Diners' Choice: Californian restaurants in California Central Coast

OpenTable

Updated November 05, 2026

Looking for restaurants with the best overall Californian cuisine in California Central Coast? You’re in the right place. Each month OpenTable analyzes more than 400,000 new diner reviews. We sort the results by category to help you discover new favorites. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Plenty on Bell

4.8

4.8 (10)

$30 and under

Californian

Los Alamos

About the restaurant

Located in the heart of Santa Barbara Wine Country in the charming town of Los Alamos California at the site of the historic 1880s Junction Saloon, Plenty on Bell is a California bistro and scratch-kitchen celebrating the Central Coast’s agricultural bounty, local traditions, and warm hospitality. Acclaimed Chef Jesper Johansson — an early Los Alamos food pioneer who helped put the town on the map — serves seasonal, hand-crafted fare built around ingredients from our on-site garden, our owners’ local farm, and from nearby farmers, ranchers, anglers, and craft purveyors.

As a true scratch kitchen, much of our food is made from self-grown or local ingredients, from sourdough loaves and buns baked with organic flour milled daily to house-made jams, sauces, salsas, cultured butters, pasture-raised meats, and wild-caught fish.

We offer breakfast, lunch, Friday night suppers, local wines, craft beers, and a full espresso bar. Dine inside the Junction Saloon room or outdoor courtyard.

Top review

Philip

Dined on Oct 3, 2026

First time to Plenty on Bell. I brought in a group from the Santa Maria Harley Owners Group and everyone enjoyed the service and the food. Thank you.

Olivella - Ojai Valley Inn

4.9

4.9 (569)

$50 and over

Californian

Ojai

About the restaurant

Ojai Valley Inn’s signature dinner restaurant, Olivella, proudly holds the Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star distinction and Wine Spectator’s Best of Award of Excellence. Chef Andrew Foskey presents a seasonally driven four-course menu rooted in valley-grown ingredients and refined techniques inspired by Italian culinary tradition. Complementing the cuisine, our award-winning wine program features expertly curated discoveries alongside classic bottlings from renowned California and Italian producers.

We kindly ask that any updates or cancellation to your reservation be made no less than 24 hours prior. Should you not cancel your reservation within 24 hours, or do not arrive for your reservation, you will be subject to a fee of $75 per person.

In keeping with the atmosphere, Olivella is intended for guests 10 years and older. Pets are not permitted in the restaurant. Trained service animals assisting guests with disabilities are welcome.

Top review

AndrewGold

Dined 6 days ago

We enjoyed our dinner quite a lot. Thank you to Alana for her great hospitality.

Nella Kitchen and Bar

4.8

4.8 (1435)

$31 to $50

Californian

Santa Ynez Valley

About the restaurant

Opened in August 2020, Nella Kitchen & Bar offers fresh, modern California cuisine and focuses on 'Roman Pinsas'.
Meals are served on the front porch overlooking Grand Ave where guests are warmly welcomed, or in the cozy Dining Room which also has a private Wine Room that can host family seating and private parties.
Cocktails are focused on classics and served in the Lounge with a lot of bar seating.
As much as we love pets, we only allow service animals at Nella, thank you for understanding.

Top review

JeannieGold

Dined 1 day ago

Very good dining experience. Beautiful setting and very good service. Good size portions as well. Highly recommend.

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4.8

4.8 (2280)

$31 to $50

Californian

Santa Barbara

About the restaurant

At Barbareño we seek to help further shape and define Central Coast cuisine. We take our inspiration from traditions and specialties of our area, delicacies unique to our region, and the many outstanding purveyors with whom we are so fortunate to work. In all of our efforts, we hope to capture the essence of a particular place or local flavor, embracing the nuances that make our food and drink unique to our home.

Top review

LesleyGold

Dined 4 days ago

I’ve never been disappointed at Barbareno!!! It’s our favorite place to go we go to Santa Barbara.

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Bouchon - Santa Barbara

4.8

4.8 (5889)

$31 to $50

Californian

Santa Barbara

About the restaurant

We are delighted to have added additional outdoor seating but Santa Barbara nights are chilly so bring a sweater or light jacket!

Fresh, local ingredients, prepared with care. Excellent wines that reflect the quality and character of our region and work in concert with the cuisine. Warm, inviting ambiance, service at a relaxed, leisurely pace. Santa Barbara ‘Wine Country Cuisine’ means we source our ingredients using an ‘as-fresh-and-as-local-as-possible’ approach, with fish from the Santa Barbara Channel and produce from the surrounding countryside. We then take into account how these flavors can be presented in concert with our local wines. We believe you’ll taste the difference. Bon Appètit!

