The eating scene is split between harbour restaurants — almost all with patios and water views, varying widely in quality — and a small but improving Pacific Coast Highway strip in the Lantern District uptown.
For seafood, Jon's Fish Market at the harbour is a long-running counter-service spot for fish tacos, ceviche, and grilled-fish plates eaten outdoors on plastic chairs; it is the best honest-value meal in town. Wind & Sea Restaurant and Proud Mary's at the harbour cover the sit-down-by-the-water bracket. Up the hill in the Lantern District, Brio Tuscany Grille is a competent Italian and Bear Coast Coffee is the morning gathering spot. South Coast pizza shop Pizza Lounge has a small Capistrano Beach location worth knowing about.