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Diners' Choice: Best Ambiance restaurants in Santa Barbara

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants with the best ambiance in Santa Barbara? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

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

F

FrankVIP

Dined 2 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

San Ysidro Ranch Meyer Lemon Tart

A photo of Blackened Ora King Salmon Salad of a restaurant

Blackened Ora King Salmon Salad

A photo of Sunday Champagne Brunch of a restaurant

Sunday Champagne Brunch

A photo of The Bistro at The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara restaurant

The Bistro at The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara

4.6

4.6 (536)

$50 and over

American

Santa Barbara

About the restaurant

Named “Top 100 Best Al Fresco Dining Restaurants in America” by OpenTable, The Bistro offers a casual and relaxed atmosphere to dine and enjoy sweeping views of the coastline. Local produce and sustainable seafood highlight an acclaimed menu of traditional bistro favorites, including brick oven flatbreads, seasonal salads and the signature Santa Barbara burger.

Please note that holiday reservations are only available for in-house guests. Room confirmation number is required to officially confirm your dining reservation during these times.

Marriott Bonvoy Members can earn points when staying with us. Please enroll here: https://www.joinmarriottbonvoy.com/uscanqr/s/EN/ch/sbarz

For parties with 6 guests or more a 26% service charge fee will be added to your final bill. For all guests there will be an 8.75% California State tax added to the final bill.

Top review

A

Ana Y

Dined 1 day ago

Amazing food! Our waiter German was the best!!!!!!

A photo of Intermezzo By Wine Cask restaurant

Intermezzo By Wine Cask

4.6

4.6 (1788)

$31 to $50

Californian

Santa Barbara

About the restaurant

Intermezzo by Wine Cask
New Menu by Executive Chef Mossin Sugich

Modern American cuisine with a Mediterranean twist

Top review

E

ElizabethVIP

Dined 7 days ago

I love this place; have been several times. I’ve only had dinner at the bar, so can’t speak to table service, but the bartenders work hard, and are funny, attentive and very knowledgeable about wines. The atmosphere is lively and sophisticated. Did I mention the food??? Pizza is amazing here. NY steak & frites is fantastic. Enjoy!

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

V

ValerieVIP

Dined 2 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

A photo of Lasagna of a restaurant

A photo of Ravioli of a restaurant

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

M

Marcia

Dined 2 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

A photo of Dungeness Crab Cakes of a restaurant

Dungeness Crab Cakes

A photo of Bouchon French 'French Onion' Soup of a restaurant

Bouchon French 'French Onion' Soup

A photo of Lucky's restaurant

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

P

PaulVIP

Dined 1 day 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

Monday - Chicken Pot Pie with Morels

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

A

AngelaVIP

Dined today

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

Pasilla Chile Filet Mignon

A photo of Barbareño restaurant

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

OT

OpenTable Diner

Dined today

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

Santa Maria BBQ

A photo of Baked California of a restaurant

Baked California

A photo of Grilled Avocado of a restaurant

Grilled Avocado

A photo of Convivo restaurant

4.7

4.7 (2139)

$31 to $50

Italian

Santa Barbara

About the restaurant

Convivo is a Santa Barbara restaurant and bar with an Italian soul. Chef-Owner Peter McNee's food is best described as ‘Nomad Italian’. It strays from the standard or traditional Italian, sourcing inspiration from many other cultures’ cooking but its soul is thoroughly Italian. The ever-changing menu includes small plates, housemade pasta, wood-fired pizza, rotisserie chicken, fresh seafood and steaks served family-style. McNee’s all-star supplier network provides the freshest produce and local seafood the region is famous for.

Inspired by the bounty of the sea, the lush farms and abundant vineyards nearby and the cooking methods of Italy, Convivo is a festive gathering place for locals and visitors alike inside the newly-restored Santa Barbara Inn.

Top review

H

Heather

Dined 2 days ago

Inspired, delicious menu. Friendly and attentive service. Gorgeous dining room.

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A photo of Bucatini of a restaurant

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