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Diners' Choice: Best Value restaurants in Santa Barbara

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for the best value restaurants in Santa Barbara? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

A photo of Barbareño restaurant

4.8

4.8 (2000)

$31 to $50

Californian

Santa Barbara

About the restaurant

At Barbareño we seek to help further shape and define Central Coast cuisine. We take our inspiration from traditions and specialties of our area, delicacies unique to our region, and the many outstanding purveyors with whom we are so fortunate to work. In all of our efforts, we hope to capture the essence of a particular place or local flavor, embracing the nuances that make our food and drink unique to our home.

Top review

G

Gitta

Dined 2 days ago

Lovely anniversary dinner on the patio. Barbareno welcomed us w a nice sparkling Austrian rose Pinot noir. Attentive and friendly service and we loved they allow you to do a half platter of the market fish and still be able to get 1 or 2 other choices in.

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A photo of Santa Maria BBQ of a restaurant

Santa Maria BBQ

A photo of Halibut Crudo of a restaurant

A photo of Baked California of a restaurant

Baked California

A photo of Holdren's Santa Barbara restaurant

Holdren's Santa Barbara

4.7

4.7 (1124)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

Santa Barbara

About the restaurant

Holdren’s Steaks & Seafood, located on State Street, serves up a delicious and diverse menu of seafood and steaks, where the portions are always generous and the prices always reasonable. Our surf and turf menu, including our favorite bacon wrapped stuffed shrimp or our USDA prime steaks that are charbroiled over a mesquite grill, is complimented by an extensive wine list, a healthy assortment of premium spirits, and a selection of signature drinks. Daily meals can be enjoyed in our cozy, and dark saloon-inspired dining room, or on our outdoor patio. The indoor dining room is adorned with brown leather booths, dark wood paneling, and funky artwork lining the exposed brick walls. Holdren’s has been voted as the best steakhouse multiple times by the Santa Barbara Independent’s Reader’s Poll and by the Santa Barbara News Press’ Reader’s Choice Awards.

Top review

M

Michael

Dined 2 days ago

Staff is always attentive and pleasant. Food is always excellently prepared and flavorful

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A photo of Filet Mignon of a restaurant

A photo of Grilled Shrimp Cocktail of a restaurant

Grilled Shrimp Cocktail

A photo of Bacon Wrapped Filet Mignon of a restaurant

Bacon Wrapped Filet Mignon

A photo of Secret Bao restaurant

4.8

4.8 (757)

$31 to $50

Asian

Santa Barbara

About the restaurant

Contemporary Asian American Restaurant from Chefs Peter Lee & Felicia Medina.

"Consider the bao. Chinese in origin, it’s most easily described as a steamed bun filled with something savory. Yet, like the American concept of a sandwich, the bao exploded into a flexible format of untold bounds — served at any meal, filled with you-name-it, completely closed or wide open, with endless regional variants from across Asia and far beyond." - Matt Kettmann (SB Independent)

1 Block From State Street, Easy Parking, Public Lot Nearby, Free 75 Minute Parking, Walking Distance, El Pueblo Viejo Landmark District, Superior Court, Spanish Colonial Revival Courthouse, Santa Barbara Museum Of Art, Courthouse Gardens, Bell Tower, Bao, Food, Restaurant, Asian, American, New, Modern, Fried, Chicken, Octopus, Vegan, Vegetarian, Paleo, Friendly, Dog Friendly, Outdoor Patio, Heaters, Warm, Inviting, Hospitable, Modern Design

Top review

C

CharlesVIP

Dined 6 days ago

Awesome food and service all-around. Definitely coming back!

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A photo of KFC Bao of a restaurant

A photo of KFC of a restaurant

A photo of Kung Pao Cauliflower of a restaurant

Kung Pao Cauliflower

A photo of Tre Lune restaurant

4.8

4.8 (2121)

$50 and over

Italian

Montecito

About the restaurant

"Upbeat and comfortable, serving real-deal pastas and pizzas that make you feel like you're in Italy again." - ZAGAT 2010

Fresh fish, veal scaloppini, osso buco, prime steaks, Kobe-beef burgers, organic salads, and house-made desserts.

Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner-Cocktails.

Award Winner of Italian wines list.

Please call to make reservations.

Top review

L

LoriVIP

Dined 5 days ago

We had a wonderful dinner and a most delightful waiter as well!!!

A photo of Arnoldi's Cafe restaurant

4.7

4.7 (808)

$31 to $50

Italian

Santa Barbara

About the restaurant

Oldest Italian restaurant in Santa Barbara! We have two bocce courts on our patio with outdoor dining. Lots of pasta, appetizers, salads, chicken dishes and homemade desserts...Italian wine and local wine on our wine list...indoor or outdoor seating. We are a true local's secret and kid friendly. We are also dog friendly on our patio! Open for dinner 7 days a week! We also host rehearsal dinners, wedding receptions, and large birthday parties.

Top review

C

CourtneyVIP

Dined 2 days ago

This was a great local spot. The food was very good! Highly recommend the gnocchi it was amazing. The service was very friendly and attentive. I will definitely eat here again the next time I am in Santa Barbara.

