RUN, don't walk, to dine here!! Celebrated our 49th anniversary - very well taken care of by our fabulous waiter Tony!! Delicious meal, nice wine-- but let me tell you about the baklava ice cream dessert: ORGASMIC!!! (And I never eat dessert, haha!) Thank you Tony & all dining on patio... it felt like a huge extended family but we didn't have to cook, cleanup, nor do dishes!!! read more

The Olives Branch - Baklava Ice Cream - Mediterranean Near Me - San Juan Capistrano, California

They have an outdoor hookah lounge attached to the restaurant. Beautiful interior, good service. We ordered the Sultan's platter and an order of baba ganoush, and it was a perfect amount for a table of 4 light to moderate eaters. I think two hungry people could finish the Sultan's platter alone. The Sultan's platter comes with hummus. The server kindly refilled our pita with a fresh batch multiple times without being asked. Of the 3 meats we had: Filet: The server asked how we wanted the filet cooked and we said medium, but not even a hint of pink; regardless it was very tender. A bit on the gamey side in case you don't like that, but for me it was fine. Chicken: Very juicy but a little undersalted and some parts were a bit chewy. Not among the best chicken kabob I've had. Kafta: This was the standout among the three. The seasoning was excellent, so herby and delicious. I appreciated the variety of having all three, but next time I might get just kafta. The hummus and baba ganoush were great, but also not particularly better than any other Mediterranean place. This is a small nitpick but for a nice place that otherwise uses all ceramic and silverware, why plastic cups for the tahini and garlic sauce? Overall it was good, I would come back, but for the price I think I wish more elements would have wow'ed me. read more

The Olives Branch - Sultan's Platter (Dinner for 2 to 3) - Mediterranean Near Me - San Juan Capistrano, California

Good spot if you're in the area and craving Mediterranean food! I tried the Filet Mignon shish kabob entree and it was pretty solid. Prices are a bit high in my opinion for what it is, but so seems to be the case with a lot of places right now. I ordered the meat cooked medium rare, definitely came out a bit over but it was still mostly tender. Definitely would not recommend getting it cooked any more than that though. Comes with a side of rice and a few grilled veggies. Also had a small portion of hummus, but I wasn't a big fan of the taste of this hummus. Would love if it was served with a side of garlic sauce or something too, but overall meal was good. read more

The Olives Branch - Filet Mignon Shish Kabab Entree - Mediterranean Near Me - San Juan Capistrano, California

This place was awesome! From the moment our waiter seated us, we knew we picked the right place for lunch. He was so kind, friendly and answered all of our questions. The food and portions were incredible and when we requested a combination of items that wasn't on the menu, he immediately told us that he'd make us whatever we wanted! Their patio was super chill and we didn't feel rushed sitting there for a couple hours enjoying our meal. read more

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Our office was just at Olives Branch celebrating a birthday. While the food was excellent & fresh (I had the chicken kabobs, which were so tender and flavorful) , our server was even better. He made sure we all had exactly what we wanted & came back if it sounded like we wanted to change something. He was kind to all of us. This is not something I see often. Also, the baklava ice cream was so good!! The whole experience made our little birthday celebration feel special. Thank you. read more

Got the filet mignon plate. The meat was super dry. Also ordered the beef empanadas and the meat wasn't that great.

Three of us chose this place for lunch due to its location and the menu we saw online. What a good choice!! We started with the yogurt cucumber appetizer. Otherwise known as tzaziki, it was delicious and served with 2 quartered pita breads. We ordered from the lunch menu. I ordered the chicken Tawook ( if I've spelled it correctly) which was marinated and grilled chicken breast and the chunks were very tasty and somewhat moist. Served with a grilled tomato half and zucchini and pepper slices on a bed of basmati rice, it was good. This came with a small salad that had a zesty lemon and olive oil dressing. Quite good. My plate came with garlic whip which is a garlic purée sauce with olive oil and lemon juice. It was very mild. Diner number 2 had the beef schwarma platter served the same way with the same accompaniments except instead of garlic whip , she had tahini sauce. Diner 3 had the falafel platter which was the same with rice, salad, tahini and 3 fried felafel balls. The felafel was delicious ( diner 3 shared generously) but a tad over fried because the outside was hard. The inside, however, was delish! We had no room for dessert but next time!! Hannah, our server was terrific and the owner came over to talk with us also. Nice people. Diners 2 and 3 live in the area and happily, Olives Branch is between them. I live about 3,000 miles away but next time I'm here, I'll be back for another great meal! If you live in the San Diego County area, do yourself a favor and try this place. You won't be sorry. read more

