10 Places Where Locals Love to Eat in Santa Barbara

Loquita is one of the most popular local restaurants in Santa Barbara, well-known for its farm-fresh Spanish tapas. You can find the cosy diner northwest of the waterfront, before Stearns Wharf and West Beach. Off the menu, you’re treated to choices featuring ingredients like octopus and beef, together with a long list of craft cocktails.

The recipes are simple, but they use top-quality ingredients for flavourful combinations. Besides creative cocktails, Loquita also has an excellent list of top Spanish wines as well as beer. You can dine inside the cosy restaurant or opt for a table outside on the patio under parasols and bougainvillea.

Angel Oak is a high-end modern steakhouse at The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara where you can enjoy offerings from a seasonal rotation of beef and seafood. It’s a fine spot to head to if you're in the mood for a good steak, as Angel Oak serves delicacies like Japanese wagyu beef, locally sourced abalone, and bone marrow, all topped off with a selection of perfect wine pairings guided by a sommelier.

Dining out on the terrace bordered by glass walls treats you to sea breezes and views of the Pacific Ocean. You can spot the Channel Islands off the coast with occasional sightings of wildlife in the water.

Santa Barbara Shellfish Company is a popular local seafood restaurant on Stearns Wharf. Scenic yet casual, it lets you enjoy local delights such as clam chowder and Dungeness crab right over the water in Santa Barbara.

There’s more from the menu though, with a wide variety of seafood dishes such as shrimp tacos, lobster roll, oysters, and scallops. With dining options inside and out on the wharf, soothing ocean views accompany your meals. There's even a firepit that regulars gather around for a cosy evening out.

Bossie's Kitchen is a casual restaurant in Santa Barbara where you can enjoy dishes made from seasonal farmers’ market recipes. The restaurant on the corner of Milpas and Canon Perdido streets offers a menu of traditional items as well as twists on favourites like mac and cheese. They also feature craft cocktails alongside an extensive beer list.

Bossie's Kitchen is open for lunch, dinner, and weekend brunches and its weeknight specials are available nightly after 5 pm ranging from grilled shrimp to braised baby-back ribs. There’s also a kids’ menu with favourites like grilled cheese sandwich, white cheddar, and French fries.

Cajé Coffee Roasters in city centre Santa Barbara is a hot spot for coffee lovers, evident from the morning crowds looking for their java fix. They have a branch in The Mill at the corner of Laguna and Haley Streets, while their hip craft coffee shop in Goleta is a hit with its outdoor seating where you can enjoy your espresso or smoothie with bagels under the sky.

Cajé focuses on eco-friendly and sustainable practices that resonate with the locals. It serves some delicious breakfast options, such as avocado toast and breakfast tortillas, which go well alongside its gourmet coffees. Their healthy bowls are a great option with base selections that range from berries to kale and organic almond butter.   

­Sama Sama Kitchen is a trendy farm-to-fork restaurant on State Street in Santa Barbara where you can enjoy small plates inspired by popular and tasty dishes from Southeast Asia. They source most ingredients fresh from local farmers but prepare them with an exotic culinary twist.

From Javanese gado gado salad or nasi goreng fried rice to Vietnamese wings in fish caramel sauce, the offerings at Sama Sama Kitchen are also good to be shared. Along with the delicious food, there’s an enchanting courtyard area for dining with string lights so you can slow down and enjoy the atmosphere and exotic flavours.

Corazon Cocina is a Mexican restaurant that uses local produce and market fare to inspire a menu filled with delicious dishes that are both traditional and creative. Beginning as a pop-up restaurant, Corazon Cocina offers a range of staples that are popular with locals, as well as a rotating menu of additional options that are influenced by seasonal offerings.

You can find the restaurant inside the Santa Barbara Public Market on Victoria Street. Choose from Mexican favourites like quesadillas, large portioned ceviche, chicken mole and la gringa tacos, and more on the menu. Don’t forget to ask about their tasty guacamole.

Goat Tree is an airy cafe at the Hotel Californian in Santa Barbara that offers al fresco seating and a wide selection of refreshing cold-pressed juices, coffees and other drinks. Perfect for a morning pick-me-up or a relaxing late breakfast, Goat Tree has a gourmet selection of coffee in a beautiful and cosy setting.

You could also get a few quick-bite options from the menu, such as deli sandwiches and desserts, or a full breakfast from a selection of Mediterranean-inspired foods. Their pastries are prepared fresh daily, as are their baby kale and wild arugula salads. A serving of Rori's ice cream sandwich is a great finish to your meal here.