In these uncertain times for the food industry, please do all you can to support local, family-owned restaurants and producers. As for the businesses I have listed below, you can check their contact information directly. Who knows what the food landscape will look like on the other side of this, but I hope these places will survive. (Also, check out my listing of local food products.)
I’ve been a food writer on the Central Coast for over 25 years, writing about restaurants, chefs, and local food products. Below are some of the restaurants I’ve enjoyed over the years, and the list is updated regularly.
Not every restaurant will be everyone’s cuppa tea – that would be boring, wouldn’t it? And you may be looking for fine dining one day and a casual lunch the next. But hopefully, with the article links provided, I’ve given you enough information to make your own decision about whether or not to give them a try. Enjoy!
In Arroyo Grande …
Ember – Wood fired, farm fresh, top notch; perfect for special occasion or stellar weeknight dinner. Read more …
In Atascadero …
Bristols Cider House – Started by Brits from Bristol, authentic not-too-sweet ciders on tap and in the bottle. Read more …
El Compadre — a favorite for fish tacos and draft beer.
Joebella Roastery & Cafe — my daily fix!
La Parilla Taqueria — among my fav Mexican spots, especially when they have the barbacoa tacos, aka quesabirria, aka Mexican French dip.
Raconteur Room — quirky hangout with beer/wine/cider, can bring food in.
Street Side Ale House — 25 taps, cocktails, upscale pub grub (two words … Street. Fries). Also in Paso Robles. Read more …
Tent City Brewing Company — 15 taps of craft beer, dog-friendly, outdoor patio, locals’ hangout. Check their Fbook page for their own food truck hours.
Thai Elephant — spot-on Thai, also in Morro Bay.
The Nest — a yummy breakfast/lunch spot offers an extensive menu and great service.
Wild Fields Brewhouse — not just award-winning craft beer, but also a fun pub menu.
In Avila Beach ...
Merseas — perched right over the water on the pier. All the usual suspects, plus bloody Marys worthy of the salty view.
Ocean Grill — great view, farm fresh ingredients, specialties are seafood and wood-fired pizzas. Read more …
In Baywood Park / Los Osos …
Beerwood — Yup, they have beer, but also some good grub — especially the grilled cheese.
High Street Deli — there’s almost always a line, and with good reason. Also in SLO.
Noi’s Thai Takeout — this tiny spot is often sold out, and with good reason!
In Cambria …
Linn’s — family-run farm & restaurant with twists on home-style comfort food. Get the olallieberry pie, even if you have to eat dessert first.
Robin’s — eclectic/internationally-inspired and locally sourced menu; walked the farm-to-table walk long before there was even much talk.
In Cayucos …
Lunada Garden Bistro — delightful family-run restaurant, great food, and beautiful (dog-friendly) garden areas. Read more …
Schooners — good food, full bar, and one of the best view’s around if you can snag a seat overlooking the beach and ocean.
In Grover Beach …
Grover Beach Sourdough — the retail bakery arm of The Spoon Trade.
Lil’ Bits Café — hearty breakfast and lunch, the place to go if you love eggs Benedict
The Spoon Trade — a must destination, true farm-to-table cuisine with upscale and comfort food creations. Dog-friendly patio. Read more …
In Morro Bay …
Bayside Cafe — a local favorite on the marina for 30 years, great views, great from scratch food (including desserts). Read more …
Buttercup Bakery & Café — scones are my fav, but everything is good.
Dutchman’s Seafood House (formerly Flying Dutchman) — longtime family-run spot overlooking the bay with their own fishing dock. Read more …
Flavor Factory — hand-ground burgers, from scratch soups, great desserts, craft drafts. Read more …
Frankie & Lola’s — whimsical approach to down-to-earth food made from scratch.
House of JuJu — Burgers by the bay, grilled fish tacos, flatbreads, craft beers and NO fryer! Read more …
Wee Shack — fresh old-school burgers and hand-cut fries. (currently recovering from flood damage, but keep them in in mind.) Read more …
Windows on the Water — aptly named spot best known for seafood and California cuisine.
In Paso Robles …
BarrelHouse Brewing Company — “A small batch barley & hop project – liberty & justice for ale” — great indoor/outdoor space.
Cello Ristorante & Bar — Perfect for a special occasion or casual gathering, and be sure to check out all the wonderful art in the Allegretto Vineyard Resort — Read more … (note: the chef referenced in this column in no longer there, but the restaurant is in the capable hands of Chef Justin Picard)
China Gourmet — Not a steam table or buffet in sight, thank goodness! Spot-on, fresh tasting Chinese fare since 1999.
Etto Pasta Bar — casual spot to grab a bite in Tin City, featuring the fresh pastas from Etto Pastico next door.
Jeffry’s Wine Country BBQ — start with the smoked mac-and-cheese and go from there. Read more …
Niner Wine Estates — considered one of the best winery restaurants in the country; farm-to-table fare, focusing on fresh ingredients from the estate garden and local producers; suitable for casual gathering or special occasions, whether dining indoors or al fresco on the covered, dog-friendly patio. Read more …
Paso Market Walk — a wonderful new addition to Paso Robles, with indoor and outdoor dining from several vendors, including Momotaro Ramen (read more), Third Degree Grill, and Just Baked Cake Studio & Bakery.
Thomas Hill Organics — creative approach to farm-to-table.
In Pismo Beach …
Cracked Crab — quality seafood, including a spot-on crab boil poured over your table.
DarWish Cuisine — find out about the complex flavors of Persian food. Read more …
La Bodega Tapas — share tapas and larger dishes at this casual and comfortably upscale eatery. Read more …
Oasis — spot-on Moroccan.
In San Luis Obispo …
Beda’s Biergarten – Authentic German fare and beers in fun atmosphere. Read more …
Bon Temps Creole Café — some of the best Cajun/Creole this side of the Mississippi (New hours: open for breakfast and lunch 7 a.m.-2 p.m.) — Read more …
Cafe Roma — longtime family-owned, authentic Italian cuisine.
Del Monte Café — Comfort food in a old house in SLO, family-owned and -operated. Read more …
Flour House — spot-on authentic wood-fired pizza Napolitano and housemade pastas. Read more …
G Brothers — authentic BBQ and Mexican from a casual family-owned spot. Read more …
La Esquina — Leonard & Wendy Cohens’ gently upscale take on Mexican fare. Read more …
Luna Red — stylish downtown restaurant serving global tapas. Delightful outdoor patio seating, plus stylish indoor dining room.
Mee Heng Low Noodle House — casual noodle house in historic Chinatown.
Mistura — this Peruvian place just moved to downtown SLO. Read more …
Novo Restaurant & Lounge — great setting by the creek downtown and fun, eclectic menu. Read more …
Ribline — locations in SLO and Grover Beach — the name says it all!
Slo Provisions — rotisserie chicken, from scratch deli salads and daily specials, beer & wine, Southern hospitality. Read more …
Taj Palace — wonderful Indian food!
In Santa Margarita …
The Range — no website, no reservations, no credit cards, just spot-on hearty food with a classic approach.
Rosalina — festive, rustic, thoughtfully crafted barrio food from the owners of The Range. Read more …
In Templeton …
McPhee’s Grill — longtime favorite spot showcasing local wines, steaks and seafood, and wine-friendly fare.
Pier 46 Seafood Market — great fresh fish market, plus small cafe.