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Unexpectedly ended up at The Olives Branch as we had been planning to go somewhere else and had to bail on that as the wait was untenable. Opted for a filet mignon shish kabab entree and subbed out the rice with salad, as per my usual order these days at similar Mediterranean restaurants. Filet mignon was cooked well and had good flavor. Having hummus come with it as a side was a nice touch, as I was able to mix it with the beef for some extra flavor. Service was fine. By the time we came here it was nearly 2 pm so the restaurant was not busy at all. Definitely a solid Mediterranean spot for the area. read more

The Olives Branch - Mediterranean Near Me - San Juan Capistrano, California

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The Olive Branch Mediterranean Restaurant is really good. The steak frites were delicious. the fries were thick and crispy, and the steak with the sauces was very tasty. The beef and lamb shawarma was also excellent. The meat soup was flavorful and comforting. I will definitely come back again. read more

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I was craving falafel, I am from Egypt, so I'm used to falafel made with fava beans, but it's OK I can still enjoy the falafel made with chickpeas. I went there for lunch and the falafel were light not greasy very fresh and the pickles underneath was so yummy. I just have one suggestion, anyway the chef can consider adding some cumin and coriander to the mix and maybe a little more herbs such as cilantro I would love to come back and bring my family and try some of your other dishes specially kebe Thank you read more

We visited The Olives Branch for my birthday in July, and unfortunately it fell pretty short. I'd eaten here a few years ago with a friend and had a great experience -- sat out on the patio in the winter, food was lovely. So I was excited to come back. This time we sat inside, and the ambience felt just okay -- like an average restaurant trying hard to seem upscale, though the prices certainly are. There was only one employee handling the entire front of house -- seating, serving, cocktails, orders -- and he seemed overwhelmed. Our order was simple: one cold mezze plate, one hot mezze plate, and a chicken kabab. He brought out a cold mezze plate, then another cold mezze plate with falafel added instead of the hot one. When we pointed out the mistake, he seemed surprised, but corrected it with the kitchen. As for the food itself, the flavors were very average, and honestly not worth the cost. We paid almost $90 for two people at lunch, no drinks included. I don't mind paying that for lunch when the food matches it, but this didn't. Between the underwhelming food and messy service, we left disappointed and won't be returning. read more

They were short staffed the day I went with my aunt and great aunt, but they made up for it with their desserts and drinks. The food took a while to get to us but I know they were short staffed. Patio was pretty and spectacular in San Juan Capistrano. I will come back and hopefully they will have enough staff next time read more

The Olives Branch - Patio - Mediterranean Near Me - San Juan Capistrano, California

Had a wonderful experience with local friends who are Lebanese. We were extremely happy with the service of our waiter and food. Our first time tasting Lebanese food. Yes great read more

Went on a weekday for lunch. Servers were pleasant and efficient. That's the only good news. Not a lot of middle eastern ambiance at all. Very generic restaurant but there is a patio area for good weather days. Food is their downfall. Somebody must have robbed the restaurant of their spice rack. Everything was bland or maybe we're spoiled by the food trucks that make delicious kabobs and other middle eastern treats that make our taste buds come alive. In addition the food arrived barely warm. Considering the restaurant was 70% empty there was no excuse. read more

If you like Lebanese food, you would be crazy not to eat here. The flavors are outstanding with high quality cuts of seafood and meats. Warm welcoming atmosphere with a menu that takes you through the Middle East. A beefy steak soup, spinach pie, and melt in the mouth salmon. Can't wait to try their lamb! Don't hesitate to go as soon as possible. Guarantee you will not be disappointed. In business for 14 years and they just keep improving on their meals. read more

Wow! My mom and I were pleasantly surprised. We sat inside and it was gorgeous! We were greeted by the waiter and he was so great during our entire lunch! We had water and iced tea to drink. The iced tea was refreshing. I had finished up a 3 hour research trip walking around Mission SJC, so refreshing is an understatement. To start off, we had spinach fatayer, grape leaves, fried eggplant, and cheese fatayer. I loved the cheese fatayer! It was crispy and the cheese inside was delicious. I also added on a soup to my filet mignon shish kabob entree. I asked the waiter if the kitchen could cut my kabob into small pieces because my wrist is broken and I am unable to use a knife. He was understanding and the meat arrived in perfect bite sized pieces. The meat was so tender and seasoned appropriately. The pita and hummus were great too. My mom had the salmon, which she enjoyed. The waiter gave us personal service that triumphs over impersonal interactions at other restaurants. For dessert, my mom and I both ordered the chocolate pistachio fudge cake with a side of ice cream. Oh my! It was DELICIOUS! I remember telling my mom "thank god I was just at a church because forgive me father for I have sinned". It was decadent and rich. I even took some home and it held up well the next day. Additionally, the whole ambiance was very welcoming and chic. I really liked the light fixtures and the bathroom was very clean and elegant. Overall, my mom and I had an amazing lunch! Anytime we're back in SJC, we will be returning. read more

