Restaurants in San Luis Obispo

“Great food with an easy atmosphere!”

“The food is fine, but the atmosphere is really cool.

Only street parking, and it’s kinda hard to find a place to sit.

For sandwiches, the waiting is crazy ??”

“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!”

“If you haven't had a Bing Soo it's shaved frozen milk with sweet toppings. Like we had today was a mango Bing Soo. Sooo good!! So glad this place had a cup size Bing Soo. Last time we had it at another place where we live. It was a bowel size. My son, husband, and I had a hard time finishing it. It fills you up! Great cookies and cream mochi donut. Also macchiato. We gotta come back for the mochi hotdog and possibly for the Korean goodies (chips and cups).”

“Wow! So glad we found this place! Amazing breakfast, lunch, coffee. I had the corn dobladitas and it was truly incredible. Roasted fresh veggies with delicious sauce. Also not too heavy. You should definitely try this place if you’re looking for something new in SLO. You won’t be disappointed. Great service too!”

“This place was recommended by a couple of people we ran into while mountain biking out at Montona De Oro. What a great place to stop for lunch before heading home after a couple of hours on the trails at MDO. I highly recommend the El Heffe. I think that was what it was named. It was a Cuban inspired sandwich. I will be getting that again next time! So good!!!!!”

“J&L Hawaiian BBQ was an interesting place to eat. This was my first time in this restaurant.
The restaurant was easy to find and conveniently located. The parking was a little limited. (It's off street parking, just a small lot)
The food choices were plentiful. More than 30 dishes are offered. They have combinations to meet most tastes.
The food was prepared quickly. It was very flavorful! I enjoyed a chicken combo plate. The portions are very generous!! The prices are reasonable.
If you are looking for a quick meal in the SLO area, this is a good choice.”

“Just stopped here on a road trip and had to pause eating to leave a review. This place is sooo good. The portion sizes are generous, and the food tastes fresh. Crispy lettuce and fresh veggies and everything was tasty. I’m not a sauce person so I haven’t tried any of theirs, but the food was really good without it. I’d definitely eat there again. The service was good too.

Vegetarian options: All vegan, gluten free options available.”

“Amazing service. Very fast, no wasted food. Hard working staff”

“Holy heck this place is good... Antonia's is a hidden gem in the center of SLO. My first was the Margarita Pizza, and it was so good I didn't want it to end! Now I'm back for The Special.”

“We have gone about 5 times, lunch and dinner. Unique Peruvian food, that is quite good. Extensive menu with an incredible number of choices. Very diverse, somewhat seafood focused but not totally. Great presentations. Nice decor, good service, and reasonable prices. It is a tiny bit upscale, but generally casual as SLO.”

“Will definitely be returning here and then more details will be forthcoming. A friend recommended this establishment, said he'd never been disappointed, and my first experience supported that claim fully.

Parking: I was early, before 6 pm, so I got shade right in front of the door, so I can't guarantee that, but plenty of parking in lot of multi-business center is available.”

“We absolutely L❤️VE this place! The owner and staff are so friendly; the food and drinks are extremely good quality!

And…it’s on one of the most beautiful streets in SLO - Garden Street!

Come by for a wonderful midday break and sit at one of the bistro tables on the sidewalk while you enjoy their delicious treats!

❤️”

“Growing up in SB, this was my favorite ice cream. Moved to the Bay, I really miss it.”

“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.”

“We enjoyed Corazon 805 Tacos so much on Friday at Liquid Gravity that we got it again on Saturday at Broad Street Public House. Chef Pedro and his team are super friendly and fun to talk to, not to mention they cooked us up an amazing meal of tacos, rice and beans two nights in a row. The freshly made corn tortillas are a perfect soft and pliable texture, the taco fillings are flavorful and spiced, and the toppings (pickled onion, queso fresco, and spicy salsa verde) complement the fillings beautifully. We enjoyed the carne asada, pulque-marinated chicken, and sweet potato with kale. While they were all delicious, the sweet potato was our favorite. And the surprise winner of the meal was the refried black beans and “fried” rice. The beans were smooth and velvety, and mixed with the rice made for an amazing side dish. Didn’t get a chance to photograph the rice & beans because they were eaten so quickly. Can’t wait for them to be back at Broad Street Pub, since we live in the condos right near there. I will be there every time.”

“Beautiful evening creek side at Kiko’s. Our host and waiter (Kiko) was charming and so enthusiastic about his food. Not to be missed was the ceviche, fresh and bathed in “tiger milk”, the skewers (creamy aji dressing to die for) and the salad which was fresh and delicious. Paella was good and the oso buco was rich.
Can’t forget about the pisco. Pisco sour is the house drink specialty. We loved the pomegranate lime version.
Our service was excellent. Angel, the bartender came and had a visit with us. We felt like family by the time we left.
Great location with a lovely outdoor patio in the middle of the city but it felt like miles away with the creek and trees for ambiance.
Highly recommend.”

