Diners' Choice: Best Overall restaurants in California Central Coast

OpenTable

Updated November 05, 2026

Looking for the best overall restaurants in California Central Coast? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Na Na Thai

5.0

5 (105)

$30 and under

Thai

Buellton

About the restaurant

A Taste of Bangkok in the Heart of California.
A vibrant restaurant in Buellton, California, inspired by the owners' time living in Thailand. The menu features a diverse selection of elevated street food dishes.
Step inside and be transported to a lively atmosphere. The colorful decor and friendly staff create a welcoming ambiance.
Start your culinary journey with a selection of small plates, like the crispy lumpia, filled with curried beef, or the light and flavorful por pia tofu spring roll, bursting with fresh vegetables and herbs. For a main course, indulge in the pad thai, a classic dish elevated with perfectly grilled shrimp and a symphony of textures. The daily changing fried rice is a show stopper!
Na Na Thai's commitment to authentic flavors extends to their use of locally sourced ingredients. They work closely with farmers and ranchers to ensure the freshest, highest-quality produce and meats.

Top review

Tomas

Dined on Oct 25, 2026

Best Thai in the county, maybe the state!! Enjoyed everything, wine list was perfect for the food. Service was amazing!

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Experience

Thai Family Style

Experience

New Years Eve Dinner at Na Na Thai

Experience

Hearth x Enegren x Na Na Thai Collab

Edna

5.0

5 (23)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

San Luis Obispo

About the restaurant

Edna is a premier culinary destination on California’s Central Coast. Offering a tasting room, daytime market, distillery, as well as full-service dining at the Restaurant at Edna. The Restaurant at Edna is guided by Partner and Culinary Director Jeremy Fox’s longstanding culinary ethos of sustainability and seasonality, while Executive Chef Matthew Schaler leads the kitchen at the Restaurant at Edna. Highlighting local agriculture, regional wines, and a focus on craft.

Edna provides a warm and welcoming space for guests to come and linger against the beautiful backdrop of the San Luis Obispo Valley.

While here, discover the craftsmanship of celebrated SLO Coast producers Dunites, Greengate and Vestre in our tasting room. Together, we pour small‑production wines rooted in integrity and balance, each a genuine reflection of the land and season that shaped it.

Top review

Gonzalo

Dined 5 days ago

Excellent ambience where you can really enjoy good wine.

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Experience

The Tasting Room: Indoor Wine Tasting Experience

Experience

The Restaurant: November Dinner

Experience

The Restaurant: December Dinner

Sushi Table

5.0

5 (71)

$31 to $50

Sushi

San Luis Obispo

About the restaurant

Tucked away inside the vibrant San Luis Ranch Market, our speakeasy sushi bar offers an intimate, 12-seat experience designed to bring people together as a community. Inspired by the mission of the marketplace, we focus on serving high-quality food crafted with the freshest ingredients, sourcing locally whenever possible. Every visit to our hidden sushi bar is meant to feel personal, authentic, and rooted in a shared appreciation for exceptional flavors and genuine connection.

Top review

David

Dined on Oct 1, 2026

At the bar, Dominick was the absolute best! Three cheers!

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Experience

Omakase Experience

Bare Bones Eatery

4.9

4.9 (12)

$50 and over

Fusion / Eclectic

Pismo Beach

About the restaurant

What began as a lifelong passion for food became a dream brought to life by a husband, father, and self-trained chef who has spent the last 15 years honing his craft. As a family-owned and operated restaurant, we pour our hearts into every detail, from the warm, intimate atmosphere to the carefully curated menu. Our cuisine is a distinctive marriage of vibrant Asian flavors and classic French techniques, creating dishes that are both approachable and extraordinary. We believe fine dining should be about exceptional food and genuine connection, not white tablecloths and intimidation. That's why we've created a space where guests can enjoy elevated cuisine at an affordable price, delivered with the warmth and hospitality that only a family-run restaurant can offer. It's this combination of passion, innovation, and authenticity that makes us truly different from every other restaurant in Pismo Beach.

Top review

CynthiaGold

Dined 5 days ago

This is such a GREAT Dining experience. We have eaten here twice and both things were amazing. We shared two small plates, the PB and J, and a Tempura Lobster Tail that was nesteled on a creamy sweet corn mixture. It was wonderful. We shared the Rib Eye Steak with was so good, one of the best steaks I have ever had. I can't say enough great things about this new Pismo gem.

Pono Pacific Kitchen

4.9

4.9 (999)

$31 to $50

Seafood

Pismo Beach

About the restaurant

Pono Pacific Kitchen delivers an elevated farm-and-boat-to-table experience rooted in the vibrant flavors of the Pacific Rim. Anchored by year-round signature favorites and complemented by a rotating seasonal menu, our kitchen pairs daily catches and peak harvests with creative coastal techniques. We seamlessly blend influences from Hawaii, California, Mexico, and East Asia to reimagine regional classics. Join us for thoughtful hospitality, craft cocktails, and a meal that balances familiar comforts with fresh seasonal surprises.

Top review

Sabrina

Dined 1 day ago

Best food on the central coast. So fresh with interesting flavor combinations. Never had a dish we didn’t love. The she crab soup is a must have. The hamachi crudo with passion fruit was incredible (I could eat that every day). Always love the fish entrees.

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5.0

5 (558)

$50 and over

French

Carmel

About the restaurant

WE SERVE LUNCH ONLY MONDAY-FRIDAY STARTING AT 11:30AM- CLOSED SAT/SUN
We are located in CARMEL, CALIFORNIA, USA. Reservations are only available through OpenTable up to 3 weeks in advance. Intimate indoor dining room can accommodate parties up to 4 guests- Menu changes seasonally- see website for current menu.

