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Diners' Choice: Most Booked restaurants in California Central Coast

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for the most booked restaurants in California Central Coast? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 500,000 new global diner reviews from the past month. We sort the results by location 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!

A photo of OKU restaurant

4.8

4.8 (1860)

$31 to $50

Asian

Santa Barbara

About the restaurant

Tina Takaya, proprietor, welcomes you to our newest two story restaurant on the water. We feel the key to success is our passion for creating the highest quality food and warm friendly service.

We hope you will enjoy your experience as much as we enjoyed creating it for you.
"We want Locals to feel like Family and Visitors to feel like Locals"

Our menu draws from Asian favorites that inspire and excite such as Wagyu Steak, Japanese Sushi, Chinese Dumplings, Garlic Noodles and fresh local seafood.

We are located in the heart of Santa Barbara’s Waterfront and Funk Zone Districts. Come enjoy lunch or dinner, soak in the sun by day at our waterfront rooftop bar while sipping on a refreshing cocktail surrounded by our beautiful ocean vista and by night, enjoy lounging by the fireplace after a delicious meal and a great glass of wine.

Our chef uses the freshest ingredients from central coast farmers and local fisherman to create dishes with the best of what California has to offer.

Top review

C

CarlosVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Great meal and service. We were outside and very pleasant.

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A photo of Crispy Korean Cauliflower of a restaurant

Crispy Korean Cauliflower

A photo of Spicy Rolls of a restaurant

A photo of Sunrise Roll of a restaurant

A photo of Chart House Restaurant - Monterey restaurant

Chart House Restaurant - Monterey

4.4

4.4 (7072)

$30 and under

Seafood

Monterey

About the restaurant

Chart House is a fine dining restaurant serving seafood & steak and famous for their spectacular views. For more than 50 years, Chart House has redefined the ideal dining experience. With 27 waterfront and showcase locations ranging from the historic to the unforgettable, Chart House restaurants specialize in dazzling views, unique cuisine and exceptional service. From fresh fish specialties to slow-roasted prime rib, the renowned chefs of Chart House have tailored a menu that adds a unique touch to local flavors. And the Chart House happy hour is a guest favorite, where guest favor our signature cocktails and delicious bites you are sure to enjoy. Our original Hot Chocolate Lava Cake is the perfect end to a memorable dining experience at Chart House. Chart House offers the ideal setting for your next event. We would be happy to assist you with all the details of your special occasion.

Top review

OT

OpenTable Diner

Dined 1 day ago

Food was absolutely amazing and our server was wonderful.

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A photo of Pacific's Edge restaurant

4.5

4.5 (3496)

$50 and over

American

Carmel

About the restaurant

Nestled on the craggy bluffs of Carmel Highlands and offering spectacular views of the California coastline, Pacific’s Edge lives up to a well-earned reputation as a destination restaurant. Using ingredients inspired by the local bounty from land and sea, a creative culinary team curates seasonal menus complemented by a storied wine list. Where California casual meets refined dining in a one-of-a-kind location, Pacific’s Edge will surely delight all the senses.

Top review

P

Pms3

Dined 4 days ago

Dinner was delicious! Service was excellent, we really enjoyed our meal.

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A photo of Chicken Sandwich of a restaurant

Chicken Sandwich

A photo of Vista Steak and Seafood restaurant

Vista Steak and Seafood

4.7

4.7 (1938)

$31 to $50

Seafood

Pismo Beach

About the restaurant

Vista Steak and Seafood is located on the bluffs in Pismo Beach overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Featuring all natural hormone free steaks and fresh seafood, this coastal dining one of a kind restaurant has something that will sure to please everyone.

Reservations are highly recommended. We gladly accept reservations for parties of 6 or less via Open Table. Please call the restaurant directly for parties of 7 or more ~ 805-556-9000.

We will do our best to accommodate seating requests however we can not guarantee a specific table. Vista has no outdoor seating so please leave your fur babies at home.

Top review

K

Kenneth

Dined 2 days ago

Great food, environment, service, and view. Very enjoyable experience.

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A photo of Sardine Factory restaurant

Sardine Factory

4.7

4.7 (5115)

$50 and over

Seafood

Monterey

About the restaurant

Every city has that one can’t miss restaurant, where celebrities feel at home and every other guest feels like a celebrity. Since October 2, 1968, The Sardine Factory’s cachet has made dining in our historic Cannery Row setting a tradition for world leaders, sports heroes and entertainment icons. Our award-winning chefs prepare delectable creations of fresh, sustainable seafood and USDA Prime Aged Beef; winner of Restaurant Hospitality Magazine’s "Best Wine List in America" award. The Lounge’s live entertainment, Happy Hour and affordable menu are a casual alternative to our other dining rooms. Celebrating over 50 years under the same ownership and management! Voted "Best Restaurant in Monterey" by Monterey County Herald readers.

