Diners' Choice: Most Booked restaurants in Santa Ynez Valley

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for the most booked restaurants in Santa Ynez Valley? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 500,000 new global diner reviews from the past month. We sort the results by location 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!

SY Kitchen

4.9

4.9 (3998)

$31 to $50

Italian

Santa Ynez Valley

About the restaurant

RESERVATIONS

Reservations for parties of 5 or more please call restaurant directly.

S. Y. Kitchen requests a credit card to hold a reservation of 6 or more. You may cancel by calling the restaurant by 5 PM two days prior to the reservation. After that cancellation is subject to our policy and fees may be incurred. All credit card information will be processed securely.

Top review

Delanie

Dined 2 days ago

Service was phenomenal, as well as the food! Our waters were refilled constantly, waitress was attentive and the pastas were divine.

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Popular dish

Margherita

Popular dish

T-Bone Truffle Sliders

Popular dish

Wild Mushroom Pappardelle

Bell’s

4.9

4.9 (136)

$50 and over

French

Los Alamos

About the restaurant

Based in Los Alamos, CA, Bell’s is a French-inspired bistro from Per Se alums Daisy and Greg Ryan. Earning one Michelin Star since 2021 as well as Food & Wine Best New Chef, and Esquire’s Best New Restaurants and James Beard nominations for Best Chef California and Outstanding Restauranteurs. Bell's is a reimagined bistro fare with eclectic wine selections from independent local producers and select European estates.

LUNCH is served from 11:00am - 3:00pm, Thurs - Mon.
Walk-ins welcomed

PRIX FIXE DINNER is reservation only, from 5:00 - 8:30pm, Thursday - Monday.
Dinner is $110, menu price does not include SERVICE FEE AND TAX.

On Thursdays, we will be offering L'EXPRESS DINNER MENU an abbreviated menu (salad and bread course, choice of entree, choice of dessert) for $65/pp - both menus will be offered those nights so no need to make a note, just book as you normally would.

On Monday evenings all wines over $60 are half price!
Please note the number below is TEXT ONLY

Top review

CaitlinVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Can I have lunch here every day please and thank you

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Experience

Prix Fixe Dinner Menu - Dining Room

Experience

Prix Fixe Dinner Menu - Outside Patio Dining

Experience

Prix Fixe Dinner Menu - Counter Seats

Bar Le Côte

4.9

4.9 (78)

$31 to $50

Seafood

Los Olivos

About the restaurant

Bar Le Côte is a stylish seafood tavern located in Los Olivos, California. Inspired by the daily catch of the Central Coast and the modern cuisine of Europe’s seaside capitals, our team prepares thoughtful maritime fare in a casual, social atmosphere.

We have very limited patio seating and do not allow dogs to dine indoors. If you would like to reserve an outdoor table please email us at info@barlecote.com and we will do our best to accommodate your request.

We hold a portion of our tables for walk-ins, however we do recommend a reservation to guarantee being seated. We give all reservations a 15 minute grace period before being released to other guests. Thank you for your understanding!

* Please note that ride shares and taxis can be hard to come by in the valley, especially later in the evening. We will always do our best to assist in getting you a ride, but please plan accordingly *

Top review

CaitlinVIP

Dined 2 days ago

The most wonderful - every detail, perfectly executed and incredibly thoughtful

Nella Kitchen and Bar

4.8

4.8 (1179)

$31 to $50

Californian

Santa Ynez Valley

About the restaurant

Opened in August 2020, Nella Kitchen & Bar offers fresh, modern California cuisine and focuses on 'Roman Pinsas'.
Meals are served on the front porch overlooking Grand Ave where guests are warmly welcomed, or in the cozy Dining Room which also has a private Wine Room that can host family seating and private parties.
Cocktails are focused on classics and served in the Lounge with a lot of bar seating.
As much as we love pets, we only allow service animals at Nella, thank you for understanding.

Top review

DavidVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Delicious food and excellent service. Beautiful dining outside.

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Popular dish

Margherita

Popular dish

Lamb Chops Scottadito

Popular dish

Sausage & Potato

Hitching Post II

4.7

4.7 (5185)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

Buellton

About the restaurant

Here, on the Central Coast of California, BBQ has always meant grilling over an open fire of red oak, a style of cooking that is native to our area and goes back to the days of the Spanish Rancheros. By combining the old and the new and using only the finest sources, we have created an exciting cuisine with outstanding steaks, ribs and chicken, along with fresh fish and seafood and vegetarian options. The restaurant has repeatedly earned the Wine Spectator Award for our wine list. We also create our own (world class) wines for sale in the restaurant and to the public. For 40 years Hitching Post Wines has produced some of the best wines of Santa Barbara County garnering an excellent reputation, particularly for our Pinot Noirs. Visit the restaurant Wednesday through Monday 4:30-8:30 PM. For groups over 6, please contact us directly at 805-688-0676. Closed Tuesdays.

Top review

JamesVIP

Dined on Jun 12, 2025

Last night I had the best , most tender juicy baby back ribs ever. My husband’s prime top sirloin steak and was ever so tender and flavorful. Both were Smoke grilled with perfect seasoning and moist and juicy. Dinner was served with salad and baked potato and the traditional relish tray of fresh vegetables. This restaurant’s offer just plain old fashioned cooking and service and everything was outstanding. The house made dessert of strawberry shortcake was amazing and positive comments about the key lime pie came from diners around us. I admit we are senior Seniors but this meal was reminiscent of those special great Sunday dinners we used to have at home. The wine list has an amazing selection also and cocktails also served. We had a great view of the open kitchen and grill and enjoyed watching the teamwork and chef’s skill. We will happily return for the quality of the meat and excellent service.

