Must-see restaurants in Central Coast

  • Ember

    Central Coast

    Chef Brian Collins, who once cooked at Alice Waters' revered Chez Panisse, has returned to his roots in SLO County. Out of this heart-warming restaurant's…

  • La Cosecha Bar & Restaurant

    Central Coast

    The Honduran heritage of chef and owner Santos MacDonal shines through at this cosmopolitan bar and bistro translating from Spanish into 'the harvest.'…

  • Penny Ice Creamery

    Santa Cruz

    With a cult following, this artisan ice-cream shop crafts zany flavors such as bourbon-candied ginger, lemon-verbena–blueberry and ricotta apricot all…

  • Montrio Bistro

    Monterey

    With 'clouds' hanging from the ceiling and tube sculptures wriggling towards them, it's apparent that much thought has gone into the design of this dining…

  • Cultura Comida y Bebida

    Carmel-by-the-Sea

    In a brick-lined courtyard, this vivaciously elegant restaurant pairs art and candlelight with food inspired by Oaxacan flavors and an entire library's…

  • Downtown SLO Farmers' Market

    San Luis Obispo

    The county’s biggest and best weekly farmers market turns downtown SLO’s Higuera St into a giant street party, with smokin’ barbecues, overflowing fruit…

  • Santa Cruz Farmers Market

    Santa Cruz

    Organic produce, baked goods and arts-and-crafts and food booths all give you an authentic taste of the local vibe. Shorter fall and winter hours.

  • Soif

    Santa Cruz

    A perennial local foodie fave, this chic and cosmopolitan lair harnesses mostly native products and turns them into triumphs of flavor pairings: Manila…

  • Nepenthe

    Big Sur

    Nepenthe comes from a Greek word meaning ‘isle of no sorrow,’ and indeed, it’s hard to feel blue while sitting by the firepit on this aerial terrace. Just…

  • Guiseppe's Cucina Rustica

    San Luis Obispo

    Visit garlic-perfumed Guiseppe's for a leisurely lunch of toothsome salads, pizza and antipasti starring produce harvested on the owner's farm. Out the…

  • Oyster Loft

    Central Coast

    Delve into the appetizers menu – including crab cakes or orange-glazed octopus – or kick off with tuna tataki or fresh oysters from the crudo raw bar…

  • Passionfish

    Central Coast

    Fresh, sustainable seafood is artfully presented in any number of inventive ways, and a seasonally inspired menu also carries slow-cooked meats and…

  • Zab Zab

    Monterey

    Our pick of Lighthouse Avenue's lineup of low-key global eateries, Zab Zab channels the robust flavors of northeast Thailand. The bijou cottage is perfect…

  • Deetjen's Restaurant

    Big Sur

    At a quaint yesteryear lodge, the candlelit, knickknack-filled dining room has a dependably delicious menu of meat-centric culinary Americana, from bacon…

  • Big Sur River Inn

    Big Sur

    Woodsy restaurant with a deck, overlooking a creek teeming with throaty frogs. The food is standard American – burgers, steak, sandwiches, roast chicken…

  • The Hatch Rotisserie & Bar

    Central Coast

    Wood-fired treats in this heritage location combining shimmering chandeliers and rustic bricks include grilled octopus, rotisserie chicken and creamy bone…

  • Ruddell's Smokehouse

    Central Coast

    ‘Smoker Jim’ puts fresh-off-the-boat salmon, albacore tuna, ahi tuna and shrimp through the smoker before loading them into toasted tacos and french roll…

  • Corkscrew Cafe

    Carmel-by-the-Sea

    Just possibly Carmel Valley's coziest eatery, the Corkscrew Cafe combines a rustic wine-country vibe and a Mediterranean-influenced menu – think wood…

  • Cracked Crab

    Central Coast

    Fresh seafood and regional wines are staples at this supercasual family-owned grill. When the famous Big Bucket – a messy bonanza of crab, clams, shrimp…