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Came here because everything around our campsite was closed. What a gem! Food was excellent and Lisa our server couldn't have been more helpful. Great energy and gave some great recommendations on food . A must try. read more

I came here with a couple of friends for dinner. It took some time for us to be seated as we did not have a reservation. We were eventually seated inside. They have a very modern atmosphere with TVs showing the football game, a big wine shelf in the back and they also had a very pleasant patio area. We tried to sit outside on the patio originally, but all the tables were full. We ordered the Cheese Fatayer appetizer to start. It's basically a crispy fried cheese roll. It was really tasty with just the right amount of salt and crispy thin pastry on the outside. For my entree I got the Chicken Shawarma. Both of my friends got the Beef and Lamb Shawarma with an added salad. Our dishes came out in a good amount of time, but it took them a while for them to give us our pita bread. We had to ask multiple times in order to get it. We pretty much got our bread when we were almost finished eating the meal. My chicken shawarma was really good though and I especially liked the hummus and this other white, salty dip that was served with it. The chicken was grilled perfectly and I liked the addition of onions, zucchini and tomato to the dish. For dessert, we had to get the Baklava. It was crispy and slightly sweet. The pistachios were ground very fine. It took us a while again to ask for the check. It did seem like they were short staffed for the amount of customers. Overall it was a good dinner with good food, but the service was slightly slow. read more

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Had lunch there recently and enjoyed it so much that we returned for a second time in a week!

wonderful experience. 10/10 recommend. ordered the falafel wrap with salad. appetizers were hummus + pita and the cauliflower. tried the lentil soup too. all great choices. all delicious. excellent service. so kind and accommodating. patio is roomy. read more

The Olives Branch - Falafel Wrap - Mediterranean Near Me - San Juan Capistrano, California

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The open patio was perfect on a summer night. Serving up steak with unique sauces, chicken/vegetarian hummus, and wings, It was perfect for the kids and adults alike. read more

We had gotten take out from here a few times but never eaten here until last week. What a surprise. Eating in the restaurant showed us just how fresh and amazing all the dishes were. The stuffed grape leaves were soft and fresh. The hummus was really nice and mellow. The grilled vegetables were perfectly cooked. The feta, tomato, and cucumber salad was also nice. And the final item, the Baklava ice cream, wow! We shared it and it was still a lot but so incredibly good! Crazy good. The service was great, but we were the only people in the place. Coming late in the evening worked for us. read more

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I've always had mixed feelings. The food is actually quite good, but the ambience is very strange and the service is horrendous. There's generally one guy who I think is the manager that kind of has an arrogant way about him, though he doesn't actually say anything overly rude. Just count on waiting a while for waters and your food. Once it arrives though, it's actually quite tasty. I generally recommend sitting on the patio or getting things to go. read more

Upper scale Mediterranean, delicious taste and ambiance. You've got to come here if you love good Mediterranean food. I came here on my honeymoon and we had it a few times during our stay, it's that good! read more

They had really great food, i haven't ate great food like that in long time. Everyone was kind and friendly. The atmosphere is good, It was also pretty fast, we didn't wait much. And thank you guys for this experience:) read more

Nicely decorated and clean restaurant. Food was decent and a bit pricey. Service was slow since there was only one gal serving all tables. There were only 2 or 3 tables when we came but it got a bit busier later. After taking our order, we never saw her again until at the end, when we about done eating. Salad was very fresh but only lettuce and cucumber served as greens. The lemon dressing was very good. Pita bread was disappointing, It was dry and burnt. :) read more

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Amazing Mediterranean restaurant! PROs: Decor is very nice. LOTS of indoor and outdoor seating. Very nice Bar with plenty of libation selections. Bathroom is nice and well stocked. The staff is very polite and knowledgeable. There is a lunch menu that isn't on the menu, so if you come during lunch hours just ask about that. It allows you to substitute hummus for either salad or fries for free. We had the Lebanese Fries and Beef/Lamb Schwarma plate. CONs: Like most places in California, parking can be a challenge at peak hours. read more

The Olives Branch - Lebanese Fries - Mediterranean Near Me - San Juan Capistrano, California

