15 upscale places in Santa Barbara, editor-picked. occasion restaurants in Santa Barbara: destination kitchens for celebrations and visits. All Santa Barbara food.
The Lark ★ 4.4
Funk Zone · 131 Anacapa Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Seasonal sharing menu in the Funk Zone fish market building. Farm, ocean, and ranch from Central Coast. Women-owned, Michelin Guide recognised.
The Lark ★ 4.4
Funk Zone · 131 Anacapa Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Most ambitious room in the Funk Zone. Seasonal sharing menu across farm, ocean, and ranch. Women-owned, Michelin Guide listed, in the fish market building.
The Lark ★ 4.3
Funk Zone · 131 Anacapa Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Farm-and-ocean seasonal sourcing meets brunch on Saturday and Sunday. The full weekday dinner format with a lighter daytime menu in the same Funk Zone space.
Bouchon Santa Barbara ★ 4.2
Downtown Santa Barbara · 9 West Victoria Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Wine Country cuisine and Channel seafood downtown since 1998. Wine Spectator Award of Excellence since 2002. Garden patio year-round, deep County wine list.
Bouchon Santa Barbara ★ 4.2
Downtown Santa Barbara · 9 West Victoria Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Wine Country cuisine and Channel seafood downtown since 1998. Wine Spectator Award of Excellence since 2002. Garden patio under string lights, 50 seats.
Bouchon Santa Barbara ★ 4.2
Downtown Santa Barbara · 9 West Victoria Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Longest-running Wine Country restaurant in Santa Barbara since 1998. Wine Spectator Award. Santa Barbara County cellar, paired with a seasonal kitchen.
Zaytoon ★ 4.2
Downtown Santa Barbara · 209 E. Canon Perdido Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Lebanese garden restaurant since 2005 in the lower State Street garden district. Mezze, grilled meats, outdoor patio under olive trees. No cocktail-bar noise.
Tip: Reserve the outdoor patio in advance and arrive at dusk. The free-range chicken and halal lamb kebabs cooked over wood are the reliable order.
Loquita ★ 4.1
Funk Zone · 202 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Spanish tapas, wood-fired meats, seasonal paella on lower State Street. Spanish vermouths, gin and tonics, Santa Barbara County wines. Michelin Guide listed.
Olio e Limone Ristorante ★ 4.1
Downtown Santa Barbara · 11 West Victoria Street, Suite 17, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Italian fine dining since 1999 under chef Alberto Morello, with a Sicilian-influenced menu and 230-label wine cellar. Wine Spectator Award since 2002.
Olio e Limone Ristorante ★ 4.1
Downtown Santa Barbara · 11 West Victoria Street, Suite 17, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Italian fine dining since 1999 under chef Alberto Morello, with a Sicilian-influenced menu. Over 230-label wine cellar, Wine Spectator Award since 2002.
Loquita ★ 4.0
Funk Zone · 202 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Spanish vermouths, gin and tonics, and Santa Barbara County wines alongside full tapas and paella. Suits aperitivo-style drinking as much as a full dinner.
Brophy Bros. ★ 3.9
Harbor · 119 Harbor Way, Santa Barbara, CA 93109
Third-generation family seafood house on the harbour dock since 1986. Award-winning clam chowder, garlic clams, bar overlooking the marina. No reservations.
The Palace Grill ★ 3.8
Downtown Santa Barbara · 8 East Cota Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Cajun and Creole downtown since 1985. Authentic New Orleans-style blackened fish, jambalaya, and Bananas Foster. Team service, four-decade loyal following.
Toma Restaurant and Bar ★ 3.7
Waterfront · 324 West Cabrillo Boulevard, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Waterfront Italian-California dinner on Cabrillo Boulevard since 2011. Local fishermen, farmers, and artisan sourcing with harbour views across West Beach.
Arigato Sushi ★ 3.7
Downtown Santa Barbara · 1225 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Long-running State Street sushi bar with candlelit energy. Known for the magic mushroom roll and black cod. Japanese technique meets Californian produce.