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Best Restaurants for Outdoor Dining in Santa Barbara

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23 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Intermezzo By Wine Cask restaurant
4.5
Awesome(1805)
Price: Expensive
• Californian • Santa Barbara
Booked 2 times today
Intermezzo by Wine Cask New Menu by Executive Chef Mossin SugichModern American cuisine with a Mediterranean twist
A photo of Chase Restaurant restaurant
4.1
Excellent(792)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • Santa Barbara
Chase Restaurant, a Santa Barbara institution since 1979, is conveniently located at 1012 State Street in the Theater district and showcases a classic elegant Italian décor with an intimate interior bar and an outside patio with high top seating overlooking State Street. Chase Restaurant features the finest meat, seafood and pasta dishes, as well as traditional Italian desserts. Signature dishes include Chicken Piccata served with Fettuccini Alfredo, Eggplant Parmigiana, Veal Valle de Ostra, Penne Carbonara and many more. This warm, romantic Italian restaurant offers a global wine list boasting many Santa Barbara wines which are curated to pair with the bold, rich flavors of classic Italian fare. Custom cocktails featuring spirits blended with seasonal ingredients as well as Italian and craft beer are offered as well. There is free parking in the rear of the restaurant off Anacapa Street.
A photo of Opal Restaurant & Bar restaurant
4.8
Exceptional(1801)
Price: Expensive
• Californian • Santa Barbara
Booked 18 times today
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!
A photo of Bouchon - Santa Barbara restaurant
4.8
Exceptional(5479)
Price: Expensive
• Californian • Santa Barbara
Booked 22 times today
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!
A photo of Barbareño restaurant
4.8
Exceptional(1910)
Price: Expensive
• Californian • Santa Barbara
Booked 18 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
4.8
Exceptional(1799)
Price: Expensive
• Asian • Santa Barbara
Booked 42 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 Olio e Limone Ristorante restaurant
4.7
Exceptional(2575)
Price: Very Expensive
• Italian • Santa Barbara
Booked 20 times today
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.
A photo of Secret Bao restaurant
4.8
Exceptional(688)
Price: Expensive
• Asian • Santa Barbara
Booked 28 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 Holdren's Santa Barbara restaurant
4.6
Exceptional(1023)
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.
A photo of Stonehouse at San Ysidro Ranch restaurant
4.8
Exceptional(2677)
Price: Very Expensive
• Contemporary American • Santa Barbara
Booked 29 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.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you
From verified diners like you
  • Jane
    California Central Coast •2 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 1 day ago
    One of the best restaurants in Santa Barbara. We have been a few times for special occasions and it has always been fabulous. Great food and service and cosy atmosphere.
    More info
    Opal Restaurant & BarPrice: Expensive• Californian• Santa Barbara
    4.8
  • MargoVIP
    Greater Boston •21 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 1 day ago
    Our Soppressata pizza was so disappointing. What has happened to it over the past year? Not only not the same as it used to be, this time it was burned to a crisp and yet the chef and kitchen staff still sent it out to us. The filet mignon au poivre was excellent. Both LT and Kenny were amazing wait staff. We were lucky to have them.
    More info
    Intermezzo By Wine CaskPrice: Expensive• Californian• Santa Barbara
    4.5
  • Claire
    Los Angeles •4 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 2 days ago
    I’m not usually one to write reviews, but Bouchon definitely earned its stars last night! My fiancé and I came for Valentine’s Day dinner and were expecting the typical “lower quality service and rushed atmosphere” but were extremely impressed with all bouchon had to offer! From start to finish, the service was impeccable. I cannot stress enough- if it weren’t for the adorable heart-shaped balloons and rose-petal covered tables, we wouldn’t have even been able to tell it was Valentine’s Day (in the best way possible). On top of the incredible, friendly, and warm service, the food was also top-notch. Starting with the fresh sourdough bread, rounding out with the delectable French-onion soup, to the perfectly cooked surf and turf, this truly was one of the better meals we’ve had. My fiance even said the Warm Lemon-Berry cake was probably in his top 5 desserts ever! So thank you, bouchon, for your incredible staff, delicious food, and giving my fiance and I a new favorite restaurant in Santa Barbara!
    More info
    Bouchon - Santa BarbaraPrice: Expensive• Californian• Santa Barbara
    4.8
  • Sarah
    Los Angeles •23 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 6 days ago
    The team at Barbareño was so lovely! Thank you for making my husband feel special on his birthday. We enjoyed their signature Santa Maria BBQ platter the most of anything we ordered and their homemade sourdough is out of this world delicious.
    More info
    BarbareñoPrice: Expensive• Californian• Santa Barbara
    4.8
  • Lisa
    California Central Coast •52 reviews
    5.0
    Dined on 13 Oct 2024
    The Caesar Salad was fresh and the dressing was a tasty surprise. The Veal Milanese breading was crispy and paired nicely with the buttery, cheesy fettuccine. My friends both enjoyed their Spinach Ravioli and Pappardelle Vodka. Topped it off with us all sharing the Warm Lava Cake...delish!
    More info
    Chase RestaurantPrice: Moderate• Italian• Santa Barbara
    4.1
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