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Diners' Choice: Best Ambiance restaurants in Santa Barbara

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OpenTable
Updated January 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants with the best ambiance in Santa Barbara? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!


A photo of Stonehouse at San Ysidro Ranch restaurant
Stonehouse at San Ysidro Ranch
4.8
4.8 (2643)
$50 and over
Contemporary American
Santa Barbara
About the restaurant
The Stonehouse, located in a beautiful 19th-century citrus packing house, offers an unparalleled dining experience. Guests can unwind in a relaxing lounge with full bar service or enjoy the ambiance of the separate dining room, complete with a crackling fireplace and world-class views. Chef Matthew Johnson creates evocative regional cuisine, utilizing fresh herbs and vegetables from the Ranch’s organic chef’s garden. The Stonehouse boasts the only Grand Award-winning wine program in Central California, ensuring an unparalleled selection of wines to complement your meal. For a unique twist, visit the restaurant's speakeasy for before or after dinner drinks, where you can enjoy expertly crafted cocktails in an intimate, nostalgic setting.
Top review
FrankVIP
Dined 4 days ago
I’ve been here many times over the last 15 years and it’s such a beautiful restaurant. The food was amazing and our waiter was fantastic. Valet was terrific too. The hostess was a little stiff and standoffish which was surprising. We’d definitely return again hoping for a perfect dining experience. Thank you Chef!
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A photo of San Ysidro Ranch Meyer Lemon Tart of a restaurant
Popular dish
San Ysidro Ranch Meyer Lemon Tart
A photo of Blackened Ora King Salmon Salad of a restaurant
Popular dish
Blackened Ora King Salmon Salad
A photo of Sunday Champagne Brunch of a restaurant
Experience
Sunday Champagne Brunch
A photo of The Bistro at The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara restaurant
The Bistro at The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara
4.6
4.6 (536)
$50 and over
American
Santa Barbara
About the restaurant
Named “Top 100 Best Al Fresco Dining Restaurants in America” by OpenTable, The Bistro offers a casual and relaxed atmosphere to dine and enjoy sweeping views of the coastline. Local produce and sustainable seafood highlight an acclaimed menu of traditional bistro favorites, including brick oven flatbreads, seasonal salads and the signature Santa Barbara burger.

Please note that holiday reservations are only available for in-house guests. Room confirmation number is required to officially confirm your dining reservation during these times.

Marriott Bonvoy Members can earn points when staying with us. Please enroll here: https://www.joinmarriottbonvoy.com/uscanqr/s/EN/ch/sbarz

For parties with 6 guests or more a 26% service charge fee will be added to your final bill. For all guests there will be an 8.75% California State tax added to the final bill.
Top review
Ana Y
Dined 3 days ago
Amazing food! Our waiter German was the best!!!!!!
A photo of RH Firehouse Grill Montecito restaurant
RH Firehouse Grill Montecito
4.4
4.4 (36)
$50 and over
American
Montecito
About the restaurant
The RH Firehouse Grill is an indoor-outdoor restaurant located at RH Montecito, The Gallery at the Old Firehouse. Enjoy a menu of signature salads and classics from our hearth in our courtyard restaurant, which seamlessly extends into a beautifully landscaped garden. Dine beneath the warm glow of handwoven pendants amid heritage olive trees, birds of paradise, a grand fireplace and cascading limestone fountains.
Top review
Craig
Dined 1 day ago
For being open only 3 weeks this was fantastic. If I had to do it again I would have shared entrees with apps and cavier. Very sharable and fun!
A photo of Bouchon - Santa Barbara restaurant
Bouchon - Santa Barbara
4.9
4.9 (5449)
$31 to $50
Californian
Santa Barbara
About the restaurant
We are delighted to have added additional outdoor seating but Santa Barbara nights are chilly so bring a sweater or light jacket!

