Best Restaurant in Paso Robles
Fish Gaucho
1244 Park St., Paso Robles
(805) 239-3333
facebook.com/FishGaucho
Best Restaurant in Templeton
McPhee’s Grill
416 S. Main St., Templeton
(805) 434-3204
facebook.com/McPheesGrillTempleton
Best Restaurant in Atascadero
Sylvester’s Burgers
Los Osos, Atascadero, Oceano, Paso Robles
(805) 528-0779
facebook.com/sylvesters.burger
Best Restaurant in Morro Bay
Dorn’s Breakers Café
801 Market Ave., Morro Bay
(805) 772-4415
facebook.com/dornsbreakerscafe
Best Restaurant in Cayucos
The Hidden Kitchen
113 N. Ocean Ave., Cayucos
2164 Center St., Cambria
(805) 995-7030
hello@hiddenkitchencalifornia.com
facebook.com/hiddenkitchencalifornia
Best Restaurant in Cambria
Robin’s Restaurant
4095 Burton Drive, Cambria
(805) 927-5007
Best Restaurant in San Luis Obispo
Novo Resturant & Lounge
726 Higuera St., SLO
(805) 543-3986
Best Restaurant in Avila Beach
Mersea’s
3985 Avila Beach Drive, Avila Beach
(805) 548-2290
Best Restaurant in Shell Beach
Zorro’s Café & Cantina
927 Shell Beach Road, Pismo Beach
(805) 773-9676
facebook.com/zorroscafeandcantina
Best Of voters, you nailed this one. Zorro’s is truly a jewel, whether it’s for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Classic American fare like chicken-fried steak and eggs or blueberry pancakes are on point, and Mexican fare like their to-die-for Cuyama chili verde omelet or sweet corn tamale and eggs served with mango salsa are incredible. You want a burger? Zorro’s will hit the spot. Sandwiches, sides—everything’s delicious, and their award-winning clam chowder deserves every bit of praise it receives. The chips and house-made salsa are addictive. They have kids and dogs menus and a comfortable covered patio. The real showstopper is the molcajete bowl. So much flavor! This locally owned family business is a favorite with locals and visitors, so bravo to Cindy; her son, Eric; and his wife, Bailee. You’re the best!
—Glen Starkey
Best Restaurant in Pismo Beach
Giuseppe’s Cucina Rustica
891 Price St., Pismo Beach
849 Monterey St., SLO
(805) 773-2870
facebook.com/PismoGiuseppes
Best Restaurant in Grover Beach
Pono Pacific Kitchen
228 W. Grand Ave., Grover Beach
(805) 202-8115
facebook.com/ponopacifickitchen
Best Restaurant in Oceano
Old Juan’s Cantina
649 Pier Ave., Oceano
(805) 489-5680
Best Restaurant in Arroyo Grande
Ember Restaurant
1200 E. Grand Ave., suite 101,
Arroyo Grande
(805) 474-7700
facebook.com/emberrestaurant
Best Restaurant in Nipomo
Jocko’s Steakhouse
125 N. Thompson Ave., Nipomo
(805) 929-3686
Best Breakfast
Sally Loo’s Wholesome Cafe
1804 Osos St., SLO
(805) 545-5895
facebook.com/sallylooswholesomecafe
Best Weekend Brunch
Seeds
1040 Court St., SLO
(805) 592-2929
Best Family-Friendly Restaurant
Klondike Pizza
104 Bridge St., Arroyo Grande
(805) 481-5288
Best Outdoor Dining
Novo Resturant & Lounge
726 Higuera St., SLO
(805) 543-3986
Best Chinese Food
Mei’s Chinese Restaurant
1759 Shell Beach Road, Shell Beach
(805) 773-2908
Best Indian Food
Shalimar
3820 Broad St., SLO
(805) 781-0766
www.instagram.com/explore/locations/1696719/shalimar-indian-restaurant/
Best Italian Food
Giuseppe’s Cucina Rustica
891 Price St., Pismo Beach
849 Monterey St., SLO
(805) 773-2870
Best Japanese Food
Goshi
570 Higuera St., suite 155, SLO
772 Pine St., Paso Robles
(805) 543-8942
Best Mediterranean Food
Petra Mediterranean Pizza & Grill
1210 Higuera St., SLO
134 Tank Farm Road, SLO
(805) 439-1999
Best Peruvian Food
Mistura Restaurant
570 Higuera St., SLO
(805) 600-9029
facebook.com/MisturaRestaurantSLO
Best Mexican Food
Efren’s Mexican Restaurant
1720 Beach St., Oceano
1285 Laurel Lane, SLO
892 Marsh St., SLO
(805) 489-2385
efrensrestaurantoceano@gmail.com
facebook.com/efrenssanluisobispo
Best Thai Food
Thai Boat
3212 Broad St., No. 140, SLO
(805) 594-1638
Best Seafood
Lure Fish House
1101 Monterey St., suite 100, SLO
(805) 586-1356
Best Sushi
Goshi
570 Higuera St., suite 155, SLO
772 Pine St., Paso Robles
(805) 543-8942
Best Poke
Poke Morro
121 W. Branch St., Arroyo Grande
3845 S. Higuera St., SLO
(805) 668-2072
Best Barbecue
Old SLO BBQ Co.
