Restaurants in San Luis Obispo
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Best Restaurants
“The owner, Kiko, is incredibly passionate in his description and recommendations. Everything was topnotch! Good sized portions and a fair price for the quality you get.
Splendid!”
“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!”
“Overall a great restuarant with some of the freshest seafood I've ever had. I am picky because my brother spearfishes and so I am used to eating fish and seafood that was caught and killed mere hours before. That being said, the seafood here passed my test, with the scallops being delectably sweet and tender and the crab being cooked and seasoned to perfection. I had the apasionado which came with avocado, roe, uni, diver scallops, and a leche tigre sauce that was perfectly balanced. My friend had the grilled lamb dish which fell off the bone. To finish we had the passion fruit milk chocolate dessert which was amazing and the chocolate pomegranate mousse (I would pass on this one). The passionfruit chocolate mousse was super smooth and pretty balanced while the second dessert was bland and dry. Service here is a little slow but the servers are friendly and knowledgeable. Would come again and would recommend. Some may say it is expensive but I think the prices are quite reasonable for the portions and quality of the food. That being said, plan to order around 1.5-2 dishes per person as well as a dessert or two and expect to spend 100+ dollars.”
“Just visited Wolff Vineyards yesterday, and I’m still on cloud nine! From the moment we arrived, the atmosphere was absolutely enchanting, with stunning views of the rolling vineyards. The staff welcomed us with warm smiles and made us feel like we were part of the family. We even took some vineyard tours with Third Wheel Tours. We got to get up close and personal with the scenery, which was the most fun!
But let me tell you about the star of the show—the Petite Sirah! ? It was hands down the best I’ve ever had. I couldn't get enough! The tasting experience was perfect, with just the right balance of knowledge and fun.
If you’re in the San Luis Obispo area, Wolff Vineyards is a must-visit! I’m already planning my next trip back. Cheers to incredible wine and unforgettable memories! ?✨”
Restaurants by Cuisine
“The food is always Ausgezeichnet (excellent) here. We come from Fresno to the coast and try to stop here at least once each trip. When they have the Rinderrouladen (thinly sliced rolled beef dish), don't hesitate to order that! This time we enjoyed reibekuchen (potato pancakes), Jägerschnitzel (breaded pork cutlet with gravy) with Knödel (sauteed potato dumpling slices), and spatzle with onions and bacon. Highly recommend those! Their food is so authentic! Pets welcome on the patio too! Tatiana was our friendly, helpful waitress.. just delightful!”
“I love this place. They’re very welcoming and all the staff are friendly. I loved the fire pits and warm blankets if requested.All the wines are enjoyable and I always revisit when I come too Pismo.”
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!”
“Overall a great restuarant with some of the freshest seafood I've ever had. I am picky because my brother spearfishes and so I am used to eating fish and seafood that was caught and killed mere hours before. That being said, the seafood here passed my test, with the scallops being delectably sweet and tender and the crab being cooked and seasoned to perfection. I had the apasionado which came with avocado, roe, uni, diver scallops, and a leche tigre sauce that was perfectly balanced. My friend had the grilled lamb dish which fell off the bone. To finish we had the passion fruit milk chocolate dessert which was amazing and the chocolate pomegranate mousse (I would pass on this one). The passionfruit chocolate mousse was super smooth and pretty balanced while the second dessert was bland and dry. Service here is a little slow but the servers are friendly and knowledgeable. Would come again and would recommend. Some may say it is expensive but I think the prices are quite reasonable for the portions and quality of the food. That being said, plan to order around 1.5-2 dishes per person as well as a dessert or two and expect to spend 100+ dollars.”
“Ordered a custom 9" round cake for my wife's birthday. The staff was friendly (and busy!) and it was super easy to drop by in person and order (they do take phone orders, I was just in town). Vanilla frosting, beautiful ganache waterfall top, chocolate cake and cookies and cream frosting. I wanted a very simple topping decoration and they nailed it perfectly, the cookie halves were their touch and I think it added some great contrast to the plain top I had put down originally. The price was spot on and it was so delicious. Perfection for what I wanted.
