1. Breakfast
Blue Heron
Blue Heron was first recommended to me by a Los Osos local — and for good reason. Blue Heron is situated right next to the water in Baywood Park, the small town directly next to Los Osos. What makes this restaurant unique is its use of local fare; Blue Heron emphasizes the freshness of their ingredients from their own farm and surrounding waters. The menu is constantly evolving with seasonal ingredients available.
Although Blue Heron focuses its weekly menu on the dinner crowd, their Sunday brunch is a treat. Sunday brunch is the only time to try Blue Heron's breakfast cuisine and take in the ocean views of the early morning hours. For someone looking to try Blue Heron while eating on a budget, the brunch is a great way to try the food without facing the steeper dinner prices.
When I first visited the restaurant, I chose to go for brunch and felt transported to an elegant and relaxing bed and breakfast. I sat in their cozy patio on a breezy day while the staff lit heat lamps and handed out blankets to the diners. The view was spectacular and the service was fantastic.
The waitress offered us their weekly pastry basket, which I couldn't pass it up. It was a beautiful arrangement of strawberry muffins, lemon lavender shortbread and cranberry zucchini loaf with two different compound butters. We followed this with the short rib breakfast tacos, which were topped with potato pancakes and a zesty chimichurri sauce, and the breakfast sando, which came with the best side salad I've ever had!
Let me just say, I had zero complaints about this meal. After dining at Blue Heron, I decided to become an unofficial ambassador and spread the word to everyone I know about it. This restaurant provides an unparalleled, local experience, whether you are having a casual brunch outside or upscale dinner in their dining room.
2. Lunch
Sylvester's Hot n' Juicy Burgers
If you're looking for some hearty comfort food, go to Sylvester's and try the Heart Attack burger. It's topped with a fried egg, bacon, avocado, and of course, Sylvester's sauce. Their burgers are known for being nothing but juicy and messy. Sylvester's serves up the ultimate burger experience, with a wide array of burgers and toppings that are purely umami.
The original joint is located in Los Osos and its a cute, picnic-style shack. You can easily enjoy the sun and ocean breeze while feasting on Sylvester's expansive burger menu. Their menu also includes sandwiches, as well as more adventurous options like buffalo, elk and wild boar burgers. Get your burger with a side of fries, fried zucchini or even fried mushrooms. If you're looking for a deal, their fries and drinks are all $1 on weekdays from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.! Bonus — if you go to Sylvester's on your birthday, you get a FREE burger and get to take a picture for their wall. This restaurant offers some great deals that are hard to pass up.
3. Dinner
Noi's Thai Takeout
The last stop for your ideal day in Los Osos and Baywood is Noi's Thai Takeout. Noi's is located across the street from Blue Heron — you can't miss it. The quaint, little shack is features a takeout window and outdoor seating. When I ate at Noi's, I sat in their "dining room," which is another small shack in the back. The quirky nature of Noi's makes it one of the cutest spots I've ever eaten at, hands down. Noi's is a small-scale operation, but its limited menu serves some of the freshest and tastiest Thai food in SLO County.
I was told to try the pad thai when visiting Noi's for the first time. Good pad thai is something I've struggled to find in San Luis Obispo, but this dish definitely made up for that. My friend ordered the pad see ew; it was packed with vegetable and had much lighter gravy than most restaurants serve — but this isn't to say it lacked flavor. For any foodie looking to try a hidden gem, Noi's is worth the 15 minute drive out of San Luis Obispo.
#SpoonTip: Noi's is CASH ONLY and only open on weekdays!
Day Well Spent
Any of these restaurants are perfect to visit for a quick day trip with friends or out-of-town family. It's easy to spend the whole day in these coastal communities — the beach and food will keep you busy. If you head out to Los Osos and Baywood, you (and your stomach) won't be disappointed.