Rosa's Italian Restaurant

491 Price St Pismo Beach, CA

Hours

Monday - Friday (lunch) 11:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Open daily for dinner 4 p.m. - close

805-773-0551

Visit Website

About

The story of Rosa's Italian Restaurant began in Benino, Italy, when 15-year-old Rosa Cristallo and her family moved to Boston in 1955. The vivacious and fun-loving Rosa fell in love with Bill MacMillan and married in 1966. Spurred by her pioneering spirit, the couple headed west to California and opened a "Rosa's" in Visalia and later Bakersfield.

In 1988, Rosa and Bill moved to Pismo Beach, where they opened Rosa's Italian Restaurant, the hero of our story. While this sounds like the end of our story, it's only the beginning.

Before the Pismo Beach location opened, Rosa's son Douglas was apprenticing as a chef at Quo Vadis restaurant in Turin, Italy. While there, he learned the art of crafting Northern Italian fare that showcases meat dishes and butter and cream sauces. Returning home, he combined this cooking style with his mother's Southern Italian recipes featuring tomato sauces, olive oil, fresh vegetables, pasta, and seafood dishes. In typical Rosa fashion, she embraced her son's passion, gave him the helm, and became an award-winning chef known up and down the California coast.

Douglas has also launched other restaurants with his family. Check out Ada's Fish House and Vista Steak and Seafood, where he flexes his creative prowess as a chef.

Rosa's Italian Restaurant is close to other landmarks like Ashtie's Beach Shack, making it easy to combine shopping and sightseeing in Pismo Beach with fine dining.

Sadly, Rosa and Bill are no longer alive, but you can still sense their zeal for family, passion for fine cuisine, and joy of sharing life at Rosa's Italian Restaurant.

Vibe

The interior of Rosa's Italian Restaurant looks like something you'd see in Italy. Arched windows, Italian light fixtures, and French vanilla-colored walls create a relaxing atmosphere. The wooden chair railing, terra cotta wainscot, and white linen tablecloths add elegance. Paired together, you have a chic yet laid-back ambiance perfect for a romantic dinner or planning a gathering with friends after strolling the Pismo Beach Pier.

The patio area makes dining al fresco divine, whether at lunchtime or savoring dinner beneath a canopy of stars. While any restaurant can design memory-creating decor, what makes Rosa's unique is that it feels more like "home" than a restaurant. Visit and discover how unique Rosa's Italian Restaurant is.

Rosa's Italian Restaurant: Menu & Drinks

Your palate is in for a treat at Rosa's Italian Restaurant! It serves lunch and dinner featuring various fare, ensuring something for everyone in your crew.

A deliciously healthy lunch option is the Nico Salad, which is equally stunning to behold. The salad features butter leaf lettuce, green apples, Gorgonzola cheese, candied walnuts, and pomegranates. This deliciousness is crowned with a house-made apple-cider vinaigrette for a tart, crisp, and sweet finish. The good news is that it is also served at dinnertime.

Speaking of dinner, the Tutto Mare is a seafood lover's dream come true. It features shrimp, salmon, clams, cod, calamari, and mussels. The seafood comes in a garlic, olive oil, and tomato sauce with linguine.

Capellini al Naturale is a light pasta dish featuring fresh tomatoes, basil, garlic, and virgin olive oil. For an additional cost, add prawns, chicken, or salmon. Other pasta choices include lasagna, fettuccine alfredo, and ravioli. Rosa's also serves pizzas and calzones, along with steaks, chicken, and lamb entrees.

Craft cocktails abound at Rosa's with creations like the Spaghetti Western. This classic features house-aged Old Fashioned served over a big rock with a flame-torched orange peel. The Italian Garden uses strawberry and cucumber house-infused vodka, jalapeno, black pepper-infused vodka, rosemary, lime, agave nectar, and club soda. It's a refreshing and invigorating cocktail with a kick of heat.

Whether you are seeking a romantic night out or a cozy place for friends or family, Rosa's Italian Restaurant will take your Pismo Beach vacation to new heights.

