10 Best Restaurants in Paso Robles

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Though it may be far away from any major cosmopolitan area, Paso Robles has a surprising number of delicious restaurants and local eateries nestled amongst the farmland and vineyards in Central California. While tasty food is a draw, of course, restaurants here also take sourcing locally seriously, so you can feel good knowing that most of what you’re eating is fresh and in-season. Here are our picks for the best places to dine in Paso Robles, whether you’re in the mood for simple Italian, comforting California fare, Mexican-style eats, or otherwise.

1

Restaurants /

The Hatch

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 inviting craft cocktails. 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

While it's easy to fall in love with The Hatch's food, their cocktail program is equally as noteworthy. Luckily, their delicious drinks can now be enjoyed outside of the restaurant thanks to The Hatch Cocktail Truck — a mobile bar in a vintage 1967 milk truck that serves seasonally-inspired cocktails for special events, from weddings to neighborhood parties.

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2

Restaurants /

Six Test Kitchen

This intimate, 12-seat “restaurant” 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. Six Test Kitchen offers two nightly seatings, available Tuesdays through Saturdays, with reservations sold like tickets, 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.

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3

Restaurants /

Il Cortile Ristorante

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.

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4

Restaurants /

Thomas Hill Organics

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 dining area is refined but keeps an aura of California-casual, with a focus on sustainably-grown food and friendly service. Featuring a menu that rotates weekly, the restaurant is open for lunch and dinner everyday, but also serves brunch on Sundays.

Insider Tip

While Thomas Hill Organics does change their menu according to the season, you can expect 'Burgers & Beers' every Monday, with half-off a draft of beer (or glass of wine) with the purchase of a burger, and every Tuesday they offer bottles of wine (under $100) for half the regular price.

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5

Corporate Events /

La Cosecha Bar & Restaurant

Head to La Cosecha Bar & Restaurant for a menu of approachable Spanish, Latin, and South American fare 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.

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6

Restaurants /

Fish Gaucho

West Coast meets Baja at Fish Gaucho, where vibrant coastal and Mexican cuisine is served within a colorful setting. The menu features flavorful and bold offerings, from starters like duck-confit empanadas and ahi nachos to entrées of fresh fish street tacos and lobster tail enchiladas. 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, and everyday from 9pm to close, when the bar's noteworthy selection of house-crafted margaritas and cocktails are all $3 off.

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7

Restaurants /

BL Brasserie

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 chilled chocolate tarts.

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8

Restaurants /

Buona Tavola - Paso Robles

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

If a day of wine tasting has you feeling like staying in, Buona Tavola offers their food for delivery or pick-up, which can be ordered online through their website (and delivered via the service FoodJets.com).

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9

Restaurants /

Tin Canteen

While venturing around Tin City, Paso Robles' industrial tasting room district, be sure to stop in to Tin Canteen to fuel up between tastings. Here, you can nosh on a wide selection of comforting Californian and Italian fare, including wood-fired pizzas, handmade pasta (made next door at Etto), ceviche, garlic fries, and fried chicken sandwiches. Wash it all down with a locally-made cider or wine and you're set.

Insider Tip

Did you buy a bottle of wine at one of the nearby tasting rooms and feel like poppin' it open with lunch? You can pay the $20 corkage fee to enjoy it in the restaurant or you can purchase a second bottle of wine off the restaurant's list to have the corkage waived.

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10

Corporate Events /

Restaurant at Niner Wine Estates

The Restaurant at Niner Wine Estates is open for lunch and Sunday brunch and makes for a great pit-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

The restaurant serves food from 12pm to 3pm Thursday through Sunday and reservations are encouraged, but if you happen to be nearby on a day it's not open, Niner's tasting room is open daily from 10am to 5pm to satisfy your wine tasting needs.

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