Location: Santa Barbara
Top Restaurants in Santa Barbara
Countries
Top 10 Italian food in Santa Barbara, California, United States
Find out what Italian restaurants to try in Santa Barbara. 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
10. Patxi's Pizza
Overall Ratings
4 based on 169 reviews
Reviewed By kc6ijm
My daughter and I stopped by Patxis Pizza after a softball game at UCSB late on a Saturday afternoon. There was plenty of available seating and the hostess seated us promptly. Autumn, our server came over to our table just after we were seated. It took a little while for my daughter to select an item from the menu, and Autumn was very polite and patient bringing us cold water as we finally made our selections. We had a fresh mixed green salad, their wonderful warm garlic bread with dipping marinara, and the deep dish Tikka Masala pizza. We were not disappointed. The salad was crisp and cool with a nice variety of mixed greens and crunchy croutons. It paired well with the warm garlic bread while we waited for the deep dish pizza. The pizza was delicious and huge! We only ordered the 10" pizza for us and we're glad we did as we both only had a couple slices before we were stuffed. It was a nice twist to our normal deep dish pizza with a wonderful curry, garlic, tomato sauce and bits of tender chicken. This all in/on a perfectly baked deep dish dough. Heavenly and easy to recommend. Thank you for a perfect early Saturday dinner!
9. Persona Wood Fired Pizzeria
Overall Ratings
4 based on 140 reviews
Reviewed By kst1
Decided to grab lunch here while visiting Santa Barbara. The place wasnt too busy. We decided to go with the Chipotle Chicken pizza and a Persona salad. Salad was good sized with plenty of veggies and everything tasted fresh. Really enjoyed the pizza. Done just right and the combination of crema and chipotle dressing worked quite well. Overall, a good experience here.
8. Ca' Dario Ristorante Italiano
Overall Ratings
4 based on 387 reviews
Reviewed By JMPC1958
The sad part of this highly recommended experience was that despite an advance reservation, 6 of us were squeezed uncomfortably at a very small 4 top. Inexcusable!!! Food here is definitely a 5. Wine list excellent. Service was okay, not overly attentive.
7. OPPI'Z Bistro and Natural Pizza
OPPI'Z is a modern, nonconventional Italian bistro and pizzeria concept, still rooted into the tradition of the Italian cuisine and to the "Slow-food" manifesto, but absolutely far away from any stereotyped model offered by most of the Italian-sounding re
Reviewed By Yelbid
Four of us went for Sunday pizza at approx 7 pm. Not busy, so we were seated immediately at the edge of the restaurant watching over the pedestrians on State St. There was a lower patio level that was also available for patrons and some inside seating. The wine list was quite pricey but there were a few modest choices and the Primitivo we chose at $42 was very good value. I did say it was not busy; sad, therefore, that when our friends were served their black pastry pizza, the waiter looked surprised when he asked âis there anything else I can get you?â and I suggested he bring our dish out. âOh, yes, of course..it will be out in a minuteâ. It was out in 20 minutes and our friends had finished their dish. I requested water three times per refill. Itâs a new establishment and wait staff are hard to find but management needs to pay attention to service. The test - will I go there again? Only if youâre paying.
6. Olio E Limone Ristorante
Overall Ratings
4 based on 498 reviews
Reviewed By GareThere
If you're looking for a quiet upscale restaurant for lunch, this is the place. The restaurant has a full bar and good wine selection.Check out the daily fish specials. The day I was there, they were offering fresh halibut - either grilled or in a lemon butter/caper sauce. It was delicious with a side of green beans and roasted potatoes.The small insalata mista is a good way to start the meal. And a creme brulee is a good way to end it!Service is attentive and professional.
5. Opal Restaurant and Bar
Overall Ratings
4 based on 862 reviews
A popular localâs favorite, opal restaurant and bar infuses an Eclectic California Cuisine with creative influences from around the World. Our chefs use the freshest of ingredients to create dishes inspired by the colorful multi-cultural heritage of Ameri
Reviewed By winedown186
Very nice place; professional staff. Varied menu and wine list. Table next to us had the rib-eye which looked great. All the seafood that came out of the kitchen looked nice. Risotto was disappointing. The waiter was very helpful with information about tasting rooms and other restaurants.
4. Olio Pizzeria
Overall Ratings
4 based on 368 reviews
Authentic Italian pizzeria with pizza counter, wine, artisanal beer & full bar and European hospitality.
Reviewed By Bickman50
My partner and I were staying in San Barbara for the 3rd time this year, and after a large lunch on the road decided to share a pizza at this Pizzeria. For a change of pace, we decided to eat at the bar so we could watch the pizza being constructed and cooked in the wood fired pizza oven. After ordering some nice glasses of wine we decided to get the Margherita D.O.C. They use superior ingredients on this Margherita which is well worth the additional cost above the regular Margherita. It was absolutely delicious. I have to say this isnât the first time Iâve been to this restaurant and itâs definitely a place to go if you like pizza and other authentic Italian dishes. The Wine List is flooded with many Italian wines by the glass or bottle. This is a great casual friendly place you wonât want to miss. Bon appetito!
3. Via Maestra 42
Overall Ratings
4 based on 222 reviews
Reviewed By G6957GFpeterg
My wife and I had pasta dishes which were tasty with fresh ingredients. The bread and salad were delicious accompaniments. You can sit outside with a view of the mountains. Not the outdoorsy type, the interior decor will make you feel like you were in Firenze. Donât pass this opportunity up. Enjoy!
2. Toma Restaurant and Bar
Overall Ratings
4 based on 1867 reviews
Reviewed By ElvisinLA
Found this place because of all the great reviews, and a friendly bartender down the street highly recommended it so we made an early reservation and went. Service was incredible (thanks Juan!) as was the food and wine selection. This is definitely one of those places you would love to keep secret just because it is so good. But, if you are in SB and looking for a wonderful dining experience make a reservation and enjoy! They've got an awesome little bar towards the back to grab a drink at, or eat if it's too busy.
1. OPPI'Z Bistro and Natural Pizza
OPPI'Z is a modern, nonconventional Italian bistro and pizzeria concept, still rooted into the tradition of the Italian cuisine and to the "Slow-food" manifesto, but absolutely far away from any stereotyped model offered by most of the Italian-sounding re
Reviewed By Yelbid
Four of us went for Sunday pizza at approx 7 pm. Not busy, so we were seated immediately at the edge of the restaurant watching over the pedestrians on State St. There was a lower patio level that was also available for patrons and some inside seating. The wine list was quite pricey but there were a few modest choices and the Primitivo we chose at $42 was very good value. I did say it was not busy; sad, therefore, that when our friends were served their black pastry pizza, the waiter looked surprised when he asked âis there anything else I can get you?â and I suggested he bring our dish out. âOh, yes, of course..it will be out in a minuteâ. It was out in 20 minutes and our friends had finished their dish. I requested water three times per refill. Itâs a new establishment and wait staff are hard to find but management needs to pay attention to service. The test - will I go there again? Only if youâre paying.
