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Best Lunch Restaurants in Santa Ynez

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13 restaurants available nearby

A photo of The Gathering Table restaurant
1. The Gathering Table
4.6
Exceptional(161)
Price: Expensive
• Contemporary Asian • Solvang
Booked 11 times today
Welcome to The Gathering Table, Solvang’s newest culinary gem. Led by acclaimed Chef Budi Kazali, renowned for his innovative Asian cuisine with French influences, our restaurant promises an unforgettable dining experience.Chef Budi Kazali brings his mastery to every dish, infusing flavors from his Indonesian heritage with local ingredients sourced from nearby farms. Whether indulging in his signature dishes or exploring new creations, every bite at The Gathering Table is a celebration of culinary artistry.Situated amidst Solvang’s picturesque streets, our restaurant offers a serene outdoor dining area, perfect for enjoying Chef Kazali’s creations al fresco. Inside, savor handcrafted cocktails at our full bar or host an intimate gathering in our Private Dining Room, where every detail is tailored to exceed your expectations.Discover a place where exquisite cuisine meets warm and approachable hospitality at The Gathering Table!
A photo of Whiskey 'N Rye restaurant
2. Whiskey 'N Rye
4.5
Awesome(248)
Price: Expensive
• Barbecue • Solvang
Booked 15 times today
An American Smokehouse and Tavern, Whiskey 'N Rye features a varied menu of barbeque classics along with an eclectic mix of modern wine-country cuisine. Our dining experience focuses heavily on grill and smoke cooking techniques, with several unique signature features including our Hickory Smoked Brisket and Baby Back Ribs, Grilled Romaine Caesar, Smoked Spaghetti Squash, BBQ Chicken, Grilled Flatiron Steak with Chimichurri, and our Whiskey 'N Rye Brisket/Short-rib Burger, just to name a few. Enjoy your meal with our full bar featuring Signature Craft Cocktails, Zero-Proof Elixirs, and more than 60 specialty whiskeys from both local as well as national and international distilleries. With both covered patio and cozy indoor dining areas, Whiskey 'N Rye is the perfect spot to enjoy a relaxed afternoon or evening dining experience. Also visit us for the Best Happy Hour in town hosted Mon. to Thu. from 4:00pm to 5:30pm. Featuring $10 Craft Cocktails and 1/2 priced Appetizers!
A photo of Leonardo Ristorante & Pizzeria restaurant
3. Leonardo Ristorante & Pizzeria
4.7
Exceptional(1411)
Price: Expensive
• Italian • Solvang
Booked 15 times today
Highly anticipated opening by Chef Leonardi Curti.
A photo of Nella Kitchen and Bar restaurant
4. Nella Kitchen and Bar
4.8
Exceptional(1133)
Price: Expensive
• Californian • Santa Ynez Valley
Booked 16 times today
Opened in August 2020, Nella Kitchen & Bar offers fresh, modern California cuisine and focuses on 'Roman Pinsas'.Meals are served on the front porch overlooking Grand Ave where guests are warmly welcomed, or in the cozy Dining Room which also has a private Wine Room that can host family seating and private parties.Cocktails are focused on classics and served in the Lounge with a lot of bar seating.As much as we love pets, we only allow service animals at Nella, thank you for understanding.
A photo of SY Kitchen restaurant
5. SY Kitchen
4.9
Exceptional(3916)
Price: Expensive
• Italian • Santa Ynez Valley
Booked 31 times today
RESERVATIONS Reservations for parties of 5 or more please call restaurant directly. S. Y. Kitchen requests a credit card to hold a reservation of 6 or more. You may cancel by calling the restaurant by 5 PM two days prior to the reservation. After that cancellation is subject to our policy and fees may be incurred. All credit card information will be processed securely.
A photo of Hitching Post II restaurant
6. Hitching Post II
4.7
Exceptional(5171)
Price: Expensive
• Steakhouse • Buellton
Booked 29 times today
Here, on the Central Coast of California, BBQ has always meant grilling over an open fire of red oak, a style of cooking that is native to our area and goes back to the days of the Spanish Rancheros. By combining the old and the new and using only the finest sources, we have created an exciting cuisine with outstanding steaks, ribs and chicken, along with fresh fish and seafood and vegetarian options. The restaurant has repeatedly earned the Wine Spectator Award for our wine list. We also create our own (world class) wines for sale in the restaurant and to the public. For 40 years Hitching Post Wines has produced some of the best wines of Santa Barbara County garnering an excellent reputation, particularly for our Pinot Noirs. Try them while dining, or at our wine tasting room next door, or purchase on our winery website (www.hpwines.com).
A photo of Ellie's Tap & Vine restaurant
7. Ellie's Tap & Vine
4.7
Exceptional(700)
Price: Expensive
• Farm-to-table • Santa Ynez Valley
Booked 7 times today
Welcome to Ellie's Tap & Vine... Join us for seasonal cuisine, elegant ranch ambiance and great wine! We are Valley to Table dining, working with many local farms and purveyors; We look forward to seeing you soon! Our menu changes regularly, so please feel free to visit our website: www.elliestapandvine.com or follow us on IG and/or FB.Our restaurant is located in the heart of Santa Ynez. We boast amazing outdoor seating with great views and because it is often a little chilly in the evening, we have heaters. We are also dog and cat friendly.We know re-adjusting to dining out is a strange experience for everyone and we are all slowly returning. For now, we will be suspending lunch service.
