The Black Cat - Cambria

4.4

715 Reviews

$30 and under

Californian

1602 Main St, Cambria, CA 93428

Make a reservation

2 people

Apr 22, 2025

April 2025

7:00 PM

Booked 3 times today

About this restaurant

Charming
Romantic
Good for special occasions

Open since July 4th, 2002, Black Cat Bistro is known for serving Innovative Farm Fresh Fare. The menu changes often as Black Cat Bistro consistently strives to present fare that is reflective of seasonal, local produce and organically raised or sustainable product.The food is especially cognizant of wine pairings to electrify the palate. The Black Cat has received the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence for nine years in a row.

Black Cat Bistro is small with 45 seats and this is part of what makes it such an intimate dining experience. The service is attentive, unpretentious and refined. The dining rooms are decorated in soothing colors and fabrics. Down pillowed benches frame the edges of two of the three rooms. Candle light adorns the tables covered with white linen. Food is served on white china and wine in crystal Riedel stemware.

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
Californian, Contemporary American, Contemporary French / American
Hours of operation
Dinner Daily 5:00 pm–9:00 pm
Phone number
(805) 927-1600
Website
http://www.blackcatbistro.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress
Executive chef
Mauricio Lopez & Joel Magana
Catering
From an office party to an at-home celebration, we can help with your next event. Please fill out the form below and we’ll be in touch soon ! https://www.blackcatbistro.com/catering/
Private party facilities
For all inquiries, please fill out the form below and we’ll be in touch soon. https://www.blackcatbistro.com/private-events/

Location
1602 Main St, Cambria, CA 93428
Neighborhood
Cambria
Parking details
Public Lot
Additional
Beer, Corkage Fee, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, High Tea, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Fried Green Olives$8.00
stuffed with gorgonzola
Crispy Brussel Sprouts$12.00
blue cheese, roasted beet vinaigrette, spiced walnuts
Cheese Plate$12.00
please ask your server
Gnocchi$13.00
Shiitake, cremini, martini cream, radicchio, asiago, sage. Wine suggestion: Pinot Noir
Morro Bay Rock Crab Lollipops$16.00
Corn pudding, tomatillo cream, micro cilantro. Wine suggestion: Chardonnay
Paso Robles Pork Belly$13.00
Gigandes beans, date apple mustard glaze, thyme. Wine suggestion: Garnacha
Local Quail$14.00
Radicchio, apple, pomegranate molasses. Wine suggestion: Red Blend
Cayucos Abalone$18.00
Potato, hazelnut, grapefruit vanilla beurre, sea salt. Wine suggestion: Brut Champagne

Salads

Arugula$12.00
strawberries, green apple, candied walnuts, goat cheese, shallot & beet vinaigrette, balsamic reduction
Lightly Seared Romaine$10.00
lemon Caesar, asiago, bacon jam toast

Soup

Soup du Jour$10.00
New England Clam Chowder$11.00
Award winning.

Vegetarian

Baked Polenta$23.00
Eggplant, red chard, chevre, asiago, mozzarella, tomato coulis, pinenut, shiitake, sage. Wine suggestion: Rosé
Strozzapreti Pasta$22.00
Arugula, cauliflower, broccoli currants, garlic cream, asiago, pinenuts, mint. Wine suggestion: Chardonnay
- Add Shrimp or Scallops$32.00

Fish & Seafood

Wild Catch Salmon$31.00
Grilled, mashed potatoes, heirloom cauliflower, sake-miso beurre blanc. Wine suggestion: Sauvignon Blanc
Sea Scallops$30.00
Corn pudding, tomatillo cream, mushrooms, cilantro, brown butter. Wine suggestion: White Blend
Shrimp Scampi$28.00
Jumbo shrimp, roasted bell pepper, tomato, scallions, capers, jasmine rice, sautéed vegetables. Wine suggestion: Chardonnay
Rare Seared Albacore Tuna$29.00
Jasmine rice, Vietnamese cucumber slaw, shiitakes, ginger wasabi cream, shallots, peanuts, cilantro. Wine suggestion: Rosé
Chipotle Shrimp Linguini$29.00
Wood fisheries shrimp, corn, tomatoes, scallions, cilantro, asiago, chipotle corn cream. wine suggestion: Pinot Grigio

Meat & Fowl

Maple Leaf Duck Breast$32.00
Mushroom red wine barley risotto, baby bok choy, cherry duck jus, thyme. Wine suggestion: Pinot Noir
Rack of Lamb$36.00
Chevre carrot puree, heirloom cauliflower succotash, pomegranate reduction. Wine suggestion: Cabernet Sauvignon
Braised Lamb Shank$35.00
Pearl couscous, currants, cinnamon, kale. Wine suggestion: Red Blend
12 Ounce Rib-Eye$42.00
Quinoa, corn, cilantro, green onion, black bean sambal butter. Fat is an integral part of the flavor of this cut. Wine suggestion: Syrah
Flat Iron Steak$30.00
Rice croquettes, agave mango salad, mango sauce. Wine suggestion: Zinfandel
Fontina Pancetta$32.00
Sage stuffed pork chop, celery root puree, Brussels sprout, coffee ancho glaze. Wine suggestion: Cabernet Sauvignon
Chicken Piccata$28.00
Roasted red bell peppers, capers, scallions, with a meyer lemon cream sauce, jasmine rice, crispy kale. Wine suggestion: Red Blend

What 715 people are saying

The Black Cat - Cambria reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.4

4.4 based on recent ratings

4.4Food
4.7Service
4.4Ambience
4Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

California Central Coast
Romantic
San Luis Obispo / Paso Robles
Best Service
San Luis Obispo / Paso Robles
Healthy
San Luis Obispo / Paso Robles
Neighborhood gem
San Luis Obispo / Paso Robles
Great for fine wines
San Luis Obispo / Paso Robles
Romantic

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

The Black Cat in Cambria is cherished for its "cozy ambiance" and "deliciously prepared food." Patrons appreciate the "great wine list" and "attentive service." While some mention occasional inconsistencies, many highlight "amazing" dishes like the pork chops and scallops. It's a "favorite go-to" for romantic dinners and special occasions.

