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San Luis Obispo has a popping food scene and it’s worth a visit just to eat! It’s a university town close to wine country, has countless breweries, and offers many mid to upscale dining experiences right in the heart of downtown.
In San Luis Obispo, you can also expect to find a collection of great pizza spots, varied world cuisines, donut shops, and a nearly century-old deli. There’s a lot of ground to cover here – more than any long weekend trip can cover. Multiple visits will be required!
Be sure to check out my Best Things to do in San Luis Obispo Guide too!
Where to Eat in SLO
Here are my picks of where to eat in San Luis Obispo, plus my recommendations on what to order at each spot!
Mistura
Website | 570 Higuera St, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
This Peruvian restaurant in Downtown SLO is one of my favorite spots to eat in the city! At Mistura, you can expect bold flavors of Peruvian cuisine showcased in traditional and inventive ways.
Start off with a Pisco sour cocktail (I recommend the maracuya (passion fruit)) before digging into one of the many ceviches they offer. My pick is the El Misti, which is a hot stone ceviche with shrimp, salmon, avocado, cancha (Peruvian corn), sweet potato and crispy quinoa. Aji amarillo sauce is poured tableside over the hot stone at service and that sauce is dynamite!
The Acevichada causa is also a must-get, with seasoned whipped potatoes stuffed with king crab, avocado, ahi tuna Nikkei style, aji amarillo sauce, roe, and crispy quinoa. This dish is typically served in a stack, but at Mistura, they blend in some Japanese influence and present it like a sushi roll (which is perfect for sharing!).
Lastly, for mains, try the traditional Lomo Saltado with tender bits of filet and veggies stir fried in a savory vinegar sauce over fries and rice. This dish has influence from Chinese and Peruvian cultures and is packed with flavor! I also recommend the Del Mar grilled Spanish octopus – they know how to cook it perfectly.
Flour House
Website | 690 Higuera St, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
If you’re on a quest to find San Luis Obispo’s best pizza, Flour House should be on your list! Flour House also serves up fresh housemade pastas and classic Italian antipasti like their saffron arancini stuffed with ‘njuda and melted cheese (seriously, get the arancini – they are delicious!).
Pizzas here are served wood-fired and are Neapolitan style (one of my favorites) with a thin, soft crust dripping with tangy tomato sauce and an array of fresh toppings.
I recommend you get the Calabrese (like we did), topped with San Marzano tomato sauce, ‘nduja (spicy pork spread), stracciatella, red onions, parmigiano reggiano, and black pepper. This is one pizza that definitely comes close to what we had in Italy.
Flour House has both indoor and patio dining that backs up to the San Luis Obispo Creek, perfect for a date night!
Luna Red
Website | 1023 Chorro St, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
If you’re in search of a happy hour spot in SLO, Luna Red is the perfect pick! The patio area has a great vibe with string lights, towering trees, and views of The Mission.
Their nachos (only available on the happy hour menu) are some of the best restaurant nachos I’ve ever had! Their crispy homemade chips are topped with melted cheese, creamy queso, and pico de gallo. If you’re a meat eater, you must get the birria as an extra add-on topping. The birria meat is so flavorful and portions are generous.
Pair your nachos with a refreshing margarita – one of the best I’ve had in a long while.
Shekamoo Grill
Website | 811 Froom Ranch Way Suite 140, San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
For something really unique, check out Shekamoo Grill for flame-grilled Persian kabobs and other savory sides and shareables. Shekamoo is now located in the new SLO Ranch Market area, which is turning into an awesome spot that will rival the SLO Public Market! This spot might feel casual, but their food comes out plated beautifully.
What to Order
- Kabob plate with both koobideh (beef/lamb mix) and the saffron chicken to taste a bit of both (though I think the koobideh stands out over the chicken)
- Loaded roasted potatoes with shallot yogurt, mint pistachio pesto, and crispy onions. This is definitely the best thing on their menu!
