Amazing salads! My husband and I stopped in for a bite last week and discovered that Pacific Pearl has big, super fresh, and inspired salads. I had the Ecology Center Chpp Salad and LOVED it! It's hard to find fresh, great-tasting salads, and this one was awesome! And not too expensive! My husband had the Newporter wrap, a vegan wrap loaded with grilled mushrooms and other veggies. He loved this too! In fact, we loved our items so much we went back again today. This time I got the Yosemite salad, which was also fresh and good. My preference is the Ecology salad, however. My hubby got the Newporter again. The vibe is also lovely with what I'm going to call a "Northern California Redwood Cabin Retreat" style. It just reminded me of vacations in Lake Tahoe I went on as a kiddo or a cafe you'd find near Muir Woods. Right now they don't have a bathroom, but we were informed that they will be moving to a new location a few doors down with a bathroom soon. We can't wait! We have yet to sample their delicious looking goodies like the Pecan White Chocolate Cookies. read more

We are from Bay Area - where we have a lot of AMAZING food! Passing through San Juan - my daughter found this place - and I have not been this impressed by breakfast- in a long time!! It is excellent! For dishes that are thought of somewhat ordinary - The Breakfast Bowl and the Avocado Toast are EXTRAORDINARY!! The baked goods are exceptional as well!! read more

It is pretty good, though I personally prefer Aroma Craft Coffee in Walnut. Dirty Chai Latte: Highly recommended. It has just the right amount of sweetness--neither overbearing nor watery like at other coffee shops. The ratio of espresso to chai is perfectly balanced. Carrot Cake: It's pretty good, though not exactly mind‑blowing. The texture is moist and dense, without any of that light, airy sponge quality you get from Paris Baguette. Winners Club Croissant: My absolute favorite part is the thick-cut braised bacon at the very bottom of the sandwich. Banana Foster French Toast: It is way too sweet and cloying for my taste. Although the indoor space is on the smaller side, the decor and setup create a wonderful, atmospheric vibe. This San Juan Capistrano location is their flagship store, and they also have a second location in Costa Mesa. 還不錯，雖然我個人更偏好核桃市的Aroma Craft Coffee。 髒髒香料奶茶拿鐵：很不錯值得推薦。甜度適中，既不過濃，也不像其他店家的淡稀水。濃縮咖啡和印度香茶的比例調配的很好。 胡蘿蔔香料蛋糕：還不錯但沒到驚艷的程度。蛋糕口感濕潤扎實，完全沒有韓式西點巴黎貝甜那種海綿蓬鬆空氣感。 厚切培根火雞可頌三明治：最欣賞部分是三明治底部的厚切燉培根。 香蕉胡桃法式吐司：一般。對我而言太過甜膩。 室內雖小，但裝潢擺設很有氣氛。 這家是總店，Costa Mesa還有家二店。 read more

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This place is legit for chef inspired and chef made meals.. Located just off the Ortega Highway and the 5 tucked away in a smallish shopping center with plenty of parking. For me, the breakfast bowl with smoked carnitas was absolutely fantastic.. We saw these great looking cinnamon rolls at the register under glass and wish we had gotten one to split.. they looked delicious. Small seating area or you Can sit outside. Great service, chill vibe and 5 star food.. I am impressed. read more

Pacific Pearl Cafe - Breakfast Burrito Bowl.. order this for sure - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - San Juan Capistrano, California

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pacific pearl café in san juan capistrano is such a cozy little spot that's perfect for a relaxed breakfast or lunch. the atmosphere feels really warm and welcoming, and i loved that they even have a small play area for kids which makes it super family friendly. we tried a mix of drinks, pastries, and savory items and everything felt fresh and thoughtfully made. the salted caramel latte had the perfect balance of sweetness, and the banana matcha was smooth and a fun twist if you want something different. for pastries, the banana bread with cream on top was soft and comforting, the lemon cake had a nice bright flavor, and the pecan cookie was thick and satisfying. i also ordered their salad with locally sourced vegetables and seeds and it tasted really fresh and light. for something more filling, the reuben was stacked with meat and full of flavor, and the chicken caesar wrap in a spinach tortilla was lighter but still really good. the breakfast burrito with slow cooked carnitas was super flavorful and a great portion. overall, it's a great spot if you're looking for good food, solid drinks, and a comfortable place to hang out. i'd definitely come back! read more

