Diners' Choice: Best Ambiance restaurants in California Central Coast

OpenTable

Updated September 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants with the best ambiance in California Central Coast? 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!

Le Soufflé

4.9

4.9 (432)

$50 and over

French

Carmel

About the restaurant

**LUNCH ONLY MONDAY-FRIDAY STARTING AT 11:30AM- CLOSED SAT/SUN**
We are located in CARMEL, CALIFORNIA, USA. Reservations are only available through OpenTable up to 3 weeks in advance. Intimate indoor dining room can accommodate parties up to 4 guests- Menu changes seasonally- see website for current menu.

Le Soufflé is a fine dining restaurant serving a traditional French soufflé lunch menu. Everything is exclusively prepared by our Executive Chef/Co-Owner creating a very unique and finely crafted dining experience. The wine list offers a selection of wines from exquisite boutique producers in France and are all available by the glass or bottle. Our guests can look forward to an elegant escape when they step into our intimate and luxurious dining room. We are located on Dolores Street, just two blocks off Ocean Avenue in the beautiful village of Carmel-by-the-Sea.

Top review

Danovip

Dined 6 days ago

Lunch was fantastic and a very special experience.

AronHill Vineyards Bistro & Tasting Room

4.9

4.9 (299)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Templeton

About the restaurant

We are a Paso Robles area winery that offers a wonderful dining experience. At the AronHill Bistro you will enjoy fresh dishes made from seasonal and local ingredients, all paired with stunning hilltop views and even better wines.

The AronHill Bistro & Tasting Room is the Paso Robles wine country’s dining discovery, where you will enjoy fresh dishes made from seasonal and local sources, all paired with estate wines and stunning hilltop views.

Top review

Charles

Dined 7 days ago

We’ve been to Aron Hill before and this visit was no exception. Food was delicious. Katherine was wonderful. We ate outdoors even though it was hot. Our visit was a little too early for the new releases so we enjoyed the current ones.

Petros Restaurant at Petros Winery

4.9

4.9 (924)

$30 and under

Mediterranean

Los Olivos

About the restaurant

Our menu is a combination of the best ingredients that Greece and California cuisine have to offer. We import olive oil, feta, honey, oregano and wines from Greece, the freshest organic vegetables from our farms in Los Olivos and wineries of our great state. Quality, simplicity, healthy and tasty food is the creation of that combination. Enjoy.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined 6 days ago

Petros Restaurant is a true gem in the Santa Ynez Valley. Nestled along a quiet country road and framed by majestic oak trees, its setting is as inviting as its cuisine. We love everything about this spot—exceptional food, crafted drinks, and top-notch service all come together to create an unforgettable dining experience. Tom & Valerie Doty

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Stonehouse at San Ysidro Ranch

4.9

4.9 (2502)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

Santa Barbara

About the restaurant

The Stonehouse, located in a beautiful 19th-century citrus packing house, offers an unparalleled dining experience. Guests can unwind in a relaxing lounge with full bar service or enjoy the ambiance of the separate dining room, complete with a crackling fireplace and world-class views. Chef Matthew Johnson creates evocative regional cuisine, utilizing fresh herbs and vegetables from the Ranch’s organic chef’s garden. The Stonehouse boasts the only Grand Award-winning wine program in Central California, ensuring an unparalleled selection of wines to complement your meal. For a unique twist, visit the restaurant's speakeasy for before or after dinner drinks, where you can enjoy expertly crafted cocktails in an intimate, nostalgic setting.

Top review

stevevip

Dined 2 days ago

Servers were hard to find. Too inattentive which was a shame as the food was delicious.

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Experience

Sunday Champagne Brunch

Experience

The Secret Cellar

Olivella - Ojai Valley Inn

4.9

4.9 (447)

$50 and over

Californian

Ojai

About the restaurant

Ojai Valley Inn’s signature dinner restaurant, Olivella, holds the Forbes Travel Guide Four Star and Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence designations. Chef Andrew Foskey is proud to present a seasonally driven menu with a commitment to valley-grown ingredients and techniques inspired by Italian tradition. As a complement to our cuisine, the award-winning wine program showcases expertly curated discoveries and classic bottlings from notable California and Italian producers.

Guests are invited to enjoy our multi course dining experience starting at $125/ person, plus tax and gratuity. Please note that a la carte dining is not available.

We kindly ask that any updates or cancellation to your reservation be made no less than 24 hours prior. Should you not cancel your reservation within 24 hours, or do not arrive for your reservation, you will be subject to a fee of $75 per person.

In keeping with the atmosphere, Olivella is intended for guests 10 years and older.

Top review

Michaelvip

Dined 7 days ago

A wonderful upscale experience with beautiful views and special food.

