Top 11 Best San Luis Obispo Restaurants for 2024

Are you looking for the best restaurants in San Luis Obispo, California? Are you searching for the best places to enjoy the bounty of flavors San Luis Obispo restaurants offer? If so, relax, we’ve got you covered.

Midway between the foodie havens of San Francisco and Los Angeles, this hidden gem on California’s Central Coast has an impressive food scene of its own, with deliciously distinct local flavors that will wow your taste buds.

Having lived in both the San Francisco Bay area and Los Angeles for a long time, I’ve been visiting this charming city for decades and enjoying the best restaurants San Luis Obispo, CA, has to offer all the while.

More recently, my husband Mike and I checked into the lovely San Luis Obispo Hotel in downtown SLO to once again thoroughly check out the SLO Cal dining scene and report on our findings. So, if you’re looking for the latest about the best San Luis Obispo restaurants across a broad spectrum of different categories, keep reading.

Best San Luis Obispo Restaurants

For a city its size, San Luis Obispo has more than its fair share of excellent restaurants offering local menus that focus on different cuisines, emphasize unique flavors, and cater to different budgets. This List of Best San Luis Obispo Restaurants honors those eateries that have found a niche in which they excel and are providing a top-notch eating experience to their customers.

1. Best San Luis Obispo Restaurant: Ox + Anchor

Dinner at Ox + Anchor our pick for best restaurant in San Luis Obispo — Dinner at Ox + Anchor, our pick for best San Luis Obispo restaurant

Located in the heart of San Luis Obispo, in the alluring Hotel San Luis Obispo, Ox + Anchor is our pick for best restaurant in San Luis Obispo. This fine dining restaurant not only puts a modern spin on what a classic steakhouse can be, it paints outside the lines and breaks out of its lane to provide bold flavors and creative interpretations of dishes far beyond the repertoire of a typical steak house.

We were determined to try as many of the mouth-watering creations as we could—and we were impressed at every point along the way.

The raw oysters were complemented with the perfect mignonette, the Ahi Tuna Tartare turned an improbable combination of jalapeño, mint, basil, avocado, and ponzu into a delightful symphony of flavors, and the Sichuan Pork Dumplings would be completely at home at a 5-star Chinese restaurant.

But at a steak house, the meat of the matter is, of course, the meat—and it was superb!

We had the Filet Mignon, Oscar Style, with delicious Dungeness Crab and Bearnaise sauce, and the Hanger Steak with Chimichurri. Both were deeply flavorful, perfectly prepared, and elegantly presented. The sides of Mac & Cheese and Creamed Spinach w/ Onion Crust were as delicious as they were decadent.

The Lemon Bar with Crème Fraiche Ice Cream was a delightful note to end on.

But the amazing food was just one of the highlights of the evening. The warm ambiance in the refined dining room, enticing views of the magic-making inside the open kitchen, and stellar service provided by our remarkable server made this our most memorable dining experience in San Luis Obispo in years. All the accolades piling up for Ox + Anchor are certainly warranted.

Ox + Anchor: 877 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

2. Best San Luis Obispo Restaurant for Italian: Giuseppe’s Cucina Rustica

Outdoor patio at Giuseppe’s Cucina Rustica — The courtyard at Giuseppe’s Cucina Rustica, the best Italian San Luis Obispo restaurant

Giuseppe’s Pismo Beach location has been a beloved institution in that corner of San Luis Obispo County since way back in 1988. The location in downtown SLO has been a sensation since it burst onto the scene in 2016.

Although some think it’s the best restaurant in San Luis Obispo, it is without a doubt the crown jewel of San Luis Obispo Italian restaurants.

Chef Giuseppe was a trailblazer within the farm-to-fork movement, and his 10-acre farm in Edna Valley provides many of the fresh, authentic ingredients used in both of his restaurants.

In the bustling Old-World-Meets-New dining room in SLO, expect regional Italian specialties featuring handmade pasta, a delicious selection of traditional and creative wood-fired pizzas, and daily specials highlighting the best of what’s in season.

This is a great place for high-quality Italian dishes from Rome, Napoli, and Bologna that won’t break the bank. Here, you can enjoy a lovely lunch or dinner in San Luis Obispo amid a festive atmosphere that also extends to the spacious outdoor patio. It’s also a fine choice if you’re Happy Hour hopping downtown any Monday through Thursday.

Giuseppe’s Cucina Rustica: 849 Monterey Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

3. Best San Luis Obispo Restaurant for Outdoor Dining: Novo Restaurant

Novo restaurant in San Luis Obispo — The lovely outdoor space at San Luis Obispo’s Novo Restaurant

Novo has a wonderful location in the heart of downtown San Luis Obispo alongside the San Luis Obispo Creek. Shaded by enormous trees, its giant patio with tons of outdoor seating is a beautiful, incredibly romantic setting in which to enjoy a great meal.

