This was a dream experience starting with Anastazia, our server. The roasted beets were indescribably delicious. The fried green tomatoes were so delicately flavorful. (I didn't want to order them because they were fried. They didn't taste like it.) The lasagna was my least favorite but still good. The crème brûlée with the peaches and heavenly components (not even sure what) was so wonderful. I didn't not want to leave this restaurant at the end. It was so dreamy. We sat outside where it was pretty. The inside was too loud for me. Other than that, this was the best restaurant I remember experiencing on the three continents I've visited. Can you tell I loved it? Thank you. read more

Unforgettable First Visit -- A True Culinary Gem! First time dining here, and it absolutely exceeded all expectations! We saw on their website that it's a Michelin-mentioned restaurant, and let me tell you -- it delivers on every bit of that recognition. My wife and I were vacationing in Pismo and wanted to treat ourselves to something elegant and memorable. This place hit the mark on all fronts. I ordered the 50-layer lasagna -- and WOW. It was rich, flavorful, and perfectly executed -- like comfort food elevated to fine dining. My wife went with the ribeye, which was cooked to perfection and paired beautifully with layered gratin potatoes and a bright, zesty chimichurri that tied it all together. The service was just as impressive -- warm, attentive, and knowledgeable without ever feeling overbearing. The ambiance is spot-on too: classy yet relaxed, with a coastal charm that sets the perfect mood for a special night out. If you want your taste buds to go wild and enjoy an elevated dining experience from start to finish, this place is an absolute must-try. A true gem close to Pismo Beach! read more

I came here with eight other girls who were loud--but, like, the fun kind of loud! :) The food was on point, the drinks were great, and the service was spot-on. They gave us a cozy little semi-private spot, which was perfect for our lively group. Even though we were tucked away from the main area, our server never missed a beat, checking in on us like clockwork. It's a bit of a trek from where I live, but if I'm ever in the area again, I'll definitely be back for round two! read more

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Filet- perfectly seasoned and cooked exactly as asked Just wish the potatoes weren't so salty Martini- smooth Service- excellent read more

Ember - Filet Mignon - New American Near Me - Arroyo Grande, California

Ember is the color of this foods energy! Talk about deliciousness. From the slow braised heritage pork shoulder appetizer with those crispy bits of chicharrones on top to the Strawberry Pavlova we shared for desert, everything was bursting with flavor. I had the Grilled "Pollo al Mattone" which was tender and delicious, the polenta - crispy on the outside and creamy within, the baby broccoli cooked to perfection, and that Calabrian salsa, ooh wee! She had the Asparagus Carbonara, which was creamy, cheesey deliciousness, and with that Meyer lemon cream cut the richness of this dish perfectly. Service was great, our waiter was attentive and knowledgeable about the dishes. The decor and the playlist set the tone for the fantastic flavors. Recommend you make a reservation soon! read more

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We had an excellent New Year's Eve dinner here and couldn't have been more pleased. To start, our waitress, Riley, was awesome. The bread that comes was a good way to start out the meal. We split our meals since everything sounded so good. We had the 50 Layer Lasagna and the Grilled Ribeye and they were amazing. We ended the meal with Cafe Mocha Trifle which was super. They also have a nice wine and draft beer list. The ambience is nice, with a rustic feel and though it was busy, we didn't feel crowded. I highly recommend Ember. read more

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We've been coming here for years, and the food remains unmatched in the area. Whether you're in the mood for an upscale date night or a casual pizza dinner, this place delivers both effortlessly. The quality is consistently top-notch, and the service is always great. Looking forward to our next visit--see you soon, Ember! P.S. Always get the s'more's dessert - ALWAYS! read more

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Service is excellent here. They are always on top of it, give good recommendations and are super nice. The appetizers are the best part of the meal here; I would recommend the cauliflower, fried green tomatoes and the beets. The cauliflower came with this super tasty homemade Caesar dressing which was such a star! For entrees, the pork chop was the best dish. The duck ragu pasta and the fish are passable. The cocktails here are pretty good. The place is really pretty, open kitchen and nicely decorated. Decent spot if you want to get a bit out of pismo read more

