The Spoon Trade

Walked in on a Friday night and were seated in less than 10 minutes - great start! **Drinks:** The Busy Bee cocktail and Mexican lager were perfect. **5 stars.** **Appetizers:** The home-baked sourdough bread? Absolutely delicious. **5 stars.** **Food:** Tried the duck ramen and ratatouille, both incredible. **5 stars.** **Everything else:** Service, ambience, vibes? All top-notch. **5 stars.** Our server even invited us back for lunch, mentioning they serve the same amazing menu at more affordable prices Thursday through Sunday. We’ll definitely be back to try more!!

The food was absolutely delicious - we tried tomato salad, grilled sourdough, artichoke, and chicken tenders with honey and mashers from the kids menu. Everything was great and flavorful. Hostess was very sweet and engaging 💕

Everything is scratch made, the owner Brooke was very helpful and nice.... I had the scratch made bologna sandwich, it was mind blowing! My wife had the scratch made Chicken and dumplings, and they were fantastic! They also sampled their Tomato bisque... Again delicious! Highly recommend!

The Spoon Trade is an absolute gem! From DAY ONE, the food has been consistently amazing. Every dish bursts with flavor and creativity. Jake and Brooke, the owners, are some of the best and sweetest people I have ever met; their talent shines through every dish, and their caring, humble nature makes you feel right at home as soon as you walk in. It's heartwarming to see them helping out the staff when needed and engaging with all the customers to create a family-like environment. Our server, Drew, not only provided detailed descriptions of the menu but also made the experience so much fun. I can't recommend this restaurant enough!! You won't find anything like it.

The place where the menu reflects the genius, creativity, passion of a chef that has a great love of food. Grateful he shares this experience of delicious food. Respect💗👍🏻

Everything here is so good!! All homemade and wonderful. The service was very nice, great outside seating, and great drinks. We loved the chicken and waffles, chicken and dumplings and the chocolate chip bread pudding!

Quaint little neighborhood diner that has amazing American/Asian fusion cuisine. We noticed that there were several awards on the walls for their fried chicken, so we got the Chicken & Waffles and were not disappointed. Crispy and surprisingly juicy. I never like chicken breast since I always find it dry, but this was just as juicy and tender as their dark meat. We also got the steak tartare appetizer and the duck ramen and both were also great.

This place has never let us down. The food is always fantastic and the wait staff are supremely personable. I love the phrase they used when went recently. "Have fun". Food should be delicious and fun. We received an octopus dish previously, gratis, from the chef. The owners are typically always there and care about what they do, and how they do it. Classified, perhaps, as refined hominess. This restaurant always feels very welcoming and accommodating. Skip the wood-fired spot down the way, which has become a bit more commercialized, and spend your money here. You will not be disappointed.

Was in on 10/6 and my boyfriend and I had the catch of the day. It was halibut almondine, and while not traditional it was absolutely delicious! There was a base of sweet corn pudding and green beans, with a ton of fresh herbs and slivered almonds. The fish and almonds were cooked in butter, with the halibut perfectly browned on each side. The meal was on the smaller side, and was quite pricey but was worth every bite. Also there was a service dog out on the patio, and the inside was nicely air conditioned. Our server was attentive as always, and I got one of the amazing almond flour brownies for desert and my boyfriend got a root beer float. All and all a great dining experience as always!

Cute restaurant. Kitschy but comfortable and not pretentious. I love the open kitchen. The staff were welcoming and engaged. The food was good overall. Different for us. Elevated southern comfort food at an overpriced price point. We had the bread pudding (yummmm), the chicken fried sausage (rich but good), and the Fish of the Day (small portion of fish for the price). Part of the last dish was phenomenal but the side dish was a kitchen sink concoction that didn't come together as well as they thought. I was told it was green beans but it was more than that, a summer salad if you will with leftover ingredients. Some of the other dishes looked good that we could see on other tables. So we will be back for a second try.

This place is wonderful in every sense of the word! The front staff are kind and welcoming. The service is great. The kitchen staff are fast, expert and friendly too! Incredibly accommodating of food allergies. The food is delicious. Not just good, amazing. I had the ratatouille with an egg as an addition, and it was hands down the best I've ever had. No under/overcooked sad vegetables here--everything was caramelized to perfection and really brought out the best in the fresh produce. My partner had the duck ramen and they reported that it was equally outstanding! For dessert we had the pot de creme with shortbread cookies; unbelievably good! There is both indoor and outdoor seating available, and the indoor dining room has a view into the kitchen.

Great food! Good service. It can get a little loud especially with our table. Our waiter was great. Only negative I had we waited about while at the front before someone came to seat us and there was a couple before us that said they were waiting for a while also. I hard the pork chop which was great. Everyone at our table raved about their meals. Everyone had nothing but great things to say about the food. I got a taste a fork of almost every plate and every one of them was delicious. Can't wait to go back and try another great plate

We saw this place on Triple D and had to visit on our next trip here. The fried bologna sandwich with house made everything was delicious as was Ysa's cheeseburger! Oh, and those potatoes! Never had them like that before and the portions are huge! The elderberry spritz and Mexi beer were outstanding! What a great find and definitely not a dive! We'll be back next time we visit the area!

We saw this place on DD&D so thought we'd give it a try! The place itself is bright and inviting with plenty of outdoor dining available and inside you are able to watch the chefs at work which is pretty cool. Our waitress was super friendly and took the time to tell us about the dishes. I had the tomato soup and my husband had the bologna sandwich which let me tell you, he does NOT eat bologna! Both were amazing and let me say that soup was DELICIOUS! I'd throw some meatballs in that and call it a day!!! Beautiful place, friendly staff and delicious food! We will certainly be back'

Visited for their snack hour (offered 4-5pm, Wed-Sun) and sat at the bar. Along with a few beers (recommend the fruity Raddler for a refreshing spritz), we tried the delectable tartare bites on toasted sourdough ($9), the crispy fried chicken tenders served with a buttermilk dipping sauce ($9), and a shortbread dessert ($13) with fresh berries & cream. Everything was delicious - I only wish there was a bit more! However, they make everything fresh in house with locally sourced ingredients and breads from their own bakery, and the prices reflect this high quality. Bar service was kind and attentive, and from the few patron around us, this seems like a casual, friendly spot where local regulars know the staff personally. Parking was easy in the lot at this hour. We'll definitely be back for dinner! (Front and side patios are both dog friendly, for those wondering!)

This is my favorite restaurant in all of SLO County. The food, the service, and the ambiance are all amazing! I've gone twice & both times did not disappoint. The first time I had the chicken & waffles are they are the best I've ever had! The Fried Bologna Sandwich beats what I've had in the South. And the Cheesy Bread Pudding is FANTASTIC!! Definitely order it when you go! I can't speak highly enough of Spoon Trade. I will gladly return multiples in the future!

Hands down my favorite meal of my trip up north! As a veg I got the cheesy bread pudding (could have eaten 5 of these lol) and the ratatouille. Both were insane! Hubby got the burger and potatoes. Loved the potatoes too!!

The service was warm and welcoming, and the food was thoroughly enjoyable. The interior is charming and adds to the experience. While it's definitely worth a visit, it feels more like an occasional treat rather than a regular spot. The only negative is that it feels a little pricey for what it is.

On a last minute birthday outing, my best friend and I found this place via Yelp and Google and quickly ventured over on a busy Wednesday night. Initially, we requested outdoor seating, but the sunny weather in Santa Maria missed Grover Beach that day. . After checking in with the host, we waited less than ten minutes and were seated at a half booth table near the patio entrance and restrooms. The space is bigger than small, but not quite large with all kinds of spoons hanging above the host stand. It was clean and spacious enough to walk through without hitting the back of someone's chair. . I can't remember our server's name, but he was a tall, bald gentleman with a firm and raspy voice. Very well versed on the menu and answered any and all of our questions. Everything on the menu here is made from scratch which always sets the taste test bar high. They own the local bakery across the way, Grover Beach Sourdough, so of course all the menu items containing bread are made with their phresh dough and flour daily. . To my pleasure and surprise, there were many vegan and vegetarian options on the menu so no one misses out on the fantastic food here. We started off with the Cheesy Bread Pudding which was an all around favorite for everyone at the table. I kept it light with the Tomato Soup that came with a side of potatoes which were soft and hot upon biting into them and golden crisp on the exterior. . Since it was a birthday outing, I ordered a dessert beforehand (the shortcake), but ended up with the Brown Sugar Pot De Creme, although it wasn't what I ordered, it was really tasty and again everyone I was dining with loved it. I asked them to put a candle in it for the birthday girl and they delivered on that end. For four people our grand total was approximately $126 before tip. Worth every penny. . Cannot rave about this place enough, it's really a diamond in the rough and well worth any and all hype. If you're looking for upscale food with a welcoming casual atmosphere, go to The Spoon Trade!

