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Diners' Choice: Best Ambience restaurants in Santa Barbara

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OpenTable
Updated 05 December 2024

Looking for restaurants with the best ambience in Santa Barbara? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyses nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favourite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you book, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!


A photo of Stonehouse at San Ysidro Ranch restaurant
Stonehouse at San Ysidro Ranch
4.8
4.8 (2643)
$50 and over
Contemporary American
Santa Barbara
About the restaurant
The Stonehouse, located in a beautiful 19th-century citrus packing house, offers an unparalleled dining experience. Guests can unwind in a relaxing lounge with full bar service or enjoy the ambiance of the separate dining room, complete with a crackling fireplace and world-class views. Chef Matthew Johnson creates evocative regional cuisine, utilizing fresh herbs and vegetables from the Ranch’s organic chef’s garden. The Stonehouse boasts the only Grand Award-winning wine program in Central California, ensuring an unparalleled selection of wines to complement your meal. For a unique twist, visit the restaurant's speakeasy for before or after dinner drinks, where you can enjoy expertly crafted cocktails in an intimate, nostalgic setting.
Top review
FrankVIP
Dined 2 days ago
I’ve been here many times over the last 15 years and it’s such a beautiful restaurant. The food was amazing and our waiter was fantastic. Valet was terrific too. The hostess was a little stiff and standoffish which was surprising. We’d definitely return again hoping for a perfect dining experience. Thank you Chef!
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A photo of San Ysidro Ranch Meyer Lemon Tart of a restaurant
Popular dish
San Ysidro Ranch Meyer Lemon Tart
A photo of Blackened Ora King Salmon Salad of a restaurant
Popular dish
Blackened Ora King Salmon Salad
A photo of Sunday Champagne Brunch of a restaurant
Experience
Sunday Champagne Brunch
A photo of The Bistro at The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara restaurant
The Bistro at The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara
4.6
4.6 (536)
$50 and over
American
Santa Barbara
About the restaurant
Named “Top 100 Best Al Fresco Dining Restaurants in America” by OpenTable, The Bistro offers a casual and relaxed atmosphere to dine and enjoy sweeping views of the coastline. Local produce and sustainable seafood highlight an acclaimed menu of traditional bistro favorites, including brick oven flatbreads, seasonal salads and the signature Santa Barbara burger.

Please note that holiday reservations are only available for in-house guests. Room confirmation number is required to officially confirm your dining reservation during these times.

Marriott Bonvoy Members can earn points when staying with us. Please enroll here: https://www.joinmarriottbonvoy.com/uscanqr/s/EN/ch/sbarz

For parties with 6 guests or more a 26% service charge fee will be added to your final bill. For all guests there will be an 8.75% California State tax added to the final bill.
Top review
Ana Y
Dined 1 day ago
Amazing food! Our waiter German was the best!!!!!!
A photo of Intermezzo By Wine Cask restaurant
Intermezzo By Wine Cask
4.6
4.6 (1788)
$31 to $50
Californian
Santa Barbara
About the restaurant
Intermezzo by Wine Cask
New Menu by Executive Chef Mossin Sugich

Modern American cuisine with a Mediterranean twist
Top review
ElizabethVIP
Dined 7 days ago
I love this place; have been several times. I’ve only had dinner at the bar, so can’t speak to table service, but the bartenders work hard, and are funny, attentive and very knowledgeable about wines. The atmosphere is lively and sophisticated. Did I mention the food??? Pizza is amazing here. NY steak & frites is fantastic. Enjoy!
A photo of Toma Restaurant & Bar restaurant
Toma Restaurant & Bar
4.8
4.8 (5507)
$31 to $50
Italian
Santa Barbara
About the restaurant
Toma Restaurant and Bar a waterfront bistro, located along Santa Barbara's picturesque Cabrillo Blvd. Experience Santa Barbara waterfront's most romantic restaurant. Savor exquisite Italian and Mediterranean inspired dishes from Santa Barbara's seasonal bounty, supporting our local fisherman, farmers, foragers and food artisans. Pour over local and Italian wines along with a full bar of handcrafted cocktails and spirits. Enjoy warm and attentive service while dining window side with a view of the enchanting Santa Barbara harbor.
Top review
ValerieVIP
Dined 2 days ago
Great Italian restaurant right on the water. The food was delicious. There were six of us and everybody mentioned how good their choices were. Will definitely come back!
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A photo of Tuna Cones of a restaurant
Popular dish
Tuna Cones
A photo of Lasagna of a restaurant
Popular dish
Lasagna
A photo of Ravioli of a restaurant
Popular dish
Ravioli
A photo of Bouchon - Santa Barbara restaurant
Bouchon - Santa Barbara
4.9
4.9 (5448)
$31 to $50
Californian
Santa Barbara
About the restaurant
We are delighted to have added additional outdoor seating but Santa Barbara nights are chilly so bring a sweater or light jacket!

