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    The Break

    4.6 (128 reviews)
    Closed • 11:00 am - 11:00 pm
    Updated 3 weeks ago

    The Break Photos

    THE BREAK ATMOSPHERE

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

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    Recommended Reviews - The Break

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    Beef tacos were yummy. Had a kick.
    Lisa R.

    Cool bar. Good drinks, good food and bartender was nice. A little pricey but expected since it's downtown Pismo. Would recommend.

    Smash burger
    Tomas A.

    Quite possibly the surprise hit of the trip. I was looking for decent price and great taste. I was also looking for variety since there are 11 of us and I know the young ones are picky. I was a bit dismayed to find, upon arrival, that the options were kind of limited. I was still torn between the tacos, the birria fries and the spicy chicken sandwich. I took a chance and went with the chicken sandwich, hoping that it wouldn't be too spicy. I also ordered a side of fries, not knowing that the sandwich came with fries already. I don't know why I thought the sandwich same by itself. My mistake. The chicken sandwich was very good. A bit spicy but not to the point I couldn't finish it. It also had this nice sweet taste that contrasted well with the spice. I knew my wife would like it so I let her have a bite. I was also curious about my sons birria fries so I stole a bite of those. I recommend if you come in a group, be sure to share some. It would also be nice if you could upgrade the fries that come with your meal to birria fries, you know for an extra $2 or something. From what I can tell, everything is good here. If I could, next time I'm getting birria tacos with a side of birria fries! Probably the only gripe I could find was that service was on the slow side. 2 people were responsible for the whole restaurant, besides the cooking in the back. One mostly manned the bar and the other roamed the tables while helping behind the bar too. It wasn't that busy and the place isn't that big. My man wasn't lazy and was always doing something. It's just that paying the bill was a process. Eventually I got up to go pay rather than wait for the bill to come to us. I'm happy to have found The Break and hope to come back

    Halibut & chips, margarita, old fashioned and birria fries. Absolutely delicious!
    Jill M.

    We stumbled upon this location because another restaurant had an hour long wait. We are so thankful to have found this gem in Pismo and highly recommend you come visit this cute spot that is open to fresh air with lots of TVs with sports. The service was absolutely amazing and the food is to die for. If you've never been here and you're visiting Pismo, this is where you wanna have drinks and food.

    Suzanne L.

    Stopped here after we went next-door and this is a great place to stop and have a cocktail. They have some outside seating as far as two people watch and just enjoy your drink. The menu is a selection of beers, wines mixed drinks and cocktails. They have a featured menu with different type of whiskey, rum tequila cocktails they have a little mix of spice in them if that's what you crave. My choice was the mango margarita with the mix of Mezcal, which has a smoky flavor to it, mixed with jalapeños, and it was very good. The rim was dipped with some hot spice!! I would recommend this as one of your stops while you're in the downtown of Pismo Beach

    Bar area
    Nathan D.

    Came down here accidentally during corgi weekend, but they had space to get us in quickly. Really friendly staff greeted us immediately and got us menus. I didn't have high hopes for a place that seems like it should really just draw in the tourists, but they have a nice set up. Prices are quite reasonable for the location. The space is really nice and open and the patio was nice to hang out with our dogs. Nice and simple menu and a lot of good looking drinks. We decided to just try each of the sliders since a proper sandwich would have been too much probably. While we were waiting for the food to be prepared they checked on us regularly and kept my water topped off. The sliders came out in probably about 10 minutes which was great. Both were good size and on hawaiian buns. The smashburger slider looked and tasted the part. It seems like they had home made pickles on it, really good burger. The spicy chicken was nice and crunchy, had a hot honey flavor to it. Wasn't too spicy but had a nice crunch and well balanced sweet and spicy flavor. We both agreed that their fries are among the best we've had. Whatever spices they use I want to know, absolutely delicious. The shape is unique too, it probably lets them trap more of the seasoning. Definitely a nice spot in Pismo, good to catch sports, great service and really good food.

