Giuseppe's Cucina Rustica – Italian
Sun-drenched coastal charm meets the soulful warmth of an Italian farmhouse at this bustling eatery, where the air is thick with the scent of simmering brodo and golden, savory panzarotti. Guests gather over steaming bowls of creamy Pismo-style clam chowder and tender polpette, savoring a menu that honors family traditions through vibrant, rustic flavors. From the crisp snap of calamari fritti to the comforting layers of eggplant parmigiana, every plate captures the heart of a home-cooked feast shared among friends.
849, Monterey Street, San Luis Obispo, 93401 https://www.giuseppesrestaurant.com/0Cuisine: Italian
Price range: $$
Dietary options: vegetarian, vegan, high-protein, low-carb, keto, pescatarian, whole30, paleo, plant-based, low-sodium, heart-healthy, low-fat, high-fiber, gerd, anti-inflammatory, dash-sodium-reduced, atkins, south-beach, low-cholesterol, alkaline, aip, tlc, volumetrics, renal, carnivore, zone, macrobiotic, lectin-free, slow-carb
Currently open
Hours
- Monday - Sunday
- 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Menu
Antipasti
Appetizers
- Bruschetta - $8: vine ripe local tomato, basil, mozzarella Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, TLC Available at: dinner, lunch
- Pismo Style Clam Chowder - $11: creamy clam chowder, little neck clams, X-V-O-O Available at: dinner, lunch
- Mama's Chicken Soup - $11: chicken thighs, spinach tortellini, root vegetables Available at: dinner, lunch
- Brodo con Verdure - $10: bone broth, butternut squash, root vegetables, parmigiana Available at: dinner, lunch
- Eggplant Parmigiana - $12: baked eggplant, tomato sauce, mozzarella Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Pescatarian Available at: dinner, lunch
- Polpette - $10: wagyu beef meatballs Available at: dinner, lunch
- Cheese Panzarotti - $12: flash fried calzone stuffed with mozzarella & house marinara Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Pescatarian Available at: dinner, lunch
- Sausage Panzarotti - $14: flash fried calzone stuffed with house made sausage, mozzarella & house marinara Available at: dinner, lunch
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts - $14: honey-dijon vinaigrette, candied pecans, goat cheese Dietary tags: High-Protein, Low-Sodium, TLC Available at: dinner, lunch
- Calamari Fritti - $16: Monterey calamari steak strips, tubes & tentacles, flash fried Dietary tags: Low-Sodium Available at: dinner, lunch
- Proscuitto & Burrata Platter - $19: 30-month aged sliced prosciutto, Pugliese buttered-cream burrata mozzarella Available at: dinner, lunch
Insalata
Locally sourced or home-grown heirloom varietal produce
- Caesar - $10: romaine hearts, croutons, anchovy dressing Available at: dinner, lunch
- Roasted Beet - $13: arugula, strawberry, candied walnuts, goat cheese, strawberry vinaigrette, balsamic reduction Dietary tags: High-Fiber Available at: dinner, lunch
- Giuseppe - $14: butter lettuce, avocado, garbanzo, red onion, cucumber, tomato, parmigiana dressing Dietary tags: High-Protein, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, High-Fiber, TLC Available at: dinner, lunch
- Tricolore "The Detox" - $11: raddicchio, endive, arugula, lemon vinaigrette, shaved parmesan Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Pescatarian Available at: dinner, lunch
- Americano "Wedge" - $13: iceberg, crispy pancetta, gorgonzola, tomato, deviled egg, red wine vinaigrette Available at: dinner, lunch
- Chop Chop - $17: Chicken, shrimp, sopressata, provolone, tomato, pepperoncini, avocado, garbanzos, radicchio Dietary tags: High-Protein, High-Fiber Available at: dinner, lunch
Pasta
All sauces can be served with gluten-free artisan pasta. Pastas are made in-house.