Fantastic dinner experience! The chef's design of the entree's is artful and delicious. The balance of spice, texture, plate presentation and flavors to top shelf. The service is friendly and attentive - with recommendations that are spot on. The craft cocktails pair well with the entrees -- ask for a recommendation! Loved the open kitchen. The outdoor patio is a quieter than inside seating. read more

Run don't walk to this Michelin guide restaurant in Arroyo grande! It's in an unassuming location back from the street but don't let that fool you. The entire menu is creative from apps to desserts and specialty cocktails. An excellent craft beer menu as well. We had wedge salads which are made from butter lettuce and served with candied pork belly. My friend had poached Seabass and raved about it. I had the pork Ragu which was delicious with a spicy broth and pasta. It could've used more pork but the bites I had were melted in your mouth tender. For dessert we shared both the blueberry lemon tart and the toasted marshmallow ice cream cocoa cake. Sinful! Anastasia, our server, was so accommodating and helpful. Servings were substantial enough that we had lots of to go boxes. We were seated in the front bar area in the high tops where we could watch the comings and goings. Reservations are pretty much required because it's a popular place any day of the week. Highly recommend! read more

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Food Service Ambiance Is always top notch here. We love the Dog friendly patio is a nice touch! read more

Absolutely PHENOMENAL!!! Every time we come here, the service, the food - despite menu change...drinks..chefs kiss!!! Was my birthday dinner celebration and our waiter on 1/6/2024 told me happy birthday multiple times. Surely made me feel like the queen of the evening!!! Ambience is spectacular!! You are and will always be my favorite spot!!! Husband was a chef for fine dining and you blow his mind each and every time!! Staff is very busy and focused, no stress, just amazing hospitality!!! Wonderful job!!! :) keep up the excellent work, you're a GEM!!! read more

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Have since been back several times because the food is just that great. The chicken is back on the menu. The toasted marshmallow dessert is still so good. I have had many wonderful waiters ( Gabriel tonight) and waitresses and they now ask if we would like more bread. Have not gotten another Mai tai but have enjoyed cosmos and espresso martinis greatly. read more

Came here with a large party of 15 for a 50th birthday dinner and had an incredible experience. We sat in the covered, heated patio area and ordered three of the salads and each one was amazing, but the 2 peas roasted romanesco was exceptional. The trifle dessert also blew our minds. Had delicious rib eye, tasty extra dirty and espresso martinis. Great service, lovely atmosphere. We'll be back when we're in the area. read more

Why have we not come here sooner?!? We have been to Arroyo many times but never Ember, and boy were we happy to find our new fave spot!! Farm to table style with a seasonal rotating menu. Last night we got the Fried Green Tomatoes, Pepperoni Pizza, and the Ribeye. The service was excellent, particularly Joey with the menu recommendations! The vibe inside is cozy and was fun to watch them work the pizza oven. Highly recommend, and we will be back!! read more

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We were just looking for a somewhat late dinner and we stumbled upon this gem. Service and food were fantastic! Ambiance was great! The kitchen is open concept and you get to witness the chefs attention to detail while they make your dish presentable in a timely manner. We had the oxtail appetizer topped with a nice jicama salsa that complemented it well. We also shared a chorizo/tomatillo pizza which had an amazing dough/crust. The service was delightful and friendly (even though we came in less than an hour before closing). read more

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The ambiance, the food and the service are all awesome! Make sure you get reservations if you try to come for dinner on a Friday or Saturday night because it can get busy. They do have an enclosed patio with heaters so if the bar and inside are packed; that's an option. Upon sitting down, I ordered the Sunset & Chill and it was a really good Mezcal cocktail. Very smokey! We got the Pizza Blanco, which was tasty. The duck was tender (fell right off the bone) and was very delicious! The star of the night was the dessert. The marshmallow was toasted perfectly and the Sea Salt Caramel & Hazelnut Crunch were AMAZING! I would go here just for the desserts! I definitely intend on coming back in the future and bringing family/friends! read more

