Tavern at the Mission

Name: Tavern at the Mission
Address: 26960 Old Mission Highway, San Juan Capistrano, CA, United States, 92675
Telephone: (949) 240-2229
Price range: $31 to $50
Rating: 4.4

4.4

168 Reviews

$31 to $50

American

Top Tags:

RENOWNED ORANGE COUNTY RESTAURATEUR DAVID WILHELM, ALONG WITH LONGTIME FRIEND AND PARTNER GREGG SOLOMON, RECENTLY PURCHASED THIS ICONIC RESTAURANT IN THE HEART OF CHARMING DOWNTOWN SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO OVERLOOKING THE JEWEL OF THE CALIFORNIA MISSIONS.
It will continue as Cedar Creek Inn in the near future but Wilhelm will be introducing many of his signature classic comfort foods such as his Famous Buttermilk Fried Chicken, French 75’s Onion Soup, and Whiskey Shrimp Dijon, featured at his Tavern House kitchen+bar in Newport Beach.

Cedar Creek Inn has a beautiful tree covered patio with views of Mission San Juan Capistrano and a warm interior with two fireplaces. Wilhelm intends to have this restaurant continue to be a neighborhood favorite.

Make a reservation

Party Size

2 people

DateTime

Nov 28, 2023

10:30 PM

Booked 21 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
American, Comfort Food, Contemporary American
Hours of operation
Mon–Thu 11:30 am–8:00 pm Fri, Sat 11:30 am–9:00 pm Sun 10:30 am–8:00 pm
Phone number
(949) 240-2229
Website
https://www.tavernatthemission.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress
Executive chef
DAVID WILHELM
Private party facilities
Private dining room and patio areas available for large groups.

Location
26960 Old Mission Highway, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
Neighborhood
San Juan Capistrano
Parking details
Public Lot
Additional
Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Indoor Fireplace, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Vegan, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Popular dishes

What 168 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

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

4.4

4.4 based on recent ratings

4.4Food
4.5Service
4.5Ambience
4Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

