How is Downey's restaurant rated?

Name: Downey's
Address: 1305 State St., Santa Barbara, CA, United States, 93101
Telephone: (805) 966-5006
Price range: $31 to $50
Rating: 4.6

Downey's

4.6 (892)

$31 to $50

Californian

1305 State St., Santa Barbara, CA 93101

About this restaurant

Romantic
Innovative
Good for special occasions

Fresh produce from the Santa Barbara Farmers' Market is skilfully prepared with sustainable seafood and naturally-raised meats by acclaimed Chef John Downey. We invite you to join us for dinner and taste why Downey's has been Zagat Survey's top-rated Santa Barbara restaurant for 26 consecutive years.
The Downey family take great pride in their small, intimate restaurant. John heads the experienced kitchen staff aided by Liz who also handles the wine list and manages the dining room.
You will be served by experienced and knowledgeable professionals who know when to be present and when to leave you to enjoy your dinner.

Not available on OpenTable

Unfortunately, this restaurant is not on the OpenTable booking network. To check availability, please contact them directly.

Is this your restaurant?

Claim this listing

There’s more to explore

Discover countless more restaurants like this one with our app.

Scan the QR code to discover countless more restaurants like this one with our app.

Open app

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
Californian, Seafood, Contemporary French / American
Hours of operation
Dinner: Sunday: 5:30pm - 9:00pm, Tuesday - Thursday: 5:30pm - 9:00pm, Friday - Saturday: 5:30pm - 9:30pm
Phone number
(805) 966-5006
Website
http://www.DowneysSB.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Smart Casual
Executive chef
John Downey
Catering
Classical intimate dinner parties in your home with Chef John Downey for 6-20 guests.
Private party facilities
Downey's restaurant is yours for the evening. Subject to availability, you may reserve our entire dining room for your dinner party. Chef John will plan a special menu for your party of 20-48 people. No room charges, but minimum expenditure is required. Amount will depend upon day of the week and season.

Location
1305 State St., Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Neighborhood
Santa Barbara
Cross street
Victoria
Parking details
On street parking or two public lots available nearby.
Additional
Beer, Farm to Table, Non-Smoking, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Downey's Prosciutto$14.00
With Cantaloupe, Arugula & Roasted Walnuts
Santa Rosa Island Crab Salad$16.00
With Papaya & Fresh Ginger-Lime Dressing
Santa Barbara Smokehouse Salmon$14.00
With Avocado, Chiles, Lime & Cilantro
Local Mussels$14.00
With Watercress, Sweet Corn & Chili Vinaigrette
Artichoke Heart Salad$13.00
With Fresh Herb Vinaigrette
Lobster & Angelhair Salad$17.00
With Sundried Tomatoes, Olives & Basil

Second Courses

Market Cauliflower Soup$11.00
With Gremolata
Farmers' Market Salad Greens$11.00
With Choice of Two Dressings
B.D.'s "Little Gem" Lettuce$11.00
With Sundried Tomatoes, Parmesan, Pine Nuts & Balsamic

Entrees

Local Black Cod$30.00
With Meyer Lemon Sauce, Leafy Greens & Parsley Potatoes
Grilled Duck$39.00
With Fresh Peach Chutney, Exotic Grains & Ginger Sauce
Local King Salmon$32.00
With Sorrel Sauce, Asparagus & Parsley Potatoes
Watkins Ranch Filet Mignon w/ Balsamic Sauce$40.00
Roast Beets, Potatoes & Scallions
Carpenter Ranch Squab$38.00
With Roasted Garlic, Swiss Chard & Potatoes
Local Halibut & Shrimp$32.00
With Fennel, Tomatoes, Angelhair & Saffron-Shellfish Broth
Colorado Lamb Loin$40.00
With Sugarsnap Peas, Morels & Rosemary

