Diners' Choice: Great for outdoor dining restaurants in California Central Coast

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for the best restaurants that are great for outdoor dining 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!

Petros Restaurant at Petros Winery

4.9

4.9 (1017)

$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

KeriVIP

Dined 4 days ago

We had a great lunch on the patio. It was a very relaxing atmosphere. The food was very good and the service was great.

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AronHill Vineyards Bistro & Tasting Room

4.8

4.8 (344)

$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

TomVIP

Dined 6 days ago

Having lunch at AronHill was an absolute delight from start to finish. The ambiance was lovely and inviting, creating the perfect atmosphere for a relaxing lunch with a glass of Kickass Britchen Red. The service was impeccable; our server was attentive, knowledgeable, and genuinely passionate about the food and the wine. We had the Caesar salad and pizza and both were exceptionally flavorful and beautifully presented. I highly recommend AronHill Vineyards to anyone looking for a fantastic dining experience and wine tasting. We will definitely be back!

Pony Cocktails + Kitchen

4.8

4.8 (41)

$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

MichelleVIP

Dined 5 days ago

Excellent chef, service and ambiance. It’s my favorite restaurant in the SY Valley. Must go destination.

The Sur House

4.7

4.7 (492)

$50 and over

Californian

Big Sur

About the restaurant

The Sur House, at Ventana Big Sur, serves cuisine in an awe-inspiring setting. The restaurant’s warm, rustic interior opens onto its legendary terrace where panoramic views of the ocean and rugged Big Sur coastline stretch for more than 50 miles. The cuisine makes use of the abundance of California’s Central Coast with local, simple, sustainable ingredients, including items from Ventana’s own organic garden.

Non-Resort Guests can enjoy our a la carte menu at this location for brunch and dinner service. Reservations are not required, but highly suggested.

We welcome dogs on the outside terraces at the Sur House patio during breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Only certified service animals (dogs) are allowed inside The Sur House for dining.

A 22% Service charge will be added to all checks for parties over 6.

Top review

Mark

Dined on Jun 18, 2025

Outstanding location and views. Great food and service. Thanks!

The Bistro at The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara

4.7

4.7 (548)

$50 and over

American

Santa Barbara

About the restaurant

Named “Top 100 Best Al Fresco Dining Restaurants in America” by OpenTable, The Bistro offers a casual and relaxed atmosphere to dine and enjoy sweeping views of the coastline. Local produce and sustainable seafood highlight an acclaimed menu of traditional bistro favorites, including brick oven flatbreads, seasonal salads and the signature Santa Barbara burger.

Please note that holiday reservations are only available for in-house guests. Room confirmation number is required to officially confirm your dining reservation during these times.

Marriott Bonvoy Members can earn points when staying with us. Please enroll here: https://www.joinmarriottbonvoy.com/uscanqr/s/EN/ch/sbarz

For parties with 6 guests or more a 26% service charge fee will be added to your final bill. For all guests there will be an 8.75% California State tax added to the final bill.

Top review

Laura

Dined on May 27, 2025

We were celebrating our anniversary and wanted to stay on property so chose The Bistro. From start to finish, everything about our experience was absolutely incredible. The service was warm and attentive, the ambiance was just right, and every dish was beautifully prepared and full of flavor. We had the seabass and beet salad, both of which were perfectly executed. The chef and team ensure you have a wonderful experience with delicious food and impeccable service. Whether a special occasion or a just looking for a great meal, go to The Bistro, you won't be disappointed.

Terry's Lounge at the Cypress Inn

4.7

4.7 (16)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Carmel

About the restaurant

Wrap up your day, and begin a lovely evening with dinner at Terry’s Lounge. Our delicious entrees feature fresh local ingredients and Tapas items are perfect for sharing. Cypress Inn proudly features and pours a fine selection of Monterey County wines and is the premier cocktail bar in town.

When defining the classic cocktail, it is impossible not to recall the sophisticated Golden Age of Hollywood, when libations went hand in hand with sultry seductions, cheery celebrations and raucous parties, and evoked the effortless style and sophistication of the movies in which they played a part. We feature a classic cocktail program that invites you to relive this pre and post prohibition age with a little Doris Day Hollywood flair.

Top review

CarolynVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Terrific food and lovely service! Thank you Terry’s!

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!

Baja Cantina - Carmel

4.5

4.5 (623)

$30 and under

Mexican / Southwestern

Carmel Valley

About the restaurant

Baja Cantina is a fun and energetic place that is known for its exceptional automotive memorabilia collection and excellent food. We have a large outdoor patio that is perfect to sit and relax on a sunny afternoon with one of our award winning margaritas. We have special events all year round, including our famous classic car gatherings, holiday parties, tequila tastings, and sporting events. ****We only accept online reservations during off-peak times. If you can’t find a time you want online, please give us a call.***

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined on Jun 9, 2025

Our server could not have been any more gracious and fun. The food used to be outstanding and fairly priced. Like 99% of other restaurants now, the economics of business force their hand with quality. Baja Cantina is still a fun, happy and enjoyable experience. We’ll be back on a band night - thanks for all the great memories! The fireplace patio is best in the area. Thank you!

Village Corner California Bistro

4.4

4.4 (145)

$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

Adrian

Dined on Jun 9, 2025

This restaurant quickly became our favorite to visit during our vacation! We loved the service as well as the delicious food and laid back ambiance. Multiple servers checked on us to make sure we were having the best possible experience and we very much appreciated their dedication, of course they were already doing amazingly! My favorite dish was the pecan crusted French toast and the Diablo Skillet was just what I was searching for our entire vacation. Definitely would recommend anyone stop her to grab a bite anytime of the day!

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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