Restaurants in Santa Barbara
In Santa Barbara, food is part of the pleasure of the local lifestyle. Spend your days between palm-lined Pacific beaches and the sloping foothills of the Santa Ynez Mountains in this prosperous resort community, which presents a relaxed attitude that has earned it the sobriquet American Riviera. It’s ideal for kicking back on gold-sand beaches, prowling the shops and galleries that line the village’s historic streets, and—perhaps its most memorial indulgence—relaxing over a meal in one of many top-notch cafes and restaurants.
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8 Results
- American
Arlington Tavern
Don't let the "tavern" in the name fool you—this is not your average pub grub. With a farm-to-table focus, the menu here includes such high-end comfort food dishes as mac 'n' cheese with Gruyère, shaved truffles, and roasted leeks, and juicy burgers made with locally sourced beef,…$$Downtown - Seafood
Boathouse at Hendry's Beach
If you were any closer to the water you'd be on a boat. Perched above the sand at Arroyo Burro Beach ("Hendry's" to the locals), this is Santa Barbara's go-to spot for fresh-off-the-boat seafood, sunset cocktails, and lively happy hours, with a free side order of ocean breeze. Open…$$Arroyo Burro Beach - Californian
Bouchon Santa Barbara
This is one of my favorite spots for a romantic dinner or nice evening out with friends. Bouchon's greenery-draped heated patio is fresh from a 2014-15 renovation, and the French-country dining room with its warm woods, fresh flowers, and flickering candlelight is decidedly elegant…$$$Downtown - Seafood
Brophy Bros. Restaurant & Clam Bar
Brophy's has stunning views of bobbing harbor boats, majestic mountains, and the sparkling Pacific (did you see that dolphin frolicking?). But this hyper-popular restaurant proves that good views and good food can, in fact, be had together. Whether you sit at the friendly…$$Santa Barbara Harbor - Mexican
La Super-Rica Taqueria
It's easy to spot this unassuming taco stand—it's the teal-trimmed white shack with a constant line out the door. Owner Isidoro Gonzalez opened in 1980 and has been serving up fresh, delicious, and cheap authentic Mexican dishes ever since. As you stand in the inevitable line, watch…$Lower Eastside - Mexican
Los Arroyos
Owned by a husband-and-wife team, Los Arroyos is a go-to spot for flavorful, authentic Mexican food based on family recipes. Though Santa Barbara has no shortage of Mexican restaurants, Los Arroyos stands out for its consistently topnotch food, family-friendly vibe, and reasonable…$Downtown - Italian
Olio Pizzeria
Husband-and-wife team Alberto and Elaine Morello, owners of the popular fine-dining Olio e Limone Ristorante, fired up their pizza ovens in 2010 and opened a warm and casual outpost featuring authentic Italian-style pizzas. Rustic yet sophisticated, this is no pizza joint. Among the…$$Downtown - Californian
The Lark
The Funk Zone is a hot, happening area of town with a creative jumble of artist studios and galleries, shops, wine tasting rooms, a surf museum, a distillery, and a sprinkling of intriguing restaurants. One of the newer culinary additions is The Lark, located in a redesigned historic…$$$Around Town
