San Luis Obispo Restaurants

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Check out diners' favourite restaurants in San Luis Obispo

Updated on 05/12/2024

Diners’ Choice Awards are based on where your fellow diners book, dine, and review. Only verified diners get to review restaurants on OpenTable, so our data doesn’t lie.

Japanese Restaurant Goshi

Located in the heart of San Luis Obispo downtown, serving authentic Japanese food starting from Sushi and traditional tei-shoku. Don't forget to enjoy soothing sake and Japanese beer!

The word Mistura brings together the essence of Peru, a vision of its people and cuisine, a wondrous blend of cultures of priceless heritage. Our Mistura is a modern Peruvian restaurant that is as lively as the country and biodiversity it celebrates. Mistura captures the multicultural spirit of Peru, combining its native Incan and Pre-Columbian culinary heritage with the Italian, Spanish, Japanese, and Chinese influences that embody the country's flavorful cuisine. Mistura is an authentic tribute to the diversity of Peruvian food, proposing familiar yet unexpected and adventurous flavors.

A kindly-crafted wood fired eatery combining modern style with an aged finish. Located at The Creamery Marketplace, tucked behind the intersection of Higuera and Nipomo Streets, we offer an experience unlike any other. Our open-concept kitchen boasts an impressive wood fired oven were we craft hand-made Neapolitan style pizzas to order. Soft lighting, low music, and a relaxed atmosphere can be found throughout our indoor dining space. Garage style doors roll up to reveal outdoor dining on our bricked patio where heaters warm up the cooler months and an upbeat, lively feeling resonates throughout the spring and summer seasons. Full service is available at the bar, seating is first come, first serve. We welcome you to join us for dinner, Tuesday-Saturday from 4-10pm.
Please Note: Our seating is a mix of tall tables with barstool style seating, as well as standard height tables with traditional chairs. Our outdoor patio also includes two large tables with bench style seating.

Cafe Roma - San Luis Obispo

For over four decades, the Rizzo family has been serving authentic Italian cuisine in San Luis Obispo. At Café Roma, you can indulge in homemade pastas, wood-fired pizza, and fresh seafood. Don't miss classic dishes like Osso Buco with Saffron Risotto, shortrib pappardelle, and Bistecca alla Fiorentina.
Inside Café Roma and you'll feel like you've been transported to Italy. From the vintage Italian bike hanging above the bar to the Murano glass chandeliers and Tuscan murals, every detail has been thoughtfully curated to celebrate Italian culture.
Pair your meal with one of the many wines on Café Roma's extensive list, which changes monthly to include new and exciting Central Coast and Italian finds.
Café Roma is a popular destination for locals, vintners, families, travelers, and professionals alike. Whether you're looking for a romantic date night spot or a gathering place for friends and family, you'll find it here.

There are many Italian Restaurants in San Luis Obispo, but if you're looking for a truly authentic Italian dining experience, then you should consider Mama's Meatball Restaurant. Rated among the best San Luis Obispo restaurants, Mama's Meatball uses the freshest, quality ingredients grown locally to create some of the most outstanding dishes you could find in San Luis Obispo eateries. For your convenience, Mama's Meatball offers dine-in, takeout and delivery service. Mama's Meatball is one of the few restaurants near Mission San Luis Obispo, and a block away from hotels in downtown San Luis Obispo to offer private dining options and banquet accommodations for corporate parties and family celebrations. Click here to request a quote for your next private event. Check Out Charity Water! https://www.charitywater.org/mamas-meatball

Gardens of Avila Restaurant

The Gardens Restaurant at Sycamore Mineral Springs Resort, a favorite spot for locals as well as travelers, is situated in a beautiful garden setting in the Avila Valley. Savor the flavors of the award-winning contemporary California cuisine inspired by the surrounding local wine country.

Alex Madonna’s Gold Rush Steak House, at Madonna Inn

Top-rated hospitality

Enjoy an award winning dining experience in our world-famous pink and gold Steak House - offering a comfortable and opulent dining atmosphere. Indulge in a delicious oak-pit-barbecued steak, fresh seafood, chicken, or vegetarian entrees. Featuring a superb wine list, decadent world-famous desserts and a whimsical, European atmosphere. Boutique shopping makes for a fun experience before or after you dine with us.

