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!”
“The food was amazing we really loved the quality and flavors. While the service wasn’t excellent and our server seemed a bit rushed, we still had a wonderful overall experience.”
“Amazing food, friendly service, and a warm atmosphere! Everything we ordered was delicious, especially the Sea Bass. The staff was attentive and welcoming. Highly recommend and can't wait to come back!”
“Visited my first time Sunday 5-25-25 for their brunch special and had a wonderful time.
The seating is outside under shade with plenty of elbow room.
The staff were all super friendly. Plenty of parking. The restrooms were clean.
I tried several wines that all tasted great and bought a bottle of my favorite to take home.
They usually have different food trucks and musicians.
Highly suggest you check them out. I’ll definitely return.”
Restaurants by Cuisine
“I just had my 21st birthday tasting there and it was FABULOUS! The staff were so kind and welcoming, and they gave me a room in the back to store my cake, extra food, and decorations. It was such a beautiful winery and I had the best time! Definitely recommend this place to anyone with a large party in mind (I had 12 people) because they are super accommodating and allow you to bring in food and decorations.”
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!”
“Really liked my two visits to Ziggy's! The staff was friendly and the food was hitting all the right strides for a comfort vegan meal. Between my two visits I was able to try the nashville chicken sandwich, the crunch wrap supreme, their version of animal style fries, a milkshake, the horchata, onion rings, a cauliflower bowl, and some taquitos. All of the food was really good and had no complaints about it. It's great that Ziggy's commits to being a fully vegan restaurant and being one of two only vegan restaurants in SLO. Will definitely be coming here next time I am in the area.”
“I absolutely LOVE field day! I’ve been a customer for years now and I love bringing my golden retriever too. Every single barista is so kind and loves to make conversation. Trust me it’s the best matcha latte in all of San Luis Obispo!! I have been guilty of going twice a day lol. Get there early enough and snag an avocado toast but if not I love the homemade bagels! Truly will recommend this experience to anyone!”
“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!”
“Centrally located in the quaint historic downtown, on a side street with little traffic. Handicap parking spot right in front of the shop. A few tables and chairs to sit outside and enjoy your coffee in the sun. Large, bright interior with bright sunlight shining through the window. Plenty of seatings with high top and regular chairs. While busy when visiting there was basically no wait. Served quickly by a young, friendly and attentive associate. Good selection of hot and cold beverages and nice pastries. Counter area and tables were kept very clean. Great quality and reasonable pricing. Excellent find, will be our must stop when coming to or passing through SLO!”
“I just had my 21st birthday tasting there and it was FABULOUS! The staff were so kind and welcoming, and they gave me a room in the back to store my cake, extra food, and decorations. It was such a beautiful winery and I had the best time! Definitely recommend this place to anyone with a large party in mind (I had 12 people) because they are super accommodating and allow you to bring in food and decorations.”
“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!”
“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”
“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.”
Outdoor Dining
“Visited my first time Sunday 5-25-25 for their brunch special and had a wonderful time.
The seating is outside under shade with plenty of elbow room.
The staff were all super friendly. Plenty of parking. The restrooms were clean.
I tried several wines that all tasted great and bought a bottle of my favorite to take home.
They usually have different food trucks and musicians.
Highly suggest you check them out. I’ll definitely return.”
“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!!”
“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!”
“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”
“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”
“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 were here for the first time, and it won't be the last! Great food & beers & service!”
Online Reservation Available
“This is by far my favorite restaurant, and has been for years. That said, I made this reservation to celebrate my birthday with my 7 and 8 year old, who love the sushi bar experience. Unfortunately, we had a parking issue, and called the restaurant at the time of our reservation to let them know we were 3 minutes late. However, no one answered our call. When we walked in exactly 3 minutes late, the host looked at his watch, told me we were almost 5 minutes late, and our spot had been given away. No call to see if we were coming in. Just shut down. Since we rarely eat out, and my sons were set on eating at the bar, we waited the hour it took to get seated. By that time, my sons were hangry, and I was pretty frustrated. Not sure what a confirmed reservation means these days, but when I worked in the restaurant industry, a minimum of five minutes, with an attempt to contact the guest, was the norm. When I kindly mentioned this to said host, he looked at me deadpan with nothing to say about it. Hopefully the popularity of this place doesn't have this guy feeling like dismissing loyal customers is no biggie.”
