The Black Cat - Cambria

Name: The Black Cat - Cambria
Address: 1602 Main St, Cambria, CA, United States, 93428
Telephone: (805) 927-1600
Price range: $30 and under
Rating: 4.6

4.6

563 Reviews

$30 and under

Californian

Top Tags:

Open since July 4th, 2002, Black Cat Bistro is known for serving Innovative Farm Fresh Fare. The menu changes often as Black Cat Bistro consistently strives to present fare that is reflective of seasonal, local produce and organically raised or sustainable product.The food is especially cognizant of wine pairings to electrify the palate. The Black Cat has received the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence for nine years in a row.

Black Cat Bistro is small with 45 seats and this is part of what makes it such an intimate dining experience. The service is attentive, unpretentious and refined. The dining rooms are decorated in soothing colors and fabrics. Down pillowed benches frame the edges of two of the three rooms. Candle light adorns the tables covered with white linen. Food is served on white china and wine in crystal Riedel stemware.

Make a reservation

Party Size

2 people

DateTime

Sep 21, 2023

7:00 PM

Booked 5 times today

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Cuisines
Californian, Contemporary American, Contemporary French / American
Hours of operation
Dinner Daily 5:00 pm–9:00 pm
Phone number
(805) 927-1600
Website
http://www.blackcatbistro.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress
Executive chef
Mauricio Lopez & Joel Magana
Catering
From an office party to an at-home celebration, we can help with your next event. Please fill out the form below and we’ll be in touch soon ! https://www.blackcatbistro.com/catering/
Private party facilities
For all inquiries, please fill out the form below and we’ll be in touch soon. https://www.blackcatbistro.com/private-events/

Location
1602 Main St, Cambria, CA 93428
Neighborhood
Cambria
Parking details
Public Lot
Additional
Beer, Corkage Fee, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, High Tea, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Popular dishes

Fried Green Olives$8.00
stuffed with gorgonzola
Crispy Brussel Sprouts$12.00
blue cheese, roasted beet vinaigrette, spiced walnuts
Cheese Plate$12.00
please ask your server
Gnocchi$13.00
Shiitake, cremini, martini cream, radicchio, asiago, sage. Wine suggestion: Pinot Noir
Morro Bay Rock Crab Lollipops$16.00
Corn pudding, tomatillo cream, micro cilantro. Wine suggestion: Chardonnay
Paso Robles Pork Belly$13.00
Gigandes beans, date apple mustard glaze, thyme. Wine suggestion: Garnacha
Local Quail$14.00
Radicchio, apple, pomegranate molasses. Wine suggestion: Red Blend
Cayucos Abalone$18.00
Potato, hazelnut, grapefruit vanilla beurre, sea salt. Wine suggestion: Brut Champagne

Salads

Arugula$12.00
strawberries, green apple, candied walnuts, goat cheese, shallot & beet vinaigrette, balsamic reduction
Lightly Seared Romaine$10.00
lemon Caesar, asiago, bacon jam toast

Soup

Soup du Jour$10.00
New England Clam Chowder$11.00
Award winning.

Vegetarian

Baked Polenta$23.00
Eggplant, red chard, chevre, asiago, mozzarella, tomato coulis, pinenut, shiitake, sage. Wine suggestion: Rosé
Strozzapreti Pasta$22.00
Arugula, cauliflower, broccoli currants, garlic cream, asiago, pinenuts, mint. Wine suggestion: Chardonnay
- Add Shrimp or Scallops$32.00

Fish & Seafood

Wild Catch Salmon$31.00
Grilled, mashed potatoes, heirloom cauliflower, sake-miso beurre blanc. Wine suggestion: Sauvignon Blanc
Sea Scallops$30.00
Corn pudding, tomatillo cream, mushrooms, cilantro, brown butter. Wine suggestion: White Blend
Shrimp Scampi$28.00
Jumbo shrimp, roasted bell pepper, tomato, scallions, capers, jasmine rice, sautéed vegetables. Wine suggestion: Chardonnay
Rare Seared Albacore Tuna$29.00
Jasmine rice, Vietnamese cucumber slaw, shiitakes, ginger wasabi cream, shallots, peanuts, cilantro. Wine suggestion: Rosé
Chipotle Shrimp Linguini$29.00
Wood fisheries shrimp, corn, tomatoes, scallions, cilantro, asiago, chipotle corn cream. wine suggestion: Pinot Grigio