Note: eating delicious cake in progress in photos.”
“Easily has become one of our favorite takeout spots in town on the weekends. Definitely was a much needed addition to this town for high quality fast casual Hawaiian BBQ food.
We've been loving the chicken katsu, loco moco, short beef ribs, spam masubi, and mac salad here. Everything has been amazing across our several visits! The prices have been extremely reasonable for the giant portions of food we've received across all of our visits here. Parking is easy and it's in a nice lot in SLO.
The staff is always working their tails off in the kitchen every time we come in and the place is clean/inviting although we usually take the items to go. Glad to see this place in town and doing well from the looks of it!”
“Just visited Wolff Vineyards yesterday, and I’m still on cloud nine! From the moment we arrived, the atmosphere was absolutely enchanting, with stunning views of the rolling vineyards. The staff welcomed us with warm smiles and made us feel like we were part of the family. We even took some vineyard tours with Third Wheel Tours. We got to get up close and personal with the scenery, which was the most fun!
But let me tell you about the star of the show—the Petite Sirah! ? It was hands down the best I’ve ever had. I couldn't get enough! The tasting experience was perfect, with just the right balance of knowledge and fun.
If you’re in the San Luis Obispo area, Wolff Vineyards is a must-visit! I’m already planning my next trip back. Cheers to incredible wine and unforgettable memories! ?✨”
“Personally I haven't tasted the wines but I was there with my group, the owners who do the tastings themselves are very friendly and enthusiastic, you can feel their passion in their way of explaining things.
Since I didn't drink they offered me a rose lemonade, it's a little extra but for me it makes a difference.
Thank you to them for their kindness and their passion!”
Outdoor Dining
“The food is always Ausgezeichnet (excellent) here. We come from Fresno to the coast and try to stop here at least once each trip. When they have the Rinderrouladen (thinly sliced rolled beef dish), don't hesitate to order that! This time we enjoyed reibekuchen (potato pancakes), Jägerschnitzel (breaded pork cutlet with gravy) with Knödel (sauteed potato dumpling slices), and spatzle with onions and bacon. Highly recommend those! Their food is so authentic! Pets welcome on the patio too! Tatiana was our friendly, helpful waitress.. just delightful!”
“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!!”
“I love this place and have been here before and will come again. Very funky vibe which is nice contrast in Del Mar. BUT my advice re food is to order the more adventuresome things on the menu not the more everyday. Fish of the day is always spectacular (last time I had halibut) or the short ribs with cherries. Also the ceviches are very good. Unfortunately I had the seafood / mariscos entree billed as paella but it was very dry and plain. Even my partner ordered the Salados/ filet mignon which was serviceable but plain. The chef can obviously do great things (look at the photos). Try those every time.”
“Bravo special and it was excellent. Different from normal pizzas with the crust and what was on it. I want to try one of the chicken ones next time. Not real filling which I like, normally two slices but I ate three.
Kid-friendliness: Plenty of seating nice and clean. They have all kinds of sodas to drink. Looks like good salads.”
“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”
“Personally I haven't tasted the wines but I was there with my group, the owners who do the tastings themselves are very friendly and enthusiastic, you can feel their passion in their way of explaining things.
Since I didn't drink they offered me a rose lemonade, it's a little extra but for me it makes a difference.
Thank you to them for their kindness and their passion!”
“Sequel doesn't disappoint with quality and service!
I've visited many boba places across the Central Coast, and there's none quite like this!
Sequel is one I keep coming back to, especially if I'm in SLO.
There's lots of combinations for different tastes, whether you like green matchas or extra sweet jasmines! 🧋 It's definitely worth a visit!”
