I had the bread bowl clam chowder and It was ok but there wasn't much actual clam. It is also SO filling so I could only have a couple bites. It honestly was kind of disappointing for the price. The service and the area is fine though. read more

Splash Cafe - The Clam Chowder BREAD BOWL - American Near Me - Pismo Beach, California

This place needs no introduction! The best clam chowder in California, possibly in the country. The servers were super friendly, full of smiles. The place retained its small town coastal charm, on purpose, I believe. And the food. The clam chowder in the bread bowl is brain melting good. No matter how many times I had it, it always taste amazing. The large steamed clams with sourdough was also well done. You simply can't miss this place when you are in Pismo! read more

See all

Clam chowder 10/10 Calamari 6/10 Lobster roll 10/10 Clam chowder was some of the very best we have ever had. We were able to choose the topping and opted for bacon and it was a perfect match! Lobster roll was the star of the show. Very tasty and enjoyed the bread it was served in. Calamari and curly fries were just OK, definitely had better from other places. It was lacking in batter and crispiness. Fries were nothing special but not bad either. Overall good service and food. Plenty of seating on weekday not sure about weekends. Would be back again! read more

See all

Super busy but they are quick. Great price. Food was eh. Clam chowder was a 3/5 Fish taco was a 1/5 Calamari was a 5/5 Fish and chips 2.5/5 Place was small but packed read more

See all

Good, well made food. Hearty portions. Service was great, they were attentive and hygienic. Enjoyed the stores ambiance. Good energy. Also: would recommend their clam chowder. The best in the area! read more

See all

DELICIOUS clam chowder. I got the fully loaded in a bread bowl. The chowder was cream and salted and came with cheese, green onions, bacon, clams, and chopped shrimp and crab. It was a great value as well. Also got the lobster roll and I actually like the bread on the lobster more than the bread bowl. It was very meaty and had just enough mayo and green onions. read more

See all

When we got here, there was a line but moved pretty fast. Lobster roll: 3/5 I have definitely had better. But giving it a 4 overall because the person making the lobster roll was very generous. Didn't taste the Calm Chowder but fam definitely enjoyed the chowder more than the roll. read more

See all

This is such a well know establishment I had to make a stop as I was passing through. I ordered online to avoid the wait time and picked up my clam chowder to enjoy at the beach. It was delicious. Would love to come back and try some of their burgers. Took a peak inside and it was super busy. There were many tables to sit at but the wait was about an hour. read more

Splash Cafe - Outside - American Near Me - Pismo Beach, California

Delicious food and super fast service. We got the clam chowder in a bread bowl with the seafood, clams, and green onions, and also got the grilled cheese. Good sized portions. Just know you might be a line a while since it's popular but the line moves fast. Great casual place. Want to come back for their lobster rolls next time. read more

Splash Cafe - Clam Chowder BREAD BOWL with seafood, clams, and green onions, plus a delicious Grilled Cheese - American Near Me - Pismo Beach, California

Spent the weekend in Pismo so had to try this place after hearing all the recommendations. Clam chowder and sourdough was some of the best I've had. Quaint little shop with fantastic service. Loved it so much I also bought some frozen chowder to take home with me. Lived up to the hype. read more

Splash Cafe - Took the chowder to the beach to have my lunch. - American Near Me - Pismo Beach, California

The best clam chowder ever!!! Splash cafe is a must-visit if you're in Pismo Beach. This was my second time here and honestly the food tasted better than I remembered! My friend and I ordered a clam chowder bread bowl, a regular clam chowder bowl, and calamari & fries to share. We were FULL and had leftovers. The clam chowder was delicious, and the calamari & fries were also really good. I highly recommend getting both! I came on a Saturday around 8pm, and there was still a line outside. Thankfully the wait to order wasn't too long. After ordering, you can find a seat and wait for your food to be ready. Overall, I had another great experience at Splash Café and would definitely come back the next time I'm in Pismo Beach! read more

