Over the last few years, San Juan Capistrano, once known for its centuries-old mission and returning swallows, has turned into south Orange County’s biggest food destinations — with no sign of slowing down. From Heritage Barbecue, which serves Texas- and California-style barbecue, to El Adobe, a Mexican-American stalwart located inside a state historical landmark where a former U.S. president frequently dined, San Juan Capistrano has a slew of culinary options, most of which can be found in some of Orange County’s oldest buildings, and all of which are a stone’s throw from its train station.
The city’s Mission Revival-style train station originally opened 1894 by the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway. Today it serves Amtrak and Metrolink lines: Metrolink makes a total of 15 stops on weekdays (eight running north, seven running south) and 12 stops on weekends (6 in each direction). Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner makes 20 stops daily (10 in each direction). Of all the stations in Orange County, the San Juan Capistrano location has the highest concentration of restaurants within the shortest distance.
Keep in mind that selected venues throughout the series are each within a reasonable distance of their stop, whether on foot or by wheelchair, with no major roads or freeways required to cross. This list doesn’t cover every single San Juan Capistrano bar and restaurant in the area; consider this a guide to our favorites within a reasonable walking distance from the platform, or a jumping off point for your layover.
3:16 Bakery Shop: The Biblically named bakery whips up divine treats steps away from the train platform, including gelato, cakes, iced cookies, cinnamon rolls and more. Don’t miss its Capistrano Sandwich Roll, a grab-and-go ham, cheese, lettuce and tomato sandwich on a French roll. It’s deal should passengers require immediate sustenance before their train chugs away. 26762 Verdugo St., San Juan Capistrano; instagram.com/316bakeryshop
Bloom: This 2,400-square foot space, located one block away from the train station, opened nearly one year ago. Since then, residents and visitors alike have been drawn to Bloom head chef Jarred Cook’s Southern-inspired comfort fare. Menu highlights include crispy pork belly and pumpkin-ricotta gnocchi with candied walnuts and sage-infused brown butter, bacon-braised black kale, the crispy Jidori chicken sandwich served on a challah bun and a vanilla and blood orange cheesecake. The expansive space also comes with a 10-seat backlit bar where they pour craft cocktails, craft beers, and wines by the glass. The venue’s arched windows provide choice views of passersby and the historic Mission directly across the street. 31760 Old Mission Rd, suite A; bloomsanjuancapistrano.com
Don Juan Mexican Kitchen and Bar: One of the area’s newest restaurants, Don Juan Mexican Kitchen and Bar features such tony fare as lobster enchiladas, Chilean sea bass, heirloom beets with burrata and even a handful of sushi offerings like yellowtail and rainbow rolls. The full bar also serves fanciful cocktails like a key lime pie martini or blackberry mojito, in addition to a strong selection of tequila and wine. An ideal spot for a sit-down dinner a few yards away from the train station. 26762 Verdugo St., suite C; donjuankitchen.com
Ciao Pasta: An Italian-American restaurant with salads, pizzas, pastas like porcini mushroom pappardelle or portobello ravioli, and such hearty entrees as chicken parmigiana or branzino. A decent place to stop (strongly recommend eating on the patio) if the line at neighboring Heritage Barbecue is too long of a wait. 31661 Camino Capistrano #205; ciaopasta.net
Easy Breezy: A frozen yogurt/custard chain offers rotating flavors like pineapple Dole whip, berry cheesecake, vanilla bean, and vegan chocolate. Also of grave importance: the peanut butter sauce in which you can (and should) drown your frozen treat. 31761 Camino Capistrano, suite 4; easy-breezy.com
El Adobe de Capistrano: Popular with former U.S. President Richard Nixon, who frequent the place while staying at his nearby San Clemente residence, this Mexican-American restaurant has the distinction of being located inside a historical landmark. It also boasts being one of the oldest operating restaurants in Orange County, opening in 1948. Historical trivia notwithstanding, hungry passengers can enjoy such fare as ceviche, cheese quesadillas, short rib enchiladas, fajitas galore, lobster or blackened fish tacos, carne asada and more. 31891 Camino Capistrano; eladobedecapistrano.com
