I stumbled in here on a whim on my birthday, and had one of the best dining experiences of my life…read more Absolutely incredible atmosphere and the warmest, friendliest service from Danny! He was incredibly attentive, thoughtful and kind and had great recommendations. The salmon special delighted my every sense, the whole vibe was immaculate and I will be recommending to everyone. 10/10 beyond beyond ! Best birthday surprise!

We had such an incredible experience at Alchemists' Garden celebrating my husband's birthday! From…read morethe moment we arrived, everything exceeded our expectations. Our server, Danny, truly made the evening special. He was welcoming, friendly, attentive, and had such positive energy throughout the night. We had our little ones with us, and he was incredibly accommodating and patient, making sure everyone at the table felt taken care of. It's rare to find service that feels so genuine, and Danny absolutely knocked it out of the park. The food was phenomenal from start to finish. We started with the bone marrow appetizer and turned it into a luge--which was such a fun experience! We also ordered a basket of fries with the goat cheese ranch for the kids, and even those were amazing. For our entrées, we had the Pork Chop Milanese, the Wagyu steak, and the Etto Truffle Pasta. Every single dish was beautifully prepared and absolutely delicious. It's hard to pick a favorite because they were all outstanding. The cocktails deserve a special mention because they were an experience all on their own. We ordered the whiskey-forward cocktails, with one arriving in a smoke-filled box and the other presented in a lit, smoke-filled chest. The presentation was theatrical, creative, and so much fun while still delivering incredible flavor. To top it all off, Danny surprised us with sparkling wine to celebrate my husband's birthday, which was such a thoughtful and memorable touch. From the exceptional service to the unforgettable food, creative cocktails, and warm hospitality, this was one of the best dining experiences we've had in a long time. Thank you, Danny, and the entire Alchemists' Garden team, for helping make my husband's birthday so special. We can't wait to come back!

The Cane Tiki Room is a surprising and unexpected experience in Downtown Paso Robles. The decor and…read moreatmosphere take you straight to the Polynesian islands. Tiki totems, pufferfish lamps, lifelike toucans greeting you upon your entrance give it all the special touches you'd expect from a Tiki Bar. We arrived upon it's opening and were able to be seated immediately. The bar top seats quickly filled up and the drinks were flowing. Our waitress was courteous and friendly, promptly responding to our requests and questions. We ordered the Orange Chicken, which was a little spicy but delicious!! Good portion size and price point. The Mai Tais were great! Tasted even better with happy hour pricing.

Stopped in for a drink. Service was quick and I ended up getting a classic Painkiller that I really…read moreenjoyed. I want to come back and try one of their punch bowl cocktails.

I stopped in around 6:00 PM and was able to grab a seat at the bar with no wait, although it looked…read morelike people without reservations had to wait for a table. Sitting at the bar ended up being a great choice! The restaurant has a really fun, welcoming vibe, and everyone on the staff was friendly and attentive. The food was absolutely delicious. I ordered the trio with the Johnny Burger, sweet potato fries, and the Cobb salad, and everything was fresh, flavorful, and perfectly cooked. I honestly wanted to try several other items on the menu because everything sounded so good, but I was completely full by the end of my meal. If you're visiting downtown Paso Robles, I definitely recommend stopping here. Great atmosphere, excellent service, and fantastic food. I'll definitely be back the next time I'm in town!

We were on our way to Carmel-by-the-Sea and stopped here for a break. The downtown area was…read morecharming, with lots of unique local shops to explore. We really loved the atmosphere! The menu had a great variety of options, which made it hard to choose. The sliders I ordered were flavorful, and the salad was incredibly fresh. The restaurant is also quite spacious, making it a great place to relax and enjoy a meal with family.

It had been several years since I'd been to Somm's, and Ian did NOT disappoint! I brought a group…read moreof friends for a wonderful evening of amazing wines and delicious food. Of the 11 of us, 7 were first-timers, and they thoroughly enjoyed every moment of the experience. Ian's knowledge and passion for the wines he serves are truly impressive. The time, care, and preparation he puts into pairing each wine with the food is absolutely out of this world. The attention to detail throughout the entire evening reflects how much he truly loves what he does. Whenever a friend or acquaintance plans a trip to Paso Robles, I always tell them they have to visit Somm's! It was such a memorable evening, and we can't wait to come back. Great service, amazing wine, and yummy food!! Thank you, Ian!!

We had the chance to experience a private evening at Somm's Kitchen with a group of 10, and it's…read moreone of those dinners that sticks with you long after you leave. From the moment we walked in, it felt less like a restaurant and more like being invited into someone's passion project. The intimacy of the setting made it special right away--small group, shared experience, and a level of attention you just don't get in a traditional dining environment. Each course was thoughtfully prepared and beautifully presented, but more importantly, it delivered. The food was the clear star--clean, intentional, and incredibly well-executed. Every dish felt like it had a purpose. The steak and mushrooms were a standout, and dessert was right there with it. The wine pairings introduced us to bottles we wouldn't normally find or order ourselves, which added to the experience. If anything, I would've loved even more storytelling around the pairings--how and why each wine was chosen to complement the dish--but that's a small note in an otherwise incredible night. What really elevated the evening was the host's passion. You can feel it in how the food is prepared, how the evening flows, and how guests are brought into the experience. It's not just dinner--it's connection, storytelling, and craftsmanship all rolled into one. If you're looking for something beyond a typical night out--something more curated, more personal--this is absolutely worth it. A memorable night all around.