- Creamy eggplant dip made with garlic, caramelized onions, and a drizzle of fermented yogurt sauce with fried mint
- Lemon pistachio tiramisu for a sweet bite after your meal (no regrets here!)
They also have fun takes on other dishes like their lamb burger, koobideh nachos, and paella with koobideh. I’m definitely ordering up those nachos next visit!
Watch this space closely as it develops and more restaurants are added as neighbors!
Sushi Table
Website | 811 Froom Ranch Way #120, San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
For a unique sushi dining experience, head to Sushi Table in the SLO Ranch Marketplace.
From the entrance, you step through curtains to reveal a small sushi bar reminiscent of a Japanese izakaya. This experience is super cozy as you’re interacting with the chefs the whole time and possibly even the owner who loves to chat with guests!
Everything we had here blew us away, from the more simple handrolls to the sushi “tacos.” I especially loved the nigiri specials too, including seared wagyu beef and white salmon. 10/10 from me!
Reservations are recommended since this is a tight 12-seater sushi bar experience.
Señors Kitchen Food Truck
Instagram | Located at Liquid Gravity
Señors Kitchen food truck is churning out delicious tacos on freshly-made corn tortillas at Liquid Gravity Brewing several days a week. I recommend the shrimp tacos from Señors, which are a nice, light bite and super flavorful. Tacos are the perfect pairing to an ice cold beer!
San Luis Obispo Public Market
Website | 3845 S Higuera St, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Want to try a few different restaurants all in one space? Visit the SLO Public Market! Choose from casual stops like Bing’s Bao Buns or Jay Bird’s Hot Chicken, grab a beer from the Bottlecraft Bar, and take a seat in the central dining area of the market.
A word to the wise if you choose Jay Bird’s: the spice levels can be a little unbearable – choose life and go with the medium spice.
For more of a restaurant atmosphere, check out Todo Bueno or Cali Tacos Cantina & Distillery. There are so many cool options to choose from here!
Bear & The Wren
Website | 570 Higuera St #2, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
SLO has a slew of highly-rated spots for pizza, but you won’t be disappointed sinking your your teeth into one of the stellar wood-fired or Detroit style pizzas at Bear & The Wren.
Our favorites: their Detroit-style Four Meat pizza from one of their spring menus, loaded with sausage, pepperoni cups, thick cut bacon, and capicola. It was phenomenal! And you can’t go wrong with the Sausage & Pepperoni – a classic that comes with dollops of ricotta if getting the Detroit-style.
Pro tip: get a side of hot honey if you order a pizza that doesn’t come with it. The combination of savory and sweet will want to make you devour every last bite.
Other Dishes Worth Getting:
- Seasonal asparagus side, smothered in a rich brown butter hollandaise and topped with bacon lardons. I’m not typically a huge hollandaise fan, but this was probably the best rendition I’ve ever had.
- Meatballs in marinara with pistachio pesto – omg, this dish is worth repeating every visit!
- Their beet salad is also a great appetizer!
- Cast iron cookie with ice cream (when available). We had the butterscotch flavor and it was divine.
I do also recommend dining on the patio if the weather permits. They’ll have gas heaters on if it gets chilly!
Note that the menu at Bear & The Wren does change seasonally, which includes changes to their appetizers, salads, desserts and their pizzas.
Gold Land BBQ
Website | 570 Higuera St #135, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
The Central Coast of California is known for having some pretty darn good BBQ. This region is even famous for Santa Maria-style tri tip! When you’re in the Central Coast area, it’s definitely a good idea to try out a couple of BBQ spots.
At Gold Land BBQ, located in The Creamery, you’ll find a variety of different meats like brisket, ribs, pulled pork, and smoked chicken. You won’t find Santa Maria tri trip here, but their chopped brisket is pretty delicious. Their vinegar slaw and pickles make excellent sidekicks to the meats too.
High Street Deli
Website | 350 High St, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
High Street Deli has been slinging out the sandwiches of our dreams at this little shop for nearly a century – since 1927! Their enormous sandwiches are filling and still reasonably priced. They also have rotating daily specials, which you can view on their online menu ahead of your visit.
