Diners' Choice: Best Ambiance restaurants in San Luis Obispo / Paso Robles

OpenTable

Updated November 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants with the best ambiance in San Luis Obispo / Paso Robles? 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!

Alex Madonna’s Gold Rush Steak House, at Madonna Inn

4.7

4.7 (4497)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

San Luis Obispo

About the restaurant

Enjoy an award winning dining experience in our world-famous pink and gold Steak House - offering a comfortable and opulent dining atmosphere. Indulge in a delicious oak-pit-barbecued steak, fresh seafood, chicken, or vegetarian entrees. Featuring a superb wine list, decadent world-famous desserts and a whimsical, European atmosphere. Boutique shopping makes for a fun experience before or after you dine with us.

Top review

Jeffrey

Dined 1 day ago

The dining room was beautifully decorated for the holidays. The service and food were wonderful and our guests had a memorable experience.

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AronHill Vineyards Bistro & Tasting Room

4.8

4.8 (315)

$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

Maria

Dined on Nov 19, 2024

this was our first time visiting we had a great time food was very good and our service was great we will be back

Granada Bistro

4.6

4.6 (1185)

$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

owen

Dined 5 days ago

Very nice! Good vibes. Bread could have been included.

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4.8

4.8 (1635)

$31 to $50

Peruvian

San Luis Obispo

About the restaurant

The word Mistura brings together the essence of Peru, a vision of its people and cuisine, a wondrous blend of cultures of priceless heritage. Our Mistura is a modern Peruvian restaurant that is as lively as the country and biodiversity it celebrates. Mistura captures the multicultural spirit of Peru, combining its native Incan and Pre-Columbian culinary heritage with the Italian, Spanish, Japanese, and Chinese influences that embody the country's flavorful cuisine. Mistura is an authentic tribute to the diversity of Peruvian food, proposing familiar yet unexpected and adventurous flavors.

Top review

Lucy

Dined on Oct 29, 2024

Mistura was of the best Peruvian restaurants I have ever been - Including the places I ate in Lima Peru. Excellent service, Awesome food

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Experience

Chef's Table

Barley & Boar

4.9

4.9 (236)

$31 to $50

Distillery

Atascadero

About the restaurant

Barley & Boar is a cozy boutique pub located in downtown Atascadero. We distill our own liquor, brew our own beer, and craft our own delicious fare from fresh and local ingredients. Dinner is full service, and our bar is open until midnight.

Join us monthly as we change our menu to showcase what’s in season.

Top review

Serenity

Dined 3 days ago

Celebrated my husband’s birthday at Barley and Boar. It was our first time and we loved it! The food and service was exceptional. Love that they have a delicious vegetarian option! So refreshing in north county. We will definitely return!

Cafe Roma - San Luis Obispo

4.7

4.7 (1739)

$31 to $50

Italian

San Luis Obispo

About the restaurant

For over four decades, the Rizzo family has been serving authentic Italian cuisine in San Luis Obispo. At Café Roma, you can indulge in homemade pastas, wood-fired pizza, and fresh seafood. Don't miss classic dishes like Osso Buco with Saffron Risotto, shortrib pappardelle, and Bistecca alla Fiorentina.

Inside Café Roma and you'll feel like you've been transported to Italy. From the vintage Italian bike hanging above the bar to the Murano glass chandeliers and Tuscan murals, every detail has been thoughtfully curated to celebrate Italian culture.

Pair your meal with one of the many wines on Café Roma's extensive list, which changes monthly to include new and exciting Central Coast and Italian finds.

Café Roma is a popular destination for locals, vintners, families, travelers, and professionals alike. Whether you're looking for a romantic date night spot or a gathering place for friends and family, you'll find it here.

Top review

Sydney

Dined 5 days ago

The food was wonderful as was the service. Will be retiring before next Thanksgiving!

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Gardens of Avila Restaurant

4.8

4.8 (938)

$31 to $50

Californian

San Luis Obispo

About the restaurant

The Gardens Restaurant at Sycamore Mineral Springs Resort, a favorite spot for locals as well as travelers, is situated in a beautiful garden setting in the Avila Valley. Savor the flavors of the award-winning contemporary California cuisine inspired by the surrounding local wine country.

Top review

Kirstin

Dined on Nov 25, 2024

Great food and service. Love the location. Check out the Secret Garden on property.

Bear & The Wren

4.8

4.8 (137)

$31 to $50

Pizzeria

San Luis Obispo

About the restaurant

A kindly-crafted wood fired eatery combining modern style with an aged finish. Located at The Creamery Marketplace, tucked behind the intersection of Higuera and Nipomo Streets, we offer an experience unlike any other. Our open-concept kitchen boasts an impressive wood fired oven were we craft hand-made Neapolitan style pizzas to order. Soft lighting, low music, and a relaxed atmosphere can be found throughout our indoor dining space. Garage style doors roll up to reveal outdoor dining on our bricked patio where heaters warm up the cooler months and an upbeat, lively feeling resonates throughout the spring and summer seasons. Full service is available at the bar, seating is first come, first serve. We welcome you to join us for dinner, Tuesday-Saturday from 4-10pm.

Please Note: Our seating is a mix of tall tables with barstool style seating, as well as standard height tables with traditional chairs. Our outdoor patio also includes two large tables with bench style seating.

Top review

Aileen

Dined 3 days ago

Awesome food and service. If you appreciate both Napolitano and Detroit styles of pizza this is your spot!

Ciao Papi

4.4

4.4 (44)

$30 and under

American

Paso Robles

About the restaurant

Drenched in sunshine and style, Ciao Papi is a poolside restaurant + cocktail bar at the swankified River Lodge hotel in Paso Robles wine country. The California-Italian kitchen serves up all-day eats + drinks designed by the culinary team behind the beloved Bistro + Nightcap at Granada Hotel in San Luis Obispo.

Always al-fresco. Open to the public.

Top review

Courtney

Dined 6 days ago

Food was amazing. Ambiance was great. The staff was super nice! Loved the non-alcoholic cocktails!

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Experience

Apéro

Cielo

4.5

4.5 (541)

$31 to $50

Italian

Atascadero

About the restaurant

Cielo Ristorante is an Italian-inspired concept located in the heart if Atascadero. We have curated a distinct menu showcasing Italian dishes with a modern twist. We are the perfect place to come and enjoy with your loved ones.

Top review

John

Dined 6 days ago

The menu was not overwhelming, but with interesting choices. The food was excellent with perfect portions. The ambiance and layout of the restaurant made for comfortable conversation within our group. Our waitress was great with knowledge of the menu, describing the food and how it is prepared and offering suggestions when we asked. For Atascadero and SLO County, this is a very nice addition to to that "Step Above" dining experience. Don't miss checking out the outdoor Rooftop Lounge with the view of the old City Hall and Sunken Gardens.

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