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With so many great restaurants in Santa Barbara, choosing a place to eat can be a difficult decision. Our hotel staff has made your decision easier by listing their top picks for every craving.
A Capella Cafe
2220 Bath Street
(805) 687-5911
Located adjacent to the Best Western Encina Lodge & Suites, A Capella Cafe offers fantastic ambience with delicious food. The brie with roasted garlic is exceptional. Full bar and extensive wine list.
Bouchon
9 W Victoria Street
(805) 730-1160
A beautiful restaurant with a great atmosphere for romance. One of the nicest restaurants in town. The wild honey chicken and maple-glazed duck breast are a couple of favorites. The chocolate molten lava cake is a must!
Roy
7 W Carrillo Street
(805) 966-5636
A $25 flat rate for your meal features an entrée with fresh baked bread and veggies from the Farmer’s Market. The big red booths and artwork on the walls are retro-chic. If you’re looking for fun, late night eating, Roy is the place.
Treehouse Restaurant
3850 State Street
(805) 687-5511
Located adjacent to the Best Western Pepper Tree Inn, this family style restaurant is great for families and traveling groups. Perfect if you want to stay close to your room or are on the run.
Tupelo Junction Café
1218 State Street
(805) 899-3100
Located on State Street in the heart of Downtown, Tupelo Junction is a favorite for breakfast. The wait staff is incredibly nice and the food is scrumptious. They serve up large southern portions in a warm, vibrant atmosphere.
Brown Pelican
2981 Cliff Drive
(805) 687-4550
This is a wonderful beachside location with great views of surfers and dolphins. Make sure to reserve a seat outside or by the window. The mimosas are excellent and the coffee is strong.
Madam Lu Chinese
3524 State Street
(805) 898-9289
There’s so much on the menu at Madam Lu, where do we start? The Salt and Pepper Shrimp and Kung Pao Chicken are delicious. Also try the Walnut Shrimp, Fish in Crispy Bean Sauce or the Spicy Tofu Hot Pot. The service is wonderful.
Mandarin Palace
3955 State Street
(805) 683-2158
The people are friendly and the ambience is very pleasant. The Chinese spare-ribs are the best in Santa Barbara. The portions are generous and your food will always be hot and delicious. It’s a favorite among the locals for great food and service.
Szechuan Restaurant
1994 Cliff Drive
(805) 564-7651
Specialties include Homemade Style Tofu and Won Ton Soup. Also try the Mongolian Beef, Sesame Chicken, Cashew Chicken, and Spicy Basil Beef. Don’t leave without sampling their famous Steamed Pot Stickers. Nice décor and excellent service.
Palazzio Trattoria Italiana
1026 State Street
(805) 564-1985
They have the best garlic rolls! This is a fun, casual, place to dine. They have butcher paper on the tables with crayons and wine on the honor system. You can poor your own wine from a canister and just mark on the table the number of glasses you served yourself. The food portions are enormous, so you’ll be able to take some back to your room.
Ca Dario
37 East Victoria Street
(805) 884-9419
This is a great little Italian treat. The place is tiny and the tables are very close together, but the food is fabulous. They have a great wine selection and the service is friendly. By far the best ravioli ever. Be sure to make a reservation.
Arigato Sushi
1225 State Street
(805) 965-6074
Our top recommendation for Japanese is Arigato Sushi. They are consistent, delicious, creative, and have great customer service. For rolls, choose the Snake Roll, Rock n Roll, Tiger, or Pretty in Pink. Vegetarians love the delicious flavors of Mediterraneo and Magic Mushroom Rolls. We also recommend the Yellowtail, Seared Salmon, and Mango Ahi. End the night with the Green Tea-Tiramisu or Green Tea Crème Brule.
Kai
738 State Street
(805) 560-8777
Kai is a popular hang-out in Santa Barbara where you can get the famous Shabu-Shabu. Start your meal off with their delicious Tempura appetizer then move on to their famous sushi. Their rolls are an excellent combination of tastes and flavors. Our top recommendations are Red Dragon, Montecito and Moonlight Rolls. You won’t be disappointed. Enjoy the friendly staff and quaint atmosphere.
Mexican - top
Carlitos Cafe Y Cantina
1324 State Street
(805) 962-7117
We highly recommend Carlitos to anyone who appreciates great food and great service. Enjoy the atmosphere, live music, and Sangrias! The Molcajete of Guacamole is awesome.