Meat & Fowl

Maple Leaf Duck Breast$32.00
Mushroom red wine barley risotto, baby bok choy, cherry duck jus, thyme. Wine suggestion: Pinot Noir
Rack of Lamb$36.00
Chevre carrot puree, heirloom cauliflower succotash, pomegranate reduction. Wine suggestion: Cabernet Sauvignon
Braised Lamb Shank$35.00
Pearl couscous, currants, cinnamon, kale. Wine suggestion: Red Blend
12 Ounce Rib-Eye$42.00
Quinoa, corn, cilantro, green onion, black bean sambal butter. Fat is an integral part of the flavor of this cut. Wine suggestion: Syrah
Flat Iron Steak$30.00
Rice croquettes, agave mango salad, mango sauce. Wine suggestion: Zinfandel
Fontina Pancetta$32.00
Sage stuffed pork chop, celery root puree, Brussels sprout, coffee ancho glaze. Wine suggestion: Cabernet Sauvignon
Chicken Piccata$28.00
Roasted red bell peppers, capers, scallions, with a meyer lemon cream sauce, jasmine rice, crispy kale. Wine suggestion: Red Blend

What 563 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.6

4.6 based on recent ratings

4.5Food
4.7Service
4.4Ambience
4.3Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

San Luis Obispo / Paso Robles
Best Service
San Luis Obispo / Paso Robles
Innovative
San Luis Obispo / Paso Robles
Healthy
San Luis Obispo / Paso Robles
Great for fine wines
San Luis Obispo / Paso Robles
Romantic
San Luis Obispo / Paso Robles
Good for special occasions