“Kayden was a terrific host. She was warm and kind and filled with info. The setting was gorgeous and with all the lavender, we felt we were in Provence! It was on the expensive side, but we have no regrets. The charcuterie came in a plastic container but it was absolutely delicious and was more than it first appeared. Thank you Tolosa and Kayden❤️❤️”
“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. ❤️”
“Came here for some nice burgers during our visit of SLO. Pretty good food but definitely a little expensive for the amount of food given. Despite me enjoying the food, the service wasn’t great. We were seated but not given any water or offered anything for quite some time. We sat for at-least 15 minutes before anyone came to us. This wouldn’t be as big of a deal normally but this place was small and not busy at all- there were also only 1-2 servers. Pretty good but definitely could use some service improvements.”
“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.”
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!”
“Good concept, menu could be more varied without adding more complexity…”
“Went in for lunch and sat at the bar. Jason was our bartender/server. He was great! And so was the food. We had the rock fish and the miso salmon bowl. Both were delicious. We’ll definitely be back.”
“This is by far my favorite restaurant, and has been for years. That said, I made this reservation to celebrate my birthday with my 7 and 8 year old, who love the sushi bar experience. Unfortunately, we had a parking issue, and called the restaurant at the time of our reservation to let them know we were 3 minutes late. However, no one answered our call. When we walked in exactly 3 minutes late, the host looked at his watch, told me we were almost 5 minutes late, and our spot had been given away. No call to see if we were coming in. Just shut down. Since we rarely eat out, and my sons were set on eating at the bar, we waited the hour it took to get seated. By that time, my sons were hangry, and I was pretty frustrated. Not sure what a confirmed reservation means these days, but when I worked in the restaurant industry, a minimum of five minutes, with an attempt to contact the guest, was the norm. When I kindly mentioned this to said host, he looked at me deadpan with nothing to say about it. Hopefully the popularity of this place doesn't have this guy feeling like dismissing loyal customers is no biggie.”
Takeout Restaurants
“The custom cake I ordered was soo good. I got a 6 inch lemon cake with vanilla buttercream frosting and raspberry mousse. The 6 inch may seem small, but it was enough for 5 people and we had leftover cake afterwards that we ate the next day.
I wanted to put some nautical decor on that I made myself since we were eating it on a boat, and they were able to make the outside smooth & plain for me. I’m not sure that I did a great job with decor, lolll..I would probably ask them to do the decor themselves next time.
The lemon with the raspberry mousse was so good though. I might try a cream cheese frosting if I ever go back since I’m in LA, but the buttercream wasn’t too sweet.”
“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!”
“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 just love their baked goods! The families favorites are the cinnamon rolls. I am gluten-intolerant and I am so happy to have found delicious soft, gewy chocolate chip cookies and other!
The sizes are perfect for the price you pay, and the products are guaranteed fresh!!!! Even after 3 d those cinnamon rolls are still soft and yummy! The cookies hold up longer anyway!
The staff is always friendly, professional and welcoming.
I will drive miles to get good items!
Thank you for being awesome!”
“food was really good, and the portions are definitely worth the price”
“We had the bacon wrapped dates, Brussel sprouts and coconut shrimp tacos with key lime pie for dessert. Perfect amount shared by two. Every bite was delicious! Very creative drink menu, non alcoholic. Lovely outdoor seating and dog friendly.”
“Great little find in slo. Was bummed that they didn't get their fish order when I was there. Was very much looking forward to the red snapper ceviche. They did, however, have some delicious prawns. I had one of the best Chile rellenos stuffed with cheese and large prawns. Shredded beef tacos are highly recommended. The Baja fish tacos are flavorful and large. And our waiter was very attentive and friendly. Will be back again”
Drive-Thru Restaurants
“I LOVE Bing's Bao Buns. Growing up in a Chinese family, I was raised on bao. And Bing's bao is honestly my favorite I've ever had, anywhere.
First, I love the bun thickness to fillings ratio--it's exactly how I personally like them, with the bun not so thick that it overwhelms the flavor of the filling.
