A Foodie's Guide to The Best Restaurants in San Luis Obispo

San Luis Obispo attracts visitors for its ever-growing list of recreational activities, gorgeous nature, cultural attractions, and hidden gems. Loved by foodies from all over the state, S.L.O. County is also the best spot to head to for restaurant-hopping. World-renowned chefs bring the best of international cuisine, fruits and veggies grow organically on its fertile lands, and fresh seafood is caught daily from the Pacific Ocean. Feeling your mouth watering already? Here are a few of the best restaurants in San Luis Obispo to get you started.

Where to Get Mexican Food in San Luis Obispo

La Esquina Taqueria

Location: 1051 Nipomo Street, San Luis Obispo

Leonard and Wendy Cohen wanted to bring authentic Mexican cuisine to San Luis Obispo and La Esquina Taqueria is the product of that dream. Offering unique interiors and careful service, this taqueria makes sure your experience will be memorable even before you taste your food. 

You can’t go wrong with delicious prawn tacos, juicy chicken enchiladas, and a side of green salsa at this awesome S.L.O. restaurant. We’re willing to bet La Eaquina serves some of the best Mexican food in San Luis Obispo. 

Fish Gaucho

Location: 1244 Park Street, Paso Robles

Mexican cuisine might be popular in San Luis Obispo, but Fish Gaucho earned itself a reputation for being one of the best in the business. Wondering what to order? The Surf and Turf is a combo of two West Coast fish tacos and your choice of two short rib or carnitas tacos—yum.  Ask for an ahi quinoa salad or chipotle chicken lime soup on the side and you’ll be in tex-mex heaven. Try it for yourself and you’ll be raving about Mexican food in San Luis Obispo soon after.

Mi Casa Restaurant

Location: 650 Morro Bay Boulevard, Morro Bay

Your search for the best restaurant in Morro Bay stops at Mi Casa Restaurant. The family-run eatery honors Mexican cuisine by staying true to culture and tradition through its authentic dishes and flavorful concoctions. While you can’t really go wrong with any item on the menu, the asada burritos and fish tacos definitely stand out. Don’t forget your greens—the taco salad at Mi Casa is fresh, crunchy, and irresistibly colorful.  

Places to Eat Mediterranean Food in San Luis Obispo

Petra Mediterranean Pizza and Grill

Location: 1210 Higuera Street, San Luis Obispo

Are you a fan of delicious Mediterranean food paired with freshly baked pita bread? Then do yourself a favor and stop by Petra Mediterranean Pizza and Grill. Serving the best Mediterranean food in S.L.O., this amazing eatery is a shawarma lovers’ paradise. Their chicken shawarmas are cooked to perfection and wrapped in housemade warm pita bread. Visit on a warm day, sit outside on the patio surrounded by olive trees, and enjoy a California food experience like no other. 

Byblos Mediterranean Grill

Location: 5945 Traffic Way, Atascadero

At first glance, it’s easy to get overwhelmed with the large selection of dishes on the menu at Byblos Mediterranean Grill. But, a bite is all it takes to realize you won’t ever get enough. This Atascadero gem could easily be your best introduction to Mediterranean food if you’re a first-timer. 

Start off with a fattoush salad and get a beef shish kebab platter as a main dish. Don’t forget to leave room for dessert—the baklavas at this awesome place to eat in San Luis Obispo will take your dinner to the next level. 

Where to Get the best Asian Food in S.L.O.

Goshi Japanese Restaurant

Location: 570 Higuera Street #155, San Luis Obispo

In an ideal world, you’ll be munching on fresh sushi in Japan. What’s the next best thing you ask? San Luis Obispo’s own Goshi Japanese Restaurant. As your culinary gateway to Japan, Goshi promises the freshest and most authentic Japanese dishes on the Central Coast. If you’re looking for a date night idea out with your boo, share a Kanpai boat for two—it’s a showstopper in every way. 

Thai Palace

Location: 1015 Court Street, San Luis Obispo

Looking to find a piece of Thailand in San Luis Obispo? Let Thai Palace be the first stop on your itinerary. Serving authentic dishes in a modern but casual environment, Thai Place is one of the best San Luis Obispo restaurants to try anything wok-fried. Soups, curries, fried rice, noodles—Thai Place serves all your faves. Did we mention the generous portion sizes? You’ll only ever leave this place to eat in San Luis Obispo fully satisfied.  

The Best Italian Restaurants in S.L.O.

Giuseppe’s Cucina Rustica 

Location: 849 Monterey Street, San Luis Obispo

Giuseppe’s Cucina Rustica is a S.L.O. favorite among lovers of Italian food. Giuseppe DiFronzo opened the restaurant in Downtown San Luis Obispo in 2005 to honor his Pugliese heritage and has been serving the best pasta and pizzas ever since. 

Giving off a homey ambiance, Giuseppe’s pairs its delicious food with careful service, friendly staff, and warm interiors. Order the bruschetta as an appetizer, follow it up with a pizza diavolo or lasagna for your main course, and get the Meyer Lemon Cheesecake to top it all off. We’re drooling just thinking about the food at this Giuseppe's Cucina Rustica.

Il Cortile Ristorante 

Location: 608 12th Street, Paso Robles

Dining at Il Cortile Ristorante is one of the best things to do on the Central Coast. Chef Santos MacDonal and his wife Carol opened the restaurant in Downtown Paso Robles in 200 and grew it to be one of the best places to eat in San Luis Obispo. Did you know everything on the menu is prepared from scratch? Yes, including the mouthwatering, authentic pasta. Speaking of which, the squid ink pasta, pasta al nero di seppia con arogosta, and the wild boar pappardelle are finger-licking good. Buon appetito amici!