Best Restaurants in Paso Robles
In addition to fantastic wineries, we present some of the best restaurants in Paso Robles. From fast food to casual to fine dining, below we’ve listed some of the best restaurants in Paso Robles. We were fortunate to eat at Parchetto Bistro, Red Scooter Deli, and Negranti Creamery in person during our visit of Paso Robles. The others are highly rated in addition to restaurants that were recommended during our stay. Of course, with so many high-quality options, this list is just a partial list. Add any of your choices for best restaurants in Paso Robles in the Comments section.
Parchetto Bistro
Parchetto Bistro in downtown Paso Robles is an intimate Italian-inspired restaurant offering farm-to-table cuisine paired with local wines. Known for fresh pasta, seasonal ingredients, and artisanal flavors, it combines rustic charm with modern elegance. Julie and I had early 5:15 reservations so we could relax and enjoy dinner before leaving for our evening at Sensorio Field of Light that started at sunset.
Carole and Santos MacDonal, the owners of Parchetto, operated the local favorite Il Cortile for 15 years before opening the popular bistro. They added Parchetto to their portfolio about a year ago, and it has quickly become another top choice for locals and visitors alike, and has joined Il Cortile as one of the best restaurants in downtown Paso Robles.
Julie enjoyed her excellent salmon, pan-seared and served with a flavorful sauce and a variety of market-fresh veggies. I had my eyes on the braised short ribs. I savored every bite of the tender, tasty ribs served with broccoli, mashed potatoes and a deep, rich gravy. For dessert, we shared a chocolate tart with vanilla ice cream and fresh strawberries – delicious! Parchetto Bistro is an excellent choice for a casual but elegant experience in downtown Paso Robles.
Red Scooter Deli
Red Scooter Deli in Paso Robles is a beloved local eatery specializing in artisanal sandwiches, fresh salads, and gourmet comfort foods. Voted Best Sandwich on the Central Coast, Red Scooter also has a location in Tin City, just south of downtown. With a casual, friendly atmosphere and emphasis on quality ingredients, it’s a favorite spot for both locals and visitors seeking flavorful, satisfying meals in the heart of Paso Robles. We visited the cozy 6th Street location, sitting outside in the shade of an umbrella on this beautiful Spring day. This location is open seven days a week, serving breakfast and lunch until mid-afternoon.
Red Scooter has a nice variety of menu items to choose from, and customers can eat on the comfortable patio or get their orders to go. They also offer special to go boxes that are very popular for tastings, grabbing a bite in between tastings on the go, or even for picnics in a scenic park.
We were warmly greeted by owner Stephanie Johnston, who was very busy during the lunch hour. Julie’s Cobb Salad was full of fresh veggies and flavor, with ample portions of mixed greens, roasted chicken, avocado, tomato, red onion, corn, sliced egg, bacon, and crumbled bleu cheese. My BALT (Bacon Avocado Lettuce Tomato) sandwich on fresh-baked sourdough was delicious. Along with a bag of chips and a home-baked chocolate chip cookie, we both left Red Scooter Deli with a full tummy and a smile on our face. For a quick, quality breakfast or lunch, Red Scooter is one of the best restaurants in Paso Robles.
Negranti Creamery
Negranti Creamery at 1211 Pine Street in downtown Paso Robles crafts small-batch ice cream made from sheep’s milk. This popular creamery was founded by Alexis Negranti in 2010, and now consists of ten locations in California, Idaho, and Arizona. A family bought the business from Alexis, built their own production facility, and currently raises over 500 East Friesian and Lacaune sheep in the beautiful hills of northeastern Oregon.
Fun Flavors Made With Sheep’s Milk
When we entered the store, we were immediately greeted by Jenn, who was very friendly and helpful. She described what makes Negranti ice cream special, with its unique sheep’s milk that many say is easier to digest. Instantly, my first bite of Crazy Cookie made me a believer. The ice cream was smooth, creamy, and flavorful, and so good. I finished this sample and moved on to the Salted Caramel, then the Peanut Butter. I finished with the delicious Lavendar Blueberry and the fresh Lemon, and would have tried more if I had room. For a unique sheep’s milk delight, Negranti Creamery is definitely one of the best restaurants in Paso Robles. I highly recommend trying Negranti’s 6th Street or Tin City locations for a unique, tasty treat in Paso Robles. Or try any of their other locations in California, Idaho, and Arizona.
DAOU Vineyards
DAOU Vineyards is recognized as one of the top wineries in Paso Robles. When we came to visit for our tasting around noon, we planned to eat lunch at DAOU along with our tasting. As you would expect from a winery devoted to quality wines and service, DAOU also has an outstanding selection of menu options. Julie enjoyed her fresh Chopped Salad, consisting of farro, curry cauliflower, Italian Kale, lemon vinaigrette, pickled golden raisins, dill, mint, sukkah, cucumber, pickled red onion, and feta emulsion. We also shared a freshly baked pepperoni pizza with tomato sauce, mozzarella, parmigiano, basil, and confit cherry tomatoes. The salad and pizza paired perfectly with our wines.
The menu at DAOU has a nice variety of options for different tastes. Among the other selections are the Coal Roasted Beet Salad, a Mezze Platter, Cheese and Charcuterie Board. Or if you feel like Oysters on the Half Shell, Ceviche Mexicano, Beef Tartare, or Royal White Sturgeon Caviar, they have you covered. Or maybe Braised Beef Cheeks or Pan Seared Maine Diver Scallops are more to your liking. And for your sweet tooth, the Chocolate Cremieux in a Jar or Apple & Almond Cake will hit the spot.
So, in addition to fantastic wines, spectacular views, and first class service, DAOU offers a wonderful selection of culinary delights!
Other Highly Rated Restaurants in Paso Robles
As we happily discovered, Paso Robles is a foodie’s paradise. There are many more restaurants we would like to try when we return. Based on word of mouth and high ratings, here are a few more options for best restaurants in Paso Robles. Ultimately, use this list as a starting point to do your own research when you want to find your favorite places to dine in Paso Robles.
- Fine Dining Restaurants in Paso Robles
- Il Cortile Ristorante
- BL Brasserie
- Paso Terra
- Les Petites Canailles (Michelin)
- Somm’s Restaurant
- Restaurants at Paso Robles Wineries
- The Restaurant at JUSTIN (Michelin)
- The Restaurant a Niner Wine Estates
- Cass Winery
- Other Highly Rated Restaurants
- Buono Tavola
- Joe’s Place
- Fish Gaucho
- The Hatch Rotisserie & Bar
- Catch Seafood
- Sabor & Sazón
- In Bloom
Enjoy the Best Restaurants in Paso Robles
Before our visit, we knew all about Paso Robles’ reputation for some of the best wineries in California. We were pleasantly surprised to also learn that Paso Robles is a foodie’s paradise, with a wide selection of outstanding restaurants in this scenic area of California’s Central Coast.
Thanks to Parchetto Bistro, Red Scooter Deli, Negranti Creamery, and DAOU Vineyards for hosting us. All opinions are my own.
