The best restaurants in San Luis Obispo

56 restaurants we’ve checked and stand behind — with the story on each one. Not a ranking; a record.

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Restaurants · 56 places · showing the latest additions first

Ox and Anchor

Restaurants

Ox and Anchor nails the modern steakhouse vibe with ribeyes and filets that actually taste like a night off, paired with a deep Central…

877 Palm St

Ox and Anchor nails the modern steakhouse vibe with ribeyes and filets that actually taste like a night off, paired with a deep Central Coast wine lineup in the Wine Library. When you want an easy win for date night or a celebratory bite, this spot delivers.

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Todo Bueno

Restaurants

Todo Bueno brings wok-seared Cal-Mex favorites, with tacos on toasted flour tortillas loaded with melted cheese, slaw, radishes and pickled…

3845 S Higuera St

Todo Bueno brings wok-seared Cal-Mex favorites, with tacos on toasted flour tortillas loaded with melted cheese, slaw, radishes and pickled onions, plus mission-style burritos, cheesy quesadillas and a full slate of burgers, so your crew’s eternal “tacos or burgers” debate finally ends in happy silence.

From the San Luis Obispo newsletter, August 3, 2026

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Milestone Tavern

Restaurants

Casual venue featuring American cuisine, tap beers, and cocktails, plus a patio and a pet-friendly policy.

972 Foothill Blvd

Casual venue featuring American cuisine, tap beers, and cocktails, plus a patio and a pet-friendly policy.

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Flour House

Restaurants

Neapolitan-style pizza & pasta, plus cocktails & craft beer in a lively space with a cozy patio.

690 Higuera St

Neapolitan-style pizza & pasta, plus cocktails & craft beer in a lively space with a cozy patio.

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Relaxed joint featuring classic sushi rolls and noodle dishes, along with miso soup and teriyaki.

285 Madonna Rd Ste C

Relaxed joint featuring classic sushi rolls and noodle dishes, along with miso soup and teriyaki.

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Falafel, shawarma, and other Mediterranean eats are offered at this casual dining spot in the Network Shopping Center.

1035 Chorro St

Falafel, shawarma, and other Mediterranean eats are offered at this casual dining spot in the Network Shopping Center.

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Chain dishing up wings, tenders & burgers, plus sauces ranging from sweet to very spicy.

309 Madonna Rd

Chain dishing up wings, tenders & burgers, plus sauces ranging from sweet to very spicy.

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Sushi Table

Restaurants

Casual, modern sushi joint featuring a 12-seat sushi bar & hand rolls in a warm setting.

811 Froom Ranch Way #120

Casual, modern sushi joint featuring a 12-seat sushi bar & hand rolls in a warm setting.

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Lively, longstanding pizza place offering classic combos & white, wheat & gluten-free crust.

1000 Higuera St

Lively, longstanding pizza place offering classic combos & white, wheat & gluten-free crust.

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Buona Tavola

Restaurants

Casually elegant Northern Italian eatery with a traditional menu highlighting seasonal ingredients.

1037 Monterey St

Casually elegant Northern Italian eatery with a traditional menu highlighting seasonal ingredients.

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Casual pizza parlor boasting a full bar (wine, beer and cocktails included) plus a patio for outdoor dining.

1601 Monterey St

Casual pizza parlor boasting a full bar (wine, beer and cocktails included) plus a patio for outdoor dining.

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Quaint Italian restaurant serving familiar fare, including pizza from a wood-burning oven.

849 Monterey St

Quaint Italian restaurant serving familiar fare, including pizza from a wood-burning oven.

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Café Roma

Restaurants

Longtime, white-tablecloth Italian joint with a casual, old-world feel & an extensive wine list.

1020 Railroad Ave

Longtime, white-tablecloth Italian joint with a casual, old-world feel & an extensive wine list.

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Sushiya

Restaurants

Family-friendly Japanese & Korean spot with teppan grills, sushi, teriyaki & tempura, plus karaoke.

11560 Los Osos Valley Rd #160

Family-friendly Japanese & Korean spot with teppan grills, sushi, teriyaki & tempura, plus karaoke.

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Firestone Grill

Restaurants

Meat-centric American grill serving steak sandwiches, burgers & ribs in a sports-bar setting.

1001 Higuera St

Meat-centric American grill serving steak sandwiches, burgers & ribs in a sports-bar setting.

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Buzzy spot in a renovated building with a wine bar, creative mini burgers & other New American fare.

2550 Broad St

Buzzy spot in a renovated building with a wine bar, creative mini burgers & other New American fare.

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Pink-accented restaurant in the Madonna Inn specializing in steaks cooked over an oak-wood pit.

