Top 11 Gluten-Free Dining Spots to Experience in San Juan Capistrano

Monica Healy

This is the cutest little place! We recently moved to the area from Minnesota and are enthralled by Pizza Amore. It's close enough that we ride our bikes there. In the 4.5 weeks we've lived here, we've been here four times; that's how good it is! My husband has a gluten intolerance and I do not. We often share, even though I sometimes would like all the glutteny goodness of a regular pizza crust. But here? I'm perfectly happy to have the gluten-free crust. If I didn't know it was gluten-free, I'd never know the difference. The ambience is beyond cute, with bookshelves and a faux fireplace and twinkle lights everywhere. Management is great, service has always been excellent, and food is fantastic!

Dragor Cochrane

It’s *really* pretty. Everything about it, the food, the ambiance the view to the street. And the service is some of the best I’ve had, genuinely charming and attentive to our needs, quite able to advise on the tea menu. Their gluten free options, meanwhile, are excellent. Only trouble is the that the food, while quite elegant, doesn’t taste all that good. The sandwiches are mostly kind of boring, and the macaroons were so sweet I spat into my empty teacup rather than swallow the concoction. The soup was pretty good, but more “tasty” than delicious. We both got the $48 high tea, the name of which eludes me, so maybe other dishes taste better, but my guess is that the overall experience is so good that they’re busy enough not to care much their food is mediocre.

Madeline Smith

I love The Stand! From the staff, to the food, it’s A+! I came here with my family after a Christmas event, and it was the perfect ending to a great day. I love the complementary pickles and all the great food options, including vegetarian and gluten free. And the brownies are to DIE for!

Jack Anderson

Liz Schwemlein

I cannot recommend Limoncello enough. Giovanni and his staff were amazing and treated us like family. I contacted him to place a huge catering order for a high school cross country team in town from Colorado needing a pre-race meal. Giovanni made recommendations and was able to accommodate dairy and gluten allergies. The parents and team praised the meal as being the most delicious travel meal we have ever had. The baked pasta, Tirimisu and salad were all beyond delicious and there was enough food for second helpings AND the team’s lunch the following day. Giovanni was kind, welcoming and eager to help us all have a wonderful authentic Italian pre-race meal. Definitely recommend 10/10. We will certainly order again next year!

Kerri Nipper

Melissa Covington

Dorothy Bewley

Billie Melson

Julia Paulson

Susan Palmer