Fresh, local ingredients, prepared with care. Excellent wines that reflect the quality and character of our region and work in concert with the cuisine. Warm, inviting ambiance, service at a relaxed, leisurely pace. Santa Barbara ‘Wine Country Cuisine’ means we source our ingredients using an ‘as-fresh-and-as-local-as-possible’ approach, with fish from the Santa Barbara Channel and produce from the surrounding countryside. We then take into account how these flavors can be presented in concert with our local wines. We believe you’ll taste the difference. Bon Appètit!
Top review
Marcia
Dined 4 days ago
The food was amazing! Both my boyfriend and I started with the onion soup, which was cheesy and savory. I had the duck which was tender and extremely flavorful. My boyfriend had the filet that was also tender and juicy with a great pepper sauce. We were both extremely full, but opted for a scoop of lemon berry ice cream which was a perfect way to end the meal.
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A photo of Scallop Trio of a restaurant
Popular dish
Scallop Trio
A photo of Dungeness Crab Cakes of a restaurant
Popular dish
Dungeness Crab Cakes
A photo of Bouchon French 'French Onion' Soup of a restaurant
Popular dish
Bouchon French 'French Onion' Soup
A photo of Toma Restaurant & Bar restaurant
Toma Restaurant & Bar
4.8
4.8 (5507)
$31 to $50
Italian
Santa Barbara
About the restaurant
Toma Restaurant and Bar a waterfront bistro, located along Santa Barbara's picturesque Cabrillo Blvd. Experience Santa Barbara waterfront's most romantic restaurant. Savor exquisite Italian and Mediterranean inspired dishes from Santa Barbara's seasonal bounty, supporting our local fisherman, farmers, foragers and food artisans. Pour over local and Italian wines along with a full bar of handcrafted cocktails and spirits. Enjoy warm and attentive service while dining window side with a view of the enchanting Santa Barbara harbor.
Top review
ValerieVIP
Dined 4 days ago
Great Italian restaurant right on the water. The food was delicious. There were six of us and everybody mentioned how good their choices were. Will definitely come back!
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A photo of Tuna Cones of a restaurant
Popular dish
Tuna Cones
A photo of Lasagna of a restaurant
Popular dish
Lasagna
A photo of Ravioli of a restaurant
Popular dish
Ravioli
A photo of Barbareño restaurant
Barbareño
4.8
4.8 (1892)
$31 to $50
Californian
Santa Barbara
About the restaurant
At Barbareño we seek to help further shape and define Central Coast cuisine. We take our inspiration from traditions and specialties of our area, delicacies unique to our region, and the many outstanding purveyors with whom we are so fortunate to work. In all of our efforts, we hope to capture the essence of a particular place or local flavor, embracing the nuances that make our food and drink unique to our home.

Top review
OpenTable Diner
Dined 2 days ago
Everything we tried was great and flavorful. The service and ambiance was wonderful. It was our fist time dining here and we are looking forward to coming back.
A photo of Lucky's restaurant
Lucky's
4.8
4.8 (2894)
$50 and over
Steakhouse
Montecito
About the restaurant
LUCKY'S is widely known for its exclusive selection of USDA Prime steaks, fresh seafood, farmer's market vegetables, no-nonsense cocktails and world class wine cellar.
For take-out, please call the restaurant.
We do not accept bar table reservations online, please call the restaurant.
For larger parties, please call or email the restaurant directly.

Top review
PaulVIP
Dined 3 days ago
Excellence in all respects! Food and Service are at the highest levels!
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A photo of Monday - Chicken Pot Pie with Morels of a restaurant
Popular dish
Monday - Chicken Pot Pie with Morels
A photo of Gala restaurant
Gala
4.8
4.8 (303)
$31 to $50
European
Santa Barbara
About the restaurant
Gala exudes a European meets Santa Barbara charm, where you feel like you’re transported to a beautiful bistro in the Mediterranean. Enjoy shared tapas, farmer's market favorites, pasta and risotto, fresh oysters and the best steak with bone marrow butter & chimichurri. Cozy up for our farm to table craft cocktails, a Pisco sour or martini and a full meal with friends. Curated wine list with local & Spanish wines. Right down the street from the Santa Barbara Courthouse enjoy an evening at Gala.








1 Block From State Street, Easy Parking, Public Lot Nearby, Free 75 Minute Parking, Walking Distance, El Pueblo Viejo Landmark District, Superior Court, Spanish Colonial Revival Courthouse, Santa Barbara Museum Of Art, Courthouse Gardens, Bell Tower, Farm to table, Farmer's market driven, Tapas, Seafood, Steak, Oysters, Happy Hour, Food, Cocktails, Wine, Restaurant, Vegetarian, Friendly, Dog Friendly, Outdoor Patio, Heaters, Warm, Inviting, Hospitable, Modern Design
Top review
MolllyVIP
Dined 1 day ago
Love Gala. Always treated well. Bronzino always a winner. A tad pricy… but it’s SB…. Fun & tasty cocktails. Service is A+ A tad loud.
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A photo of Duck Confit of a restaurant
Popular dish
Duck Confit
A photo of Fried Green Tomatoes of a restaurant
Popular dish
Fried Green Tomatoes
A photo of branzino a la plancha of a restaurant
Popular dish
branzino a la plancha
A photo of The Black Sheep SB Brasserie restaurant
The Black Sheep SB Brasserie
4.8
4.8 (724)
$31 to $50
Contemporary French / American
Santa Barbara
About the restaurant
A locally owned and operated, modern-classic California-French Pub. We serve elevated, eclectic, locally sourced Cuisine paired with incredible wines and craft beer. We are NOW OPEN for SUNDAY BRUNCH 10am-1:30pm. Located in Old Town Santa Barbara on 18 East Cota Street, the building boasts a rich history of French restaurants and saloons dating back over a century.

We are open for Dinner Wed-Sun from 5PM. We are known for our incredible family style tasting menu’s where multiple dishes are presented to your table for each course.
Top review
LeslieVIP
Dined today
Outrageously great meal, with unexpected but fantastic flavor combinations. Plentiful food beautifully presented. Will return with more foodie friends for Sunday Supper, the best value in town at $55 for 4-course meal, which when served to 2 people ends up being 9 fabulous dishes. Starter champagne cocktail a nice touch. Big thanks to server Logan who, despite many food preferences that we stated, communicated with the kitchen & totally exceeded our expectations. Can't wait for the cocktail bar to open!
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A photo of Endless Moules Frites every Wednesday of a restaurant
Experience
Endless Moules Frites every Wednesday
A photo of “Apero” Early Dinner Prix Fix of a restaurant
Experience
“Apero” Early Dinner Prix Fix
A photo of "Sunday Supper" Chef's Choice 4 courses of a restaurant
Experience
"Sunday Supper" Chef's Choice 4 courses
A photo of Tre Lune restaurant
Tre Lune
4.8
4.8 (2011)
$31 to $50
Italian
Montecito
About the restaurant
"Upbeat and comfortable, serving real-deal pastas and pizzas that make you feel like you're in Italy again." - ZAGAT 2010

Fresh fish, veal scaloppini, osso buco, prime steaks, Kobe-beef burgers, organic salads, and house-made desserts.

Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner-Cocktails.

Award Winner of Italian wines list.

Please call to make reservations.
Top review
Mary Ann
Dined 4 days ago
Lovely…a little loud. Gave us plenty of time for conversation. Didn’t feel hurried.
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A photo of Lasagne Maria of a restaurant
Popular dish
Lasagne Maria
A photo of Gnocchi Tartufati of a restaurant
Popular dish
Gnocchi Tartufati
A photo of Fettuccine Alfredo of a restaurant
Popular dish
Fettuccine Alfredo
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