Sabor & Sazón — Restaurant in Paso Robles

From start to finish, Sabor & Sazon was a home run.

We stumbled across this new restaurant in downtown Paso Robles by accident. The owner’s son was out front and invited us to come try their food. His clear passion and extensive knowledge of the menu grabbed our attention. Seeing the menu and its Spanish/Italian influences sealed the deal.

We chose to sit at the bar since we love to talk to restaurant employees. The restaurant decor was absolutely beautiful, with the perfect mix of modern but old world feel. We couldn’t help but repeatedly comment on how well designed the place was.

Our bartender Jimmy was on point and gave us his recommendations for food. We started with the corn soufflé, accompanied by their house bread and whipped olive spread.

The corn soufflé was incredible. There was this decadent, rich creaminess from the Parmesan cheese sauce, met head on by the sweetness of the corn which resulted in an extremely well balanced dish that we couldn’t resist. It was so good we ordered an extra to take home!

The house bread was also excellent. Perfectly baked, crispy yet soft, and paired with a whipped olive spread. We normally don’t finish a bread basket…this one we did.

Our grilled vegetable salad had this perfect smokiness from the char and eggplant, with just the right amount of dressing to give a counter to the smokiness. Absolutely amazing.

The paella. Oh my. We love a good paella, which is a rare thing these days. The rice was perfectly cooked, the seafood was exceptional and fresh tasting, but most importantly the dish had enough salt! Too often paella is bland and needs salt. Chefs these days are afraid to salt enough, but with a dish like this you need it to bring out the flavors of the spices and seafood. THIS is a paella that stands out. The portion was huge but we nearly finished it. The rest will end up as breakfast with a runny egg. Amazing.

Dessert was the Flan de Coco. Flan should be firm, not runny, and this one hit all the boxes. Nicely firm, a great mix of coco sweetness and the coconut added a textural element we found very enjoyable.

We had a chance to speak with Chef Jorge and it was obvious he had a love for fresh ingredients and soulful food. His excitement to discuss his influences and inspirations further cemented our impressions of the food. He clearly has a passion for creating exciting yet familiar dishes filled with flavor and technique.

We frequent Paso often, with our “must go” list of places we always make sure to hit while in town. Sabor & Sazon just...

I visited Paso Robles with my family for a winery tour, but while exploring the town, we discovered Sabor & Sazon—and what a gem it turned out to be.

The service was truly exceptional. The host, server, and manager were all incredibly kind, attentive, and welcoming. The restaurant's interior had a calm, gentle atmosphere that made it perfect for a relaxing family dinner.

And the food? Absolutely phenomenal.

I ordered the Pappardelle En Rosa with grilled chicken. The rosé cream sauce had a rich, deep flavor that was both unique and perfectly balanced—not something you can easily find elsewhere, but also not overwhelming. Just delicious.

My wife had the Frutti Di Mare, which featured a variety of seafood in a Pomodoro sauce. The seafood was fresh and perfectly cooked, and the sauce tied everything together beautifully. A truly excellent dish that brought out the full flavor of the sea.

Our daughter, a devoted salmon lover, chose the Mandarin Basil Salmon. The salmon was cooked to perfection—crispy on the outside, tender and juicy inside. The mandarin tomato basil sauce paired with it so well that she said it was one of the best salmon dishes she’s ever had.

Our son went for the Lomo Saltado, a dish that seemed inspired by Peruvian cuisine and made with skirt steak. While we weren't entirely sure of the exact style, the flavors were bold and satisfying—he absolutely loved it.

Every single dish and desserts exceeded our expectations. Sabor & Sazon gave our family a truly memorable dining experience. We left full, happy, and already planning to come back. This place is a hidden gem in Paso Robles—highly...

A Hidden Gem That Deserves a Michelin Star

From the moment we walked in, this family-owned restaurant felt like home. The warmth, the hospitality, and the passion behind every dish were impossible to miss. You can truly taste the love in their food — and I don’t say that lightly.

We ordered the Pappardelle en Rosa and the 12 oz Ribeye Steak, and both were out of this world. The pasta was handmade, perfectly cooked, and coated in a sauce so flavorful I found myself scraping the plate. The steak? Cooked to perfection, juicy, and full of depth. Every bite was unforgettable.

What really blew us away was hearing that the chef and pastry chef wake up at 3 AM to start preparing everything from scratch. That kind of dedication is rare — and it shows in every bite. The dessert, crafted by their phenomenal pastry chef, was nothing short of magical. Light, balanced, and creative.

They also offer an impressive wine list that pairs beautifully with the dishes. Service was attentive, personal, and genuinely kind — like being taken care of by close friends.

This place doesn’t just serve food — they serve heart, tradition, and artistry. Honestly, they deserve a Michelin Star. If you haven’t been yet, go. You’ll feel like part of the family — and you’ll leave planning...