Santa Barbara Guidebook 2022
Food scene
Americana, very popular restaurant in the funk zone. DOES take reservations
171 locals recommend
The Lark Santa Barbara
131 Anacapa StAmericana, very popular restaurant in the funk zone. DOES take reservations
Loquita Santa Barbara
202 State StPopular Tapas restaurant in the Funk Zone.
Super popular modern mexican restaurant. Doesn't take reservations. Voted best margherita several years in a row. They have a sister property on the beachfront also.
26 locals recommend
Santo Mezcal
119 State StSuper popular modern mexican restaurant. Doesn't take reservations. Voted best margherita several years in a row. They have a sister property on the beachfront also.
Fresh and popular sea food joint. At the very end of the pier.
32 locals recommend
Santa Barbara Shellfish Company
230 Stearns WharfFresh and popular sea food joint. At the very end of the pier.
Popular casual restaurant on the harbor. They also have a place called ON THE ALLEY here as well for takeaway quicker bites. Both are popular and very good.
203 locals recommend
Brophy Bros.
119 Harbor WayPopular casual restaurant on the harbor. They also have a place called ON THE ALLEY here as well for takeaway quicker bites. Both are popular and very good.
Very popular breakfast restaurant with a diner vibe. Right across from the beach.
22 locals recommend
Chads Cafe
216 West Cabrillo BoulevardVery popular breakfast restaurant with a diner vibe. Right across from the beach.
Recently moved from 1000 block down to the beach area. Another popular breakfast restaurant.
117 locals recommend
Jeannine's Restaurant & Bakery
1253 Coast Village RdRecently moved from 1000 block down to the beach area. Another popular breakfast restaurant.
Right across from the beach on Cabrillo st. Popular casual dining
26 locals recommend
DeeTours of Santa Barbara
101 E Cabrillo BlvdRight across from the beach on Cabrillo st. Popular casual dining
Mony's Mexican Food
217 Anacapa StPopular local mexican food in the funk zone
Not sure why their photo is kayakers...this is a local coffee company.
40 locals recommend
Santa Barbara Adventure Company
520 E Haley StNot sure why their photo is kayakers...this is a local coffee company.
Local taqueria, if you're downtown wanting something like cabeza or lengua taco then go here.
53 locals recommend
Lilly's Taqueria
310 Chapala StLocal taqueria, if you're downtown wanting something like cabeza or lengua taco then go here.
Dawn Patrol
324 State StLocal breakfast spot. They specialize is Hashes.
Holdren's Steaks & Seafood
512 State StDowntown steakhouse
Joe's Cafe
536 State StLocal old school cafe. Stiffest drinks in town.
Mediterranean. Really nice vibe, string lights and stone fireplace tables. Used to have hookahs but that was before covid so not sure if they still do.
57 locals recommend
Zaytoon
209 E Canon Perdido StMediterranean. Really nice vibe, string lights and stone fireplace tables. Used to have hookahs but that was before covid so not sure if they still do.
Natural Cafe
508 State StHealthier foods
Mesa Verde Restaurant
1919 Cliff DrVegan friendly
Rascal's
432 East Haley StreetVegan Friendly
Oliver's
1198 Coast Village RdUpscale vegan friendly
There's a few locations in town. They're all super popular
53 locals recommend
McConnell's Fine Ice Creams
728 State StThere's a few locations in town. They're all super popular
mid-uperscale restaurant downtown. They have a lot of fusion style food.
13 locals recommend
Black Sheep Restaurant
18 East Cota Streetmid-uperscale restaurant downtown. They have a lot of fusion style food.
Barbareño
205 W Canon Perdido StLocally sourced fine dining. Menu changes periodically.
bouchon Santa Barbara
9 West Victoria StreetVictoria court area, French-American quisine.
Three Pickles Subs & Sandwiches
126 E Canon Perdido StGood sandwiches
Theres a few locations in Santa Barbara. Good sandwiches, CA club is huge.
