New American Restaurants near Avila Beach, CA

“We stopped by for such delicious lunch that we returned two nights later for dinner. Nate served us lunch and took his time to chat about the menu and made us feel so welcome. The food was fabulous and we ate outside viewing the ocean. Sierra served us dinner with an inviting smile and uncrushed service. The escargot was heavenly, as was the thick French onion soup. The Caesar salad and wild mushroom ravioli were exceptional. The chef came to visit us to make sure we were happy. Impeccable service and exquisite food.“

“This is one of those "hidden gem" spots! We've even stayed at the San Luis Inn that is right next door and hadn't noticed it. It is down the hill and next door to the pro shop for the golf course. There are large menu boards up next to the entrance and above the bar. You place your order at the bar and then go find a seat. We found a great spot in the shade outside and didn't have any problems with insects. Our lunches (salads and sandwiches) were good and tasty. The view of the ocean was great! A nice, relaxing spot for lunch, especially during the week (apparently it is a lot busier on weekends).“

“Friendly fast service. Delicious food, and a beautiful view on the patio. Thanks Jordyn! We had the western BBQ burger and sweet potato fries. They're Rancho was amazing! We've been coming to Avila for years bit this was our first time here and we will be back!“

“Crab soup was wonderful. Scallops were fine/nothing special. The purple sweet potatoes were pureed and tasted like snotty, runny baby food.The swordfish served with bordelaise sauce didn't work. The crabcake lillikoi pepper jelly was way too overwhelming.Sadly disappointed.“

“Driving through town, we needed a bite and want to thank all you 5-star reviewers of Spoon Trade for steering us here because the food was fantastic! It was a busy Saturday afternoon and we got one of the last tables available. Super friendly service straight away and a great vibe all around. Very interesting menu! A diner for foodies. Wife had the vegetarian Tikka with a side sausage patty, which she loved, and my son had the Benedict, which of course I tasted via dad tax and it was rich and yummy. I was going to get the chicken and waffles, which looked delicious on other people's tables, but opted for the duck noodle soup, which was a tasty ramen. It was on the pricy side, but everything was such great quality, original recipes, and made to order. We look forward to visiting again!“

“The food is amazing!! Antionette, Raul and the staff are amazing. Great service!!! Antionette and the staff were so great doing what they do!!!! We loved the fact when we learned they are now dog friendly. Truly was the reason we came because we could bring our Berne-doodle. Sadly when we asked for a piece of grilled chicken for her, they accepted the order and then came back with it had to be at the same price as the chicken breast on the menu. We sucked it up, and it came with all the seasoning whereby she could not eat it. Almost $40 for something she could not eat. We travel all of California. EVERY dog friendly restaurant has a plain burger or chicken breast they can make for your dog in the $5-$8 dollar range. So they may say they are dog friendly, it appears they are merely dog tolerant which in California seems out of touch. Sad to waste such great food and service at those prices when you can't make reasonable exceptions for your dog.“

“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!“

“We came here during our honeymoon, and everyone from the hosts to the server made sure to congratulate us. It was so nice!! The food was fabulous, amazing ambiance and top notch service. The Ahi Tuna Nachos are TO DIE FOR. I got the chicken tagine, which was delish and a giant portion. My hubby got the green curry with tofu. The patio got pretty cold towards the end of dinner, so we skipped dessert. Otherwise perfect.“

“Best breakfast EVER! The avo toast and salmon bagel were out of this world and the colors were like a summer California sunset. Not only were the flavors insane, they were IG-worthy. The restaurant was full of light, comfortable seating and the fiber art gives the vibe of a cool art exhibit. Chef Matti knocked it outta the park and Hakeem was so sweet, attentive and honestly, allowed us in for breaky right under the wire. Thank you!“

“This restaurant was so amazing! Upon arrival Chris greeted us with a smile and sat us with him by the window. We ordered filet bites to start with as an appetizer which was so tasty and fresh. Chris guided us towards selecting dinner and he sure didn't disappoint. He recommended the SeaVenture seafood dish and it was so fresh with zero fishy flavors throughout the meal. The swordfish was delectable as well. The caeser salad came with the best thick dressing I've had and even better than the Madonna inns steakhouse! The salad comes with two pieces of fresh anchovy on it sliced thin and so fresh. Dessert was just unbelievable; the Bananas Foster was even better than that of Commanders Palace in New Orleans! Please come on by and request to sit with Chris he was so on it!“

