39 Best American Restaurants in San Luis Obispo

“Amazing food and ambience“

“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 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.“

“We loved it! Excellent breakfast! Laid back atmosphere with friendly service. We especially loved the pancakes.“

“Good concept, menu could be more varied without adding more complexity…“

“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. ❤️“

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

“I had to get my Spirit burger and sweet potato frie Fix! soooo good. But honestly the whole menu is great“

“I had the tuna bowl and the filet Mignon with mashed potatoes. My friend had the Mushroom Alfredo pasta. Everything was delicious.“

“Service was outstanding! Food and beer great as well. First time there and will go back.“

“Friendliness & quick service“

“The best Tri tip tacos I've ever had and super fast service and friendly courteous staff and highly recommended“

“Everything was wonderful. Difficultu these days to find a restaurant that provides great service and food at a great price. Cafe Roma -does exactly that. We had a wonderful server named Grace!! She was incredible. Corkage fee was extremely reasonable. Room was crowded with many people all enjoying the wonderful friendly atmosphere. Food was spot on. From bread service through to dessert. We will definitely be back to finding this amazing gem to still enjoy classy dining out without breaking the bank.“

“Beautiful ambiance. The guitar player’s music hit just the right balance of soul/jazz. The dishes were fantastic and the portions substantial.“

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

“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“

“Pretty good stuff from what I saw. I was there visiting a friend.“

“Delicious food and a most excellent Bloody Mary.“

“Delicious Mac n cheese and very good tri-tip, loved the breezy seating and friendly staff!“

“Sidecar is a must here in San Luis Obispo! The staff and the owners and everything about the place will knock your socks off. I think it’s high time. You guys open a second Sidecar by me in So Cal!“

“Awesome, beautiful and very relaxing place!“

“First, I feel that this restaurant has some of the best food in the county! Last night we went there with 2 other couples and had a fantastic meal...however, the real highlight was our server Erik!!! Wow, some of the best service I think I have ever had, he was engaging, funny, very professional and very knowledgeable! His tableside manners were amazing and he was always nearby to take care of us all! Erik....Thanks buddy...we will ask for you next time we come in!!!“

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

“Watch out for the chairs!“

“This place is great loved everything about it. Food was great ambiance was great workers were great. Would definitely go back. Never knew about it I will tell everyone about this restaurant

Kid-friendliness: Very kid friendly with choice of indoor or outdoor seating“

“Another tasty chicken joint 🐓 🤤“

“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!“

“If you want to pay a premium for your order, and then not get what you ordered, please pay a visit to The Burger Den! oh and if you ordered through a delivery service or their website, good luck finding a phone number to contact them when they fudge your order. Food 7/10 Service 0/10 reliability 0/10“

“Though I’m a smoker and smoking is banned in Downtown SLO I’ll still put my 40 year old habit on hold for the libertine we always enjoy the atmosphere and the people along with the beer“

“We had a wonderful time celebrating my husband's birthday here! The entire evening was a success, and the food was incredibly tasty. We highly recommend the Brussels sprouts appetizer, followed by the delicious steak and scallops. Finishing with the beignet for dessert was the perfect end. Our waitress was also very attentive and made the experience smooth and enjoyable. We highly recommend this spot!“

“Being going to Franks for breakfast and finally tired them for those hotdogs! Breakfast sandwich and chili cheese hot dogs are my favs!“

“Clean and comfortable rooms. Exceptionally hot shower. Friendly Staff. Free games in the restaurant (do yourself a favor and get a smashburger from there)!!!“

“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!“

“We made a last minute reservation for breakfast to celebrate the kids end-of-season sports. The restaurant was packed, but we were seated on time, waited on efficiently and couldn't have been more cared for. The portions were huge, food was fresh and they even helped us celebrate with a complimentary slice of pink champagne cake. It was a wonderful morning. Highly recommend! The Christmas decorations were stunning.“

“Came here to watch the Buffalo Bills game while traveling from SF to LA. Great choice! Justin, the bartender was amazing and my meal (pastrami sandwich) was off the chain good. Highly recommend this place for atmosphere, service and food. I’ll be back sometime if I can!“

“Great food. Great vibe. 10/10“

“Though I don't usually frequent chain restaurants, this spot was conveniently located near our hotel, so we decided to check out their Happy Hour.

It turned out to be a fantastic deal! Almost all appetizers were half-price, and drinks were very reasonably priced, including $6 margaritas. The food was good, and the sports bar atmosphere was decent. Service from Audrey and A-Ron at the bar was excellent.“

“Same price as McDonald's but 1,000 times better! We love their family bundles and the ap often has deals pop up
This is a nice location with big windows to enjoy being in downtown SLO. It's always been clean and the staff have always done their jobs well.“

“Josh is the most amazing waiter we’ve ever had! Great dining experience. Very attentive, polite and friendly. You just can’t get great service like this anymore! Big steak omelette was amazing. Fast service, even though they were busy.“