The Carrisa - San Luis Obispo, California

Christopher Limon

Christmas at the Carissa offers a truly enchanting holiday experience, brilliantly blending festive cheer with culinary innovation. As someone who has visited this gem twice this season, I am deeply impressed by its vibrant atmosphere and the unique twist it brings to food and drinks, perfectly embodying the spirit of the holidays.

The menu, curated with a festive theme in mind, is both intriguing and diverse. The dishes, though fittingly seasonal, might not cater to all palates, as I found some to be not entirely to my liking. However, the quality and creativity behind each item are undeniable, making it a culinary adventure worth embarking on.

What truly sets Christmas at the Carissa apart are its drinks. Expertly crafted, these beverages capture the essence of the holidays. Their ability to adjust the sweetness levels without compromising the flavors shows a commendable level of skill and attention to detail. This thoughtful customization enhances the overall dining experience, making the drinks a must-try.

The ambiance of the Carissa, bustling and lively, adds to the allure. It's a testament to its popularity and the joy it brings to the community during the festive season. The chef and staff deserve praise for their excellent work and the festive spirit they infuse into each aspect of the dining experience.

Christmas at the Carissa is a five-star over all experience in big groups especially for those seeking to immerse themselves in the holiday spirit through innovative cuisine. While some dishes may not be to everyone's taste, the adventure of trying new, seasonally inspired foods is worthwhile. I eagerly recommend any pop-up event hosted by the Carissa, as they consistently deliver a blend of culinary excellence and festive charm.

Jackie Hunt

We have been 3 years in a row and this week we went on Friday night and we're highly disappointed. They charge 10 dollars a person to get in now. Said fee is waived if you buy a bottle for 1 person. Went to buy the bottle and they were out. The outdoor section was not decorated yet . I ordered a pumpkin martini and it tasted like a chocolate cherry . And had no cookie or anything like the description said. Told waitress and she just said hmm weird. Ordered the cookie jar and got 6 cold hard cookies . Awful for 20 dollars. Went for the nostalgia of coming every year but likely will not come back next year

Michelle Cota

What a fun holiday bar. If you want something festive for the holidays this place is it. Fun holiday drinks great atmosphere adorable decor. Even had little ones with us and the out is in a cozy area with couches and the kids had a great time too. Love the ski lift chair too.

Shirley Yu

Here is the best place to have drink with friends and family for holiday gathering.
During thanksgiving we had a great dinner at Novo and saw this place with all holiday decorations but we don’t have time to try it.
Today we are on the way to SoCal again and decided to check out this place.
It’s around 2pm so we only ordered drinks and took a lot of pictures ?
The waitress is the same lady work at Novo, she is friendly.
I ordered avalanche spritz and latte for my daughter. We both enjoyed the drink and had a great time.

lori townsend

Great service from hostess, bartender, server, and bar back. The food was good. Drinks were delightful. It is an experience, and definitely the atmosphere will put any grinch in the Christmas spirit. Had a blast listening to music and sharing in the experience.
Rod and Hammer fun at it best.

Maribell Gonzalez

I think is a really good place to have a good night, not specifically to enjoy just the food. The whole situation is five stars. Food is just 4 or 4.5. But ambiance+menu+service+decoration of the place+drinks everything is five. It’s an experience. If you want just the food you will have a 4.
The patio is amazing !!! Inside is amazing. I don’t know if the experience is the same when all the lights are off. At night it’s beautiful. Ask for a ya le at the patio. It’s pet friendly !!!

Kaitlyn Freed

The food was great, fresh, interesting, and delicious. There is something for everyone, we were in a group with a vegan, someone with severe food allergies, a meat and potatoes guy, multiple people on different complicated diets including aip, and everyone ate happily! The place is beautiful and has a great atmosphere. The drinks were good.
The service is very very slow. We went on a Tuesday night. There were three other tables there. And it took about an hour to get our first drinks. And almost impossible to get anyone to stop at the table to take our order. We were constantly having to wave people down. There were multiple servers and the manager working. We were there from 6:30 until 10 - because that's how long it took to get everything. And eventually went to the bartender to finally get the check.
I recommend going if your down to spend the day there hanging with your friends or family. Just know that is the environment.

John Schaefer

We enjoyed a fun time with seasonal drink offerings and appetizers. The service was Friendly and responsive. Thanks for a fun evening.