Paso Robles, CA is one of my favorite California wine towns. Not only is the wine INCREDIBLE but it also has an emerging culinary scene that will make your mouth water, your pants tighter, and leave you wanting more. Here are my MUSTS for Paso Robles!
Let’s Get Saucy! My Favorite Places to Drink.
Graveyard Vineyards
6990 Estrella Rd, San Miguel, CA 93451
Instagram – @graveyardvineyards
Tucked high above the Pleasant Valley Cemetery sits Graveyard vineyard, its namesake deriving from the pioneer cemetery below. Between the sprawling vistas, private lake, barn tasting room and the delectable wines with cheeky names like “Tombstone Red” my personal fave and their best selling wine – Graveyard Vineyards is a MUST stop for a spooky wine lover like myself.
I Recommend – The Tombstone Red & The Ascender.
The Alchemist’s Garden
1144 Pine St, Paso Robles, CA 93446
Instagram – @alchemistsgardenca
In the heart of downtown Paso, the Alchemist’s Garden is a refreshing break if you’re left wine’d out from a day full of tastings. With one of the most imaginative cocktail menus I’ve ever seen and a tapas-like tasting menu full of things like Chorizo fondue, this will officially become a must stop always for me in Paso Robles. Also, their use of copper is so damn sexy I could barely take it.
I Recommend – the Belladonna Cocktail, their take on a Painkiller. It’s full of gin, flavor and they set it it on fire. A perfect drink in my opinion.
Tetto Rooftop Bar at The Piccolo
600 12th St, Paso Robles, CA 93446
Instagram – @staypiccolo
I was lucky enough to be gifted a stay the Piccolo’s sister property, The Paso Robles Inn but knew I HAD to check out Tetto, Piccolo’s rooftop bar, the only rooftop bar in Paso, and sweet lord it did not disappoint. The open-air bar had only just reopened when I visited which meant it was super easy to socially distance and the fire pits created an amazing and cozy ambiance during the chilly Central Coast evening. Their menu has a great selection of local wines and some really fun cocktails. Feeling snacky? They got you with some great bites like meat and cheese to keep you from getting toooo saucy.
I Recommend – The Lavender Bee’s Knees. A flavor packed gin cocktail. Is it obvious I like gin? I do.
Spearhead Coffee – For When You Want to Sober Up
619 12th St, Paso Robles, CA 93446
Instagram – @spearheadcoffee
My Seattle roots never show more than when I travel; finding the best independent coffee shops wherever I go is a must. Thankfully Paso Robles has one of the best, Spearhead Coffee located RIGHT downtown and across the street from the Piccolo. The cool industrial loft vibes create a perfect atmosphere if you’re looking to get some work done and their coffee….my god their coffee. Serving up great classics as well as an innovative custom latte menu, I can not recommend it enough!
I Recommend – Their Hazelnut Latte with homemade Hazelnut syrup. Its barely sweet which is exactly how I like my flavored lattes and it adds just the perfect *pop* to complement the espresso.
Ok, I’m Hungry. Heres Where You Should Eat.
Brunch
840 13th St, Paso Robles, CA 93446
Instagram – @brunch.paso
Full disclosure, I was hungover when I ate here which means I did not have the stomach for their mimosas that look AMAZING but ya girl needed something hearty and my go-to brunch indulgence is ALWAYS a benny, and holy hell, their traditional benny was SO packed with flavor and their potatoes so yummy that I didn’t even need to drench it in Cholula (I’m addicted to Cholula, its a problem, send help.) My Fiancé got their biscuits and gravy which he ate so fast I didn’t get a picture of it but trust me when I say it was delicious. If you’re like me and are addicted to brunch and you’re in Paso and DON’T visit an establishment named after the Meal of Champs, then you’ve committed a crime. Go, it’s worth it I promise.
I Recommend – Their traditional benny. It’s perfect.
Pappy McGregor’s
1122 Pine St, Paso Robles, CA 93446
Instagram – @pappymcgregors
Here’s the deal – I was starving when we got to Pappy’s, like the kind of hunger where you’re digging in your purse looking for ancient candy, anything. Needless to say, I took no pictures while we were there but trust me when I say the food is insane. Irish pub fare always beats American bar food for me, give me Shepard’s pie over wings any day but Pappy’s? Their food is next level. We ordered the French onion soup and the mac n cheese with grilled chicken. I don’t even have the words for the flavor and cheese explosion both of those dishes had and I consider myself a French onion soup expert. My only warning about Pappy’s? Their Irish Coffee is the strongest you’ll ever have, I had to get mine to go.
I Recommend – The French Onion Soup and the Mac n Cheese, pay extra for the grilled chicken and thank me later.
Honorable Mentions –
Sasquatch Coffee
Basil Thai
Have you been to any of these places or have recommendations for where I should eat/drink next time I’m in Paso? Comment below!!!