Historic El Paseo Restaurant
10 El Paseo
(805) 962-6050
If you’re looking for a good atmosphere with delicious food go for El Paseo. Experience the open courtyard seating in a relaxed setting and listen to the Mariachis while enjoying a great meal. Try the fresh guacamole, handmade tortillas, and shrimp fajitas.
Brophy Brothers
Located at the Harbor
(805) 966-4418
This is a locals’ favorite, relatively unknown among tourists. You can sit at the bar to eat your clam chowder and beer while taking in the view of the Santa Barbara Harbor. It’s always crowded, definitely a 30-minute wait each time, but you can always stroll the harbor while you wait. The fish is excellent and their steak is good, too.
The Endless Summer Bar-Cafe
Located at the Harbor
(805) 564-4666
The Endless Summer Bar and Café serves the best Margaritas in town. The live music on Sundays is awesome. The menu is simple, but the fish is amazing, and the fries are great. It's a great lazy day hang out, with pool tables and a top notch view.
Bay Café
131 Anacapa Street
(805) 963-2215
The Bay Cafe is a tucked away gem. Recommendations include the fish tacos, poki, and salmon. The New England clam chowder is always hot and tasty as well. Sit outside on a nice day for a great lunch spot, located just a few short blocks to the beach.
Steaks - top
Holdren's
512 State Street
(805) 965-3363
Holdren’s is the place to go if you’re looking for great food, classy service, and a warm ambiance. The coconut shrimp and the steaks are our top picks.
Chuck's Of Hawaii
3888 State Street
(805) 687-4417
Chuck’s has been a Santa Barbara favorite for many years. The steaks and seafood are grilled to perfection. A low lighting provides a romantic atmosphere for couples. It’s also a great place to unwind with friends.
Lucky's
1279 Coast Village Road
(805) 565-7540
One of the few steakhouses that has information on the tables to let you know what the internal temperature of the steak is when cooked rare, medium rare, or medium so there is no confusion about just how red or pink the center of the steak will be. They also have a great selection of vegetables. Our favorite is the giant asparagus, tender and perfectly steamed.
Galanga Thai Restaurant
507 State Street
(805) 963-6799
If you’re looking for a comfortable, casual atmosphere, Galanga Thai is perfect! They’re at the top of our recommendations for flavorful foods including Spicy Mint Noodles, Panang Curry Tofu, and Garlic Chicken. The service is always wonderful, friendly, and attentive.
Zen Yai
425 State Street
(805) 957-1193
Zen Yai is hands down the best in town for Thai food! This tiny, cute, and cozy restaurant isn’t your typical Thai; the chef makes original dishes as well as traditional Thai food. Try one of the noodle dishes: the Shrimp with Asparagus or Massaman Curry. There is a nice wine list by the glass, too. Zen Yai has a great feel, great service, and ultimately great food. Be sure to call ahead to make reservations.
Cold Springs Tavern
5995 Stagecoach Road
(805) 967-0066
Well worth the drive with a beautiful view at the top of the hill. Food is great and they often have live music. Cold Spring offers a menu and atmosphere that you cannot find anywhere else. Specialties include wild boar, ostrich, and kangaroo.
Circle Bar B Dinner & Theatre
1800 Refugio Road
(805) 968-1113
With real cowboys as your trail guides, you’ll tour the Santa Barabara countryside and then chow down on a country BBQ dinner before enjoying a live theater performance.
El Paseo
813 Anacapa St, Santa Barbara
(805) 962-6050
El Paseo has tasty Margaritas that come in several fun flavors. Enjoy a variety of Tequilas in drinks or as shots. This is a great location for people watching and enjoying a night out on the town.
Rocks
801 State St, Santa Barbara
(805) 884-1190
Get to Rocks early because it tends to get crowded. Sit on balcony tables and watch the crowd. Enjoy their happy hour appetizer specials and go for their Mojitos or Lemon Drop Martinis. You’ll get great drink prices and the music is fun!
Acapulco
1114 State St, Santa Barbara
(805) 963-3469
At Acapulco’s Margarita Mondays, the margaritas are $2.50. Sit outside and share some time with friends. It’s a nice place to hang-out and relax.
Sharkeez
416 State St, Santa Barbara
(805) 963-9680
There are so many good places in Santa Barbara, but Sharkeez is the best place to just hang out. If you’re a sports fanatic you’ll love this bar: big screen TVs, sports, and good music. The food and drinks are also good and reasonably priced.
