Santa Barbara Restaurants Dining Guide

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  The Santa Barbara Restaurants Dining Guide  
Mar. 11, 2010
 
Santa Barbara Restaurants

New Restaurants 2009 Openings
Be one of the first to review your dining experience.

Union Ale Brewing Company
Dogtown Hot Dogs
Nugget
Renaud's Patisserie & Bistro
Bella Dolce Bakery
Wine Cask
Blush
California Crisp
root 246
French Press
South Pacific Coffee Co
Jitters Coffee
European Deli & Market
Mediterra Cafe & Market
Petros
Pasta House
Sushilicious
Chinos Rock & Tacos (Santa Barbara)
Los Agaves
Chinos Rock & Tacos (Isla Vista)
Giovanni's
Holdrens
Saigon In and Out
Yogurtland
Red Mango
Pinkberry
Live Culture
Yoyumyum
Whole Foods


The Beach Grill at Padaro is proud to announce some recent changes to their pizza. They now offer 3 distinct topping style: traditional Italian style, New York style, and their favorite, California style. Additionally their new dough is made with 100% unbleached flour, sea salt, filtered water and wild yeast. By hand tossing their dough they create a slightly thicker yet light and crispy crust.

The Padaro Catering Company located at 3765 Santa Claus Lane in Carpinteria, specializes in Prepared, Delivered food for your Rehearsal Dinner, Birthday, Reception, Company Picnic, Theme Event, Photo Shoot, On Location Event, Grand Opening, Open House, Corporate Retreat, Party, Holiday Party or Ground Breaking. If you need a
location for your event, The Beach Grill at Padaro is the perfect choice for your wedding, party, or special
event. Treat yourself and your
guests to a memorable day in our half acre beachfront garden.

Past Restaurant Openings Be one of the first to review your dining experience.

Trattoria Vittoria

Milk & Honey

Downtown Brewing Company

Hollister Brewing Company

Quantum

Jake's

Bay Cafe

Storke Ranch Deli

Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf

Plow & Angel

Bougainvillea

Giannfranco's Trattoria

Panino

New Restaurants in 2006
Be one of the first to review your dining experience at the 2006 openings.

All India Cafe

L & L Hawaiian Barbecue
L & L Hawaiian Barbecue located at 7127 Hollister Ave., #21 in The Plaza in Goleta was founder in 1976 by Eddie Flores, Jr. and Kwock Yum Kam. L & L Hawaiian Barbecue offers concocted delectable plate lunches that captivated the islands. The Hawaiian plate lunch is a huge, gastronomically challenging mixture of Asian and American starches (two scoops rice and one scoop macaroni salad) supplemented by a United Nation of entrees such as chicken katsu, beef curry, deep fried shrimp, mahi mahi, lemon chicken, barbecue shortribs, hamburger steak, etc.

L&L is known for its large portions, freshly cooked food, and reasonable prices. For hefty appetites try the regular plate lunch which is said to easily feed two people, from $5.50. For a smaller portion, try the mini plate lunch which starts from $3.75.

El Caballo

Naan Stop

New Restaurants in 2005
Click restaurant name to view visitor dining experiences.

Cities Barbecue

Kampai

DogHouse

El Cazador

Square One

Sushiya Express

StarBucks

Tiramisu
Tiramisu is a new restaurant that opening in Santa Barbara's Paseo Nuevo Mall at the end of 2005. It features fresh homade rustic Italian cuisine with elegant hand crafted pastries. Privately owned by Head Chef Victor Carranza, Tiramisu is a casual dining experience with upscale service.

Savoy Truffles
Savoy Truffles surprising food boutique opened in November, and is packing 'em in.  The food is very creative, tasty, and remarkably affordable.  The service is warm and professional, and the ambiance is
European bistro chic.  It's locate just across the street from the Santa Barbara city parking lot near Norton's Pastrami shop.

Zaytoon
Zaytoon from the Arabic word meaning olive is a welcome surprise to Santa Barbara as it is one of the only Middle Eastern restaurants in the area. Located at 209 East Canon Perdido Zaytoon offers lunch and dinner from 11:30 am to at least 11 pm, nightly. Lunch prices average $9.50, dinner $15 plus drinks and appetizers.

Golden China
Golden China is located at 3130 State Street, Santa Barbara.

New Restaurants in 2004
Click restaurant name to view visitor dining experiences.

31 West
Locate at the new Andalucia Hotel in downtown Santa Barbara 31 West offers dining intending to be a power breakfast and lunch spot and a destination restaurant in the evening. 31 West will showcase American cuisine at its best. Seating 80 in the dining area and an additional 40 at the adjoining bar 31 West is a great location for small to medium size events.

Los Gallos
Los Gallos open for lunch and dinner was established by the same family that owns the local favorite Daily Grind, right next door. Los Gallos may become a favorite as well. Prices sound reasonable with a tri-tip taco $7.50, veggie taco $5.95, and chile relleno platter $6.25

Tuttini
Location in downtown Santa Barbara, at 10 East Carrillo Street, Tuttini serves Italian sandwiches at lunch time and fresh baked pastries. They are also open for breakfast and are famous for a breakfast cookie available all day, a grape nut/date concoction.

La Marina
With beautiful panoramic ocean views La Marina, Santa Barbara's only Four Diamond restaurant features seasonal California cuisine with an international flair prepared by Chef Jesse Olsen. Wine Spectator Magazine has noted La Marina as having one of the most outstanding restaurant wine lists in the world. La Marina is located at the Four Seasons Biltmore and is open Tuesday through Saturday 6:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m

Kaliman's

Kahuna Grill

Siam Elephant
Siam Elephant an authentic Thai restaurant opens in Carpentaria serving dishes from 10 a.m.-10 p.m. ranging in price for $6.95 to $8.95. The word is that it’s good, but not as good as the Santa Barbara offerings such as Zen Yai and Your Place.

Itsuki

Camomile Cafe

Cavalli's

L'ombretta
L'ombretta an “authentic Venetian wine bar” Opens its doors September 2004 servicing small bites, “Venetian style” for breakfast, lunch and dinner at 1134 Chapala Street the former location of Jojo’s Cafe.

Elements
Elements opens at former Figaro location in Santa Barbara across from the Court House sunken gardens. Offering a high end menu Elements is becoming well known as a trendy hot spot for happy hour.

La Brisas
Another Mexican restaurant pops up in Santa Barbara on Milpas Street. From feedback that DiningSantaBarbara.com has received La Brisas is well on its way to be coming one of the finest choices for authentic high quality low cost Mexican food. La Brisas is a highly recommended for lunch.

Willows
Located at the Chumash Casino in Santa Ynez Willows spells out jackpot offering fine dining selections such as porterhouse steak, surf and turf, and seared ahi prepared by the former Chef of the Ritz Carlton in Hawaii, Thomas Meyer.

Zeno Mamue
Right as one Santa Barbara Peruvian restaurant, Papagallo's, closed this year another one opens. The word on the street is that Zeno Manue is becoming a great replacement.

European Deli
Specializing in German Cuisine the European Deli brings you a wide variety of delicious continental favorites. Try the Reuben Sandwich with sauerkraut and potato salad. Located in the Fairview shopping center the European Deli is a welcome new arrival to the Goleta area.

Norton's Pastrami
A great new Santa Barbara restaurant located at 18 West Figeuroa Street. It serves up high end lunch sandwiches, their pastrami sandwich is top notch.

Saigon
The only authentic Vietnamese restaurant in the Santa Barbara area offering fresh dishes with stylish presentation.

Sakana
Dishing out Sushi in Montecito Sakana Japanese restaurant became an instant hit with it's fresh food and fast service. A Santa Barbara restaurant recommended visit

Quantum
Modern San Francisco style decor with an Asian twist; contemporary American cuisine offers a menu of small plates designed for sharing. A Santa Barbara restaurant Must Visit !

Spiritland Bistro
Gourmet organic food catering dishes to vegetarians and offering a fun casual atmosphere, a good alternative to the popular Santa Barbara Sojourner restaurant.

Deli 101
Located at 130 North Calle Cesar Chavez in Santa Barbara.

Beachbreak Cafe
Located at 324 State Street Santa Barbara, CA. Very Close to the beach and Stearn Wharf.

New Restaurants in 2003
Click restaurant name to view visitor dining experiences.

Good Cup

Rizona's
If you’re looking for dishes that will tantalize your taste buds with tropical flavors why not try Rizona’s in Santa Barbara. Coconut cream of rice for breakfast and wild caught salmon with coconut-chili sauce for dinner are some of the tasty selections.

Abdi's
Only Persian dining in Santa Barbara, bring your own wine No corkage charge!

Bellyboards

A-Ru

Chef Rick's

Spice Avenue
Authentic Indian cuisine offering an affordable lunch buffet and wine by the glass.

Holdrens

Taiko

Dish

Atlas Market

Kimochi

Cafe Delight


New Restaurants in 2002
Click restaurant name to view visitor dining experiences

Mondial
Private Dining Seating up to 40, Catering available. Great location for business dining.

City Kitchen

Go Fish

Natural Cafe

Chipotle

Maeda

jojo

Primo

Hibiki Sushi Cafe

Nu




What makes DiningSantaBarbara.com the best choice for dining options?

All DiningSantaBarbara.com information is open to the public and free. Unlike other sites that require you to become a member so that they can send unwanted emails; sell your information or even make you pay a subscription.

1953 visitor dining reviews approved by a real editor. Each visitor review includes ratings for food, service and ambiance tabulated to give you the overall ratings for restaurants base on the number of restaurant reviews. 605 hand picked Santa Barbara area restaurants searchable by area, price, cuisine and name. Regular updates of new openings and closings to keep you notified and give you the most accurate information possible.

Select a Cuisine

American Argentinean Bagel
Bakery Barbeque Cafe
Cajun Californian Chinese
Coffee Shop Creative Deli
Family French Frozen Yogurt
Fusion German Greek
Grill Hamburger Hawaiian
Healthy Healthy Gourmet Ice Cream
Indian International Cuisine Irish
Italian Japanese Juice Bar
Korean Market Mediterranean
Mexican Middle Eastern Modern
Moroccan New Mexican Organic
Persian Peruvian Pizza
Private Dining Sandwich Seafood
Spanish Steak House Sushi
Thai Tropical Vegetarian
Vietnamese Wine Country

Recent Visitor Restaurant Reviews
Click on restaurant name to see more visitor reviews, listing details and over all ratings.

Superb = Poor =
California Crisp
Santa Barbara Californian Restaurants
Restaurant Review Submitted by george and susie on 3/10/2010 Visited on 2/3/10

Very ,Very good food and friendly service with great prices....I had a tri-tip sandwich and my girl friend had a thai chicken pizza both were excellent...


Cal Taco
Goleta Mexican Restaurants
Restaurant Review Submitted by Pete on 3/8/2010 Visited on 3/8/06-10

I have been eating at Cal Taco for 5 years and have never been disappointed. The food is always fresh and tasty; add friendly service and you have a great place to eat. The bonus to their location is watching the dogs swim at Dioji.


Dogtown Hot Dogs
Isla Vista American Restaurants
Restaurant Review Submitted on 3/6/2010 Visited on 3/4/10

The regular dog was crisp on the outside and juicy inside. The best I've had. My friend had a gaucho dog and it was great. Recommend for anyone who loves hot dogs.


Union Ale Brewing Company
Santa Barbara American Restaurants
Restaurant Review Submitted on 3/2/2010 Visited on 2/14/2010

I love Union Ale's Burgers & Flatbread pizzas... they are fantastic. I honestly feel the burgers are some of the best in town, and reasonably priced. Choose the sweet potato fries, which again are extra crispy (at least on my visit!) - I highly recommend the place. I keep going back because it's so good.


Renaud's Patisserie & Bistro
Santa Barbara Bakery Restaurants
Restaurant Review Submitted on 2/27/2010 Visited on 2/27/10

Felt as though we were in Paris! Charming ambience, delicious food and coffee.


Boathouse ( Hendry's Beach )
Santa Barbara American Restaurants
Restaurant Review Submitted on 2/26/2010 Visited on 2/25/10

views and food delightful


Brophy Brothers
Santa Barbara Seafood Restaurants
Restaurant Review Submitted on 2/26/2010 Visited on 2/24/10

our new best sea food place


Gina's Pizza
Goleta Pizza Restaurants
Restaurant Review Submitted by kourosh on 2/23/2010 Visited on jan 2010

the best pizza in town bar none. you shall try this pizza place and you will never go anywhere else for pizza. i also loved their sandwiches. it is a fun place for me and my kids with great food and reasonable prices. two thumbs up!!!


South Pacific Coffee Co
Goleta Coffee Shop Restaurants
Restaurant Review Submitted on 2/21/2010 Visited on Feb 21, 2010

The South Pacific Coffee Co is a great addition to the community offering a wide range of coffee blends with an excellent "house coffee". They also offer hot breakfast items, lunch sandwiches (I had a beefy tri-tip) and pizza. Prices are suprisingly low...excellent food with great service. The ambience is very relaxed...I was there on a Sunday afternoon and enjoyed listening to live jazz music as well.


Max's
Santa Barbara American Restaurants
Restaurant Review Submitted on 2/20/2010 Visited on Feb 2, 2010

Our waitress was friendly, informative and welcoming. We're from out of town and she helped us with many suggestions. The restaurant was decorated with lovely local art work. Also, was bright and comfortable. Food however was very dissapointing. Breakfast potatoes were awful. Tasted old and dry. Loaded w/ canned red peppers for color. Omelet was fluffy, but lacked flavor. My salad had dirt in the lettuce and the salmon was overcooked.


Cal Taco
Goleta Mexican Restaurants
Restaurant Review Submitted on 2/20/2010 Visited on 2-20-10

Best place for a burger!!! All items on menu are great and freshly made to order.


Tre Lune
Montecito Italian Restaurants
Restaurant Review Submitted by Steven on 2/17/2010 Visited on Feb. 2010

Double the price to $22-$36...can't get out of here for under $100 for two. Waitress messed up my order big time and did not handle it well and was not friendly. Food was okay, but left hungry.


French Press
Santa Barbara Coffee Shop Restaurants
Restaurant Review Submitted on 2/2/2010 Visited on February, 2, 2010

Although most of the people behind the counter are friendly (especially Adam), I won't be going to get my beverages here anymore. Why? The male owner is the most unfriendly person I've ever met. I come in 1-2 times a week. He makes me feel unwelcome, like I'm bothering him. I've notice whenever customers come and go he'll say hello or goodbye, thanks for coming, etc. When I left today he just look at me saying nothing. Honestly, I think he has a problem with my skin color. I'm a nice friendly person and not use to his negative vibe. I'm going to miss the Ruby Slipper tea, but I stick with Peet's and Starbucks. So much for supporting the independent coffeehouses. I might be just one customer, but I'm telling all everyone I know about my experience here.


Blush
Santa Barbara Californian Restaurants
Restaurant Review Submitted on 1/28/2010 Visited on january 16, 2010

well the food was great and all but it took a long time for the food and me and my friend were so hungary so thats the only thing that you could work on but other then that it was great i had a good time at lunch.


Pinkberry
Santa Barbara Frozen Yogurt Restaurants
Restaurant Review Submitted on 1/28/2010 Visited on dec 18, 2010

i love you reustrant!!!!!!!


Stacky's Seaside
Summerland  Restaurants
Restaurant Review Submitted on 1/28/2010 Visited on dec 10, 2010

great food great taste but the service could be a little faster


Petit Valentien
Santa Barbara French Restaurants
Restaurant Review Submitted by robinson on 1/28/2010 Visited on 12/12/2009

excellent food and service, small with close tables but well worth the close quarters


Tinker's Burgers
Summerland Hamburger Restaurants
Restaurant Review Submitted on 1/28/2010 Visited on january 19, 2010

i love tinkers if i could i would sneek out of my house and go and order 10000 burgers with fries because it is so so so sooo good.


Yoyumyum
Goleta Frozen Yogurt Restaurants
Restaurant Review Submitted on 1/25/2010 Visited on

A fun place when you want something sweet. Lots of choices in frozen yogurt, fresh fruit, and chocolate toppings. Very colorful place; would be great fun for kids.


Naan Stop
Isla Vista Indian Restaurants
Restaurant Review Submitted on 1/25/2010 Visited on several times

I like the food a lot but they give you extremely small portions and the service is unfriendly. most of the time i get a chicken and rice bowl which i love but i get like 4 small pieces of chicken every time and its relatively expensive for the amount they give you. its annoying but i still go back because it's still pretty good


Santa Barbara Shell Fish Company
Santa Barbara Seafood Restaurants
Restaurant Review Submitted on 1/21/2010 Visited on January 18, 2010

I love this little restaurant! When I first walked in I wasn't quite sure what to do - there are no tables, just counters to sit at. It turned out to be absolutely fine - it's definitely a casual style - don't know if they have outdoor dining - it was dark and rainy when I went. I had the lobster bisque, which was spicy and amazing and the recommended crab cakes. The crab cakes were perfect and the red pepper aoli was great. The cole slaw was as good as it gets with chunks of pineapple in it! It also came with some wonderful onion rings. Everything was great. The service was fast and very pleasant. It was neat that you could see the kitchen over the counter top and the giant tanks of crabs and lobsters. Highly recommended!!!


