Cafe Capistrano

Came here years ago when it first opened and it was really good. Returned today and well...Food quality has degraded somewhat. It's ok but I won't be coming back anytime soon.

The presentation and aditude of the workers were great. I just thought the food was not anything special.

Got the special a California burrito and the Santa Fe enchiladas. The burrito was very good, but the enchiladas were nothing fantastic. We also got tortilla soup with the burrito which was pretty good. The wait time here for getting waited on and getting your food is ridiculous. If you have a while to wait it's a fine place to eat but otherwise I wouldn't consider it worth the wait.

Pretty dang good it's kinda hidden though

Happened to be in the area and tried this place. Service and food were very good. Not your typical Mexican Food. I will go back

I’ve been here several times for lunch and dinner. Never disappointed. The food is fresh and delicious. It’s what I call “fancy Mexican” food because it goes beyond the basic taco or burrito — it is really flavorful and cooked to order. The menu is large and has a great variety. I think this place is a bit of a hidden gem because it’s never too busy, but it should be!

I read comments about poor service but that was not our experience at all! The one server Brittany was super attentive and friendly. The kitchen is whoafully under staffed so actual delivery of food is slow. The claim of Mexi Cali food is very specific to SoCal for those who know the difference. The food was fresh and well seasoned. The guac made to order. The claim to fame on the quesadilla is well earned! The mahi mahi taco is Devine but be ready for the lime! Will definitely make this a weekly stop. Enjoy!

Excellent food. They have done unique items and the “el jeffe” burrito is humongous! We got tacos and they were great. We actually we able to choose corn or flour tortilla and soft or crunchy. We will definitely be coming back! Mexican Wedding Cake is fantastic btw.

This little gem is easy to pass but has amazing food. The California style food has a great combinations of greens in with what seems to be Mexican cuisine. The service was amazing and cheap margs on Tuesday's! I'm in...

First time here, came for lunch. Immediately greeted and seated by the owner. Lunch menu had plenty of options, atmosphere was nice. Food came out right on time, and the presentation was great. The taste blew me away. I highly recommend, I am full and satisfied.

Excellent little Mexican restaurant with a varied menu that leans toward California-inspired Mexican food. I've never had a bad meal here.

great place to eat, went there with my daughter who has many food sensitivities and they're always extremely accommodating, Service is good, food is good, venue is clean. What's not to like.?

Soup was great. Small more intimate place for a nice date.

Very disappointed! We have been coming to Cafe Capistrano for years, one of my favorite places. I am aware they are under new management. Bad experience last night. Called in to-go order which was all wrong. Wanted to use a coupon and they said it was dine in only, coupon did not state dine in. When I stated coupon doesn't say dine in only they said they would decide when I came in if coupon would be honored. The female who took my order was irritated, gave misinformation and rushed me off the phone. Tried to reach them last night but it was closing and no one answered. Called today and they justified their actions and said sorry...no reimbursement or replacing missing items. Very unhappy!UPDATE: At the urging of my daughter we came again. The service was improved and food like we remember

Great flavors and quality ingredients but unacceptably poor execution. We waited over an hour for our food and the restaurant wasn't even full. Soup wasn't served and our meals arrived cold. Our waitress was very attentive with refilling our drinks. The supervisor did discount our bill as an apology. Not sure if we'll give them a second chance.

Amazing food and Amazing service. That is all that is needed to be said.

Get ready for the gushing. This was my first visit, and I am incredulous that I have missed out on this restaurant until now. The cocktails actually have alcohol in them, the staff is super-friendly, and the food was ridiculously good!! Suck a wonderful place!

Service was not great, new employee but food was awesome.

It’s great food although the atmosphere has become a bit dismal seeming. Still go at least 2x a month.

Food was delicious and the service was great.

The best tacos in town!! Love that place, great service too!😊

Always has amazing food! You can’t beat their Cali Combo for a great lunch! The servers are extremely friendly and is locally owned by some great people.

So sad, the great food and good service experienced here since it opened seem to be but a memory. There seems to be a staffing issue as well as a kitchen issue. We arrived, restaurant a bit more than half full. The numerous wait staff seemed to be in random motion; we had 4 different people attend to us. The flavorless chips (cardboard-like) are accomplished by a nearly flavorless salsa. Our order was taken...a beer took nearly 30 minutes to arrive. After an hour and 2 baskets of chips, it was clear something was amiss...other tables arriving after us were getting their food. We left payment for the beer when we were told "arriving customers threw the timing off". We hardly saw our waitress. Anyway...we will not be back. Take out meals over the past few years showed a gradual decline in quality. Sad.

