31 Best Italian Restaurants in Santa Barbara

“I had dinner here with my wife, who is vegetarian, and this restaurant absolutely exceeded our expectations! I always thought fine dining vegetarian dishes would be just another standard vegetarian option, but the zucchini farro she had tonight was incredible. Honestly, it was so good that it was even better than my duck dish!

The plating was beautiful, and the service was top-notch as well. Everything was well executed, and you can really appreciate the thought and effort that goes into the food.

Definitely coming back again!“

“Took our youngest for her 16th and the staff was exceptional, the atmosphere was wonderful, and the food was delicious! Thank you!“

“Best Pasta I've ever had in my life. Everything was super fresh and flavorful.. Ordered a Clam Chowder to go.. Came back to Hotel and wish I would have ordered more .. The staff was energetic polite and service was fast.. Ill definitely be back again and again. 🔥“

“Walking distance from the hotel im staying at, pretty good deal $16 for pizza salad and fountain drink, you can choose pasta instead of pizza, portion was just right for 1 person. Staff were friendly and welcoming, was expecting a small personal size pizza but got a 8 slice pizza that could easily be shared.
Great service and price. No issue with taste , veggie pizza with cesarean salad.“

“delicious food great service. Victoria was so welcoming and made my family feel welcomed. servers were on top of things👍🙂😁😉“

“Ca'Dario was a delightful experience. High quality Italian cuisine marked by every dish excellently flavored. Antonio, our server, was very accommodating and pleasant. Reasonable pricing“

“Excellent restaurant, cozy atmosphere, quality ingredients“

“The pasta was amazing and so fresh! The tuna wrapped in prosciutto appetizer was so delicious 😋! You must try it.“

“Great location, good food, but do NOT order limoncello. It is their own production they say. But tastes like bad wodka. For the rest we will be back. Piet & Annette“

“Was so good. We loved having dinner under the olive trees. Can’t wait to go back.“

“We tried this place for the first time while in town celebrating a birthday and the food did not disappoint. Everything was fresh, hot, and done super traditionally. We shared the focaccia, the suppli, and two pastas; one meat-based and one vegetarian. Bread was delicious but definitely could have used an accoutrement or dip included. Suppli and pastas were out of this world delicious. Service was outstanding and everyone we encountered at the restaurant from the hostess to the manager/owner was beyond friendly and helpful.

The menu is VERY small which is clearly intentional, but anyone looking for more robust protein options will be disappointed as the entree items max out at pasta. This is really clear from their website and posted menus so no sleight to the restaurant here.

The two big downsides were the ambient temperature of the restaurant and the seating options. It was VERY hot in the restaurant. The outside temp the night of our visit was around 85F and the indoor temperature must have been close to 80F. This made for a very warm and uncomfortable dining experience.
Lastly there aren’t a ton of full regular-height tables and we were seated at a high-top. Not our preference for sure. A large chunk of the restaurant is also dedicated to single-file bar seating positioned against the kitchen, but with a view of only a wall. We saw a couple groups of 4 get initially seated here and eventually moved throughout our meal. Kudos to the restaurant for maximizing the seating, but it does feel a bit cramped as a guest dining there.

Unfortunately even though the food and service were 10/10, I’m not sure we’d come back given the very limited menu and the restaurant layout.“

“Dinner at Marisella was absolutely perfect from start to finish. The unbelievable Pacific Ocean views. The food was amazing, our Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon was excellent, and the service was impeccable. I especially appreciated the portion sizes — perfectly balanced and just the right size, with a more European feel rather than oversized portions.

Everything came together beautifully — atmosphere, views, food, wine, and the attention to details 🤍

A truly memorable dining experience at The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara.“

“I loved my free doggy treats! 🐶🐾“

“Saint Bibiana is a fantastic spot in Santa Barbara for a delicious, laid-back meal. The pizza was fresh, flavorful, and perfectly cooked, with a great crust and quality toppings. The atmosphere is inviting and relaxed, making it an easy choice for a casual night out. Friendly service and tasty food make this a place worth coming back to!“

“We went because we saw you on Diner Drive in and Dives. We've always we wanted to try a restaurant previewed on this show but they were all back east or mid west to far for dinner. So when we saw this In our own back yard we were in. Amazing food great atmosphere staff impressive and cocktails yummy too. Some many great options too. DEFINITELY coming back. thanks Bettina.😘“

