Restaurants in San Luis Obispo
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Best Restaurants
“We were immediately greeted and seated (we made reservations online in advance)... our waitress greeted us within a short period of time and took our cocktail order... I'm happy they offer my favorite wine, Austin Hope Cabernet by the glass... I've only known Ember to offer it!... My son ordered a Ni Rada? Martini that tasted how I imagine a household cleaner to taste, he reluctantly sucked it down... we didn't bother to complain but we wouldn't recommend it... he later ordered a Paper Plane Martini which he liked better... After reading other reviews, I see we didn't get the initial bread w/Ricotta offering, probably for the best since we've cut down on gluten and wanted to try a pasta dish... We started with a (not pictured) POLPETTE (large meatball) and it was moist, flavorful, & yummy... alongside PAPPARDELLE RAGU, I was hesitant about it due to not being a fan of lamb... however, it was cooked perfectly without any hint of the game flavor I dislike... my only complaint is there isn't a gluten-free pasta substitute option... It may not be Michelin standard... but it would be great to have some gluten-free Ancient Harvest pasta with any of those yummy ragu/pasta sauces available for the many people with gluten sensitivities... MARY'S 1/2 CHICKEN was flavorful and yummy with the silky mashed potatoes... and the melt-in-your-mouth OSSO BUCCO and tasty polenta did not disappoint!... The atmosphere is cozy with home-style elegance... From the initial welcoming greeting, the friendly & timely food service, the "in-tune" staff that directs you to the restroom without having to ask, the constant spotting of Nate's friendly smile as he ensures his operations are running smooth and the thanks for your patronage as you leave... our experience was pleasantly memorable... This was my 2nd visit to Nate's... the first time I had the pork chop which was flavorful, tender and simply superb... We will return!”
“A hidden gem in SLO! The food was high quality and vibes were great! They make in house Peruvian brandy, which was awesomely delicious. The dessert mousse is amazing! I will definitely eat here every time I visit SLO! The owner was very nice and welcoming too. You can feel at home while dining here. We don’t have anything like this in all of LA area!!!”
“This is my absolute favorite BBQ in town! Portion sizes could be better, but sooo delicious! The baby back ribs fall off the bone!! And I’m obsessed with all their sides, especially the chili beans. Tip: ask for the spicy BBQ sauce.”
Restaurants by Cuisine
“Fun family owned winery. Great wine, great people and good location. They do a buttery Chardonnay, a killer petite sirah (inky) and a unique varietal called Teroldego. Buy it if you can get it. The do fun events and Friday Sunset in the Vineyards during the summer with music and food trucks”
“I’ve watched C&C grow from really small to a thriving winery over 25 years. It has been a tasty and beautiful experience. Each quarterly shipment brings up wonderful delicious memories.”
Restaurants with Delivery
“We were immediately greeted and seated (we made reservations online in advance)... our waitress greeted us within a short period of time and took our cocktail order... I'm happy they offer my favorite wine, Austin Hope Cabernet by the glass... I've only known Ember to offer it!... My son ordered a Ni Rada? Martini that tasted how I imagine a household cleaner to taste, he reluctantly sucked it down... we didn't bother to complain but we wouldn't recommend it... he later ordered a Paper Plane Martini which he liked better... After reading other reviews, I see we didn't get the initial bread w/Ricotta offering, probably for the best since we've cut down on gluten and wanted to try a pasta dish... We started with a (not pictured) POLPETTE (large meatball) and it was moist, flavorful, & yummy... alongside PAPPARDELLE RAGU, I was hesitant about it due to not being a fan of lamb... however, it was cooked perfectly without any hint of the game flavor I dislike... my only complaint is there isn't a gluten-free pasta substitute option... It may not be Michelin standard... but it would be great to have some gluten-free Ancient Harvest pasta with any of those yummy ragu/pasta sauces available for the many people with gluten sensitivities... MARY'S 1/2 CHICKEN was flavorful and yummy with the silky mashed potatoes... and the melt-in-your-mouth OSSO BUCCO and tasty polenta did not disappoint!... The atmosphere is cozy with home-style elegance... From the initial welcoming greeting, the friendly & timely food service, the "in-tune" staff that directs you to the restroom without having to ask, the constant spotting of Nate's friendly smile as he ensures his operations are running smooth and the thanks for your patronage as you leave... our experience was pleasantly memorable... This was my 2nd visit to Nate's... the first time I had the pork chop which was flavorful, tender and simply superb... We will return!”
