Diners' Choice: Best Ambience restaurants in California Central Coast

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants with the best ambience 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!

Petros Restaurant at Petros Winery

4.9

4.9 (960)

$30 and under

Mediterranean

Los Olivos

About the restaurant

Our menu is a combination of the best ingredients that Greece and California cuisine have to offer. We import olive oil, feta, honey and oregano from Greece, the freshest organic vegetables from our farms in Los Olivos and wineries of our great state. Come enjoy lunch, dinner and wine indoors or on our beautiful patio. We can also host your next event!

Top review

Liza

Dined 6 days ago

We had an outstanding experience at Petros and can't recommend it enough. It was a birthday dinner and we had a very large group that included kids. They really accommodated. It was chilly, so we sat inside, enjoying the hoiday charm. The food was delicious, service was amazing, and we all can't wait to go back. Thank you, Robin and team!

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Stonehouse at San Ysidro Ranch

4.8

4.8 (2616)

$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

HelaineVIP

Dined 3 days ago

This is our second visit to The Stonehouse Restaurant. It was equally as delightful as it was the first time. The facility is romantic and gorgeous, the service outstanding and the cuisine out of this world. Tonight my husband and I went there to celebrate our 52nd anniversary. What a wonderful way it was to celebrate our special occasion. We can’t wait to return once again!

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Popular dish

San Ysidro Ranch Meyer Lemon Tart

Popular dish

Blackened Ora King Salmon Salad

Experience

Sunday Champagne Brunch

36 Degrees North at San Juan Oaks Golf Club

4.9

4.9 (52)

$31 to $50

Californian

Hollister

About the restaurant

The signature restaurant at the newly reimagined San Juan Oaks Golf Club. 36º North brings an upscale ambiance and memorable dining experience through seasonally inspired California cuisine with locally sourced ingredients. With a dramatic olive tree featured as an iconic centerpiece, the scene is set for gourmet dinners and special occasions.

Top review

Irene

Dined 7 days ago

Another excellent meal and the best customer service! Thank you.

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Experience

New Year's Eve

Sierra Mar - Post Ranch Inn

4.7

4.7 (1217)

$50 and over

Organic

Big Sur

About the restaurant

Offering spectacular, picturesque views of the Pacific Ocean, Sierra Mar restaurant at Post Ranch Inn is a farm-driven restaurant that celebrates the coastal bounty of Big Sur and our neighboring communities. Our dishes are centered around the dialogue of balance: on the plate, between sea and land, with sustainability always in mind. Selections from our Wine Spectator Grand Award-winning wine list enhance the inspired cuisine.

We have a family-style lunch experience for $75 per person. Our dinner experience is priced at $175 per person. Lunch and Dinner is available to the general public, however space is limited and reservations in advance are required. The minimum age for guests is 18 years old and pets are not allowed.

Non-hotel guests will be welcomed at the gate house no more than 30 minutes prior to their reservation.

Top review

Angie

Dined 5 days ago

Amazing dining experience! The view was spectacular!

Gardens of Avila Restaurant

4.9

4.9 (939)

$31 to $50

Californian

San Luis Obispo

About the restaurant

The Gardens Restaurant at Sycamore Mineral Springs Resort, a favorite spot for locals as well as travelers, is situated in a beautiful garden setting in the Avila Valley. Savor the flavors of the award-winning contemporary California cuisine inspired by the surrounding local wine country.

Top review

Scotty Joe

Dined 3 days ago

The food is excellent!! Zoe my waitress, took care of me for three days…… When your staff is first class your dining experience will always match the delicious food.

Pizza Heaven

5.0

5 (26)

$30 and under

Pizza Bar

Carmel

About the restaurant

Tucked away in the charming coastal town of Carmel-by-the Sea, Pizza Heaven entices both locals and tourists with its welcoming atmosphere and delightful menu.

Our delightful restaurant features a dog-friendly heated patio, where four-legged friends are invited to join their owners in indulging in a variety of culinary delights. From specialty pizzas brimming with distinctive flavors to timeless favorites that never disappoint, Pizza Heaven caters to all tastes.

In addition to pizza, the menu offers an enticing selection of options including pastas, salads, and Mediterranean pies, ensuring there's something for everyone. To elevate the dining experience, carefully chosen local and regional wines are available, adding a touch of sophistication to every meal.

Whether you're in search of a laid-back lunch spot or an intimate dinner setting, Pizza Heaven guarantees a taste of culinary delight amidst the coastal allure of Carmel, California.

Top review

Gabriela

Dined on Nov 26, 2024

It was a great experience. Amazing food and desert.

Olivella - Ojai Valley Inn

4.9

4.9 (461)

$50 and over

Californian

Ojai

About the restaurant

Ojai Valley Inn’s signature dinner restaurant, Olivella, holds the Forbes Travel Guide Four 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 $125/ 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

RachaelVIP

Dined on Dec 13, 2024

Our waiter, David was so knowledgeable and fun! The food was delicious each dish was just the right amount so we never got too full. Standouts were the crudo, steak, and salad. McConnell’s dessert was magical!

Far Western Tavern

4.8

4.8 (1188)

$30 and under

Steakhouse

Orcutt / Santa Maria

About the restaurant

Welcome to the Far Western Tavern—California ranch cuisine inspired by local traditions.

Our restaurant is recognized as a landmark of Santa Maria Style Barbecue, a renowned regional fare rooted in native ingredients and methods that were first popularized by 19th century rancheros.

Our menu blends this local barbecue style with other dishes that reflect our family’s heritage in the Santa Maria Valley’s Swiss-Italian ranching community, all prepared with fresh flavors from nearby farms, ranches and vineyards.

Top review

karen

Dined today

Our service was great and so was the food! Very friendly and helpful staff!!

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Popular dish

Fwt Bay Shrimp Cocktail

The Bistro at The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara

4.6

4.6 (531)

$50 and over

American

Santa Barbara

About the restaurant

Named “Top 100 Best Al Fresco Dining Restaurants in America” by OpenTable, The Bistro offers a casual and relaxed atmosphere to dine and enjoy sweeping views of the coastline. Local produce and sustainable seafood highlight an acclaimed menu of traditional bistro favorites, including brick oven flatbreads, seasonal salads and the signature Santa Barbara burger.

Please note that holiday reservations are only available for in-house guests. Room confirmation number is required to officially confirm your dining reservation during these times.

Marriott Bonvoy Members can earn points when staying with us. Please enroll here: https://www.joinmarriottbonvoy.com/uscanqr/s/EN/ch/sbarz

For parties with 6 guests or more a 26% service charge fee will be added to your final bill. For all guests there will be an 8.75% California State tax added to the final bill.

Top review

CATHYVIP

Dined on Dec 13, 2024

This is a beautiful venue. Inside and outside dining with gorgeous views. The food is fantastic and our service was top notch. Thank You Dulce !! We enjoyed it so much we made reservations for breakfast for the next day. Thank You Graice!!

The Oak - Ojai Valley Inn

4.7

4.7 (664)

$50 and over

Californian

Ojai

About the restaurant

The Oak offers daily breakfast, lunch and dinner experiences featuring locally sourced products and ingredients.
Guests have a choice of indoor dining or al fresco dining under the pergola. The Oak offers dramatic views overlooking 200-year-old oak trees and our championship golf course.

In keeping with the relaxed atmosphere of the restaurant, the dress code is Resort Casual. We kindly request no pool wear.

Top review

marcVIP

Dined on Dec 8, 2024

great! dd ont want to write more words why M i forced to make up words i can say it in one word IDIOTS

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