Sundried Tomato Bistro

After taking the train to the area, we decided on this place. It was a Saturday morning around 11:30 and not crowded at all. They have patio and indoor seating as well as bar. We ordered some breakfast items, pasta with added shrimp, drinks and bottomless mimosas. The food looked and tasted great. The shrimp was a good size but had to order it separate since the pasta only came with noodles. The staff was really good about managing all our requests; however, they didn’t bring out drinks until we asked a second time. The coke didn’t taste right but they took it back. I took a star off as they didn’t tell us the danishes that were served did not mention that they contained nuts until we asked, someone in our group is allergic. Their bathrooms are also very clean.

Huge menu great prices and good food. Service from Esther was great. I’m usually skeptical of restaurants with a huge menu but they did a great job with everything. Portions are large and very well priced. Also some complimentary bread and butter. Will come back!

We always enjoy this charming restaurant. We recently enjoyed a great lunch. They always have a complimentary sweet treat or sweet bun to enjoy while you review the menu which is always so good that I never think to take a photo prior to devouring it. On this visit, I had a great pesto sandwich on a baguette with Brie cheese. My husband always loves the hash from their brunch menu. Service was friendly and prompt and there was live music on the patio. Looking forward to our next visit already!

Very good food and good service. We tried tomato soup, beef rolls and grilled fish - everything was good..they can also split portion into two plates if you want to share.

Nice place to stop for lunch...about $25-30 for lunch. Excellent French dip and chicken salad. Sweet potato fries were well cooked and tasty. The chicken sandwich was a bit bland. In addition to a small dining area, there is seating in the bar and outside. We would definitely stop by again.

Love this place been years since I’ve eaten here. Super good food. Staff was super friendly. Beautiful day I Highly recommend checking it out.

I had a wonderful experience at Sundried Tomato. The service was exceptional, with Ingrid as the host and Ester as our server. Both were welcoming, attentive, and provided excellent recommendations from the new menu. I ordered the 1/2 sandwich and 1/2 chopped salad combination. The salad was fresh and flavorful, as always, and the sandwich had a satisfying crunch that elevated the entire dish. My friend opted for the chicken sandwich, which was equally impressive. The fries that accompanied it were a standout—fluffy on the inside, perfectly crisp on the outside. They were so good that I would order a side of them on their own during my next visit. To complement the meal, I had two espresso martinis, which were exceptionally well-made. They were rich, smooth, and easily some of the best I’ve had. Sundried Tomato consistently delivers on quality food, expertly crafted drinks, and outstanding service. I highly recommend it for anyone seeking a memorable dining experience.

The atmosphere is really nice. I sat outside and It is far enough from the street where people don't really see you and you don't get all the noise from the street. It also has ample shade which is great. The servers and manager are really nice, it is really clean as well. I ordered a lettuce-wrapped hamburger and it was delicious. The fries were also really crispy!! I recommend this place.

Had the bow tie pasta and I'm still dreaming about it. Genuinely thinking about it days later. Ate outside and it was the perfect date night setting... warm air, twinkle lights, all the vibes. The drink menu was super fun, staff was great, and the bread baskets? Always a win in my book.

The food here is incredible all around! We just found out that on Saturdays they have. 3 course meal deal for only $40! Absolutely WOW!! Our server was on top of it and very friendly and made the entire ambiance that much more special! We were sat outside near the entrance and had some beautiful sky views and got to people watch a little bit. I would highly recommend getting this meal deal and trying out the filet mignon or the skirt steak! Both were insanely good.

PROS: - We were seated immediately with no wait. I'm not sure if that was a good thing or bad thing. - There is a patio section that is DOG FRIENDLY. - The wait staff was fantastic. - The food arrived quite quickly after ordering. - The food was actually fantastic! CONS: - Good luck trying to find parking in this area. There is a nearby parking structure near the railroad tracks, but it gets pretty full during peak hours.

