Location: Montecito
Top Restaurants in Montecito
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California, United States Food Guide: 10 American food Must-Eat Restaurants & Street Food Stalls in Montecito
Best American restaurants nearby. Discover the best American food in Montecito. View Menus, Photos and Reviews for American restaurants near you.. Home to some of Santa Barbara County’s most famous residents, Montecito has always had an irresistible allure, first attracting vacationing movers and shakers in the 1880s. Today, locals, visitors and celebrities meander along Montecito’s stunning beaches, including famous Butterfly Beach, charming Coast Village Road and Upper Village. Drive or bike along the tree-shaded lanes, and do what the locals do: hang out on a sunny patio, read the paper and don't make a fuss if you see a famous face.
Things to do in Montecito
10. The Lark
Overall Ratings
4 based on 990 reviews
The Lark pays homage to the history of California train travel and tributes the treasured and long gone Santa Barbara Fish Market, built in the 1920âs as a commercial fish processing plant, shipping their seafood products throughout the state by rail. Wit
Reviewed By tquintana2003
This place is so cool. The ambiance is funky and relaxed. The food is different but so good! Overall, the service was on point, the place superb, and dinner fabulous. This is definitely a place to visit when you come to Santa Barbara. Would highly recommend.
9. Barbareno
Overall Ratings
4 based on 237 reviews
Conveniently located in downtown Santa Barbara, Barbareño seeks to embody California's Central Coast. Serving regionally inspired cuisine, fine California wines, and locally crafted beers in a rustic yet modern environment, we seek to celebrate our home t
Reviewed By MesaSB
My wife and I finally tried Barbareno and we both wondered why we hadn't eaten there years ago. Great staff and great food with an intentional Central California cuisine focus. From fresh fish to the fabulous Tri-tip, this restaurant is now one of our favorites. Comfortable and relaxed atmosphere. My wife and I ate at the bar (because we like doing that) and we had the chance to chat with alot of the staff. Very friendly and very knowledgeable about the food and wine. My wife had the tri-tip and I had the cheeseburger. Both were delicious.
8. Santa Barbara Shellfish Company
Overall Ratings
4 based on 1529 reviews
Reviewed By Mister_Stan
Driest Calamari i ate in the whole West Coast, probably left over from the night before ,but the rest(Clam chowder-oysters) were very good, they probably specialized in everything else then Calamari
7. Finney's
Overall Ratings
4 based on 159 reviews
Reviewed By journeywithuss
We visited Santa Barbara as a day trip from LA and it was such a refreshing trip. Santa Barbara itself is absolutely beautiful and the restaurants/bars in the local area all looked fantastic. One that really stood out was Finney's so we decided to stop off for a bite of lunch. It is located on the road just opposite the pier so a prime location. Their craft beer menu was impressive and food menu also seemed right up our street (serving everything from pizza, burgers, tacos etc). We ordered pepperoni pizza & some chicken tacos (as well as beers and cocktails) we were very impressed with the quality and timing of the food. The only downside was the service wasn't great and half the time we had to stop the servers from congregating at the till having a catch-up and gossiping to try and get their attention. The toilets were clean and located at the back of the restaurant and there is an outdoor seating area during the hotter months. Whilst we was there a mariachi band came and played songs like "La Bamba" etc for tips which we really enjoyed. Overall, aside from the average levels of service, we still had a fab time!Instagram: @journeywithuss
6. Tydes
Overall Ratings
4 based on 108 reviews
Overlooking Butterfly Beach, inside the Coral Casino Beach and Cabana Club, Tydes offers intimate indoor and outdoor oceanfront dining exclusively to Resort guests and members of the Club. Located on the historic cabana deck, with panoramic views atop the
Reviewed By BlakievanHemert
This restaurant is located in the Coral Casino Beach & Cabana Club, a private membership club, situated atop Butterfly Beach at Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara. The most recent menu had 3 choices for a stater, 4 choices plus a vegetarian option for the main course and 2 dessert choices. I was with 13 others and everyone was pleased with their selections.Our wait staff personnel were efficient and accommodating. The view and sound of the surf when seated outside provides an incredible ambience. Inside is special too with a large bar with an aquarian wrapped around it. The decor is thoughtfully well done.This is a classy place.