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First time here.... This place came recommended and now we know we know why. Amazing food (filet mignon and duck), but highlight was marshmallow+ice cream. Great place, very friendly, nice atmosphere. We'll be back. Ask for Megan as your waitress ;-) read more

Ember - Dessert - New American Near Me - Arroyo Grande, California

Wow wow someone please call an ambulance because I stuffed face that hard!!! This is an absolute jewel on the central coast! One of the best meals I've had in many years!!! But before the food- I first just fell in love with the building and decor. It's a refurbished barn, and the warm wood, copper bar and overall craftsmanship is superb! The executive chef is also a carpenter who helped create this amazing space. And the food! There is a strong emphasis to source and showcase central coast ingredients. Carissa at the bar was fantastic and friendly, and made me a custom boulevardier, which, who knew, made an excellent pairing with the pillowy rosemary focaccia!! The citrus salad was absolutely heavenly- the fruit was so fresh and juicy, with wonderful texture from the pistachios and salty bite from the feta. The mushroom pizza harkened back to a street fair in Naples, with rollable slices although I wish there had been more of the fabulous fungus- sourced right from Paso. For dessert, I nearly inhaled the entire mocha trifle. The mocha foam topping made this a dream come true, and I wish there had been an additional layer in the middle. But maybe I'm being greedy...it was a full house on a Thursday night with a good local crowd. I will absolutely be back. Thank you to the amazing crew at ember!!! read more

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Omg! Just Omg! This place is amazing! The food is so good! I got the half chicken and OMG! So flavorful! My husband got the rib eye and it was also super flavorful! Can't wait to come back! And the dessert!!!! Again omg! You have to try this place! read more

Have been at least 30 times over the past 8 or so years. The first 4 or 5 years when they first opened were great, an easy five star. The last 3 or 4 years have been 3+ star visits. It is noticeable as years ago you couldn't get in without a reservation, and for the past 3 years or so we have been able to just walk-in. You would think the strengths would be pizza and steaks with the wood burning oven style kitchen, but sadly these are not at a Michelin mention level areas of the menu. Pizza is an under cooked mess, and we have ordered many times thinking it's a fluke, but it is the style. The dough cannot hold the toppings and the deck is obviously not hot enough to cook the middle of the pie. To add to it, the pie is cut in a way that accentuates the under done middle. Steaks are decent, but not the best in the area. Apps are great, fish dishes are good, and sometimes the pastas are good but under seasoned. Desserts are very good, with maybe a few misses over the years, but generally worth it. Cocktails have always been solid. A good thing, since the wine list is limited. The ambiance is rustic, but nice. It fits. The service has been really good most of the time, an occasional bad server. Can't fault the restaurant for an employee's bad day. 4 stars for still being one of the best restaurants in southern SLO county. We will still keep it in the rotation as we drive through the area once or twice a year. read more

Ember is a nice hidden gem in Arroyo Grande! Servers were all friendly and the food was delicious! My greatest gripe was the constant opening of doors that really brought the chill to our indoor table. It's awesome to watch food prepared and cooked in the brick oven! The pizzas are served at a great personal size with plenty of topping and lots of flavor! I love that they have a rotating menu and you can try new things as you come in during different seasons! The toasted marshmallow dessert is a must as well! I look forward to coming back again when I'm in town! read more

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Consistency and goodness - that's EMBER! Years after being able to try this place the first time, I finally made my way back. And SO happy I did!! These guys know how to do it right! And they make you feel right at home in the process! Easily one of the best places on the Central Coast!! They are attentive, personable, and seem to really enjoy making your experience the best! The menu changes frequently, so not sure I can make any real recommendations, but my advice is, if it sounds good, don't hesitate - chances are you will not be sorry! Since I do lot live close by anymore, I follow them on socials and frequently find myself licking my phone screen when they post new menu items! The s'mores dessert is a house favorite, so that you might be able to try - and I do recommend it! The only thing you'll be left wanting - is S'MORE! read more

