Fine dining and panoramic ocean views in Morro Bay
101 to 150 guests
AWARD WINNER (6X)
Thanks to recommendations from couples on The Knot
Thank you for considering Windows on the Water to be a part of your wedding celebration, reception or large party event. Taking advantage of our location in the heartland of the Central Coast, we feature outstanding local organic produce, farm produced olive oil, and fresh & sustainably caught fish. Our menu also reflects our awareness to healthy eating. Both of our dining rooms boast panoramic views of Morro Bay and can accommodate up to 60 in a single room to 150 guests when reserving the entire restaurant. Whatever the occasion, from a wedding shower to the wedding reception or single table event to full restaurant capacity, we consider it our obligation to make the event go as seamlessly as possible with a staff that is prepared to make your event "special" for you.
+28 years in business
Pricing details
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Reception:
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Starting prices don't include service fees, taxes, gratuity, and rental fees. Guest count and seasonality may also affect prices.
Amenities + details
Amenities
Handicap Accessible
Indoor Event Space
Liability Insurance
Reception Area
Wireless Internet
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Venue Service Offerings
Bar & Drinks
Food & Catering
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Awards and Affiliations
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Reviews
5.0
out of 5.062 reviews
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Review Summary
This AI-generated summary is a snapshot of this vendor's ratings and feedback.
Windows on the Water is highly praised by numerous reviewers for its exceptional service, beautiful views of the bay, and delicious food. The general manager, Paul, is lauded for his attentiveness, customer care, and professionalism, making the wedding planning process seamless. Guests enjoyed the intimate and cozy atmosphere, complemented by floor-to-ceiling windows, and appreciated the flexibility, affordability, and quality of service provided. Overall, Windows on the Water is recommended for those seeking a picturesque, stress-free, and memorable wedding venue experience.Review photos
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5.0
3/15/2025
My daughter and her husband chose Windows on the Water to hold their wedding ceremony and reception for 80-100 guests, from out of town, on February 22, 2025.
Planning and coordinating a destination wedding can be difficult but Paul, the GM at Windows on the Water, made the process seamless. Paul was open to all of our ideas and was accommodating and understanding as we went through the steps of creating the atmosphere we desired for the ceremony and reception.
We had the ceremony room set up for 80 guests, a DJ, a four piece string ensemble, a beautiful garland canopy for the wedding party, cocktail tables and a stunning view of the water.
The guests were welcomed by the Windows staff with signature cocktail and small bites. After the ceremony we enjoyed a cocktail hour with an open bar and passed appetizers. Guests enjoyed an amazing salad/soup, main entree, and dessert of choice. The evening closed with a wood fired pizza service.
I cannot say enough about the level of customer service at Windows on the Water. It is apparent they all work as a team and everyone takes pride in the experience they provide for their guests.
As for the kitchen, kudos to all, the food was incredible. Often when planning a large event, it's typical that the quality of the food will be nothing spectacular. At Windows on the Water the food was a fine dining experience. It was such a pleasure to hear everyone complimenting the kitchen. And we can’t forget the bar… Impeccable service and attention given to every drink served.
No matter the weather conditions, you and all your guests will have a front row seat to the beauty of Morro Bay at Windows on the Water. We have been there during every season and there has always been a spectacular view from every room. The venue also provides beautiful outdoor spaces for photos and gathering.
The restaurant has soaring ceilings that are accented with beautiful drapery. Large windows, rich wood and four extra large round chandeliers lend a beautiful and simple canvas for a reception and ceremony. Whatever your style, the possibilities are endless with this beautiful space and decor.
We did choose to bring in a dance floor, disco ball, round tables, chair covers, florals and lighting. In the evening the restaurant looked like something out of a magazine!
We cannot say enough about how memorable the evening was made by the amazing Windows on the Water staff and this picturesque venue.
Lynda M
5.0
12/04/2024
A perfect evening thanks to the perfect venue! I couldn't have had such a perfect reception without the expertise and talent of Paul and his crew. He knows everything about his space and it's capabilities, has flexibility where it's nice to be able to customize, and is always available for any questions. The food was amazing, the views were GORGEOUS, and the space was beautiful. Why take chances on the weather with an outdoor venue when you have this beautiful wrap around view of the bay, right on the water but in a warm, cozy restaurant? My top 3 best decisions: my husband, my maid of honor, and my venue.
We ended up with 96 people which was the perfect amount for a full buyout- we could have all gone in one room but appreciated the extra space to move around. We also had a kid friendly reception and the space was great for the kids, with delicious kids meals available!
Any questions?
Sage G
5.0
11/26/2024
My husband and I are SO LUCKY to have found Windows on the Water for our wedding (November 2024). Paul, the manager, and all of his team were so kind and truly went above and beyond to make our day special. We met with Paul in person multiple times to go over the details of the day. We were attended to with open ears and genuine care throughout the many months leading up to our wedding day. We had easy contact via phone call and email with Paul. He was always a phone call away! The food, location, and vibes within the restaurant are top tier. All of our guests raved about how delicious the food was. The bar placement, outdoor patio, and STUNNING view allowed for our guests to be mobile and enjoy themselves fully. Do not worry about the “small” size or the venue being indoors. The floor to ceiling windows make you feel like you’re quiet literally vibing on top of the ocean. We had our first dance in the smaller room of the two (you’re able to rent the entire restaurant or half) and the sun set beautifully through the windows during it! If you’re concerned about only renting one room, don’t be. This place is truly special and intimate. Guests felt comfortable to get their groove on because of the intimacy and warmth of the place (unlike some dance floors that can be out in the open and somewhat isolated). We were given a recommended DJ list and John Ortiz was the best route - so grateful to have gone with him! I know this is a long review, I’m just genuinely over the moon that we found this place and want others to enjoy it’s magic! For an affordable, memorable, BEAUTIFUL, easy to plan wedding, Windows on the Water is for you!!