In fact, for the 21st year in a row, SLO’s go-to weekly newspaper, New Times, has named Novo the Best Outdoor Dining Restaurant in all of San Luis Obispo County!

But the food is wonderful too! A diverse menu features globally inspired cuisine with Asian influences made from scratch daily with locally grown ingredients.

Novo Restaurant: 726 Higuera Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

4. Best San Luis Obispo Restaurant for Romantic Dining: Luna Red

Luna Red also has a great downtown SLO location just steps away from the historic Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa with plenty of outdoor seating under a multicolored constellation of festive lights.

The date night vibes are very strong here. With the romantic setting, elaborate craft cocktails, and an eclectic menu full of great choices, it’s no wonder. It’s also fitting that Luna Red makes an award-winning version of one of the most beloved specialties of Valencia, Spain: paella—the perfect dish for sharing.

But date nights need not break the bank. Happy Hour runs from 3 to 6 pm Monday through Thursday with food and drink specials. Taco & Tiki Tuesday brings price breaks on craft tacos and tiki drinks. And Wine Wednesday offers 50% off of all bottles of wine on the wines-by-the-glass menu.

Luna Red: 1023 Chorro Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

5. Best San Luis Obispo Restaurant for Mexican Cuisine: La Esquina Taqueria

In a lovely building with an inviting interior featuring brick walls, high ceilings, wooden beams, sky lights, and industrial design accented by Mexican works of art, La Esquina Taqueria is the polished Mexican restaurant that downtown SLO had long been lacking.

And the cuisine ticks all my boxes, with excellent versions of all my must haves—tortilla soup, chile relleno (they actually do 3 types), al pastor and Baja fish tacos (among many others), and chile verde. In addition, there is an extensive array of other cherished Mexican dishes, including enchiladas, burritos, and fajitas.

The bar offers an expansive list of premium tequilas and mezcals, and plenty of inspired cocktails featuring these iconic Mexican liquors. There are also wines by the bottle and glass, local craft beers, and Mexican lagers.

La Esquina Taqueria: 1051 Nipomo Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

6. Best San Luis Obispo Restaurant for aN Upscale Monday Night Special: Granada Bistro

San Luis Obispo restaurant, Granada Bistro — The inviting patio of Granada Bistro, home to one of the best fried chicken meals in SLO

Granada Bistro does a fried chicken that is a real in-the-know crowd pleaser—but the kitchen makes this signature dish just one night a week. That makes a Monday night choice among downtown SLO restaurants pretty simple.

It doesn’t hurt that the Bistro offers a classy yet comfortable environment both in the cozy restaurant proper and on the outdoor patio. And there are plenty of other great dishes to enjoy any night you go.

Granada’s Nightcap, right next door, is also worth checking out. It offers an intimate setting with a nightly Martini Hour from 6 to 7, and craft cocktails, artisanal spirits, and choice wines and beers every night.

Granada Bistro: 1130 Morro Street, San Luis Obispo, 93401

7. Best San Luis Obispo Restaurant for Barbecue: Firestone Grill

Firestone Grill is one of the most popular restaurants in San Luis Obispo, CA. It draws in crowds of Cal Poly students, families, tourists, and just about anyone else looking for the best barbecue in town in a fun-loving setting.

And like in North Carolina, South Carolina, St. Louis, Tennessee, and Texas, locals here have their own special style of barbecue: Santa Maria–Style. Originating in the nearby Santa Maria Valley, the star of this local BBQ is tri-tip steak seasoned then cooked over coals made from California Live Oak trees. It’s one of California’s most famous foods!

And hanging out at Firestone, enjoying a perfectly BBQ’d tri-tip sandwich (or pulled pork or ribs) with your favorite beer from a panoply of pints is a time-honored SLO pastime absolutely worth trying.

Firestone Grill: 1001 Higuera Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

8. Best San Luis Obispo Bar Food: Black Sheep Bar & Grill

With its vibrant atmosphere, friendly staff, and exceptional bar food, Black Sheep Bar & Grill has been a local institution since setting up shop in downtown San Luis Obispo back in 2005.

It has routinely been chosen as SLO County’s Best Bar, lauded for having SLO County’s Best Bar Food, and awarded for serving up SLO County’s tastiest Mac & Cheese—a development not even the great Thomas Jefferson could have predicted when he fiddled with a French favorite to create this famous food in Virginia.

