San Luis Obispo is located right between San Francisco and Los Angeles, and with a population of only about forty-five thousand it is a wonderful retreat from the bustling crowds of these two huge metropolitan areas. The fine dining in San Luis Obispo is as diverse and luscious as the landscape it's nestled in. Situated just off the coast, San Luis Obispo has the high quality dining experience available in any California city.

Every week downtown San Luis Obispo restaurants bustle with friendly visitors and residents who gather for Farmer's Market. Higuera Street, one of the main streets in downtown, is lined with multiple San Luis Obispo restaurants that throw a weekly block party of sorts. Fine dining restaurants as well as cozy Italian cafés, they all equip themselves with aprons and spatulas for one night out of the week. Aside from the great ribs, downtown restaurants in San Luis Obispo offer many fine dining experiences. From great ribs to pastas and pizzas, between Osos Street and Broad Street there are excellent restaurants of all styles.

The gorgeous scenery of San Luis Obispo seems to invite everyone to relax, let their hair down and experience the robust selection of outstanding San Luis Obispo restaurants. Amid the many miles of beach, rolling hills, and mountainous regions, it's hard to not feel at home somewhere in San Luis Obispo. The weather is rather timid with warm days and cool nights, but nothing extreme on either side of the spectrum. Light wind and bright blue skies are the norm, and very little pollution. San Luis Obispo dining is not the only attraction however; the historic Hearst Castle is a popular tourist attraction. Guided daily tours are available to anyone who is interested in visiting this small piece of history.

San Luis Obispo Restaurants

With excellent weather and a beautiful strip of beach, San Luis Obispo is the perfect location for a relaxed meal. Like many restaurants in California, most San Luis Obispo restaurants choose to use ingredients directly from the region, which certainly adds to the intimate atmosphere of the already stunning scenery. The San Luis Obispo area has the third largest concentration of wineries in California, and it doesn't take long to notice this fact. Seemingly every San Luis Obispo restaurant is equipped with wine lists that are sure to make any patrons taste buds roar with delight. Seafood is everywhere in this picturesque region, and not just any seafood. Fresh seafood right off the boat is available in many dining choices. The rustic and relaxed atmosphere of San Luis Obispo is embodied perfectly in this area with a wide variety of restaurant choices:

Italian Restaurants in San Luis Obispo

Mama’s Meatball Restaurant - With family recipes from his mother and experience working at restaurants all over Europe, Chef Nicola Allegretta will provide you with the most original Italian Cuisine from Puglia, making Mama’s Meatball one of the best San Luis Obispo restaurants. Restaurant delivery service available.

Palazzo Giuseppe’s Restaurant – Specializing in cuisine from Pugliese region in Italy, this beautiful Italian restaurant uses only the freshest ingredients. The bread is baked every day, the pizzas are made in an wood-fired oven, the pastas are either made from scratch in their kitchen or are imported from Italy, making this restaurant one of the most authentic Italian restaurants in San Luis Obispo. Palazzo Giuseppe’s Express has all of the menu items for takeout as well as delivery service.

Café Roma Restaurant - With numerous nationally recognized recipes and a Wine Spectator award winning wine list, this Tuscan style San Luis Obispo restaurant is a true landmark. Any item on the menu can be ordered for pickup or delivery.

Upper Crust Trattoria Restaurant – For 14 years, Upper Crust Trattoria has served Central Coast its fine Mediterranean Italian cuisine and a variety of salads including its trademark Raspberry salad. This is a must-try San Luis Obispo restaurant. Restaurant delivery service is also available.

Pizza Restaurants in San Luis Obispo

Pizza Solo Restaurant – Known for its patio, this cozy San Luis Obispo restaurant offers a large selection of pizzas and calzones. For your convenience, Pizza solo can deliver pizza to anywhere in San Luis Obispo.

Mexican Restaurants in San Luis Obispo

Chino’s Restaurant – short for “Chicano” which means Mexican American, Chino’s serves healthy authentic Mexican food with an attitude. The restaurant’s atmosphere truly represents modern Mexico. You gotta visit this one of a kind San Luis Obispo restaurant. Pickup and delivery is available in San Luis Obispo until late night.

Pancho’s Restaurant – One of 6 Gonzales Brothers family restaurants serving the finest Mexican food in town. Pancho’s is the only restaurant in San Luis Obispo that guarantees your satisfaction. Everything on Pancho’s menu can be ordered for takeout, pickup or delivery.