Ashley W
5.0
11/14/2024
We had the most wonderful wedding reception at windows on the water. Not only does the venue’s beauty speak for itself, the price is extremely fair and the staff exceptionally professional and flexible. Paul treated us like his own family and was eager to accommodate our requests. we got many compliments from our guests on the delicious food. We had 99 people eating for dinner and they all fit perfectly in the larger bay room, and we had the DJ and dancing in the vineyard room. As a bride I would say this is the perfect size group for the venue to handle, as no logistics/ rearranging need to take place during the wedding night. I highly recommend!
Sam and Veronica A
5.0
5/08/2024
We would like to thank Windows On The Water for their great friendly staff service. Especially Paul the General Manager who was so wonderful. He took good care of us and made us feel like royalty for our 15 years vowel renewal.
Our family couldn't stop talking about the great service and how that was the best food they ever had.
We highly recommend This Venue for any of your special occasions.
Breanna P
5.0
4/28/2024
Paul and his staff are top notch exceptional! Not only were they super affordable, but they were also extremely accommodating and willing to work with us on our specific requirements and requests. Paul was there for us for all our needs and his staff!!! From the moment we started planning our special day, to the very ending! The venue is beautiful, the food is impeccable, and the service is above and beyond. Not only did they seamlessly help our special day run flawlessly, but they even brought the magic to make our wedding truly a day to remember! It has been a year since our wedding and our guests still rave about the food and experience they had. Paul and his staff truly are amazing and I am so thankful we chose their venue!!!! It is now a regular place we visit as often as possible and we are actually on our way right now to celebrate our 1 year wedding anniversary!!! I highly recommend this venue, you certainly will not regret it!!!!!
Emily K
5.0
2/07/2024
Windows on the water was the best venue for an intimate wedding reception. We loved the private room offered, with view of the rock. The planning process was easy and the day of staff were professional, and so kind. A few fan favorites from the evening: 3 course meal, lobster bisque, steak dinner and cheesecake for dessert! Highly recommend
Lauren R
5.0
10/07/2023
We decided to have our wedding at Windows on the Water, because it is reasonably priced, which is surprising because it's a tasty and classy restaurant! We were able to have the ceremony and reception in one place, which was very convenient for us and our guests.
The ceremony room had a stunning view of the bay, and the glow through the windows illuminated our special moment. The meal was delicious, and everybody sang praise about how good all of their food was, especially the steak. There is plenty of space in the restaurant for dancing, and we had a crowd dance all night long.
We were blown away by how easy and seamless the whole process was. Paul (General Manager) was very communicative and accommodating. He was helpful through the whole process, as he made our plans come to life.
I would 100% recommend others to get married here, if you are looking for a majority of the main necessities to be taken care of and for great quality. Thank you so much to Paul and his staff!
Jennylee P
5.0
9/14/2023
TLDR; Our guests are STILL talking about the amazing food 4 months later, and Windows on the Water made wedding planning easier than we ever could've dreamed.
We couldn't have found a better venue than Windows on the Water. It sits right on top of the bay and has floor-to-ceiling windows, which make for stunningly beautiful views (and reduce the amount of decorations needed for the space, because the view IS the decoration!). Paul, the general manager, is a wedding expert and was incredibly helpful every step of the way. He's been hosting weddings at Windows for many years and really knows his stuff, so he gave us a lot of great recommendations and suggestions throughout the planning process. He was professional, friendly, and very responsive. Our other vendors were able to coordinate with Paul to drop items off ahead of time, and an extra special touch was that Paul's staff cleaned up the space for us after our reception ended. All we had to do was get our decorations into our vehicles (and they helped with that, too!). It really made for a seamless and stress-free experience, for which we are extremely grateful.
Lastly, I would be remiss if I didn't mention the food. My husband and I ate dinner at the restaurant before we booked it as our wedding venue, and the fresh, high quality food really sealed the deal for us! We've been to a lot of weddings with bad/tasteless food, so having good food at our wedding was important to us. Paul coordinated with his head chef to work out the perfect custom menu for our guests, and dinner was served tableside by his staff. We had such a memorable experience, thanks in large part to Paul and his team at Windows on the Water. We already loved visiting Morro Bay, but now we're actively planning to stop by Windows on the Water during future trips-- and I've heard some of our wedding guests talking about doing the same!
Olivia O
5.0
11/02/2022
Morro Bay has always held a special place in our hearts so when we found Windows On The Water we were so excited! We met with Paul who is so kind and handled every meeting and conversation with professionalism. He wanted to make sure our wedding was special and stress free and handled as much as he could! The staff was also amazing and extremely attentive to our guests. Not to mention the amount of complements we received from everyone! Multiple people told me they ate the best steak of their lives. We couldn't be happier with how everything turned out and we can't wait to return for our anniversary.
David P
5.0
10/28/2022
Windows on the Water is such an incredible venue with an even more incredible staff! Working with Paul (General Manager) and Elizabeth (who we coordinated with for rehearsal/setup and day-of activities) was such a joy and they made everything so easy on us so that our day was as minimally stressed as possible. Every single guest was so impressed by the quality of service and spoke so highly of the food - many even said it was the best meal they've ever had at a wedding by far. We also chose to host the ceremony at Windows and I cannot wait to get our photos back because the view is so spectacular. We are so happy with the choice of Windows on the Water as our venue, we couldn't imagine having had it anywhere else!
Madison H
5.0
7/12/2022
We could not have chosen a more perfect venue for our reception. The view is immaculate, of course, but everything from service to food was perfect. Paul was very accommodating and made the process seamless. Highly recommend!
Shannon S
5.0
6/24/2022
Windows was such an outstanding setting for our wedding. The food was delicious, the staff friendly and helpful. Paul, the manager, was exceptional to work with, always available and quick to respond. We couldn’t have asked for a better experience. Truly so grateful to have chosen this amazing venue.