563 Reviews

BS
BenS
Los Angeles
21 reviews
vip
5.0
21 reviews
Dined 4 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
Really nice restaurant for a late night meal. The restaurant had a romantic feel, the food was delicious, and the wine list highlights the local wines of the area. We enjoyed the gnocchi, chowder, shrimp scampi, and scallops. We would definitely come back on a return visit. Thank you!
Is this helpful?
JS
JimS
Los Angeles
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on September 13, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Every time we go here it is always fantastic! We will continue to come back because we can count on a great experience.
Is this helpful?
GG
GillesG
San Francisco
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on September 9, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Excellent restaurant, qui propose des plats raffinés et délicieux ; le service est impeccable, atmosphère tranquille et cosy : bravo !
1 person found this helpful
J
Jenn
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on September 9, 2023
overall3food4service4ambience2
The service was friendly and the food was good. They don't have a good wine selection. The shrimp appetizer wad just ok. The mixed vegetables were ordinary. The Ribeye steak and Salmon were perfectly cooked. The restaurant itself is dirty and unmaintained so that was a little off putting. There was quite a bit of noise and chitchat coming from the bar/kitchen area.
Is this helpful?
SC
SCLosAngeles
Los Angeles
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on September 6, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Just so wonderful— quiet, cozy, delicious food and wine
Is this helpful?
UN
UyenN
Los Angeles
12 reviews
vip
4.0
12 reviews
Dined on September 4, 2023
overall4food3service4ambience4
The services were incredible as well as the ambience. The food wasn’t as good as a year ago when we were there in July 2022. The scallops were way over cooked.
Is this helpful?
4
4321
Phoenix
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on August 28, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience4
The scallops with their delicious corn pudding are the best!
Is this helpful?
DS
DonnaS
Los Angeles
7 reviews
5.0
7 reviews
Dined on August 24, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Our first dinner at The Black Cat was excellent. This restaurant is a little more upscale that most in Cambria, but not stuffy and casual cloths are fine. We didn't look in the back room or bar area, but the front dining area had 4 or 5 tables nicely spaced and there is a second room in the front that we didn't look into. Service was friendly and attentive. Our food was excellent! It has only been under this new owner for a couple of years. We will definitely dine here the next time we are in Cambria.
Is this helpful?
ME
MichaelE
Miami
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on August 18, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
A quaint restaurant, especially for a quiet romantic dinner. Servers were friendly and knowledgeable, but not intrusive. Great quality meal at a reasonable price. Definitely recommend.
Is this helpful?
GB
GinnyB205
Washington DC
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on August 17, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Delicious food .Easy to locate.comfortable with great service
Is this helpful?
A
Anitah
Los Angeles
5 reviews
3.0
5 reviews
Dined on August 16, 2023
overall3food2service4ambience2
We were disappointed with the ahi tuna. It was not seared. It was pale white. The plate lacked color (white rice and white tuna). Salad was good and waiter was very friendly. However our disappointment in the food will not have us returning or recommending this restaurant.
Is this helpful?
D
Doctall
Dallas
10 reviews
4.0
10 reviews
Dined on August 16, 2023
overall4food4service4ambience4
Overall, the food was very good. The main strange thing that I experienced was that I ordered the chicken piccata, and one of the main ingredients of a chicken piccata is capers, but mine only had one caper. one paper. I thought that was a little bit strange. Other than that the dinner was very nice. The desserts were very good. We come from Texas to the central coast area and always take a trip to Cambria for the black cat. You might want to pay more attention to the number of capers in the chicken piccata. I would welcome a response from the black cat about that.
Is this helpful?
F
Fussyfoodiecouple
Los Angeles
17 reviews
vip
5.0
17 reviews
Dined on August 14, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience4
Food was delicious, server attentive. Our fruit tart was one of the best we’ve had, period.
Is this helpful?
MA
MARVIN
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on August 9, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Food, wine, and service were excellent. A bit pricey, but nothing outrageous. We are locals, and this is where we go when we wish to give ourselves a treat, or take friends who are visiting.
Is this helpful?
MR
MichaelR
Las Vegas
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on August 8, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience4
Exceptional food and service! We should have made a reservation here sooner!
Is this helpful?
RW
RobertW
Los Angeles
6 reviews
5.0
6 reviews
Dined on August 3, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
We first dined at The Black Cat July 31, 2002, and immediately loved it. Still true. I had grilled halibut with vanilla grapefruit beurre blanc with jasmine rice and grilled vegetables. Imaginative and delicious. Dessert - pot au creme chocolat with sea salt caramel topping, Chantilly whipped cream accompanied by a chocolate dipped shortbread cookie, washed down with Dusi port of zinfandel and coffee. Can't imagine anything better.
Is this helpful?
P
Pescatarian
Central Coast
63 reviews
vip
5.0
63 reviews
Dined on August 2, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience3
Good food, excellent service, and pleasant surroundings.
Is this helpful?
CH
CaryH
Central Coast
2 reviews
vip
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on July 30, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Outstanding food,service, and atmosphere! Always a pleasure dining at this establishment.
Is this helpful?
GA
GAMT
Los Angeles
10 reviews
vip
5.0
10 reviews
Dined on July 23, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Outstanding meal (trout special), excellent service, delightful ambiance!
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on July 18, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Absolutely delicious & perfectly grilled salmon! Opted for dessert instead of salad and loved their version of sticky toffee pudding. Very friendly service. I’ll return next time I’m in the area!
Is this helpful?
BM
BarryM
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on July 16, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience4
cool little spot. find was great as was the service. will be back
Is this helpful?
JB
JohnB
Central Coast
7 reviews
vip
4.0