Fresh, local ingredients, prepared with care. Excellent wines that reflect the quality and character of our region and work in concert with the cuisine. Warm, inviting ambiance, service at a relaxed, leisurely pace. Santa Barbara ‘Wine Country Cuisine’ means we source our ingredients using an ‘as-fresh-and-as-local-as-possible’ approach, with fish from the Santa Barbara Channel and produce from the surrounding countryside. We then take into account how these flavors can be presented in concert with our local wines. We believe you’ll taste the difference. Bon Appètit!
Top review
Marcia
Dined 2 days ago
The food was amazing! Both my boyfriend and I started with the onion soup, which was cheesy and savory. I had the duck which was tender and extremely flavorful. My boyfriend had the filet that was also tender and juicy with a great pepper sauce. We were both extremely full, but opted for a scoop of lemon berry ice cream which was a perfect way to end the meal.
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A photo of Scallop Trio of a restaurant
Popular dish
Scallop Trio
A photo of Dungeness Crab Cakes of a restaurant
Popular dish
Dungeness Crab Cakes
A photo of Bouchon French 'French Onion' Soup of a restaurant
Popular dish
Bouchon French 'French Onion' Soup
A photo of Lucky's restaurant
Lucky's
4.8
4.8 (2892)
$50 and over
Steakhouse
Montecito
About the restaurant
LUCKY'S is widely known for its exclusive selection of USDA Prime steaks, fresh seafood, farmer's market vegetables, no-nonsense cocktails and world class wine cellar.
For take-out, please call the restaurant.
We do not accept bar table reservations online, please call the restaurant.
For larger parties, please call or email the restaurant directly.

Top review
PaulVIP
Dined 1 day ago
Excellence in all respects! Food and Service are at the highest levels!
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A photo of Monday - Chicken Pot Pie with Morels of a restaurant
Popular dish
Monday - Chicken Pot Pie with Morels
A photo of Opal Restaurant & Bar restaurant
Opal Restaurant & Bar
4.8
4.8 (1773)
$31 to $50
Californian
Santa Barbara
About the restaurant
We have inside and limited outdoor sidewalk dining. If you prefer to sit outside, please indicate that with your reservation request.
To accommodate our second seating, early parties should plan for a maximum stay of 1.5 to 2hrs, depending on party size. Please call 805 966 9676 for more details.
A popular local’s favorite, opal restaurant & bar’s Eclectic California Cuisine fuses creative world cuisine influences with American Regional touches, from a 14 oz. Herb-Grilled Ribeye Steak on Tuscan White Beans, to Fresh Pan-Seared Fish & Seafood, Homemade Pastas, Gourmet Pizzas, fresh Baked Breads, imaginative Salads, & Homemade Desserts.
We have a Wine Spectator award-winning wine list, & a full bar with seasonal Craft Cocktails.
Our entire dining room staff assists to take care of each table, enabling exceptional service in a warm engaging manner, properly nuanced to your mood & taste. Our staff genuinely cares about giving you the best possible experience!
Top review
AngelaVIP
Dined today
Our dining experience was great! The food, Paul our server, the environment…great vibe. Glad to have chosen this place. We will be back!
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A photo of Pasilla Chile Filet Mignon of a restaurant
Popular dish
Pasilla Chile Filet Mignon
A photo of Barbareño restaurant
Barbareño
4.8
4.8 (1891)
$31 to $50
Californian
Santa Barbara
About the restaurant
At Barbareño we seek to help further shape and define Central Coast cuisine. We take our inspiration from traditions and specialties of our area, delicacies unique to our region, and the many outstanding purveyors with whom we are so fortunate to work. In all of our efforts, we hope to capture the essence of a particular place or local flavor, embracing the nuances that make our food and drink unique to our home.

Top review
OpenTable Diner
Dined today
Everything we tried was great and flavorful. The service and ambiance was wonderful. It was our fist time dining here and we are looking forward to coming back.
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A photo of Santa Maria BBQ of a restaurant
Popular dish
Santa Maria BBQ
A photo of Baked California of a restaurant
Popular dish
Baked California
A photo of Grilled Avocado of a restaurant
Popular dish
Grilled Avocado
A photo of Convivo restaurant
Convivo
4.7
4.7 (2139)
$31 to $50
Italian
Santa Barbara
About the restaurant
Convivo is a Santa Barbara restaurant and bar with an Italian soul. Chef-Owner Peter McNee's food is best described as ‘Nomad Italian’. It strays from the standard or traditional Italian, sourcing inspiration from many other cultures’ cooking but its soul is thoroughly Italian. The ever-changing menu includes small plates, housemade pasta, wood-fired pizza, rotisserie chicken, fresh seafood and steaks served family-style. McNee’s all-star supplier network provides the freshest produce and local seafood the region is famous for.

Inspired by the bounty of the sea, the lush farms and abundant vineyards nearby and the cooking methods of Italy, Convivo is a festive gathering place for locals and visitors alike inside the newly-restored Santa Barbara Inn.
Top review
Heather
Dined 2 days ago
Inspired, delicious menu. Friendly and attentive service. Gorgeous dining room.
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A photo of Cappellacci of a restaurant
Popular dish
Cappellacci
A photo of Bucatini of a restaurant
Popular dish
Bucatini
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