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Best Fun Restaurants in Santa Ynez

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15 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Whiskey 'N Rye restaurant
1. Whiskey 'N Rye
4.6
Exceptional(212)
Price: Expensive
• Barbecue • Solvang
Booked 28 times today
Whiskey 'N Rye is a fun spot with its unique barbecue and wine-country cuisine. The atmosphere is praised in reviews as 'modern and warm', and the 'great cocktails' are a hit. The outdoor dining area in a beautiful courtyard is another plus. It's also described as a 'great casual BBQ place' with 'good cocktails' and 'fresh' food. The 'exceptional staff' and 'welcoming experience' add to the fun factor.
A photo of First & Oak at the Mirabelle Inn restaurant
2. First & Oak at the Mirabelle Inn
4.7
Exceptional(1203)
Price: Very Expensive
• Californian • Solvang
Booked 6 times today
First & Oak at the Mirabelle Inn is an absolute delight. With its seasonally-inspired menu and thoughtful preparation, it's no wonder it's earned a Michelin Plate. Reviews rave about the 'creative & completely enjoyed by all' menu offerings, 'friendly service', and 'nice atmosphere'. The ambiance, with its calming and relaxing environment, is frequently praised, making it a perfect spot for a romantic dinner. Plus, the outdoor seating on the heated patio offers a unique dining experience.
A photo of The Gathering Table restaurant
3. The Gathering Table
4.7
Exceptional(96)
Price: Expensive
• Contemporary Asian • Solvang
Booked 13 times today
Welcome to The Gathering Table, Solvang’s newest culinary gem. Led by acclaimed Chef Budi Kazali, renowned for his innovative Asian cuisine with French influences, our restaurant promises an unforgettable dining experience.Chef Budi Kazali brings his mastery to every dish, infusing flavors from his Indonesian heritage with local ingredients sourced from nearby farms. Whether indulging in his signature dishes or exploring new creations, every bite at The Gathering Table is a celebration of culinary artistry.Situated amidst Solvang’s picturesque streets, our restaurant offers a serene outdoor dining area, perfect for enjoying Chef Kazali’s creations al fresco. Inside, savor handcrafted cocktails at our full bar or host an intimate gathering in our Private Dining Room, where every detail is tailored to exceed your expectations.Discover a place where exquisite cuisine meets warm and approachable hospitality at The Gathering Table!
A photo of McClain Cellars - Solvang restaurant
4. McClain Cellars - Solvang
4.5
Awesome(27)
Price: Expensive
• Wine Bar • Solvang
Booked 1 time today
Enjoy a luxury wine tasting experience in Solvang in front of our 36-foot long fire pit and fall in love with our relaxing couches and a beautiful wine bar. We offer unique blends, crisp whites, and amazing award-winning wines from the Santa Ynez Valley. Enjoy our artisan popcorn. A “hip” modern industrial luxury vibe that is a cross between a New York “Soho” music venue and a beautiful “Napa Valley” tasting lounge. Hang outside and soak in the warm sun and relax in the cool breezes or step up to the bar for a glass of the good stuff. We offer live Jazz and Blues music on most weekends and an inviting lounge-like atmosphere with a patio. If you love art, wine, and great service... then stop by to be amazed."
A photo of SY Kitchen restaurant
5. SY Kitchen
4.9
Exceptional(3813)
Price: Expensive
• Italian • Santa Ynez Valley
Booked 38 times today
RESERVATIONS Reservations for parties of 5 or more please call restaurant directly. S. Y. Kitchen requests a credit card to hold a reservation of 6 or more. You may cancel by calling the restaurant by 5 PM two days prior to the reservation. After that cancellation is subject to our policy and fees may be incurred. All credit card information will be processed securely.
A photo of Leonardo Ristorante & Pizzeria restaurant
6. Leonardo Ristorante & Pizzeria
4.9
Exceptional(1362)
Price: Expensive
• Italian • Solvang
Booked 21 times today
Highly anticipated opening by Chef Leonardi Curti.
A photo of Hitching Post II restaurant
7. Hitching Post II
4.7
Exceptional(5107)
Price: Expensive
• Steakhouse • Buellton
Booked 22 times today
Here, on the Central Coast of California, BBQ has always meant grilling over an open fire of red oak, a style of cooking that is native to our area and goes back to the days of the Spanish Rancheros. By combining the old and the new, we have created an exciting cuisine with outstanding steaks, ribs and chicken, along with fresh fish and seafood and vegetarian options. We also create our own (world class) wines for sale in the restaurant and to the public. Hartley Ostini Hitching Post Wines have garnered an excellent reputation. Try them here or purchase on our website for your enjoyment at home.