Pacific Pearl Cafe - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - San Juan Capistrano, California

Truth be told... I've only tried the cookies here and they have been amazing! Staff is always kind! The pecan white chocolate cookie is so good! Super clean ingredients which we love. I need to step outside the dessert box here as I see people grabbing food and it all looks so good! read more

Another wonderful lunch - this place is so awesome from the service to the atmosphere of the cute restaurant. My granddaughter is Celiac - everything her is gluten free - it is our favorite place to eat. read more

Pacific Pearl Cafe - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - San Juan Capistrano, California

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Excellent!! Absolutely loved the food options and i was elated to find that there were so many Gluten Free options (and Dairy Free)! The service was efficient, staff was kind and helpful in answering questions and there was indoor and outdoor seating options (not a ton of seating so if it's busy seating could be limited) - almost all the items in the Pastry case were GF and the sandwiches could all be made on GF wrap or bread! I will be back time and time again! Pastry items were: brown butter carrot cake, lemon cake, and Pumpkin Loaf/Cake. Wrap: chicken salad wrap read more

Pacific Pearl Cafe - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - San Juan Capistrano, California

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Pacific Pearl Cafe is a tiny URTH Café of its own making in sleepy little San Juan Capistrano. The food is priced medium with items living $5-$15. All baked goods when we went were gluten-free with options of delicious gluten-free bread for sandwiches and avocado toast as well as gluten-free tortillas for all burritos and wraps. Pacific Pearl is a tiny little cool kid spot with very good seasoning on its' food. I'm not 100% in love with their eggs or the intensity of their coffee, but we had the Carnitas breakfast burrito, the avocado toast on gluten-free bread with an egg which was an egg, white, bite, gluten-free banana bread and a gluten-free chocolate chip cookie. Everything was very tasty. Pacific Pearl Cafe is hidden in a 1970s style strip mall near a small private school in San Juan Capistrano off the 5 freeway so you definitely have to do trip plan. Overall, we enjoyed this and we'll go back again. read more

Pacific Pearl Cafe - Avocado toast with added "egg" which is an egg white bite on top - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - San Juan Capistrano, California

Picky, self-proclaimed baker + Celiac = very high standards. This place clears them every time. Whenever I want a great gluten-free treat but don't feel like baking (or dealing with a full batch staring me down), this is my go-to. Everything I've tried has been delicious. No misses... well, almost. Only thing that didn't wow me: the matcha latte. If you like your matcha strong (I'm talking a full tablespoon-level strong), this might taste a little too mild. But that's a me thing, I rarely find matcha that hits the way I want unless I make it at home. I love seeing them expand across OC. Completely deserved. Bottom line: go here. It's worth it. read more

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Tried this place for the first time today. It was a wonderful experience. The service was courteous and friendly and the food and coffee were amazing. The quality of ingredients and craftsmanship were top notch. Truly a hidden gem. Look forward to visiting their sister restaurant the White Rooster in Dana Point! read more

Food and pastries here are amazing! I really enjoyed the pesto chicken sandwich and banana bread. The coffee was good as well. Cute and cozy place! read more

Pacific Pearl Cafe - Pesto chicken sandwich & latte - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - San Juan Capistrano, California

We had a wonderful time the place is very casual it is mostly chill ambiance! The service was great they were very friendly! I wish it was more of a sitting order rather than pay as you order so we don't have to always get up and buy any item we still want to get! The food was really good! The Tuna Melt was good and the Winners club was Delicious!!! The Tomato soup was really fresh and it was really good! The baked goods were delectable and the drinks as well! Over all I can say that everything that we ate today were all FRESH!!! They are also not cooking with any seed oil!!! I WILL RECOMMEND THIS PLACE A 100% if you want great food and chill or a quick stop also a to go! read more

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San Juan Capistrano, Ca. What a nice little out of the way place with delicious food, friendly employees, and nice outdoor sitting. Our orders arrived quickly and my Ahi Sandwich was nice and hot. And big. It was a generous portion as well as tasty. The menu called it Yellow Tail tuna which is confusing as yellow tail is not a tuna. I believe it must be yellow fin, because the sandwich definitely was constructed of tuna. The cheese , not identified, was creamy in texture, very nice. The poke bowl was very good and also a generous sized portion. Steph was only able to eat half and I could not even finish it off. I found the fish to be on the salty side. Not objectionable to the overall dish, but definitely distracting. The latte's were excellent and went well with a gorgeous piece of apple pie the we began our lunch with while waiting for our main courses. The downside to dining here is no restroom. They are serving coffee to an 80 year old. I wish I had been aware of the lack of this important feature before ordering. I was told to try the pizza place next door but the doors were locked. There is also not a public restroom for the mall which I found unusual. I had to drive elsewhere in SJC to find relief. I might do take out here if I return, not sure. read more

