There's a part of San Juan Capistrano that I had never seen. I guess it's their downtown, or old town, and it's right near the train station. There's a lot of places to eat, but I wanted to try Rancho because I saw them in San Clemente. This location is bigger and there's a nice outdoor patio. The hostess was friendly and excited it was our first time. She gave us a great table away from the other diners. It's just better for Cako. Jane was our server and one of the best! Made a couple of recommendations for lunch, but we saw the steak frites and well, I'm always down for a good steak frites. We also tried the fig bruschetta. This was delicious, though I was hoping for real figs instead of a fig jam. But it all worked nicely with the cheese, arugula, and balsamic. The steak came out and was very tender and had an herb butter that was soooooo good! I loved the salad that came with, spring mix with strawberries, blueberries and dried cranberries. I also like putting the butter on the fries....soooo good! We chose the Trestles Tempranillo and it was the perfect pairing with everything! They have a dog menu and Cako got a chicken and rice bowl, which she loved. The patio is a great place on a sunny day. They do have umbrellas and a covered area but it's all very pleasant. Jane took really great care of us! All the staff were friendly! Unfortunately, I didn't have room for dessert. Maybe next time! Cako Approves! read more

See all

I typically visit the Rancho Capistrano Winery in San Clemente, and I recently held an event at this location. The service was fantastic, the staff was very attentive, and the wine was great. The whiskey Bundt cake was absolutely to die for! Unfortunately, the ribeye was a disappointment. I ordered it medium rare, but it came out closer to medium well, and four plates were served incorrectly. To their credit, they fixed it right away and were very kind to offer a complimentary glass of wine, which was appreciated. Even with the great service, I was still disappointed with the ribeye. It lacked the char and flavor I've come to expect from the San Clemente location. The difference in how the steaks are prepared between the two locations was night and day. I'll definitely continue supporting Rancho Capistrano, but I hope this location can bring the ribeye up to the same standard. read more

Rancho Capistrano Winery - Ribeye - New American Near Me - San Juan Capistrano, California

See all

Ambience was great. Service was exceptional. There was live music which made for a good vibe! Who is a good spot to be outside under the lights in the summer. The fig bruschetta was really good. The steak and peach salad was definitely mid. It was lacking flavor. It sounded like it's gonna be amazing, but it was just whatever. The wine was decent The butter cake was pretty good. I wouldn't get it again as I've had it other places and it was amazing, but I don't regret the decision. read more

See all

My buddy is a member of this winery. He always said great things about it, and I finally decided to meet up with him for his birthday dinner. We started off having a beverage at the bar, then closed out the tab and sat down in the patio for dinner. The service is attentive, and the food is delicious. Our beef appetizer was tasty and tender. I ordered a burger and my buddy ordered pasta with shrimp. We were both stuffed and had plenty to take home as leftovers. They were nice enough to split the dessert into two plates, so we didn't have to do it ourselves. The Support staff was on the ball with the water refills. I don't remember receiving a refill on my Sprite, but that's OK. read more

Rancho Capistrano Winery - New American Near Me - San Juan Capistrano, California

See all

I had a very mice birthday brunch here. We sit in the patio. The food was good and the service was excellent. There were live music playingWe had the fig bruschetta, lemon Truffle Fries and a Steak Salad. All were delicious. Our server even have a chocolate cake with candles for me read more

See all

Great location, live music, good service and food. Another nice restaurant in San Juan Capistrano. (there are so many, it's hard to choose which one to go to) We've stopped in and enjoyed dinner in the bar, as well as dinner on the patio with live music. If you've never been there, those are two great options. read more

Rancho Capistrano Winery - Steak salad - New American Near Me - San Juan Capistrano, California

Lemon tortellini was absolutely delicious! I hope to see it on menu more! The wine flight option they had was fabulous! Steak my husband ordered was also delicious and cooked very well. We sat outside around live music on Friday night and enjoyed our time! read more

We were down in the OC for the weekend and swung by San Juan Capistrano for lunch at Rancho Capistrano Winery on a warm, sunny Sunday. The crowd was mostly families and older folks, which fit the vibe of a touristy wine spot in a historic town. Most of the shaded tables in the middle were taken, so we got stuck on the outskirts under umbrellas that only did half the job. Annoying on a hot day, but not a dealbreaker. Food, service and wine were all solid and exactly what you'd expect from a three dollar sign, "New American" winery in a place like this. Nothing blew us away, but nothing disappointed either. If you're passing through San Juan Capistrano and you're a wine person, it's worth a stop. Bonus: they're very dog friendly and our doggo had a great time. read more

