(4.5 stars) Been here 3 times now to take my wife wine tasting before heading to dinner. The self…read moreservice wine tastings are an absolute favorite of ours. Great service and friendly staff. Everyone is very knowledgeable and shares little tidbits about the wine while you enjoy. A few Suggestions / observations: 1. The self service wine area has a massive wine display that limits access to patrons who are there. A thin long belly bar would make it much more social and accessible. Constantly feel like I am bumping into people or wine bottles just to grab a taster then standing in a corner to get out of the way. 2. The massive LED tv's would be so nice if there was nature or a beach scene or something to set the ambiance. Having a massive advertisement of an appetizer stock photo and happy hour fliers illuminating half the store is not enjoyable, they could be utilized in a much nicer format. 3. Would love to see even more of the self serve wine tasting dispensers in the future! They are a hit and are such a fun concept.

Fun wine tasting experience - feels very "with the times" - you can preload a card and tap to pay…read morefor a tasting, half a glass, or even a full glass. There is a very wide selection of reds, but there are even champagnes, and you can try a magnum bottle if your heart desires. The servers are really helpful in walking you through the selection and I would suggest chatting with one of them before you just start pouring like we did, ha! Medium sized space, with a clean restroom and some standing room outside on a patio. They do also offer non-alcoholic options, beer, and small bites.

My husband and I had such a fun experience here! Lisa was incredibly knowledgeable about both the…read morewine and cheese but her warmth and friendliness kept us around! If you like wine and are open to trying new things - check this place out. (We didn't try the paninis they had on special but we plan on coming back!!)

BarVino is a true gem in Dana Point. This inviting local wine bar offers a thoughtfully curated,…read moreever-changing by the bottle or glass selection featuring unique wines at a range of price points, making it just as approachable as it is interesting. Their beautifully crafted cheese and charcuterie boards are the perfect complement to any pour. What truly sets Barvino apart is Lisa, the owner, whose warmth and hospitality make every visit feel like coming home. The wine club is great and members receive a 10% discount on everything. With lively events, live music on most Sundays, and seasonal holiday gift specials, BarVino is the kind of place you'll want to return to again and again. If you haven't experienced it yet, you're missing out-stop by and enjoy a glass...or two!

This place can get very crowded, but that's honestly part of what makes it so much fun. The energy…read moreis always great, and there's always something going on. I've attended their trivia nights, and they were a blast--well organized, engaging, and a perfect activity for a group of friends. The drinks are fantastic. The Sauvignon Blanc sangria and the frozen rosé are both amazing and have become some of my favorites. The food is consistently good, and the lively atmosphere keeps me coming back. On my most recent visit, I had the opportunity to beta test one of their murder mystery events, and it was such a unique and entertaining experience. It added a whole new level of fun to the evening and made for a memorable night out. If they offer the murder mystery event again, I highly recommend checking it out. It's a great way to enjoy good food, drinks, and an interactive experience all in one place.

I enjoyed visiting Five Vines Wine Bar in downtown San Juan Capistrano. It's conveniently located…read morenear the Amtrak railroad tracks, which adds to the charm and character of the area. There is public parking nearby, making it easy to find parking @ $2/hour. The wine bar is cozy, cute, and welcoming, with a great selection of wines and delicious food options. I especially enjoy their happy hour and the outdoor balcony seating, where you can relax with a glass of wine and watch people stroll through historic downtown. The waitress is fast and friendly....just all around well worth the drive to this area.

Recently went for the first time and already excited to return soon!…read more We went for a cheeky Tuesday wine flight which was a good option. You get to select your own wine from their list to try at your own pace. Each time we went back for our next selection, the lovely ladies at the bar were always friendly and delightful. We wished to order the charcuterie box, but they were out, so we went with the Mediterranean board and beef empanadas served with chimichurri sauce - I'd order both again. Their happy hour is very generous, with a BOGO on drinks. Being right on the Harbor wharf, there was a slight breeze which was a welcome relief after the heatwaves the last couple of weeks. The courtyard is covered, so out of the sun, and super spacious. Only negative was the music situation. It was super spotty and dropped out a lot, quite annoying.

It was such a fun experience. Came the night before to scope the place out and spoke to Lauren and…read morefound out there was a live band the next day. We arrived about 15 minutes before they were fully open so we sat on the patio looking at the wine options and talked until they opened. They had two white wines which I didn't try and the rest were reds. I didn't get to try all the reds because you get 6 to a tasting but all the ones I did taste were great! Ended up getting a bottle of the Cab Sauv and the Dark Elements to enjoy with the live music. The staff was excellent the entire time even when they got busy. Shout out to Lauren, Christian, Rachel and Shay for the excellent service! Specially Lauren who took care of us from open to close even with a little humorous mix up when she thought I was the live music. Lol great time highly recommend trying them. Great wines right on the water and amazing staff!

