Cayucos is a great location for a quiet getaway to the beach. Schooner's was the best for our Birthday Dinner Their location couldn't be any better Waited for a table upstairs that took about 20 minutes. Well worth the wait The view was fabulous with the pier, surfers and waves rolling in Food was real good Gayland was our serving and he was amazing We had such a good great time we went back for dinner the next night and Gayland served us again Definitely a go too place when you are visiting Cayucos read more

We were here the Saturday of memorial weekend- we arrived around 5:15. The band had just started, we were hoping just tuning up and would adjust the volume. They were really loud and basic. We found a table downstairs in the bar as far away from the band as possible. We couldn't even hear each other to talk- other groups were saying the same thing We ordered the calamari appetizer and then the fish and chips for my husband and the seared ahi with wasabi mashed potatoes for me. Everything came out all at once- and no one ever came to check on us. The fish and chips were good, my ahi was nice- but the potatoes were cold and it was covered in seaweed salad I had to pick off. Later I was trying to remember why I ordered the ahi over the halibut or the mahi mahi- looking at the menu it says the ahi has blue crab wasabi mashed potatoes- so that's why I ordered it. I had shared my meal with my hubby and so I asked him if he noticed/tasted any crab on the potatoes. Neither of us did- thinking they left it out. The calamari should have been the appetizer- but everything came all at once- I would rather have skipped them at that point. Hubby had to go up to the bar to get refills- he was gone a long time. When he came back he told me that they had him leave a credit card with them when he placed the order. We weren't drinking alcohol, so this didn't seem necessary. Had I known this, I would have suggested not even staying and finding a different restaurant. Well the bartender said he lost our credit card/ but would try to find it.... um, what!!!! They did finally find it about 20 minutes later. No apologies or anything other than dumping the check at the end of the table. So far, we haven't found any rando charges on our card from our dinner here... but watch your cards here We walked from our hotel- so we didn't have to deal with parking- but it would have been hard over the holiday weekend We did have a nice view of the beach- even better view from upstairs read more

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Located on the strip in Cayucos, is Schooner's. This laid back restaurant has a bar and tables downstairs and a bar and tables above with ocean view. The service is pretty slow, but it's that laid back beach vibe. For the food, I ordered the clam chowder in a bread bowl and Ahi Tacos. My wife ordered fish and chips and a cup of clam chowder. We both thought the clam chowder was awful. Needed to be cooked down more, more seasoning, to build the depth of flavor. The fries and fish were good. Both seasoned well and fried nicely. The Bloody Mary was spicy and delicious! The AHI TACOS WERE THE BEST FISH TACOS I'VE EVER HAD! Beautifully seared, to a crust that had almost a bacon taste. The sauces brought vinegar, fatty, smokiness. The cabbage used for crunch and refreshing bite. Just awesome! *We'll be back for the Tacos and Fish & Chips* read more

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The food and drinks are always delicious, which is why we come here about once a month. Unfortunately, the service wasn't the best during this visit. The hostess was standing inside near the takeout door, making her difficult to find. While we were waiting, we watched two separate groups of guests walk out because they couldn't locate anyone to seat them. Having worked in the restaurant industry as a hostess, busser, barback, and bartender, I know the hostess sets the tone for the guest experience. When I wasn't seating guests, I was helping run food, assisting servers, or supporting the bar--always staying visible and available to customers. During our visit, the hostess remained inside looking at her phone rather than positioned where arriving guests could easily see her. Watching multiple parties leave because they couldn't find anyone to greet them was disappointing and completely avoidable. We enjoy this restaurant and will continue coming back because the food is consistently excellent. I hope management addresses this, as a more attentive and visible front-of-house presence would greatly improve the guest experience. read more

Schooners - Seafood Near Me - Cayucos, California

Some things never change and Schooners still services the best calamari on the central coast. Every time I'm in town or staying near by, it's a must visit. I also had the chowder of course and it was very delicious. No pictures of it as I got right down to business. Good happy hour as usual. The view from the upstairs patio and the indoor views were very lovely. The ladies provided outstanding service and make a great efficient team. read more