    Tina B.

    Perfect place to watch a game and have a causal dinner! This spot had such great vibes! We came in on a Saturday night and it was pretty busy! Only one guy was working but he did such a great job!!! (so sad we forgot to get his name) He was doing everything himself from making drinks to taking orders to serving food! ROCKSTAR!!! The fries were so good and flavorful! We also really enjoyed the fish sticks and fish sandwich, it was so crispy and yummy! We'll definitely be back the next time we're in Pismo!

    Paloma & Hazy Beer
    Milena F.

    TDLR: Visited while on vacation in Pismo. The food here is absolutely amazing, sad there isn't something similar closer to home. Must try the Halibat & Chips, the breading is so light and has great seasoning, cooked to perfection. The fries are also a cool shape, made for dipping. After a long days drive, we decided a nice bar with food was ideal for dinner. The inside is on the smaller side but it was nice because it made things feel more cozy. They have these large windows they keep open which helped the beach vibes. Our server was nice, and was super quick in servicing the entire place. I got the Halibut & Chips with a Blackberry Paloma and my boyfriend got the smash burger with a Topa Hazy IPA. The Halibut was cooked perfectly, it was so flakey and the batter was light and well seasoned. The plate brought homemade pickles, lemon & tartar sauce for dipping but you could eat it on its own just fine if preferred. I knew it'd be good given the closeness to the ocean, but it exceeded my expectations for fried fish. The homemade pickles were a nice surprise and equally delicious, not a usual star on my choice of foods. The smash burger was also very good, my boyfriend is a big burger guy (typical choice wherever we go) and he was quick to finish the plate. I tried a bite and I agree that's in our top 5 of smash burgers, again excellent seasoning and pairing of toppings. I will say it's a messy one so be sure to ask for extra napkins! The fries at The Break are cut in a U shape which is unique and awesome. It made dipping them into sauce so fun, and scooping up and bits was a breeze. I recommend this spot for anything looking for excellent food while in Pismo.

    Brittany with Niki (Left) and Ronald Flores
    Ronald G. F.

    Staff is friendly, food is outstanding, big open windows for that fresh air beach breeze. Most comfortable restaurant

    Norma G.

    Chill vibes a few blocks from the beach with open window viewing to people watch. Service with prompt and friendly... Nothing exceptional but nothing bad at all. Order a variety of dishes to share with my son and everything with delicious... no complaints. I would definitely come back with some friends to have some drinks and watch a game. The ahi salad was definitely my favourite.

    Whiskey sour
    Jenna O.

    Im leaving 2 star only because the bar tender was nice and accommodating . I had high hopes as the 4.5 stars was what I was going on. I was going off the yelp photos, which none of the photos on here is the food they serve. These are old, old menu items with great reviews. Bring back the empanadas and maybe I'll try again. Here's a 1-10 review on all the food I posted -Chicken wings: I give a 5..not very crunchy, sauce was good and ranch was delicious. Side garnish, what is that? Cold mushrooms, bad bad. Don't put nothing if thats even a choice. It grossed me out and I like mushrooms -Fries: I give 7..crunchy, flavorful and great with ranch -Birria tacos: 2... had potential. Meat was dry and flavorless.. sauce was ok. Tortilla was good -Halibut tacos: 0... worst fish I've ever had snd thats an understatement.. battered in tempura batter, fish was mushy and not flakey like a regular fresh fish. I'm guessing frozen. Terrible, especially since you're in a seafood town. Spicy mayo, very good -limes- self explanatory- dry as hell- barely any juice -coconut mojito- I give 4- was ok..was bitter, I love mojitos- this just wasn't it. Needed a little more sweetness -Whiskey sour- I give a 8- I'm docking points because the ice was in chunks. Should have been a big ice cube or none at all. Needed a bit more sweetness but it was strong so I was happy -Pricing- a but higher than I wanted to pay. If I wanted to spend that type of money, I would of went to a higher end restaurant and paid the same but with better food -Lastly we wanted to choose 2 other dishes snd they were out of nacho cheese! Like come on go buy some ingredients and make it, if homemade, if not, buy normal can nacho cheese. All I wanted was the cheeeeeese lol Football discounted menu had 2 options and only both needed the cheese so we couldn't get them. Also there was people with a very cute dog at the bar but, every time someone walked in or walk by the dog would bark. Not a big deal to me but my friend was not happy about this... it was not the vibe. Dog was very friendly and the sweetest thing ever. - Just want to emphasize again, the bartender/ waiter was fantastic, got busy but still attentive

