Best Paso Robles Restaurants: 15 Hot Spots for 2024!

Paso Robles, formally El Paso de Robles, is both a charming city along California’s Central Coast and shorthand for the beautiful Paso Robles Wine Country that weaves its way through the surrounding hills. Like Temecula Valley near my San Diego home, Malibu Wine Country in my old stomping grounds, or Anderson Valley further up the California Coast, Paso Robles is a wonderful place to visit for great wines, fun times, and fine dines.

Located in San Luis Obispo County, about midway between the great food cities of San Francisco and Los Angeles, Paso is not much more than a 3-hour drive from either. When taking a California foodie road trip from San Francisco to San Diego—or in reverse—I always make a point of stopping in Paso.

With Paso Robles Wine Country picking up the USA Today’s 2023 Reader’s Choice Award for Best U.S. Wine Region, I guess I’m not alone in thinking it’s worth a visit. Between enjoying the region’s great local wines and the delicious food at the best restaurants in Paso Robles, you can really give your taste buds an amazing workout.

Some of the best Paso Robles restaurants are in its wine country.

What’s really unique for an area its size is the quantity, quality, and variety of options in Paso’s culinary scene. Some of the best restaurants in Paso Robles are at wineries, while many other of the best Paso Robles restaurants are in the darling downtown.

There are two Michelin-starred restaurants and another trio of restaurants lauded in the Michelin Guide. That’s more than most states have!

But these aren’t the only worthwhile eateries. There are plenty of other great places to eat in Paso Robles too, offering a multiplicity of cuisines along a spectrum of price points. No matter what you’re looking for, you’ll have no problem finding a great option with this list of the best places to eat in Paso Robles.

The Best Paso Robles Restaurants in Wine Country

Among the beauty of Paso Robles Wine Country, it’s no wonder you’ll be able to find the best Paso Robles restaurants with a view. But you’ll also have an opportunity to enjoy amazing cuisine. Here are three spots offering wonderfully unique experiences.

The Restaurant at Justin

Located within Justin Winery, The Restaurant at Justin is considered by some to be the best restaurant in Paso Robles. Under the leadership of Executive Chef Rachel Haggstrom, it has earned a coveted Michelin star two years in a row for its consistently great food, its art of food preparation, and quality of experience.

With a gorgeous view of the Justin Vineyards, the restaurant offers a seasonal multicourse tasting menu featuring the freshest ingredients, many procured from a 26-acre farm plot on-site.

Restrained yet inventive fare and an impeccable seasonal menu perfectly paired with a variety of great wine from Justin’s incredible wine list means you’ll be assured of a memorable fine dining experience filled with both style and substance at this Paso Robles Wine Country restaurant.

Address: 11680 Chimney Rock Road, Paso Robles, CA 93446

Niner Wine Estates

One of the best lunches in Paso Robles is at Niner Winery.

Another of the top restaurants Paso Robles, CA, offers in its wine country is at Niner Wine Estates. In addition to the wonderful wine tasting experience in the cavernous tasting room, the winery also provides a wonderful lunch just steps away.

The seasonal menu includes everything from delicious nibbles like a sophisticated charcuterie and cheese board, salads, and other tasty starters to entrees featuring pasta, fish, and wood-grilled meats.

I love to eat at one of their outside tables that provide stellar vineyard views. That way, I can enjoy an incredible epicurean symphony of great wine, food, and scenery. In my book, it’s the best lunch in Paso Robles Wine Country.

Address: 2400 Highway 46 West, Paso Robles, CA 93446

Cass Café at Cass Winery

Cass Café is a great casual option for a Paso Robles winery lunch.

Far more rustic than either of the above locations, Cass Café is nonetheless quite inviting, with ample outdoor seating amid beautiful bucolic vistas. The casual vibe extends to the relaxed menu that features a nice variety of salads, sandwiches, and wood-fired pizzas.

I am crazy for crab, so whether I’m tracking down the best steamed blue crabs in Ocean City, MD, or the sweetest Dungeness crab in Oregon, I’m looking for the best crustacean sensation on vacation! And since I make a delicious crab cake of my own, I naturally had to try Alice’s Crab Cakes at Cass Café—and Alice delivered.

My husband Mike and I also split the Cass Dip Sandwich with top sirloin, provolone, horseradish cream, and au jus. A very solid choice.

In addition to the good food and great views, we really enjoyed how we were able to integrate our wine tasting into the meal. Our server never missed a beat on bringing, explaining, and pouring our wines while ensuring that every other part of our meal was keeping on pace.

