What are SLO County’s hottest restaurants? These had most bookings in September
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- OpenTable ranked San Luis Obispo and Paso Robles by September bookings.
- Madonna Inn venues and downtown spots captured the most reservations.
- Top-ranked eateries span steak, Italian, seafood, Peruvian and pizza.
Planning a dinner date in San Luis Obispo County?
OpenTable released the latest edition of its monthly Diners’ Choice rankings for San Luis Obispo and Paso Robles on Sunday, Oct. 5.
The online reservation platform sought out local eateries with the most bookings and the best reviews in September, highlighting popular restaurants across the area that includes San Luis Obispo and Paso Robles.
OpenTable analyzed nearly 500,000 new global diner reviews in September and sorted the results by location to “help you discover new favorite restaurants,” according to the booking site.
“It’s a great partnership: you reserve, eat and review,” OpenTable said. “We listen ... and deliver the results for all to benefit.”
Here’s which local restaurants nabbed the most reservations:
Alex Madonna’s Gold Rush Steak House
- Location: Madonna Inn, 100 Madonna Road, San Luis Obispo
- Hours: 5 to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, 4 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday
The iconic Alex Madonna’s Gold Rush Steak House at the Madonna Inn is famous for its pink color scheme and “comfortable and opulent dining atmosphere,” the inn said.
Its expansive menu features oak-pit-barbecued steak, prime rib and fresh seafood, with the Madonna Inn’s world-famous cakes for dessert.
As of Tuesday, Oct. 7, the restaurant had an average OpenTable rating of 4.6 stars out of five.
“Excellent ambience. Excellent food and service,” OpenTable reviewer David James of Los Angeles wrote. “The filet mignon was the best ever.”
Nate’s on Marsh
- Location: 450 Marsh St., San Luis Obispo
- Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4:30 to 9 p.m. Thursday through Monday
On the edge of downtown San Luis Obispo, Nate’s on Marsh is dishing up entrees that are “a love letter to classic American-Italian cuisine,” the restaurant said on its website.
The eatery, which had an average rating of 4.8 stars on OpenTable, said it offers the “ultimate in Central Coast hospitality with only the best comforting dishes worth craving.”
In addition to ribeye steak, salmon piccata and mushroom carbonara, Nate’s On Marsh offers an array of cocktails and a wide-ranging California-based wine list.
“Our waiter was great. Very attentive. Always checked in but never intrusive,” OpenTable reviewer Pete of San Diego wrote. “The food was amazing.”
Lure Fish House
- Location: 101 Monterey St., Suite 100, San Luis Obispo
- Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday
Lure Fish House in downtown San Luis Obispo features an oyster bar and a full-service menu with a variety of fresh, sustainable seafood.
Here, you can find ceviche, charboiled oysters, lobster and a bar packed with cocktails and local wines, Lure Fish House said on its website.
“The service and food were top notch,” OpenTable reviewer Robert wrote. “We started with clam chowder that had a good amount of clams and was one of the best I have had since we were in Boston.”
The restaurant had an average 4.5-star rating on the site as of Monday.
Copper Cafe and Bakery
- Location: Madonna Inn, 100 Madonna Road, San Luis Obispo
- Hours: Open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m
Copper Cafe and Bakery at the Madonna Inn is a go-to spot for tourists and locals alike.
The cafe contains “a warm and charming atmostphere,” the San Luis Obispo hotel said, with copper counters, tons of natural light and imagery that “will transport you to a quaint European village.”
The bakery, which has an average rating on 4.7 stars on OpenTable, sells a variety of cookies, pies, pastries and desserts, including its signature pink champagne cake.
OpenTable reviewer Rich of San Francisco called the Copper Cafe “totally unique and with lots of history.”
“(The) food is great — and the cake is superb!” the reviewer added.
Il Cortile Ristorante
- Location: 608 12th St., Paso Robles
- Hours: 5 to 10 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 5 to 11 p.m. Friday through Sunday
Il Cortile Ristorante, a fine dining Italian restaurant in Paso Robles, offers seasonal menus with fresh local ingredients.
Executive chef Santos MacDonal creates “a melody of exceptional homemade pastas, fresh seafood, top quality meats and antipasti,” the restaurant said.
The Italian restaurant had a 4.8-star rating on OpenTable as of Tuesday.
“(The) food was outstanding,” OpenTable reviewer Joan of Los Angeles wrote. “The stuffed squash blossom appetizer was the best I have ever had.”
Mistura
- Location: 570 Higuera St., San Luis Obispo
- Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sundays
Popular Peruvian restaurant Mistura serves upscale fare in downtown SLO that blends a variety of culinary influences, including Italian, Japanese, Chinese and Italian.
“Mistura is an authentic tribute to the diversity of Peruvian food,” the restaurant said on its website.
The eatery, which has an average OpenTable rating of 4.6 stars, also offers Pisco-centered cocktails and lavish, hand-crafted desserts.
“(The) food was so good! Chicken empanadas and sushi rolls were amazing! So was the lamb shank,” OpenTable reviewer John of the Central Coast wrote. “There is so much on the menu — can’t wait to go back and try more things.”
Bear & The Wren
- Location: 570 Higuera St., Suite 2, San Luis Obispo
- Hours: 4 to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, noon to 8 p.m. Sundays
Bear & The Wren at The Creamery Marketplace in San Luis Obispo boasts a wood-fired pizza oven that cranks out Neapolitan and Detroit-style pizzas.
As of Monday, the restaurant had a 4.8-star rating on OpenTable due to its relaxed atmosphere, delicious pizzas and craft cocktails.
OpenTable reviewer Monique called Bear & The Wren “a favorite when we’re in SLO,” adding that the restaurant always offers “an incredible meal, attentive service, clean and great ambience.”
McPhee’s Grill
- Location: 416 S. Main St., Templeton
- Hours: 5 to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 5 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday
At this steakhouse in downtown Templeton, customers can taste fresh seafood and wood-grilled steaks, along with gourmet pizzas and pasta.
McPhee’s Grill, which has a 4.8-star rating on OpenTable, calls itself “the first name in San Luis Obispo County fine dining,” on its website.
OpenTable reviewer Joel of the Central Coast said the “food was excellent as always. My double cut pork chop was so tender, juicy and delicious.”
Parchetto
- Location: 1234 Park St., Paso Robles
- Hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday
In downtown Paso Robles, Parchetto has made a name for itself by blending “the elegance of fine dining with the ambiance of casual cuisine,” the eatery said on its website.
The sophisticated California bistro serves dishes crafted with seasonal produce and fresh flavors, with a curated wine list packed with Paso Robles vintages.
“(The) service was good. Live jazz music was lovely,” OpenTable reviewer Kim of Phoenix wrote.
Parchetto had an average OpenTable rating of 4.7 stars on Tuesday.
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Mama’s Meatball
- Location: 570 Higuera St., Suite 130, San Luis Obispo
- Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday
This authentic Italian restaurant in downtown San Luis Obispo combines quality local ingredients with homestyle cooking, the restaurant said on its website.
As of Tuesday, Mama’s Meatball had an average 4.7-star rating on OpenTable.
OpenTable reviewer Anita said the food was excellent when she visited in late September.
“The meatballs were moist and delicious,” she wrote on OpenTable. “Definitely going back. (It’s) one of our favorite restaurants in town.”
This story was originally published October 8, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