    Wings
    Edwin R.

    I had this place on my list for a while and was so disappointed. There was a group of college age boys with a table in the center of the empty bar during my visit and they were the high-fiviest of high fivers... and they screamed every time they did it. It's a sports bar, sure, but even the other tables visibly had enough and the servers did nothing to calm them down. As for the food, the burger and chowder were excellent, but the wings... great size, cooked perfectly, served with blue cheese (excellent)... wings tasted disgusting, like seafood. They were garlic parm (look how much garlic was on there) and you couldn't even taste it. They were likely fried in the same dirty oil as everything else on the menu and the flavor was just so gross. I couldn't finish them and didn't bother taking the rest to go. Plus... cauliflower and two green beans as a garnish? What happened to good ol fashion carrots and celery? I was not a fan of this place.

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    3 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Great cocktails and a cool "beachy" vibe. The food was super tasty. The staff was friendly and very attentive. We will be back.

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    3 years ago

    The drinks were delicious. The food was tasty. I love the Ahi appetizer and the Break maple old-fashioned.

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    2 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Everything about the place was exquisite. Can't wait to watch some football games at The Break!

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    3 years ago

    Food is spectacular, atmosphere is inviting, local friendly!!!! Tourist friendly!!!!! Everyone friendly!!!!!!!

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    Page 4 of 4

    Ask the Community - The Break

    Are children allowed?

    Yes! I watched all the Sunday NFL games in there with my 9 year old son. Staff was super nice about it! Enjoy!

    Are you dog friendly?

    We are very welcoming to well behaved dogs!

    View All 5 Questions

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    hospitality was great and our bartender was patient as we explained the order for our party of 5. i…read morecould tell this spot was popular with locals, judging from the conversations around me and the laidback atmosphere. pricing was a little steep, but typical of a pismo beach restaurant- the quality of food was great and the beer was perfect. i wish the portions for the tacos were a bit bigger considering the price ($7~ per taco). dogs are allowed on the patio; i appreciated the amount of space we had so our dogs could lay down and nap after a long day in pismo.

    We moved to the area last summer and was referred to go here. I discovered that the food was really…read morefresh and had the most amazing burger called the Elvis Lives Burger. This summer they changed the menu quie a bit and also we have noticed the quality has gone down. My daughters chicken nuggets went from made fresh to frozen. Burgers went from a full size burger to barely over a slider. Fries are still really good along with cocktails. Bees knees and Jalisco Summer are the favorites for cocktails. Customer service is always pretty straight forward with young kids serving. No issues ever. Great casual dining setup but also good place to watch game. Bar is always busy when we go. We are little bummed as this was our go to spot and now its going to force us to look at other options but we will return as the Cubano still shows promise and the fries with ranch are amazing.

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    Harry's Night Club & Beach Bar - Harry's has a wide variety of spirits, we loved this delicious tequila!

    Harry's Night Club & Beach Bar

    3.7(341 reviews)
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    Pool tables, and karaoke? You bet! After we got checked in…read moreat our hotel, we saw Harry's about a block away from where we were staying and walked over to grab a couple of cold ones after a long day on the road. I.D. Is checked at the door, and you are given a wristband. So, no minors/kids allowed. (Nice!) Harry's has a well stocked bar and a decent variety of beer on tap as well as cold bottles. Classic rock music was being played throughout the bar as we had a quick game of pool. The place started filling up with people after we'd been there for about half an hour. Apparently Karaoke night is a big thing here for the locals, because people were stepping up to the mic and killing it!They don't serve any kind of food here, but they do allow you to bring your own food in. (There are several hole in the wall type restaurants just a few steps away from Harry's to choose from, if you like) Recommend you hit Harry's up if you're passing through or staying in town for the weekend!