35 locals recommend
South Coast Deli
1436 Chapala StTheres a few locations in Santa Barbara. Good sandwiches, CA club is huge.
Tino's Italian Grocery
210 W Carrillo StSandwiches and its an Italian Grocery!
MEAT. Butchers / restuarant patio. They provide meat to a lot of places in town. You will see their jerky everywhere. Good food.
41 locals recommend
Funk Zone Patio
220 Gray AveMEAT. Butchers / restuarant patio. They provide meat to a lot of places in town. You will see their jerky everywhere. Good food.
Breakfast/lunch spot in victoria court. The Public Market is across the street which isnt recognized on this but that place has restaurants inside of it, it is not really a market.
39 locals recommend
Scarlett Begonia
21 W Victoria StBreakfast/lunch spot in victoria court. The Public Market is across the street which isnt recognized on this but that place has restaurants inside of it, it is not really a market.
Edomasa
2710 De La Vina StFarther but really good japanese restaurant
Kyoto Japanese Restaurant
3232 State StreetIn San Roque area of town, good sushi/japanese restaurant
The Palace Grill
8 E Cota StHearty creolesque pastas.
Sama Sama Kitchen
1208 State Stsoutheast asian restaurant. pretty popular
Milk & Honey
30 W Anapamu StCozy vibe. Tapas and drinks
Savoy Cafe & Deli
24 W Figueroa StNice vibe for a bite. Healthier options here also.
Norton's Pastrami & Deli
18 W Figueroa StPastrami sandwiches, goodness
Arigato Sushi
1225 State StGood sushi spot in victoria court
Pricy fine dining restaurant at the El Encanto. But because of location can see over a lot of Santa Barbara.
45 locals recommend
El Encanto, A Belmond Hotel, Santa Barbara
800 Alvarado PlPricy fine dining restaurant at the El Encanto. But because of location can see over a lot of Santa Barbara.
Very popular restaurant but very hard to get a table. No reservations and is the only restaurant at Hendry's Beach.
223 locals recommend
Boathouse at Hendry's Beach
2981 Cliff DrVery popular restaurant but very hard to get a table. No reservations and is the only restaurant at Hendry's Beach.
Cajun Kitchen
901 Chapala StBreakfast - Brunch
Benchmark Eatery
1201 State StAmericana, nice patio to hangout and eat
Opal
1325 State StFine dining
La Playa Azul Cafe
914 Santa Barbara Stgood food and drinks
Off the path from downtown area over on Milpas street, but different kind of breakfast menu.
35 locals recommend
The Shop Kitchen
730 N Milpas StOff the path from downtown area over on Milpas street, but different kind of breakfast menu.
La Super-Rica Taqueria
622 N Milpas StPopular Tacueria.
Mesa Cafe & Bar
1972 Cliff DrClassic cafe on the mesa
Rose Cafe
1816 Cliff DrLocal Mexican restaurant, been here since 1940
Alcazar Tapas Bar
1812 Cliff Drtapas and drinks
Mesa Burger - Santa Barbara, Mesa
315 Meigs Rdname says it all!
They will deliver and prefer to not use grubhub etc. Been here since the 90's
9 locals recommend
Mesa Pizza Co
315 Meigs RdThey will deliver and prefer to not use grubhub etc. Been here since the 90's
Alcohol
Deep Sea Wine Tasting Room
217 Stearns WharfWine tasting room at the end of the pier
Waterline is a converted warehouse that has Fox Winery, Llama Dog Brewery, Toppa Toppa Brewery, and The Nook (food). Really cool spot to hangout.
Waterline
122 Santa Barbara StreetWaterline is a converted warehouse that has Fox Winery, Llama Dog Brewery, Toppa Toppa Brewery, and The Nook (food). Really cool spot to hangout.