“food was really good, and the portions are definitely worth the price”

“Excellent flavors Excellent service We will definitely be back”

“A lovely spot to grab a drink and enjoy the peaceful ambiance. This cafe features indoor and outdoor seating, a piano, koi pond and literature to peruse. The staff greeted my group with the most friendly service and created delicious matcha lattes.”

“The food was some of the best I've ever eaten and I'm a foody! We had a ceviche and 2 of the salads, all phenomenal. The chocolates exceptional and dessert ( though we didn't try any) looked magazine worthy. We may go back to SLO just to eat here again.”

“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! ?✨”

“Great server, great food and atmosphere!”

“Aesthetic coffee shop with delicious iced vanilla lattes! So good, I ended up buying a second drink for the road! Also tried the lemon poppyseed muffin which paired perfectly with the iced latte.”

“Amazing Gluten free options as well as great burgers!”

“Great selection of German beers. Picture of an Andechs Helles. The menu is good; they have a wide variety of German fare. Stammtisch the third Wednesday of each month. They do special events around German Fußball events (e.g., UEFA and FIFA tournaments - even morning matches, Oktoberfest…). Enjoy!”

“Loved my experience here with friends the other day. I ordered one of their salads and it was so good and the flavors blended perfectly together! The Brussels sprouts appetizer is amazing and a must to try.”

“Love their Cabernet Sauvignon. Very smooth.”

“Lived in the Bay Area for the last decade. Whenever I come to SLO, I am always disappointed with the lack of quality boba. I ordered a drink here today. And now, this is the only place in SLO that I have ever truly enjoyed the drink. You may be thinking, how dramatic. Yes, it is that dramatic.”

“All I can say is YYUUUUMMMMM!!! GREAT food, GREAT service and wonderful family owed business.”

“Italian in-laws visiting SLO from San Diego chose Cafe Roma for their celebratory anniversary dinner with local relatives. Everything was perfect from salads to desserts. Our waiter was knowledgeable and helpful without being obsequious, and the food was great, as always. Couldn't have been a better family experience.”

“A staple for date night. They switch up the venue every few months which I love. You have to get the Brussel sprouts! And the chocolate cake and the Mac n cheese ball. Must haves. I tried the breakfast burrito last time and it was great.”

“We love Bear and the Wren so much. The food has gotten better and better over the years and the ambience in the courtyard cannot be beat. The seasonal peach and basil was fantastic and the Bee Stang had the best, freshest red sauce I have had outside of home. Service was great and we can't wait until we go back again.”

“We have been eating at Goshi for 25 years and it is consistently the best Japanese food in the world. (I have now traveled enough to confirm this.)

Particular standouts are the albacore tataki, miso soup, cucumber salad, halibut tempura roll and udon noodle dishes - but even the edamame come perfectly cooked every time.

Yes they cost a pretty penny. Always worth it.”

“Breakfast bowl was good, but could’ve used a little more flavor. Nice they let me sub bacon for Avocado. Chai latte with almond milk was delicious. Lots of room, with indoor and outdoor seating, with friendly staff.

Vegetarian options: Decent vegetarian options

Parking: Can be crowded for parking, during peak hours

Kid-friendliness: Outdoor seating, great for kids”

“Lovely spot, great wine selection, peaceful creekside outdoor seating. A bit in the pricey side for a glass of wine, but you couldn’t find better atmosphere both inside and out.”

“Such an incredible venue! The food is EXCEPTIONAL, brewery rocks & there are tons of great events going on all the time!!!”

“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.”

“Excellent food, Excellent staff, Excellent atmosphere.”

“Best food ever tried!! Owner is friendly and service exceed expectación”

“If you every go to tolosa ask for Finn he gave me a tour and really took his time with my wife and I.As a minority it’s hard to get equal amount of respect and Finn gave me top notch service and I’m definitely going to come back because of him”

“We LOVE Woodstocks!!! It’s a staple in our home. Garlic bird, All Meat Orgy, SLO Classic- their entire menu is amazing. We’ll see you there!!!”

“Awesome food. But our server was awesome she ran up and down three flights of stairs all night to take great care of her customers. Great job”

“Watch out for the chairs!”

“Still great! Nico and his staff do great things on a regular basis with food and people. I eat ther often and would recommend this restaurant to all! Special appetizers, incredible pasta dishes and amazing desserts. Dont miss the pizzas.”

“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!”

“Typical mcdonalds.Now mostly automated. No person to take your order. go to kiosk and click your way through or use the mobile app ahead of time and pickup your order for expediency. nothing special or unique to this location.”

