chicken breast + pomodoro sauce + Mozzarella + house pasta

                                                            • Brasato di ManzoUS$29.00

                                                              Slow cooked short ribs + San Marzano tomatoes + red wine reduction homemade Orecchiette pasta (Pasquale's mother special recipe from hometown Puglia)

                                                              Last updated: 1 November 2022

                                                              What 1,260 people are saying

                                                              Overall ratings and reviews

                                                              Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

                                                              4.8
                                                              4.8 based on recent ratings
                                                              • 4.8Food
                                                              • 4.7Service
                                                              • 4.7Ambience
                                                              • 4.6Value

                                                              Noise • Moderate

                                                              Loved For

                                                              • South Orange County

                                                                Great for outdoor dining

                                                              Review summary

                                                              AI-generated from verified diner reviews
                                                              Ciao Pasta in San Juan Capistrano is a charming Italian eatery known for its "authentic Southern Italy family recipes" and "impeccable cuisine." Guests rave about the "amazing service" and delightful patio dining. While parking can be tricky, the "great menu" and consistent quality make it a favorite for many.

                                                              1,260 Reviews

                                                              1. George

                                                                Orange County

                                                                18 reviews

                                                                vip
                                                                5.0

                                                                18 reviews

                                                                Dined 3 days ago

                                                                1. Overall 5
                                                                2. Food 5
                                                                3. Service 5
                                                                4. Ambience 5
                                                                Wonderful service, wonderful food, great ambience.

                                                                Is this helpful?

                                                              2. Don

                                                                Orange County

                                                                61 reviews

                                                                vip
                                                                4.0

                                                                61 reviews

                                                                Dined 4 days ago

                                                                1. Overall 4
                                                                2. Food 5
                                                                3. Service 4
                                                                4. Ambience 4
                                                                Hands down the best pasta in South Orange County. My chicken parm was outstanding.

                                                                Is this helpful?

                                                              3. Patti

                                                                Orange County

                                                                10 reviews

                                                                vip
                                                                5.0

                                                                10 reviews

                                                                Dined 5 days ago

                                                                1. Overall 5
                                                                2. Food 5
                                                                3. Service 5
                                                                4. Ambience 5
                                                                Delicious food served with friendly smiles on a lovely patio. I thought I'd be cold sitting outside in November, but the covered portion of the patio by the fireplace was toasty warm and well sheltered from any cold breezes. The wine recommendation was excellent and reasonably priced, and the menu easily accommodated our different tastes. We'll definitely be back!

                                                                Is this helpful?

                                                              4. Angel

                                                                Orange County

                                                                1 review

                                                                5.0

                                                                1 review

                                                                Dined on 19 November 2024

                                                                1. Overall 5
                                                                2. Food 5
                                                                3. Service 5
                                                                4. Ambience 5
                                                                Awesome service and the food was very delightful.

                                                                Is this helpful?

                                                              5. Narmina

                                                                Orange County

                                                                1 review

                                                                5.0

                                                                1 review

                                                                Dined on 12 November 2024

                                                                1. Overall 5
                                                                2. Food 5
                                                                3. Service 5
                                                                4. Ambience 5
                                                                Food was very delicious and the staff was so kind! We had an amazing time and will definitely be back sometime soon!

                                                                Is this helpful?

                                                              6. STEVEN

                                                                Orange County

                                                                1 review

                                                                5.0

                                                                1 review

                                                                Dined on 3 November 2024

                                                                1. Overall 5
                                                                2. Food 5
                                                                3. Service 4
                                                                4. Ambience 4
                                                                Great place and food as always .Server brought wrong drinks twice but besides that was great

                                                                Is this helpful?

                                                              7. Russ

                                                                Central Coast

                                                                16 reviews

                                                                5.0

                                                                16 reviews

                                                                Dined on 3 November 2024

                                                                1. Overall 5
                                                                2. Food 5
                                                                3. Service 5
                                                                4. Ambience 4
                                                                Food was tasty and our waitress Alessandra gave us some good suggestions. The after dinner expresso martini was my favorite!! Parking is horrible though. The only downside. We will be back

                                                                Is this helpful?

                                                              8. Teresa

                                                                Orange County

                                                                3 reviews

                                                                5.0

                                                                3 reviews

                                                                Dined on 1 November 2024

                                                                1. Overall 5
                                                                2. Food 5
                                                                3. Service 5
                                                                4. Ambience 5
                                                                It is always a pleasure to dine with Ciao Pasta ~ food is perfect portions, savory and elegantly presented.

                                                                Is this helpful?

                                                              9. Mary

                                                                Orange County

                                                                28 reviews

                                                                vip
                                                                5.0

                                                                28 reviews

                                                                Dined on 28 October 2024

                                                                1. Overall 5
                                                                2. Food 5
                                                                3. Service 4
                                                                4. Ambience 5
                                                                We were once again delighted with our meal at Ciao Pasta. One of our daughters is gluten-free, and the availability of gluten-free pasta and pizza is a definite plus. Each member of our party ordered a different entree, and they were all delicious.

                                                                Is this helpful?

                                                              10. Holly

                                                                New York City

                                                                1 review

                                                                5.0

                                                                1 review

                                                                Dined on 26 October 2024

                                                                1. Overall 5
                                                                2. Food 5
                                                                3. Service 5
                                                                4. Ambience 5
                                                                Excellent service, great food and nice patio dining ambience. Highly recommend. 

                                                                Is this helpful?

                                                              FAQs

                                                              Ciao Pasta offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (949) 496-5002.

                                                              Ciao Pasta is rated 4.8 stars by 1260 OpenTable diners.

                                                              Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

                                                              Make a booking

                                                              2 people
                                                              23:00
                                                              Booked 7 times today

                                                              Order delivery or takeout

                                                              Google Map for Ciao Pasta

                                                              31661 Camino Capistrano Ste 201, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675

                                                              Additional information

                                                              • Cross Street
                                                                Ortega Highways
                                                              • Area
                                                                San Juan Capistrano
                                                              • Hours of Operation
                                                                Daily 11:00–21:30
                                                              • Price
                                                                $30 and under
                                                              • Cuisines
                                                                Italian, Seafood, Vegetarian / Vegan
                                                              • Dining style
                                                                Casual Dining
                                                              • Dress code
                                                                Business Casual
                                                              • Parking details
                                                                Street parking or back lot parking
                                                              • Public transit
                                                                Amtrack and Metrolink
                                                              • Payment Options
                                                                AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
                                                              • Executive Chef
                                                                Pasquale
                                                              • Entertainment
                                                                Sunday jazz 12.30 to 4pm
                                                              • Additional
                                                                Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Delivery, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeaway, Wheelchair Access, Wine
                                                              • Website
                                                                http://www.ciaopasta.net/
                                                              • Phone number
                                                                (949) 496-5002
                                                              • Catering
                                                                Catering Menu available for all your small or big parties
                                                              • Private party facilities
                                                                Private area for up to 80 people for any special occasions Preset 4 Course Dinner available from $29 per person

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