Skip to main content

Diners' Choice: Best Value restaurants in Santa Barbara

OpenTable

Updated January 05, 2025

Looking for the best value restaurants 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 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

N

NoreenVIP

Dined 1 day ago

wonderful experience. Jesse took amazing care of us and the food was outstanding. Can't recommend it any more highly. You have to try them.

Discover more

A photo of Endless Moules Frites every Wednesday of a restaurant

Endless Moules Frites every Wednesday

A photo of “Apero” Early Dinner Prix Fix of a restaurant

“Apero” Early Dinner Prix Fix

A photo of "Sunday Supper" Chef's Choice 4 courses of a restaurant

"Sunday Supper" Chef's Choice 4 courses

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

R

RobertVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Every time we go we have excellent food with well-trained professional staff and great Santa Barbara area wines.

Discover more

A photo of Scallop Trio of a restaurant

A photo of Dungeness Crab Cakes of a restaurant

Dungeness Crab Cakes

A photo of Bouchon French 'French Onion' Soup of a restaurant

Bouchon French 'French Onion' Soup

A photo of Opal Restaurant & Bar restaurant

Opal Restaurant & Bar

4.8

4.8 (1773)

$31 to $50

Californian

Santa Barbara

About the restaurant

We have inside and limited outdoor sidewalk dining. If you prefer to sit outside, please indicate that with your reservation request.
To accommodate our second seating, early parties should plan for a maximum stay of 1.5 to 2hrs, depending on party size. Please call 805 966 9676 for more details.
A popular local’s favorite, opal restaurant & bar’s Eclectic California Cuisine fuses creative world cuisine influences with American Regional touches, from a 14 oz. Herb-Grilled Ribeye Steak on Tuscan White Beans, to Fresh Pan-Seared Fish & Seafood, Homemade Pastas, Gourmet Pizzas, fresh Baked Breads, imaginative Salads, & Homemade Desserts.
We have a Wine Spectator award-winning wine list, & a full bar with seasonal Craft Cocktails.
Our entire dining room staff assists to take care of each table, enabling exceptional service in a warm engaging manner, properly nuanced to your mood & taste. Our staff genuinely cares about giving you the best possible experience!

Top review

A

AngelaVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Our dining experience was great! The food, Paul our server, the environment…great vibe. Glad to have chosen this place. We will be back!

Discover more

A photo of Pasilla Chile Filet Mignon of a restaurant

Pasilla Chile Filet Mignon

A photo of Tre Lune restaurant

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

B

BonnieVIP

Dined 1 day ago

always a great experience service impeccable food the best

Discover more

A photo of Lasagne Maria of a restaurant

A photo of Gnocchi Tartufati of a restaurant

Gnocchi Tartufati

A photo of Fettuccine Alfredo of a restaurant

Fettuccine Alfredo

A photo of Secret Bao restaurant

4.8

4.8 (678)

$31 to $50

Asian

Santa Barbara

About the restaurant

Modern Asian American Restaurant from Chefs Peter Lee & Felicia Medina.

"Consider the bao. Chinese in origin, it’s most easily described as a steamed bun filled with something savory. Yet, like the American concept of a sandwich, the bao exploded into a flexible format of untold bounds — served at any meal, filled with you-name-it, completely closed or wide open, with endless regional variants from across Asia and far beyond." - Matt Kettmann (SB Independent)

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, Bao, Food, Restaurant, Asian, American, New, Modern, Fried, Chicken, Octopus, Vegan, Vegetarian, Paelo, Friendly, Dog Friendly, Outdoor Patio, Heaters, Warm, Inviting, Hospitable, Modern Design

Top review

E

ErynVIP

Dined on Dec 29, 2024

Incredibly delicious food, beautiful presentation and excellent service. Highly recommended!

Discover more

A photo of KFC Bao of a restaurant

A photo of KFC of a restaurant

A photo of Kung Pao Cauliflower of a restaurant

Kung Pao Cauliflower

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

V

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!

Discover more

A photo of Tuna Cones of a restaurant

A photo of Lasagna of a restaurant

A photo of Ravioli of a restaurant

A photo of Ca Dario Montecito restaurant

Ca Dario Montecito

4.8

4.8 (888)

$50 and over

Italian

Montecito

About the restaurant

Ca' 'Dario's newest restaurant on Coast Village Road promises the same authentic and fresh Italian cuisine as our other locations, now easily accessible for residents of Montecito!
Enjoy outdoor dining on our covered patio, or indoor in our elegant dining room.
We feature an adjustable roof that keeps out the rain and allows in the sun.
Dogs are welcome (we ask that you limit the number to one per guest)

Top review

A

AutumnVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Fantastic service. The meal was wonderful. Wine selection was broad. Really enjoyed it. Will definitely be back.

A photo of Barbareño restaurant

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

OT

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 Gala restaurant

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

M

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.

Discover more

A photo of Duck Confit of a restaurant

A photo of Fried Green Tomatoes of a restaurant

Fried Green Tomatoes

A photo of branzino a la plancha of a restaurant

branzino a la plancha

A photo of OKU restaurant

4.8

4.8 (1771)

$31 to $50

Asian

Santa Barbara

About the restaurant

Tina Takaya, proprietor, welcomes you to our newest two story restaurant on the water. We feel the key to success is our passion for creating the highest quality food and warm friendly service.

We hope you will enjoy your experience as much as we enjoyed creating it for you.
"We want Locals to feel like Family and Visitors to feel like Locals"

Our menu draws from Asian favorites that inspire and excite such as Wagyu Steak, Japanese Sushi, Chinese Dumplings, Garlic Noodles and fresh local seafood.

We are located in the heart of Santa Barbara’s Waterfront and Funk Zone Districts. Come enjoy lunch or dinner, soak in the sun by day at our waterfront rooftop bar while sipping on a refreshing cocktail surrounded by our beautiful ocean vista and by night, enjoy lounging by the fireplace after a delicious meal and a great glass of wine.

Our chef uses the freshest ingredients from central coast farmers and local fisherman to create dishes with the best of what California has to offer.

Top review

P

PaulaVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Love sitting outside on upper deck overlooking SB pier and beach. Come here for the Uni but the yellowtail and blue fin are 10+. Peter is an Excellent server and this dining experience never disappoints.

Explore Diners' Choice best of Santa Barbara

Best Overall

Best Food

Best Service

Best Ambiance

Explore more Diners' Choice lists

Discover

Dining Rewards
Private Dining
Reserve for Others
Restaurants Near Me
Restaurants Open Now

OpenTable

About Us
Blog
Careers
Press

More

OpenTable for iOS
OpenTable for Android
Affiliate Program
Contact Us

Our sites

Businesses

Delight more diners
Open for Business Blog

Join us on

Privacy Policy
Terms of Use
Cookies and Interest-Based Ads
Cookie Preferences

Copyright © 2024 OpenTable, Inc. 1 Montgomery St Ste 500, San Francisco CA 94104 - All rights reserved.

OpenTable is part of Booking Holdings, the world leader in online travel and related services.