Downtown Atascadero has a tight cluster of independent restaurants along El Camino Real and Entrada Avenue, around the Sunken Gardens. The two strongest categories are casual American (gastropub, BBQ, burgers) and Mexican (Atascadero has a strong Mexican-American community and several long-standing taquerias). Paso Robles wine is on most lists.
Beyond the centre, the strip along El Camino north of town is mostly chain restaurants. Drive 20 minutes north to Paso Robles or south to San Luis Obispo for a wider choice.