“My partner and I ordered pizza for take out and he received the wrong pizza. We went back and they quickly fixed it and offered a free soda. The pizza was amazing and very fresh. I very much enjoyed my pepperoni pizza and my partner enjoyed his barbecue chicken pizza.”
“We love Ziggy’s!! GREAT delicious plant-based comfort food and warm, fast, friendly service! I love the spicy Buffalo Chicken sandwich, the Avalon burger with arugula and Gouda, the Black Bean Taquitos, and the Avocado Tacos. Ziggy’s is absolutely awesome! Live long and prosper, Ziggy’s!”
“Sam and Mariah are such exemplary and loving community members that their bread is as good as it is. And Mariah just started making the best scones on top of all the love and work she pours into bread all morning!! Her and Sam work as crazy hard as they do because they love it and we love you bread bike!!”
“Fun family owned winery. Great wine, great people and good location. They do a buttery Chardonnay, a killer petite sirah (inky) and a unique varietal called Teroldego. Buy it if you can get it. The do fun events and Friday Sunset in the Vineyards during the summer with music and food trucks”
“Great experience at Scout! The service is top-notch and the shop itself has a great location/vibe.
What to Order:
Rosemary Latte: Unique and delicious.
Orange Cardamom Cappuccino: Highly recommend, super fragrant and smooth.
The Note: The coffee is definitely the star here. The cookie we had was average, so I’d stick to the drinks next time. Overall, a fantastic stop in San Luis Obispo.”
“Lure has been one of my favorite seafood restaurants in California. So excited to see that they opened up one in San Luis Obispo. Had to try it out. The oysters are always fresh and did not disappoint. They usually have a fairly decent price on their whole lobster, although I did not have it for lunch that day. In addition to the oysters, I had the fresh ceviche. It was really good. Check it out when you’re in the area!”
Outdoor Dining
“A hidden gem in SLO! The food was high quality and vibes were great! They make in house Peruvian brandy, which was awesomely delicious. The dessert mousse is amazing! I will definitely eat here every time I visit SLO! The owner was very nice and welcoming too. You can feel at home while dining here. We don’t have anything like this in all of LA area!!!”
“I love the coffees and the staff is so fun to talk to. The menu can be a little confusing. The sizes, for example, aren’t uniform. I can get a large of certain ones but not of others. The sweetening is also curious. There is simple syrup on the counter but baristas won’t sweeten a buen dia.”
“Lure has been one of my favorite seafood restaurants in California. So excited to see that they opened up one in San Luis Obispo. Had to try it out. The oysters are always fresh and did not disappoint. They usually have a fairly decent price on their whole lobster, although I did not have it for lunch that day. In addition to the oysters, I had the fresh ceviche. It was really good. Check it out when you’re in the area!”
“Lovely place to visit if you are in the area.
They have very nice ambience with outdoor sitting on deck, surrounded by flowers. The staff is very curtious and helpful.
We went for wine tasting combined with lunch and picked the place due to multiple food options and it did not disappoint.
Wine flight had great selection from Paso robles area wines and the panini and flatbread were just a perfect pair.”
“Lovely place to visit if you are in the area.
They have very nice ambience with outdoor sitting on deck, surrounded by flowers. The staff is very curtious and helpful.
We went for wine tasting combined with lunch and picked the place due to multiple food options and it did not disappoint.
Wine flight had great selection from Paso robles area wines and the panini and flatbread were just a perfect pair.”
“There Does Not Exist is an absolute labor of love for craft beer fans to enjoy on the Central Coast. I've tried many beers made in SLO county over the years, but since trying TDNE for the 1st time in 2020, they take the cake when it comes to the best varietal beers top to bottom.”
