47 Best American Restaurants in Santa Barbara

“Our server,Cole R, was awesome-very informed and articulate. Food was amazing-cannot overstate the incredible preparation and presentation of the prime rib!“

“This is a great spot in the scenic mountain area of Santa Barbara California. Awesome food and the staff is amazing. Perfect stop for lunch while on a motorcycle ride.“

“If you're looking to make a lasting impression on your special someone, this restaurant is an absolute must-visit. With its refined ambiance, exquisite cuisine, and impressive wine selection, it offers a truly exceptional dining experience. Having had the pleasure of dining at numerous Michelin-starred restaurants, I can confidently attest that this one stands out from the rest. Upon arrival, you'll be greeted by beautiful gardens and breathtaking views, leading to private bungalows. The staff's warm hospitality and welcoming smiles further enhance the experience. For a truly unforgettable high-end dining experience, this venue is an absolute must.“

“Great service, delicious food and nice atmosphere. The guys who was playing guitar on a street was fantastic 🤗!“

“Food was great! We tried the sweet breads- my favorite, lobster gnocchi-daughters fave, ramen-good, scallops-super lite and fresh, and the catch of the day-very tasty. The amazing menu doesn’t necessarily lend itself to picky kid eaters (my son) but he loved the catch of the day with the sauce on the side. The food took a while as they were pretty busy so the manager comp’d 2 desserts which were both spectacular! We will be back!!“

“Everyone is Very pleasant“

“Excelente servicio rico delicioso los platillos q eh probado thank you lunas café“

“This cafe was wonderful. I ordered a toasted marshmallow latte and it was perfect. My husband and I really enjoyed the food we ordered, and the service was exceptional. Every employee there was so friendly and continually walked around asking if anyone needed anything, or if they could clear plates off the tables. Happy Cat Eats also happens to be in a great location situated right across from the wharf. We had a great experience here and will definitely be back when we are in the area.“

“Best Food in Santa Barbara.12/10 ⭐️’s.“

“The customer service was outstanding, every staff member was friendly and made us feel welcome from the moment we walked in. Our orders were taken promptly, and the service was impressively quick.

The burgers were absolutely delicious, bursting with flavor and cooked to perfection. It's truly a family friendly establishment, making it a perfect spot for a meal with loved ones. The ambiance was inviting and warm, adding to the overall enjoyment of our visit.

Too bad we're not locals or we'd be coming back! Until next time Santa Barbara.“

“...an absolute must culinary experience! Neptune Radio reporting. ...“

“Food, service & location is amazing. Blackened halibut sandwich was delicious.“

“The Yukon Gold Cinnamon Roll is a DON’T MISS ITEM! The best cinnamon roll I’ve EVER had! The Dirty Fries were amazing. The Shrimp Cocktail - the best part was the sauce 🤦🏻‍♀️.“

“Friendly and knowledgeable staff. Great service and delicious food.“

“We stopped here on our way driving back down towards LA and so happy that we did! The most amazing breakfast we have had in a long time! I had the Banana Bread and it was amazing and my husband had the Wagu wrap which was out of this world. Coffee was excellent and they cooked my bacon exactly like I love it! Such a great stop for our trip!“

“some good shows and supports local punk rock“

“Food is fantastic and so delicious!“

“So good! Nothing else to say!“

“We were very pleased with the food and service at Garretts. We had breakfast and coffee was pretty good for diner coffee. They kept cups full. Very good breakfast and service. Very casual place. We'll established. Prices reasonable. Parking was easy. Will definitely visit again. Good food.“

“Good food, good service, comfy and cool atmosphere“

“Alex is the best! Food is great, and the service is amazing.“

“sumptuous food. great beers and wine. a favorite place to meet old neighborhood friends every time I visit!“

“Love Love anything that Norbert is involved with. All menu items are super delish.“

“Saint Remy is a cute little spot connected to the Marriott on State St, the restaurant area has such a fun and beachy atmosphere I loved it! I had some yummy poolside drinks and food, and the service was great! Definitely one of my new favorite spots.“

“Great place great beer and great food“

“If you are looking for good vibes in Santa Barbara, this is the place to go! My wife and I are here every Wednesday for trivia and usually come at least one more time per week because we just love coming here. Great beer selection, good food, and it always just feels like a fun place.“

“Super fast service, great food, great price. Highly reccomend the milkshakes, I had the oreo milkshake and its one of the best I've ever had. I don't really reccomend the mac n cheese or the chicken sandwiches, they're just okay, but the burgers are good.“

“My husband and I stopped by the restaurant for lunch and were pleasantly surprised by their sandwiches and service. We shared the Omaha trip-trip sandwich, which came with fries and a green salad. It was delicious, and the price was reasonable. Our server, Jenny, was outstanding, and we definitely plan to come back.“

“I have had a tradition of coming to the Tee Off for my Birthday celebration. It's been a while so I checked reviews in Santa Barbara for best Prime Rib and found a few with good ratings. Since they were all similar I went with what I knew and made a reservation at the Tee Off. It couldn't have been better. We had a two top reserved and had prompt drink service. Our waiter asked if we needed more time to look a the menu to which we replied we came for the Prime Rib and ordered right away. Drinks and salads came right away and the dinner followed right on time when we finished our first course.
The Prime Rib was perfect. Cooked perfectly, medium rare. tender, juicy, and flavorful. The creamed horseradish was perfect too. The waiter checked back with us several times and was friendly, efficient, and professional. It was so nice to see that some things never change.“