  • Akira Santa Cruz

    Santa Cruz

    Complemented by sake, craft brews and a buzzy surf-town ambience, Akira's menu harnesses briny-fresh tuna, salmon, eel and shellfish for a huge variety of…

  • Robin's

    Central Coast

    Global flavors from Asia and India feature on the wide-ranging menu at Robin's. Relax under the shaded arbor canopy in the rustic courtyard and graze on…

  • Bantam

    Santa Cruz

    Another opening in the up-and-coming dining scene in Santa Cruz's West End, Bantam's versatile space is often packed with SC locals enjoying wood-fired…

  • The Galley Seafood Grill & Bar

    Central Coast

    Our pick of Morro Bay's Embarcadero restaurants, The Galley combines an absolute waterfront location and expert renditions of classic American dishes with…

  • Jeninni Kitchen & Wine Bar

    Central Coast

    Happy-hour snacks from 4pm to 6pm segue to dinner at this bistro featuring the flavors of the Med. Housemade charcuterie and shared plates, such as crispy…

  • Flavor Factory

    Central Coast

    Superlative gourmet burgers make this place located in a compact shopping mall worth seeking out. Classics like beef and bacon share the menu with ritzy…

  • Luna Red

    San Luis Obispo

    Local bounty from the land and sea pervades Luna's globally inspired small-plates menu meant for sharing, as is the big paella served straight from the…

  • Vertigo Coffee

    Central Coast

    Rich espresso and pour-over brews, wood-fired pizzas and garden salads make this coffee-roaster's shop a real find. Rotating exhibitions from local…

  • Giovanni’s Fish Market & Galley

    Central Coast

    At this family-run been-here-forever joint on the Embarcadero, folks line up at the window for batter-fried fish and chips and killer garlic fries along…

  • Restaurant at Ventana

    Big Sur

    The old truism about the better the views, the worse the food just doesn’t seem to apply here. The resort’s clifftop terrace restaurant and cocktail bar…

  • East End Gastropub

    Central Coast

    Look forward to innovative pizzas – try the salumi one with jalapeno, lemon honey and red onion – and craft beers from San Jose's Hermitage Brewing…

  • Indigo Moon

    Central Coast

    What began as an artisan cheese-and-wine shop has evolved into a breezy bistro serving modern American food that's both comforting and exciting. Locals…

  • LouLou's Griddle in the Middle

    Monterey

    Stroll down the municipal wharf to this zany diner, best for breakfasts of hubcap-sized pancakes and omelets served with fresh salsa and awesome fried…

  • Linn's Easy as Pie Cafe

    Central Coast

    If you don’t have time to visit Linn’s original farm stand on Santa Rosa Creek Rd (a 20-minute drive east via Main St), fork into its famous olallieberry…

  • Frutiland La Casa Del Sabor

    Central Coast

    Oversized, overstuffed Mexican tortas (sandwiches) will feed two, and there are two dozen varieties to choose from. Or order a platter of blue-corn…

  • Rocky Point

    Big Sur

    Come for the hillside ocean-view terrace, where cocktails and Californian wines are served all day long, and the steak and seafood menu includes on-the…

  • Novo

    San Luis Obispo

    Novo spins out moreish European, Latin and Asian-inspired tapas with an artistic eye towards classy presentation. Pick from dozens of international beers,…

  • Engfer Pizza Works

    Santa Cruz

    Detour to find this old factory, where wood-fired oven pizzas are made from scratch with love – the no-name specialty is like a giant salad on roasted…

  • Monterey’s Fish House

    Monterey

    Watched over by photos of Sicilian fishermen, dig into oak-grilled or blackened swordfish, barbecued oysters or, for those stout of heart, the Mexican…

  • Laili

    Santa Cruz

    A chic downtown dining oasis, family-owned Laili invites diners in with an elegant high-ceilinged dining room and garden patio. Share apricot-chicken…

  • Walnut Ave Cafe

    Santa Cruz

    Line up at this clean, well-lit breakfast spot for fluffy Belgian waffles, blackened ahi tuna eggs benny, Mexican huevos rancheros with pulled pork and…