Restaurants in Santa Ynez

“Wow! Great dinner. Best place we ate at while visiting Solvang/ santa Ynez. Atmosphere was a rustic romantic ambience. Food was all amazing. Chris, our waitress was phenomenal. Very attentive and charismatic. We will definitely come back. 5 stars for sure. Oh... and the chicken liver with dijon was sooooo good!”

“We hadn't been here since pre-covid, so we were wondering how they'd survived and evolved. Pleased to say they were BETTER than before covid! EVERYTHING was top notch, from the cocktails, service, and all of the food! My whiskey sour and my girlfriend's greyhound cocktails (both up) were both awesome, and made with high quality mixers. I had the french onion soup appetizer, and it was rich and delicious! My 16 ounce prime rib was expensive at $72, but PERFECT in every way...in temperature, seasoning, and quality of cut. To be honest, I had a bit of sticker shock when I first saw the $72 price point, but they absolutely nailed it, so I can't really complain. They really delivered! My girlfriend had the fried chicken sandwich, and she's a bit of a fried chicken sandwich connoisseur, but she also said that they made it to perfection, and she was very happy with it. We'll definitely be back next time we're in the SYV!”

“This is a truly special place. We have been members for about two years and we enjoy coming up here a couple of times per year. The wine is fabulous and the property is beautiful. When you come for a tasting it feels as if it's an extended part of the family. It's such a treat to taste here.”

“Unique experience. Elevated my level of enjoyment and love for sushi and sashimi. Uniquely fresh, lovely service in a rustic atmosphere. Come and experience real wasabi inside the Los Olivos Market.”

“Cheers to the weekend! If you're looking for somewhere to wine down your work week, consider a tasting at Kalyra Winery in Santa Ynez, CA. They offer two tastings (Kalyra Sampler Tasting and the Reserve Dessert/Port Tasting) both for $25 each. After your tasting inside, enjoy a glass on their deck on the lawn. The vibe at Kalyra is laid back, which I enjoyed after a long day of siteseeing.”

“Omgosh! We tried the Avocado and Provolone Sandwich and the Chicken Salad Sandwich and both were exceptional. The bread for the Avocado and Provolone was a French Baguette and it was so so fresh and yummy. For the Chicken Salad we chose Whole Wheat and it was equally fresh and superbly delicious.”

“We never would have known this was here if it wasn't for Yelp. The food was very good as well as the beer and wine selection. The seating isn't great unless your group is very small. There were only 3 people working and the place was packed yet the service was excellent. We will go back.”

“I recently came to S Y kitchen with a bigger party and was impressed with everything! We had a pre-fixed menu (I think due to the size of our party) and every single thing was incredible. We even were able to get special accommodations for a few people in our party who kept Kosher and needed kosher meat. The food was perfect! Definitely recommend the Caesar salad, meatballs, their house bread, and the pizza. You have to end your meal with the tiramisu- it's truly one of the best I've ever had! The service was amazing and ambience was even better. Definitely recommend coming here if you're in the area!”

“I have never had a bad experience here. It is perfection. I have been at least 5 times and I live in San Diego. Beautiful, wonderful wine, nice and engaging staff who care deeply about their guests. Stop by whenever you get a chance but always be nice back, tip well, and they may reveal some special secrets about wine country and Santa Barbara in general. Thank you, as always Vincent Vineyards”

“Jessica had a wealth of knowledge to share about wine and got our tastes spot on! Would love to take everyone I know here for wonderful views and wine tasting experience.”

“After exploring numerous wine tastings and vineyards in the Santa Ynez Valley, Gainey Vineyard stands out as the premier destination. Nestled amidst picturesque vineyards, the beauty terrace offers a serene setting with majestic trees providing ample shade. This idyllic backdrop is the perfect place to savor their exquisite wines while enjoying live music and the option of a charcuterie board.Our wine steward, Rhonda, exceeded all expectations with her exceptional expertise and professionalism. The winery also hosts engaging activities such as upcoming vineyard concerts. We are eager to return and immerse ourselves further in this tranquil ambiance, which is also pet friendly. When exploring the wineries of Santa Ynez, a visit to Gainey Vineyard is a must. It undoubtedly ranks as the top choice for superior wine quality, unmatched beauty, impeccable service, and a charming atmosphere.”

“Small bakery inside the casino but close to the self-park entrance/exit doors. The cakes are delicious and our favorites are the flourless chocolate cake, cheese cake and carrot cake. They have small size cakes that are not overly sweet and perfect size for a treat. Cake designs are intricate and classy too. Open 24/7. Haven't found any cakes better than theirs! Availability of cake flavors can be limited at times and you may find they run out of small cake selections towards the night not unlike pre-covid when they had more out on display. Cake designs can vary too so that may throw you off when looking for your favorite flavor. Just a heads-up, there is no seating at this place and you will have to enjoy your treats somewhere else. Casino is also a smoking location and can be difficult to handle when all you want to do is get yourself a nice sweet treat.”

