Favorite Restaurants in Local Wine Country
After a day of wine tasting, shopping or beach combing, where can one cozy up for a luxurious meal in Paso Robles? It’s a great question.
Paso Robles has become a culinary mecca in recent years, fueled by its prominence as a world-class wine region. This is where you’ll want to indulge your taste buds across a diverse range of Paso Robles dining options, from the elevated to the casual.
So what are the best restaurants in Paso Robles?
Here are some of the tastiest spots in the region:
Six Test Kitchen
If you seek something different, Six Test Kitchen is an exercise in contemporary cuisine. Only hosting 12 guests per seating, this Michelin One Star boutique restaurant offers a series of light bites followed by a 12-course chef’s tasting menu that is inspired by local farms and seasonal offerings. Reservations well in advance are required.
Il Cortile Ristorante
Italian for “the courtyard,” Il Cortile Ristorante occupies a quaint and charming dining space located on 12th Street in downtown Paso Robles. Chef-owners Santos and Carole MacDonal believe in creating pastas that don’t just accompany the sauce, but that “become involved with it.” They also take great care with their seafood and meat dishes, and believe in fresh, locally sourced ingredients.
BL Brasserie
A fixture on the Paso Robles downtown park since 1997, BL Brasserie (formerly named Bistro Laurent) is a beloved “go-to” for lunch or dinner. Here, guests find traditional brasserie-style fare served in a casual mode yet immersed in an elegant setting. Diners may enjoy a la carte offerings; weekly four to five-course tasting menus; or Le Chef’s menu, which is blind and includes the freshest ingredients of the day along with wine pairings.
Sabor & Sazón
Located on 13th Street in downtown Paso Robles, Sabor & Sazon’s mission is to share the joy and warmth that comes from a home-cooked meal. This global dining experience brings together a vibrant array of cuisines from around the world, including Chef-Owner Jorge Magdonal’s Honduran roots. The restaurant’s motto is “el sazón es nuestra esencia,” which translates to “seasoning is our essence.” Magdonal’s signature flavors may be experienced in dishes such as pastelitos filled with beef and tomatoes; corn souffle with parmesan fondue sauce; and fettuccine ragú with clam linguine.
The Hatch Rotisserie & Bar
The Hatch Rotisserie & Bar’s comfort-food menu is sourced from producers who care deeply about the product they bring to market. California-raised Jidori chicken; Tasmanian Wagyu tri tip; grits from Marsh Hen Mill in South Carolina; and pasta from Etto Pastificio in Paso Robles are just some of the ingredients that guests enjoy at this bustling and friendly hangout located on 13th Street in downtown Paso Robles. Menu items are wood-fired, plated simply and served with love.
Junction Tapas & Winebar
Located at Paso Robles’ old train depot, the Junction Tapas & Winebar is a concept restaurant launched by Nick and Ingrid Holguin, longtime caterers out of San Jose. The Holguin’s passion is to explore the rich heritage of Mediterranean cuisine, and to deliver interpretations that combine traditional and modern techniques. The Junction invites one and all to celebrate communal dining via the dynamic menu that excites palates and ignites dialogue.
In Bloom
In Bloom embodies sophisticated, contemporary California cuisine in a laid-back setting. Part of the Paso Market Walk complex that faces Spring Street, the restaurant offers an airy nod to all things fresh. Owners Chris and Nicole Haisma are dedicated to the finest ingredients from local farms and purveyors. Their passion is to ensure that each dish, cocktail and wine reflects the best of California’s Central Coast. Here, a popular way to order is to opt for the six-course tasting menu, which offers chef selections in modified portions.
There are dozens of other great restaurants to be discovered in Paso Robles, Templeton and Atascadero. Reservations are highly recommended. Bon appetit!
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