Santa Barbara Restaurants Dining Guide

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The Santa Barbara Restaurants Dining Guide

Feb. 7, 2012

New Restaurants 2010 & 2009 Openings
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Union Ale Brewing Company

Dogtown Hot Dogs

Nugget

HobNob Tavern

On The Side

Billies

Las Aves Cafe

Bay Roadhouse Bar & Grill

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

India House

Pasta House

Sushilicious

Chinos Rock & Tacos (Santa Barbara)

Los Agaves

Chinos Rock & Tacos (Isla Vista)

TonyRay's

Giovanni's

Olio Pizzeria

Mac's Fish & Chip Shop

Holdrens

Saigon In and Out

Saigon (Five Point)

Lam's Vietnamese BBQ &Sandwiches

Yogurtland

Red Mango

Pinkberry

Live Culture

Yoyumyum

Whole Foods

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
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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
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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
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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

Cafe Delight

New Restaurants in 2002
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Mondial
Private Dining Seating up to 40, Catering available. Great location for business dining.

City Kitchen

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.

2087 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. 616 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

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Bakery Barbeque Cafe

Cajun Californian Chinese

Coffee Shop Creative Deli

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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 =

Downey's

Santa Barbara Californian Restaurants

Restaurant Review Submitted by Laurence Brockway on 1/1/2012 Visited on Dec 30, 2011

Our finest dining experiences in Santa Barbara. My wife and I regularly enjoy their deliciously prepared fine foods and wines.

Casa Blanca

Santa Barbara Mexican Restaurants

Restaurant Review Submitted on 12/13/2011 Visited on 12/13/2011

Food was very good! There were four of us and we all ordered something different. We all like what we had and agreed we would come back! The Blood Orange Margarita was wonderful!!

South Pacific Coffee Co

Goleta Coffee Shop Restaurants

Restaurant Review Submitted on 11/23/2011 Visited on every so often

Nice neighborhood coffeehouse with well made food and coffee they have roasted specially for them. The breakfast sandwiches are the bomb. Decor looks WWII so mature adults - just about any guy would love the casual atmosphere. Owners/staff are friendly and likeable folks. If you don't see it the store is behind the 711.

Olio Pizzeria

Santa Barbara Pizza Restaurants

Restaurant Review Submitted on 11/23/2011 Visited on october 2011

Pizza is all about the crust - bad crust = terrible pizza. This place has stellar crust - enough said. They have excellent food besides the full option pizzas. Their wine pours are pretty weak depending on who's at the bar. In general great ambiance and food.

Cajun Kitchen (De La Vina)

Santa Barbara Cajun Restaurants

Restaurant Review Submitted on 11/19/2011 Visited on 9/2011

A person should expect to get special treatment when they walk through the door of ANY restaurant, whether it is a 5 star establishment or a hot dog cart! This place has proven itself to be a DUMP with employees who could care less about the customers or the serving of good food. Which means that they don't even care about making any money cuz they will never get another dime off mine. The people were very unfriendly, like they were doing me a favor by letting me into the place, for starters. I ordered an egg scramble and asked if they could also add some spinach, which they did. However, when I started to eat the eggs I could not see any spinach mixed in with the other ingredients. It was on my second or third bite that I finally found the big clump of wet, cold spinach hiding under the eggs! I was sitting at the counter and when I asked about it, the cook in the back chuckled and the rude waitress stated "oh, he must've forgot and added it at the last second. That's what you get when you make a special order - sorry". The waitress never offered to have them make a new dish or give me a discount, etc. So I left vowing to write this review as their payment.

China Bowl

Santa Barbara Chinese Restaurants

Restaurant Review Submitted on 11/1/2011 Visited on oct 30 2011

This restaurant is listed multiple times under multiple names as state street cafe and/or china bowl likely as an attempt to dodge bad reviews and here comes another....... ordered dinner for 4 at 530, after 2 hours and 3 phone calls food arrived, paid $70 and still tipped the driver, called to speak to the manager when the food obviously had been in the back of a car for 45 minutes, he offered to give me a break next time, upon serving the food we find out the hard way the food prep had been terrible to begin with so the time in the car actually softened it up a bit, called to let them know I was coming down to return the food and was told I would get 50% back, when I protested the guy told me to watch myself or he would give me nothing. food went in the trash uneaten, food was literally inedible.

Carlitos Cafe Y Cantina

Santa Barbara Mexican Restaurants

Restaurant Review Submitted on 10/25/2011 Visited on Oct 25, 2011

My wife had an expensive halibut dish which she could not eat due to poor flavor I had a burrito which was drowned in too much sour cream and salsa. Very expensive for the quality.