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4.7

4.7 (467)

$50 and over

American

Los Olivos

About the restaurant

The Tavern continues her legacy as Santa Ynez Valley's beloved social hub. This California ranch-inspired restaurant highlights flavorful dishes and honest ingredients, many of which are harvested from Mattei’s on-site garden and surrounding local farms. Paying homage to its century old roots, the menu is elevated yet unfussy, offering grilled dishes and vegetables alongside seasonal specialties. The exceptional wine program is a singular and definitive draw of The Tavern. The comprehensive list features a California focused glass list which is complimented by an extensive cellar of Old World favorites.

For a more relaxed dining experience, join us at the Bar, The Tavern’s most iconic gathering spot. With a roaring fireplace and fixtures dating back to its 1886 origins, the historic bar and lounge space offers local craft beer and wine, amber hued cocktails and a snacks menu that ranges from shareable bites to hearty burger dinners.

Top review

brookeVIP

Dined 5 days ago

Tammy and Kristin are absolutely amazing the best of the best

Whiskey 'N Rye

4.6

4.6 (279)

$31 to $50

Barbecue

Solvang

About the restaurant

An American Smokehouse and Tavern, Whiskey 'N Rye features a varied menu of barbeque classics along with an eclectic mix of modern wine-country cuisine. Our dining experience focuses heavily on grill and smoke cooking techniques, with several unique signature features including our Hickory Smoked Brisket and Baby Back Ribs, Grilled Romaine Caesar, Smoked Spaghetti Squash, BBQ Chicken, Grilled Flatiron Steak with Chimichurri, and our Whiskey 'N Rye Brisket/Short-rib Burger, just to name a few. Enjoy your meal with our full bar featuring Signature Craft Cocktails, Zero-Proof Elixirs, and more than 60 specialty whiskeys from both local as well as national and international distilleries. With both covered patio and cozy indoor dining areas, Whiskey 'N Rye is the perfect spot to enjoy a relaxed afternoon or evening dining experience. Also visit us for the Best Happy Hour in town hosted Mon. to Thu. from 4:00pm to 5:30pm. Featuring $10 Craft Cocktails and 1/2 priced Appetizers!

Top review

David

Dined 6 days ago

Everything was great. The only hiccup was that we asked for inside reservation and they put us outside initially. We asked them to correct it and they did. Other than that the food was awesome, service was on point and the atmosphere was great. We’ll definitely be back again.

Willows at Chumash Casino

4.5

4.5 (1602)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

Santa Ynez Valley

About the restaurant

The Willows specializes in mouthwatering prime steaks and seafood. This 14 time AAA Four Diamond Award-winning restaurant also features a Wine Spectator Award winning wine list with an extensive selection of local and imported wines, all served in an exquisitely appointed setting.

Top review

MichaelVIP

Dined 2 days ago

An excellent upscale dining experience. The food and service lived up to the price.

The Gathering Table

4.7

4.7 (201)

$31 to $50

Contemporary Asian

Solvang

About the restaurant

Welcome to The Gathering Table, Solvang’s newest culinary gem. Led by acclaimed Chef Budi Kazali, renowned for his innovative Asian cuisine with French influences, our restaurant promises an unforgettable dining experience.

Chef Budi Kazali brings his mastery to every dish, infusing flavors from his Indonesian heritage with local ingredients sourced from nearby farms. Whether indulging in his signature dishes or exploring new creations, every bite at The Gathering Table is a celebration of culinary artistry.

Situated amidst Solvang’s picturesque streets, our restaurant offers a serene outdoor dining area, perfect for enjoying Chef Kazali’s creations al fresco. Inside, savor handcrafted cocktails at our full bar or host an intimate gathering in our Private Dining Room, where every detail is tailored to exceed your expectations.

Discover a place where exquisite cuisine meets warm and approachable hospitality at The Gathering Table!

Top review

Bob

Dined 2 days ago

First time trying the restaurant while staying in Solvang. Can’t speak highly enough about this place. We started with the Hamachi and I have to say it was the best I’ve ever had, the flavors are incredible. Also had the Japanese cucumber salad, again the flavor was amazing. We ordered the Miso Black Cod based on their recommendation for the entree. I can’t explain the flavors, but whatever the chef is doing works. Lastly we tried the bread pudding which frankly I’m not a big fan of. However their version is so good, tasted like a cinnamon roll. The service and ambience were great, very friendly staff too.

Brothers Restaurant at Red Barn

4.9

4.9 (1416)

$31 to $50

American

Santa Ynez Valley

About the restaurant

The Nichols brothers, Matt & Jeff, grew up in Ames, Iowa where their love of cooking, good food and a sense of family and community was nurtured.

The 2013 opening of their second Santa Barbara Wine Country restaurant, Brothers Restaurant at the Red Barn in Santa Ynez, allows them to offer visitors and locals alike great food, wine and hospitality. The brothers strive to have legendary service, innovative cuisine, and a welcoming and comfortable atmosphere that causes you to return time and again.

As chefs, the brothers continue to experiment with new dishes and cuisine, but always with that “from scratch”, homemade element. Fresh ingredients from local producers, a wine list that showcases the region’s award-winning wines and a comfortable and historically interesting atmosphere that takes you back to the romance of the old west. They want you to feel at home, and experience all the best of Santa Barbara’s Wine Country.

Top review

craigVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Always a great dinner experience Excellent service dinner was fabulous

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