Indulge in Santa Barbara's top 15 dining destinations

Santa Barbara exudes beauty and allure as a captivating coastal retreat just north of Los Angeles, blessed by ocean views, rolling vineyards, historic landmarks, and endlessly creative food and drink options. The best part is that it is an easy hour and 40-minute drive without traffic or a relaxed train trip reveals stunning scenery throughout the journey. 

The alluring downtown centerpiece follows the car-free section of State Street, best experienced on a Saturday farmers’ market morning or a Tuesday afternoon wandering among vegetable stalls and flower stands. This compelling pedestrian thoroughfare connects many restaurants in Santa Barbara, utilizing hyper-local ingredients.

In-the-know locals eagerly arrive between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. to snag the early bird $39 prix fixe dinner at The Black Sheep restaurant downtown. The one-of-a-kind California-French spot effortlessly combines continental flair with coastal ingredients across the seasonal menu. Bubbly cocktails, rich French onion soup, silky chicken liver pâté, and the classic coq au vin chicken dish seduce diners on date night.  

Of all Santa Barbara’s perpetually packed dining rooms, Bettina gathers lines out the door early and late for house-made ricotta cavatelli, whipped ricotta slathered on crusty focaccia accompanied by wood-fired pizzas kissed with farm-fresh cheese. The beloved local fixture plans a second location further west in the picturesque beach community Carpinteria, slated to open in 2024, facing palm trees rather than State Street.  

Equally perfect after riverside or seaside explorations, Bluewater Grill’s patio tables face the harbor, dishing up petrale sole, Alaska halibut, or the crowd-pleasing fish and chips. Regional taste shines through Santa Barbara wines and Central Coast vineyards accompanying the fresh flavors. Bluewater Grill highlights sustainable catches and responsible vineyards in an ideal setting to relax waterside.  

The pinnacle of luxury dining overlooking the Pacific, the exclusive Rosewood Miramar Beach Hotel’s Caruso’s Restaurant provides singular Italian cuisine and stunning ocean panoramas from every coveted table. The prix fixe options extend to a $275 tasting menu tour de force, starring hand-pulled burrata, velvety pasta, and Santa Barbara spiny lobster in season. It's also the ultimate spot to potentially sight celebrities hidden behind dark sunglasses while snapping Instagram shots.  

Pan-Asian fusion hub Sama Sama Kitchen remains constantly busy across from the Museum of Art, blending Indonesian signatures like gado gado salad or nasi goreng fried rice with Thai curry noodle bowls and Vietnamese spring rolls alongside Pacific Rim highlights like Peking duck salad with ginger and fish sauce. The expansive and well-curated menu ensures return visits, as does the setting steps from world-class photography and contemporary installations.  

A 2022 Bib Gourmand nod from Michelin recognizes Chef Ramon Velazquez's Corazón Comedor, which opened in late 2022 after his original Corazón Cocina achieved similar honors. Comedor returns to traditional recipes through tacos al pastor, chili verde enchiladas, spiced tamales in banana leaf wrappers, and more family favorites crafted with pride.

No discussion of Santa Barbara’s heritage omits La Paloma Café, originally founded in 1940 as Jennie Luera's La Paloma Cafe before a 1983 rebranding as Paradise Café. Today, reimagined and restored within the family’s longtime property, vibrant new artwork mingles with legacy architecture and an expanded patio for alfresco margaritas or Micheladas with classic Mexican snacks. Seasonal ceviches, oak-grilled local catch dishes, and tableside guacamole honor beloved signatures spanning generations.  

Since opening in 2018, contemporary Indian restaurant Bibi Ji has secured consistent acclaim, including a 2021 Michelin Guide mention for artful preparations like chicken tikka with handmade spices, multiple aromatic curries, perfect naan pairings, and more. Locals and visitors continually pack this downtown State Street destination for a transporting meal abroad without leaving Southern California.

Walking along downtown thoroughfares, the overflowing rainbow of Turkish tea cakes and pastries magnificently displayed within Lokum’s windows never fails to attract admiring glances and hungry visitors. The impressive variety of Lokum flavors and syrup-drenched baklava make decisions deliciously difficult. 

Lesser-known yet no less authentic, Taquería El Bajío has satisfied loyal fans just off downtown for over 20 years, running with handmade tortillas wrapped around tender meats, melted cheeses, traditional salsas and sides best enjoyed on the casual patio. Though overshadowed by veteran competitor El Super-Rico Taquería, El Bajío delivers consistent Mexican flavor and value blocks from the booming Funk Zone’s artisan tasting rooms.

Along the stunning waterfront, the well-regarded Toma Restaurant & Bar offers an atmospheric spot for Mediterranean small plates and Santa Barbara’s standout seasonal seafood. Patrons “take in the views and toast to one of the best cocktail programs in the area,” with options spanning light whites to bold California reds. Grilled octopuses, roasted lamb meatballs, and the regional cioppino seafood stew are savory favorites.

Route 154 winds a breathtaking path from the American Riviera through forested mountains to a historic stagecoach stop, Cold Spring Tavern, drawing bikers, wine tasters and sightseers to enjoy baby back ribs, house-ground burgers and beer battered onion rings beside a babbling creek, same as patrons since 1865. With covered picnic tables for families and plenty of local brews on tap, it’s no wonder Cold Spring endures over 150 years strong.   

No discussion omits the internationally famous La Super-Rica Taquería, a petite square structure distinguished solely by snaking sidewalk lines and Julia Child herself toasting handmade tortillas inside during familiar visits. Owner Isidoro Gonzalez founded the beloved taquería in 1980, drawing consistent crowds ever since for carne asada, al pastor, cochinita pibil, carnitas and more lovingly prepared classics filling freshly pressed masa.  

Far more casual yet still focused on quality, Gala restaurant changes menus seasonally to highlight peak produce and seafood. The neighborhood eatery offers approachable preparations, from Cape Cod oysters on the half-shell and chef-driven dishes to fried green tomatoes or featherlight cheesecake. There’s even a complimentary sparkling Cava option when toasting neighboring tables.  

Beyond downtown, celebrity fans and locals ogle the overflowing bread racks at Oat Bakery in nearby Goleta. Oprah Winfrey herself favors the rotating gluten-free goods and multigrain loaves, often incorporating chia seeds, produce purées or chopped nuts.  

Originally a friends’ pandemic pop-up in 2020, Peter Lee eventually opened brick-and-mortar Secret Bao with fellow chef Felicia Medina in downtown Santa Barbara, expanding their greatest hits into a permanent space. Creative signatures like honey-walnut shrimp or Korean fried chicken bao draw consistent acclaim alongside inventive seasonal selections and plenty of hidden secrets.  

Whether travelers crave beachfront luxury or streetside authenticity, historic hideaways, or harborside seafood houses, this sublime SoCal retreat overflows with postcard-worthy vistas and delicious flavors to discover.