See all

We had the grilled Ahi tuna, fish tacos and clam chowder soup in a bread bowl.. the farmer was OK but clam chowder was one of the best I've ever had. Creamy with plenty of clams, and unlike other places, very little potatoes, which was fine with me. There's a place up in Bodego Bay that advertises itself as the best in the county. and Judging by the awards on the wall here, this café is probably the best in its county. read more

Customer service when ordering at the counter was great. The guy at pick-up not so much. Was in town with my mom and had to find out what the hype was all about so I ordered a cup of the "famous" chowder. I LOVE chowder and since I live between both Santa Cruz and San Francisco, I've enjoyed plenty. Sadly, the chowder at Slash was pretty disappointing. My cup had very few clams and potatoes and an overwhelming amount of cream. The place was packed even at 3pm so clearly tons of folks like it but not me unfortunatly. The vibe is old school diner. I won't be returning any time soon. read more

Splash Cafe - Nothin but cream - American Near Me - Pismo Beach, California

While searching for restaurants in SLO County, Splash Cafe came up repeatedly as having some of the best clam chowder in California, so it quickly became a priority stop on my trip. When I arrived on a Monday evening, I was surprised by how long the line was to order. What impressed me even more was how quickly the staff moved everyone through and got food out. They clearly know what they're doing. The clam chowder absolutely lived up to the hype. It was rich, creamy, and packed with flavor. Honestly, just writing this review makes me crave another bowl. My mom ordered the lobster roll, and we were impressed by how generous they were with the lobster. Another nice bonus is that they offer daily specials, giving you even more reasons to come back and try something new. Overall, I highly recommend Splash Cafe and would consider it a must-visit spot when exploring SLO County. read more

Splash Cafe - Lobster Roll - American Near Me - Pismo Beach, California

See all

Yes it is true, the best chowder around. I know seems like a tourist trap, but it is not. The Splash Cafe is just flat out good! You must stop in and partake. I had the bread bowl and chowder, a simple classic. I recommend the splash cafe carrot pepper sauce - Raucous Daucus!! My Bride ordered the clam strips and chips, fried perfectly! Thank you Splash Cafe, keep doing what you do! We'll be back every time we are in town. read more

See all

Splash Cafe is such a staple eatery in Pismo Beach, located by the boardwalk, it's difficult to see the place without a line. We tried the 1/2 steamers, fish and chips, and clam chowder. Everything we tasted was delicious! The broth the steamers came in was so tasty and paired perfectly with the bread to soak everything up. The fish and chips were nice and crispy. We loved the curly fries it came with. The clam chowder was our favorite, it tasted so homey and rich, yet still light and full of flavor. Would recommend coming early as this place can get packed. There are tables and bar seating - seats open up fairly quickly. They also have a special type of carrot hot sauce that packs some flavor to whatever you choose to add it to! read more

Splash Cafe - American Near Me - Pismo Beach, California

Came here years ago and Ofcourse since we stayed in Pismo again, we had to stop by for some clam chowda and this time we did the seafood + bacon + green onions topping. I'm not sure I'd get any of these toppings again as the soup is great by itself but it was nice trying something different. It's huge and definitely a good portion to share if you want to try some other things. Service is quick as well! read more

Splash Cafe - Clam Chowder BREAD BOWL - American Near Me - Pismo Beach, California

Located next to pismo beach. Theres paid parking lot or paid street parking nearby. Or you go a block away theres free 3 hour street parking. Process: - Line up - Order - Grab a table If you order to dine in, they will call your name when its ready. Just raise your hand to let them know where you are so they can bring it out for you. If you do to go, your food is called out at the back of the store. This place is pretty poppin. We arrived around 5 PM. All the tables were full but we got luckily and got 2 seats. I would not recommend bringing a large party here to dine in. They have 2 genderless restrooms located all the way in the back. It's clean and well kept. Order: - Clam chowder (9/10): the clam chowder is amazing. They have actual clam inside. You can get it in a bread bowl or container. The container size range from cup to pint. - Fish & Chip (3/10): This was also recommended on the menu but it was subpar. Lacked a lot of flavor. The chips looked season but it tasted like nothing. The tartar sauce and lemon helped out a lot. I would definitely come back for the clam chowder tho! read more

