38 Best American Restaurants in San Luis Obispo

“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!“

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

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

“Amazing food and ambience“

“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.“

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

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

“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. ❤️“

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

“Friendliness & quick service“

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

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

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

“I can't say enough good things about Cafe Roma! I had the t-bone steak special and it was by far one of the best steaks I have ever had. My wife had the Carbonara and it was very delicious. Our server was amazing throughout the evening, and although the restaurant was packed and he was busy, he stayed composed and didn't appear rattled in the slightest. We are very excited to return to Cafe Roma when we get back to town!“

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

“Delicious food and a most excellent Bloody Mary.“

“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!“

“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“

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

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

“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!!!“

“Watch out for the chairs!“

“Awesome, beautiful and very relaxing place!“

“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“

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

“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 🐓 🤤“

“The atmosphere is amazing from the moment you walk in — calming music, classic decor, and super friendly staff. My girlfriend and I came in for breakfast and had a great experience. Joella and Isabell took excellent care of us, constantly checking in, offering water and salsa, and making sure everything was perfect. Highly recommend for anyone looking for great food and even better service!“

“My wife and I had a delightful dinner the other night at Gardens of Avila. The food was delicious and my salmon was cooked to perfection. The Ambiance is wonderful and it's quite enough that you can actually hold a decent conversation. A truly delightful place!“

“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!“

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

“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!“

“Tawny was an excellent server, and the meal was fantastic. We ordered off the Steakhouse menu and sat in the far corner booth. We ordered the chopped spinach salad, garlic cheese bread, and the 11oz filet and Atlantic lobster. We shared everything. What a great meal!!!“

“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!“

“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.“

“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.“

“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.“