Needing to find a pit stop, I found quaint Collins Market in Los Alamos. This town is really…read moremesmerizing and the people are very friendly. Inside the market, I was greeted warmly and happy to help out. Seeing the tri tip sign outside, I asked and they informed me of their combo special. Why not? For a store deli, I was impressed with the meat. You could clearly see the smoke rings in the meat and it was tender and flavorful. For $10 with homemade potato salad and drink can't beat nowadays! And worthy of a 5-star review.

Great stop for gas, food, and drinks. The clerk was very sweet and could right off the bat…read moredetermine that we were out-of-towners. We had small talk and it felt so nice to have a conversation with someone from a small nearby town. Didn't try any of their hot food deli items but I'm reading that they're a hit!

When we picked this place for lunch I thought it would be a "small town 5 star"... Basically I…read morethought it would be a 3.5 at most. Boy was I wrong. The salad was crisp and tangy, tomatoes the best I've had, my chicken salad sandwich was unique and delicious (hot honey on it that day), fresh bread, and I wish I could transport this place closer to my house. Cute garden area outside. Kind service. The potato leek soup was maybe a little on the thin side but tasted home made. Highly recommend!

We stopped by for lunch on our way to Carmel CA and SO glad we did! I got the BLT sandwich and my…read moregoodness was it absolutely delicious. Freshest ingredients all local and a must have! My husband got their steak sandwich special and it was also delicious

Today, my granddaughter and I came here for dinner. We waited about 40 minutes, but it was…read moreabsolutely worth it. The food was delicious, and the staff were incredibly friendly, kind, and welcoming. My granddaughter accidentally ordered the wrong dish, and they were more than happy to replace it without any hassle. That level of customer service really impressed us. Overall, we had a wonderful experience, and I was truly satisfied with our visit. We will definitely be coming back!

We had a reservation for Bells for lunch and we are so incredibly glad we stopped by!…read more We opted to sit outside so it was relatively quiet and the weather was really nice as well so it worked out although I can imagine it can get pretty hot here. We ordered the panna cotta, California corona beans, egg salad sandwich, and the buckwheat crepe. The panna cotta was so good! I loved every bite of it and the olive oil in here was absolutely delicious. The California corona beans were really good too paired with the shrimp and the broth. We were pretty full by the time we got to the egg salad sandwich and the buckwheat crepe so we had to take some to go but they were also done very well. Bells is a solid place to go to for lunch. I just wish it was a bit closer to me so I can come more often!

We saw a video on social media about the unique spot situated in Los Alamos and decided we had to…read morestop in! How cool that they carry so many ethnic products. It was really fun to check out all of the different options. Each of us left with something yummy to enjoy. They have quite a few items stocked on their shelves. I loved the toasted corn with tajin flavoring. If you're in the area, don't skip on this place. Parking is super easy too.

10/17/24 cf3.5* Los Alamos Grocery…read more General store in a very small town Los Alamos Friendly local store Good for coffee stop

I've seen such an incredible improvement since the new general manager came in. I honestly haven't…read moreseen Flatbread flourish like this in a long time. The staff is attentive, professional, and the restaurant no longer feels understaffed. It's clear that the previous management took the restaurant in the wrong direction, but it's refreshing to see it turning around. I was genuinely worried about this place, and now I'm excited to watch it continue to grow. Great job to the new general manager Chris and the entire team--keep up the amazing work!

We always have such a delightful time at Full of Life. The food is amazing, the staff is friendly,…read moreand the whole atmosphere feels warm and welcoming. The menu changes with the seasons, and they use lots of local ingredients, including locally caught crab if you're lucky and locally farmed mushrooms. Everything always feels fresh and thoughtfully prepared. They have a huge patio along with plenty of indoor seating. I also love that you can watch the action around the wood-fired pizza oven which adds so much energy to the space. They offer a great selection of local wines and beers as well. This place can definitely get busy, so I highly recommend making a reservation.

