Best Authentic Restaurants in Goleta

Price

$$
$$$
$$$$

Cuisine

AmericanItalianSteakhouseSeafoodFrenchIndian

Regions

Santa Barbara

Neighborhoods

GoletaSanta Barbara

Top Rated

CharmingFancyGood for business mealsGood for groupsGood for special occasionsGreat for fine wines

Dining Options

All dining options

Delivery only

Takeout only

Seating Options

BarCounterStandardHigh TopOutdoor

Award-winning

MICHELIN

Accessibility

Wheelchair access

40 restaurants available nearby

How are Featured results ranked

1. Caya Restaurant

4.2

Awesome(404)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Contemporary American • Santa Barbara

Booked 3 times today

Inspired by the fresh coastal flavors of Santa Barbara, CAYA restaurant invites everyone to “Come As You Are” for a modern culinary adventure paired with a mood as relaxed and inviting as a California sunset.Embark on a delectable journey through the West Coast with our seasonal menus influenced by sustainably sourced local ingredients and global cuisine inspirations. From social gatherings to intimate dinners, indulge in the relaxed and inviting indoor and outdoor atmosphere while your tastebuds savor the culinary traditions of the west through nostalgic homemade dishes and signature craft cocktails.

A photo of Terra at The Steward Hotel restaurant

2. Terra at The Steward Hotel

3.6

Very Good(45)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Farm-to-table • Goleta

Booked 1 time today

Indulge in food that nourishes and delights at Terra, located inside The Steward Hotel in Santa Barbara. Experience organic and local California cuisine for breakfast and dinner. Local legend celebrates The Steward’s location as the originator of avocado toast. Lunch items are available at our marketplace, perfect for enjoying a picnic in a lush garden setting.Executive Chef Augusto Caudillo brings a wealth of culinary expertise and local knowledge to the heart of Santa Barbara. Graduating from Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts, he honed his skills in various kitchens, including Fess Parker Wine Country Inn and Lucky’s Steakhouse. Caudillo's passion for food began at a young age, growing amid a large family where meals were a cornerstone of connection and memory-making. Drawing inspiration from both Californian and Mediterranean traditions, Caudillo's dishes offer a tantalizing blend of aesthetics and nutrition — a testament to his love of crafting memorable experiences.

A photo of Ca' Dario Cucina Italiana restaurant

3. Ca' Dario Cucina Italiana

4.8

Exceptional(630)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Italian • Goleta

Booked 6 times today

Anything grilled is "divine" and the rest of the menu is "delectable" at the "charming" Italian in Santa Barbara known for its "excellent" execution of "simple" pasta, meats and other classics plus a "fantastic" wine list with many available by the glass; it's a local "favorite", so reservations are a must.

A photo of Masala Spice - Goleta restaurant

4. Masala Spice - Goleta

4.7

Exceptional(3)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Indian • Goleta

Booked 2 times today

We at masala spice signify the true traditions and culinary treasures of our homeland ,presented to you in our restaurant , where we welcome you to come and try our delicacies , handcrafted by our chef to take you on a soulful journey through our spice mountains and curry streams to the land of incredible flavor and true satisfaction.

A photo of Timber's Restaurant restaurant

5. Timber's Restaurant

4.7

Exceptional(128)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Contemporary American • Goleta

Booked 5 times today

Timber's Restaurant is an American food outlet which serves fast-food as well as seafood options. The restaurant has a sunny ambience and classic interiors which are very relaxing. The waiting staff at the restaurant is very friendly and cooperative. Timber's Restaurant offers live music for entertainment as well as television and free Wi-Fi. It is a good place to dine at with family and friends (child friendly atmosphere). Timber's Restaurant has a full alcohol bar and serves delicious food. Some of the popular cuisine options include steaks, grilled varieties, burgers, sandwiches, fried chicken, pizza, nachos and tacos. The restaurant also serves mouthwatering dessert options and non-alcoholic beverages.