Splash Cafe - Fish and Chip (3/10): lack seasoning and flavor - American Near Me - Pismo Beach, California

Best clam chowder in California? I saw a claim saying that Splash Cafe was the best clam chowder in ALL of California and I had to go try it myself. I came on a Thursday when it was raining and there was still a line out the door. We also struggled to find a parking spot regardless of the weather being rain or shine. Majority of the parking spots are metered and it was $5 for 1 hour which is crazy. Since we came on a Thursday, the loaded clam chowder bread bowl had a $2 discount! The total came out to be $18.35 after tax. Obviously, we ordered that and shared it between two people! It took about 5 minutes after ordering for us to receive our order. Food: Loaded Clam Chowder Bread Bowl (9/10): Oh WOW! We decided to take it to-go and their packaging was so convenient. Everything was packaged separately and deconstructed so the bread bowl wouldn't be all soggy and the bisque would be non-existent by the time we got home. In the loaded bread bowl, they cut out the hole so we can place the bisque in and they toast the top with butter! The loaded clam chowder comes with cheese, clam, crab(?), bacon, and green onion! The clam chowder was SO creamy! Every bite was LOADED with all the toppings. read more

Splash Cafe - Deconstructed LOADED Clam Chowder Bread Bowl - American Near Me - Pismo Beach, California

See all

This was highly recommended by a frequent visitor. Boy, are we glad we came. It was delicious. The bread bowl is a must. They toast part of the bread--delicious! We took w food and at one of the nearby tables down by the water. It was perfect. read more

Splash Cafe - Nearby Sign - American Near Me - Pismo Beach, California

See all

My family and I stopped into Pismo Beach to sightsee while on the way to Solvang on Friday! We did some research beforehand on where to stop in for a quick bite and came across Splash Cafe! When we arrived, the line was pretty short and we noticed that we had just beat the rush! The inside was pretty small and they request that you do not sit at a table or the bar area until after you have ordered at the counter which I like. We got a seat in front of one of their windows with a nice view of the area. We ordered the Clam Chowder in a Bread Bowl with Loaded Toppings to share since we were still a little full from breakfast. It was so good - I loved the added toppings of green onions, seafood, cheese and even bacon! They also offer Fish and Chips, Chicken Strips, burgers and specialty sandwiches like their Lobster Roll and Shrimp SLO Boy. I also saw a entire case of fresh baked goods! Staff weren't overly friendly at the counter, but the employee who brought us our order was lovely. Overall, I'm glad we had the chance to stop in and check out their award winning Clam Chowder - I can see why there is always a line out the door! We will definitely stop in again next time we are visiting Pismo Beach! Check them out! read more

See all

We visited on a weekday and there wasn't a line. You order at the counter and then you take a seat. They will take your order to your table. We ordered a clam chowder 5/5 and Fish N Chips 4/5. We order the clam chowder not on a bread bowl but rather separate. I like it better. We also bought the frozen clam chowder to take home and eat it later. We just buy sourdough bread and enjoy it later. They have indoor seating and stools to sit on. The parking is metered parking and it can be quite difficult to find parking on a busy weekend! Enjoy! read more

See all

Stopped by for lunch on a weekday. The line wasn't too long, so ordering was quick, and the food came out a few minutes after I sat down. There was also more open seating than I expected. I ordered the lobster roll and a cup of clam chowder. The lobster roll is pretty filling and comes packed with meat -- probably enough to share if you want to try other items. The clam chowder was good, creamy and straightforward. The place has a casual, hole-in-the-wall beach town feel that fits Pismo well. It's within walking distance of the beach, and there's nearby parking for about $5 an hour. Overall, a solid option for a quick, casual lunch. read more

