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Diners' Choice: Most Booked restaurants in Santa Barbara

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for the most booked restaurants in Santa Barbara? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 500,000 new global diner reviews from the past month. We sort the results by location to help you discover new favourite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

A photo of OKU restaurant

4.7

4.7 (1745)

$31 to $50

Asian

Santa Barbara

About the restaurant

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.

Top review

L

Laurel

Dined 2 days ago

The fish was amazing, my server was very knowledgeable, and it was very popular.

A photo of Tre Lune restaurant

4.8

4.8 (1986)

$31 to $50

Italian

Montecito

About the restaurant

"Upbeat and comfortable, serving real-deal pastas and pizzas that make you feel like you're in Italy again." - ZAGAT 2010

Fresh fish, veal scaloppini, osso buco, prime steaks, Kobe-beef burgers, organic salads, and house-made desserts.

Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner-Cocktails.

Award Winner of Italian wines list.

Please call to make reservations.

Top review

D

Dena

Dined 4 days ago

My favorite Italian restaurant in SB. They are consistent in quality and service. I'm looking forward to my next meal there.

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A photo of Lasagne Maria of a restaurant

A photo of Fettuccine Alfredo of a restaurant

Fettuccine Alfredo

A photo of Stonehouse at San Ysidro Ranch restaurant

Stonehouse at San Ysidro Ranch

4.8

4.8 (2614)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

Santa Barbara

About the restaurant

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.

Top review

H

Herbvip

Dined 1 day ago

Had lunch in a beautiful setting. Delicious and quality food. Superb service.

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A photo of San Ysidro Ranch Meyer Lemon Tart of a restaurant

San Ysidro Ranch Meyer Lemon Tart

A photo of Blackened Ora King Salmon Salad of a restaurant

Blackened Ora King Salmon Salad

A photo of Sunday Champagne Brunch of a restaurant

Sunday Champagne Brunch

A photo of Lucky's restaurant

4.8

4.8 (2878)

$50 and over

Steakhouse

Montecito

About the restaurant

LUCKY'S is widely known for its exclusive selection of USDA Prime steaks, fresh seafood, farmer's market vegetables, no-nonsense cocktails and world class wine cellar.
For take-out, please call the restaurant.
We do not accept bar table reservations online, please call the restaurant.
For larger parties, please call or email the restaurant directly.

Top review

S

Stacivip

Dined 2 days ago

Amazing food and excellent service. Everything was perfect for our family holiday celebration.

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A photo of Monday - Chicken Pot Pie with Morels of a restaurant

Monday - Chicken Pot Pie with Morels

A photo of Toma Restaurant & Bar restaurant

Toma Restaurant & Bar

4.8

4.8 (5487)

$31 to $50

Italian

Santa Barbara

About the restaurant

Toma Restaurant and Bar a waterfront bistro, located along Santa Barbara's picturesque Cabrillo Blvd. Experience Santa Barbara waterfront's most romantic restaurant. Savor exquisite Italian and Mediterranean inspired dishes from Santa Barbara's seasonal bounty, supporting our local fisherman, farmers, foragers and food artisans. Pour over local and Italian wines along with a full bar of handcrafted cocktails and spirits. Enjoy warm and attentive service while dining window side with a view of the enchanting Santa Barbara harbor.

Top review

L

Laura

Dined 4 days ago

Lasagna to die for! Great drinks! Delicious dessert! Spot on service!

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A photo of Tuna Cones of a restaurant

A photo of Lasagna of a restaurant

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A photo of Secret Bao restaurant

4.8

4.8 (670)

$31 to $50

Asian

Santa Barbara

About the restaurant

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

Top review

C

Charlie

Dined 3 days ago

Delicious menu -- almost every item is great. Love this place.

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A photo of KFC Bao of a restaurant

A photo of KFC of a restaurant

A photo of Shrimp of a restaurant

A photo of Stella Mare's restaurant

4.8

4.8 (2301)

$31 to $50

French

Santa Barbara

About the restaurant

French country bistro...Between Montecito and Santa Barbara, Stella Mare's Bistro is located in a historic Victorian home overlooking the Bird Refuge. French country cuisine rules the menu, with dishes like coq au vin, cassoulet, and moules frites. Sip seasonal cocktails amid cozy décor -- all the right ingredients for a great dining experience. Bon appétit!

When requesting the greenhouse please note that is considered indoor dining.

Top review

M

Margriet

Dined 4 days ago

Stella Mare's is one of the last great restaurants in Santa Barbara. It is an excellent value for the money. I will miss it when it closes.

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A photo of Salmon of a restaurant

A photo of Saumon Amandine of a restaurant

Saumon Amandine

A photo of Bouchon - Santa Barbara restaurant

Bouchon - Santa Barbara

4.8

4.8 (5430)

$31 to $50

Californian

Santa Barbara

About the restaurant

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!

Top review

B

Barbaravip

Dined 3 days ago

Dinner was lovely. Our server, Dave, was great as was the entire staff! They have a vast and varied wine list. there are plenty of starters to chose from. The entree selections are limited but everything we had - the duck, the pork and the steak - was delicious. We are local and always enjoy eating here. We will be back - soon!

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A photo of Scallop Trio of a restaurant

A photo of Dungeness Crab Cakes of a restaurant

Dungeness Crab Cakes

A photo of Bouchon French 'French Onion' Soup of a restaurant

Bouchon French 'French Onion' Soup

A photo of Holdren's Santa Barbara restaurant

Holdren's Santa Barbara

4.5

4.5 (979)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

Santa Barbara

About the restaurant

Holdren’s Steaks & Seafood, located on State Street, serves up a delicious and diverse menu of seafood and steaks, where the portions are always generous and the prices always reasonable. Our surf and turf menu, including our favorite bacon wrapped stuffed shrimp or our USDA prime steaks that are charbroiled over a mesquite grill, is complimented by an extensive wine list, a healthy assortment of premium spirits, and a selection of signature drinks. Daily meals can be enjoyed in our cozy, and dark saloon-inspired dining room, or on our outdoor patio. The indoor dining room is adorned with brown leather booths, dark wood paneling, and funky artwork lining the exposed brick walls. Holdren’s has been voted as the best steakhouse multiple times by the Santa Barbara Independent’s Reader’s Poll and by the Santa Barbara News Press’ Reader’s Choice Awards.

Top review

C

Chris

Dined 5 days ago

Excellent service and excellent, great tasting food and cocktails. Highly recommend a steak and the bourbon sauce. The service is the other piece that gets this place high ratings. Professional, attentive service.

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A photo of Filet Mignon of a restaurant

A photo of Grilled Shrimp Cocktail of a restaurant

Grilled Shrimp Cocktail

A photo of Bacon Wrapped Filet Mignon of a restaurant

Bacon Wrapped Filet Mignon

A photo of Opal Restaurant & Bar restaurant

Opal Restaurant & Bar

4.8

4.8 (1754)

$31 to $50

Californian

Santa Barbara

About the restaurant

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!

Top review

R

Ronaldvip

Dined 4 days ago

Staff were friendly and helpful. Ambiance is pleasant. Central location. Reasonable prices, and excellent meals.

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A photo of Pasilla Chile Filet Mignon of a restaurant

Pasilla Chile Filet Mignon

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