Iconic Eats Every Visitor Should Try in SLO CAL

Madonna Inn's Famous Dessert

Who's ready for pink chocolate? One of the most iconic foods in SLO CAL, this cake is light and delicate, sweet, but also not too rich to weight you down before your next food stop. 

The Madonna Inn's classic Pink Champagne Cake might have been initially whipped up by angels—if angels lived in the Malibu Barbie Dream House. From the fluffy, cloud-like white cake to the scrumptious champagne filling to the undeniably eye-catching hot pink white chocolate curls on top, this famous slice must be on your radar.

Of course, there are plenty of desserts to choose from in the Copper Cafe (cookies, black forest cake, carrot cake, plus a slew of pies), but if you want to really experience the Madonna Inn's mid-century hospitality in style, think pink.

Local Tip: Slices of the Madonna Inn's famous cakes are large enough to split—bring your friends! 

📍Madonna Inn Bakery: 100 Madonna Road, San Luis Obispo

Aquaculture: Pacific Gold & Grassy Bar

Did you know that oyster farming in Morro Bay has been a tradition since the 1930s? The calm, protected bay isn't just the perfect place to raise millions of oyster babies. The estuary's mix of salt and freshwater help bring out the unique terroir (or merroir, as the foodies call it) in these meaty mollusks.

Head to the coast and see for yourself. Fresh shucked or with a squeeze of lemon, morsels raised by Morro Bay Oyster Company and Grassy Bar Oyster Company taste distinctly of the SLO CAL seascape. Find them at high-end restaurants across the US, but these taste even better local. Check out restaurants, farmers markets or straight from the source along Morro Bay's Embarcadero.

📍Morro Bay Oyster Company: 1287 Embarcadero, Morro Bay

📍Grassy Bar Oyster Co: 1215 Embarcadero Suite D, Morro Bay

Tri-Tip: A Cut Above the Rest

It's a cut of beef that plenty of well-meaning Americans may scratch their heads at. In fact, many folks across the globe have no idea that SLO CAL's classic Santa Maria style tri-tip (a triangular cut of beef from the bottom sirloin subprimal cut consisting of the tensor fasciae latae muscle) is the best cut of the entire cow. When seasoned and prepared just right, a SLO CAL tradition is made. Cut into this slab o' love and find tender, juicy beefiness marbled for your pleasure.

Wondering where do the locals eat? Try it at Jocko's Steakhouse in Nipomo (a tri-tip stable since the 1940s) or, if in a rush, grab a tri-tip sandwich from local favorites Firestone Grill or Old San Luis BBQ Co. Many other SLO CAL restaurants serve some variety on their menu, so be on the lookout wherever your adventure takes you.

📍Jacko's Steakhouse: 125 N Thompson Ave, Nipomo

📍Firestone Grill: 1001 Higuera Street, San Luis Obispo

📍Old Sand Luis BBQ: 670 Higuera Street, San Luis Obispo

Hidden Kitchen: A Gluten Free Dream

Down a side alley, you'll find the original location of Hidden Kitchen. This cafe is 100% gluten-free, organic and locally sourced. All that to say: extremely tasty. Known for mile-high smoothies and sweet, as well as savory, blue corn waffle breakfast plates you won't want to miss a a visit while in SLO CAL. 

At the Cayucos location, find all the OG favorites with the addition of blue corn tacos! Breakfast tacos as well as lunch bites, this spot is flavor packed and is sure to has something for every pallet. 

📍Hidden Kitchen: 2164 Center Street, Cambria

📍 113 N Ocean Avenue, Cayucos

Sandos in SLO

San Luis Obispo is known for deli culture. Maybe it's due to the college-aged, grab-and-go crowd but be sure to pick up a deli grinder (or sub) while in town! The hard to deny High Street Deli is piled high with delectable goodness that is customizable, or select one of their top-selling subs. These sandwiches are some of the best food in SLO (so good, they've added a location in Los Osos).

This must-see spot has merchandise galore, and after 4:20pm, check out their half-off deal for the last hour they're open. Pro tip: call ahead or order online, the wait can really crowd up a sidewalk, but then again, does it matter when you're relaxin' on High Street?

Plenty of other sando snacks are available around town if you're not a wait-in-line type of person. Jaunt around town to sample more deli life, like lettuce-piled Ben Franklin's, Hawaiian sweet rolled Kona's Sandwich or also in-demand Lincoln Market and Deli. 

📍High Street: 350 High Street, San Luis Obispo

📍Ben Franklin's: 313 Higuera Street, San Luis Obispo

📍Kona's Deli: 977 Foothill Boulevard, San Luis Obispo

📍Lincoln Market and Deli: 496 Broad Street, San Luis Obispo

Splash Cafe Clam Chowder

Pismo Beach is often called a “Classic California” beach town, and for good reason. With surfboards bobbing in the water, a bustling pier and mom and pop shops galore, this sunny untouched paradise feels plucked straight from a old California postcard. But if you traveled to Pismo Beach and didn't try Splash Cafe's rich clam chowder, you would miss out on the full SLO CAL experience.