Sierra Mar - Post Ranch Inn

4.7

4.7 (1152)

$50 and over

Organic

Big Sur

About the restaurant

Offering spectacular, picturesque views of the Pacific Ocean, Sierra Mar restaurant at Post Ranch Inn is a farm-driven restaurant that celebrates the coastal bounty of Big Sur and our neighboring communities. Our dishes are centered around the dialogue of balance: on the plate, between sea and land, with sustainability always in mind. Selections from our Wine Spectator Grand Award-winning wine list enhance the inspired cuisine.

We have a family-style lunch experience for $75 per person. Our flight-style dinner experience is priced at $145 per person. Lunch and Dinner is available to the general public, however space is limited and reservations in advance are required. The minimum age for guests is 18 years old and pets are not allowed.

Non-hotel guests will be welcomed at the gate house no more than 30 minutes prior to their reservation.

Top review

Hatti

Dined on Sep 4, 2024

Went above and beyond - food was delicious and the views were stunning.

La Mia Cucina

4.8

4.8 (981)

$31 to $50

Italian

Pacific Grove

About the restaurant

Stroll along 17th St., between Lighthouse and Laurel and you will find one of the Peninsula’s favorite spots, La Mia Cucina. This little jewel, with its fresh ambiance and tantalizing menu, is popular with everyone. The colorful European advertising posters that enliven the walls, are “originals, not reproductions.” That phrase is accurate in describing La Mia Cucina itself. From the comfortable linen white decor, accented beautifully by those turn-of-the-century posters, to the hand-crafted entrees and desserts, everything about La Mia Cucina says fresh and original. Owner Michael’s specialty, his ravioli dishes, are a renowned local favorite, and for good reason. They are hand made, with all the care that only a lifetime of creative food combining can bring. In addition to pasta, La Mia Cucina is known for it's fresh fish and meat specials. The desserts are made in-house by his wife Paula and daughter Michaela, and the service is personal and inviting.

Top review

Aldo

Dined 3 days ago

Just a perfect restaurant to celebrate my wife’s Birthday! Service , food and ambiance unsurpassed. We are big foodies all around and this place beat them all. Go there now.

Mattei's Tavern

4.8

4.8 (348)

$50 and over

American

Los Olivos

About the restaurant

Recently opened on November 16, 2022, The Tavern continues her legacy as Santa Ynez Valley's beloved social hub. This California ranch-inspired restaurant highlights flavorful dishes and honest ingredients, many of which are harvested from Mattei’s on-site garden and surrounding local farms. Paying homage to its century old roots, the menu is elevated yet unfussy, offering grilled dishes and vegetables alongside seasonal specialties. The exceptional wine program is a singular and definitive draw of The Tavern. The comprehensive list features a California focused glass list which is complimented by an extensive cellar of Old World favorites.

For informal fare join us at The Bar, Mattei’s Tavern’s most authentic hangout. With a roaring fireplace and fixtures dating back to its 1886 origins, the historic bar and lounge space offers local craft beer and wine, amber hued cocktails and a snacks menu that ranges from bite sized to burger dinners.

Top review

Jeanie

Dined 6 days ago

The atmosphere was lovely, the service was off the charts and the presentation and taste of all the food we ordered was beyond delicious. The cauliflower, filet mignon and fish were so flavourful and cooked to perfection. We definitely will be back and highly recommend it.

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4.9

4.9 (3575)

$31 to $50

Seafood

Pismo Beach

About the restaurant

More than a restaurant, Oyster Loft is an experience, where the excellent service is rivaled only by the flavor and beauty of our dishes, upscale cuisine and regional seafood dishes artfully prepared. Dine with sparkling views of Pismo Beach, and enjoy appetizers, seasonal main courses and indulgent sweets.

Oyster Loft boasts a menu rich with fresh fish. Our raw bar features a variety of oysters shucked on the half shell from both the east and west coasts. The menu also includes seafood dishes, shellfish preparations and a selection of meat to round out the offerings. The range of the menu offers you the opportunity to choose your dining experience.

Top review

Dominic

Dined 6 days ago

Simply phenomenal. The only thing that can compete with both the service and the food is the view of the sunset. Genuinely one of the best dining experiences we’ve ever had. A absolute must-visit

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The Oak - Ojai Valley Inn

4.6

4.6 (626)

$50 and over

Californian

Ojai

About the restaurant

The Oak offers daily breakfast, lunch and dinner experiences featuring locally sourced products and ingredients.
Guests have a choice of indoor dining or al fresco dining under the pergola. The Oak offers dramatic views overlooking 200-year-old oak trees and our championship golf course.

In keeping with the relaxed atmosphere of the restaurant, the dress code is Resort Casual. We kindly request no pool wear.

Top review

Joakim

Dined on Sep 3, 2024

Great service great atmosphere and delish food :) went for anniversary and was a lovely experience

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