Few restaurants hold the distinction of holding two “best of” titles, but for locals in Paso wine country, Fish Gaucho is considered one of the best seafood restaurants in Paso Robles and one of the best Mexican restaurants in Paso Robles. After learning that, we couldn’t wait to try this gem of a restaurant.

Who owns Fish Gaucho?

Paso Robles’ Fish Gaucho restaurant is part of the Park and Pine Restaurant Group, which was founded by Troy Larkin and Donovan Schmit. Troy and Donovan aren’t just business partners in Park and Pine. They’re also cousins. Together these two food lovers have been trying to reinvent the Paso Robles dining scene one new restaurant concept at a time.

In addition to Fish Gaucho, they also own Pappy McGregors, a gastropub, a tiki bar called Cane Tiki Room, and a cool speakeasy cocktail lounge, the Eleven Twenty-Two Speakeasy.

The Location & Atmosphere

Fish Gaucho is located in downtown Paso Robles just a block from the city park on 13th Street and Park Street. The interior is rustic but comfortable, and the space is adorned with kitschy items like a massive carved wooden bull, old-school wine barrels, and some fun wall art. The space invites you to just chill, enjoy your food, and enjoy the company you’re with. 

The Menu

The menu at Fish Gaucho was inspired by coastal Mexico, where seafood is caught fresh daily, and the preparation is simple yet flavorful. We love the cuisine of Baja California, and the food at Fish Gaucho definitely gave us flashbacks to some memorable meals dining al fresco down South.

The most popular local restaurants in Paso Robles, or anywhere, for that matter, have something for everyone. At Fish Gaucho, you will find appetizers and entrees from the sea and the land, specialty tacos, crudo, ceviches, and a beef tartar made with premium Snake River Farms beef.

A few of the standout dishes are: Camarones al Ajillo enchants with juicy shrimp sautéed in garlic butter. The Tacos de Pescado, an absolute must-try, made with grilled fish, nestled within warm corn tortillas, vibrant salsa, crunchy cabbage, and a drizzle of creamy crema – we can vouch for this one; it paired perfectly with an ice-cold beer and margarita.

Margaritas, Cocktails, & Wine

The cocktail and margarita offerings at this downtown Paso Robles Mexican restaurant will make even the most discerning margarita drinkers happy. There are no less than nine margaritas options, including:

• Mach 1: A refreshing margarita made with muddled cucumber, chili, cilantro, lime, and chili salt
• Mango Habanero: A sweet but spicy margarita with mango, habanero infused agave, and black lava sea salt
• Paloma: A grapefruit classic

On the cocktail side, you will find craft cocktails like: 

• Oaxaca Old-Fashioned: A new twist on an old favorite
• Pure Temptation: A boozy milk punch with charred pineapple
• North Garden: An intriguing blend of savory cinnamon simple syrup and saffron bitters  

Wine List

As you might expect from a restaurant in the midst of Paso Robles wine country, the wine list at Fish Gaucho is filled with local favorites, some of which we visited on our trip. We were pleased to find Halter Ranch, Clos Solene, and JUSTIN. 

Our Experience

Where to eat in Paso Robles after you go wine tasting is the question on everyone’s mind when they drive out of their last winery of the day. And when we landed at Fish Gaucho, we couldn’t have been happier. We ordered a big bowl of crispy chips with salsa, a platter of fish street tacos, and a cold beer and margarita and settled into the relaxed ambiance. 

This was a pretty casual meal for us, and we opted to sit at the bar. From start to finish, everything was just perfect. When it’s warm outside, you’ve just gone through a wine tasting. Is there really anything better than well-executed Mexican food and a frosty drink? Who needs more than that?!

Corkage & Reservations

If you’re hoping to bring a bottle of wine you just picked up from your favorite Paso Robles winery, you’re in luck: Corkage at Fish Gaucho is $15 per bottle, and there is no limit on the number of bottles guests can bring.

Fish Gaucho is a great location for large party lunch and dinner reservations. Diners can reserve a spot for up to 18 guests without booking a private room.

Know Before You Go

• Fish Gaucho is a popular Paso Robles restaurant, and reservations are recommended
• Walk-ins are available on a limited basis
• Bar dining is available
• A credit card is required for all reservations, regardless of party size
• The restaurant holds reservations for 15 minutes
• Reservations can be canceled up to 2 hours prior to seating

Closing Thoughts

Fish Gaucho is a great place to eat lunch in Paso Robles in between wine tastings or after an afternoon of tasting. The food is vibrant, and fresh, and a little coastal seafood is perfect for cleansing the palate. Fantastic service, fantastic food, and couldn’t have asked for a better experience.