A curated set of standout tables and local favorites.
Local favorites & classics
Brophy Bros.. Santa Barbara Harbor · Seafood / Clam Bar — A Santa Barbara institution since 1986, right on the harbor dock. Famous for award-winning New England clam chowder, fresh oysters on the half shell, and…
Santa Barbara Shellfish Company. Stearns Wharf · Seafood — Perched at the end of the pier in a former shellfish buying station, this beloved spot is the place for lobster rolls with uni, crab cocktails, and a bread bowl of chowder…
The Lark. Funk Zone · California farm-to-table — Anchor restaurant of the Funk Zone, housed in a converted railway freight building. Chef Jason Paluska's seasonally rotating small plates are organized by…
Arigato Sushi. Downtown State Street · Japanese / Sushi — Downtown Santa Barbara's most popular sushi spot since 1985 — known for artfully presented fresh fish, specialty rolls using real crab, and a lively patio…
Boathouse at Hendry's Beach. Hendry's Beach (Arroyo Burro) · Coastal California / Seafood — Set directly on a sandy beach west of downtown, the Boathouse serves creative all-day fare — from lobster-and-truffle mac and cheese to…
Brophy Bros. Santa Barbara. 119 Harbor Way · 4.6★ (4,225 reviews)
Santa Barbara FisHouse. 101 E Cabrillo Blvd · 4.4★ (3,057 reviews)
Loquita Santa Barbara. 202 State St · 4.6★ (1,792 reviews)
Cafés, bakeries & casual
Lucky Penny. Funk Zone · Wood-fired pizza — A bright, casual Funk Zone favorite for Neapolitan-style wood-fired pizzas and natural wines, open from early afternoon — ideal for a mid-wine-trail refuel between…
Jeannine's Restaurant & Bakery. 1 State St · 4.6★ (993 reviews)
Lilac Pâtisserie. 1017 State St · 4.6★ (876 reviews)
LOKUM. 1019 State St · 4.6★ (768 reviews)
Santa Barbara Roasting Company. 321 Motor Way · 4.4★ (963 reviews)
Helena Avenue Bakery. 131 Anacapa St c · 4.5★ (814 reviews)
The Andersen's Danish Bakery & Restaurant. 1106 State St · 4.2★ (1,028 reviews)
Fine dining & Michelin
Loquita. Downtown / Lower State Street · Spanish tapas — Michelin Guide-recommended and beloved for wood-fire grilled seafood, seasonal paella, and a patio framed by colorful Iberian tiles. The Spanish…
Sama Sama Kitchen. Downtown State Street · Indonesian / Southeast Asian — Michelin Bib Gourmand 2026 — outstanding value for chef Ryan Simorangkir's Indonesian-inspired cooking. The mie goreng, tamarind BBQ wings, and…
Bibi Ji. Downtown Arts District · Modern Indian — The only Santa Barbara Indian restaurant recommended by the Michelin Guide, co-owned by noted sommelier Rajat Parr. Expect inventive tandoor lamb chops,…
Los Agaves. Milpas Street / Upper East · Mexican — A Michelin Guide-recommended neighborhood taqueria beloved by locals for homemade tortillas, enchiladas with octopus and shrimp, and a salsa bar that earned…
Brothers Restaurant at the Red Barn. 3539 Sagunto St · 4.7★ (719 reviews)
Barbareño. 205 W Canon Perdido St · 4.6★ (740 reviews)
bouchon Santa Barbara. 9 W Victoria St · 4.6★ (714 reviews)
The Stonehouse Restaurant. 900 San Ysidro Ln · 4.6★ (515 reviews)