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Omgosh, this place was AMAZING The food was so delicious and the staff was so nice. There were some foods we were not familiar with, and the staff kindly explained There is an outdoor space where I could have my dogs. It had heaters and was open when we arrived but they had shades that they pulled down when the sun was low enough to bother the customers. They also offer hooka I would highly recommend this place! read more

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This is my favorite Mediterranean spot I've found in south county! Service is attentive and everything is freshly made. I've tried the chicken salad, lentil soup, and hummus. I love it so much, maybe one day will try other items haha. Amazing quality and tasty food read more

Lebanese food is near and dear to my heart, growing up near so many good Lebanese steakhouses! And mostly gluten free, so we were in San Juan Capistrano and I picked this place for dinner one night. Everything was amazing from the service, entrees and ambiance. Highly recommend to anyone who needs gluten free! It was also very close to the best western we were staying at. I got the lamb and beef Kafka, soooo tasty and had some left for breakfast. Hubby had the lamb chops which were larger and more meaty than ones I've had before. We started with the Baba and they were accommodating with veggies for my dippers! The service was excellent and they offer hooka if you are into that. I'm going to say the star was the hummus, it was amazing!!! read more

The Chicken Kebab plate was really good! Everything was full of flavor. The portion was good and the plate looked presentable. The service was friendly and fast. I would definitely eat here again! I recommend. read more

The Olives Branch - Mediterranean Near Me - San Juan Capistrano, California

We stop here every time we are coming from or going to San Diego. My husband loves Mediterranean food, Lebanese especially. Easy on and off from the freeway. Everything is cooked fresh to order so don't expect a quick in and out, but the plates that get set in front of you are definitely worth it. Stand out dishes: Chicken Tawook Fried cauliflower Spicy Labneh Chicken Shawarma They have (2) outdoor patios so it's nice to be able to choose if you want to enjoy a private nook or the sunshine. They also have a full bar!!! Definitely a plus! The service staff is always very nice but limited so try and get all your requests in at once. read more

Great food, had a nice lunch here on my lunch break servers are great and so is the experience it's very nice and for lunch it's quiet which is very nice and allows you to eat your lunch in peace read more

Food was amazing as always and service spot on. Markup on vino is reasonable as well.

I originally found this place on accident when looking for a late-night food option in San Juan after work one evening and ordered a doordash pick-up. I wasn't expecting much, but it was absolutely delicious! So much so, that when it came time to choose where to have my birthday dinner, I wanted to check it out in person! It is a super cute restaurant in Marbella Plaza with plenty of parking. The patio has a very welcoming ambiance and plenty of heaters for the cooler evenings. The service was amazing, and they even went above and beyond to play Happy Birthday on the speakers with a show-stopping rice pudding dessert with a sparkler so big, it blew our minds! It was a very pleasant dining experience, although we came a little later in the evening around 9pm. We were the only table for a little bit, but it was nice to see quite a few doordashers picking up orders and eventually another table sat down as well to eat. The food was flavorful, cooked perfectly, drinks were fresh and tasty, and it was an amazing birthday meal. I love the late hours of operation, especially when everything else nearby will close. The filet mignon kabob was cooked perfectly medium well, the chicken, kafta, and truly everything, was so yummy! Two people shared the Sultan's Platter and it was a perfect serving for a big meal and some left overs! I'm glad we have leftovers so I can eat some more of it today! read more

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This restaurant deserves all the hype! I came here for my girlfriends birthday celebration and the food was delicious. There was 6 of us and we ordered Lebanese Street Fries Chicken Shawarma, Regular Kabab Platter,and Hummus Topped w/Beef & Lamb Shawarma all these dishes were amazing and was the perfect amount of food! Now, the service was good,however, it could improve just a bit! I felt like maybe they were short staff when we came because we would have to wait a bit to get the attention of the server. But, the staff were super sweet, helpful, and friendly! The restaurant itself looks beautiful! We sat outside and it was really nice! Thank you again to the staff for making my girlfriend's birthday special, I will definitely be back! read more

The food was exquisite, the service was impeccable, our overall experience was immaculate. The restaurant was very clean and cozy and I would definitely come back again!! read more

The Olives Branch - Taboulie and Spicy Labneh with Pita - Mediterranean Near Me - San Juan Capistrano, California

Food is always very good and portions are large. The service is slower than slow each and every time when we come for lunch, even though there is one or two tables in the entire place. Bit on a pricey side especially for lunch. read more

Nice dinner experience. Friendly service. Tasty potatoes. Good for groups or a causal date.

With the good Service and lamb shank Bad Beef/lamb diish was over salted, chewy and must have been used the day before and reheated Couscous not good at all. Chicken liver way over salted Need quality control and a new chef read more