    Went here to hear a band play. We had a really nice time. Drinks are good mixed drinks are a little…read morepricey but I guess its the going rates. Bathrooms are clean, no food options but you can bring food in I guess we did. Music was good, nice dance floor. But the 2nd band was way too loud that it made us all leave. So they should get a handle on that. Its nice to be able to carry a conversation with your friends and enjoy drinks but once it gets deafening then thats time to exit.

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    Ventana Grill - Scallops (minus the bacon)

    Ventana Grill

    4.1(3.1k reviews)
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    An Unforgettable Birthday Dinner with Breathtaking Ocean Views!…read more We came to Ventana Grill in Pismo Beach for a Sunday night dinner date to celebrate my wife's birthday. This place definitely gets packed, so I highly recommend reserving a table in advance. We were lucky enough to get a window seat, and the outdoor patio views of the ocean are simply amazing! On top of that, the staff here has definitely become even more friendly--our server, Zach, was super efficient and attentive throughout our meal. The food was incredible from start to finish: * Mahi Mahi Fish Ceviche: We started with this alongside fresh tortilla chips, and it was honestly one of the best ceviches we've ever had. * Clam Chowder Soup: This special clam chowder came served with Parmesan cheese bread, which was absolute perfection. Again, hands down one of the best soups we've tasted! * Molcajete Surtido: For our main dish, we ordered this classic feast loaded with grilled colossal shrimp, arrachera steak, chicken breast, chorizo, spring onion, jalapeño peppers, nopalitos, avocado, pork rinds, molcajete salsa, queso fresco, and corn tortillas, served with a side of rice and beans. All the meats were so tender and flavorful, and the rice and beans were really nice. We were so full that we didn't even get to touch the tortillas! To top off a wonderful evening, they brought out a complimentary ice cream with a candle to celebrate my wife's birthday, which was such a thoughtful and sweet touch. Whether you're planning a special date night or a family outing, we definitely recommend Ventana Grill!

    Have been here several times over the years, while on vacation to San Luis Obispo and Pismo Beach…read more It has the best dining views in the area with full views of the beautiful Pacific Ocean. The menu on our recent visit has been updated and now offers more Latino style offerings, with emphasis on Seafood and fine meats with Latino seasonings and styling. The posole is delicious, yellow fin tuna prepared well and was plentiful. Our server was friendly, efficient, offered suggestions and checked on us regularly. There was a wedding on the patio, which was fun to witness from our booth and plenty of activity from the ocean life we could view. Overall, a delightful experience!

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    Cool Cat Cafe

    Cool Cat Cafe

    4.2(1k reviews)
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    Went here yesterday for my sister's birthday trip down to Pismo. Keep in mind, I'm gluten free, and…read moremy sister and my cousin are both dairy free, so we had some limited options. Ambience was nice, I enjoyed the rodeo events on the tv, I'm a barrel racer and rodeo attendee as well so that was fun to see. Waitress was very nice, I don't remember her name but she had cool tattoos and orange hair, she was bringing us refills without us having to ask, and the service was extremely quick. We were a party of 6 and our food came out in less than 10 minutes, even though the restaurant was pretty busy. I enjoyed the open windows so fresh air could flow in and out as well. As for food, I ordered the hula chicken sticks and a side of white rice. Omg. Sooooo yummy!!!! both my entree and side were piping hot and perfectly fresh. Chicken was cooked thoroughly and was very tasty alongside the pineapple. White rice was perfectly cooked as well. We will definitely come back here next time we drive up to Pismo! I also very much enjoyed seeing what was gluten free on the menu, and the gluten free substitution was amazing. I'm so glad to see representation and inclusivity like this. My sister also enjoyed the dairy free options. Overall we went home with a peace of mind. None of us got sick!

