Santa Barbara
Headline: kaiseki (traditional Japanese multicourse dining) comes to Santa Barbara and wows locals. It might have limited hours, take a chunk out of your…
Must-see restaurants in Santa Barbara County
Santa Barbara
A top spot to savor SoCal's bountiful farm and fishing goodness, chef-run Lark was named after an antique Pullman railway car and is based at a former…
Santa Barbara
Phenomenally popular Arigato Sushi always has people milling around waiting for a table (no reservations taken) but it's worth the wait. Traditional and…
Santa Ynez Valley
Hugely and justifiably popular locals' hangout, housed in an eclectically decorated warehouse on Buellton's coolest street. Pizzas have traditional to…
Santa Barbara
Shiny exterior walls covered in copper pennies herald a brilliant pizza experience inside this Funk Zone favorite, right beside the Lark. Always jam…
Santa Barbara
The perfect, unhurried, follow up to a day in the Wine Country is to feast on the bright, flavorful California cooking at pretty Bouchon (meaning ‘wine…
Santa Ynez Valley
An inspired, if meat-centric, menu allows farm-fresh ingredients to speak for themselves at this family-owned gourmet cafe and market. For breakfast and…
Santa Ynez Valley
Rich, innovative small plates in an elegant but cozy setting make First & Oak Solvang's best dining experience. The menu changes with the seasons but you…
Santa Barbara Shellfish Company
Santa Barbara
‘From sea to skillet to plate’ sums up this end-of-the-wharf seafood shack that’s more of a buzzing counter joint than a sit-down restaurant. Chase away…
Santa Barbara
Just try walking past this place on State St if you have a sweet tooth. A Santa Barbara institution since 1949, McConnell's uses local milk and other…
Santa Barbara
The usual Mexican crowd-pleasers are all here (tacos al pastor, quesadillas, agua fresca) but made to such perfection that previous versions pale in…
Santa Barbara
A top pick for plant-based dining, Mesa Verde has so many delicious, innovative all-vegan sharing plates on the menu that meat-avoiding procrastinators…
Santa Barbara Wine Country
1860s stagecoach stop that’s still a popular watering hole. A rough-hewn plank floor connects a warren of dimly lit rooms decorated with an odd but…
Santa Ynez Valley
God Morgen! Start the day Danish-style with a warm welcome and a hearty breakfast in which, clue in the name, pancakes feature heavily – over 30 years…
Santa Barbara
Start with a cocktail (martinis are a specialty) and take your time choosing from the inventive dishes on this Californian-cuisine-meets-French-bistro…
Los Olivos Wine Merchant & Café
Santa Ynez Valley
This wine-country landmark (seen in the film Sideways) swirls up a casual-chic SoCal ambience with its wisteria-covered trellis entrance. The food is bold…
Santa Barbara
A longtime favorite for its fresh-off-the-dock fish and seafood, rowdy atmosphere and salty harborside setting. Slightly less claustrophobic tables on the…
Santa Ynez Valley
Next to Hotel Corque, chef Bradley Ogden's creative farm-to-table cuisine shows an artful touch. It’s hard to beat the chicken and steaks, or come for the…
Santa Ynez Valley
As seen in the movie Sideways, this dark-paneled chophouse offers oak-grilled steaks, pork ribs, smoked duck breast and rack of lamb. Every old-school…
Santa Barbara
Spanish tapas done the Spanish way – simply and with top-quality ingredients. The wine list is a curated best-of-Spain selection, too, so pair your pulpo …
Santa Barbara
With all the exuberance of Mardi Gras, this N’awlins-style grill makes totally addictive baskets of housemade muffins and breads, and ginormous (if so-so)…
Santa Barbara
In the heart of east Santa Barbara's Mexican culinary scene, Los Agaves stands out for its well-cooked food and hacienda-style decor. Start with the…
Santa Ynez Valley
Fine cuisine isn't usually associated with Solvang, but Aly's meat- and fish-focused dishes hit the mark. The low-lit, simply furnished dining room…
Santa Ynez Valley
Duck around the Danish-inscribed beams with decorative borders to order aebleskivers – round pancake popovers covered in powdered sugar and raspberry jam…
Santa Barbara
Just around the corner from State St, this high-ceilinged pizzeria with a happening wine bar proffers crispy, wood-oven-baked pizzas, platters of imported…
Santa Barbara
Water views and ocean air accompany your healthy dining at the Boathouse, right on Arroyo Burro Beach. The outdoor patio is great for enjoying a cocktail…
Santa Barbara
Although there's plenty of good Mexican food in town, La Super-Rica is deluged daily by locals and visitors keen on tasting the dishes once so loved by…
Santa Barbara
At this red-brick strip-mall joint, order authentic south-of-the-border tacos, tortas, quesadillas and burritos with an agua fresca (fruit drink) or cold…
Santa Ynez Valley
Take your pick from a huge range of gourmet deli sandwiches and salads: curry chicken is a perennial fave, but there are robust vegetarian options too…
Santa Barbara
Away from the hustle of State St, the Shop still gets crowded thanks to its top-quality breakfast offerings. The poached eggs on toast are on the…
Santa Ynez Valley
Eat in for breakfast or lunch (grab a table on the covered porch) or get sandwiches, artisan breads, salads, specialty cheeses, pickles and everything…
Santa Barbara County
Home of the 'world famous' Jalama Burger, there's plenty more on offer at this restaurant/grocery store by the beach. Hot food is mostly of the sandwich…
Santa Barbara
Bright and colorful decor helps wake you up, and the option to build your own hash breakfast ($12.50) sets you up for exploring Santa Barbara. Bread is…
Santa Barbara
There’s almost always a line roping around this downtown taco shack at lunchtime. But it goes fast, so you’d best be snappy with your order – the adobada …
Santa Barbara
Start your day right with green eggs and ham, sharing one of the long, communal tables with other early risers who know where to find one of the best…
Santa Ynez Valley
Gingerbread is a specialty here (have a personalized holiday creation made for you) but that doesn't mean other bestsellers like the almond-butter ring…
Santa Barbara
This eco-minded little shop serves up real-fruit smoothies and heaping acai bowls with all kinds of health-conscious add-ons such as fresh berries,…
Santa Barbara
Enjoy a glass of wine or a cocktail before tucking into some tasty pasta, flat breads or meat and seafood dishes at one of Santa Barbara's most popular…
Santa Barbara
Before a day at the beach, pick up custom-made sandwiches and fresh salads at this gourmet deli in the Funk Zone. Artisan breads, imported cheeses, cured…
Santa Ynez Valley
On the eastern outskirts of Solvang, this upscale supermarket – with a full deli, smokin' barbecued meats, a wine shop and an espresso bar – is the best…
