Best Clam Chowder I'ver ever had. Best Ravioli I've ever had. WOW oh WOW!! read more

2 scallops and 3 shrimp mixed with the smallest portion of pasta a restaurant could get away with and still charge $25... what more could you ask for...? Well food poisoning, of course! We were celebrating my daughter's 21st birthday! Her 2 friends who did not eat the pasta didn't get sick but my husband, myself, and our daughter who all ate the pasta were sick all night! What a terrible experience; we definitely will not be repeating. The service was okay but definitely could have been better with water refills and bread. read more

Popped in here for lunch on a drive back down to LA. The staff were friendly. They helped while deciding between two items. I got a chicken panini for lunch and it was great! I enjoyed the crispy bread with the melted cheese and warm chicken. The chips were okay. I would ask to sub for a side salad if possible. The overall restaurant was pleasant to be in. It seemed family friendly as we saw a couple with a baby at a booth. They had a little area for quick sandwich orders or gelato. The cake in the dessert case looked incredible but we were too full to try any of them. read more

Giuseppe's Cucina Rustica - Chicken panini - so good, great mix of textures! - Italian Near Me - San Luis Obispo, California

#1 fav place in downtown slo. No where compares in a full dining experience like Giuseppe's offers. Love popping in here for lunch!! Service is always top notch! read more

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WOW! The hype is real guys. We came in on a Thursday night and it was about a 30 minute wait for a party of two. We found seats at the bar and had a great time. Bartender Tanner was super attentive and personable. Bar back Isiah was super helpful and cleaned plates out of our way very quickly. We ordered Flatliner martinis and the Flirtini. The Flirtini was just okay, I loved the Flatliner which is a great espresso martini if thats your thing. For food we ordered the Bee Sting pizza with hot honey and the Carbonara pasta and it was seriously so amazing. The pizza was cooked to perfection and the pancetta in the Carbonara was mouthwatering. Seriously- come here and order these things. Complimentary bread and garlic oil. We ordered Tiramisu which was also pretty good. We will be back! read more

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I've been here a year or two ago and loved it. Today was a little disappointing. The food was okay. We had a Caesar salad, pizza, and pasta. The Caesar was pretty good. The pizza was ok, nothing crazy. The pasta was swimming in oil and I would not recommend. The waiter was short with us the whole time. When we said we were full so no dessert, he practically rolled his eyes at us and walked away. He switched receipts and gave us the wrong card back, said nothing when he was notified of the mistake. read more

Giuseppe's Cucina Rustica - Diavolo - Italian Near Me - San Luis Obispo, California

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The experience the first time was great. We enjoyed the whole dining experience. The food was wonderful and staff were great. This experience was good but slightly different from the first visit. Thanksgiving weekend on a Saturday night and this place was practically full. When we walked in, there were a good amount of people already outside waiting. Checked in with the hostess and was told that it was going to be about an hour and fifteen minutes wait time for a table. Long weekend on and a Saturday, we expected it. It gave us time to walk around and check out the holiday display nearby. It actually wasn't the full amount time we were given. Got a call from the restaurant that a lot of people cancelled or just didn't want to wait so we got pushed up for a table. Checked in and was walked to our table. The same section as before which we didn't mind. Outdoor patio in the back. There were plenty of heat lamps to go around so it was pretty nice and cozy. Our waitress at the beginning was sweet. Friendly and very welcoming. Menu, same as the last visit. I'm not sure if things change seasonally or if it's a permanent staple. Water and bread with the Parmesan dipping sauce was also brought out. We wanted a bottle of wine to accompany our dinner which we did sample some before ordering. The dining experience was quite nice, lovely crowd both inside and outside. Majority inside but a good crowd outside. Then it started, the waitress was friendly which is great but let's just say she can TALK. From the time we sat down to the time we left. There was a table next to us that seemed to be the talk of the town that night. She was there pretty much constantly. When we finally ordered, which we all went with pasta. Started off with an appetizer. -The prosciutto and burrata. It was great, the saltiness of the meat and creamy texture of the cheese. It was a match made in heaven. -I had the same as last time, the pasta de mare. The seafood was excellent and plentiful as well as their pasta. Fruit of the sea in spicy tomatoes broth. -Linguine vongole. Clams garlic lemon and white wine. The linguine and clams were nice but a little salty with the sauce. -Also had the Capesante e Gamberi, prawns scallops Pancetta in a vodka cream sauce with linguine. Quite tasty. -Tortellini Giuseppe, peas onion baby spinach mushroom ricotta and pancetta. It was quite tasty and very rich and filling. The food was great as well as the bottle of wine. We Also had a slice of the carrot cake to finish off the meal. The meal was nice but throughout the whole dining experience, our waitress was literally at the table next to us yapping away. She was sweet, but. From the time we sat down to the time we got up. Well, maybe 10 minutes before we finished as the reason was they were leaving. It seemed like someone she knows or worked there as well. Even to the point of having her phone out and showing something on it to the table. I get you have friends dining here and there but yapping the whole time behind the table you're taking care of, that was a bit extreme. We literally know the whole conversation. Anyways, food was good. Service was good except for the yapping. But overall it was nice night with friends for dinner. Hopefully next visit will be a more pleasant experience. read more