Local Tips

The Children's Plates makes the eatery family-friendly.
Reservations are strongly encouraged.
Public parking is two blocks north and a short walk to Rosa's Italian Restaurant.
The website features specials that are delicious and cost-effective.
Order take-out and enjoy your meal in the comfort of your Casago rental.
Check out their Banquet Information for your next special event or occasion.

Location

491 Price St Pismo Beach, CA

Frequently Asked Questions

If someone only had one day in Avila Beach, what should be on the itinerary?

Avila Beach is a small seaside town with a big-time charm that’s hard to condense into one day. But if we had to choose, our perfect day would start with breakfast and coffee at Fat Cat’s Cafe on Harford Pier. With classic breakfast food anyone would enjoy and located right next to the pier, it’s easy to walk off that delicious meal while enjoying the morning coastal air and listening to the sounds of the Pacific Ocean waves. You might even catch a glimpse of the local herd of sea lions. Being outside is a must, whether it’s walking the beach or taking a hike through the hills. Bob Jones Trail is highly recommended for people a leisurely biking/walking trail that goes from the land to the sea and can be accessed right from Downtown Avila.

After breakfast, take a drive down the famous Highway 1- a great way to experience the rich biodiversity of the central coast. Explore other nearby coastal towns like Morro Bay and Cayucos, each with its own unique charm.

However, the main thing to do in Avila Beach is relax. Spend time on the incredible beaches, get your toes in the sand, and enjoy the serene environment. Don’t miss the chance to shop the boutiques, go wine tasting, or dine at the ocean-side restaurants.

To wrap up the day, Mr. Rick’s offers a lively scene with great drinks and live music. One of the most popular places in Downtown Avila, hangout out with the locals and get a feel for what life is like in Avila.

What are the top 3 restaurants I should visit in Pismo Beach?

While exploring the culinary delights of Pismo Beach and its surroundings, there are three top-tier restaurants you simply must visit. Each offers a unique dining experience that’s a testament to the area’s rich gastronomic culture.

First up, venture a little south to Arroyo Grande to visit Ember, renowned for its commitment to seasonal fare and artisanal wood-fired cooking techniques. The atmosphere is cozy and inviting, perfectly complementing a menu that’s both innovative and comforting. Each dish reflects the chef’s passion for farm-to-table philosophy and the rich agricultural bounty of California’s Central Coast.

Next, Nate’s on Marsh in San Luis Obispo is a gem that locals and visitors alike adore. This eatery prides itself on a creative menu that pairs classic comfort food with a modern twist. The ambiance combines casual elegance with a touch of historical charm, set within the vibrant downtown scene of San Luis Obispo, making it a delightful culinary stop.

Lastly, Ox + Anchor in San Luis Obispo is a modern take on the classic steakhouse, serving up prime cuts of meat alongside fresh, locally-sourced seafood. The chic and sophisticated decor sets the stage for an upscale dining experience. The wine list is as impressive as the menu, featuring local Central Coast vineyards and beyond, ensuring the perfect pairing for your meal.

Each of these restaurants is a destination in itself, promising not just a meal, but a memorable dining experience that captures the spirit of the region.

What are the biggest events in Pismo & Avila Beach area?

When vacationing in Pismo Beach, CA, there are two main events that are absolute must-sees, each offering a unique slice of what makes this coastal city so special. The first is the Monarch Butterfly Arrival, a natural spectacle that takes place from late October through February. During these months, Pismo Beach becomes a temporary home to thousands of vibrant Monarch butterflies. The sight of these delicate creatures fluttering en masse is truly mesmerizing and one of nature’s most beautiful displays. Visitors from all over gather at the Monarch Butterfly Grove to witness this annual migration, which has become a beloved and awe-inspiring sight in the community.

Another event steeped in local tradition is the Pismo Beach Clam Festival, a hallmark event since 1946. This festival is a celebration of the city’s clamming legacy, inviting locals and visitors to enjoy a weekend full of festivities. With a parade, live music, food vendors, and a clam chowder cook-off, it encapsulates the heartwarming community spirit and the gastronomic heritage of Pismo Beach. The Clam Festival not only pays homage to the city’s past but also offers a delightful experience for all ages, making it an unmissable event for anyone visiting Pismo Beach.