Los Osos – Baywood might be one of the smaller towns along Highway 1, but it’s easily the most diverse when it comes to food options. Within just a few short blocks, you can find multiple types of cuisine, from pizza and juicy burgers to ramen, sushi, and tacos. Several eateries have been around for decades (and have their fans), while others are new and already gaining a delicious reputation. In a few cases, dining in Los Osos – Baywood includes a view of the back bay and the Morro Bay National Estuary. Others are pet-friendly restaurants where Fido can enjoy a meal out, as well. Thanks to fine, mild weather year-round, outdoor dining in Los Osos is a popular option — just be prepared to wear layers. Several Los Osos – Baywood restaurants feature tasty and fun dishes for the young foodie in your life, perfect for a family getaway. Whether you’re hiking Montana de Oro, birdwatching, tidepooling, kayaking, or golfing the local course, Los Osos – Baywood is a great place to refuel.
Discover Dining in Los Osos - Baywood park
Hazards
Hazards fills the niche for delicious Italian food in Los Osos – Baywood, with classic dishes and atmosphere. This is where you’ll find authentic Italian-American style, with red and white checked tablecloths, carafes of red and white wine, and friendly service. Look for lasagna bolognese, calzones, Caesar salad, and chicken parmesan. For folks with alternative diets — e.g. vegetarian, gluten-free — Hazards offers options. Try the eggplant parmesan or several regional pastas, all of which can be prepared gluten-free. (In fact, gluten-free pizza and even gluten-free beer are on offer at Hazards.) For little foodies, the kids menu features scaled-down Italian-American favorites like spaghetti and meatballs and pizza. Always ask about specials, as they often make use of fresh-caught local seafood like scallops, shrimp, fish and more. And don’t forget to leave room for dessert! Feed your craving for treats like spumoni, New York cheesecake, tiramisu and cannoli.
Lotus Thai Cuisine
When it comes to Los Osos Thai food, one of the best options is this restaurant on 9th Street, just off Los Osos Valley Road. Lotus is known for its fresh Thai flavors, with dishes that are authentic to Thai cuisine. These dishes are made to order in the kitchen, and always come out piping hot, whether in person or for takeout. One favorite menu item is Drunken Noodles, made with flat noodles, bell pepper, tomato and basil in a spicy garlic chili sauce. Another is Hawaiian Fried Rice, which pairs savory chicken, shrimp and cashews with sweet pineapple and raisins. If you’re looking for a fresh salad, the Spicy Beef Salad combines thin-sliced beef with many vegetables, herbs, and a spicy chili sauce. Curries and soups, noodle and rice dishes, and dumplings can be ordered here, as well. Lotus Thai Cuisine offers mild, medium and spicy sauces by request.
La Palapa Restaurant
Looking to pair an ocean view with your Mexican food in Los Osos – Baywood? La Palapa Mexican Restaurant features south-of-the-border flavors in a relaxed coastal atmosphere, with glimpses of the back bay across 2nd Street. Here, the emphasis is on locally-sourced seafood, as well as authentic homestyle Mexican dishes and crowd favorites. Sit down to lunch or dinner with enchiladas, fajitas, tostadas, burritos and steak dinners. (For a real treat, try the Litzy’s Special: the fish of the day and shrimp, along with your choice of steak, plus sides.) Authentic specialties like Choco’s Chile Verde Dinner (pork cooked in tomatillo sauce with cactus) and Mole Sabroso (traditional chicken breast in mole sauce) round out the menu. Folks following alternative diets will enjoy the selection of meat-free and gluten-free dishes, or options to modify as such. But whatever you order at La Palapa, it’s sure to come with handmade tortillas, which provide the backbone of the restaurant’s menu.
Nardonne’s Pizza
Nardonne’s La Familiglia Pizzeria in Baywood Park has a fun, festive and casual vibe that’s perfect for kids of all ages and their families. Located just up the street from the shore of the back bay, Nardonne’s has fed hungry locals and visitors since 1976. Not just any Los Osos pizza, these are Sicilian-style pies at their best, thick crust, fully loaded and cut in traditional square slices. (The Works Pizza is a particular crowd pleaser: sausage, pepperoni, linguica, artichoke hearts, mushrooms, olives, onions, and bell peppers.) Other favorite dishes here are the meatball sandwich, calzones, and the caprese salad; drinks include local wine and beer. A kids menu offers several choices for young pizza fans to consider. Nardonne’s has something for everyone, with big screen TVs, a small arcade, movie nights, tap takeovers — even a dog-friendly patio! Sit down at the bar to have a beer and enjoy the game, or bring your family or group to a wide table to feast together.
