Location: Santa Barbara
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California, United States Food Guide: 5 French food Must-Eat Restaurants & Street Food Stalls in Santa Barbara
Best French restaurants nearby. Discover the best French food in Santa Barbara. View Menus, Photos and Reviews for French restaurants near you.. Nestled between the shrub-covered slopes of the Santa Ynez Mountains and the clear blue shores of the Pacific Ocean, Santa Barbara is California at its best. Mission Santa Barbara is an example of 18th-century religious architecture, boasting beautiful grounds and a wonderfully detailed interior. Work up an appetite with a walk through Shoreline Park, then dine above the water on Stearns Wharf. Fig trees, parks, waterfalls, and botanical gardens round out Santa Barbara’s natural beauty.
Things to do in Santa Barbara
1. Stella Mare's
Overall Ratings
4 based on 291 reviews
Stella Mareâs is a Santa Barbara localâs favorite for lunch, brunch and dinner. French country recipes are offered with fresh fish, meats and poultry cooked on our wood-burning grill. Stella Mare's is perhaps one of the best examples of Santa Barbara styl
Reviewed By akdeepdiver
We've been a fan of Stella Mares yearly when we go to Santa Barbara for the past 4 years. Always serving my favorite classic French dishes that I love. Graduation weekend in Santa Barbara, I made Opentable reservations a couple months in advance: Saturday, 6:45 p.m. for a party of 4, atrium seating.When we arrived, we were greeted and seated right away. The place was fairly busy, large parties, private rooms. Our server introduced himself and took our drink order while we perused the menu. First off I noticed they cut the dinner menu offerings, and sadly took off one of my most favorite dishes here the "cassoulet". Appetizers ordered were the Classic Escargot Persillade and Gravlax. Entrees ordered were Cote de Pork, Classic Mussels in White Wine with Frites, Mussels in a Beer Tomato base with Frites and Grilled Ribeye Steak (medium rare) Frites served with a Peppercorn and Bordelaise Sauce.The Escargot was excellent as usual. The Gravlax was good but on the salty side. Both Mussel dishes and Pork dish were excellent. Here came the upset, our waiter went MIA, wanting to order more drinks, I had to flag down another server to take our drink order. Then, my friend's Ribeye came to the table, I took one look at it, it was literally less than 1/2 in thick and looked like a piece of leather and yes we cut into it and it was well done. Needless to say I again tried to flag down our MIA server while everyone else started their entrees. Finally having to get up and get a manager to show him the leather on the plate. He apologized and ordered a new steak. By the time the new steak came out we were all 3/4 done with our entrees the sauces that came with the steak was cold. Shame on the kitchen for letting that leather out of the door to the customer knowing just by looking at it it was wrong. Unfortunately so many other restaurants to choose from in Santa Barbara, we will not be back. LOL Julia Child would of been appalled.
2. Bouchon
Overall Ratings
4 based on 1041 reviews
Farm-to-table gem in the heart of downtown Santa Barbara. The Original California bouchon, menu features local produce and wines. Charming rustic ambience with hardwood floors, open kitchen and inviting patio. Service is warm, friendly and informed.
Reviewed By foghornleghorn68
First time in Santa Barbara and the local wine merchant recommended Bouchon. No relative to the Yountville establishment so we were pleasantly surprised by the relaxed environment but blown away by the attentively genuine knowledgeable service. It really makes such a difference when someone cares and things really ramp up when the food is excellent. One of our favorite restaurants.
3. Petit Valentien
Overall Ratings
4 based on 267 reviews
Reviewed By terrysO2108SY
My wife and I wanted a restaurant for out anniversary dinner, and selected Petit Valentine. It was perfect. We had the seared Duck Breast with a bottle of Babcock Pinot Noir. For a starter, we had their Ethiopian fish chowder, which was tasty. As usual the service was excellent and the prices reasonable. A wonderful way to celebrate 61 years of marriage.
