WINE+DINE THE LARK 131 Anacapa St., Santa Barbara, 805-284-0370, thelarksb .com; open Tues.-Sun. for dinner. Named for the
seafood spot is a great place to take in panoramic views. HARRY’S PLAZA CAFE 3313 State
St., Santa Barbara, 805-687-2800, harryssb.com; open daily for lunch and dinner. Here, the drinks are stiff and the steaks thick and tender.
sleek overnight Pullman train of the Southern Pacific Railroad that serviced Santa Barbara from 1910 to 1968, this Funk Zone destination boasts a delicious seasonally influenced menu of familystyle dishes.
LUCKY PENNY 127 Anacapa St., Santa Barbara, 805-284-0358, luckypennysb.com, open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. This
LA SUPER-RICA TAQUERIA 622 N. Milpas St.,
LUCKY’S 1279 Coast Village Rd., Montecito, 805-565-7540, luckyssteakhouse.com; open daily for dinner, Sat.-Sun. for brunch. Enjoy filet
HIMALAYAN KITCHEN 431 State
St., Santa Barbara, 805-882-1000, himalayankitchensantabarbara.com; open daily for lunch and dinner. This
THE OUTPOST
old-school feel that pays tribute to Santa Barbara’s historic China Town. Try the Reuben ($8.95) to blend in with the regulars.
Santa Barbara, 805-9634940; open Thurs.-Tues. for lunch and dinner. With its homemade corn tortillas and casual patio seating, this family-owned Mexican restaurant has been a favorite for decades, and even made its way into a Katy Perry song. LE CAFE STELLA 3302 McCaw Ave., Santa Barbara, 805-5697698, lecafestella.com; open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. This contemporary French-American cafe offers everything from crepes to a classic cheeseburger.
hip walk-up cafe offers options from fresh-made pastries and coffee to go to wood-fired pizzas to scrumptious salads at the picnic tables on the patio.
mignon, seafood, and great wine at this first-rate, four-starred steak house. MESA VERDE 1919 Cliff Dr., Santa Barbara, 805-963-4474, mesaverde restaurant.com; open daily for breakfast and lunch. A fresh take on vegetarian with inventive and modern, plant based cuisine—try chef Greg Arnold’s popular wild-mushroom tacos with lemon crème fraîche, harissa, pepitas, and baby spring onion ($11). MILK & HONEY 30 W. Anapamu
LOS AGAVES 600 N. Milpas St.,
THE HUNGRY CAT recently opened restaurant is a paleo dieter’s paradise serving up Nepalese, Indian, and Tibetan cuisine. HOLDREN’S STEAK & SEAFOOD
Rd., Montecito, 805-969-7878; 15 E. Figueroa St., Santa Barbara, 805966-1717; and 3607 State St., Santa Barbara, 805-687-8701, jeannines .com; open daily for breakfast and lunch. These cozy spots are popular
512 State St., Santa Barbara, 805-965-3363, holdrens.com; open Mon.-Fri. for lunch, daily for dinner, Sun. for brunch. Eight cuts of high-end
scenes for the handmade pastries and breakfast and lunch dishes.
prime beef plus chops, ribs, and seafood are staples at this friendly spot.
JILL’S PLACE 632 Santa Barbara
HOLLISTER BREWING COMPANY
6980 Marketplace Dr., Goleta, 805968-2810, hollisterbrewco.com; open daily for lunch and dinner. This brewpub offers comfort food and handcrafted beers made on-site. THE HUNGRY CAT 1134 Chapala
St., Santa Barbara, 805-884-4701, thehungrycat.com; open Tues.-Sun. for dinner. Check out chef de cuisine Peter Cham’s brand new menu. JANE 1311 State St., Santa Barbara,
805-962-1311, janerestaurantsb.com; open Mon.-Sat. for lunch and dinner. This cozy restaurant offers a variety of gourmet comfort food and delicious salad bowls. JEANNINE’S BAKERY AND
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RESTAURANT 1253 Coast Village
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St., Santa Barbara, 805-963-0378, jillsplacesb.com; open Mon.-Sat. for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Fourthgeneration Santa Barbaran Jill Shalhoob’s steak house offers an old-school menu and weekly specials. JOE’S CAFE 536 State St., Santa
Barbara, 805-966-4638, joescafesb .com; open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Since 1928, American favorites and strong drinks have been served at this cozy diner-style bar/ restaurant—a local institution.
Santa Barbara, 805-564-2626; 2911 De la Vina St., Santa Barbara, 805682-2600; 7024 Market Place Dr., Goleta, 805-968-7024, los-agaves .com; open Sat.-Sun. for breakfast, daily for lunch and dinner. A local favorite for its modern Mexican dishes— the chiles norteños ($13.95, poblano chiles with shrimp, cheese, and a chipotle sauce) are a favorite—and generous portion sizes, and enjoy the salsa verde con aguacate with fresh chips while you wait. LOS ARROYOS 14 W. Figueroa St.,
Santa Barbara, 805-962-5541; open Sat.-Sun. for breakfast, daily for lunch and dinner; 1280 Coast Village Rd., Montecito, 805-9699059, losarroyos.net; open daily for lunch and dinner. The Mexican food at these popular venues is straightforward and fresh. LOUIE’S CALIFORNIA BISTRO
1404 De la Vina St., Santa Barbara, 805-963-7003, louiessb.com; open Mon.-Fri. for lunch, daily for dinner.
able bistro uses fresh ingredients in its gourmet dishes.
and fresh cocktails at this chic restaurant. MONTECITO CAFE 1295 Coast
Village Rd., Montecito, 805-9693392, montecitocafe.com; open daily for lunch and dinner. This cafe in the Montecito Inn is well loved for its feelgood food. MONTECITO WINE BISTRO 516 San Ysidro Rd., Montecito, 805-9697520, pierrelafond.com; open daily for lunch and dinner. California bistro cuisine complements the esteemed wines of owner Pierre Lafond. THE NUGGET 2318 Lillie Ave., Summerland, 805-969-6135; and 5685 Calle Real, Goleta, 805-9645200; open daily for lunch and dinner. Down-home Americana fare with the appropriate dose of Western kitsch and memorabilia is the draw at these family-friendly joints.
This upscale pleasant California-cuisine bistro (psst: it’s dog friendly!) is tucked into the front corner of the historic Upham Hotel.
OLIO CRUDO BAR 11 W. Victoria St., Ste. 17, Santa Barbara, 805-8992699, olioelimone.com/olio-crudo-bar; open daily for dinner. Seasonally driven
LOVEJOY’S PICKLE ROOM 126 E.
crudo (raw) Italian seafood and meats, as well as cotto (cooked) bar menu items are served on a first-come, first-served basis.
JULIENNE 138 E. Canon Perdido
St., Santa Barbara, 805-845-6488, restaurantjulienne.com; open Tue.Sun. for dinner. This upscale sustain-
St., Santa Barbara, 805-275-4232, milknhoneytapas.com; open daily for dinner. Dine on flavorful modern tapas
Canon Perdido St., Santa Barbara, 805-965-1015. Open Mon.-Sat. for dinner. Stroll through the red door of this bar for newly restored digs with an
OLIO E LIMONE RISTORANTE
11 W. Victoria St., Ste. 17, Santa
P H OTO G R A P H S : T H E O U T P O S T, A U B R I E P I C K ; T H E H U N G R Y C AT, A N D R E W S T U A R T P H OTO G R A P H Y
Santa Barbara, 805-963-3311, harborsb.com; open daily for lunch and dinner, Sat.-Sun. for breakfast and brunch. This busy steak and
BEST OF 2015
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