Best Of SLO 2023
Best of SLO County 2023: Eats
[{
"name": "Ad - Medium Rectangle CC01 - 300x250",
"id": "AdMediumRectangleCC01300x250",
"class": "inlineCenter",
"insertPoint": "8",
"component": "2963441",
"requiredCountToDisplay": "12"
},{
"name": "Ad - Medium Rectangle LC01 - 300x250",
"id": "AdMediumRectangleCC01300x250",
"class": "inlineCenter",
"insertPoint": "18",
"component": "2963441",
"requiredCountToDisplay": "22"
},{
"name": "Ad - Medium Rectangle LC09 - 300x250",
"id": "AdMediumRectangleLC09300x250",
"class": "inlineCenter",
"insertPoint": "28",
"component": "3252660",
"requiredCountToDisplay": "32"
}]
Best North County Restaurant
Fish Gaucho
1244 Park St., Paso Robles
(805) 239-3333
Best North Coast Restaurant
Robin's Restaurant
4095 Burton Drive, Cambria
(805) 927-5007
Best San Luis Obispo Restaurant
Giuseppe's Cucina Rustica
891 Price St., Pismo Beach
849 Monterey St., SLO
(805) 773-2870
Following a farm-to-fork ethos since its beginnings in 1988, Giuseppe's is a local institution that in so many ways embodies the culture of San Luis Obispo County. The food is tremendous and locally sourced. The space is inviting, the service is on point, and the vibe is classy yet low-key. Its reputation is such that on every visit, whether it's to the Pismo Beach or SLO location, you're more than likely to see and share a moment with someone you know in the community. From the pastas and meats, to the soups and salads, to the wine and cocktails, Giuseppe's never misses.
—Peter Johnson
Best South County Restaurant
Ember
1200 E. Grand Ave., suite 101, Arroyo Grande
(805) 474-7700
Best South Coast Restaurant
The Spoon Trade
294 W. Grand Ave., Grover Beach
(805) 904-6773
Best Breakfast
Louisa's Place Restaurant
964 Higuera St., SLO
(805) 541-0227
Best Weekend Brunch
Lido Restaurant & Lounge
2727 Shell Beach Road, Pismo Beach
(805) 773-8900
Best Family-Friendly Restaurant (TIE)
Firestone Grill
1001 Higuera St., SLO
(805) 783-1001
Finney's Crafthouse
857 Monterey St., SLO
(805) 439-2556
facebook.com/Finneyscrafthouse
Best Outdoor Dining
Novo Restaurant & Lounge
726 Higuera St., SLO
(805) 543-3986
Best Chinese Food
Mei's Chinese Restaurant
1759 Shell Beach Road, Shell Beach
(805) 773-2908
facebook.com/pages/Meis-Chinese-Restaurant/121668924510235
Best Indian Food
Shalimar
3820 Broad St., SLO
(805) 781-0766
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
(805) 439-1999
Nothing can satisfy the need for a juicy gyro and fresh tabbouleh better than Petra. Its generous platters give you your fill and then some. The turmeric rice is soft and fluffy and an extra order of tzatziki is a must. Order some hummus and a side of warm pita to share with friends or family and stay awhile. If Mediterranean dishes aren't your thing (or you have a picky eater in the group) Petra's pizzas are to die for. The crisp crust crunches with every bite and it pulls the savory flavors of popular Mediterranean dishes with the tang of tomato sauce and cheese to tie it all together. Build your own or pick one of the pies on the menu. You can't go wrong!
—Taylor O'Connor
Best Mexican Food
Efren's Mexican Restaurant
1720 Beach St., Oceano
1285 Laurel Lane, SLO
(805) 489-2385
facebook.com/pages/Efrens-2/573150352782299
Best Thai Food
Thai Boat
3212 Broad St., No. 140, SLO
(805) 594-1638
Best Seafood
Mersea's
3985 Avila Beach Drive, Avila Beach
(805) 548-2290
Best Sushi
Goshi
570 Higuera St., suite 155, SLO
772 Pine St., Paso Robles
(805) 543-8942
Best Poke
Pokirito
848 Foothill Blvd., SLO
(805) 439-2541
Best Barbecue
Old SLO BBQ Co.
