A hot spot for locals and visitors, this bustling neighborhood gem in a historic building is known for its tasty cocktails and mouthwatering southern-style fare. The comfort food-driven menu features small and large plates that change seasonally, served alongside a list of creative craft cocktails with cheeky names like ‘Another Rum Bites the Dust’ and ‘No ‘Pagne No Gain.’ Of course, with “rotisserie” in the name, The Hatch's wood-fired rotisserie oven is the star of the show, churning out rotisserie chicken and vegetables that are cooked to perfection.

Insider Tip

If you love The Hatch’s food and cocktail program, don’t miss checking out their sister restaurant next door: Dellas. Here, you’ll find wood-fired pizzas, a full bar (the gin cocktails are a must), and a variety of shared plates served inside an inviting and upbeat setting.

Image courtesy of The Hatch / Kendra Aronson

This intimate, 12-seat dining destination in Tin City takes the average dining experience to new heights. Drawing inspiration from whatever is in season, the ever-rotating 14-course tasting menu consists of thoughtfully composed dishes that showcase hyper-local, seasonal ingredients — all prepared in front of you. The One-Michelin-Starred Six Test Kitchen offers seatings Wednesdays through Saturdays, with reservations released like tickets on the first day of each month, so book early to secure one of the coveted seats.

Insider Tip

With 14 courses and optional wine pairings, one can expect to spend a good two to three hours dining here, so be sure to plan accordingly with your babysitter or ride home (especially since the restaurant is four miles from Paso’s downtown hotels and accommodations).

Image courtesy of Six Test Kitchen

Owned by husband-and-wife duo, Julien and Courtney Asseo, Les Petites Canailles is one of Paso’s newest and most noteworthy restaurants. Nicknamed after the couple’s three children, aka “the little rascals,” this French farm-to-table bistro focuses on sophisticated yet casual French cuisine served in a relaxed setting. The menu features a selection of seasonal bites and mains, from tarte flambee to steak tartare, escargot risotto to mussels with saffron aioli, but to really experience all the flavors and technique of the chef, opt for the “Trust Us” five-course tasting menu. Your taste buds will thank you.

Insider Tip

If you can manage, try to save room for dessert, which are handmade daily, like the delectable Crème Brûlée and the Mousse Au Chocolat, made with 64% dark chocolate from Valrhona.

Image courtesy of Les Petites Canailles

Located at the Paso Market Walk, FINCA is a casual, family-owned restaurant focused on wood-grilled meats and seafood inspired by the traditional flavors of Baja and Sonora. Sourcing as locally as possible, owners Patrick and Stephanie Aguirre and their family offer a range of mouthwatering tacos, shared plates, and burritos, along with a tasty selection of oak grilled entrees like Spanish octopus and oysters with chipotle butter.

Insider Tip

After grabbing food from FINCA, be sure to spend time exploring the other merchants around the Paso Market Walk, such as Hog Canyon Brewing Co., Leo Leo Gelato, Paso Robles Wine Merchant, and SLO Cider. And if you’re visiting on a Friday, don’t miss the Market’s Friday night music series, with live music from 5-8pm.

Courtesy of Facebook: Paso Robles Wine

Somm’s Kitchen is the brainchild of chef and sommelier, Ian Adamo, who combines his love of wine and food with the bounty of the Central Coast to offer expertly curated pairings every Thursday through Sunday. While seated around a curved granite counter, 14 guests can enjoy at least nine courses (shared per couple), along with 12 wines from around the world – each course thoughtfully paired to showcase the marriage of food and wine.

Insider Tip

Looking to learn more about the world of wine from an expert? Ian is available to host private educational workshops for small groups, tailoring the experience to your tastes and interests.

Courtesy of Facebook: Somm's Kitchen

Il Cortile specializes in upscale yet contemporary Italian cuisine served in a cozy, quiet setting. Here, dishes are inspired by local and seasonal ingredients, from housemade pastas and local cheeses to locally-caught seafood. Il Cortile even has a dedicated culinary garden, growing ingredients for use in the restaurant.

