Deli$DowntownMon-Sat 09:00-17:00; Sun 10:00-15:00
Lincoln Market & Deli, a 1941 corner store on Broad Street, stacks sandwiches like the Pastrami Sensation for San Luis Obispo families and Cal Poly students.
Signature: Pastrami Sensation, Almost Famous Breakfast Burrito
Order: The Pastrami Sensation on Dutch crunch, plus a fresh-baked cookie.
Tip: Morning pastries come from Back Porch Bakery and the coffee is Joebella; go early for the breakfast burrito.
Mexican$Upper MontereyDaily 10:00-20:30
Taqueria Santa Cruz Express turns out fast al pastor tacos and burritos on Monterey Street, the taqueria San Luis Obispo locals default to on a work night.
Signature: Al pastor tacos, Burritos
Order: Al pastor tacos with everything, plus a horchata.
Tip: The Foothill Boulevard branch at 862 Foothill runs later into the evening for the campus crowd.
Mexican$DowntownSun 10:00-22:00; Mon-Wed 10:00-22:30; Thu-Sat 10:00-01:00
San Luis Taqueria grills burritos and enchiladas on Chorro Street until 01:00 on weekends, downtown San Luis Obispo's dependable after-bars kitchen.
Signature: Burritos, Enchiladas
Order: A carnitas burrito, which also happens to be downtown's best 00:30 decision.
Tip: Thursday to Saturday it serves until 01:00, later than nearly every kitchen downtown.
Vegan$FoothillSun-Thu 11:00-20:00; Fri-Sat 11:00-21:00
Ziggy's flips plant-based burgers and black bean taquitos near the Cal Poly edge of San Luis Obispo, with shakes that hide their dairy-free build well.
Signature: Black bean taquitos, Plant-based burgers
Order: Black bean taquitos under kale slaw and chipotle sauce.
Tip: The vegan menu is clearly labelled; order the house Ziggy patty over the Impossible if you want the original.
Brunch$$DowntownDaily 08:00-16:00
Seeds blends acai bowls, smoothies and paninis on Court Street plaza, San Luis Obispo's default refuel after a morning on the Cerro San Luis trails.
Signature: Acai bowls, Paninis
Order: An acai bowl and a pressed juice after the Cerro San Luis hike.
Tip: The Court Street patio catches morning sun; vegan and vegetarian builds are marked across the menu.
American$$Railroad DistrictMon-Fri 06:30-20:30; Sat 07:30-20:30; Sun 08:00-14:00
Del Monte Cafe has run as a family diner in San Luis Obispo's Railroad District since 1981, cooking breakfast through dinner a block from the Amtrak depot.
Signature: Chicken fried steak, Breakfast plates
Order: The breakfast plates before an Amtrak departure two blocks away.
Tip: Sunday service stops at 14:00; on weekdays it is one of the few diners serving dinner.