Taco Roco Restaurant - Offering the best option in Catering and Banquets services, Taco Roco can serve up to 500 people on your next business meeting, wedding party, graduation, birthday party. Taco Roco is one of the best Restaurants in San Luis Obispo to offer catering services. The entire catering menu is also available for pickup or delivery in San Luis Obispo.

Seafood Restaurants in San Luis Obispo

Ciopinot Restaurant – A second generation restaurant family who is intimately familiar with fishing in local waters, made the decision to open a seafood restaurant in San Luis Obispo to fulfill a niche that was unfulfilled for many years. Recognized as the best seafood restaurant by many, this elegant San Luis Obispo restaurant is the only place in town with an oyster bar. No wonder why Ciopinot is also winner of best San Luis Obispo restaurant to go on a first date! Surprisingly, despite its elegant interior and professional staff, you’re greeted and welcomed with warmth and friendliness and the prices are very reasonable. You’re not required to pay corkage fee, you don’t ever pay for split charges, and there is no automatic tip charge for larger parties.

Japanese Restaurants

Sushi Kokku – With two locations serving San Luis Obispo County residents, Sushi Kokku is the best Japanese restaurant in San Luis Obispo. If you’re looking for fresh, low-calorie and moderately priced food, then you won’t be disappointed. You’ll find a large selection of sushi rolls, udon, teriyaki bowls, and sashimi served in a very friendly atmosphere. By the way, their entire menu can be ordered to go or for delivery in San Luis Obispo.

BBQ Restaurants

Mo’s Smokehouse – With 20 years of experience in restaurant business, Larry Kowalski, the owner of Mo’s BBQ, decided to open an authentic BBQ restaurant in San Luis Obispo. With a friend, he traveled 3,500 miles through the BBQ belt of the United States, including ten states, visiting 80 BBQ restaurants! He got recipes, tips, and techniques that are still used to this day at his popular San Luis Obispo restaurant. Everything on the menu can be ordered for takeout or for delivery in San Luis Obispo.

G Brothers – If you’re looking for moderately priced BBQ ribs, G Brothers is the place to visit! No wonder it’s become one of the most popular San Luis Obispo restaurants among college students. You can also order ribs to go or for delivery in San Luis Obispo.

California Cuisine in San Luis Obispo

Big Sky Café – A busy dining room with interior brick walls brilliantly decorated with contemporary paintings and a long hardwood bar makes Big Sky Café to be the hippest restaurant in San Luis Obispo. Wildly popular for its fish tacos, Big Sky Café has been featured in Zagat Guide, Fodor’s, Frommer’s, as well as Let’s Go Guide. Also, quoted by Rachel Ray to be “a must for a healthy & great tasting meal”. Also featured in New York Times as “…San Luis Obispo’s most popular restaurant…” Most of Big Sky Café menu items can be ordered for pickup or for delivery in San Luis Obispo.

Novo – meaning “new” in Brazilian Portuguese, NOVO is an expression representing the ambience and fresh food! Built originally as a cigar factory sometime in the 1890’s, NOVO is conveniently located in downtown San Luis Obispo across from Mission Plaza. Considered a true international restaurant in San Luis Obispo, you can find Brazilian, Mediterranean and Asian flavors in NOVO’s menu. Desserts are made fresh inhouse by Russell Thomas, NOVO’s pastry chef.

Mediterranean Restaurants

Oasis Mediterranean Restaurant – Chef Karim Brahim uses authentic recipes and traditional ingredients to create dishes that bring the true essence of the Mediterranean region to San Luis Obispo. This unique dining experience makes Oasis an unforgettable San Luis Obispo restaurant. Chef Karim offers every item on his eclectic menu for dine in, pickup or for delivery in San Luis Obispo.

Bars, Pubs and Clubs in San Luis Obispo

Buffalo Pub – With its antique, western décor, brick walls, spacious booths and a beautiful bar, Buffalo Pub and Grill is considered a unique San Luis Obispo restaurant experience. With three High-Definition Television sets on the walls, you won’t miss a game! There is a real buffalo head on the wall, which is considered good medicine. Considered to be the new hot spot in downtown San Luis Obispo, Buffalo Pub and Grill the place to be! The entire menu is available for pickup or delivery service in San Luis Obispo.

Black Sheep – Established in 2005, Black Sheep is a true European pub in the heart of San Luis Obispo offering lunch, dinner or cocktails 365 days a year. With its unique booths, spacious patio, brick walls and beautiful hand crafted bar and fireplace, Black Sheep has already been awarded as one of the best bars among San Luis Obispo restaurants. The entire menu can be ordered for pickup or delivery to San Luis Obispo homes and businesses.

