My husband and I seem to be loyal to the restaurants we like.  When we only have a few days in a town we like, we tend to go back to the places we like even though we vow to try a new place.  There are many really good restaurants to try so I think we will just have to go back again!

Here are a few of the places we always go to for a good meal when we are in Cambria.

Sow’s Ear.   Delicious food.  Excellent service.  A few tables for outside dining.   We like this establishment so much we ate here two times in three days.  The five times we’ve eaten here I’ve had the same entree: catfish.   This is a fish I don’t generally eat but here it is awesome.

My husband has enjoyed a rack of lamb, special pecan crusted salmon and halibut.  Included in the dinner is a choice of soup or salad. The wine is reasonable and if you just want a glass you have many choices.  I’ve had both and the soups are especially delicious. 

We especially loved the desserts.   The canolo (just one as in canoli) we had the first time we were at Sow’s Ear was the best we have tasted anywhere in the world, including Italy!  Sadly, it was never offered on our other visits.  The hot fudge sundae is delicious as is the creme brulee.   The last few times we’ve visited Cambria we’ve eaten outside due to heightened Covid -19. The inside of the restaurant is dark and has a very intimate feeling.  

Indigo Moon. What a lovely place!  The food here is yummy and the service is very good.  We’ve only sat on the lovely patio with very toasty heaters but the inside is very inviting including a nice open air terrace.  What we’ve had . . . my husband has had steak on several occasions and also a pasta dish he enjoyed. Each time we’ve dined at Indigo Moon, I've had the delicious New Zealand rack of lamb served in a fig cabernet reduction sauce with a side of polenta. The lamb was cooked to perfection. each time we’ve visited.  You can’t go wrong with the goat cheese and leek tart served over Meyer Lemon greens.  The salads are all good.   

Sea Chest.  If you are staying on Moonstone Beach this well known restaurant is nearby. Regardless, it is a must for most visitors.

They only take cash here and you can’t get advance reservations.   The last two times we were visiting Cambria there was no outside dining and because of heightened Covid we didn’t feel comfortable eating inside so unfortunately, we did not dine here.   The seafood here is outstanding.  The service is exceptional.  Everything’s delicious.  On our first visit in June we had the sweetest, juiciest clams ever.  Unfortunately, I didn’t ask the name of this type of clam.  It has a large round shell.  You can’t go wrong with any fish here.  We loved the Boston Clam Chowder. A friend recommended calamari for a main course.  It was fantastic and enough for two people. I ate the entire thing myself.

TIP.  This restaurant only takes cash.  Don’t be intimidated by the long line lining up before the restaurant opens.   If you are fine with eating later, show up at about six or later and put your name down to be seated after 7 or so.  When you return the wait won’t be long and you can enjoy a nice glass of wine if there is a wait. Also, if you are staying on Moonstone Beach and walk to the Sea Chest be sure to bring a flashlight with you or use the light on your phone when returning to your place. The walk along the road is pretty dark.

Boni’s Tacos.. If you like Mexican food this place is for you.  On the weekends Boni has a food truck on the main street and the line can be long.   During the week you can get your tacos, etc. to go out to their main site which is in an industrial area off the main road locals call “tin city.”  The tacos al pasteur are muy delicioso.  The chips and salsa are making my mouth water right now.  There are only two tables in front of the take out window but I wouldn’t eat there as the tables are right in front of the garbage.   Just take the tacos back to your room or to the sitting area across the street from Robin’s.    And while you are there . . .  get your cookies close by at Red Moose Cookie Company.

Red Moose Cookie Company. Walk down two lines of buildings and get some yummy cookies at this family owned cookie company.  Go early since they generally sell out pretty quickly.

Cambria Cafe.  Generous portions and delicious Mediterranean food here.   We enjoyed some of the best hummus ever.  The shawarma is fragrant and memorable.

Robins.  People love Robins.  The service is good and people really like the food.  We’ve only been here two times.  I think we ordered the wrong things.  While the food was good we didn’t love it.  Our daughter who was with us one of these times did.  So it isn’t them and must be us.   The garden is a very nice place to dine.  We will probably try it again since it is so highly recommended.

Coffee, Coffee, Coffee

We usually start the day a cappuccino and a delicious croissant at Cambria Coffee Roasting located toward the west end of Main Street. This is a popular place and as they say “good things come to all who wait” and wait you will if you get her early in the am. The coffee is top notch so it is worth it if you aren’t in a hurry. Another coffee spot we liked was Mojo’s Village Bean located at the other end of Main Street.

There are lots of places that are very good to dine at in Cambria.   Not all of them have outside dining so we aren’t inclined to eat at any of them right now.  

Places to eat not far from Cambria

In Cayucos

Lunada Garden Bistro - We stopped here for a light lunch before going up the road a piece to Moonstone Beach. The restaurant has a beautiful relaxing large garden to dine in. The dinner menu looks delicious and has great reviews. Definitely want to go back for dinner. The interior of the restaurant has a beautiful ambiance.

Brown Butter Cookie Company - There’s a reason that there is nearly always a line waiting to get cookies at the window here. The cookies are absolutely delicious. They are made daily. We loved the cookies so much we went back twice. I’m sad there isn’t one closer to where we live but maybe that’s a good thing. I would definitely be a Brown Butter Cookie monster.