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    Esperanza on the Rooftop

    4.0 (55 reviews)
    Closed 12:00 pm - 11:00 PM
    Updated 3 weeks ago

    Esperanza on the Rooftop Photos

    ESPERANZA ON THE ROOFTOP ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Good for groups
    Happy hour specials
    Outdoor seating

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    Reviews With Photos

    Tuna tostadas
    Guillermo R.

    Great venue I'd say more club like feel than restaurant. Happy Paso got a roof top bar for those amazing summer nights. We showed up for dinner and we were seated in a low rise table more like a place for cocktails not dinner so we moved to two seats at the bar and so much better. Ordered the tuna tostadas and it was delicious and good portions followed and preceded with margaritas lol. The menu looked good but most folks around us were just drinking so we kept our meal lite.

    Que Calor Margarita
    Sabrina W.

    We stopped by for a drink on a Tuesday night and the venue had a DJ and was very enjoyable. We came at sunset so the views were great. The service was a little slow at first after we were sat but our server was very friendly. Cocktails cost what I think is typical for the area ($13-18) and drinks were great! We'll definitely be back.

    Ube Colada
    Nancy E.

    Went in the other night feeling rather peckish! I ordered 3 Tacos - steak (delicious, nicely seasoned) shrimp (bright & fresh can really taste the pineapple salsa) and the pork belly taco (tasty my only complaint the pork belly could have been chopped to bite size nibbles) Also ordered the Ube Colada with a poor of rum - beautiful and delicious! Service was spot on!

    Sayana S.

    Loved this place so much we ended up going back twice during our visit to Paso Robles! Great vibe, fast and friendly bartenders, and both the food and drinks were excellent. One tip: make a reservation unless you're happy grabbing a spot at the bar - it gets popular. Whether you're there for cocktails, a bite, or just to soak in the rooftop atmosphere, Esperanza is a must-visit.

    Menu
    Nancy W.

    Ambiance -- Great. Lovely with fires and Patio heaters. Service was poor with the adults 3 drinks coming and then the boys two Shirley temples taking like 20 min. Our adult drinks were really slow too but they showed up and he said kids drinks will coming and was much longer. Most kids would have thrown a fit but my grandsons 4 and 8 have good manners. Food was very slow too. It was valentines afternoon but our reservation was 330 pm so it was about half empty. So not super busy. Just super slow service for everything. Food was ok. Fries are good. Steak tacos were bland to me. Needed salt and there was nothing on the taco but a couple tomatillos I didn't eat. The burger was good Dan said. We had an order of guac that is plentiful & Guac was delicious and chips are good too !! We stayed about 90 min in total but since it took forever to get our drinks initially it kinda ruined the experience.

    Nice fireside table
    Nancy S.

    Short Review: Cute bar at the top of the Ava Hotel. Modern and spacious. Great for drinks. The Baja-inspired food selection is limited, and not very good. Long Review: You wouldn't/shouldn't come here if you're not staying here at the hotel. This is more of a convenience pit stop than a destination. It actually took me a while to settle on something to eat because many of the options were only pork and not beef or chicken. Also, forget about it if you're a vegan or vegetarian.... Just sayin'. Oh, and did I mention the prices? Crazy expensive for what they're trying to serve up. Dinner for two, with only one of us having a beer, was about $100. Really? The ambiance is absolutely incredible, despite the terrible food choices. Really feels like a nice getaway and they even provide blankets for you at night when it gets chilly and the heat lamps just aren't enough. If you're up for watching the latest sports, they've got two big TVs in the bar area.

    Churros with 3 dipping sauces
    Cheri L.

    Fun new spot. It feels like a hotel roof, because, well... it is, and adjacent to the pool at that. This will probably get crazy busy in peak tourist season, and as the hotel/its other amenities and restaurants build out and become popular. My husband and I shared a bunch of stuff: -Chicken mole telelas ($20): Delicious and pretty unique for our area, where you can get great tamales in casual spots or to pick up from a park & ride (the best you'll find, IYKYK), maybe some empanadas in a tapas place or two, etc. These are essentially a large-sized combination of a tamale and an empanada- grilled on the flat top (so don't expect the steamed, thick masa), but still made of masa on the exterior and bringing that flavor and texture. They were packed with a ton of chicken, had a nice little side salad going, and we loved the sauces. Would order again. Perfect portion for two to share alongside an app. -Carnitas waffle fries ($16): Big portion, so solid to share for a group. These were tasty enough to not be mad at them, and the toppings were generous, but the construction needs work (or even just thicker salsa or a less "wet" protein!). These are waffle fried loaded with a heaping quantity of several delicious but wet ingredients- a very juicy carnitas, blended green salsa, pico de gallo, and crema. As will happen with a waffle fry, with every attempt to take a bite, even using a sharing plate to mitigate damage, the drippy salsa/carnitas juice/etc. leaked straight through said fry and onto... well, whatever happened to be there. -Churros: These came with a marscapone vanilla, cinnamon chocolate, and a zesty caramel (tajin?). We liked them! The tajin caramel wasn't our jam, but hey, it's different. Service was a little slow, but it was busy- not complaining, and our server was friendly/helpful enough.

    The burger, good, not great
    Randy B.

    Lovely new hotel in Paso, The Ava, a Hilton property. While I enjoyed seeing the lobby and it's beautiful furnishings, I came for one thing -- the rooftop bar and restaurant. Gorgeous. It's like a HUGE pergola with fans mixed with the feel of Miami -- the sides are open (with up/down shades for sun) with the ability to view the city, outstanding trees, lightening (on this night) -- and the cool breezes of Paso in the evening. The cocktails were good, though. It was also packed, so great vibe. As a bar, it's a winner. It has all the makings of something special, but it feel short. Very likely because it's new and still working out the bugs. Staffing levels not enough. Server education of the menu needs help. Food was sub-par for most of my party of 7, we only liked the burger and chicken mole. Tacos, both chicken and fish were over-seasoned with odd flavors. Bottomline, it's gorgeous, but it needs some time to work things out. I'm rating it a 4.0 with hopes things improve.

    Anton N.

    Esperanza at the AVA Hotel knows exactly what it wants to be, and that clarity is its greatest strength. Perched above the street as a slightly elevated rooftop lounge, this is not a place that begs you to linger over a long meal--it invites you to arrive with good company, order something excellent to drink, and let the evening unfold naturally. In a town full of remarkable places to eat, Esperanza confidently claims its role as a drinking destination, and it wears that identity well. The setting immediately signals "stay awhile." Contemporary, open, and comfortable, Esperanza offers sweeping views that shift depending on where you sit--downtown Paso Robles humming below, the surrounding hills rolling quietly in the distance, or the soft glow of the town as dusk settles in. It's one of those vantage points that makes even a simple drink feel intentional. You're not just having a cocktail; you're having it somewhere. The energy is lively without tipping into chaos. It's the kind of place that works equally well for first dates, business gatherings, friends meeting up after dinner, or hotel guests easing into the night. What's especially refreshing is how naturally locals and visitors mix here. That crossover is rare in tourist-heavy areas, and it speaks volumes about how well Esperanza fits into the rhythm of Paso Robles rather than hovering above it. The bar program is where Esperanza truly shines. If you come in the mood for an old fashioned, you're in good hands. The bartenders know their way around bourbon, glassware, and balance. Drinks arrive with confidence--well-built, properly stirred, thoughtfully presented. Nothing fussy, nothing overworked. Just precise elegance that mirrors the modern, vibrant feel of the room. It's the kind of cocktail that doesn't need explanation; you taste it and immediately relax. The selection behind the bar is equally reassuring. A solid range of bourbons and spirits, curated without feeling bloated, signals that this is a place run by people who drink what they serve. The glassware is right, the pours feel intentional, and the pacing of service keeps things moving without rushing the moment. You get the sense that the staff understands why people are there--and they support that purpose rather than distract from it. One of Esperanza's quiet advantages is its location. Sitting atop the AVA Hotel, newly built and thoughtfully placed near the square, it's easy to weave into an evening. Walk to dinner downtown, wander back for drinks, or start the night here and let it point you elsewhere. It's convenient without feeling transient, which is no small feat for a hotel bar. There's also a confidence in what Esperanza doesn't try to be. It understands that a town thrives when each place plays its part, and Esperanza plays its part with charm, polish, and a touch of playful swagger. Ultimately, Esperanza feels like a modern gathering spot done right--stylish but unpretentious, energetic without being loud, and focused on what matters most: good drinks, good views, and good company. It's the kind of place you recommend easily, return to willingly, and keep in mind when someone asks, "Where should we grab a drink?" Come for the cocktails. Stay for the view.

    Ahi Tostada
    Natasha S.

    We went with a large group after work when they opened and the vibes were awesome. It truly feels like you're on vacation, nothing like Paso. There is a small food menu right now, I got the ahi tostada which had a great amount of ahi on it.

    Local DJ
    Beverly W.

    Amazing evening at Esperanza roof top . Cool vibes on the warm night with delicious Ava margarita and unique salsa and chips. Chillin music from a local DJ made for a perfect night. The bar is a great addition to our Paso Robles community.

    Chicken Mole Tetelas
    Jeff M.

    Paso so needed a place like this! Pool, fire pit area and rooftop bar all right next to each other. Great spot to socialize with friends and family. We came for Sunday lunch/brunch. Love the drinks and the food. Service was fun and engaging. We got the chorizo fundido, tacos, mole and the burger. All were finished with smiles. Will definitely be back!

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    10 months ago

    Great ambiance and food. Service was a bit slow but overall we enjoyed our lunch. Would come back for dinner.

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    Page 2 of 2

    Ask the Community - Esperanza on the Rooftop

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    Esperanza on the Rooftop - beerbar - Updated September 2026

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