Mo Tav - MO|TAV has hands down the best DJs & the biggest dance floor in downtown San Luis Obispo! On Saturday nights, The Djs come from Los Angeles, San Francisco, Las Vegas, and Miami. If you’re into dancing and having a good time, MoTav is the place to be on Saturday nights. The burgers are the best among San Luis Obispo restaurants. You can order them for pickup or for delivery in San Luis Obispo.

Cajun Restaurants

Bon Temps Café – With hanging beads, photos all over the walls, blue jazz music playing in the background, and the wonderful aromas of Southern cooking in the air, you’ll think you’re in New Orleans. No wonder why Bon Temps Café has been the finest Creole restaurant in San Luis Obispo and the only San Luis Obispo restaurant to offer true Southern hospitality since 1995. You can order Crawfish Etouffee, Seafood Gumbo, Shrimp and Andouille Jambalaya for dine-in, pickup or for delivery in San Luis Obispo.

French Restaurants

Le Ciel Crêpe Café – Crêpe is referred to a very thin pancake, originated from Brittany, Northwest of France. Served with many different types of fillings, crêpes have become very popular in North America. Located on Broad Street, inside the Crossroads Center, this cozy San Luis Obispo restaurant features an extensive menu of mostly crêpes in addition to salads, sandwiches and bagels. The outdoor patio is highly popular. At Le Ciel Crêpe Café, they have a huge collection of salt and pepper shakers from different parts of the world! It’s truly a must-see San Luis Obispo restaurant. Le Ciel Crêpe Café has their entire menu for takeout and delivery in San Luis Obispo area.

Indian Restaurants

Taj Palace – Known for its unique preparation style in “tandoori” clay oven, Taj Palace is named after the famous Taj Mahal in India. Its Indian cuisine brings you exotic dishes prepared with warm spices from all over India. Daily lunch buffets are also available. Any item on the menu can be ordered for takeout or delivery in San Luis Obispo.

Shalimar – The name comes from Shalimar Gardens, built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahaan in Lahore, modern day Pakistan. Shalimar is the only San Luis Obispo restaurant to offer both Indian and Pakistani dishes. At Shalimar, it’s all about simplicity, great taste in a relax atmosphere. Shalimar is primarily known for its “Salans” curries, wonderful mixtures of exotic South Asian spices.

Breakfast Restaurants/Bake Shops

Splash Café – Known primarily for its award winning clam chowder, this cozy San Luis Obispo restaurant is also famous for its freshly baked, artisan style breads and delicious hand crafted chocolate pastries. With two locations to serve you, you can dine in or order any of their menu items for pickup or delivery anywhere in San Luis Obispo or 5 Cities area.

Copper Café – Popular among the locals and tourists, Copper Café serves breakfast, lunch and dinner in a one-of-a-kind setting among San Luis Obispo restaurants. A large variety of pastries are baked fresh every day at the Madonna Inn’s famous pastry shop, known for its beautiful wedding cake designs.

Apple Farm – Famous for its hearty homestyle food, pies and other wonderful pastries, The Apple Farm Restaurant has been a very popular spot for tourists and locals 365 days a year. This landmark San Luis Obispo restaurant is located right next to the Apple Farm Inn, which is a Victorian style luxury hotel with comfortable guest rooms and traditional American hospitality.

Steakhouse Restaurants

Alex Madonna’s Gold Rush – Awarded by Open Table diners as “the best restaurant for romantic dinners”, this incredibly elegant restaurant is by far the most popular tourist attraction spot among San Luis Obispo restaurants. With a spectacular setting, a great service staff, outstanding entrees, mouthwatering desserts and a superb wine list, this is truly a place to remember!

Delis and Sandwich Shops

Giant Grinder – A family owned and operated San Luis Obispo restaurant, Giant Grinder has become the most popular sandwich shop on the Central Coast. At Giant Grinder, a sandwich is not just two pieces of bread with some meat, cheese and vegetables here and there, it’s an art form. The owner, Brad Fuller, only uses the finest deli meats and cheeses, the freshest local vegetables, the best herbs, only 100% extra virgin olive oil, the most amazing roll made fresh every morning, and of course his secret ingredient to build each and every sandwich. Brad has brought his sandwich making experience from his hometown, Hartford, Connecticut. So it’s truly a little East Coast flavor right here on the West Coast! You can order any of Brad’s sandwiches for takeout or for delivery in San Luis Obispo.

American Restaurants / Burgers

Laguna Grill – A San Luis Obispo restaurant where locals go to watch sports games, enjoy finger foods and a cold beer. You can also order salads, sandwiches, burgers for dine-in, takeout, or for delivery in San Luis Obispo.