Here are two sandwiches that I’ve tried and I think you’ll love:
- The Dutch Punch packed with smoked turkey, extra bacon, jalapeño Havarti, red onion, tomato, romaine, avocado, and chipotle mayo on a Dutch crunch roll.
- Tuesday Special (The Italian Summer) filled with roast turkey, prosciutto, fresh mozzarella, artichoke hearts, mayo (we got ours without), homemade basil pesto, pepperoncini, red onion, arugula, and balsamic reduction on a French roll.
Budget Tip: If you’re on a tight budget, from 4:20 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily, you can get the 420 discount where sandwiches are only $8.50!
Do note that High Street Deli is a popular spot. I highly recommend ordering online ahead of time or getting there right at opening to avoid a long line and wait times.
Corazon Café
Website | 847 Higuera St, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Corazon Café is an awesome spot in downtown SLO for a Mexican-style breakfast or brunch!
Along with tasty food, they also have a great coffee selection and served me the best coffee of my life. The Mayan Mocha is a must-get if you’re a coffee lover, made with chocolate from Chiapas and a touch of cinnamon. It was heavenly, and I’m not even a huge coffee connoisseur.
I had heard the chilaquiles was the dish to get here and I can confirm, it’s a delicious plate of food. We got ours with chile verde, but they also have chorizo, grilled chicken, Black Angus asada, bacon, and Yucatan chicken mole as protein upgrade options. I’m getting mine with chicken mole next time!
I was also a fan of their chile relleno, which is made with a fresh Poblano chile stuffed with melty cheese and served with veggies, rice, and beans.
This is such an excellent way to start your day(s) in SLO!
Black Sheep Bar & Grill
Website | 1117 Chorro Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
I went to Black Sheep for one thing, and one thing only – their mac and cheese!
Black Sheep is one of the best spots in SLO for this comfort food and they even have rotating mac specials (like ours that came loaded with sausage and jalapenos). It’s steaming hot and extra creamy, with a nice cheese crust on top. Total guilty pleasure that is absolutely worth a visit!
They also make good wings and their happy hour pours of wine are super generous.
Rod & Hammer
Website | 855 Aerovista Pl, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Rod & Hammer is not only a distillery but a full restaurant too! Located near the airport, this casual spot is great for hearty lunches that pair well with whiskeys and cocktails. Get a salty smash burger or their smokey chicken sandwich (my personal fave) that comes with fig jam for a hint of sweetness. Their fries and onion rings are also both excellent sides!
For lighter fare, they have salads and if you want something shareable, grab a pizza or sausage and fondue board.
Goshi
Website | 570 Higuera St #155, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
For a more traditional Japanese meal, you’ll want to get yourselves to Goshi. Americans are often obsessed with outlandish sushi rolls stuffed full of goodies and doused in spicy mayo. However, I think Goshi shines with their more simple sushi offerings, which showcase the freshness of their fish.
They do have sushi rolls here, but I highly recommend going with nigiri or sashimi here, along with a bowl of piping hot udon noodle soup and a refreshing, cold Asahi beer. Their nigiri plate included some of the best bites of sushi I’ve ever had in the U.S.
Sweet Shops in SLO
If you’re looking to satisfy some sweet tooth cravings, here are a few spots in SLO to get your sugar rush:
Lokum
Website | 715 Higuera St, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
For a really unique sweet treat, stop by Lokum to try some Turkish delight! I had been searching for a spot that sells Turkish Delight ever since I fell in love with it at Borough Market in London. I stumbled across Lokum and I make it a point to pop in each time we’re visiting SLO.
This shop is a bit pricey, but you can just pick out a few different pieces (with or without nuts) to try different flavors. My favorites are the Blackberry Almond Cream, Pistachio Sour Swirl, and the plain (nut-free) pomegranate and orange.
McConnell’s Fine Ice Creams
Website | 868 Monterey St, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
This ice cream shop originated in Santa Barbara over 70 years ago and now has several locations throughout Southern California. Their made-from-scratch ice creams are smooth and creamy and full of flavor! It’s the best place to stop in after dinner, especially if you’re wandering around downtown.