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My friend and I popped in for a quick dinner and we had a blast! We sat on the outdoor back patio which was inviting and so cute, lovely ambiance. We had a sparkling rose and the Riesling which was so good, our server was right on in recommending the Riesling. The bread starter was delicious & then we split the Brussels and the risotto special. The Brussels were insaneee we cleared the plate so quickly! We're glad we shared the risotto because it was a huge portion! Very yummy. We had some mishaps but our server Katya was so amazing and didn't miss a beat in helping us out! She was so funny and nice the entire night, def made our visit super enjoyable. We got to try the lemon cheesecake and that was amazzzing! Would definitely come back! read more

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We will keep coming back here. Service was fast and everyone was super thoughtful. The place was packed and we only had takeaway. WOW. Man o man was the Cacio e Pepe and pizza excellent. I wish we could have taken photos but we simply could not. This looks like a fun group hangout or date night spot. Couples looked to be seated outside as it was quieter. Lovely spot and delicious food! Tastes like authentic Italian... my husband lived in Italy for two months and took cooking classes which means his standard for Italian cuisine is rather high. He was impressed. In SLO? California? How? We. Will. Be. Back. read more

Happy hour @Giuseppe's is consistently scrumptious and a wonderful value. Service is prompt and top notch, with the bonus of a USA World Cup game being replayed behind the bar. Today, in addition to the bruschetta, we enjoyed the eggplant parmesan and lasagna. Thank you Guiseppes for being the restaurant we regularly return to when we're in town. read more

Giuseppe's Cucina Rustica - Pomegranate martini and bruschetta - Italian Near Me - San Luis Obispo, California

Delicious classic Italian with several rotating specials with a twist! The special I tried was a maple syrup and corn version of ravioli. It was extremely sweet and rich (as advertised) but was so so delicious and a really creative dish. Service was perfect and the outside dining area is cute and the lightening makes it feel lively! read more

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Solid downtown Italian food in SLO. They don't take reservations. On the upscale side. Pretty big place with indoor and outdoor seating. Wait staff was excellent. We all enjoyed our food. Soup, pastas and pizza. I think we got lost on the wait list. I started noticing other parties of 4 getting seated before we were. When I asked where we were on the wait list we were seated pretty quickly. Next time I'll hang out closer to the hostess stand when waiting for a table. read more

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We had a large group at Giuseppe's in San Luis Obispo, and everything was excellent. The service was friendly and attentive, and the food was delicious. The only item we wouldn't order again was the octopus--it was a little chewy. Other than that, everything was perfect. We'd definitely come back! read more

Greg gave great service. This time as sat in courtyard and was lovely. Definitely our go to place in SLO for nice ambiance and good food. read more

Giuseppe's Cucina Rustica - Italian Near Me - San Luis Obispo, California

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Authentically amazing food! The owner is from the same region as my father, and I was so pleasantly surprised to walk in to see Barese focaccia. The pictures on the wall tell a great story and add to the authenticity of this place. The service was perfect. We'll be back tonight for a final dinner with our daughter before dropping her off at college. Super special place for us, now. This restaurant hits every nostalgic nerve! See you tonight! read more

Giuseppe's Cucina Rustica - Italian Near Me - San Luis Obispo, California

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Food was great, atmosphere was very energetic and the people we met were the best. Great place!! read more

