29 Best American Restaurants in San Luis Obispo

“Nate’s on Marsh was a truly delightful experience. The food was absolutely delicious, the ambiance was both cozy and elegant, and the owner and server went above and beyond to accommodate our celiac dietary restrictions. I highly recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for a fantastic dining experience in the area.Dietary people in our family have celiac disease, and our waiter and the owner personally made sure that our dishes were prepared gluten-free. They even called the maker of one of their products to ensure it was 100% gluten-free. We have eaten at Nate’s on Marsh several times, and none of our celiac family members have gotten sick.The servers and owner make you feel welcome and are very supportive of your dietary restrictions, and open to making food substitutions for you.Parking: Plenty of paid street parking is available, and there is limited free parking in their parking lot. We have eaten at Nate’s on Marsh several times, and we haven’t had any issues with parking.“

“We came here during our honeymoon, and everyone from the hosts to the server made sure to congratulate us. It was so nice!! The food was fabulous, amazing ambiance and top notch service. The Ahi Tuna Nachos are TO DIE FOR. I got the chicken tagine, which was delish and a giant portion. My hubby got the green curry with tofu. The patio got pretty cold towards the end of dinner, so we skipped dessert. Otherwise perfect.“

“We pulled this place up on Google Maps because we were looking for fish n chips. Well, they don't serve that at this location and good thing because I never would have tried The Duke, which was FANTASTIC! My kid got the Bogy Burger and a custom shake, both delicious. I would highly recommend this 50's themed diner. Our waitress Sarah was cool and friendly. Oh, and the custom mixed Cola was good, which is a lot from this Coca Cola forever fan.“

“We met up with 2 other couples for a 2 night getaway in SLO. It’s a charming well appointed boutique hotel. Our room #4 was small but with upscale details. Minor negative: there is no closet just a couple of hangers in front of a mirror. The first night we did hear water noises in the middle of the night in the wall near our headboard. The good news was that it did not repeat the next night. Our friend’s rooms were slightly larger and they did not have any noise issues.The hotel manager was friendly and accommodating. The complimentary sparkling wine upon arrival was a nice touch. We visited the onsite bar for pre dinner drinks which was cozy and the bartender was knowledgeable and business like. Afterwards we had dinner in the restaurant. We brought our own bottles and corkage was reasonable. We also ordered several appetizers of which only the roasted Brussels sprouts was a standout that I remember. I had the hamburger as a main and it was delicious. Service and food prep were excellent.We enjoyed the upstairs lounge with the continental breakfast. WiFi reception was spotty up there though.Parking can be challenging if you want to park behind the hotel. It seemed like there was only 6” of clearance for our wheels on either side of the car when driving down the narrow driveway.We definitely would go back. We all had a great time.Noteworthy details: Nice details showing a wonderful design aesthetic.“

“Amazing atmosphere, and friendly staff. The chicken Parmesan was phenomenal. the tortelli De Zuca was good, but it was way too sweet it’s ravioli filled with a candied squash. But aside from that I truly enjoyed my visit and will return when I come back to the area.“

“Best breakfast EVER! The avo toast and salmon bagel were out of this world and the colors were like a summer California sunset. Not only were the flavors insane, they were IG-worthy. The restaurant was full of light, comfortable seating and the fiber art gives the vibe of a cool art exhibit. Chef Matti knocked it outta the park and Hakeem was so sweet, attentive and honestly, allowed us in for breaky right under the wire. Thank you!“

“you gotta check out Finney's Crafthouse in San Luis Obispo!!. This place is all about the vibes, with drinks that pack a punch and an atmosphere that screams good times. And let me tell you about the food—it's straight fire. I chowed down on the smash burger and it was next-level delicious. Meanwhile, my wife went for the tri-tip tacos and they were a total game-changer. Whether you're looking to grab some grub or kick back with a few drinks, Finney's has got you covered. Trust me, you'll be coming back for more.“

“I didn't eat here so I'm not going to leave a negative star review. Why didn't I eat here? Their menu posted outside on the sidewalk is out dated. Like pre Covid; pre inflation outdated. I believe outside menu had Eggs Benedict @ $10.95 but when you sat down and received "toaday's" menu the price is $14.95 - almost a 40% increase. Hard pass and departed restaurant due to bait and switch on menu pricing.“

“We had a lovely time at Luna Red. We had never been before and the food was really yummy. I was a bit disappointed by the goat cheese dish as it was mainly bread, so I would steer clear of this dish. Otherwise, we had some delicious tacos! Our server, Megan, was so lovely and we loved having her.“

“This was my second visit. Today I tried the chilaquiles which is a new menu item. I normally like them in a red sauce but the green tomatillo sauce was fresh and delicious with just the right amount of spice. The potatoes were flavored deliciously and the staff is really nice.“

“This is a healthy casual food option. There were bowls and sandwiches and soups, with plenty of vegan and gluten-free options. With the oven making fresh focaccia up front, I ordered a sandwich. The banh mi was tasty and unusual with a focaccia bun. It was messy (needed two napkins and a fork), but I would order it again. The salad that accompanied it was so much better than the typical free side salad. It was dressed with a fresh herbal vinaigrette and not a single leaf was wilted or past its prime. There is indoor seating, which has that fast food vibe, and a covered outdoor area, where you are mostly protected from the occasional rain shower.“

“Went early in the afternoon on a Friday. We were seated quickly by a young man who seemed he didn't want to be working that day. Before our food came, we saw the same young man that seated us, cleaning tables with dirty towel and bucket, then leaving the dirty towel on top of the table before removing it. Our server was nice, and the food was tasty. Lastly, they could have had the place warmer, it seemed cooler inside than outside, and outside, it was in the 60's at best. With all that said, we all would go back, as the food was prepared well, and presented nicely.“

