Diners' Choice: Great for scenic views restaurants in Santa Barbara

OpenTable

Updated September 05, 2024

Looking restaurants that have the most scenic view 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!

Stonehouse at San Ysidro Ranch

4.9

4.9 (2491)

$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

CheriseM

Dined 3 days ago

Absolutely gorgeous grounds and dining areas! Tony, Leone and Alexis were wonderful. The meal is not just an eating experience, it’s so much more. We felt like we were home eating in our garden. Great service and the food was delicious on so many levels. You can taste the layers of favors in every dish. Every table was attended to as if you were with friends and family. So cozy and romantic as the same time. We just happened across it by accident and found a place we’d love to revisit again and again. I was telling my daughter that I have to take her here!

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Experience

Sunday Champagne Brunch

Experience

The Secret Cellar

OKU

4.7

4.7 (1695)

$31 to $50

Asian

Santa Barbara

About the restaurant

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.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined 4 days ago

Great food and great view ! I would definitely come back again !

Convivo

4.6

4.6 (2085)

$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

Jimvip

Dined 4 days ago

Great lunch with fresh ingredients. This LGBT couple very much enjoyed the service and atmosphere. Food was delish.

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4.5

4.5 (1239)

$50 and over

Steak

Santa Barbara

About the restaurant

The signature fine dining restaurant located at The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara, Angel Oak brings elevated California coastal cuisine to the perfect venue. The oceanfront restaurant offers a California Coastal steakhouse menu curated by Chef Diego Seitour.

Complementing the Angel Oak dining experience is a premier cocktail program and exclusive wine cellar that houses the restaurant's 5,000-bottle collection.

Marriott Bonvoy Members can earn and redeem points when staying or dining with us. Please enroll here: https://www.joinmarriottbonvoy.com/uscanqr/s/EN/ch/sbarz

For parties with 8 guests or more a 26% service charge fee will be added to your final bill. For all guests there will be an 8.75% California State tax added to the final bill.

Top review

Krista

Dined 6 days ago

Fabulous food, fabulous service! Perfect way to celebrate our 5th anniversary

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The 'O' Bar + Kitchen at The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara

4.5

4.5 (15)

$30 and under

South American

Santa Barbara

About the restaurant

Savor contemporary Central and South American cuisine in a variety of settings - inside at the namesake O-shaped bar, or outside in the intimate Hibiscus Lounge or spacious Ocean Terrace!

Marriott Bonvoy Members can earn and redeem points when staying or dining with us. Please enroll here: https://www.joinmarriottbonvoy.com/uscanqr/s/EN/ch/sbarz

For parties with 6 guests or more a 26% service charge fee will be added to your final bill. For all guests there will be an 8.75% California State tax added to the final bill.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined on Aug 5, 2024

Perfect casual dinner for our anniversary. The fire pit was perfect and the chef treated us to an excellent dessert! We’ll be back!

San Setto

4.5

4.5 (106)

$31 to $50

Sushi

Santa Barbara

About the restaurant

An intimate space featuring a contemporary Japanese menu highlighting fresh sushi, saké, craft cocktails, and occidental spirits.

Marriott Bonvoy Members can earn and redeem points when staying or dining with us. Please enroll here: https://www.joinmarriottbonvoy.com/uscanqr/s/EN/ch/sbarz

For parties with 8 guests or more a 26% service charge fee will be added to your final bill. For all guests there will be an 8.75% California State tax added to the final bill.

Top review

Scott

Dined on Aug 20, 2024

The food was amazing, and the service was fantastic! Highly recommend :) Scott

Bluewater Grill - Santa Barbara

4.4

4.4 (592)

$31 to $50

Seafood

Santa Barbara

About the restaurant

The waterfront locals choice in Santa Barbara for premium quality, sustainably sourced seafood! Located at the gateway to Santa Barbara on the beach at State Street and Cabrillo Boulevard with a stunning patio and beach view. Adjacent to the "Funk Zone", Santa Barbara's premiere wine district, the wine list features an extensive selection of local wines in addition to a "no-corkage" policy on the first two bottles. Winner of numerous awards, including Best Seafood, this owner operated gem features lunch, dinner, Happy Hour, a "Kids Live Well" Kid menu, full bar, heated patio, and is pet friendly. Well known for classics like Clam Chowder and Fish & Chips, Oysters on the half shell and numerous varieties of fresh fish, lobster and crab, Bluewater also operates fishing vessel "Pilikia" which specializes in the freshest caught local fish in town! Come in, Get Hooked!