Top review

D

Dave

Dined 3 days ago

Great food and service, large menu, great choices…

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A photo of Sardine Factory's "Sorbet on Ice Swan" of a restaurant

Sardine Factory's "Sorbet on Ice Swan"

A photo of USDA Prime Filet Mignon of a restaurant

USDA Prime Filet Mignon

A photo of Abalone Bisque of a restaurant

A photo of Lure Fish House - San Luis Obispo restaurant

Lure Fish House - San Luis Obispo

4.5

4.5 (240)

$30 and under

Seafood

San Luis Obispo

About the restaurant

Welcome to Lure Fish House, if your preferred reservation time is not available about half of our overall seating is unreserved for walk-ins. Our bar and oyster bar areas offer our full service menu and are open seating in order of arrival. Lure Fish House is a Ventura California based family-owned restaurant featuring the freshest sustainable seafood from trusted sources. Our Arizona Lure has its seafood order prepared in our own Ventura California seafood cutting facility and is directly driven to Arizona about 15 hours after it is ordered from the chef in Scottsdale. We feature organically grown local produce and wines from local vineyards whenever possible. We also feature a full bar with specialty cocktails made with freshly squeezed fruit juices and a raw bar serving a variety of fresh chilled seafood and oysters.

Top review

P

PETERVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Nice menu and we enjoyed our meals. Friendly and attentive staff

A photo of Schooners Monterey restaurant

Schooners Monterey

4.6

4.6 (3119)

$31 to $50

Californian

Monterey

About the restaurant

Schooners, suspended over the waters of Monterey Bay, is a stunning restaurant featuring sustainable seafood and approachable, contemporary American cuisine. The ideal location for celebrating the Central Coast and the spectacular coastal region, the Schooners team commitment to fresh, sustainable seafood is reflected in the creative menu which features a variety of seafood options, both raw and cooked, as well as appetizers, soups, salads and main courses. A creative cocktail menu is served alongside an impressive wine list highlighting Monterey County vintners.

Top review

A

Alexa

Dined 2 days ago

Beautiful spot on the water with great food and great service. We loved the food and cocktails and loved watching the otters play in the bay while we dined. Our waiter Aurelio was perfect and gave us good recommendations for after dinner as well.

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A photo of Monterey Cioppino Pot of a restaurant

Monterey Cioppino Pot

A photo of Coastal Clam Chowder Bread Bowl of a restaurant

Coastal Clam Chowder Bread Bowl

A photo of Schooners Seafood Pasta of a restaurant

Schooners Seafood Pasta

A photo of PortaBella Restaurant restaurant

PortaBella Restaurant

4.5

4.5 (1776)

$31 to $50

French

Carmel

About the restaurant

Our cuisine features beautiful specialties from France, Italy and Spain. The dishes are rich in color and flavor.
PortaBella is picturesque: awarded First Prize for Beautiful Flowerscaping from the Carmel Garden Club.

The ambience is stylish and romantic, the setting historic

Top review

G

GaryVIP

Dined 6 days ago

Great service and delicious food. Wonder restaurant

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A photo of Pappardelle alla Bolognese of a restaurant

Pappardelle alla Bolognese

A photo of Portabella Cream of Mushroom Soup of a restaurant

Portabella Cream of Mushroom Soup

A photo of Roasted Corn and Crab Bisque of a restaurant

Roasted Corn and Crab Bisque

A photo of Jocko's Steakhouse restaurant

Jocko's Steakhouse

4.6

4.6 (2059)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

Nipomo

About the restaurant

Jocko’s Steakhouse is family owned and a longtime Central Coast favorite. Our family’s
hospitality roots date back to 1925, or so the story goes. Jocko’s is legendary for hand cut aged
steaks grilled over an open fire of red oak coals. A style of cooking native to the area that dates
to the Spanish Rancheros. We offer an extensive dinner menu serving a variety of steak cuts,
ribs, pork chops, chicken, seafood, steak burgers, specialty sandwiches and more. Jocko’s offers an extensive wine list, a broad assortment of cocktails and both draft and bottled beers. The specific brands and serving costs are available at the restaurant.
To learn more about Jocko’s menus and history visit www.jockossteakhouse.com
or call (805) 929-3686 for reservations.

ONLINE ORDERING: https://order.toasttab.com/online/jocko-s-steak-house-125-n-thompson-ave

Top review

N

nicole

Dined 5 days ago

The food was perfect and our server was friendly and and prompt!

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A photo of Beef Ribs of a restaurant

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A photo of SY Kitchen restaurant

4.9

4.9 (4003)

$31 to $50

Italian

Santa Ynez Valley

About the restaurant

RESERVATIONS

Reservations for parties of 5 or more please call restaurant directly.

S. Y. Kitchen requests a credit card to hold a reservation of 6 or more. You may cancel by calling the restaurant by 5 PM two days prior to the reservation. After that cancellation is subject to our policy and fees may be incurred. All credit card information will be processed securely.

Top review

C

Carol

Dined 5 days ago

The food and drinks were outstanding ! The filet mignon was out of this world

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A photo of T-Bone Truffle Sliders of a restaurant

T-Bone Truffle Sliders

A photo of Wild Mushroom Pappardelle of a restaurant

Wild Mushroom Pappardelle

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