Came here with a group of 9 for lunch. It was my first time trying to Giuseppe and was sad not to see a chicken Marsala on the menu (my go to meal) Place was full and my sister made reservations that morning for lunch which was nice. Overall, I feel the 4 star rating for Giuseppe is a solid grade. Since no Marsala, I was torn between Nonnas with meatball or just a boring pepperoni pizza. Opted for the pizza. My review of the pizza- 4 stars. Nothing that stood out from having pizza in Italy. But a good choice for kids. My wife had the tortellini Giuseppe and she said it was good. I tried a taste but wasn't impressed with the tomato sauce on it. My brother had the clam chowder and though I didn't try it, I thought the presentation of that in a very big bowl with clam shells in it, looked like a nice presented dish. No comment why he didn't finish it though. My brother in law ordered the Prosciutto sandwich but was disappointed with the way it looked and wasn't cooked like how he's had it before. He didn't eat much of it and shared his displeasure with the waitress who listened and in the end, didn't charge for that dish. My sister had the carbonara and said it was somewhat bland and needed more salt or something Overall, if you are craving for Italian, this is a popular place both here and at Pismo Beach. Service was 5 stars and the place was nice. Just the meals didn't quite hit the 5 star level with us and my family . read more

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I'm married to an Italian, so while my standards aren't that high, they're calibrated. I wanted to love this place, but it felt like someone who visited Italy once and now makes "Italian night" with canned ingredients. The pizza was thin (I like thin pizza) but bland, the pasta was nowhere near al dente, and the Caesar salad came with full romaine leaves like it was trying to impress Gordon Ramsay. Cute effort, but no. For that price, fill my plate, please! Beet salad started strong but ended as a solo beet party. Not enough of a balance to call it a salad. It was a plate of beets with a little arugula and goat cheese. Bread? Solid. Atmosphere? Gorgeous...especially the courtyard. Very "I might be in Tuscany" vibes. Hostesses? Not great at all. I don't like saying that We were quoted 1hr 45min and treated like asking for an update was a personal attack. Another hostess later realized we'd been skipped and seated us right away when we returned. Intentionally? Who knows. Overall: not terrible, but not the rave-worthy experience others make it out to be. I'd rather head to a hole-in-the-wall spot with better flavor and chopped salad. I won't go back by choice. read more

Giuseppe's Cucina Rustica - Beet "salad" - Italian Near Me - San Luis Obispo, California

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Wow. Had to stop at Giuseppe's with the family this time. Again amazed at how bit this places is. They brought us back to a quaint room in the back lined with old school posters of famous movies. Ambiance was beautiful with wonderful brick ambiance and nice soft lighting. We had a wonderful server who tended nicely to my family. Gave us good advice on the deserts!!!! How the food. Had an insanely D'lish margarita pizza, wedge salad and side of grandmas meatballs. Even my son had them and loved them!!! This place keeps putting SLO squarely on the map of awesome eats!!! Keep it up!!! read more

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Charming Atmosphere, Outstanding Service & Unforgettable Food We had a wonderful dining experience at Giuseppe's Cucina Rustica in San Luis Obispo. Although the restaurant doesn't take reservations, seating was quick when we arrived around 5:30 PM, even with a party of seven. We were seated toward the back of the restaurant, which turned out to be a really cool and inviting area. The restaurant is full of charm and personality, with a warm, rustic atmosphere and thoughtful décor. I absolutely loved the ambiance--it felt lively, cozy, and authentically Italian. The service was excellent from start to finish, and our server made sure every detail was taken care of. We started with their bread and olive spread, which was incredible and set the tone for the entire meal. Cocktails came next, and the martinis with blue cheese-stuffed olives were a standout (a personal favorite!). We also shared a bottle of Italian wine that paired perfectly with our meal. For food, I ordered the clam chowder, and it honestly may be the best clam chowder I've ever had--an absolute must-order. I also had the Capesante e Gamberi con Spaghettini, which was rich, decadent, and very flavorful. While I expected more of a tomato vodka cream sauce, it leaned more toward an Alfredo-style sauce. It was quite rich but incredibly satisfying. My husband ordered the Caesar salad and the Eggplant Parmigiana, and both were excellent. If we lived in the area, this would absolutely be a regular spot for us. We will definitely be back the next time we're visiting Pismo Beach and San Luis Obispo. Highly recommend! read more

