The Central Coast Restaurants

The cuisine in Ventura and Santa Barbara is every bit as eclectic as it is in California's bigger cities; fresh seafood is a standout. A foodie renaissance has overtaken the entire region from Ventura to Paso Robles, spawning dozens of restaurants touting locavore cuisine made with fresh organic produce and meats. Dining attire on the Central Coast is generally casual, though slightly dressy casual wear is the custom at pricier restaurants.

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  • 1. Tognazzini's Dockside

    $$

    Captain Mark Tognazzini catches seasonal seafood and delivers the bounty to his family's collection of down-home, no-frills, harborside enterprises—a fish market with patio dining and up-close views of Morro Rock (Dockside Too) and the original Dockside restaurant. Local musicians play live music nearly every day at the outdoor patio at Dockside Too.

    1245 Embarcadero, Morro Bay, California, 93442, USA
    805-772–8100-restaurant

    Known For

    • Fresh-as-it-gets seafood
    • Live music nearly every day
    • Front-row seats to Morro Rock views
  • 2. Dorn's Original Breakers Cafe

    $$

    This restaurant overlooking the harbor has satisfied local appetites since 1942 and serves straight-ahead dishes such as cod or shrimp fish-and-chips or calamari tubes sautéed in butter and wine.

    801 Market Ave., Morro Bay, California, 93442, USA
    805-772–4415

    Known For

    • Sweeping views of Morro Rock and the bay
    • Fresh local seafood
    • Friendly, efficient service
  • 3. Taco Temple

    $

    This family-run diner serves some of the freshest food around. The seafood-heavy menu includes salmon burritos, Alaskan cod tostadas, superb fish tacos with mango salsa, and other dishes hailing from somewhere between California and Mexico.

    2680 Main St., Morro Bay, California, 93442, USA
    805-772–4965

    Known For

    • Freshly made salsas
    • Hefty portions
    • Daily specials

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Reservations not accepted
  • 4. Windows on the Water

    $$$$

    Diners at this second-floor restaurant view the sunset through giant picture windows. Meanwhile, fresh fish and other dishes incorporating local ingredients emerge from the wood-fired oven in the open kitchen, and oysters on the half shell beckon from the raw bar.

    699 Embarcadero, Morro Bay, California, 93442, USA
    805-772–0677

    Known For

    • Sustainably sourced seafood
    • 20-plus wines by the glass
    • Menu changes nightly

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon. No lunch
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