Our lunch with wine tasting was a great way to soothe our hunger, sip some wine, and plan the rest of our day in Paso Robles Wine Country.

Address: 7350 Linne Road, Paso Robles, CA 93446

The Best Paso Robles Restaurants Downtown

Like wine regions almost everywhere, Paso has attracted a whole lot of foodie talent and is home to a bustling restaurant scene. But you needn’t go into wine country to find great meals; there’s plenty of great Paso Robles food to be had right in town. Here’s where.

Six Test Kitchen

OK, this is technically just a few miles outside of downtown Paso Robles, but it is definitely worth the trip—and you get to check out Tin City! Tin City is a repurposed industrial area that is now home to a slew of breweries, wineries, distilleries, and boutique foodie shops. In the midst of this vibrant hot spot sits Six Test Kitchen.

Undoubtedly one of the best restaurants Paso Robles has on offer, it was the first restaurant in San Luis Obispo County to win a Michelin Star. The star came in 2021 and has been renewed every year since.

The intimate 12-seat venue offers a multicourse tasting menu revolving around the seasonally freshest local ingredients inventively combined and meticulously prepared. Seats form a semicircle around the open kitchen so that diners can watch the dinner-making magic unfold before their eyes while enjoying their courses.

This treasure of a restaurant Paso Robles is justifiably proud of is always booked, so plan to make your reservation on the first day of the month preceding the month during which you’d like to dine there.

Address: 3075 Blue Rock Rd., Paso Robles, CA 93446

In Bloom

If you’re looking for a sophisticated dinner in Paso Robles in a laid-back atmosphere, you’ll be in luck at In Bloom. The spin of vinyl records provides the soundtrack at this great dinner spot touted by the Michelin Guide for its winning spin on inventive California cuisine.

Featuring a full bar at its long bar in an upbeat, eclectically decorated dining room, creative cocktails join a long wine list that offers not only great local choices but top labels from elsewhere in Cali and abroad. Great food, fine drinks, and a nice vibe make this a great choice among the high-end restaurants Paso Robles offers in town.

Address: 1845 Spring Street, Paso Robles, CA 93446

Il Cortile Ristorante

Sardinian Spaghetti alla Bottarga at Il Cortile, one of the best Italian restaurants in Paso Robles

This upscale Italian restaurant is not only one of the best restaurants in downtown Paso Robles, it’s one of my all-time favorites. Opening its doors back in 2009, this venerable restaurant has been going strong ever since.

Chef Santos Macdonal prides himself on using the freshest ingredients sourced from surrounding areas and making every meal from scratch, including the wonderful homemade pastas.

Whether it’s one of the amazing traditional Tuscan dishes like Pappardelle al Cinghiale or a spot-on Sardinian Spaghetti alla Bottarga, everything I’ve had here has been impeccable.

Luckily, a heavenly truffled risotto special has been offered my last two visits! My husband and I split that, smile ear to ear, then move onto a winning pasta dish or two, and before we know it, we’ve come to the end of another great meal at this special spot. It’s always one of the best dinner experiences we have in Paso.

Address: 608 12th St., Paso Robles, CA 93446

Les Petites Canailles

A winemaker’s son and a butcher’s daughter walk into a restaurant—and it’s there’s. No, this is not the world’s lamest joke, but instead the incredibly abbreviated backstory to this Michelin-Guide-recommended restaurant specializing in delicious French cuisine.

Julien Asseo and his wife Courtney named their restaurant in honor of their three children, “the little rascals” that “Les Petites Canailles” translates to. It is the more daring of the two fine French restaurants in Paso, offering both a nightly 5-course tasting menu and a delectable selection of à la carte options.

Mike and I recently went there for our anniversary and had a great experience. The food was truly lovely and was complemented perfectly by the unique wines recommended by the sommelier.

Our server was friendly, fun, and knowledgeable. We traded tales about a few other of Paso Robles’ best restaurants, and he even gave us some great tips for other stops on our trip. All in all, it was an excellent Paso Robles dinner experience. We’ll be back again.

Address: 1215 Spring Street, Paso Robles, CA 93446

The Hatch Rotisserie & Bar

The famous fried chicken special at the Paso restaurant, The Hatch

OK, this is the last time I’m going to mention the Michelin Guide, but this great Paso Robles restaurant is also in it. This is a go-to place for me! In the heart of downtown, just a block off the main square, it serves up hearty portions of tasty comfort food in a lovely brick space with great atmosphere.