A photo of Willows at Chumash Casino restaurant
8. Willows at Chumash Casino
4.7
Exceptional(1505)
Price: Very Expensive
• Contemporary American • Santa Ynez Valley
Booked 11 times today
The Willows specializes in mouthwatering prime steaks and seafood. This 14 time AAA Four Diamond Award-winning restaurant also features a Wine Spectator Award winning wine list with an extensive selection of local and imported wines, all served in an exquisitely appointed setting.
A photo of Nella Kitchen and Bar restaurant
9. Nella Kitchen and Bar
4.7
Exceptional(1064)
Price: Expensive
• Californian • Santa Ynez Valley
Booked 28 times today
Opened in August 2020, Nella Kitchen & Bar offers fresh, modern California cuisine and focuses on 'Roman Pinsas'.Meals are served on the front porch overlooking Grand Ave where guests are warmly welcomed, or in the cozy Dining Room which also has a private Wine Room that can host family seating and private parties.Cocktails are focused on classics and served in the Lounge with a lot of bar seating.As much as we love pets, we only allow service animals at Nella, thank you for understanding.
A photo of Ellie's Tap & Vine restaurant
10. Ellie's Tap & Vine
4.9
Exceptional(657)
Price: Expensive
• Farm-to-table • Santa Ynez Valley
Booked 9 times today
Welcome to Ellie's Tap & Vine... Join us for seasonal cuisine, elegant ranch ambiance and great wine! We are Valley to Table dining, working with many local farms and purveyors; We look forward to seeing you soon! Our menu changes regularly, so please feel free to visit our website: www.elliestapandvine.com or follow us on IG and/or FB.Our restaurant is located in the heart of Santa Ynez. We boast amazing outdoor seating with great views and because it is often a little chilly in the evening, we have heaters. We are also dog and cat friendly.We know re-adjusting to dining out is a strange experience for everyone and we are all slowly returning. For now, we will be suspending lunch service.
‘About the restaurant’ descriptions have been generated using an artificial intelligence model comprised of OpenTable proprietary data that has not been independently verified by OpenTable. The content is presented as-is, for informational purposes only.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you
From verified diners like you
  • Sophia
    Orange County •3 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 1 day ago
    Our meal and service were impeccable! From the very moment we walked in with our two little kids, the maitre’d made us feel so welcome. He also made sure the kitchen accommodated my little one with a severe food allergy. The food came out quickly and every bite was exceptional. The service was so friendly from our waiter to our busser and everyone in between. I was very impressed and am excited to return again and again. Thank you!
    More info
    SY KitchenPrice: Expensive• Italian• Santa Ynez Valley
    •
    4.9
  • Mark
    California Central Coast •19 reviews
    4.0
    Dined 3 days ago
    Their lineup of wines was vast with over 25 varietals, and those were just the ones we saw. There was not a dud in the entire group. All were well worth drinking. However the price points were way too high, compared to similar wine quality from other wine tasting rooms in Los Olivos, Buellton and Santa Ynez. If they dropped their prices about 25 percent, this would be a gem in Solvang.
    More info
    McClain Cellars - SolvangPrice: Expensive• Wine Bar• Solvang
    •
    4.5
  • Melissa
    Portland / Oregon •6 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 3 days ago
    2nd visit here and it was fantastic! Great food & service!! We’ll be back!
    More info
    Whiskey 'N RyePrice: Expensive• Barbecue• Solvang
    •
    4.6
  • Mark
    Los Angeles •1 review
    5.0
    Dined 4 days ago
    The 5 course wine pairing was very good. I wish I had taken a picture of the Wines offered as they were all excellent and full pours. The food offerings were all very good, with the exception of the oysters. The cauliflower was our favorite and the sea bass was perfect. We were a little worried that the oysters were not quite right as they tasted mostly of sea water. We have had lots of oysters over the years and these were honestly just not good. But we didn’t get sick! LOL. We will for sure recommend this place for the dining experience and will return the next time we are in Solvang.
    More info
    First & Oak at the Mirabelle InnPrice: Very Expensive• Californian• Solvang
    •
    4.7
  • Michaelvip
    California Central Coast •23 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 5 days ago
    The menu is exquisite, great influence of asian cuisine. Great selection of specials also. Third time being here, and definitely not the last.
    More info
    The Gathering TablePrice: Expensive• Contemporary Asian• Solvang
    •
    4.7

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