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Best Hot Spot Restaurants in Santa Barbara

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5 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Holdren's Santa Barbara restaurant
1. Holdren's Santa Barbara
4.6
Exceptional(1036)
Price: Expensive
• Steakhouse • Santa Barbara
Booked 21 times today
Holdren’s Steaks & Seafood, located on State Street, serves up a delicious and diverse menu of seafood and steaks, where the portions are always generous and the prices always reasonable. Our surf and turf menu, including our favorite bacon wrapped stuffed shrimp or our USDA prime steaks that are charbroiled over a mesquite grill, is complimented by an extensive wine list, a healthy assortment of premium spirits, and a selection of signature drinks. Daily meals can be enjoyed in our cozy, and dark saloon-inspired dining room, or on our outdoor patio. The indoor dining room is adorned with brown leather booths, dark wood paneling, and funky artwork lining the exposed brick walls. Holdren’s has been voted as the best steakhouse multiple times by the Santa Barbara Independent’s Reader’s Poll and by the Santa Barbara News Press’ Reader’s Choice Awards.
A photo of OKU restaurant
2. OKU
4.7
Exceptional(1811)
Price: Expensive
• Asian • Santa Barbara
Booked 48 times today
Tina Takaya, proprietor, welcomes you to our newest two story restaurant on the water. We feel the key to success is our passion for creating the highest quality food and warm friendly service. We hope you will enjoy your experience as much as we enjoyed creating it for you."We want Locals to feel like Family and Visitors to feel like Locals"Our menu draws from Asian favorites that inspire and excite such as Wagyu Steak, Japanese Sushi, Chinese Dumplings, Garlic Noodles and fresh local seafood.We are located in the heart of Santa Barbara’s Waterfront and Funk Zone Districts. Come enjoy lunch or dinner, soak in the sun by day at our waterfront rooftop bar while sipping on a refreshing cocktail surrounded by our beautiful ocean vista and by night, enjoy lounging by the fireplace after a delicious meal and a great glass of wine.Our chef uses the freshest ingredients from central coast farmers and local fisherman to create dishes with the best of what California has to offer.
A photo of Lucky's restaurant
3. Lucky's
4.7
Exceptional(2921)
Price: Very Expensive
• Steakhouse • Montecito
Booked 47 times today
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.
A photo of Tre Lune restaurant
4. Tre Lune
4.8
Exceptional(2048)
Price: Expensive
• Italian • Montecito
Booked 55 times today
"Upbeat and comfortable, serving real-deal pastas and pizzas that make you feel like you're in Italy again." - ZAGAT 2010 Fresh fish, veal scaloppini, osso buco, prime steaks, Kobe-beef burgers, organic salads, and house-made desserts. Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner-Cocktails. Award Winner of Italian wines list.Please call to make reservations.
A photo of Sandbar Mexican Restaurant restaurant
5. Sandbar Mexican Restaurant
4.4
Awesome(183)
Price: Moderate
• Mexican • Santa Barbara
Booked 3 times today
We are a traditional Sonora style Mexican Restaurant and Tequila Bar. Guests will experience the authentic tastes and warm outdoor dining of Mexico. We use homemade sweet and sour with organic agave nectar in our world class margaritas. We also feature handmade tortilla chips and salsas, fresh Ceviche, homemade guacamole and the best fajitas around.We feature a vibrant bar scene and a social atmosphere. We also serve our full menu nightly until 11pm. Stick around after dinner as we transform into one of Santa Barbara's best late night hot spots.

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From verified diners like you
From verified diners like you
  • peterVIP
    Tampa / Central Florida West •13 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 1 day ago
    As always a fun time in a fun place run by professionals
    More info
    Lucky'sPrice: Very Expensive• Steakhouse• Montecito
    •
    4.7
  • Hailey
    1 review
    4.0
    Dined 3 days ago
    My boyfriend and I visited SandBar last night, and overall, it was a great experience! The atmosphere was cozy and welcoming, and we really enjoyed our time there. The raspberry margaritas were so refreshing. Definitely a highlight of the evening! I couldn’t stop raving about it! We started with the bean dip, which was delicious… until my boyfriend bit down on something incredibly hard. It might have been a rock or something similar. It was a bit jarring, but the staff was very attentive, and they took care of the situation immediately. For the main course, I had the ceviche, which was mostly incredible, but I did find a few chewy and weird pieces of fish that weren’t quite as fresh as the rest. Despite that, the flavors were spot on, and the dish was pretty refreshing overall. Despite the little hiccups, the food and drinks were still amazing, and the service was fantastic. I’d definitely come back and give it another try!
    More info
    Sandbar Mexican RestaurantPrice: Moderate• Mexican• Santa Barbara
    •
    4.4
  • CameronHVIP
    Los Angeles •8 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 4 days ago
    Wonderful lunch sitting outside… food was excellent! We way overdid it but loved it all! Spicy pizza, stone crab claws and a delicious salad. Highly recommend!
    More info
    Tre LunePrice: Expensive• Italian• Montecito
    •
    4.8
  • Thomas
    California Central Coast •2 reviews
    4.0
    Dined 5 days ago
    We know the owner and loved the service staff and the food. The hard surfaces along with large groups made for a relatively high level of noise. I guess that means it is a popular place for all the good reasons ~!!
    More info
    OKUPrice: Expensive• Asian• Santa Barbara
    •
    4.7
  • michelle
    California Central Coast •18 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 5 days ago
    Fabulous meal for the anniversary special ! What a great deal
    More info
    Holdren's Santa BarbaraPrice: Expensive• Steakhouse• Santa Barbara
    •
    4.6

Discover best hot spot restaurants in Santa Barbara

Explore the vibrant dining scene of Santa Barbara on California's Central Coast, where the keyword "hot spot" brings you to a selection of top-tier restaurants. Each establishment in this curated list offers a unique blend of ambiance and culinary excellence, making them perfect for both casual outings and special occasions. The restaurants feature diverse menus that showcase both local and international flavors, ensuring a palate-pleasing experience for all diners. Patrons can expect attentive service, a warm atmosphere, and a commitment to quality that stands out in the Santa Barbara dining landscape. Whether you're in the mood for innovative Californian cuisine or exotic international dishes, these hot spots provide an enchanting setting with meticulously crafted menus. Santa Barbara's restaurant scene thrives on its ability to blend scenic beauty with gastronomic creativity, making it a must-visit destination for food lovers. Discover your next favorite meal in the heart of California's Central Coast.

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