When we lived in San Juan Capistrano, my husband bought me the wine club here for my birthday. It was amazing - a free glass of wine for yourself and a friend EVERY NIGHT. I don't know how they could afford it. Maybe because most members don't live locally, but I did. So they lost a lot of money on me. There were many a night after work that I would swing by to get my free glass and hang out at the bar talking to other locals. We joked that we should be each other's "friends" so the second glass didn't go to waste. Then every month, I looked forward to the two bottles of white for the wine club. This also became our fancy place to bring out-of-town guests. Their food is really amazing and they have a beautiful sunlit patio with live music on the weekends. Some favorites are the Fig Bruschetta ($16) and the Gorgonzola Apple Flatbread ($20). We order those every time and they are so delicious - a real crowd pleaser. Entrees are ok but I always prefer the appetizers and happy hour menu. I do miss living across the train tracks from this place. read more

I've never had a bad experience at RCW. The San Juan location is right down town and has a beautiful outdoor patio that often has live music. The inside still feels like a cozy winery. The service is great and everything on the menu is amazing. read more

Rancho Capistrano Winery - Cowboy steak - New American Near Me - San Juan Capistrano, California

I've been coming here for years but my most recent experience was really disappointing. I came with my family for my birthday (party of 6 adults and 2 kids). We were seated at 6pm, our waiter took our mains order at 6:50, and our food didn't come out until 8pm. I don't like celebrating my birthday anyways, but we didn't even have time to do a birthday dessert because it took so long and we needed to get the kids to bed. Over an hour for a steak, 4 burgers, and a salad. The waiter was very kind and communicative but it'll be a while before I come back. read more

Good service, fun vibe. Order the pizzas. Sit outside by fire pit. Friendly staff. Relaxing

Great as ALWAYS. Tried the new fall menu, loved my four cheese tortellini. It was to die for, a perfect portion. In hindsight I'll add a protein! I just knew I was going to be sharing many plates and didn't want to be too full. We had the fig bruschetta and 2 bottles of the Heidi. They paired perfectly! The baked brie also fit in very nicely. The patio was a good flow of people and our service was fantastic. The heaters are great too. Love this place forever and always!! read more

See all

found this place as the original place we wanted to try for brunch had an hour wait and we just didn't want to wait that long. its a really cute spot, but overall our experience was just ok. the food was mediocre and the service was sub-par. ordered the farmers breakfast and burger and there's really nothing special as them. also ordered coffee and was only given sweetener. when I asked the bartender for regular sugar (cuz the server was no where to be found for a good few minutes) I got a snarky, "you gotta ask your server"... mmmk, but do you see him around? SMH. read more

Rancho Capistrano Winery - burger - New American Near Me - San Juan Capistrano, California

See all

Visiting San Juan Capistrano for a day trip and had lunch at Rancho Capistrano Winery. Tried the Rancho Cobb salad . It was so yummy and refreshing! It was a beautiful day in San Juan Capistrano so we sat outside and had our lunch with a glass of wine . All the wait staff was friendly and helpful. Rest rooms were clean. The prices are a bit high but the atmosphere is nice and chill. I'll be back read more

See all

Beautiful restaurant with spacious outdoor dining area. Good for big group gatherings or just a nice meal out. I would have given it 5 starts if it was for the dirty glass the wine was served in. Our server was very friendly and help us took many photos at our request. We had a party of 13 and we didn't feel like the food took a long time to serve. All the dishes were delicious. We had ordered flatbread, steak salad, cowboy steak, salmon, and etc. read more

See all

There was a winery across from where we did lunch so obviously we have to go!! I have never really explored much in this area but everything is super cute and so glad we went into this spot as well. They were nice enough to sit us on their large patio since we had a dog with us. We just enjoyed some wine but they also have beers if you are not a wine person. It was a gorgeous day out so we loved getting to enjoy the patio and the food menu looked great as well! read more

Came here when there was a reservation mixup at Trevor at the Tracks down the street. They were able to seat right away and service was fast and friendly. Nice decor and is also a nice wine shop and gift store. Brunch was being served, the brussels sprouts and artichoke dip was good but the beef dip was tough and gristly. My lamb burger was tasty but dry. It's a nice place but the food was just ok. read more

Rancho Capistrano Winery - Lamb Burger w fries - New American Near Me - San Juan Capistrano, California

We went to Rancho Capistrano Winery for an event last night. We were able to taste 7 of their wines, three white and four reds. There is an outside patio area in front that is very nice to people watch. They are wonderful hosts. The food was very good. We had sliders, charcuterie, bruschetta, and an artichoke dip. The wines were bold and delicious. Parking is tough here so we took an Uber here. We had a wonderful time. Happy Yelping! read more