Online Reservation Available
“5/5 Stars – A Hidden Gem for Authentic Italian ask for your server Van Buhl!
I recently visited Cafe Roma and had Van Buhl sections and was blown away by the genuine Italian experience in such a cozy, small-town setting. From the moment we walked in, the warm, family-like atmosphere made us feel right at home
Went there on my 8th anniversary
Had Van Buhl section he was first class here a picture below with are 5 star server”
“We simply loved our first time at Kitchen & Vine today! (SLO Public Market). I enjoyed the classic breakfast. Hearty, high quality bacon! Delicious. The potatoes were awesome. I grew up on a farm, and on breakfast like this, and I love that I can find it "farm fresh" here in SLO. The sourdough bread was fantastic! It had us ask "do you make your bread or who does?" Back Porch Bakery was the response. So great. Peter said to me, "please get some." 😊 We also loved the setting, the spaciousness of the place. Really big patio and outdoor space. And, a wonderful woman took our order. She totally heard me, got us and delivered. See, my husband likes his hot food really HOT in temperature and his cold food really COLD. So when we order we always make a special request about it. She was so great AND when she brought his Carnitas Scramble out it was STEAMING. 🥰 It was also delicious. Finally, our dog Sophie was seen and appreciated. A server came by and asked if he could bring her a bowl of water. A big bowl came and she lapped it up appreciatively. We'll be back. We already know it's going to be a favorite. Wonderful energy. ❤️”
“Poor customer service. Sat down, no one bothered to come to my table to take my order. It wasn't busy either. She was hiding in the back. Only came out when a customer walked in to order at the counter.She chose to help the walk in orders instead. Looked right at her when she did that!!! and still ignored me. I left, will not go back because of it.”
“Got seated right away, super friendly greeting! It was a very busy night and out waiter still made sure we had everything we needed. Food was a 10/10, highly recommend the bee stang and the ricotta and honey pizza! (as long as you can handle some spice)”
“5/5 Stars – A Hidden Gem for Authentic Italian ask for your server Van Buhl!
I recently visited Cafe Roma and had Van Buhl sections and was blown away by the genuine Italian experience in such a cozy, small-town setting. From the moment we walked in, the warm, family-like atmosphere made us feel right at home
Went there on my 8th anniversary
Had Van Buhl section he was first class here a picture below with are 5 star server”
Takeout Restaurants
“There Does Not Exist is an absolute labor of love for craft beer fans to enjoy on the Central Coast. I've tried many beers made in SLO county over the years, but since trying TDNE for the 1st time in 2020, they take the cake when it comes to the best varietal beers top to bottom.”
“Benny’s Pizza Palace is the real deal! Amazing Detroit-style pizza with that perfect crispy edge, a cool laid-back atmosphere, and a staff that makes you feel right at home. It’s the perfect SLO spot to grab a slice, sip something cold, and vibe with the locals. Highly recommend! 🍕🍻”
“We had the most tasty Peruvian food in downtown San Luis Obispo at Coya in their new location at 851 Higuera St, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401. The chicken saltado one of the best I have ever had. The beef empanada large. The passion fruit drink, Maracuya, refreshing. All house made authentic Peruvian food. I hope you will visit Coya and enjoy the food as much as we did. The ambience beautifully decorated with traditional Peruvian products, clothing, hats, purses, dolls, cookies, coffee and lamas. Large dinning room and outdoor seating nice. We can’t wait to visit again to try More Peruvian food. Catalina the owner, very welcoming and took good care of us. Thank you 🥰”
“I love Petra’s! We found this place at the beginning of Covid and have been going ever since. Last week driving from northern to southern CA we stopped for lunch(of course). I got distracted and left my purse…didn’t notice until Santa Maria. Called, of course they had my purse…AMAZING CREW AMAZING FOOD! Thank you”
Drive-Thru Restaurants
“I can only recommend trying their beans. I bought a bag while I was visiting SLO.
It seems a few places carry them, sometimes the Tiny pop up sells their beans as well.
