15 Best Restaurants in Santa Barbara, The Central Coast

Named for the Japanese women free divers who collected seafood for their villages, AMA (tucked in a courtyard at the Rosewood Miramar Resort) offers two fine-dining experiences—omakase at the 13-seat sushi bar (a two-hour feast—you must arrive promptly or risk missing a course or two) or prix-fixe (three or four courses total). You can combine meals with sake pairings for an additional fee; alternatively, the Japanese-inspired cocktails are especially popular.

A special-occasion destination and treat for multiple senses, Caruso’s combines exceptional views (perched on the sand at Rosewood Miramar Beach resort), sophisticated design (the ocean-inspired decor is as high-end as Santa Barbara gets), and romantic ambience (soft lighting, soft music) with Michelin-starred, Italian-California coastal cuisine. Options include three- and four-course prix-fixe menus (there’s a vegan one, too) and a chef’s tasting menu, which you can augment with wine pairings for an additional fee. The menu changes constantly, depending on the season and chef’s whims, but choices might include yellowtail crudo with tangerine and pickled kumquats; Santa Barbara sea urchin with tomato confit, yuzu butter, and caviar; hibachi grilled tenderloin with truffle bordelaise sauce; and, for dessert, tiramisu.

Shared dining—small plates and larger—and a seasonal menu showcasing local ingredients are the focus at this urban-chic restaurant named for an overnight all-Pullman train that chugged into the nearby railroad station for six decades. Sit at the 24-seat communal table set atop vintage radiators or at tables and booths crafted from antique Spanish church pews and other repurposed or recycled materials.

The elegant Stonehouse—consistently lauded as one of the nation's top restaurants—is inside a century-old granite former farmhouse at the San Ysidro Ranch resort. The menu changes constantly but might include pan-seared abalone or classic steak Diane flambéed table-side, and the Plow & Angel pub downstairs serves casual bistro fare.

Seasonal, locally sourced ingredients and softly lit muted-yellow walls evoke the flavors and charms of Tuscany and the Mediterranean at this rustic-romantic restaurant across from the harbor and West Beach. Ahi sashimi tucked in a crisp sesame cone is a popular appetizer, after which you can proceed, perhaps, to rock-shrimp gnocchi.

Locals flock to this two-story restaurant and sushi bar—famed for its wildly creative combination rolls and other delectables. Fans of authentic Japanese food sometimes disagree about the quality of the seafood, but all dishes are fresh and artfully presented.

Determined to push the boundaries of farm-to-table, Barbareño combines Santa Barbara and Central Coast history and traditions with fresh local ingredients to create inventive dishes, for example, uni caesar salad, acorn tagliatelle, local black cod in a pinquito miso sauce with wild onion and blackberries, and crispy Brussels sprouts in a sauce infused with Bragg vinegar and Ojai honey. It churns its own butter; bakes its own breads; makes condiments from scratch; and forages mushrooms, eucalyptus leaves, and other ingredients from the wild.

The outdoor tables at this casual harborside restaurant have perfect views of the marina and mountains. Staffers serve enormous, exceptionally fresh fish dishes, and if you walk in without a reservation, which are very limited, they will text you when your table's ready so you can stroll along the breakwater and explore the harbor while you wait.

Born from the hankerings for food from the owner’s childhood haunts—the streets, markets, home–in Guadalajara, Mexico, this casual eatery (order from the counter) in the Arts District serves authentic south-of-the-border soul food, much of it derived from longtime family recipes and made with fresh local ingredients. Feast on everything from huevos rancheros, chilaquiles, and churro French toast for breakfast to tacos, tamales, enchiladas, and pozole for lunch and dinner.

Take a break from waterfront and State Street explorations at Jeannine's, revered locally for its wholesome sandwiches, salads, and baked goods, made from scratch with organic and natural ingredients. Dine in the expansive dining room or on the patio, or pick up a turkey cranberry or chicken pesto sandwich to go and picnic on the beach or nearby Chase Palm Park. Jeannine's also has outlets in Montecito, Uptown, and Goleta.

In a cozy space on a prime corner at the gateway to the Funk Zone near Stearns Wharf, Loquita honors Santa Barbara's heritage by serving up authentic Spanish dishes, wines, and cocktails made with fresh, sustainably sourced local ingredients. The menu covers all bases, from tapas to wood-fired seafood and grilled meats to Spanish wines, vermouth, gin and tonics, and sangria.

Locals and visitors alike flock to this sleek, Asian-inspired restaurant across from Stearns Wharf and East Beach (reserve a second-story table for killer views). The eclectic menu focuses mostly on small plates of classic dishes meant for sharing—sushi, sashimi, yakisoba, ramen soup with pork belly, black-garlic filet mignon—but it also has creative surprises like the halibut-crab-avocado "lollipop" or the lobster-tempura-Wagyu beef roll.

Sophisticated Italian cuisine with an emphasis on Sicily is served at this restaurant near the Arlington. The veal scaloppine is popular, but surprises abound here, with unusual dishes such as the duck ravioli or the ribbon pasta with quail and sausage in a mushroom ragout.

Mardi Gras energy, team-style service, lively music, and great Cajun, creole, and Caribbean food have made the Palace a Santa Barbara icon. Be prepared to wait for a table on Friday and Saturday night, though the live entertainment and free appetizers, sent out front when the line is long, will whet your appetite for the feast to come.

Authentic flavors of coastal Mexico and fresh local ingredients make for packed indoor and outdoor tables at this eatery a block from the train station. For breakfast, fill up on huevos rancheros or chilaquiles; for lunch or dinner feast on seafood ceviches, grilled chicken breast with authentic mole poblano, or Mexican shrimp in a creamy mezcal sauce.