Ciao Pasta

4.8

1259 Reviews

$30 and under

Italian

Make a reservation

2 people

Nov 23, 2024

7:00 PM

Booked 26 times today

Neighborhood gem
Great for outdoor dining
Good for special occasions

Ciao Pasta offers the most authentic flavors of southern Italy in a historic setting reminiscent of the old world. Located in the heart of San Juan Capistrano, we take pride in bringing the rich flavors and traditions of Italy right to your table. Our menu features a delightful array of dishes, from handmade pasta and artisanal pizzas to fresh seafood and seasonal vegetables, all crafted with the finest ingredients.

At Ciao Pasta, we believe that great food is best enjoyed in good company. Our cozy atmosphere is perfect for family gatherings, romantic dinners, or casual nights out with friends. With a selection of carefully curated wines and house-made desserts, we invite you to indulge in the taste of Italy.

Happy hour at Ciao Pasta includes discounted house wine and beer, where guests are free to indulge in the beverages as they share affordable appetizers and select entrees.

Join us for a culinary journey that celebrates the passion and culture of Italian dining. Buon Appetito!

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
Italian, Seafood, Vegetarian / Vegan
Hours of operation
Daily 11:00 am–9:30 pm
Phone number
(949) 496-5002
Website
http://www.ciaopasta.net/
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Business Casual
Executive chef
Pasquale
Catering
Catering Menu available for all your small or big parties
Private party facilities
Private area for up to 80 people for any special occasions Preset 4 Course Dinner available from $29 per person

Location
31661 Camino Capistrano Ste 201, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
Neighborhood
San Juan Capistrano
Cross street
Ortega Highways
Parking details
Street parking or back lot parking
Public transit
Amtrack and Metrolink
Entertainment
Sunday jazz 12.30 to 4pm
Additional
Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Delivery, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Featured in

100 Orange County Restaurants to Love This Valentine's Day

Popular dishes

Calamari$18.00
Fried calamari + Pomodoro Sauce
Carpaccio$17.00
Slices of Beef + Capers + Shaved Grana Padano + Arugula
Burrata e Bietole$17.00
Burrata + Roasted Beets + Cherry Tomatoes + Pesto Drizzle
Caprese$16.00
Mozzarella + Cherry tomatoes + Basil + Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Polpette Casarecce$15.00
Homemade meatballs + Pomodoro sauce + Burrata
Crostini al Prosciutto$17.00
Toasted Rustic bread + Aged Parma Prosciutto + Stracciatella Cheese + Arugula

Insalate

Add chicken $5, Add Salmon $9

Cesare$14.00
Romaine + croutons + Grana Padano shavings + Caesar dressing
Pera$15.00
Baby greens + endives + arugula + grapes + pears + Blue cheese + pecans + raspberry vinaigrette
Tagliata$22.00
Grilled Angus ribeye steak + arugula + cherry tomatoes + lemon infused olive oil, shaved Grana Padano + Balsamic reduction
Di Bietole$15.00
Roasted Red / yellow beets + arugula + endives + goat cheese + balsamic reduction vinaigrette
Al Salmone$23.00
Grilled wild salmon + organic greens + walnuts + dried cranberries + strawberries + goat cheese strawberry vinaigrette
Ai Gamberi$18.00
Grilled shrimps wrapped in pancetta + endives + arugula cherry tomatoes + feta + pesto drizzle lemon dressing

Le Pizze

Thin crust with homemade dough. Gluten free available

Margherita$18.00
Tomato sauce + Mozzarella + fresh basil
Crudo$19.00
Tomato sauce + Mozzarella + arugula + Grana Padano + Parma prosciutto
Diavola$19.00
Tomato sauce + Mozzarella + spicy salame + Italian sausage

Le Paste

Artisanal fresh pasta, gluten free pasta available

Ciao Pasta$20.00
Bowtie pasta + grilled chicken + mushrooms + tomato cream sauce
Tonnarelli$20.00
(Carbonara) Pancetta + egg yolk + Pecorino cheese + black pepper
Tortellacci$21.00
Spinach Ricotta giant Tortellini + Pomodoro Sauce + Fresh Ricotta
Pappardelle$22.00
Wide ribbon pasta + Porcini mushrooms + black truffle + touch of cream
Spaghetti$20.00
Cherry Tomatoes + Garlic + fresh Basil + extra virgin olive oil
Mezze Maniche$21.00
Short rigatoni + ground sausage + shallots + mixed mushrooms + touch of cream
Tagliatelle$21.00
Bolognese style meat sauce
Lasagna$19.00
Meat sauce + Ricotta + Mozzarella + Pecorino
Ravioli$22.00
Portobello Mushroom & Cheese Ravioli + Shallots + Artichokes + Sun dried tomato + cream
Paccheri$27.00
Large tube pasta, Pancetta, Shrimps, Pomodoro sauce, Basil, Burrata Cheese