Le Soufflé is a fine dining restaurant serving a traditional French soufflé lunch menu. Everything is exclusively prepared by our Executive Chef/Co-Owner creating a very unique and finely crafted dining experience. The wine list offers a selection of wines from exquisite boutique producers in France and are all available by the glass or bottle. Our guests can look forward to an elegant escape when they step into our intimate and luxurious dining room. We are located on Dolores Street, just two blocks off Ocean Avenue in the beautiful village of Carmel-by-the-Sea.

Top review

Barbara

Dined 4 days ago

I love this restaurant. Everything about it is excellent, from the quiet, sedate atmosphere, the incredibly delicious food and the warm and welcoming energy of the lovely hostess/owner, Lisa. I will return again and again.

Bar Le Côte

4.9

4.9 (391)

$31 to $50

Seafood

Los Olivos

About the restaurant

Bar Le Côte is a stylish seafood tavern located in Los Olivos, California. Inspired by the daily catch of the Central Coast and the modern cuisine of Europe’s seaside capitals, our team prepares thoughtful maritime fare in a casual, social atmosphere.

We have limited patio seating and do not allow dogs indoors. If you would like to reserve an outdoor table please email us at info@barlecote.com and we will do our best to accommodate.

Our intimate dining room is best suited for parties of 2–4 guests. We are able to accommodate a limited number of parties of up to 6, depending on availability and seating configuration.

Reservations recommended to guarantee being seated. We give all reservations a 15 minute grace period before being released to other guests. Walk in tables are limited.

* Please note that ride shares and taxis can be hard to come by in the valley, especially later in the evening. We will always do our best to assist in getting you a ride, but please plan accordingly *

Top review

JeffreyGold

Dined 6 days ago

Great food, lovely room, stellar service! What more do you need?

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Experience

Dinner for Two

Bell’s

4.9

4.9 (777)

$50 and over

French

Los Alamos

About the restaurant

Based in Los Alamos, CA, Bell’s is a French-inspired bistro from Per Se alums Daisy and Greg Ryan. Earning one Michelin Star since 2021 as well as Food & Wine Best New Chef, and Esquire’s Best New Restaurants and multiple James Beard nominations for Best Chef California and Outstanding Restauranteurs. Bell's is a reimagined bistro fare with eclectic wine selections from independent local producers and select European estates.

LUNCH is served from 11:00am - 3:00pm, Thurs - Mon.
Walk-ins welcomed.

PRIX FIXE DINNER is reservation only, from 5:00 - 8:30pm, Thursday - Monday.
Dinner is $125/person, menu price does not include SERVICE FEE AND TAX.

On Thursdays, we offer our L'EXPRESS DINNER MENU an abbreviated menu (salad and bread course, choice of entree, choice of dessert) for $75/pp - both menus will be offered those nights so no need to make a note, just book as you normally would.

On Monday evenings all wines over $60 are half price!
Please note the number below is TEXT ONLY

Top review

Kathy

Dined 7 days ago

Wonderful as always. We really enjoyed the mussels and salad.

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Experience

Prix Fixe Dinner Menu - Dining Room

Experience

Prix Fixe Dinner Menu - Outside Patio Dining

Experience

Prix Fixe Dinner Menu - Counter Seats

Brothers Restaurant at Red Barn

4.9

4.9 (1616)

$31 to $50

American

Santa Ynez Valley

About the restaurant

The Nichols brothers, Matt & Jeff, grew up in Ames, Iowa where their love of cooking, good food and a sense of family and community was nurtured.

The 2013 opening of their second Santa Barbara Wine Country restaurant, Brothers Restaurant at the Red Barn in Santa Ynez, allows them to offer visitors and locals alike great food, wine and hospitality. The brothers strive to have legendary service, innovative cuisine, and a welcoming and comfortable atmosphere that causes you to return time and again.

As chefs, the brothers continue to experiment with new dishes and cuisine, but always with that “from scratch”, homemade element. Fresh ingredients from local producers, a wine list that showcases the region’s award-winning wines and a comfortable and historically interesting atmosphere that takes you back to the romance of the old west. They want you to feel at home, and experience all the best of Santa Barbara’s Wine Country.

Top review

Carrie

Dined 2 days ago

Every part of our meal was amazing, food, cocktails, wine by the glass and of course service. Even the bread basket is amazing.

Alfredo's Pastaria and Mozzarella Bar

4.9

4.9 (1745)

$31 to $50

Italian

Pacific Grove

About the restaurant

Welcome to Alfredo’s Pastaria & Mozzarella Bar, renowned for its handcrafted pasta, sauces, gelato and housemade mozzarella, all made with fresh ingredients and a commitment to simple, exceptional food. Owner Alfredo Ortiz is dedicated to quality, hospitality, community, and consistency.

Some of our signature dishes include Linguine con Aragosta and Rigatoni alla Buttera, a tribute to restaurant Coco Pazzo in NYC. Our Mozzarella Bar includes a variety of different styles of the beautifully soft cheese paired with accompaniments. Our housemade gelato is the perfect way to top off any meal.

Enjoy a selection from our carefully curated Wine List with vintages from California and Italy. Indulge in our handcrafted cocktails to start or end your memorable dining experience!

Top review

DavidGold

Dined on Oct 29, 2026

10/10 every time. Best Italian food and best food on the peninsula

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Popular dish

Spaghetti alla Carbonara

Popular dish

Gnocchi di Patate

Popular dish

Rigatoni alla Buttera

Explore Diners' Choice best of California Central Coast