Tried them at home with our automatic coffee machine and the coffee has been delicious- the smell is great too.
Best latte ever!
Their own beans “surfdog blend” is also amazing. Overall such a charming little cafe and friendly people.
I recommend them to everyone traveling through SLO.”
“Absolutely amazing service and amazing food. Went in for a taco, it was the juiciest taco I’ve ever had. Sick of most places serving meat with burnt pieces, charred scraps, and excessive amounts of fat. Taco de Mexico serves tacos with none of that. On top of that the rice is amazing, definitely authentic. And the service was so welcoming. Definitely coming back!”
“I've been eating at Taco Roco for at least 25 years. Pretty sure it's still some of the same employees just a different location. The staff is wonderful! It's almost more of a Gringo style in my opinion, but always amazing flavor. As long as they're open I'll still be eating here. Their salsa that comes with the chips, and the creamy green salsa are my two favorite salsas in the world! My favorite torta as well!”
“Kumi ko is a Japanese restaurant in San Luis Obispo across from the Damon Garcia sports field. I ordered the spicy ramen bowl and the broth had a slow-building heat with good flavor. We came for my brother’s birthday and the staff actually made it feel like a celebration. They brought a complimentary dessert with a sparkler candle and the whole place joined in to sing. The service moved quickly without feeling rushed, and everyone was attentive without hovering. The food felt thoughtfully made and the atmosphere worked just as well for a special occasion as it would for a simple dinner. It stands out as some of the best Japanese food and sushi in SLO.”
“Sidecar is a must here in San Luis Obispo! The staff and the owners and everything about the place will knock your socks off. I think it’s high time. You guys open a second Sidecar by me in So Cal!”
Cheap Eats
“I can definitely tell a difference as the coffee is a lot stronger than espresso but that makes it amazing. The treats, presentation, and overall atmosphere of the shop is amazing and definitely one of the highlights of visiting San Luis Obsibo. Would definitely recommend!”
“Everytime we go to Humble Oven we have an awesome experience. The kids love the pizza and we tried the Smash Burger 'Za at the Farmers Market and it became one of our new favorites! My wife and I love the Humble Salad so much that we replicate the salad at home. Staff is on top of it and we make it our go to whenever we can. This place is a gem and highly recommend it to others.”
“Had a really great homemade breakfast! Scones are insane! And the coffee is amazing!”
“Went on my birthday with my brother's family. It's a great place with a reasonably priced menu that has generous portions of really tasty stuff. The house margaritas are yummy 🍹🌮 🌯🤙”
“I recently stopped in and had a crepe with berries, and espresso for breakfast. The crepe was delicious, generously filled and nicely sized. The espresso, too, was perfect. The owners/operators are friendly, helpful in making selections. I will be back to sample for of their menu selections.”
“Kumi ko is a Japanese restaurant in San Luis Obispo across from the Damon Garcia sports field. I ordered the spicy ramen bowl and the broth had a slow-building heat with good flavor. We came for my brother’s birthday and the staff actually made it feel like a celebration. They brought a complimentary dessert with a sparkler candle and the whole place joined in to sing. The service moved quickly without feeling rushed, and everyone was attentive without hovering. The food felt thoughtfully made and the atmosphere worked just as well for a special occasion as it would for a simple dinner. It stands out as some of the best Japanese food and sushi in SLO.”
Latest Reviews
“We had the most tasty Peruvian food in downtown San Luis Obispo at Coya in their new location at 851 Higuera St, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401. The chicken saltado one of the best I have ever had. The beef empanada large. The passion fruit drink, Maracuya, refreshing. All house made authentic Peruvian food. I hope you will visit Coya and enjoy the food as much as we did. The ambience beautifully decorated with traditional Peruvian products, clothing, hats, purses, dolls, cookies, coffee and lamas. Large dinning room and outdoor seating nice. We can’t wait to visit again to try More Peruvian food. Catalina the owner, very welcoming and took good care of us. Thank you 🥰”
“Owners and staff are all amazing--always sincerely welcoming; they like people! They go out of their way to accommodate orders, making sure you get the heat level you want. The chicken is expertly cooked--always moist and tender, so good. The spice blend has tons of umami--layers of flavor that take the chicken to another level. And you get to customize it by heat level and dip choices. AB FAB. If I lived in SLO I'd be there every week.”
