Diners' Choice: Child-friendly restaurants in Santa Barbara

OpenTable

Updated February 05, 2025

Looking for the best restaurants that are kid friendly in Santa Barbara? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category 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!

Arnoldi's Cafe

4.8

4.8 (774)

$31 to $50

Italian

Santa Barbara

About the restaurant

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.

Top review

PeterVIP

Dined on Feb 20, 2025

Driving by you wouldn't stop, the place looks like a block bunker from the outside with faded 7UP signs and other faded signage. It is in a industrial area without regular commercial around it. But on the inside it is a classic old style Italian restaurant, booths with wood bench seating and coat hooks on the walls. The service was excellent, as was the food, the carbanara was true to the style and not the Americanized version. The Veal Scallopini was very good, though the veal was a bit tough and slightly overcooked, the flavors were wonderful. The spaghetti Alfredo was flavorful without being drenched in sauce. The corkage fee is $25, the wine list isn't big and has a good cross section of styles. The prices are on the high side, but you feel that you're getting your value when the food is served. Highly recommended, as well as reservations. Wouldn't hesitate to return.

Ca Dario Montecito

4.8

4.8 (910)

$50 and over

Italian

Montecito

About the restaurant

Ca' 'Dario's newest restaurant on Coast Village Road promises the same authentic and fresh Italian cuisine as our other locations, now easily accessible for residents of Montecito!
Enjoy outdoor dining on our covered patio, or indoor in our elegant dining room.
We feature an adjustable roof that keeps out the rain and allows in the sun.
Dogs are welcome (we ask that you limit the number to one per guest)

Top review

taylor

Dined 6 days ago

Our server Dubra was absolutely amazing. She was attentive, bubbly, helpful, and made our experience that much better. Will 100% be back, this girl deserves a raise!

The 'O' Bar + Kitchen at The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara

4.6

4.6 (26)

$30 and under

South American

Santa Barbara

About the restaurant

Savor contemporary Central and South American cuisine in a variety of settings - inside at the namesake O-shaped bar, or outside in the intimate Hibiscus Lounge or spacious Ocean Terrace!

Marriott Bonvoy Members can earn points when staying with us. Please enroll here: https://www.joinmarriottbonvoy.com/uscanqr/s/EN/ch/sbarz

For parties with 6 guests or more a 26% service charge fee will be added to your final bill. For all guests there will be an 8.75% California State tax added to the final bill.

Top review

Jesse

Dined on Jan 18, 2025

We made reservations for 4 and decided to seat ourselves outside since the weather was so nice. It's January, and usually, it's really cold, but today was beautiful. We had drinks and an appetizer. It's the Ritz, so prices are high, which we expected. We didn't walk around because time didn't allow it. We had another commitment. Overall, we had a great time and recommend this restaurant.

LOCAL Montecito

4.6

4.6 (290)

$31 to $50

Seafood

Montecito

About the restaurant

Incredible outdoor seating with two heated patios, firepit, couches, and a 360 degree bar. Featuring local ingredients and exceptional dishes from multiple cuisines paired with an extensive and rare wine collection, LOCAL has it all in the heart of Montecito.

Top review

M .VIP

Dined 1 day ago

Loved it. Wasn’t very busy so place was quiet but wonderful ecening. .

Lilac Montecito

4.6

4.6 (169)

$31 to $50

Contemporary European

Montecito

About the restaurant

Welcome to Lilac Montecito. We offer an elevated bistro dining experience featuring some of our favorite foods that nourish the body and soul in a full-service dining ambiance. Our menu is inspired by European and Californian cuisine as well as locally-sourced ingredients for a fresh, delicious take on some classic entrees.
Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner

Top review

RobertVIP

Dined 6 days ago

My wife and I very much enjoyed our dinner at Lilac. We tried the sparkling non-alcoholic reisling wine, and it was very good. We shared the cauliflower as an appetizer, and both enjoyed the branzino for our main course. We substituted broccolini for the potatoes, and it was excellent. We shared the warm cookie and gelato for dessert. It was good, but not as great as I expected. Overall, a nice evening out and a great meal. We will return.

Finch & Fork

4.5

4.5 (1784)

$31 to $50

American

Santa Barbara

About the restaurant

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.

