Diners' Choice: Best Overall restaurants in California Central Coast

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for the best overall restaurants in California Central Coast? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Pizza Heaven

5.0

5 (26)

$30 and under

Pizza Bar

Carmel

About the restaurant

Tucked away in the charming coastal town of Carmel-by-the Sea, Pizza Heaven entices both locals and tourists with its welcoming atmosphere and delightful menu.

Our delightful restaurant features a dog-friendly heated patio, where four-legged friends are invited to join their owners in indulging in a variety of culinary delights. From specialty pizzas brimming with distinctive flavors to timeless favorites that never disappoint, Pizza Heaven caters to all tastes.

In addition to pizza, the menu offers an enticing selection of options including pastas, salads, and Mediterranean pies, ensuring there's something for everyone. To elevate the dining experience, carefully chosen local and regional wines are available, adding a touch of sophistication to every meal.

Whether you're in search of a laid-back lunch spot or an intimate dinner setting, Pizza Heaven guarantees a taste of culinary delight amidst the coastal allure of Carmel, California.

Top review

Gabriela

Dined on Nov 26, 2024

It was a great experience. Amazing food and desert.

Le Soufflé

5.0

5 (451)

$50 and over

French

Carmel

About the restaurant

**LUNCH ONLY MONDAY-FRIDAY STARTING AT 11:30AM- CLOSED SAT/SUN- (CLOSED 12/23-12/27)**
We are located in CARMEL, CALIFORNIA, USA. Reservations are only available through OpenTable up to 3 weeks in advance. Intimate indoor dining room can accommodate parties up to 4 guests- Menu changes seasonally- see website for current menu.

Le Soufflé is a fine dining restaurant serving a traditional French soufflé lunch menu. Everything is exclusively prepared by our Executive Chef/Co-Owner creating a very unique and finely crafted dining experience. The wine list offers a selection of wines from exquisite boutique producers in France and are all available by the glass or bottle. Our guests can look forward to an elegant escape when they step into our intimate and luxurious dining room. We are located on Dolores Street, just two blocks off Ocean Avenue in the beautiful village of Carmel-by-the-Sea.

Top review

Jan

Dined on Dec 12, 2024

What a find. It was a wonderful pretty little place for lunch. The Food was absolutely delicious. My husband had the garlic soufflé and I had the mushroom soufflé. The soup, salad and dessert soufflés were also delicious! The best food both of us have eaten! The lovely woman who waited on us and the chef are partners and do everything. There are four tables. It is a very unique experience. We will definitely go back when we’re in Carmel again.

Japanese Restaurant Goshi

4.9

4.9 (540)

$30 and under

Japanese

San Luis Obispo

About the restaurant

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!

Top review

IrinaVIP

Dined 2 days ago

As always the fish was fresh and we enjoyed every morsel of the rice.

Brothers Restaurant at Red Barn

4.9

4.9 (1360)

$31 to $50

American

Santa Ynez Valley

About the restaurant

The Nichols brothers, Matt & Jeff, grew up in Ames, Iowa where their love of cooking, good food and a sense of family and community was nurtured.

The 2013 opening of their second Santa Barbara Wine Country restaurant, Brothers Restaurant at the Red Barn in Santa Ynez, allows them to offer visitors and locals alike great food, wine and hospitality. The brothers strive to have legendary service, innovative cuisine, and a welcoming and comfortable atmosphere that causes you to return time and again.

As chefs, the brothers continue to experiment with new dishes and cuisine, but always with that “from scratch”, homemade element. Fresh ingredients from local producers, a wine list that showcases the region’s award-winning wines and a comfortable and historically interesting atmosphere that takes you back to the romance of the old west. They want you to feel at home, and experience all the best of Santa Barbara’s Wine Country.

Top review

PatriciaVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Always lives up to exoectations. We eat here whenever we are close enough.