Came by on a Thursday night around 7pm. We had a rowdy group with reservations so we were seated right away. Greeted immediately by our awesome server who recommended some items on the drink menu that didn't disappoint! Ordered quite a bit of food, but I personally loved the Halibut and the Duck Ramen. Great flavors from both of these dishes! Our group enjoyed the food so much that I barely got any pictures because they ravaged every dish as soon as it arrived! Great service and great food so we will definitely be returning!

Fantastic food and dog friendly patio! They have a great happy hour menu too. One of our favorite spots for when we are in town. Understand they are going to be featured on Diners, Drive in and Dives soon too! Certainly a great spot and now the secret will be out :)

I had the duck ramen. Pretty delicious. My partner had the burger. Very tasty. Small menu so everything is made on the spot (except the ramen broth). Definitely a hidden gem in Pismo area.

Absolutely great service and food is so good. Must have tomato soup and grilled cheese. Pot de crème is amazing. This place is just as much about the service and the staff as it is the food. The whole thing together makes 100% great experience.

Excellent food, customer service went above and beyond, and ambiance was beautiful. Highly recommend and would eat here again. 11 out of 10

My favorite place. The food is always unique and delicious. I've mentioned before my husband is a fussy eater. This is visit he returned to his fave: cheesy bread pudding. He also got the chicken/waffle. Which he loved. I had the dish of the day and soup. Out if this world. So the food is amazing. But why do we keep coming back? It's the people. Seeing the same, friendly faces helping us have an amazing dining experience. This was our first time meeting Shyloh. She is a perfect fit for the Spoon Trade family. Thank you Shyloh. For heightening my birthday dinner. See you all soon.

Service was attentive, fast with helpful opinions. Food was very local, very fresh and inventive. Really appreciated the selection of vegetarian options. Will definitely return!

Tried this little gem for the first time last night. Service from Sara was outstanding, owners were welcoming and food was amazing. Chef even brought us out a sampler of their tomato soup since we were first timers. Trust me it was so tasty, I will be back for that alone. My husband and I had the chicken and waffles, never had a sour dough waffle before but it was fantastic, chicken was moist and coating was crispy and flavorful, portions were huge. Ambience was quaint, has indoor and outdoor seating, but location is small but they take reservations as well as walk-ins. We're planning on going back just to try other things on the menu.

Make a reservation, or be ready to wait 15\20 minutes. Worth the wait! Fantastic food, everyone was happy. Loved the artichoke in bearnaise sauce. And huge portion of Duck noodle soup. Fun cocktails and fresh lemonade.

We found out about this place because of Diners, Drive-in, and Dives. Very cute atmosphere. Great service. I had the duck noodle soup, which it was amazing, the broth is something I could bottle and take it home. My husband had to have the bologna sandwich because that's one of the things Guy Fieri tried. He said it was really good.. It's a little bit pricey, but everything's freshly made, and the servings are very large. We could've easily shared.

My parents and I dined at this charming little restaurant, and it was an absolute delight! From the moment we stepped in, we knew we were in for a treat. We kicked off our meal with the sourdough bread appetizer and the cheese bread pudding, both of which were simply fantastic. For my main course, I chose the chicken and sage sausage with dumplings, and I can honestly say it was one of the best dishes I've ever had. My father went for the swordfish, and he couldn't stop raving about how delicious it was! My mom opted for the vegetarian ratatouille, which she thoroughly enjoyed. If you're ever in Pismo or Grover Beach, this restaurant is a must-visit! While it's a bit on the pricier side, I truly believe it's worth every penny. The staff were incredibly friendly and attentive, making our experience even more enjoyable. I can't wait to go back!

Delicious and excellent service! We had a hard time choosing. I had the ratatouille and my friend had the avocado toast. Both were divine!! For dessert we shared the brown sugar pot de crème - so, so good!! I'd visit this area just to enjoy this restaurant again. 10 stars!

