New American Restaurants in San Luis Obispo, CA

“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!“

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

“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“

“The food was amazing we really loved the quality and flavors. While the service wasn’t excellent and our server seemed a bit rushed, we still had a wonderful overall experience.“

“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 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.“

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

“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.“

“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👏😋“

“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!“

“Another tasty chicken joint 🐓 🤤“

“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.“

“Watch out for the chairs!“

“I had the tuna bowl and the filet Mignon with mashed potatoes. My friend had the Mushroom Alfredo pasta. Everything was delicious.“

“The reason for noise level was there was a wedding group of about 40 people and with all of them talking it was hard for us to have a conversation. Of course this is not going to happen every night. We will go back though, the food was excellent and service excellent also.“