Diners' Choice: Best Ambiance restaurants in California Central Coast

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

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!

Stonehouse at San Ysidro Ranch

4.9

4.9 (2804)

$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

LORIVIP

Dined today

Perfection! From the cocktails to the vast wine list to the incredible food!! Service was impeccable!

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Experience

Champagne Brunch

Experience

Étienne de Montille Wine Dinner

Olivella - Ojai Valley Inn

4.8

4.8 (503)

$50 and over

Californian

Ojai

About the restaurant

Ojai Valley Inn’s signature dinner restaurant, Olivella, holds the Forbes Travel Guide Five 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 $150/ 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

LeslieVIP

Dined 6 days ago

Was able to sit n the lovely patio and enjoy the tasting menu. So many innovative and tasty dishes to choose from! Everything was relaxed and delicious!

Le Soufflé

5.0

5 (479)

$50 and over

French

Carmel

About the restaurant

**LUNCH ONLY MONDAY-FRIDAY STARTING AT 11:30AM- CLOSED SAT/SUN (CLOSED JUNE 23-JULY 4)**
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

MurrayVIP

Dined on Jun 9, 2025

Outstanding skill to create such delicious food. We will be back again and again.

Petros Restaurant at Petros Winery

4.9

4.9 (1020)

$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 and oregano from Greece, the freshest organic vegetables from our farms in Los Olivos and wineries of our great state. Come enjoy lunch, dinner and wine indoors or on our beautiful patio. We can also host your next event!

Top review

WendyVIP

Dined 4 days ago

The food, wine, service, and ambience is always spectacular!

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4.9

4.9 (1063)

$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

RonVIP

Dined 5 days ago

A wonderful restaurant with gracious hosts and staff.

Coastal Kitchen Monterey

4.7

4.7 (358)

$50 and over

Farm-to-table

Monterey

About the restaurant

NOW SERVING SUNDAY BRUNCH!!

The Coastal Kitchen Monterey is an idyllic setting to enjoy inspirational fine dining. The culinary efforts are on display in the show kitchen and the service team is poised to offer impassioned explanations.

Chef Michael Rotondo’s multi-coursed tasting menu focuses on sustainability and celebrates the bounty of the Monterey Bay and Central Coast. A wine pairing of thoughtfully curated wines selected by the Sommelier team is available to complement each captivating course.

Additionally, we are also offering our Champagne Brunch on Sundays for 10am to 2pm.

Dinner Menus: Multiple Course Tasting Menu starts at $145 per person (Tuesday to Saturday Evenings)
3 Course Prix Fixe Menu $85 ( Tuesday to Thursday evenings)
Champagne Brunch Prix Fixe Menu: $75 per person (Sundays from 10am to 2pm)
Reservation Cancellation Policy: 24 Hours Prior to Reservation Time
Late Cancellation Fee: $50 per guest cancelation.

Top review

GilVIP

Dined 5 days ago

The extravagant 5-course tasting menu expertly paired with wine was one of the best meals we’ve had!

Bar Le Côte

4.9

4.9 (85)

$31 to $50

Seafood

Los Olivos

About the restaurant

Bar Le Côte is a stylish seafood tavern located in Los Olivos, California. Inspired by the daily catch of the Central Coast and the modern cuisine of Europe’s seaside capitals, our team prepares thoughtful maritime fare in a casual, social atmosphere.

We have very limited patio seating and do not allow dogs to dine indoors. If you would like to reserve an outdoor table please email us at info@barlecote.com and we will do our best to accommodate your request.

We hold a portion of our tables for walk-ins, however we do recommend a reservation to guarantee being seated. We give all reservations a 15 minute grace period before being released to other guests. Thank you for your understanding!

* Please note that ride shares and taxis can be hard to come by in the valley, especially later in the evening. We will always do our best to assist in getting you a ride, but please plan accordingly *

Top review

EllenVIP

Dined 5 days ago

We love Bar Le Cote! The food is always over the top delicious! Great wine and the service was fantastic! We celebrated our anniversary and they were all so nice and welcoming. Bar Le Cote is a gem in Los Olivos!

Na Na Thai

4.9

4.9 (37)

$30 and under

Thai

Buellton

About the restaurant

A Taste of Bangkok in the Heart of California.
A vibrant restaurant in Buellton, California, inspired by the owners' time living in Thailand. The menu features a diverse selection of elevated street food dishes.
Step inside and be transported to a lively atmosphere. The colorful decor and friendly staff create a welcoming ambiance.
Start your culinary journey with a selection of small plates, like the crispy lumpia, filled with curried beef, or the light and flavorful por pia tofu spring roll, bursting with fresh vegetables and herbs. For a main course, indulge in the pad thai, a classic dish elevated with perfectly grilled shrimp and a symphony of textures. The daily changing fried rice is a show stopper!
Na Na Thai's commitment to authentic flavors extends to their use of locally sourced ingredients. They work closely with farmers and ranchers to ensure the freshest, highest-quality produce and meats.

Top review

Gerald

Dined 7 days ago

As always, an outstanding meal from NaNa Thai! Everything was great from the service to the delicious food!

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Experience

ASHKAHN WINES by the glass takeover!

Experience

Thai Family Style

Experience

August Omakase Dinner

The Oak - Ojai Valley Inn

4.7

4.7 (740)

$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

MiriamVIP

Dined 5 days ago

Beautiful setting and ambiance, varied menu, delicious food, friendly staff. Will return and recommend to others.

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Experience

The Oak- Sunday Bluegrass Brunch

Experience

The Oak - Thanksgiving 2025

Granada Bistro

4.4

4.4 (1229)

$31 to $50

Californian

San Luis Obispo

About the restaurant

The heart and inspiration for Granada is the beloved and pre-existing Granada Bistro. This space has been renovated and re-imagined in industrial chic design, serving seasonal, farm-to-table ingredients sourced from Central Coast farmers and purveyors. Dishes inspired by Mediterranean culture, French and Spanish cuisine. Small plates, charcuterie and the freshest local seafood, meats, and produce are complemented by an eclectic wine list including Spanish and French selections, and a range of the Central Coast’s finest artisan wine producers.

Top review

Rylie

Dined 2 days ago

The cutest little patio with heaters outside. The food was excellent- I wish the menu had a little more pizzazz to the flavors and choices with a little more adventure. The service was lackluster and our waitress was a tad melancholy. Overall though I do love Granada one of my favorite in SLO

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