We got the fried chicken and waffles and it was awesome. Not to mention the grilled cheese. WE LOVE SPOON TRADE

On vacation in Pismo Beach, our family stumbled upon this little magical place. They had great options for the kids including an amazing grilled cheese and the best waffle - covered in honey. The decor of spoons kept the kids busy while the adults enjoyed surprisingly fresh food and the best tomato soup I've ever had and I'm not usually a fan. It wasn't acidic and you could taste almost every herb. The server was super helpful and gave us recommendations to other local spots. The only downside was this place wasn't open Monday - Tuesday because if it was we would have eaten there every day!

The service was friendly, helpful and efficient and the food was outstanding. Everything that was served to our party of 4 was shared and it was all delicious! The fried chicken and waffles is the best I've ever had. We aren't locals but we do pass through periodically and will definitely be returning.

Amazing food and service. The owners are super friendly and knowledgeable and eager to show you a really great time. The menu has something for everyone. Panzanella salad was fantastic and everything we had was delicious. We will be back.

I've heard so many great things about The Spoon Trade that my husband and I just had to go. Delicious fried chicken! Crunchy and tender.. worth the high price. Actually, every restaurant is grossly overpriced right now so, might as well make smart choices with your $$. That being said, this was worth the &$!

You guys! This place is such a great spot for a casual dining experience with uniquely delicious dishes. The presentation is always killer and the service is also exceptional. Do yourself a favor and visit this spot ASAP!

Went here for happy hour and all the food was beyond delicious. We sat at the window on barstools to get the happy hour pricing and the restaurant itself is small but cozy and well kept, it's nice you can see into the kitchen. Our server CJ was phenomenal, quick and so attentive!

So. F-ing. Good! We loved every thing we got here so much that neither my husband nor myself could decide what our favorite dish was. I highly recommend the cheesy bread pudding, artichoke, Tritip tartare, and the cauliflower tikki masala. And the pot d crème was divine! Our server Alyssa was so cool and fantastic, and the place was relaxed enough to be comfortable without feeling anything less than classy. Highest compliments to everyone involved! If you're near by, go here!!!

Please don't go here and eat up all the unreal, most crispy, piping hot, drizzled in honey and fried rosemary fried chicken. Definitely don't top it with the kimchi or the hot sauce they deliver with the top off already upon request. Their house cocktails are so good - I had the grapefruit sparkler/grapefruit vermouth, bubbles and a lime. Tasty! This place is gold! Brooke, one of the owners, found us the best place to sit: Brooke's Nook. We had a little corner all to ourselves including the best view of the sunset. The portions are generous, our server, Noelle, got our fried chicken order in early so we wouldn't have to wait too long to eat, and Brooke came to check on us and ended up telling us the dearest story about how she and her husband travelled the US sampling fried chicken and devising their own recipe and their concept. (She also included the generosity of the city of grover beach in helping them stay open during the pandemic and all the changes they'd gone through to keep their place open). Honestly, it felt like being part of a warm family. Plenty of space for groups and an open kitchen plus, of course, the hundreds of spoons decorating the walls. This was such a find and a delight.

I heard about this spot from my son, he mentioned the great choices and said the chef from the restaurant where he works eats here regularly. Took the family there and we loved the ambience and service. The big hit was the amazing buttermilk fried chicken on top of a tasty sourdough waffle. The best chicken and waffles I have had!! For dessert I tried the Hard Rootbeer float, perfect finish to a great night. Don't come here in a hurry and make reservations, this spot is hot!

This place deserves 100000 stars! We were lucky to find this place as we were staying at sycamore springs and all the food by our hotel and beaches was subpar . We came here on our last night for dinner and WOW! Everything on the menu was delicious. We had grilled artichokes, cheese pudding bread, tri tip, fried chicken, and the ramen. Everything was a 10 out of 10. All their food is local and made in house. The staff is knowledgeable and super friendly. DON'T MISS OUT ON THIS!

You will not find a more hospitable group in all of slo county. Kind, funny, thoughtful team at spoon trade, and they are the backbone of this exceptional restaurant. The food is also tremendous and worth the drive from SLO on the regular.

My first impression I was a pretty weary of the high prices. BUT, the food was clearly elevated. I could hear other customers talking about their meals being so good. I got a cup of cauliflower soup and the beet bread appetizer ($30 with tip). I was greeted when I walked in and offered to have my choice of seating. The service was good, staff were friendly (the owner was my server). They have a dog friendly patio which is always a win in my book. Inside was cute, clean, contemporary and cozy. Highly recommend. I'd be here 3x week if the prices were 15% lower!! However, as much as I may feel it's a few dollar over priced, it is farm fresh and amazingly prepared with beautiful presentation - so - I can't really fault them.