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I LOVE ember! Food is always delicious! Every visit in the past, food was perfect. We had a girls night last night. Had reservation for 7. I checked in and table wasn't ready. It took about 10 minutes for them to get us a table ready. I always order the rib eye. I asked about the beef cheeks but it sounded like the portion would be too small so I ordered the rib eye and you really can't go wrong with it. I love the sides it comes with. The broccolini and cauliflower was delicious. The potato gratin is always amazing. Of course my steak was cooked to perfection (medium). I ordered the organic lemonade and that was really refreshing. The ambiance is great. We were able to hang out and talk. It was too quiet and wasn't too loud. It was BUSY when we got there. We were one of the last tables to leave. I will always come back to Ember. I love it for date night, special occasion, girls night, etc. can't go wrong. I wish I had room to try the desserts because they looked amazing! I saw the table next to us order 3.. yum! read more

Ember - Rib eye steak - New American Near Me - Arroyo Grande, California

Food is great, but ambiance was terrible. Extremely hot inside in a summer afternoon, no ac snd the few fans are slow and aimed at a few tables. Their mussic was terrible and seemed aimed to get you out of there asap: noisy disco music from 70 80s that was playing loud and dimished their experience. Pizza had good flavor but an itallian would have been horrorized at the way it was cut: mesh like! Salad are very small but flavorful, steak was well cooked read more

The Ember is a hidden gem. While the menu is limited, it packs a punch. We had the pepperoni pizza and Alaskan King Salmon. Both dishes were excellent. The rustic decor and music was appreciated. It fills up fast and I understand why. The staff's customer service was excellent. Not only were we welcomed in by the staff, we were also thanked for coming by our waitress, Clarissa, the hostess, the manager her stopped by to check on us but also the chef. Excellent. Make your reservations early. read more

The food and the service was amazing! It's a bit chilly in there so I would dress warm.

Great place with delicious food. We had a great evening. The service was spot on and the food was excellent. It's a busy place (they do take reservations) and well worth it! read more

Just plain goodness. For whatever reason, Ember was exceptional this visit. I was so grateful. We took our best friend there for her birthday and this needed to be a special birthday. Ember delivered all the way through. The ambiance was lovely. They provided a s'more goo Turkish delight (not really, but...) Staff was warm and lovely. Thinking? Yes! Do it! read more

Ember - New American Near Me - Arroyo Grande, California

Years ago I was driving Uber and brought some friends of the chef that had newly opened...Ember. I've since dropped several folks off for dinner but never have I actually eaten here. So dating a gal close by I thought it the perfect opportunity to check it out and here we are. I booked a table on line a couple days ahead of time, it was easy and fast. Two at 630 on Friday, patio please. We were promptly greeted and offered a beverage as it would be a few minutes before seating. M ordered a red wine which was in her hand at the same moment our table is ready...cool. Back to the patio we went a lovely duce under heater and a rather larger table than most. Hmm...quite the menu, short but with a original twist or variant for each item. What to try? Small plates, pizza, entrees and deserts...thinking...so picking our favorites, we shared and good thinking. Tada! roasted Chioggia Beets, Wagyu Beef Tartare. Followed by a Shaved Zucchini pizza and we finished with the Sablefish. Each item was perfectly fabulous on it's own, presentation, combination of complimentary items matched well. The Beets and the fish were my favorites, I brought home most of the pizza (12"). We skipped desert but would have ordered the strawberry pavlova. The experience was overall perfect without being pretentious, greeting, table service, knowledge and timing, kitchen no doubt cranking it out perfectly on a busy Friday night. I found Extraordinary flavors well combined to create a dining experience to be acknowledged and commended with five stars Thank you Crew good date meal Foodguy-martin read more

