There are many excellent Pismo Beach restaurants, and it can be hard to choose just one while standing in our Pismo Beach vacation rentals. If you’re visiting this part of California, hopefully, you’ll be here long enough to try several of the options on our list!
We’ve made a point of selecting some of our favorite oceanfront restaurants in this article for individuals or families staying in one of our properties. With stunning views of the water, they’re sure to kindle your passion and romantic spirit.
Oyster Loft
No place does oysters better than Oyster Loft, but no worries! If oysters aren’t for you, they have plenty of other dishes to enjoy as well.
The Oyster Loft bills itself as an experience rather than merely a meal, and there’s no denying the painstaking attention paid to details at this establishment. The drink menu is massive, and it’s hard to beat gazing out at the water from one of the windows tableside while sipping a specialty cocktail. We recommend the Queen Bee with egg white, lemon, honey, lavender, and Empress gin.
Start with their fresh oysters at market price. Of all the restaurants in Pismo Beach with ocean views, the Loft probably does oysters the best of any of them. They’re always fresh, and they’re served with horseradish and cocktail sauce — the perfect companions to this specialty dish.
For a main, try the pan-fried halibut with potato puree, market vegetables, and creamy Maine lobster sauce. The herb-roasted chicken is succulent and one of the more popular options. We also highly recommend the Wagyu New York steak with duck if you’re looking for a delicious non-seafood option.
No matter what you select, be sure to save room for dessert, as you won’t want to miss out on their decadent selections of bread pudding and creme brulee.
SeaVenture Restaurant
The SeaVenture is another delicious Pismo Beach restaurant with stunning ocean views. They take reservations, and you should strongly consider making one, as this beachside seafood hotspot tends to fill up fast — especially on the weekends!
As Chef Eddie Ruiz is well known in these parts for pairing the local wines with his culinary delicacies, wine is almost obligatory here. Choose from an extensive list of Cabernets and Zinfandels, or ask your server for their pairing recommendations.
For reds, we think you’ll enjoy the Clayhouse Paso Robles, but if you’re more in the mood for a cocktail, you’ll be delighted by their house selection. Try the pomegranate margarita with Nosotros silver tequila, sour mix, Cointreau, and Pama liqueur, for a fun accompaniment to your meal.
While sitting at the bar, dig into a plate of chicken nachos with pinto beans, cheese, corn, pico de gallo, and spicy aioli in addition to a warming bowl of clam chowder with chives, bacon, and garlic croutons.
For a main, the pan-seared striped sea bass is a bold and delicious choice, but you can’t go wrong with the filet mignon, served with a red wine reduction, mushrooms, asparagus, and mashed potatoes. When you can’t choose between land and sea, add some garlic shrimp and a lobster tail for a delicious combination.
Those hearty souls who have saved room for dessert can choose between the chocolate lava cake with vanilla ice cream and banana foster with Myer’s dark rum.
Vista Steak And Seafood
Of all the Pismo Beach restaurants on the water, you’re not likely to find any older or more venerable than Vista Steak and Seafood. It’s casual yet elegant and boasts 35 years of experience on which to draw. The menu is the brainchild of executive chef Douglas MacMillan, who has a lifelong connection to the Pismo Beach area.
Enjoy a menu that defies all attempts at easy categorization, with Italian and local influences combined for an incredible range of flavors. Start with the fried calamari with roasted bell pepper sauce or the steak tartare with fresh toast points. Next, go with either the French onion soup or heirloom tomato and burrata with balsamic glaze and basil oil.
If you’re going to eat one burger while on vacation, consider their half-pounder. This ground burger comes with secret sauce, white cheddar, bacon, and grilled onions on a brioche bun. For more local fare, try the seafood linguini. You’ll enjoy a dish that comes with shrimp, fresh fish, mussels, scallops, and clams all jumbled together. The ten-ounce lobster tail with veggies and rice pilaf is also heavenly.
Book Your Stay Today!
Are you ready to discover stunning oceanfront dining options offered in Pismo Beach California? Book your stay today for a unique experience like no other!
Blue Moon Over Avila
Blue Moon Over Avila is the domain of executive chef John Eric Reynolds, who mastered his craft working in restaurants in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo before moving to Pismo Beach in 2020 and opening this gem by the sea. It’s like a modest bistro transported directly from Paris and plunked down on the white sands of the West Coast, where the California-French food pairings continually wow locals and visitors alike.
The menu isn’t huge, but there’s something to be said for simplicity. The escargots served with herb-garlic butter are a fine choice if you’re feeling adventurous, but you can always go with the vegetarian soup du jour instead.
The Blue Moon French onion dip sandwich with caramelized onions and sliced steak is just the right portion size. If you want heavier fare, the Grand Marnier lacquered duck with puree should do the job nicely. It is slow-roasted and semi-boneless. Other favorites include the plancha-seared Skuna Bay salmon with jade rice and seasonal vegetables.
Book Your Pismo Beach Vacation Rentals with Beach Bum
At Beach Bum Holiday Rentals, our Arroyo Grande rentals are perfect for your Pismo Beach vacation. As a well-respected property group, you can expect exceptional service that will attend to your every need, regardless of how many guests are in your party.
Our Arroyo Grande rentals will put you right in the middle of all the action that this town has to offer and come equipped with all the amenities you’ll need for a comfortable stay. Enjoy high-speed internet connections, washers and dryers, outdoor entertainment spaces, and fully-equipped kitchens if you feel like dining in one night. Of all the potential Pismo Beach rentals you have available, you’ll love these for their combination of rustic charm and modern amenities.
You should also take note that our Pismo Beach vacation rentals you’ll find here are adjacent to cliffs overlooking the sea that will afford you some stunning views if you’d like to walk around and work up your appetite. In this part of central California’s coastline, you’ll find a whole string of picturesque towns in close proximity to one another. Each one boasts one-of-a-kind shopping experiences and quaint restaurants.
Head to a nearby vineyard for a relaxing day of wine tasting, but be sure to keep your eyes peeled for the wildlife! The massive migration of Monarch butterflies is always a popular tourist draw, as these winged beauties pass through Arroyo Grande on their way south to Mexico.
You can always take a dip in the ocean or charter a boat and head out fishing. Travelers that are planning road trips along the West Coast often try to make this section of the state a part of their perfect vacations — and for good reason!
Now that you know how to eat like a local while taking in the natural beauty of the area, be sure to book your vacation stay with us today and get started on the trip of your dreams!
