Diners' Choice: Neighborhood gem restaurants in California Central Coast

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for the best restaurants that are the best neighborhood gems 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!

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

Ca' Dario Cucina Italiana

4.9

4.9 (634)

$31 to $50

Italian

Goleta

About the restaurant

Anything grilled is "divine" and the rest of the menu is "delectable" at the "charming" Italian in Santa Barbara known for its "excellent" execution of "simple" pasta, meats and other classics plus a "fantastic" wine list with many available by the glass; it's a local "favorite", so reservations are a must.

Top review

Amy

Dined on Jun 15, 2025

Our family had a wonderful celebratory dinner here to honor my daughter's UCSB graduation! We took her here the night we moved her in to her dorm and so it was fitting to end her time at UCSB back in the same place! Thank you for being a memory we will never forget! (Food and service were outstanding!)

Far Western Tavern

4.8

4.8 (1189)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

Orcutt / Santa Maria

About the restaurant

Welcome to the Far Western Tavern—California ranch cuisine inspired by local traditions.

Our restaurant is recognized as a landmark of Santa Maria Style Barbecue, a renowned regional fare rooted in native ingredients and methods that were first popularized by 19th century rancheros.

Our menu blends this local barbecue style with other dishes that reflect our family’s heritage in the Santa Maria Valley’s Swiss-Italian ranching community, all prepared with fresh flavors from nearby farms, ranches and vineyards.

Top review

Letti

Dined 3 days ago

The food was delicious, the drinks were awesome, and the service was great. Overall, Farwestern was perfect!

Pony Cocktails + Kitchen

4.8

4.8 (42)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Santa Ynez

About the restaurant

Owner & Mixologist Battaglini Alberto redesigned this iconic Santa Ynez landmark into something unique, elevated yet comfortable.
Situated in the heart of Santa Ynez Valley and, with Chef Jonny McDermott on the helm of the kitchen, Pony COCKTAILS + KITCHEN has a comfortable yet upscale feeling with a super friendly approach to food reflecting globally inspired dishes and fresh farm produces. The cocktail program follow the same ideology of the food giving every cocktails a unique flavor and personality.
Open for breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner this hybrid Cafe/Cocktail Bar Restaurant integrate the Santa Ynez Valley style with modern comfort style food and unrealistic Cocktails.

Top review

Heidi

Dined 4 days ago

This is my second time and the food has been amazing both times. Service was great.

Toro

4.7

4.7 (741)

$30 and under

Sushi

Carmel

About the restaurant

Toro offers creative Japanese cuisine, and we believe in sourcing high quality ingredients. Our beverage program has a lovely sake and wine collection, as well as some creative sake cocktail creations. Join us soon!

Top review

Joelle

Dined 2 days ago

Excellent sushi!! Service was fantastic!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Corazon Comedor

4.7

4.7 (200)

$31 to $50

Mexican

Santa Barbara

About the restaurant

Corazon Comedor emerged from the longing of nostalgic food from the streets, markets, and homes of Mexico. We look forward to bringing this experience in each dish.

Top review

Laura

Dined on Jun 15, 2025

This is our second time eating lunch here while visiting Santa Barbara. Great food and quick service!

Edgar's - Quail Lodge

4.6

4.6 (279)

$31 to $50

Californian

Carmel Valley

About the restaurant

Fresh Ingredients. Distinctively Local.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Closed Friday July 4th.

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 on Jun 7, 2025

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!

Mission Bistro

4.6

4.6 (555)

$31 to $50

Seafood

Carmel

About the restaurant

Located on Mission Street between Ocean Ave & 7th Ave, in Carmel California. Mission Bistro Restaurant is owned by Shaheen Alnuaimi. Our history-rich location is warm, charming, and above all cozy. We offer brunch, lunch, dinner, local, and import wines. Chef Matt Zimny sources from Monterey and Santa Cruz County farms and ranches with the goal of serving what is fresh and currently available. At Mission Bistro we do Seafood and Steaks right. Cheers!

Top review

DonielleVIP

Dined 4 days ago

The staff was so gracious and made our anniversary very memorable.

Village Corner California Bistro

4.4

4.4 (146)

$30 and under

Bistro

Carmel

About the restaurant

Village Corner California Bistro is a dining institution in downtown Carmel-by-the-Sea, that locals and travelers have been frequenting for 70 years. Experience our new menu as we work to carry on the tradition guests and Locals have enjoyed for decades.

Illy Cafe Full Espresso menu
Full Wine List featuring Local & California Wine
Enjoy Bloody Mary, Bellini, Mimosa
Certified Green Restaurant
Local Fish Specials
Prime Steaks
Wild Foraged Mushrooms
Vegetarian Dishes
Vegan Dishes - Daily Vegan Specials
Impossible Burger
Al-fresco Dining
Outdoor Patio
Dog Friendly
Kids Menus
Gluten Free Menu, Gluten Free Corn Pasta, Gluten Free Hamburger Buns, Gluten Free Breads, Gluten Free Bagels & English Muffins, Gluten-Free Flour Tortillas.
Brunch
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Wine Dinners
Full Beer Selection
We accept We Chat Pay

Top review

TylerVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Fantastic value - the food is incredible, the portions are generous, and the atmosphere is lively.

Goat Tree Restaurant

4.3

4.3 (457)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Santa Barbara

About the restaurant

Located at the front door of the Funk Zone and one block from the beach, Goat Tree at Hotel Californian is a gourmet café with al fresco seating offering fresh, local fare, including superb pastries and baked goods made in house daily by our Pastry Chef Ron Viloria. Our all-day brunch menu features Lemon Ricotta Pancakes, Shakshuka, Baby Kale Caesar and our famed GT Smashburger. Sip on cold-pressed juices from Pressed Juicery, lattes and coffee by Caffe Luxxe or organic hot teas by Rishi. Curating seasonal picnic baskets for a day at the beach or wine tasting as well as dine in, take out or delivery for brunch and dinner, Goat Tree pleases everyone's palate. Join us on our spacious patio into the evening for a glass of wine or a cocktail and a bite. Our dinner menu includes Rigatoni Pasta, New York Steak Frites and Faroe Island Salmon among other delectable dishes. Don't let the day end without some Rori's Ice Cream or a seasonal dessert from Chef Ron.

Top review

RonVIP

Dined on Mar 30, 2025

We had great service! The food was excellent, we didn’t have to wait fortunately we arrived at the tail end of brunch.

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