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I absolutely love their sandwiches with gluten free bread and their pastries. I unfortunately do not enjoy their matcha which I have tried twice. It is slightly clumpy and has a lot of bubbles on top which indicates it was frothed or shaken instead of properly whisked. The flavor was just ok. Very mild and not very strong. read more

Came here yesterday for the first time, I was ecstatic to find a gluten free place that I could go too, but was a little put off when we came in. The lady at the register wasn't that welcoming, once we got up to the register to order, I expressed my excitement finding a place that offered so many gf choices, I was really happy and this lady didn't smile, or even respond to that, but instead she told us we could sit down and look at the menu because we weren't fast enough I guess. First impressions matter, however the coffee was fantastic and the ginger molasses bar was equally fantastic. People have off days I get it, but when you're in the position of service, your likelihood depends on your customers, you want them to be happy to come back. Friendliness is a must in my humble opinion. read more

Pacific Pearl Cafe - Yummy ginger molasses bar - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - San Juan Capistrano, California

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you must find this treasure. The best coffee, healthy, delicious food. If you have an event and need catering looking out further, this is the best. read more

I went here recently with a friend. It was my first time in the area too. I will say I usually don't go to cafes if they have a lot of food on the menu because I worry the coffee isn't the focus. And maybe that's true but this place had such good food!! The coffee was still good and I enjoyed trying their unique flavorings but the food is where it is at. The staff was very kind and the owner even spoke with us, sharing how their cafe came to be. I was impressed. Oh and there pastries were super delicious! They're all GF and while I am not gluten intolerant, I still tried a couple. I would come back just for the pastries. Haha. I also loved that it was in an area with lots of parking and a walkable courtyard. The cafe itself was a little small but had been renovated so it had like a cool, industrial kind of vibe but cozy too. read more

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Plenty of parking. Great spot with delicious food and very tasty pastries. Something on the menu for everyone. Wonderful spot for a health conscious person to go. Must try spot. read more

The food was REALLY good portions and good price! This hidden gem ended up being a hit for the both of us:a picky eater and a meal prep eater. The workers helped us narrow down our options and the place was a nice place to just hang out and talk! read more

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Honestly, we were really excited about trying this place. It ended up being very underwhelming though. 1) Their espresso was the most sour, underextracted espresso I have ever tasted. 2) Our first pastry had a giant hair in it, and the one they replaced it with was not fresh, totally stale. 3) The broccoli soup was honestly disgusting, worst I've had. My tuna melt was fine. I'm not one to send food back but in this case it was so bad that I actually did, and got bad food in return. Personally I would pass on this place, major let down. read more

Pacific Pearl Cafe - Bad food - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - San Juan Capistrano, California

We've made a commitment to ourselves that we need to come regularly to go through the whole menu and wow what a difficult sacrifice. How are we gonna keep ordering new items when we yearn so deeply for our tried and trues??? We had the breakfast bowl over a year ago and it made a lasting impression on us as the star of our order. Go back today and find out it's been updated - IT IS THREE TIMES BIGGER THAN I RECALL. In this economy??? Pacific Pearl goes above and beyond in portions and quality - I don't even know how they're giving you this much bang for your buck but I'm so grateful. The bowl has a layer of cheesy rice on the bottom (NOTHING here is plan or boring), a massive portion of carnitas, an egg bite the size of my palm, a perfectly soft Japanese sweet potato, and the pickled zucchini that I wish I could ask for a whole plate of. Side of their signature green salsa that is fresh, light, and slightly sweet to balance out the rich flavors. Exceptional. This dish alone deserves an award. I want this place to go viral because they deserve it but I also worry about the day that I'll have to wait in a mile long line. Next the turkey rueben on gluten free bread (do yall make this or buy it??? It is - notice the theme here - also exceptional). Piled high with meat and cheese and Pickled Brussels sprouts (just trust chef on this one they are SO GOOD). As our finale, a gigantic chewy double chocolate cookie and then the cheesecake. How do I describe this delectable delight? Shall I compare thee to a summers day? On the bottom: GLUTEN FREE (HOW DOOO THEY DO IT?!) shortbread creates a soft but stoic foundation. Next, a layer of rich, creamy, smooth chocolate cheesecake. And on top? A dollop of cherry preserves and a brown butter frosting. First bite literally took my husband aback and left him speechless Going to pacific pearl is a culinary experience like no other in Orange County. read more

