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✔️Lunch ✔️Dinner ✔️Dine in ✔️Take out
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Casually elegant Northern Italian eatery with a traditional menu highlighting seasonal ingredients.
Hours
| Saturday | 5:30–9:30 PM |
| Sunday | 5:30–9:30 PM |
| Monday | 11:30 AM–2 PM, 5:30–9:30 PM |
| Tuesday | 11:30 AM–2 PM, 5:30–9:30 PM |
| Wednesday | 11:30 AM–2 PM, 5:30–9:30 PM |
| Thursday | 11:30 AM–2 PM, 5:30–9:30 PM |
| Friday | 11:30 AM–2 PM, 5:30–9:30 PM |
Address and Contact Information
Address: 1037 Monterey St, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Phone: (805) 545-8000
Website: http://www.btslo.com/
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Buona Tavola: Northern Italian Cuisine
Italian restaurant in Paso Robles and San Luis Obispo California. Serving northern italian cuisine in a fine dining environment.
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Buona Tavola SLO, San Luis Obispo. 1546 likes · 5278 were here. Located across from the San Luis Obispo County Government Center and next door to the…
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Buona Tavola · 1037 Monterey St San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 · (805) 545-8000 …
Reviews
Ashley
After our small wedding in Cayucos in December, 2024, Buona Tavola was the perfect place to celebrate with an unforgettable dinner. Their patio comfortably accommodated our group of 22, and from start to finish, the staff took incredible care of us.
From our very first phone call to inquire about booking, to the final pour of wine at the end of the evening, everything was seamless. The manager allowed us to arrive earlier in the afternoon to set up our tables and decorations, which made the evening feel even more special and personal.
We were a bit nervous about a December evening getting chilly, but the heated patio was absolutely perfect. The food was outstanding, the service was impeccable, and our family and friends were truly well cared for. The twinkling lights added a magical touch to an already beautiful night. It was a four course meal, all portioned well.
We appreciated the warm atmosphere and the genuine kindness of every staff member who helped make our celebration so memorable. We’ll be back next week for our anniversary dinner. Thank you, Buona Tavola!
… moreFrom our very first phone call to inquire about booking, to the final pour of wine at the end of the evening, everything was seamless. The manager allowed us to arrive earlier in the afternoon to set up our tables and decorations, which made the evening feel even more special and personal.
We were a bit nervous about a December evening getting chilly, but the heated patio was absolutely perfect. The food was outstanding, the service was impeccable, and our family and friends were truly well cared for. The twinkling lights added a magical touch to an already beautiful night. It was a four course meal, all portioned well.
We appreciated the warm atmosphere and the genuine kindness of every staff member who helped make our celebration so memorable. We’ll be back next week for our anniversary dinner. Thank you, Buona Tavola!
Matt Feil
I’m genuinely heartbroken to be writing this review. For 23 years, we have gone out of our way to dine here whenever we’re in town, because the food has always been exceptional. Unfortunately, our New Year’s Eve dinner was a complete disappointment — the worst dining experience we’ve ever had here.
Because we were a larger group, we were required to order from a preset menu. While we weren’t thrilled about that, we trusted the restaurant’s long-standing reputation, our personal experience here, and expected something special. Sadly, that trust was misplaced.
The salads were fine but basic and quite small. The risotto was overwhelmed by smoky salmon, slightly undercooked, and paired with scallops that were rubbery and fishy. The main courses were even more disappointing. My veal was tough and served over plain, unseasoned boiled spinach, topped with cheese and ham. It honestly reminded me of an airline meal — not something you’d expect from a high-end restaurant we’ve supported for over two decades.
To make matters worse, the price was shocking. For seven people, the bill came to $860 — without alcohol. Had we been allowed to order from the regular menu, we would have paid far less and enjoyed food we know and love. Instead, we left feeling disappointed, frustrated, and frankly taken advantage of. The quality, flavor, and execution did not come close to justifying the cost. Even the mashed potatoes tasted like instant ones.
