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Diners' Choice: Best Overall restaurants in Santa Barbara

OpenTable

Updated October 05, 2024

Looking for the best overall restaurants in Santa Barbara? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category 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!

A photo of Stonehouse at San Ysidro Ranch restaurant

Stonehouse at San Ysidro Ranch

4.9

4.9 (2529)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

Santa Barbara

About the restaurant

The Stonehouse, located in a beautiful 19th-century citrus packing house, offers an unparalleled dining experience. Guests can unwind in a relaxing lounge with full bar service or enjoy the ambiance of the separate dining room, complete with a crackling fireplace and world-class views. Chef Matthew Johnson creates evocative regional cuisine, utilizing fresh herbs and vegetables from the Ranch’s organic chef’s garden. The Stonehouse boasts the only Grand Award-winning wine program in Central California, ensuring an unparalleled selection of wines to complement your meal. For a unique twist, visit the restaurant's speakeasy for before or after dinner drinks, where you can enjoy expertly crafted cocktails in an intimate, nostalgic setting.

Top review

S

Scott

Dined 2 days ago

Probably the best restaurant in the world certainly the best we’ve ever been to Best food Best service Best ambience A truly magnificent restaurant and the benchmark all restaurants must strive to reach

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A photo of San Ysidro Ranch Meyer Lemon Tart of a restaurant

San Ysidro Ranch Meyer Lemon Tart

A photo of Sunday Champagne Brunch of a restaurant

Sunday Champagne Brunch

A photo of The Secret Cellar of a restaurant

The Secret Cellar

A photo of Lucky's restaurant

4.8

4.8 (2842)

$50 and over

Steakhouse

Montecito

About the restaurant

LUCKY'S is widely known for its exclusive selection of USDA Prime steaks, fresh seafood, farmer's market vegetables, no-nonsense cocktails and world class wine cellar.
For take-out, please call the restaurant.
We do not accept bar table reservations online, please call the restaurant.
For larger parties, please call or email the restaurant directly.

Top review

T

Thomas

Dined 2 days ago

Wonderful experience with and amazing staff! Luck’s is always a 10/10 experience!

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A photo of Monday - Chicken Pot Pie with Morels of a restaurant

Monday - Chicken Pot Pie with Morels

A photo of Barbareño restaurant

4.8

4.8 (1848)

$31 to $50

Californian

Santa Barbara

About the restaurant

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.

Top review

W

Williamvip

Dined 4 days ago

Excellent menu with so many great choices to choose from. Excellent service as well.

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A photo of Santa Maria BBQ of a restaurant

Santa Maria BBQ

A photo of Baked California of a restaurant

Baked California

A photo of Grilled Avocado of a restaurant

Grilled Avocado

A photo of Secret Bao restaurant

4.8

4.8 (644)

$31 to $50

Asian

Santa Barbara

About the restaurant

Modern Asian American Restaurant from Chefs Peter Lee & Felicia Medina.

"Consider the bao. Chinese in origin, it’s most easily described as a steamed bun filled with something savory. Yet, like the American concept of a sandwich, the bao exploded into a flexible format of untold bounds — served at any meal, filled with you-name-it, completely closed or wide open, with endless regional variants from across Asia and far beyond." - Matt Kettmann (SB Independent)

1 Block From State Street, Easy Parking, Public Lot Nearby, Free 75 Minute Parking, Walking Distance, El Pueblo Viejo Landmark District, Superior Court, Spanish Colonial Revival Courthouse, Santa Barbara Museum Of Art, Courthouse Gardens, Bell Tower, Bao, Food, Restaurant, Asian, American, New, Modern, Fried, Chicken, Octopus, Vegan, Vegetarian, Paelo, Friendly, Dog Friendly, Outdoor Patio, Heaters, Warm, Inviting, Hospitable, Modern Design

Top review

L

Lauravip

Dined 7 days ago

Creative and delicious all rolled into one. Loved the bao but we absolutely adored the spicy crab noodles! Don’t miss those :).