Boathouse ( Hendry's Beach )

Santa Barbara American Restaurants

Restaurant Review Submitted by Kathy and Friends from Illinis on 10/17/2011 Visited on 10/16/11

Views of beach are fantastic! Food is reasonably priced. Just loved the overall experience!

Harbor Restaurant

Santa Barbara Seafood Restaurants

Restaurant Review Submitted on 10/17/2011 Visited on 10/13/11

Try the calamari or any other special!

Boathouse ( Hendry's Beach )

Santa Barbara American Restaurants

Restaurant Review Submitted on 9/22/2011 Visited on 11/10

My favorite place. I'm from the East Coast, but once a year this is my first stop on way to Santa Barbara destination. Great bartenders, good & interesting menu. Food very enjoyable, Service fine...View Spectacular!!

El Sitio

Goleta Mexican Restaurants

Restaurant Review Submitted by Danny Soto on 9/12/2011 Visited on 9.12.2011

Wow! Horrible service. I dont care if the food was 4 star it would not make up for the service received. I asked if there was a combo plate including two tacos rice and beans and I was told "NO!" She could of offered something to make it up if it was not on the menu. When I did get my order my tacos had no Cebolla and Cilantro even tough I had said yes to both when I ordered. Not a big deal right? When i mentioned it i was told "you said no when i asked you" Instead the response should have been "I'm sorry, here we will fix it" Very bad service and a dump of a place. Would have been possibly 3.5 star if the service person would of been more helpful. Oh well we will not be back to find out. I have warned my son and all his friends here at the college not to even try it!

Jalama Beach Cafe

Lompoc American Restaurants

Restaurant Review Submitted on 8/13/2011 Visited on 8/12/11

Got cold beer, excellent steaks & pasta, cool people working & sports on the big screens. What else is there? (Wife said restrooms were really clean, VERY important, right?)

Something's Fishy

Santa Barbara Japanese Restaurants

Restaurant Review Submitted on 8/10/2011 Visited on

Great food and environment. My three year old really loved it and actually ate all the food. My only issue would be the wait for our shared table to fill before we could get food but in the end it was worth the wait.

Kaliman's

Santa Barbara Mexican Restaurants

Restaurant Review Submitted on 8/1/2011 Visited on

Amazing service and food

Bucatini

Santa Barbara Italian Restaurants

Restaurant Review Submitted by John on 7/24/2011 Visited on 7/24/2011

Terrible food, bad snotty service.

Las Aves Cafe

Santa Barbara American Restaurants

Restaurant Review Submitted on 7/12/2011 Visited on 7/9/2011

At Las Aves there are so many great choices I never know what to order. Everything is WONDERFUL!! Food is fresh, staff is courteous and professional.

Boathouse ( Hendry's Beach )

Santa Barbara American Restaurants

Restaurant Review Submitted on 7/9/2011 Visited on 07/01/2011

bad service

Petit Valentien

Santa Barbara French Restaurants

Restaurant Review Submitted by Richard Whitehill on 7/8/2011 Visited on July 8 2011

This was our second visit. The meal was excellent, my wife had the filet, I the veal. The veal is a particularly good preparation, strong contrasting flavors beautifully prepared and presented. Appetizers, quail and beet salad also lovely. We ate on the terrace, could just as well been in Paris or Lyon. What a great addiction this could be. i

Petit Valentien

Santa Barbara French Restaurants

Restaurant Review Submitted on 7/5/2011 Visited on 22 June 11

excellent classic French cuisine at very moderate prices.

Andersen's Danish Bakery

Santa Barbara Bakery Restaurants

Restaurant Review Submitted by JOSE RV MAZZONI on 6/29/2011 Visited on 06-12-2011

very good

D'Angelo's

Santa Barbara Bakery Restaurants

Restaurant Review Submitted on 6/12/2011 Visited on 6/2

I have gone several times for breakfast. Every time I tell my self that was it I never go back. Too bad that a cool place like this has such a poor service and is so over priced. I do like the smell of fresh bread and pastries when I walk in. I guess that's why I have gone back. The last time I went ... just a week ago, I wasn't that hungry so I ordered a croissant and one fried egg . This was the most expensive egg I ever had. They charged me $7.25 just for the egg ... the server , not very friendly told me because it was a side dish. Well, that is it for me.