“Seems to always be busy. Despite that, the wait for food is pretty short. Indoor and outdoor seating is available. There is a large selection of fountain drinks available.The fries are dynamite. The seasoning they use is very close to 5 guys cajun seasoning. My burger came with a ranch cup that complimented the fries very well.“

“This place was fantastic. We stopped in SLO on our road trip to Monterey Bay. The food and service were excellent. I'm stilling thinking about the sandwich I had. My family and I all swapped half of the sandwiches we ordered and couldn't decide which we liked the most. My son also had the kale salad which was wonderful too. We loved the outdoor patio because we were traveling with our dog. If I'm ever in SLO again we will definitely be returning.“

“Nice ambiance with the beautiful wooden bar, copper tables and fireplace. We enjoyed our server: she was friendly and fun! She helped us decide on 1/2 order of the bacon and jalapeño Mac and cheese (delicious and verrry filling) and nachos (good) to share.“

“My husband is a huge fan of Chicken Fried Steak and he said this was the best he has ever had today. Savy and Jesus were our servers and kept the coffee flowing. I had the 2+2 breakfast and the pancakes were super puffy and delicious! The decor is old school western with photos and tools. This is our new SLO breakfast spot for sure! Bonus:Easy on and off Hwy 101 and clean bathrooms.“

“There's a reason (actually many reasons) why locals continue to frequent this little place at the SLO airport. Friendly. Solid breakfast on the weekends. Great lunch menu. Dinner served 3 nights a week (wish they'd add more nights). You can sit inside or on the patio and every table has an intimate view of the active runway.“

“Had a fantastic experience here last night. The starter, steak bites, was outstanding. Our party ordered a cross section of the menu, and every item was delicious. We finished off with out-of--this-world cheesecake and coconut pastry. All of this goodness and, honestly, the service was impecable. My newest favorite eatery in San Luis Obispo!!!“

“One of my favorite spots for a classy drink+nice atmosphere in dt SLO. The dinner menu provides pretty decent options that accompany the cocktails well. Their kitchen isn’t unlimited, however, and I’d recommend arriving before 6 if you want variety in the menu as they run out of options quickly. They are currently serving Chinese fusion courses. I’ve attached a picture of the happy hour specials!“

“I really like the variety of food you get here. I haven't had a bad meal yet. They have outdoor seating where you can sit with your 4 legged friend. The only thing is they don't have a lot of parking. So if it is busy, that is a bit of a nuisance.“

“This place rocks. Spicy chicken all the way every time I come here. I'll admit I have a tendency to overeat a bit when I go here, but I regret nothing except the heartburn I have afterwards ?. I usually have the mac daddy sandwich which is a spicy chicken tender sandwich with creamy mac and cheese on it. Their spicy fries are also quite delicious.“

“I went in for the happy hour specials. I got the brussel sprouts and the cheeseburger for $10 each. The service was great and the food was delicious. Almost forgot to mention the beignets, they are amazing and moist. I cant wait to go back.“

“We hosted our wedding welcome party at the Libertine and it was amazing! Trenton was professional and responsive and made the process super easy. And the party itself couldn’t have been better! The space was hip and open and perfect for a cocktail party. The staff was amazing and personable and helped all of our guests even during the rush! And the drinks were great, from their many beer options to ciders and more!! (We’ve also had the food many times and it is always delicious!) We couldn’t have asked for a better spot to host all of our friends and family and to welcome them to San Luis Obispo!“

“My husband and I stopped here on our way back from Big Sur. It looked like a super cool place that allowed dogs. The owner Steven opened up and immediately welcomed our pups (and us). Steven is super chill and really fun to chat with, and we had such a great time we decided to stick around Pismo Beach for the night. We spent most of the day and night at The Boardroom playing darts, making friends, and having a total blast. The beer is delicious and most patrons are there to kick back and have a good time. People of all ages seemed at ease and it was clear how beloved Steven was in town. Thanks for teaching me how to stop throwing darts "like a sissy dinosaur" haha! We will 10000% be going to Pismo again so we can go to this bar!“

“Casual breakfast and lunch spot with a bar & indoor/outdoor seating! Order at the counter and sit yourself. The service was quick and the staff was very friendly. I ordered the Cali Breakfast Burrito which was super tasty and filling! Two of us split it and were satisfied. Will definitely be back to try other menu items“

“The salad was very tasty. The main meal, steak, mash potato and vegetables where all served quite warm and not luke warm or cool.Great to enjoy a meal and have the food stay that warm during the entire meal. Steak, mash potatoes and vegges where excellent. Desert was excellent. We have been here 3 or 4 times and always look forward to eating here. Would not even think of going else where for dinner.“

“Had Huevos Rancheros for breakfast. Easily the best I have ever eaten. The beans were creamy, the eggs prepared just right and the sauce out of this world. As breakfast was so good we ordered the Cheeseburger Salad to take back to the hotel for later in the day. Salad is excellent. Plenty of veggies and a hugh hamburger patty. Plenty of cheese and the Thousand Island dressing tasted freshly made. This is a typical diner ambience and VERY busy. Service was excellent. All told when we come back to SLO we will be eating here again“

“Beautiful atmosphere with white table clothes and table settings. Ryan, our server, was professional and fun. Oysters, butter lettuce salad, sea scallops, and lingue with veal..all amazing. It's definitely a great date night place. Guys, remove your ball caps and respect your date.“

“This place is great! Unless you are at the golf course or Swing Time simulation golf, you'd never know it is here. It is definitely worth the trip. Super casual atmosphere with a great bar and tasty food. Free arcade games and shuffleboard is a hit with the younger.“