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Restaurants near Santa Barbara Bowl

The Santa Barbara Bowl is a stunning outdoor amphitheater known for its lively performances and scenic surroundings, making it a beloved gathering place in the area. Where to Eat Near Santa Barbara Bowl? Just a short stroll from the Bowl, you'll discover a diverse dining scene fit for any occasion. Options range from casual Italian eateries serving homemade pastas and pizzas to inviting American taverns featuring local craft beers and comfort food favorites. Enjoy lively California cuisine that highlights fresh, seasonal ingredients, or savor upscale Mediterranean dishes paired with fine wines. The ambiance around the Bowl is vibrant, inviting diners to relax before or after a show. Whether you're in the mood for a cozy dinner, a quick bite, or drinks with friends, there’s plenty to choose from that captures the essence of Santa Barbara's culinary landscape.
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121 restaurants available nearby

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A photo of The Lark - Santa Barbara restaurant
Icon
1. The Lark - Santa Barbara
4.7
Exceptional(2683)
$$$$
• Contemporary American • Santa Barbara
Booked 96 times today
For Large Party reservations (8+ guests), please reach out to host@thelarksb.comThe Lark pays homage to the history of California train travel and tributes the treasured and long gone Santa Barbara Fish Market, built in the 1920’s as a commercial fish processing plant, shipping their seafood products throughout the state by rail. With an imaginative yet approachable menu created by the gifted Jason Paluska, The Lark celebrates everything found around Santa Barbara County – wineries, farms, ocean and natural beauty. The stunning design strives to connect to the past and the future, using discovered objects from the past and blending them with modern, urban and industrial materials to spectacular effect.
A photo of Loquita restaurant
2. Loquita
4.7
Exceptional(1036)
$$$$
• Spanish • Santa Barbara
Booked 104 times today
Located at the gateway to Santa Barbara’s Funk Zone, Loquita serves Spanish-inspired tapas, wood-fired seafood and meats, and signature seasonal paella crafted with locally sourced ingredients.Our wine list features premier Spanish varietals and exceptional local wines that pair perfectly with the menu, while our cocktail program highlights Spanish vermouths, farmers’ market Sangria, and the king of Spanish cocktails — the Gin-and-Tonic.Experience the warmth, flavor, and spirit of Spain — right here in Santa Barbara.
A photo of OKU restaurant
3. OKU
4.6
Exceptional(2172)
$$$$
• Asian • Santa Barbara
Booked 65 times today
Tina Takaya, proprietor, welcomes you to our newest two story restaurant on the water. We feel the key to success is our passion for creating the highest quality food and warm friendly service. We hope you will enjoy your experience as much as we enjoyed creating it for you."We want Locals to feel like Family and Visitors to feel like Locals"Our menu draws from Asian favorites that inspire and excite such as Wagyu Steak, Japanese Sushi, Chinese Dumplings, Garlic Noodles and fresh local seafood.We are located in the heart of Santa Barbara’s Waterfront and Funk Zone Districts. Come enjoy lunch or dinner, soak in the sun by day at our waterfront rooftop bar while sipping on a refreshing cocktail surrounded by our beautiful ocean vista and by night, enjoy lounging by the fireplace after a delicious meal and a great glass of wine.Our chef uses the freshest ingredients from central coast farmers and local fisherman to create dishes with the best of what California has to offer.
A photo of Toma Restaurant & Bar restaurant
4. Toma Restaurant & Bar
4.7
Exceptional(5986)
$$$$
• Italian • Santa Barbara
Booked 28 times today
Toma Restaurant and Bar a waterfront bistro, located along Santa Barbara's picturesque Cabrillo Blvd. Experience Santa Barbara waterfront's most romantic restaurant. Savor exquisite Italian and Mediterranean inspired dishes from Santa Barbara's seasonal bounty, supporting our local fisherman, farmers, foragers and food artisans. Pour over local and Italian wines along with a full bar of handcrafted cocktails and spirits. Enjoy warm and attentive service while dining window side with a view of the enchanting Santa Barbara harbor.
A photo of Bouchon - Santa Barbara restaurant
5. Bouchon - Santa Barbara
4.7
Exceptional(5865)
$$$$
• Californian • Santa Barbara
Booked 29 times today
We are delighted to have added additional outdoor seating but Santa Barbara nights are chilly so bring a sweater or light jacket!Fresh, local ingredients, prepared with care. Excellent wines that reflect the quality and character of our region and work in concert with the cuisine. Warm, inviting ambiance, service at a relaxed, leisurely pace. Santa Barbara ‘Wine Country Cuisine’ means we source our ingredients using an ‘as-fresh-and-as-local-as-possible’ approach, with fish from the Santa Barbara Channel and produce from the surrounding countryside. We then take into account how these flavors can be presented in concert with our local wines. We believe you’ll taste the difference. Bon Appètit!
A photo of Ospi Montecito restaurant
6. Ospi Montecito
4.7
Exceptional(224)
$$$$
• Italian • Santa Barbara
Booked 28 times today
Cal-Italian coastal elegance never tasted so good. Ospi Montecito at The Post is Chef Jackson Kalb’s newest destination for your favorite dinner party.Building on the success of Ospi Venice, Brentwood, and Costa Mesa, we’re serving up our must-try house-made pastas and crispy Romana-tonda pizzas, plus our first-ever breakfast offering, and an exclusive wood-grilled selection featuring locally sourced meat, seafood, and seasonal vegetables from our top-quality vendors. Thoughtfully curated wines and inventive craft cocktails make it the perfect place for a dining destination any time of day.Ospi Montecito reimagines Italian cuisine with modern sophistication, delivering a dining experience as effortlessly refined as the community it calls home.
A photo of Convivo restaurant
7. Convivo
4.7
Exceptional(2447)
$$$$
• Italian • Santa Barbara
Booked 24 times today
Convivo is a Santa Barbara restaurant and bar with an Italian soul. Chef-Owner Peter McNee's food is best described as ‘Nomad Italian.’ It strays from the standard or traditional Italian, sourcing inspiration from many other cultures’ cooking but its soul is thoroughly Italian. The ever-changing menu includes small plates, housemade pasta, wood-fired pizza, rotisserie chicken, fresh seafood and steaks served family-style. McNee’s all-star supplier network provides the freshest produce and local seafood the region is famous for. Convivo features a bright dining room and bar along with two expansive heated patios across from Santa Barbara's East Beach with views of the Pacific. Inspired by the bounty of the sea, the lush farms and abundant vineyards nearby coupled with the cooking methods of Italy, Convivo is a festive gathering place for locals and visitors alike inside the newly-restored Santa Barbara Inn.
A photo of Lucky's - Montecito restaurant
8. Lucky's - Montecito
4.8
Exceptional(3222)
$$$$
• Steakhouse • Montecito
Booked 47 times today
LUCKY'S is widely known for its exclusive selection of USDA Prime steaks, fresh seafood, farmer's market vegetables, no-nonsense cocktails and world class wine cellar. For take-out, please call the restaurant.We do not accept bar table reservations online, please call the restaurant.For larger parties, please call or email the restaurant directly.
A photo of Arnoldi's Cafe restaurant
9. Arnoldi's Cafe
4.6
Exceptional(965)
$$$$
• Italian • Santa Barbara
Booked 23 times today
Oldest Italian restaurant in Santa Barbara! We have two bocce courts on our patio with outdoor dining. Lots of pasta, appetizers, salads, chicken dishes and homemade desserts...Italian wine and local wine on our wine list...indoor or outdoor seating. We are a true local's secret and kid friendly. We are also dog friendly on our patio! Open for dinner 7 days a week! We also host rehearsal dinners, wedding receptions, and large birthday parties.
A photo of Secret Bao restaurant
10. Secret Bao
4.8
Exceptional(1028)
$$$$
• Asian • Santa Barbara
Booked 20 times today
Contemporary 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, Paleo, Friendly, Dog Friendly, Outdoor Patio, Heaters, Warm, Inviting, Hospitable, Modern Design