Megan W
5.0
4/20/2022
Windows on the Water was an absolute miracle for us, from start to finish. Their food is fantastic, the service is great, and the location is gorgeous. All of this at pricing that is downright reasonable when compared to a sea of venues that want considerably more money for a lower quality experience.
Food - It's great, period. If nothing else, treat yourself to dinner at Windows sometime, you'll love it.
Service - I know it's fantastic from eating out there on numerous occasions, but the best compliment I can give is this: I don't remember anything service-related from our wedding dinner. I know that everything was taken care of, but they did a great job of staying out of the way. I couldn't ask for a better experience.
Ambiance - The view is lovely and you can see all of the bay and Morro Rock if it's reasonably clear. It's a very nice looking restaurant, with a beautiful bar area and open kitchen.
Management - This was a bonus. The combination of great food with great views at a great price would be worth booking, even if it was run by a jerk. Luckily, it's run by the friendliest, most accommodating GM you'll ever meet. Paul was amazing to work with, even mid-pandemic, and it made planning much less stressful.
I think that about sums it up. My advice would be to have dinner at Windows on the Water, and if you like it, check them out for your wedding venue.
Brigette H
5.0
9/14/2021
I can't recommend this venue enough. My wedding went perfectly thanks to Paul, the general manager/event coordinator. He made planning a wedding easy and stress-free. Anything I wanted/needed, he was happy to accomodate. The people who served us were so friendly and helpful. Not a thing went wrong, and I wish I could post photos of my wedding here because they are breathtaking. The view can't be beat and the sunset is incredible!!
Julianna F
5.0
5/20/2021
Working with Windows on the Water for our wedding reception was an absolute dream. Paul was incredibly helpful, attentive, and flexible with planning during the pandemic. He truly went above and beyond to make this work for everyone! Our reception was absolutely flawless and we're still getting compliments from our guests about how wonderful the food and drinks were and how fabulous the staff was. Every dish served blew away our expectations, the view from the restaurant is absolutely stunning, and the atmosphere was perfect. We could not have asked for more!
Jessica H
5.0
7/03/2020
We do not have enough great things to say about Paul, the staff and Windows on the Water. Paul is great to work with. He is accommodating, helpful and very knowledgeable. He made wedding planning (even during a pandemic) stress free. He kept us informed on policy changes and options to keep everyone safe. The staff at Windows is incredible. They helped out with serving, gave us facts about Morro Bay during dinner and were overall just great to be around. Finally, the restaurant is amazing. Our guests raved about the food, the aesthetics of the restaurant and the spectacular view that could be admired throughout the entire reception.
If you are looking for a place to hold your wedding, look no further. Although the idea of getting married in a restaurant may sound untraditional, Windows on the Water offers beautiful views of the rock and harbor, impeccable service and overall an awesome experience.
Brittany K
5.0
6/09/2020
Windows on the Water was more than we could ask for! The view is beautiful, the food is amazing and Paul was so awesome to work with. He was willing to go above and beyond to accommodate us with the way we wanted things and we even had some last minute guest changes that he worked with the night before. The pricing for how many guests we had including the drink tab we covered was more reasonable than most places and we got everything we wanted! We couldn't have asked for anything better and our guests still talk about the great food and atmosphere, and that they are planning trips to go back. We can't thank Windows on the Water enough for helping make our day as fun as it was!
Curtis P
5.0
3/19/2020
Our wedding was absolutely amazing! Paul worked with us to customize our wedding how we wanted it and mad accomadations for whatever we needed. I can't believe we payed such a reasonable price for such a beautiful wedding and food. The service was amazing and food was outstanding. I will absolutely recommend windows on the water to any of my friends. Sincerely Curtis and Brittany
Chrissy Y
5.0
3/05/2020
I cannot stress how much we LOVED getting married here! Paul and his staff were amazing and went above and beyond to make sure our day was priceless.
The food was excellent, the views were breathtaking, and everything flowed so well. Many guests said that our wedding was one of the best and most fun weddings they had been too.
Not having to clean up that night was awesome, they held our cake for us until the next day, and just made everything so easy. Paul checked on me several times throughout the day to make sure I had everything I needed. He really went the extra mile.
I would recommend them a hundred times over!
Hope S
5.0
12/21/2019
This was perfect for our winter wedding. Paul is absolutely wonderful to work with. He knows the ins and outs of the event planning, is flexible and helpful, kind, and ensured we had a smooth day. We had our ceremony and reception there. It’s an amazing venue because it’s gorgeous in and of itself, so you don’t have to do much to make it beautiful. The full staff and dinner included make it feel like you don’t have to lift a finger. It is GORGEOUS, so don’t let “indoors” be a downer. The food is FANTASTIC. I couldn’t be happier we chose this venue for our big day. And it’s close to the Morro bay dunes, so we got some epic photos at golden hour.
Matt Y
5.0
12/16/2019
A very underrated place to get married!
Planning a wedding is very stressful. Even with about 100 guests for a December ceremony, was so much work for us. Choosing to get married at WOTW was the best decision we made. We were able to book the entire venue for the day, and with Paul's help, the day went better than we could've expected. Paul has been with WOTW for many years, and his experience really shows, as he is so incredibly accommodating and helpful. Planning an indoor wedding was a must for us, as my wife does not do well in the cold. WOTW takes care of food, drinks, service, setup/teardown, tables, chairs, and linens, for a very affordable price. The food is phenomenal. I had the steak, and I couldn't stop raving about it with all our guests. The view was incredible, and with on-and-off rain, the clouds made the harbor look better than ever. It was an amazing backdrop for our wedding.