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Sadly, I can't commit on the food because we didn't end up staying. My husband and I arrived early evening for dinner, put our name down on the wait list, waited, and waited after a half hour. We went to check on the time to be seated, and the hostess said that there were 3 parties ahead of us. (The restaurant was busy but not crazy) All ready waiting 45 minutes now we decided to go elsewhere. After an hour and a half and done with our dinner and waiting for our dessert at the other restaurant, we finally got the call to inform us that our table was ready. I kindly said I no longer needed the table. The efficiency, communication, and organization at the hostess counter could use some work. Probably won't be back. read more

October 13, 2025 - Cayucos, CA. We always go to Schooners when we are in Cayucos; I can't believe I haven't reviewed them before. On this visit, we started upstairs in the bar for drinks before heading to our dinner reservation in the dining room. We had a great view of the ocean and ended up having such a good time chatting with the bartender and a few locals that we decided to stay right there at the bar for dinner. I didn't even need to look at the menu to know what I was ordering: the Horseradish Crusted Ahi. It was my favorite on our last visit, and I was excited to have it again. The dish comes with blue crab wasabi mashed potatoes, seaweed salad, and a teriyaki glaze. The first bite this time was wasabi-forward -- almost too much! For a moment, I wasn't sure I'd be able to finish it. But it grew on me, and by the end, I'd eaten every last bite. Next time, I might ask them to go a little lighter on the wasabi, but overall it was still a flavorful and memorable meal. read more

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We went on a Saturday late afternoon, the music added a great ambiance. We had the calamari appetizer which was a great portion size but was also perfectly cooked and not overly breaded. I had the Ahi Sashimi with the peanut slaw and it was delicious, the slaw had a slight kick and the Ahi tasted very fresh. My husband had the Baha fish tacos and also loved them. The servers were all nice and helpful. I did not care for the bloody mary as it was spicy and left a bitter aftertaste. We will definitely return. read more

Local hang out, sort of a plastic cup cocktail vibe on the patio, with live music on Saturday night on the second floor deck. A little rough and ready, but staff were pleasant if not super fast. Music was too loud for conversation outside, but we were able to get a table inside which had a pleasant fishing hut feel--vaulted tin roof, ocean kitsch. Food was decent. They do fried seafood well, and the more ambitious horseradish crusted ahi was also quite tasty. There aren't a ton of options late in town, and this place won't be popular with everyone, but if you're willing to embrace the scene it's a viable option for dinner. read more

Schooners - Jumbo Shrimp & Chips - Seafood Near Me - Cayucos, California

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I'm not quite sure about the 3-star reviews; my experience at Schooner's has been fantastic on both visits. The service is commendable--my husband and I was quickly seated, and we had our waters and drinks ordered in no time. The food never disappoints! The generous servings left me with plenty of delicious leftovers to take home. And I must mention the fries--they're simply amazing! Overall, I highly recommend Schooner's and will definitely be returning. Don't miss out on this gem! read more

Schooners - Seafood Near Me - Cayucos, California

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October 13, 2025 It was just beginning to rain on a Monday night evening around 5 pm. We had 5:45 reservations in the downstairs dining room, but decided to stop in at the upstairs bar first for a drink. There were four of us, my wife and me, and my cousin and her husband. We got lucky to get four seats at the front bar looking out through the rain-splattered window to the ocean and pier disappearing softly into the distance. Jenna was our server. She was great as always and took great care of us. I asked Jenna how she makes her old fashioneds since the last one I had here was among the worst I'd ever had. She convinced me I wouldn't be disappointed. I watched her make it with simple sugar, lots of bitters, and Maker's Mark with a propper maraschino cherry and orange peel she sliced in front of me - perfect! My cousin got a gimlet and she was happy with her drink as well. We were having such a great experience at the bar that we canceled our downstairs reservation and ate at the bar. For dinner, my wife got the Horseradish Ahi and I got the House special Ahi with a Cajun jalapeño sauce over pan seared vegetables and mashed potatoes. My cousin got the Halibut and her husband got the Cioppino. All of our meals we delicious. They have 3 big screen TVs with sports on. One had the Dodgers/Brewers game, another the Commanders/Bears NFL game, and the third an outdoor adventure show. It was very entertaining with lively interactions among all the patrons. It was a wonderful evening out! read more

Schooners - Special of the Day - Ahi and seasonal vegetables over mashed potatoes with a chili cream sauce - October 13, 2025 - Seafood Near Me - Cayucos, California

