Best Restaurants for Outdoor Dining in Santa Barbara

25 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Intermezzo By Wine Cask restaurant

1. Intermezzo By Wine Cask

4.8

Exceptional(1767)

Price: Expensive

• Californian • Santa Barbara

Booked 11 times today

Intermezzo by Wine Cask New Menu by Executive Chef Mossin SugichModern American cuisine with a Mediterranean twist

2. Gala

4.7

Exceptional(288)

Price: Expensive

• European • Santa Barbara

Booked 6 times today

Gala exudes a European meets Santa Barbara charm, where you feel like you’re transported to a beautiful bistro in the Mediterranean. Enjoy shared tapas, farmer's market favorites, pasta and risotto, fresh oysters and the best steak with bone marrow butter & chimichurri. Cozy up for our farm to table craft cocktails, a Pisco sour or martini and a full meal with friends. Curated wine list with local & Spanish wines. Right down the street from the Santa Barbara Courthouse enjoy an evening at Gala. 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, Farm to table, Farmer's market driven, Tapas, Seafood, Steak, Oysters, Happy Hour, Food, Cocktails, Wine, Restaurant, Vegetarian, Friendly, Dog Friendly, Outdoor Patio, Heaters, Warm, Inviting, Hospitable, Modern Design

3. Chase Restaurant

3.5

Very Good(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. Opal Restaurant & Bar

4.8

Exceptional(1740)

Price: Expensive

• Californian • Santa Barbara

Booked 19 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

5. Bouchon - Santa Barbara

4.8

Exceptional(5414)

Price: Expensive

• Californian • Santa Barbara

Booked 31 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!

6. Barbareño

4.8

Exceptional(1874)

Price: Expensive

• Californian • Santa Barbara

Booked 25 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.

7. OKU

4.7

Exceptional(1737)

Price: Expensive

• Asian • Santa Barbara

Booked 53 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.

8. Secret Bao

4.8

Exceptional(660)

Price: Expensive

• Asian • Santa Barbara

Booked 13 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 Stonehouse at San Ysidro Ranch restaurant

9. Stonehouse at San Ysidro Ranch

4.8

Exceptional(2593)

Price: Very Expensive

• Contemporary American • Santa Barbara

Booked 25 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 Olio e Limone Ristorante restaurant

10. Olio e Limone Ristorante

4.8

Exceptional(2535)

Price: Very Expensive

• Italian • Santa Barbara

Booked 18 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.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

B
Bob
San Francisco Bay Area •2 reviews
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
I don’t remember our waitresses name, but she has been there 5 years and gave us wonderful service. Friendly, helpful and attentive.
More info
Opal Restaurant & BarPrice: Expensive• Californian• Santa Barbara
•
4.8
A
Alex
California Central Coast •56 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
Excellent service from Tom, one of the waiters. Nice selection from a slightly small menu which means the chef can do an outstanding job on all those preparations. We like that approach rather than 2-3 pages with unlimited choices. The kitchen can never do all those well. Great European ambiance.
More info
Bouchon - Santa BarbaraPrice: Expensive• Californian• Santa Barbara
•
4.8
Y
Yumi
California Central Coast •7 reviews
5.0
Dined 5 days ago
Excellent Yuzu margarita from the bar and ordered a couple yummy appetizers. Terrific scallops for dinner. We gathered for a friend's birthday and had a wonderful time at Gala. Great service and we appreciated the delicious foods.
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GalaPrice: Expensive• European• Santa Barbara
•
4.7
B
Barbaravip
California Central Coast •28 reviews
5.0
Dined on Nov 14, 2024
Outstanding, as always. The food was wonderful - the oysters Rockefeller are just so delicious. I wish they would add another slice or two to the bread we ordered. Two pieces for two people - one piece per person - is a little skimpy. The wine list is wonderful and the cocktails, perfect! And the service couldn't have been more spot on. Than you Mia - you are delightful. We will be back soon.
More info
Intermezzo By Wine CaskPrice: Expensive• Californian• Santa Barbara
•
4.8
L
Lisa
California Central Coast •52 reviews
5.0
Dined on Oct 13, 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
•
3.5

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Best Restaurants for Outdoor Dining in Santa Barbara

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25 restaurants available nearby

1. Intermezzo By Wine Cask

2. Gala

3. Chase Restaurant

4. Opal Restaurant & Bar

5. Bouchon - Santa Barbara

6. Barbareño

7. OKU

8. Secret Bao

9. Stonehouse at San Ysidro Ranch

10. Olio e Limone Ristorante

See what locals rave about

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