Diners' Choice: Good for special occasions restaurants in San Luis Obispo / Paso Robles

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for the best special occasion restaurants 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!

Gardens of Avila Restaurant

4.9

4.9 (939)

$31 to $50

Californian

San Luis Obispo

About the 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.

Top review

Scotty Joe

Dined 4 days ago

The food is excellent!! Zoe my waitress, took care of me for three days…… When your staff is first class your dining experience will always match the delicious food.

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

Beth

Dined 3 days ago

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

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

SharonVIP

Dined on Dec 14, 2024

It’s always a special treat to have dinner at Cafe Roma. We are always greeted warmly by staff. The waitstaff are friendly and accommodating. We’ve never had to wait long for our food and each dish is beautifully presented, delicious and hot. It’s a pleasure to have dinner there. Marco and Saro have maintained the tradition that their parents began.

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Il Cortile Ristorante

4.8

4.8 (4170)

$50 and over

Italian

Paso Robles

About the restaurant

Welcome to Il Cortile Ristorante, Downtown Paso Robles' newest fine dining Italian restaurant. We invite you to join us to enjoy our seasonal menus created with the freshest ingredients available sourced by our surrounding local and regional landscapes by Executive Chef Santos MacDonal, providing a melody of exceptional homemade pastas, fresh seafood, top quality meats and antipasti. A top destination for exquisite wines, picturesque landscapes and beautiful weather, Paso Robles provides the perfect pairing for Il Cortile's rustic Italian fine dining.

Top review

John

Dined 2 days ago

Our server, Nikki, was very knowledgeable, engaging and professional (a complex balance which is quite rare). The menu and wine list are both sufficiently comprehensive to offer excellent options. Plate presentation, flavors and textures were excellent and pacing absolutely perfect for a relaxed dining experience. This is a worthy favorite in Paso Robles and highly recommended.

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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!!

Mistura

4.8

4.8 (1638)

$31 to $50

Peruvian

San Luis Obispo

About the restaurant

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.

Top review

MikeVIP

Dined 7 days ago

Excellent food by people who were very proud to share the culture and culinary experience with guests. I tried food I’ve never had before, and loved every bit of it.

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Experience

Chef's Table

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

4.7

4.7 (4517)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

San Luis Obispo

About the restaurant

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.

Top review

Barbara

Dined 2 days ago

Our family Christmas dinner at Madonna’s Gold Rush Steakhouse was 5 Star in all areas! Thank you!!

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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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Lure Fish House - San Luis Obispo

4.5

4.5 (53)

$30 and under

Seafood

San Luis Obispo

About the restaurant

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.

Top review

Nancy

Dined 3 days ago

The staff was friendly - the service was fast - love being able to make a reservation - food was excellent - the noise level is way too high but that will not keep me from going back.

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.

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