Nina P
5.0
12/15/2019
Paul and his marvelous team made our wedding and reception the most wonderful night for me and my husband! My husband and I live in the Bay Area, but we grew up on the Central Coast and we wanted to host a simply but classy wedding near where we grew up and met. We were looking for wedding venues that could accommodate our 70 guests and would have stellar food and service. We got that and so much more! It goes without saying that the view from the wedding and the reception were spectacular and my guests are still raving about the food. Paul worked with us to make our celebration our own. He did everything he could to bring our dreams to fruition. As you can see from the other knot reviews, Paul has done more than a fair share of weddings at the restaurant. He and his team are absolute pros. They've got the timing down to a tee. My husband and I were taken care of all night and our server made sure we actually ate our meals. My husband and I are beyond satisfied with our wedding and can't wait to go back for anniversaries and special occasions!
Joanie S
5.0
9/11/2019
My husband and I just had our wedding reception at Windows on the Water. It was truly amazing! Paul, the manager is a star! He helped accommodate my rowdy bunch and his staff was great! Every single one of my guest commented on the food and how amazing it was! Paul gave me free range on how I wanted to decorate and how I wanted the night to go! He even last min ( because the ceremony ended sooner than I thought and the pictures were fast) got together extra appetizers to accommodate my guest! We are already planning a trip back to try out other foods and planning our 1 year anniversary trip back with our family to visit the restaurant again! We truly loved it and the view, the view was breathtaking!!!!
Corinna S
5.0
8/12/2019
We had our wedding reception at Windows on the Water and it was phenomenal. Classy and elegant. The food is excellent, the view is breathtaking and the service is bar none. Paul was so easy to work with and gave helpful suggestions. Our guests are still talking about how much fun they had. We would do it again in a heart beat!
Rosalind W
5.0
7/21/2019
This review is only my interactions with Paul, the Manager, and not the venue itself.
My very first venue I looked into was a place closed to home and boy were they rude and unprofessional. I turned to TheKnot and found Windows on the Water. I reached out and Paul sent me over all the information about the venue and food/beverages. Paul worked with me to schedule a date where we could check the venue out since this would be a "destination wedding" for us.
Paul met with us before their dinner service to go over the venue, seating, ceremony, food, beverages, etc. He was kind, professional, and willing to do what he could to make our day special. Paul even penciled in our date to make sure we got a day we wanted in December with no strings attached so we could still discuss it.
Although my fiance and I loved the venue and really wanted it to work, our guest list was large and I wanted all our guests to be in one room. We were really hoping to make it work and reduce our list but that ended up being quite tough to do.
Not only was Paul awesome to work with, the view at this place is amazing!
Lauren A
5.0
6/25/2019
We really cannot say enough good things about Paul and the staff at Windows on the Water. He is so professional, patient and accommodating. After our wedding, the comments from everyone was not only how beautiful the venue was but the smooth service and excellent food. I would not change a thing about our experience. In addition, it was affordable for our budget. We are so thankful and would do it all over again!
Alicia L
5.0
6/05/2019
Windows on the Water was the perfect venue for our wedding. We had 65 guests including 8 children (two of our own). Everything was amazing, location, views, service and food! Even though the day was overcast, the views did not disappoint. Not much decorating was needed, but Paul, the restaurant manager, was very accommodating to any requests or changes we had. The area for the DJ set up and dance floor was easily accessible. As it got later in the evening the lights were dimmed and the candles were turned on creating such an inviting and romantic mood. Paul and staff were so helpful and attentive. I had compliments from several guests on how beautiful it all was and on the great food. Needless to say, Windows on the Water exceeded our expectations and we are very thankful for having been able to enjoy our special day with zero mishaps, thank you!
Elsie O
5.0
6/04/2019
I agree with all the other wonderful reviews. The restaurant was a beautiful venue, we had our ceremony in the Vineyard room and our reception in the Bay View room. We had 60 guests and the wedding was so perfect! I have received so many compliments on the restaurant and food! Paul worked with us on every detail insisting that we do it our way. He worked with us on signature drinks, special table set-up, small decorations we wanted to bring in, you name it. I am so happy we chose this place for our wedding and would recommend without hesitation to any future bride! Such a beautiful, intimate venue.
Annabel R
5.0
5/17/2019
My husband and I had our reception at Windows on the Water and we couldn't have asked for a better place! The manager Paul was absolutely amazing and so kind about everything! He made planning this reception so simple and stress free! If you're getting married in Morro Bay make Windows on the Water first on your list of places to get married or have you reception at! Or even both!
kealia g
5.0
4/08/2019
This restaurant is perfect! Floor to ceiling glass windows! The sunset was so beautiful! We got lucky with perfect sunny weather! We had 75 guests including the photographer and officiant! We had the ceremony in the smaller room an the reception in the larger room!
The food is so fresh and so pretty and super tasty ... great seafood at great prices! We had chicken, fish and vegan guest... an everyone loved it!
Can’t say enough about Paul and his staff! They made the day run perfectly! They were on top of drinks an the timing of when each course arrived !
I truly felt we got a million dollar wedding for way under 10k!!
Thank you Windows for everything!!!! Best venue ever!
Marissa W
5.0
2/22/2019
We first met with Paul in May 2018 to reserve for our mid December wedding. One thing that struck us was when we asked questions about common venue can/cannots, he said, I think that weddings should be about more yes's than no's. You tell me what you want for your guys' day and we will try to make it all happen. And that will tell you all you need to know about this venue. They are outstandingly flexible, accommodating, hard working, and classy. We customized our menu and with a few emails, Chef Neil and Paul agreed to most everything we wanted including additional drinks that we made ourselves or wanted put out to be served. On the big day, the food was ahhhmazing. Savory! Yummy! Good portions and excellent service by staff. They were so kind and even went out of their way to make a few special accommodations for a couple of guests. Our ceremony ran late and we were 30 mins away from the venue, so that put back the timeline at Windows for the reception. Paul was quick to adapt, he wanted us to enjoy our wedding and did not want us to worry. We were a small intimate wedding with less than 45 people in the main dining room. It was perfect. It was close to Christmas; the restaurant's decorations were white and glistening and worked well with our own wedding decor. Paul is such a wonderful host by even letting us turn up the music during the reception. We absolutely made the right choice by going to Windows on the Water. Paul, Chef Neil, and Staff: you all were such blessings! Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!