A photo of The Black Sheep SB Brasserie restaurant

The Black Sheep SB Brasserie

4.7

4.7 (800)

$31 to $50

Contemporary French / American

Santa Barbara

About the restaurant

Now featuring a full bar! Locally owned California-French brasserie in Old Town Santa Barbara, blending classic technique with bold, eclectic flavors. Housed in a historic space, we offer an elevated dining experience with a renowned family-style tasting menu, curated wines, craft beer, and full cocktail service. Open Wed-Sun from 5 PM—check daily for our specials!

Top review

J

Janice

Dined 4 days ago

I LOVE this place! Customer service was fantastic and food is top notch. Kim, our server, was extremely attentive without being intrusive and the owner was so friendly and present with us, offering us a complimentary champagne drink after we waited for LESS than 5 min at our table while the restaurant finished prepping for the opening... that was 5 min too long for the owners liking. Food is delicious and creative without breaking the bank! I highly recommend this experience.

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A photo of Sunday Supper of a restaurant

A photo of Convivo restaurant

4.7

4.7 (2213)

$31 to $50

Italian

Santa Barbara

About the restaurant

Convivo is a Santa Barbara restaurant and bar with an Italian soul. Chef-Owner Peter McNee's food is best described as ‘Nomad Italian’. It strays from the standard or traditional Italian, sourcing inspiration from many other cultures’ cooking but its soul is thoroughly Italian. The ever-changing menu includes small plates, housemade pasta, wood-fired pizza, rotisserie chicken, fresh seafood and steaks served family-style. McNee’s all-star supplier network provides the freshest produce and local seafood the region is famous for.

Inspired by the bounty of the sea, the lush farms and abundant vineyards nearby and the cooking methods of Italy, Convivo is a festive gathering place for locals and visitors alike inside the newly-restored Santa Barbara Inn.

Top review

K

Kevin

Dined 2 days ago

Great food and great service, highly recommended.

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A photo of Cappellacci of a restaurant

A photo of Bucatini of a restaurant

A photo of Intermezzo By Wine Cask restaurant

Intermezzo By Wine Cask

4.6

4.6 (1862)

$31 to $50

Californian

Santa Barbara

About the restaurant

Intermezzo by Wine Cask
New Menu by Executive Chef Mossin Sugich and Chef de Cuisine, Hector Bonilla
Serving Dinner and Sunday Brunch!

Modern American cuisine with a Mediterranean twist.
A lively atmosphere with an exciting bar, featuring amazing photography of iconic 70's and 80's rock musicians!

Top review

M

Michael

Dined on Jun 21, 2025

We had a wonderful dinner out in the beautiful courtyard. The food and drink were great, service was exceptional and we had a wonderful visit by the owner. Highly recommend.

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A photo of Classic French Onion Soup of a restaurant

Classic French Onion Soup

A photo of OKU restaurant

4.8

4.8 (1860)

$31 to $50

Asian

Santa Barbara

About the restaurant

Tina Takaya, proprietor, welcomes you to our newest two story restaurant on the water. We feel the key to success is our passion for creating the highest quality food and warm friendly service.

We hope you will enjoy your experience as much as we enjoyed creating it for you.
"We want Locals to feel like Family and Visitors to feel like Locals"

Our menu draws from Asian favorites that inspire and excite such as Wagyu Steak, Japanese Sushi, Chinese Dumplings, Garlic Noodles and fresh local seafood.

We are located in the heart of Santa Barbara’s Waterfront and Funk Zone Districts. Come enjoy lunch or dinner, soak in the sun by day at our waterfront rooftop bar while sipping on a refreshing cocktail surrounded by our beautiful ocean vista and by night, enjoy lounging by the fireplace after a delicious meal and a great glass of wine.

Our chef uses the freshest ingredients from central coast farmers and local fisherman to create dishes with the best of what California has to offer.

Top review

C

CarlosVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Great meal and service. We were outside and very pleasant.

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A photo of Crispy Korean Cauliflower of a restaurant

Crispy Korean Cauliflower

A photo of Spicy Rolls of a restaurant

A photo of Sunrise Roll of a restaurant

A photo of Opal Restaurant & Bar restaurant

Opal Restaurant & Bar

4.7

4.7 (1863)

$31 to $50

Californian

Santa Barbara

About the restaurant

We have inside and limited outdoor sidewalk dining. If you prefer to sit outside, please indicate that with your reservation request.
To accommodate our second seating, early parties should plan for a maximum stay of 1.5 to 2hrs, depending on party size. Please call 805 966 9676 for more details.
A popular local’s favorite, opal restaurant & bar’s Eclectic California Cuisine fuses creative world cuisine influences with American Regional touches, from a 14 oz. Herb-Grilled Ribeye Steak on Tuscan White Beans, to Fresh Pan-Seared Fish & Seafood, Homemade Pastas, Gourmet Pizzas, fresh Baked Breads, imaginative Salads, & Homemade Desserts.
We have a Wine Spectator award-winning wine list, & a full bar with seasonal Craft Cocktails.
Our entire dining room staff assists to take care of each table, enabling exceptional service in a warm engaging manner, properly nuanced to your mood & taste. Our staff genuinely cares about giving you the best possible experience!

Top review

G

Gil

Dined 3 days ago

Awesome food! Highly recommend! Rachel gave the best suggestions!

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A photo of Filet Angel Hair Pasta of a restaurant

Filet Angel Hair Pasta

A photo of Pasilla Chile Filet Mignon of a restaurant

Pasilla Chile Filet Mignon

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