Enable JavaScript to run this app.
Skip to main content
OpenTable logo
  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. California Central Coast

Best Fun Restaurants in Santa Ynez Valley

Price
Cuisine
Regions
Neighborhoods
Top Rated
Dining Options
Seating Options
Award-winning
Accessibility

976 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Brothers Restaurant at Red Barn restaurant
1. Brothers Restaurant at Red Barn
4.9
Exceptional(1382)
Price: Expensive
• American • Santa Ynez Valley
Booked 20 times today
The Nichols brothers, Matt & Jeff, grew up in Ames, Iowa where their love of cooking, good food and a sense of family and community was nurtured.The 2013 opening of their second Santa Barbara Wine Country restaurant, Brothers Restaurant at the Red Barn in Santa Ynez, allows them to offer visitors and locals alike great food, wine and hospitality. The brothers strive to have legendary service, innovative cuisine, and a welcoming and comfortable atmosphere that causes you to return time and again.As chefs, the brothers continue to experiment with new dishes and cuisine, but always with that “from scratch”, homemade element. Fresh ingredients from local producers, a wine list that showcases the region’s award-winning wines and a comfortable and historically interesting atmosphere that takes you back to the romance of the old west. They want you to feel at home, and experience all the best of Santa Barbara’s Wine Country.
A photo of SY Kitchen restaurant
2. SY Kitchen
4.9
Exceptional(3892)
Price: Expensive
• Italian • Santa Ynez Valley
Booked 43 times today
RESERVATIONS Reservations for parties of 5 or more please call restaurant directly. S. Y. Kitchen requests a credit card to hold a reservation of 6 or more. You may cancel by calling the restaurant by 5 PM two days prior to the reservation. After that cancellation is subject to our policy and fees may be incurred. All credit card information will be processed securely.
A photo of Ellie's Tap & Vine restaurant
3. Ellie's Tap & Vine
4.7
Exceptional(692)
Price: Expensive
• Farm-to-table • Santa Ynez Valley
Booked 15 times today
Welcome to Ellie's Tap & Vine... Join us for seasonal cuisine, elegant ranch ambiance and great wine! We are Valley to Table dining, working with many local farms and purveyors; We look forward to seeing you soon! Our menu changes regularly, so please feel free to visit our website: www.elliestapandvine.com or follow us on IG and/or FB.Our restaurant is located in the heart of Santa Ynez. We boast amazing outdoor seating with great views and because it is often a little chilly in the evening, we have heaters. We are also dog and cat friendly.We know re-adjusting to dining out is a strange experience for everyone and we are all slowly returning. For now, we will be suspending lunch service.
A photo of Mattei's Tavern restaurant
4. Mattei's Tavern
4.7
Exceptional(407)
Price: Very Expensive
• American • Los Olivos
Booked 23 times today
Recently opened on November 16, 2022, The Tavern continues her legacy as Santa Ynez Valley's beloved social hub. This California ranch-inspired restaurant highlights flavorful dishes and honest ingredients, many of which are harvested from Mattei’s on-site garden and surrounding local farms. Paying homage to its century old roots, the menu is elevated yet unfussy, offering grilled dishes and vegetables alongside seasonal specialties. The exceptional wine program is a singular and definitive draw of The Tavern. The comprehensive list features a California focused glass list which is complimented by an extensive cellar of Old World favorites.For informal fare join us at The Bar, Mattei’s Tavern’s most authentic hangout. With a roaring fireplace and fixtures dating back to its 1886 origins, the historic bar and lounge space offers local craft beer and wine, amber hued cocktails and a snacks menu that ranges from bite sized to burger dinners.
A photo of First & Oak at the Mirabelle Inn restaurant
5. First & Oak at the Mirabelle Inn
4.6
Exceptional(1228)
Price: Very Expensive
• Californian • Solvang
Booked 6 times today
First & Oak at the Mirabelle Inn is an absolute delight. With its seasonally-inspired menu and thoughtful preparation, it's no wonder it's earned a Michelin Plate. Reviews rave about the 'creative & completely enjoyed by all' menu offerings, 'friendly service', and 'nice atmosphere'. The ambiance, with its calming and relaxing environment, is frequently praised, making it a perfect spot for a romantic dinner. Plus, the outdoor seating on the heated patio offers a unique dining experience.
A photo of The Gathering Table restaurant
6. The Gathering Table
4.6
Exceptional(142)
Price: Expensive
• Contemporary Asian • Solvang
Booked 29 times today
Welcome to The Gathering Table, Solvang’s newest culinary gem. Led by acclaimed Chef Budi Kazali, renowned for his innovative Asian cuisine with French influences, our restaurant promises an unforgettable dining experience.Chef Budi Kazali brings his mastery to every dish, infusing flavors from his Indonesian heritage with local ingredients sourced from nearby farms. Whether indulging in his signature dishes or exploring new creations, every bite at The Gathering Table is a celebration of culinary artistry.Situated amidst Solvang’s picturesque streets, our restaurant offers a serene outdoor dining area, perfect for enjoying Chef Kazali’s creations al fresco. Inside, savor handcrafted cocktails at our full bar or host an intimate gathering in our Private Dining Room, where every detail is tailored to exceed your expectations.Discover a place where exquisite cuisine meets warm and approachable hospitality at The Gathering Table!
A photo of Pony Cocktails + Kitchen restaurant
7. Pony Cocktails + Kitchen
4.9
Exceptional(20)
Price: Expensive
• Contemporary American • Santa Ynez
Owner & Mixologist Battaglini Alberto redesigned this iconic Santa Ynez landmark into something unique, elevated yet comfortable.Situated in the heart of Santa Ynez Valley and, with Chef Jonny McDermott on the helm of the kitchen, Pony COCKTAILS + KITCHEN has a comfortable yet upscale feeling with a super friendly approach to food reflecting globally inspired dishes and fresh farm produces. The cocktail program follow the same ideology of the food giving every cocktails a unique flavor and personality.Open for breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner this hybrid Cafe/Cocktail Bar Restaurant integrate the Santa Ynez Valley style with modern comfort style food and unrealistic Cocktails.
A photo of Nella Kitchen and Bar restaurant
8. Nella Kitchen and Bar
4.8
Exceptional(1117)
Price: Expensive
• Californian • Santa Ynez Valley
Booked 27 times today
Opened in August 2020, Nella Kitchen & Bar offers fresh, modern California cuisine and focuses on 'Roman Pinsas'.Meals are served on the front porch overlooking Grand Ave where guests are warmly welcomed, or in the cozy Dining Room which also has a private Wine Room that can host family seating and private parties.Cocktails are focused on classics and served in the Lounge with a lot of bar seating.As much as we love pets, we only allow service animals at Nella, thank you for understanding.
A photo of Leonardo Ristorante & Pizzeria restaurant
9. Leonardo Ristorante & Pizzeria
4.7
Exceptional(1400)
Price: Expensive
• Italian • Solvang
Booked 10 times today
Highly anticipated opening by Chef Leonardi Curti.
A photo of Whiskey 'N Rye restaurant
10. Whiskey 'N Rye
4.6
Exceptional(242)
Price: Expensive
• Barbecue • Solvang
Booked 33 times today
Whiskey 'N Rye is a fun spot with its unique barbecue and wine-country cuisine. The atmosphere is praised in reviews as 'modern and warm', and the 'great cocktails' are a hit. The outdoor dining area in a beautiful courtyard is another plus. It's also described as a 'great casual BBQ place' with 'good cocktails' and 'fresh' food. The 'exceptional staff' and 'welcoming experience' add to the fun factor.
‘About the restaurant’ descriptions have been generated using an artificial intelligence model comprised of OpenTable proprietary data that has not been independently verified by OpenTable. The content is presented as-is, for informational purposes only.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you
From verified diners like you
  • DianeVIP
    Los Angeles •23 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 2 days ago
    Beautiful day, perfect setting, great food and service! We even got to witness a proposal(she said yes!)which added an element of special meaning to our experience.
    More info
    Mattei's TavernPrice: Very Expensive• American• Los Olivos
    •
    4.7
  • Donna
    Greater Boston •1 review
    5.0
    Dined 4 days ago
    Was absolutely delicious! A perfect place to have a steak dinner in the wine country!
    More info
    Brothers Restaurant at Red BarnPrice: Expensive• American• Santa Ynez Valley
    •
    4.9
  • Roberto
    California Central Coast •1 review
    5.0
    Dined 4 days ago
    From start to finish; AMAZING. Took my daughters and mom for Valentines. The hostess arranged for us to get the best table in the house. The food was excellent, not the normal, but an original interpretation of what food should taste like. Our waitress was very kind and attentive. Dessert was also very thought out. The house manager was also very involved in our experience. My family and I felt very much appreciated and most of all cared after. One of our best if not the best Valentines we have lived.
    More info
    SY KitchenPrice: Expensive• Italian• Santa Ynez Valley
    •
    4.9
  • NatalieVIP
    California Central Coast •52 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 6 days ago
    Ellie’s Tap & Vine is our favorite restaurant in the SYV, and we’ve become regulars. The food is always amazing, and the chef is consistently considerate of my food allergies. The entrees Ellie’s serves cater to any palate, and the dishes are so creative. The staff are polite and friendly, and knowledgeable about the menu offerings. We love the ambience- the decor, candles and awesome playlists! This restaurant is one I’d highly recommend to both locals and visitors. You’ll fall in love with it, too!
    More info
    Ellie's Tap & VinePrice: Expensive• Farm-to-table• Santa Ynez Valley
    •
    4.7
  • LynetteVIP
    Kansas City / Kansas •1 review
    5.0
    Dined on Feb 8, 2025
    The best food ever! It was quiet and intimate. We had an excellent time
    More info
    First & Oak at the Mirabelle InnPrice: Very Expensive• Californian• Solvang
    •
    4.6

Explore OpenTable

Discover
OpenTable
  • About Us
  • Blog
  • Careers
  • Press
More
Our sites
Businesses
  • Delight more diners
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.
Booking Logo
Priceline Logo
KAYAK Logo
Agoda Logo
OpenTable Logo