Diners' Choice: Neighborhood gem restaurants in San Luis Obispo / Paso Robles

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for the best restaurants that are the best neighborhood gems in San Luis Obispo / Paso Robles? 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!

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 3 days ago

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

Barley & Boar

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

Nicole

Dined 4 days ago

A wonderful experience for my husband's birthday! Everything brought out looked and tasted just as good! We already know we have to try the seared salmon next round as it was a complimentary taste sample from the chef. Everyone was so friendly! They made sure we felt very comfortable outside by the heat lamp! Thank you Barley & Boar, we will be back!

Cafe Roma - San Luis Obispo

4.8

4.8 (1744)

$31 to $50

Italian

San Luis Obispo

About the restaurant

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.

Top review

Dave

Dined on Dec 13, 2024

Expect a great meal at Cafe Roma. We’ve been customers since the 80s. We highly recommend it.

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4.7

4.7 (139)

$31 to $50

Pizzeria

San Luis Obispo

About the restaurant

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.

Top review

Grant

Dined on Dec 14, 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.

Granada Bistro

4.6

4.6 (1187)

$31 to $50

Californian

San Luis Obispo

About the restaurant

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.

Top review

Lori

Dined 7 days ago

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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CRISPY BRUSSELS SPROUTS

The Black Cat - Cambria

4.5

4.5 (684)

$30 and under

Californian

Cambria

About the restaurant

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.

Top review

BARBARA

Dined 5 days ago

Food is good, not outstanding. Had to send one plate back, which was taken off the bill without any questions. Service good but again nothing exceptional. Good meal for a good price,.

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Popular dish

New England Clam Chowder

4.5

4.5 (545)

$31 to $50

Italian

Atascadero

About the restaurant

Cielo Ristorante is an Italian-inspired concept located in the heart if Atascadero. We have curated a distinct menu showcasing Italian dishes with a modern twist. We are the perfect place to come and enjoy with your loved ones.

Top review

Nikkie

Dined 5 days ago

Highly recommend! Drinks, apps, and food were delicious! Service was so quick as well!

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4.4

4.4 (146)

$30 and under

Seafood

Avila Beach

About the restaurant

Welcome! Our Central Coast beach-side location holds beautiful views with a casual atmosphere. An excellent dining experience is our top priority. Our menu has something for everyone…fresh fish, hand cut steaks, refreshing salads and our specialty appetizers. We offer breakfast, lunch and dinner. Come and have a drink at our cocktail bar, or dine on our outdoor patio while gazing out across the beautiful San Luis Bay.

Top review

Matt

Dined on Dec 7, 2024

Great food. Prime rib was excellent. Thanks for making us a great anniversary dinner!

The Oak Grill

4.3

4.3 (377)

$31 to $50

Bistro

San Luis Obispo

About the restaurant

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.

Top review

MarkVIP

Dined on Dec 5, 2024

Pleasantly surprised. We stayed at the Hotel Cerro and ate here expecting a hotel restaurant experience but actually the food was very high tier and delicious. The Branzino was a piece of whole fish super meaty and well roasted. Service was great as well. Very well cooked food and we will be back sometime again. The restaurant is a tad bit noisy even with only a few people cause of the brick walls and high ceilings. It's slightly odd that they don't allow same day OpenTable reservations since it was pretty empty when we went. The one negative I'll mention is that they kept the temp really cold for some reason like it almost felt unheated. Not sure why. Turn up the temp guys! Anyway, good food and that's what matters and the rest of the stuff can get worked on.

The Steakhouse at Paso Robles Inn

3.9

3.9 (964)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

Paso Robles

About the restaurant

Known for our expansive menu of hearty steakhouse fare and as one of the most sought-after Paso Robles restaurants, The Steakhouse at Paso Robles Inn is proud to serve a variety of carefully-crafted plates that bring together the fresh ingredients of California’s Central Coast. Set amongst a beautiful backdrop and offering both indoor fireside dining and patio dining, The Steakhouse at Paso Robles Inn invites you to discover dishes that are abundantly flavorful and naturally tender. Brought to the table by generations of farmers, our Certified Angus Beef has passed through a rigorous process to evaluate for marbling, maturity, sizing, appearance and tenderness.

Top review

Jacqueline

Dined on Dec 11, 2024

Everything thing was fine, nothing stood out one way or the other.

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Popular dish

Steak Bites

Explore Diners' Choice best of San Luis Obispo / Paso Robles