A photo of Woodstock's Pizza - Isla Vista restaurant

6. Woodstock's Pizza - Isla Vista

4.4

Awesome(7)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Pizzeria • Goleta

Booked 1 time today

Legendary taste meets an epic party scene at Woodstock’s Pizza in downtown Isla Vista. Bring your friends for mouth-watering pizza and our famous Wildebread.

A photo of Toma Restaurant & Bar restaurant

7. Toma Restaurant & Bar

4.8

Exceptional(5594)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Italian • Santa Barbara

Booked 37 times today

Toma Restaurant and Bar a waterfront bistro, located along Santa Barbara's picturesque Cabrillo Blvd. Experience Santa Barbara waterfront's most romantic restaurant. Savor exquisite Italian and Mediterranean inspired dishes from Santa Barbara's seasonal bounty, supporting our local fisherman, farmers, foragers and food artisans. Pour over local and Italian wines along with a full bar of handcrafted cocktails and spirits. Enjoy warm and attentive service while dining window side with a view of the enchanting Santa Barbara harbor.

8. OKU

4.7

Exceptional(1832)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Asian • Santa Barbara

Booked 61 times today

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.

A photo of Bouchon - Santa Barbara restaurant

9. Bouchon - Santa Barbara

4.7

Exceptional(5528)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Californian • Santa Barbara

Booked 26 times today

We are delighted to have added additional outdoor seating but Santa Barbara nights are chilly so bring a sweater or light jacket!Fresh, local ingredients, prepared with care. Excellent wines that reflect the quality and character of our region and work in concert with the cuisine. Warm, inviting ambiance, service at a relaxed, leisurely pace. Santa Barbara ‘Wine Country Cuisine’ means we source our ingredients using an ‘as-fresh-and-as-local-as-possible’ approach, with fish from the Santa Barbara Channel and produce from the surrounding countryside. We then take into account how these flavors can be presented in concert with our local wines. We believe you’ll taste the difference. Bon Appètit!

10. Barbareño

4.9

Exceptional(1960)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Californian • Santa Barbara

Booked 21 times today

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.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

D
DaisyVIP
Los Angeles •11 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
Wonderful food and service! The two kids loved their food. Our party of 8 had attentive service.
More info
Ca' Dario Cucina ItalianaPrice: Expensive• Italian• Goleta
•
4.8
A
AshleighVIP
California Central Coast •5 reviews
4.0
Dined on Apr 13, 2025
What a great place. As a local it’s rare to discover something new. It feels as though you’ve been transported in place and time. Wonderful ambience, fantastic burgers & friendly staff. Staff could benefit from some allergy sensitivity & education. Otherwise a great experience.
More info
Terra at The Steward HotelPrice: Expensive• Farm-to-table• Goleta
•
3.6
H
Heather
San Diego •8 reviews
5.0
Dined on Apr 12, 2025
Caya Restaurant is a hidden gem. Tucked into a hotel lobby! Our service was excellent, the food was so yummy. Our whole family of 4 loved each of their dishes. Win!
More info
Caya RestaurantPrice: Expensive• Contemporary American• Santa Barbara
•
4.2
M
Mayfair
San Francisco Bay Area •12 reviews
5.0
Dined on Apr 5, 2025
The food here is always delicious, our party of 8 people had a wonderful time.
More info
Masala Spice - GoletaPrice: Moderate• Indian• Goleta
•
4.7
M
Monica
California Central Coast •1 review
4.0
Dined on Apr 4, 2025
The food was excellent. It was apparent that they were a little short staffed that day. They also ran out of blue cheese dressing which made the wedge salad a bit disappointing. The fact that we were not notified of the lack of dressing after it was ordered and they just sprinkled whatever was left on the salad. Those were the only issues.
More info
Timber's RestaurantPrice: Expensive• Contemporary American• Goleta
•
4.7

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