Top review

Monaevip

Dined 7 days ago

We took my grandmother to Blue Water Grill in Santa Barbara for her birthday, and it was a fantastic experience! The food was fresh and delicious, with the seafood dishes standing out as highlights. The staff was warm and attentive, making sure every detail was perfect for her special day. The beautiful ocean views and cozy ambiance added to the charm, creating the perfect setting for a memorable celebration. Highly recommend for any special occasion or a great meal by the water!

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The Bistro at The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara

4.2

4.2 (528)

$50 and over

American

Santa Barbara

About the restaurant

Named “Top 100 Best Al Fresco Dining Restaurants in America” by OpenTable, The Bistro offers a casual and relaxed atmosphere to dine and enjoy sweeping views of the coastline. Local produce and sustainable seafood highlight an acclaimed menu of traditional bistro favorites, including brick oven flatbreads, seasonal salads and the signature Santa Barbara burger.

Please note that holiday reservations are only available for in-house guests. Room confirmation number is required to officially confirm your dining reservation during these times.

Marriott Bonvoy Members can earn and redeem points when staying or dining with us. Please enroll here: https://www.joinmarriottbonvoy.com/uscanqr/s/EN/ch/sbarz

For parties with 6 guests or more a 26% service charge fee will be added to your final bill. For all guests there will be an 8.75% California State tax added to the final bill.

Top review

Steve

Dined 2 days ago

Outstanding experience , sat us right on time (honored our request for outside) , service was prompt and efficient and food was great! Highly recommend if you can afford it

Moby Dick Restaurant

4.2

4.2 (249)

$30 and under

Seafood

Santa Barbara

About the restaurant

At Moby Dick Restaurant, in Santa Barbara, you'll get not only fresh seafood and excellent service, but an amazing view along with your meal. Situated on the pier itself in Santa Barbara, Moby Dick Restaurant is a fantastic place with a fantastic atmosphere to get something to eat.

Whether you're after breakfast, lunch or dinner there�s sure to be something on the menu to please. Fried favorites at Moby Dick Restaurant include clam strips and chips, chicken wings and chips and many others. You can also order burgers, sandwiches and vegetarian fare. Fresh seafood specialties include grilled Cajun swordfish, bacon wrapped shrimp and grilled fresh salmon.

Top review

susanvip

Dined today

Food was excellent Service was great View was jive

Anchor Rose

3.7

3.7 (81)

$31 to $50

American

Santa Barbara

About the restaurant

Life is better when you're on the water.
Located directly overlooking the historic harbor with 360-degree views of the Pacific Ocean and downtown Santa Barbara, Anchor Rose is the perfect place to share a cocktail, enjoy a fresh seafood dinner, and people watch or catch one of the American Riviera’s signature sunsets.
Come for the drinks. Stay for the tapas.
Drawn from the seafaring roots that have shaped the Santa Barbara area for hundreds of years, our craft cocktails and scratch-made plates are inspired by the sea, the surf, and the laid-back atmosphere for which this area is famous. Flip-flops welcome.
Anchor Rose is Santa Barbara’s best restaurant, with a view of the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Barbara Harbor. Whether you’re looking for the best fresh seafood or a restaurant with a view, Anchor Rose has quickly become the favorite Santa Barbara restaurant for locals and tourists alike.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined on Jul 28, 2024

Outstanding food! Rosemary chicken was so tender and delicious. The Chile Rellenos con Camarones was amazing, a bit spicy but not too much. Our waitress was busy but merry all our needs. She never missed checking with us and kept our drinks filled. 10 out of 10

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