Central Coast hotel with ‘unparalleled views’ has one of nation’s best restaurants
A Central Coast hotel has one of the best restaurants in the nation, according to a new guide by OpenTable and Kayak.
The restaurant reservation site and travel services platform joined forces to narrow down the 100 best places to eat at hotels in the United States in 2025.
“Don’t sleep on the hotel restaurant,” the guide said. “From star chefs to innovative menus and stylish interiors, hotel restaurants have never been better.”
About 73% of Americans would rebook a hotel based on a great dining experience at the establishment, according to consumer research and data from OpenTable and Kayak.
Meanwhile, more than half of Americans think hotel restaurants have “gotten better over time” due to the quality of food, atmosphere and service, the sites found.
A total of 13 hotel restaurants in California made the list of the top places to dine — including one on the Central Coast.
Here’s which places are “worth the trip,” according to the guide:
Big Sur hotel has one of best restaurants in US
Sierra Mar at Post Ranch Inn in Big Sur ranked among the best hotel restaurants in the nation thanks to its spectacular ocean views and farm-to-table fare, according to the guide.
The fine dining spot at 47900 Highway 1 celebrates the “coastal bounty” of Big Sur and neighboring communities with lunch and dinner menus, Sierra Mar said.
“Guests are treated to a farm-driven dining experience that is perfectly complemented by an award-winning wine list, exceptional design and architecture and unparalleled views,” the restaurant said.
As of Thursday, Nov. 6, the hotel restaurant had an average rating of 4.7 stars out of five on OpenTable, with nearly 1,400 reviews.
The restaurant booking site called Sierra Mar a romantic spot with scenic views that’s ideal for special occasions.
Sierra Mar offers a family-style lunch experience for $85 a person, and a dinner tasting experiences for $185 per person.
Where are best hotel restaurants in California?
These were the top hotel restaurants in the Golden State in 2025, according to OpenTable and Kayak:
- Addison by William Bradley in San Diego
- Calabra at Santa Monica Proper in Santa Monica
- CUT by Wolfgang Puck at Beverly Wilshire in Berverly Hills
- mar’sel at Terranea Resort in Rancho Palos Verdes
- Mikado at Desert Spring JW Marriott in Palm Desert
- Rise Rooftop Lounge in Anaheim
- Sierra Mar at Post Ranch Inn in Big Sur
- Sky Room in Long Beach
- Splashes at Surf & Sand Resort in Laguna Beach
- The Pony Room at Rancho Santa Fe
- The Restaurant at Ponte in Temecula
- The Rooftop at Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills in Beverly Hills
- The Tower Bar in West Hollywood
How did OpenTable, Kayak create dining guide?
OpenTable and Kayak crafted the list of the top 100 hotel restaurants in the United States by compiling visitor reviews and demand metrics, the sites said.
Some of those metrics included diner ratings, percentage of advance reservations and five-star reviews, according to OpenTable and Kayak.