South Orange County
Great for outdoor dining

168 Reviews

KM
KellyM
Hawaii
1 review
vip
5.0
1 review
Dined 4 days ago
overall5food4service4ambience5
Super cute ambience and fireplace in dining room.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Los Angeles
10 reviews
5.0
10 reviews
Dined 4 days ago
overall5food4service5ambience4
The stroganoff and chopped salad were really good not to mention the Manhattan!! Jennifer was so helpful and made my birthday so special.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Orange County
22 reviews
5.0
22 reviews
Dined 7 days ago
overall5food4service5ambience5
Quick lunch and everything was wonderful! Very beautiful on the patio.
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JG
JoanG
Orange County
7 reviews
vip
5.0
7 reviews
Dined on November 20, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Never disappointed! Has the prime rib French dip and french onion soup (all about French!) and both were delicious! We love this place and go every 2 weeks. Such a cozy bar on a cold day. Get the table by the fireplace…lovely.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Orange County
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on November 18, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
We had an excellent experience. Service and food was excellent. Ambience was great celebrating our friends bday. We would definitely come back here!
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Orange County
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on November 16, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
We loved Cedar Creek. But since Tavern at the Mission took over, we love it even more. A few changes to the menu, but all for the better. Great experience.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on November 16, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Our server was awesome, very friendly and attentive. The food was top notch! Highly recommend the Steak and Potatoes martini!!! The burger was delish and the Cesar salad is the best I’ve ever had! You won’t be disappointed!
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RA
RobertA
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on November 13, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Excellent food. Beautiful outdoor patio. We will definitely be back.
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R
brendaR
San Francisco
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on November 13, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Enjoyed dining at Tavern at the Mission. Ambiance was lovely food was amazing! Highly recommend.
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SG
ShariG
Orange County
6 reviews
vip
4.0
6 reviews
Dined on November 12, 2023
overall4food4service4ambience3
Food variety much better than when they opened. Temperature of food was a little cold. We all enjoyed our meal but it was a bit pricey. We will probably just return on occasion.
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MI
MIKEJ
Orange County
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on November 11, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Absolutely fabulous visit as always. We'll see you again soon.
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ML
MauiLover
Orange County
27 reviews
vip
4.0
27 reviews
Dined on November 10, 2023
overall4food4service3ambience5
The food was great except they changed the recipe/baker for their famous coconut cake. I would go there just for that, but they recently changed baker’s and it’s no longer great. Not enough icing and slightly dry. The other reason I couldn’t give 5 stars was service was extremely slow. No one greeted us after we were seated for over 10 minutes and we had to get a manager to track down our credit card which disappeared for over 10 minutes after we gave it to a server.
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s
sherrilynn1
Las Vegas
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on November 9, 2023
overall5food4service5ambience4
Was sad to see Cedar Creek go, and was hesitant to try Tavern at the Mission but our experience was fantastic! I was glad to see some of the favorite menu items remain, especially the Coconut cake, and was also pleasantly surprised with some new items! The Buddha Bowl and the brussel sprouts were both delicious. We will be back!
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G
Greg
Los Angeles
5 reviews
vip
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on November 7, 2023
overall5food5service4ambience5
Excellent menu. Very attentive and friendly staff. Wonderful place to have lunch.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Los Angeles
10 reviews
5.0
10 reviews
Dined on November 5, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
My hubby and I went for the first time this past Saturday. We made reservations for the bar and decided to sit at the bar with Gio the bartender. He made us a great martini and we split the chopped salad followed by my hubby having chicken picatta which was huge-enough for 2!! I had the tequila shrimp pasta that was amazing with just the right amount of kick! We met one of the owners Dina who was so sweet to treat us to their divine coconut cake! Definitely our new date spot -loved the mellow vibe .
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j
joda
Orange County
13 reviews
vip
4.0
13 reviews
Dined on November 2, 2023
overall4food5service5ambience5
We had a wonderful night having dinner with friends. Food was great as was the service. Only drawback was that the chairs without armrest tipped over easily. We love going there!
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BS
BarbaraS
Orange County
18 reviews
vip
5.0
18 reviews
Dined on November 1, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Lovely lunch sitting outside on a beautiful day.
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g
goodtaste
Orange County
52 reviews
vip
4.0
52 reviews
Dined on November 1, 2023
overall4food5service4ambience4
We sat on the patio for lunch and had a very good meal.
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A
Annie
San Diego
8 reviews
5.0
8 reviews
Dined on October 30, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
We took a couple for Sunday night dinner. We knew we liked the venue and the food. They were exceedingly impressed. He said the prime rib dip was the best he had ever had (and he has a discerning palette ). And she absolutely loved the view of the Mission. Service and food were excellent Chef accommodated her need for a substitution due to her diabetes. All made for a lovely experience.
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WB
WendyB
Orange County
16 reviews
vip
4.0
16 reviews
Dined on October 29, 2023
overall4food4service3ambience5
Very Good we are not visitors to San Juan live in the area a dine here for decades since it was Cedar Creek Inn. We enjoy the variety offered. Kids meals about $15 a plate. Their mashed potatoes are amazing. Hamburgers the BEST!
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HA
HARLEBABE
Orange County
14 reviews
4.0
14 reviews
Dined on October 29, 2023
overall4food4service4ambience4
A very nice patio. Not a lot of ambience. Love the new menu. Great sevice. Good food. We will definately be returning... too bad they dont put some entertainment out on the patio like Trevors on the Track..It would certainly add some festive atmosphere.
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KH
KileyH
Orange County
24 reviews
vip
5.0
24 reviews
Dined on October 27, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
We had a great time! The food and service were excellent. We love this place!
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M
Mare
San Diego
11 reviews
5.0
11 reviews
Dined on October 26, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
The food was fresh and delicious. The service was attentive and cordial. We missed the Zuni rolls that were on the menu under Cedar Creek ownership. We were expecting the prices we experienced before it became Tavern at the Mission. Sadly they are not. We had a Monte Cristo and fish and chips and both were as good as we have ever enjoyed there. Just be prepared to pay more.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on October 26, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience4
