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Diners' Choice: Best Service restaurants in Santa Barbara

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OpenTable
Updated 05 December 2024

Looking for restaurants with the best service 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 Opal Restaurant & Bar restaurant
Opal Restaurant & Bar
4.8
4.8 (1773)
$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
AngelaVIP
Dined 1 day ago
Our dining experience was great! The food, Paul our server, the environment…great vibe. Glad to have chosen this place. We will be back!
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A photo of Pasilla Chile Filet Mignon of a restaurant
Popular dish
Pasilla Chile Filet Mignon
A photo of Stonehouse at San Ysidro Ranch restaurant
Stonehouse at San Ysidro Ranch
4.8
4.8 (2643)
$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
FrankVIP
Dined 3 days ago
I’ve been here many times over the last 15 years and it’s such a beautiful restaurant. The food was amazing and our waiter was fantastic. Valet was terrific too. The hostess was a little stiff and standoffish which was surprising. We’d definitely return again hoping for a perfect dining experience. Thank you Chef!
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A photo of San Ysidro Ranch Meyer Lemon Tart of a restaurant
Popular dish
San Ysidro Ranch Meyer Lemon Tart
A photo of Blackened Ora King Salmon Salad of a restaurant
Popular dish
Blackened Ora King Salmon Salad
A photo of Sunday Champagne Brunch of a restaurant
Experience
Sunday Champagne Brunch
A photo of Barbareño restaurant
Barbareño
4.8
4.8 (1891)
$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
OpenTable Diner
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.
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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 Ca Dario Montecito restaurant
Ca Dario Montecito
4.8
4.8 (888)
$50 and over
Italian
Montecito
About the restaurant
Ca' 'Dario's newest restaurant on Coast Village Road promises the same authentic and fresh Italian cuisine as our other locations, now easily accessible for residents of Montecito!
Enjoy outdoor dining on our covered patio, or indoor in our elegant dining room.
We feature an adjustable roof that keeps out the rain and allows in the sun.
Dogs are welcome (we ask that you limit the number to one per guest)
​
Top review
AutumnVIP
Dined 2 days ago
Fantastic service. The meal was wonderful. Wine selection was broad. Really enjoyed it. Will definitely be back.
A photo of Bouchon - Santa Barbara restaurant
Bouchon - Santa Barbara
4.9
4.9 (5448)
$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 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.
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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 (5507)
$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
ValerieVIP
Dined 3 days ago
Great Italian restaurant right on the water. The food was delicious. There were six of us and everybody mentioned how good their choices were. Will definitely come back!
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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
4.7
4.7 (2552)
$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
Melinda
Dined 3 days ago
What a lovely restaurant. It’s big, but not especially noisy. We were seated next to a table with five small children, and we were able to talk to one another easily. New Year’s Day evening is a great time to go to dinner! It was easy to get a reservation, the venue is lovely, and we all thought the food was excellent.
A photo of Lucky's restaurant
Lucky's
4.8
4.8 (2892)
$50 and over
Steakhouse
Montecito
About the restaurant
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.

Top review
PaulVIP
Dined 2 days ago
Excellence in all respects! Food and Service are at the highest levels!
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A photo of Monday - Chicken Pot Pie with Morels of a restaurant
Popular dish
Monday - Chicken Pot Pie with Morels
A photo of Tre Lune restaurant
Tre Lune
4.8
4.8 (2009)
$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
LeahVIP
Dined 2 days ago
Exceptional as always! My favorite place for the best Italian food and great service.
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A photo of Lasagne Maria of a restaurant
Popular dish
Lasagne Maria
A photo of Gnocchi Tartufati of a restaurant
Popular dish
Gnocchi Tartufati
A photo of Fettuccine Alfredo of a restaurant
Popular dish
Fettuccine Alfredo
A photo of The Black Sheep SB Brasserie restaurant
The Black Sheep SB Brasserie
4.8
4.8 (722)
$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
Pete
Dined on 27 Dec 2024
Excellent quality and value. Creative menu and well executed. Service was top notch, from arrival to end of desert. Our favorite SB dinner spot!
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A photo of "Sunday Supper" Chef's Choice 4 courses of a restaurant
Experience
"Sunday Supper" Chef's Choice 4 courses
A photo of “Apero” Early Dinner Prix Fix of a restaurant
Experience
“Apero” Early Dinner Prix Fix
A photo of Endless Moules Frites every Wednesday of a restaurant
Experience
Endless Moules Frites every Wednesday
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