Best Date Night Restaurants in Carpinteria

Price

$$
$$$
$$$$

Cuisine

AmericanItalianSeafoodLoungeAsianContemporary European

Regions

Santa Barbara

Areas

MontecitoSanta Barbara

Top Rated

CharmingFancyGood for business mealsGood for groupsGood for special occasionsGreat for brunch

Dining Options

All dining options

Delivery only

Takeaway only

Seating Options

BarCounterStandardHigh TopOutdoor

Award-winning

MICHELIN

Accessibility

Gender-neutral restroomWheelchair access

11 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Stonehouse at San Ysidro Ranch restaurant

1. Stonehouse at San Ysidro Ranch

4.8

Exceptional(2677)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Contemporary American • Santa Barbara

Booked 28 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 Clark's Oyster Bar - Montecito restaurant

2. Clark's Oyster Bar - Montecito

4.4

Awesome(82)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Seafood • Montecito

Booked 49 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.

3. Blackbird

3.8

Excellent(176)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Californian • Santa Barbara

Booked 2 times today

Blackbird offers an inventive take on dishes, highlighting hyper-local and hyper-seasonal offerings. Leaning into the locality and freshness of the fare continues to be a focus of the restaurant’s story. In 2025, we will focus on redefining and developing the personality of Blackbird, including highlighting the talent to create the semblance of a relationship for locals looking for somewhere to go. A revamped cocktail menu will aim to drive additional local interest and traffic into the spaces. We continue to strive to position Blackbird as a favorite in town, and to that end are finding new ways to activate the venues each night and draw both locals and hotel guests in. Complimentary hotel valet parking with validation.

4. Tre Lune

4.8

Exceptional(2034)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Italian • Montecito

Booked 51 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.

5. OKU

4.8

Exceptional(1799)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Asian • Santa Barbara

Booked 46 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 Ca Dario Montecito restaurant

6. Ca Dario Montecito

4.8

Exceptional(904)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Italian • Montecito

Booked 22 times today

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)

A photo of Bluewater Grill - Santa Barbara restaurant

7. Bluewater Grill - Santa Barbara

4.5

Awesome(668)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Seafood • Santa Barbara

Booked 47 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!

8. LOCAL Montecito

4.6

Exceptional(288)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Seafood • Montecito

Booked 19 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.

9. Lilac Montecito

4.6

Exceptional(167)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Contemporary European • Montecito

Booked 11 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

10. Anchor Rose

4.1

Excellent(92)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• American • Santa Barbara

Booked 10 times today

Life is better when you're on the water.Located directly overlooking the historic harbor with 360-degree views of the Pacific Ocean and downtown Santa Barbara, Anchor Rose is the perfect place to share a cocktail, enjoy a fresh seafood dinner, and people watch or catch one of the American Riviera’s signature sunsets. Come for the drinks. Stay for the tapas.Drawn from the seafaring roots that have shaped the Santa Barbara area for hundreds of years, our craft cocktails and scratch-made plates are inspired by the sea, the surf, and the laid-back atmosphere for which this area is famous. Flip-flops welcome.Anchor Rose is Santa Barbara’s best restaurant, with a view of the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Barbara Harbor. Whether you’re looking for the best fresh seafood or a restaurant with a view, Anchor Rose has quickly become the favorite Santa Barbara restaurant for locals and tourists alike.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

K
Kimberly
Denver / Colorado •1 review
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
We had a great experience, food , atmosphere, service was exceptional. Highly recommended.
More info
Clark's Oyster Bar - MontecitoPrice: Expensive• Seafood• Montecito
•
4.4
M
Mary
California Central Coast •1 review
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
Food is always good so is the service. Went for a Valentine’s Day dinner date and the owner was going around greeting guest and handing out roses…so sweet!
More info
OKUPrice: Expensive• Asian• Santa Barbara
•
4.8
M
Melissa
Denver / Colorado •1 review
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
Amazing! The food, service, and ambience. My favorite restaurant (along with their Patisserie in downtown SB). Their menu has something for everyone, and the staff is very welcoming and attentive. It’s heaven if you’re gluten free, and a delicious experience if you’re not.
More info
Lilac MontecitoPrice: Expensive• Contemporary European• Montecito
•
4.6
J
Juan
California Central Coast •2 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
Food was exceptional very tasty,We started with Octopus with rosted cuya very good and after that we had a Calamari an other nicly done appetaicer, for our mains I had the Bransino nice delicate fish and my wife had the Duck really nice done dish,,,, Graet food I really recommend
More info
GalaPrice: Expensive• European• Santa Barbara
•
4.7
S
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

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