Salina R
5.0
2/21/2019
By far, having our ceremony and reception at Windows on the Water was the BEST decision my husband and I made regarding our wedding. We just got married there on 2/2/19, and let me tell you, there is not a better place in Morro Bay (or most cities) that will offer everything you are looking for: beautiful venue with excellent service, pricing, quality of food, and outstanding location and views of the ocean. Paul, the manager, was absolutely fantastic. He was very kind, calm, approachable, with excellent communication maintained throughout the entire planning process and allowed us what most venues don't: dancing into LATE hours of the night! And because they are a restaurant, we didn't have to worry about spending thousands more on separate venue/catering, where we would worry about the quality of food the entire time. No, this place is the entire package, and then some, and it was very spacious yet still provided us with the intimate feel we were striving for. Nearly every guest of ours raved about the food, the floor to ceiling windows with spectacular views of the water, and the outstanding service. Thank you, Paul and all your staff for being so professional, helpful, and sincerely happy to do your job and help us with our wedding. We will be coming back every anniversary to celebrate there and enjoy a wonderful meal and view. Thanks again!!
Chandler J
5.0
2/20/2019
My husband and I had our reception at Windows on the Water and it was to say the least amazing. Paul, the general manager, catered to our every need. I was probably in contact with him almost on a weekly basis and he responded with kindness to every question. He was even able to get me the linens I needed to touch the floor. They are without a doubt reasonably priced food & space, they even allow DJs , hand poured my cider, and the view of the rock is amazing. I would highly recommend this place.
Michelle C
5.0
12/02/2018
My husband and I chose Windows on the Water for our wedding venue and it was truly the best decision we could have made!!! Affordable, BEAUTIFUL, amazing food, and service that completely exceeded our expectations. Best of all… Paul made everything very easy. He helped us from start to finish - he even took the lead on our ceremony rehearsal. Not only did he let us personalize anything we wanted, he was so helpful that at times it almost brought tears to my eyes because of the weight it lifted off our shoulders during the planning process which made everything ENJOYABLE. The night ran smoothly and was perfect and I know it is all thanks to Paul, his staff, and the wonderful location of this restaurant. Not only that - it is a complete steal considering the price you are paying. We got so many compliments on the food, drinks, wine, and friendly/professional service. They really know what they are doing here - even down to the little things like helping with set up/take-down, timing the ceremony (Paul was the one who helped cue the wedding party when to walk down the aisle), helping guests find their assigned seating at the dinner tables, saving us appetizers while we were out taking family photos, timing the dinner/dessert that are served to the guests,… I could go on and on. During the night, Paul would check in and ask us how things were going - it is obvious that he truly cares. Such a beautiful, fun, and all together PERFECT night and I cannot thank Windows on the Water enough!
Anais G
5.0
11/16/2018
Paul and Staff at Windows, thank you so much for making our wedding reception a dream come true! From planning, set up, the food, and service our day was absolutely amazing. The restaurant is absolutely beautiful at night so we kept our decorations minimal. For our wedding we used both rooms and a traditional dinner set up. Our guests liked the fine dining/intimate feel and were not bothered that they didn't see the bride and groom at dinner. We started with a cocktail hour and ended with an awesome dance party so guests were able to roam freely most the night. We look forward to dining at the restaurant for many years to come to relive our wedding night!
Philip S
5.0
11/11/2018
A terrific upscale location: we had our reception here after a ceremony on the beach. We had sixty participants, who were comfortably seated in the Vineyard room. Paul worked with us planning out the entire reception, and was very accommodating: opening the restaurant early and generally making sure everything went smoothly.
We had cake, champagne and coffee in the front balcony area, after which we went indoors for dinner and dancing. Our reception was between 4:00PM and 9:30PM.
The venue itself is beautiful! The vineyard room was nice and private, and boasted exceptional views of the bay and Morro Rock. We had views of boats, sea lions and otters going by followed by a gorgeous pacific sunset. The balcony attached to the vineyard room was a popular spot during the reception for people cooling off between dances and for taking selfies with Morro Rock.
We brought our own sound equipment for dancing (Grand Central music in San Luis Obispo, 2 speakers for $100 was perfect), and we cleared about half the room for dancing.
The food was well presented, and the wait staff were able to serve all guests within a few minutes. We chose to provide red and a white wine for all tables, the final cost per plate, including the wine, taxes and tip, was around $90.
I recommend this location to anyone who is looking for reception with a sit-down dinner and gorgeous views. The staff were able to take care of almost everything, but were flexible enough to allow for our my wife's and my personal flourishes.
Michelle L
5.0
10/23/2018
This was such an exceptional venue! The service was absolutely incredible; staff catered to my husband and me the entire night. While the location wasn’t our first choice (we initially wanted to be in Shell Beach), I can’t imagine a different location. The views were amazing and the space really worked for our guests. Working with Paul was so seamless; he was excellent. Finally, the value was incredible. There is no venue fee - just the cost of food/drinks. I couldn’t say enough about Windows and highly recommend it!
Jessica G
5.0
10/17/2018
We just had our wedding at Windows on the Water on 9/29/18. It was the best experience ever! we had planned a BIG wedding but changed it at the last minute and couldn't have been happier with that decision. Paul makes the planning process so easy, he's responsive, and helps you make anything happen. The views are GORGEOUS. the venue doesn't need a lot of decorations because its already naturally beautiful. The food is phenomenal! the price is super reasonable for the service you get. I wish I could relive our day all over again and I wouldn't change a thing! HAVE YOUR WEDDING HERE!!!!