Olivella - Ojai Valley Inn

4.9

4.9 (461)

$50 and over

Californian

Ojai

About the restaurant

Ojai Valley Inn’s signature dinner restaurant, Olivella, holds the Forbes Travel Guide Four Star and Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence designations. Chef Andrew Foskey is proud to present a seasonally driven menu with a commitment to valley-grown ingredients and techniques inspired by Italian tradition. As a complement to our cuisine, the award-winning wine program showcases expertly curated discoveries and classic bottlings from notable California and Italian producers.

Guests are invited to enjoy our multi course dining experience starting at $125/ person, plus tax and gratuity. Please note that a la carte dining is not available.

We kindly ask that any updates or cancellation to your reservation be made no less than 24 hours prior. Should you not cancel your reservation within 24 hours, or do not arrive for your reservation, you will be subject to a fee of $75 per person.

In keeping with the atmosphere, Olivella is intended for guests 10 years and older.

Top review

RachaelVIP

Dined on Dec 13, 2024

Our waiter, David was so knowledgeable and fun! The food was delicious each dish was just the right amount so we never got too full. Standouts were the crudo, steak, and salad. McConnell’s dessert was magical!

Petros Restaurant at Petros Winery

4.9

4.9 (960)

$30 and under

Mediterranean

Los Olivos

About the restaurant

Our menu is a combination of the best ingredients that Greece and California cuisine have to offer. We import olive oil, feta, honey and oregano from Greece, the freshest organic vegetables from our farms in Los Olivos and wineries of our great state. Come enjoy lunch, dinner and wine indoors or on our beautiful patio. We can also host your next event!

Top review

Theresa

Dined 6 days ago

The staff were friendly, knowledgeable and kind. The food was delicious and wine excellent. Petros’ Winery & Restaurant is a great place for an intimate dinner or celebratory meal among family & friends.

Discover more

4.9

4.9 (241)

$31 to $50

Distillery

Atascadero

About the restaurant

Barley & Boar is a cozy boutique pub located in downtown Atascadero. We distill our own liquor, brew our own beer, and craft our own delicious fare from fresh and local ingredients. Dinner is full service, and our bar is open until midnight.

Join us monthly as we change our menu to showcase what’s in season.

Top review

Beth

Dined 2 days ago

The food is always outstanding and the service is friendly and fun.

Pono Pacific Kitchen

4.9

4.9 (630)

$31 to $50

Pacific Rim

Pismo Beach

About the restaurant

Pono Pacific Kitchen offers Pacific Rim cuisine that focuses on local favorites with a style of cooking and presenting dishes that combines ingredients, influences and techniques from not only Hawaii but also Asia, California and Mexico and the western coasts in general.

Top review

KATRINA

Dined 6 days ago

This is the Best restaurant in Pismo beach area Food is consistently. Great Done here weekly Enjoyed every dinner The sword fish is excellent

Discover more

Popular dish

Georges Bank Scallops

AronHill Vineyards Bistro & Tasting Room

4.8

4.8 (315)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Templeton

About the restaurant

We are a Paso Robles area winery that offers a wonderful dining experience. At the AronHill Bistro you will enjoy fresh dishes made from seasonal and local ingredients, all paired with stunning hilltop views and even better wines.

The AronHill Bistro & Tasting Room is the Paso Robles wine country’s dining discovery, where you will enjoy fresh dishes made from seasonal and local sources, all paired with estate wines and stunning hilltop views.

Top review

Maria

Dined on Nov 19, 2024

this was our first time visiting we had a great time food was very good and our service was great we will be back

SY Kitchen

4.9

4.9 (3831)

$31 to $50

Italian

Santa Ynez Valley

About the restaurant

RESERVATIONS

Reservations for parties of 5 or more please call restaurant directly.

S. Y. Kitchen requests a credit card to hold a reservation of 6 or more. You may cancel by calling the restaurant by 5 PM two days prior to the reservation. After that cancellation is subject to our policy and fees may be incurred. All credit card information will be processed securely.

Top review

Anneliese

Dined 3 days ago

Wonderful service and yummy food! The panna cotta was especially amazing, highly recommend!

Discover more

Popular dish

Margherita

Popular dish

T-Bone Truffle Sliders

Popular dish

Wild Mushroom Pappardelle

Explore Diners' Choice best of California Central Coast