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8 OF THE BEST RESTAURANTS IN SANTA BARBARA

September 9, 2024

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Santa Barbara, famously known as The American Riviera®, is renowned for its breathtaking coastline, picturesque landscapes, and community culture. Enhancing its charm is the ever-evolving Santa Barbara culinary scene, which features a range of restaurants for every foodie’s palate, including at least one brand-new one. For food enthusiasts seeking exceptional dining experiences, following are what I consider to be some of the best restaurants in Santa Barbara and Montecito.

The table is set for a delicious Michelin-worthy Mexican dinner in Montecito's newest restaurant.

Alma Fonda Fina: Gourmet Mexican Cuisine
Montecito's culinary scene just got a new star! Executive Chef Ramon Velazquez, of Corazón Cocina fame, has opened Alma Fonda Fina at the Montecito Country Mart, bringing more Michelin-worthy magic to our coastal haven. After winning a California MICHELIN Bib Gourmand in 2024, Velazquez has expanded his flavorful footprint in Santa Barbara with his new restaurant, continuing to delight with elevated Mexican cuisine.

Imagine a casual eatery where comfort meets culinary creativity. Chef Velazquez, originally from Guadalajara, Mexico, is renowned for his cooking, often described as both cutting-edge and delightfully comforting. His menu features rotating dishes from the finest locally sourced ingredients, including award-winning ceviche and locally inspired citrus margaritas. The secret lies in how Chef Velazquez artfully crafts his Mexican dishes, delivering bold flavors and an unforgettable dining experience.

A man behind a bar pouring a glass of red wine.

Aperitivo Wine Bar: Drink, Eat, Visit
According to the website, “a·pe·ri·tì·vo [noun]: is a glorious time post-work where many come to gather and stimulate the appetite with a drink and small bites.” Aperitivo Wine Bar in downtown Santa Barbara truly embodies this concept. While the Italian cocktails and distinctive wine list are undoubtedly appealing, the food captures my attention every time I visit. Aperitivo combines two Italian cooking styles: rustic simplicity and sophisticated, fine-dining twists. Alongside the food, you can enjoy an array of creative cocktails and a selection of unique wines, including varietals you may not have encountered before.

Brought to our fine city by Sommelier/Owner Andrea Girardello and Executive Chef/Owner Brian Dodero, this dynamic duo dreamed of opening their own establishment while working at the Coral Casino. Driven by a shared passion for food and wine and inspired by Italy, they created a place that truly hits the mark. Let me tell you, they nailed it!

A close up of a delicious looking meal with lots of veggies and meat.

Secret Bao: Asian-Fusion Delight
Peter Lee and Felicia Medina have transformed a pandemic pop-up into SECRET BAO, one of the best restaunts in Santa Barbara and one of the community's most inventive Asian-fusion concepts. The name reflects their early days of secretly cooking from their apartment. Today, their fluffy mini sandwiches have become a favorite among Santa Barbara foodies.

Their Pan-Asian menu effortlessly blends highbrow and lowbrow elements, maintaining a seamless and exciting culinary experience. Don’t miss their KFC bao: a pillowy bao bun filled with Korean fried chicken, umami coleslaw, pickled red onions, and mayo, all melding together in a deliciously messy delight.

The table is set for a dinner for two with plated dishes and drinks.

Gala Restaurant: Serving Santa Barbara Bounty with a European Flair
Gala offers a unique blend of European and Santa Barbara flavors, transporting you to a charming Mediterranean bistro. Owned by third-generation Santa Barbarian Tara Penke and Chile-born chef Jaime Riesco, Gala is named after Salvador Dalí’s wife, Gala, reflecting their admiration for Cadaqués in Costa Brava, where the Dalís once lived.

Some of my personal favorites here include the shared tapas, seasonal specialties, oysters, and a delectable steak topped with bone marrow butter and chimichurri. For a cozy meal, try the pulled pork sandwich or the beloved duck confit. Pair your meal with craft cocktails made from seasonal juices, house-infused liquors, and a selection of local and Spanish wines and beers.

The inside of an Indian Restaurant with a large table set for dinner in front of a neon sign that says curry up and drink.
Photo credit Blake Bronstad

Bibi Ji: Where Indian Cuisine Meets Fine Wine
Experience a harmonious fusion of reimagined Indian cuisine and a remarkable wine list at Bibi Ji. Owner Alejandro Medina and founding partner Rajat Parr, a James Beard's award-winning sommelier, offer a menu that highlights traditional Indian curries and chutneys paired with fresh produce sourced from the farmer's market. As such, the menu changes seasonally. The location changed this summer too, as the restaurant moved from 734 State St. to 1213 State St.

Michelin Guide inspectors said this about Bibi Ji: “This trendy Indian dining room makes quite a splash. Harnessing the best of land and sea, these dishes are born for sharing. Behold such inventive bites as crispy cauliflower tossed with chili-garlic sauce and finished with sesame. Barra kebab highlights intensely spiced tandoor lamb chops with mint chutney.” I couldn’t have said it better!

