The owner also owns Oku, down by the waterfront on Cabrillo Blvd. So the dishes here have an Asian fusion theme. Think Nobu. We ate outside on the patio so it wasn't as noisy, it can be packed inside and noisy and too close. Tip- eat outside on the patio Tip- order the Asian fusion dishes with ginger and sesame dressings. Enjoy!
DiningTim
We enjoyed the paella, butter lettuce salad, seared Ahi and a mushroom enchilada special. For dessert, we had a delicious coconut cheesecake with a Vin Santo. Highly recommended. 
Our waiter Paul was outstanding. Basically made a full meal from starters which were very creative. The pear/beet salad, duck ravioli & calamari were incredible. Also had a relaxing vibe.
EZ2Please
Very enjoyable dinner in a comfortable space. Will definitely return, but it lacked a “wow” factor that's why I couldn't give it 5 stars. I wish the interior was more cozy. The Phyllo Wrapped Prawns were excellent as was the Rib Eye Steak. The Skirt Steak was good, but not as tasty as the Rib Eye. The bread service was warm and enjoyable. The servers were above average. For the price point it provided a very good meal.
Camille Hayward
Uninspired cuisine and horrible overheard
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 4
XochilE
I made a desecration day sin advance for 5 people. We showed up and were sat at a table for 4. I said I had made a reservation for 5 and was told I did not even though I had email proof. The proceeded to add a chair at the end of the table and Ed could not eat comfortably and they did not offer any accommodation or compensation. Very disappointing.
When we arrived they didn't show my reservation, but had room for the 2 of us. Server was quiet but took our order fairly quickly. I got the caesar salad which was just ok. I didn't get the richness of a homemade dressing. I ordered the flat iron steak, medium, which was definitely medium well and well on ends. Tough. The mashed potatoes and broccoli and green beans were good. My friend got the risotto and it was delicious. Fire alarm went off while we were there. Loud!! We had to ask for our server to return so we could get our checks. We hadn't seen her since food came out. Then she seemed inconvenienced bc we asked her to split the check, to which she replied “it's going to be a while, I just got a ten top”. Manager should've helped her out.
EastBeachBoy
Excellent Mushroom pizza and very tasty. Chicken Marsala was very good but it was not like Roys Restaurant Chicken Marsala which is in a category of its own especially with Roy at the helm. The Halibut was perfectly cooked and very tasty atop Fava Beans with an incredible light sauce that paired perfectly with the Halibut from Alaska. Overall Opal is in a class of itself and the menu selections and their pricing can only be summarized as one of the BEST VALUES in town from an almost 30 year resident and local hotel owner who has referred 1000's guests to Opal over the last 20+ years. Cant wait to go again and try a new selection. Victor Evarone Managing Partner Cabrillo Inn at the Beach Oceanfront "East Beach" Santa Barbara, CA
BryanU
One of my TOP 3 places to eat in Santa Barbara! Always fantastic experience that starts with the owners / managers / servers / cooks! Last night we had the Beet & Pear Salad - always a fav! Bottle of Daou Cab / Chicken Marsala! YUM! You just can't go wrong at OPAL!
As usual Opal served an epicurean experience above and beyond others. The cocktail service was expedient, drinks fresh and ample. Starting with an appetizer of ravioli and duck confit set the mood.....appetite stimulated was followed up with a butter lettuce Gorgonzola salad ( split - it was huge). Dinner was chicken scallopini with goat cheese on bed of arugula, and my husband had a simply delightful chicken piccata ( again better than ran most) . Service was impeccable, getting us in time to theater next door not an issue even though it was a full house. Dollar for dollar - best bang for your buck!
DennisP
Creative menu without pretense. Every dish seems individually cared for. Service is attentive without being intrusive. Fun art on the wall. We go to SB 3-4 times/year and always go to Opal for our final evening to have a good taste in our mouths and an incentive to return.
HEIDIL
We had the shrimp with curry app. It came with a crunchy slaw. Very tasty. The filet tip pasta was a bit "where's the beef?!" but the angel hair pasta was divine. The chicken picata pasta was a tart and savory delight. Service was on point. We sat in the window and gave thumbs up to everyone who stopped to peruse the menu. Several came in. I hope they enjoyed theirs as much as we did ours!
HikerVal
Opal is a favorite restaurant of mine. I love the ambience, the service and most of all the food. However today I strayed from ordering one of the delicious fish entrees and ordered the prosciutto and goat cheese pizza. I was really disappointed, as while the crust, prosciutto, and spinach were tasty, an overabundance of goat and other cheeses overwhelmed each bite. I found myself trying to separate some of the cheese to eat the pizza and didn't finish it.
suzeyqz
Hadn't been to Opal in years and thought I would try again, now I know I don't need to go back. Service was good. Location is great if you are going to one of the many theaters nearby, but that's where the positives end. The crispy calamari was soggy, the mushroom risotto had more asparagus (or some sort of veg) than the mushrooms, the crème brûlée was runny and the tiramisu had so much cocoa powder it was completely overwhelming. Maybe just an off night, but with all the other great choices nearby, I would tent to try someplace else.
