El Paraiso

25252 Jeronimo Rd, Lake Forest, CA 92630, United States
$$$ Salvadoran restaurant
(693 Reviews)
Price Range $10–20

Welcome to El Paraiso, a charming Salvadoran restaurant nestled in the heart of Lake Forest, CA. This beloved neighborhood gem is more than just a place to dine; it’s a gateway to the vibrant flavors and culinary traditions of El Salvador. With a focus on authentic cuisine and a cozy atmosphere, El Paraiso invites you to savor every bite.

The menu shines with incredible offerings, showcasing classic Salvadoran dishes that are as comforting as they are delicious. Start your day right with their Desayuno Tipico Salvadoreño, a delightful spread of traditional breakfast fare that embodies the heart of Salvadoran morning rituals. For a satisfying lunch or dinner, don’t miss the legendary Pupusas, a staple of the cuisine, expertly crafted and served with flavorful slaw. Customers rave about the Caldo de Gallina, a rich homemade chicken soup that warms the soul, or indulge in the crispy Yuca Frita with Chicharron—a dish that sings with crunch and savory richness.

The dining atmosphere at El Paraiso is casual and welcoming, perfect for family gatherings or a cozy date night. While the space may be small, with seating for roughly 20, it exudes a homey charm that fosters a sense of community. Often bustling with patrons eager to experience the authentic flavors, you might find yourself accompanied by the delightful aroma of grilled meats and freshly made corn tortillas. It’s a space defined by hearty meals served with genuine, warm smiles, creating an inviting dining experience that lingers long after the meal is done.

While El Paraiso does tend to get busy, making it a good idea to come prepared with a little patience or to consider takeout options, the long-term rewards of waiting for a table are clearly evident in the wonderful food and service. As customer Kimiko Nitta puts it, the moment you catch a glimpse of the restaurant’s faded sign, you know you are about to embark on a culinary adventure that exceeds expectations.

The authenticity of the dishes is further underscored by customers like Tomas Cortijo, who notes the restaurant’s commitment to genuine Salvadoran flavors and its status as a beloved local treasure. Yes, the food can be rich and, at times, oilier than some might prefer—however, as Gabriel Prout observed, the taste is simply too good to resist.

For those seeking a true taste of El Salvador without leaving Southern California, El Paraiso is the perfect destination. Come hungry and ready to enjoy the rich heritage of Salvadoran cuisine, one flavorful bite at a time.

Contact Information:
Address: 25252 Jeronimo Rd, Lake Forest, CA 92630, United States
Phone: +1 949-770-2775

Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible car park
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
Has wheelchair-accessible seating
Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
Service options
Offers takeaway
Serves dine-in
Highlights
Has fast service
Popular for
Popular for breakfast
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner
Good for solo dining
Offerings
Serves alcohol
Serves beer
Serves cocktails
Serves coffee
Serves comfort food
Serves healthy options
Quick bite
Serves small plates
Dining options
Serves breakfast
Serves brunch
Serves lunch
Serves dinner
Serves dessert
Has seating
Amenities
Has toilet
Atmosphere
Casual
Cosy
Quiet
Crowd
Good for groups
Popular with tourists
Planning
Lunch reservations recommended
Accepts reservations
Payments
Accepts credit cards
Accepts debit cards
Accepts NFC mobile payments
Credit cards
Children
Good for kids
High chairs available
Has kids' menu
Parking
Free of charge street parking
Free parking lot
Plenty of parking
Openings Hours
Checking

Monday

8:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Tuesday

8:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Wednesday

8:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Thursday

8:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Friday

8:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Saturday

8:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Sunday

8:00 AM - 9:00 PM

693 Reviews
Ohh__Lizzy E

08 Sep 2025

The food here is absolutely delicious came here to have lunch with my mom for my birthday. The only thing I didn't like was that the food was a bit greasy for my taste, but overall it had great flavor. The price was decent and the customer service was great.

Tomas Cortijo

17 Aug 2025

It's a small family restaurant, a neighborhood restaurant, but the food is really authentic Salvadorian food and the service super friendly. It can get really busy, so go there with time or ready to order to go if there are no tables. The setting is pretty simple with seating for maybe 20 people. My favorite dishes were the pupusas, the fried plantain and the Caldo de gallina. Servings are huge, so order moderately to share.

Kimiko Nitta

25 Jul 2025

The experience was great. Parking wasn't an issue but I can see how it can get filled up. As soon as I saw the color faded sign outside I looked at my boyfriend and said "this is about to be so good" and it was better than good, the food was amazing my bf and I both got the Pupusas combo with ensalada de Frutas Agua Frescas. First of all the Agua Frescas was so good and refreshing. It had chunks of apples, pineapple, cantaloupe, and I think more. My one and only complaint about this whole experience would be they need bigger straws to make drinking this easier. If you got extra boba straws bring em this drink is worth. My bf got the pollo Pupusas with pork temal. And I got the chicharon and jalapeno cheese Pupusas. If you can't handle spice I suggest not getting the jalapeno cheese one it was quite spicy but so good. Jalapeno cheese has peppers in almost every bite. The chicharon Pupusa was perfect with just the right amount of cheese. My boyfriend let me try his temal and pollo Pupusa also. The temal was so good very soft, moist, and flavorful. The chicken Pupusa was delicious as will also with the perfect amount of cheese. The rice and beans were great also my bf said he's never really eating all his rice and beans off his plate the way he did here. I'm from northern California and these were the best Pupusas Ive had since moving to socal on 2020. We'll definitely be coming back some day.

Gabriel Prout

09 Jul 2025

The pupusas are huge! It is almost like they deep fry then in oil, there is too much excess oil on them for my personal liking but they tasted very very good. I originally planned to take away my meal, but ended up eat there. The food was packaged nicely and had everything you need (forks, knifes, napkins etc). The food overall was 3 stars but I'm giving an extra star for the friendly service and we'll packaged meal.

Ron Pineda

17 Jun 2025

Delicious Salvadoran food in South OC. They serve a variety of different pupusas as well as homemade chicken soup, tortillas and carne asada. The food is authentic tasting and delicious. They were very busy when we went and had to wait a very long time to get our food. Also the seating is crammed and not very accessible friendly for elderly customers using a walker. Other than that I highly recommend this restaurant.

A Siewert

16 Jun 2025

We went here to satisfy a pupusa craving. The parking lot is tiny, and a nightmare. The restaurant is also small with minimal seating. However, the staff was wonderful and helpful with suggestions. Vegetarian pupusas available, as well as GF rice flour pupusas! We ordered a good variety of foods including different pupusas, the Chile Relleno, Yucca Frita (sin chicharron) and Platanos Fritos con Crema y Frijoles, Pastelitos de Pollo. Everything was delicious, with large portions. Going early before peak meal times is advised, and you can call in your order 30 min to an hour beforehand so you can pick up your food. The pupusas themselves are very filling, and 2 for lunch is perfect. They're a little light on the salsa if you get takeout. Overall, would definitely recommend.

Neesha Patel

07 Jun 2025

I stopped by to pick up dinner after dropping off a U-Haul. Mostly woman run restaurant with friendly service. They make everything fresh so it does take time, be prepared to wait. The beans aren’t vegetarian, they contain lard and they don’t substitute with whole beans unfortunately. We ordered 2 cheese and loroco, 1 cheese and chipilin, 2 cheese and squash, 1 cheese and jalapeno, 2 cheese and spinach, and empanadas de plantains. They were tasty but very oily. Restroom available for paying guests.

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