28 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.“

“Hands down best burger ever had! Service was great but the food was literally amazing!!“

“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. ❤️“

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

“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.“

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

“What a fantastic experience! From the moment we walked in, everything was outstanding. The food was absolutely delicious—authentic Italian flavors, generous portions, and every dish was prepared perfectly. The service was incredibly fast without ever feeling rushed.
A special thank you to Grace, our waitress, who was totally awesome. She was friendly, attentive, knowledgeable about the menu, and made sure we had everything we needed throughout our visit.
I also had the pleasure of sitting at the bar with Carlos, who was professional, personable, and made the experience even more enjoyable. His great attitude and excellent customer service truly stood out.
Overall, this restaurant deserves a 5-star rating all around for its amazing food, fast service, and exceptional staff. I highly recommend it and will definitely be coming back!“

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

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

“Delicious food and a most excellent Bloody Mary.“

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

“Awesome, beautiful and very relaxing place!“

“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!“

“Watch out for the chairs!“

“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.“

“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“

“Yes, there is something magical about this place. Most of the items on the menu are the classic breakfast joints stuff. Home fries, eggs over easy, bacon, biscuits and that kind of thing. But there is something puzzlingly wonderful about every dish. The bacon is thicker. The sausage is just a little juicier. The eggs are more perfectly done. The sourdough is more sour -- or something. And the whole place is dripping with retro charm. The staff here is friendly and wonderfully quirky. Just one more perfect note in the SLO calliope of joy.“

“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“

“Another tasty chicken joint 🐓 🤤“

“My girlfriend and I had an amazing experience eating at the Gardens of Avila . I had the Pacific Halibut . the fish was cooked to perfection and was fresh and very tasty. My girlfriend had the salmon and it was equally delicious . The vegetables are so fresh and great tasting that accompanied our meals. we loved the ambience of the restaurant as it is part of the Sycamore hot springs resort hotel . We had a great waitress who recommended coming to stay at the hotel that has hot spring tubs in each room . We were presently surprised by this and will very much make reservations to stay at the resort in the very near future. So weather or not you stay at the hotel or not the Gardens of Avila is a great restaurant Overall a very spectacular restaurant to eat at and at a great value.“

“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!“