See all

We came on a Sunday, and they had live music (a guitar player singing). We sat outside and plenty of servers were around, but service was quite slow. Even though our server (Joseph) was very friendly, we had to keep flagging down other servers and bus people to order, get our check, get water, etc. We ordered the regular fries, which were nothing special but tasted better with the aioli on the side. The server said most people get the truffle fries, but a few of the people in our group aren't big fans of truffle. The wine flights were delicious and a fairly good deal at $18 for three 2oz pours. We tried all the flights (the white flight, the red flight, and the mixed flight which came with one white and two reds). My favorite was the red flight. If you're a fan of light wines, the white flight delivered but it was odd that it didn't include a sauvignon blanc like the mixed flight. The Bougainvillea Rosé of Sangiovese in the white flight was delicious, even for a red wine drinker! This is a great place to pop into when you're walking around the cute shopping area. read more

See all

I had a wonderful experience at Rancho Capistrano Winery. The wine selection was excellent, with a variety of options that were both approachable and well-crafted. Whether you enjoy bold reds or lighter wines, there is truly something for everyone to enjoy. My friends enjoyed champagne by the glass. The food was equally impressive--fresh, flavorful, and thoughtfully prepared. Each dish paired beautifully with the wines and made the overall dining experience even more enjoyable. I enjoyed a salmon dish while my friends ate the eggs Benedict and steak dishes. To top it all off, the coffee and dessert were exceptional. It was the perfect way to end our brunch experience, and you can tell that just as much care goes into the final course as the rest of the meal. Overall, Rancho Capistrano Winery offers a fantastic combination of great wine, delicious food, and a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere. I look forward to visiting again. read more

See all

Came in for the day on the train, which is right next door btw, and the place was nice. They seated me right away. I was pleasantly surprised when they offered me gluten free pita bread. The Cajun beef, did not taste like Cajun at all but it was delish with the bread either way. Even though it was an appetizer it filled me up. I enjoyed the wine and my server was great. Happy i came here read more

See all

Great place for birthday celebrations wine from all over California including Napa Valley. read more

Rancho Capistrano Winery - New American Near Me - San Juan Capistrano, California

We were very disappointed with our experience. From the beginning, we weren't given any napkins, and it was difficult to even ask for them because our waiter Brandon W barely paid attention to our table. We ordered the flatbread without jalapeños, but it was brought out with jalapeños anyway. At the beginning of the meal, we told our waiter Brandon that we were celebrating my daughter's birthday, but nothing was done to acknowledge it. My daughter also paid to upgrade her fries, but she was served the regular fries instead. The only things they did to fix the mistakes were bringing out another flatbread, replacing the fries, and taking $5 off the bill. Unfortunately, the service remained terrible throughout the entire meal. We understand that mistakes can happen, but the lack of attention and poor customer service made this a very disappointing experience. We would not return based on the service we received. This was one of the worst dining experiences we have had in a long time. read more

First time having dinner here. Great service and even better food. Server gave great recommendations, got a couple bottles of wine for the table and made a night out of it. Patio even has heaters so you can enjoy sitting outside when it gets cooler out. Will be back again!' read more

See all

We came here Saturday for brunch and fell in love with this beautiful charming restaurant. The vibes indoor is a small winery with wine bottles on walls. The outside is what drew us in: very spacious and homey. We loved the fire being lit up. They served brunch until 3pm and we were sat right away with no reservation. We got the mimosa flight not pictured as it was gone quickly. Along with the avocado toast and classic breakfast. We each enjoyed the meals they were very tasty. Definitely would recommend. read more

See all

Salmon tacos are simply favorites the ambience enjoy girls day lunch to romantic night wine and tasteful meal family, friendly, and fur baby friendly wonderful service read more

See all

This review is LONG overdue. I have loved RCW for years, but just recently returned to the wine club membership program. I go there at least once a week, sometimes just with my dog (very dog friendly) sometimes with a friend. The food is fantastic, the service is friendly and the wines are fantastic, particularly for a small private winery! And a HUGE selection! Happy hour is very reasonable, and great extras for wine club members. The setting is beautiful, just like you would find at a winery out in the country. They have been such a great addition to our new downtown; I daresay almost the anchor downtown (aside from the Mission, of course). They get a lot of tourists being right across from the train station, but they take super special care of we locals, too. I feel that's "My Place" downtown. **note: I saw a review that criticized them for charging for a Pellegrino water for her dog. Ya know... they will give you just plain water for free. In a nice bowl. If your dog needs Pellegrino water, expect to pay for it. Just sayin. read more

Beautiful day was spent at the winery for my birthday. Food was great. Wine and mimosa flights were great. Server was attentive. Taking one star off because the fryer was down and my party ordered fries - other than that it was great. read more

Rancho Capistrano Winery - Brioche stuff french toast - New American Near Me - San Juan Capistrano, California

