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Opal Restaurant & Bar, Santa Barbara, CA

Opal Restaurant & Bar

4.8
4.8
1834 Reviews
$31 to $50
Californian
1325 State St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101-2609

Make a booking

2 people
19:00
Booked 30 times today
Experiences are available.

About this restaurant

  • Good for special occasions
  • Neighbourhood gem
  • Charming
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!

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Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Fine Dining
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Californian, Fusion / Eclectic, American
  • Hours of Operation
    Dinner Mon–Thu, Sun 17:00–21:00 Fri, Sat 17:00–22:00
  • Phone number
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Executive Chef
    Felipe Barajas
  • Private party facilities
    We can accommodate 45+ guests on one side of the restaurant, and 65+ on the other : 110 total. Either side reservable for semi or private dining.To book a large group or banquet (15 or more guests), contact our banquet management team by clicking on the Banquet inquiries tab on our website and filling out the Banquet Contact Form there.
  • Area
    Santa Barbara
  • Cross Street
    Sola Street
  • Parking details
    Street Parking available on Sola Street and State Street. There is also a large public lot on Chapala Street between Victoria and Sola Streets, and a lot on the corner of Chapala and Sola Streets
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Delivery, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeaway, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Experiences

  • Graduation Weekend

    US$82.60 - US$96.60 per person

    14 Jun 2025 - 15 Jun 2025
    UCSB Graduation 2025: Welcome graduates, families, and friends! We know you are here to celebrate, and we are here to help you have a great celebration, as we have been doing for 24 years now. Our kitchen excels in preparing wonderful meals in a timely fashion that keeps us on schedule so that we may take our next reservations at their scheduled time, but so that you have an relaxed and unhurried time dining with us, due to the well-honed skills of our service staff and managers. For parties of 7 or more, the menu we're serving is a 3 course Prix Fixe Grad Menu, w/2 price tiers, $59 or $69pp, not including tax, beverages, or gratuity. Guests need not choose their menu in advance, they may choose either menu at the table. This menu encompasses a wide range of tastes, and there is truly something for everyone. Visit our website opalrestaurantandbar.com for menu and details. We have 3 seatings, each allowing a 2 hour stay.  1st seating: 1230-230pm, 1-3om, or 130-330pm 2nd seating: 4-6pm, 430-630pm, or 5-7pm 3nd seating: 615-815pm, 645-845pm, or 715-915pm For parties of 13+ or if unable to book online, call 805-966-9676 to check availability. Ww look forward to having you join us and to creating a great graduation for the graduates and their family and friends!
    Graduation Weekend photo

What 1,834 people are saying

Opal Restaurant & Bar reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

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

4.8
4.8 based on recent ratings
  • 4.7Food
  • 4.8Service
  • 4.7Ambience
  • 4.5Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • California Central Coast

    Californian

  • Santa Barbara

    Best Overall

  • Santa Barbara

    Best Food

  • Santa Barbara

    Best Service

  • Santa Barbara

    Best Value

  • Santa Barbara

    Healthy

  • Santa Barbara

    Great for fine wines

  • Santa Barbara

    Good for special occasions

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Opal Restaurant & Bar in Santa Barbara shines with its "fantastic food," "excellent service," and "great menu variety." Diners consistently praise its "warm and welcoming" atmosphere and attentive staff. Located near major theaters, it's perfect for pre-show dining. Favorites include the seafood salad and duck dishes, with "amazing cocktails" completing the experience.
1,834 Reviews
  1. Claire VIP

    Central Coast86 reviews

    4.0

    Dined today

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Food was a big surprise! Ahi was fresh and very tasty salad with it. Halibut dinner special was delicious. Very enjoyable. We’ll be back.

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  2. Lori VIP

    Los Angeles8 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Matt and Loruka (sp) made a wonderful experience even better. The food was delicious, we felt so welcome.

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  3. Guy

    San Francisco8 reviews

    3.0

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 1
    We came in as the reviews on Open Table were great. 4.8. Maybe because it was Sunday at 8pm or something else, the place was almost empty, and the dishes were underwhelming. I hate to dunk on a place especially given so many people love it according to the review but we didn’t have a great experience.

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  4. Susie

    Denver1 review

    5.0

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    What a delightful dining experience! Service ( Rachel) was outstanding start to finish. The food was absolutely delicious! The scallop / Spinach salad was one of the best salads I have had in a long time! The pasta dishes were flavorful and filling.. Duck pizza was unique and tasty and the salmon was cooked perfectly and was enjoyed! We had two desserts. The strawberry cheesecake was to die for and the lemon tart was light and absolutely delicious! Our first time here and we will definitely be back soon!!

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  5. David VIP

    Los Angeles59 reviews

    3.0

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 3
    Had the duck recommended by our server. It was sweet on sweet and inconsistently cooked and skin not rendered. Very disappointing. The grilled eggplant salad was tasty. Did not want to commit to dessert given the inconsistency of the meal. Not in a hurry to come back.

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  6. Linda

    Central Coast9 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 5 April 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Opal has become our go-to restaurant for special occasions. The food is fantastic, service is always great with friendly servers and busboys. Can't recommend Opal enough!

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  7. Susan

    Los Angeles14 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 4 April 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Cocktails, food, and server Paul were outstanding as always

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  8. Jean

    Hawaii4 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 4 April 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Exceptional! This restaurant is located a couple doors down from the Arlington Theater, which is why I chose it. The food was excellent and our server went over and beyond. The bill was also very reasonable. Highly recommend.

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  9. Bob

    Central Coast1 review

    5.0

    Dined on 30 March 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Opal never disappoints. The food, the service, etc., is fantastic every time. A great Santa Barbara restaurant.

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  10. Kirk VIP

    Seattle6 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 30 March 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Always love Opal! Great food, team, and location! Fun chatting with owner Richard.

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

Opal Restaurant & Bar offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (805) 966-9676.

Opal Restaurant & Bar is rated 4.8 stars by 1834 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 30 times today
Experiences are available.
Google Map for Opal Restaurant & Bar

1325 State St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101-2609

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Cross Street
    Sola Street
  • Area
    Santa Barbara
  • Hours of Operation
    Dinner Mon–Thu, Sun 17:00–21:00 Fri, Sat 17:00–22:00
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Californian, Fusion / Eclectic, American
  • Dining style
    Fine Dining
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Parking details
    Street Parking available on Sola Street and State Street. There is also a large public lot on Chapala Street between Victoria and Sola Streets, and a lot on the corner of Chapala and Sola Streets
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive Chef
    Felipe Barajas
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Delivery, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeaway, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Phone number
  • Private party facilities
    We can accommodate 45+ guests on one side of the restaurant, and 65+ on the other : 110 total. Either side reservable for semi or private dining.To book a large group or banquet (15 or more guests), contact our banquet management team by clicking on the Banquet inquiries tab on our website and filling out the Banquet Contact Form there.
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