Cajun Kitchen (De La Vina)

Santa Barbara Cajun Restaurants

Restaurant Review Submitted on 5/18/2011 Visited on 5/8/11

Our family got VERY sick from crab cakes and the manager (who turned out to be the owner, Richard) was unable to be reached by the staff and doesn't work weekends. I left my business card and eight days later I had to call back since no one ever got back to me. After speaking over me and being extremely rude to a frequent customer of 11 years he reluctantly offered to comp me a meal (buy one get one free - big whoop). An hour later he called me back only to retract the offer all together and I asked him if he was that hard up for $10.00 compared to loosing a "valued customer". He argued how much bad crab had to be eaten in order to be sick and how we must have arrived to the DLV Cajun Kitchen sick. "I know people in this town and they are locals" - how this helps us from being sick from a bad crab cake I'm not sure. Based upon how he spoke to me and handled business we'll never return...not like SB is short of restaurants that treat people right and listen when spoken to.

Hungry Cat

Santa Barbara Seafood Restaurants

Restaurant Review Submitted by chris on 5/11/2011 Visited on April 28th 2011

formerly our favorite restaurant AND bar in SB Cocktails are creative and fresh squeezed juices really make the drinks, such as their perfect greyhound. Sadly, the longtime chef has been replaced with a new guy with zero interpersonal skills, which is a must since the kitchen is right behind the Bar, so interaction with the public is necessary. He dropped some of their finest one of a kind dishes, such as the Whole grilled fish,(he said he got tired of making them ) and the home made Onion Rings wont be made at dinner time because he just chose not to. Oysters are still excellent and they have 4 fresh choices, but watch out for the new smaller portions of other raw Bar selections. the Stone Crab order came out as 1 claw, it wasn't a jumbo even though they claimed the portion would be 1 pound made up of 2 to 3 claws. No price was quoted until the bill came, what a negative surprise that a single claw was $30! Most entrees are still great, but the bad attitude of the chef and other new changes for the worse changed my perception of this place. I hope they revamp themselves before the loss of regular clients like me put them out of business.

Spice Avenue

Santa Barbara Indian Restaurants

Restaurant Review Submitted by Local since 1980 on 5/5/2011 Visited on 5/3/2011

The best Indian food in Santa Barbara County! Lunch buffet a real treat and incredible value Owners always seem to be on site; staff responsive, friendly, fast. They use to have a restaurant in London, you can tell they know quality food and dining

Moby Dick

Santa Barbara Seafood Restaurants

Restaurant Review Submitted by Dottie on 5/5/2011 Visited on May 1, 2011

Worse meal ever. Five Red Hatters went there for lunch and all ended up vomiting and extremely ill. Emailed Moby Dicks but no one cared enough to reply.

Union Ale Brewing Company

Santa Barbara American Restaurants

Restaurant Review Submitted by schuyler on 4/15/2011 Visited on 07/9/10

great bar and very caring staff. best garlic fries in town hands down. off the beaten path and has three separate dining areas for different moods(party,romantic,relaxed) over all good spot.

Jitters Coffee

Santa Barbara Coffee Shop Restaurants

Restaurant Review Submitted by Amelia Defellipis on 4/8/2011 Visited on 4-2-2011

Jitters coffee shop is a filfty place. The bathroom is disgusting and the floors are dirty. The garbage cans on in full view toward the back of the store. You pass by them on your way to the restroom. hold your nose. The board of health should be called in on this one. ugh

Enterprise Fish Company

Santa Barbara Seafood Restaurants

Restaurant Review Submitted on 3/18/2011 Visited on 03/112011

I ordered the golden seafood platter which was pretty good except the scallops. They were frozen in the middle still, when I pointed this out to the waitress she had me place the scallops on another plate and I guess threw them back into the deep frier, so they came out with burnt breading and overcooked. I decided to not point this out since she felt the need to scream in my ear to be heard over the sound of the restaurant.

Papagallo's

Santa Barbara Peruvian Restaurants

Restaurant Review Submitted by Michele on 3/18/2011 Visited on 1196-1999

I used to go to this place all the time when I was in college!! One of my favorite restaurants in Santa Barbara!!

root 246

Solvang Californian Restaurants

Restaurant Review Submitted on 3/10/2011 Visited on 2/26/11

We have been to the restaurant on a number of different occasions, Chef Bradley Ogden has done an excellent job with both menus. If you find yourself their on a busy night a trip to the beautiful bar or outdoor patio on a nice spring/summer night might be in order. The staff is well versed in cuisine as well as wine. It's the only fine dining in the Valley in my humble opinion.