- Pomodoro - $16: pressed organic san marzano tomato sauce, basil, extra virgin olive oil, pecorino cheese Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Atkins, South-Beach Available at: dinner, lunch
- Carbonara - $16: pancetta, egg-cream, pecorino Available at: dinner, lunch
- Bucatini Amatriciana - $17: pancetta, organic san marzano tomato, chili, red onion, parsley Dietary tags: High-Protein Available at: dinner, lunch
- Lasagna - $18: beef & vande rose duroc pork ragu, bechamel, mozzarella, romano Dietary tags: Low-Sodium, DASH Sodium-Reduced, TLC Available at: dinner, lunch
- Tortellini Giuseppe - $21: bloomsdale spinach & ricotta-stuffed, peas, mushroom, pancetta, tomato sugo Available at: dinner, lunch
- Nonna's Meatballs - $19: housemade pasta, nona's recipe wagyu meatballs, marinara, parmesan Available at: dinner, lunch
- Ravioli di Zucca - $20: butternut squash-stuffed pasta, sage, parmesan cream sauce Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Pescatarian Available at: dinner, lunch
- Bolognese - $19: tagliatelle egg pasta, slow-cooked beef, pork, lamb ragu Available at: dinner, lunch
- Cima di Rapa - $22: broccoli rabe, caramelized onions Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Whole30, Pescatarian, Paleo, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, Low-Fat, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Low-Cholesterol, GERD-Friendly, Volumetrics, TLC, Alkaline, AIP, Renal, Macrobiotic, Lectin-Free Available at: dinner, lunch
- Spaghetti Scampi - $26: wild gulf prawns, meyer lemon, house made spaghetti Dietary tags: Pescatarian Available at: dinner, lunch
- Linguine Vongole - $23: Littleneck clams, garlic, lemon, parsley, white wine Dietary tags: Pescatarian Available at: dinner, lunch
- Frutta di Mare - $28: prawns, scallops, calamari, clams, Saltspring mussels, sand dabs, salmon, spicy tomato broth Dietary tags: Pescatarian Available at: dinner, lunch
- Capesante e Gamberi con Spaghettini - $27: wild gulf prawns, scallops, pancetta, vodka cream sauce, house-made spaghettini Available at: dinner, lunch
- House Made Burrata Raviolo - $19: House Made ravioli stuffed with artisan burrata, home grown cherry tomato pomodoro sauce Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Pescatarian Available at: dinner, lunch
- Fettuccine Alfredo - $17: fresh pasta, cream, parmigiana Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Pescatarian Available at: dinner, lunch
- Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo - $22: fresh pasta, cream, parmigiana, chicken breast Available at: dinner, lunch
Wood Fire Pizza
Brick-oven fired, 12 inch thin crust
- Margherita - $16: fresh mozzarella, torn basil, san marzano tomato purée Dietary tags: High-Protein, Vegetarian, Pescatarian Available at: dinner, lunch
- Popeye - $16: spinach, buratta, pesto Available at: dinner, lunch
- Pepperoni - $17: artisan handmade pepperoni, red sauce Dietary tags: High-Protein, Low-Carb Available at: dinner, lunch
- Diavolo - $17: artisan pepperoni, olives, spicy peppers, red sauce Available at: dinner, lunch
- Gorgonzola - $16: creamy gorgonzola dolce, carmelized onion, no sauce Dietary tags: High-Protein, Keto, Low-Carb, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium, South-Beach, High-Fiber, Carnivore Available at: dinner, lunch
- Salsiccia - $17: housemade sausage, red onion, crimini mushroom, red sauce Dietary tags: Whole30, Paleo, AIP, Lectin-Free Available at: dinner, lunch
- Principessa - $21: 30-month aged Parma proscuitto, artisan Pugliese Burrata mozzarella, red sauce, basil, arugula Dietary tags: High-Protein, Low-Carb, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Anti-Inflammatory, South-Beach, High-Fiber Available at: dinner, lunch
- Cheese Pizza - $15: mozzarella, red sauce Dietary tags: High-Protein, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, TLC Available at: dinner, lunch