It’s famous for its fried chicken special (available only Tue/Wed/Thur), and I love it, but they also make a Shrimp & Grits that would do South Carolina proud, and the Pork Belly is among a good number of fine apps.

Craft cocktails and beers, ciders, and wines on tap provide welcome accompaniments to the tasty dishes and fuel to keep the hum in the animated ambiance.

Like Hatch, its sister restaurant next door, Della’s, has a lively bar scene, and it can crank out wood-fired pizza that is some of the best pizza in town.

Address: 835 13th Street, Paso Robles, CA 93446

La Cosecha Bar & Restaurant

The paella at La Cosecha is one of the best I’ve had outside of Spain.

Located directly across from Downtown City Park, this is yet another of my preferred downtown Paso Robles restaurants. Another of Chef Santos Macdonal’s restaurants, this one pays homage to his Latin roots by showcasing Spanish and Latin American food Paso Robles has fallen in love with.

The best way to enjoy this place is to order as many share plates as you think your party can handle and dig into the multiplicity of marvelous menu items that crisscross cuisines.

The combination of fresh ingredients, unexpected combinations, and lesser-known Latin flavors offering up yummy surprises adds up to tasty food in a fun spot with eye-opening jaw-droppers to spare.

Address: 835 12th St., Paso Robles, CA 93446

Thomas Hill Organics Bistro & Wine Bar

Expect fresh farm-to-table ingredients at Thomas Hill Organics.

When Debbie Thomas opened Thomas Hill Organics back in 2009, her farm-to-table concept literally meant bringing in ingredients from her organic farm outside of town to the tables of her restaurant in Paso’s lovely downtown.

Today, she still relies on local farms for her organic produce and hits up local purveyors for her grass-fed beef, grass-fed lamb, and free-range chicken.

She’s also still excited about highlighting amazing local flavors incorporated into creative cuisine. When I’m feeling vegetarian in Paso, I can’t pass up the Black Lentil Tacos, and the Harvest Bowl is another veggie favorite where healthy and delicious team up for knock-out flavor.

But there’s plenty of variety on the menu to please everyone, and plenty of time to do it. Thomas Hill is one of the few restaurants Paso Robles has that not only offers both lunch and dinner but brings out brunch on Sundays.

Address: 1313 Park Street, Paso Robles, CA 93446

Jeffry’s Wine Country BBQ

Try Jeffry’s for barbecue and other delicious comfort food in Paso Robles.

Jeffry’s is a family-owned restaurant that prides itself on made-from-scratch comfort food. It’s a great spot to go after a long day of wine tasting when you want to have a great meal at a casual restaurant al fresco.

It’s one of the best restaurants in Paso Robles with outdoor seating ample enough to satisfy all of its diners looking for a relax-a-while-and-let-your-hair-down outdoor dining experience.

The place offers wood-fire-smoked meats of almost every kind you can imagine. Sauces are made fresh in-house, and sandwiches come on freshly baked bread. Banh Mi and Cuban Pork Loin mingling with Tri Tip and Pulled Pork choices on the menu reveals there’s more here than traditional American classics.

There are also plenty of taco options and full-on barbecue trays for the truly hungry. And I haven’t even mentioned the paella that’s won first prize at the Paso Pinot and Paella Festival 4 times!

Among the mouth-watering sides are several award-winning versions of mac & cheese. Chase things down with some of the craft beers on tap—or, the hell with it, have some more wine if you can handle it.

Address: 819 12th Street (entrance on Norma’s Alley), Paso Robles, CA 93446

Fish Gaucho

With a name like Fish Gaucho, you might be expecting food from the Pampas of South America, but what you’ll actually get is Mexican cuisine featuring fresh seafood but plenty of landlubber fare too.

Inspired by a love for Baja, Mexico, Fish Gaucho set out to be the premier purveyor of California Mexican food and tequila in San Luis Obispo County. So, in addition to the fine food, you’ll find an incredible selection of top-notch tequilas that would be the envy of many Mexican restaurants.

A colorfully rustic interior evocative of old Mexico and anchored by an enormous bar sets the scene. In addition to a raw bar, there’s a real seafood hit parade, with grilled octopus, various fish tacos, and creative scallops, halibut, and sea bass dishes, just to name a few options. The Flat Iron Carne Asada and signature Chile Verde de Gaucho are two favorites among the meat options.

If you’re looking to relax or celebrate with delicious Mexican food and savor the flavor of top-shelf tequila too, this is the place in Paso for you.