Second, I love that Bing's always offers a variety of plant-based options for both their bao and additional menu items, including Kimchi Fried Rice. Whether you are vegan, or vegetarian, or not, their plant-based options are just as flavorful and satisfying as anything on their menu.
Third, Bing's offers so many amazing items, beyond bao, including Lo Mein Noodles and Tater Tots. I highly recommend the Bing's Seasoning edition of the Tater Tots. It has a very tasty and memorable kick, without being too spicy for those who can't tolerate too much.
And on top of all of that, Bing's always has the best customer service. They make you feel truly appreciated for your patronage, and that is important. They are family-owned, and personally, I love getting to support high-quality businesses that are.
Plus, they have a wide selection of cool imported snacks, and a wide selection of tasty mochi too, including vegan mochi. I feel they go above and beyond at what they do, and are such a true gem in our Central California Coast. In all of my bao from D.C. to SoCal, I still love the ones here at Bing's in San Luis Obispo the best.”
“This place is a diamond in the rough!! Ying gave us amazing recommendations that fit our table’s dietary restrictions (some of us eat only fish, some of us can’t eat any spicy food), and everything came out quickly and piping hot. Food was fresh and seriously so good!! The Pad Thai is the best I’ve ever had. I’ll be dreaming of the Tom Kha soup til I have it again. The spring rolls and cream cheese avocado puffs (so flavorful!!) were unbelievable! This place is 10/10!!”
“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.”
“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!”
“Kayden was a terrific host. She was warm and kind and filled with info. The setting was gorgeous and with all the lavender, we felt we were in Provence! It was on the expensive side, but we have no regrets. The charcuterie came in a plastic container but it was absolutely delicious and was more than it first appeared. Thank you Tolosa and Kayden❤️❤️”
Cheap Eats
“It’s a quaint small cozy place in a neighborhood located near the railroad station; it always has a good crowd in there. It’s probably the only vinyl wine bar in SLO with a rotating crowd on of vinyl DJs. It’s large enough to handle a crowd of 24 and small enough to be intimate. You will always meet someone there. If you want a place to go to after work that doesn’t break the bank and have a good time, this is your place.”
“The whole family was celebrating my niece’s graduation from Cal Poly SLO on Sat 6/14 and many of the reataurants in downtown were booked. We walked into Moe’s and they were able to accommodate our party of 8. The food and service was fantastic! We shared a couple plates (chicken, beef; sampler, hummus, baba ganush and some bone-in wings). They did not disappoint. And the family was able to celebrate with much joy and merriment. I would definitely eat here again!”
“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.”
“Food in terms of flavor were very good, I just wish the portion is a bit bigger, too small even for one person relative to price.
It is a quick service type of a restaurant so don't expect to have a full service experience, I gave 4 star because their Point of Sale system failed them. They encourage you to place your order thru this big screen (pos) when we did , and about to pay, the transaction got declined, but the unfortunate part was that their merchant (pos) took money from my bank. So on my end the transaction went thru but on their end it was declined. They hold my money for 4 day before it got returned to my bank.”
“Lukom, Absolutely delightful! This Turkish sweet store is a hidden gem. From the moment you walk in, you’re greeted with the rich aroma of freshly made baklava and traditional treats. Every piece tastes like it was crafted with love and heritage — the pistachios are generous, the syrup is perfectly balanced, and the textures are just heavenly. The staff is incredibly welcoming and knowledgeable, always ready to offer samples and recommendations. Whether you’re a fan of classic delights or looking to try something new, this place is a must-visit. A little piece of Turkey right in the heart of Dan Luis Obispo, CA ❤️”
“Visited: 14/06/2023
Amazing vegan food from Bliss Cafe. It was help yourself and pay for the weight, so we got a mix of everything they had available. It was all delicious.
Flavours and combinations we hadn't tried before with vegetarian or vegan food, so it really opened up our palette.
We both wish we could go back for more, or one was open in the UK.”
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 🥰”
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”
“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 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!!”
“There was a very friendly waiter, very sad to see him gone, the cook was not good here, he put the food, disinfectant for dishes and the chemical materials that turn the black rag into white in the same sink, this will not kill you immediately but it’s very disgusting, and he refused to wash more of his dirty hands, last but not the least, remember that tips in cash thanks.”
“Great food with an easy atmosphere!”