Can’t decide on what Santa Barbara restaurants you need to visit? Here’s a list of standout spots for you to have your next meal.
The coastal town of Santa Barbara has created quite a name for itself in the food scene. From mom and pop shops to Micheline star establishments, it can be hard to choose where to dine. As a local, I am giving you my list of Santa Barbara restaurants that always leave me satisfied.
You’ll learn all about which restaurants have the best views, best happy hours, are best for a date night or a special occasion. After reading this post you’ll be dining like a local.
This post is all about the 21 staple Santa Barbara Restaurants you have to try.
Santa Barbara Restaurants
1. Boathouse at Hendry’s Beach
Starting off the list we have Boathouse at Hendry’s beach. This has to be one of the most iconic Santa Barbara restaurants. Boathouse sits right at the edge of the sand where the beach begins and offers stunning views from every table. The menu has an emphasis on seafood with some traditional American fare. Oysters are always a must, followed by the ahi poke or lobster mac & cheese and finished off with the grilled Mahi Mahi salad. This is one of the few restaurants in town that offers fresh Santa Barbara uni, but it does sell out quickly. Boathouse also features one of the best happy hours in town every Sunday through Thursday from 3-6pm. They also offer breakfast every day of the week till 11:30am and let me tell you, nothing is better than doing brunch at Boathouse! They do not offer call-ahead reservations and sometimes there can be rather long wait times, but fear not, you can order a drink to go and walk along the beach while you wait for your table. Price:$$$$
2. Convivo
If you’re a foodie, Convivo is the spot for you. Located across from East Beach sits this restaurant located within the Santa Barbara Inn. The food at Convivo is consistent and the flavors are amazing. This restaurant features Italian/ Mediterranean fare with locally sourced ingredients. From the pasta noodles to the pastries, everything is made in-house. Chef Peter gathers resources from the farmer’s market twice a week and works closely with local farmers and fishermen to make sure that the quality of food is as fresh as it can be. A few must-try items would be the pesce crudo, beef carpaccio, charcoal avocado salad, bucatini and the whole vermillion. Make sure you accompany your meal with one, or a few, of the amazing cocktails the bar team has created. Convivo is open every day of the week, 365 days a year. Price:$$$$
3. Sama Sama
Michelin Guide recognized Sama Sama with a Bib Gourmand back in 2021 and for good reason. Located on upper State Street, sits this intimate restaurant serving up Balinese fusion-style food. Family style is encouraged here and allows you to enjoy all the flavors along with your dining companions. A few standout dishes here would be the signature wings, crispy duck salad, black pepper tofu & broccolini and the market fish. No meal is complete without finishing it off with the palm sugar cake. The cocktails are super creative and the wine list is spectacular. This is the perfect spot for a date night. Sama Sama does not accept reservations, but there is a cocktail lounge next door called Good Lion, so you can put your name down and pop over for a drink while you wait. Price:$$$$
4. Los Agaves
One of the best spots to go for Mexican food in Santa Barbara is Los Agaves. This restaurant serves up traditional-style Mexican food and features the best salsa bar in all of SB. Los Agaves offers deals every taco Tuesday and their De La Vina location has a daily happy hour from 11am-4pm. The De La Vina location is the only one to offer a full bar, but you’re able to purchase beer and wine at the other locations. I recommend the enchiladas or wet burritos and make sure you try their avocado salsa. Los Agaves is an order at the counter restaurant, where you’ll receive a number and food will be brought to your table. Price:$$$$
5. Brophy Brothers
This is one of the most iconic Santa Barbara restaurants, if not the most. Brophy Brothers is located in the marina and is a two-level restaurant offering seafood fare. They are most widely known for their famous clam chowder. This is a common spot for locals and tourists alike. Try and grab one of the seats at the bar on the second level, where they shuck the oysters right in front of you as you look out at the boats docked in the marina. Brophy Brothers does not accept reservations and the bar is first come, first serve. Price:$$$$
6. Oku
Looking for a dinner spot before you go out on the town? Oku is the spot for you! Located adjacent to the pier, sits this Japanese fusion restaurant. Oku graced Santa Barbara with its presence in 2019 and has been a hot spot ever since. Just feet away from the Funk Zone and a ten-minute walk to the main drag of bars on State Street, Oku is in the heart of it all. The ambiance here is immaculate and the views from the lower and upper patio are killer. Make sure to try the blistered shishito peppers and the Crazy Rich Asian roll that features lobster, A-5 Japanese wagyu and truffle oil. Oku tends to be rather busy, but they accept reservations in advance. Price:$$$$