Lure Fish House - San Luis Obispo

Welcome to Lure Fish House, if your preferred reservation time is not available about half of our overall seating is unreserved for walk-ins. Our bar and oyster bar areas offer our full service menu and are open seating in order of arrival. Lure Fish House is a Ventura California based family-owned restaurant featuring the freshest sustainable seafood from trusted sources. Our Arizona Lure has its seafood order prepared in our own Ventura California seafood cutting facility and is directly driven to Arizona about 15 hours after it is ordered from the chef in Scottsdale. We feature organically grown local produce and wines from local vineyards whenever possible. We also feature a full bar with specialty cocktails made with freshly squeezed fruit juices and a raw bar serving a variety of fresh chilled seafood and oysters.

The heart and inspiration for Granada is the beloved and pre-existing Granada Bistro. This space has been renovated and re-imagined in industrial chic design, serving seasonal, farm-to-table ingredients sourced from Central Coast farmers and purveyors. Dishes inspired by Mediterranean culture, French and Spanish cuisine. Small plates, charcuterie and the freshest local seafood, meats, and produce are complemented by an eclectic wine list including Spanish and French selections, and a range of the Central Coast’s finest artisan wine producers.

The Oak Grill Features new Californian cuisine showcasing the freshest ingredients from the Central Coast, celebrating each season with its unique offering and flavor profiles.

Copper Café and Bakery, at Madonna Inn

The Copper Café is popular with tourists and locals alike for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, in a warm and charming atmosphere. Copper counters, rich Bavarian woods, and lovely natural lighting will transport you to a quaint European village. Our Madonna Inn Bakery, featuring world-famous cakes, pies, cookies, along with French and Danish pastries remains open and available for walk-in and pre-ordered items.

See what locals rave about in San Luis Obispo

From verified diners like you

A
Aaron
San Diego •13 reviews
4.0
Dined 1 day ago
We enjoyed our Christmas Eve dinner here. We were warmly greeted by someone who, as it turns out, used to live not far from where we live in Southern CA. It was a nice connection to make. Our appetizer was the shishito peppers, which had a really nice garlic sauce. My wife had the salmon entree, which had a nice crispiness on the outside and was perfectly cooked. My prime rib was also perfectly cooked - very tender. For dessert we had the strawberry fig tart - delicious. If we lived in the area this is definitely a place we visit regularly.
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The Oak GrillPrice: Expensive• Bistro• San Luis Obispo
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4.2
A
Ali
San Francisco Bay Area •2 reviews
5.0
Dined 5 days ago
The service was great and the food was delicious as usual.
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MisturaPrice: Expensive• Peruvian• San Luis Obispo
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4.8
I
IrinaVIP
San Francisco Bay Area •11 reviews
5.0
Dined 7 days ago
As always the fish was fresh and we enjoyed every morsel of the rice.
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Japanese Restaurant GoshiPrice: Moderate• Japanese• San Luis Obispo
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4.9
L
Lori
Fresno / San Joaquin Valley •1 review
5.0
Dined on 15 Dec 2024
Dinner with friends and it was great. Food was above average. Definitely recommend the scallops. Our server Doug was great. Price points were good with drinks and food. We will be back.
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Granada BistroPrice: Expensive• Californian• San Luis Obispo
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4.6
G
Grant
San Diego •2 reviews
5.0
Dined on 14 Dec 2024
This was my engagement dinner with my fiancé, and the experience exceeded my expectations. the staff was so friendly and happy to welcome us, making the meal that much better. The food was outstanding, and overall great dining.
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Bear & The WrenPrice: Expensive• Pizzeria• San Luis Obispo
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4.7

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Discover San Luis Obispo

San Luis Obispo's city council has maintained a ban on drive-throughs for any restaurant within city limits since 1982. This helps to make the restaurant scene one that prizes fresh ingredients, classic cooking styles, and a variety of cuisines. The vegetarian and vegan restaurants are among the most popular, making the most of the area's high value for fresh produce. Most of the rest of the restaurants, which feature farm-to-table ingredients, fresh seafood, and a host of international flavors, also offer several vegetarian options. Delis and Mediterranean restaurants also feature the freshness of San Luis Obispo in unique and delicious ways.