“We have been to Cafe Roma a few times, and each time has been a great experience. This time, we went on a Monday night, for a birthday dinner. It was a quiet evening for the restaurant, which made it that much nicer for us! Excellent service (thanks, Tristan!), delicious food - oh, my, those escargot! - and a wine list with a wide range of choices, especially of Italian wines. Delightful! We'll be back!.”
“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
“We have been to Cafe Roma a few times, and each time has been a great experience. This time, we went on a Monday night, for a birthday dinner. It was a quiet evening for the restaurant, which made it that much nicer for us! Excellent service (thanks, Tristan!), delicious food - oh, my, those escargot! - and a wine list with a wide range of choices, especially of Italian wines. Delightful! We'll be back!.”
“This place is gorgeous, you walk in and immediately you are immersed as the smell invites you in. The service was excellent, we had such a nice server, very attentive. The food, I entered feeling hungry and I left feeling like a bear who had eaten enough to hibernate for the winter. The food was amazing and I am coming here next week with all of my roommates, because the affordability is also amazing.”
“I Love Lure!!! When I crave oysters this is my go-to place! You really can't go wrong with anything on the menu! A pleasant surprise today they had 4 different varieties of oysters normally they only have 3. Another pleasant surprise they were just delivered 10 minutes before my arrival. I got 2 of each and they were so fresh and delicious ? served with the classic condiments. Also, today I had their small Caesar (comes in 1/2 or full portions) with their fried calamari. Their calamari is so lightly breaded and it was cooked perfectly ? so tender and delicious! ? It was perfect!!!
When I'm by myself or with my husband we normally sit @ the bar or in the bar. We've got top-notch service everytime plus it's entertaining!!!”
“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. ❤️”
“Overall this was a good experience but quite pricey.
The ambience is great out here, surrounded by vineyards with hills in the distance. The planes constantly landing nearby may be interesting or disturbing depending on the person.
Service was great. The wine itself was quite good too. A focus on Pinot and Chardonnay and there’s some good quality here.
The pricing is pretty high, for both the tastings and wine. The charcuterie board is very basic and overpriced. Overall I felt like I could get similar wine elsewhere for cheaper. Since this place is owned by Alpha Omega from Napa I think the pricing is similar to a Napa winery.”
“Such a great way to taste wines from all over our area. 2-ounce tastes are great. I enjoyed a couple of whites, then a flight of reds from DRNK for $25. Best tasting variety.”
“My husband and I hosted a rehearsal dinner here a few weeks ago and it was perfect! From the get go, Monica was easy to reach out to, accommodating and went over and above what she said she would do!”
24 Hour Restaurants
“Working around the corner last week, I decided to pop in for lunch. I only get 30 min so time is of the essence. I was greeted with a smile immediately, seated and drink order taken. Once my lunch order was taken it took literally 5 min to receive it-this is what I call top service. The place was remarkably clean, staff was super friendly and great, and to top if off, I was out of there within 20 min. I have a have had bad experiences at other Dennys, but this one changed my thought about it all together. I will defiantly be back when working in SLO again. Thanks Dennys team!”
“I can't say much about service because the kiosks are pushed now, kinda sad. No issues while using it though. The food came hot & fresh. The burger actually tasted good, which is not something I can usually say about McD's. Kiddo was happy with nuggets & fries too.”
“Bliss makes wonderful, nourishing vegan food and the owners are lovely and passionate, both about the food they serve and connecting with the local community. (Big shoutout to Dara and Kyle!) The quality of the food at their Thursday SLO Farmer's Market booth is fantastic and portions are generous. I can easily get two meals out of the small, and three or more meals out of the large! My husband loves the Protein Buddha, and I am a recent convert to the fabulously lemony Banzo Bowl, but you can't go wrong with any of the options from Bliss :)We also ordered their prepared multi-course holiday meal for a special Christmas dinner in December (2023), and it was delicious! So many amazing flavors and dishes that satisfied vegans and non-vegans alike. I highly recommend ordering catered food from Bliss if you have the opportunity, and stopping by their booth on Thursdays!”