Today, you can enjoy any of the Sheep’s 7 Mac & Cheeses or customize your very own. But there are also Killer Nachos, top-notch Fish & Chips, and a slew of delicious burgers, tacos, and other South-of-the-Border favorites.

Needless to say, you’ll also find plenty of tasty hand-crafted cocktails and a variety of wines and beers to accompany the award-winning cuisine. Live music nights crank up the festivities even more.

Black Sheep Bar & Grill: 1117 Chorro St., San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

9. Best San Luis Obispo Restaurant for Sandwiches: High Street Deli

Sandwich at High Street Deli — High Street Deli sandwiches are always piled up high with delicious ingredients.

Since no one is always in the mood for a lengthy sit-down meal, it’s great that amazing sandwiches are the specialty at High Street Deli. The sandwiches are locally famous and have stacked up awards even higher than the generously filled sandwiches themselves.

High Street Deli’s quality ingredients, commitment to scratch-made freshness, and a love for great food and local community has kept people coming back since 1927!

High Street Market & Deli: 350 High St., San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

10. Best San Luis Obispo Restaurant for Mediterranean Food: Petra Mediterranean Pizza & Grill

Mediterranean pizza and hummus at Petra Pizza & Grill — Time to dig in at Petra, the best San Luis Obispo restaurant for Mediterranean food

This incredibly casual, warmly welcoming, neighborhood spot is the restaurant San Luis Obispo loves for its must-try Mediterranean cuisine.

You’ll find soul-satisfying versions of everything you’d expect: gyros, shawarmas, falafels, kabobs, baba ghanoush, tabouleh, and salads for sure. But the Mediterranean and Greek dishes don’t stop there—Petra has also been named as one of the 25 best pizza joints in America by USA Today.

Among the uniquely delicious pizza choices are the Gyro, Greek Feta, BBQ Cilantro Chicken, and Tri-Tip. There’s also a well-stocked fixings bar where you can choose the perfect spreads, bites, and sauces to customize your order. Plus, there’s a daily Happy Hour.

Petra Mediterranean Pizza & Grill: 1210 Higuera Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

11. Best San Luis Obispo Restaurant for Breakfast: Louisa’s Place Restaurant

Of all the restaurants in San Luis Obispo, California, this is the undisputed top spot for breakfast. Louisa’s is not only the hometown favorite, but New Times readers have picked it as the Best Breakfast Restaurant in all of San Luis Obispo County more than 20 times!

So, as you can imagine, getting a delicious breakfast here is never a challenge. Things at one of the most beloved restaurants San Luis Obispo, California, has in store for you are old school and tremendously tasty. Portions are generous, service is friendly, and prices are reasonable.

There are more than 2 dozen omelettes from which to choose, 10 different meat-and-eggs combos, plenty of traditional Mexican favorites, a bunch of pancake, waffle, and French toast options, and fresh pastries too. Walking away full and happy isn’t a rule, but it’s absolutely the norm.

Louisa’s Place Restaurant: 964 Higuera Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

Where Should I Stay in Saint Luis Obispo, CA?

My pick would definitely be the Hotel San Luis Obispo. It’s SLO’s gorgeous new hotel boasting first-class accommodations and the finest amenities, including a luxurious spa, inviting pool, and incredible dining options.

The first time we arrived, Mike and I were immediately impressed with the engaging architecture and welcoming atmosphere. We also loved our spacious, modern room overlooking the pool and offering expansive views of the city below and mountains beyond.

We already mentioned our amazing meal at SLO’s finest restaurant, Ox + Anchor, conveniently located on the first floor of the hotel. But there is also Piadina, the hotel’s Cal Ital charmer serving up farm-fresh fare celebrating the tastes of both Italy and Central California all day, every day.

And it’s no wonder the restaurants are both so great. Chef Ryan Fancher is not only an alum of The French Laundry—the world-famous culinary beacon of the Yountville, CA, restaurant scene—but he was also on the team that opened Thomas Keller’s Per Se in New York.

Our room at Hotel San Luis Obispo — We loved our large, light, and airy room at Hotel San Luis Obispo.

You can also leave any fears of thirst you might have at home. Hotel SLO has two bars, the elegant S.Low Bar on the first floor and the more casual High Bar on the expansive roof top terrace, with stunning views and its own bocce court.

Furthermore, you can’t beat the hotel’s location. Walking downstairs to two great restaurants is incredibly convenient, but with the hotel’s perfect spot downtown, you can also walk to every single one of the best places to eat in San Luis Obispo reviewed in this article.

Click for pricing and availability: Hotel San Luis Obispo
Address: 877 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, 93401