Sundried Tomato is a charming restaurant located in San Juan Capistrano. They have an extensive menu with great prices. We came for dinner last month on a Friday night. I ordered the open face tuna melt and my husband ordered the Ribeye steak and drinks. The food was delicious. Our service was excellent, they were very busy on a Friday night. Atmosphere 5/5 Food 4/5 Service 5/5

I visited Sundried Tomatoes with some friends for Brunch. It was great. We were able to get a seat inside with no wait. It wasn't too loud even though it was fairly full, so we were able to have a conversation at normal volume. The food came out extremely fast. I really enjoyed the skillet. It had a nice mix of veggies and the potatoes were delicious.

Dinner last night at SDT was excellent. We enjoyed the three course dinner for $40 and it was excellent. There were so many choices for each course. We had their tomato soup and it was amazing! My husband was so vocal about it I was slightly embarrassed lol! We ordered the three flights of wine for $14 and they were delicious. For our mains we enjoyed the fillet and the salmon dinners. The meals were delicious and the presentation was so artistic. The service was really perfect. Not too intrusive but just enough. I have not had a better meal in San Juan. We will return.

Glass in food!! Ordered the vegetarian lasagna (delivery) last night and found a piece of wood in it. Then found a piece of glass in it. Tried calling the restaurant, but no one picked up. Left a message regarding the issue but did not receive a callback. Have been ordering here for years -- do not eat here!

I have been to Sundried Tomato twice now and let me say this place is simply amazing. The food flavors are soo vibrant and the menu selection is just perfect. Their basic grilled cheese has three different types of cheeses. This exemplifies how much thought they put into every menu item. Their chicken bow tie pasta is very large and creamy al dente goodness. Their servers are kind, and as with the culture of the area, they are a little more relaxed and laid back. The inside is astecially pleasing, decorated with wine bottles and wide windows to catch the live views of the street. You really have to try this place. It's located in the heart of the historic rios district. There is plenty of paid parking in the area (couple bucks an hour)

Almost immediately, after we were seated, a server came out with water, bread, and what I presume was a tomato butter... It was really good! Our server was Bailey, who did a fantastic job all evening. It's not often my friend & I are able to get together, but with both of us staying in South OC at the same purely by chance, dinner & drinks was a no brainer! I chose this restaurant because it was a middle meeting point for both of us, and am I ever glad I did. We started out with the bacon wrapped scallops, which were an impressive size, and very tender. Not rubbery at all, so, cooked to perfection. We shared the vegetarian lasagna which didn't look all that appealing, but looks were deceiving. It was packed with so much flavor. It was unbelievable. Would definitely order it again. We finished off our meal with the espresso brownie & hot fudge that they make there. It was a hit as well. Dining al fresco on a lovely summer's evening was a delight, and I/we will definitely return.

Finally got around to trying this local place. Walked in for dinner with the kids and they had plenty of room. They sat us in a room with nice live music. They had high chairs and an actual kids menu but most importantly crayons and a sheet to color! So helpful since we hadn't planned on eating out and had forgotten our stash. The fries are not to be missed. I've never had any this shape and cut before but they were crispy and soft at the same time. The 4 of us polished this off quickly. The tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwich was super rich and filling. The kids really liked their pasta which is always a win. N enjoyed his lamb. I loved the green beans! Will look forward to returning!

Just here to talk about the food!!! Everything I've tried has been absolutely amazing, the prices are also not terrible. Such a cute little restaurant in a great location. The staff also really makes your day, they are so welcoming and can recommend the perfect drink. I always have the best experience coming here, they even have brunch!

Took my granddaughter, who is from New Mexico, to San Juan Capistrano for the day. Wanted to show her the Mission but guess what-- it's closed on Mondays and guess what day it was! So we decided to walk around and explore. We came across the Sun-dried Tomato and decided it looked promising so we stopped in. It was a nice day, and they had patio seating, so we opted to sit outside. The menu was voluminous so it took us a minute to decide what to eat. Unfortunately, I decided wrong. I opted for the fish and chips. My husband got the sampler appetizer and my granddaughter the San Juan bowl. Although the batter on the fish was crispy and light, the fish itself was tasteless and undercooked. Fortunately the potato "chips" that accompanied the fish was delicious, as was the tartar sauce . I ate a couple of pieces of the fish and most of the chips. My husband devoured his sampler plate after gifting me a blue corn taquito stuffed with duck from his plate. My granddaughter also quite enjoyed her San Juan Bowl. All of the portions were Hugh so my granddaughter and I wound up taking a good amount of our dish home. I old my hubby the fish would be his dinner. Later, when my hubby sat down to eat the fish, he agreed that it was not good. I guess 2 good dishes out of three isn't bad. As for the service, I have no complaints. So if you're in the area, stop by Sun-dried tomorrows but don't order the fish and chips.