“The place is a gem in downtown San Luis Obispo. Great food. Amazing service and phenomenal cuisine. I suggest the Escargot as a starter and the rest of the food options will not disappoint the lover of the fine dining experience. Highly recommend.”
“This place is gorgeous, you walk in and immediately you are immersed as the smell invites you in. The service was excellent, we had such a nice server, very attentive. The food, I entered feeling hungry and I left feeling like a bear who had eaten enough to hibernate for the winter. The food was amazing and I am coming here next week with all of my roommates, because the affordability is also amazing.”
Takeout Restaurants
“Got the bacon and date scone, the mixed berry scone and the zucchini muffin which were all so delicious that I forgot to take pictures. Only negative was the coffee had no sleeves for hot coffee and no sweeteners. The baked goods were what I was there for so I was impressed to say the least. I got them for wife and daughter but had to try a bite of ALL of them. Only one word comes to mind...YUM!!!!”
“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.”
“My go-to coffee & matcha spot in SLO. Tiny Cafe provides a great variety of drink options to choose from their seasonal menu. I like how different their coffee and matcha drinks are from other vendors, and how are sustainable they are as a business (they provide discounts if you bring your own cup, and bag for coffee beans).
Tiny Cafe can booked for events too. I’ve booked them for a company event once, and everyone sung praises on how good the drinks and pastries were. If you’re looking for a local coffee spot to support, Tiny Cafe is the place to go!”
“Awful service!!! We needed a table for 2 and was told 5 minutes so we put our name on the list. Another server came to the next couple in line. Asked how many and the server took them straight to a table. At one point there were no servers on the floor for a solid 10 minutes. Nobody checked on us and we wanted another beer. I went to the bartender to order the beers, having to pay separately because they can't transfer the tab to the table. Not to mention that the bathrooms had ZERO toilet paper. None of the stalls. Not a good experience”
“I Love Lure!!! When I crave oysters this is my go-to place! You really can't go wrong with anything on the menu! A pleasant surprise today they had 4 different varieties of oysters normally they only have 3. Another pleasant surprise they were just delivered 10 minutes before my arrival. I got 2 of each and they were so fresh and delicious ? served with the classic condiments. Also, today I had their small Caesar (comes in 1/2 or full portions) with their fried calamari. Their calamari is so lightly breaded and it was cooked perfectly ? so tender and delicious! ? It was perfect!!!
When I'm by myself or with my husband we normally sit @ the bar or in the bar. We've got top-notch service everytime plus it's entertaining!!!”
“We love dining here!! They’re super dog friendly and we love our waiters. He’s Italian but not sure of his name but he’s really good. We had the Winter Salad-delicious!! Then the Campeste e Gamberi and it was soo good!! The bread and olive oil garlic tempenade was amazing!!”
Drive-Thru Restaurants
“Old Slo catered mine and my husbands wedding on September 24, 2022. They delivered and served amazing, quality food. Our guests thoroughly enjoyed their service! Not only does Old Slo provide great service and food but they are also reasonably priced. We are so happy we had old Slo cater our wedding.”
“Start a Happy Hour, Antigua!!!! I roll in here at 4pm: EMPTY. Go down the street to Finney’s? At least 30 guests are there for the awesome happy hour. Just knock a couple of bucks off a few of your beers and have 5 food items for under $12. How hard is that? Best beer in town but you wouldn’t know it walking by because only the ghosts are drinking it.”
“I’m gonna be so fr. I LOVE the red radish. I’m not even a student. I came to Cal Poly to visit my sister at college and I was BLOWN AWAY by the culinary expertise at this establishment. I’ve gone to Michelin Star restaurants all over the world, I’ve had meals prepared by private chefs, I’ve even been to Benihana, but nothing even remotely compared to the quality of ingredients or flavour profiles of this Red Radish. I feel honored and privileged to have consumed the Hipster salad. Thank you Ed.”