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Super cute spot in San Juan with a TON of Gluten Free pastry and bread options! Great for small groups to sit and chat or a solo spot to sip on your fav bevy. NO SEED OILS used here which is a 12/10!!! Thank you, Pacific Pearl for such high quality goodness Today I had the GF Double chocolate chip cookie (like, think deep dish cookie) 5/5... and the Crunchy Pecan Pumpkin Tart along with a hot chamomile and lavender matcha w/Almond Milk to go. I'll def be back to this gem! read more

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Warm & receptive staff, unique preparation of breakfast items, interesting pastry case, I will get an oatmeal, date cookie to go. The spice chai with oat milk was good. read more

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Just visited for the first time with my girlfriend. She recommended because we are both gluten free gluten free. Everything is made from scratch, from the fresh juices, cold brew, GF/non GF pastries, bread, main dishes, even their delicious hot sauce. Morgan helped us out and was so cool and funny and answered all my questions. This is an absolute gem and so glad we found it. We had the breakfast bowl, turkey sandwich on GF bread and two delicious chocolate pastries. Everything was 10/10. Thank you so much Pacific Pearl! read more

I've been hearing so much about this place! Quite frankly, I had stopped by JD Flannel to get a GF donut, not realizing they were closed on Tuesdays. Then I remembered hearing about Pacific Pearl Café, so I decided to go over and check it out. I was so happy to see how many gluten-free options are offered! I ended up getting a smoked albacore tuna melt on gluten-free bread to go, along with a cinnamon roll, a cupcake, and a cookie. I also tried the salted caramel latte. The latte was good, but the next time I get it, I will ask for more syrup so I can taste the flavor more. But that sandwich??? Wow! Absolutely delicious! Incredibly flavorful, and everything in it just goes together perfectly! I'm so glad I only ate half of it today, because I cannot wait to eat the other half tomorrow! I had a very busy day, so I haven't gotten a chance to try any of the pastries yet. I really want to go back and try some of the breakfast items. The only reason I knocked one star off is because there's no bathroom. I would love to see this restaurant succeed and I really hope they will expand into a place that is bigger so they can accommodate more patrons eating in, and of course provide a bathroom. read more

All pastries are gluten free!! And almost all the menu options can be made gluten free with house made bread. the bread is a little unique but still really good. Highly recommend the gluten free avocado toast or the cinnamon roll! Also reallyyy good coffee! read more

Really really really wanna like this place, would give it 3.5 stars based off first experience! I am planning on coming again as this is based solely off the salad and poke bowl we got and we didn't get to try the pastries! Super friendly service but can be a long wait for healthy food. Can't wait to come again! read more

Pacific Pearl Cafe - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - San Juan Capistrano, California

Pacific Pearl Cafe in San Juan is SO GOOD. I had their burrito bowl and avocado toast, and both were unreal. The flavors are seriously insane -- everything tastes super fresh, like they actually care about what they're serving. Hands down the freshest, best breakfast I've had in a long time. Definitely worth stopping by if you're in the area. read more

Pacific Pearl Cafe - Breakfast burrito bowl and avocado toast - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - San Juan Capistrano, California

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Quaint local cafe with sandwiches, salads, coffee, and gluten free bakery. The yellowtail tuna melt was delicious. The ecology center salad was also quite good. Full of pickled vegetables. Almost didn't even need salad dressing. Portions are on the larger side. The mocha latte was really good. Not too sweet. They make the syrup in house. The coffee seemed strong. Didn't realize bakery items were all gluten free before it was too late... the first bite. Personally don't like gluten-free desserts. Won't hold it against them. read more

Located in the center on Ortega Hwy and Rancho Viejo Road is one amazing small cafe. Moving into the area a few months ago I noticed Pacific Pearl while going to the cleaners next door ( Town and Country) and it looked inviting with house made baked goods on display and a healthy menu. After taking out a few items Pacific Pearl did not disappoint at all. Made with high quality ingredients, every thing both my son and I have enjoyed from the Cafe was excellent. Wish I took pictures but with to-go items not to photogenic, and I can't taste of the food. Even the gluten free items taste great! The staff is welcoming and friendly and know the menu and are happy to suggest items to your taste. The next time I go I am going to enjoy the meal in the quaint dinning area. Treat yourself and go find this hidden gem her in San Juan Capistrano. read more