715 Reviews

MM
MedicalMan VIP
Sacramento7 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Get the lemon cake, if you like lemon. It is the best lemon dessert I've had.
Is this helpful?
R
Rosalie
Central Coast15 reviews
4.0
Dined on March 30, 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
We had a lovely dinner on our anniversary, however, the waiter did not offer us anything special or acknowledge our anniversary even though it was on the reservation. This has happened before at other restaurants.
Is this helpful?
A
Anthony VIP
Central Coast142 reviews
5.0
Dined on March 30, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Cozy ambience, great food and service. Creating a bistro feel, it is highly successful and hard to fault.
Is this helpful?
S
Scott VIP
San Francisco13 reviews
5.0
Dined on March 27, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Enjoyed our dinner very much. Great wine list. The pork chops were amazing!
Is this helpful?
C
Clark VIP
Hawaii16 reviews
5.0
Dined on March 19, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
I had their delicious shrimp scampi. Fresh ingredients and really delicious! My husband had scallops that tasted good but were tough and his corn succotash was close to burned on the outside. He’s had this dish a number of times and it was always done to perfection in the past. We will be back as it is a terrific restaurant !!
Is this helpful?
D
Daryl
Greater Boston2 reviews
5.0
Dined on March 18, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Charming little place to enjoy wonderful food and wine. It’s cozy and the server was great. We were celebrating our anniversary and they made us feel special and gave us a dessert for our anniversary.
Is this helpful?
BR
BrianR
Sacramento4 reviews
5.0
Dined on March 15, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We frequent the Black Cat and again found the ambiance outstanding, the food excellent and the service fantastic!!
Is this helpful?
R
Rykomm VIP
Las Vegas3 reviews
5.0
Dined on March 14, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The food was absolutely delicious. We started with the stuffed olives and gnocchi. Both were outstanding! Great flavor and beautifully presented. The clam chowder was probably the best I ever had. It was creamy with great flavor. The ribeye was perfectly cooked and the dark chocolate pot de creme was a great finish to a wonderful meal. We will be adding this restaurant to our lust if favorites when visiting Cambria again.
Is this helpful?
D
Dabney VIP
Raleigh49 reviews
5.0
Dined on March 11, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We had a lovely dinner at The Black Cat. The price point was very fair, our server was so charming, and the food was very very good.
Is this helpful?
D
Diane VIP
Los Angeles19 reviews
5.0
Dined on February 23, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Our second time here and it was just as lovely as the first! A cozy room with a fireplace and beautiful decor, but the food… amazing! The fried Gorgonzola olives and sage stuffed pork chop were sublime, and they have a great wine list as well
Is this helpful?

FAQs

The Black Cat - Cambria is rated 4.4 stars by 715 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

Booked 3 times today

1602 Main St, Cambria, CA 93428

Additional information

Neighborhood
Cambria
Hours of operation
Dinner Daily 5:00 pm–9:00 pm
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
Californian, Contemporary American, Contemporary French / American
Dining style
Casual Dining
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
Public Lot
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Executive chef
Mauricio Lopez & Joel Magana
Additional
Beer, Corkage Fee, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, High Tea, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
http://www.blackcatbistro.com/
Phone number
(805) 927-1600
Catering
From an office party to an at-home celebration, we can help with your next event. Please fill out the form below and we’ll be in touch soon ! https://www.blackcatbistro.com/catering/
Private party facilities
For all inquiries, please fill out the form below and we’ll be in touch soon. https://www.blackcatbistro.com/private-events/

Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat

The Black Cat - Cambria

Make a reservation

About this restaurant

Additional information

Appetizers

Fried Green Olives$8.00

Crispy Brussel Sprouts$12.00

Cheese Plate$12.00

Gnocchi$13.00

Morro Bay Rock Crab Lollipops$16.00

Paso Robles Pork Belly$13.00

Local Quail$14.00

Cayucos Abalone$18.00

Salads

Arugula$12.00

Lightly Seared Romaine$10.00

Soup

Soup du Jour$10.00

New England Clam Chowder$11.00

Vegetarian

Baked Polenta$23.00

Strozzapreti Pasta$22.00

Fish & Seafood

Wild Catch Salmon$31.00

Sea Scallops$30.00

Shrimp Scampi$28.00

Rare Seared Albacore Tuna$29.00

Chipotle Shrimp Linguini$29.00

Meat & Fowl

Maple Leaf Duck Breast$32.00

Rack of Lamb$36.00

Braised Lamb Shank$35.00

12 Ounce Rib-Eye$42.00

Flat Iron Steak$30.00

Fontina Pancetta$32.00

Chicken Piccata$28.00

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Review summary

FAQs

How is The Black Cat - Cambria restaurant rated?

Is The Black Cat - Cambria currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Additional information