L'Hirondelle Restaurant

This restaurant is absolutely charming and delicious! Everything we ordered was superb, it is hard to choose a favorite dish of the night.
The escargot were perfectly garlicky, the French onion soup was so decadent with the gruyere cheese, the volcano lamb shank just peeled off the bone and the sauce was spectacular, the rack of lamb was cooked to perfection with a perfect crust and the desserts were amazing not too sweet, just perfect.

We got a great table next to the fountain at the terrace, we didn’t have a great expectations since we just picked the place for the setting but we were pleasantly surprised by some of the best informal French food we’ve had in the United States.

The attention to detail in the ingredients used on their dishes is evident. The food seems to have been hand picked for ripeness and beauty. Everything was served to perfection. Attention to detail makes this one of the best restaurants we’ve been in a long, long time. It feels like having lunch in the Mediterranean.

Service was great by the owner, we could have stayed there all afternoon enjoying the place. So far, the best reason to return to San Juan Capistrano.

Beautiful patio dining and excellent food! My favorite is the Beef Bourguignon, but everything else it fantastic! Family owed and made with love!

Awesome French restaurant! Had my 70th birthday dinner here in May and it was great. Service and food are top notch. This restaurant has been in the family since 1982. If you are in SJC, you MUST come here for dinner.

Absolutely amazing food, service, and atmosphere. We went with two young children (one with special needs) and they were so friendly and accommodating. They have their own parking lot and handicap parking, very easy to get to. Highly recommend!

A really good experience at San Juan Capistrano. Glad to dine here, pleasant Spring day sitting outside w all the surrounding bougainvillea (my favorite flower). Food was delicious from start to finish! We ordered pate and frog legs for starters; trout, duck salad, bratwurst & sauerkraut and kobe burger as main entrees and finish w chocolate torte and ice cream. All the dishes were so good. Service was excellent too, very attentive. We'll come back again when we visit.

Family owned and operated French food in San Juan Capistrano. Great food. Try the steak au poivre or one of their half plated with an appetizer and of course some wine. The house Cabernet is a good price and pour by the glass. Bon Noel!

It is so great to see this lovely restaurant going strong after all these years. We live in San Diego but drove all the way up for dinner. It means a lot to us because my husband Ashish and I first met here over dinner in 2005! Menu leans heavily to meat dishes but they prepare some very nice vegetarian plates (including a delicate pasta) upon request.

This is a lovely, old fashioned place that has somehow been perfectly preserved from the 50's. Feels like walking into your grandma's place. Old, but well cared for, warm and comfortable. Even the staff somehow seems old fashioned. Friendly and genuinely welcoming. Located in the busy downtown SJC/train station area, but it is hidden away on the outer fringe so they are usually not busy. During the afternoon, you can hear the bells from the San Juan mission across the street and the occasional trains passing nearby. Great San Juan experience.

The menu is also old fashioned. (cherry jubilee desert! ). I wouldn't say the food is spectacular but it is good comfort food that certainly adds to the overall experience. I love coming here for occasional time travel.

Delicious food!!! We were driving through the town and hungry. I chose this restaurant by coincidence. We were satisfied. 08.12.2023

Amazing french restaurant with delicious food and excellent service. They offer both outdoor and indoor service although at this moment it’s outdoor during lunch service. It is well shaded with umbrellas and nature trade. It is my go to restaurant whenever visited San Juan Capistrano. There is free parking behind the restaurant in the shopping plaza. I highly recommend the escargot dish!

My wife and I shared the fruit, cheese and pate plate which was lovely. I had the dinner plate of beef bourguignon which was excellent, but I should have ordered the small plate, as I could not finish it all after the appetizer and French Onion Soup. The soup was outstanding. I would recommend this place for a special, intimate dinner. It is quite expensive, but in my opinion worth it for the food, service and friendly and welcoming staff.

Dog friendly, excellent French / Belgium brunch with free flowing champagne $20/pp
Beef sandwich was amazing with French bread that was the perfect consistency A+
Salmon sandwich incredible mix of flavors (brea cheese, dill and tarragon) A+
Mushrooms with crab and Swiss cheese A+

Had a wonderful experience at L'Hirondelle tonight. The outdoor seating was so nice and inviting. The owner and his staff were not only very friendly, but attentive and relational. I had the Filet Mignon and it was the absolute perfect medium rare, melted in my mouth. We were celebrating my father's birthday and he wasn't thrilled with his entrée, so the owner for him a different entrée without any hassel and he was happy to do it. The second entrée hit the spot for my Dad. They even brought my dad a free birthday dessert, the berry sorbet with candles. I also brought my 2yr old son, who they were extremely accommodating for. Had a wonderful experience with delicious food. Highly recommend L'Hirondelle for a wonderful atmosphere, food and service.

This place is terrific, Romantic and fun. This is a San Juan Capistrano treasure. The staff is very pleasant an was very helpful in selecting a wonderful French wine pairing with our dinner. Many delicious traditional French selections like Escargot and even frog legs..Yum!

I love this restaurant and drove down from L. A. On Super Bowl Sunday only to find it was closed even though the website noted it was open. Not to worry... Will try again soon. The best food, service, and wine. The outdoor patio is lovely too!

Just had another fantastic meal and experience at my favorite restaurant!
Beautiful setting.

First time to visit. Restaurant is small.and very cozy. Great feel to it. Service was excellent. The food was amazing. House salad had their special creamy vinaigrette.. wow! Delicious. Dinner and desserts were also delicious. Really good portions too. Highly recommend and I will go back again. I would say it's a nice hidden gem in south Orange County.

Had a lovely lunch on their patio with a friend last week. This small gem was the perfect spot! The staff was attentive and friendly, the patio was so pretty & intimate, the parking was ample, and the food was OUT of this WORLD delicious (and photogenic). Hands down, one of my new favorite spots!

Love this little spot. Started with a cheese platter and pare with a appetizer of frog legs.

I didn’t touch the frog legs but my partner said they were delicious. Cheese platter was good enough.

We ordered the duck breast with cherry sauce and rack of lamb. Both delicious but both over cooked. Ordered medium and got well done.

I would suggest making sure it’s cooked correctly.

Really cute setting, great service, free French bread and butter.

Cozy and quaint French restaurant in San Juan Capistrano. Great food and friendly service!!! High recommended!