This is a must eat at if you love Italian cuisine. They start you out with homemade bread and the best olive oil dip I have ever had. We shared the roasted beet salad that was so good we wanted more. My Frutta de Mare was among the best I've eaten and my wife's ravioli duo was unmatched. WOW! We also shared a sampler of 3 homemade gelatos. The service was outstanding and the atmosphere was so welcoming even though the restaurant was full to capacity. The cocktails are well executed and the wine list is not overwhelming. Eat and drink well my friends. Cheers . read more

Overall: B // 4 stars Giuseppe's is my go-to restaurant when driving through San Luis Obispo, featuring timeless classic dishes that give a taste of American-Italian cuisine. They serve home-style cooking very well, offering comforting and easy to please dishes ranging from a variety of courses and options. I believe some fine tuning can help with several of these favorite dishes, although the meal is still pleasant overall, would recommend. (Octopus: B) - Although this dish runs saline forward for me, the octopus is so tender to the point it melts in your mouth, which is a tough feature to accomplish. I do think the octopus could be better if it were not hidden by the choice plating. (Frutti De Mare: B) - Impressive command on cooking of the seafood as every single piece is just perfectly tender and not overcooked. This is a comforting bowl of pasta that works well to complement the seafood, although I wish the sauce was less liquid as it turns the entire dish into a splash zone. (Espresso Mud Pie: A) - Very decadent and heavy dessert for sure, but the flavors are not too sweet as the espresso cookie's bitterness beautifully contrasts the varied notes of sweetness coming from the gelato. Food: +1 Presentation: E Price: E Atmosphere: E Service: E Menu: +1 Overall: 4 stars Insta/Beli/Yelp/TikTok: @amei_eats read more

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This is probably my 10th time here, always been a fan of their dishes and wine selection. Hands down the best butternut squash ravioli I've ever had in my life (in the States). What a stroll down memory lane to my foodie adventures in Tuscany, Venice and Florence: the patio and decor reminds me so much of my time in Italy! And the service is top notch. Everyone is so so friendly and attentive. I can't wait to come back in my next visit to SLO. read more

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Food was great but it was nothing compared to the impeccable service we received by our server David. He was so personable and had an amazing attitude. He did a great job making recommendations for us. The ambiance was also beautiful I recommend sitting on the patio! read more

Giuseppe's Cucina Rustica - Italian Near Me - San Luis Obispo, California

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Such a beautiful restaurant in down town SLO. Great place to bring a date, family, or anyone new in town! Wait times can get long, even on the weekdays! Plan to wait at least 30 minutes w/o a reservation. Menu is filled with a variety of foods, all having a great range of flavor. My favorite is the bolognese pasta and chicken noodle soup! Both are large, entree sized. read more

Refused to seat me 45 minutes before closing saying they were done serving. The hosts were rude and left us standing there while they were talking about their plans for the weekend. Never be back here again absolutely ubsurd. The man hosting was so rude rushing us out the door saying they were closed. Mind you 45 minutes before closing before closing!!! Do your self a favor and walk down the street to the many many establishments that will actually welcome you. A true disappointment. read more

Giuseppe's Cucina Rustica - Italian Near Me - San Luis Obispo, California

Happy Hour Dinner! I made my way into Giuseppe's to try their happy hour menu and what a joy. My favorite part of the meal has always been the vinegar/olive oil/garlic/parmesan cheese spread for the bread-absolutely delicious. I ended up ordering rigatoni and meatballs along with Kobe beef burger. Overall Grade: A+ $$ read more

Giuseppe's Cucina Rustica - Jeffrey and Linkin - Italian Near Me - San Luis Obispo, California

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Guiseppe's is a SLO staple. The ambience is great (minus how hard it is to get a reservation ). Fairly priced cocktails. The butternut squash ravioli is delicious! Tried the tiramisu for the first time and sadly would not recommend because it was pretty soggy. read more

Fun Italian spot with a great bar, great food and friendly staff. We were seated by the door and they graciously agreed to move us when asked. Pizza was great and I loved the Caesar- though it was a bit small. Will definitely be back! read more