I Secondi

Branzino$31.00
Grilled Mediterranean Sea Bass + cherry tomatoes + olive tapenade + grilled vegetables
Tonno$31.00
Seared Ahi Tuna Steak + Caramelized onions + Balsamic sauce reduction + Grilled vegetables
Limone e Carciofi$23.00
Chicken breast + artichokes + lemon sauce + grilled vegetables
Parmigiana$23.00
Breaded chicken breast + pomodoro sauce + Mozzarella + house pasta
Brasato di Manzo$29.00
Slow cooked short ribs + San Marzano tomatoes + red wine reduction homemade Orecchiette pasta (Pasquale's mother special recipe from hometown Puglia)

What 1,259 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

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

4.8

4.8 based on recent ratings

4.8Food
4.7Service
4.7Ambience
4.6Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

South Orange County
Great for outdoor dining

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Ciao Pasta in San Juan Capistrano is a charming Italian eatery known for its "authentic Southern Italy family recipes" and "impeccable cuisine." Guests rave about the "amazing service" and delightful patio dining. While parking can be tricky, the "great menu" and consistent quality make it a favorite for many.

1,259 Reviews

D
Don
Orange County
61 reviews
vip
4.0
61 reviews
Dined 1 day ago
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
Hands down the best pasta in South Orange County. My chicken parm was outstanding.
Is this helpful?
P
Patti
Orange County
10 reviews
vip
5.0
10 reviews
Dined 2 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Delicious food served with friendly smiles on a lovely patio. I thought I'd be cold sitting outside in November, but the covered portion of the patio by the fireplace was toasty warm and well sheltered from any cold breezes. The wine recommendation was excellent and reasonably priced, and the menu easily accommodated our different tastes. We'll definitely be back!
Is this helpful?
A
Angel
Orange County
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 5 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Awesome service and the food was very delightful.
Is this helpful?
N
Narmina
Orange County
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on November 12, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Food was very delicious and the staff was so kind! We had an amazing time and will definitely be back sometime soon!
Is this helpful?
S
STEVEN
Orange County
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on November 3, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
Great place and food as always .Server brought wrong drinks twice but besides that was great
Is this helpful?
R
Russ
Central Coast
16 reviews
5.0
16 reviews
Dined on November 3, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Food was tasty and our waitress Alessandra gave us some good suggestions. The after dinner expresso martini was my favorite!! Parking is horrible though. The only downside. We will be back
Is this helpful?
T
Teresa
Orange County
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on November 1, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
It is always a pleasure to dine with Ciao Pasta ~ food is perfect portions, savory and elegantly presented.
Is this helpful?
M
Mary
Orange County
26 reviews
vip
5.0
26 reviews
Dined on October 28, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 5
We were once again delighted with our meal at Ciao Pasta. One of our daughters is gluten-free, and the availability of gluten-free pasta and pizza is a definite plus. Each member of our party ordered a different entree, and they were all delicious.
Is this helpful?
H
Holly
New York City
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on October 26, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Excellent service, great food and nice patio dining ambience. Highly recommend.
Is this helpful?
f
frank
Orange County
1 review
vip
5.0
1 review
Dined on October 13, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 5
Delicious and good vibes! I would definitely go back :)
Is this helpful?

FAQs

Ciao Pasta offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (949) 496-5002.

Ciao Pasta is rated 4.8 stars by 1259 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a reservation

2 people

Nov 23, 2024

7:00 PM

Booked 26 times today

Order delivery or takeout

31661 Camino Capistrano Ste 201, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675

Additional information

Cross street
Ortega Highways
Neighborhood
San Juan Capistrano
Hours of operation
Daily 11:00 am–9:30 pm
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
Italian, Seafood, Vegetarian / Vegan
Dining style
Casual Dining
Dress code
Business Casual
Parking details
Street parking or back lot parking
Public transit
Amtrack and Metrolink
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Executive chef
Pasquale
Entertainment
Sunday jazz 12.30 to 4pm
Additional
Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Delivery, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
http://www.ciaopasta.net/
Phone number
(949) 496-5002
Catering
Catering Menu available for all your small or big parties
Private party facilities
Private area for up to 80 people for any special occasions Preset 4 Course Dinner available from $29 per person

Featured in

100 Orange County Restaurants to Love This Valentine's Day

Ciao Pasta

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

100 Orange County Restaurants to Love This Valentine's Day

Halibut

Ciao Pasta

Spaghetti

Antipasti

Calamari$18.00

Carpaccio$17.00

Burrata e Bietole$17.00

Caprese$16.00

Polpette Casarecce$15.00

Crostini al Prosciutto$17.00

Insalate

Cesare$14.00

Pera$15.00

Tagliata$22.00

Di Bietole$15.00

Al Salmone$23.00

Ai Gamberi$18.00

Le Pizze

Margherita$18.00

Crudo$19.00

Diavola$19.00

Le Paste

Ciao Pasta$20.00

Tonnarelli$20.00

Tortellacci$21.00

Pappardelle$22.00

Spaghetti$20.00

Mezze Maniche$21.00

Tagliatelle$21.00

Lasagna$19.00

Ravioli$22.00

Paccheri$27.00

I Secondi

Branzino$31.00

Tonno$31.00

Limone e Carciofi$23.00

Parmigiana$23.00

Brasato di Manzo$29.00

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Review summary

FAQs

Does Ciao Pasta offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

How is Ciao Pasta restaurant rated?

Is Ciao Pasta currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

Featured in

100 Orange County Restaurants to Love This Valentine's Day