This review is not really based on the restaurant itself, but it IS based on the food! I attended an event (last night) at the plaza Magdalena and this restaurant catered the food and it was phenomenal. I probably work at 50 to 60 events a year and quite honestly the food is never really good, it's always typical mass-produced banquet food that's probably been sitting in a volunteer room somewhere for a few hours... but not last night! The food was hot, fresh and had amazing flavor... it was like they were in the kitchen cooking only for me. And the salad was equally as delicious. I am usually a bit of a plain eater and when I see a bunch of weeds and leaves in a salad, I'm not even trying it... But everyone kept commenting how amazing the salad was so I tried it...and had seconds!!!! I also heard several guests at the event commenting how good the food was. Their servers were also extremely friendly and very prompt serving the almost 200 guests. I had no idea this was also a restaurant (thanks to yelp) I thought I was just coming on here to review a catering company. Now I will be definitely be making a special trip back down there to visit the restaurant.

This was a fantastic experience. Our servers were so great, very helpful, our food came out quickly and they were super knowledgeable about the menu and options. The seating in here is greatly and their is nice music without it being too loud to hear everyone at the table. Every single thing we ordered was phenomenal. The best scallops I have ever had, the bread came with butter w sundried tomato's in it which was so good and added even more flavor. Also the risotto was so flavorful!

Walking into The Sundried Tomato, you immediately sense this isn't your average neighborhood spot. The energy's vibrant and the flavors really hit hard. Every dish I tried had a punch of freshness and creativity--you can tell they're committed to making something memorable. The drinks deserve a mention too. They bring a level of craft and thoughtfulness that elevates the whole meal. The team working the floor was on point--friendly and knowledgeable without being overly formal. They made sure the night flowed perfectly, which made the experience all the more enjoyable. If you're around San Juan Capistrano and want a spot that takes its food and drinks seriously, The Sundried Tomato is a must-visit. I'm already planning my next trip back. --Rick

We went for brunch and absolutely loved it!! Everyone got something different from French toast to skillets and omelette. Everyone raved about the door. Drinks were also great - they have a lavender champagne that was delicious. They also have bottomless mimosas for a great price. Really good kids options too. We went for a birthday and they sang and gave us a yummy dessert. Servers were all very friendly. Highly recommend and we will be back!

The food was delicious and the service outstanding. Ingrid was an excellent server. The chicken BLT sandwich with avocado and the filet tacos were scrumptious! Can't wait to go back again.

Good dinner with friends and family in a bistro environment. We started with their signature tomato soup, which was creamy and tasted good, but it was quite cold. They also brought bread to the table with a tomato butter, which was good. Next we got a variety of mains including: the flank steak, salmon, pesto pasta, and the chicken piccata. The standout was the flank steak. It was cooked to a perfect medium rare and came with some delicious green beans with pancetta and a side of Gouda macaroni. This was a great dish. The salmon tasted a bit fishy, but had a nice pesto sauce on top and it came with potatoes and carrots. It was nice. The pesto pasta was gluten-free, but tasted terrific and it came with well-seasoned chicken on top. Chicken piccata was OK. For dessert, we had the espresso brownie sundae, which was bursting with flavor. I should've paired it with a latte or a coffee, but I was completely full. We left with a bag full of leftovers and full bellies. We will definitely be back.

We received gift cards Sundried Tomato restaurant donated to Waymakers charity. We love the fact they give back to charity. The food is delicious. The server was checking on us regularly. Loved the prime angus sirloin cheeseburger. The sun-dried penne pasta. The salads look yummy (we peaked at the table next to us.) We will come back to try the chocolate cake! The atmosphere is friendly, laid-back. There is plenty of seating outdoors.