Splash Cafe - American Near Me - Pismo Beach, California

I had a lovely, memorable experience at Splash Cafe (Pismo Beach). I ordered the Clam Chowder Bread Bowl ($12.95). WOW! That immediate familiar clean salty flavor bubbles through. It's creamy and very fresh. Surprisingly, its buttery, fluffy bread brought a bright crunch. I couldn't stop myself from smiling as I continued to feast. I arrived at Splash Cafe (Pismo Beach) on Wednesday (around 8:50AM - 10 Minutes Before Opening Time). A line had already formed!! POPULAR spot! It's a brief two minute walk from Pismo Beach's Pier. Parking is challenging; nearby parking spots contain parking meters. Staff is very professional, welcoming, and efficient. Staff is very experienced and accustomed to the long line of customers. Staff quickly helped me. My food arrived within two minutes. Fast! As mentioned, I ordered the Clam Chowder Bread Bowl ($12.95). It's one of the best! Fresh food, thoughtfully prepared chowder, and delightful service is very apparent. This location has won multiple awards for their Clam Chowder, and the high quality truly shows. As I bit into those thick clams, I smiled. On ambiance, Splash Cafe (Pismo Beach) feels a little claustrophobic due to its narrow dining area and many customers. However, there's a couple large tables in the rear, and there's small tables & counters near the front. Muffled diner music plays, but the main noise are the chatting customers. Overall, I found a blissful experience at Splash Cafe (Pismo Beach). The long lines are well-deserved! It's one of the best clam chowders that I've tasted in a long time. If you love clam chowders, this is an easy recommendation. 5 out of 5. Go! read more

See all

We came here on a whim on our way down from Pismo, and we loved it! We heard a rumor that Splash won the best clam chowder nationally, so we had to give it a try. I thought clam chowder pretty much tasted the same everywhere but it was probably the best clam chowder we've ever had! We finished the whole bowl (which, we're never usually able to do.) The eggs brekkie was okay! The eggs were very moist, so that was a plus! :) Service was good. We ordered in the front and found some seats. The space is a little small. It's a long restaurant, so you could find some round tables in the back, but expect to sit at the bar. read more

Splash Cafe - Inside Seating - American Near Me - Pismo Beach, California

See all

Been here numerous times and I can't believe I haven't written a review. After trying so many clam chowders, Splash Cafe has the best in my opinion and hits the spot every single time. My go-to is either the chowder in a bread bowl or ordering bread on the side both ways are delish and you have to get it fully loaded with all the toppers! The clam chowder is creamy, thick, well seasoned, has generous portions of clam that's prepared well and the additional seafood toppings, bacon, and cheese elevates it even more. I've even tried their frozen chowder and after heating it in the microwave it's still tasty and delicious. The bread is soft, warm, toasted, and pairs well with the chowder. When in Pismo, this is definitely a spot to try! read more

See all

One of the best clam chowders I've ever had was that splash!! We ordered two bread bread bowl clam chowders loaded with seafood on top. So good. We also ordered fish and chips. My husband wasn't a fan of the breading on the fish. But I did not mind it. You order at the counter and wait for your number to be called. You are not allowed to sit down until your number has been called. We found seats right away. They have a self-serve drink station. Seating is a little crammed... Outdoor seating would be ideal. Splash Cafe is a must stop when coming to Pismo Beach. read more

See all

The best clam chowder I've had outside of Seattle (it even tops SF)! This spot absolutely lives up to the hype. The chowder was rich, creamy, thick, and comforting with heavenly flavor. They have several other menu items, but I stuck with their famous chowder with a sourdough slice and an order of seafood topping (bits of crab and shrimp)... YUM. I only wish I wasn't still kinda full from snacking on the beach so that I could eat more. I personally wanted to taste the chowder itself and let it shine on its own, so I only put a bit of the seafood topping and their complimentary oyster crackers; turns out, I'd say you genuinely don't need any toppings because the chowder is just that good as a standalone, but to each their own! The sourdough on the other hand is a non-negotiable for me. I'd say prices and portion sizes were fair. Splash Cafe was just a short walk from the pier and we got lucky with no line when we arrived around 7pm on a weekday. It was still pretty busy and seats fill up fast, but we were able to secure some barstool seating. After ordering the register, we thankfully didn't have to wait longer than 10-15 minutes for our food, despite a bustling evening. The casual surfy vibes inside were charming and very fitting. Service was relatively quick as mentioned and the staff were pleasant. Please do yourself a favor and try this spot! read more