The c olorful logo of Mony's restaurant with the word printed four times in pink, orange and taupe.

Mony's: Homestyle Mexican Food in Santa Barbara’s Funk Zone
In 2013, Mony’s established itself as the Funk Zone's go-to destination for those craving authentic, home-cooked Mexican cuisine, thanks to Monica “Mony” Diaz. Hailing from Colima, Mexico, where she began cooking as a child, Diaz brought her unique blend of handcrafted seasonings and cherished family recipes to Santa Barbara.

The popular spot’s salsa bar is exceptional, featuring unique options like pistachio salsa (yes, it's delicious!), peanut salsa, habanero salsa, and more, alongside a fantastic variety of tacos.

The lighted outside patio of an upscale sushi restaurnat.

Arigato Sushi: Magnificent Japanese Cuisine
Arigato Sushi is not just a popular spot in town, it has been one of the best restaurants in Santa Barbara for many years. It's bustling with energy due to its lively atmosphere and open kitchen. While reservations aren’t accepted, the spacious interior with warm exposed brick and the inviting outdoor patio are great places to enjoy your meal.

Specializing in fresh fish and seafood, Arigato excels in fusion cuisine. Highlights include bluefin belly sashimi with truffle soy oil, ahi carpaccio with scallions and smelt roe, and spicy garlic sautéed edamame. The appetizer list features favorites like sushi pizza, homemade gyoza, and miso-glazed cod.

Don’t miss the specials board, which often includes unique items like monkfish liver in a seaweed cone. Other standout dishes are the spicy jalapeño yellowtail and Gorgonzola salmon. The drink menu offers twenty sakés, local beers, and wines, while desserts like ginger ice cream and plum wine sherbet provide a sweet finish.

Close up of a dish of cooked shrimp plated with a salad and rice.

Santo Mezcal: A Creative Oaxacan Delight
Nestled in the heart of the Funk Zone, Santo Mezcal brings creative Oaxacan cuisine to the Santa Barbara culinary scene. Conceived by the minds behind the beloved Los Agaves Restaurants, this concept offers a beautiful backdrop to savor new and exciting flavors. Be sure to indulge in their mezcal cocktails infused with cold-pressed juices and fresh herbs, creating a taste sensation like no other.

The landscape of the Santa Barbara culinary scene continues to evolve, with each restaurant adding its own unique flair to the city's dining palette. So, embark on a gastronomic journey and experience the wonderful offerings of my favorite culinary hotspots on The American Riviera.


Another landscape that continues to evolve in Santa Barbara is real estate. Check out my website for information on amazing properties currently on the market in our lovely Santa Barbara neighborhoods and communities. Find something you like? Just give me a call at (805) 886-9378 or email me at Cristal@montecito-estate.com. Meanwhile, enjoy the best restaurants in Santa Barbara and its surrounding communities!



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Client Reviews

“It was an emotional experience selling our mother’s home in Montecito that we all loved so much but Cristal made the process easier on our whole family by guiding us through the transaction every step of the way. She knows the market so well and everything she recommended was on point including the asking price, painting, and staging the home, which looked beautiful and helped the buyer envision her new home. We sold it the first day it hit the market with an offer above asking! Cristal did an incredible job communicating with us and the buyer to ensure that the transaction would run smoothly. We highly recommend using Cristal, she was a pleasure to work with! ”

- J & A

“Cristal is a pleasure to work with! Her knowledge of the local real estate market coupled with her amazing listening skills resulted in her showing us an array of homes that were all excellent choices. Her low-pressure patient attitude made us feel extremely comfortable with the whole process. I cannot recommend her highly enough.”

- M.F.

“Cristal Clarke is #1 in her field - and you don't become #1 by luck. Cristal works harder, and longer, and with more charm and patience than any real estate agent I have ever worked with in the past; her calendar has no weekend, her days have no clocks, her only concern is selling your property as soon as possible and for the best price on the market. Am I a fan? You bet!”

- P.B.

“We have used Cristal now several times and cannot express how grateful we are for her expertise, dedication, and unwavering support throughout the entire home-buying process. Cristal is knowledgeable, patient and attentive. Her attention to detail is remarkable, and she consistently went above and beyond to provide us with all the information and resources we needed to make informed decisions. Cristal is a skillful negotiator and advocate. She can navigate complex negotiations with professionalism and grace and felt like a true partner to us in the home-buying process. Cristal has a genuine passion for real estate and a deep commitment to her clients' satisfaction. I cannot speak highly enough of Cristal and her exceptional service. She is a true expert in her field and her dedication to excellence, combined with unwavering support is the reason we choose to work with her for all our real estate buying needs.”

- T.C.