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Small little and quite the little Customer service - 5/5 : super cute safe and they're so sweet! ambiance - 4/5 : my own gripe is I wish their eating area was a little more dine in friendly because it's a small interior. I loved it though. They also don't have a restroom which kinda stinks but aside from those two things everything else was great! Good - 5/5 : recommend! We got their egg bites (bigger than you think) their pickled zucchini so delicious and just adds so much flavor! Their breakfast burrito is worth it! It's huge read more

Pacific Pearl Cafe - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - San Juan Capistrano, California

Enjoyed a fantastic brunch with my mom, sister, and niece this morning... Everything we ordered tasted amazing! And the pieces of pie and cookies we took to go were also full of flavor... So fresh and delicious! read more

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Well, I returned to give it another try. I want you to be successful - we need more places not using seed oils and making healthy food but it also needs to taste good. I initially went in based on "Grub with Greg"'s recommendation but my experience has been completely different. This time I tried the tuna melt which Greg said was the best he ever had. Not even close. I literally could make a tuna melt in jr high that had more flavor and TLC. $18 for a tuna melt (with a tip) and you get this sloppy half hearted made sandwich with zero condiments. Not even a slice of pickle. Minimal effort here. It was the same with the poke bowl - no flavor. Very bland. I'm sorry but if you want a good review from me - then you really need to step it up. I know that's harsh but with the prices you are asking it should match the quality of the food. read more

Obsessed with this place. Everything is delicious and as someone who can't eat gluten, this is the best dessert around. I drive 20 min to get here and still go often read more

Everything was very good. Burrito bowl has a lot of good flavor and pork is nice and tender! Love that there are so many gluten free options!! Thank you. read more

Pacific Pearl Cafe - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - San Juan Capistrano, California

Great place to eat if you're looking for something healthy and on-the-go! We just walked around the historic town next to San Juan Capistrano and visited the mission, so we were looking for something healthy in the area. I'm so glad we went here! I got their breakfast burrito with chorizo, eggs, potatoes, and salsa. My husband got their chicken egg salad sandwich. Both were super yummy and filling! Cute place to eat, and I loved their cozy aesthetic interior vibes! Super friendly and attentive service :) read more

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Hidden GEM asf. We've had their sandwhiches catered and they taste amazing! All ingredients are so fresh and the flavors are just amazing ranging from salads, breakfast items, sandwhiches, to baked goods! Their coffee is good to so honestly any breakfast or lunch items are so good. I'm looking for a reason to order from them again.. perhaps a big dinner party in the future. I know they also offer Thanksgiving dinner packages so check that out if you dont want to cook and want an amaing meal! Location is tucked in and fairly small, they have very small tables to chat and wait but its not so much a sit down restaurant. Everyone is so nice and helpful. I will keep coming back. read more

I went to the Cafe based on a review I saw that stated that the Pacific Pearl Cafe is gluten free. It was my first and last time. I was very disappointed to see that, while they serve some gluten free items, the Cafe also serves non-gluten free bakery items. I was very hungry when I got there and ordered the Sprout Kraut Grilled Cheese. Before finalizing the order, I confirmed that the bread on the menu was gluten free. I was told that It was wheat bread but they could change it to a gluten free one for and additional dollar. I agreed to the upcharge. Then the wait began. I waited 30 minutes for the sandwich and it wasn't worth it. First of all, the sandwich was burned on the outside. The brussel sprouts were tasty but the cheese was crumbly and without much flavor. The gluten free bread fell apart so I ended up with random pieces of bread that were too chewy on the inside but burnt on the outside and cheese crumbles all over the place. In the end I threw out more than half of the sandwich. I also noticed that In their display case they had gluten free items right next to items that contained gluten so I wouldn't be surprised at cross contamination. read more

Always love coming to this place when I'm in the area- the desserts are always my fav. This time I tried the caramel apple tart but there were lots of new seasonal pastries all of which are gluten free. read more

Pacific Pearl Cafe - Royal Royale with Cheese Egg Bites - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - San Juan Capistrano, California

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