- California - $17: Chicken, corn, cilantro, avocado, bianca sauce Available at: dinner, lunch
Secondi
Entrée dishes, with and without pasta
- Lamb Lollipops - $22: Grilled lamb lollipops, Oven roasted potatoes Dietary tags: Whole30, Paleo Available at: dinner, lunch
- Pollo alla Parmigiana - $24: parmesan crusted free-range organic chicken breast, melted mozzarella, tomato sauce, rigatoni pasta, veggies Dietary tags: High-Fiber Available at: dinner, lunch
- Pollo alla Piccata - $24: free-range organic Chicken Breast, lemon caper white wine sauce, spaghettini, sauteed vegetables Dietary tags: High-Protein, Low-Fat, Low-Cholesterol Available at: dinner, lunch
- Pollo Basilico - $24: Free-Range organic Chicken breast, house-made pesto cream sauce, tortellini Available at: dinner, lunch
- Morro Bay Sand Dabs - $23: Delicate breaded white fish, picatta style (lemon, white wine, caper sauce), veggies, cous cous Dietary tags: Pescatarian Available at: dinner, lunch
- Half Free Range Chicken - $24: yukon gold potatoes, meyer lemon Dietary tags: Whole30, Paleo Available at: dinner, lunch
- Certified Prime Rib-Eye - $44: 20 oz. rib eye, potatoes, arugula, tomato endive salad, aged balsamic reduction Dietary tags: Whole30, Paleo Available at: dinner, lunch
- Fritto Misto - $26: Monterey calamari steak strips, prawns, sand dabs, scallops, potatoes, flash fried Available at: dinner, lunch
- Lover's Plate - $28: pancetta wrapped prawns, butternut squash raviolis Available at: dinner, lunch
Dessert
House made desserts, family recipes
- Meyer Lemon Cheesecake - $9: shortbread crust, strawberry drizzle Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Low-Sodium, High-Fiber, GERD-Friendly, TLC
- Tiramisu - $9: whipped sugar, egg & mascarpone with espresso-dipped ladyfingers
- Cannoli - $9: orange scented sweet ricotta ricotta-stuffed, pistachio dust Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium, High-Fiber
- Carrot Cake - $9: ultra-moist mascarpone-frosted, walnuts and pistachios
- Tahitian Vanilla Bean Creme Brulee - $9: baked vanilla custard, caramelized sugar crust Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium
- Artisan Gelato (Pint) - $9: Assorted flavors Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Pescatarian
Sides
- Sautéed Garlic Spinach - $8: spinach, garlic Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Whole30, Pescatarian, Paleo, Plant-Based, Alkaline, AIP, Macrobiotic, Lectin-Free Available at: dinner, lunch
- Caccio e Pepe - $9: house-made spaghettini, parmesan, fresh pecorino, black pepper Dietary tags: High-Protein, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, High-Fiber, GERD-Friendly, Volumetrics, TLC Available at: dinner, lunch
- Grilled Free Range Chicken Breast - $9: chicken breast Dietary tags: Whole30, Paleo, AIP, Lectin-Free Available at: dinner, lunch
- Mashed Potatoes - $6: potatoes Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, GERD-Friendly, Volumetrics, TLC Available at: dinner, lunch
- Local King Salmon - $11: salmon Dietary tags: Whole30, Pescatarian, Paleo, Alkaline, AIP, Macrobiotic, Lectin-Free Available at: dinner, lunch
- Sauteed Wild Shrimp - $10: shrimp Dietary tags: High-Protein, Keto, Low-Carb, Whole30, Pescatarian, Paleo, Heart-Healthy, Low-Sodium, Low-Fat, Anti-Inflammatory, Atkins, South-Beach, DASH Sodium-Reduced, GERD-Friendly, Carnivore, Zone, Volumetrics, TLC, Alkaline, AIP, Slow-Carb, Lectin-Free Available at: dinner, lunch
Restaurants near Giuseppe's Cucina Rustica
- Buona Tavola — Italian
- Bob Cantu's Pizza & Sports Bar — Italian
- Mistura — Italian
- Mama's Meatball — Italian
- Bear & The Wren — Italian
- My Friend Mike's — Italian
- Bravo Pizza Plus — Italian
- Nucci's — Italian
- Del's Pizzeria & Italian — Italian
- Blast & Brew — Italian
- Quesadilla Gorilla — Mexican
- Petra Mediterranean Pizza & Grill — Mediterranean