7. Cold Springs Tavern
Cold Springs Tavern might be one of Santa Barbara’s best-kept secrets. Located up the 154 highway in the middle of the mountains, sits this tavern that’s been operating since 1868. Cold Springs Tavern is just a 15-minute drive from downtown SB, but you feel like you’re being transported to a world away. The restaurant serves up American fare and offers tri-tip sandwiches on the weekend. Besides the tri-tip, the chili and giant onion rings with ranch are worth an honorable mention. Cold Springs Tavern even has the original recipe for Hidden Valley Ranch, which was created here in SB. This spot is a favorite among SB locals and even draws in quite a biker crowd from Santa Ynez Valley. They take reservations for the main restaurant during the evening, but the weekend tri-tip is first come, first serve. If you’re coming on a weekend, try to get there early because the live music draws a big crowd and parking can be hard to find. Price:$$$$
8. Flor De Maiz
If you’re on the search for a great happy hour, Flor De Maiz needs to be at the top of your list. Located adjacent to the pier and next door to Oku, sits this Oaxacan cuisine restaurant. Flor De Maiz is another restaurant created by the owners of Los Agaves. This restaurant is a more elevated dining experience compared to the laid-back style of Los Agaves. The restaurant features indoor and outdoor dining and overlooks the ocean across the street. They offer happy hour Monday through Thursday from 2-6pm. I would recommend going during happy hour because the prices do jump a bit when they transition to their dinner menu. You shouldn’t have a problem grabbing a table here during the week, but you should absolutely make reservations if you plan to go on the weekend. Price:$$$$
9. Santa Barbara Shellfish Company
Looking for seafood, look no further! Santa Barbara Shellfish Company serves up some of the freshest seafood in all of Santa Barbara County. Located at the very end of the pier, sits a small shack with indoor and outdoor seating and gorgeous views of the harbor. They also offer a to-go counter, if you prefer not to have full table service and just enjoy your food at one of the nearby picnic tables. If you’re a crab fan like me, this is one of the only spots that offers full steamed crab in town. It’s also one of the go-to spots for fresh Santa Barbara uni, while the supplies last. If you’re going on the weekend, make sure you turn up early, as wait lines can get rather large and they do not accept reservations. Price:$$$$
10. Stonehouse
Stonehouse may just be the most impressive restaurant in all of Santa Barbara. It has been regularly voted the #1 restaurant in Santa Barbara by OpenTable and has been awarded the Grand Award by Wine Spectator since 2014. It is located at the famous San Ysidro Ranch hotel and is one of their two restaurants. There is a lower patio and an upper patio terrace that offer outdoor seating, as well as limited indoor seating on the upper level. The upper patio is fully covered and both patios feature an abundance of heaters to provide enjoyable outdoor dining year around. If you’re looking for indoor seating, I would recommend going to the hotel’s other restaurant Plow & Angel. Plow & Angel has the feel of being in a stone cellar and the bar there is a great place to start the night before dinner. Stonehouse and Plow & Angel feature the same menu with the exception of the flambéed dishes not being served at Plow & Angel. Some of the must-try items here would be the Japanese yellowtail crudo, truffle honey glazed jidori farms chicken breast and the classic steak Diane, which is flambéed table side. The desserts are also amazing and I would recommend one of the many soufflés or the bananas fosters, which is another flambéed table side dish. While Plow & Angel is only open for dinner, Stonehouse offers lunch and a champagne brunch on the weekends for a flat fee of $105 per guest. Securing a table at this elite restaurant can be hard, so make sure to make your reservation far in advance. This is an extremely private hotel and walk-ins for the restaurants are usually not welcomed and can result in you being turned around at the security gate to the property. Price:$$$$
11. Oliver’s
A stunning patio and a completely vegan menu are two of the reasons you need to make dinner at Oliver’s your next date night. Located on Coast Village Road in Montecito, sits this primarily outdoor restaurant. The patio is filled with large trees that are covered in string lights and create the perfect atmosphere. Don’t let the solely vegan menu scare you away, the food here is incredible! A few standout dishes are the kung pao cauliflower and the braised mushroom ravioli. Oliver’s is only open for dinner and reservations are recommended. Price:$$$$
12. Toma
Another phenomenal spot for a date or night out on the town is Toma. Located across from the marina, sits this intimate restaurant with an attention to detail. Toma refers to itself as rustic coastal cuisine and many locals would agree that it has a touch of Italian flare. Must-try items include the tuna cones, black spaghetti and grilled pork chop. The wine list here is spectacular and the servers are extremely knowledgeable and eager to offer their suggestions. Toma tends to be rather busy and reservations are highly recommended. Price:$$$$
