Location: Santa Margarita
Top Restaurants in Santa Margarita
Top Things to do in Santa Margarita
Countries
Where to Eat in Santa Margarita: The Best Restaurants and Bars
Santa Margarita is a town and census-designated place located in San Luis Obispo County, California. It was founded in 1889 near Cuesta Peak and San Luis Obispo along State Route 58. The town's name comes from the Mexican Alta California land grant of Rancho Santa Margarita. It is home to the Santa Margarita de Cortona Asistencia site. The population was 1,259 at the 2010 census.
Things to do in Santa Margarita
1. High Street Market & Deli
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 193 reviews
Reviewed By Gaminglaw - Folsom, California
Just up High Street from Higuera Street sits the High Street Market & Deli tucked in a residential area of SLO.
The sandwich combinations are excellent and the order form allows for easy customization and ensures a perfect order every time.
The key foundation to a great deli sandwich is great bread and fresh ingredients and High Street nails it in all categories.
Even the simple BLT is a step above expectations with tons of bacon and thick sliced tomatoes.
Draft and bottle beer is available along with a host of other trending beverages on tap.
We will return!
2. The Range
Overall Ratings
5 based on 116 reviews
Reviewed By Cheryl K
We try to eat at The Range every time we're in the Paso Robles area. The restaurant features wild game and meat dishes. But vegetarian and vegans do have options at the restaurant. Both indoor and outdoor seating. Good locally inspired wine list. Bring plenty of cash, they do not take credit cards or debit cards. There is an ATM across the street at the local convenience store.
3. Sylvester's Burgers
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 220 reviews
Reviewed By Diane D - Garden Grove, California, United States
The first 2 times we came here, we were very impressed...both the food and the service were excellent. However this time, there were only 5 customers and 3 "servers" and we did not receive the friendly welcome we got the other busy times. Our tri tip sandwich was a little tough and the non spicy BBQ sauce still had a bite to it as did the plain meat. The garlic and mayo grilled roll was a little off tasting too.The fries were tasty ( also with a bit of spice) But the chocolate malt was one of the best I've ever tasted. Not too thick and served the old fashioned way in a tall glass with the extra in the cold metal container in which it was made. We shared the sandwich, fries and the malt. $20
4. Goshi
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 163 reviews
Reviewed By sqw - los angeles
Have enjoyed eating here a few times before when in town.
Will try another place next time. Must say, sushi and food are excellent. In past, service also very good. Today, although a lot of staff, one woman was waiting tables for the whole restaurant. Taking food/drink orders, delivering food and bills. She was running around like her head was cut off and it was very disturbing for having a calm meal. She wanted to take our drink order before our bottoms even hit the seats. We were not ready, and she asked another 5 times for drinks. Finally we ordered sake, waited 45 minutes, finally told her to forget it-since she never brought it. Usually at a restaurant a couple eats a meal together. Here I was served 20 minutes before my husband. Food was piling up on the counter but only this one lady was delivering it, so it sat, and we could not eat together. Others were filling water and tea, clearing plates and following this woman around, but not serving food. The whole experience this night was very annoying. There is a new menu since the last time we were here. Maybe there is a new owner also. I don't know, but it sure wasn't what we experienced in the past.
5. The Porch Cafe
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 37 reviews
Reviewed By Rosemary W
This is a very casual place. The chalkboard menu has a large variety of sandwiches, burgers, wraps, and salads. There is also beer on tap, and possibly wine, as well as a good selection of soft drinks. They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner. We were there for a very late lunch, or possibly a very early dinner. I had the Southwest Chicken Wrap and my husband had the Italian Sandwich. The food was fresh, well-prepared, and tasty. The servers were pleasant and friendly.
6. Guest House Grill
Overall Ratings
4 based on 182 reviews
Reviewed By ZenMasta - San Luis Obispo County, California
Went to Guesthouse on a Friday night.Our food was great all the staff was great but our server Summer the service was not so good. We had to ask other servers to get us things. I never say negative things about places we go but she was just not into doing a good job. We will always go back but this was a first with something not so good.
7. Ciopinot
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 378 reviews
Reviewed By FoodieMonica - Atlanta, Georgia
We were visiting SLO for our annual wine county trip and we had friends with us, one of whom was celebrating her 50th birthday. We chose to celebrate her birthday with dinner at Ciopinot and it did not disappoint. Our server Shawn was lovely, knowledgeable and gave us just the right amount of attention.
We started with oysters on the half-shell and champagne and I'm proud to say I put my big girl panties on and tried the oysters. This was the third time for me, tasting raw oysters and by far, this was the best one. Briny, and very creamy, I didn't mind it at all.
The clam chowder appetizer (a white soup, but dairy-free) was probably the best I've ever eaten. It has bacon in it, and it's thickened with roux rather than cream. SO good!! They serve the cioppino stock as an appetizer which my husband got and he loved it.
For my entree, I had mussels in house made (very thick, red) cioppino stock covered with cheese. I don't typically eat cheese on seafood, but I really enjoyed this dish. It was kind of like mussels parmesan, if there is such a thing.
Hubby got the flat iron steak and it was SO tender and delicious! My friends got steak and lobster and raved about how great it was. It looked amazing.
For dessert, we chose the blueberry cobbler with vanilla bean ice cream (which came complimentary with a candle) and it was outrageously decadent and delicious! The blueberries were so full of flavor! One of the best "comfort food" style desserts I've had.
Ciopinot isn't one of those places with cutting edge California cuisine and impossibly hipster-ized "craft" cocktails. It feels like a throwback to a more glamorous era and I don't mind that a bit.
8. The Southern Station
Overall Ratings
4 based on 32 reviews
Reviewed By Jeff P - Prescott, Arizona
Nice touch having flowers for Mother's Day!. Clean & utilitarian . . . great place to eat with all the basics to start the day!
9. Pozo Saloon
Overall Ratings
4 based on 18 reviews
Reviewed By SLOnative - Pismo Beach, Calif.
It's not a short drive to Pozo. But lots of people come from all around to the Pozo Saloon's concerts. This is California's version of Luckenbach, Texas. Old wooden buildings out in the middle of nowhere. Just make sure you don't drink too much. Maybe you should bring a designated driver, or you won't find you way back to Hwy 101 and Paso Robles, Atascadero or Santa Margarita.
10. Buona Tavola
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 305 reviews
Reviewed By Paul2208 - Colorado Springs, Colorado
Both the risotto and the seafood pasta dish my wife had were outstanding. Staff were very friendly and accommodating. We were seated in the 'garden'--technically outdoors but with walls and a cover, so it was almost like being indoors.
They feature quite a few local wines (some from wineries we had visited during the day)--a little expensive, but remarkably low markups compared to prices at the wineries.
The proprietor seemed to be quite hands-on--bustling about making sure that everything was satisfactory to everyone, but without being overly obtrusive.
All in all, a delightful experience.