El Campeon Taqueria: If you have time and don’t mind a brisk walk from the train station, your six-minute trek will be rewarded by some of the best authentic taqueria food in the city. Tortas, tacos (the goat meat birria are particularly noteworthy), burritos, tostadas, tamales and more can be found at this counter service-style eatery. Be sure to visit its mercado located next store stocked with Mexican staples. 31921 Camino Capistrano, suite 15; elcampeoninc.com
El Zarandeado Seafood: A new entry to San Juan Capistrano’s roster of choice eateries, El Zarandeado Seafood offers shrimp tacos, tuna ceviche and chile rellenos. But the star of its menu is the titular Zarandeado fish, which is split in half from head to tail before being grilled over an open flame, lightly charred around the edges, and arriving at the table in show-stopping fashion. 31952 Camino Capistrano, suite B3
Ellie’s Table: Yet another eatery located inside a historic home, Ellie’s Table, a breakfast-forward bakery, can be found inside the Egan House, one of San Juan Capistrano’s few Victorian/Renaissance Revival- style buildings. Come for the detailed brick exterior and wrap-around wooden deck — stay for the array of pastries, breakfast burritos (sausage, bacon, egg white, or vegan), omelets, toasts, chicken and waffles, espresso drinks and more inside. Closes at 3 p.m. 31892 Camino Capistrano; elliestable.com
Five Vines Wine Bar: This tracks-adjacent wine bar, rated one of the top 25 wine bars in the U.S. by Travel and Leisure, offers a sundry of reds, white, roses, sparkling and even “slushy” wines. While sampling the varietals, you can also chow down on three-cheese skillet mac and cheese, pear and brie skillet melt, chicken marsala poutine, a crispy chicken sandwich, salmon tacos, and a bevy of flatbreads. Best of all, most of the food and wine are available for take-away. 31761 Camino Capistrano, suite 11; fivevineswinebar.com
FKN Bread: Pronounced “eff kay enn,” FKN Bread, by husband-wife team Dave and Bree VandenBerg, features artisanally baked cookies, croissants, breads and more. The small bake shop also prepares big-flavor sandwiches (roast beef, ham, tuna, turkey and veggie, to name a few), toasts (avocado, peanut butter and banana or smoked salmon), and house and caprese salads. It also brews coffees from beans prepared by nearby Hidden House. Open Tuesday – Sunday from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. 31760 Camino Capistrano, suite B; fknbread.com
Hennessey’s Tavern: This burger and brews joint, one of 11 in the mini-chain’s portfolio, serves up comfort food like a spicy fried chicken sandwich, shepherd’s pie, prime rib dip and more. 31761 Camino Capistrano; hennesseystavern.com/locations-san-juan-capistrano
Heritage Barbecue: Acclaimed as the No. 1 restaurant in Orange County, according to the Orange County Register’s 75 best restaurants list of 2022, Brenda and Daniel Castillo’s Heritage Barbecue, lauded at one the best places in the country for Texas- and California-style brisket and beef and pork ribs. It also helped change the landscape of dining in OC, especially in San Juan Capistrano, which has since turned into a South County foodie haven. Be prepared to wait in line; Heritage fans queue up as soon as the doors open for business. As out former food critic described it in 2022: “Yes, they serve barbecue on aluminum trays, and you’ll eat beans out of paper boats with a plastic spoon. And no, they don’t take reservations. You’ll have to stand in line, sometimes for hours if you try to eat here on a weekend. But there’s no lack of hospitality. This is, all around, the best restaurant in Orange County right now.” 31721 Camino Capistrano; heritagecraftbbq.com
Hidden House Coffee: White white subway tile and sparse aesthetics have had a stranglehold on cafe design over the last few years, Hidden House Coffee, located across the tracks along Los Rios, provide a refreshing stylistic break by being located in the historic Oliveras House (circa 1890). In addition to coffees, cold brews and express drinks, you can also purchase whole beans, which Hidden House roasts at its Santa Ana roastery. Should you have time to wait before your train arrives, grab a seat on the store’s wooden porch or down on the arboreal-studded patio. 31791 Los Rios St.; hiddenhousecoffee.com
