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.“

“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.“

“The night started off not so great. A group of 15 tried bypassing the line, getting really upset with me when I informed the host (he had just arrived, and only saw that they had just squeezed their way to the front of the line, so this was in no way his fault) that another group was ahead of them, and that we were next in line after them. There must’ve been some mix up, as we ended up getting seated in a section that wasn’t assigned to any server. We waited for 20 minutes, watching the group of fifteen receive their drinks and have their food orders taken, before I asked one of the server’s if we were actually in a section (turned out that we weren’t). The waitress that I spoke to was very apologetic and said she would take care of it, and she absolutely did. About a minute later, Shelby came over to take our order and turned a not so great birthday dinner into a fabulous one. She was incredibly kind, apologetic, and made us her top priority. I actually said to my boyfriend during the meal, “she’s a great server, she knows what she’s doing.” She made us laugh, and even got me an extra glass of wine on the house as a consolation/birthday drink. We came in about an hour before closing, and unfortunately, at the same time as a large group, so I totally understand the mixup. The staff was very accommodating, which made up for any confusion/hurt feelings. Thank you Shelby, you rock!“

“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.“

“MUST visit San Luis Obispo staple for breakfast, breakfast burrito, omelets, country fried steak, big ol country scramble, coffee, fruit, quick eats, to go orders and more! Do not miss out on this breakfast spot, it is maybe the best no frills breakfast in San Luis Obispo. Skip Lure and get a meal here.

Andres and Demi are both incredible staff and I have watched each of them go above and beyond for patrons literally every time I visit this location. Thank you so much for all the coffee and the incredible food. Your art with a coffee cup is appreciated and thank you Demi for the local oddity shop recommendation!

Dietary restrictions: Staff is very aware of and willing to work with any dietary restrictions

Parking: Protected, shaded and wonderful parking spots for breakfast or lunch!

Kid-friendliness: Wonderful kid menu with tons of options and a kitchen that is willing to work with kiddos complex orders lol.

Wheelchair accessibility: Property is fully ADA compliant and accessible to wheelchairs and individuals with disabilities.“

“Very casual, fairly cozy vibe with some indie pop playing at a good volume, but not at all too loud. Didn't realize it was an order at the counter service style which may have brought me in sooner for a quick lunch. The breakfast burrito was insanely good. Very smoky chipotle flavor with the tortilla and sauce. Creamy, cheesy, meaty, and rich, but not overly salted or heavy with the very fluffy eggs. I don't usually go for salsa on it, but the finely minced pico was so good to sprinkle on it for some added brightness. The Arnold Palmer is worth mentioning due to the high quality flavorful tea and tangy sweet probably fresh lemonade. Affordable and friendly for its quality and quantity please support Kitchen & Vine.

Note: I have bitten one burrito half in the photo twice 😁

Parking: Ample parking at the public market parking lot a 60 second walk from the front door.“

“Friendliness & quick service“

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

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

“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“

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

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

“We have been to Cafe Roma a few times, and each time has been a great experience. This time, we went on a Monday night, for a birthday dinner. It was a quiet evening for the restaurant, which made it that much nicer for us! Excellent service (thanks, Tristan!), delicious food - oh, my, those escargot! - and a wine list with a wide range of choices, especially of Italian wines. Delightful! We'll be back!.“

“Wonderful dinner! Incredible service from a waiter named Zeki. Great atmosphere“

“Delicious food and a most excellent Bloody Mary.“

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

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

“Our cocktails were unique and the menu was exciting. The atmosphere of the upstairs vs. downstairs is very drastic. Feels. like two different places. Downstairs is dark mood lighting, feels more casual and maybe good for music? Upstairs has a buzzing, classier, semi-hipster vibe. We only ordered drinks so I can't comment on the food. Glad we went, it's a good place to wait for a dinner reservation.“

“We used slo provisions for a brunch for 100 people and I would hire them again! They make amazing food and they are so easy to work with. We modified the menu many times and each time they responded quickly and had thoughtful recommendations. When we needed to make adjustments based on allergies, they were quick to outline how we could best accommodate our guests. I would highly recommend them for your party.“

“Watch out for the chairs!“

“Had a fantastic meal here last weekend. This place is a hidden gem that I feel needs much more recognition in the SLO culinary scene. Food was incredible, some of the best I've had in the area. They use local, fresh ingredients and every item was cooked to perfection. We had the filet, scallops and a green salad. Service was also on point. We look forward to many more meals here.“

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

“Excellent food and service. Always a treat to dine at Koberl At Blue for any special occasion. The specials are delicious, as are the menu items. The wine menu has some interesting and surprisingly good choices.

Just ask the server if there are any questions. They are great.

Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays are busier, so reservations are recommended for larger parties to set up.

It's not inexpensive, but well worth the dining experience with the spouse/SO, family, and good friends.

Parking downtown can be challenging, a big suggestion is to take a picture of the license plate before going to use the pay kiosk or if not already saved in the app.

Parking: Paid street parking near the restaurant and paid garage parking a block other two away.“

“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“

“One of my favorite places, as I absolutely love their Blazing Fries (mix of fries, tenders, and mac-n-cheese mixed together with their sauce.

But, my word, I cannot give them 5-stars with the ridiculous closing time of 7:00pm on non-weekend days. Give me a break! It’s summer, and it doesn’t even get dark until 8:00pm. I dropped by at 7:05, and the SLO Public Market dining area was as packed as I’ve ever seen it…and, yet, closed?“

“Spent time here today. Had some lemon drops and some good food. Celebrated a anniversary by strolling slo and before- stopped here. Server was so kind and she was super personable. Loved it. 1st time to! Bartender made good lemon drops. . Go check it out ! Chill vibe“

“Did a quick visit at Monterey and we found this restaurant. I do really recommend the French toast, they were really good. If you’re a big fan of bacon and ham, I would definitely recommend that, the bacon was thick and crispy, the ham was a big piece and so delicious. We also had orange juice and it was soooo good. The price for the food wasn’t so bad because it was in a large portion which we really liked and had difficulty finishing. Lol
I also do recommend the apple pancakes, there are pieces of apple inside the pancake, which made them taste 10x better. The inside of the restaurant was super clean and bright, our waiter was super friendly as well. When we first got to the restaurant, it was difficult to find the main entrance, but my overall experience was pretty good. We would definitely be coming back!

Parking: Tight parking space but overall a lot of parking. ?️ at the back“

“Jessica F was exceptional. She was friends and accommodating. The hostess ( not sure her name) and Michal our busser also were very friendly and helpful. The portion were impressive. We love visiting The Madonna Inn everytime we travel. Can wait to go back. 10/19/24

Shawna and Chris“

“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!“

“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!“

“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!“

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

“Great food. Great vibe. 10/10“

“My parents and I were sitting in the back of the door and while we had wait for the french hot coffee about half hour and then the back door have been shut too hard and but it’s have no rubber or slower to be close and my mom was told that the manager already know about it but it’s nothing to get fix right away and but I believe that the ihop is so lazy and middle business for this morning“

“Let's be real, it's Buffalo Wild Wings. You know what you're coming into. It's greasy bar food, alcohol, and sports on TV. If that's what you're looking for, then it's great. They have a good happy hour, and have rotating deals like $4 shots or discounted beers. Don't expect much, but if you want a late night greasy meal washed down with a cold beer, this place hits the spot.“