Diners' Choice: Best Value restaurants in California Central Coast

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for the best value restaurants 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!

La Mia Cucina

4.8

4.8 (1055)

$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

Susie

Dined 6 days ago

Love going to La Mia Cucina and seeing Paula and Michael!! They are the absolute best and the food is amazing!! We always feel like family and right at home!! ♥️♥️

Petros Restaurant at Petros Winery

4.9

4.9 (1012)

$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

DMVIP

Dined on Jun 6, 2025

It was about the food. The first time after many that we were disappointed in the food. My octopus was excellent as were the accompanying beets. However, my husband’s chicken pita was not. Chicken was very dry on a pita with a slice Of tomato and some Tzatziki (on the side which was tasty) perhaps an addition of hummus would be a thought for this flavorless sandwich. He thought he’d order something different than his usual Greek meatballs with mash but he was very disappointed ☹️

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4.9

4.9 (129)

$50 and over

French

Los Alamos

About the restaurant

Based in Los Alamos, CA, Bell’s is a French-inspired bistro from Per Se alums Daisy and Greg Ryan. Earning one Michelin Star since 2021 as well as Food & Wine Best New Chef, and Esquire’s Best New Restaurants and James Beard nominations for Best Chef California and Outstanding Restauranteurs. Bell's is a reimagined bistro fare with eclectic wine selections from independent local producers and select European estates.

LUNCH is served from 11:00am - 3:00pm, Thurs - Mon.
Walk-ins welcomed

PRIX FIXE DINNER is reservation only, from 5:00 - 8:30pm, Thursday - Monday.
Dinner is $110, menu price does not include SERVICE FEE AND TAX.

On Thursdays, we will be offering L'EXPRESS DINNER MENU an abbreviated menu (salad and bread course, choice of entree, choice of dessert) for $65/pp - both menus will be offered those nights so no need to make a note, just book as you normally would.

On Monday evenings all wines over $60 are half price!
Please note the number below is TEXT ONLY

Top review

Peggy

Dined 2 days ago

Ericka was our server and she took such good care of us during our lunch. Thank you!

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Experience

Prix Fixe Dinner Menu - Dining Room

Experience

Prix Fixe Dinner Menu - Outside Patio Dining

Experience

Prix Fixe Dinner Menu - Counter Seats

Japanese Restaurant Goshi

5.0

5 (551)

$30 and under

Japanese

San Luis Obispo

About the restaurant

Located in the heart of San Luis Obispo downtown, serving authentic Japanese food starting from Sushi and traditional tei-shoku. Don't forget to enjoy soothing sake and Japanese beer!

Top review

Steven

Dined on May 25, 2025

Great food and service . Always a wonderful experience

Mezzaluna Pasteria & Mozzarella Bar - Pacific Grove

4.9

4.9 (1418)

$30 and under

Italian

Pacific Grove

About the restaurant

We are currently open for dine-in and outdoor heated sidewalk/patio.
We are always available for curbside pickup.
Welcome to Mezzaluna Pasteria and Mozzarella Bar. Chef Soerke and Amy invite you in to enjoy daily house made Pasta, Mozzarella and Gelato.
We offer a full bar with specialty cocktails.
Chef’s Specialties include
Buccatini Al’Amatriciana
Linguini alla Vongole
Chicken Sausage Lasagne
Spaghetti Carbonara
Grilled Octopus
Lamb Meatballs
House-made Charcuterie
Gnocchi with Gorgonzola Dolce Sauce & Black Truffle Oil
Little Gem Caesar Salad with Parmigiano Reggiano
Raviloi di Manzo
Pate di Anatra

Top review

AdamVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Best pasta we’ve had on the Monterey Peninsula. Started with the salumi plate, which was in itself great. The selection of Italian salumi was the best I’ve seen outside of Tuscany. Friendly and engaging staff, from the servers to the manager. Cannot believe we had not visited Mezzaluna sooner!

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Popular dish

Rigatoni alla Buttera

Popular dish

Spaghetti alla Carbonara

Popular dish

Ravioli di Spinaci

Edgar's - Quail Lodge

4.7

4.7 (279)

$31 to $50

Californian

Carmel Valley

About the restaurant

Fresh Ingredients. Distinctively Local.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Savor all of the flavors of the fresh ingredients harvested from local organic farms that are hand selected by Chef Goran Basarov and exquisitely prepared by his culinary team into the savory dishes available on our new menus.

Weekend Specials: Lasagna Friday - Beef Wellington Saturday - Prime Rib Sunday

Set in the Clubhouse of The Quail Golf Club, our Carmel, CA restaurant, Edgar's, features a casual elegance with its indoor and outdoor fireside dining located alongside the natural backdrop of the driving range and Santa Lucia Mountains. Please join us at Edgar's to enjoy finely prepared fresh ingredients every day.

For reservations for parties of 9+ guests please call us at (831)620-8910

Top review

kathyVIP

Dined 7 days ago

We live in Quail and are so very happy to once again have Edgars open for dinner. The food is outstandingly prepared and the menu delivers great value. For us it was so much fun to see many friends and neighbors here. Service is upbeat and attentive and when the restaurant is busy it’s not fair to expect 15 minute turnaround times, enjoy a cocktail/mocktail or wine, an appetizer and be patient for great food. Our chef is outstanding!

Brothers Restaurant at Red Barn

5.0

5 (1414)

$31 to $50

American

Santa Ynez Valley

About the restaurant

The Nichols brothers, Matt & Jeff, grew up in Ames, Iowa where their love of cooking, good food and a sense of family and community was nurtured.

The 2013 opening of their second Santa Barbara Wine Country restaurant, Brothers Restaurant at the Red Barn in Santa Ynez, allows them to offer visitors and locals alike great food, wine and hospitality. The brothers strive to have legendary service, innovative cuisine, and a welcoming and comfortable atmosphere that causes you to return time and again.

As chefs, the brothers continue to experiment with new dishes and cuisine, but always with that “from scratch”, homemade element. Fresh ingredients from local producers, a wine list that showcases the region’s award-winning wines and a comfortable and historically interesting atmosphere that takes you back to the romance of the old west. They want you to feel at home, and experience all the best of Santa Barbara’s Wine Country.

Top review

Kristen

Dined 1 day ago

Amazing food and amazing staff. We love coming here.

Bear & The Wren

4.8

4.8 (171)

$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

JenniferVIP

Dined on Jun 6, 2025

Good food. Great service and loved the overall vibe.

Na Na Thai

4.9

4.9 (33)

$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

Natasha

Dined on May 29, 2025

The food was incredible and so fresh! Every single dish was outstanding, especially the yellow curry and fried rice of the day!

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Experience

Thai Family Style

AronHill Vineyards Bistro & Tasting Room

4.8

4.8 (343)

$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

JolenVIP

Dined on Jun 1, 2025

This little boutique winery is amazing. The food was so good and view was beautiful. Loved every wine we tasted. We will definitely go back there.

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