Diners' Choice: Best Value restaurants in California Central Coast

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for the best value 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.

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

Liza

Dined 6 days ago

We had an outstanding experience at Petros and can't recommend it enough. It was a birthday dinner and we had a very large group that included kids. They really accommodated. It was chilly, so we sat inside, enjoying the hoiday charm. The food was delicious, service was amazing, and we all can't wait to go back. Thank you, Robin and team!

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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.

Ellie's Tap & Vine

4.9

4.9 (665)

$31 to $50

Farm-to-table

Santa Ynez Valley

About the restaurant

Welcome to Ellie's Tap & Vine... Join us for seasonal cuisine, elegant ranch ambiance and great wine! We are Valley to Table dining, working with many local farms and purveyors; We look forward to seeing you soon! Our menu changes regularly, so please feel free to visit our website: www.elliestapandvine.com or follow us on IG and/or FB.

Our restaurant is located in the heart of Santa Ynez. We boast amazing outdoor seating with great views and because it is often a little chilly in the evening, we have heaters. We are also dog and cat friendly.

We know re-adjusting to dining out is a strange experience for everyone and we are all slowly returning. For now, we will be suspending lunch service.

Top review

AnnieVIP

Dined 1 day ago

Three of us ordered the Filet Mignon! We all commented on how delicious they were; cooked to perfection, juicy, tender and seasoned just right! Perfect meal and enjoyed the ambiance for a perfect dining experience.

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Popular dish

Ellie's House Made Bread Pudding

Leonardo Ristorante & Pizzeria

4.8

4.8 (1369)

$31 to $50

Italian

Solvang

About the restaurant

Highly anticipated opening by Chef Leonardi Curti.

Top review

Jack

Dined 3 days ago

Excellent restaurant. The best Italian food I've ever had. Having been in the high-end restaurant business my whole life, I'd give this experience a ten.

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Popular dish

Orecchiette

La Mia Cucina

4.8

4.8 (1013)

$31 to $50

Italian

Pacific Grove

About the restaurant

Stroll along 17th St., between Lighthouse and Laurel and you will find one of the Peninsula’s favorite spots, La Mia Cucina. This little jewel, with its fresh ambiance and tantalizing menu, is popular with everyone. The colorful European advertising posters that enliven the walls, are “originals, not reproductions.” That phrase is accurate in describing La Mia Cucina itself. From the comfortable linen white decor, accented beautifully by those turn-of-the-century posters, to the hand-crafted entrees and desserts, everything about La Mia Cucina says fresh and original. Owner Michael’s specialty, his ravioli dishes, are a renowned local favorite, and for good reason. They are hand made, with all the care that only a lifetime of creative food combining can bring. In addition to pasta, La Mia Cucina is known for it's fresh fish and meat specials. The desserts are made in-house by his wife Paula and daughter Michaela, and the service is personal and inviting.

Top review

Delma

Dined on Dec 12, 2024

Another wonderful dinner at Mia Cucina. We both loved the fresh focaccia and the super flavorful olive oil we dipped into! My pasta primavera with chicken was loaded with fresh veggies and the creamy sauce was not too heavy yet coated the linguini perfectly. My companion’s chicken dish was perfectly cooked and seasoned and he especially enjoyed the orzo. The blood orange sorbet topped off the meal!

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

LoriVIP

Dined on Dec 9, 2024

The restaurant is only open for lunch and reservations are a must since they only have 5 tables. It is definitely a must try. The food is delicious and the wine list is limited to some wonderful small lot selections. This restaurant is on my top 5 favorites in Carmel-by-the-Sea!

Mama's Meatball

4.8

4.8 (1128)

$30 and under

Italian

San Luis Obispo

About the restaurant

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

Top review

DonVIP

Dined on Nov 24, 2024

Always one of my favorites. Staff and food are great!!

Stella Mare's

4.8

4.8 (2308)

$31 to $50

French

Santa Barbara

About the restaurant

French country bistro...Between Montecito and Santa Barbara, Stella Mare's Bistro is located in a historic Victorian home overlooking the Bird Refuge. French country cuisine rules the menu, with dishes like coq au vin, cassoulet, and moules frites. Sip seasonal cocktails amid cozy décor -- all the right ingredients for a great dining experience. Bon appétit!

When requesting the greenhouse please note that is considered indoor dining.

Top review

MarilynnVIP

Dined 3 days ago

We will miss Stella Mare😒. It is unique and. cannot be replaced. We only hope the restaurant will find a new home. We will be there!!

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Village Corner California Bistro

4.8

4.8 (130)

$30 and under

Bistro

Carmel

About the restaurant

Village Corner California Bistro is a dining institution in downtown Carmel-by-the-Sea, that locals and travelers have been frequenting for 70 years. Experience our new menu as we work to carry on the tradition guests and Locals have enjoyed for decades.

Illy Cafe Full Espresso menu
Full Wine List featuring Local & California Wine
Enjoy Bloody Mary, Bellini, Mimosa
Certified Green Restaurant
Local Fish Specials
Prime Steaks
Wild Foraged Mushrooms
Vegetarian Dishes
Vegan Dishes - Daily Vegan Specials
Impossible Burger
Al-fresco Dining
Outdoor Patio
Dog Friendly
Kids Menus
Gluten Free Menu, Gluten Free Corn Pasta, Gluten Free Hamburger Buns, Gluten Free Breads, Gluten Free Bagels & English Muffins, Gluten-Free Flour Tortillas.
Brunch
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Wine Dinners
Full Beer Selection
We accept We Chat Pay

Top review

KathyVIP

Dined 6 days ago

We love this place! Enjoyed a delicious brunch. We had a table for five on the patio with our dogs. The service was perfect, the nicest servers and very attentive. Fisal, the owner stopped and spoke to the guests at every table.

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