Hong Kong Chinese Restaurant
For the best Chinese food in Los Osos – Baywood, look no further than Hong Kong Chinese Restaurant. Here, all the favorite classic dishes take center stage, as well as some delicious surprises. Chinese cuisine lovers will appreciate menu items like General Tsao’s Chicken, Shrimp Egg Foo Young, and Szechuan Pork. Noodle fans have plenty of choices, like lo mein, chow mein and barbecue pork noodles soup. Before you kick off lunch or dinner, order a couple appetizers and a drink, like domestic or imported beer, wine, sake, and plum wine. On weekdays, lunch specials include an egg roll, soup, and rice (as well as a fortune cookie, of course!). The children’s menu includes scaled-down courses like sweet and sour pork, egg roll and fried rice. Vegetarian, and gluten-free diets will be content here, with multiple options from the menu. This would be an ideal spot to stop on the way home from hiking, mountain biking or surfing Montana de Oro State Park.
Kuma
For those seeking sushi in Los Osos – Baywood, Kuma can provide that and much more, including ramen, teriyaki, and other Japanese fusion dishes. The cornerstone of the menu, however, is locally-sourced fish and seafood. The owners of Kuma have a longstanding relationship with local fisheries and sea vessels, making sea-to-table sushi a reality every day. As for Kuma ramen, this dish has a cult following with people who appreciate its 24-hour-cooked broth and fresh vegetables. Locals also love Kuma’s Moco Loco, a Hawaiian dish of Wagyu Spam, pineapple, and white rice topped with a poached egg and gravy. Rolls span from classic to fusion (including some made with cajun spices, jalapenos and cream cheese), in addition to traditional sashimi and tempura. Look for a fairly robust sake menu, as well as beer and wine. The vibe inside is contemporary, fresh, relaxed and fun, just like the food. Locals tip: Come between 2 and 4pm any day and get half-off your ramen order and $1 sake.
Clubhouse Bar & Grill at Sea Pines
Starting or ending a round of golf? Head to the Clubhouse Bar & Grill at Sea Pines Golf Resort for a meal to kick it off or wind it down. This casual restaurant makes it easy to fuel up or relax after a day on the links. Look for indoor and outdoor seating options, plus a total of ten flat-screen TVs for watching sports. All the American clubhouse favorite dishes are here, with omelettes, burgers, nachos, and more. Come for happy hour to select from the list of local wines and beers, as well as house-specialty cocktails. Throughout the week, the Clubhouse rotates nightly specials including tacos, steak, surf and turf, pork ribs, tri tip, and pasta. Take your seat on the patio with a glass of something local and delicious, then enjoy the view of the green. Alternatively, join in the fun on a Saturday night when bands play live music inside.
Sylvester’s Burgers
The Sylvester’s Burger tagline says it all: “Big, Hot ‘N Juicy!” And it’s true. Sylvester’s is the place to go for burgers in Los Osos – Baywood, but beware: the burgers are enormous. They’re also extremely sloppy, in the best possible way, with signature Sylvester’s sauce slathered on the bun and dripping down the patty. In fact, Sylvester’s owners put in a designated “wash station” on the patio for folks to clean themselves up after dining. (Fun fact: Sylvester’s contracts with a local bakery to make extra-absorbent buns to catch the sauce.) The vibe inside this very popular casual eatery is familiar and chill, with colorful vintage booths and customer photos along the walls. Customer favorites include the Mushroom Burger (piled impossibly high with sauteed mushrooms) and the Hana Burger (with pineapple and bacon). You’ll also find more exotic meats here too, like buffalo, elk, and wild boar. Vegetarian? Enjoy an Impossible Burger here. While Sylvester’s signature burgers are always tasty, look at the specials board for new, interesting items. A few tips: families, don’t miss “Whine Wednesday” when all kids meals are sold at half price. Birthday boys and girls, come in on your birthday for a free burger! And for those of you with big appetites, come in to stand down The Big One, a 5-pound burger. If you finish in less than 30 minutes, you get the burger for free, a free tee shirt, and your picture on the wall.