“It’s been a long time so, I was in the neighborhood and I stopped in. It was a great experience, the young lady on the register was bright, bubbly, and made ordering fun. My sandwich was out in a matter of minutes and was very good. Even better yet, was they have K-LOVE playing for their radio choice. Definitely a five star experience.”
“A different kind of vinal bar. Wine, beer, and a great selection of fish and seafood tins. DJ spinning cool tunes. The music is not too loud so you can have a conversation which is a plus.”
Cheap Eats
“Absolutely wonderful spot, with lovely feel-good vibes, to start your day in San Luis. Coffee is all fantastic (especially the drip, gibraltar, and macchiato); the yogurt + granola bowl is refreshing and topped with a generous dose of strawberries + blueberries; the housemade bagel sandwich is perfectly executed in every way; and the avo toast (served with oversized wedges of delightfully fresh + chewy sourdough) is a toast lover’s dream.
Highly recommend for your morning routine in town! ☕️ ”
“5 stars to all even if the taste is lacking to me becauze they are fast, friendly, cheap prices, and easy to order.
I was craving Holes Moles similarity and this was close enuff.
Fresh affordable food on the way to Hearst Castle without breaking a bank to eat at the hotel with some beer.”
“Great vibe immediately upon walking in the door. First rate service. Might be the best breakfast burrito I’ve ever had. Outstanding coffee…medium americano. Killer art. Skater/surfer/local artist/inclusive tags galore. They’re doing it right and the comfort, along with the smiles, of the patrons was clearly evident and confirming.”
“The epitome of "unassuming," Pancho's offered up hot and tasty Mexican food. Our choices were the enchiladas suizas, with a luxurious green salsa, and the chicken avocado salad, topped with a sliced avocado half. This is a storefront restaurant, adjacent to a Rite Aid, and the food was outstanding.”
“I’ve got some fond memories of Gino’s pizza. I was a broke cosmetology student at the school next door to their Pismo location. So when I did have the means, I’d treat myself to Gino’s. Everyone I’ve taken there LOVES it as well. The Mexican pizza is a staple among the rest of their delicious food. I always recommend this place. No matter if I’m in Santa Maria or anywhere else.”
“If you like wood-fired pizza this is the place, with a variety of excellent choices. They go out of their way to make you happy, and it's always an amazing food experience. You can taste their passion for making quality food in every order. Where American Gourmet meets Old World Italian style. This place makes me feel like I'm eating pizza in Napoli. I'm always skeptical about Lasagna, but my friend made me try it and honestly, it's not bad.”
“We used slo provisions for a brunch for 100 people and I would hire them again! They make amazing food and they are so easy to work with. We modified the menu many times and each time they responded quickly and had thoughtful recommendations. When we needed to make adjustments based on allergies, they were quick to outline how we could best accommodate our guests. I would highly recommend them for your party.”
“Grabbed some lunch on a Saturday afternoon, no wait time and not too busy so it was nice. Waiter and food was very quick! Ordered some edamame, shogun roll, baby lobster roll and udon. Super delicious and would be back again if in town. I recommend for others looking to fill a craving.”
Latest Reviews
Most Popular Restaurants
“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”
“I love this place and have been here before and will come again. Very funky vibe which is nice contrast in Del Mar. BUT my advice re food is to order the more adventuresome things on the menu not the more everyday. Fish of the day is always spectacular (last time I had halibut) or the short ribs with cherries. Also the ceviches are very good. Unfortunately I had the seafood / mariscos entree billed as paella but it was very dry and plain. Even my partner ordered the Salados/ filet mignon which was serviceable but plain. The chef can obviously do great things (look at the photos). Try those every time.”
“The burger was good, the walls and high ceiling felt somewhat stark and barren, but it was the middle of the day, and I guess they have live music here often. The staff seemed bored, so maybe it was just a quiet day. The seating is uncomfortably open, exposed. That being said, it was overall a pleasant enough experience, and I will be returning; if for nothing but the reasonably priced and delicious food, and the promise of live music.”
“Great food with an easy atmosphere!”