Diners' Choice: Good for groups restaurants in California Central Coast

OpenTable

Updated July 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants that are great for groups 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!

McPhee's Grill

4.8

4.8 (260)

$50 and over

Steak

Templeton

About the restaurant

Satisfy your gourmet taste buds at McPhee’s Grill in beautiful downtown Templeton with fresh seafood, wood-grilled steaks, local produce, and gourmet pizzas & pasta. Enjoy dining in a charming and cozy atmosphere as you treat yourself to the gourmet food and quality customer service that has made McPhee’s Grill the first name in San Luis Obispo County fine dining.

Top review

Angela

Dined 7 days ago

Get the pork chop. Excellent and so accommodating towards our little kids.

Petros Restaurant at Petros Winery

4.8

4.8 (1023)

$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

BrigidVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Gorgeous setting! Very special. Food was delicious and our waiter was so attentive pleasant. It made for a most memorable afternoon.

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4.7

4.7 (1211)

$31 to $50

Californian

Nipomo

About the restaurant

The contemporary yet relaxed Adelina’s Bistro is where you’ll enjoy regional cuisine made fresh daily using the best local, organic produce. Given our location, you can also expect a hand-picked selection of superb Central Coast wines. The sophisticated and fun atmosphere encourages new friendships and lively conversation, and the food will delight all palates.

Top review

JacqueyVIP

Dined today

Always welcoming and excellent food! Lots of choices and the staff is fabulous.

Kona Steak and Seafood

4.7

4.7 (190)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

Monterey

About the restaurant

KONA Steak & Seafood was voted the "Best New Restaurant" winner on the beautiful Monterey Peninsula for 2023. Located in the popular Del Monte Shopping Center in Monterey, just minutes from Carmel, Pacific Grove, & all Peninsula cities.
A fabulous menu! Enjoy fresh seafood, lobster, Hawaiian loco moco, fresh ahi tuna, a great bacon cheeseburger, bone-in rib eye, miso-glazed seabass, filet mignon, macadamia nut crusted halibut, entree salads, cioppino, seafood pasta, Maui onion soup, coconut curry soup, and a large host of enticing appetizers. Enjoy KONA's generous portions, good value, & free abundant parking! The house baked desserts are worth a trip on their own..... incredible!! The gorgeous "ZenDen Bar" features full bar & "Tiki Bar" style concoctions curated with house made ingredients, and nightly Happy Hour from 3:00-9:00pm. Local wine list, craft draft beers, kid's menu, dog-friendly lanai/patio dining, continuous lunch & dinner service 7 days a week from 11:00am.

Top review

Matt

Dined 1 day ago

Every menu item we tried was amazing. Ribeye steak, baked, potato, fried rice, seafood pasta, and amazing desserts! What a great restaurant theme and dessert presentation. Super friendly staff! A+!

Copper Café and Bakery, at Madonna Inn

4.6

4.6 (2089)

$31 to $50

American

San Luis Obispo

About the restaurant

The Copper Café is popular with tourists and locals alike for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, in a warm and charming atmosphere. Copper counters, rich Bavarian woods, and lovely natural lighting will transport you to a quaint European village. Our Madonna Inn Bakery, featuring world-famous cakes, pies, cookies, along with French and Danish pastries remains open and available for walk-in and pre-ordered items.

Top review

PriscillaVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Went for Anniversary. The service was great. Food was good.

Rosine's Restaurant

4.6

4.6 (686)

$30 and under

American

Monterey

About the restaurant

Rosine's Restaurant turns traditional American comfort food into an art form. This local family-owned and operated casual dining restaurant has been open for 44+ years. The Culcasi family, owners of Rosine's, have received a bit of national fame as they appeared on Guy Fieri's show 'Diners, Drive-ins and Dives'.
Rosine's offers indoor and outdoor (pet friendly) dining serving breakfast, lunch, dinner and weekend brunch, with unique signature craft cocktails. Breakfast offers include Eggs Benedicts, and a variety of other breakfast specialities with gluten free and vegetarian options. For lunch and dinner, there is a mix of American and Italian dishes. The most popular dishes on the menu include their Beef Minestrone soup, Chicken Parmesan and Lasagna. Scrumptious sandwiches, fresh salads and burgers are also elevated. Known world wide for their award-winning house made desserts. A consistent winner with the locals for Best Comfort Food, Best Family Restaurant, Best Desserts + more.

Top review

PeteVIP

Dined 1 day ago

We loved the traditional coconut cake as it was a very special birthday treat. The service was casual, friendly, yet super professional and efficient.

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Hearty Homemade Beef Minestrone Soup

Nicolas Cocina de Herencia

4.5

4.5 (374)

$31 to $50

Mexican

Carmel

About the restaurant

Reservations are not needed but are recommended, Walk ins are Welcome.

The newest creation from the owners of the beloved Villa Azteca in Downtown Salinas (Salinas City Center), the eatery honoring the Alvarez family patriarch will open Summer 2023 in Carmel Plaza. The 5,000-square-foot restaurant will have indoor dining, bar seating and a small outdoor space, serving specialty Michoacán dishes as well as other Mexican favorites, incorporating three generations of family recipes.

Top review

KarenVIP

Dined 7 days ago

Incredible food and staff in a gorgeous setting. Everything we ordered was delicious. Can’t wait to go back.

Village Corner California Bistro

4.4

4.4 (148)

$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

Taryn

Dined 4 days ago

Great heated patio. Very dog friendly. Even a dog menu.

Abalonetti Bar and Grill

4.2

4.2 (556)

$30 and under

Seafood

Monterey

About the restaurant

Abalonetti Bar and Grill is one of the original restaurants on Monterey's Historic Fisherman's Wharf. Famous for Monterey calamari, we now feature more than 20 different preparations from local squid processed in-house. With ample ocean views, the Wharf's largest waterfront pet-friendly patio, a full bar, cocktail menu and local wine list, Abalonetti has been a favorite of locals for decades, providing a fun and casual waterfront dining experience.

Top review

Kathy

Dined on Jun 23, 2025

I brought out-of-town guests to Abalonetti's. They were impressed with both the menu and the food they ordered. One guest said the lobster ravioli was the best she's ever had. I'd agree--I had it too. Service was fast and not at all intrusive. We loved the pidgeons that occasionally walked through. I'll keep bringing visitors here!

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Popular dish

Calamari Tacos

Anchor Rose

3.9

3.9 (109)

$31 to $50

American

Santa Barbara

About the restaurant

Life is better when you're on the water.
Located directly overlooking the historic harbor with 360-degree views of the Pacific Ocean and downtown Santa Barbara, Anchor Rose is the perfect place to share a cocktail, enjoy a fresh seafood dinner, and people watch or catch one of the American Riviera’s signature sunsets.
Come for the drinks. Stay for the tapas.
Drawn from the seafaring roots that have shaped the Santa Barbara area for hundreds of years, our craft cocktails and scratch-made plates are inspired by the sea, the surf, and the laid-back atmosphere for which this area is famous. Flip-flops welcome.
Anchor Rose is Santa Barbara’s best restaurant, with a view of the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Barbara Harbor. Whether you’re looking for the best fresh seafood or a restaurant with a view, Anchor Rose has quickly become the favorite Santa Barbara restaurant for locals and tourists alike.

Top review

Tom

Dined 3 days ago

Had dinner at 7:00 on a Wednesday. Not a lot of customers around so quiet. We enjoyed our meals. Service was fine. Thanks

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