Diners' Choice: Californian restaurants in California Central Coast

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants with the best overall Californian cuisine in California Central Coast? You’re in the right place. Each month OpenTable analyzes more than 400,000 new diner reviews. We sort the results by category to help you discover new favorites. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

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!

Opal Restaurant & Bar

4.8

4.8 (1758)

$31 to $50

Californian

Santa Barbara

About the restaurant

We have inside and limited outdoor sidewalk dining. If you prefer to sit outside, please indicate that with your reservation request.
To accommodate our second seating, early parties should plan for a maximum stay of 1.5 to 2hrs, depending on party size. Please call 805 966 9676 for more details.
A popular local’s favorite, opal restaurant & bar’s Eclectic California Cuisine fuses creative world cuisine influences with American Regional touches, from a 14 oz. Herb-Grilled Ribeye Steak on Tuscan White Beans, to Fresh Pan-Seared Fish & Seafood, Homemade Pastas, Gourmet Pizzas, fresh Baked Breads, imaginative Salads, & Homemade Desserts.
We have a Wine Spectator award-winning wine list, & a full bar with seasonal Craft Cocktails.
Our entire dining room staff assists to take care of each table, enabling exceptional service in a warm engaging manner, properly nuanced to your mood & taste. Our staff genuinely cares about giving you the best possible experience!

Top review

terreVIP

Dined 1 day ago

Absolutely one of our favorite places to dine in Santa Barbara. Their menu has something for everyone. Great prices and a nice selection of wines. Located in the heart of downtown.

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Popular dish

Pasilla Chile Filet Mignon

Bouchon - Santa Barbara

4.8

4.8 (5436)

$31 to $50

Californian

Santa Barbara

About the restaurant

We are delighted to have added additional outdoor seating but Santa Barbara nights are chilly so bring a sweater or light jacket!

Fresh, local ingredients, prepared with care. Excellent wines that reflect the quality and character of our region and work in concert with the cuisine. Warm, inviting ambiance, service at a relaxed, leisurely pace. Santa Barbara ‘Wine Country Cuisine’ means we source our ingredients using an ‘as-fresh-and-as-local-as-possible’ approach, with fish from the Santa Barbara Channel and produce from the surrounding countryside. We then take into account how these flavors can be presented in concert with our local wines. We believe you’ll taste the difference. Bon Appètit!

Top review

VincentVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Outstanding experience! Cuisine, wine, wait staff, setting, ambiance, outdoor evening. All perfect

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Bouchon French 'French Onion' Soup

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

Barbareño

4.8

4.8 (1880)

$31 to $50

Californian

Santa Barbara

About the restaurant

At Barbareño we seek to help further shape and define Central Coast cuisine. We take our inspiration from traditions and specialties of our area, delicacies unique to our region, and the many outstanding purveyors with whom we are so fortunate to work. In all of our efforts, we hope to capture the essence of a particular place or local flavor, embracing the nuances that make our food and drink unique to our home.

Top review

Brian

Dined 7 days ago

The highlight of our meal was the lamb Al pastor with fermented corn flatbread. Flavors on point. Staff was friendly and knowledgeable in food and beverage. Very attentive to our table. Excellent atmosphere! Will be back!

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4.8

4.8 (213)

$50 and over

Californian

Monterey

About the restaurant

Discover CELLA Restaurant + Bar at Cooper Molera Adobe in Downtown Monterey. Step into a sleek, historic venue with a heated pergola and stunning local woodwork. General Manager Bernabe DeLuna leads an exceptional wine program with a remarkable staff. Savor seasonal cocktails and mocktails crafted by Barkeep Joshua Perry. Chef Ben Spungin & Chef Cal Stamenov create an ever-changing menu inspired by the bountiful central coast. Join us and experience the neighborhood's culinary gem!

Top review

marc

Dined 3 days ago

A great experience as always. Cella gives you a dining experience, not just food. You are never rushed - a rare experience in itself, and the staff is attentive. Be warned - the fresh bread and salads are easy to split, and the burger is monstrous. There are many great places to eat on the peninsula- this is not one to miss.

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Experience

New Year's Eve Dinner at Cella Restaurant & Bar!

Experience

Sunday Supper - Fried Chicken Dinner

Experience

Family-Style Mezze Experience

Nella Kitchen and Bar

4.7

4.7 (1075)

$31 to $50

Californian

Santa Ynez Valley

About the restaurant

Opened in August 2020, Nella Kitchen & Bar offers fresh, modern California cuisine and focuses on 'Roman Pinsas'.
Meals are served on the front porch overlooking Grand Ave where guests are warmly welcomed, or in the cozy Dining Room which also has a private Wine Room that can host family seating and private parties.
Cocktails are focused on classics and served in the Lounge with a lot of bar seating.
As much as we love pets, we only allow service animals at Nella, thank you for understanding.

Top review

StaceyVIP

Dined 7 days ago

We always have a great experience The staff is wonderful

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Popular dish

Lamb Chops Scottadito

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.

Stokes Adobe Restaurant

4.7

4.7 (760)

$31 to $50

Californian

Monterey

About the restaurant

Stokes Adobe is a new restaurant located in one of Old Monterey’s historic adobe homes. The menu offers chef driven seasonally inspired California cuisine. The bar and cozy outdoor fire pits offer classic cocktails, wines by the glass and local beers.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined 4 days ago

Amazing experience…staff were incredibly kind and attentive. 10/10 recommend.

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Popular dish

Crispy Potatoes

Anton & Michel Restaurant

4.7

4.7 (3262)

$31 to $50

Californian

Carmel

About the restaurant

Anton and Michel is now open INDOORS and OUTDOORS at the COURT of the FOUNTAINS.
LUNCH: 11:30 AM – 4:00 PM / DINNER: 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM.
Reservations are highly recommended.
If you are having any difficulty making reservations online, please call the restaurant directly at 831-624-2406 or send us an email.
Since 1980, Anton and Michel has consistently maintained an award-winning reputation for true excellence in the art of fine dining. A complete interior remodel was recently completed features handset stonework throughout the restaurant. The floor to ceiling windows offer breathtaking views of the Court of the Fountains. Zagat Survey calls it: Carmel’s long-standing paean to graciousness in dining out. Along with updated and contemporary changes to the menus, ultimate table side service flambé desserts remain. As quoted in the Wine Spectator, Anton and Michel is “probably the best dining experience in downtown Carmel-by-the-Sea”.

Top review

Betty

Dined 2 days ago

A gorgeous day in Carmel made even more special by delightful lunch, sitting around a beautiful pool. The service the food was exceptional. Very, very relaxing.

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Popular dish

Classic French Onion Soup

Popular dish

Cherries Jubilee (for two)

Popular dish

GF Black Angus Filet Mignon

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