The 14 Best Restaurants in Santa Barbara

Although Bettina is adjacent to the 101 Highway, it’s an oasis with an intense dining-room, public outdoor patio, and several of the very best wood-fired pizzas in all of Central and Southern The Golden State. Additionally on the menu are local glass of wines, ricotta cavatelli, luscious tomato soup, or whipped ricotta on focaccia. Locals are patiently waiting for Bettina’s 2nd Carpinteria area, which is anticipated to open up in 2024.

Every huge city has its preferred road trip locations, and Los Angeles is blessed to have Santa Barbara an hour and 40 mins driving from Downtown and simply under three hours aboard Amtrak. A Middle Eastern specialty is an uncommon view for Midtown Santa Barbara: shawarma served with house-made pita bread. Neighborhood favorite 3 Pickles has 3 areas in Santa Barbara Region. A Middle Eastern specialty is an unusual view for Midtown Santa Barbara: shawarma served with house-made pita bread. Local preferred 3 Pickles has three locations in Santa Barbara County.

Discover Southeast Asian specialist Sama across the street from the Santa Barbara Gallery of Art. Have a seat inside or on the joyful patio area and order the Indonesian nasi goreng, Javanese poultry curry dish, Peking duck-inspired salad, or shareable sticky poultry wings.

A Middle Eastern specialty is an unusual sight for Midtown Santa Barbara: shawarma offered with house-made pita bread. Logan Jones, the previous cook de food at the Lark, began Tamar as a pop-up prior to transitioning right into a permanent daytime operation for savory hen shawarma tucked right into cozy bread with a gently clothed cabbage salad. The casual and wonderful area is affixed to Dart Coffee Co

Taqueria El Bajio has been running for over 20 years near Downtown. This unfussy place isn’t as active as the historical El Super-Rico Taqueria, however the quesadilla adobada with shredded pork, cheese, onions, cilantro, and onion makes this dining establishment a necessary quit on any kind of Santa Barbara food tour.

In July 2024, Bibi Ji reopened near the Granada Theatre in Santa Barbara’s Arts Area. It now seats dual what it utilized to (70) and offers owner Alejandro Medina’s modern Indian food selection, plus a new four-seat cook’s counter for Bibi Ji’s revolving sampling menu. Bibi Ji’s standouts are still on the food selection including the dal makhani lentils, barra lamb chop, and tandoori chicken.

Santa Barbara’s pandemic pop-up opened in an irreversible area near the Santa Barbara Public Library in 2021 and remains a local fave. Cooks Peter Lee and Felicia Medina prepare Chinese pork belly or K.F.C.-inspired bao, honey walnut shrimp, udon carbonara, and a delectable bread milk ice cream doughnut for all to appreciate.

. Though carne asada and deep-fried Baja-style fish tacos are hot sellers at East Coastline Tacos, the proprietors integrate numerous California cultures into a bite. Try the Korean-marinated steak or banh mi tacos with a serving of ceviche or a tasty rice sphere stuffed with spicy tuna on among the patio outing tables.

Tommy Chang and Will Chen’s pop-up regularly offered out of its mochi and brioche doughnuts before opening a long-term room in 2023. Flavors revolve often and can consist of a cinnamon sugar mochi doughnut showered with Nutella, one with torched lemon meringue, or a Korean-inspired sweet potato brulee brioche doughnut. Check Instagram to see what the weekly flavors are and always show up early.

After a stint at Montecito’s Four Seasons Biltmore, bread cook Alessia Geuhr set out on her very own with a captivating Downtown cafe. The pastry case is chock-full of classics, including croissants, guava cream cheese Danishes, and also monkey bread. If a square meal is in order, opt for the blue crab crepe in the very early hours or the salmon nicoise for lunch.

When in Santa Barbara, always intend a drive with the San Marcos Pass. It’s one of three passages through the expansive Santa Ynez Mountains with a perfect stop to damage up the drive at Cold Springtime Tavern.

A Middle Eastern specialty is an unusual view for Midtown Santa Barbara: shawarma served with house-made pita bread. Logan Jones, the previous chef de food at the Lark, started Tamar as a pop-up before transitioning right into a long-term daytime operation for delicious chicken shawarma put into cozy bread with a lightly dressed cabbage salad. The laid-back and wonderful room is attached to Dart Coffee Co

Regional favorite Three Pickles has three locations in Santa Barbara Area. The trademark sub sandwich is offered on an Italian roll with the selection of delicatessens meat, cheese, mustard, tomato, onions, oregano, olive oil, mayo, and pickles. Stop below to fill up on stipulations if heading out for a walking or field trip, or snag a seat to delight in the feelings at the Downtown electrical outlet that’s been open given that 2006.

