14 Best Italian 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!“

“Will definitely be returning here and then more details will be forthcoming. A friend recommended this establishment, said he'd never been disappointed, and my first experience supported that claim fully.

Parking: I was early, before 6 pm, so I got shade right in front of the door, so I can't guarantee that, but plenty of parking in lot of multi-business center is available.“

“Great place to eat and nice new location. Congratulations on your grand reopening Krystle (sp?) and friends! - Perry“

“Their pizza is legit. I believe the dough has been cold fermented for a couple days. It has a really good fermented taste to it. Very light and fluffy yet still chewy. My girlfriend and I highly recommend it. We were in the area visiting Hearst Castle, Montaña de Oro State Park and also got to do the rattlesnake canyon hike. I’m going to try to review a few other places we went to and I should have a couple of youtubes coming up soon.“

“The place is a gem in downtown San Luis Obispo. Great food. Amazing service and phenomenal cuisine. I suggest the Escargot as a starter and the rest of the food options will not disappoint the lover of the fine dining experience. Highly recommend.“

“Great server, great food and atmosphere!“

“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!.“

“We love dining here!! They’re super dog friendly and we love our waiters. He’s Italian but not sure of his name but he’s really good. We had the Winter Salad-delicious!! Then the Campeste e Gamberi and it was soo good!! The bread and olive oil garlic tempenade was amazing!!“

“Still great! Nico and his staff do great things on a regular basis with food and people. I eat ther often and would recommend this restaurant to all! Special appetizers, incredible pasta dishes and amazing desserts. Dont miss the pizzas.“

“Olive Garden in California offers a warm, family-friendly atmosphere with efficient, friendly service. The food is consistent, with popular items like endless soup, salad, and breadsticks being crowd favorites. While the pasta dishes are generous, the flavors can be somewhat basic. It’s a reliable and affordable option for casual Italian dining, especially for families or larger groups, though it doesn’t provide the most authentic Italian experience.“

“Delicious cannoli’s , had pistachio and chocolate chip ones delicious !“

“Tried this wonderful little gem based on the reviews. I'm sure glad we did. The food is outstanding, as is the service. We had the meat lasagna, which was to die for. We followed that with the classic cheesecake. The cheesecake was absolutely the best we have ever had. We will be returning whenever we are in town.“

“Fantastic service , quality food !“

“I’ve got some fond memories of Gino’s pizza. I was a broke cosmetology student at the school next door to their Pismo location. So when I did have the means, I’d treat myself to Gino’s. Everyone I’ve taken there LOVES it as well. The Mexican pizza is a staple among the rest of their delicious food. I always recommend this place. No matter if I’m in Santa Maria or anywhere else.“