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    Splash Cafe

    4.2 (5.6k reviews)
    Closed 9:00 am - 7:00 pm

    Order Splash Cafe Takeout or Delivery

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    SPLASH CAFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Trendy
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Splash Cafe

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    Took the chowder to the beach to have my lunch.
    Travis C.

    Spent the weekend in Pismo so had to try this place after hearing all the recommendations. Clam chowder and sourdough was some of the best I've had. Quaint little shop with fantastic service. Loved it so much I also bought some frozen chowder to take home with me. Lived up to the hype.

    Maisie W.

    When we got here, there was a line but moved pretty fast. Lobster roll: 3/5 I have definitely had better. But giving it a 4 overall because the person making the lobster roll was very generous. Didn't taste the Calm Chowder but fam definitely enjoyed the chowder more than the roll.

    Outside
    David Z.

    This is such a well know establishment I had to make a stop as I was passing through. I ordered online to avoid the wait time and picked up my clam chowder to enjoy at the beach. It was delicious. Would love to come back and try some of their burgers. Took a peak inside and it was super busy. There were many tables to sit at but the wait was about an hour.

    Clam Chowder BREAD BOWL with seafood, clams, and green onions, plus a delicious Grilled Cheese
    Asia B.

    Delicious food and super fast service. We got the clam chowder in a bread bowl with the seafood, clams, and green onions, and also got the grilled cheese. Good sized portions. Just know you might be a line a while since it's popular but the line moves fast. Great casual place. Want to come back for their lobster rolls next time.

    Clam Chowder BREAD BOWL
    Tiffany L.

    The best clam chowder ever!!! Splash cafe is a must-visit if you're in Pismo Beach. This was my second time here and honestly the food tasted better than I remembered! My friend and I ordered a clam chowder bread bowl, a regular clam chowder bowl, and calamari & fries to share. We were FULL and had leftovers. The clam chowder was delicious, and the calamari & fries were also really good. I highly recommend getting both! I came on a Saturday around 8pm, and there was still a line outside. Thankfully the wait to order wasn't too long. After ordering, you can find a seat and wait for your food to be ready. Overall, I had another great experience at Splash Café and would definitely come back the next time I'm in Pismo Beach!

    Alyssa A.

    Splash Cafe is such a staple eatery in Pismo Beach, located by the boardwalk, it's difficult to see the place without a line. We tried the 1/2 steamers, fish and chips, and clam chowder. Everything we tasted was delicious! The broth the steamers came in was so tasty and paired perfectly with the bread to soak everything up. The fish and chips were nice and crispy. We loved the curly fries it came with. The clam chowder was our favorite, it tasted so homey and rich, yet still light and full of flavor. Would recommend coming early as this place can get packed. There are tables and bar seating - seats open up fairly quickly. They also have a special type of carrot hot sauce that packs some flavor to whatever you choose to add it to!

    Clam Chowder BREAD BOWL
    Erica D.

    Came here years ago and Ofcourse since we stayed in Pismo again, we had to stop by for some clam chowda and this time we did the seafood + bacon + green onions topping. I'm not sure I'd get any of these toppings again as the soup is great by itself but it was nice trying something different. It's huge and definitely a good portion to share if you want to try some other things. Service is quick as well!

    Nothin but cream
    Christie B.

    Customer service when ordering at the counter was great. The guy at pick-up not so much. Was in town with my mom and had to find out what the hype was all about so I ordered a cup of the "famous" chowder. I LOVE chowder and since I live between both Santa Cruz and San Francisco, I've enjoyed plenty. Sadly, the chowder at Slash was pretty disappointing. My cup had very few clams and potatoes and an overwhelming amount of cream. The place was packed even at 3pm so clearly tons of folks like it but not me unfortunatly. The vibe is old school diner. I won't be returning any time soon.

    Inside kitchen
    Matthew S.

    Yes it is true, the best chowder around. I know seems like a tourist trap, but it is not. The Splash Cafe is just flat out good! You must stop in and partake. I had the bread bowl and chowder, a simple classic. I recommend the splash cafe carrot pepper sauce - Raucous Daucus!! My Bride ordered the clam strips and chips, fried perfectly! Thank you Splash Cafe, keep doing what you do! We'll be back every time we are in town.

    Lobster Roll
    Justin S.

    While searching for restaurants in SLO County, Splash Cafe came up repeatedly as having some of the best clam chowder in California, so it quickly became a priority stop on my trip. When I arrived on a Monday evening, I was surprised by how long the line was to order. What impressed me even more was how quickly the staff moved everyone through and got food out. They clearly know what they're doing. The clam chowder absolutely lived up to the hype. It was rich, creamy, and packed with flavor. Honestly, just writing this review makes me crave another bowl. My mom ordered the lobster roll, and we were impressed by how generous they were with the lobster. Another nice bonus is that they offer daily specials, giving you even more reasons to come back and try something new. Overall, I highly recommend Splash Cafe and would consider it a must-visit spot when exploring SLO County.