See all

What a cute place in Pismo Beach!!!! I ordered a bowl of chowder with a side of sourdough. The chowder was full of clams and potato. It was thick snd chunky. I know the bread bowl is famous but I wasn't that hungry. I am including a pic of the loaded bowl. I tried some of the toppings and it was pretty good. I don't think I'd like all of that stuff on it though. I did try the carrot based hot sauce. I could only do a tiny drop at a time but it was really flavorful. I think you can taste the carrot. This was very unique. It could overpower the chowder if you use too much. Adds a nice kick though. You order at the counter and hope to find a seat in the busy restaurant. We lucked out and got a table. The food came out quickly considering how busy they were. read more

See all

One of the most popular places in Pismo for sure! There was a line out the door every single time we came by the restaurant over the course of several days. Now we see why! Their claim to their award winning chowder is marked by the numerous awards on their walls. A charming little restaurant just up from the beach, very casual with lots of seating inside two large dining rooms. They also offer take-out and you pick it up on the side street. Their chowder is good and I felt very buttery in flavor but loaded with clams and potatoes. Just the right thickness to not be gummy but flavorful. I also had the fish sandwich and so glad I did! This was by far the best fish sandwich I've had! The large fillet of wild caught cod was fried perfectly with a light batter and the fish inside was moist and flaky. Served on a bun with lettuce, tomato and a caper dijon dressing that was to die for! Oh my gosh...I'll dream of this sandwich till I have it again, LOL! Wife had the Egg Sandwich which she chose on sourdough. Added bacon to top the sandwich off and she loved it...the remoulade they use was tasty and tangy. We also shared an order of tots, which were you typical tater tots, fried to perfection. They have a large menu with so many different offerings and they are known for the bread bowl with chowder. Really great place and highly recommend! Sorry no photos! read more

July 2026 Quick trip to Pismo and ate at one of our all time faves. Service - no frills quick and easy. Easy to read menu and the prices are reasonable! Food - food came out fairly quickly and hot. Beverages are self served and limitless. Clam chowder in a bread bowl was delicious. However, the bread seemed like it was a day old. Fish and chips - nothing special and potion was decent. Salmon Sandwich (Beach Style): perhaps my favorite menu item here. The salmon was cooked perfectly and the flavor profile is on point. I would Come here just for this. The line gets long here quickly and there is limited space to eat indoors. So good luck and enjoy the food. read more

See all

Get the loaded chowder! It's definitely worth it! Last time we came to Pismo, I think we just ordered the clam chowder bread bowl without the extra toppings and we thought it was ok. This time, we got it loaded and inhaled it! My hubby asked for it to go, but we didn't hear his name called so I think our soup was sitting there for a while. Make sure you check the to go area if you ask for it to go! It's always super crowded here, so hopefully you can get lucky, and find a spot for you to sit. It's not the fanciest place, but a great, easy lunch, super close to the beach! We will definitely come back! read more

Still is The Best Clam Chowder in the West! I will come here again and again until I taste otherwise. I am sad the SLO location is no longer there, now the pismo line is always wrapped around the block. But you can always phone in and order ahead and take it to the beach to enjoy the sunset. Get the clam chowder and whatever toppings you like or have it alone by itself. It's so good! the Staff are always friendly here. Small location so be patient! read more

See all

What can I say about splash, it's a classic. I've been coming here for 35 years and when I come back to the Central Coast, I always stop by for a clam chowder bread bowl with seafood topping. Yes, during the peak tourist season it's packed, with lines going around the building. Yes, there is a line to get to the 2 non-gendered restrooms. Yes, the tourists make it a pain for the locals to grab a bite, but it's worth the wait. I used to have several family members and friends who worked here. It's not made from scratch, but it's one of the best clam chowder bread bowls I've had all up and down the coast of California. Stop by, relax, grab a drink and chowder and enjoy the coast. Love Splash! read more

