Diners' Choice: Lively restaurants in California Central Coast

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants that have the most vibrant bar scenes 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!

Ca' Dario Cucina Italiana

4.8

4.8 (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!)

Pony Cocktails + Kitchen

4.8

4.8 (43)

$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

DeanVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Fabulous experience, we live locally and try and get here at least once a week. Food is always spectacular. Highly recommend the specials.

Mistura

4.6

4.6 (1715)

$31 to $50

Peruvian

San Luis Obispo

About the restaurant

The word Mistura brings together the essence of Peru, a vision of its people and cuisine, a wondrous blend of cultures of priceless heritage. Our Mistura is a modern Peruvian restaurant that is as lively as the country and biodiversity it celebrates. Mistura captures the multicultural spirit of Peru, combining its native Incan and Pre-Columbian culinary heritage with the Italian, Spanish, Japanese, and Chinese influences that embody the country's flavorful cuisine. Mistura is an authentic tribute to the diversity of Peruvian food, proposing familiar yet unexpected and adventurous flavors.

Top review

Jeremy

Dined 3 days ago

Great menu, very good food and interesting drink menu. Try the Pisco Sours for authentic Peruvian drinks.

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Experience

Chef's Table 5-Course

Experience

Chef's Table 7-Course

Gala

4.6

4.6 (363)

$31 to $50

European

Santa Barbara

About the restaurant

Gala exudes a European meets Santa Barbara charm, where you feel like you’re transported to a beautiful bistro in the Mediterranean. Enjoy shared tapas, farmer's market favorites, pasta and risotto, fresh oysters and the best steak with bone marrow butter & chimichurri. Cozy up for our farm to table craft cocktails, a Pisco sour or martini and a full meal with friends. Curated wine list with local & Spanish wines. Right down the street from the Santa Barbara Courthouse enjoy an evening at Gala.

1 Block From State Street, Easy Parking, Public Lot Nearby, Free 75 Minute Parking, Walking Distance, El Pueblo Viejo Landmark District, Superior Court, Spanish Colonial Revival Courthouse, Santa Barbara Museum Of Art, Courthouse Gardens, Bell Tower, Farm to table, Farmer's market driven, Tapas, Seafood, Steak, Oysters, Happy Hour, Food, Cocktails, Wine, Restaurant, Vegetarian, Friendly, Dog Friendly, Outdoor Patio, Heaters, Warm, Inviting, Hospitable, Modern Design

Top review

Greg

Dined 2 days ago

Consistently good! I think the food this time was even better than expected.

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branzino a la plancha

Enoteca at Bellasera Hotel & Suites

4.5

4.5 (210)

$50 and over

Mediterranean

Paso Robles

About the restaurant

Welcome to Enoteca at Bellasera Paso Robles – A Mediterranean Culinary Journey Nestled in the heart of Paso Robles, Enoteca combines the elegance of Italian culinary traditions with the vibrant flavors of the Mediterranean, led by Executive Chef Rachael Zollo.

Inspired by Italy, Spain, Portugal, and Greece, our menu highlights locally sourced ingredients that reflect the bounty of California’s wine country. Join us for an unforgettable experience where Mediterranean sophistication meets Paso Robles charm.

Discover Our Menu Explore Chef Rachael Zollo’s thoughtfully curated menu, where small plates, exquisite entrées, and indulgent desserts celebrate the flavors of the Mediterranean. Whether you’re here for a romantic dinner, a family celebration, or a gathering of friends, Enoteca is the perfect setting for any occasion.

Top review

LenaVIP

Dined on Jun 13, 2025

Stopped in for a quick breakfast before checking out of the hotel. Convenient and tasty. Nice friendly service.

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 6 days ago

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

Sandbar Mexican Restaurant

4.4

4.4 (188)

$30 and under

Mexican

Santa Barbara

About the restaurant

We are a traditional Sonora style Mexican Restaurant and Tequila Bar. Guests will experience the authentic tastes and warm outdoor dining of Mexico. We use homemade sweet and sour with organic agave nectar in our world class margaritas. We also feature handmade tortilla chips and salsas, fresh Ceviche, homemade guacamole and the best fajitas around.

We feature a vibrant bar scene and a social atmosphere. We also serve our full menu nightly until 11pm. Stick around after dinner as we transform into one of Santa Barbara's best late night hot spots.

Top review

Martha

Dined on May 10, 2025

Super cool place. Food was amazing! We were from out of town and decided to have an early dinner here. Great choice!

Village Corner California Bistro

4.3

4.3 (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 3 days ago

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

Edwin's Kaona Carmel

4.3

4.3 (199)

$30 and under

Asian

Carmel

About the restaurant

Edwin's Carmel is a South East Asian Fusion Restaurant located in the heart of Carmel by the Sea, CA.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined 3 days ago

Amazing experience, chef was amazing they played live music and food was great

Jacks Monterey

3.9

3.9 (293)

$31 to $50

Californian

Monterey

About the restaurant

Jacks Monterey is poised to provide a refreshing culinary experience in downtown Monterey, inside the Portola Hotel & Spa. Emphasizing local ingredients, high-quality seafood, and an award-winning wine and cocktail program, Jacks philosophy derives from globally-inspired traditions of California Cultural Cuisine highlighting flavor profiles unique to cultures from around the world. With design details throughout the indoor and outdoor dining venue to echo the beautiful surrounding landscape, the atmosphere at Jacks promises to be sophisticated—never pretentious. Jacks offers a variety of seating with a bar, fireplace lounge, and pet-friendly, outdoor space features living walls, bistro lighting, and fire pits.

Open for Breakfast & Dinner.

For more information visit www.portolahotel.com/dining/jacks-monterey

Top review

RichardVIP

Dined on Jun 27, 2025

Lobby was mobbed when we arrived. Eventually it cleared out and quieted down. Food was very good. Service OK. Live music excellent.

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