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Blackbird, Santa Barbara, CA
Award-winning

Blackbird

4.2
4.2
165 Reviews
$31 to $50
Californian

Make a booking

2 people
19:00
Booked 1 time today
  • Good for special occasions
  • Good for business meals
  • Charming
A mainstay of the Funk Zone, Blackbird offers a beverage-forward atmosphere featuring inventive cocktails by legendary mixologist Devon Espinosa alongside a thoughtfully curated menu that pays homage to the culinary bounty of the Central Coast. Enjoy an extensive list of local wine and craft beer that highlights the terroir of the region and pairs seamlessly with our iconoclastic take on local, sustainable cuisine. With its striking brass fixtures and black box-like aesthetic, Blackbird upends the conventional upscale dining experience in Santa Barbara and offers a subtle nod to Alfred Hitchcock’s haunting, yet timeless thrillers. Here guests are offered a pulse on contemporary Santa Barbara.

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Californian, Bar / Lounge / Bottle Service, Lounge
  • Hours of Operation
    Tue–Sat 17:00–22:00
  • Phone number
    (805) 882-0135
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Executive Chef
    Travis Watson
  • Private party facilities
    We are available for partial and full buyouts for up to 150 guests. Please contact us at sales@hotelcalifornian.com for more information.
  • Award-winning
    1. MICHELIN Plate 2022
  • Area
    Santa Barbara
  • Cross Street
    At the intersection of State and Mason Streets.
  • Parking details
    Hotel Parking
  • Public transit
    One block from the Santa Barbara Amtrak station.
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 165 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.2
4.2 based on recent ratings
  • 4.2Food
  • 4.1Service
  • 4.5Ambience
  • 3.8Value

NoiseModerate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Blackbird offers a memorable dining experience at the heart of State Street. Guests praise its "wonderful" food, "great" service, and inviting ambiance. The chef's talent shines through inventive dishes like black cod and risotto. While some service issues are noted, the restaurant remains a "must-visit" for culinary adventures.

165 Reviews
  1. Lisa

    Los Angeles

    19 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    19 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    I was shocked that a 45$ halibut entry was not served with a side of any kind . Even a small serving of mashed potatoes . We spent over 200$ and I was starving when I left .

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  2. AMIT

    New York City

    12 reviews

    vip
    2.0

    12 reviews

    Dined on 8 September 2024

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 2
    Service was poor. The server had to be reminded on multiple occasions for the order to be served. Food was under par.
    BlackbirdResponded on 12 September 2024
    Amit, we sincerely apologize for your experience. Your feedback regarding the service and food quality is invaluable and will help us improve. We aim to provide a better experience for all our guests, and we appreciate you bringing this to our attention. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and we hope you will try us again another time. All the best, Kiarra Beard - General Manager

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  3. Adriana

    Washington DC

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on 1 September 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Wonderful food and service. Had a great dinner for our anniversary.
    BlackbirdResponded on 12 September 2024
    Thank you Adriana for your review! We appreciate you taking the time to write this review and for choosing to celebrate your anniversary with us. We look forward to welcoming you back for future celebrations. All the best, Kiarra Beard - General Manager

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  4. Rosalie

    Central Coast

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 1 September 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great portions for a fancy restaurant. Delicious, inventive and entertaining drinks (especially the drink in a bird-shaped glass).
    BlackbirdResponded on 12 September 2024
    Thank you, Rosalie! We're thrilled you enjoyed the portions and our creative drinks. The Hitchcock Presents... is definitely a new crowd favorite! Your feedback means a lot to us, and we look forward to welcoming you back for more delicious experiences with amazing hospitality. All the best, Kiarra Beard - General Manager

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  5. Toby

    New York City

    75 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    75 reviews

    Dined on 1 September 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Very good food and great service. The server gave great recommendations and we thoroughly enjoyed the meal.
    BlackbirdResponded on 12 September 2024
    Thanks for the fantastic feedback, Toby! We're thrilled to hear you enjoyed the food and received excellent service. Our team loves making great recommendations, and it's wonderful to know they enhanced your experience. We look forward to welcoming you back soon! All the best, Kiarra Beard - General Manager

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  6. OpenTable Diner

    Los Angeles

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 18 August 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Blackbird, located at the bottom of State Street, is a hidden gem offering a wonderful dining experience. The expertly crafted cocktails, flavorful dishes, and inviting ambiance create a memorable meal. The friendly service enhances the experience, making guests feel right at home. Whether for a casual night out or special occasion, Blackbird impresses with its culinary offerings and charming atmosphere, making it a must-visit destination for a culinary adventure. We will definitely be returning!
    BlackbirdResponded on 21 August 2024
    Hello and thank you so much for your glowing review of Blackbird! We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the expertly crafted cocktails, flavorful dishes, and inviting ambiance. Our team works hard to create a memorable dining experience, and we can't wait to welcome you back soon! All the best, Kiarra Beard - General Manager

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  7. Alan

    Los Angeles

    26 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    26 reviews

    Dined on 11 August 2024

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 4
    Friendly staff but horribly slow unsophisticated service
    BlackbirdResponded on 21 August 2024
    Hi Alan, thank you for sharing your feedback with us. We appreciate you pointing out the friendliness of our staff. We apologize for any inconvenience caused by the slower service and will work on improving our efficiency. Your input helps us continue to enhance our customer experience and we appreciate you taking the time to explain your experience. We strive to do better and hope to have the opportunity to welcome you back. All the best, Kiarra Beard - General Manager

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  8. GuillermoW

    San Francisco

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on 11 August 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The food was incredible!!! The black cod was delicious and fresh !!! The risotto was spectacular!!!
    BlackbirdResponded on 21 August 2024
    Guillermo, we are thrilled to hear that you enjoyed our black cod and risotto! Thank you for taking the time to share your positive experience with us. We hope to have the pleasure of serving you again soon. All the best, Kiarra Beard - General Manager

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  9. Elizabeth

    Indiana

    2 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 11 August 2024

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Unfortunately they were out of the eggplant dish which was the only vegan entree available! However the staff was accommodating and suggested some alternative sides that could be combined.
    BlackbirdResponded on 21 August 2024
    Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback with us. We apologize for the inconvenience of being out of the eggplant dish. We're glad to hear that our staff was able to suggest some alternative options for you. We appreciate your understanding and hope to serve you again soon. All the best, Kiarra Beard - General Manager

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  10. Loyalcustomer

    Washington DC

    105 reviews

    4.0

    105 reviews

    Dined on 27 July 2024

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 3
    Very good food and the birthday strawberry cake was wonderful!!!!!
    BlackbirdResponded on 3 August 2024
    Hello, thank you for your positive feedback! We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed your dinner and dessert while celebrating. We appreciate your support and hope to see you again soon for another delicious meal. All the best, Kiarra Beard - General Manager

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

Blackbird is rated 4.2 stars by 165 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a booking

2 people
19:00
Booked 1 time today
Google Map for Blackbird

36 State St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Award-winning
    1. MICHELIN Plate 2022
  • Cross Street
    At the intersection of State and Mason Streets.
  • Area
    Santa Barbara
  • Hours of Operation
    Tue–Sat 17:00–22:00
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Californian, Bar / Lounge / Bottle Service, Lounge
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Parking details
    Hotel Parking
  • Public transit
    One block from the Santa Barbara Amtrak station.
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive Chef
    Travis Watson
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Phone number
    (805) 882-0135
  • Private party facilities
    We are available for partial and full buyouts for up to 150 guests. Please contact us at sales@hotelcalifornian.com for more information.
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  • Terms of Use
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