Celia’s Garden Cafe
When you’re on the road and need a spot to settle in for a quiet breakfast or lunch, Celia’s Garden Cafe has the right vibe. You’ll see lots of locals here on the patio among the flowers and plants, or inside the charming dining room. The focus at Celia’s is fresh, locally-sourced fruits and vegetables, including just-squeezed orange juice. Homestyle jams, salsas, breads, desserts, hand-carved turkey, and housemade hollandaise sauce are just some of the flavors you can expect here. Celia’s also pours locally-roasted SLO Roasted Coffee, produced just around the corner in Baywood. If you’re on your way to Montana de Oro State Park, pick up breakfast on the way in or on the way out — breakfast is served all day at Celia’s. Or you may want something more along the lines of lunch: soups, salads, sandwiches, pork chops and more. A kid’s menu and “lite” menu also make it easy to feed lots of different appetites. And don’t forget Rover! The outdoor patio at Celia’s is dog-friendly.
The Olde Ale House
The easygoing eatery brings the beer garden concept to Los Osos – Baywood, with fire pits and heaters to keep the patio warm. The primary feature for the Olde Ale House is the collection of 20 craft beers, ciders and sours on tap. But what’s a cold pint without something to eat alongside? Check out the Olde Ale House’s menu of updated American fare and pub favorites like sliders and nachos. On the weekends, pop-ups take over the restaurant, like Asian street food and fusion restaurant Hawker Eats. Come grab a cold beer, hard kombucha, cider or sour from one of the many local breweries on tap. Pair it with one of Hawker Eats’s crave-worthy dishes like fried rice, pork belly sliders, steamed buns, bahn mi and Asian Street Fries. Look for “Leo the dinosaur,” the Olde Ale House’s mascot (who is occasionally dressed up for special occasions) by the takeout window.
Wayward Baking
Celebrated chef Tim Veatch opened Wayward Baking in Los Osos – Baywood after a long career in top restaurants on the West Coast. Located on 9th Street (adjacent to Kuma), the bakery specializes in rustic breads, European pastries and homestyle desserts. Along with naturally leavened sourdough, Veatch bakes olive loaves, oat loaves, and Pane Siciliano, which is a customer favorite. Fans of French pastries will love Wayward’s buttery croissants, canele de bordeaux (vanilla-rum cake with custard center), and the crispy Brittany treat, Kouign-Amann. Pop in for breakfast and grab one of Wayward’s iced morning buns, a strawberry scone or a ham and cheese croissant. Or for an afternoon snack, grab a salted chocolate chip cookie. Pair anything on the menu with coffee or an espresso drink for an extra-special cafe experience. Everything baked or served at Wayward is made with precision, the highest quality ingredients and locally-sourced produce. Come for a sit-down or pickup your treats before exploring the nearby Morro Coast Audubon Society Sweet Springs Nature Preserve or Elfin Forest.
Noi & Doi’s 2nd Street Cafe
Legendary for their Thai food, Los Osos – Baywood residents and sisters Noi and Doi emigrated from southeast Asia to the U.S. decades ago. Noi started cooking in a tiny kitchen at her previous restaurant, Noi’s Little Thai Takeout, and became famous for her fresh Thai cuisine. Eventually, she moved across the street to start Noi & Doi’s 2nd Street Cafe, which focuses on more than just Thai food. Here you’ll find dishes from multiple traditions, including classic American cuisine. For example, on the menu, cornbread sits beside egg rolls, and chicken wings beside Malaysian salad. Thai cuisine is, of course, Noi & Doi’s specialty. Look for rice dishes like pad prik king and veggie stir-fry, or noodle dishes like pad thai and pad kee mow. For the diversity of these dishes, each of them is prepared with fresh ingredients, decades of expertise, and lots of flavor. Grab a tuna melt (a fan favorite) and sit in the tiny dining room or head out to the nearby Baywood Pier. You’ll also find Thai iced coffee, Thai iced tea, and espresso drinks available.