Laurie M
5.0
9/05/2018
If you’re looking for the perfect wedding venue in Morro Bay, you can stop your search right here and book Windows on the Water. You will not find a more spectacular setting or a better team of professionals to take your vision and turn it into reality. There are numerous pluses to Windows, starting with the general manager, Paul Merkle. From our first conversation nearly a year ago, until the day of our wedding on 8/31/18 (we had both our ceremony and reception at Windows), Paul was the voice of calm and experience. Basically, whatever I wanted, he said he could make happen. He responded to every phone call and email promptly and with sincere concern for our happiness. He is the consummate professional, as is everyone on the staff. Since it is a restaurant, you don’t have to deal with numerous vendors – catering, equipment or linen rentals, lighting, bartending, etc. you have a built-in team that works together every day, and in our case, worked together to give us a perfect evening. You also don’t need a lot of additional decorations, or even over-the-top centerpieces and floral arrangements, because the restaurant is so elegant (they provided candles, too). The service was exceptional. Chris, the sommelier and bartender that night, helped us decide on wines and champagne, and kept the cocktails coming. Bri, our server, treated us like royalty at our sweetheart table. We did not want for a thing. The entire staff was a delight. Now as to the food: we chose the four entrees off of the catering menu, but could have just as easily worked with the chef to create our own menu. Our guests, many of whom have told us that this was the best wedding they’ve ever attended, are also still talking about the food – from the appetizers to the entrees to the very decadent dessert bar. Everything looked, and tasted amazing! The exquisite venue, coupled with phenomenal food and service, made this a dream wedding, and gave us memories that will last a lifetime.
Amelia M
5.0
6/29/2018
Choosing Windows on the Water as the site for our reception was one of wedding decisions that my husband and I made. As others have mentioned, the views are so spectacular and the food is fantastic (do yourself a favor and make sure the crab-cakes are on your menu). Also, because Windows on the Water is a restaurant, their team is experienced at working together and there's none of the hassle of coordinating caterers, and rentals, and bartenders, etc. They have a great line-up of people who all did a wonderful job-- from the servers, to the bartenders, to the chef and the kitchen staff. At the top of that list is the general manager, Paul Merkle. Paul was a dream. We met with him several times to talk through our initial interest in Windows, food and beverage, and set-up. He even allowed to us to look at the set-up for another wedding so that we could get some ideas for the space. Each time we sat down with him, Paul was present, accommodating, and clearly invested in the success of our event. As a bride without a day-of coordinator, I can't tell you how much it meant to me to get an email from him two days before that said something like "Don't worry about anything, I will take care of everything." And he did. The whole night went off without a hitch, our guests raved about the location and the food, and we had a lovely, lovely evening. I really can't say enough good things about this place. It was perfect.
Heidi S
5.0
5/22/2018
My fiancé and I just had our wedding reception at Windows on the Water. Choosing Windows on the Water was the best decision we could have made! The food was fantastic, the staff were amazing and the view of the water from the tables was stunning! Many of my guests raved about the food and location to me days after the reception. To plan for the reception, I dealt with the manager, Paul. Paul was absolutely phenomenal. He was very flexible with every request I had and easily catered to all dietary restrictions that some of my guests had. He also gave me super helpful suggestions during the planning stages to make the reception go as smoothly as possible. I can’t say enough good things about this restaurant. I would highly recommend this location for anyone considering an amazing wedding venue.
Sarah S
5.0
5/09/2018
I had my wedding at Windows on the Water on April 28th. We had a small party a total of 40 people. We had our ceremony and reception in the Vineyard room. The view is spectacular. I can honestly say it was the best day ever. Paul and his staff did an excellent job and the entire day went on without any issues. The staff was very friendly and helpful. The food was excellent! Every guest I had said they really enjoyed their dinner. I highly recommended this restaurant for a wedding or any private event you may be considering them for. We are from out of the area but Paul made it easy to work with him from a distance. We plan on going back to Morro Bay every year for our anniversary and celebrating at Windows on the Water.
Elena D
5.0
4/25/2018
My husband and I had our wedding reception at Windows on 3/10/18. Throughout the entire planning process, Paul was extremely helpful and quick to respond to any questions we had or changes we needed to make. The venue was beautiful (as always), the service was impeccable, and the food was delicious. We got so many compliments from our guests on the food and very efficient service throughout the evening. We also appreciated Elizabeth, who take care of our sweetheart table. She constantly checked in with us to make sure we had everything we wanted and needed during the reception. This was by far the best wedding we've been to, not because it was ours, but because everything was so organized and stress-free thanks to the amazing staff at Windows. If we could give you guys 10 stars we would! Again, thank you for making our day SO memorable. We will highly recommend your venue to anyone looking to get married in the SLO area.
Lee B
5.0
3/26/2018
We got married at Windows on 3/11/18...Paul and the staff couldn't have been more AWESOME with helping plan and coordinate our wedding, as we were coming from Arizona to get married there. Paul and the staff went above and beyond our expectations and truly made our wedding one to be remembered! thank you all again for everything and for being so AMAZING!!! I HIGHLY recommend Windows for any event someone has!
Amy B
5.0
3/20/2018
My husband and I just had our wedding ceremony and reception at Windows on the Water this past weekend. There is not enough stars allowed on this review to show the amount of appreciation I have for the restaurant and Paul, the owner. From the very beginning stages of planning Paul made sure that everything I ever could have wanted was made possible. Whatever I asked, his response was always "yes, we can make that happen." Paul is such a genuine calm person and he made my wedding feel effortless and like a dream. The venue itself is stunning and needs very little extras to wow guests. The food was delicious and the plating was beautiful. The service at my wedding was flawless and they were the sweetest people ever. They never let my glass become empty and were all smiles the entire night. As stated before, I don't have enough room in this review to express how perfect our night was. By the end, Paul became another family member and I will definitely be going back from anniversaries, family dinners, and spontaneous trips to Morro Bay. Thank you Paul, and to all the staff at Windows on the Water! We love you!
