John’s Restaurants - Local Guide
Steak House
Upscale Steakhouse with a great brunch, and strong traditional cocktails.
Lucky's
1279 Coast Village RdOne of my favorite special occasion restaurants.
Good for a nice steak, centrally located downtown. Local owned and favorite!
16 locals recommend
Holdren's Steaks & Seafood
512 State StGood for a nice steak, centrally located downtown. Local owned and favorite!
Sushi
Traditional and super fresh sushi! Great for special occasions with outdoor dining.
150 locals recommend
Arigato Sushi
1225 State StTraditional and super fresh sushi! Great for special occasions with outdoor dining.
Don’t be fooled by the strip mall entrance. Super fun take on sushi with fresh fish, delicious and beautiful presentation. Get the Habanero Yellowtail melt and the Basil Fluke!
23 locals recommend
Sakana Sushi Bar & Japanese
1046 Coast Village RdDon’t be fooled by the strip mall entrance. Super fun take on sushi with fresh fish, delicious and beautiful presentation. Get the Habanero Yellowtail melt and the Basil Fluke!
American/Californian
Local food, farm to table and family style. Amazing ambiance!
The Lark Santa Barbara
131 Anacapa StOn cabrillo boulevard along the water; just across the street from the beach. Amazing food and dining experience for a date night.
45 locals recommend
Toma Restaurant & Bar
324 W Cabrillo BlvdOn cabrillo boulevard along the water; just across the street from the beach. Amazing food and dining experience for a date night.
Thai
Inside the SB Public Market which is fun to check out at the same time. Not much in the way of seating as the bar is limited but great for lunch or take out and the food is great! Get the khao soy, summer rolls or pad thai
21 locals recommend
Empty Bowl Gourmet Noodle Bar
38 W Victoria StInside the SB Public Market which is fun to check out at the same time. Not much in the way of seating as the bar is limited but great for lunch or take out and the food is great! Get the khao soy, summer rolls or pad thai
Off the beaten path north of state but more in the way of dine-in capability. Casual with hearty portions, and very delicious.
20 locals recommend
TAP Thai cuisine
3130 State StOff the beaten path north of state but more in the way of dine-in capability. Casual with hearty portions, and very delicious.
Indonesian/Asian Fusion
One of my favorite places to take visitors, Sama Sama has a full bar with a young and motivated head chef that has combines his heritage and travel to Indo to create some of the most noteworthy and delicious dishes in Santa Barbara. Get the wings and the full Branzino!
60 locals recommend
Sama Sama Kitchen
1208 State StOne of my favorite places to take visitors, Sama Sama has a full bar with a young and motivated head chef that has combines his heritage and travel to Indo to create some of the most noteworthy and delicious dishes in Santa Barbara. Get the wings and the full Branzino!
Indian
Michelin recognized and worth the experience! With so many dishes to choose from, you can’t go wrong. All local ingredients, local owners and local chefs!
12 locals recommend
Bibi Ji
734 State StMichelin recognized and worth the experience! With so many dishes to choose from, you can’t go wrong. All local ingredients, local owners and local chefs!
Italian
Easily one of my favorite Italian restaurants; great for dine with an amazing outdoor patio for seating. My favorite is the Bolognese with spinach pasta.
7 locals recommend
Ca Dario Montecito
1187 Coast Village RoadEasily one of my favorite Italian restaurants; great for dine with an amazing outdoor patio for seating. My favorite is the Bolognese with spinach pasta.
Great for a romantic date night in Montecito at a local staple with the likes of Ellen that frequent it. The burratta as a started with a and ragu pasta; you can’t go wrong. Also incredible wine list!
35 locals recommend
Tre Lune
1151 Coast Village RdGreat for a romantic date night in Montecito at a local staple with the likes of Ellen that frequent it. The burratta as a started with a and ragu pasta; you can’t go wrong. Also incredible wine list!