OUR FAVORITE RESTAURANTS
Barbareño:
Hands down, our favorite restaurant in town. An incredibly inventive menu based on locally inspired recipes and locally sourced ingredients pairs with a super talented chef and staff to create a one-of-a-kind dining experience that you won’t want to miss. Make sure to try their Santa Maria Tri-Tip! Reservations Recommended.
205 W Canon Perdido St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Phone: (805) 963-9591
$$$; Good For: Dinner
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Finney’s:
Our go-to spot for delicious bar food and great drinks. Finney’s is in the heart of Santa Barbara’s famous “Funk Zone” neighborhood, and is a great place to watch a game or just hang with friends or family.
35 State St., Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Phone: (805) 845-3100
$$$; Good For: Lunch, Dinner, Drinks
First Come, First Served
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The Lark:
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The restaurant that is often credited with reviving Santa Barbara’s food scene and putting the Funk Zone on the map, The Lark has quickly become a Santa Barbara institution. A delicious family-style menu and world-class cocktails anchor an amazing dining experience. Reservations Recommended.
131 Anacapa St., Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Phone: (805) 284-0370
$$$$; Good For: Dinner, Drinks
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Carlito’s Café y Cantina:
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A Santa Barbara staple for fine Mexican food, Carlito’s offers a great blend of delicious food and a great ambiance. Make sure to request outdoor seating - they have a great patio! Reservations Recommended.
1324 State St., Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Phone: (805) 962-7117
$$$; Good For: Lunch, Dinner
Zaytoon:
If you’re looking for al fresco dining with a great ambiance, you can’t beat Zaytoon. They have great Lebanese food, but the entirely outdoor dining area is the real draw. If your group is large enough, they’ll seat you at one of their fire pit tables, which is tough to beat. Reservation Recommended.
209 E Canon Perdido St., Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Phone: (805) 963-1293
$$$; Good For: Dinner
Call for Reservations
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Loquita:
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Another restaurant with a great patio, Loquita is a great spot for Spanish-style tapas and other traditional Spanish dishes. Located in the Funk Zone, it’s a great spot to grab some food after wine tasting. Make sure to try one of their paellas! Reservations Recommended. *As of 2021, Loquita now appears on the Michelin Guide.
202 State St., Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Phone: (805) 880-3380
$$$; Good For: Dinner, Drinks
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Olio Pizzeria:
Although Santa Barbara isn’t known for its pizza, we do have a couple quality spots. Olio Pizzeria is one of them. Authentic, Italian-style wood fired pizza is the name of the game here. The dining room is more upscale than most pizzerias out there, but not so much that it takes away from the casual ambiance. If you’re looking for high-end Italian, their sister restaurant, Olio e Limone Ristorante, is right next door.
11 W Victoria St., Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Phone: (805) 899-2699
$$; Good For: Dinner
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Trattoria Vittoria:
This is our go-to neighborhood Italian restaurant. White table cloths, handmade pastas and killer Negronis pair with a casual, family friendly vibe to create a place you are sure to enjoy.
30 E Victoria St., Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Phone: (805) 962-5014
$$; Good For: Dinner
Call for Reservations
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Jeannine’s:
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Another Santa Barbara staple, Jeannine’s is one of our go-to restaurants for a delicious breakfast. Freshly baked pastries and well made breakfast staples pair with a lively, upbeat atmosphere. It’s a great way to start your day! Multiple locations, Order at the Counter service.
Multiple Locations: Montecito, Goleta, & Downtown Santa Barbara
Phone: N/A; Website: www.jeannines.com
$$; Good For: Breakfast, Brunch
First Come, First Served
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Renaud’s:
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If you’re looking for an authentic French bakery, Renaud’s is a great choice. Flaky and delicious croissants are their calling card, and they do not disappoint. Both their Santa Barbara and Montecito locations have cute outdoor dining areas, but they aren’t very large, so be prepared to wait!
Multiple locations, Order at the Counter service.
Phone: N/A; Website: www.renaudsbistro.com
$$: Good For: Breakfast, Brunch
First Come, First Served
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Domingo’s:
This is our favorite neighborhood diner. Located just down the street in Old Town Goleta, Domingo’s is a classic diner with a Mexican flair. If you’re looking for something fancy, this isn’t it, but if you are curious about what an enchilada omelette tastes like, make sure to visit (spoiler alert, it’s delicious)!