Ascendo Coffee
With a light, bright, modern interior, Ascendo Coffee has all the feel-good vibes of your favorite specialty coffee shop. Family owned and operated, this cafe has gained a loyal following of locals and travelers. Ascendo roasts its own coffee, and the staff is well educated on how the beans are sourced and processed. But the magic lies in how Ascendo coffee is brewed. Because Ascendo controls the roast, baristas can brew deep cups of coffee that avoid overly smoky or roasty flavors. Specialty coffee geeks will love the attention to detail, but casual coffee drinkers will appreciate a solid cup and tasty pastries. Try Ascendo’s house-made bagels with house-made hummus for a hearty start to the day. Or grab a bag of granola, rosemary-lemon shortbread, or a chocolate chip cookie for a tasty pick-me-up. Espresso drinks are brewed with precision, as are thoughtfully-sourced teas, and the almond milk is made in house, too.
Bayside Cafe
Who doesn’t love dog-friendly, waterfront dining? These are major selling points at Bayside Cafe, but the food and friendly service seal the deal. The cafe began as a walk-up counter where visitors to the Morro Bay State Park Marina could grab a bite. Eventually, word got out about Bayside’s classic American and Mexican fare, and the response was overwhelmingly positive. Today, the cafe includes a comfortable dining room and spacious patio with a killer view of the marina and the Morro Bay National Estuary. The craftsman-style building is warm and familiar, with a dinghy perched triumphantly on the roofline. Maybe take a spin through the back bay on a kayak, then hit up the Bayside Cafe for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Look for lots of seafood, burgers, salads and pasta, as well as locally-sourced beer and wine. Customer favorites include Fried Green Tomatoes & Scallops, Albacore Skewers, and Spicy Green Chile Soup.
Beerwood
Those looking for high-quality, low-key cuisine that pairs seamlessly with beer will be delighted to discover Beerwood in Los Osos-Baywood Park. The tavern lies just a block away from the shoreline of the Morro Bay National Estuary, overlooking Santa Maria Avenue. (Locals’ tip: grab a table on the patio on Monday afternoons to watch the Baywood Farmers’ Market from above.) Beerwood features 12 taps that rotate with local beers, as well as a long list of beers in cans and bottles — even gluten-free beer. Regular taps include M. Special Brewing, Liquid Gravity, Central Coast Brewing, Wild Fields, and 805. The food menu complements these brews — and vice versa — with elevated pub favorites. Try a platter of sauteed Brussels sprouts with dipping sauces, or a sophisticated riff on the BLT. Sausages, sliders, pasta, salads and more can be enjoyed with a pint on the ample outdoor deck. Bring the whole family, including Fido, to enjoy a lazy afternoon or evening here.
High Street Deli
The original High Street Deli in San Luis Obispo has been an anchor for stacked sandwiches and laid-back fun for many years. Today, High Street Deli has a second location in Los Osos-Baywood Park, where the vibe is similarly chill. Plus, the Baywood location includes an expanded deli, wines by the bottle, and a sweet selection of High Street’s famously irreverent merchandise. Come in for hot and cold sandwiches, fries, salads, wraps, and more. Favorite orders include the Deli Burger, a saucy smash burger on Japanese milk bread, and the Grandma Norman, made with fried chicken cutlets. No matter the sandwich you try, if you ask them to “make it stoney!” they’ll do a little extra something with add-ons to make it special. (This changes constantly, depending on the sandwich, depending on the maker, depending on the day! Take a chance and live on the edge.) The owners have kids and understand the importance of a solid kids’ menu and a patio with space for kids to move. Bring the family, enjoy the sparkle of the back bay, and taste one of the best sandwiches on Highway 1.
La Casita
Owned and operated by brothers Martin and Saul, La Casita Restaurant has fed hungry Los Osos-Baywood residents and visitors since 1988. The restaurant sits on 9th Street beside Wayward Bakery, Kuma and Hazards — a little gourmet corner with plenty to tempt diners. La Casita offers a nice mix of traditional Mexican dishes, including tacos, burritos, enchiladas, flautas, and more, plus beer and wine. One of the best ways to picnic in Los Osos-Baywood (at Montana de Oro State Park, for instance) is with a family pack from La Casita. Large trays of tacos, chile rellenos, tamales, nachos and more can be ordered and picked up for takeout. But no matter what you order at La Casita, don’t leave without buying a quart of Martin’s famous salsa. Pay just a few dollars and walk away with this unique salsa, made with Martin’s secret ingredient: Tien Tsin Chinese peppers. Pay an extra couple bucks, and he’ll throw in a big bag of chips to go with it.