7 reviews
Dined on July 14, 2023
overall4food4service5ambience5
Very good service and good food. It’s a very cute little place and I would go again. The Brussel sprouts were especially amazing!
Is this helpful?
MF
MatthewF
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on July 9, 2023
overall4food5service4ambience4
Great food. Friendly staff. Would recommend to anyone looking for a nice night out in Cambria. Place could be dusted a bit. Wish they had cocktails too.
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
Los Angeles
10 reviews
vip
4.0
10 reviews
Dined on July 1, 2023
overall4food3service5ambience3
Very old home turned into restaurant. So the atmosphere was very fun. However, my window looked out onto a trashy dumpy area at the side of the house. The food was good I would go back.
Is this helpful?
H
Hawkeye
San Francisco
27 reviews
4.0
27 reviews
Dined on July 1, 2023
overall4food5service4ambience4
A very quiet evening with a small number of diners. Service was good. It was the food that made the evening exceptional.
Is this helpful?
C
Cynthia
Washington DC
16 reviews
vip
4.0
16 reviews
Dined on June 24, 2023
overall4food4service5ambience5
We had a nice dinner at The Black Cat on our first day in Cambria, California. We enjoyed the crispy brussels sprouts appetizer. It came with blue cheese and a balsamic vinaigrette, which was delicious. My husband enjoyed his duck entree. He said it was cooked just right, not dry. I ordered the sea scallops. They were the tiny scallops, not the jumbo scallops so they were not as tasty or juicy as jumbo scallops are. Everything else that came with it was good.
Is this helpful?
MH
MHBinSF
San Francisco
30 reviews
vip
4.0
30 reviews
Dined on June 21, 2023
overall4food4service3ambience3
I got the feeling from ads and reviews that this was a high-end place (well, for Cambria) but it seemed average to me. The food was good but not exceptional. The server could've been more attentive.
Is this helpful?
KM
KimM
Orange County
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on June 19, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
All the food was fantastic, our waitress gave us great service and was fun to talk to, and we loved the whole experience. We’ll definitely be back!
Is this helpful?
BC
BillC
Los Angeles
3 reviews
3.0
3 reviews
Dined on June 16, 2023
overall3food2service3ambience3
They do not know how to cook a piece of fish. We ordered sea bass. The table next to us did also. The table next to us sent their sea bass back and then got salmon. They said the salmon was so over cooked it was inedible. When we got our sea bass it was so dry and over cooked.
Is this helpful?
DP
DonaldP
Washington DC
6 reviews
5.0
6 reviews
Dined on June 16, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience4
Excellent food. Very accommodating as my wife has a gluten allergy and her dish was exceptional. A must try restaurant when in Cambria!
Is this helpful?
GL
GeneL
San Francisco
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on June 16, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Once again, a great dining experience. Each or our meals (Salmon, Chicken Piccata, Sea Bass and Scampi) were flavorful, cooked to perfection and served at the same time. Service was great. Though the restaurant was full even on a mid-week night, we could easily converse at a comfortable level.
Is this helpful?
KO
KimberlyO
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on June 14, 2023
overall4food4service4ambience4
The Black Cat is a charming restaurant. They have a very nice wine selection from the surrounding vineyards. The food was very good and the service was spot on.
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
Los Angeles
4 reviews
4.0
4 reviews
Dined on June 13, 2023
overall4food4service4ambience5
Great service, friendly people. We went on a Monday night so there weren’t many diners. I love the name of the place. Food is good but my scallops entree could use more contrast in flavor or texture but otherwise fresh and flavorful. Brussels sprouts appetizer is amazing. Overall I wasn’t expecting something this good in a small town like this so kudos to the chef and staff.
Is this helpful?
R
Reid
Los Angeles
7 reviews
5.0
7 reviews
Dined on June 12, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience4
Our dinner was our first at The Black Cat. It was absolutely Delicious! We were delighted with the service. Older sister was training the younger brother and they were bot attentive. I will recommend a visit to everyone going to Cambria. Thanks. Reid
Is this helpful?
TK
TomKat
Las Vegas
25 reviews
vip
5.0
25 reviews
Dined on June 12, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
What a wonderful last evening of our much needed respite in beautiful Cambria. Everything about our experience at this wonderful jewel of Cambria was five star. The ambience was warm and inviting, the service impeccable (responsive, attentive, knowledgeable, engaging and friendly) and the food was fabulous! Everything we ordered was prepared to perfection. You can't go wrong with an evening at the Black Cat.
Is this helpful?
JK
JosephK
San Francisco
2 reviews
4.0
2 reviews
Dined on June 9, 2023
overall4food5service4ambience4
Great food! We try to eat at the Black Cat when we are in the area.
Is this helpful?
CC
ConnieC
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on June 8, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Meal was amazing, along with excellent service. Will definitely go there again next time we are in Cambria . My second time eating there.
Is this helpful?
PD
PaulD
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on June 8, 2023
overall4food4service5ambience4
The food was really good. The gnocchi left me craving it for days. Do not miss out on the Brussel sprouts! How so many unexpected ingredients could come together into something irresistibly delicious is beyond me but we’re glad we gave them a shot. The flat iron steak was good but not amazing. The staff were great too. One complaint was the spider webs in the corner of the room where we sat. Spent our whole meal watching spiders come and go from behind the seat cushions and hoping they didn’t decide to crawl onto us. Dessert servings were generous and loved by everyone in the room. It’s a small place but thankfully the other diners were respectful of the sound level. One loud table would ruin it for everyone. Definitely not a place for small or antsy children. We’d go back but be more choosy about the seating to avoid another dinner with spiders behind our backs.
Is this helpful?
MG
MarkG
Sacramento
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on May 31, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
We went the week after Memorial Day. It was quiet. We were the only ones in the restaurant for about an hour. It was fabulous. Loved the server. Loved the food. Loved the wine. Loved the music. Two thumbs up.
Is this helpful?
BR
BrianR
Sacramento
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on May 28, 2023
overall5food5service4ambience5
Another wonderful meal at the Black Cat!
Is this helpful?