L’Hirondelle: For a charming sit-down dinner, L’Hirondelle (meaning “the swallow” in French) offers Belgian-French classics like beef bourguignon, duck salad, tarragon chicken, frog legs sauteed in white wine and garlic, and escargots, and baguette sandwiches. Also of note, the restaurant’s charming interiors, from the vaulted beamed ceilings to the Dutch door. 31631 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano; lhirondellesjc.com
Mayfield: Confit tomatoes, corn rib, pineapple glazed pork belly, za’atar fried chicken and orange blossom mousse are a few menu highlights at this Levant-style restaurant less than a block from the train platform. If you can’t sit for lunch or dinner, grab a few bottles of wine, preserved lemon or tinned fish at its adjoining provisions market. 31761 Camino Capistrano, suite 5-6; mayfieldoc.com
Paddy’s Station: The Irish bar and restaurant offers diners a classic pub fare like sausage rolls, fish and chips, and shepherd’s pie. Located next to the tracks, this eatery ups the train game by also having a private dining room that’s inside a repurposed caboose. 26701 Verdugo St., suite B; paddysstation.com
Ramos House Cafe: Built in 1881, this wooden cabin-style restaurant’s seating area is entirely outside near the train tracks, while the kitchen is inside. Highlights at this date-night-perfect spot include Scotch quail eggs, basil-cured lox, beef stew with blue cheese mash and banana berry shortcake. Open Thursday through Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. 31752 Los Rios St.; ramoshouse.com
Rancho Capistrano Winery: Orange County’s largest winery offers approximately 40 award-winning wines for sipping. Open for brunch, lunch and dinner, its menu items include wedge salad with pickled onions and blue cheese dressing, chicken rollatini, rack of lamb, steak frites, and seven flatbreads. 26755 Verdugo St.; ranchocapwinery.com
Selma’s Chicago Pizzeria and Tap Room: Found inside Franciscan Plaza, this family-friendly Chicago-style pizzeria sells the midwestern pizza that layers the cheese underneath the sauce in a deep-dish crust. Thin crust pies are also available. The corner restaurant also features salads galore, plenty of suds on tap, and an array of baked pastas. 31781 Camino Capistrano, suite 201.; selmaspizza.com/san-juan-capistrano-location
Sundried Tomato Bistro: This 27-year-old establishment, also located inside Franciscan Plaza, offers a mix of dishes ranging from blackened chicken spring rolls and duck taquitos to cioppino and tomato penne. And, yes, the creamy sundried tomato soup is how the restaurant got its name. 31781 Camino Capistrano; sundriedtomato.com
Tavern at the Mission: After 25 years in downtown San Juan Capistrano, Cedar Creek Inn changed its name to Tavern at the Mission in June. And with the new name, owners David Wilhelm and Gregg Solomon also revamped the menu, adding new items like his buttermilk fried chicken with thyme gravy and French onion soup topped with Comte cheese. A major renovation is set to take place next year. 26860 Old Mission Road; tavernatthemission.com
Tea House on Los Rios: Sip premium loose leaf teas (or a glass of Veuve Clicquot) at this tea spot inside a circa-1911 cottage. High-tea towers come with an assortment of tiny tea sandwiches, sweets and other delectables. A la carte British-inspired fare includes English pasti, a puff pastry-topped stew of braised beef; seasonal vegetable quiche; and currant scones. 31731 Los Rios St.; theteahouseonlosrios.com
Trevor’s at the Tracks: Trevor Baird’s titular restaurant, serving contemporary California fare, has the distinction of being located inside San Juan Capistrano’s 1894 train depot — a foamer’s paradise! The tracks-adjacent restaurant sources from local vendors like the Ecology Center in San Juan Capistrano, West Coast Prime Meats in Brea and Ingardia Brothers Produce in Santa Ana. Diners can look forward to Turkish fig and fungi flatbread, ahi poke nachos, southwest cobb salad, fried chicken, vegan flautas, and seafood chowder. 31731 Los Rios St.; trevorsatthetracks.com