100 Madonna Rd

Pink-accented restaurant in the Madonna Inn specializing in steaks cooked over an oak-wood pit.

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Koberl At Blue

Restaurants

Brick-walled bistro with New American fare, including vegetarian items, plus a bar & lots of wines.

998 Monterey St

Brick-walled bistro with New American fare, including vegetarian items, plus a bar & lots of wines.

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Fine eatery with views that's popular for breakfast, lunch and dinner menus of fish and chips, hamburgers and eggs benedict.

925 Airport Dr

Fine eatery with views that's popular for breakfast, lunch and dinner menus of fish and chips, hamburgers and eggs benedict.

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Rustic spot for smoked BBQ sandwiches & ribs with classic sides, plus hearty breakfast plates.

885 Foothill Blvd

Rustic spot for smoked BBQ sandwiches & ribs with classic sides, plus hearty breakfast plates.

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Casual restaurant serving Hawaiian staples such as rice bowls, teriyaki and more.

1308 Monterey St Ste 110

Casual restaurant serving Hawaiian staples such as rice bowls, teriyaki and more.

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Old West-style eatery known for its huge top sirloin & other meats cooked over an oak-pit BBQ.

1760 El Camino Real (Grover Beach)

Old West-style eatery known for its huge top sirloin & other meats cooked over an oak-pit BBQ.

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The Oak Grill

Restaurants

Cool, brick-lined eatery serving casual French cuisine alongside wine, craft cocktails & local beer.

1119 Garden St

Cool, brick-lined eatery serving casual French cuisine alongside wine, craft cocktails & local beer.

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Vibrant restaurant with a patio at Mission Mall featuring a Pisco bar and traditional Peruvian fare.

746 Higuera St #6

Vibrant restaurant with a patio at Mission Mall featuring a Pisco bar and traditional Peruvian fare.

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Casual eatery offering burgers and pizzas plus steak and seafood dishes.

1865 Monterey St

Casual eatery offering burgers and pizzas plus steak and seafood dishes.

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J&L Hawaiian BBQ

Restaurants

Relaxed family-owned eatery whipping up Hawaiian recipes such as katsu chicken and short rib.

2256 Broad St #120

Relaxed family-owned eatery whipping up Hawaiian recipes such as katsu chicken and short rib.

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Eureka!

Restaurants

Hip dining spot serving elevated burgers, craft beer & whiskey in industrial-chic surrounds.

1141 Chorro St

Hip dining spot serving elevated burgers, craft beer & whiskey in industrial-chic surrounds.

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Classic burger joint offering fries, shakes & cocktails in a space decorated like a 1950s diner.

3165 Broad St Ste 102

Classic burger joint offering fries, shakes & cocktails in a space decorated like a 1950s diner.

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Counter-service eatery featuring hot chicken sandwiches, tenders and fries, and serving beer.

297 Madonna Rd

Counter-service eatery featuring hot chicken sandwiches, tenders and fries, and serving beer.

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Bravo Pizza Plus

Restaurants

Casual eatery (new location) specializing in sesame-seeded crust pizzas and calzones alongside an all-you-can-eat salad and pizza bar at…

3971 S Higuera St

Casual eatery (new location) specializing in sesame-seeded crust pizzas and calzones alongside an all-you-can-eat salad and pizza bar at lunch.

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Contemporary restaurant serving modern Peruvian cuisine made with house-grown organic produce.

570 Higuera St

Contemporary restaurant serving modern Peruvian cuisine made with house-grown organic produce.

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Charbroiled burgers star at this fast-food chain also offering deli-type sandwiches, salads & fries.

839 Higuera St

Charbroiled burgers star at this fast-food chain also offering deli-type sandwiches, salads & fries.

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Relaxed eatery featuring a salsa and chips bar, tacos, burritos and enchiladas, along with a beer selection.

1032 Chorro St

Relaxed eatery featuring a salsa and chips bar, tacos, burritos and enchiladas, along with a beer selection.

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Bustling Japanese spot with a simple decor & large selection of sushi & other traditional favorites.

570 Higuera St #155

Bustling Japanese spot with a simple decor & large selection of sushi & other traditional favorites.

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Louisa's Place

Restaurants

Homey breakfast-lunch diner serving omelets, sandwiches, pancakes & ice cream in a narrow space.

964 Higuera St

Homey breakfast-lunch diner serving omelets, sandwiches, pancakes & ice cream in a narrow space.

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Humble Oven

Restaurants

Down-to-earth joint preparing pizza – in Neapolitan style – along with pasta and salad.

3845 S Higuera St Ste 110

Down-to-earth joint preparing pizza – in Neapolitan style – along with pasta and salad.