4. Stella Mare's
Overall Ratings
4 based on 291 reviews
Stella Mareâs is a Santa Barbara localâs favorite for lunch, brunch and dinner. French country recipes are offered with fresh fish, meats and poultry cooked on our wood-burning grill. Stella Mare's is perhaps one of the best examples of Santa Barbara styl
Reviewed By akdeepdiver
We've been a fan of Stella Mares yearly when we go to Santa Barbara for the past 4 years. Always serving my favorite classic French dishes that I love. Graduation weekend in Santa Barbara, I made Opentable reservations a couple months in advance: Saturday, 6:45 p.m. for a party of 4, atrium seating.When we arrived, we were greeted and seated right away. The place was fairly busy, large parties, private rooms. Our server introduced himself and took our drink order while we perused the menu. First off I noticed they cut the dinner menu offerings, and sadly took off one of my most favorite dishes here the "cassoulet". Appetizers ordered were the Classic Escargot Persillade and Gravlax. Entrees ordered were Cote de Pork, Classic Mussels in White Wine with Frites, Mussels in a Beer Tomato base with Frites and Grilled Ribeye Steak (medium rare) Frites served with a Peppercorn and Bordelaise Sauce.The Escargot was excellent as usual. The Gravlax was good but on the salty side. Both Mussel dishes and Pork dish were excellent. Here came the upset, our waiter went MIA, wanting to order more drinks, I had to flag down another server to take our drink order. Then, my friend's Ribeye came to the table, I took one look at it, it was literally less than 1/2 in thick and looked like a piece of leather and yes we cut into it and it was well done. Needless to say I again tried to flag down our MIA server while everyone else started their entrees. Finally having to get up and get a manager to show him the leather on the plate. He apologized and ordered a new steak. By the time the new steak came out we were all 3/4 done with our entrees the sauces that came with the steak was cold. Shame on the kitchen for letting that leather out of the door to the customer knowing just by looking at it it was wrong. Unfortunately so many other restaurants to choose from in Santa Barbara, we will not be back. LOL Julia Child would of been appalled.
5. Stella Mare's
Overall Ratings
4 based on 291 reviews
Stella Mareâs is a Santa Barbara localâs favorite for lunch, brunch and dinner. French country recipes are offered with fresh fish, meats and poultry cooked on our wood-burning grill. Stella Mare's is perhaps one of the best examples of Santa Barbara styl
Reviewed By akdeepdiver
We've been a fan of Stella Mares yearly when we go to Santa Barbara for the past 4 years. Always serving my favorite classic French dishes that I love. Graduation weekend in Santa Barbara, I made Opentable reservations a couple months in advance: Saturday, 6:45 p.m. for a party of 4, atrium seating.When we arrived, we were greeted and seated right away. The place was fairly busy, large parties, private rooms. Our server introduced himself and took our drink order while we perused the menu. First off I noticed they cut the dinner menu offerings, and sadly took off one of my most favorite dishes here the "cassoulet". Appetizers ordered were the Classic Escargot Persillade and Gravlax. Entrees ordered were Cote de Pork, Classic Mussels in White Wine with Frites, Mussels in a Beer Tomato base with Frites and Grilled Ribeye Steak (medium rare) Frites served with a Peppercorn and Bordelaise Sauce.The Escargot was excellent as usual. The Gravlax was good but on the salty side. Both Mussel dishes and Pork dish were excellent. Here came the upset, our waiter went MIA, wanting to order more drinks, I had to flag down another server to take our drink order. Then, my friend's Ribeye came to the table, I took one look at it, it was literally less than 1/2 in thick and looked like a piece of leather and yes we cut into it and it was well done. Needless to say I again tried to flag down our MIA server while everyone else started their entrees. Finally having to get up and get a manager to show him the leather on the plate. He apologized and ordered a new steak. By the time the new steak came out we were all 3/4 done with our entrees the sauces that came with the steak was cold. Shame on the kitchen for letting that leather out of the door to the customer knowing just by looking at it it was wrong. Unfortunately so many other restaurants to choose from in Santa Barbara, we will not be back. LOL Julia Child would of been appalled.