“good taste of the ice coffee mocha my favorite”

“The flavor of your food is yummy! The meats are tender & there's good amount in each taco & burrito. Tortillas are very good & fresh. Not a bad thing to say about this food truck!”

“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!!”

“Wondered in off the street while visiting SLO. No prior experience with Proof & Gather, so I was absolutely thrilled to discover they have the most incredible cinnamon rolls. Like, seriously - I love cinnamon rolls, and have been walking this earth eating any cinnamon roll I have access to for the better part of 4 decades, and this one ranks near the top. Also bought and excellent load of bread.”

“I love coming here! Their coffee is fresh and spot on. Not a fan of Turkish Delights but I love their Baklava varieties. They also have wonderful knick-knacks and teas/ coffees to try at home too.”

“World class quality beers”

“We recently became members of Claiborne & Churchill and have loved our experience so far. In our first couple of months, we have enjoyed several tastings and recently attended our first event. The winery's family-oriented atmosphere and focus on member connection is what sold us. Special shoutout to Eileen, who signed us up and served us on my birthday!”

“Great place to eat and nice new location. Congratulations on your grand reopening Krystle (sp?) and friends! - Perry”

“As an employee for Mercedes Benz of San Luis Obispo, I think I speak for all of us when I say your sandwiches are absolutely delicious. We always get special notes on our orders along with tasty caramel sour apple lollipops. A special shout out goes to Isabel and Madalyn for making our sandwiches with love and care. We notice, and we thank you . If you want a great memorable sandwich taste and quality, go to Ike’s in San Luis Obispo.”

“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.”

“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!!”

“I come here for the all you can eat lunch buffet. There pizza selection is top-notch and they have the best salad bar in town.

Parking: Always more than enough parking on the north side parking lot.”

“The meat is deliciously superb! The brisket is incredibly moist and explodes with flavor! Super happy with our choice to come here.”

“Had a really great homemade breakfast! Scones are insane! And the coffee is amazing!”

“Their jalapeño potato salad is amazing and their turkey avocado sandwich!”

“The food was absolutely amazing! I love Mediterranean and this went above my expectations, so I’d highly recommend. However, I’m giving 4 stars due to the service. The person taking my order was on the phone, confused me with his conversation, and forgot my falafel balls (even though I paid).

I’d still recommend you go for the food and I hope the service is better next time!

Parking: Parking garages are close by”

“Delicious Café Latte, great service. I highly recommend it.”

“Surprisingly to my taste, a very great build sandwiches ? ? ? ? ? ? everytime I could I'll be there to enjoy another of the many choices the have...Juan Carlos Martinez Flores”

“This one's buried in the Cal Poly campus which makes it tricky to get to if you're not a student, nor familiar with the area. Was a bit of an adventure trying to get to it, but we did and as always the food is delicious.

Parking: Paid parking is a bit of a walk from the actual restaurant.”

“Stopped in to get some food to go. The restaurant was very clean. The employees working the encounter were extremely helpful. And even though I brought my food home, it was hot and very good, I would go back again to get the Diablo Burger.”

“This is by far the cleanest and friendliest location I've ever been to, I don't even miss the lack of drive through. I've been several times and my order had been correct and food looks great, not slapped together and mushed into the bag.”

“This is the best pollo loco in California, I swear! The chicken is always fresh, and the service is excellent! Every time we’re in town for our daughter school we make sure we eat here. Just delicious!”

“I'd never been here before. The cashier (Ricardo) was great at explaining menu items and whether they're spicy hot or not.

For example, "cajun fries" are merely french fries; there's no seasoning on them. I assumed (by virtue of the name) that they would be spicy.
So if not for Ricardo's explanation, I would have gone home, been eating the fries, and thinking the cook forgot to season them with spicy seasoning.”

“Great food and good vibes”

“Ordered Avocado bowl with rice, cherry tomatoes, jalapeños and sauce. Also garlic green beans. Both very excellent with portions for two to share. Really tasty. Great personal service too. Common eating area worked well. Highly Recommend!”

“nice atmosphere. good coffee. friendly baristas.”

“Such a cute decor and delicious selection of salads. The butternut squash soup was delicious! The vegetarian sloppy Joe was really flavourful! Definitely coming back when we drive through SLO again!”

“Delicious food and a most excellent Bloody Mary.”

“It’s a great place to go all the local love it! Good Cider great vibes and it’s definitely a place to stop a do some cider tasting! I highly recommend adding to your things to do if you’re visiting from out of town. And if you live here you should definitely stop by your missing out of a wonderful place to chill out and meet up with friends”

“It is so full of life and love. How could you stay away!”

“Great flavors and super fun to watch them create the unique ice cream rolls.”

