Mexican$$Milpas CorridorMon-Sun 11:00-21:00
Michelin Guide Mexican on Milpas Street. Freshly made tortillas, complex moles, and ceviche from family recipes. Loyal neighbourhood following since opening.
Signature: Mole negro, Handmade tortillas, Carne asada
New American$$$Funk ZoneMon-Thu 17:00-21:00; Fri 17:00-22:00; Sat 10:30-14:00, 17:00-22:00; Sun 10:30-14:00, 17:00-21:00
Seasonal sharing menu in the Funk Zone fish market building. Farm, ocean, and ranch from Central Coast. Women-owned, Michelin Guide recognised.
Signature: Wood-roasted vegetables, Seasonal crudos, Farm-sourced sharing plates
Spanish$$$Funk ZoneMon-Fri 17:00-21:00; Sat 16:00-21:00; Sun 17:00-21:00
Spanish tapas, wood-fired meats, seasonal paella on lower State Street. Spanish vermouths, gin and tonics, Santa Barbara County wines. Michelin Guide listed.
Signature: Seasonal paella, Wood-fired seafood, Spanish tapas
Californian$$$Downtown Santa BarbaraMon-Thu 17:00-22:30; Fri-Sat 17:00-23:00; Sun 17:00-22:30
Wine Country cuisine and Channel seafood downtown since 1998. Wine Spectator Award of Excellence since 2002. Garden patio year-round, deep County wine list.
Signature: Central Coast seasonal menu, Santa Barbara Channel seafood, Wine Country cheese course
Italian$$$Downtown Santa BarbaraMon-Thu 11:30-14:00, 17:00-21:00; Fri-Sat 11:30-14:00, 17:00-21:30; Sun 17:00-21:00
Italian fine dining since 1999 under chef Alberto Morello, with a Sicilian-influenced menu and 230-label wine cellar. Wine Spectator Award since 2002.
Signature: Sicilian pasta, House-made fresh pasta, Seasonal fish
Southeast Asian$$Downtown Santa BarbaraTue-Sun 12:00-15:00; Tue-Thu, Sun 17:00-21:30; Fri-Sat 17:00-22:30
Michelin Bib Gourmand on State Street. Indonesian-inspired Southeast Asian food from French-trained owners using Bali recipes and Central Coast farm produce.
Signature: Braised pork noodles, Nuri ribs, Tamarind-glazed wings