A Hidden Gem in Los Alamos! After a scenic drive through the beautiful backcountry roads of the…read moreSanta Ynez Valley, my travel partner and I found ourselves in Los Alamos, searching for a sweet treat. With not much open around us, we turned to Google for help and stumbled upon Charlie's Restaurant. What a fantastic surprise! My friend ordered a chocolate pineapple milkshake--a creative blend not listed on the menu. She thought it would be a delightful combination, and she was absolutely right. Meanwhile, I went for the Nachos Supreme, and let me tell you, they are hands down the best nachos I've ever had at 70 years old! The chips were perfectly crisp, topped with homemade refried beans, creamy sour cream, cheese, fresh guacamole, and chopped tomatoes. Each bite was a flavor explosion! The restaurant itself isn't flashy; in fact, it took us a moment to spot the sign, which was partly hidden by a hedge. But stepping inside was a treat! We chose to sit in the charming garden, where a lovely mural added to the ambiance. The dining room is small and rustic, creating a cozy atmosphere that felt inviting. The service was exceptional, with a friendly young couple attending to us. The young man even took the time to sit with us, asking where we were from and sharing tips about nearby treasures. It's refreshing to experience such genuine, old-fashioned customer service these days. I can't recommend Charlie's enough! Their extensive menu is full of tempting options, and the mouthwatering aromas made it hard to resist trying more. I'll definitely be back next time I'm in the area--perhaps for those onion rings next time! The bathroom had a sign on the wall with a picture of a toilet saying please seat yourself If you're in Los Alamos, don't miss out on this hidden gem!

I have now boycotted Charlie's after spending THOUSANDS (literally) over years. We used to eat here…read moreup to three times a week via takeout since we moved here in 2017. That's a lot of years and orders. They got two items completely wrong (I would have NEVER order what was given to me) and the refused to make it right BOTH times. This greasy spoon is nasty burgers (that our kids didn't order, we usually ordered them chicken nuggets and side salads (plus fries) on evenings when the two of us were too tired from work all day to cook. For the best burger in town: Norman's or Plenty on Bell. For Mexican food: we don't really have Mexican food besides Charlie's in town unfortunately and it's not good just waste your money yourself and try or go to the restaurants that the town is known for- not just the restaurant that's been along the longest. Look in their kitchen. Filthy!! This place is worn down. Restaurants to check out: Predite bbq has inexpensive smash burgers and tacos!! Great sodas, and wine and beer available in another part of their yard. Bob's well bread has great huevos rancheros. Norman's has Chilequilles from time to time and fancy tacos. In a town known for its cuisine and beverage go somewhere that you will experience the food in incredible settings, don't go to this old shit hole on the end of town. Really try our delicious farm to table food at literally any other restaurant but Charlie's.

Top tier customer service and some of the best farm to table food in the San Ynez Valley. Very…read morefamily friendly and gorgeous outdoor garden seating too. The wine list was incredible too! They make their own wines under Lumen, and they are solid.

This review covers three visits, the first two were midweek in 2025 and one two weeks ago on a…read moreFriday. It's an interesting setup, as there's a separate space for Pico and a space for Lumen Wines, however we were told that the wine tastings are done in the restaurant. The ambiance is upscale-casual, the service is excellent (thanks Kali for getting my joke and making me laugh on our last visit), and the food is wonderfully delicious. They have main floor seating, a balcony, and a back patio, so request your spot when making a reservation. DRINKS: They have a full bar and the cocktails we've tried were very well made. The wine list is primarily Lumen wines, but there are some other local and old-world wines available, and some alcohol-free cocktails and beer too. On our first visit, we tried a Lumen wine tasting flight consisting of a '21 Chardonnay, a '21 Pinot Noir, and a '21 Grenache, and a couple extra pours, like the Escence orange wine and the "Hey Ginger" Pet Nat (check out my separate review for Lumen Wines). FOOD: We've eaten something on all three visits and everything we've tried has been very good. The menu is seasonal, so it's ever changing. The appetizers/entrées we've tried are the Wedge Salad, Kabocha Salad, Grilled Carrots, Avocado Crudo, Channel Island Squid, Steak Tartare, Pico Burger, and Rabbit Carnitas Tostadas. The food is well-seasoned and prepared as ordered. The kitchen seems to work well with the wait staff to coordinate when courses are delivered, so you're not getting everything at once. Pico is one of our favorite spots in the Los Alamos/Los Olivos/Buellton area and well worth the drive if you're not staying right nearby. I highly recommend you check them out.

As a local, it is always our date night choice! We also love their Taco Tuesdays when we can make…read moreit! They always cater to my vegan husband and I absolutely LOVE the vibe here! Grateful for it!

Norman at Norman at Skyview gets one thing undeniably right: the setting is stunning. Overlooking…read morethe charming town of Los Alamos and surrounding ranch land, it feels like a true escape and makes for a beautiful lunch backdrop. Unfortunately, the dining experience didn't live up to the property itself. Service was painfully slow, and my dish arrived cooked differently than requested. Beyond that, the food was simply underwhelming and largely forgettable. I'd absolutely return for the property, pool, and views -- just with much lower expectations for the food.