Find delights at the restaurants that have fed diners for decades, with some recent delicious newcomers
It’s challenging to find a better year-round destination like Santa Barbara, with its mountains that hug the region’s curvy coastline, mild temperatures, history, and multitude of places to eat. An easy two-hour drive from Los Angeles and a stunning three-hour ride on Amtrak’s Coast Starlight train, the Central Coast possesses some of the state’s oldest restaurants, including the 137-year-old Cold Spring Tavern in the hills above Santa Barbara, where it serves smoky Santa Maria-style barbecue.
In the last year, newer operators have also emerged in Santa Barbara, Carpinteria, and their posh neighbor, Montecito. With more openings on the horizon, the result is clear: with local produce and seafood, Santa Barbara remains one of the best places to eat in all of California. This guide celebrates Santa Barbara’s longstanding restaurants that have fed locals and tourists for decades, along with recent additions that have emerged as excellent places to dine.
Open for: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner…