20+ Best Restaurants in Santa Barbara
Originally published December 2018
Santa Barbara restaurants are a treat for the tastebuds! There is an abundance of local restaurants, many of which serve local, farm-to-table dishes and drinks.
If you’re visiting Santa Barbara for a weekend, or even just a day trip, budget for meals out if you can. You will want to eat out for every meal once you get a taste of the delicious dishes Santa Barbara has to offer.
Even after living in Santa Barbara for years and visiting my entire life, I have yet to visit all the Santa Barbara restaurants on my list. Not to mention new ones are constantly popping up!
Whether you’re looking for raw oysters by the beach, the best fish tacos you will ever have, or places that offer tons of incredible vegan dishes, Santa Barbara has it all.
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Santa Barbara Restaurants
Mesa Burger
There are many places to get burgers in Santa Barbara, but Mesa Burger is my favorite because of the Montecito Burger and vegan protein options. They have a location in Santa Barbara and another in Goleta.
They also have chicken sandwiches which you can order with vegan fried chicken (it’s delicious!). I especially love their truffle aioli to dip my fries into.
We get Mesa Burger at least once a week whenever we’re in Santa Barbara, often 2-3 times a week! The Montecito Burger has mushrooms, an onion ring, goat cheese, and arugula. It’s truly the best.
The Natural Cafe
For fresh, whole foods, Natural Cafe is the go-to place. They have tons of vegan and vegetarian options, in addition to meat dishes. All their dishes are vegetable-focused with tons of fresh veggies!
I almost always get the quesadilla, but I also recommend the Buddha burrito and black bean enchiladas. The smoothies are also incredible! Michelle My Belle is one of my favorite smoothies. If you like carrot cake, theirs is divine. I also love their chocolate cake.
They have a location on State Street in Santa Barbara and another in the Camino Real Marketplace in Goleta.
Lilac Patisserie
Get all your gluten-free goods from Lilac Patisserie! They are a fully gluten-free bakery with cakes, pastries, other baked goods, and breakfast and lunch dishes.
Their quiche is great! You really would never know their food is gluten-free. The baked goods/desserts rotate out, so they don’t have everything available every day.
They have also opened a location in Montecito called Lilac Montecito! It’s slightly more upscale/fancy compared to the downtown location.
Corazon Cocina
Corazon Cocina has some of the best fish tacos in town. It’s located in the Public Market, which is an indoor area with multiple restaurants. Corazon Cocina is by far the best one in there though!
There is often a long line here — plan to wait 20-30 minutes if you didn’t order ahead. If you’re in a rush, you can order online ahead of time and pick it up there.
While their tacos are my favorite, they also have ceviche, burritos, and quesadillas which are all delicious! I highly recommend you try their incredible Hibiscus Tea.
Santa Barbara FisHouse
FisHouse is located just across the street from the beach in downtown Santa Barbara. It has high-quality dishes mostly centered around fish, as expected from the name. The food tastes so fresh and their dishes are paired well with the sides. The Skuna Bay Salmon with mashed potatoes and market vegetables is my favorite!
After dinner, walk across the street to watch the sunset at the beach or on Stearns Wharf.
Sun Sushi
This small, hole-in-the-wall restaurant is unassuming from the outside, located within an older strip mall. Don’t pass it up because of its appearance — it’s some of the best sushi in Santa Barbara!
I haven’t eaten inside since I’ve only gotten takeout, but it is pretty small inside and gets busy since it’s so popular. The miso soup is great and their rolls are incredible; the fish is so fresh it melts in your mouth.
Lure Fish House
Lure has the absolute best oysters you’ll ever have! They’re charbroiled with parmesan, garlic, and butter — none are better than these.
While their location doesn’t have incredible ocean views (it’s in an outdoor shopping mall on upper State Street), their food is some of the best in Santa Barbara. The restaurant’s decor and ambiance more than make up for the location.
The seared ahi is my go-to dish, the lobster ravioli is the best pasta I’ve ever had, and I dream about the charbroiled oysters. The quality of the food is unbeatable.
They do not take reservations and you can almost always expect a wait. For lunch on a weekday, we waited about 15 minutes for a table outside. For a weekend dinner, wait times can be 45 minutes or more.
Jeannine’s Restaurant & Bakery
Jeannine’s is a favorite spot for brunch among locals and visitors. There are a few locations throughout Santa Barbara and Goleta, but the one in the best location is on the corner of State Street and Cabrillo Blvd., right across the street from the beach and Stearns Wharf.
If you prefer, you can order online and pick it up for a nice brunch or lunch picnic at the beach! They have all the breakfast/brunch options you could ever want, plus a wide selection of sandwiches and other items for lunch.
This is a great spot to start your day with a perfect California brunch if you’re staying in a hotel downtown!
Satellite SB
For a full menu of vegan and vegetarian options, Satellite SB on State Street is a great spot downtown. They’re located within a co-working space, but also have their own indoor and outdoor seating for restaurantgoers.
The vegan mac and cheese is delicious! I also like their vegan sandwich with cauliflower. In addition to their healthy food menu, they have a wide selection of different beers and wines to choose from.
Mesa Verde Restaurant
This is a fully vegan restaurant serving a range of dishes, including tacos, burritos, bowls, and sandwiches. They describe themselves as “vegan Mediterranean,” which I think is the perfect description.
Their food is mostly plant-based, but some of their dishes also have vegan meat alternatives (like the Beyond Meat burrito).
Dine there or take it to go and head to the beach! Shoreline Park is nearby and has many picnic tables in a grassy area next to the beach. Mesa Verde is located on Cliff Drive, which is the same street as Santa Barbara City College and runs along the shoreline.
Finney’s Crafthouse & Kitchen
You’ll find typical American fare at Finney’s, with burgers, tacos, pizzas, and more on their menu. Their menu is extensive and has something for everyone!
They’re located in one of my favorite neighborhoods: The Funk Zone. If you’re staying in one of the downtown hotels, specifically Hotel Californian (right across the street), you’ll be within a short walking distance of Finney’s.
Helena Avenue Bakery
Grab some breakfast and coffee at Helena Avenue Bakery in The Funk Zone to start your day right. They have such a lovely outdoor area with plants and flowers to sit and enjoy your morning.
They’re best known for their breakfast/brunch, but they do have lunch items as well! All their bread is baked fresh daily.
Note: The vegan/vegetarian options are somewhat limited.
Boathouse at Hendry’s Beach
Boathouse At Hendry’s Beach has incredible ocean views since it’s situated directly on Arroyo Burro Beach! Their food is pretty good, albeit overpriced. You are mostly paying for the views and location.
I would describe their food as resort food — tasty and seafood-focused, but nothing exceptional. If you want amazing views and good food, this is the place to get it!
The raw oysters were great, just more expensive than any other place in town. I also liked the fish and chips! They do brunch best and that is when I recommend visiting — expect a long wait for weekend brunch.
Sama Sama
This is a unique restaurant with tasty Southeast Asian-inspired dishes. Each dish is small and made to share with the table. We like to order a few different dishes and share them all!
They are on State Street and have indoor seating, as well as outdoor seating in a back patio with lovely string lights. It’s a great spot for date night. The food is amazing. If you aren’t sure what to order or how many dishes to order, ask your server!
La Super-Rica Taqueria
Made famous by being referenced in a Katy Perry song (did you know she grew up in Santa Barbara?), La Super-Rica is one of many Mexican restaurants in town. It has incredibly authentic Mexican food and takes cash only!
They have outdoor seating under a large tent, which feels like visiting a family member’s home at having a big Mexican feast all together. Despite the competition, La Super-Rica continues to be rated as one of the best Mexican restaurants in town.
Note: There are not many vegetarian options and zero vegan options. I’m unsure if they use chicken stock in their beans (common for authentic Mexican food, at least in California).
Oliver’s Montecito
Enjoy an upscale vegan dinner at Oliver’s! Their menu is 100% plant-based, so vegans and vegetarians can freely order off the menu without worrying about animal products.
The food is incredibly tasty and flavorful! I love sitting on the patio since it has so many plants and string lights which create a lovely atmosphere. Even non-vegans will love this place!
Everything on the menu is delicious, but I especially love the kung pao cauliflower.
Loquita
Loquita is a Spanish restaurant located in the lovely Funk Zone. They serve tapas, as well as paella and a couple of entrees.
This restaurant is only open for dinner. Their back patio is beautiful and if you visit during the right time of year (summer), the bougainvillea will be in full bloom throughout the patio and front of the restaurant.
They also have a delicious dessert menu, so make sure you save some room during dinner!
Eureka!
I love the fish tacos at Eureka, in addition to their other dishes. The food here is reminiscent of an ale house, with burgers, fries, tacos, etc., and lots of beer options.
They’re located in Paseo Nuevo in downtown Santa Barbara and have outdoor seating that backs up to Chapala Street. This is a chain restaurant that can be found throughout California, but I’ve only had it in Santa Barbara!
Savoy Cafe & Deli
Savoy is an ideal spot for some organic, homegrown brunch. They have a nice breakfast menu with vegan and vegetarian options in addition to their omnivore dishes.
Eat there or order to-go and grab some baked goods on your way out! Their baked goods include vegan and gluten-free options too.
Shoreline Beach Cafe
Have lunch or dinner right on the beach with your toes in the sand at Shoreline Beach Cafe! They have tables inside, which have full beach/ocean views since the walls are all glass. The outdoor tables are situated in the sand on the beach with umbrellas for protection from the sun.
If you aren’t up for dining in, there is a walk-up window with a limited menu for to-go-only orders. Grab some fish tacos and fries for a picnic on the beach!
Valentino’s
The best sandwiches in town are at Valentino’s! You may be confused by their full name: Valentino’s Take-N-Bake Pizza. While they do have pizza, their sandwiches are the star!
They have a few tables inside the small space, but it’s best to order at the counter and take it to go. I love getting sandwiches to go and having a picnic in the mountains on Painted Cave Road.
Choppa Poke
This is technically in Goleta, though they used to have a Santa Barbara location that closed at the end of 2021. Their poke bowls are incredible! They load them up with fresh, raw fish and all the delicious toppings.
They have the best poke in town and we come here often while in Santa Barbara. They are located within a shopping center and share a space with Sno-Crave Tea House where you can get boba and other specialty drinks.
Cajun Kitchen
Cajun Kitchen, as expected, serves great Cajun food! It’s best for breakfast/brunch, with all the typical breakfast dishes, including pancakes, omelets, benedicts, burritos, and classic breakfast dishes like huevos rancheros and biscuits & gravy.
They have three locations in Santa Barbara County: two in Goleta and one in downtown Santa Barbara. All of which are lovely! There are plenty of vegetarian options, but not any vegan ones.
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