Wineries, Restaurants and Area InfoWineries, Restaurants and Area Info
A personal prospective of Suzanne Martin, Realtor and resident of Paso Robles. I am compiling a list of restaurants, things to do and giving you a direct link to all of the wineries here in the North County. This is a living page of my website and will change as I visit more wineries here in Paso Robles and the area, go to other restaurants and write about things to do here in the area.
Wineries
Paso Robles and San Luis Obispo County is known for wine. Yes, there are lots of great wines and beautiful wineries to visit. It's like the competitor to Sonoma or Napa but much, much friendlier and a lot less pretentious. Everyone will feel welcomed here. As a local resident, I still love wine tasting, but I tend to go to my favorites. Part of the reason would be accessibility and partly due to the people and, of course the wine. If you want a complete list of wineries visit:
Paso Robles Wineries - Wineries located in Paso Robles, California and the surrounding Central Coast.
Some of my personal favorites are:
EOS -- We used to love going to the old location before they sold to Firestone. The people were engaging, the wine --everflowing, and they offered many different types of wines to try. The new location isn't as fun and the selection is about 1/3 of what you could try before. Good wine. Love the Cab ---it's a full bodies cab with just the right bite. Drink with or without food.
Eberle -- Good wine and a nice atmosphere.
Eagle Castle -- This is a must visit because it's a castle with a moat. The wine is average, the people are fun and the castle is a great place to visit. The Royal Red is a great, all around bottle.
Tobin James -- It's like going to a party. There are three wine bars and lots to look at. No tasting fee makes it a great bargain and basically you can drink until you want no more. Bring a group of people! Wine is average.
Zin Alley -- SHHHH. I'm not supposed to tell anyone about this place. It's a boutique winery with some of the best wine around. A little pricey, but, mmmmm....zin like you will never forget and a port that will make you want chocolate every night for desert.
These are just a few.....I would love to hear about your favorite wineries. Please let me know....email me.
Restaurants
AJ Spurs
California Cowboy and saloon atmosphere with good portions.
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Big Bubbas Bad BBQ
While Big Bubbas is supposed to have the best Ribs on the Central Coast, I think it's actually mediocre. It's bigger on atmosphere than it is on BBQ. I would give it 2.5 stars out of 5.
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Bistro Laurent
Authentic country French cuisine in downtown Paso. Cute, nice location. I haven't eaten there, yet, because nothing on the menu sounds good to me.
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Buona Tavola
Buona Tavola's menu features a wide variety of food. From ceasar salad, pizza, pasta, and traditional Italian fare. I had much higher expectations than what I got. I had shared a traditional pizza with mozzarella and tomato, penne with a gorganzola sauce and a ceasar salad. The ceasar was good -- homemade, the pizza was not as good a $3.00 frozen pizza, and the penne was tasty. Very small portions. Atmoshere was a 4, food was a 2.5, Service was a 3.
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Culinary Trails
Enjoy the ultimate culinary getaway with fine dining, luxury lodging, private tours and cooking classes with a Cordon Bleu Chef.
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F. McLintocks
Another cowboy, saloon type restaurant and bar in downtown Paso. Good Happy Hour. Food is mediocre. I have had an entree salad that was simple and used bagged lettuce --I gave it a 2. They are known for their 2 lb hamburgers which you have to share --- I didn't eat it myself, but I didn't hear anyone ranting on how good it was. Very loud atmosphere. Next time....I keep it to Happy Hour and go somewhere else for dinner. Atmosphere 2 for dinner, 3.5 happy hour, Food 2.5 and service a 3. Yes...I'm a bit tough of a critic.
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Jax Coffee House & Roastery
I love this little coffee house. You can sit inside where there are cozy chairs or sit outside on a nice day. It's not your Starbucks, and it's nice for a change. I give it 4 stars. Enjoy a coffee and a pastry with a friend.
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Lolo's Mexican Restaurant
Lolo's Mexican Restaurant offers traditional favorites like Carne Asada and Pollo Asado Tacos, Carnitas and Fajitas.
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Matthew's At The Airport
Matthew is a member of the American Culinary Federation and graduate of the Culinary Institute of America (Hyde Park, New York). He is formerly of the famed REX IL RESTAURANTE (Los Angeles, California).
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McPhee's Grill
I think McPhees is one of the best restaurants in town. Everything I have had has been top notch. They have one of the best tuna carpaccio I have ever had...the sauce is to die for. I have had pastas, chicken, salad, several things and everything has a gourmet touch....not pretentious, but just great food at reasonable prices for what you get. It's a little pricier than the above restaurants, but you get what you pay for! Did I mention the bread?
