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Best Date Night Restaurants in Santa Barbara

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25 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Gala restaurant
1. Gala
4.7
Exceptional(334)
Price: Expensive
• European • Santa Barbara
Booked 10 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
A photo of Intermezzo By Wine Cask restaurant
2. Intermezzo By Wine Cask
4.5
Awesome(1813)
Price: Expensive
• Californian • Santa Barbara
Booked 16 times today
Intermezzo by Wine Cask New Menu by Executive Chef Mossin SugichModern American cuisine with a Mediterranean twist
A photo of The Black Sheep SB Brasserie restaurant
3. The Black Sheep SB Brasserie
4.7
Exceptional(752)
Price: Expensive
• Contemporary French / American • Santa Barbara
Booked 32 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!
A photo of Roy restaurant
4. Roy
3.8
Excellent(439)
Price: Moderate
• Contemporary American • Santa Barbara
Booked 1 time today
In business for more than 30 years, Roy is a bistro-style, Americana restaurant with a frequently changing, handwritten menu. We strive to serve unpretentious cuisine of the highest quality. We use mostly certified organic produce from the local Santa Barbara Farmers Market, free range chicken and Harris Ranch hormone free beef. We bake our own bread, hand roll our pastas and make all of our desserts in house. Our ambiance is retro moderne California casual, and we have rotating art shows that run for a month and a half at a time. Live music once in a while. Full bar all the time.
A photo of Chase Restaurant restaurant
5. Chase Restaurant
4.1
Excellent(792)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • Santa Barbara
Chase Restaurant, located in Santa Barbara's Theatre District, is a romantic Italian dining destination that boasts a warm and elegant atmosphere. Reviewers frequently mention it as a go-to spot for date nights, noting the 'cute environment', 'fantastic food', and 'wonderful ambiance'. The restaurant offers a variety of classic Italian dishes, complemented by a global wine list and custom cocktails. The outdoor patio provides a comfortable setting, making it perfect for a romantic dinner.
A photo of Barbareño restaurant
6. Barbareño
4.9
Exceptional(1923)
Price: Expensive
• Californian • Santa Barbara
Booked 18 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.
A photo of Secret Bao restaurant
7. Secret Bao
4.9
Exceptional(700)
Price: Expensive
• Asian • Santa Barbara
Booked 36 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
A photo of Ca' Dario Ristorante restaurant
8. Ca' Dario Ristorante
4.7
Exceptional(1824)
Price: Expensive
• Italian • Santa Barbara
Booked 24 times today
"Anything grilled is divine, and the rest of the menu is delectable at this charming Italian restaurant in Santa Barbara known for its excellent execution of simple pasta, meats and other classics. A fantastic wine list with many available by the glass; its a local favorite, so reservations are a must."
A photo of Opal Restaurant & Bar restaurant
9. Opal Restaurant & Bar
4.8
Exceptional(1817)
Price: Expensive
• Californian • Santa Barbara
Booked 33 times today
Opal Restaurant & Bar is a top-rated date night spot, known for its Californian cuisine and an award-winning wine list. The reviews speak volumes about its warm, engaging atmosphere and attentive service. One reviewer mentioned it's 'great for date night or with friends'. The ambiance is described as 'relaxed upscale' with 'nice vibe and energy', making it perfect for a romantic evening. The menu is 'perfect' with 'options for seafood, meat dishes and vegetarian'.
A photo of Stonehouse at San Ysidro Ranch restaurant
10. Stonehouse at San Ysidro Ranch
4.8
Exceptional(2698)
Price: Very Expensive
• Contemporary American • Santa Barbara
Booked 24 times today
The Stonehouse, located in a beautiful 19th-century citrus packing house, offers an unparalleled dining experience. Guests can unwind in a relaxing lounge with full bar service or enjoy the ambiance of the separate dining room, complete with a crackling fireplace and world-class views. Chef Matthew Johnson creates evocative regional cuisine, utilizing fresh herbs and vegetables from the Ranch’s organic chef’s garden. The Stonehouse boasts the only Grand Award-winning wine program in Central California, ensuring an unparalleled selection of wines to complement your meal. For a unique twist, visit the restaurant's speakeasy for before or after dinner drinks, where you can enjoy expertly crafted cocktails in an intimate, nostalgic setting.

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See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you
From verified diners like you
  • OpenTable Diner
    California Central Coast •1 review
    5.0
    Dined today
    This was our first dining experience at Gala. Overall we had the best time. The restaurant worked with us as we had increased our party. Gala made it so easy to order without stress. The food was amazing in presentation and taste. A wonderful meal. This was a birthday celebration and Gala made it so special and memorable. This was our first but not our last. I highly recommend Gala, especially if you want to celebrate.
    More info
    GalaPrice: Expensive• European• Santa Barbara
    •
    4.7
  • majorprofVIP
    California Central Coast •16 reviews
    4.0
    Dined 2 days ago
    The food and the wine were excellent as was the service and the ambience. The only reason I removed a star is that it is extremely expensive $18 for a half a glass of wine seems a little over-the-top to me.
    More info
    Intermezzo By Wine CaskPrice: Expensive• Californian• Santa Barbara
    •
    4.5
  • Luckygirl
    Los Angeles •4 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 3 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
  • Martin
    Los Angeles •422 reviews
    5.0
    Dined on Mar 4, 2025
    A truly charming place. This cozy Italian restaurant has the feel of a neighborhood, vintage gem. The extensive menu includes lots of salads and antipasto, a great selection of pastas and inviting main courses featuring steak, chicken and fish dishes. Our entrees were perfectly prepared and presented with rich and pleasing flavors. Service is very attentive and friendly. We very much enjoyed our experience there.
    More info
    Ca' Dario RistorantePrice: Expensive• Italian• Santa Barbara
    •
    4.7
  • Lisa
    California Central Coast •52 reviews
    5.0
    Dined on Oct 13, 2024
    The Caesar Salad was fresh and the dressing was a tasty surprise. The Veal Milanese breading was crispy and paired nicely with the buttery, cheesy fettuccine. My friends both enjoyed their Spinach Ravioli and Pappardelle Vodka. Topped it off with us all sharing the Warm Lava Cake...delish!
    More info
    Chase RestaurantPrice: Moderate• Italian• Santa Barbara
    •
    4.1

Discover best date night restaurants in Santa Barbara

Discover the charm of Santa Barbara's dining scene, ideal for your next date night along the picturesque California Central Coast. Renowned for its romantic atmospheres and exquisite culinary offerings, Santa Barbara offers a variety of restaurants that cater perfectly to intimate evenings. From cozy Italian bistros with ambient lighting and classic cuisine to upscale establishments featuring locally-sourced ingredients and innovative dishes, each restaurant provides a unique experience tailored to making your date night special. Enjoy the added touch of attentive service and expertly paired wine lists that enhance your dining experience. Santa Barbara's restaurants not only promise delicious meals but also memorable moments in settings that blend comfort with sophistication. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or simply looking for a delightful evening with your loved one, the restaurants in Santa Barbara set the scene for romance and culinary delight.

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