Very nice people working there. And food is great

The salsa and my California combo was great.

BEST Mexican food that I have ever eaten!

Love this place. A hidden gem!

Love this place, been going here for years. Never super crowded at lunch and the food is delicious.

Excellent Food.

The food was ok, not bad, not great, just ok. Which wouldn’t be an issue if a family of four wouldn’t have come out to $70 with tip. I expect far better quality of food and service for $70. I wouldn’t go back, but if you’re looking for an ok overpriced meal, check them out!

Great Guacamole !

Great food and service. Nice atmosphere. Had the burrito plate and tortilla soup. Both were awesome.

Great food and service

Cozy and quaint, good for a quick bite

Always excellent food and service

This place is truly a hidden gem in North Raleigh. The tacos are delicious and filled with meat. I am so glad a co-worker told me about it. This is now our new go-to place for tacos.

Cafe Capistrano was the very first meal out I ever ate when I moved here a dozen years ago. At that time, the term fish tacos was foreign to me and sounded absolutely disgusting. I said as much to the waitress, who evidently told the owner, who then came out and with a smile said, I guarantee you will love my taco or you eat free. He was right. He sold out a long time ago but they still serve grilled Mahi tacos with black beans and jasmine rice and that is what I get every time I go. Unless I get the mahi quesadilla. I like to change it up just a little.

I am several weeks late posting this review. My daughter takes dance lessons at Nans, two doors down from Cafe Capistrano and we recently had dinner here after one of her rehearsals. Food is fresh and some of the best food of its kind we have had anywhere. We will absolutely be back!

Always good food and service!

It was awesome as usual. The new management has this place back to its original quality. Thanks guys.

The best tacos around - they make their own shells! The lime basmati rice is amazing and the atmosphere is cozy and friendly.

Love this California Mexican restaurant! We walked into a very nicely decorated and quaint seating area, where tables are set with white tablecloths and staff are professionally dressed in black. The menu has plenty of options to meet the meal needs of children and adults, including vegetarian options. The food is delicious! Everything tasted freshly made and all four dishes ordered at my table received taste praise! The sangria is a must! Great service and good prices too. This will become one of our go-to restaurants!

Enjoyed a quick lunch here and it was absolutely delicious. The chicken tortilla soup was original and very tasty and the torta sandwich was delicious. The service was friendly and quick!

The best food and best service. This place is such a special comfort to me and I'm always in the mood for their chimigangas and lime basmati rice. Oh! And the pleasant nostalgia that comes with the occasional live acoustic music makes it an even better experience.

Cafe Capistrano is a very good Cali Mexican restaurant. The food is very good, and the waiters/waitresses are very nice. They have relatively fast service. There is a very nice ambiance with a beautiful water feature inside. They also have outside seating. I recommend the tostadas and the Choclate Gooey Butter Cake. So yummy!

The service was great. The food was amazing. We've eaten Mexican food at many places in North Carolina as well as the southwest US. The food at Cafe Capistrano ranks in the highest echelon. All six of us were in agreement that Cafe Capistrano was five star.

This delicious restaurant (with fresh tex-mex food made on site) is in such a weird location I never would have found it were it not for a stroke of stupid serendipity. It's worth the search, though, and don't let the "economically priced business park" surroundings cloud your judgement. The decor is a little serious but one doesn't go to a cafe to eat decor. Enjoy.

Stopped in for lunch.. food was decent and the waitress was very much on top of things...i think most people would like it..the food seems more like homemade Mexican.. which gives it more love on a dish!

Absolutely the best Mexican food yet. Great atmosphere, kind wait staff, great hospitality. Treated our dog with great kindness as well. Brought him a personal water dish and pitcher. Recommend this place to anyone looking to relax with great food.

Terrible! One small cup of salsa for four people to share. The cheese dip appetizer was watered down with little to no taste. The soup was Luke warm. Guest after us (party of 6 and a party of 4) received their meals before us as we continued to patiently wait and the waitress apologized. The food eventually arrived and the quesadillas were good but the tacos were just okay.