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Classic cocktails, local wines, and contemporary American and Italian cooking in a relaxed environment.

450 Marsh St

Classic cocktails, local wines, and contemporary American and Italian cooking in a relaxed environment.

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Yanagi Sushi

Restaurants

Japanese eatery serving sushi, noodles & grilled fare, plus sake in a warm, relaxed setting.

1203 Marsh St

Japanese eatery serving sushi, noodles & grilled fare, plus sake in a warm, relaxed setting.

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American tavern with indoor/outdoor seating, serving made-to-order dishes and cocktails.

857 Monterey St

American tavern with indoor/outdoor seating, serving made-to-order dishes and cocktails.

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Laid-back breakfast diner featuring homemade pancakes and other comfort dishes, as well as a gift shop.

2015 Monterey St

Laid-back breakfast diner featuring homemade pancakes and other comfort dishes, as well as a gift shop.

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Lively, casual institution with weekly zydeco music & Southern staples like jambalaya & gumbo.

1819 Osos St

Lively, casual institution with weekly zydeco music & Southern staples like jambalaya & gumbo.

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Piadina

Restaurants

Local ingredients feature in Italian-inspired dishes including pizzas, served in a casual setting with a patio.

877 Palm St

Local ingredients feature in Italian-inspired dishes including pizzas, served in a casual setting with a patio.

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Casual venue serving authentic German classics, including schnitzels and wursts, plus sausages. Beer-garden vibe.

3230 Broad St #130

Casual venue serving authentic German classics, including schnitzels and wursts, plus sausages. Beer-garden vibe.

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Ziggy's

Restaurants

Compact, casual locale serving plant-based tacos, burgers & milkshakes, plus gluten-free options.

594 California Blvd

Compact, casual locale serving plant-based tacos, burgers & milkshakes, plus gluten-free options.

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Arigato Sushi

Restaurants

Relaxed setting serving sushi and fusion dishes such as tempura and miso soup.

667 Marsh St

Relaxed setting serving sushi and fusion dishes such as tempura and miso soup.

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Gold Land BBQ

Restaurants

Casual eatery turning out Texas-style barbecue favorites like brisket and ribs, plus catering.

570 Higuera St #101

Casual eatery turning out Texas-style barbecue favorites like brisket and ribs, plus catering.

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Novo

Restaurants

Global fare offered in a multispace eatery with intimate cellar, upstairs lounge & creekside patio.

726 Higuera St

Global fare offered in a multispace eatery with intimate cellar, upstairs lounge & creekside patio.

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Bear & The Wren

Restaurants

Pizza specialist (Detroit, deep-dish or Neapolitan) joint serving thin-crust pies in a casual space with a patio.

570 Higuera St #2

Pizza specialist (Detroit, deep-dish or Neapolitan) joint serving thin-crust pies in a casual space with a patio.

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Kumi Ko

Restaurants

Casual, contemporary Japanese restaurant with a sushi bar, lunch specials & hot entrees.

3830 Broad St

Casual, contemporary Japanese restaurant with a sushi bar, lunch specials & hot entrees.

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My Friend Mike's

Restaurants

Casual pizzeria serving sourdough-crust pies, along with salads and beer.

2324 Broad St

Casual pizzeria serving sourdough-crust pies, along with salads and beer.

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Five Guys

Restaurants

Fast-food chain with made-to-order burgers, fries & hot dogs, plus free peanuts while you wait.

763 Foothill Blvd

Fast-food chain with made-to-order burgers, fries & hot dogs, plus free peanuts while you wait.

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Upscale speakeasy-style place for creative cocktails, burgers and tacos, plus other elevated mains.

725 Higuera St

Upscale speakeasy-style place for creative cocktails, burgers and tacos, plus other elevated mains.

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La Locanda

Restaurants

Snug Italian restaurant serving classic dishes & wine in a white-tablecloth space with a patio.

1137 Garden St

Snug Italian restaurant serving classic dishes & wine in a white-tablecloth space with a patio.

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Counter-service eatery offering a range of tacos and burritos as well as quesadillas.

1122 Chorro St

Counter-service eatery offering a range of tacos and burritos as well as quesadillas.

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Luna Red

Restaurants

Stylish eatery with regular live music & lounge serving globally inspired tapas, wine & cocktails.

1023 Chorro St

Stylish eatery with regular live music & lounge serving globally inspired tapas, wine & cocktails.

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Contemporary coastal cuisine & local wines in an elegant setting at Sycamore Mineral Springs Resort.

1215 Avila Beach Dr

Contemporary coastal cuisine & local wines in an elegant setting at Sycamore Mineral Springs Resort.

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