Top review

Susanne

Dined 5 days ago

Bar-B-Q and bourbon dinner! Learning about the differences of the whiskey and bourbons was educational. Also the Bar-B-Q ribs were outstanding. Side servings were also delicious! All in all it was a great dinner with friendly people. The presentation was put on by some well educated individuals who were into having fun with the group. Job well done by the staff as well as the cook! Thank you for a fun time!

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Popular dish

Short Rib & Sweet Potato Hash

Popular dish

Fried Chicken Sandwich

Popular dish

King Salmon

Olio Pizzeria

4.4

4.4 (1506)

$30 and under

Pizzeria

Santa Barbara

About the restaurant

Olio Pizzeria is an upscale-casual pizzeria with salumi bar/wine bar/full bar which was inspired by the myriad neighborhood pizzerie and enoteche found around the corner from just about every piazza in Italy. This idea began to take shape before Alberto and Elaine Morello even opened Olio e Limone Ristorante, their fine dining Italian restaurant next door. Wine bars serving boutique salumi and formaggi are ubiquitous in Italy, as is a regionalism which the Morellos are excited to share with you. Sicily is an emerging powerhouse, and touches of Sicilian food and wine delight their guests. You’ll also find exciting tastes from Campania and other emerging regions on their menus, wine and beer lists. Takeout available. Buon appetito!

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined 1 day ago

Always a great experience. The food is fantastic and the service was exceptional.

Moby Dick Restaurant

4.4

4.4 (281)

$30 and under

Seafood

Santa Barbara

About the restaurant

At Moby Dick Restaurant, in Santa Barbara, you'll get not only fresh seafood and excellent service, but an amazing view along with your meal. Situated on the pier itself in Santa Barbara, Moby Dick Restaurant is a fantastic place with a fantastic atmosphere to get something to eat.

Whether you're after breakfast, lunch or dinner there�s sure to be something on the menu to please. Fried favorites at Moby Dick Restaurant include clam strips and chips, chicken wings and chips and many others. You can also order burgers, sandwiches and vegetarian fare. Fresh seafood specialties include grilled Cajun swordfish, bacon wrapped shrimp and grilled fresh salmon.

Top review

Justin

Dined on Feb 16, 2025

We went for my wife's birthday and the staff was great. Different staff members came over and wished her happy birthday. Our server was amazing and very attentive.

L'Antica - Santa Barbara

4.1

4.1 (175)

$31 to $50

Italian

Santa Barbara

About the restaurant

Experience Authentic Italian Cuisine at L'Antica Pizzeria da Michele in Santa Barbara Indulge in a slice of Italy at L'Antica Pizzeria da Michele in Santa Barbara, where authentic Neapolitan pizza and Italian dishes await. Using only the finest ingredients, each dish showcases the traditional flavors of Napoli, from the perfect Margherita pizza to sumptuous pasta and indulgent tiramisu. The rustic ambiance creates a cozy setting for any occasion. Dedicated to sustainability and local sourcing, L'Antica brings the essence of Italy to California for an unforgettable dining experience.

Top review

chris

Dined 5 days ago

I would have given 5 starts but there were out of many things-no fruit juices so they couldn’t make most of the spritzers, beer tap wasn’t working , out of the wine I selected. However, the food more than made up for any disappointments. It was excellent, everything we chose-beet salad, meatballs, pizza, pasta and sandwich were excellent. Service was good as well and it was pretty quiet, which was great for us.

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3.8

3.8 (406)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Santa Barbara

About the restaurant

Inspired by the fresh coastal flavors of Santa Barbara, CAYA restaurant invites everyone to “Come As You Are” for a modern culinary adventure paired with a mood as relaxed and inviting as a California sunset.

Embark on a delectable journey through the West Coast with our seasonal menus influenced by sustainably sourced local ingredients and global cuisine inspirations. From social gatherings to intimate dinners, indulge in the relaxed and inviting indoor and outdoor atmosphere while your tastebuds savor the culinary traditions of the west through nostalgic homemade dishes and signature craft cocktails.

Top review

Jamie

Dined on Feb 15, 2025

Prefixed menu should have some kind of chicken dish on it. Steak was amazing!!! crème brûlée was outstanding!!!

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