The owner also owns Oku, down by the waterfront on Cabrillo Blvd. So the dishes here have an Asian fusion theme. Think Nobu. We ate outside on the patio so it wasn't as noisy, it can be packed inside and noisy and too close. Tip- eat outside on the patio Tip- order the Asian fusion dishes with ginger and sesame dressings. Enjoy!
We enjoyed the paella, butter lettuce salad, seared Ahi and a mushroom enchilada special. For dessert, we had a delicious coconut cheesecake with a Vin Santo. Highly recommended. 
Our waiter Paul was outstanding. Basically made a full meal from starters which were very creative. The pear/beet salad, duck ravioli & calamari were incredible. Also had a relaxing vibe.
Very enjoyable dinner in a comfortable space. Will definitely return, but it lacked a “wow” factor that's why I couldn't give it 5 stars. I wish the interior was more cozy. The Phyllo Wrapped Prawns were excellent as was the Rib Eye Steak. The Skirt Steak was good, but not as tasty as the Rib Eye. The bread service was warm and enjoyable. The servers were above average. For the price point it provided a very good meal.
Uninspired cuisine and horrible overheard
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 4
I made a desecration day sin advance for 5 people. We showed up and were sat at a table for 4. I said I had made a reservation for 5 and was told I did not even though I had email proof. The proceeded to add a chair at the end of the table and Ed could not eat comfortably and they did not offer any accommodation or compensation. Very disappointing.
When we arrived they didn't show my reservation, but had room for the 2 of us. Server was quiet but took our order fairly quickly. I got the caesar salad which was just ok. I didn't get the richness of a homemade dressing. I ordered the flat iron steak, medium, which was definitely medium well and well on ends. Tough. The mashed potatoes and broccoli and green beans were good. My friend got the risotto and it was delicious. Fire alarm went off while we were there. Loud!! We had to ask for our server to return so we could get our checks. We hadn't seen her since food came out. Then she seemed inconvenienced bc we asked her to split the check, to which she replied “it's going to be a while, I just got a ten top”. Manager should've helped her out.
Excellent Mushroom pizza and very tasty. Chicken Marsala was very good but it was not like Roys Restaurant Chicken Marsala which is in a category of its own especially with Roy at the helm. The Halibut was perfectly cooked and very tasty atop Fava Beans with an incredible light sauce that paired perfectly with the Halibut from Alaska. Overall Opal is in a class of itself and the menu selections and their pricing can only be summarized as one of the BEST VALUES in town from an almost 30 year resident and local hotel owner who has referred 1000's guests to Opal over the last 20+ years. Cant wait to go again and try a new selection. Victor Evarone Managing Partner Cabrillo Inn at the Beach Oceanfront "East Beach" Santa Barbara, CA
One of my TOP 3 places to eat in Santa Barbara! Always fantastic experience that starts with the owners / managers / servers / cooks! Last night we had the Beet & Pear Salad - always a fav! Bottle of Daou Cab / Chicken Marsala! YUM! You just can't go wrong at OPAL!
Great food and
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
As usual Opal served an epicurean experience above and beyond others. The cocktail service was expedient, drinks fresh and ample. Starting with an appetizer of ravioli and duck confit set the mood.....appetite stimulated was followed up with a butter lettuce Gorgonzola salad ( split - it was huge). Dinner was chicken scallopini with goat cheese on bed of arugula, and my husband had a simply delightful chicken piccata ( again better than ran most) . Service was impeccable, getting us in time to theater next door not an issue even though it was a full house. Dollar for dollar - best bang for your buck!
Creative menu without pretense. Every dish seems individually cared for. Service is attentive without being intrusive. Fun art on the wall. We go to SB 3-4 times/year and always go to Opal for our final evening to have a good taste in our mouths and an incentive to return.
We had the shrimp with curry app. It came with a crunchy slaw. Very tasty. The filet tip pasta was a bit "where's the beef?!" but the angel hair pasta was divine. The chicken picata pasta was a tart and savory delight. Service was on point. We sat in the window and gave thumbs up to everyone who stopped to peruse the menu. Several came in. I hope they enjoyed theirs as much as we did ours!
Opal is a favorite restaurant of mine. I love the ambience, the service and most of all the food. However today I strayed from ordering one of the delicious fish entrees and ordered the prosciutto and goat cheese pizza. I was really disappointed, as while the crust, prosciutto, and spinach were tasty, an overabundance of goat and other cheeses overwhelmed each bite. I found myself trying to separate some of the cheese to eat the pizza and didn't finish it.
Hadn't been to Opal in years and thought I would try again, now I know I don't need to go back. Service was good. Location is great if you are going to one of the many theaters nearby, but that's where the positives end. The crispy calamari was soggy, the mushroom risotto had more asparagus (or some sort of veg) than the mushrooms, the crème brûlée was runny and the tiramisu had so much cocoa powder it was completely overwhelming. Maybe just an off night, but with all the other great choices nearby, I would tent to try someplace else.