    Fish and Chip (3/10): lack seasoning and flavor
    Jonathan P.

    Located next to pismo beach. Theres paid parking lot or paid street parking nearby. Or you go a block away theres free 3 hour street parking. Process: - Line up - Order - Grab a table If you order to dine in, they will call your name when its ready. Just raise your hand to let them know where you are so they can bring it out for you. If you do to go, your food is called out at the back of the store. This place is pretty poppin. We arrived around 5 PM. All the tables were full but we got luckily and got 2 seats. I would not recommend bringing a large party here to dine in. They have 2 genderless restrooms located all the way in the back. It's clean and well kept. Order: - Clam chowder (9/10): the clam chowder is amazing. They have actual clam inside. You can get it in a bread bowl or container. The container size range from cup to pint. - Fish & Chip (3/10): This was also recommended on the menu but it was subpar. Lacked a lot of flavor. The chips looked season but it tasted like nothing. The tartar sauce and lemon helped out a lot. I would definitely come back for the clam chowder tho!

    Deconstructed LOADED Clam Chowder Bread Bowl
    Karena S.

    Best clam chowder in California? I saw a claim saying that Splash Cafe was the best clam chowder in ALL of California and I had to go try it myself. I came on a Thursday when it was raining and there was still a line out the door. We also struggled to find a parking spot regardless of the weather being rain or shine. Majority of the parking spots are metered and it was $5 for 1 hour which is crazy. Since we came on a Thursday, the loaded clam chowder bread bowl had a $2 discount! The total came out to be $18.35 after tax. Obviously, we ordered that and shared it between two people! It took about 5 minutes after ordering for us to receive our order. Food: Loaded Clam Chowder Bread Bowl (9/10): Oh WOW! We decided to take it to-go and their packaging was so convenient. Everything was packaged separately and deconstructed so the bread bowl wouldn't be all soggy and the bisque would be non-existent by the time we got home. In the loaded bread bowl, they cut out the hole so we can place the bisque in and they toast the top with butter! The loaded clam chowder comes with cheese, clam, crab(?), bacon, and green onion! The clam chowder was SO creamy! Every bite was LOADED with all the toppings.

    Nearby Sign
    Kristina M.

    This was highly recommended by a frequent visitor. Boy, are we glad we came. It was delicious. The bread bowl is a must. They toast part of the bread--delicious! We took w food and at one of the nearby tables down by the water. It was perfect.

    Fish N Chips

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    Page 3 of 141

    Splash Cafe Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Splash Cafe

    Do they sell merch on site?

    Yes they do, but I only remember seeing shirts and maybe caps

    Open on New Year's Day?

    Yes, they should open on New Year's Day - the last time I was there they were open.

    Are dogs allowed In the outdoor dining area?

    When I went in late Feb, I didn't see any outdoor seating. I saw some folks take their food to-go down to the beach. It's a couple minute walk away

    Is the clam chowder bread bowl order equivalent to a cup or pint of clam chowder?

    My husband and I chose the Cup of Chowder over the Bread Bowl since there is quite a lot of Bread which unfortunately never gets eaten ! I think it's about the size of the Cup they fill it with. But the cup of soup and the side of bread makes it a… 

    Is the clam chowder gluten free?

    It is not.

    Does the lobster roll have real lobster? We ordered it and it came shredded and couldn't really taste any lobster.

    I believe it's probably not fresh lobster. We thought the same it didn't taste like it had lobster in it

    Is this a good restaurant for someone with celiac?

    No.

    Do they take reservations for seating? If not, when is the best time to go to avoid long waits? We will be (hoping) going on a Friday if that makes a difference!

    No, they don't take reservations! They are a counter-service restaurant. Any time that is not a typical meal time is probably the best time to go. Breakfast is usually less crowded than lunch/dinner, but their chowder is a must so up to you!

    Are there any vegan options?

    They have them now. A beyond meat backyard burger that is labeled vegan, a veggie burger that might be customizable to be vegan, bread, and fries. Probably can make a vegan taco with no protein alternatives. For vegetarians there is grilled cheese.… 

    What is in the seafood topping? Is it real crab or imitation?

    crab, extra clams, etc

    Do they have gluten free options or jicama for tortillas?

    Not that I have seen in regards to jicama. However, you can probably do a bun less hot dog, a lettuce wrapped burger, etc.

    When is the best time to go?

    They mostly busy from spring through the summer but if you go before 1130 or after 130, you should be ok.

