Minutes from downtown, a great post-wine tasting dinner spot, friendly service, and good food: Cello hits all the right notes when it comes to dining in Paso Robles.

Why you will love Cello Ristorante & Bar

• Conveniently located in the Allegretto Vineyards Resort
• Excellent customer service
• Elegant “wine country” decor
• Lots of menu options for vegetarian & gluten-free diners
• Gorgeous patio dining
• Dog friendly – with a “canine” menu

Decor & Ambiance

The decor and ambiance at Cello mirror that of a Mediterranean villa. The courtyard to the restaurant/hotel is dotted with olive trees, and Italian Cyprus can be found throughout the property. Inside, the restaurant decor is all cool gray stone walls, herringbone wood flooring, and shimmering chandeliers. An open kitchen allows diners to see the chefs prepping, cooking, plating, and grilling. 

Because this is California’s Central Coast, al fresco dining is very popular at Cello and in Paso Robles in general, where the weather is just perfect for it. If you venture to the back of the restaurant, you will find ample patio seating and a few fire pits, which look like the perfect place for a pre-or post-dinner cocktail.

The Location

Cello Ristorante is located within the Allegretto Vineyard Resort, one of Paso Robles’ few four-star hotels. The resort is minutes from downtown, a scenic 15 to 20-minute drive to many of the region’s wineries, and close to the 101, which is extremely convenient. Hotel restaurants can be a little hit or miss, so we were pleasantly surprised to find this gem within ours.

The Menu & Food

The menu at Cello has been thoughtfully crafted in the spirit of Italian cuisine. The dinner menu includes lighter, first-course dishes like Pasta e Fagioli, a Seafood Soup, and a Beet Salad made with candied walnuts and tangy goat cheese. Heartier options include tangy Margarita Pizza or earthy Mushroom and Garlic Pizza, which go great with the local Paso Robles’ wine, as do wood-fired meats like the Double-Cut Lamb Chops and the Brined Center-Cut Pork Chop. 

Many dishes can be made gluten-free, and there are a number of plant-forward vegetarian options. In other words, there is something for everyone at Allegretto Vineyard Resort’s Cello restaurant. 

It’s also worth mentioning that Cello is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The restaurant even has a “Canine” Menu if you happen to be traveling with your pup.

The Dining Experience

Spring in Paso Robles is a busy time of year. This region gets warm – really warm – during the summer months, so many wine tourists choose to visit in the spring and fall months. As you can imagine, the restaurant was pretty bustling the night we dined, and some guests were louder than others – we happened to be seated next to a table that was really enjoying their evening.

So, shout-out to our waiter, Ethan, who, recognizing this, moved us to a quieter spot in the restaurant. We really appreciated this, and it allowed us to relax and unwind with some terrific food and wine.  

Now, for the food. While there were a number of enticing pasta and more indulgent meat options on the menu, after a day filled with wine tasting, we decided to go a bit lighter on dinner that evening. We ultimately selected the Miso-Planked Salmon with asparagus and baby potatoes and the Muscovy Duck Breast & Leg Confit served with seasonal asparagus and potatoes. The salmon was great; the duck was average. Not to say that the duck was bad, but it was just “okay.”

We love a good chocolate dessert, and we could not resist the Decadent Chocolate Brownie, a heavenly dessert of chocolate mousse, creme Anglaise, and mixed berries. It was absolutely delicious.

The Wine List

The wine list at Cello Ristorante is designed around local wineries in Paso Robles and neighboring Monterey County, with a smattering of Napa Valley and Sonoma County wines thrown in. One feature that makes the wine list stand out is the by-the-glass offerings. Most restaurants cap their by-the-glass wines at five or sixes bottles of red and white, but Cello revs that up to a solid nine red wines to choose from and eleven white/rosé wines. 

If you spend the day visiting multiple wineries, as we did, and you feel like ordering just a glass or two rather than a whole bottle, this list has a lot of options for you.    

Final Thoughts

Overall, Cello Ristorante & Bar is a great option for those looking for an authentic Italian dining experience in Paso Robles. Hotel restaurants can be a little hit or miss, but the ambiance here is great. We recommend Cello as a dining option the next time you visit Paso.