Diners' Choice: Best Overall restaurants in California Central Coast

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

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 favourite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Japanese Restaurant Goshi

5.0

5 (551)

$30 and under

Japanese

San Luis Obispo

About the restaurant

Located in the heart of San Luis Obispo downtown, serving authentic Japanese food starting from Sushi and traditional tei-shoku. Don't forget to enjoy soothing sake and Japanese beer!

Top review

Steven

Dined on May 25, 2025

Great food and service . Always a wonderful experience

Brothers Restaurant at Red Barn

4.9

4.9 (1415)

$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

Kristen

Dined 3 days ago

Amazing food and amazing staff. We love coming here.

Spotted Duck

4.9

4.9 (191)

$31 to $50

Bistro

Pacific Grove

About the restaurant

Join us at our welcoming establishment and indulge in the captivating flavors and unmatched ambiance that can only be found under the guidance of Chef Jerry Regester.

Small Restaurant, with BIG flavors!
From our beloved Duck liver pate, seasonal salads, to seared Duck Breast, or Caramelized Sea Scallops, Chef Jerry personally creates your dinner.

Come into a restaurant that cares for you from the front staff to the kitchen. We look forward to meeting you!

Top review

David

Dined on Jun 3, 2025

Outstanding cod, great presentation, very pleasant service

Le Soufflé

5.0

5 (479)

$50 and over

French

Carmel

About the restaurant

**LUNCH ONLY MONDAY-FRIDAY STARTING AT 11:30AM- CLOSED SAT/SUN (CLOSED JUNE 23-JULY 4)**
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

MurrayVIP

Dined 7 days ago

Outstanding skill to create such delicious food. We will be back again and again.

Pono Pacific Kitchen

4.9

4.9 (722)

$31 to $50

Seafood

Pismo Beach

About the restaurant

Pono Pacific Kitchen offers Pacific Rim cuisine that focuses on local favorites with a style of cooking and presenting dishes that combines ingredients, influences and techniques from not only Hawaii but also Asia, California and Mexico and the western coasts in general.

Top review

Diane

Dined today

This was our third time eating at Pono and the food has been consistently delicious❣️ The waiters are amazing also.

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Popular dish

Georges Bank Scallops

4.9

4.9 (72)

$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 very limited patio seating and do not allow dogs to dine 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 your request.

We hold a portion of our tables for walk-ins, however we do recommend a reservation to guarantee being seated. We give all reservations a 15 minute grace period before being released to other guests. Thank you for your understanding!

* 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

AdamVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Once again, everything was fantastic! I love the new additions

Na Na Thai

4.9

4.9 (33)

$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

Natasha

Dined on May 29, 2025

The food was incredible and so fresh! Every single dish was outstanding, especially the yellow curry and fried rice of the day!

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Experience

Thai Family Style

Olivella - Ojai Valley Inn

4.9

4.9 (501)

$50 and over

Californian

Ojai

About the restaurant

Ojai Valley Inn’s signature dinner restaurant, Olivella, holds the Forbes Travel Guide Five Star and Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence designations. Chef Andrew Foskey is proud to present a seasonally driven menu with a commitment to valley-grown ingredients and techniques inspired by Italian tradition. As a complement to our cuisine, the award-winning wine program showcases expertly curated discoveries and classic bottlings from notable California and Italian producers.

Guests are invited to enjoy our multi course dining experience starting at $150/ person, plus tax and gratuity. Please note that a la carte dining is not available.

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.

Top review

KristinVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Excellent service, extensive wine list and fabulous pastas.

SY Kitchen

4.8

4.8 (3995)

$31 to $50

Italian

Santa Ynez Valley

About the restaurant

RESERVATIONS

Reservations for parties of 5 or more please call restaurant directly.

S. Y. Kitchen requests a credit card to hold a reservation of 6 or more. You may cancel by calling the restaurant by 5 PM two days prior to the reservation. After that cancellation is subject to our policy and fees may be incurred. All credit card information will be processed securely.

Top review

MargyVIP

Dined 3 days ago

As always, Ernesto took excellent care of us…food and drink outstanding. Such a warm, welcoming place../Moscow Mule was great, too!

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Popular dish

Margherita

Popular dish

T-Bone Truffle Sliders

Popular dish

Wild Mushroom Pappardelle

Stonehouse at San Ysidro Ranch

4.9

4.9 (2786)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

Santa Barbara

About the restaurant

The Stonehouse, located in a beautiful 19th-century citrus packing house, offers an unparalleled dining experience. Guests can unwind in a relaxing lounge with full bar service or enjoy the ambiance of the separate dining room, complete with a crackling fireplace and world-class views. Chef Matthew Johnson creates evocative regional cuisine, utilizing fresh herbs and vegetables from the Ranch’s organic chef’s garden. The Stonehouse boasts the only Grand Award-winning wine program in Central California, ensuring an unparalleled selection of wines to complement your meal. For a unique twist, visit the restaurant's speakeasy for before or after dinner drinks, where you can enjoy expertly crafted cocktails in an intimate, nostalgic setting.

Top review

Céline

Dined 2 days ago

The exceptionnel service and experience of excellence is here …Eric was so kind and thoughtful in everything…!

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Explore Diners' Choice best of California Central Coast