Welcome to Restaurant Month on the Central Coast of California! This season is like Christmas for Foodies here on the coast. There are hundreds of incredible stops here, so we’re going to narrow down the list and give you our top 10 tastiest restaurants from San Luis Obispo and Paso Robles. (Two of the biggest hubs for phenomenal food in San Luis Obispo County.)
If you like mouthwatering, soul-happy, local, and fresh food then keep reading!
Jump Ahead To San Luis Obispo Restaurants
Leap Ahead To Paso Robles Restaurants
1. Luna Red
Luna Red is next to the Mission de Tolosa in the heart of downtown, sunny San Luis Obispo, California. Luna Red was founded on Chef Shaun Behrens’ ideas for innovative small plates menu based on his passion for locally-sourced, seasonal ingredients. With a menu serving 18 different foods (not including items on the kid’s menu), Luna Red will give you tasty food to enjoy all January long!
Voted best Happy Hour Restaurant by readers of New Times, Luna Red is serving up some fabulous to-go cocktails this month. Enjoy 6 different cocktails ranging from an Old Fashioned to an entire pitcher of Sangria. (Now, that’s something we can cheers to!) Sister restaurant to Novo Restaurant & Lounge, Luna Red has been recognized for its cutting-edge handcrafted cocktails, standing out from other San Luis Obispo restaurants. (You’ll also find bottles of San Luis Obispo wine, ciders, and beer available to purchase as well.)
2. Black Sheep Bar & Grill
Do you like Mac and Cheese? If you love it as we do, you’ll definitely want to swing by Black Sheep Bar & Grill during restaurant month! They’re dishing up award-winning Mac and Cheese all January long. In fact, the Mac and Cheese is so popular at Black Sheep Bar & Grill that they have a whole section on the menu devoted to it. Besides the original Mac and Cheese, there are nine other versions available under the “A La Carte Mac” section. They include Mac Daddy, Cowboy Mac, Veggie Mac, Hot Mama Mac, Mac Blues, Chili Mac, Mac ‘n’ Broc, Beefy Mac, and Mac Mexicano.
Voted the best bar in San Luis Obispo for the past several years, you can rest assured that your visit to this tasty establishment is well worth it! With over 31 menu items, you could eat here every day this month and still not run out of options.
3. The Mark
Looking to feed a family this month? Not to worry, The Mark is serving up family-sized meals, in addition to their usual menu! Their tasty taco & enchilada meals can feed up to a family of 5.
The Mark opened its doors in 2018 and since then has quickly become a favorite of San Luis Obispo locals. (We personally love their fun to-go cocktails like White Gummy Bear, Kombucha Mule, and Dew and a Brew.)
4. Woodstock Pizza
Get a cheesy slice of happiness at Woodstock Pizza this month. This pizzeria is a local favorite and well-known for their craft-it-yourself pizza with a variety of crusts, sauces, and toppings. (We personally recommend topping your pizza with Carnitas and Tater Tots – yum!) They also offer a lot of frothy Central Coast brews from local breweries. (View their menu full of craft beers here.)
Founded in 1980, Woodstock Pizza is located in the heart of downtown San Luis Obispo, serving up fresh pizza with fresh ingredients daily.
5. House of Bagels Central Coast
Craving some good breakfast? Well, you don’t have to look far; House of Bagels Central Coast is serving up some tasty breakfast creations! We’re talking avocado, bacon, and egg bagel sandwiches, bagel pizzas, and more. As long as you like bagels, this one is one of the best in San Luis Obispo.
They provide fresh water bagels at the House of Bagels baked daily using a traditional process and ingredients. They offer a stunning variety of bagels, cream cheese, and sandwich options to choose from, guaranteed to satisfy the pickiest eater.
6. Novo Restaurant & Lounge
Just for Restaurant Month, Novo Restaurant & Lounge is offering an exclusive 3-course meal for only $44. Our stomach is growling already! They’re offering this deal Sunday-Thursday throughout January.
Like their sister restaurant, Luna Red, Novo Restaurant & Lounge is also located in beautiful San Luis Obispo. They specialize in crafting Latin-inspired courses, featuring bold flavors and from scratch fresh cuisine. Fun fact, they carry over 200+ selections of wine from the Central Coast of California to all around the world, balancing known classics with rising producers to suit all tastes. Since 2010, they’ve held an Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator. (View their full wine list.)
7. Piadina At Hotel San Luis Obispo
Piadina at Hotel San Luis Obispo has also rolled out an exclusive January Restaurant Month Menu. For $35, enjoy a 3-course special including a Bautista Farms Kale Caesar, a Kobe Smash Burger, and a Dark Chocolate Ganache Tart. (Yum!)
You can also purchase a bottle of local wine from Piadina to accompany your meal. You’ll find bottles from Edna Valley wineries like Claiborne Churchhill, Wolff Vineyards, Talley Estate, and Biddle Ranch, all available to purchase.
8. Cello Ristorante
Our first favorite restaurant from Paso Robles, wine country, is Cello Ristorante at the Allegretto Vineyard Resort. For just $40, you can enjoy a 3-course meal created exclusively for Restaurant Month. Enjoy a Green Apple & Golden Beet Salad, Roasted Roma Tomato Etto Pasta, and a Seasonal Bread Pudding. Talk about mouthwatering!
If you’ve never tried Etto pasta, now’s a perfect time. This pasta is organic and handmade in Tin City, Paso Robles, just a couple miles away from Cello Ristorante.
Have a fluffy, four-pawed friend that wants to join in on the action? Not a problem! Cello Ristorante offers an entire menu for our canine buddies. You can view their furry friend menu here.
9. Fish Gaucho
A favorite among our team and locals, Fish Gaucho, is a must-try in downtown Paso Robles during Restaurant Month. They are currently offering three different types of family meals, a Taco Party, Chile Verde Party, and a Chuleto de Cerdo Party, which can feed up to four people. Let’s be honest, a Taco Party is the perfect start to 2021.
If you like fresh seafood, shellfish, local produce, organic meats, and fine tequila, then Fish Gaucho is definitely for you. Did we mention that their specialty tequila bar serves over 100 different types of tequilas? 2021’s feeling pretty great already!
10. Cass Winery
Nothing quite says you’re in wine country like going to a winery to have some of the Central Coast’s best meals. Cass Winery is without a doubt one of those wineries! They’re currently offering a special January Restaurant Month menu complete with a 3-course meal for $30. Best yet? They’re offering three different menus so you can enjoy the one that best suits your tastes.
Surrounded by rolling vineyard hills with incredible food is definitely one of our favorite ways to spend our first weeks of 2021.