“1st timer. Business trip. Was looking for a spot that had great food and DECAF espresso & quick!Se habla español.Did not disappoint! What a sweet spot on an ole Western street drinking coffee with the local ranchers, businessman, moms, and cowboys.Soak up the ambiance, smell the homemade freshly baked chocolate croissants, and take in the artwork.”

“The most amazing lunch paired with a pink sparkling wine. I cannot find the words to describe how such a simple lunch turned into an experience that will be nigh on impossible to beat. The service was amazing in the outside area under the gazebo amongst the flowers. Thank you all”

“A friend took me there months ago and just recently took three family members there. They loved the quaint restaurant, and they loved the food. Great location in Santa Ynez Valley!”

“We stopped here on the drive home from Solvang a year ago and I’m still thinking about how great the coffee was! Very smooth, not bitter. Definitely stop by if you can! I got the honeycomb oat latte and it was perfection - not overly sweet but just sweet enough.”

“Found this restaurant upon happenstance while visiting central coast. Food was great, staff wonderful and very helpful. It's about a 2 hour drive from home but now my destination restaurant.”

“Always love visiting Carr when I'm in Santa Ynez. 2 minute walk from ForFriends in...right near SY Kitchen. I like to stop in at the end of a day of wine tasting before getting ready for dinner. Beautiful tasting room and always friendly pouring service to go with the very nice wines. An enjoyable mellow experience guaranteed. I still have a bunch of their candles!”

“Food is OUTSTANDING, service is always on point and the staff is so friendly and helpful. The drinks are also great! I absolutely love this place and I make it a point to go every time I am in town!!!”

“This hidden gem in the valley is worth discovering! From the inviting atmosphere to the delectable, indulgent food and welcoming staff, you'll love the sophisticated yet unpretentious vibe at The Victor. Highly recommend dining outdoors next to the fireplace if the weather permits. With every seat being quite cozy, you can't go wrong. I loved the fresh, raw oysters, and the tri tip was cooked to perfection. The bearnaise was buttery and herbaceous, pairing perfectly with the steak. The pot de creme for dessert was phenomenal as well, chocolatey with a hint of sea salt. Reservations highly recommended here. (Brunch was incredible too!)Vegetarian options: Grilled olive bread, carrot ginger soup, Rajas con crema, bruleed brie, black bean burger are all vegetarian. The stuffed peppers are vegan.Parking: There's a parking lot shared by the hotel and that's where the handicap parking is. There's plenty of street parking as well.Kid-friendliness: Although it's upscale there are plenty of accommodations for kids, including a kids menu and high chairsWheelchair accessibility: Wheelchair accessible through the courtyard shared with the Genevieve hotel. Wheelchair accessible seating both indoors and out. The bar also has Wheelchair accessible seating at the bar top, which is a huge bonus.”

“I had the pulled pork and my husband had the pastrami. The sandwiches were pretty good but pricey. We had sides of potato salad and spicy slaw and they were both delicious. There is only outdoor seating so bring a jacket if it's cold out. We'd go back and give it another chance but it wasn't a stand out. 3.5 stars.”

“The best Sauvignon Blanc in the Santa Ynez valley, from their basic to their most brilliant! Be sure to check out the Au Natural to experience a truly exceptional specimen of Sauv Blanc.”

“The entire fish fry is a delightful culinary experience, showcasing the natural flavors and textures of the fish in its entirety. The crispy exterior gives way to succulent, flaky flesh, perfectly seasoned and cooked to perfection. Whether it's served with a squeeze of lemon or accompanied by zesty sauces, every bite is a testament to the freshness and quality of the seafood. It's a classic dish that never fails to satisfy seafood enthusiasts looking for a delicious and satisfying meal.”

“We had the pulled pork sliders and artichoke spinach dip. Both of those were really good! ? It was kinda dark in there (bar area) but it's a cool place. The bartender/server was nice, and he kept checking in on us to see if we needed anything. We went on a Monday night, so nothing was going on, but we'll be back for sure. Thank you!”

“Great service, pizza was ready promptly and diner room was vibey. Got a gluten free pepperoni and it was perfect, exactly what I was craving on this cool November evening. Many thanks to the wonderful staff! We'll see you again soon! Ya Boy, J-Love”

“Really a cute place... Small, friendly, and clean. We both had eggs and sausage with hash. It was all delicious. Cooked perfectly to our request. Hash had chunks of meat, yummy! Reminds us of our fav diner food. Great for locals and visitors.”

“Great burrito shop inside a convenience store (lots of liquor available). Quick service, big burritos, excellent taste. The red sauce is a decent pico sauce and the verde is nice and spicy but not overly hot where it burns the pallet.”

“Soup, salad and macaroni and cheese were all wonderful! Unfortunately the filet was disappointing. No real flavor and a bit overcooked. The steak being the main course made it a disappointment. Wait staff and ambience are the best!”