Restaurants

Delicious Santa Barbara Restaurants

With more than 470 different Santa Barbara restaurants to choose from, you’ll find the perfect spot to enjoy, from five-star dining to mom-and-pop cafés to the burger joint voted Best Tasting in the United States. You’ll find memorable meals here that are sure to delight — no matter your taste.

From California-centric interpretations of Mediterranean flavors to spicy regional Mexican cuisine, you’ll find plenty of great food. Seafood lovers will delight in tasting the catch of the day, fresh from our own waters off the Channel Islands. And no matter where you choose to dine, there’s likely to be a selection of local wines grown in one of the nearby AVAs. Taking advantage of fresh ingredients paired with local wines and beers, you’re sure to discover something delicious here that you won’t find anywhere else.

Can’t decide where to eat first? Get recommendations for a few must-try restaurants in Santa Barbara to help you start planning.

Farm-to-Table Dining

Treat yourself to a farm-to-table dinner in Santa Barbara you won’t soon forget. The area has some of the best weather year-round, which makes for bountiful harvests in our fields and vineyards. Our restaurant’s creative chefs are sourcing from daily farmers markets that feature beautiful local produce and fish markets situated adjacent to the Santa Barbara Harbor for the freshest seafood. These wonderful local ingredients build the foundation for incredible dishes and an unforgettable dining experience. If you’re wondering what wine or local craft beer to pair with your meal, just ask your server — they’re likely a trained sommelier or cicerone and can offer insights into a fantastic local discovery.

Where to Eat in Santa Barbara

Splurge-worthy fine dining, off-the-beaten-path taquerias, or family-friendly restaurants with an oceanview — you’ll find a variety of dining experiences in Santa Barbara, depending on what you’re in the mood for. Continue reading this page to discover featured local restaurants, articles packed with recommendations and insights, and more to help you plan your next delicious visit to Santa Barbara.

Restaurants in Santa Barbara


Scarlett Begonia

Scarlett Begonia always strives to have thoughtful food. Menus change weekly with an innovative fresh look at breakfast, lunch, and dinner, along with their famous weekend brunches, nightly specials, and happening happy hours.


Reunion Kitchen

At its core, Reunion Kitchen + Drink was designed from end-to-end to be the ideal dining establishment for locals, visitors, families, and friends to gather and reconnect in Santa Barbara.  Located just steps from the sand at the historic…


Finch & Fork

At Finch & Fork, they are inspired by the bounty of Santa Barbara's lush farms and rugged coastline. Their attitude is relentlessly local, inspired by the diverse culinary techniques of our neighbors, the subdued, natural colors of the…



The Lark

A shared dining experience featuring artisanal and seasonal ingredients celebrating the abundant bounty of the Central Coast.  OUR STORY The Lark, named for the sleek overnight Pullman train of the Southern Pacific Railroad that serviced Santa…


costa Kitchen & Bar

Drawing inspiration from Old World coastal Italian cuisine with a garnish of Middle Eastern influence, costa Kitchen & Bar is a celebration of worldly flair and California charm: light, clean and fresh menus, with fare strong in substance and…


Convivo Restaurant and Bar

Convivo is a Santa Barbara restaurant with an Italian soul. Chef-Owner Peter McNee's food is best described as ‘Nomad Italian’. It strays from the standard or traditional Italian, sourcing inspiration from many other cultures’…


Additional Experiences


10 Must-Try Santa Barbara Restaurants
So many restaurants, so little time. The 10 must-try Santa Barbara restaurants for the time-strapped foodie.
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