“Been here twice now and I will definitely be retuning...let's just say it's my family's new go to when we are SLO!!! Everything we have tried from the main dish to the smoothies have been made to order fresh and delicious, served to perfection.“

“Great food, great beers, great ambience!They have a lot of good options on the menu. The pretzel it’s really good. Lots of beers to choose from. Perfect place to go enjoy live music. Super clean. Employees are super cool and friendly.Good to go with family or friends.“

“It's a beautiful, serene space with an extremely comfortable ambiance and our dishes were well executed and delicious. But the gracious, friendly staff are the main reason why I will return whenever I am in the area again. My only regret is that our late dinner meant that we didn't get to enjoy the view at sunset or linger after eating.“

“Brew the Right Thing Locally-owned and operated brewery that's been serving up suds to Grover Beach since 2012. The Good: *Plenty of parking in free shared lot *Legit wood-fired brick pizza oven produced some nicely cooked pies. *Love their dog-friendly outdoor patio, which is a must in SLO County. *Great value for their "Pizza & a Pint Combo" for $20 The Meh: *Bartender was slightly surly for whatever reason. I'm not sure if it's because we weren't regulars or he's just normally a grouchy puss? The Ugly: *The Breezlejuice IPA was skunked and tasted really flat and just not good. I would've probably said something to them, but señor grumpus made me think twice. Conclusion: I'm gonna assume the beer was just a one-time snafu because I can't imagine anyone would drink that swill. With that aside, everything else was great, from the pie to the ambiance to the value. Recommended.“

“Everything was very good, especially the service. Crystal is wonderful. The sand dabs we had were perfectly prepared–lightly sautéed and delicate. My only complaint, and it is a mild one, was the piccata sauce on the sand dabs. It may just be a personal preference, but I thought the sauce needed a touch more lemon for balance. I've had their Scampi Piccata and I thought the sauce was much better on that dish. We will be back.“

“you gotta check out Finney's Crafthouse in San Luis Obispo!!. This place is all about the vibes, with drinks that pack a punch and an atmosphere that screams good times. And let me tell you about the food—it's straight fire. I chowed down on the smash burger and it was next-level delicious. Meanwhile, my wife went for the tri-tip tacos and they were a total game-changer. Whether you're looking to grab some grub or kick back with a few drinks, Finney's has got you covered. Trust me, you'll be coming back for more.“

“This place was fantastic. We stopped in SLO on our road trip to Monterey Bay. The food and service were excellent. I'm stilling thinking about the sandwich I had. My family and I all swapped half of the sandwiches we ordered and couldn't decide which we liked the most. My son also had the kale salad which was wonderful too. We loved the outdoor patio because we were traveling with our dog. If I'm ever in SLO again we will definitely be returning.“

“My bf and I were driving home from SoCal to NorCal and we stumbled to this cafe. They were closing within 40 mins when we got there. The restaurant looks and feel so clean. We bought a few items to eat on the car ride. Cilantro chicken salad, cranberry cookie (I ate this first while waiting for our food, and Chicken Banh Mi sandwich. I loved my salad, it was perfect and well flavored. The cookie is delicious with crispy around the edge and gooey center. My bf loved his banh mi sandwich but I like the salad more :))) I am so glad we stop by here at this cafe and no drive into In n Out or other fast food joint that is near by. It's hard to stay healthy on the go.“

“This is a healthy casual food option. There were bowls and sandwiches and soups, with plenty of vegan and gluten-free options. With the oven making fresh focaccia up front, I ordered a sandwich. The banh mi was tasty and unusual with a focaccia bun. It was messy (needed two napkins and a fork), but I would order it again. The salad that accompanied it was so much better than the typical free side salad. It was dressed with a fresh herbal vinaigrette and not a single leaf was wilted or past its prime. There is indoor seating, which has that fast food vibe, and a covered outdoor area, where you are mostly protected from the occasional rain shower.“

“Absolutely love staying at this resort, and the Clubhouse Grill is a large part of that. Lively atmosphere, always friendly servers, and excellent food! Fun to eat outside on the patio while watching live music or golfers (depending on the day), or to eat inside watching sports on the large screen TVs. My husband generally gets the rib eye, and I have a few different favorites.“

“I went in for the happy hour specials. I got the brussel sprouts and the cheeseburger for $10 each. The service was great and the food was delicious. Almost forgot to mention the beignets, they are amazing and moist. I cant wait to go back.“