Service was excellent, friendly and helpful. Food was outstanding, everything on the plate had great flavor. It was there 9th anniversary and they had live entertainment. We have been coming since their first year and they keep getting better.

Delightful meal here on a sunny Wednesday afternoon. We sat outside on the patio. The food was very good, and the service and setting were even better. We should have tried it before. We'll definitely return.

The food was AMAZING! The cheesy bread pudding was sooo savory! Kiddos LOVED their chicken tenders and hubby LOVED THE FRIED CHICKEN AND WAFFLES! seriously the very best we've ever had. GO!

For was super tasty. It took a little longer to come out than we expected, but was worth the wait. Atmosphere is very casual, although many people were wearing more business casual. (I didn't feel under dressed in jeans and a nice top)

We hadn't been to the spoon trade in quite some time so decided to go. Our server was Drew. He was very busy. All the wait staff were terrific making sure we had water, etc.. I tried a couple of wines one that I picked and one that I guess the bartender thought I might like which I did. It was a Sauvignon Blanc. My husband and I both had the fish of the day which was halibut it was so good. I had broccoli instead of asparagus. It had leeks which were terrific because they were buttery with sliced almonds. I ended up having dessert which was a chocolate chip cookie with ice cream and caramel sauce. Was very good and not too big so I could eat it. We did not order any bread but might next time and the fried potatoes looked excellent. So they have Fish every now and then at market price. I think for the most part everything else is the same on the menu. It was very crowded and a little noisy, but not a big deal. It started to rain so some people that were sitting outside. Had to come inside. That's California for you.

five stars, five stars! one of my favorite foods ever is steak tartare. it's so easy to mess it up but spoon trade does NOT. not only is the ratio of meat to sauce perfect, but it is served with freshly grilled sourdough bread. the perfect vehicle to sop up the plate. their entrees are amazing, but i am a dessert person and their pot de creme is CHEF'S KISS! absolutely divine, the cookies are crumbly and pair well with the silky, vanilla custard. the best way to top off a meal. the ambiance and service is top tier as well. they take time to explain the plates as they serve them but not in an overbearing way, more of an appetizer to what your taste buds will experience.

SO pleasantly surprised by this casual restaurant in Grover Beach! Met up with an old friend and this was the halfway mark between us (PLUS they seemed to have good vegetarian options) ---fried bologna sandwich: WOW completely exceeded my expectations, flavorful and great with that runny cheese, never had bologna like this ---cheeseburger & fries: juicy, great robust burger patty AND the fries were like nothing I've ever had, almost like deep fried homefries, yummy Our friends got the roasted vegetable Tikka and enjoyed it! Will be coming back when we're in the area again

This place is amazing! Food is so tasty and creative. Blue fin bacon sandwich appetizer was unreal! The service is top notch too. They are so passionate about their food, it's contagious!

My first time! What a lovely evening on the patio. Started with a glass of Chardonnay,from Edna Valley. The service was impeccable, personable and knew what a little one needs when eating with adults. I had lamb meatloaf. It was amazing. Served on the Grover Sourdough toast, and mushroom gravy. So tasty, delicious from first bite to last. A generous serving. The carrots were something special. Not just cooked carrots but finished well on outside. I wish I'd gotten a picture of my brown butter cookies and the pot de cream. So yummy! Lovely dinner - will go back soon!

This place is spectacular! The food is amazing and they have several wonderful options for gluten- free and dairy-free people so they really have something for everyone. The vibe is fun and welcoming. They have a vegan (it's dairy free!) tikka masala that will blow your mind. You can add the duck (which was so moist and delicious) to it if you are looking for some extra protein. The fried chicken was crispy, sweet and so juicy and tender. I highly recommend this place!

Amazing service and wonderful food minutes from the beach in Grover. I would highly recommend the sourdough bread that is homemade at their bread shop next door. Both indoor and outdoor dining. Outdoor dining is pet friendly.

Most amazing Steak Au Poivre with a peppercorn sauce that with make you question all reality it's so good - get in here and try everything. Service is incredible and the food is outstanding; craft cocktails are delicious and artfully curated by Dillon at the bar. You will not be sorry! Don't wait til this place gets a Michelin Star- then you will never get in here to eat.

Excellent service, great wine recommendations and the food is to die for!! Very unique specials and a nice patio!