Wine tasting room basically in the middle of the funk zone next to the lark
50 locals recommend
Santa Barbara Winery
28 Anacapa StWine tasting room basically in the middle of the funk zone next to the lark
Figueroa Mountain Brewing Co. Santa Barbara
137 Anacapa StPopular brewery in the funk zone
Wildcat
15 W Ortega Stbar/club
EOS Lounge
500 Anacapa Stbar/club
bar/club. This says kitchen and bar, I have never seen food there before. But definitely alcohol. 3 stories.
Backstage Kitchen & Bar
409 State Streetbar/club. This says kitchen and bar, I have never seen food there before. But definitely alcohol. 3 stories.
The Good Lion
1212 State StOwned by the same people that own Shakers Mill and Test Pilot
SOhO Restaurant & Music Club
1221 State StBar/restaurant/music venue
Usually has music on the weekends. Kind of a more local spot. Neighborhood is right next to it as well.
39 locals recommend
The Brewhouse
229 W Montecito StUsually has music on the weekends. Kind of a more local spot. Neighborhood is right next to it as well.
Corner Tap Beer Bar and Eatery
1905 Cliff DrFood and beer, newer spot
cats
Cat Therapy
1213 State Streetgo hangout with cats, cause cats are cool
Sightseeing
Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara
653 Paseo Nuevosmaller exhibits
Santa Barbara Museum of Art
1130 State StRotating exhibits and permanent fixtures.
La Arcada Courtyard
1114 State StOutdoor shopping area
Downtown mall. The farmers market is along state street here on Tuesday's 3-7. They also have been having local vendors selling trinkets in the main part of the mall in popups. Usually during weekend.
112 locals recommend
Paseo Nuevo
651 Paseo NuevoDowntown mall. The farmers market is along state street here on Tuesday's 3-7. They also have been having local vendors selling trinkets in the main part of the mall in popups. Usually during weekend.
Harbor Way
Harbor WayHarbor Santa Barbara, across from the city college. There's water rentals here
MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation
125 State StHands on childrens museum
Santa Barbara Zoo
500 Ninos Dranimals!
Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Sea Center
211 Stearns WharfOld Mission Santa Barbara
2201 Laguna StSanta Barbara Botanic Garden
1212 Mission Canyon RdThere's a new location across the street from santo mezcal. 122 state street I think it is. But they will have pamphlets and info for anything I cant answer.
Visit Santa Barbara
500 East Montecito StreetThere's a new location across the street from santo mezcal. 122 state street I think it is. But they will have pamphlets and info for anything I cant answer.
1000 Steps Beach
1429 Shoreline DrBeach!
East Beach
Has volley ball courts
Hendrys Beach
Dog Beach
Douglas Family Preserve
Walking area on the mesa
Shoreline Park
Shoreline Dr & Santa Rosa PlacePark that overlooks the water, near leadbetter beach.
Bike Rental
Their location seems to be shifting around but generally theyve always been down in the funk zone
30 locals recommend
Wheel Fun Rentals
24 E Mason StTheir location seems to be shifting around but generally theyve always been down in the funk zone
Groceries
Ralphs
100 W Carrillo StGrocery Store. Largest in downtown area.
You can also try El Rey's across the street, which is a smaller carneceria that has some grocery stuff
13 locals recommend
Santa Cruz Markets
324 W Montecito StYou can also try El Rey's across the street, which is a smaller carneceria that has some grocery stuff
Foodland Market
1501 San Andres StTrader Joe's
3025 De La Vina StVons
2010 Cliff Drvons grocery store on the mesa
Traveler advice
Don't miss
Santa Barbara downtown is basically split into 3 sections
0-200 state st is the beach and Funk Zone. The Funk Zone is all wineries and breweries. There is also restaurants here. The Pier and the Harbor are down here as well.
500-700 state st is central downtown. This is where you will find restaurants and bars. Anything open past 10ish would be on this block.
1100 state st is Victoria Court. This is mostly italian restaurants, there are some others mixed in. Museum of art is here, some fine dining, and shopping.