Diners' Choice: Italian restaurants in Santa Barbara

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants with the best overall Italian cuisine in Santa Barbara? You’re in the right place. Each month OpenTable analyzes more than 400,000 new diner reviews. We sort the results by category to help you discover new favorites. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Tre Lune

4.8

4.8 (1985)

$31 to $50

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

David

Dined 3 days ago

Wonderful experience, waiter was great and would recommend to others.

Discover more

Olio e Limone Ristorante

4.8

4.8 (2539)

$50 and over

Italian

Santa Barbara

About the restaurant

Olio e Limone Ristorante, located in downtown Santa Barbara's ARTS District, serves artisanal Italian cuisine. Meaning “oil and lemon” in Italian, their restaurant’s name reflects husband-wife team Alberto and Elaine Morello’s philosophy: rely on the integrity of the ingredients and quality of the preparation to provide Santa Barbara diners “simply sophisticated” Italian cuisine served in an inviting atmosphere with European hospitality. Start with eggplant souffle, then tuck into a plate of house made duck ravioli or Sicilian spaghetti with bottarga. And be sure to take home a bottle of their own olio, an organic extra-virgin olive oil made from Sicilian olive varieties.
Bonus: their contemporary Italian breakfast, lunch & retail spot Olio Bottega, and authentic pizzeria next door at Olio Pizzeria. Private dining in the Cucina Room for up to 40 guests.

Top review

Lesvip

Dined 2 days ago

Everything was great for our lunch except the music was too loud and some of it was not relaxing. Otherwise a terrific experience.

Toma Restaurant & Bar

4.8

4.8 (5483)

$31 to $50

Italian

Santa Barbara

About the restaurant

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.

Top review

Lisa

Dined 5 days ago

Toma was the best place we’ve eaten over our month traveling in California. We had the wedge salad. Absolute delicious and perfectly dressed. For our main, we shared the Rigatoni ala Emilio. Plenty of food for my husband and I and again so delicious!!

Discover more

4.7

4.7 (2127)

$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

Anna

Dined 2 days ago

We were pleased with our choice to try Convivo for our one month wedding anniversary as an elderly couple! The combination of flavors and textures in each dish was outstanding, and we enjoyed each one of them. Service was perfect - we didn’t feel rushed, and yet the food showed up in a timely manner without us wondering when it was coming. And another important t factor was the noise level - while the restaurant was quite busy, we two older people could actually hear each other! A very pleasant evening, and we hope to return.

Discover more

4.8

4.8 (877)

$50 and over

Italian

Montecito

About the restaurant

Ca' 'Dario's newest restaurant on Coast Village Road promises the same authentic and fresh Italian cuisine as our other locations, now easily accessible for residents of Montecito!
Enjoy outdoor dining on our covered patio, or indoor in our elegant dining room.
We feature an adjustable roof that keeps out the rain and allows in the sun.
Dogs are welcome (we ask that you limit the number to one per guest)

Top review

Omarvip

Dined on Nov 29, 2024

Went in for their thanksgiving pre fix menu and it was absolutely delicious. The service was impeccable and the atmosphere was elegant. I was thoroughly impressed.

Ca' Dario Ristorante

4.7

4.7 (1797)

$31 to $50

Italian

Santa Barbara

About the restaurant

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

Top review

Larry

Dined 1 day ago

Another great meal at Ca’Dario in downtown SB. The service, food and wine all met our expectations. Thanks!

Ca' Dario Cucina Italiana

4.5

4.5 (613)

$31 to $50

Italian

Goleta

About the restaurant

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.

Top review

Fides

Dined on Nov 30, 2024

The food was delicious and the service was excellent. Highly recommend.

Arnoldi's Cafe

4.7

4.7 (761)

$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. Open for dinner 7 days a week! We also host rehearsal dinners, wedding receptions, and large birthday parties.

Top review

Christyvip

Dined 7 days ago

This is the 2nd time I have dined at Arnoldi's since it reopened, and both visits have been fantastic. The food is superb, and the waitstaff very attentive. I loved sitting out back in the garden. The music is from the 30's-50's and perfect for the setting.

L'Antica - Santa Barbara

4.3

4.3 (171)

$31 to $50

Italian

Santa Barbara

About the restaurant

Experience Authentic Italian Cuisine at L'Antica Pizzeria da Michele in Santa Barbara Indulge in a slice of Italy at L'Antica Pizzeria da Michele in Santa Barbara, where authentic Neapolitan pizza and Italian dishes await. Using only the finest ingredients, each dish showcases the traditional flavors of Napoli, from the perfect Margherita pizza to sumptuous pasta and indulgent tiramisu. The rustic ambiance creates a cozy setting for any occasion. Dedicated to sustainability and local sourcing, L'Antica brings the essence of Italy to California for an unforgettable dining experience.

Top review

Gabrielevip

Dined on Nov 22, 2024

Very good experience as always! Pizza fantastic!!!

Discover more

3.5

3.5 (792)

$30 and under

Italian

Santa Barbara

About the restaurant

Chase Restaurant, a Santa Barbara institution since 1979, is conveniently located at 1012 State Street in the Theater district and showcases a classic elegant Italian décor with an intimate interior bar and an outside patio with high top seating overlooking State Street. Chase Restaurant features the finest meat, seafood and pasta dishes, as well as traditional Italian desserts. Signature dishes include Chicken Piccata served with Fettuccini Alfredo, Eggplant Parmigiana, Veal Valle de Ostra, Penne Carbonara and many more. This warm, romantic Italian restaurant offers a global wine list boasting many Santa Barbara wines which are curated to pair with the bold, rich flavors of classic Italian fare. Custom cocktails featuring spirits blended with seasonal ingredients as well as Italian and craft beer are offered as well. There is free parking in the rear of the restaurant off Anacapa Street.

Top review

Lisa

Dined on Oct 13, 2024

The Caesar Salad was fresh and the dressing was a tasty surprise. The Veal Milanese breading was crispy and paired nicely with the buttery, cheesy fettuccine. My friends both enjoyed their Spinach Ravioli and Pappardelle Vodka. Topped it off with us all sharing the Warm Lava Cake...delish!

Discover more

Explore Diners' Choice best of Santa Barbara