Enable JavaScript to run this app.
Skip to main content
OpenTable logo
El Adobe de Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, CA

El Adobe de Capistrano

4.7 (1145)
$30 and under
Mexican
31891 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675

Make a reservation

2 people
11:30 PM
Booked 31 times today

About this restaurant

  • Good for special occasions
  • Charming
  • Neighborhood gem
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.

Dining areas

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

Ask Concierge
AI Beta

Our AI assistant, Concierge, is here to answer your questions about this restaurant.

What 1,145 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
  • 4.6Food
  • 4.6Service
  • 4.7Ambience
  • 4.5Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Orange County

    Mexican

  • South Orange County

    Kid-friendly

  • South Orange County

    Mexican

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
El Adobe de Capistrano offers a "beautiful and delicious" Mexican dining experience with "excellent service" and "great ambiance." The historic setting, lively atmosphere, and "authentic" cuisine are consistently praised. While some mention noise levels, the "friendly staff" and signature margaritas make it a "go-to" spot for many.
1,145 Reviews
  1. Gail

    Orange County24 reviews

    4.0

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 4
    Great food as always. Service a bit slow but they were quite busy. Celebrated an 80th birthday & the server brought a dessert with candle AND sombrero for singing happy b’day. Cute!

    Is this helpful?

  2. Pete VIP

    Orange County140 reviews

    4.0

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 2
    The food and service at this restaurant are excellent. However, the noise level is off the charts and we went on a Wednesday, not exactly a normally busy day in a restaurant. I wish they would open the back patio for service in these lovely, warm summer months. It would be SO MUCH more pleasant out there! We will eat here less often because of the outrageous noise level. All hard surfaces and nothing to absorb sound. It's really TOO LOUD!

    Is this helpful?

  3. Gretchen VIP

    Hawaii7 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Absolutely the most beautiful and delicious Mexican restaurant I have ever been to in California.

    Is this helpful?

  4. GASTON

    Orange County1 review

    4.0

    Dined on July 20, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 5
    Great ambiance. Service was very slow. Surprisingly slow. Nice place

    Is this helpful?

  5. Ray VIP

    Orange County17 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on July 18, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    El Adobe is our "Go to" place when we see a concert at the Coach House! The food & service is always EXCELLENT!!!!

    Is this helpful?

  6. Debra VIP

    Orange County4 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on July 16, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    My disabled mother truly enjoys going to El Adobe. Our waitress Margarita is exceptional, always attentive and on top of our drinks and food preparations.

    Is this helpful?

  7. Mary VIP

    Orange County51 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on July 15, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    I am pleased to say the chile rellano is exactly how I like and the chicken enchiladas also very delicious! The service very professional and friendly and the ambience always historically inviting! Oh did I mention the Cadillac Margarita? Excellent!

    Is this helpful?

  8. Dave VIP

    Orange County119 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on July 13, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Salmon was excellent - best dish at this place - great friendly service - we are repeat customers

    Is this helpful?

  9. Robert

    Los Angeles4 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on July 9, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Very nicely flavored selections than often bland traditional Mexican food offerings. Don't get me wrong! I love Mexican food, but sometimes the dishes don't have too much flavor at some of the other long standing restaurants in this area. The service was outstanding, with our waiter willing to customize two of our dishes without any resistance. All that being said, the restaurant is very noisy, so no hope for a quiet conversation, but the food and service made it a place I will happily return to.

    Is this helpful?

  10. Jose

    Atlanta2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on July 6, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Everything we ordered was good. Guacamole. Empanadas. Flat iron steak plate. Fish tacos. Generous quantities.

    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 1145 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
11:30 PM
Booked 31 times today
Google Map for El Adobe de Capistrano

31891 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675

Dining areas

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.
OpenTable
  • About Us
  • Blog
  • Careers
  • Press
More
Businesses
  • Restaurant Management Solutions
  • Restaurant Reservation Software
  • Restaurant Marketing Software
  • Restaurant Event Software
  • OpenTable For Restaurants
  • OpenTable For Restaurant Groups
  • Restaurant Resources
  • OpenTable Pricing & Plans
Join us on
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookies and Interest-Based Ads
  • Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Cookie Preferences
Copyright © 2025 OpenTable, Inc. 1 Montgomery St Ste 500, San Francisco CA 94104 - All rights reserved.
OpenTable is part of Booking Holdings, the world leader in online travel and related services.
Booking Logo
Priceline Logo
KAYAK Logo
Agoda Logo
OpenTable Logo