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Best Casual Restaurants in Santa Ynez Valley

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8 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Brothers Restaurant at Red Barn restaurant
1. Brothers Restaurant at Red Barn
4.9
Exceptional(1367)
Price: Expensive
• American • Santa Ynez Valley
Booked 20 times today
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.
A photo of Ellie's Tap & Vine restaurant
2. Ellie's Tap & Vine
4.8
Exceptional(675)
Price: Expensive
• Farm-to-table • Santa Ynez Valley
Booked 13 times today
Welcome to Ellie's Tap & Vine... Join us for seasonal cuisine, elegant ranch ambiance and great wine! We are Valley to Table dining, working with many local farms and purveyors; We look forward to seeing you soon! Our menu changes regularly, so please feel free to visit our website: www.elliestapandvine.com or follow us on IG and/or FB.Our restaurant is located in the heart of Santa Ynez. We boast amazing outdoor seating with great views and because it is often a little chilly in the evening, we have heaters. We are also dog and cat friendly.We know re-adjusting to dining out is a strange experience for everyone and we are all slowly returning. For now, we will be suspending lunch service.
A photo of SY Kitchen restaurant
3. SY Kitchen
4.9
Exceptional(3869)
Price: Expensive
• Italian • Santa Ynez Valley
Booked 44 times today
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.
A photo of Mattei's Tavern restaurant
4. Mattei's Tavern
4.6
Exceptional(398)
Price: Very Expensive
• American • Los Olivos
Booked 30 times today
Recently opened on November 16, 2022, 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 informal fare join us at The Bar, Mattei’s Tavern’s most authentic hangout. 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 bite sized to burger dinners.
A photo of First & Oak at the Mirabelle Inn restaurant
5. First & Oak at the Mirabelle Inn
4.7
Exceptional(1220)
Price: Very Expensive
• Californian • Solvang
Booked 7 times today
We are excited to welcome you to First & Oak! We offer outdoor seating on our heated patio & inside our intimate dining rooms. Seating is limited, a credit card is required & will only be charged for cancellations. Please allow us a minimum of 24 hours prior to avoid any cancelation fees.We offer two dining experiences: Traditional Three Course or a Chef's Five Course Tasting Menu. Parties of 6 or more please call. When reserving standard (indoor) or outdoor seating (Please be mindful regarding the weather, it tends to get chilly as the night goes on), please choose which experience you would prefer & let us know of any dietary restrictions, Vegan request needs a days advance notice. First and Oak is located inside the Mirabelle Inn, & was awarded a Michelin Plate designation in 2022. We offer a seasonally-inspired menu that highlights local & organic ingredients prepared in a thoughtful manner. Our dining room operates with the mindset of warm compassionate attentive service.
A photo of Whiskey 'N Rye restaurant
6. Whiskey 'N Rye
4.6
Exceptional(232)
Price: Expensive
• Barbecue • Solvang
Booked 47 times today
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!
A photo of Maverick Saloon restaurant
7. Maverick Saloon
4.8
Exceptional(26)
Price: Moderate
• American • Santa Ynez
Booked 2 times today
Taverns have flourished along Santa Ynez’s Sagunto Street since 1906. Sixty years ago, four busy bars entertained the locals and visitors alike. These establishments were named Last Chance, the Bum Steer, Parker’s and the Maverick Saloon. While three of the four original taverns have since disappeared into history, the legendary Maverick Saloon is still going strong and continues to be a staple in the Santa Ynez valley.In 1963, Jerry and Diane Thompson bought nine bare lots from publisher tycoon Hastings Harcourt. Plans were drawn up for a museum, restaurant, two-story hotel and the Maverick Saloon, which is named after a TV series starring James Garner. A few years later (approx. 1968) the barn was built next to the saloon. To achieve an antique look, the Thompsons used materials salvaged from demolished Victorian houses. The barn’s history began as the “Lulubelle’s Restaurant” and a tool rental facility. The barn and dancehall became a permanent part of the Maverick Salo
A photo of Hitching Post II restaurant
8. Hitching Post II
4.7
Exceptional(5143)
Price: Expensive
• Steakhouse • Buellton
Booked 57 times today
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, we have created an exciting cuisine with outstanding steaks, ribs and chicken, along with fresh fish and seafood and vegetarian options. We also create our own (world class) wines for sale in the restaurant and to the public. Hartley Ostini Hitching Post Wines have garnered an excellent reputation. Try them here or purchase on our website for your enjoyment at home.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you
From verified diners like you
  • SLOnurse14VIP
    New York City •27 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 2 days ago
    We had a wonderful lunch yesterday at S.Y. Kitchen!! George waited on us and he was very engaging and knowledgeable about the menu. The minestrone soup was delicious and the Parmesan crisp added that salty bite it needed…wish the crisp would’ve been alittle bigger though! Loved the cauliflower dish! The cauliflower was cooked perfectly and the burrata and green sauce were a lovely addition!! I had the mushroom and pasta dish…out of this world!! So rich and warming…with loads of mushrooms…so pleased! Even a guest getting seated commented on how good it looked!! My husband had the Niçoise salad and it was excellent and full of ingredients…no skimping here!! Very flavorful!! For dessert, we had the chocolate gelato with brûlée bananas…it was decadent yet light and finished off the meal perfectly!! The only miss was the bread…we’re fans of Bob’s but this bread was so thin and kinda of tough…I’ve had much better bread from there. Also we got the salami and olive pizza to go and it was delicious but there was plenty of salami but only one piece of olive per slice! Would’ve loved to see a lot more olive on there!! Despite those missteps, we left happy and full!! We’ll be back!!
    More info
    SY KitchenPrice: Expensive• Italian• Santa Ynez Valley
    •
    4.9
  • Bill
    California Central Coast •1 review
    5.0
    Dined 2 days ago
    We enjoyed our dinner at Mattei’s! Our server Scott was great and the food delicious. We will come back!
    More info
    Mattei's TavernPrice: Very Expensive• American• Los Olivos
    •
    4.6
  • AmyVIP
    Los Angeles •2 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 5 days ago
    Yet another wonderful evening at Ellie’s. Food is always great. We had the pâté appetizer, the beef stroganoff and crab cake between the two of us. Such great flavors and taste. Joy is always so warm and so much care goes in to this restaurant. And it shows. You won’t regret visiting. Feels like home.
    More info
    Ellie's Tap & VinePrice: Expensive• Farm-to-table• Santa Ynez Valley
    •
    4.8
  • Maria Elena
    California Central Coast •1 review
    5.0
    Dined 7 days ago
    We knew from the moment we stepped foot inside this charming restaurant that we would have had some quality dinner. The smell coming from the kitchen was so inviting. The quality of the meat didn’t disappoint us. It melted in the mouth. Being Italian, I appreciate when you have bread on your table. I would definitely recommend this place! Unfortunately I didn’t have any room for desserts. I guess I will try them next time.
    More info
    Brothers Restaurant at Red BarnPrice: Expensive• American• Santa Ynez Valley
    •
    4.9
  • Julie
    Los Angeles •1 review
    5.0
    Dined on Jan 11, 2025
    Everything about the he experience was wonderful.
    More info
    First & Oak at the Mirabelle InnPrice: Very Expensive• Californian• Solvang
    •
    4.7

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