    Is Clam chowders contain bacon?

    No, but you can add it as a topping. :-)

    Do they have a kids menu?

    I don't think they have an actual kids menu, but there are plenty of options for kids: burgers, hot dogs, corn dogs (my daughter loved it!), chicken strips and fries. Great prices too!

    Is it only seafood served here?

    No... They also have burgers, fries, etc. I just happen to love seafood.

    Clam chowder gluten free?

    No it's not

    Is the crab topper real crab or imitation crab?

    It's not real!!

    View All 20 Questions

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    4.5(242 reviews)
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    The minute you walk into this place you are greeted with the smell of waffles. Although that was…read moretempting, we got the sunrise breakfast sandwich with sour dough and Greek avocado toast. You order at the counter and then you can choose a table in the breezeway where they will deliver your food. It can get busy, but service is quick. At first the place looks too small, but then you see the breezeway where you can sit and it's pet friendly.

    This was my second time visiting Breezeway Coffee, and it's quickly become our go-to spot when…read morewe're in Pismo Beach. We usually stay near the pier, and this place is less than a 30-second walk, which makes it perfect for a quick morning coffee run. Both times we've been here, the coffee has been excellent. On our first visit, we got iced coffees, and they were great. They offer a wide variety of milk options, creamers, and syrups, along with the usual sugars and sugar substitutes, so you can customize your drink pretty much however you want. They also have a full menu beyond coffee, including iced tea, lattes, chai, hot cocoa, and Americanos. For food, they offer pastries, Belgian waffles, avocado toast, breakfast sandwiches, and breakfast burritos. I haven't personally tried the food yet, but everything I've seen coming out looks really good. On this most recent visit, we tried their affogatos, and they did not disappoint. We both went with vanilla, and it was exactly what you'd expect. The espresso was made fresh, and the balance between the hot espresso and cold ice cream was perfect. Seating inside is limited to a few bar stools, but if you walk just outside and around the corner, there's a breezeway seating area with comfortable chairs and a nice coastal breeze. It's a great spot to sit and relax for a bit. Overall, this is a great coffee spot in Pismo Beach. Consistently good drinks, quick service, and a convenient location. We'll definitely keep coming back.

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    Breezeway Cafe - Inside there is some seating, they also have outdoor seating on the side

    Inside there is some seating, they also have outdoor seating on the side

    Breezeway Cafe - The 'original' breakfast burrito (+avocado) W/The lady Liberty & The 'Regular' Avocado toast W/ The specialty Tuxedo mocha

    The 'original' breakfast burrito (+avocado) W/The lady Liberty & The 'Regular' Avocado toast W/ The specialty Tuxedo mocha

    Breezeway Cafe - Caramel latte!!! Delicious

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    Caramel latte!!! Delicious

    HolyBelly - Chorizo Benedict

    HolyBelly

    4.2(153 reviews)
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    $$

    We discovered HolyBelly while visiting Pismo and absolutely loved it. The huevos rancheros were out…read moreof this world. I've had them at plenty of places, and these were honestly some of the best I've ever had. The beans, pico de gallo and chorizo sauce were so good together. I ordered mine with soft corn tortillas instead of crispy ones and scrambled eggs, which I definitely preferred. My husband and I also shared the tiramisu French toast, which was delicious and a HUGE portion, so come hungry! The kids' menu is very generous, maybe even a little too generous if your kids have smaller appetites. My 11-year-old got the $12 pancake meal with eggs and sausage but could really only finish the pancake. We took the eggs and sausage back to the hotel, but honestly they'll probably end up getting thrown out. For my 5-year-old, we just ordered a pancake by itself for about $4, and he only ate about a quarter of that. So if your kids don't eat a lot, I'd definitely recommend ordering the $4 pancake by itself instead of the full kids' breakfast. In hindsight, I would've done that for both of mine. Overall, the food was excellent and the portions were very generous. We'd absolutely come back the next time we're in the area. Highly recommend!

    There's a lot better breakfast, places in town, like pennies or honeymoon Café…read more I got eggs, Benedict with bacon instead of Canadian bacon. The English muffin is all doughy and not toasted. I shouldn't have to ask them to toast an English muffin. That's just common sense. The eggs were very runny and the bacon was mostly fat and not crispy and it was too salty to eat. The hollandaise sauce is very salty as well and to much on top. They are not flexible or accommodating to a customer's requests. They also charge a 3% fee for using a credit card. No thanks. (That's one way to lose business.) The lights are very low and strange. You have to adjust your eyes. Way too dark in there. Parking is not easy. We won't be back.

    Photos
    HolyBelly - Dining area

    Dining area

    HolyBelly - Ahí Tartare

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    Splash Cafe - tradamerican - Updated September 2026

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