13. Zaytoon
If you’re dining with a large group and want a fun atmosphere, then Zaytoon is your spot. Located close to state street, sits this primarily outdoor restaurant that features large fire pit tables and Lebanese food. The menu is great for family style sharing and the halloumi cheese and salmon with basil cream are must-try items. Come with a group of six or more to secure a fire pit spot, but make sure to make a reservation beforehand. Price:$$$$
14. Barbareño
A special gem that tells the story of Santa Barbara through their food is Barbareño. Located in the heart of downtown, sits this rustic restaurant serving up local cuisine. Barbareño pays homage to food creations that were made in SB county, such as the egg McMuffin and Hidden Valley Ranch, with playful twists on these classics. The dessert is reason alone to come to this restaurant, with one of the most creative dessert menus I’ve ever seen. Make sure you check out their wine list featuring an array of California wines. They do have a phenomenal international wines list, but you will have to specifically ask for that one. Barbareño is only open for dinner and closed on Tuesdays. Make sure to make a reservation, as it is limited seating. Price:$$$$
15. Honor Bar
Though this spot is technically in Montecito, it’s still considered a must-try among Santa Barbara restaurants. Located on Coast Village Road, the Honor Bar is a local’s favorite. This restaurant offers indoor and outdoor seating, with the main focal point being the circular bar in the middle of the restaurant. The pine room salad and Ding’s crispy chicken sandwich are must-try items. This is a first come, first serve style restaurant, so make sure to get there early on the weekends. Price:$$$$
16. Lucky’s
If you enjoy people-watching with your meal, this is the spot for you. Lucky’s is the top steakhouse out of all Santa Barbara restaurants and is also known to be the spot where people go to show off. Located on Coast Village Road in Montecito, sits this establishment serving up steaks, chops, seafood and cocktails. Lucky’s is an upscale joint with a standard of excellence. Reservations are highly recommended and usually necessary most nights out of the week. Price:$$$$
17. The Lark
In the heart of the Funk Zone sits this rustic restaurant serving up Central California coast cuisine. The Lark is located in the center of the downtown scene and is a great place for a night out on the town. They are very big on family-style dining and even feature communal-style dining tables in the restaurant. Make sure to try the crispy brussel sprouts and the Catalina bluefin tuna belly crudo. Reservations are available and highly recommend. Price:$$$$
18. Loquita
Another winner of a Michelin Bib Gourmand award is Loquita. Located on the edge of the funk zone, sits this Spanish-style restaurant serving up tapas. It is operated and owned by the same group that runs The Lark and located just a few blocks away from each other. Loquita has quickly become one of the hot spots in SB and is always bustling. Make sure to try some of their delicious paella and one of their creative gin & tonics. Reservations are usually required, but you may be able to grab a walk-in seat at the bar. Price:$$$$
19. Pickle Room
A favorite spot among locals, the Pickle Room is the place to go for a good time. Located downtown, sits this bar that serves up classic bar bites. Probably best known for their pickle martini and the fact that the bartenders here serve up a stiff drink. It’s a great spot to stop on your way to see a show at the SB Bowl or after work for happy hour. They make a great burger here and you can’t leave without trying one of their giant pickles. This is a first come, first serve style establishment, but it’s usually not hard to snag a table. Price:$$$$
20. Chad’s Cafe
If you’re looking for a classic breakfast spot, Chad’s Cafe is as classic as it gets. Formerly known as “Sambos”, this cafe sits across from the beach directly in between the marina and the pier. It’s open for breakfast and lunch and serves up American-style fare. Make sure to try their mimosa flight if you’re trying to add a little booze to your brunch. First come, first serve. Price:$$$$
21. Rosewood Miramar Beach
Technically this isn’t just one restaurant, but all of the restaurants on this property are worth a mention. The Rosewood Miramar Beach is a hotel located along the ocean in Montecito that has five different restaurant outlets on the property. All restaurants are outstanding, but the beach bar and Carusos steal the show. Both of these spots sit along the water and offer uninterrupted views of the Pacific Ocean. The beach bar is a more laidback, casual drinks and lite bites style spot, while Caruso’s is a fine dining experience. Caruso’s is a one Michelin star and green Michelin star winner and offers prefixed dining menus. The beach bar welcomes walk-ins, but Caruso’s requires a reservation. Price:$$$$
If you go to any one of these 21 staple Santa Barbara Restaurants you’re guaranteed to always have a good meal and a great time.