“The pan-seared peppercorn-crusted filet mignon with potatoes au gratin and sautéed asparagus were as good as I've had anywhere. Thick, small and perfectly cooked medium-rare. And the thinly-sliced tomato salad was the perfect starter. We brought our own wine, but their in-house selection is outstanding. The staff were all extremely courteous and helpful. Our waiter, Dominic, was professional and attentive, and we never felt rushed. We enjoyed a two and a half hour anniversary dinner in a lovely outdoor setting and will definitely revisit when we're back in Santa Barbara! Thanks to everyone at Bouchon for a very special evening.“

“Fantastic food and outdoor party possibilities! Service was slow, 2 bartenders with a line out 2 doors and waitstaff no where to be found. I’d definitely return maybe not on a weekend night, but the food and drinks were great.“

“Wonderful food. Friendly staff. Beautiful atmosphere.“

“triple d, food network, Guy visited it“

“Great food and service. Beautiful location.“

“Hi I enjoyed it very much thank“

“Hello Page Administrator, We regret to inform you that your page is scheduled for permanent deletion due to violations of our trademark rights. This decision has been made after careful consideration and in compliance with our user protection policies. We appreciate your cooperation in this matter. If you have any questions or wish to contest this decision, please contact us through our page: Mike be Best regards, Mike_bee“

“Intermezzo by Wine Cask is a true gem! The restaurant boasts a stunning atmosphere with gorgeous decor and perfectly set lighting, creating a wonderful ambiance. The service we received was truly phenomenal – our server was attentive, knowledgeable, and made the entire experience even better. We tried the pizza, fries, and chicken, and each dish was outstanding. The quality of the food was evident, and everything tasted incredible. This was an amazing experience, and we can't wait to return. Highly recommend!“

“Excelente atención , buenas ubicación“

“Friendly staff. Great Happy Hour specials.“

“A great place for celebrating! You always have a great experience at The Palace“

“I've been going to the Blue Owl with my daughters since it opened. The food is fantastic. The vibe is the closest to being in a late night New York eater. I always feel home here. And of course I love the Tuesday night open mic comedy. A staple in the Santa Barbara Comedy Scene.“

“We enjoyed the Thanksgiving Buffet, it was DELICIOUS!! 🦃🥰❤️“

“What a treat! This restaurant was conveniently located near our hotel, and we’re so glad we stopped by. The pistachio-crusted salmon was absolutely amazing—cooked to perfection and now my favorite type of crusted fish!

My husband had the smashburger and really enjoyed it. Just a heads-up: the burger doesn’t come with a side, so be sure to order one.

Their happy hour drinks were fantastic—strong margaritas and great deals! Our waiter was awesome, and the service overall was excellent. Bonus points for being super dog-friendly—they even have a dog menu! Highly recommend this spot for a great meal and atmosphere!“

“If you are looking for an Amazing And Beautiful event venue for a wedding reception, a birthday party, a bachelorette, or any occasion venue. I Highly Highly recommend State and Fig in Santa Barbara! From planning to execution, Patrick and Serina made my niece’s wedding Perfect! I don’t use Perfect lightly, as I am known to be critical and a perfectionist especially when it comes to events. They made my niece's wedding planning experience so easy, from booking the venue to providing Customized menu options, and ALWAYS received quick responses any time we had questions as well as added personal touches of their own to the wedding. Serina and Patrick were extremely helpful, detailed, and knowledgeable and knew exactly what we wanted and how they could help. On the wedding day, The whole staff was very friendly, attentive, communicative, accommodating, Extremely helpful, and responsive, from assisting with centerpiece decorations, to serving hors d’oeuvres Always with a smile, making sure Each and Every guest was taken care of throughout the night, I was very impressed! Now for the food, EXCEPTIONAL, the taste was phenomenal, the meat was tender, the salmon was cooked perfectly, Nothing was over/undercooked, so delicious and the guests would not stop talking about how good the hors d’oeuvre and main courses were! Thank you, Serina, Patrick, and your staff from the bottom of our hearts for helping to make my niece’s wedding day beyond wonderful, and Perfect! We certainly will be back even for a weekend getaway! 😊“

“My husband and I ate at the Live Oak Café while were staying at the Best Western on the same property. The restaurant interior is bright and chic and, as a bonus, overlooks the hotel pool. Plenty of parking. We had dinner the first night of our stay and loved it so much we went back for breakfast. Everything is fresh, high quality and delicious. If you are in Santa Barbara, be sure to stop by and give them a try. Be sure also to stop and say hello to the cute little finches who live right outside. I have to give a very special shout out to Javier and Luis! They were awesome – made us feel warm and welcome and part of the family. Luis kept the smiles and the coffee coming (VERY important part of my morning) and Javier could not have been more helpful and also has a really great smile! Stop by and say hi to the guys!“

“Fish n chips are awesome !!!“

“I’ll be honest. I could have eaten anything in Santa Barbara. I hadn’t eaten anything since 9am and it was 5pm when I arrived in Santa Barbara. I walked one mile away because of the great things I heard about Jill’s Place. And you know what? I was not disappointed! I was stoked and impressed greatly 🥰😁 I had two wonderful, dazzling, and sweet waitresses (lucky me!). I was served a yummy chicken breast sandwich and it was the best one I had ever! No seriously! It wasn’t too salty and the bread was golden brown and ready to be munched on. The tator tots had the perfect texture. It’s almost as I had food from some amazing restaurant, which, hello, I did 😅 The place was packed, since it was Fiesta, but I imagine it always is. It sucks I live 45 minutes from this great establishment. The atmosphere was fun and a little country, but I love that. It’s casual, and not some elegant place like Lucky’s is. I’d still show up in a suit, if I could and would. Definitely check this place out and ask for the two blonde sisters who work there. They’ll dazzle you with their charm and diction 😉 Hope to be back again one day!“