Address: 1244 Park Street, Paso Robles, CA 93446

BL Brasserie

After working in some of the finest kitchens in France, Chef Laurent Grangien made his way to California, where he fell in love with the Golden State’s Central Coast. In 1997, he fulfilled his dream of opening his own restaurant in downtown Paso Robles.

Formerly Bistro Laurent, now BL Brasserie, this lovely spot doesn’t fit neatly on either side of the brasserie vs bistro debate, but what’s beyond debate is that it does a remarkable job of offering excellent versions of some of France’s most famous dishes. Chef Laurent also leaves room on the menu for famous California foods reimagined with French flair.

Perhaps nearly as passionate about his wine as his food, Chef Laurent curates a wine menu featuring extensive selections from both France and California’s Central Coast. As a result, you’ll have no problem in raising a glass of delicious wine during your meal to toast the terrific tastes of France.

Address: 1202 Pine Street, Paso Robles, CA 93446

Buona Tavola

This is one of the Paso Robles, CA, restaurants that locals love! We found out the hard way our first time there when Mike and I thought we could sneak in on a Wednesday evening at 6:00 without a reservation after a long day’s drive.

We walked over from one of the hotels where we typically stay when in town, and the restaurant was already packed, with only two seats left at the bar. We’re so glad we grabbed them!

Although from a small town in northern Italy and originally influenced by the food of Milan, Buona Tavola’s owner, Chef Varia, trained in many of Europe’s finest hotels. But he returned to his first love, the amazing variety of Italian cuisine from across the country’s many regions.

Opening a beloved restaurant in downtown San Luis Obispo in 1992, he opened his Paso location a decade later. That’s where we sat at the bar and enjoyed amazing langoustine-and-prosciutto-stuffed agnolotti. House-made, like all the restaurant’s pastas, the flavors, textures, and craftmanship were awesome.

Then came the Tortelloni alla Piemontese, pasta purses stuffed with roasted veal, spinach, and more prosciutto in a porcini and tomato sauce. Wow!

If we lived in Paso, we’d have already sampled every dish on the menu by now. This is a great place for authentic, homemade Italian cuisine. Just do yourself a favor and make a reservation if you’d like to check it out.

Address: 943 Spring St., Paso Robles, CA 93446

Joe’s Place

Joe’s is the place to go for a hearty breakfast in Paso Robles.

I can’t wrap up this list list of the best restaurants in Paso Robles, CA, without mentioning a great place for a casual breakfast that’s consistently excellent.

Whether it’s omelettes, scrambles, pancakes, French toast, or traditional Mexican food favorites, you’ll get a hearty, stick-to-the-ribs portion that warms the soul.

From the heartfelt hello at the door to the friendly service and terrific flavors, this place harkens back to a bygone era. Even the size of the bill is a pleasant throwback.

Address: 305 Spring St., Paso Robles, CA 93446

Other Foodie Finds in Paso Robles

The Paso Market Walk offers a variety of tasty foodie finds.

Not all of the best food in Paso Robles is found in restaurants—or, at least, conventional, stand-alone-style restaurants. In the last few years, a new foodie/drinkie/artisanal hub known as Paso Market Walk has opened up downtown.

Purveyors have walk-up counters at which patrons order and then either enjoy their purchases within the vendor’s seating area or in scattered seating throughout the complex, including lots of tables outside.

A good find here is Momotaro Ramen for the ramen crowd, and Paso Robles Wine Merchant offers not only wine, but beer and cider along with a light food menu featuring mainly salads, sandwiches, and cheese boards.

Paso also has a couple of exceptional places to satisfy your sweet tooth. Leo Leo Gelato is also located in Paso Market Walk and offers more than 30 flavors of yum spread over a wide assortment of gelatos, sorbets, and ice cream cookie sandwiches.

Brown Butter Cookie Company is located in the heart of downtown on 12th Street, right across from Downtown City Park. They specialize in to-die-for brown butter sea salt cookies. It all started with the oh-so-good original and now spans seven varieties, including cocoa, cinnamon, and espresso.

Isn’t It Time To Visit Paso Robles?

Needless to say, with its amazing variety of exceptional restaurants and fabulous vintages from the #1 Wine Region in the United States, you’ll never have to worry about going hungry or thirsty in Paso Robles. Throw in beautiful scenery, historic architecture, friendly locals, and a string of charming coastal towns perched on the Pacific just a half-hour away, and you have to ask yourself, “Why haven’t I been to Paso yet?”