Santa Barbara Restaurants
Santa Barbara has more restaurants per capita than any other city in the country. Santa Barbara Magazine lists some of the following establishments as the most frequented by those in the know. Others on the list are favorites of our own. Bon appetit!
| Breakfast | |
| Esau’s Café 507 Linden Avenue 684-1070 Wheat germ pancakes, smoked salmon benedict, and weekend service until 2 am. |
Tom’s Coffee Shop 1498 East Valley Road 969-6250 Where the local Montecito crowd chows down on the patio for breakfast & lunch. |
| Jeannine’s Bakery 1253 Coast Village Road 805-969-7878 Scones, muffins, coffee drinks and incredible desserts. Lunches are great, too. |
The Original Sambo’s 216 W. Cabrillo Boulevard 805-965-3269 An American classic serving their famous pancakes across from the beach. |
| Summerland Beach Café 2294 Lillie Avenue 805-969-1019 Offering infinite variety of home-style combos. May be long waits on the weekend. |
Four Seasons Biltmore, Bella Vista 1260 Channel Drive 805-969-2261 When price is not an issue, you’ll find no better than this Sunday buffet brunch. |
| Lunch/Dinner | |
| Fresco 3987 State Street 805-967-6037 Fresh, very good, mostly Italian fare. Try the turkey burger or walnut-gorgonzola salad. |
Your Place Restaurant 22 N. Milpas Street 805-966-5151 Tasty Thai dishes, served vegetarian or not. |
| Paradise Café 702 Anacapa Street 805-962-4416 Great casual eating, like fully loaded hamburgers and homemade lemonade. |
La Super-Rica Taqueria 622 N. Milpas Street 805-963-4940 Don’t let the paper plates and PVC seats scare you: one of Julia Child’s favorites. |
| Los Arroyos 1280 Coast Village Road 805-969-9059 Lunch and dinner, featuring just-made tortillas, first-rate salsa and fish tacos. |
Montecito Café 1295 Coast Village Road 805-969-3392 Mainly California cuisine. Save room for the coconut layer cake. |
| El Paseo Restaurant 800 block of State Street 805-962-6050 Nestled in a beautiful historic courtyard, the guacamole is prepared tableside. |
Palace Grill 8 E. Cota Street 805-963-5000 Spicy Cajun dishes. Don’t be surprised if the wait staff bursts into song. |
| China Pavilion 1070 Coast Village Road 805-565-9380 Try Crispy Walnut Shrimp, Garlic Sauteed Green Beans or General’s Chicken. |
Palazzio 1026 State Street 805-564-1985 “You won’t leave this place hungry.” Gigantic portions of pasta served family-style. |
| Pascucci 729 State Street 805-963-8123 Affordable and delicious Italian cuisine. Start with the basil tomato soup. |
California Pizza Kitchen 719 Paseo Nuevo Mall 805-962-4648 Fun atmosphere is the perfect place to take your student and their roommates |
| Something’s Fishy 500 State Street 805-966-6607 Watch your food be prepared and cooked in front of your very eyes! |
Opal Restaurant 1325 State Street 805-966-9676 This restaurant combines Californian style food with other food from around the world |
| Sojourner Café 134 E. Cannon Perdido Street 805-965-7922 This café has served tasty, organic edibles in Santa Barbara for over 30 years |
Panino 834 Santa Barbara St (805) 963-3700 Enjoy the vast selection of soups, salads, and sandwiches available at this wonderful restaurant |
| Meals With a View | |
| Stella Mare’s 50 Los Patos Way 805-969-6705 Looks out onto the bird refuge. Serving lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch. |
Brophy Bros 119 Harbor Way 805-966-4418 Watch harbor boats unload the “catch of the day.” Clam chowder is THE best. |
| Longboards Grill 210 Stearns Wharf 805-963-3311 Surf-side dining on the wharf. Fun place for late night fish ’n chips or mud pie. |
Endless Summer Café 113 Harbor Way 805-564-4666 Casual dining & surf-inspired décor. Stunning harbor views & world famous fish & chips. |