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Diners' Choice: Best Value restaurants in Santa Barbara

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OpenTable
Updated 05 November 2024

Looking for the best value restaurants in Santa Barbara? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyses nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favourite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you book, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!


A photo of Stella Mare's restaurant
Stella Mare's
4.8
4.8 (2294)
$31 to $50
French
Santa Barbara
About the restaurant
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.
Top review
burbanitevip
Dined 6 days ago
We recently moved to the Central Coast in CA. We often go to Santa Barbara for its restaurant scene. On my wife’s birthday we wanted something special and we were drawn to Stella Mare, with its classic French with a twist menu. We were blown away! Cannot say enough about the food, great housing in a Victorian home, and unparalleled service. The mushroom soup was perfection as was the apple, endive, pecan salad local blue cheese and light vinaigrette dressing. The coq a vin was perfectly seasoned and the meat fell off the bone. The salmon with cauliflower sauce was incredible. We were full but couldn’t resist the French Beignets which were heavenly and different from the normal Beignets. The only issue you better go now because the restaurant is slated to close Dec 31. Don’t miss the opportunity!!
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A photo of Stella Burger of a restaurant
Popular dish
Stella Burger
A photo of Salmon of a restaurant
Popular dish
Salmon
A photo of Saumon Amandine of a restaurant
Popular dish
Saumon Amandine
A photo of Secret Bao restaurant
Secret Bao
4.8
4.8 (665)
$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
Lisavip
Dined 2 days ago
Delectable food and great service. Creative bao flavors and everything from cocktail to noodles to baos to desserts were perfectly flavoured with nothing too sweet, salty or overpowering. Love that they offered happy hour until 6pm, even on a Friday.
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A photo of KFC Bao of a restaurant
Popular dish
KFC Bao
A photo of KFC of a restaurant
Popular dish
KFC
A photo of Shrimp of a restaurant
Popular dish
Shrimp
A photo of Tre Lune restaurant
Tre Lune
4.8
4.8 (1984)
$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
Jordanvip
Dined 4 days ago
We loved everything about our dining experience! Cocktails and food were superb!
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A photo of Lasagne Maria of a restaurant
Popular dish
Lasagne Maria
A photo of Fettuccine Alfredo of a restaurant
Popular dish
Fettuccine Alfredo
A photo of Intermezzo By Wine Cask restaurant
Intermezzo By Wine Cask
4.8
4.8 (1771)
$31 to $50
Californian
Santa Barbara
About the restaurant
Intermezzo by Wine Cask
New Menu by Executive Chef Mossin Sugich

Modern American cuisine with a Mediterranean twist
Top review
Billvip
Dined 4 days ago
Best food in town! Great staff and killer bartender! Owner is a stud as well! Cheers
A photo of Barbareño restaurant
Barbareño
4.8
4.8 (1875)
$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
Georgette
Dined today
Amazing food, amazing service. Thanks for making my birthday a great night!
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A photo of Santa Maria BBQ of a restaurant
Popular dish
Santa Maria BBQ
A photo of Baked California of a restaurant
Popular dish
Baked California
A photo of Grilled Avocado of a restaurant
Popular dish
Grilled Avocado
A photo of The Black Sheep SB Brasserie restaurant
The Black Sheep SB Brasserie
4.7
4.7 (703)
$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
Thilovip
Dined 3 days ago
Great experience for Thanksgiving dinner. Service was great, food delicious and creative.
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A photo of “Apero” Early Dinner Prix Fix of a restaurant
Experience
“Apero” Early Dinner Prix Fix
A photo of "Sunday Supper" Chef's Choice 4 courses of a restaurant
Experience
"Sunday Supper" Chef's Choice 4 courses
A photo of Endless Moules Frites every Wednesday of a restaurant
Experience
Endless Moules Frites every Wednesday
A photo of Opal Restaurant & Bar restaurant
Opal Restaurant & Bar
4.9
4.9 (1751)
$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
Bob
Dined 3 days ago
We went for the Prix Fixe Thanksgiving dinner. Kudos to this restaurant for not only serving a delicious traditional turkey dinner, but they also presented a half dozen other entrees like fish, beef, and vegetarian. Well done, Opal management.
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A photo of Pasilla Chile Filet Mignon of a restaurant
Popular dish
Pasilla Chile Filet Mignon
A photo of Bouchon - Santa Barbara restaurant
Bouchon - Santa Barbara
4.8
4.8 (5420)
$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
Carol
Dined 4 days ago
Delicious food was brought by an excellent waiter very attentive
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A photo of Scallop Trio of a restaurant
Popular dish
Scallop Trio
A photo of Dungeness Crab Cakes of a restaurant
Popular dish
Dungeness Crab Cakes
A photo of Bouchon French 'French Onion' Soup of a restaurant
Popular dish
Bouchon French 'French Onion' Soup
A photo of Toma Restaurant & Bar restaurant
Toma Restaurant & Bar
4.8
4.8 (5479)
$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
BLANCAvip
Dined 1 day ago
Nice restaurant with excellent food and service. We will return asap.
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A photo of Tuna Cones of a restaurant
Popular dish
Tuna Cones
A photo of Lasagna of a restaurant
Popular dish
Lasagna
A photo of Ravioli of a restaurant
Popular dish
Ravioli
A photo of Olio e Limone Ristorante restaurant
Olio e Limone Ristorante
4.8
4.8 (2538)
$50 and over
Italian
Santa Barbara
About the restaurant
Olio e Limone Ristorante, located in downtown Santa Barbara's ARTS District, serves artisanal Italian cuisine. Meaning “oil and lemon” in Italian, their restaurant’s name reflects husband-wife team Alberto and Elaine Morello’s philosophy: rely on the integrity of the ingredients and quality of the preparation to provide Santa Barbara diners “simply sophisticated” Italian cuisine served in an inviting atmosphere with European hospitality. Start with eggplant souffle, then tuck into a plate of house made duck ravioli or Sicilian spaghetti with bottarga. And be sure to take home a bottle of their own olio, an organic extra-virgin olive oil made from Sicilian olive varieties.
Bonus: their contemporary Italian breakfast, lunch & retail spot Olio Bottega, and authentic pizzeria next door at Olio Pizzeria. Private dining in the Cucina Room for up to 40 guests.
Top review
Howardvip
Dined 2 days ago
Simply the best, our most favorite Italian restaurant in Santa Barbara that never, ever disappoints.
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