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Tonight our visit to Schooners was wonderful. We went early (5:30 or so) but the place was already busy with live music that was great. We checked in for a table and were told 20-25 minutes. We were summoned in half that time. We sat upstairs where we've been seated before. Open air and ocean view. A little breezy but very pleasant. We ordered chips and salsa just to get started while our food was prepared. They were good. Homemade chips with a prepared salsa. Met our expectations. My wife ordered halibut which was served over mashed potatoes with a beurre blanc sauce. She said it was perfect. I had the seafood pasta which they serve in what is described as a creamy marinara. It was very light with great seafood flavor that allowed the variety of fish, shrimp and crab come through. Ample portion and I ended up bringing some home. Our experience tonight was great including our server who was pleasant and on it. Now as to my previous review which called out their Lobster Mac and Cheese as having no actual lobster. They've updated the selection such that you may now specify a half or whole tail to be included. My assumption is there would now be lobster in the lobster Mac and cheese. Thank you, I'll be back to try it sometime. read more

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The view on the upper level is amazing. The service was fast and our server was friendly. They have a good kids menu with something for even the pickiest eaters. The cayookie was delicious and cookie was soft and gooey. My only complaint would be my calamari. It was very bland and just tasted like bread and oil. I was also disappointed that it wasn't rings and tentacle. Other than that, my entire experience was great. read more

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Fantastic Seafood Restaurant with Amazing Service Staff and Great Owner! Fabulous view, experience and environment. A must see! Stunning Sunsets and Awesome live music by Ras Danny Reggae All Star Thank You So Much!! read more

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Coconut paloma was not good. Cadillac margarita was very spirit forward. Baja cod tacos were good. Burger was fine, nothing to write home about. Service was good. Server checked in with us multiple times. Ambiance was good. Deck seating upstairs had a good ocean view. read more

Schooners - Seafood Near Me - Cayucos, California

If you ever go to Cayucos, and you end up at Schooner's Restaurant, I hope you are lucky enough to have Victoria as your server. She definitely made our visit a great experience. We received excellent service, and Victoria's pleasant personality was amazing! The food was delicious. We had a large group ( four couples) so we tried a variety of dinner favorites including clam chowder, fish and chips, calamari and salmon. Everything was cooked perfectly and was delicious. For dessert, Victoria suggested the cookie with ice cream, and we all shared it! So good. The ambiance was fun, relaxed and the restaurant is easy to walk to. The entrance was dark, but once you go in, you can sit upstairs and enjoy the oceanfront or sit downstairs with a fireplace. Schooners is pet friendly but they appreciate notification when reservations are made. read more

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We came in on a Thursday evening for dinner. You can either sit downstairs in the courtyard (dogs allowed) or sit upstairs for a view of the ocean. After trying to find the hostess (no one acknowledged we were waiting) we got seated downstairs in the courtyard The bartender, Laura, takes care of the downstairs bar and the tables in the courtyard. She was friendly and nice, when you can get her attention. It seems a lot of locals come here so they spent a lot of time talking with her so service was a little slow I had the mahi mahi with pineapple fried rice. The fish was very good but the rice was lacking salt. My husband had the ciopinno and it was OK. His first drink, the guava margarita, was not good. But his second drink, the mouse rock mai tai was delicious. The restrooms were not very clean and parking would be difficult when busy. A lot of people were struggling as the hostess was not at the desk very much. They would be walking around, waiting and asking Laura where the hostess was. A few people waiting around us were complaining about this. read more

It's a cute place by the beach, but is crowded and dirty. We went there a few years ago and had a decent food experience. This time was different. Fish and chips were extra greasy and one piece was just a big piece of batter. I did like the fries. The other 4 people with me all said their meals were just ok. Our server was great and they do try. But unless you're just going for some drinks and the calamari, avoid this place if you're looking for a good meal. read more

Sunday night dinner! Band was playing upstairs. We sat downstairs. Gale was an excellent server. Made helpful suggestions. The calamari appetizer was delicious! Burger was cooked to order. Pasta had a decent amount of seafood. Fish and chips were crispy on the outside, not greasy and fish was flaky. read more

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We had a great time at Schooners! We sat upstairs and what a view!! The food was all delicious and the staff are super friendly and professional. We will be back! read more

Awesome restaurant on the beach. Sat in the bar area to watch the game on tv. Great quick service. Delicious food and cocktails. Burger was big enough to share. read more