Atmosphere 4, Food-4 and the service 4!
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Odyssey World Cafe
This is an overall good place to eat if you like casual European Cafe with Mediteranian cuisine.
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Panolivo
Very cute, French Cafe. Feels comfortable and authentic. I have had a salad and their quiche one time....I really enjoyed it. Another time I had a salad that I really enjoyed. They have specials and really good iced tea. Atmosphere 3.5, Food, 3.5 and Service-4.
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Paso Robles Inn Steakhouse
The Paso Robles Inn is a historic garden hotel and restaurant and it's ikonic for Paso. I have not eaten there except one time for breakfast. I ordered a wild mushroom omelet and they forgot to add the mushrooms. 
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Señor Sancho's Mexican Restaurant
This is a very Americanized Mexican restaurant. If you like American Mexican food, it's good. Very traditional items with chips and salsa....very ordinary food. The atmosphere is very Traditonal Mexican --upbeat and fun inside. You go there for the margaritas and the chips and salsa.
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Tenth Street Vineyard Cafe
10th Street Vineyard Cafe in San Miguel, California, home of the 9-course Basque family-style feast. According to the San Luis Obispo Tribune, the experience is 'fun, unique, and definitely worth the price.' I have not eaten here so I cannot comment on it.
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Villa Creek
Villa Creek was opened in 1998 by Cris and JoAnn Cherry along with Cris's late father Bob. Cris and JoAnn’s ambition is to provide patrons with the best that local farmer's, fisherman and growers have to offer in a warm eclectic atmosphere.
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Villa Toscana
A luxurious, romantic, tuscan-style Bed & Breakfast getaway, located in beautiful Central Coast California.
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Vinoteca Wine Bar
It's a cozy wine bar and restaurant, and when I say cozy, I mean cozy. You're so close to your neighor, you can eat off their plate. I go there for the music on the weekends. Go there for music, wine and share a plate of food.
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Winemakers Cook Off
Winemakers from wineries such as Eberle, Firestone, Robert Hall, Justin, Stacked Stone, Midnight Cellars and others will get to showcase their cooking skills and pair them with their favorite wines.
Right downtown Paso, across from the park, the Downtown Brewing Company is upstairs. They have specials every day. Typical bar fare and good beer and appetizer prices during Happy Hour. $2 pints! They have a big screen tv and couches....cozy, fun, and a relaxed atmosphere to unwind and have a brew. Atmosphere is a 4, food-2.5 and Service 3.
Thai Classic
1212 Park Street in Paso No website available
This is my absolute favorite place to go to lunch. Thai Classic has a great value for lunch. $6.50 for an entree, soup, salad and a fried won-ton. Plus, if you love Thai food, it is the best! I love their red and green curry the best, but I have had several other items on the menu, and it's all wonderful. Great value and Great Food! Atmosphere - 3.5, Food 4.5 Service 4
Basil Thai
828 11th Street. It has a great location, right across from the Paso park. Very nice inside. Food is not nearly as good as Thai Classic and it's more expensive. Does not have a lunch menu/value like Thai Classic. Did I say I like Thai Classic?
Yet another steakhouse and saloon. It draws people for it's name and definitely not for the culinary specialities. Very greasy, heavy, deep fried, salty, overpriced big food. Go there after a long day of wine tasting if you feel the need to treat your hangover to some greasy food. Atmosphere -3, Food 2 and Service 3
This is one of our standby restaurants. Good food, fresh, tasty, healthy--even offers brown rice if you ask. Great Udon--made fresh to order. Great on a cold day. We go there every other week or so. It's a bit loud inside and they play odd music to eat to ---techno? Or maybe Teen Rock? It's a bit annoying, but I can tune it out because the food is worth it. Atmosphere 3, Food 4, Servce 4.
Vietnamese Cuisine
721 12th Street. No Website. You would walk right by it if you weren't looking for it. On the outside it looks like a gift store and on the inside you will see four or five tables for the restaurant. A bit unusual but interesting. I had Pho the traditional Vietnamese soup. It was good.....not the best I've had, but not many Vietnamese food around here! Atmosphere -- Hmmm Odd, Food 2.5 and Service 3
Vics Cafe
841 13th Street. No website
This is your small town cafe from top to bottom. It's a great breakfast place where you can order any type of omelet, eggs, pancakes, biscuits and gravy or lunch. I like it for breakfast. Gets very busy - Atmoshphere 2, food 3.5, service 3
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