“First time and let me tell you I enjoyed both the coffee and the bagels I even bought their coffee beans. Will make it a point to stop by when I'm in town.”

“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! ☕️ ”

“Que pinche mal servicio tienen sus empleados segun es restauran mexjcano y tratan mejor alos gabachos ojala y la lea el dueño de este local”

“We went over the Christmas break, and it was some of the best Thai food I've ever had! The prices were reasonable, the service was quick, and the staff was extremely nice. The man who took my order chatted with me and asked me to tell him what i thought of the food, to which I told him that it was amazing. 50/10 I would be delighted to go again”

“Did you know you could book your very own mobile coffee for your event? TINY Cafe transformed our wedding with their incredible mobile coffee service! If you're looking for a unique way to delight your guests, this is it. Colin made the booking process so easy for our small, intimate wedding, demonstrating his professionalism and flexibility. The team was a joy to work with, even collaborating with our other vendors to make everything run smoothly. We loved that TINY Cafe took personalized drink requests, showing their commitment to making our day extra special. The coffee itself was top-quality, and our guests couldn't stop raving about this unexpected treat. Highly recommend!

Photos by Nadine Wendorff Photography
Venue: Dallidet Adobe & Gardens
Planner: Wiere Weddings”

“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.”

“I love this place! Not only do I feel welcome exactly as I am, the coffee is exceptional, the food is delicious, and the service is stellar. Plus it’s so nice to be able to support a woman-owned business in our community! I highly recommend Skippers in either San Luis Obispo or Morro Bay!”

“These donuts are amazing, they always have what I'm looking for and the people are so kind and caring. When ever I crave donuts I go there. Nothing satisfies my cravings better than these donuts! I recommend it. 10/10”

“I like the sourdough pumpernickel. Very hard to find it. I have purchased regular sourdough and have experienced some holes. No big deal. I like your bread. Make ,more sourdough pumpernickel please. prtcalbert”

“Hit them up if you're driven enough to be your own boss. they will set you up with a fully ready-to-go restaurant advisory firm.”

“Amazing service. Very fast, no wasted food. Hard working staff”

“Excellent food, Excellent staff, Excellent atmosphere.”

“Love this place for breakfast when I'm in town. The cinnamon roll is f'in amazing. It's huge and perfect. Definitely a must try! As far as the breakfast, there is more that enough food on your plate to leave you very satisfied.”

“All I can say is YYUUUUMMMMM!!! GREAT food, GREAT service and wonderful family owed business.”

“Firestone food. Delivered and made for you. It's a no brainer.”

“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 flavor of your food is yummy! The meats are tender & there's good amount in each taco & burrito. Tortillas are very good & fresh. Not a bad thing to say about this food truck!”

“Wonderful place to relax and enjoy great food and cocktails.”

“Just stopped here on a road trip and had to pause eating to leave a review. This place is sooo good. The portion sizes are generous, and the food tastes fresh. Crispy lettuce and fresh veggies and everything was tasty. I’m not a sauce person so I haven’t tried any of theirs, but the food was really good without it. I’d definitely eat there again. The service was good too.

Vegetarian options: All vegan, gluten free options available.”

“Watch out for the chairs!”

“Amazing service. Very fast, no wasted food. Hard working staff”

“Brooks Burgers is a small local chain fast casual burger spot. The location is roomy with plenty of seating inside and out and friendly staff. They do have beer and wine as well as fresh lemonade and soft drinks. A bonus is the pictured topping bar where you can grab hot peppers pickles, and more. The bacon jam burger was delicious and meaty, though the chop lettuce was a little rooty, all in all a super solid burger. The fries are exceptional, with a hot, glassy, golden crunch, and creamy inside with a great seasoning on them. Everything was out the door for 20 bucks which is reasonable for this level of food. The great soft drinks and side bar really add value to that price tag.

Parking: The spots get a little full at lunch time but there's always a spot 60 seconds walk away.”

“We LOVE Woodstocks!!! It’s a staple in our home. Garlic bird, All Meat Orgy, SLO Classic- their entire menu is amazing. We’ll see you there!!!”

“The food is fine, but the atmosphere is really cool.

Only street parking, and it’s kinda hard to find a place to sit.

For sandwiches, the waiting is crazy ??”

“Nice little spot. We had zero wait to be seated and quick service. The breakfast sandwich had some of the fluffiest eggs I've ever had. Great service from Chloe. Will definitely be coming back. Cheers”

“This wonderful restaurant had very amazing service and fantastic food. For starters, the waiter took our orders quickly and came back with our soups barely 4 min after ordering! Not even 2 minutes had passed and our food was here. The service was very quick and the people were so nice. Will come back again, very awesome place!”