25 mid-range places in Santa Barbara, editor-picked. the comfortable everyday-good restaurants in Santa Barbara, with real cooking and no surprise on the bill. All Santa Barbara food.
The Valley Project ★ 4.3
Funk Zone · 116 East Yanonali Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Funk Zone tasting room with a chalk mural mapping Santa Barbara County's six AVAs. One of the few rooms where viticultural geography is central to every pour.
The Valley Project ★ 4.3
Funk Zone · 116 East Yanonali Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Funk Zone tasting room with a chalk mural mapping all six Santa Barbara County AVAs. One room where viticultural geography anchors every pour.
Tip: Ask for a flight spanning all six AVAs to understand the difference between Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir and Happy Canyon Cabernet in one sitting.
Helena Avenue Bakery ★ 4.2
Funk Zone · 131 Anacapa Street, Suite C, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Organic sourdough, pastries, quiches, and hand pies in the historic Fish Market building on Anacapa Street. Essential Funk Zone morning stop.
Lilac Patisserie ★ 4.2
Downtown Santa Barbara · 1017 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Fully gluten-free French patisserie on State Street, USA Today's 10 Best Artisanal Bakeries. Layer cakes, macarons, croissants, eggs benedict daily.
Lilac Patisserie ★ 4.2
Downtown Santa Barbara · 1017 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Fully gluten-free French patisserie on State Street. USA Today's 10 Best Artisanal Bakeries. Layer cakes, macarons, croissants, eggs benedict daily.
Sama Sama Kitchen ★ 4.0
Downtown Santa Barbara · 1208 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Michelin Bib Gourmand on State Street. Indonesian-inspired Southeast Asian food from French-trained owners using Bali recipes and Central Coast farm produce.
Los Agaves ★ 4.0
Milpas Corridor · 600 N Milpas Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Michelin Guide Mexican on Milpas Street. Freshly made tortillas, complex moles, and ceviche from family recipes. Loyal neighbourhood following since opening.
Figueroa Mountain Brewing Co. ★ 4.0
Funk Zone · 137 Anacapa Street, Suite F, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Central California's most award-winning craft brewery. Funk Zone taproom since 2010 with 32 rotating taps. Hoppy Poppy IPA, trivia nights, live music.
Santa Barbara Shellfish Company ★ 3.8
Stearns Wharf · 230 Stearns Wharf, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Fish-shack counter at the tip of Stearns Wharf since 1980. Same-day-landed Channel crab, sea urchin, and shellfish on a communal outdoor deck with bay views.
McConnell's Fine Ice Creams ★ 3.8
Downtown Santa Barbara · 728 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Founded in Santa Barbara in 1949. French pot method, organic local ingredients, no preservatives. State Street shop is the brand's original home.
Renaud's Patisserie and Bistro ★ 3.8
Upper State Street · 3315 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93105
French bakery and bistro by the Gonthier family since 2008. Buttery croissants, pain au chocolat, quiches across three Santa Barbara locations.
SOhO Restaurant and Music Club ★ 3.8
Downtown Santa Barbara · 1221 State Street, Suite 205, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Live music venue and restaurant on the second floor of Victoria Court. Nightly blues, funk, rock, reggae. California fare and wines. Open to 02:00.
SOhO Restaurant and Music Club ★ 3.8
Downtown Santa Barbara · 1221 State Street, Suite 205, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Second-floor live music venue and restaurant on State Street. Nightly blues, funk, rock, reggae sets. California fare, wines. Doors until 02:00.
Renaud's Patisserie and Bistro ★ 3.8
Upper State Street · 3315 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93105
Upper State Street anchor for classic French breakfast since 2008. Buttery croissants, pain au chocolat, savoury quiches, bistro egg plates.
Jeannine's At the Shore ★ 3.6
Waterfront · 1 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Family-run bakery at the foot of State Street. Housemade pastries, eggs benedict, and wholesome breakfast fare served from morning to midday.
Jeannine's At the Shore ★ 3.6
Waterfront · 1 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Long-established family-run bakery and breakfast spot at the foot of State Street. Housemade pastries, egg dishes, wholesome breakfast plates.
Lucky Penny ★ 3.5
Funk Zone · 127 Anacapa Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Funk Zone pizza and wine bar in a building tiled with 150,000 copper pennies. Wood-oven pizzas, seasonal salads, and frozen rose at a back-patio counter.
Scarlett Begonia ★ 3.5
Downtown Santa Barbara · 21 West Victoria Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Progressive organic California food on Victoria Street since 2011. Rotating seasonal menu from breakfast through dinner on a sustainable sourcing commitment.
The James Joyce ★ 3.5
Downtown Santa Barbara · 513 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Santa Barbara's original Irish pub since 1996. Live music six nights a week, pints until 02:00. 30,000-song jukebox, pool, darts, sidewalk patio.
The James Joyce ★ 3.5
Downtown Santa Barbara · 513 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Santa Barbara's original Irish pub since 1996 with live music six nights a week. 30,000-song jukebox, pool, darts, sidewalk patio. Pints until 02:00.
Scarlett Begonia ★ 3.5
Downtown Santa Barbara · 21 West Victoria Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Progressive, locally sourced organic California cafe on Victoria Street. Rotating seasonal menu from brunch through dinner. Vegetarian-forward options always.
Jane Restaurant ★ 3.4
Downtown Santa Barbara · 1311 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Family-owned California dining room on State Street. All sauces, dressings, and breads from scratch daily. Salads, seafood, pasta, house-roasted proteins.
Sandbar Cocina y Tequila ★ 3.1
Downtown Santa Barbara · 514 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Mexican restaurant and late-night tequila bar on lower State Street. Elevated tacos, seafood enchiladas. Reopened June 2026 after full renovation.
Sandbar Cocina y Tequila ★ 3.1
Downtown Santa Barbara · 514 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Late-night Mexican restaurant and tequila bar on lower State Street. Elevated tacos, seafood enchiladas. Reopened June 2026 after full renovation.
Benchmark Eatery ★ 2.8
Downtown Santa Barbara · 1201 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Casual New American on State Street with a 360-degree bar, wide patio, and a menu of burgers, fish and chips, and cocktails for the Granada Theatre crowd.