“This place rocks. Spicy chicken all the way every time I come here. I'll admit I have a tendency to overeat a bit when I go here, but I regret nothing except the heartburn I have afterwards ?. I usually have the mac daddy sandwich which is a spicy chicken tender sandwich with creamy mac and cheese on it. Their spicy fries are also quite delicious.“

“Had the onion rings for appetizer and they were very good…I had the fish n chips and they were so deelicious…restaurant was clean & all the servers were nice…they have a great selection of beers…the restroom was clean & even smelled “

“I was really impressed with everything here. The views are so beautiful, sit outside. Just beware of very courageous birds that think your food is their food. I don't blame them. The food is spectacular! We ordered the salmon and lox and avocado toast, both excellent choices. Our server, Steve was top notch. He was attentive and very kind. Prices may be kind of high, but I thought it was worth every penny and I will be back to try their other menu items.Parking: Parking is a bit of a challenge. The parking lot is for the hotel valet and workers only. It's perfect if you go the valet route. Otherwise, you have to park across the street or in the public lot to the northeast.“

“Los Olivos Wine Merchant offers a delightful experience for wine enthusiasts. With an extensive selection of local wines and knowledgeable staff, it's a haven for discovering new favorites. The inviting atmosphere and occasional tastings add to the charm, making it a must-visit destination in the heart of Santa Ynez Valley's wine country.“

“If you like seafood, this is your spot. From clam chowder, lobster rolls, fish and chips, this place has it all. They have a good amount of indoor and outdoor seating, and a whole wall of self serve beers on tap. On weekends, they do have a brunch menu available, but the standard menu is also served every day. They have two types of lobster rolls: The Original and a Jalapeno LimeWe got one of each and each roll was stuffed full of big chunks of lobster. The original was served either with drawn butter or a garlic herb mayo, but per the suggestion of the cashier, we ordered it dressed in butter with the mayo on the side. The rolls are $30 each but do come with thicc cut steak fries. You can opt to sub out the fries for house made chips if you like more of a crunch. The jalapeno lime roll was very light in flavor, and could have used more butter or a mayo to dress it up a bit. The bun was nicely buttered and toasted though, which helped. I love that it was topped with crispy fried onions for a little extra flava and crunch!If there is one dish you're going to order, make it the poke nachos. It's super saucy so some bites can be a little overwhelming. A little less sauce would make this even better, but overall, highly recommend giving it a try! The chunks of ahi tasted fresh, and I loved that they added avocado and seaweed salad. This was so refreshing over the wonton chips. I opted for the fisherman's catch so I could have a little bit of everything. This came with 1 large piece of cod fish, lots of shrimp, and a few strips of calamari over fries. This was served with tartar sauce, cocktail sauce and lemon wedges. Normally I would squeeze lemon over all my fried seafood but it didn't even need it! Idk what they do with the batter/seasoning but I love loved loved that all the fried seafood had a citrussy flavor to it already. This would be a good sized plate to share! The staff were all really nice and attentive and we loved the vibes of the outdoor seating. Midway through our meal, a guy went on the stage to play some live music, so that was a nice touch. If I'm ever back in Pismo, I'm making it a point to come back for more eats!“

“Going to this restaurant was an absolute magical time. My husband and I came here to celebrate our sixth wedding anniversary and 10 years together and it made us feel so special our waitress/bartender was absolutely a delight. I wish I could remember her name so that I can shout her out somebody needs to give this woman a raise, the food was impeccable. Also, we decided to eat outside which made the ambience that much more delightful. It was just warm enough outside with a nice breeze and seeing all the nature around us it was just absolutely amazing. I 10 out of 10 would recommend this place I definitely want to come back, thank you so much Gardens of Avila for making our anniversary this year one for the books!“

“Had dinner there last night and the food was excellent. The menu was pretty basic, nothing unique, but the dishes we had were really good. I had the salmon which was cooked to perfection with sweet potato puree and roasted veggies that were yummy. My husband had the burger, great taste but the bun fell apart pretty quickly. Location is great, restaurant is very clean and modern but nothing really stands out as far as decor or vibe which is why I gave it a 4 vs. 5. Service was excellent, we did not encounter any delays or lack of attention. A solid choice for an upscale meal if you are looking for a steak, seafood, chicken kind of place.“