Insider Tip

The restaurant is regularly recognized for its wine list, featuring a selection of regional and Italian wines specifically chosen to enhance your meal and add to the overall dining experience.

Image courtesy of Il Cortile

Dedicated to farm-to-table dining, Thomas Hill Organics serves up all things local, whether it's organically grown lettuce from Paso Robles farms, locally-made bread, or grass-fed lamb. The restaurant setting is refined yet casual, where a seasonal menu is offered for lunch and dinner, as well as for brunch on Sundays.

Insider Tip

Don’t miss Thomas Hill’s Reggiano Thyme Biscuits, made daily from scratch. They’re the perfect addition to any meal – it’s nearly impossible to have just one!

Image courtesy of Travel Paso

Head to La Cosecha (Spanish for “the harvest”) for a menu of approachable Spanish, Latin, and South American fare inspired by Chef MacDonal’s Latin roots and centered around — you guessed it — local and seasonal ingredients. Since the kitchen is open later than many of the surrounding dining options, the restaurant is a great spot for late-night tapas and drinks, as well as prime people-watching from the outdoor patio.

Insider Tip

Don't miss ordering a craft cocktail or imported wine to pair with your meal, with offerings inspired by the flavors and spirits of Spain and South America, including pisco from Peru, cachaça from Brazil, and a selection of Spanish sherries.

Image courtesy of Facebook: La Cosecha

West Coast meets Baja at Fish Gaucho, where vibrant coastal and Mexican cuisine is served within a colorful setting. The menu features flavorful offerings that are hard to resist, from starters like octopus ceviche and Wagyu beef nachos to entrées of fresh fish tacos and braised beef chile verde. Although Paso Robles is known for its wine, Fish Gaucho has a tequila selection that could rival most restaurants south of the border, with a whopping 140 tequilas and mezcals.

Insider Tip

Fish Gaucho offers a happy hour from 3pm to 6pm Monday through Friday, when the bar’s noteworthy selection of house-crafted margaritas and cocktails are all a few dollars off.

Courtesy of Facebook: Fish Gaucho

While many eateries around downtown Paso Robles find inspiration from the food of Italy, Spain, or Latin America, BL Brasserie (formerly Bistro Laurent) is modeled after the French cafés and bistros of Paris. Offering classic French brasserie fare like steak frites and croque monsieur, along with an oyster and raw bar selection, BL Brasserie offers an unpretentious setting in which to enjoy the flavors of France with a dash of Californian influence.

Insider Tip

Try to make room for dessert, as BL Brasserie has a wide selection of tempting French-style sweets, including French macarons, raspberry clafoutis, and a chilled chocolate tart.

Image courtesy of BL Brasserie

Buona Tavola has been a fixture in San Luis Obispo since it opened in 1992, and its second location in Paso Robles continues the tradition of serving rustic Northern Italian fare in a casually elegant space. Pastas and sausages are handmade, and hefty portions will ensure that no one goes home hungry.

Insider Tip

Love what you ordered and want to recreate it at home? Buona Tavola shares some of their best-loved recipes on their website, so you can enjoy a taste of Italy from your own kitchen.

Image courtesy of Facebook: Buona Tavola

The Restaurant at Niner Wine Estates is open for lunch daily and makes for a great stop while venturing around Paso Robles Wine Country. While the interior has a grand fireplace and is a lovely place to enjoy a meal, the best seats are outside on the covered patio overlooking the vines and chef's garden. Niner tries to keep the menu as fresh and seasonal as possible for their “garden-to-table” inspired menu, utilizing ingredients grown in their garden, eggs from the winery's 20 chickens, meat from local butchers and farms, and artisanal products made locally. The winery even has their own extra-virgin olive oil milled from the property's 350 olive trees.

Insider Tip

If you’d rather enjoy coffee than wine with your lunch, Niner offers their own roast from local roaster, Joebella, which they age in old Niner barrels to give the blend a unique flavor profile.

Image courtesy of Niner Wine Estates