Of course, you can grab a bowl from a local grocery store's soup bar, but there's always something special about enjoying this steamy meal in its OG stomping grounds. We recommend grabbing the bread bowl, which becomes even more delicious as the hot soup soaks into all that bubbly sourdough goodness. Super clam chowder tip: consider a cup and opt for the grilled sourdough slice. 

People around here take clam chowder pretty seriously. Don't want to wait in line (it moved fast)? Ask any local and they'll point you in the direction of their favorite Clam Chowder spot. If you're looking to try a variety of local chowder, plan your visit around Pismo Beach's annual Clam Festival's Clam Chowder Cook-Off. 

📍Splash Cafe: 197 Pomeroy Avenue, Pismo Beach

Linn's Fruit Pies

Olallieberry filling is a fabulous regional treat, so although you might be tempted to go with a fruit you already know, we say throw caution to the wind, especially when ordering from the original Olallieberry enthusiasts, Linn's Fruit Bin in Cambria.

Somewhere between blackberries and raspberries, seedy and tart with flavorful juice to spare, you may dribble down your shirt, but by golly—it will be worth it! Consider this the ultimate foodie souvenir. And seasonal pies procured from Avila Valley Barn are local favorites (maybe it's the assortment of cute farm animals to visit while you pick up your sweet treat).

📍 Linn's: 2277 Main Street, Cambria 

📍Avila Valley Barn: 560 Avila Beach Drive, San Luis Obispo

Fruits and Nuts

SLO CAL has a bounty of harvest to enjoy. We know the beautiful terrain for wine now, but Paso Robles was once the almond capital of the world. Hearken the days with the delectable Paso Almonds. Available in brittle, corn or hots, you'll love this nutty delight any way it comes.

Never leave your sweet tooth unsatisfied with either candy sugar, or natural sugar. SLO CAL is home to the best strawberries you've ever tasted. Local Hayashi Vegetable Stand strawberries are available at their farm stand and during farmer's markets alongside many other vendors. 

Beyond Hearst Castle

You may be familiar with the historic Hearst Castle estate (open for tours) in San Simeon, but did you know that the land surrounding the landmark is still a working cattle ranch? A trip to the region isn't complete without a taste of Hearst Ranch Beef which can be found throughout the region at local restaurants and can also be enjoyed at the oceanfront Hearst Ranch Winery tasting room. 

📍Hearst Ranch Winery: 442 Slo San Simeon Rd, San Simeon

A Shortbread Staple

Love a salty yet sweet flavor combo? Check out Brown Butter Cookie Company in Cayucos, Paso Robles or San Luis Obispo. Wise locals know that you should save your pennies, because you'll always end up purchasing two bags at a time; one of the bags never makes it past the car ride home. While the original Brown Butter cookie is certainly a fan favorite, their other flavors like cocoa, almond and citrus (heck of all of them) are definitely worth giving a try. 

📍Brown Butter Cookie Company: 98 N Oceano Avenue, Cayucos

📍 801 12th Street, Paso Robles

📍 897 Higuera Street, San Luis Obispo

Cattaneo Brothers Snacks

SLO CAL residents will tell you, there is no better snack to munch on during a movie, ballgame or wine tasting excursion than Cattaneo Brothers jerky and sausage. This locally made, grass-fed beef jerky is legendary, available in flavors like sea salt, cracked black pepper, chipotle and cayenne.

Yes, it's a whole lot different from what you might find at your average gas station pit-stop, and yes, you can visit their production facility, located just a few blocks from downtown San Luis Obispo. After you gnaw on these dried SLO CAL strips, any ole jerky simply will not do. So go ahead, try it for yourself, and be sure to come back for more!

📍Cattaneo Brothers: 769 Caudill Street, San Luis Obispo

A Scoop of Negranti

Looking for a unique sweet treat? This creamy and cold dessert is the perfect treat for an after-lunch stop or a mid-day pick-me-up! At Negranti Creamery in Paso Robles Atascadero and San Luis Obispo you can try sheep’s milk ice cream- yes, ice cream made from sheep’s milk!

This ice cream is just as tasty as your typical ice cream made from cow’s milk, but its more lactose-friendly. As one of the first ice cream companies in the country using sheep’s milk, Negranti is making sweet strides with its fresh, local ingredients and tasty flavors. Stop in to try a scoop, a milkshake, an ice cream sandwich, an affogato and more! 

📍Negranti Creamery: 2989 Limestone Way, Paso Robles

📍6090 El Camino Real, Atascadero

📍871 Froom Ranch Way, San Luis Obispo