INCREDIBLE Wine Tasting experience!!! Laura served us an AMAZING display of cheeses and wine for us to taste, where she expertly gave us the history and fascinating knowledge of how each of their wines' are produced. We sat and ate dinner IMMEDIATELY after the tasting near the warm fireplace. They also offered to move any heating lamps to make sure all guest were comfortable. Katie was the NICEST server who gave WONDERFUL menu recommendations and the food was DELICIOUS! I highly recommend the Cowboy Steak, Avocado Crunch Salad, or the Beef Stroganoff! ALSO it's a dog friendly restaurant with ample space for big and small dogs. read more

Rancho Capistrano Winery - Fireplace Outdoor Seating (heat lamps not in photo) - New American Near Me - San Juan Capistrano, California

Although we didn't make a reservation, my friend and I were quickly seated outside and were kindly accommodated for a table in the shade (yay warmer weather!). The ambiance of the outdoor patio was divine, live music and a small fire going. Each host and server was ready so help us with drinks and food. The fig bruschetta paired wonderfully with the white wines in the flight (pictured). The pesto omelette was light, fluffy, and full of flavor. If I lived closer, I would be back soon!! read more

See all

This place is a great place to spend some time relaxing with a warm view of the fire place, listening to live music, or catching passerby's along the bustling sidewalk as the train stops across the way. I come here regularly and although the food is great the service is always slow. The kitchen is ridiculously small if you happen to observe it on your way outside to the patio so it's to be expected that food would take a little longer to prepare, however, it's taking your order, topping up glasses, bringing the check, etc that I'm usually flagging someone down. They run a lean team so expect service to be slower. Highlights: ask about their wine club membership. It's highly beneficial if you are a regular. + spinach artichoke dip + ranch brisket burger with sweet potato fries + avocado crunch salad read more

Rancho Capistrano Winery - Sweet potato fries are great for splitting - New American Near Me - San Juan Capistrano, California

We found this gem in San Juan Capistrano looking for a good dinner spot to meet up with family who was in town. This place did not disappoint. We sat outside even though it was a little chilly but they were very accommodating and surrounded our table in heaters so we could still enjoy our time outside. We ordered the fig bruschetta, lemon fries, spinach dip and Brussels sprouts for starters and each of them were delicious! The whole table agreed. For entrees our table ordered two of the chicken dishes a steak and I had the tortellini. Everyone said their entree was delicious! We didn't have room for dessert but I will definitely be back. read more

We did the white wine tasting flight and I was pleasantly surprised by all 3 wines! The table was pretty small for four people who got food but we made it work. Great food and good service. It's also super cute inside. read more

See all

We had a big group for a Saturday lunch and they were accommodating. It was a warm day, but they brought out umbrellas to help shield from the sun. It was a lovely outdoor patio area. The servers were all pleasant and helpful. I ordered the avocado crunch with salmon and it was good, but nothing special. I asked for a non-alcoholic beverage and they mixed up a juice and soda water and it was refreshing. read more

Rancho Capistrano Winery - New American Near Me - San Juan Capistrano, California

See all

I've been here multiple times, and this place never disappoints. It's absolutely beautiful, especially the outdoor seating, which is perfect for brunch. The food is consistently really good and well-prepared. The service is usually great; although on this visit it did take a little longer than usual to be attended to. Overall, it's still a lovely spot that I enjoy coming back to and would definitely recommend. read more

See all

Food - American. Steaks, salads, soup burger, pasta. Ordered Cobb salad, brocolli cheese soup. Both were good with the soup being slightly salty. Also ordered ribeye steak with cowboy butter. Good cut and good temperature of medium rare plus. Service - friendly Lexi, (Alexandria??) Ambiance - twas nice indoor/outdoor dining with a fireplace outdoors. Verdict - good enough for a visit and double take. They do have happy hour (HH) all day Mondays but when it is a holiday, no HH. They also have other timeframes for HH. read more

See all

The food was great, we LOVED the Ambiance, and the service was superb!! Thank you for a memorable night!!

Excellent food, amazing service and the live Music is always a gem, to top off the experience! Perfect place for date night, newly wed nights out, young families and married couples. The wine is honestly incredible, the Bougainvillea is my personal favorite. Brunch, Lunch or Dinner - RCW is always a family favorite. read more

We hosted my father's birthday and reserved the patio event space for 45 people. The entire experience including food and wine selection and planning was smooth and easy. Michelle, the coordinator, is great to work with and thoughtful in preparing for the event, including checking the weather and coming up with contingencies since there was rain in the forecast for the night of the event. On the night of the party, staff helping us, Isaac, Casey, and Pedro were super friendly and helpful and made our guests feel comfortable. The food was fabulous! We had the truffle flatbread, which was a crowd favorite, Caesar salad, salmon, steak, and tortellini, all of which were delicious, with very little leftover. The wine selection was also excellent. I received lots of compliments on the food, service, and ambience from our guests, and most importantly, the guest of honor, my sweet dad. It was a perfect evening! read more