Ruben the server was great! Food was delicious too. I recommend the French dip & Brussels!
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GM
GeneM
Orange County
10 reviews
4.0
10 reviews
Dined on October 24, 2023
overall4food4service4ambience4
Little expensive for lunch. $31 for a salad grilled chicken with tip no drink.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Richmond
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on October 23, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Party of 8 on a Sunday evening post wedding day celebration. Absolutely perfect!
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LC
LianeC
Orange County
20 reviews
vip
5.0
20 reviews
Dined on October 22, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Our bday celebration with our friends was enjoyable. Menu prices have seriously increased , many items on new menu and some of the old favorites are gone. Is Italian chopped.. The staff is gracious and friendly. We recommend bring back some music on Sunday brunch and Friday ‘s.
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A
Analee
Orange County
3 reviews
vip
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on October 22, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Wonderful experience! Service was great and Lucas our server was terrific!!
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D
Dlaw
Orange County
32 reviews
5.0
32 reviews
Dined on October 21, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience4
Lovely outdoor evening. Food is terrific. Service is amazing.
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MK
MichaelK
Las Vegas
12 reviews
5.0
12 reviews
Dined on October 20, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience2
Poke app was fantastic. Lobster club sandwich was excellent too. New server being trained was very good.
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CE
CarmenE
Los Angeles
18 reviews
3.0
18 reviews
Dined on October 18, 2023
overall3food3service4ambience5
This place used to be Cedar Creek Inn which was a favorite restaurant of mine and my family. I was bummed when they closed. But I was excited to try a new restaurant so decided to give Tavern at the Mission. It’s a convenient, excellent location. But I wasn’t impressed by the menu. I was willing to and excited to accept a change but the prices were high and the menu not too exciting. I had the pear and blue cheese flatbread which was fine. Not great. My friend had the Cobb salad which was also fine. I may be willing to try this place again and try other menu items but so far my first impression isn’t great. The ambiance is still great and the service was good. I’m rooting for this place.
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SR
ShelleyR
San Diego
6 reviews
1.0
6 reviews
Dined on October 15, 2023
overall1food1service1ambience1
Waited half hour for waitress, not even water served. Short rib beef stroganoff was greasy and did not taste right. A few Special Menu Prices offered, otherwise, prices are high. That Special Menu was only provided after I saw it on website and asked for it. Really missing Cedar Creek Inn, former restaurant at this location.
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AT
AndreaT
San Diego
3 reviews
2.0
3 reviews
Dined on October 15, 2023
overall2food2service5ambience3
We had dinner last weekend with an outside table. Fabulous server but food sadly lacked flavor! The Duck liver mousse was bland! Also, 2 Petrale Sole dinners were flaky but was loaded with so much, heavy, thick, congealed lemon butter sauce (should have said sauce on side ) and no flavor!! Where were the spices and capers? An expensive bland dinner and we were disappointed!
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Los Angeles
1 review
2.0
1 review
Dined on October 15, 2023
overall2food1service4ambience4
It’s just okay. I liked the patio but the food was mediocre at best.
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L
Luv2eat
Los Angeles
65 reviews
vip
3.0
65 reviews
Dined on October 14, 2023
overall3food3service2ambience3
We were celebrating two birthdays and were looking forward to going to the new Tavern at the Mission since it's a David Wilhelm restaurant. Unfortunately, our waiter was not familiar with the menu offerings and once our food was delivered we never saw him again. We ordered salads that never arrived before our entrees and since we never saw our waiter we weren't able to let them know. Will consider returning once the restaurant is remodeled.
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Y
Yankee5
Orange County
41 reviews
vip
4.0
41 reviews
Dined on October 7, 2023
overall4food4service3ambience4
Prices have gone up at least 10-15% in the past months. This visit for lunch had our lunch order slightly messed up, small drink portions with lots of ice. Still wonderful food and setting, but the prices prevent us from being regulars.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Los Angeles
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on October 7, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great place to eat before a show at the theater. My friend and I split everything. I’m not usually a Brussels sprouts fan but the appetizer was absolutely delicious! The D’s honey fried chicken was superb. We also split a salad and dessert and neither of us were overstuffed afterward and we didn’t have to take leftovers into the theater. Patio setting is just lovely and very relaxing. We will be back.
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TB
TrishaB
Orange County
2 reviews
vip
2.0
2 reviews
Dined on October 4, 2023
overall2food2service1ambience3
Food was not great and service was so slow! I ordered the basmati bowl and it was super salty and the rice was basically Mexican rice that was very greasy.
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MK
MichaelK
Orange County
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on October 4, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Staff was really friendly and on it! Really loved the food we ordered, especially the Dijon shrimp! Really enjoyed my whole experience and will be back!
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L
Larry
Orange County
5 reviews
3.0
5 reviews
Dined on October 1, 2023
overall3food4service1ambience3
Overall disappointing. Restuarant was nearly empty and dead. The food was quite good but the service was very disappointing. I think they can do better even though I understand they are transitioning and plan to remodel. I can't recommend at this time.
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FAQs

You can order delivery directly from Tavern at the Mission using the Order Online button.

Tavern at the Mission is rated 4.4 stars by 168 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a reservation

Party Size

2 people

DateTime

Nov 28, 2023

10:30 PM

Booked 21 times today

Order delivery or takeout

26960 Old Mission Highway, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675

Dining areas

Additional information

Neighborhood
San Juan Capistrano
Hours of operation
Mon–Thu 11:30 am–8:00 pm Fri, Sat 11:30 am–9:00 pm Sun 10:30 am–8:00 pm
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
American, Comfort Food, Contemporary American
Dining style
Casual Dining
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
Public Lot
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Executive chef
DAVID WILHELM
Additional
Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Indoor Fireplace, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Vegan, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
https://www.tavernatthemission.com/
Phone number
(949) 240-2229
Private party facilities
Private dining room and patio areas available for large groups.

Tavern at the Mission

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

Additional information

Popular dishes

Chopped Salad

French 75's Onion Soup

Charred Brussels Sprouts

Menu

What 168 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

FAQs

Does Tavern at the Mission offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

How is Tavern at the Mission restaurant rated?

Is Tavern at the Mission currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

Additional information