Santa Barbara Restaurants
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Award winning restaurants in California Central Coast
Check out diners' favourite restaurants in Santa Barbara
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Secret Bao
Price: Expensive•Asian•4.9(700)Contemporary Asian American Restaurant from Chefs Peter Lee & Felicia Medina.
"Consider the bao. Chinese in origin, it’s most easily described as a steamed bun filled with something savory. Yet, like the American concept of a sandwich, the bao exploded into a flexible format of untold bounds — served at any meal, filled with you-name-it, completely closed or wide open, with endless regional variants from across Asia and far beyond." - Matt Kettmann (SB Independent)
1 Block From State Street, Easy Parking, Public Lot Nearby, Free 75 Minute Parking, Walking Distance, El Pueblo Viejo Landmark District, Superior Court, Spanish Colonial Revival Courthouse, Santa Barbara Museum Of Art, Courthouse Gardens, Bell Tower, Bao, Food, Restaurant, Asian, American, New, Modern, Fried, Chicken, Octopus, Vegan, Vegetarian, Paleo, Friendly, Dog Friendly, Outdoor Patio, Heaters, Warm, Inviting, Hospitable, Modern DesignBarbareño
Price: Expensive•Californian•4.9(1,923)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.
Toma Restaurant & Bar
Price: Expensive•Italian•4.8(5,557)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.Opal Restaurant & Bar
Price: Expensive•Californian•4.8(1,817)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!
Stonehouse at San Ysidro Ranch
Price: Very Expensive•Contemporary American•4.8(2,698)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.The Black Sheep SB Brasserie
Price: Expensive•Contemporary French / American•4.6(749)Now featuring a full bar! Locally owned California-French brasserie in Old Town Santa Barbara, blending classic technique with bold, eclectic flavors. Housed in a historic space, we offer an elevated dining experience with a renowned family-style tasting menu, curated wines, craft beer, and full cocktail service. Open Wed-Sun from 5 PM—check daily for our specials!
RH Firehouse Grill at RH Montecito
Price: Very Expensive•American•4.6(91)The RH Firehouse Grill is an indoor-outdoor restaurant located at RH Montecito, The Gallery at the Old Firehouse. Enjoy a menu of signature salads and classics from our hearth in our courtyard restaurant, which seamlessly extends into a beautifully landscaped garden. Dine beneath the warm glow of handwoven pendants amid heritage olive trees, birds of paradise, a grand fireplace and cascading limestone fountains.Lucky's
Price: Very Expensive•Steakhouse•4.7(2,923)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.
Outdoor dining in California Central Coast
See what locals rave about in Santa Barbara
From verified diners like you
From verified diners like you
- OTOpenTable DinerCalifornia Central Coast •1 review5.0Dined todayThis was our first dining experience at Gala. Overall we had the best time. The restaurant worked with us as we had increased our party. Gala made it so easy to order without stress. The food was amazing in presentation and taste. A wonderful meal. This was a birthday celebration and Gala made it so special and memorable. This was our first but not our last. I highly recommend Gala, especially if you want to celebrate.More infoGalaPrice: Expensive• European• Santa Barbara•4.7
- OTOpenTable DinerCalifornia Central Coast •1 review5.0Dined 1 day agoA truly unique dining experience. We had the pairing which was fantastic. Highly recommended that you try this upscale restaurant.More infoThe Black Sheep SB BrasseriePrice: Expensive• Contemporary French / American• Santa Barbara•4.6
- HheidiLos Angeles •8 reviews5.0Dined 1 day agoAlways good. Went for their burger for burger week. they did not disappoint.More infoFinch & ForkPrice: Expensive• American• Santa Barbara•4.5
- LLarrySan Francisco Bay Area •5 reviews5.0Dined 2 days agoBibi Ji is a fantastic spot for excellent Indian food. I loved the Makhni Dal, from Rajat Parr's mother's recipe. Everything is delicious and authentic. With the dinner, I enjoyed the Bibi Ji Orange Wine from the Parr's Real Wine company. The chef, Israel Romero, has learned well from founding chefs Jessai and Gary Singh. The new space is lively, bright and modern and very much busier than the old location. Congratulations to Alejandro Medina for a very successful move and renovation.More infoBibi JiPrice: Expensive• Indian• Santa Barbara•4.3
- MmajorprofVIPCalifornia Central Coast •16 reviews4.0Dined 2 days agoThe food and the wine were excellent as was the service and the ambience. The only reason I removed a star is that it is extremely expensive $18 for a half a glass of wine seems a little over-the-top to me.More infoIntermezzo By Wine CaskPrice: Expensive• Californian• Santa Barbara•4.5
Private Dining
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Private Dining
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Discover Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara is a true melting pot of cultures, and the culinary possibilities for you to enjoy in this coastal city are representative of the city’s incredible diversity. American options for steak lovers and vegetarians alike are available in sophisticated dining rooms as well as casual restaurants. With Santa Barbara's unique location close to the Pacific Ocean, you can enjoy fresh seafood dishes at your choice of elegant restaurants or cafes overlooking the coast. European eateries feature Mediterranean, French, and Italian options that will delight you. You can also enjoy dining at a Chinese, Japanese or Thai restaurant with an Asian vibe. You will never tire of the options available when you are in Santa Barbara.
Dining around Santa Barbara Hot Spots
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Frequently asked questions
Celebrate special occasions at the best restaurants in Santa Barbara. Our customers recommend Stonehouse at San Ysidro Ranch, Toma Restaurant & Bar and Bouchon - Santa Barbara
As of 14 Mar 2025 there are 62 restaurants in Santa Barbara. Filter by ‘outdoor dining’, ‘romantic’ or ‘dog friendly’.
On OpenTable we support all cuisines. Find Italian, Californian, Asian, Steakhouse, Seafood and more. Use our filters to find exactly what you’re looking for and make your booking today.
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