5782 Hollister Ave., Goleta, CA 93117
Phone: (805) 967-0655
$; Good For: Breakfast, Brunch
First Come, First Served
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Arigato Sushi:
The benchmark for sushi in Santa Barbara, Arigato has been a fixture on State Street for years. Delicious and fresh sushi located at a great part of State Street, just across from the Granada Theater. They don’t accept reservations, but put your name down and grab a drink across the street at the Good Lion Bar while you wait.
1225 State St., Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Phone: (805) 965-6074
$$$; Good For: Dinner, Drinks
First Come, First Served
Jane at the Marketplace:
Comfortable California cuisine at its finest. From the moment you walk into Jane you are greeted with kindness and the smell of fantastic homemade food coming from the kitchen. Locally owned, this restaurant is great for both family dinners and date nights. Don’t forget to save room for their famous coconut cake! Reservations Recommended.
6940 Market Place Dr, Goleta, CA 93117
Phone: (805) 770-5388
$$$; Good For: Lunch, Dinner
Call for Reservations
Santa Barbara Public Market:
A small version of more famous Public Markets in places like LA and Seattle, the Santa Barbara Public Market is a great place to hang for a few hours while you eat and drink. This is especially good if your group can’t decide on what to eat…the Public Market has Italian food, Mexican food, Bar food, Pizza, Thai food, ice cream and more, all under one roof. Oh, and there’s a beer garden and wine tasting room, if you’re into that sort of thing.
38 W Victoria St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Phone: (805) 770-7702
$ - $$; Good For: Lunch, Dinner
Order at the Counter Service
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Brophy Brothers:
If you are in the mood for seafood, it’s hard to beat Brophy Brothers. Another Santa Barbara staple, Brophy Bro’s has an amazing location at the Santa Barbara Harbor. Everything here is freshly caught, and it has the best view of the harbor in town. They don’t accept reservations, but it’s not a bad place to have to wait!
119 Harbor Way, Santa Barbara, CA 93109
Phone: (805) 966-4418
$$; Good For: Lunch, Dinner
First Come, First Served
Cold Springs Tavern:
Honestly, all of our favorite trips to wine country have ended with a stop at Cold Springs Tavern. An iconic establishment unlike any other. On the weekends you can experience their famous tri-tip sandwich while listening to one of the many local bands that play all day long. Order at the counter and pick up your sandwich fresh off the grill out back. It’s a little bit of a hike from the heart of Santa Barbara, but it’s worth it!
5995 Stagecoach Rd., Santa Barbara, CA 93105
Phone: (805) 967-0066
$; Good For: Lunch
First Come, First Served
Flavor of India:
Easily our favorite Indian restaurant in town. While the ambiance won’t blow your socks off, the food will. Authentic Indian flavors, freshly baked naan bread and an incredibly friendly staff. If you’re craving Indian food, this is the place to go.
3026 State St., Santa Barbara, CA 93105
Phone: (805) 682-6561
$$; Good For: Lunch, Dinner
First Come, First Served
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Los Agaves:
One of our favorite Mexican food restaurants in town. Honestly you can’t go wrong with anything on the menu - everything is fresh, authentic and delicious! Reasonably priced this place is perfect for family dinners. Eat outside on the patio in Camino Real and enjoy the food, people watching and outdoor entertainment.
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Multiple locations in Santa Barbara & Goleta
$$; Good For: Lunch, Dinner
Order at the counter service.
Metropulos Fine Foods:
Located in Santa Barbara’s very popular “Funk Zone,” this delicious little market features amazing sandwiches and salads and carefully selected cooking ingredients for the home. Order at the counter service.
216 E Yanonali St Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Phone: (805) 899-2300
$$; Good For: Lunch
Order at the Counter Service
Corazón Cocina:
Located in the Santa Barbara Public Market, this is one of our favorite local Mexican restaurants that is authentic, quick, fresh, and mouth-wateringly good. Order at the counter service.
38 W Victoria St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Phone: (805) 899-2300
$; Good For: Lunch, Dinner
Order at the Counter Service