670 Higuera St., SLO
3870-3 Broad St., SLO
(805) 285-2473
Best Vegan Food
Ziggy’s
594 California Blvd., SLO
1227 Pine St., Paso Robles
(805) 439-4399
Best Vegetarian Food
Ziggy’s
594 California Blvd., SLO
1227 Pine St., Paso Robles
(805) 439-4399
Trust me, Ziggy’s is the place to be. This all-vegan spot is flipping burgers, stuffing tacos, and blending shakes that hit just as hard as anything you remember, whether you go for the house-made black bean patty or the Ratchet Fries. Roll in whenever you want—breakfast is served all day, every day, so there’s no wrong time to indulge. The soundtrack bounces from Wu-Tang Clan to The Clash to Marvin Gaye, with a little Madonna or Doja Cat keeping things unpredictable and funky. Globally inspired flavors collide here, mixing tradition with experimentation in every bite served at its SLO and Paso Robles locations—and coming soon to Oceano.
—Chloë Hodge
Best Food Truck
Big Wave Sushi Bowls
(805) 888-1064
facebook.com/bigwavesushibowls
Best Chef
Garrett Morris, Sichuan Kitchen SLO
2078 Parker st., SLO
(805) 888-7752
facebook.com/profile.php?id=100076593596132
Best Caterer
Field to Table Catering & Events
146 N. Thompson Ave., Nipomo
(805) 474-5719
Best Butcher
Arroyo Grande Meat Company
120 E. Branch St., Arroyo Grande
(805) 489-2693
Best Fish Market
Pier 46 Seafood Co.
1131 Rossi Road, Templeton
(805) 434-1950
Best Oyster Bar
Oyster Loft
101 Pomeroy Ave., Pismo Beach
(805) 295-5104
Best Burrito
Taqueria El Güero
SLO, grover beach, Pismo Beach
(805) 904-0104
Best Breakfast Burrito
Lincoln Market & Deli
496 Broad St., SLO
(805) 543-3443
lincolnmarketanddeli@gmail.com
facebook.com/LincolnMarketandDeli
Best Taco
Taqueria Santa Cruz Express
1308 Monterey St.
862 Foothill Blvd., SLO
(805) 752-1016
Best Burger
Sylvester’s Burgers
Los Osos, Atascadero,paso robles, Oceano
facebook.com/sylvesters.burger
Best French Fries
Firestone Grill
1001 Higuera St., SLO
(805) 783-1001
Best Sandwich
High Sreet Deli
350 High St., SLO
1326 Second St., Los Osos
(805) 541-4738
Best Steakhouse
Jocko’s Steakhouse
125 N. Thompson Ave., Nipomo
(805) 929-3686
Best Hot Chicken
Dave’s Hot Chicken
299 Madonna Road, SLO
(805) 706-0600
Best Pizza
My Friend Mike’s
2324 Broad St., SLO
(805) 464-6438
Best Wood-Fired Pizza
Palo Mesa Pizza
SLO, Arroyo Grande
(805) 474-9924
Best Salad
Firestone Grill
1001 Higuera St., SLO
(805) 783-1001
Best Chowder
Splash Café
197 Pomeroy Ave., Pismo Beach
(805) 773-4653
facebook.com/SplashCafeChowder
Best Ramen
Nomo Domo
848 Monterey St., SLO
(805) 242-1462
facebook.com/profile.php?id=61588512215737
Best Fish & Chips
Duckie’s Chowder House
55 Cayucos Drive, Cayucos
(805) 995-2245
Small town feel. Big time flavor. The slogan for Duckie’s Chowder House in Cayucos rings true in my book, and apparently for comfort seafood fans across San Luis Obispo County. I count myself a lucky duck every time I’m able to pluck myself a booth or barstool at Duckie’s, whether it’s for a bowl of clam chowder (they’ve got both the white New England-style and the red Manhattan-style to choose from, in case any Ace Ventura fans out there are wondering), or a plate of breaded and deep-fried fish and chips, shrimp and chips, clam strips and chips, oysters and chips, or calamari and chips. There’s even a combination plate for $20 if you want to try a little bit of everything. Go ahead, duck around and find out.
—Caleb Wiseblood
Best Mac & Cheese
Black Sheep Bar & Grill
1117 Chorro St., SLO
(805) 544-7433
Best Ice Cream
McConnell’s Fine Ice Cream
868 Monterey St., SLO
(805) 439-5055
facebook.com/mcconnells.icecream
Best Froyo
SLO Froyo & Italian Ice
956 Higuera St., SLO
(805) 439-0166
facebook.com/profile.php?id=100073203202519
Best Doughnut
SloDoCo
Atascadero, SLO (two locations)
(805) 782-9766
Best Dessert
Madonna Inn Bakery
100 Madonna Road, SLO
(805) 543-3000
facebook.com/MadonnaInn
Best Cookie
Brown Butter Cookie Company
Cayucos, Paso Robles, SLO
(805) 464-6636
contactus@brownbuttercookies.com
facebook.com/brownbuttercookieco
Best Bakery
House of Bread
299 Marsh St., SLO
1025 farmhouse lane, no. 1f, slo
(805) 542-0255
Best Olive Oil
SLO Olive
958 Higuera St., SLO
(805) 439-2455
This article appears in Best of SLO County 2026.