REALLY GOOD PIZZA!…read more So I have to admit something, I wasn't able to try it fresh :( I had it about 30-45 minutes after picking up and it was still really good, but I could tell it would've been SO good if I got to eat it fresh The pick-up process was nice and easy I ordered the Umami Mushroom and Crispy Pepperoni. They were both FANTASTIC. What really impressed me was the crust! Great flavor and chew. I could tell it would've been softer if I had it fresh. I usually don't eat crusts, but this was arguably the best part of this pizza. Both flavors were great! At first I thought it was a bit on the salty side, but once I had a full slice and ate the crust, I think everything balances well. The umami mushroom lives up to the name -- insanely savory and meaty, even though there's no meat! The pepperoni was classic and SO good. Yes, the pizza is pricey. But I think it would be worth it to get this pizza once in a while. I'll be back and you BET I will eat it fresh next time!

TRULY had an amazing experience and can't wait to come back! We had reservations and were seated…read morepromptly after checking in. Our server was so friendly and attentive throughout the entire meal. We ordered the garlic bread, Suprema pizza, and Smoky Vodka pizza, and everything was flavorful and delicious! One of our pizzas took a little longer than expected, but the restaurant kindly brought us complimentary ice cream with olive oil and sea salt while we waited. It was such an unexpected and thoughtful gesture! Overall, such a great experience from the food to the service!

The fish trout dip is the most delicious I have ever tasted and keeps me coming back again and…read moreagain! I initially discovered this delightful establishment in 2018. Since that time, my family and I have been frequenting the place and cannot say more enough good things. While the fish trout dip is my personal favorite, everything we have eaten here has been delightful. Do not hesitate! The food, staff, and ambience are heavenly!

I stopped by Coastal Kitchen on a whim while visiting in town after enjoying a nice walk at Dana…read morePoint, and am so glad I did. I knew I needed some seafood if I am this close to the ocean, so I ordered the a bowl of their clam chowder and the Northern halibut with coleslaw. The halibut and coleslaw were the stars of the show. The halibut was cooked perfectly with a nice crisp on the outside and a soft, delightfully flaky inside. They then pair it with a house made lemon butter sauce which was truly next level. I wish I could've bottled it to have for later. lol. The coleslaw was light and delicious. It stood strong on its own, though it paired so well with the halibut and the lemon butter sauce I would consider it as a personal must with therir halibut. The service was absolutely amazing. My server was super kind, attentive, and had friendly banter. They kitchen is open and you can see everything being prepared which was super cool. It is evident they take their craft and guest experience very seriously. I hope to have a reason to be back in the area and enjoy another trip to Coastal Kitchen.

With sadness I make this post...the only restaurant we trust with our breakfast!…read more The most amazing frittata ever! We had to visit one more time before closing on Christmas Eve! We loved that you allow pets on the patio so we didn't have to leave our yorkie at home! Please add the frittata onto the menu at Giana Thank you so much for everything!

Really cute cafe in Dana Point. We picked up chocolate croissants for our little visit here in Dana…read morePoint. The croissant was fine. Nothing special, but the cafe is very cute.

My impression is right in line with the average of the 4 star rating. This is a really fun place…read moreto come to. I was a tiny bit disappointed with the beer selections. A place like this should offer multiple options for each style of popular beers. My burger was excellent. It's been a while since I was last here but I always enjoy the atmosphere. Looking forward to coming back again when I'm in the area.

I made reservations here last night for 20, having never been there before but needing a semi…read moreprivate area for a group to gather. The venue was perfect for our size. They could have had more servers there for sure. That said, the guy serving us worked his butt off, gracefully, friendly, and attentively. Any gaps were filled by the bartender delivering drinks and (I think) the manager here and there. We were well taken care of. Food was great, bacon old fashioned my buddy had looked (and reportedly) was incredible, beers were great, staff were awesome (despite being low in numbers). Highly recommend.!

I still recommend this place. Have reported on how great the burgers are, how cool the vibe is…read morethere, and how welcoming and professional Tony is, who runs the wine bar. Always a fun stop. That said, a few troubling aspects concerning the food service at the wine bar. Have been now several occasions where I ordered menu items only to be told they are unavailable. Never seemed to happen before the recent layoffs at this location. Seems to be a direct correlation which doesn't look great for Gelson's, which holds themselves up as a top-flight high end grocer where corners aren't cut. Just tonight I ordered 2 of the regular menu items, both unavailable. Get it together Gelson's

Lovely wine bar located right when you walk into the store in Dana Point…read more Very nice wine menu and food menu. You can also bring food from the to go section into the wine bar, it's Lovely , easy and a very nice treat to be at this wine bar!

Fish tacos, bread and butter and the apple martini are all solid choices…read more Great happy hour, friendly servers and eager bartenders. Private lot and street parking.

The restaurant is definitely beautiful and very upscale. The lobby and overall atmosphere are…read morestunning and make a great first impression. Unfortunately, for me, the food didn't quite live up to the presentation and expectations that came with such a fancy setting. Everything looked great, but the overall dining experience felt a bit underwhelming compared to the price point. Service was fine and the restaurant is clearly well maintained, but I left feeling more impressed by how pretty the place looked than by the meal itself. Not a bad experience by any means, just not somewhere I'd rush back to. Worth visiting if you're looking for a nice ambiance and a beautiful setting