Ken O
5.0
12/20/2017
My wife and I were married here (wedding & reception) Dec 8, 2017. Everything was absolutely stunning and Paul & his staff were beyond exceptional! Thinking back to our wedding, we both smile remembering how perfect the day really was. Windows on the Water provided amazing food, a beautiful venue with stunning waterfront views, and excellent service. Overall, we and our guests were blown away. The restaurant is so elegant, I found there was very little need for additional decorations or centerpieces (although the Christmas decorations were a welcomed touch!). Paul’s experience, and the additional items/services Windows on the Water provides meant we had very little detail to manage ourselves. Lastly (and what I love most) the staff are incredible; Paul & staff feel like a family and they treat you as though you’re part of it too. Parting words of advice, if you are looking for an affordable, beautiful venue, delicious food, fantastic staff like family, you need look no further – Windows on the Water is it.
Kalle T
5.0
12/01/2017
Paul was absolutely fantastic throughout the entire planning process, and Neil was great in accommodating every food request we had! What a beautiful place for a wedding reception (or ceremony!). We got rave reviews from family and friends. It's a relaxed beach atmosphere with great views, upscale decor, and of course amazing food and drink. Both Paul and Neil were incredibly flexible in incorporating our every request, and it made our day so special. We love Windows, and will definitely be back to dine there soon!
Cliff S
5.0
10/16/2017
Just had our wedding reception at Windows on the Water (9/2017) and couldn’t be happier. If you’re looking at Windows I would say with full confidence you should have NO hesitation whatsoever about this restaurant. Everything was phenomenal from start to finish.
PAUL: The epitome of professionalism. Paul deserves a special mention in his own section. It was such a pleasure working with him throughout our process. Everything was extremely flexible and focused on accommodating our needs and hopes for an amazing reception. We remember being shocked at just how flexible things were, be it food options, restaurant lay out, start time, end time, décor, alcohol choices, etc. The process went extremely smoothly and all the items and information needed was streamlined and laid out thoroughly pretty much right after our first meeting with him so we knew exactly what we had to figure out during the planning process. When questions arose, the answer with him was always something like “sure we can figure that out”, exactly what we needed. Overall a great person to work with when planning our reception.
FOOD: Outstanding. As in other reviews, we heard so many people telling us how they had the best wedding food they’ve ever had. Windows is an excellent restaurant when it comes to fine dining alone, notwithstanding wedding food itself. To essentially serve a wedding reception meal at an excellent restaurant with food quality that turned out as good as if we were dining there ourselves on a separate night, was truly amazing. Again, Paul worked with us to customize the menu. Perfectly medium rare flat iron steaks and rack of lamb at a wedding? Unheard of! Local fresh caught sea-bass? Incredible. Paul arranged for me to speak with the chef about all the food details which was extremely helpful as well. He gave an excellent recommendation on flatiron steaks, a somewhat lesser known cut at a cheaper cost, but with the flavor and tenderness close to a filet. We buy flatirons at home now with regularity. The worst thing at a wedding in my opinion, is overcooked meat. I had standard hesitations especially for a large event and mentioned it briefly to the chef. I was so relieved on the day of the reception to find PROPER medium rare, juicy, steaks for a large number of people. I find this to be a truly rare feat to accomplish, no pun intended. Perhaps my favorite part of the dinner was the appetizers. When Paul told me they could do almost ANYTHING we wanted for appetizers, I had to ask for my favorite, bone marrow. After a quick discussion with the chef the next thing we know, we have roasted bone marrow with bones cut into appetizer portions with just a bit of jam and a dusting of coarse sea salt... amazing. Bone marrow, braised pork belly, crab cakes with caviar.. the appetizer list was truly outstanding, and again, in my opinion, somewhat unheard of.
DECOR: The restaurant is beautiful. On our first visit there we realized the restaurant wouldn’t even need any extra decorating as it is elegant and gorgeous. While we ended up with some table decorations anyway, we could have easily done without and still have had a beautiful setting. Make sure to take into account sunset time in your planning, as there are amazing views of the water and the rock and sunset is a very special time there.
I am out of room for this review so will leave it at that. Book your reception at Windows, you will not be disappointed!
Krystle M
5.0
10/12/2017
We recently had our wedding reception here October 7th 2017. The service was phenomenal and Paul the general manager made our experience wonderful. He took the time to explain everything and kept in contact with me through out the year we planned it. We had apx 60 guests and the room was comfortable and beautiful. Our guests especially loved the food. Great thanks to the staff and Chef. I'm so extremely happy with how smooth and stress free everything was. We ate, drank, and danced the night away. My wedding was so memorable all thanks to the wonderful people that put there time and effort in to making my family friends comfortable and happy at this establishment. We will definitely be back with more large parties I'm sure.
Kathleen A
5.0
8/08/2017
The service staff at Windows On The Water was both attentive and invisible. My experience with the manager, Paul, was always positive. He was quick to answer all of my questions and very responsive over email. We visited the location on multiple occasions prior to the wedding and each time the food and service was amazing. They allowed us plenty of access to the room for set up and even during this time the staff was very helpful. The reception went very well and all of my guests were happy. My grandmother in a walker had no problem getting around at the reception. I cant say enough praise about the food and staff here. We had everything we needed and they were able to help us with things we hadn't even thought of. I highly recommend Windows on the Water for wedding receptions both large and small. It's a classy place and I was happy that no chair covers were necessary. The room was beautiful.
