Exploring Santa Barbara's Culinary Scene: 15 Must-Try Restaurants
Planning a trip to Santa Barbara and wondering where to dine? With a plethora of culinary options to choose from, it can be overwhelming to narrow down your choices. Fear not! We've curated a list of 15 must-try restaurants in Santa Barbara to help you navigate the vibrant and diverse food scene of this coastal gem.
Known for its delicious wood-fired pizzas made with fresh, high-quality ingredients, Bettina offers a cozy and rustic ambiance perfect for a romantic dinner date or a casual night out with friends. Indulge in hand-pulled mozzarella and farmers market greens while sipping on refreshing spritz cocktails.
For Asian-fusion cuisine lovers, Secret Bao is a hidden gem offering mouthwatering bao buns, rotating noodle dishes, and seasonal dumplings made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Former Loquita chef Peter Lee's inventive and diverse menu promises an all-around sensory experience for lunch and dinner.
Experience Spanish-style tapas at Loquita, located in the Funk Zone. Chef Nikolas Ramirez serves up beautiful interpretations of traditional Spanish cuisine using fresh produce from Santa Barbara County. Enjoy hot and cold tapas, seasonal paellas, and wood-fired grilled seafood and meats, complemented by a stellar cocktail program.
Bibi Ji offers contemporary Indian cuisine with playful spins on classics and street food. Owned by Alejandro Medina and James Beard award-winning sommelier Rajat Parr, Bibi Ji's menu delights with inventive dishes like the Uni Biryani, served inside a freshly caught local sea urchin.
Michelin Bib Gourmand-approved Sama Sama Kitchen offers Southeast Asian fusion-style cuisine prepared with locally sourced ingredients. Its effortlessly hip and contemporary ambiance perfectly complements the bright, innovative flavors of its lunch and dinner offerings.
6. Boathouse at Hendry’s Beach
With an oceanfront location, Boathouse at Hendry’s Beach offers quality food and drink for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Indulge in seafood delights, raw bar offerings, and classic favorites while enjoying stunning views of the Pacific Ocean.
Inspired by Santa Barbara's Chumash Indian heritage, Barbareño celebrates local purveyors and offers modern Central Coast cuisine with a playful twist. Executive chef Julian Martinez and chef de cuisine Preston Knox craft innovative dishes in a welcoming neighborhood setting.
8. The Black Sheep "SB Brasserie
Discover the unique flavors of French-California cuisine at The Black Sheep "SB Brasserie." This modern pub-style restaurant sources its ingredients locally, ensuring each dish bursts with flavor. From filet tartare to mouth-watering burgers, there's something for every palate.
Convivo Restaurant & Bar delights with creative Mediterranean-inspired cuisine, wood-fired flatbreads, house-made pastas, and seasonal salads. Its prime seaside perch offers abundant outdoor seating overlooking East Beach.
A "new classic" in the Funk Zone, The Lark serves farm-to-fork cuisine in a stylish, relaxed atmosphere. Executive chef Jason Paluska's seasonal menu features family-style portion sizes and a craft cocktail program that keeps patrons coming back for more.
Toma Restaurant & Bar, located along Cabrillo Boulevard, offers crave-worthy Italian fare with coastal-inspired flavors. Enjoy artful pastas, vibrant flatbreads, perfectly grilled fish and meats, and divine desserts in a relaxed fine dining setting.
Chef Greg Arnold's Mesa Verde specializes in vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free specialties. Its casual, seat-yourself atmosphere serves up super healthy and beautifully crafted flatbreads, salads, tacos, and sandwiches to suit nearly every dietary preference.
13. Santa Barbara Public Market
Santa Barbara's original food hall is a culinary hotspot featuring Empty Bowl Gourmet Noodle Bar and Corazon Cocina. Indulge in warming and flavorful Thai-inspired noodle dishes or satisfy Mexican cravings with Guadalajara-style street food.
For an intimate, fine dining experience with access to some of the region's best wines, Bouchon Santa Barbara is the place to be. Established in 1998, Bouchon offers French-accented, seasonal California fare with warm hospitality.
A casual and budget-friendly eatery, La Super Rica Taqueria is a humble taqueria on Milpas Street. Loved by the late Julia Child, this authentic Mexican fare draws consistent lines out the door, a testament to its quality and authenticity.
From wood-fired pizzas to vegan specialties, Santa Barbara's culinary scene offers something for every palate. Whether you're seeking a romantic dinner date or a casual lunch with friends, these 15 must-try restaurants promise a memorable dining experience amidst the beauty of Santa Barbara.