670 Higuera St., SLO
3870-3 Broad St., SLO
(805) 285-2473
Old SLO BBQ is the prime post-hike pig-out zone. The Santa Maria-style oak-grilled meats are tender, juicy, and make a fitting reward at the end of any workout. The restaurant thinks so too. On Saturdays only, post your outdoor activity on social media and show it to an Old SLO BBQ cashier for a 15 percent discount. Coupled with their pinquito beans and cowboy corn pie, Old SLO BBQ's tri-tip makes for the heartiest meal that's worthy of being crowned best barbecue. Don't forget to wash it all down with a craft beer or two that they have on tap.
—Bulbul Rajagopal
Best Vegetarian Food
Ziggy's
594 California Blvd., SLO
1227 Pine St., Paso Robles
(805) 439-4399
Best Vegan
Ziggy's
594 California Blvd., SLO
1227 Pine St., Paso Robles
(805) 439-4399
Best Deli
Depalo & Sons
2665 Shell Beach Road, suite L, Shell Beach
(805) 773-1589
facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057090714693
Best Food Truck
Zen Dog
11175 Los Osos Valley Road, SLO
(805) 550-0689
Best Chef
Will Torres
1743 Pico Court, SLO
(805) 714-4245
Best Caterer
Rib Line
359 W. Grand Ave., Grover Beach
12308 Los Osos Valley Road, SLO
(805) 543-7427
Best Butcher
Arroyo Grande Meat Company
120 E. Branch St., Arroyo Grande
(805) 489-2693
Best Fish Market
Giovanni's Fish Market & Gallery
1001 Front St., Morro Bay
1-877-552-4467
facebook.com/GiovannisFishMarket
Best Burrito
Tacos de Acapulco
596 California Blvd., SLO
(805) 543-9100
Best Breakfast Burrito
Lincoln Market & Deli
496 Broad St., SLO
(805) 543-3443
facebook.com/LincolnMarketandDeli
Best Taco
Taqueria El Guero
1122 Chorro St., SLO
1490 E. Grand Ave., Arroyo Grande
(805) 540-4637
Best Burger
Sylvester's Burgers
Los Osos, Atascadero, Oceano
Best Sandwich
High Street Deli
350 High St., SLO
1326 Second St., Los Osos
(805) 541-4738
Best Steak
Jocko's Steakhouse
125 N. Thompson Ave., Nipomo
(805) 929-3686
Best Hot Chicken
HELLAHOT
570 Higuera St., suite 104, SLO
(805) 439-2687
Best Pizza
Woodstock's Pizza
1000 Higuera St., SLO
(805) 541-4420
Best Wood-Fired Pizza
Flour House
690 Higuera St., SLO
(805) 544-5282
facebook.com/Flour-House-SLO-1103189849695534
Best Salad
Firestone Grill
1001 Higuera St., SLO
(805) 783-1001
Best Chowder
Splash Café
197 Pomeroy Ave., Pismo Beach
1491 Monterey St., SLO
(805) 773-4653
facebook.com/SplashCafeChowder
Best Ramen
Raku Ramen
799 E. Foothill Blvd, suite A, SLO
(805) 439-3088
Best Fish & Chips
Splash Café
197 Pomeroy Ave., Pismo Beach
1491 Monterey St., SLO
(805) 773-4653
facebook.com/SplashCafeChowder
Best Mac & Cheese
Black Sheep Bar & Grill
1117 Chorro St., SLO
(805) 544-7433
Best Ice Cream
McConnell's Fine Ice Creams
868 Monterey St., SLO
(805) 439-5055
facebook.com/mcconnells.icecream
Best Froyo
SLO Froyo n' Italian Ice
956 Higuera St., SLO
facebook.com/profile.php?id=100073203202519
Best Doughnut
SloDoCo
Atascadero, SLO (two locations)
(805) 782-9766
Best Dessert
Madonna Inn
100 Madonna Road, SLO
(805) 784-2433
Best Pie
Linn's Easy As Pie Cafe
4251 Bridge St., Cambria
(805) 924-3050
Best Bread
Bread Bike
2060A Parker St., SLO
(805) 242-1588
Best Bakery
Bread Bike
2060A Parker St., SLO
(805) 242-1588
Best Olive Oil
SLO Olive
958 Higuera St., SLO
(805) 439-2455
Related Stories
Latest in Best of SLO
-
You voted on your favorites, results next week!
Apr 18, 2024 -
Best of SLO County 2023: You voted on your favorites, and here they are!
May 4, 2023 -
Best of SLO County 2023: Drinks
May 4, 2023 - More »
