Ciao Pasta

4.8

1284 Reviews

$30 and under

Italian

Make a booking

2 people

17 Feb 2025

19:00

Booked 23 times today

Great for outdoor dining
Good for special occasions
Neighbourhood gem

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
Area
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
Gluten-free Options, Indoor Fireplace, Patio/Outdoor Dining

Featured in

100 Orange County Restaurants to Love This Valentine's Day

Popular dishes

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

Insalate

Add chicken $5, Add Salmon $9

CesareUS$14.00
Romaine + croutons + Grana Padano shavings + Caesar dressing
PeraUS$15.00
Baby greens + endives + arugula + grapes + pears + Blue cheese + pecans + raspberry vinaigrette
TagliataUS$22.00
Grilled Angus ribeye steak + arugula + cherry tomatoes + lemon infused olive oil, shaved Grana Padano + Balsamic reduction
Di BietoleUS$15.00
Roasted Red / yellow beets + arugula + endives + goat cheese + balsamic reduction vinaigrette
Al SalmoneUS$23.00
Grilled wild salmon + organic greens + walnuts + dried cranberries + strawberries + goat cheese strawberry vinaigrette
Ai GamberiUS$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

MargheritaUS$18.00
Tomato sauce + Mozzarella + fresh basil
CrudoUS$19.00
Tomato sauce + Mozzarella + arugula + Grana Padano + Parma prosciutto
DiavolaUS$19.00
Tomato sauce + Mozzarella + spicy salame + Italian sausage

Le Paste

Artisanal fresh pasta, gluten free pasta available

Ciao PastaUS$20.00
Bowtie pasta + grilled chicken + mushrooms + tomato cream sauce
TonnarelliUS$20.00
(Carbonara) Pancetta + egg yolk + Pecorino cheese + black pepper
TortellacciUS$21.00
Spinach Ricotta giant Tortellini + Pomodoro Sauce + Fresh Ricotta
PappardelleUS$22.00
Wide ribbon pasta + Porcini mushrooms + black truffle + touch of cream
SpaghettiUS$20.00
Cherry Tomatoes + Garlic + fresh Basil + extra virgin olive oil
Mezze ManicheUS$21.00
Short rigatoni + ground sausage + shallots + mixed mushrooms + touch of cream
TagliatelleUS$21.00
Bolognese style meat sauce
LasagnaUS$19.00
Meat sauce + Ricotta + Mozzarella + Pecorino
RavioliUS$22.00
Portobello Mushroom & Cheese Ravioli + Shallots + Artichokes + Sun dried tomato + cream
PaccheriUS$27.00
Large tube pasta, Pancetta, Shrimps, Pomodoro sauce, Basil, Burrata Cheese

I Secondi

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

What 1,284 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

4.7Food
4.7Service
4.6Ambience
4.5Value

Noise • Moderate

Diners' Choice Awards

South Orange County
Italian

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Ciao Pasta offers a delightful dining experience with "top notch" service and "amazing" food. Guests rave about its "authentic" Italian dishes, "beautiful" setting, and "lovely" patio ambiance. Consistently praised for its "wonderful" service and "great" menu, it's a favorite for date nights and family gatherings.

1,284 Reviews

B
Bryan
Orange County
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 2 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great customer service would recommend to anyone trying to eat some Italian food
Is this helpful?
J
Julie
VIP
Chicago
7 reviews
5.0
7 reviews
Dined on 9 February 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
This was our first time at Ciao Pasta but it won’t be our last! Service was excellent, our waiter gave sound input on various dishes and they were great about letting us try a couple wines before deciding to go with the red on their specials list (it was superb!). The bread that they bring was perfect with the seasoned oil we topped it with. Zucchini blossoms were well balanced and the marinara outstanding. Calamari was tasty and a sizable portion. We thoroughly enjoyed the homemade pasta special with spicy sausage and the peccheri was also delicious. We also enjoyed the short rib entree. Don’t forget to order limoncello for desert. So good!!
Is this helpful?
j
jim
Orange County
11 reviews
5.0
11 reviews
Dined on 9 February 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great food as always. Heat lamps make outdoor patio dining comfortable. One of our go to spots near our home.
Is this helpful?
J
Judy
Los Angeles
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 1 February 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Food came out super fast, service was top notch, and the ambience was so pretty. I would defiantly come back for a date.
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
Orange County
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 25 January 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
It was lovely to spend my birthday at Ciao Pasta! I love that I got a little cannoli as a birthday treat. The hosts and servers were lovely as well!!
Is this helpful?
M
Michael
Tahoe
6 reviews
5.0
6 reviews
Dined on 18 January 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
As always, the service is professional and friendly with delicious food. And, they pour a decent glass of wine, which is very much appreciated. It’s my favorite nice-dining restaurant with fair prices for fabulous food and drink.
Is this helpful?
K
Ken
VIP
Orange County
6 reviews
5.0
6 reviews
Dined on 15 January 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Best Italian food ever. Always consistent. Server was very attentive. Atmosphere great! We love this place!
Is this helpful?
B
Brandye
Orange County
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on 11 January 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Food and service were amazing as always. Great menu with plenty of choices.
Is this helpful?
J
Jeffrey
New Jersey
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on 5 January 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We found our new "home table" a high top in the small bar area. It was perfect, the greeting, the service and the two specials. We had a wonderful evening and the bar was quiet so we could talk and enjoy ourselves.
Is this helpful?
G
Gabriela
VIP
Portland
14 reviews
5.0
14 reviews
Dined on 2 January 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 3
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 3
Eating outside was a little chilly and the food was a little heavy.
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 1284 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a booking

2 people

17 Feb 2025

19:00

Booked 23 times today

Order delivery or takeout

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

Additional information

Cross Street
Ortega Highways
Area
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
Gluten-free Options, Indoor Fireplace, Patio/Outdoor Dining

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 booking

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

100 Orange County Restaurants to Love This Valentine's Day

Halibut

Ciao Pasta

Spaghetti

Antipasti

CalamariUS$18.00

CarpaccioUS$17.00

Burrata e BietoleUS$17.00

CapreseUS$16.00

Polpette CasarecceUS$15.00

Crostini al ProsciuttoUS$17.00

Insalate

CesareUS$14.00

PeraUS$15.00

TagliataUS$22.00

Di BietoleUS$15.00

Al SalmoneUS$23.00

Ai GamberiUS$18.00

Le Pizze

MargheritaUS$18.00

CrudoUS$19.00

DiavolaUS$19.00

Le Paste

Ciao PastaUS$20.00

TonnarelliUS$20.00

TortellacciUS$21.00

PappardelleUS$22.00

SpaghettiUS$20.00

Mezze ManicheUS$21.00

TagliatelleUS$21.00

LasagnaUS$19.00

RavioliUS$22.00

PaccheriUS$27.00

I Secondi

BranzinoUS$31.00

TonnoUS$31.00

Limone e CarciofiUS$23.00

ParmigianaUS$23.00

Brasato di ManzoUS$29.00

Overall ratings and reviews

Diners' Choice Awards

Review summary

FAQs

Does Ciao Pasta offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

How is Ciao Pasta restaurant rated?

Is Ciao Pasta currently accepting bookings?

Make a booking

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

Featured in

100 Orange County Restaurants to Love This Valentine's Day