30 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.“

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

“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.“

“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. ❤️“

“Friendliness & quick service“

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

“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.“

“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!.“

“Delicious food and a most excellent Bloody Mary.“

“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.“

“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!“

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

“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!“

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

“Another tasty chicken joint 🐓 🤤“

“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“

“The food is beautifully presented, fresh, and fun and delectable to taste. Great atmosphere though we sat next to some loud-speaking customers and had to strain to hear ourselves. Nonetheless greet place to dine. A must-try just for the food👏😋“

“A Hidden Gem with Amazing Service and Flavors I had such a lovely experience at The Gardens of Avila Restaurant that I had to share! From the moment we arrived, the peaceful and quiet environment made it easy to relax and enjoy the evening. It's a perfect spot if you're looking to unwind and indulge a beautiful meal without the hustle and bustle of a louder dining scene. It was a great place to celebrate my mother in law's birthday. What really made our visit stand out was our wonderful waiter, Tyler. He was warm, attentive, and genuinely made us feel taken care of. Tyler even made us a delicious fresh strawberry lemonade—so refreshing, with just the right balance of sweet and tart. Honestly, it was one of the best lemonades I've ever had! For our meal, we ordered the short ribs and pasta, and both dishes were absolutely incredible. The short ribs were fall-off-the-bone tender and full of rich, savory flavor, and the pasta was perfectly cooked and beautifully seasoned. You can really tell that a lot of care goes into the food here. Overall, this place exceeded our expectations. If you're looking for a peaceful, charming spot with excellent food and exceptional service. We look forward to returning for other special occasions.“

“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“

“We met family there for breakfast on a Tuesday. No wait but we had a reservation. Great service - Water and coffee immediately and refilled regularly We ordered the eggs Benedict, short stack pancakes, and 2 eggs any style with ham and with biscuit. Everything was delicious. The servings are large fyi.“

“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!“