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El Adobe de Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, CA

El Adobe de Capistrano

4.7 (1102)
$30 and under
Mexican
31891 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 39 times today

About this restaurant

  • Good for special occasions
  • Charming
  • Good for groups
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.

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Mexican, Seafood, Grill
  • Hours of operation
    Mon–Sat 11:00 am–9:00 pm Sun 10:00 am–9:00 pm
  • Phone number
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive chef
    Carlos Hernandez
  • Private party facilities
    El Adobe is the perfect spot to have your private events taken care of! We offer three different room options depending on the size of your group. We have many different menu options, linens and more that come with the room! You will have your own server working specifically only for your event.
  • Neighborhood
    San Juan Capistrano
  • Parking details
    Private parking lot behind the restaurant
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 1,102 people are saying

El Adobe de Capistrano reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

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

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

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Orange County

    Mexican

  • South Orange County

    Good for groups

  • South Orange County

    Mexican

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
El Adobe de Capistrano offers "amazing food for the best prices," blending traditional Mexican flavors with gourmet options. The "service is excellent," with attentive staff like Pedro and Margarita enhancing the dining experience. The "ambience is wonderful" with live music, creating a lively, authentic atmosphere. Perfect for special occasions or just a delightful meal.

1,102 Reviews
  1. Pamela

    Orange County2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We got there a little early, but we were seated immediately. We loved the food. I have food allergies. Their gluten-free menu is large. The charro beans are also vegan. I look forward to returning when in the area to this beautiful restaurant. By the way, the flan is excellent!

    Is this helpful?

  2. Heather

    St. Louis8 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    It’s was a lovely restaurant and food was delicious!

    Is this helpful?

  3. Grayce VIP

    Orange County103 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on April 24, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 4
    It's nice to have a restaurant that makes classic style fajitas. This is a neighborhood favorite and they have their own parking lot which is a nice added plus. The food is consistently good and the quality of the meat remains high which is much appreciated.

    Is this helpful?

  4. lou

    Orange County7 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 6, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    Good food and service, the mariachi band came in to play and they were great, the noise level was high so our converstion was a bit hard to hear. Very happy with the place, will go again

    Is this helpful?

  5. Donna

    Orange County3 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 6, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The ambience makes it feel like a traditional Mexican restaurant. The food is also traditional, but there are also gourmet options. I loved the guacamole prepared table side.

    Is this helpful?

  6. OpenTable Diner

    Orange County11 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 6, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Food was excellent as usual.

    Is this helpful?

  7. OpenTable Diner VIP

    San Francisco4 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 5, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Best Mexican food. The service is amazing. I highly recommend El Adobe

    Is this helpful?

  8. Debbie

    Orange County2 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on April 5, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 3
    They were very busy with a wedding, but service was still quick and good.

    Is this helpful?

  9. Katie VIP

    Orange County4 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 2, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Our favorite place on Tuesdays…and any day really!!

    Is this helpful?

  10. Jneil

    Orange County2 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on March 30, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 3
    The Mariachis were SO LOUD we couldn't hear ourselves think let alone carry on conversation! Food and service were good but we will never go back on Sundays when Mariachis play. So loud it was painful!

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

El Adobe de Capistrano offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (949) 493-1163.

El Adobe de Capistrano is rated 4.7 stars by 1102 OpenTable diners.

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

  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. Orange County
  4. South Orange County
  5. San Juan Capistrano

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 39 times today
Google Map for El Adobe de Capistrano

31891 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675

Additional information

  • Neighborhood
    San Juan Capistrano
  • Hours of operation
    Mon–Sat 11:00 am–9:00 pm Sun 10:00 am–9:00 pm
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Mexican, Seafood, Grill
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    Private parking lot behind the restaurant
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Carlos Hernandez
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Phone number
  • Private party facilities
    El Adobe is the perfect spot to have your private events taken care of! We offer three different room options depending on the size of your group. We have many different menu options, linens and more that come with the room! You will have your own server working specifically only for your event.
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