Schooners - TVs above bar with pier view - Seafood Near Me - Cayucos, California

Just had lunch there. Food is ok. Nothing special. My main complaint is the place is filthy. Cobwebs everywhere and just dirty. I'd hate to see the kitchen. They need a refresh and serious cleaning. read more

Me and the girls eat at schooners every time we visit Cayucos. With that said my go to is the fish and chips served on a large plate. The serving is perfect size to fill you up and not have leftovers, because let's be honest who wants leftover soggy fried fish!? The fish and chips are always fresh and crispy served with lemon and tartar sauce. We love the downstairs patio area they have small tables with gas fire pits in the center of the table for when it's cold out, and dogs are allowed on the patio. They offer a full bar for your favorite cocktails or beers. My go to is an old fashioned they have 5-6 different bourbons to choose from. Service is always pretty good considering how busy they get. They also offer live music from local musicians and more. If you plan to visit Cayucos give them a try! read more

Schooners - Kamryn - Seafood Near Me - Cayucos, California

We came to Schooners for a late lunch and it was pretty busy, with a live band. It was a little confusing where to go to be seated/order, and we walked across the establishment to the beach side, where we waited for a while until somebody noticed us maybe 5 minutes later and seated us upstairs. Service was a little slow. Oysters ($18): we got oysters on the half-shell to share, and they honestly weren't the best quality; they were pretty small and didn't seem to be the freshest. I probably wouldn't get these again, given it was 6 very small oysters for $18, and I could find a better quality for less even in larger cities. Alaskan Cod and Chips ($18): this was alright, though the fish was pretty oily. Nothing too notable, but a good portion of food and more than enough for me to be full at the end. Overall, not the best lunch I've gotten in Cayucos, and I would probably head elsewhere to get my fill of seafood in the area. read more

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Perfect place for oysters they do have fries and other things but we were there for drinks and very delicious and staff is awesome. read more

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Went to Schooners for an afternoon cocktail with my daughter today. This is very likely the WORST cocktail I've ever had. We had a Cadillac Margarita and a "coconut Paloma". Oh dear lord they were bad. We been coming here for years. We live in Morro Bay and love this location. The food has been pretty good in the past but we did not order food today. Everyone around us had beer or wine. That should have been a tip off for us! Listen Schooners get the cocktail menu improved please. Love coming here but geez they were bad. Even made my daughter sick!! We will try again I suppose. Wine next time!! read more

I became violently ill 6+ hrs after eating the clam chowder. It tasted really good like Splash Cafe but it made me incredibly sick that night. (I hadnt eaten anything anywhere else that day.) An acquaintance of ours who ate the crab cakes that same evening became very ill that same night. The friends who ate the burgers did not get sick. The RRs were filthy. Wished it were so much better..but I for sure will not be back. read more

This place is quickly becoming one of my favorite places for Sunday brunch! Steps away from the beach. Service is always great and during the summer they have live music and I've like every band I've heard so far! I definitely recommend the chicken tacos and Bloody Mary! That's the start of my Sunday brunch. read more

Schooners - Chicken Schooners' Tacos - Seafood Near Me - Cayucos, California

The fish and chips were great. The fish was prepared perfectly. The batter on the fish was light and not greasy. The fries were delicious too. This is the second time we eat there and will go back again. read more

Go to Duckies down the street. Our food was way below average at schooners and the service matched. Really unfortunate. Burger had no flavor, trolls were GREASY and the fries were average read more

The food here has been amazing! My husband and I ate here three times and have not been disappointed. I want to give a shout out to our waitress, I failed to get her name but she was wearing a summer dress with sunglasses (this was on February 27 at 11). She deserves a raise!! The ambiance and views from the deck are beautifully breathtaking. read more

Great dog friendly outdoor eating area. Also had a wonderful table with amazing view of the sunset. It was magical. Love the raw oysters and steamers and fish and chips. Great service. This is a fun venue and often they has live music. read more

I go to Cayucos quite often & usually go to the Sea Shanty for lunch when I visit, sometimes with a group of people. Friday May 8th I thought I'd try schooners I pulled up to restaurant & called in to go order abt 2:30 pm the end of lunch.I thought it odd she said about 5 min. I ordered a cheeseburger & fish & salad. I got the order in about 5-7 minutes My husband & I took it around the block (not even a qtr mi away) to the beach.We were shocked the hamburger was burnt & dry . No condiments whatsoever. No fork & the fish was soggy. It was like that order had been sitting there for hours. Very disapointed. Will never go back .Ill stick with Sea Shawty. read more