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Our waiter Bill was fantastic, and the ancillary wait staff was great too. Very attentive, filling water, offering more bread, promptly checking in to see how things were. The lasagna was DELICIOUS. I have never had any taste quite like it. It was so very flavorful! The pizza was also delicious as were the cocktails. We were too full for dessert, but they sounded really good. Great music playing and added to the vibe and atmosphere of the restaurant. All ages seemed to be there. read more

Food and service were fantastic. Ribeyes were cooked perfectly great flavor nice char on the steaks... read more

Ember - Ribeye, scalloped potatoes delicious broccolini. - New American Near Me - Arroyo Grande, California

My fiancé and I visited this restaurant for the first time today. Fresh rosemary focaccia bread and butter was delivered promptly with water. Our drinks arrived shortly thereafter and were delicious, he had a beer and I had a specialty gin cocktail. We started with the fried green tomatoes, which were topped with a shrimp ceviche and served over an avocado crema of sorts, this dish was absolutely delicious, perfectly balanced and crispy. We then shared the pepperoni and roasted pepper pizza, which arrived hot, this was also fantastic, house made dough and sauce. We also shared the 14oz ribeye with potatoes au gratin, roasted broccolini and cauliflower, served with an avocado chimichurri. The steak definitely left more to be desired, although it was cooked to our liking (medium rare), it lacked flavor overall and was a bit tough to chew. The au gratin potatoes were delicious as were the charred broccolini and cauliflower. The steak is the reason I'm giving four stars instead of five. Service was prompt and pleasant, we will definitely return in the future. read more

Always a great spot for dinner, drinks and appetizers or happy hour!! We especially love to go to Happy hour. The price is right!

Fancy restaurant in an unassuming neighborhood. Small plates were delicious. We had the beef cheeks & yellowfin and both were melt in your mouth yum. I wouldn't order the pizza there again, just cause the bottom was black and didn't taste as good as it could. Top notch service. read more

We had never been there before. We were greeted with a smile and taken to our seats right away. Our waiter Michael was the best! He greeted us, helped us with the menu, made great suggestions, and gave us the right amount of time to decide. The food was so delicious. We both got excellent pieces of filet mignon. The au gratin potato's were very good. We tried the fried green tomatoes also and they were twice as good as we expected. We will definitely be back. read more

This is truly an elevated experience. The food is always masterfully prepared. Staff are top of the line from front to back. The atmosphere is always pleasant and inviting. Always a good time. read more

The food here is really good. Started with the roasted beets, pork ragu and fried green tomatoes. The beets came with a ricotta cheese great balance with balsamic. The pork ragu I ate it with the bread that is served complimentary; don't really need it but wanted to use it as a vessel. Fried green tomatoes were breaded and very delicious. I had the rib eye for my main dish it was cut where parts of it was thicker so it came out medium rare (which I ordered) and rare on some parts but I was okay with that. Did not have room for dessert. Service was good considering it was very busy for a Wednesday. Our waiter Michael was excellent the supporting staff is still going through the learning curve; not an issue with me; gotta start somewhere. Ambiance is like a n elevated roadhouse; with a huge wood fire oven and grill on the left as you enter. read more

Ember - Beets - New American Near Me - Arroyo Grande, California

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I have gone twice in the last 5 days. The ambiance is amazing the dining area and bathrooms are spotless. The service is impeccable you can get dressed up or you can wear jeans and a T shirt. The fried green tomato's and the pork belly appetizers were prepared nicely. Both had a depth of flavor that made you want to eat more. The 50 layer lasagna was one of the best I have tried. The hint of smokiness from the open fire cooking they are doing set this lasagna apart. The ribeye was cooked to perfection with a very complimenting avocado chimmichurri that elevated the beef. The chocolate cake with marshmallow topping and the play on strawberry shortcake we're both amazing desserts that were just rich enough to make you keep eating more. The attention to detail, the cleanliness and the great service make this one of my favorite places I have found to dine at on the central coast and I look forward to my next visit. read more

Service was exceptional every step of the way. The food was amazing from the appetizer to the main course to the dessert. The vibe was awesome as well. read more