Diners' Choice: Great for brunch restaurants in Santa Barbara

OpenTable

Updated January 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants that are great for brunch 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!

Stonehouse at San Ysidro Ranch

4.8

4.8 (2644)

$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

Geri

Dined 2 days ago

The hospitable and welcoming staff were top-notch - many of them wished us a happy anniversary, and it shows the excellent communication within the establishment and the care they take to provide patrons with a memorable experience. Highly recommend arriving early and grabbing a delicious and strong cocktail in the lounge before dinner. Walk the gardens either before or after your meal - the property is gorgeous! Every bite was tasty - what stood out most to us were the perfectly prepared grilled octopus starter and the absolutely divine Grand Marnier souffle.

Discover more

Popular dish

San Ysidro Ranch Meyer Lemon Tart

Popular dish

Blackened Ora King Salmon Salad

Experience

Sunday Champagne Brunch

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

BonnieVIP

Dined 3 days ago

always a great experience service impeccable food the best

Discover more

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

AutumnVIP

Dined 5 days ago

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

Convivo

4.7

4.7 (2141)

$31 to $50

Italian

Santa Barbara

About the restaurant

Convivo is a Santa Barbara restaurant and bar with an Italian soul. Chef-Owner Peter McNee's food is best described as ‘Nomad Italian’. It strays from the standard or traditional Italian, sourcing inspiration from many other cultures’ cooking but its soul is thoroughly Italian. The ever-changing menu includes small plates, housemade pasta, wood-fired pizza, rotisserie chicken, fresh seafood and steaks served family-style. McNee’s all-star supplier network provides the freshest produce and local seafood the region is famous for.

Inspired by the bounty of the sea, the lush farms and abundant vineyards nearby and the cooking methods of Italy, Convivo is a festive gathering place for locals and visitors alike inside the newly-restored Santa Barbara Inn.

Top review

AlbertVIP

Dined 1 day ago

Sat outside and enjoyed the special vermillion fish. Very memorable meal with good service.

Discover more

4.7

4.7 (274)

$31 to $50

Seafood

Montecito

About the restaurant

Incredible outdoor seating with two heated patios, firepit, couches, and a 360 degree bar. Featuring local ingredients and exceptional dishes from multiple cuisines paired with an extensive and rare wine collection, LOCAL has it all in the heart of Montecito.

Top review

LIcaVIP

Dined on Dec 28, 2024

We loved everything about dining here! From the service to the food, everything was excellent!

Lilac Montecito

4.7

4.7 (152)

$31 to $50

Contemporary European

Montecito

About the restaurant

Welcome to Lilac Montecito. We offer an elevated bistro dining experience featuring some of our favorite foods that nourish the body and soul in a full-service dining ambiance. Our menu is inspired by European and Californian cuisine as well as locally-sourced ingredients for a fresh, delicious take on some classic entrees.
Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner

Top review

Wendy

Dined 3 days ago

I've enjoyed their lunch and brunch offerings several times - the food is delicious, especially for those of us who need to avoid gluten and, frankly, most diners would never notice that their baked goods are all gluten free! Friendly service and clean, appealing dining room. Highly recommended.

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 5 days ago

Amazing food! Our waiter German was the best!!!!!!

Clark's Oyster Bar - Montecito

4.5

4.5 (43)

$31 to $50

Seafood

Montecito

About the restaurant

Clark’s Montecito is a stylish all-day restaurant celebrating coastal American classics spanning from New England to California. In addition to its flagship menu of oysters and raw bar, a signature burger, daily catch specials, lobster rolls, chowder and refreshing crudo, this California location features seasonal bounty from the Pacific Ocean. The wine list highlights California classics alongside French whites and reds primarily from Burgundy and the Loire. Clark’s signature martinis and cocktails are always available. A collaboration between Lambert McGuire Design and Santa Barbara-based architect Jeff Shelton, the space offers a seamless indoor-outdoor dining experience that marries Clark’s classic coastal design features with the more whimsical ceramic tile traditions of Portugal and Mexico and a Mediterranean-inspired design that pays homage to its coastal setting and historic Spanish Colonial Revival architecture.

Top review

Clarinda

Dined 2 days ago

Three of us ladies had our first meal at clarks oyster bar on coast Village Road. One of us had an omelette, the cheapest thing on the menu at $10. It was sort of dry and had no flavor. Another person had the oysters Rockefeller. Four medium small oysters stuffed with a pallid white sauce and spinach for $25, which includes the six dollar discount they gave for not getting the Uni that comes with this plate. The other person had a bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwich which had a generous amount of bacon. The best thing was the sourdough bread: a nice tough chewy crust and big holes in the doughy interior. The young staff was friendly and attentive. These three choices were unusual, so we’ll go back and hope for better luck ordering more of their specialties.

RH Firehouse Grill at RH Montecito

4.4

4.4 (37)

$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

Kara

Dined 3 days ago

Wonderful experience and great addiition to Montecito.

Moby Dick Restaurant

4.3

4.3 (273)

$30 and under

Seafood

Santa Barbara

About the restaurant

At Moby Dick Restaurant, in Santa Barbara, you'll get not only fresh seafood and excellent service, but an amazing view along with your meal. Situated on the pier itself in Santa Barbara, Moby Dick Restaurant is a fantastic place with a fantastic atmosphere to get something to eat.

Whether you're after breakfast, lunch or dinner there�s sure to be something on the menu to please. Fried favorites at Moby Dick Restaurant include clam strips and chips, chicken wings and chips and many others. You can also order burgers, sandwiches and vegetarian fare. Fresh seafood specialties include grilled Cajun swordfish, bacon wrapped shrimp and grilled fresh salmon.

Top review

IRENE

Dined 6 days ago

Delicious food. Great service. Wonderful start of our New Year here

Explore Diners' Choice best of Santa Barbara

Explore more Diners' Choice lists