Restaurants near San Simeon

“We had a very long tiring trip through the mountains just to get to our lodge in Lucia because we had to avoid the landslide closure on Hwy 1. It was exhausting driving, then 2 hours at the Hearst Castle where you aren’t allowed to eat or drink anything. .. no coffee anywhere on our route… just to find out the castle cafe was closed when we got back from the tour. I said all that to say this.. The young man behind the counter was closing and the look on my face must have spoke to him because he quickly told me he would make us food and me an Americana.. first his kindness brought tears to my tired eyes and secondly that coffee was THE BEST I’ve had. The hot sandwiches and fresh salad were delicious and the portions were large. We took half of it back up the lodge to eat later. This one decision by him to accommodate me and my grandsons completely turned this stressful day into a much better one. The cafe and store were clean, bathrooms were clean and easily accessible. The staff were friendly and helpful and the area around the cafe and store is peaceful and attractive. Plenty of parking and the walkways were easy to navigate. I highly recommend this establishment and look forward to visiting again.”

“Everything we order was delicious”

“Friendly fast service amazing food. Traveler friendly a must stop. Best mimosa ever !!! Great selection of food. Patio is a beautiful spot to enjoy a drink…… or two.”

“Great location to dine an stay”

“Beautiful place, where you can find the fusion of nature and ocean. The real Gateway to Big Sur.”

“Honestly pretty good for what it was. Surprisingly, the meat was tender and well cooked. Fries had good seasoning just wished there were a bit more. Much more expensive than typical as you’d expect.”

“Good food and friendly staff. They have quite a few tvs for sports and a full bar. Pretty good menu options. The hamburger was really good. The wife liked her turkey club as well. We would definitely come back.”

“Nice place nice service food is good”

“Amazing Ribeye! Potatoes were out of this world.”

“Service was amazing, everything super fresh , and the portions very generous, Cash only so make sure to grab some before visiting also the place has an insane like before they open so plan on getting there early and bring a folding chair or something to sit in while you wait.”

“Good food. Always make sure we visit when we are in Cambria. Burritos come in 3 sizes so you can satisfy your hunger”

“Yummy food! Get the weirdo waffle!”

“Dinner at Madeline's was a great pick — the steak was cooked perfectly and the chicken dish was full of flavor.
The two appetizers were a lovely start to the evening.
Cozy spot, solid food, and an easy walk from the hotel — would happily go back.”

“The food was only outdone by the atmosphere and awesome owners ! Jesus and his family work hard to give you a fantastic meal with an amazing view. When you’re in the area , stop by and you’ll thank me later. 👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽”

“Robin’s is phenomenal on so many levels. The cuisine is out of this world with so much variety. The team is extremely kind, professional, knowledgeable & fun. The ambience is absolutely stunning and so peaceful. The music is fun & uplifting. To top it off, Shanny, the owner, is a leader in contributing to worthy causes. She always generously donates food, time & heart to those in need of support. Even the fire in SO Cal. We love her!”

“Everything is great Pizza 🍕 good”

“We love this place! The staff is so friendly, the food is great, and the bakery is awesome! My husband loves the chicken fried steak but I highly recommend either the avacado toast or the roasted vegetables with polenta. Don't leave without trying the olallieberry cream puff, yum!”

“All of it. !!! The whole kit and caboodle”

“Had lunch with a friend there the other day and I loved how fresh everything was. The chef came out and greeted us which is always a great experience. Everything was done old school there which I can really appreciate. Pasta was delicious! Attended a 🎶concert 🎶there last night. It was a fun night with great music by Jill Knight and Giovanni did a super job at providing a special menu for the evening. ♥️”

“Moonstone Cellars was a great discovery when we visited Cambria a couple of weeks ago. Michael is a great host, very knowledgeable. We were introduced to Moonstone wines, and enjoyed the atmosphere of the comfortable tasting room. Did we join the wine club? Yes. :-)”

“Boni’s is awesome! We tried to find it on a Thursday. Note Google’s hours are off, check their site for the latest on when they operate. And also don’t use Apple Maps (we accidentally did one day) as it directs to their old freestanding location, when we wanted to visit the food truck always stationed by Premier Bank on Main St. So glad we stalked this spot and found it on the right morning before we left Cambria.Highly recommend the breakfast burrito, which comes in 3 sizes. We decided on sz small each, which was perfect for a quick breakie before our road trip home. We had it with their famous al pastor and, yes, the salsa verde is truly special. I almost wish we had gotten another to go for dinner.”

“Wonderful store, knowledgeable staff. The store is full of so many good treasures. The teas taste soo good. We left the store with new tea mugs, delicious teas & honey, bath bombs & tea maker. Will definitely return every time we are in Cambria.”

“Cambria was always one of the world's most beautiful towns. Now thanks to the optymist it's also the friendliest. The Optimyst feels like Cambria's living room. If you are traveling alone, drop in and sit at the bar and chat with Bob or Cari, both of whom are warm and welcoming. You'll probably make a new friend or two. If you're a couple, grab a couch, and if you're a group, you and your doggies can enjoy one of the little sitting areas. The wine and beer selections are fantastic and the vibe is equally wonderful. It is sometimes mellow but on Tuesday trivia night, 6:30 to 9:00, it's raucous and ridiculously fun.”

“This was THE BEST matcha tea that I have EVER had in my entire life! Thank you!”

“We had a wonderful experience here. 10/10! We came for an early dinner Friday around 5pm and were seated right away in the garden patio, which had cute string lights and beautiful plants. Such a lovely setting. I could easily picture it as a wedding reception space.

Our host was so kind and welcoming. Shoutout to him for saying “you’re very welcome!” every time we thanked him haha. He even turned on a heat lamp for us, which we really appreciated. Our server was also kind and had good recommendations. Plus, Daniel Caesar playing in the background? Great music taste~

The food was delicious. We practically licked our plates clean. The pistachio goat cheese salad was simple and delicious. I had the Faroe Island salmon with basil butter. The skin was perfectly crunchy, and the broccoli and brown/wild rice were seasoned just right. My husband had the duck, which was juicy, tender, and well seasoned. He is very particular about texture and he thought the seasoning and texture was perfect. The lobster bisque had a lovely sweet/savory balance and was a great palate cleanser throughout the meal.

Great service, a charming garden patio, and really delicious food. We’d happily come back next time we’re in Cambria. Highly recommend!”

“Such a vibe! The coffee was 10/10 and the employees were so sweet!”

“I always look forward to a meal at this homey place. My friend from his Cambrian days, John Brannon, recommended the hamburgers, and even though I was primed for breakfast I had the Mushroom Burger. Delicious, and the friendly waitress volunteered that I could order onion rings instead of fries at no additional charge. It was a great choice!”

“This place is fantastic, have been coming here for years. Whenever I am in town I try to stop by. I always get their apricot stuffed french toast and would highly recommend it to anyone who visits”

“During our vacation in Cambria, CA, we explored several wineries, but our visit to Black Hand Cellars was a standout. After grabbing coffee across the street, we wandered into this charming winery and were warmly greeted by one of the owners, whose hospitality set the tone for an exceptional experience. Intrigued by their wine tasting, we dove right in, sampling their full range of wines. Each pour was a delight, with bold, memorable flavors that showcased the winery's craftsmanship. The unique bottles and creative labels, especially the Bootlegger which at that time was label-free; nod to prohibition-era charm, added a playful touch to the experience.

We couldn't resist purchasing a few bottles, including the Bootlegger, which paired perfectly with the season finale of MobLand, its rich, distinctive taste elevating our viewing night. The wines were so impressive that we're already planning to order more online. Beyond the stellar wines, the personal connection we formed with the owner through engaging conversations made the visit truly special. Among all the wineries we visited in Cambria, Black Hand Cellars stood out for its exceptional wines, warm atmosphere, and memorable hospitality. We can't wait to return and highly recommend you visit to create your own unforgettable experience.”

“I needed a place to have dinner and some beer while waiting to take sunset photos. This place is awesome. Three locals at the bar made for interesting and friendly conversation. The beer selection is fantastic and I found a new favorite. The tri-tip sandwich is excellent - delicious sweet BBQ sauce. And Luis was a phenomenal bartender. I’m so happy I stopped by.”