Splash Café — Restaurant in Pismo Beach

Small cafe in a small town. Best known for their clam chowder, it is great. Pismo Beach relies on tourism and thus this cafe is busy during the summer. With the small size of the cafe, there isn't much room for tables to eat the food there. Luckily there is plenty of counter space if there isn't a table available. Even after the typical lunch rush (after 1330 or 130PM) on a saturday the line to order is out the door and at times around the corner. The sidewalk around the corner is narrow compared to newer sidewalks. This has the unfortunate side effect that the outdoor tables that used to be there are no more to accomodate the line to order when it backs up around the corner. There is a pick up window on that small sidewalk near the back of the cafe which is convenient if you want to order ahead and take it to go. It means that the space for a few tables is now occupied for this takeout window. After you do order, you grab a table ot space at a counter and then when your order is ready, one of the employees will take it out to you. Most of the employees are very friendly and helpful. I had a small issue where I asked for a to go container and I had dropped one of the pieces of foil the employee had given me. The employee picked it up off the floor before I could get to it and put it on top of the other piece of foil I still had in my hand. I'm glad she picked it up for me but a bit disgusted that something on the floor was put into my hand holding a piece of clean foil: making both ofnthem dirty. As for the food we had the clam chowder, loaf of sourdough and the calamari & chips. The french fries were good, they were cooked well done though the seasoning was light. I ciuld barely taste the seasoning without any condiments and ketchup totally overwhelmed the seasonings so that they might as well only have been salted at that point. The calamari was good by itself and the tartar sauce is great but overwhelmed the calamari with the flavor. There was only one lemon wedge whichbwas enoigh for maybe half the calamari so hopefully a bigger or second wedge is added in the future. The lemon accented the calamari without overwhelming it. The sourdough loaf was great but with it being buttered and toasted on only side the taste wasn't uniform, felt uneven and too light. I think if it was buttered and toasted on both sides, it would solve this issue. I ordered a bread bowl of clam chowder while my parents ordered a regular bowl. I think we had the same amount of chowder. Also I feel like the sourdough bread bowl tasted better than the sourdough load, the taste of the bread was stronger, a bit more sour. Stronger flavor, but not too strong. All of my family said there were only a fee bits of clams in each of our bowls and a few pieces were chewy like the clam pieces were old and or overcooked. All of us had the seafood topping added to our bowls which was a great choice. It added mini shrimps and imitation crab meat, helped make uo for the small amount of clams. Will definitely come back again, preferably in...

Splash Café in Pismo Beach is a local gem that exudes a charmingly eclectic vibe both inside and out. The moment you step in, you're greeted by a vibrant atmosphere filled with colorful murals, quirky decorations, and a lively, welcoming energy. The casual, beachy ambiance perfectly complements the café's coastal location, making it a popular spot for both locals and tourists seeking a relaxed dining experience.

The menu at Splash Café is a seafood lover's paradise, boasting an impressive array of dishes that celebrate the ocean's bounty. From fresh fish tacos to shrimp scampi, every item is crafted with care and showcases the best of local seafood. However, it’s their clam chowder that truly steals the show. Served in a sourdough bread bowl, this creamy, award-winning chowder is rich, flavorful, and packed with tender clams, making it a must-try for anyone visiting the café.

One of the standout features of Splash Café is its proximity to the waterfront. Located just minutes away from the beach, it's an ideal spot to grab a meal before or after a day of seaside activities. The café’s outdoor seating allows patrons to soak up the sun and enjoy the coastal breeze while savoring their food, enhancing the overall dining experience with the sights and sounds of the nearby ocean.

The service at Splash Café is as delightful as its menu. The staff is friendly, attentive, and always ready to offer recommendations or share the café’s history with curious diners. Whether you're a first-time visitor or a regular, you’ll feel right at home in this warm, inviting environment. The combination of excellent service and mouth-watering food has earned Splash Café a loyal following and a stellar reputation.

Overall, Splash Café is more than just a place to eat; it's a Pismo Beach institution. Its eclectic décor, extensive seafood menu, and signature clam chowder make it a standout destination for anyone looking to experience the best of coastal California cuisine. The café's unique charm and unbeatable location near the waterfront ensure that it remains a beloved favorite among both locals and...

Disappointed by the Hype – Not Worth the Price

I had high hopes for Splash Café, especially with all the buzz around their clam chowder and their long-standing reputation as a must-visit Pismo Beach spot. Articles on the wall even mentioned their chowder hitting Costco’s frozen section, and their most recent accolade from 2018 seemed to back it up. But unfortunately, my experience didn’t live up to the hype.

I ordered a bowl of clam chowder, fish and chips, and a bottle of water — and ended up paying $32.37. The wall menu listed fish and chips at $15.95 with fries included, but I was charged $16.45 plus $1.50 more for fries. When I asked about the difference, the cashier admitted the price on the wall didn’t match what was in the register and said, “Yeah, I wish they’d update it.” That alone felt misleading.

The food itself was even more disappointing. The takeout box was greasy and stained, which was off-putting. The cod looked well-fried with a light batter, but it was tough and lacked flavor — not flaky or seasoned well at all. The fries had the same overly salty seasoning, and the clam chowder, while fresh, was also very salty, which made it hard to enjoy.

For a place known for its seafood and clam chowder, I expected better quality and more attention to detail. With all the media attention and the long line out the door, maybe it was just an off day — but at over $30 for a single meal, I left disappointed and feeling like it just...