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Best Waterfront Restaurants in Santa Barbara

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6 restaurants available nearby

How are Featured results ranked

A photo of OKU restaurant
4.7
Exceptional(1832)
Price: Expensive
• Asian • Santa Barbara
Booked 58 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 Toma Restaurant & Bar restaurant
4.8
Exceptional(5594)
Price: Expensive
• Italian • Santa Barbara
Booked 33 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.
A photo of Goat Tree Restaurant restaurant
4.1
Excellent(458)
Price: Moderate
• Contemporary American • Santa Barbara
Booked 3 times today
Located at the front door of the Funk Zone and one block from the beach, Goat Tree at Hotel Californian is a gourmet café with al fresco seating offering fresh, local fare, including superb pastries and baked goods made in house daily by our Pastry Chef Ron Viloria. Our all-day brunch menu features Lemon Ricotta Pancakes, Shakshuka, Baby Kale Caesar and our famed GT Smashburger. Sip on cold-pressed juices from Pressed Juicery, lattes and coffee by Caffe Luxxe or organic hot teas by Rishi. Curating seasonal picnic baskets for a day at the beach or wine tasting as well as dine in, take out or delivery for brunch and dinner, Goat Tree pleases everyone's palate. Join us on our spacious patio into the evening for a glass of wine or a cocktail and a bite. Our dinner menu includes Rigatoni Pasta, New York Steak Frites and Faroe Island Salmon among other delectable dishes. Don't let the day end without some Rori's Ice Cream or a seasonal dessert from Chef Ron.
A photo of Anchor Rose restaurant
3.5
Very Good(99)
Price: Expensive
• American • Santa Barbara
Booked 6 times today
The Anchor Rose restaurant is located right over the historic Santa Barbara harbor, offering 360-degree views of the Pacific Ocean and downtown Santa Barbara. As stated in their description and repeatedly echoed in customer reviews, the restaurant boasts stunning views of the harbor and sunsets. Whether you're enjoying a meal on the patio or the rooftop, the waterfront views are a key part of the Anchor Rose experience.
A photo of The Harbor Restaurant restaurant
3.9
Excellent(49)
Price: Expensive
• Seafood • Santa Barbara
Booked 6 times today
International Coastal Cuisine with Local Ingredients. Located on Santa Barbara's famous Stearns Wharf, the Harbor Restaurant is a 12,850-square-foot establishment on two floors that can seat 500 guests. Valet parking is available during dinner service. The restaurant features upstairs casual dining with an outdoor ocean view patio while the downstairs features a proper bar with craft cocktails, an exceptional dining room with international dishes featuring local ingredients, and two private event spaces including an 80+ person room and a private dining room for 20 guests.
A photo of Flor De Maiz restaurant
4.7
Exceptional(5)
Price: Moderate
• Mexican • Santa Barbara
Booked 8 times today
Flor de Maiz is the latest concept from the creators of Los Agaves Restaurants, located on Santa Barbara’s waterfront. Oaxacan inspired cuisine + modern mixology. Xochimoyahuatl is the flower or spigot of the milpa, inspiration whose name, Flor de Maíz, has its origin. It is now how the tribes of pre-Hispanic Mexico venerated corn as the seed of life, between the creation and the sacred.

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See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you
From verified diners like you
  • Larry
    New York City •1 review
    5.0
    Dined today
    Terrific restaurant with linen table covers, outstanding service and great food. Highly recommend!
    More info
    Toma Restaurant & BarPrice: Expensive• Italian• Santa Barbara
    4.8
  • Pat
    California Central Coast •4 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 3 days ago
    We can always count on Oku to provide great food and outstanding service. We know of no better place to enjoy Japanese food - lots of choices and many unique dishes.
    More info
    OKUPrice: Expensive• Asian• Santa Barbara
    4.7
  • Dennis VIP
    California Central Coast •26 reviews
    5.0
    Dined on Apr 21, 2025
    Excellent food and service. Music is great too as well as the beautiful view of the harbor.
    More info
    Anchor RosePrice: Expensive• American• Santa Barbara
    3.5
  • Sierra
    San Diego •1 review
    4.0
    Dined on Apr 5, 2025
    We came here to celebrate our first anniversary together. The food was amazing the views were beautiful. The staff was okay but did not ask anything personal, why we were there, what we were celebrating, etc. Just very minimal contact/conversation. Had to flag down the server a few times and we got our wine during our meal so we had to awkwardly finish after we already ate.. A little bit of a bummer when celebrating and paying a decent price for a nice meal. Just didn’t feel very warm or intentional. But overall a good experience, everyone was nice enough. Would go again for the food. Probably not for a special occasion though.
    More info
    The Harbor RestaurantPrice: Expensive• Seafood• Santa Barbara
    3.9
  • RonVIP
    San Diego •47 reviews
    5.0
    Dined on Mar 30, 2025
    We had great service! The food was excellent, we didn’t have to wait fortunately we arrived at the tail end of brunch.
    More info
    Goat Tree RestaurantPrice: Moderate• Contemporary American• Santa Barbara
    4.1

Discover best waterfront restaurants in Santa Barbara

Explore the serene beauty and exceptional dining experiences that Santa Barbara's waterfront restaurants have to offer. Nestled along the picturesque Central Coast of California, these dining spots provide a perfect blend of scenic ocean views and culinary excellence. Each restaurant along the waterfront capitalizes on its locale, offering dishes that feature fresh, local ingredients, often with an emphasis on seafood caught right from the Pacific. The dining scene here is vibrant and diverse, catering to a range of tastes and preferences, from casual eateries to upscale establishments. Patrons can enjoy the soothing sounds of the waves and stunning sunset views, making every meal a special occasion. Whether you're seeking a romantic dinner spot or a lively venue to gather with friends, Santa Barbara's waterfront restaurants promise an unforgettable dining experience. This destination is a true gem for food enthusiasts and nature lovers alike, combining the best of California's coastal charm with top-notch cuisine.

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