FAQs

The Black Cat - Cambria is rated 4.6 stars by 563 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

Party Size

2 people

DateTime

Sep 21, 2023

7:00 PM

Booked 5 times today

1602 Main St, Cambria, CA 93428

Additional information

Neighborhood
Cambria
Hours of operation
Dinner Daily 5:00 pm–9:00 pm
Cuisines
Californian, Contemporary American, Contemporary French / American
Dining style
Casual Dining
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
Public Lot
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Executive chef
Mauricio Lopez & Joel Magana
Additional
Beer, Corkage Fee, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, High Tea, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
http://www.blackcatbistro.com/
Phone number
(805) 927-1600
Catering
From an office party to an at-home celebration, we can help with your next event. Please fill out the form below and we’ll be in touch soon ! https://www.blackcatbistro.com/catering/
Private party facilities
For all inquiries, please fill out the form below and we’ll be in touch soon. https://www.blackcatbistro.com/private-events/

The Black Cat - Cambria

Make a reservation

Additional information

Chicken Piccata

Shrimp Scampi

Sea Scallops

Appetizers

Fried Green Olives$8.00

Crispy Brussel Sprouts$12.00

Cheese Plate$12.00

Gnocchi$13.00

Morro Bay Rock Crab Lollipops$16.00

Paso Robles Pork Belly$13.00

Local Quail$14.00

Cayucos Abalone$18.00

Salads

Arugula$12.00

Lightly Seared Romaine$10.00

Soup

Soup du Jour$10.00

New England Clam Chowder$11.00

Vegetarian

Baked Polenta$23.00

Strozzapreti Pasta$22.00

Fish & Seafood

Wild Catch Salmon$31.00

Sea Scallops$30.00

Shrimp Scampi$28.00

Rare Seared Albacore Tuna$29.00

Chipotle Shrimp Linguini$29.00

Meat & Fowl

Maple Leaf Duck Breast$32.00

Rack of Lamb$36.00

Braised Lamb Shank$35.00

12 Ounce Rib-Eye$42.00

Flat Iron Steak$30.00

Fontina Pancetta$32.00

Chicken Piccata$28.00

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

FAQs

How is The Black Cat - Cambria restaurant rated?

Is The Black Cat - Cambria currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Additional information