    OH EM GEEEE! The Bruschetta believe it!…read moreWas better than I had expected. The bread worked perfectly with the balsamic glaze and ricotta cheese and Parmesan lemon basil. I wanted to eat half, but I'm staying in a hotel and can't take it with me. I ended up eating the whole damn thing. I didn't wanna waste any of it.!!! So delicious!

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    Very nice cigar lounge! Stayed at Marriott hotel right on beach and was an easy walk just a few…read moreblocks away. Nice walk in humidor! Over dozen draft beers on tap. Christina was very friendly and helpful! Enjoyed a nice house blend cigar and cold beverage.

    La Aroma de Havana in Pismo Beach is hands‑down one of the most exceptional cigar lounges on the…read moreCentral Coast. The moment you walk in, you're greeted with a warm, inviting atmosphere that blends comfort, class, and a genuinely relaxed coastal vibe. The lounge has that rare ability to make you feel like a regular even on your first visit. What truly elevates the experience is the people -- especially the Manager, Christina. She is an absolute standout. Her knowledge of cigars, pairings, and the entire culture surrounding them is second to none. Whether you're a seasoned aficionado or just starting to explore the world of cigars, Christina meets you exactly where you are with enthusiasm, expertise, and genuine hospitality. She has a way of making every recommendation feel personal and spot‑on. The crowd is friendly, the energy is upbeat yet laid‑back, and the overall vibe makes it easy to settle in for an hour... or several. It's the kind of place you look forward to returning to because you know the experience will be consistently fantastic. If you're anywhere near Pismo Beach and appreciate a great cigar in a great environment, La Aroma de Havana is a must‑visit. Christina and the clientele make it unforgettable.

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    Hot Shots Family Entertainment Center

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    We decided to give this place a try on a whim. We usually come to pismo beach once a summer and it…read morewas a pleasant surprise. Some reviews was kinda steering me away and I was very apprehensive about this establishment. But I'm glad we were bored out of our minds and fought thru my apprehension and gave in. It was a pleasant surprise . A little bit of something for everyone. Plenty of Arcade games, plenty of billiards table and classic American fried foods. Of course the front cute gift shop and shirts. The atmosphere was energetic and enjoyable. Music and game noises, seating areas for food, and even seats throughout the pool rooms. $18 and hour fit the table, not too bad. We did enjoy our experience. The workers were nice and only intercom yelled at a costumer for sitting on the pool table. Go try it out.

    Stay away from this place if you bring your dog with you to pismo. I have a 4 year old French…read morebulldog that is a service dog. As many of us take our dogs to the beach, we were on a family vacation and decided to stop here for dinner. Before walking in my whole family check for a no dog sign, we walked in and no staff members mentioned anything to us so we assumed everything was fine. (Especially considering the place isn't the cleanest and I have taken my dog into cleaner restaurants in pismo). We continued to order over $150 worth of pizza wings and beer. We were sitting down waiting for our food when a manager (didn't catch her name but she was a older lady) came up to us and said they don't allow dogs in and she looked it up online and it's a law. LOL I had no issue leaving (even though I felt like someone should have said something before we ordered our food AND PAID) but I asked for to go boxes and also asked what was going to be done about our beers we spent $20 on that were FULL. She right away said well your going to have to take turns coming in and out? I told her I just wanted the drinks refunded because she wouldn't allow us to take them and she refused to give any type refund. My boyfriend tried to speak to her to compromise and she continued to snap at him and the rest of my family. Bottom line she was extremely rude and not willing to compromise after WAITING until we spend over $150 to tell us we had to leave. Later when we went to leave her employees were laughing while we left.

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    The Break - sportsbars - Updated September 2026

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