Hello dear
Welcome To The Olives Branch
At The Olives Branch, we celebrate the rich flavors of Greek and Lebanese cuisine, offering a warm and inviting atmosphere. Our story began with a passion for authentic recipes and the desire to foster community through food. Each dish is crafted with fresh, high-quality ingredients, from our flavorful Chicken Shawarma to our delightful Baklava Ice Cream. We take pride in accommodating diverse dietary preferences, providing pescatarian, vegan, and vegetarian options. With a commitment to inclusivity and outstanding service, The Olives Branch invites you to savor a memorable dining experience that honors tradition while embracing modern comfort.
Today's Suggestions
Explore the featured selections!
Large Platter
Regular Platter
Sultan s Platter Dinner For 2
Fillet Steak and Prawns
About
The Olives Branch
Welcome to The Olives Branch, a delightful oasis of Greek and Lebanese cuisine nestled in the heart of San Juan Capistrano, California. This vibrant eatery is not just a place to eat; it's an experience that invites you to explore the rich tapestry of Mediterranean flavors. With a cozy ambiance and a wide array of dining options, The Olives Branch caters to everyone—from the casual diner to families looking for a friendly environment.
Located at 31105 Rancho Viejo Rd, The Olives Branch makes a strong impression with its commitment to high-quality ingredients and inclusive options. Whether you're pescatarian, vegan, or vegetarian, you'll find dishes crafted with care. This restaurant offers:
- Delicious cold and hot mezza, including crispy Calamari and Cheese Fatayer—a tasty pastry filled with a secret blend of Lebanese cheeses.
- Heartwarming entrées such as the Chicken Shawarma and Beef & Lamb Shawarma. Customers rave about the flavor and presentation, like in the expression of the delightful aromas wafting through the space.
- For those desiring something on the lighter side, the Falafel Greek Salad is a popular choice, piled high with fresh veggies and topped with homemade vinaigrette.
The Olives Branch prioritizes accessibility and comfort. With outdoor seating options that are heated and covered, patrons can enjoy their meals al fresco, while those who prefer indoors can enjoy the bustling atmosphere enhanced by TV screens showcasing live events. The restaurant also offers:
- Takes reservations and provides delivery and takeout options.
- Compostable containers and reusable tableware, supporting sustainable dining.
- A kid-friendly environment with generous happy hour specials.
- A full bar featuring a variety of drinks, cocktails, and other beverages.
One can't help but feel the welcoming spirit of The Olives Branch, as it is not only a women-owned establishment but also open to all, emphasizing inclusivity. Reviewers speak highly of the friendly service alongside the delectable meals, ensuring that visitors leave with satisfied palates and happy hearts. Customers like Carol S. and Annie M. emphasized how flavorful the dishes were; the quality is always in the details, from perfectly cooked meats to fresh, zesty sides.
While there are occasional mentions of service delays during peak hours, the overall vibe remains positive. Diners appreciate the reasonable pricing, making every meal at The Olives Branch a worthwhile investment in excellent Mediterranean cuisine.
If you haven't yet visited The Olives Branch, it’s time to indulge in a culinary journey where every bite tells a story of tradition and craftsmanship. Whether it’s a casual lunch, a family dinner, or a gathering of friends, this restaurant is a destination that promises not just a meal, but an enriching experience. Don’t miss the chance to savor Mediterranean delights—your taste buds will thank you!
For inquiries, reservations, or takeout orders, call (949) 373-5633 and experience the magic of Mediterranean dining today.
People talk
Our Guestbook
“ I recently ordered takeout from The Olives Branch in San Juan Capistrano and was thoroughly impressed. I opted for the Chicken Shish Tawook, and it was an absolute delight. The chicken was perfectly cooked and incredibly flavorful, and the accompanying basmati rice was fluffy and fragrant. The hummus was smooth and creamy, and the garlic dipping sauce added a wonderful kick. The warm pita bread was the perfect complement to the entire meal. Everything was fresh and tasted amazing. Highly recommend! ”
“ this location is beyond excellent. the food is superb, friendly and personal staff. if you have not been here you have missed a wonderful dining experience. ”
“ I came here with a couple of friends for dinner. It took some time for us to be seated as we did not have a reservation. We were eventually seated inside. They have a very modern atmosphere with TVs showing the football game, a big wine shelf in the back and they also had a very pleasant patio area. We tried to sit outside on the patio originally, but all the tables were full. We ordered the Cheese Fatayer appetizer to start. It's basically a crispy fried cheese roll. It was really tasty with just the right amount of salt and crispy thin pastry on the outside. For my entree I got the Chicken Shawarma. Both of my friends got the Beef and Lamb Shawarma with an added salad. Our dishes came out in a good amount of time, but it took them a while for them to give us our pita bread. We had to ask multiple times in order to get it. We pretty much got our bread when we were almost finished eating the meal. My chicken shawarma was really good though and I especially liked the hummus and this other white, salty dip that was served with it. The chicken was grilled perfectly and I liked the addition of onions, zucchini and tomato to the dish. For dessert, we had to get the Baklava. It was crispy and slightly sweet. The pistachios were ground very fine. It took us a while again to ask for the check. It did seem like they were short staffed for the amount of customers. Overall it was a good dinner with good food, but the service was slightly slow. ”
“ I've driven past The Olives Branch a number of times and passed it for other restaurants nearby. On this day I gave The Olives Branch (fine Lebanese cuisine) a chance to show their stuff, and they succeeded. The restaurant itself is set up in an interesting fashion with a couple of different styled outdoor dining areas and one inside. We ate inside and found the dining room environment to be pleasant and comfortable. For two, we ordered Sombousik (Lebanese meat empanadas) as an appetizer (4 with sauce), a lamb Kabab plate and a chicken Shawarma plate. The meal comes with a basket of complimentary sliced pitas, and we split a salad. We also had one cocktail and a couple of beers. Overall, our service was courteous and prompt. We enjoyed our meals and the price point wasn't bad at under $100. I will certainly return to this restaurant. If you like Lebanese style cuisine check them out. ”
“ Nicely decorated and clean restaurant. Food was decent and a bit pricey. Service was slow since there was only one gal serving all tables. There were only 2 or 3 tables when we came but it got a bit busier later. After taking our order, we never saw her again until at the end, when we about done eating. Salad was very fresh but only lettuce and cucumber served as greens. The lemon dressing was very good. Pita bread was disappointing, It was dry and burnt. :) ”
“ Amazing Mediterranean restaurant! PROs: Decor is very nice. LOTS of indoor and outdoor seating. Very nice Bar with plenty of libation selections. Bathroom is nice and well stocked. The staff is very polite and knowledgeable. There is a lunch menu that isn't on the menu, so if you come during lunch hours just ask about that. It allows you to substitute hummus for either salad or fries for free. We had the Lebanese Fries and Beef/Lamb Schwarma plate. CONs: Like most places in California, parking can be a challenge at peak hours. ”
“ Omgosh, this place was AMAZING The food was so delicious and the staff was so nice. There were some foods we were not familiar with, and the staff kindly explained There is an outdoor space where I could have my dogs. It had heaters and was open when we arrived but they had shades that they pulled down when the sun was low enough to bother the customers. They also offer hooka I would highly recommend this place! ”