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This was my first time here, and we came because my cousin--who lives nearby for school--has been raving about it. We decided to visit while in town, and I'm so glad we did! We were greeted right when we walked in, and even though it was busy, we were seated in less than 10 minutes. The servers were incredibly attentive and the service was top-notch throughout our visit. I really appreciated that they offer gluten-free options for both pizza and pasta, which is a huge plus for me. We started with a few appetizers. While I couldn't try the calamari since it was breaded and I can't have gluten, we also ordered the meatballs on the side--and those were absolutely delicious! For the main course, we shared a gluten-free Margherita pizza at the table, and it was fantastic. I ordered the gluten-free carbonara pasta for myself, but unfortunately, I wouldn't get it again. The sauce was way too thick, and it reminded me more of mac and cheese than a traditional carbonara. There wasn't much bacon, so it felt like an overpriced dish that didn't quite hit the mark. Aside from that, everything else was wonderful. The ambiance is perfect for a date night, birthday dinner, or any celebration. The restaurant is clean, spacious, and has a romantic, cozy vibe. Overall, a great experience--with just one dish that missed the mark. read more

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Swung bye and picked up their largest Cheese Pizza! Always have to go with the purist. Took 10mins and we were out! Great amount of sauce and cheese! Done nicely on the bottom. The Best Pizza in SLO and North County! The only competition is Paulie at Pismo's location! Haha very convenient for North County people, who don't want to drive all the way to Pismo! They both are the only real deal Pizza in SLO and North Santa Barbara County. Will be back very soon! read more

Giuseppe's Cucina Rustica - 18" Cheese Pizza - Italian Near Me - San Luis Obispo, California

Came for lunch right at opening on Saturday morning and was seated right away at a nice little table inside. The server came by promptly and took my order; food came out quickly and paced as a salad and entree, not both simultaneously as frequently happens at restaurants. My Caesar salad was delicious but had a bit too much dressing. My margarita pizza was delicious, but the crust wasn't extra crispy so it sagged in the center and the cheese fell off. As it cooled the cheese stayed on, but the crust was still saggy. All in all, a good lunch with great service. read more

A Tuesday Night at Giuseppe's - Where San Luis Obispo Breathes: Let's just say this: if San Luis Obispo had a heartbeat, Giuseppe's would be the left ventricle. And Tuesday night? Apparently, it's rush hour in the bloodstream. I walked in expecting a casual Italian dinner. What I walked into was a scene--a kinetic, symphonic convergence of locals and clever tourists trying (and failing) to play it cool. You know you've struck gold when you're surrounded by first dates, business meetings, solo diners at the bar pretending to read, and that unmistakable buzz of "who's single and might be glancing at me through the wine rack reflection." Yes, Giuseppe's is that place--the communal watering hole, Italian edition. The space is contemporary, with those confident high ceilings and large, cinematic black-and-white photographs of Italian streets that whisper "we know what we're doing, and we've been doing it a long time." There's movement everywhere, but it doesn't feel chaotic. It feels alive. There's an open-air breeze vibe that somehow slips into the dining room, even without a single window cracked. We settled into a booth that felt like a plush little nook carved just for us--private, but still plugged into the pulse of the room. Our server, Katya, floated by with the kind of grace that made me wonder if she moonlights as a conductor. She wasn't just personable; she was calibrated. The kind of intuitive service where you don't know you need something until she brings it. Zero pressure, zero pretension--just timing, presence, and that uncanny ability to remember every word you said about your pasta preference without writing it down. Now, the food. Oh, the food. Let's start with the soup--a bone marrow minestrone that somehow tasted like my Italian grandmother's Sunday kitchen, even though I'm not Italian and I've never had a grandmother who cooked. Still, it transported. It's that brothy, rich, savory kind of hug-in-a-bowl that makes you close your eyes a second longer than you mean to. Then came the bruschetta--generous, flavorful, unapologetically rustic--and the butternut squash ravioli, a dish recommended by Katya that I would now trust her with my passwords for. Creamy parmesan, silky pockets of squash, and just enough bite to let you know it wasn't pretending to be dessert. It was autumn wrapped in handmade pasta. Giuseppe's isn't just one dining room either--it's a universe. There's a bustling bar area with locals leaning in on third dates, a grab-and-go counter at the front for those who just want a quick hit of focaccia or lasagna (and still feel classy), and a garden patio out back perfect for bachelorette parties or loud laughter with no judgment. It's layered like a good tiramisu--each section a different flavor of the same joyful buzz. And finally, the dessert. The crème brûlée was textbook perfection: a crisp, satisfying top that gave way to cool, velvety vanilla cream beneath. Hot meets cold, crack meets melt--it's the tiny drama you didn't know your night needed. But here's what stood out most: the team. You can feel when people like where they work. The staff here weren't just courteous--they were proud. They carried themselves like they'd chosen to be part of something. No eye rolls. No burnt-out energy. If you're an employee reading this and thinking the grass might be greener elsewhere--trust me, the greenest grass is under your feet. Giuseppe's feels like a family-run ship, even if it's not technically one. There's love in the muscle memory. So yeah, on a random Tuesday night in San Luis Obispo, I found myself inside an Italian village vortex where the food hit deep, the service hit smoother, and the vibe made me want to come back before I'd even paid the check. Grazie, Giuseppe's. You've got something special. read more