Top review

LloydGold

Dined 2 days ago

Had a great meal. Server was super knowledgeable and very friendly.

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Experience

Christmas Day Dinner

Experience

Thanksgiving Day Dinner

Experience

Christmas Eve Dinner

Cella

4.7

4.7 (573)

$50 and over

Californian

Monterey

About the restaurant

Discover CELLA Restaurant + Bar at Cooper Molera Adobe in Downtown Monterey. Step into a sleek, historic venue with a heated pergola and stunning local woodwork. General Manager Lily Gonzales leads our remarkable staff. Explore our wine list and savor seasonal cocktails and mocktails crafted by Barkeep Joshua Perry. Chef Ben Spungin & Chef Tyler Eaves create an ever-changing menu inspired by the bountiful central coast. Join us and experience the neighborhood's culinary gem!

Top review

Kevin

Dined on Oct 28, 2026

Was my first time at Cella was Avery wonderful dinner

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Experience

Family-Style Dining

Opal Restaurant & Bar

4.7

4.7 (2141)

$31 to $50

Californian

Santa Barbara

About the restaurant

We have inside and limited outdoor sidewalk dining. If you prefer to sit outside, please indicate that with your reservation request.
To accommodate our second seating, early parties should plan for a maximum stay of 1.5 to 2hrs, depending on party size. Please call 805 966 9676 for more details.
A popular local’s favorite, opal restaurant & bar’s Eclectic California Cuisine fuses creative world cuisine influences with American Regional touches, from a 14 oz. Herb-Grilled Ribeye Steak on Tuscan White Beans, to Fresh Pan-Seared Fish & Seafood, Homemade Pastas, Gourmet Pizzas, fresh Baked Breads, imaginative Salads, & Homemade Desserts.
We have a Wine Spectator award-winning wine list, & a full bar with seasonal Craft Cocktails.
Our entire dining room staff assists to take care of each table, enabling exceptional service in a warm engaging manner, properly nuanced to your mood & taste. Our staff genuinely cares about giving you the best possible experience!

Top review

Kit

Dined 3 days ago

Consistent quality food and service in a comfortable atmosphere!

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Popular dish

Vegetable Napoleon

Popular dish

Chile Crusted Filet Mignon

Popular dish

Herb Grilled Filet Mignon

Grasing's

4.7

4.7 (3476)

$31 to $50

Californian

Carmel

About the restaurant

DINING UPDATE: Please call restaurant if desired reservation is not available online.
Grasing's is open for indoor dining and limited outdoor dining (weather permitting). Please note if stairs are an issue for any guest. Please continue to visit our website a https://grasings.com for menu updates, holiday offerings and special events.

Grasing’s, located in downtown Carmel-by-the-Sea, lies along the Pacific Coast in Central California in Monterey County. Celebrity chef partners, Kurt Grasing and Narsai David, truly created a gem. From friendly and professional service, an award winning wine list and seasonally inspired cocktails to the fresh and sustainable local ingredients.

Please contact the restaurant to request dog friendly patio seating.

Top review

LucGold

Dined 1 day ago

Great restaurant, incredible wine list and amazing service! Worth a visit.

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Prime Tomahawk Ribeye Steak

36 Degrees North at San Juan Oaks Golf Club

4.7

4.7 (221)

$31 to $50

Californian

Hollister

About the restaurant

The signature restaurant at the championship ready San Juan Oaks Golf Club. 36º North brings an inviting ambiance and memorable dining experience through seasonally inspired California cuisine with locally sourced ingredients. With a dramatic olive tree featured as an iconic centerpiece, the scene is set for elevated dinners and special occasions.

Top review

Shirley

Dined 7 days ago

This is a great place to keep and relax and enjoy the food, music, and drinks. The atmosphere is awesome. You can meet some great people or just sit back and relax.

Adelina's Bistro

4.7

4.7 (1347)

$31 to $50

Californian

Nipomo

About the restaurant

The contemporary yet relaxed Adelina’s Bistro is where you’ll enjoy regional cuisine made fresh daily using the best local, organic produce. Given our location, you can also expect a hand-picked selection of superb Central Coast wines. The sophisticated and fun atmosphere encourages new friendships and lively conversation, and the food will delight all palates.

Top review

SherrillGold

Dined 5 days ago

Our waiter Christi was great. We’re always happy when he is our server.

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