Best SLO County restaurants? These 10 spots are ‘worth the drive,’ OpenTable says
Choosing where to dine can be a big decision, especially if it means hopping in the car first.
OpenTable recently updated its list of the best restaurants in the San Luis Obispo area that are “worth the drive.”
The restaurant reservation platform showcased local eateries serving everything from tacos and Italian food to sushi and seafood.
OpenTable also highlighted options in a variety of price ranges, from fine dining to casual eats.
Here’s who made the list:
What are the top 10 restaurants worth visiting in SLO?
According to OpenTable, these were the top 10 restaurants worth the drive in the San Luis Obispo area as of Wednesday, April 1:
- Granada Hotel & Bistro in San Luis Obispo
- Mama’s Meatball in San Luis Obispo and Paso Robles
- Lure Fish House in San Luis Obispo
- Cafe Roma in San Luis Obispo
- Sushi Table in San Luis Obispo
- Vista Steak and Seafood in Pismo Beach
- Ada’s Fish House in Pismo Beach
- Marisol at the Cliffs in Pismo Beach
- Oyster Loft in Pismo Beach
- California Tacos Cantina & Distillery in San Luis Obispo
What’s the SLO restaurant most worth the drive?
Granada Hotel & Bistro, 1126 Morro St. in San Luis Obispo, serves “seasonal, farm-to-table ingredients sourced from Central Coast farmers,” OpenTable said, with dishes inspired by Mediterranean culture and French and Spanish cuisines.
Menu options include wild mushroom farro, herb-crusted sea bass and pan-seared New York steak.
According to OpenTable, the restaurant also boasts an “eclectic” wine list that includes selections from local wineries including Giornata Wines, Scar of the Sea and Alban Vineyards.
With more than 1,200 reviews, Granada has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars.
What are other fine dining options in San Luis Obispo?
According to OpenTable, Granada Hotel & Bistro falls into the more expensive range, offering meals for $31 to $50.
Another top-rated eatery in that price range is Café Roma, 1020 Railroad Ave. in San Luis Obispo.
The Italian restaurant, which has an average OpenTable rating of 4.8 stars, serves up classic dishes including osso buco, saffron risotto and shortrib pappardelle.
Sushi Table, 811 Froom Ranch Way, Suite 120, in San Luis Obispo, is a “speakeasy sushi bar” with an “intimate, 12-seat experience,” according to OpenTable.
In addition to hand rolls and sashimi, the San Luis Ranch Market eatery serves up bento boxes, teriyaki bowls and onigiri rice balls. Its OpenTable rating averages 4.9 stars.
Where can I find affordable eats around SLO?
OpenTable also highlighted more affordable options in San Luis Obispo, including restaurants charging $30 or less.
Mama’s Meatballs, 570 Higuera St., Suite 130, in San Luis Obispo, offers a “truly authentic Italian dining experience” with home-style dishes including chicken parmigiana and spaghetti carbonara, according to OpenTable.
The Italian restaurant has an average OpenTable rating of 4.5 stars.
Lure Fish House, 1101 Monterey St. in San Luis Obispo, focuses on the “freshest sustainable seafood from trusted sources” with menu options including charbroiled oysters, miso-glazed sea bass skewers and spicy seafood ceviche, OpenTable said.
The restaurant has an average rating of 4.6 stars on OpenTable.
Part of the San Luis Obispo Public Market complex, California Tacos Cantina and Distillery serves up tacos, burritos, tortas and other Mexican food favorites.
The restaurant, which has an average 4.2-star OpenTable rating, is at 110 Tank Farm Road, Suite 100, in San Luis Obispo.
What are the best restaurants in Pismo Beach?
As of Wednesday, Pismo Beach was home to four of the top local restaurants worth a drive, according to OpenTable.
Doug MacMillan owns two of the eateries on the list: Vista Steak and Seafood and Ada’s Fish House.
Ada’s Fish House, 558 Price St. in Pismo Beach, serves classic seafood dishes including clam chowder, lobster rolls and fish and chips.
Popular dishes at Vista Steak and Seafood, 1601 Price St. in Pismo Beach, include salmon, pork chops and beef short rib.
Both eateries scored average OpenTable ratings of 4.8 stars, marking them as “exceptional” picks.
At The Cliffs Hotel and Spa, 2757 Shell Beach Road in Pismo Beach, Marisol at the Cliffs pairs Spanish-American cuisine with ocean views.
Menu options at the restaurant, which averages a 4.7-star rating on OpenTable, include ahi ceviche tostadas, quinoa avocado salad and seafood enchiladas. There’s even a special menu for pets, since dogs are allowed at the hotel.
Oysters Loft, 175 Pomeroy Ave. in Pismo Beach, prides itself on the “flavor and beauty” of its offerings.
OpenTable reviewers, which gave the upscale eatery an average rating of 4.8 stars, praised its beautiful beach scenery and menu offerings including scallops, pork chops and seafood tower.
How did OpenTable rank these SLO County eateries?
OpenTable said it ranked restaurants based on multiple factors, including:
- Table availability
- Restaurant location
- Search criteria
- Restaurant reviews and ratings
“Payment made by a restaurant to OpenTable is also a factor for the relative ordering of restaurants,” the website said.
This story was originally published April 2, 2026 at 5:00 AM.