5. Plow & Angel Bistro
Overall Ratings
4 based on 85 reviews
Enjoy a comfortable, convivial atmosphere in this locals' favorite. Famous for its mac 'n cheese and award winning ribs, the Plow and Angel is the place to see and be seen. The cozy ambiance is enhanced with original artwork, including gorgeous stained-gl
Reviewed By CaTraveler7777
This place is on the grounds of the San Ysidro Ranch, where we were staying. We ate outside under the trees that are laced with lights at night, making for a really romantic meal. The outside is much quieter and much more beautiful that the indoor seating. I had the quail, the octopus and the abalone for dinner and everything was great. Highly recommended.
4. Bella Vista at Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara
Overall Ratings
4 based on 482 reviews
Bella Vista Restaurant is Santa Barbara's most beautiful premier al fresco oceanfront dining experience. With panoramic ocean and island views across Montecito's Butterfly Beach, guests will enjoy a contemporary Italian menu showcasing fresh California in
Reviewed By guybeau2016
Great selection off the menu and the buffet. I opted for the menu and was not disappointed. The food is excellent. It is simply a great spot.
3. Lucky's
Overall Ratings
4 based on 347 reviews
LUCKY'S is widely known for its exclusive selection of USDA Prime steaks, live Maine lobsters, no-nonsense cocktails and world class wine cellar. LUCKY'S remains one of a rare few to honor the no nonsense steak dinner traditions. From the moment youâre gr
Reviewed By chadesigndiva
This place has been special to me since I had a milestone birthday there and they went above and beyond to make it special, anytime we are anywhere near we have to go! The food is fabulous and the service is fantastic, patient and always ready with a great recommendation. I highly recommend it, you won't be sorry!
Where to eat Pizza food in Montecito: The Best Restaurants and Bars
2. Honor Bar
Overall Ratings
4 based on 210 reviews
Reviewed By H7794NMdonnah
Love this place. Nice ambiance, great service and incredibly good food and drinks.Seafood cocktail that was just added as a special, is the best we have ever had. Also tried the buttermilk crispy chicken sandwich, which is a clear winner as well.Deviled eggs were excellent, but I recommend the seafood cocktail and chicken sandwich as the most recommended and clear stars!
Most Popular Italian food in Montecito, California, United States
1. Stonehouse Restaurant at San Ysidro Ranch
Overall Ratings
4 based on 329 reviews
Located in a 19th-century citrus packing house, The Stonehouse features a relaxing lounge with full bar service and a separate dining room with crackling fireplace and creek side views. Guests can dine under the romantic gaze of Southern California's star
Reviewed By MrGaucho1987
We visited the Stonehouse for our 30th Wedding Anniversary. We left with a special memory. Here's why. The SYR property, Stonehouse waiting area and dining room itself are straight out of a design magazine. Every manicured, spare-no-expense, square inch of this property is designed to welcome guests in luxury. The restaurant waiting area and dining patio seem endlessly poised, just waiting for the architectural digest photographer to show up. The service, from the kid at the front gate to the valets to the hostess to Robert our waiter all appeared well-schooled in the art of solid, unpretentious service. The food and drinks are not cheap. But given the premium setting, I did not expect bargain prices. The food was all good. My steak Diane was well prepared and flavorful, as was my wife's lamb, and we both enjoyed the bananas foster. The only downgrades (and they were few), was the 30-minute wait after our reservation due to a lingering table, and my forgotten after-dinner coffee. Both are certainly pardonable sins, but a perhaps a touch less so at $150 per person for dinner. All-in, this is a special occasion restaurant that deserves its outstanding reputation. Birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, proposals or just a special night out, do not forget the Stonehouse.