Cute lunch spot before we went to visit the Mission. We went on a Wednesday so it was not busy, and sat outside. Kids had chicken tenders and fries. The tomato soup and grilled cheese was SO DELICIOUS!!! Staff was friendly, service was a little slow, but we weren't in a hurry. We would definitely go back to visit if we are in the area again.

San Juan Capistrano is a great SoCal Town. I love the historic mission. I visited on a Tuesday night in June. We started by splitting Tuna Poke. The tuna was a little too old and room temperature. I had root beer baby back ribs. In a word gross. The fries were tasty. My dinner companion had crab cake salad. Dressing was too heavy and crab cakes were fair. I liked the outdoor dining area and the waitress was efficient. Not going back.

Amazing food and great service! I loved the sun dried tomato penne with veggies and chicken breast. The toffee cake with ice cream was really good! And my organic margarita on the rocks was also very good! And the outdoor patio in the afternoon was shaded and perfect!

Scarlett is a rockstar and she runs the bar like a champion! The food and drinks are amazing!

This place is such a gem and highly recommended! From the host, to the server, the service is impeccable. We had a beautiful late lunch under the sun with a cool breeze, beneath the umbrella, seated outdoors. The food did not disappoint either. Everything we ordered (even the fountain Diet Coke!) was on point. I would certainly go back. We enjoyed the complimentary bread, the fries were some of the best we've had, and the pastas were well flavored. The angel hair was so soft and scrumptious, with capers. And the sun dried tomato penne had the right creaminess. The salad was good too, no complaints. Without hesitation, grab a seat and trust you can enjoy your meal! They saved us from being hangry!

I came here with a couple of buds of mine on a Sunday. We shared two appetizers which was the spinach and artichoke dip which was absolutely delicious and the chicken egg roles which was also really good. I ordered the blackened chicken bow tie pasta with added spinach and it was pretty phenomenal I'd say. At first I thought the flavors were very strong and pungent but when I actually mixed the flavors all together and let them simmer it turned out really good. I was already pretty full from the complimentary bread and appetizers so I had a good amount left over the next day. And it was even better! If you do pay a visit I'd recommend the spinach and artichoke dip for an appetizer and the blackened pasta! Can't go wrong!

This place has been a go to for a long time. The food is amazing and it has a very quaint, intimate ambiance. The vegetable lasagna and steak arugula salad are a can't miss.

Stopped in for lunch at the bar. Ordered a Chimay and delicious lamb burger ($19), medium well. Bar is a hidden gem with a wrap around bar top, vibey ambiance and good bartenders. Captain approved.

Ester was amazing! She is so down to earth and a lovely personality. The food was good. I had the eggs Benedict. The chef needed to cook the egg one minute less to be perfect. Order the mimosas! I recommend the pineapple or the good old-fashioned orange juice.

LOVE THIS PLACE!! The tomato soup is the ABSOLUTE BEST!! Better than any I have ever tried (beats Nordstrom cafe!) the grilled cheese was amazing and the best comfort meal ever. Everyone really seemed to enjoy their meals. Abraham sang a birthday song to my boyfriend's sister and WOW!!! AMAZING VOICE!!! It was so good and so so nice!!! Overall we had a great experience here and this is my new go to spot when I'm in San Juan Capistrano!

Wedding Catering Food: everyone loved the food! The salmon was cooked perfectly, beef tri-tip was tender, and the sides were flavorful. We got lots of compliments and highly recommend this catering company. Service: I worked with Patti and she was responsive and so helpful! We catered our wedding food and decided to use their drop-off option. I couldn't recommend this enough! It was affordable (~ $20 per person). Patti helped us choose the items and the sauces that would go best with each entree since we didn't have a tasting.

We love a weeknight dinner at Sundried Tomato. We always choose to sit at a table in the bar so the bartender, Brooke, can serve us, she is the absolute best! She makes incredible martinis, she's super sweet with our kids - taking their orders and putting cherries in their sodas. She tends to every request, with a smile and is very accommodating. Delicious food and drinks...parents and kids happy. We come here whenever the schedule allows. Thank you Brooke!!