A photo of Pony Cocktails + Kitchen restaurant
8. Pony Cocktails + Kitchen
4.9
Exceptional(24)
Price: Expensive
• Contemporary American • Santa Ynez
Booked 3 times today
Owner & Mixologist Battaglini Alberto redesigned this iconic Santa Ynez landmark into something unique, elevated yet comfortable.Situated in the heart of Santa Ynez Valley and, with Chef Jonny McDermott on the helm of the kitchen, Pony COCKTAILS + KITCHEN has a comfortable yet upscale feeling with a super friendly approach to food reflecting globally inspired dishes and fresh farm produces. The cocktail program follow the same ideology of the food giving every cocktails a unique flavor and personality.Open for breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner this hybrid Cafe/Cocktail Bar Restaurant integrate the Santa Ynez Valley style with modern comfort style food and unrealistic Cocktails.
A photo of Bar Le Côte restaurant
9. Bar Le Côte
4.9
Exceptional(19)
Price: Expensive
• Seafood • Los Olivos
Booked 48 times today
Bar Le Côte is a stylish seafood tavern located in Los Olivos, California. Inspired by the daily catch of the Central Coast and the modern cuisine of Europe’s seaside capitals, our team prepares thoughtful maritime fare in a casual, social atmosphere.We have very limited patio seating and do not allow dogs to dine indoors. If you would like to reserve an outdoor table please email us at info@barlecote.com and we will do our best to accommodate your request.We hold a portion of our tables for walk-ins, however we do recommend a reservation to guarantee being seated. We give all reservations a 15 minute grace period before being released to other guests. Thank you for your understanding!* Please note that ride shares and taxis can be hard to come by in the valley, especially later in the evening. We will always do our best to assist in getting you a ride, but please plan accordingly *
A photo of California Tacos Cantina & Distillery - Buellton restaurant
10. California Tacos Cantina & Distillery - Buellton
4.5
Awesome(31)
Price: Moderate
• Mexican • Buellton
Welcome to California Tacos Cantina and Distillery, a premier Mexican dining destination located in the heart of Buellton, CA. Our restaurant offers a wide variety of authentic Mexican food options, including our signature tacos, burritos, and various seafood options, made with the freshest seafood from the Pacific coast.Some highlights of our restaurant include our agave distillery, and an extensive selection of 100% Agave tequila and mezcal, making us the ultimate destination for tequila and mezcal lovers in Santa Barbara County. Our homemade tortillas are made daily, adding that extra touch of authenticity to our dishes. At California Tacos Cantina and Distillery, we pride ourselves on providing our guests with a true taste of Mexico in the heart of Santa Ynez Valley. Whether you're a local resident or a visitor to Solvang, our restaurant is the perfect destination for a memorable Mexican food experience. Book your reservations now and join us for a culinary adventure.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you
From verified diners like you
  • Kelleen
    Los Angeles •1 review
    5.0
    Dined 1 day ago
    This charming eatery beautifully blends the warmth of Italian hospitality with the vibrant flavors of authentic cuisine. The staff is incredibly friendly and attentive, always ready to recommend dishes and ensure you have a delightful dining experience. The menu is a mix of classic Italian dishes, and the pizza is definitely the star of the show. Their wood-fired pizzas are crafted with fresh ingredients and a perfect crispy crust. In addition to their pizzas, the pasta dishes are equally impressive. The gnocchi is light and fluffy, served in a savory sauce that complements the dish perfectly. Don't forget to save room for dessert—the tiramisu is divine. Highly recommended!
    More info
    Leonardo Ristorante & PizzeriaPrice: Expensive• Italian• Solvang
    •
    4.7
  • eileenVIP
    Los Angeles •4 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 1 day ago
    The food is excellent. Just like the south I had no idea they’ve been there for two years. How could I have missed it!
    More info
    Whiskey 'N RyePrice: Expensive• Barbecue• Solvang
    •
    4.5
  • Naglerr
    San Francisco Bay Area •11 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 3 days ago
    Always excellent. Sicilian pinza is the best. Remini salad over the top.
    More info
    Nella Kitchen and BarPrice: Expensive• Californian• Santa Ynez Valley
    •
    4.8
  • TheoVIP
    Los Angeles •10 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 4 days ago
    I love this place , their pizza is delicious , the atmosphere is very cozy definitely one of my favorite place
    More info
    SY KitchenPrice: Expensive• Italian• Santa Ynez Valley
    •
    4.9
  • CindyBVIP
    Las Vegas •18 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 4 days ago
    After years of going to the Gathering Table at the Ballard Inn we were so excited to see that it had re-opened on Mission Drive. The food was as fantastic as we remembered. The hamachi appetizer and Miso Black Cod were amazing 💖
    More info
    The Gathering TablePrice: Expensive• Contemporary Asian• Solvang
    •
    4.6

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