This experience was deeply disappointing. Buona Tavola has always been special to us, which makes this all the more upsetting. I truly hope this was an anomaly, but we were violated. This meal left us feeling let down and disheartened.
Our waitress and the service was good. No problem there.
… moreBecause we were a larger group, we were required to order from a preset menu. While we weren’t thrilled about that, we trusted the restaurant’s long-standing reputation, our personal experience here, and expected something special. Sadly, that trust was misplaced.
The salads were fine but basic and quite small. The risotto was overwhelmed by smoky salmon, slightly undercooked, and paired with scallops that were rubbery and fishy. The main courses were even more disappointing. My veal was tough and served over plain, unseasoned boiled spinach, topped with cheese and ham. It honestly reminded me of an airline meal — not something you’d expect from a high-end restaurant we’ve supported for over two decades.
To make matters worse, the price was shocking. For seven people, the bill came to $860 — without alcohol. Had we been allowed to order from the regular menu, we would have paid far less and enjoyed food we know and love. Instead, we left feeling disappointed, frustrated, and frankly taken advantage of. The quality, flavor, and execution did not come close to justifying the cost. Even the mashed potatoes tasted like instant ones.
This experience was deeply disappointing. Buona Tavola has always been special to us, which makes this all the more upsetting. I truly hope this was an anomaly, but we were violated. This meal left us feeling let down and disheartened.
Our waitress and the service was good. No problem there.
Anne C.
Charming restaurant in a great location. The wait staff was prompt and courteous, but not particularly helpful in making recommendations. For the price of the dishes, would expect better quality. The primi course (pasta) dishes were great, but there were several missteps with the other food. The burrata insalata was extremely over salted. The veal was tough and the mushrooms were cut thick and chewy. The mussels had several shells with no meat and some were over cooked.
… moreKevin V.
We were having cocktails down the street when someone at the bar recommended this restaurant, so we walk down and were lucky enough to get a table however I would recommend making reservations because it was pure luck we got a table. Everybody from the owners to the wait staff were extremely Pleasant and nice to talk to they sat as quickly. The atmosphere of the restaurant is very pleasant. Started off the dinner with a pleasant salad and then we ordered the Fettuccine Del Borromeo and the Torelloni Bufalina. And finished up with a Torta De Mele Alla Pia and another desert which I don’t remember the name of, nevertheless all the food was simply amazing, from the salad to the entree to the deserts!!! This is definitely a place you want to visit if you love Italian food. We will definitely be coming back
… moreKathy F
What a disappointment! We are foodies and came to celebrate New Year’s Eve. The service was wonderful but because we had seven people in our party, we were forced into a pre fixe menu that was $95.00 per person. Since the quality of the food in the past has been so good, we trusted the food would be amazing, whatever they served. HOW WRONG WE WERE! The beet salad was ok but very over salted. The lentil and sausage dish was mediocre at best. The risotto was also over salted, so smokey from the smoked salmon, and the scallops were rubber. Some of our party had the branzino and some had the veal. The branzino was only a 1/4 of a fillet and the veal was tough, stringy and almost inedible! The sides were instant mashed potatoes (disgusting…think KFC) and the other sides (for everyone!) consisted of slimy, flavorless boiled spinach and spiralized carrots that were boiled in sugar and sprinkled with parsley. No fresh/grilled veggies. No pasta dish options whatsoever (which is what we came for). The dessert was a dry slice of brioche bread with some bourbon flavored cream poured on top and a shaved bit of chocolate. Cheap, cheap, cheap!!! Almost $900 for meals that would have been better if we had gone to The Olive Garden…and we hate the Olive Garden! Seriously, I’ve had better in-flight airplane meals. Our entire party feels violated! Such a major let down!
… moreChris Shaul
We wanted to find a nice restaurant to celebrate my birthday. We made reservations at Buona Tavola. Glad we did as it was mothers day!
We started with bread and olive tapanade. Very good.
The Cesar Salad was unique and special. It came as two small romaine lettuce heads with the dressing, cheese, and whole Anchovy’s toppings.