Discover Southeast Asian specialist Sama across the street from the Santa Barbara Gallery of Art. Have a seat inside your home or on the joyful patio and order the Indonesian nasi goreng, Javanese hen curry bowl, Peking duck-inspired salad, or shareable sticky hen wings.

Taqueria El Bajio has actually been running for over two decades near Midtown. This unfussy area isn’t as hectic as the historic El Super-Rico Taqueria, but the quesadilla adobada with shredded pork, cheese, onions, cilantro, and onion makes this restaurant a vital stop on any Santa Barbara food scenic tour.

Inside the Rosewood Miramar Coastline hotel, Osaka-born chef Kentaro Ikuta prepares a menu highlighting fish and shellfish from the Santa Barbara shore and the Toyosu Fish Market in Tokyo. The sensational dining-room is modern-day and intimate with a $185 per person omakase menu or select a la carte dishes like the benefit kasu marinated black cod fished from regional waters.

Despite the fact that Bettina adjoins the 101 Highway, it’s an oasis with an intense dining room, common patio area, and some of the very best wood-fired pizzas in all of Central and Southern The Golden State. On the food selection are regional wines, ricotta cavatelli, creamy tomato soup, or whipped ricotta on focaccia. Locals are patiently waiting for Bettina’s second Carpinteria location, which is anticipated to open in 2024.

Inside the Rosewood Miramar Coastline resort, Osaka-born chef Kentaro Ikuta prepares a menu highlighting fish and shellfish from the Santa Barbara coast and the Toyosu Fish Market in Tokyo. The magnificent dining-room is modern and intimate with a $185 per person omakase menu or pick a la carte meals like the purpose kasu marinated black cod fished from local waters.

Santa Barbara’s pandemic pop-up opened in a permanent room near the Santa Barbara Public Library in 2021 and remains a local fave. Cooks Peter Lee and Felicia Medina prepare Chinese pork tummy or K.F.C.-inspired bao, honey walnut shrimp, udon carbonara, and a delectable bread milk gelato doughnut for all to enjoy.

. Though carne asada and deep-fried Baja-style fish tacos are best-sellers at East Beach Tacos, the owners integrate numerous The golden state cultures right into a bite. Try the Korean-marinated steak or banh mi tacos with an offering of ceviche or a tasty rice sphere stuffed with spicy tuna on one of the outdoor patio picnic tables.

After a job at Montecito’s Four Seasons Biltmore, pastry cook Alessia Geuhr struck out on her own with a charming Downtown coffee shop. The pastry instance is chock-full of classics, consisting of croissants, guava lotion cheese Danishes, and also monkey bread. Decide for the blue crab crepe in the early hours or the salmon nicoise for lunch if a full meal is in order.

When in Santa Barbara, constantly plan a drive through the San Marcos Pass. It is just one of 3 flows via the extensive Santa Ynez Hills with an ideal quit to break up the drive at Cold Springtime Pub. It’s a previous stagecoach stop that’s been serving food considering that 1865. Cyclists and wine country fanatics eat at picnic tables and appreciate the vintage wagon wheels hanging from the wall surfaces. Order the beer-battered onion rings, tri-tip sandwich, wild video game black bean chili, infant back pork ribs, or the buffalo burger.

Tommy Chang and Will Chen’s pop-up regularly marketed out of its mochi and brioche doughnuts before opening up a long-term area in 2023. Tastes revolve commonly and can consist of a cinnamon sugar mochi doughnut sprinkled with Nutella, one with torched lemon meringue, or a Korean-inspired wonderful potato brulee brioche doughnut. Inspect Instagram to see what the weekly flavors are and constantly get here early.

Neighborhood preferred Three Pickles has three locations in Santa Barbara Area. The trademark sub sandwich is offered on an Italian roll with the option of delicatessens meat, cheese, mustard, tomato, onions, oregano, olive oil, mayo, and pickles. Quit below to pack up on arrangements if navigating a walking or excursion, or snag a seat to delight in the feelings at the Midtown outlet that’s been open since 2006.

Every large city has its preferred road journey destinations, and Los Angeles is honored to have Santa Barbara an hour and 40 minutes driving from Midtown and simply under three hours aboard Amtrak. Both courses boast stunning views, Santa Barbara’s landscape is spectacular. Here are 14 superb restaurants to try in Santa Barbara.

In July 2024, Bibi Ji resumed near the Granada Theatre in Santa Barbara’s Arts Area. It currently seats double what it utilized to (70) and offers proprietor Alejandro Medina’s contemporary Indian food selection, plus a brand-new four-seat chef’s counter for Bibi Ji’s rotating sampling menu. Bibi Ji’s standouts are still on the menu including the dal makhani lentils, barra lamb slice, and tandoori poultry.