Best Restaurants in Santa Barbara

Seafood doesn't get any fresher than this. At the Santa Barbara Shellfish Company, you can pick your lunch right out of the tanks. Established in 1980, this restaurant began as a shellfish shop before popular demand (and secret family recipes) transformed it into the bustling eatery it is today. Their menu includes all types of shellfish, but live abalones, crabs and lobsters - many locally sourced - are the real stars. Local and national beers are available on draft and pair nicely with a bread bowl of chowder on a cold or foggy day. There is bar seating inside, table seating outside and a even walk-up window for to-go orders.

If you're looking for fresh Mexican food with a view of the sea, this is the place! Think of Flor De Maiz as the fancier, more sophisticated sister of local favorite Los Agaves. Sure, she has tacos, but hers are stuffed with lobster and Angus steak. Yes, she has ceviche, but hers is served in a young coconut for extra drama. Of course you can get a margarita, but it will be made with Patron. Flor de Maiz celebrates the innovative cuisine of Oaxaca in a fun and lively atmosphere. There's an open kitchen, wraparound bar and sunny patio that's right across from the beach. While takeout is available, you'll get the best experience if you eat there. But be warned: it gets busy, especially on Friday and Saturday nights, so be prepared to wait!

If you think you've had a great lobster roll but you haven't been to Broad Street Oyster Co., you should probably think again. This raw bar and shellfish experience has finally found a permanent home in Santa Barbara after years of pop-ups. It serves easily the best lobster roll on the West Coast, available chilled with mayo or hot with butter. We're even convinced that the chilled version would win in a taste test again most East Coast lobster rolls. You can also get raw oysters, locally fished urchin and caviar by the pound (ok, not quite, but you get where we're going with this). And if you see someone who looks like a young King Triton himself - locks flowing, kindly eyes beaming - you'll know you're talking to Chris, the man behind Broad Street.

Smashburgers, Belgian fries, beer ... do we have your attention yet? For the best burgers in Santa Barbara, head straight to Third Window Kitchen. Available Thursday through Sunday, these Californian riffs on a classic Oklahoman smashburger marry locally raised Wagyu beef with thinly sliced onion on a sizzling hot flat top. The patty is topped with cheese and nestled into a perfectly soft Martin's potato bun. Optional add-ons include extra patties, tomato jam, house-made jalapenos and more. Pair your burger with some double-dipped fries and a solid range of beer that's brewed on site. (Non-meat eaters have some nice options too, like a black bean vegan patty, local cheese plate or farmer's market salad.) Other pop-ups use the kitchen Monday through Wednesday, and they're tasty too, but nothing tops the smashburgers.

Is it over the top to call Satellite the jewel of State Street? Maybe. But with its vibrant spritzes, jewel-toned wines and colorful farm-to-table dishes topped with edible flowers ... well, it's not too much of a stretch. Satellite is a farmer-to-table / glass restaurant and natural wine shop founded by Drew Cuddy. Executive Chef Emma West's menu focuses on ethical, environmentally beneficial agriculture and the freshest locally grown ingredients. That may sound like a mouthful, but each dish is truly an incredible mouth full. Think luscious confit tomatoes, hearty cauliflower tacos and the best cheese board in town. Satellite is located in the downtown Arts District, just steps away from the Santa Barbara Museum of Art. Open from lunch through dinner, the outdoor patio has a party vibe, but it's also a great place to visit as a single diner.

Take a romantic trip to Spain without the expense of air travel. Loquita is a bustling restaurant in Santa Barbara's Funk Zone that serves tapas, dinner and more. Decorated with patterned tile floors and copper cookware, the setting is a beautiful place to indulge in a plate of grilled octopus or dig into a shared dish of paella. Start with a refreshing cocktail at the bar, then relocate to the heated patio for a memorable evening. Between the sea breezes (it's just two blocks from the ocean) and red tile roof views, you'll feel like you've gone somewhere exotic without ever leaving city limits.

For an authentic taste of Mexico, drive up Milpas until, on the right, you see a little white shack with aqua trim. There is no sign, but a line extending from the doorway will let you know that you're at the right place. This is La Super-Rica, famously lauded by the legendary Julia Child as one of her favorite places to eat. Most famous for their tacos, the other specialties on their menu are equally as enticing, from tamales to gorditas to pozole. Portions are small and prices are fair, so be sure to order a little more than you usually might. And while you're standing in line, peek through the windows to admire the view. Each and every tortilla served at this establishment is made by hand, directly in plain sight.

Offering a modern twist on Indian cuisine, Bibi Ji is home to some of the brightest flavors in Santa Barbara. A collaboration between local Alejandro Medina and celebrated sommelier and winemaker Rajat Parr, this restaurant and bottle shop is a hip destination for hungry people. In fact, it was recently added to The Michelin Guide's California Central Coast section. Menu items change with the season. Most ingredients are bought fresh at the local farmers market or brought in by local farmers and fisherman. Start with the crispy cauliflower, definitely try the uni biryani (if it's available) and then share a few curries with your dining companions. Open for lunch and dinner, walking distance from almost everything downtown.

If you love beautiful things and have a sweet tooth, you can't miss Alessia Patisserie. At this cozy downtown bakery and cafe, everything is lovely. Lacquered pastries topped with seasonal produce shine in a sparkling glass case. Layered croissants with all kinds of fillings (pistachio cream! baklava!) beckon from light pink to-go boxes. Even the breakfast and lunch specials are plated in a way that suggests they are ready for their close-up. The avocado toast has edible flowers, and the bagels and lox are served on an actual pedestal. What's more, the food is actually delicious. Whether you want to dine in or grab a treat to go, go early because all the tasty little morsels sell out quickly. If you arrive too late in the day, you'll see an empty case!

Treat yourself to the best pizza in Southern California at Bettina. Naturally leavened, organic dough is fermented for at least 48 hours, resulting in a crust with just the right mix of texture and flavor. You know it's there, you enjoy biting into it, but it doesn't take away from the flavor of the other ingredients topping the pie. A locally driven menu of appetizers, antipasto and mains means there's something for everyone, even (gasp!) non-pizza eaters. And a full bar and carefully curated wine menu will you fall in love with the place and everyone you meet, especially the very prompt and courteous Bettina servers.