Diners' Choice: Neighborhood gem restaurants in Santa Barbara

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for the best restaurants that are the best neighborhood gems 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!

Ca' Dario Cucina Italiana

4.9

4.9 (634)

$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

Amy

Dined 2 days ago

Our family had a wonderful celebratory dinner here to honor my daughter's UCSB graduation! We took her here the night we moved her in to her dorm and so it was fitting to end her time at UCSB back in the same place! Thank you for being a memory we will never forget! (Food and service were outstanding!)

Tre Lune

4.8

4.8 (2109)

$50 and over

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

EmilyVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Absolutely delicious even gluten free pasta was perfect! Cannot wait to go back.

Barbareño

4.8

4.8 (1987)

$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

Cindy

Dined 2 days ago

Very nice venue for delicious food served family style.

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4.8

4.8 (945)

$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

Kathleen

Dined 2 days ago

Food and service were excellent!! Marco was fabulous!! We will definitely be back.

RH Firehouse Grill at RH Montecito

4.8

4.8 (143)

$50 and over

American

Montecito

About the restaurant

The RH Firehouse Grill is an indoor-outdoor restaurant located at RH Montecito, The Gallery at the Old Firehouse. Enjoy a menu of signature salads and classics from our hearth in our courtyard restaurant, which seamlessly extends into a beautifully landscaped garden. Dine beneath the warm glow of handwoven pendants amid heritage olive trees, birds of paradise, a grand fireplace and cascading limestone fountains.

Top review

Susan

Dined 4 days ago

Beautiful setting. Great service. Small but well varied menu. Extremely delicious!

Arnoldi's Cafe

4.7

4.7 (804)

$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. We are also dog friendly on our patio! Open for dinner 7 days a week! We also host rehearsal dinners, wedding receptions, and large birthday parties.

Top review

kristinaVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Great place with so much history! Delicious food and A must for anyone visiting Santa Barbara

Opal Restaurant & Bar

4.7

4.7 (1859)

$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

Cecile

Dined 6 days ago

A most pleasant , and satisfying evening in every way! A beloved Santa Barbara locals destination with a lovely owner, and equally lovely staff! Comfy with delicious food, and a wonderfully varied menu, great wines, and delicious cocktails! Stellar filet mignon, and my swordfish was divine. I’ll be back!

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Popular dish

Filet Angel Hair Pasta

Popular dish

Pasilla Chile Filet Mignon

Corazon Comedor

4.7

4.7 (200)

$31 to $50

Mexican

Santa Barbara

About the restaurant

Corazon Comedor emerged from the longing of nostalgic food from the streets, markets, and homes of Mexico. We look forward to bringing this experience in each dish.

Top review

Laura

Dined 2 days ago

This is our second time eating lunch here while visiting Santa Barbara. Great food and quick service!

Ca' Dario Ristorante

4.6

4.6 (1836)

$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

Linda

Dined on Jun 1, 2025

Amazing food and nice atmosphere. Definitely no complaints. Would absolutely return

Goat Tree Restaurant

4.2

4.2 (457)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Santa Barbara

About the restaurant

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.

Top review

RonVIP

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.

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