Restaurants near Lavender Inn by the Sea

Price

$$
$$$
$$$$

Cuisine

AmericanItalianSteakhouseSeafoodIndianMexican

Top Rated

CharmingDog-friendlyFancyGood for business mealsGood for groupsGood for special occasions

Dining Options

All dining options

Delivery only

Takeout only

Seating Options

BarStandardHigh TopOutdoor

Award-winning

MICHELIN

Accessibility

Gender-neutral washroomWheelchair access

19 restaurants available nearby

How are Featured results ranked

The default order for search results reflects a number of factors, including table availability, restaurant location, search criteria, and restaurant reviews and ratings. In addition, payment made by a restaurant to OpenTable is also a factor for the relative ordering of restaurants.

A photo of Toma Restaurant & Bar restaurant

1. Toma Restaurant & Bar

4.8

Exceptional(5559)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Italian • Santa Barbara

Booked 50 times today

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.

2. OKU

4.7

Exceptional(1811)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Asian • Santa Barbara

Booked 43 times today

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.

3. Barbareño

4.9

Exceptional(1923)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Californian • Santa Barbara

Booked 19 times today

At Barbareño we seek to help further shape and define Central Coast cuisine. We take our inspiration from traditions and specialties of our area, delicacies unique to our region, and the many outstanding purveyors with whom we are so fortunate to work. In all of our efforts, we hope to capture the essence of a particular place or local flavor, embracing the nuances that make our food and drink unique to our home.

4. Gala

4.7

Exceptional(334)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• European • Santa Barbara

Booked 14 times today

Gala exudes a European meets Santa Barbara charm, where you feel like you’re transported to a beautiful bistro in the Mediterranean. Enjoy shared tapas, farmer's market favorites, pasta and risotto, fresh oysters and the best steak with bone marrow butter & chimichurri. Cozy up for our farm to table craft cocktails, a Pisco sour or martini and a full meal with friends. Curated wine list with local & Spanish wines. Right down the street from the Santa Barbara Courthouse enjoy an evening at Gala. 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, Farm to table, Farmer's market driven, Tapas, Seafood, Steak, Oysters, Happy Hour, Food, Cocktails, Wine, Restaurant, Vegetarian, Friendly, Dog Friendly, Outdoor Patio, Heaters, Warm, Inviting, Hospitable, Modern Design

5. Bibi Ji

4.3

Awesome(351)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Indian • Santa Barbara

Booked 15 times today

Modern Indian food featuring local produce and seafood paired with a robust low-intervention wine program curated by Alejandro Medina and James Beard Award winner Rajat Parr. Located directly across the street from the historic Granada Theatre in the heart of Santa Barbara's ARTS District. Join us in our lively, signature pastel pink dining room. Michelin Guide Central Coast Selection 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024.

A photo of The Black Sheep SB Brasserie restaurant

6. The Black Sheep SB Brasserie

4.7

Exceptional(752)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Contemporary French / American • Santa Barbara

Booked 27 times today

Now featuring a full bar! Locally owned California-French brasserie in Old Town Santa Barbara, blending classic technique with bold, eclectic flavors. Housed in a historic space, we offer an elevated dining experience with a renowned family-style tasting menu, curated wines, craft beer, and full cocktail service. Open Wed-Sun from 5 PM—check daily for our specials!

7. Arnoldi's Cafe

4.7

Exceptional(777)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Italian • Santa Barbara

Booked 16 times today

Oldest Italian restaurant in Santa Barbara! We have two bocce courts on our patio with outdoor dining. Lots of pasta, appetizers, salads, chicken dishes and homemade desserts...Italian wine and local wine on our wine list...indoor or outdoor seating. We are a true local's secret and kid friendly. Open for dinner 7 days a week! We also host rehearsal dinners, wedding receptions, and large birthday parties.

8. Finch & Fork

4.5

Awesome(1789)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• American • Santa Barbara

Booked 15 times today

Here at Finch & Fork, we are inspired by the bounty of Santa Barbara's lush farms and rugged coastline. Our attitude is relentlessly local, influenced by the diverse culinary techniques of our neighbors, the subdued, natural colors of our fog-swept cliffs, and the glow of afternoon sunlight on our grapevines. Begin your day with a nourishing brunch or savor an evening of eclectic wines, ingredient-driven cooking, and good company. Finch & Fork is conveniently located on the corner of Carrillo and Chapala streets in the heart of Santa Barbara’s vibrant downtown. Complimentary valet parking for diners upon availability.

A photo of Intermezzo By Wine Cask restaurant

9. Intermezzo By Wine Cask

4.5

Awesome(1812)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Californian • Santa Barbara

Booked 9 times today

Intermezzo by Wine Cask New Menu by Executive Chef Mossin SugichModern American cuisine with a Mediterranean twist

A photo of Holdren's Santa Barbara restaurant

10. Holdren's Santa Barbara

4.6

Exceptional(1038)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Steakhouse • Santa Barbara

Booked 24 times today

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.

Dining near Lavender Inn by the Sea at a glance

Updated on 2025-03-15

Secret Bao

4.9

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From verified diners like you

M
MarkVIP
Greater Boston •1 review
5.0
Dined today
Our waiter Juan was very warm and welcoming, and took great care of us. The food was excellent as always.
More info
Toma Restaurant & BarPrice: Expensive• Italian• Santa Barbara
•
4.8
R
Rod
California Central Coast •5 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
Excellent all around - as it always is! Bouchon is consistently the best!!It is a treat and please to dine here.
More info
Bouchon - Santa BarbaraPrice: Expensive• Californian• Santa Barbara
•
4.7
L
Luckygirl
Los Angeles •4 reviews
5.0
Dined 4 days ago
Absolutely delicious muscles never had anything better. The scotch eggs were superb and our server was amazing.
More info
BarbareñoPrice: Expensive• Californian• Santa Barbara
•
4.9
K
Kim
Dallas - Fort Worth •10 reviews
5.0
Dined 5 days ago
Love this place! The decor is beautiful - service is great and everything we’ve eaten is very good. We’ll be back
More info
RH Firehouse Grill at RH MontecitoPrice: Very Expensive• American• Montecito
•
4.6
T
Thomas
California Central Coast •2 reviews
4.0
Dined on Mar 7, 2025
We know the owner and loved the service staff and the food. The hard surfaces along with large groups made for a relatively high level of noise. I guess that means it is a popular place for all the good reasons ~!!
More info
OKUPrice: Expensive• Asian• Santa Barbara
•
4.7

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