Highly Recommended 14 Dinner Restaurants Near Santa Barbara, California

Sawant Ronil (Californiaaa_baybae) Convino is a gem in Santa Barbara. The ambiance is cozy, romantic & perfect for a date night. The food was beautifully prepared, full of authentic Italian flavors & every dish felt thoughtfully done. The cocktail selection was excellent and paired perfectly with the meal. Service was warm & attentive, making the entire experience feel special. A must visit for anyone who loves great Italian food and a lovely atmosphere. We will definitely be back.

j Rich The Palace Grill is one of my favorite places to eat when I’m in Santa Barbara, CA. I’ve been enjoying their food for over twenty years. My favorite appetizer is the Gumbo Ya-Ya and for my main course, I love the Filet Mignon and the Jambalaya Pasta. They have several other great looking options that I plan on trying out on my next visit. And the sing along is also one of my favorite treats that just sets the atmosphere perfectly!

Jason Thoman Had about an hour and a half to kill before a show at the Granada Theater, so my wife and I decided to stop into Benchmark Eatery—and we’re so glad we did! She went with the chips and salsa plus two beef tacos, and those tacos were incredible. The homemade corn tortillas took them to another level—so fresh and flavorful. I ordered the burger sliders and they were cooked to absolute perfection. Juicy, seasoned just right, and super satisfying. We also each got a drink, and let’s just say they don’t skimp on the pours—definitely a bonus in our book.

SWFL Broker Greg Demaras A quintessential California spot for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Honestly they don’t have to have good food as a result their spectacular location but not only is the food great, the atmosphere is spectacular and the staff is knowledgeable and friendly. I can’t think of another place where you can eat this close to the waves! They do get busy so please plan ahead and the weather can change on a dime, which in my opinion is part of the charm. Highly recommended!

Go with Belle This place is a gem.My husband and I had a weekend getaway in Santa Barbara and one of my friend recommended this place and my hotel was walkable ,So why not give this place a tried. Food : Can’t get any fresher than this! We ordered spiny lobster,Lobster tacos,linguini clams and steam clams.Everything was fresh,Delicious.They have an open kitchen and cooked it right in front of you. Service : We went in about 6.30-7 PM on Friday night.It was 65 degree and nobody was in there at all,So we picked a counter bar and the bartender/server came to us right away.He was nice and friendly and always checking on us. Vibe : Relaxing and chill vibe.Everything was open and we loved it. Next time we’re visit Santa Barbara.This restaurant will for sure be our first choice,No doubt about it.

Philip Chen Outstanding clam chowder with rich creamy flavor. You can actually taste the clam meat. Not like other restaurants only have potatoes and no clams. The salad is very fresh and the pasta dish is also delicious. A little more garlic and basil flavor would be even better. Always a good experience every time we go.

Jocelyn Brooks My wife and I ate lunch here on our last full day in Santa Barbara. Our waitress, Ava, was phenomenal. She warmly greeted us, gave us great suggestions and we were very willing to try them. Her conversation was personable and really made our time at this restaurant wonderful. My wife ordered the fresh oysters and the seafood plate. Oh.. she also had a oyster shooter with vodka ( This was her 1st time trying it and she loved it). I ordered the seafood pasta. Everything came out hot, full portioned and very very seasoned. We both complimented our food throughout the meal. I had a Sangria and my wife had a vodka lemonade. I cant remember what the exact name of the drink is though (Name located on the menu). We stayed for like 3hrs just drinking and converse amongst ourselves and with Ava. This experience truly helped make the last day full. Thank you Ava for being who you are. Do not change girl. If you go to this restaurant, ask for her AND tip her well. She deserves it!

Fabian Herrera - Great Service and friendliness. - Diverse Mexican menu choices. - Amazing salsa bar (mild, spicy, and very spicy choices). -Indoor and outdoor seating. -Parking can be tricky but totally worth the effort. My plate was delicious and authentic.

Mandy Cook Stopped in TWICE during my recent trip to Santa Barbara. The clam chowder was wonderful but I wasn’t a fan of the bread and salsa. The espresso martinis were a little too good!! The server and bartender were wonderful. Loved the atmosphere. Will definitely come back if ever in the area again!!

Ahmad Alfilimbany Had dinner at Finney’s in Santa Barbara and it was an awesome experience! The food was amazing and the vibes were great — with games playing on screens all around and nice background music. The staff were super energetic and attentive throughout. We started with wings, tenders, and the fried cauliflower — all delicious and perfectly crispy. For mains, we had the Finney’s burger, Margherita pizza, and mac & cheese for the kids. Everything was flavorful and well-prepared.

GAZIZBEK Turaliev Very good seafood restaurant! We chose this place based on a ChatGPT recommendation and were very happy with our choice. It’s a perfect stop if you’re driving from Los Angeles to San Francisco through Santa Barbara — the restaurant is located right along Highway 101, very convenient. The food was very tasty, the service was friendly, and everything was served very quickly. Highly recommended to anyone traveling this route or visiting Santa Barbara!

Lauren Oliver My cousin and I came here during a weekend getaway to see what all the hype was about—and it absolutely lived up to it! The service was super friendly, and the ambiance was cozy and welcoming. I had the Verde Enchiladas, my cousin had the Short Rib Tacos, and both were incredible. I also had a Mexican Mule that was perfectly made. Everything from start to finish was a 10/10. Highly recommend for lunch or dinner if youre in Santa Barbara!

Mike Ringer Loquita is an absolutely amazing culinary experience. The presentation is great; the variety of tastes, flavors, and smells is well crafted in every dish. I highly recommend the paella in whatever variation strikes you as appealing. Each one has its own charms; all three variations are a complete food adventure you will not regret. Reservations a week or more in advance are highly recommended if you dont want an extended wait for a table on a Friday/weekend/holiday. A word about atmosphere: the dress code here is mostly as you are. Dont show up straight off the beach, but youll find everything from suits and dresses to shorts and Hawaiian shirts among the patrons. This is a popular restaurant, so it will be busy and it can get a bit loud at peak dinner rush. Finally, the service team here is friendly, helpful, and prompt. All of this said, expect a fine dining price, because that is what you are getting. With desert but no alcohol, we were north of $65 per person before tip. Thank you Loquita team! We enjoyed ourselves thoroughly and we hope to be back at some point in the not-too-distant future.

Steve Davila The atmosphere and decor was inviting. The food was delicious. Had the trio dip -and the combo lamb, beef and chicken - all tender and so good!!