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Dining near Santa Barbara Bowl at a glance

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popular restaurant

Stonehouse at San Ysidro Ranch

4.9

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Exceptional reviews

Most popular cuisine

popular cuisine

Italian

Average bill amount

$41 to $70

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From verified diners like you
From verified diners like you
  • Celeste
    California Central Coast •3 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 3 days ago
    We thoroughly enjoyed everything about Buchon. We were celebrating a life event and I was so pleased that we decided to go there. The food was amazing and the entire restaurant was beautiful. The owners left us an appreciated card to wish us well. We had a delightful conversation with our neighboring tables and the overall vibe was happy. In these times we need restaurants like Buchon to help put celebration into life. Wonderful overall experience.
    More info
    Bouchon - Santa Barbara$$$$• Californian• Santa Barbara
    •
    4.7
  • DougGold
    Utah •6 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 2 days ago
    The food was innovative and delicious! Every bite was a masterpiece!
    More info
    The Lark - Santa Barbara$$$$• Contemporary American• Santa Barbara
    •
    4.7
  • stephen SalvioneGold
    California Central Coast •22 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 4 days ago
    OKU is such a classy restaurant. The staff happily work together led and joyfully assisted by the owner. The food is always top shelf. Timely and delicious. It is at the top of our list for date night or entertaining friends.
    More info
    OKU$$$$• Asian• Santa Barbara
    •
    4.6
  • Luann
    Greater Boston •8 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 3 days ago
    Loquita is consistently great. The food is excellent, the service is fantastic and we love the ambiance on the patio. Our server John was outstanding and helped us make selections that were perfect for us. Highly recommend this restaurant!
    More info
    Loquita$$$$• Spanish• Santa Barbara
    •
    4.7
  • Paul
    London •2 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 6 days ago
    Everything about this experience was perfect. The location, ambience, food and service. Everyone in the restaurant were polite and respectful , no noisy parties and there were some larger groups of 6+. The waiter Kevin was helpful and gave good information about portion sizes with options of half size so no hard sell. It was our anniversary and the restaurant gave us a complimentary dessert. The garlic bread was the best I have ever tasted, the bread soft and fluffy. The pasta dishes and courgettes flowers were delicious. Highly recommended but make sure you book, it’s busy.
    More info
    Toma Restaurant & Bar$$$$• Italian• Santa Barbara
    •
    4.7

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