Recommended scoops: Salted Caramel Chip, Sea Salt Cream & Cookies, Lemon & Marionberry
SloDoCo
Website | 793F Foothill Blvd, San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
SloDoCo has a ton of different fun donuts to choose from – so much so that I was a little overwhelmed with what to choose when we walked in the shop!
I was actually drawn to SloDoCo by their ultra pretty and colorful marshmallow galaxy donuts, but ended up loving the maple buttermilk bar and white chocolate chip old fashioned best. Sometimes, the more simple donuts are the best. They also make a good apple fritter!
Brown Butter Cookie Co
Website | 897 Higuera St, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Brown Butter cookies are a quintessential treat from SLO County, with locations in Cayucos (the original location), San Luis Obispo, and Paso Robles. These crumbly cookies are so tasty! I try to get a pack every time I’m visiting the area.
I personally like the original and cinnamon cookies out of all their cookie offerings. Another example where keeping things simple is the best idea!
Breweries & Distilleries in SLO
San Luis Obispo is a fantastic town to visit for beer lovers! There are more breweries and taprooms than I can count. Below is a list of some of the breweries that we’ve visited so far and enjoyed, along with a cool distillery (that happens to be right next to one of my brewery picks).
There Does Not Exist
Website | 4070 Earthwood Ln Suite 110, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
There Does Not Exist is a unique one on the beer scene of San Luis Obispo and is our favorite San Luis Obispo brewery! A visit here will greet you with a pristine taproom located in a quiet industrial neighborhood with outer space vibes and trippy wall art.
They are brewing some pretty awesome IPAs here, but do also generally have a stout on tap, along with lighter beers like lagers and pilsners.
Oak & Otter
Website | 181 Tank Farm Rd #110, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Oak and Otter is a little brewery that I recommend for non-IPA lovers. While they do have hoppy beers on their menu, I think they excel with their other styles of beer – particularly stouts and porters. If you’re a peanut butter fan, you’ll want to try their Anybody Want a Peanut? peanut butter milk stout.
They also serve food here! While I haven’t got the chance to try anything off their restaurant menu, they do have some tasty-looking pub grub, including pretzels, platters, nachos, flatbread, sandwiches, and different sausages/hot dogs.
Central Coast Brewing
Website | 1701 Monterey St, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
While Central Coast Brewing has two locations in SLO, I recommend visiting The HUB location so you can pop over to the Krobar Distillery before/after the brewery. It’s a fun, lively and open space, perfect for hanging out and having a few beers! They have several TVs as well to catch up on some sports games.
In terms of beer, Central Coast has a wide range of brews on tap at any given time, including IPAs, kettle sours, and lighter ales. They had a raspberry imperial kettle sour on tap when we visited last and it was delicious!
Krobar Distillery
Website | 1701 Monterey St, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
For a change of pace from beer, hop over to the Krobar Distillery before or after a visit to Central Coast Brewing and try a flight of their vodka, gin, and whiskeys or a craft cocktail! Flights are $10 for 3 tastings, or $20 for 6 tastings. Being whiskey fans, we chose to do all whiskey, of which my favorite was the Single Barrel Cask Bourbon.
The tasting room is also very modern and a fun spot to grab a bar seat at!
Rod & Hammer
Website | 855 Aerovista Pl, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
For a flight of SLO-made whiskeys, head over to Rod & Hammer near the airport. We loved the tasting room vibe here where you can pull up a seat at the bar or hang out on their patio and order one of their many craft cocktails. They also have a full restaurant next door, but you can order from the food menu in the tasting room as well.
Our favorites: Cask Bourbon and Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Will you be visiting San Luis Obispo soon? If you were wondering where to eat in San Luis Obispo (and where to find a good drink), hopefully you’ve got some good recommendations for your trip now. And as always, if you think I should visit a new spot to add to this list, please drop a comment below.
Happy eating and drinking in SLO!
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