Cindy U
5.0
6/04/2017
Windows on the Water is absolutely amazing!!! The food is fabulous, the restaurant/view is gorgeous and Paul and staff are top knotch! We had planned to have our reception at Windows with our ceremony planned on the beach. The weather didn't coorperate and we made a last minute switch to hold both the ceremony and wedding at Windows. Paul was fantastic in being able to accomodate us!!! What could have been a disaster turned out perfect! We couldn't have been more pleased with how everything turned out. We received so many complements on his fantastic the food was from our guests. If you're looking to have a smaller wedding on the central coast, Windows on the Water is your place.
Jennifer M
5.0
5/10/2017
We were so happy we had our reception at Windows on the Water. Paul was so easy to work with. The venue and backdrop were gorgeous. The food and service was absolutely amazing. Couldn't be more happy. We have wonderful memories of our big day and Windows on the Water is many of them. Just perfect.
Kerry G
5.0
4/12/2017
I was so impressed with Paul and his staff. We recently held both our ceremony and reception at Windows on the Water. Paul was so easy to work with, accommodated our requests for set up, and was so very kind in all my interaction with him. He and his staff were efficient and caring, and knew exactly what to do to make our day flawless. It was wonderful not to have to worry about anything, including our guests, because they took care of everything. I am very much a planner and I didn't have to worry about anything. The food was amazing, it is all our guests could talk about. The service was perfect and the view and venue were unmatched. We were only using one space (The Vineyard Room) for both events, and the transition between the two went so smoothly that we didn't even notice. We could not have asked for a better venue or a better venue manager and staff. Thank you Paul and everyone at Windows for making our day perfect!
Jamie H
5.0
4/01/2017
My husband and I couldn't have been happier with our decision to get married at Windows on the Water. The first thing that drew us to the venue was the back drop of the rock and the bay through the windows. The fact that the rock was the background of our ceremony and reception was breathtaking. Paul, the manager of Windows on the Water, was amazing as well. We booked our wedding a year in advance and Paul was extremely accommodating. From communicating via email, arranging a menu tasting, and making special arrangements for us to come in and have a rehearsal and decorate, Paul truly out did himself. His staff was amazing and the food was outstanding. Our guests raved about everything and some even said it was the best wedding food they had ever had. My husband and many of our guests said the clam chowder was the best they'd ever eaten and would be back during vacation just to eat it again. My husband and I had a server just for us and she couldn't have been better. We definitely will be back to see Paul and his staff again. Paul and his staff made our day extremely memorable and we love the venue. The staff was very polite and many of our guests commented on their efficiency to quickly serve every one of my 90 guests. If you're looking for a venue for an event, or just want a delicious meal, we highly recommend Windows on the Water.
emily C
5.0
3/28/2017
My husband and I are are so happy with our decision to have our wedding reception at Windows! The amazing views of the bay, ocean and Morro Rock is a beautiful experience and environment for your guests! The food is absolutely delicious and perfectly prepared, which can be very hard to find for large parties without completely breaking the
bank. Windows is very affordable for the high quality of food and service that you will receive for your special day. We were planning from the east coast and throughout the process the manager, Paul, was incredibly helpful and responsive to my many emails asking questions and making some last minute changes. The day of the event was amazing!! All of my guests told me how much they enjoyed thee delicious food. The best part of the experience was the amazing staff! All staff members were incredibly friendly and helpful. I experienced this personally as the bride, but also received a ton of feedback from my guests about how wonderful everyone was and how they seemed truly happy that we were all having such a wonderful time! The server assigned to our sweetheart table was incredibly attentive and always wanted to make sure that my husband and I had everything we wanted to assure we really enjoyed our night! She shared that she had also had her wedding at the restaurant and wanted to make sure our experience was as wonderful as hers. I cannot say enough about how wonderful this venue is for a wedding!!
Jessica C
5.0
1/01/2017
Windows on the Water was the absolute best choice for our wedding! The staff was so amazing and made sure that everything was taken care of for us the entire night. My number one thought for our wedding was having good food, and they did not disappoint! The food is all that our guests could talk about, and my husband and I were VERY pleased with every course. I thoroughly recommend this venue to anyone looking to get married in Morro BA, Ca.
Melody M
5.0
12/10/2016
Windows on the Water was one of the best venues my fiancé and I saw before we got married. The staff was so responsive, friendly and simply wonderful to our friends and family. Their rates are comfortable and they were flexible with a lot of our requests. The food was outstanding. We had many guests tell us after the wedding that it was the best wedding food they have ever had! My husband and I are very pleased with Windows on the Water for making our wedding dreams possible.
Paula L
5.0
11/20/2016
Windows on the Water was the perfect venue for our wedding in November. From the moment we toured the restaurant and were invited back that evening for a tasting and to see an actual wedding set-up, we knew we would be well taken care of. The food was so delicious with fresh ingredients, and the the location's ambiance was just perfect. Our guests also gave rave reviews for this location-- enjoying the overall atmosphere, food, and superior service. Paul was a pleasure to work with, always responsive and available to help with questions or concerns. The day of our wedding, I appreciated how he quietly ensured things happened when they needed to-- that my husband and I felt like the guests of honor with service at our table the moment we sat down from sunset photos, as well as making each and every other person there feel as though they were a a VIP. Our guests will surely go back to Windows just for dinner in the future, as we will we! They have truly made a lasting impression on us, and made our special day even more special and stress-free. I would highly recommend having special occasions and weddings there to anyone!
Lindsay S
5.0
10/21/2016
Windows on the Water was the most perfect reception venue we ever could have imagined. It was of course phenomenal to have the views all around, but on top of that, the service was amazing: the waiting staff were impeccable as was Paul Merkle, who helped us plan in advance of the day. They all made it so easy and convenient. The meal was incredible, as many, many of our guests informed us. Great quality food, fantastic ambiance, stunning views and overall lovely experience with Windows on the Water.
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