Most Popular Restaurants
“We had the most tasty Peruvian food in downtown San Luis Obispo at Coya in their new location at 851 Higuera St, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401. The chicken saltado one of the best I have ever had. The beef empanada large. The passion fruit drink, Maracuya, refreshing. All house made authentic Peruvian food. I hope you will visit Coya and enjoy the food as much as we did. The ambience beautifully decorated with traditional Peruvian products, clothing, hats, purses, dolls, cookies, coffee and lamas. Large dinning room and outdoor seating nice. We can’t wait to visit again to try More Peruvian food. Catalina the owner, very welcoming and took good care of us. Thank you 🥰”
“We love Ziggy’s!! GREAT delicious plant-based comfort food and warm, fast, friendly service! I love the spicy Buffalo Chicken sandwich, the Avalon burger with arugula and Gouda, the Black Bean Taquitos, and the Avocado Tacos. Ziggy’s is absolutely awesome! Live long and prosper, Ziggy’s!”
“Breakfast at the Oak Grill was delicious!! I started with a latte and ordered the avocado toast with an egg on top. Every component was very good...the bread was fresh, there was plenty of avocado, arugula and tomato and the balsamic drizzle tied it all together. The egg was cooked just the way I like it. It was a very hearty meal!! Our server was very attentive and upbeat. Everyone else in my party enjoyed their meals as well...the garden eggs Benedict looked so good and they didn't skimp on the hollandaise sauce. The breakfast sandwich on a brioche bun looked very appetizing and they served both of those entrees with perfectly cooked baby potatoes. We will be back again!!”
“I love Petra’s! We found this place at the beginning of Covid and have been going ever since. Last week driving from northern to southern CA we stopped for lunch(of course). I got distracted and left my purse…didn’t notice until Santa Maria. Called, of course they had my purse…AMAZING CREW AMAZING FOOD! Thank you”
New Restaurants
“Love this shop! Great place to get some work done or chat with a friend over a solid cup of coffee, tea, or matcha.
I have to respond to the most recent review by Claudia Hochschild though, I was present during her interaction with the very helpful and kind service of the woman behind the counter which she somehow believes earns this establishment 2 stars. For context, Claudia was having trouble joining the wifi and her review likely reflects impatience.
Bravo to the barista for handling a difficult situation with abundant generosity!”
“I live out of the area but I come here every chance I get! Their ice cream has the best consistency and they truly have great flavors. Once, I even tried their sugar free ice cream and i didnt want to believe it was sugar free! It tasted so delicious! They are ao incredibly friendly also! But besides their ice cream and friendliness, im really wanting to post this because of their customer service!!! My father is a regular. He had been looking for a place to replace old doc Bernsteins ice cream and he found it here! Every Thursday night during farmers market, he goes there and gets the black raspberry ice cream. He absolutely loves it! We found out that when they get close to running out of that ice cream, they would save a scoop of it just for my dad. How amazing is it to find service like that. Someone that would go out of their way to save some for a customer.”
“Ive been here a couple times and every single time it is amazing! I love the energy and vibe of all the workers, the coffee AND food is great (lots of places make me feel like i have to pick good food OR good coffee, but not here!) i plan on coming back often!”
“We dropped in for dinner and enjoyed an asada quesadilla and luckily Happy Hour so enjoyed a $5 draft Cali Squeeze. Fun to enjoy a great meal in the foothill neighborhood where I worked at Chapter One Restaurant years ago.
The quesdilla was delicious with meat, rice and cheese. It normally comes with Pico de gallo but unfortunately raw onions and I don't get along, so I choose to leave that out. The cream and avocado sauces are our favorite.
If you haven't tried it we highly recommend!”
“Great food with an easy atmosphere!”