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A photo of KFC of a restaurant

A photo of KFC Bao of a restaurant

A photo of Shrimp of a restaurant

A photo of Tre Lune restaurant

4.8

4.8 (1939)

$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

A

Amyx

Dined 2 days ago

TreLune was excellent. Quaint Italian restaurant, lived up to expectations and reviews. Had heard this been a favor for many years in Santa Barbara. We tried some of the familiar favorites, didn’t get a chance to sample the pizza, but it looked amazing . Can’t wait to come back here again when in town

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A photo of Lasagne Maria of a restaurant

A photo of Fettuccine Alfredo of a restaurant

Fettuccine Alfredo

A photo of Ca Dario Montecito restaurant

Ca Dario Montecito

4.8

4.8 (855)

$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 patio, or indoor in our elegant dining room.

Top review

C

Chad

Dined 5 days ago

Thank you for allowing me accept the “secret menu “. My “special dish” was excellent!! Great food as always. Thank you for not rushing us thru our anniversary dinner.

A photo of Bouchon - Santa Barbara restaurant

Bouchon - Santa Barbara

4.8

4.8 (5370)

$31 to $50

Californian

Santa Barbara

About the restaurant

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!

Top review

K

Kathleen

Dined today

Excellent service, great little setting. Service was amazing and very attentive. Food was excellent from start to finish. Everything tasted amazing. Would eat here again. Highly recommend

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A photo of Scallop Trio of a restaurant

A photo of Dungeness Crab Cakes of a restaurant

Dungeness Crab Cakes

A photo of Bouchon French 'French Onion' Soup of a restaurant

Bouchon French 'French Onion' Soup

A photo of Olio e Limone Ristorante restaurant

Olio e Limone Ristorante

4.8

4.8 (2511)

$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

H

Halvip

Dined on Sep 28, 2024

Excellent Italian food and service. We had the fig/prosciutto appetizer special, veal scallopini, fettuccine with mushrooms and asparagus, panna cotta, and gelato.

A photo of Opal Restaurant & Bar restaurant

Opal Restaurant & Bar

4.8

4.8 (1712)

$31 to $50

Californian

Santa Barbara

About the restaurant

We have inside and limited outdoor sidewalk dining. If you prefer to sit outside, please indicate that with your reservation request.
To accommodate our second seating, early parties should plan for a maximum stay of 1.5 to 2hrs, depending on party size. Please call 805 966 9676 for more details.
A popular local’s favorite, opal restaurant & bar’s Eclectic California Cuisine fuses creative world cuisine influences with American Regional touches, from a 14 oz. Herb-Grilled Ribeye Steak on Tuscan White Beans, to Fresh Pan-Seared Fish & Seafood, Homemade Pastas, Gourmet Pizzas, fresh Baked Breads, imaginative Salads, & Homemade Desserts.
We have a Wine Spectator award-winning wine list, & a full bar with seasonal Craft Cocktails.
Our entire dining room staff assists to take care of each table, enabling exceptional service in a warm engaging manner, properly nuanced to your mood & taste. Our staff genuinely cares about giving you the best possible experience!

Top review

J

Josephvip

Dined 1 day ago

Excellent food prepared perfectly. Casual, with a great vibe! The wine list was impressive and reasonably priced.

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A photo of Pasilla Chile Filet Mignon of a restaurant

Pasilla Chile Filet Mignon

A photo of Stella Mare's restaurant

4.8

4.8 (2249)

$31 to $50

French

Santa Barbara

About the restaurant

French country bistro...Between Montecito and Santa Barbara, Stella Mare's Bistro is located in a historic Victorian home overlooking the Bird Refuge. French country cuisine rules the menu, with dishes like coq au vin, cassoulet, and moules frites. Sip seasonal cocktails amid cozy décor -- all the right ingredients for a great dining experience. Bon appétit!

When requesting the greenhouse please note that is considered indoor dining.

Top review

J

James C

Dined 1 day ago

Want French without speaking French. This is the place. Good food and a well thought out wine list.

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A photo of Stella Burger of a restaurant

A photo of Salmon of a restaurant

A photo of Saumon Amandine of a restaurant

Saumon Amandine

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