Diners' Choice: Romantic restaurants in Santa Barbara

OpenTable

Updated January 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants that are the most romantic 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!

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 6 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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Bouchon French 'French Onion' Soup

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.

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Popular dish

San Ysidro Ranch Meyer Lemon Tart

Popular dish

Blackened Ora King Salmon Salad

Experience

Sunday Champagne Brunch

Toma Restaurant & Bar

4.8

4.8 (5508)

$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

Michelle

Dined 1 day ago

We're long time patrons of the restaurant... we just keep coming back!

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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

NoreenVIP

Dined 3 days 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.

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Experience

"Sunday Supper" Chef's Choice 4 courses

Experience

“Apero” Early Dinner Prix Fix

Experience

Endless Moules Frites every Wednesday

Barbareño

4.8

4.8 (1894)

$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

Randy

Dined 1 day ago

Barbereno did not disappoint! My highlight were the mussels and beet salad. A definite must-have every visit is their version of baked Alaska. Excellent, fun, and quiet outside.

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4.7

4.7 (1808)

$31 to $50

Italian

Santa Barbara

About the restaurant

"Anything grilled is divine, and the rest of the menu is delectable at this charming Italian restaurant in Santa Barbara known for its excellent execution of simple pasta, meats and other classics. A fantastic wine list with many available by the glass; its a local favorite, so reservations are a must."

Top review

Laura

Dined 4 days ago

Always the best food and service!!! Love it everytime

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.

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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

Anchor Rose

3.9

3.9 (90)

$31 to $50

American

Santa Barbara

About the restaurant

Life is better when you're on the water.
Located directly overlooking the historic harbor with 360-degree views of the Pacific Ocean and downtown Santa Barbara, Anchor Rose is the perfect place to share a cocktail, enjoy a fresh seafood dinner, and people watch or catch one of the American Riviera’s signature sunsets.
Come for the drinks. Stay for the tapas.
Drawn from the seafaring roots that have shaped the Santa Barbara area for hundreds of years, our craft cocktails and scratch-made plates are inspired by the sea, the surf, and the laid-back atmosphere for which this area is famous. Flip-flops welcome.
Anchor Rose is Santa Barbara’s best restaurant, with a view of the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Barbara Harbor. Whether you’re looking for the best fresh seafood or a restaurant with a view, Anchor Rose has quickly become the favorite Santa Barbara restaurant for locals and tourists alike.

Top review

steven

Dined on Dec 25, 2024

Came on Xmas eve. Wasn’t to busy most probably most had family plans or travel. Billy our server did an excellent job making sure all was attended too and we were satisfied. Food was decent, mixed drink seemed ok, had better cocktails. Would come back during warmer weather.

The Harbor Restaurant

3.6

3.6 (33)

$31 to $50

Seafood

Santa Barbara

About the restaurant

International Coastal Cuisine with Local Ingredients. Located on Santa Barbara's famous Stearns Wharf, the Harbor Restaurant is a 12,850-square-foot establishment on two floors that can seat 500 guests. Valet parking is available during dinner service. The restaurant features upstairs casual dining with an outdoor ocean view patio while the downstairs features a proper bar with craft cocktails, an exceptional dining room with international dishes featuring local ingredients, and two private event spaces including an 80+ person room and a private dining room for 20 guests.

Top review

ReneeVIP

Dined on Dec 28, 2024

The newly remodeled Harbor House is beautiful and elegant. The food was delicious and the service great. We enjoyed our experience!

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