What 892 people are saying

Downey's reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

4.6

4.6 based on all time ratings

4.7Food
4.7Service
4.3Ambience
1.2Value

Noise • Moderate

892 Reviews

D
Delicious VIP
Los Angeles90 reviews
5.0
Dined on August 31, 2017
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We love Downey's!! John and Liz are terrific!!!! We are going to miss them So much!!! They were an institution in Santa Barbara ❤ Gary and I wish them the very best in whatever lies in store for their next chapter of their lives!!!! Thank you for all of our superior meals weather for a special occasion or just a surprise splurge!!!! Love you both. XOXO Jill and Gary 🌹
Is this helpful?
KU
KU39
California Central Coast2 reviews
5.0
Dined on August 30, 2017
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Wonderful dinner. So sorry to see them closing. I was a very special evening.
Is this helpful?
MW
MaryW VIP
California Central Coast8 reviews
5.0
Dined on August 27, 2017
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Outstanding service and the best meal I've ever had! Very sad they will be closing.
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
California Central Coast2 reviews
5.0
Dined on August 26, 2017
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Great meal, too bad they are closing up shop... this was 'the last supper' for us. We'll miss it.
Is this helpful?
SB
SBgranny6
California Central Coast4 reviews
5.0
Dined on August 26, 2017
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Has been our favorite restaurant in Santa Barbara for years! Sorry to see them closing but wish owners the best as they retire!
Is this helpful?
t
terry9270
California Central Coast15 reviews
4.0
Dined on August 25, 2017
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 3
Downey's is closing at the end of this month (August 2017). The wine list appeared abbreviated, so we took glasses, rather than a bottle. Also, a lot of people were having one last dinner there so it was packed and noisy. Otherwise Kate and John were perfect hosts and the food (Hawaiian Swordfish and Noisette of Veal) were prepared and presented perfectly. It was our 59th wedding anniversary and a good send off.
Is this helpful?
B
Bear
California Central Coast1 review
5.0
Dined on August 25, 2017
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
So sorry to see Downey's close - great place for great dinner
Is this helpful?
LH
LongtimeHappyCustomer
California Central Coast7 reviews
5.0
Dined on August 25, 2017
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Downey's is and always has been 5 stars. We will miss Liz and John but wish them well in their retirement!
Is this helpful?
KP
KathleenPB
California Central Coast3 reviews
5.0
Dined on August 24, 2017
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We have loved John Downey and his restaurant for all the years it was open - 35! John was an early and generous supporter of our wine (Whitcraft Winery) and we held many winemaker dinners there, celebrated anniversaries and birthdays, and just couldn't say more about what a legacy John is leaving as one of the premier chefs in Santa Barbara. Favorites: duck, angel hair lobster, vegetarian plate and everything else! He will be missed.
Is this helpful?
R
Ralph
California Central Coast7 reviews
5.0
Dined on August 24, 2017
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
They are closing at the end of the month. I have been going there since 1982 and wanted one last top meal!
Is this helpful?

FAQs

Downey's is rated 4.6 stars by 892 OpenTable diners.

Not available on OpenTable

Unfortunately, this restaurant is not on the OpenTable booking network. To check availability, please contact them directly.

Is this your restaurant?

Claim this listing

1305 State St., Santa Barbara, CA 93101

Additional information

Cross street
Victoria
Neighborhood
Santa Barbara
Hours of operation
Dinner: Sunday: 5:30pm - 9:00pm, Tuesday - Thursday: 5:30pm - 9:00pm, Friday - Saturday: 5:30pm - 9:30pm
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
Californian, Seafood, Contemporary French / American
Dining style
Casual Elegant
Dress code
Smart Casual
Parking details
On street parking or two public lots available nearby.
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Executive chef
John Downey
Additional
Beer, Farm to Table, Non-Smoking, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
http://www.DowneysSB.com/
Phone number
(805) 966-5006
Catering
Classical intimate dinner parties in your home with Chef John Downey for 6-20 guests.
Private party facilities
Downey's restaurant is yours for the evening. Subject to availability, you may reserve our entire dining room for your dinner party. Chef John will plan a special menu for your party of 20-48 people. No room charges, but minimum expenditure is required. Amount will depend upon day of the week and season.

Downey's

About this restaurant

Not available on OpenTable

There’s more to explore

Additional information

Menu

Appetizers

Downey's Prosciutto$14.00

Santa Rosa Island Crab Salad$16.00

Santa Barbara Smokehouse Salmon$14.00

Local Mussels$14.00

Artichoke Heart Salad$13.00

Lobster & Angelhair Salad$17.00

Second Courses

Market Cauliflower Soup$11.00

Farmers' Market Salad Greens$11.00

B.D.'s "Little Gem" Lettuce$11.00

Entrees

Local Black Cod$30.00

Grilled Duck$39.00

Local King Salmon$32.00

Watkins Ranch Filet Mignon w/ Balsamic Sauce$40.00

Carpenter Ranch Squab$38.00

Local Halibut & Shrimp$32.00

Colorado Lamb Loin$40.00

What 892 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

FAQs

How is Downey's restaurant rated?

Not available on OpenTable

Additional information