My wife ordered a couple of samplers of pasta. She first ordered the Spaghettini aglio olio e peperoncino. She also the Tortelloni di zucca alla salvia e mascarpone, both thought was very flavorful.
I had the Bocconcini Portobello which was very good. I had pasta in the marsala sauce instead of mashed potatoes. It was very good.
The service was good and Paulo, (the owner?), took great care of us. You know you choice the right Italian restaurant when the staff are speaking Italian! All in all a great place!
… moreWe started with bread and olive tapanade. Very good.
The Cesar Salad was unique and special. It came as two small romaine lettuce heads with the dressing, cheese, and whole Anchovy’s toppings.
My wife ordered a couple of samplers of pasta. She first ordered the Spaghettini aglio olio e peperoncino. She also the Tortelloni di zucca alla salvia e mascarpone, both thought was very flavorful.
I had the Bocconcini Portobello which was very good. I had pasta in the marsala sauce instead of mashed potatoes. It was very good.
The service was good and Paulo, (the owner?), took great care of us. You know you choice the right Italian restaurant when the staff are speaking Italian! All in all a great place!
McKay
We traveled over 800 miles to eat here for new years because we always love coming here. Unfortunately our food was awful. We weren’t made aware that for parties of 6+ people you can only order off of a pre-fixed menu. While we were let down because we couldn’t order any of our favorite dishes or any pasta for that matter, we figured the stuff on the fixed menu would be good like everything else. Unfortunately the quality of the food was such a letdown and disappointment. The veal was tough and served on a bland bed of blanched spinach. The fish was the tiniest fillet and served with a scoop of what appeared to be instant mashed potatoes. All of the other dishes served were also very subpar and the worst part of it all is that our bill was nearly $900 with no drinks!! The fixed menu that we were forced to order off of was $100 per person vs $30+ per person. What an absolute racket!
… moreJeremy Baran
Don’t let the price of a meal scare you away! — This place is a MUST Visit – if you can get a table. We sat outdoors and enjoyed the fantastic CA evening.
The Carciofi ai petali di parmigiano salad was unbelievable! — Simply put – one of the best salads I have ever had. Definitely worth the price and I will be making this at home too.
We went to dinner on 1/2 price bottle of wine night; so we splurged and got a Super Tuscan wine! It was a fantastic complement to both meals my friend and I selected. (Crognolo – for those interested) – very nice mild red. It was a perfect compliment to seafood pasta special, I enjoyed.
Then OMG their Crema Di Vaniglia Della Buona Tavola and Fior di Seta deserts were simply unforgettable! — Presentation matched the flavor and tastiness of each.
Be sure to come here with an appetite — you won’t be disappointed.
… moreThe Carciofi ai petali di parmigiano salad was unbelievable! — Simply put – one of the best salads I have ever had. Definitely worth the price and I will be making this at home too.
We went to dinner on 1/2 price bottle of wine night; so we splurged and got a Super Tuscan wine! It was a fantastic complement to both meals my friend and I selected. (Crognolo – for those interested) – very nice mild red. It was a perfect compliment to seafood pasta special, I enjoyed.
Then OMG their Crema Di Vaniglia Della Buona Tavola and Fior di Seta deserts were simply unforgettable! — Presentation matched the flavor and tastiness of each.
Be sure to come here with an appetite — you won’t be disappointed.
Matthew Feil
We drove all the way from Utah specifically to eat here for New Year’s Eve, only to be railroaded into a mandatory $100-per-person four-course prix fixe instead of the regular menu we actually came for. What followed was one of the most underwhelming, overpriced dining experiences I’ve ever had.
The first course was either a beet salad or squash soup. The soup was… fine. Not memorable, not exciting—just acceptable. Not exactly a strong start for a $100 meal.
The next course was a risotto with salmon and scallops that was clearly undercooked, or a lentil soup that was merely okay. At this point, expectations were already dropping fast.
Then came the main course, which somehow managed to get worse. The fish with carrots and spinach was bland and unpleasant. The veal—my biggest regret of the night—was so bad it was honestly depressing: poorly prepared veal slapped on top of completely unseasoned spinach. No balance, no finesse, no care. Just sad food at a luxury price.
Dessert was the final insult: some kind of bread soaked in milk that felt lazy, dated, and completely uninspired. It tasted like something thrown together out of obligation rather than intention.
For a meal that cost nearly $1,000 for my family, this was borderline offensive. Nothing about the food justified the price, the forced menu, or the hype. New Year’s Eve should feel special—this felt like paying a premium to be disappointed course after course.
If you’re expecting refined Italian cooking or a memorable celebration meal, look elsewhere. This was an expensive reminder that price does not equal quality.
… moreThe first course was either a beet salad or squash soup. The soup was… fine. Not memorable, not exciting—just acceptable. Not exactly a strong start for a $100 meal.
The next course was a risotto with salmon and scallops that was clearly undercooked, or a lentil soup that was merely okay. At this point, expectations were already dropping fast.
Then came the main course, which somehow managed to get worse. The fish with carrots and spinach was bland and unpleasant. The veal—my biggest regret of the night—was so bad it was honestly depressing: poorly prepared veal slapped on top of completely unseasoned spinach. No balance, no finesse, no care. Just sad food at a luxury price.
Dessert was the final insult: some kind of bread soaked in milk that felt lazy, dated, and completely uninspired. It tasted like something thrown together out of obligation rather than intention.
For a meal that cost nearly $1,000 for my family, this was borderline offensive. Nothing about the food justified the price, the forced menu, or the hype. New Year’s Eve should feel special—this felt like paying a premium to be disappointed course after course.
If you’re expecting refined Italian cooking or a memorable celebration meal, look elsewhere. This was an expensive reminder that price does not equal quality.
Marina Machado
MUST TRY!!! I may be biased as I used to be a team member at this restaurant back from 2006 to 2008, but this spot has my favorite type of Northern Italian cuisine on the entire Central Coast of California. I have eaten at Buona Tavola SLO countless times throughout the years, yet I have never once had anything, but an exceptional experience, superb service by each team member, freshly and deliciously prepared meals. So many years later (almost 32 I believe), this restaurant’s quality has not changed one bit. Even under the new ownership, they strive to make you feel like you are in Italy by offering the most unique and authentic food items such as Bruschetta ai funghi trifolati, Insalata di Mare, Minestrone Soup and Tagliata di bue salutare – some of my favorite items. Unexpectedly, prices are surprisingly affordable considering the fact that inflation is outrageous right now yet Buona uses the freshest seasonal ingredients + many items are shipped straight from Italy.
For our main course we opted in for Fettuccine al sugo di carni miste and Pesce del giorno alla griglia – both 10/10. As for dessert we chose Crema Di Vaniglia Della Buona Tavola and of course, the famous Tiramisu. My husband dreams of Buona’s Tiramisu quite often. We try it at every restaurant we go to that offers it, and nothing compares to Buona Tavola’s one. Service by Hailey G. was fantastic as she welcomed us and made us feel special. The main busser was so friendly – loved him, too! Thank you to the new owner and management for making sure that old patrons still receive outstanding experience when visiting this authentic Italian restaurant. Like Antonio Varia used to say: “I cook with love and I feel love in the air” vibe is still here and I am so thrilled to be able to experience it!
… moreFor our main course we opted in for Fettuccine al sugo di carni miste and Pesce del giorno alla griglia – both 10/10. As for dessert we chose Crema Di Vaniglia Della Buona Tavola and of course, the famous Tiramisu. My husband dreams of Buona’s Tiramisu quite often. We try it at every restaurant we go to that offers it, and nothing compares to Buona Tavola’s one. Service by Hailey G. was fantastic as she welcomed us and made us feel special. The main busser was so friendly – loved him, too! Thank you to the new owner and management for making sure that old patrons still receive outstanding experience when visiting this authentic Italian restaurant. Like Antonio Varia used to say: “I cook with love and I feel love in the air” vibe is still here and I am so thrilled to be able to experience it!