Summerland Beach Café
Summerland American Restaurants
Restaurant Review Submitted by John Kelly on 1/21/2010 Visited on October 2009

I have stopping at the Summerland Beach Cafe for more than ten years and enjoyed every meal inside or or the terraces, both breakfasts and lunches. My favorite lunch is the Club Sandwich on dark chewy whole grain bread, but burgers, pancakes, egg dishes and the other sandwiches are all very good if not excellent. Their food is fresh prepared with care and imagination and served with a sunny hospitality. Even the side dishes show care and imagination, like their potato salad.


Norton's Pastrami
Santa Barbara Deli Restaurants
Restaurant Review Submitted by Larry Dighera on 1/18/2010 Visited on Various since 2004

The best Pastrami sandwitch available in Santa Barbara. Although it is girlled, not boiled as is triditional, it is very good. The rye bread is fresh, and perhaps more suitable for their Rubin sandwitch. The French rolls are below par; the new management should consider buying French rolls from Our Daily Bread on Santa Barbara Street. The authentic NY delli pickles are homemade, and a real treat. If you're hungry for a great sandwitch, I heartly reccommend Norton's.


Blenders in the Grass
Montecito Juice Bar Restaurants
Restaurant Review Submitted on 1/14/2010 Visited on yesterday

you guys rock the flavors rock and i love it


Lucky's
Montecito American Restaurants
Restaurant Review Submitted on 1/12/2010 Visited on 1/10/10

awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Giannfranco's Trattoria
Santa Barbara Italian Restaurants
Restaurant Review Submitted on 1/7/2010 Visited on 12/24/09

The food is delightful and the owners very attentive. We've revisited the restaurant 3 times in the past 4 months and highly recommend it. Had the pleasure of taking friends who walked away with the same level of satisfaction is the meal, portions and service. It's pricier than most local restaurants but well worth it.


Creekside
Santa Barbara American Restaurants
Restaurant Review Submitted by CynBad on 1/6/2010 Visited on 1/6/10

A GREAT place to play pool, meet friends, listen to music or whatever!!! Come by Jan 8th for my 50th birthday BASH!!! Jason Frost's band is playing!! See you there!!


31 West
Santa Barbara American Restaurants
Restaurant Review Submitted by Maria on 1/3/2010 Visited on January 2, 2010

Service was good although the food wasn't as tasteful. I would compare the food to over cooked frozen food. There was nothing special about the taste just a bit dry and bland. This is nothing more then a tourist spot on the pier. Go upstairs and have a drink, throw peanuts on the floor, order chili fries, and enjoy loud conversation. When you're done with that... Go to a restaurant on State St. for your main course.


Jitters Coffee
Santa Barbara Coffee Shop Restaurants
Restaurant Review Submitted by Management on 1/2/2010 Visited on 12/14/2009

In reply to the poster below, the story has two sides. We originally offered to substitute the syrup with something else due to being out. Your mother in law was very, very rude, giving myself and the staff member attitude and hard stares. She did not ask for her money back, I actually told the staff member to refund it immediatly without question. Again, it was met with a very rude attitude. I did say, jokingly, no need to make it a federal case, trying to lighten the situation. Obviously humor was lost on the both of you and I apoloigize for that. I am not sure what the solution should have been. I thought refunding the entire meal was fair even though you had eaten most of it before complaining. I definately did not laugh at you but I do have a sense of humor so again I am sorry if you felt belittled, but at the same time the girl that served you also felt very belittled. Give us another chance and I'll build you a waffle (with syrup).


Epiphany
Santa Barbara Californian Restaurants
Restaurant Review Submitted on 12/31/2009 Visited on 11/14/2009

If you want to pay for the worst dining experience of your life, this is the place to go! The service was the worst I have seen in California, let alone a self-proclaimed upscale restaurant. The menu had numerous items that were unavailable; the server came back to our table three times after saying certain items were available but actually were not. The entire experience was so unacceptable that I filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau.