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Best Neighborhood Gem Restaurants in Montecito

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16 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Lucky's restaurant
1. Lucky's
4.8
Exceptional(2881)
Price: Very Expensive
• Steakhouse • Montecito
Booked 19 times today
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.
A photo of Tre Lune restaurant
2. Tre Lune
4.8
Exceptional(1994)
Price: Expensive
• Italian • Montecito
Booked 13 times today
"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.
A photo of Stonehouse at San Ysidro Ranch restaurant
3. Stonehouse at San Ysidro Ranch
4.8
Exceptional(2627)
Price: Very Expensive
• Contemporary American • Santa Barbara
Booked 20 times today
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.
A photo of Stella Mare's restaurant
4. Stella Mare's
4.8
Exceptional(2313)
Price: Expensive
• French • Santa Barbara
Booked 10 times today
French country bistro...Between Montecito and Santa Barbara, Stella Mare's Bistro is located in a historic Victorian home overlooking the Bird Refuge. French country cuisine rules the menu, with dishes like coq au vin, cassoulet, and moules frites. Sip seasonal cocktails amid cozy décor -- all the right ingredients for a great dining experience. Bon appétit!When requesting the greenhouse please note that is considered indoor dining.
A photo of Barbareño restaurant
5. Barbareño
4.8
Exceptional(1881)
Price: Expensive
• Californian • Santa Barbara
Booked 12 times today
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.
A photo of OKU restaurant
6. OKU
4.8
Exceptional(1752)
Price: Expensive
• Asian • Santa Barbara
Booked 38 times today
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.
A photo of Convivo restaurant
7. Convivo
4.7
Exceptional(2133)
Price: Expensive
• Italian • Santa Barbara
Booked 42 times today
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.
A photo of Bouchon - Santa Barbara restaurant
8. Bouchon - Santa Barbara
4.8
Exceptional(5438)
Price: Expensive
• Californian • Santa Barbara
Booked 23 times today
Bouchon in Santa Barbara is a local gem. It's known for its fresh, local ingredients and Californian cuisine. Reviews rave about the excellent service and the exceptional food, calling it an 'elevated experience'. The restaurant's warm ambiance, featuring a blend of French and Santa Barbara influences, makes it a favorite among locals and visitors alike. As one reviewer put it, 'Bouchon never disappoints! It is the perfect combo of fine attentive service to delicious local fresh ingredients!'
A photo of Finch & Fork restaurant
9. Finch & Fork
4.6
Exceptional(1766)
Price: Expensive
• American • Santa Barbara
Booked 22 times today
Here at Finch & Fork, we are inspired by the bounty of Santa Barbara's lush farms and rugged coastline. Our attitude is relentlessly local, influenced by the diverse culinary techniques of our neighbors, the subdued, natural colors of our fog-swept cliffs, and the glow of afternoon sunlight on our grapevines. Begin your day with a nourishing brunch or savor an evening of eclectic wines, ingredient-driven cooking, and good company. Finch & Fork is conveniently located on the corner of Carrillo and Chapala streets in the heart of Santa Barbara’s vibrant downtown. Complimentary valet parking for diners upon availability.
A photo of The Black Sheep SB Brasserie restaurant
10. The Black Sheep SB Brasserie
4.8
Exceptional(712)
Price: Expensive
• Contemporary French / American • Santa Barbara
Booked 15 times today
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.
‘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
  • CharlotParis
    Orange County •1 review
    5.0
    Dined 1 day ago
    Very delicious food, great server named coke webt above and behind with his kindness and recommendations. Everything came out delicious. Will come back again
    More info
    BarbareñoPrice: Expensive• Californian• Santa Barbara
    •
    4.8
  • David
    California Central Coast •1 review
    5.0
    Dined 1 day ago
    I had concerns due to reading a few reviews stating the food was overstated and some waiters could be rude, but that wasn’t our experience. The ambience, as most reviews share, was magical. I expected that, but wow, the food was incredible! The steak was literally the best I’ve ever had. They provided gluten free rolls that were also the best I’ve ever had. And the service was impeccable. One of my best dining experiences to date and thankfully so since it was our 20th wedding anniversary. 10/10!
    More info
    Stonehouse at San Ysidro RanchPrice: Very Expensive• Contemporary American• Santa Barbara
    •
    4.8
  • PeterVIP
    Los Angeles •305 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 6 days ago
    One of the best Italian restaurants in the central coast vicinity. Highly recommended and reservations a must. The best eggplant parmesan and one of made like cannoli instead of slices. Not on the menu, but made to order is the best carbonara Italiano around.
    More info
    Tre LunePrice: Expensive• Italian• Montecito
    •
    4.8
  • Sharon
    San Francisco Bay Area •13 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 7 days ago
    I love Stella Mare's...have been going there for more than 20 years...and I'm very sad that it is closing on January 1st. The old French country house ambiance is so enjoyable, and the food is wonderful. I truly hope they will find a suitable new location in Santa Barbara and reopen soon. It's especially troubling that the building will become a Mexican restaurant. I love Mexican food, but it's not as if we don't already have more Mexican restaurants than a town the size of Santa Barbara could possibly need! Farewell, Stella...hope to see you again soon.
    More info
    Stella Mare'sPrice: Expensive• French• Santa Barbara
    •
    4.8
  • LorenVIP
    Los Angeles •7 reviews
    5.0
    Dined on Dec 17, 2024
    The most phenomenal meal and filet we’ve ever had. 10/10 for special occasion dinner.
    More info
    Lucky'sPrice: Very Expensive• Steakhouse• Montecito
    •
    4.8

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