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Giuseppe's is a beautiful restaurant with great service, excellent food, romantic setting, quiet atmosphere , subtle music I wish they would take reservations but we work it out to be there anyway read more

Cute little restaurant in downtown slo! We got there at opening so no wait on a Saturday. They have a takeout lunch special as well but we ate there for lunch. The waiter was super friendly and provided great service. They served this delicious toasted bread with an amazing garlic balsamic olive oil sauce! So good! We ordered the following: Campeseri e gamberi was soooo good... might be my new favorite pasta haha! The linguine was cooked perfectly with a delicious creamy based sauce with scallops, shrimp and pancetta. Just delicious. Nonnas meatball was good, but the homemade spaghetti was slightly undercooked but still very good! The meatballs were also super good. Roasted beet was such a nice appetizer and salad to have. Overall so refreshing and great addition to eat with the two pastas. Overall was so happy with this place and definitely come again :) read more

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I went here to celebrate and expected a great experience, but the night ended with food poisoning and water leaking all over my dress and phone. It started when I went to the bathroom and noticed water leaking from the ceiling and spreading across the entire floor. There was also a broken pipe sticking out that clearly hadn't been repaired. It's both a safety hazard and completely unsanitary. You can see the condition of the bathroom in the video attached. Honestly, if this is how the restaurant maintains its bathroom, it makes me question the cleanliness of the kitchen as well. To make matters worse, shortly after getting home I started experiencing symptoms of food poisoning and ended up having to call out of work. For a restaurant that's considered one of the top-rated spots in SLO, this experience was extremely disappointing. When you're paying premium prices, you expect at least a clean and safe environment. I'm debating on bringing this to social media people need to be aware of the standards this restaurant is reaching. read more

At this point we've been to Giuseppe's so many times we've tried the entire menu. It's very reliable and consistent- I will give them that and the butternut squash ravioli is incredible however I personally feel like the potions could be slightly bigger. The bruschetta is the best I have ever had and the balsamic glaze they import is delicious! Also reccomend the meatballs they are so good! Service is great and the ambiance is upscale without the hefty price tag. Great place to take your parents when they visit town or go out for a friends birthday! We can't wait to try the gelato next read more

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Nice and busy place! No reservations accepted for less than 6 people. Great food and drink! read more

Giuseppe's Cucina Rustica - Italian Near Me - San Luis Obispo, California

the restaurant itself was pretty casual. was crowded when we went so had to wait a bit. the service was not good, barely came to our table and never checked up on us. the outside seating was super pretty but the food was just mediocre. when the food came out it was cold too. read more

Giuseppe's Cucina Rustica - Italian Near Me - San Luis Obispo, California

Giuseppe's is a great spot for a date night or special occasion! I've been here three times and have enjoyed all the dishes I've tried --the Capesante e Gamberi and Tagliatelle Bolognese were excellent and the Carbonara was decent. The cocktails here are nice too! The ambiance is very cute and highly recommended getting a seat in their back patio if you can. The biggest downside is they don't accept reservations and the wait is usually between 40mins to an hour. read more

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