Food just not that good . Fish n chips best thing on menu. Wife had crab cakes and Caesar Salad. Neither were good . I had a New York steak and it was ok but sitting on top of some sort of mushy potatoes. Typical bar food with upscale dining prices . read more

The calamari here is literally THE BEST! It's super crispy and they have it both as an appetizer or an entree with fries. The clam chowder also is very good. Thicker than most and chunks of potatoes. 3 of the 4 of us got this and all of us loved it. The tuna egg rolls and the ahi tuna with the spicy coleslaw are also both super fresh and delicious. You do have to ask for soy sauce if you want it as it doesn't come with it. The downstairs bar is typically open during the day for the holidays and the summers. There's some fire pits too and is dog friendly. They'll even give you a bowl of water if you ask. We had a great experience with the daytime bartender who had a great sense of humor and was great with our two dogs. The upstairs inside bar is SUPER warm and tiny. The bartender was efficient but didn't have an especially warming personality. Overall 5 stars, have been here on prior visits where the service wasn't as stellar but the food is always on point. read more

We were in town for a little getaway last month and before we even checked into the motel, we stopped in for a drink right next to the beach. Their ambiance is great, which goes along with the great service. Everyone was helpful & attentive, plus we could see the beach even from the downstairs (but outdoor) bar. The drinks were delicious if a bit pricy. But that's getting harder & harder to avoid these days. The main reason for only 3 stars is the food was just so bad. And at the price, it should have at least been acceptable. My spouse had the black & blue burger because he's a burger guy. He said it was the driest burger he'd ever had. And his onion rings, which were an upcharge, were under fried & not crispy. I had the schooners tacos with salmon. I will say, they did not skimp on the amount of salmon in each taco. Unfortunately it was completely overcooked and dry as a desert. The salsa they serve with it mostly tastes like tomato sauce with some nondescript heat but it at least helped bring some moisture to the tacos so I could swallow each bite. Beans & rice were pretty bland as well. Really disappointing for a place right next to the ocean. We went back 2 days later and just had beers & it was a fantastic time. I just don't think this place is worth spending money on the food. read more

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I really don't enjoy leaving negative reviews, especially when the atmosphere and service are genuinely lovely. Unfortunately, the food didn't quite meet expectations during our visit. The vibe was great and the staff was attentive, kind, and very apologetic when issues arose, which I truly appreciated. We tried the Lobster Mac, which is noted as a fan favorite. While the portion was generous--especially the shrimp--for my taste, it was a bit too much seafood and not enough of that rich, creamy mac and cheese comfort. The pasta was overcooked and a little watery, and the lobster itself was slightly overdone. We also ordered the halibut with Thai slaw, requesting the fish medium rare, but it arrived well-done and unfortunately, not something we could enjoy even after they attempted to remake the halibut. Yes the server kindly removed the halibut from the bill. I really wanted to love the experience, and I hope this was just an off night. With such a welcoming team and great ambiance, I'd be willing to give it another try in the future. read more

We waited at the hostess stand for over 5 minutes when someone finally arrived. I figured they were busy and was fine with that. She told us it would be a 20 minute wait which again would be fine. Everyone wants to sit and look at the ocean but I noticed the inside area had many open tables. When I asked if that was available sooner she said, "like I said 20 minutes." We have been there many times but won't be going back after that. read more

Great food and service. We had the calamari, Cioppino, and the lobster tail dinner. All of them were fantastic! We also had 2 Cadillac margaritas and a Mai Tai from the bar. I really recommend this place for anyone looking for a great meal, drinks and view of the pier. read more

It has been 11 years since I have been to Schooners and it was amazing! We ordered the calamari and oysters as an appetizer and they arrived to our table quickly. The calamari was delicious and you had your choice of tartar sauce or cocktail sauce. They did not skimp on the amount they served. The oysters were amazing. They were accompanied by cocktail sauce and horseradish. My mother in law ordered the lunch special which was fish tacos. She loved them. My husband ordered the shrimp and chips and the shrimp were large and tasty. We definitely will be back hopefully sooner than eleven years. read more