Great food, friendly servers, overall a great place to dine…read more Stopped here on a Sunday night, enjoyed the Meatloaf special ( excellent), wife had the roasted chicken also great.

The Hatch may have secretly been one of the reasons to move to Paso. Afterall, I love. Actually,…read moreloved. Well, no longer. Yes, it's still adorable and rustic. Yes, service is always great. But I don't much like the food. I was first enamored with a few great experiences, but now that I live here, I hardly go. I don't love the burger or the fried chicken -- two of their mainstays. They no longer have the Hen of the Woods mushrooms (written about in my first review). And, to boot, it's extremely high priced. Like, but not love, and I'm sticking to it.

This was in my top 3 restaurants in Paso. While I like it, I got several problems with it...and…read morereally don't go often. Too expensive: ============== * It's not built for locals, it's touristic. Offer a local discount, and you'll see business up. * I do love the quac, and the chips, and salsas -- but they are very far from free The good: ======== * 250 tequilas, beautiful cocktails, and outstanding wine selections. * Wonderful service * I do love the quac, and the chips, and salsas -- but they are very far from free PS. Not much fish on the menu, it's mostly high-end Mexican food.

We had dinner here after a long day of driving and an afternoon of wine tasting at Daou Winery, and…read moreit was a nice way to wrap up the day. The restaurant is right in the heart of downtown Paso Robles, making it an easy stop if you're exploring the area. We had reservations through OpenTable and arrived a little early. They seated us within a few minutes, and although outdoor seating was available, it was around 97°, so we were happy to wait for an indoor table. The inside has a really cool Spanish hacienda vibe with rustic wood beams, warm lighting, and plenty of unique décor to take in. It's a fun space with lots of character and is connected in the back to the tiki bar next door, making it easy to continue the evening with a drink. The atmosphere was lively without being overly loud, and we really enjoyed the classic '80s music playing softly in the background. The oysters were fresh and very good. My wife ordered the ceviche and enjoyed it. I had the hanger steak salad--it was decent, but I'd probably skip the beets next time and order something different. Overall, the food was good, but it didn't quite rise to the level of "great." Service was friendly and attentive throughout the meal. Overall, Fish Gaucho is worth a visit for its downtown location, unique Spanish-inspired atmosphere, and solid food. While there are probably stronger culinary options in Paso Robles, we'd happily come back to enjoy the ambiance, check out the connected tiki bar, and sample a few different menu items.

We went here for my birthday and it was a perfect choice. Nice ambiance, good service and the food…read morewas amazing!! We ate inside rather than on the heated patio on a very chilly night. My husband never orders chicken out, but on the recommendation of our waiter, he ordered it and was delighted. Best chicken in a restaurant ever. We also had the delicious bacon-wrapped dates and two wonderful salads -- the burrata and the pear and pecan. My main was the mushrooms and scallops pasta. SO good. The waiter recommended a local Chardonnay, so nice that I bought 2 bottles before leaving town. The owner-chef also spent about 15 minutes chatting with us as we were one of the last diners. It was one of my best birthday dinners ever! We will go back to Paso Robles just to dine here.

Tonight's meal was a disappointing experience. My husband and I were seated on the patio. It was a…read morechilly evening and despite the heaters I never felt comfortable. Of note, we were never given an option for indoor seating when making our reservation nor when we were seated. After ordering, we received our starter (shishito peppers) within 10 minutes. However once we finished the starter we waited an additional 30-40 minutes for our entrees. There was no communication from the wait staff at all, no refills on water, nothing. In fact in the patio dining area I saw three plates of food (including our peppers) delivered to tables in the hour we had been sitting there. Interestingly the wait staff all seemed very busy and moved around the restaurant but not much appeared to get done. Having worked in hospitality previously I have a lot of empathy for the staff as they seemed to lack direction and management support. My husband ordered the mushroom and scallop pasta. It was okay. Overpriced, but was tasty. I ordered the chile relleno and steak. The chile relleno was filled with a large amount of corn that tasted freezer burnt. My steak was thin and grey and overcooked. It was nearly all grey inside with a couple spots of pink. It wasn't seasoned either. The sauces on the plate were good. Our server was polite and did take it off the menu. However, no manager ever came by to check on us or any other table on the patio in the time we were there. I had high hopes for this place based on the reviews. It was a real let down to have a lackluster food and service experience at "one of the nicest places" in Paso.

I stopped in on my journey this afternoon. Cypher is a great winery and tasting room in an historic…read moretrain depot next to the Amtrak station in Paso Robles. The wines are delicious and most days the winemaker is there to talk about all of them and guide your tasting. Wow! I recommend a stop here, even though it seems a little off the beaten path. They even have snacks and oils, vinegars, and salts. Hope you try it!

I had my first two wine tastings in Paso Robles. The first vineyard and tasting room was what I'd…read morealways envisioned - oak barrels as tables, darkly elegant décor, a low-energy vibe. Cypher was the polar opposite, pleasantly surprising me and giving me a modern, trendy, high-energy experience to contrast with my classic first time. The tasting room is stark white with black accents and startling red décor, giving it a Kubrickian feel. The attendants were friendly and fun. The wines were superb - we took home a couple of reds. The vineyard is gorgeous. Cypher is a must-stop if you're doing a winery tour in the area.