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Best Date Night Restaurants in Montecito

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22 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Clark's Oyster Bar - Montecito restaurant
4.5
Awesome(39)
Price: Expensive
• Seafood • Montecito
Booked 58 times today
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.
A photo of Lilac Montecito restaurant
4.7
Exceptional(150)
Price: Expensive
• Contemporary European • Montecito
Booked 16 times today
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
A photo of LOCAL Montecito restaurant
4.7
Exceptional(274)
Price: Expensive
• Seafood • Montecito
Booked 18 times today
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.
A photo of Stonehouse at San Ysidro Ranch restaurant
4.8
Exceptional(2643)
Price: Very Expensive
• Contemporary American • Santa Barbara
Booked 36 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 Secret Bao restaurant
4.8
Exceptional(678)
Price: Expensive
• Asian • Santa Barbara
Booked 4 times today
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
A photo of Barbareño restaurant
4.8
Exceptional(1891)
Price: Expensive
• Californian • Santa Barbara
Booked 30 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 Bluewater Grill - Santa Barbara restaurant
4.4
Awesome(662)
Price: Expensive
• Seafood • Santa Barbara
Booked 23 times today
The waterfront locals choice in Santa Barbara for premium quality, sustainably sourced seafood! Located at the gateway to Santa Barbara on the beach at State Street and Cabrillo Boulevard with a stunning patio and beach view. Adjacent to the "Funk Zone", Santa Barbara's premiere wine district, the wine list features an extensive selection of local wines in addition to a "no-corkage" policy on the first two bottles. Winner of numerous awards, including Best Seafood, this owner operated gem features lunch, dinner, Happy Hour, a "Kids Live Well" Kid menu, full bar, heated patio, and is pet friendly. Well known for classics like Clam Chowder and Fish & Chips, Oysters on the half shell and numerous varieties of fresh fish, lobster and crab, Bluewater also operates fishing vessel "Pilikia" which specializes in the freshest caught local fish in town! Come in, Get Hooked!
A photo of The Black Sheep SB Brasserie restaurant
4.8
Exceptional(722)
Price: Expensive
• Contemporary French / American • Santa Barbara
Booked 28 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.
A photo of Blackbird restaurant
3.7
Very Good(171)
Price: Expensive
• Californian • Santa Barbara
Booked 3 times today
A mainstay of the Funk Zone, Blackbird offers a beverage-forward atmosphere featuring inventive cocktails by legendary mixologist Devon Espinosa alongside a thoughtfully curated menu that pays homage to the culinary bounty of the Central Coast. Enjoy an extensive list of local wine and craft beer that highlights the terroir of the region and pairs seamlessly with our iconoclastic take on local, sustainable cuisine. With its striking brass fixtures and black box-like aesthetic, Blackbird upends the conventional upscale dining experience in Santa Barbara and offers a subtle nod to Alfred Hitchcock’s haunting, yet timeless thrillers. Here guests are offered a pulse on contemporary Santa Barbara.
A photo of Holdren's Santa Barbara restaurant
4.5
Awesome(996)
Price: Expensive
• Steakhouse • Santa Barbara
Booked 20 times today
Holdren’s Steaks & Seafood, located on State Street, serves up a delicious and diverse menu of seafood and steaks, where the portions are always generous and the prices always reasonable. Our surf and turf menu, including our favorite bacon wrapped stuffed shrimp or our USDA prime steaks that are charbroiled over a mesquite grill, is complimented by an extensive wine list, a healthy assortment of premium spirits, and a selection of signature drinks. Daily meals can be enjoyed in our cozy, and dark saloon-inspired dining room, or on our outdoor patio. The indoor dining room is adorned with brown leather booths, dark wood paneling, and funky artwork lining the exposed brick walls. Holdren’s has been voted as the best steakhouse multiple times by the Santa Barbara Independent’s Reader’s Poll and by the Santa Barbara News Press’ Reader’s Choice Awards.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you
From verified diners like you
  • OpenTable Diner
    Los Angeles •2 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 1 day ago
    Everything we tried was great and flavorful. The service and ambiance was wonderful. It was our fist time dining here and we are looking forward to coming back.
    More info
    BarbareñoPrice: Expensive• Californian• Santa Barbara
    4.8
  • Marcia
    Los Angeles •8 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 3 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.
    More info
    Bouchon - Santa BarbaraPrice: Expensive• Californian• Santa Barbara
    4.9
  • PenelopeVIP
    California Central Coast •8 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 3 days ago
    I have to honestly say I almost didn't write this review because I want to be able to get into this restaurant. Our of the kindness of my heart, I have to share. This is the best new restaurant in Montecito in our opinion. We go out to dinner every night, We went to the former restaurant in this space, Cava, many times. We loved it. We missed it when it left. This restaurant is wonderful. First of all, the remodel is great; by one of my favorite architects, Jeff Sheldon. Fabulous. Wonderful ceilings, love the mural, the bar, the lighting all. of it. But the FOOD. My favorite dish on the earth my whole long life is a Lobster Salad Roll. The only good ones I have ever had are on the East Coast. Massachusetts...Maine, There. They do it all wrong in California. Too much bread. Wrong roll. (a hot dog roll? NO! It has to be a small roll, sliced on the sides, grilled with butter....NOT TOO BREADY!!) Absolutely no one does it right here. I am sorry to say. I have tried them ALL. Not enough lobster, Hot lobster, not cold, drenched in butter (that is the "Connecticut style" you can have it.) Heartbreaking (if you have had one in the East on Martha's Vineyard, anywhere in Massachusetts, Maine...wherever.). I just gave up. Clark's has nailed it. So astonishing. They have their own baker who makes the rolls.....just right. She also makes the sourdough bread, and all the bread and desserts.....Lord have mercy! I didn't even mention the shoestring fries.....crispy. Heavenly. So. We have made a weekly reservation.....but, I have to say. The chicken Paillard is out of this world also. Enough already. This restaurant is such a winner. (If you are really lucky, you will sit outside and get Drea for a server). The heaters are great.......even when it is cold!
    More info
    Clark's Oyster Bar - MontecitoPrice: Expensive• Seafood• Montecito
    4.5
  • PaulaVIP
    Palm Springs / Palm Desert Cities •24 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 3 days ago
    Love sitting outside on upper deck overlooking SB pier and beach. Come here for the Uni but the yellowtail and blue fin are 10+. Peter is an Excellent server and this dining experience never disappoints.
    More info
    OKUPrice: Expensive• Asian• Santa Barbara
    4.8
  • LIcaVIP
    San Francisco Bay Area •4 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 7 days ago
    The service was top notch. I made last-minute reservation, so we were seated outside, it was a bit chilly, they surrounded us with heaters and brought us a blanket. Our server was great, very efficient. The food was delicious! Looking forward to returning.
    More info
    Lilac MontecitoPrice: Expensive• Contemporary European• Montecito
    4.7
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