The food was great! The tortilla soup had great flavor with a nice crunch of skinny tortilla strips and large pieces of shredded chicken! The house fries that come with the sandwiches are so different and like flat curls with salt and parsley garnish. The burger was cooked perfectly rare just as asked and the french dip was very tasty! Au jus was a tad too salty but still packed with flavor! Esther our server was very sweet and made great suggestions and continued to check in but not too much. The ambience is a little stale and could use a sweep of the broom after the lunch rush so the dinner guests don't see crumbs but this is super minor. Overall it was a great visit but like I said Esther was the greatest!

Mary's chicken was among the most flavorful chicken preparations I've ever tasted! Came in here on a whim walking around on vacation, glad we did. Great atmosphere, great music, and incredible service. Brandon was our server, accommodated my annoying "extra malt vinegar" request and then some! Best fish n chips experience I've had in my decades on this earth. Everyone was so kind and helpful. Also, shout out to Ingrid for her help and attentiveness. Do yourself a favor and branch out if you're staying at a nearby hotel, this restaurant was fantastic.

One of our families favorite restaurants in SJC. Good food, and a pretty good bargain at lunch. Brunch is always really good.

First walking into the patio you immediate felt a warm welcoming feeling. We were seated outside, by choice, and it was pleasant. We were waited on quickly. The menu had a good choice. I had a pesto chicken sandwich with very good fries. Very unusual as they were thinly cut. My wife had a half sandwich and cup of soup. The tomatoe soup is delicious. Overall, we really like this place and will go back.

We came here for my coworkers going away lunch. The staff were helpful and very nice. I had the cheeseburger and it was very good. Everyone enjoyed their food. The place was nice and clean. I came back here a week later and and my family liked it too.

Found this place down the street from The Mission at San Juan Capistrano and decided to try it for lunch. Very happy with our choice. It has a cute interior, and a nice outdoor seating area. The staff was friendly and attentive. We share an order of the brussel sprouts with the Asiago cheese. I had the ribs with root beer BBQ sauce (sweet with a hint of spice), one had the Chicken and Waffles (loved the Chipotle maple syrup) and one had the quinoa salad with shrimp (light and fresh) . My family lives in the area and liked everything so much they plan on going back. I would recommend trying it if you are in the area.

After all these years, this is still one of my all-time favorite restaurants. The family surprised me with reservations for Fathers Day, and I couldn't have been happier. The sundried tomato soup is still amazing, and always a must have. I also tried the lobster bisque, which despite the loyalty to my Boston roots, was incredibly delish, and I'll have a hard time not ordering this in the future. I tried a newer menu item, the cioppino, which I give a solid 8.5/10. Definitely worth ordering! The saffron mussels are amazing (order extra bread for the broth), and their bacon-wrapped scallops were SINFULLY GOOD! Shout out to their crab Benedict over has browns in their brunch menu. Stupid, stupid good.

Small group of us was able to jump into bar seating as a walk in and the bartender gave us quick excellent service! He was super friendly & recommended items that sounded amazing. We had creme brulee, chicken egg roll appetizer and the toffee cake. Everything was really tasty, but we really liked the sauce that came with the egg roll and the different flavors from the creme brulee! The expresso martini was just how we liked it, creamy delicious! The place started getting busier when we were leaving, more than likely for the dinner crowd. However, it still wasn't too loud or wild, definitely a nice place to go as a group and enjoy conversing and having a good meal!

Excellent! Sit outside if the weather is nice. Service, food and surroundings were great. To include a gentleman singing happy birthday in Spanish to our friend - a beautiful operatic voice! He alone is worth going! But the food is good too!

This is one of the better restaurants in my town the food is always good along with the service. They have some great specials even on a weekend nights we had one of the specials that was a 3 course meal for $35 a choice of soup, spring rolls or a delicious salad. One of the choices was a delicious skirt steak cooked just like I ordered medium rare along with string beans with thin strips of italian ham. This yummy meal came with desert as well a homemade brownie with vanilla ice cream. Complements to the chief and kitchen staff you can tell they showed pride in making the entrées look good and taste great. A great find

This spot was great. We ended up here in a wim. We looked at the menu and they have so many great choices. From brunch to breakfast to lunch and more. Great food great service over all. Will definitely come back and try more dishes

This was my second visit to this restaurant. I ordered the "Fresh Baked Halibut." The bread and asparagus were good, but the "Fresh Halibut" was not. It tasted like it had been defrosted for a few days ago. I recommend that the chef smell the fish before it is cooked and toss anything that has an "off smell." Why didn't I tell the server and send it back? We were a party of four and I didn't want to communicate to the others that I was a picky, negative person. Besides, with enough Tabasco dumped over the fish to mask the taste, it was tolerable.

Food was delicious, they had several gluten free choices and options that were also soy free which is important to us.

The restaurant is pleasant, comfortable seating, live music the Sunday I was there. However, the eggs bennidict was not enjoyable. The English muffin was too soggy to eat. Barely any sauce. Just not professionally made.

Seriously? They sat our party of 7 in a back room with a kids party going on. We had drinks and appetizers before asking for another table. We could not hear each other due to the yelling and screaming of the kids while their parents ignored them. They granted our wish and reseated us in bar are. We had the tacos , chicken salad and ribs dinners. The food was good but not over the top. Next time I spend over $200 for dinner I shall pick a restaurant that doesn't cater to kiddie birthday parties !

Been to Sundried Tomato a couple times now, and I'm always impressed by the Delicious Food & Fabulous Service! Went in for dinner on Wednesday (1/8/25), and I'm pretty sure the entire town of SJC was there also! Every table was filled, but the 2 servers (Yes, there were ONLY 2) still made every table feel like they were the only ones there. Brooke is So Friendly, Funny, & Amazingly Efficient. The signature Sundried Tomato Soup was incredible (as usual), & my boyfriend's Blackened Chicken Pasta was phenomenal. Honestly, I wasn't impressed with the Crab Cakes, but that just gives me the opportunity to try other menu items on my next visit. I ALWAYS look forward to dinner at the Sundried Tomato. Fantastic Food, Great Service, Cozy Atmosphere, & Excellent Value!

Cute little restaurant in SJC. We stopped by for Labor Day lunch and didn't have the best experience. We ordered the Salad Sampler, Steak Salad, and Blackened Chicken Rolls. Everything tasted good and the salad portions were huge. I'd say the menu is a bit over priced for the taste/quality but the portion sizes help make up for it. Service was pretty bad. We were seated quickly, but we sat for at least 15 minutes without being greeted by our server. We watched her greet another party first that was sat a few minutes after us. When she finally came to us, we never got an actual greeting from her. Just "I'm going to get you waters. Anything else to drink?" Didn't even get her name. After waiting a while longer for our drinks (just waters), a different server came by to take our order. Again, no "hello" or any introduction, just "Are you guys ready to order?" I'm not sure who our actual server was. We waited 20 minutes for our appetizer and another 15 minutes after that for our salads. Nobody came to check on us during our meal. Empty dishes were never cleared from our table and I had to flag random employees down to get a refill. Neither server that took our drink/food orders ever made it back to our table, so I had to ask a random busser for the check. Another busser we hadn't met yet brought our check and took our payment. Overall, we spent about 1.5 hours there for what was supposed to be a quick lunch. It looked like the place was very understaffed. Most of the employees were light-jogging around and looked overwhelmed. I've worked in the industry and I know how hectic it can get. I try my best to be sympathetic in situations like this. However, service, or lack of service, like this does not leave a good first impression. Unfortunately, we probably won't be coming back.

Took a train ride in to San Juan Capistrano for the day. Walked through town and came across this restaurant. The menu looked good, so we decided to take a seat and try it out. Off the bat, customer service was absolutely wonderful. Everyone from the host to the servers to the support staff. Excellent! THE. FOOD. WAS. DELICIOUS!!!!! Every single dish we had tasted good. Not one bad dish. I am almost certain this was the best dirty martini I've ever had as well. I would highly recommend this remand will definitely dine again. Thank you!