“It was incredible! Wait staff is great and it had an incredible ambience! The food was delicious!!!“

“My wife and I drove up from Temecula to celebrate Valentine’s weekend in Santa Barbara, and as a big-time pizza lover, Cali-Forno was at the top of my bucket list. It did NOT disappoint. From the first bite, I knew this was something special. The flavor, the crust, the freshness — hands down some of the best pizza I’ve ever had. I even had the chance to meet the owner and his son, which made the experience that much better. Super genuine people. We caught him filming a Valentine’s TikTok while we were there — great vibes all around. It was so good, I went back for lunch one day and dinner the next. And yes… I bought an extra pie to take back home and enjoy throughout the week. If you’re in Santa Barbara and love pizza, this spot is a must. 🍕🔥“

“Great service, great food. And it’s in Santa Barbara!“

“Great place great vibe! We stopped for a quick drink coming back again next in Santa Barbara“

“If you’re craving authentic Italian pasta and wood-fired pizza, The Copper is a must-visit for your next downtown dining experience!

I started the evening with a glass of Italian red wine and an antipasti board featuring Gnocco Fritto (deliciously deep-fried pizza dough), creamy burrata, Parma prosciutto and arugula. I also enjoyed golden arancini filled with creamy risotto, sweet corn and Parmigiano, succulent shrimp with asparagus, and a refreshing Caprese.

I love truffle, so as soon as I seen the Truffle Burrata Pizza it was a yes for me. The pizza is topped with burrata, portobello mushrooms, truffle oil and arugula. I loved how the truffle oil was perfectly balanced without overpowering the other flavors!

For pasta the Tagliatelle Verdi Al Pesto is a must if you love pesto. The homemade tagliatelle with pesto, spinach and a creamy burrata sauce. Rich, flavorful and absolutely delicious! Honestly the best I’ve had in town.

Everything I tried was full of flavor, and the evening ambiance made the experience even more special. I loved dining outside, but the beautiful ambience inside is also pleasing. The Copper is located right in the heart of downtown State Street, and a lovely spot for an Italian dinner, whether it’s date night or a night out with friends.

Highly recommended you give them a try! The pizza remained delicious heated up the next day too. Looking forward to my next visit.“

“**Title: A Charming Spot with Delicious Eats!**

Lucky Penny is an absolute delight! From the moment I entered, the cozy, welcoming atmosphere made me feel right at home. The menu features a fantastic array of comfort food, and everything I tried was bursting with flavor. The breakfast options are particularly standout, especially the fluffy pancakes and perfectly brewed coffee. The friendly staff goes above and beyond to ensure a great experience. Whether you're stopping by for breakfast or brunch, Lucky Penny is a must-visit!“

“Yummy!! A must place to visit in Ventura!!“

“The pasta was amazing and so fresh! The tuna wrapped in prosciutto appetizer was so delicious 😋! You must try it.“

“I love the Crocodile Restaurant!! I found this place last year when I was asked to perform for a birthday there. I knew it would be the right atmosphere for my vocal entertainment. I'm there every THURSDAY & FRIDAY night! (5:30-7:30) I sing mostly romantic songs but change it up for the kids to enjoy the fun of live music. I love taking requests to make the evening what the guests want it to be. The extensive food menu as well as the variety on the song menu make this restaurant a really cool place.“

“We ordered the cheese pizza with extra cheese and garlic for my son's birthday and it was a big hit!“

“The pizzas are so delicious!!“

“Best pizza in Santa Barbara by far 🙌👍“

“Craving some pizza but hubby wanted Mexican. The public market was the best choice. The pizza was delish. I got the four seasons. The dough was very good. Not dry. Not too thick or thin. Just right. We are the whole thing even though we asked for a to go box.“

“Stop by there with my 4 year old granddaughter she was begging for pizza. I don’t live in the area but let me tell you it’s the closest thing to a slice from New York City that you’re gonna get. It was a very good size slice and being how small she was and she ate it all except the crust, but she doesn’t need to crust anywhere. I will definitely go back again if I’m in the area.“

“Great food, drinks, and desserts.“

“A wonderful place to meet friends for a delightful bite to eat“