Splash Cafe - Chowder Bread Bowl with Seafood Topping - American Near Me - Pismo Beach, California

Splash is a solid place for a quick bite. We visited the one in SLO before it closed a couple of years ago so this is the first time we tried this location. Very busy in downtown but the line does move pretty quickly. Once we ordered our food we got our food in about 10 mins. We ordered a bowl of clam chowder and lobster roll. The lobster roll was okay, it was a lobster salad which we expected and it was loaded with filling. We should've ordered the clam chowder in a bread bowl. It would've been perfect. The clam chowder is a must there. It was so creamy, flavorful, and packed with clams and potatoes. We enjoyed it very much and would come back just for the chowder. read more

Splash Cafe - Clam Chowder BOWL - American Near Me - Pismo Beach, California

Absolutely delicious! I was so excited to try their "famous" clam chowder bread bowl, and it did not disappoint. I am very picky and so many clam chowders are watery, full of potatoes, and very little clams. This one has the perfect consistency, great ratio of potatoes and clams, and nice and hot and hearty. I just wish I had some pepper because I felt like it needed a little bit of a kick. I am definitely going to buy some to go and take home and plan on going there again for lunch today. I also had their calamari and chips. They were pretty standard and tasted how calamari and fries should taste. They had friendly staff and they seem to deliver all the orders efficiently. They didn't make a mistake with my to go order and everything was packed neatly! The line moved fast as well. I wasn't a fan of the inside, but that's just my preference. It is just too packed and messy and it feels like everyone are just sitting on top of other parties. However, it's a quick order place and it's meant to be a "eat quickly and go" place. I just wish the tables were a bit more spaced. Again, that's my preference and doesn't warrant removing a star. Just an FYI for people because the pictures on here make it seem like there's lots of space. read more

See all

I get the hype! The clam chowder actually contained chunks of seafood (even without the extra clams we added). Other clam chowders I've had are usually just the soup with barely any chunks. It came out pipping out and they hollow out the bread bowl and toast it for. I found that to be a really nice addition and you get more soup! The calamari & chips were good. There was a mix of rings and tentacles which we prefer! Great service. It does get a little crowded and might be difficult to snag a seat. If you get it to go you can sit closer to the pier. read more

Splash Cafe - Clam Chowder BREAD BOWL w/ extra clam Calamari & chips - American Near Me - Pismo Beach, California

Expensive however that's expected at this tourist hotspot. Clam chowder was epic!!! Fish n chips were good but way too small. Better down the street. Still a good place with fun vibes. Perfect for the tourist read more

Splash Cafe - American Near Me - Pismo Beach, California

See all

As much as I like to try other places in Pismo, this place is just too dependable. If you see a long line, don't fret, it goes by pretty quick. This place is solid and never changes. They got the formula going and they don't need to change it. Of course we got the specialties. A chowder, Lobster Roll, Shrimp SLO Boy, Ahi Sandwich, and all the fries. Chowder: Get the bread bowl. Sweep it up, soak all that chowder and just let it move you. Lobster Roll: Great cook, proper texture on the lobster. Can't complain, although oddly feels more crawfish than lobster. Shrimp SLO Boy: This is the winner. This is the best thing we got. I could have this all day. Guaranteed to order again when I come back. Food might take a while but it's pleasantly worth it. Nothing's blowing anything out of the water, but it's all solid and dependable. read more

See all

Love the clam chowder and curly fries. The chowder is not your normal chowder your use to, it seem like it's much more creamier. Really really good and comforting. Now the lobster roll was cold, not sure if the meat inside was suppose to be cold, but it looks like minced lobster bits not chunks of lobster BTW. Fish and chips, love the chips but the fish had parts that was hard and not good. I just ate around it. Service was fast. read more

See all