“Cristal is a top-notch realtor who sold my home before it ever went on the market. I had two competing offers that enabled me to get top dollar for my home. Not only is Cristal superb but her team is extraordinary. I cannot say enough about Cristal and her team. They are simply phenomenal, the consummate professionals, who took care of every possible detail, making the sale and transition period, smooth from our end. They are also lovely, caring people, who knew all the right professionals, to get the job done. Thank you, everyone!”

- D.R.

“I could list lots of cool adjectives to describe Cristal. All good by the way. But, that is not why I or anyone should hire Cristal. My reason for hiring her, which proved to be correct, is very simple. She got the job done. And, she does it time and time again and with zero issues. And, that is why she is one of the top agents in the country. End of subject. ”

- M.A.

“Working with Cristal was a complete pleasure. Cristal was extremely patient with us as we evaluated nearly 2 dozen homes over a span of 2 years. Her knowledge of the market is unmatched. Cristal provided us with exceptional counsel as we evaluated opportunities and negotiated pricing. The closing process was handled thoroughly and efficiently. We could not be happier with our purchase and even more happy to now call Cristal our friend.”

- D.K.

“Cristal Clarke has conducted numerous real estate transactions for me beginning 13 years ago with the purchase of a Lemon Ranch. She has handled both large and small purchases and sales with equal dedication. As a negotiator, you can’t find anyone better. Her transactions are always conducted in the most appropriate and professional manner. Cristal has considerable knowledge of the Santa Barbara market.”

- S.N. Decker Ph.D.

“Living in Europe, we were to say the least, unaccustomed to the nuances of Real Estate acquisition in California and Cristal steered us through the process with absolute professionalism and personal attention to detail at every turn. Her in-depth knowledge of the market place combined with enthusiasm and drive was the only reason we secured the property of our dreams and will be forever grateful. If you are looking for personal discrete and private representation of the highest quality we suggest you look no further than Cristal Clarke.”

- Johan and Paula van den Berg

“Cristal is very straightforward, cheerful, helpful, professional and trustworthy….we felt very lucky to work with her.”

- John and Lacey Williams

“After considering our many choices, we are grateful it was Cristal Clarke of Sotheby’s International who represented the sale of our Montecito cottage. We are familiar with Cristal’s reputation of hard work and dedication to clients, but it was her attention to detail that made our experience so positive. She offered suggestions for staging the property, worked in harmony with potential buyers and was even able to secure back up offers. The sale of our cottage was completed much sooner than we expected, due in great part to Cristal’s professional skills and support. We highly recommend Cristal as a first choice for anyone needing representation with real estate.”

- Michael & Nancy Lee

“Our experience in working with Cristal Clarke resulted in the successful and discrete acquisition of a property which was not yet on the open market. Her knowledge of the Montecito/Santa Barbara area and vast expertise blended with her passion for real estate and architecture, provided us with the very highest level of professionalism and personalized services. Cristal exhibited a rare combination of excellent communications, attention to detail, creativity and patience.”

- Richard and Catherine Frinier

“Cristal really breaks the mold. She knows every nook and cranny of this real estate market, understands value, and follows up on everything, all the time. She was incredibly patient with our two year quest to find the perfect house. Every house hunting trip from across the country was well planned, and our time was never wasted. On top of her professionalism and expertise, she is delightful to spend time with. We are thrilled with the home we purchased, and grateful to Cristal for so wisely advising us through this process, right through to the close and beyond.”

- Laurie Siegel

“We met Cristal first in the course of renting a winter home (for three years), then buying a house using her as our agent. She was amazingly good at listening to our wants and showing us homes that fit our needs. Her mastery of the paperwork was perfect. Most importantly, there was never a situation where we doubted her straightforwardness or integrity. If we do another real estate transaction in Montecito (which I doubt, we’re happy with what we purchased), without question we’d use Cristal again.”

- Ken Saffir

“Susan and I just want to thank you for your efforts in the sale of our home. You are really quite amazing. Your competence, persistence, optimism and humor made the entire process effortless. Every problem that arose, you somehow fixed; any obstacle, you overcame. We have bought and sold many homes. It has never been such a painless and enjoyable process!”

- Michael & Susan Marquart

“A little something about “our” realtor, Cristal Clarke. My wife and I came to Santa Barbara about fifteen years ago looking for a seasonal home from which to enjoy the weather and amenities of the central coast. Being in the real estate business myself I was familiar with agents and brokers so entered the market with open eyes. We “flipped” a few houses in the early years, dealing with various agents and finally ended up in Montecito. That’s when good fortune put us together with Cristal. To say we were impressed is to put it mildly. Cristal really knows the market. She is familiar with the area, its history and trends. When we have questions about a particular property she either has the answers immediately or gets back to us by phone or email. There is no waiting or wondering with Cristal. She is an agent who is “on top of it.” Her recommendations as to price points, contractors, inspectors and title agents have proven to be exceptional, showing great insight and the highest professional standards. We consider ourselves exceedingly fortunate to say that Cristal Clarke is our realtor and would recommend her services to any serious buyer or seller.”

- Rob & Judi Kelch