Full Patio Buyout
Hosts 135-200 guests
Our tiered patio makes for a magical venue in the Heart of Downtown SLO. With a capacity for seating up to 135 or hosting a standing & mingling event for up to 200, our patio is the perfect venue for your larger event.
A Full-Patio buyout event gives you fully private access to San Luis Obispo's favorite outdoor dining locale for 5 hours.
By day, enjoy the added color from the nearby angel trumpet flowers and geraniums. By evening, antique bird cages, filled with lights, add a special glow.
The Garden Brick Patio
Seats up to 50 guests
The most intimate patio is the Garden Brick Patio, which sits tucked next to a brick wall of our neighboring building. Fifty-year old camellias climb the walls, and lush greenery completes the ambiance.
The Garden Brick Patio space can be booked for parties of up to 50 people, making it perfect for larger parties that desire a unique outdoor venue.
The Grappolo Patio
Seats up to 50-70 guests
The largest creekside patio has been coined the “Grappolo patio” after an Italian restaurant that used to use the space. Dining on Grappolo is a stunning outdoor experience, and it is a favorite among guests who sit outside because of its proximity to the creek and the surrounding potted plants and native vegetation.
In the evenings, flickering candlelight and warmth from the heaters make Grappolo an especially stunning space to gather and enjoy a delicious meal. This spacious patio can be booked for private events ranging from 50-70 guests.
The Cellar
Seats up to 40
If you’re in the mood for an intimate gathering with friends, or if you just want to escape to private atmosphere away from the bustle of our dining patio, the Novo cellar is what you’re looking for. While you’re enjoying your meal or drink, pause for a moment and look around. You’ll notice the details. Each has a story.
Robin frequents antique malls, San Francisco warehouses, and local galleries. He fills the Novo spaces with his treasures. On the wall, almost 20 mirrors expand the space and offer a perfect contrast to the subdued walls. The lamps were gifts, from a friend’s trip to Syria. In the corner, tucked near the brick wall, you’ll notice a giant safe, which was an original piece from the cigar factory. Decorations on top of the safe rotate. Currently, the safe is decorated with copper impressions of a Chinese man and woman. The piece was a present to Robin and Shanny, and for years it resided at Robin’s Restaurant in Cambria.
Tucked toward the street side—it is actually built underneath the sidewalk—sits the wine cellar. Over 2,500 bottles of Novo’s extensive wine collection are stored in this space. Curious about the collection? Peruse the wine menu.
Please note: The Cellar does not have wheelchair access and is only accessible by stairs.
The Lounge
**Available Only for Full Restaurant Buyout
Downtown sights, a mix of high tables and low; a large, beautiful window, letting in just the right amount of light. A classic bar. This is the Novo lounge.
This intimate setting is perfect for watching passersby, the farmers market festivities on Thursday nights, or simply gathering with friends while one of our talented bartenders mixes up a drink, perfectly suited to you.
The lounge can be booked as a private event space with a full restaurant buyout, only.
We had our rehearsal dinner here and cannot recommend Novo enough, whether you're just having a date night or hosting a big event.
My husband and I ate at the restaurant once before when deciding where to host our rehearsal dinner, and we really enjoyed the food we had at Novo. Combined with the wonderful atmosphere and patio, it was a slam-dunk for our event.
The events manager, Natalie, was really wonderful to work with--especially since we were coming from out of town to have this event.
On the night of, we had a lovely spot on the patio that was well-staffed with friendly and attentive servers who made sure everything went perfectly smoothly. Everyone had drinks when they needed them, and the food was expertly paced.
Most importantly, the food itself was delicious! We ordered the salmon, chicken, some pasta, and a few appetizers and dessert. Truly everything was spectacular--perfectly cooked and seasoned. Some of our guests also had food restrictions and Novo had no trouble accommodating. We also had a couple young children with us and the servers made sure they got some food very quickly so they didn't have to wait too long to be fed.
Overall we would absolutely come back here to host another event or just to have dinner the next time we're in SLO!