Location: Montecito
Top Restaurants in Montecito
Top 10 restaurants in Montecito, United States
Home to some of Santa Barbara County’s most famous residents, Montecito has always had an irresistible allure, first attracting vacationing movers and shakers in the 1880s. Today, locals, visitors and celebrities meander along Montecito’s stunning beaches, including famous Butterfly Beach, charming Coast Village Road and Upper Village. Drive or bike along the tree-shaded lanes, and do what the locals do: hang out on a sunny patio, read the paper and don't make a fuss if you see a famous face.
Things to do in Montecito
1. Jeannine's Bakery & Cafe
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 436 reviews
Reviewed By Jim W - Carmel, California
Jeanine's has seemingly been here forever and remains an exceptional spot for breakfast and / or lunch. The salmon scramble is terrific, the straight-forward eggs breakfast the same and we enjoyed the bagel option. Staff is super friendly and helpful; thank you!
2. Handlebar Coffee Roasters
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 164 reviews
Reviewed By LadyRachelB66 - Foster, Australia
Finding good espresso coffee has been the most difficult part of our one month trip in the US. Usually it is too weak and too hot. Coffee here was perfect. Same as back home in Melbourne. Great job.
3. McConnell's Fine Ice Creams
Overall Ratings
5 based on 727 reviews
Almost 70 years later, we make our ice creams as we always have: from scratch, in small batches, with Central Coast, grass-grazed milk & cream we pasteurize from raw at our creamery at The Old Dairy (c. 1934) And the finest local, sustainable and organic, raw ingredients, sourced from partner farms, artisans and purveyors we've worked with, in many cases, for decades.
Reviewed By vegout2 - Placentia, California
McConnell’s is always a stop for us when visiting Santa Barbara. I consider myself to be an amateur ice cream connoisseur and this ice cream receives very high marks on my list. I usually sample a couple before making my selection. The good thing with McConnell’s is that they offer 2 different flavors in a single scoop. I eventually chose cardamom ginger snap and burnt caramel apple. Not only were they great alone but together they were terrific too. The staff is very friendly and don’t seem to mind offering multiple samples.
4. Rori's Artisanal Creamery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 41 reviews
Reviewed By Louis M
Nice staff and happy people, help to make this ice cream location a no brain-er for satisfying your sweet tooth... Cost a bit more than most, so keep that in mind, but worth the moment and flavors. Enjoy something same same, but different.....
5. the black sheep
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 138 reviews
Organic, Farmers driven, Gastropub Inspired.
Reviewed By Colourqueen - Melbourne Australia
A really lovely setting.
We were promptly greeted and seated. We had booked a table for two online, and we were given an option of a few different tables to select from.
Might I note our waiter Christian was very knowledgeable and a really nice person to deal with. He made it such an enjoyable night out.
Rather than having one of the main meals, we just selected smaller plates and shared then, and it was such a good idea.
Everything was beautifully presented and tasty.
We had the Veggie Spring Rolls, yum.
Shumai shrimp dumplings, which was one of the specials.
Pork belly, potato croquettes and spare ribs. Those spare ribs, the meat fell off the bone, delicious.
Hubby had the Blueberry Lemon Torte, again, delicious.
Good selection of beers and wines too.
I’d definitely return to The Black Sheep when next in Santa Barbara.
6. TRE Lune
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 205 reviews
Reviewed By Alicia67 - Atlanta, Georgia
Went there with my husband, son and his girlfriend while visiting them in Santa Barbara. The restaurant had recently reopened after the devastating mudslides.
This place is OLD school. Very cozy and upbeat with a 1950’s movie star vibe. We were greeted warmly by the hostess and seated at a big round table adjacent to the door. We watched couples and groups come in, almost all knew each other and chatted with other patrons before being seated. Monticito has its fair share of extremely wealthy residents, and that night they were all out enjoying dinner at Tre Lune it seemed! It definitely skewed older, I’m in my 40’s and most people there were a good 15 -20 years older than me.
I don’t drink alcohol, and they have a great little selection of mock tails (I hate that word) with fresh squeezed juices etc. The food was fabulous. Very nice presentation. The salmon my son had was wonderful. So was the chicken Parmesan. Everyone really enjoyed what they ordered, and the chocolate mousse with the fresh berry sauce was one of the best I’ve ever had. Service was spot on.
7. Jeannine's Bakery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 118 reviews
Reviewed By expectquality1942 - Santa Barbara, California
There are three Jeannine's Bakeries in Santa Barbara and all three offer very similar menus but each has a lightly different character and feel. The 15 E Figueroa is what I call downtown. It is really very much a State Street location with a Figueroa St. entrance. It feels like a combination of downtown business people and State Street visitors. The menu on a weekend brunch looks expensive, but one can always go the coffee and muffin route and have a lovely time sitting outside or inside and enjoying the lovely location.
8. Stonehouse Restaurant at San Ysidro Ranch
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 308 reviews
Reviewed By CAKarenOrangeCounty - Orange County, CA
This restaurant has a very extensive wine and spirits list.
Dinner was very good we shared an abalone appetizer and my husband had the cod. He had reservations about ordering it as cod can be poorly prepared, but he enjoyed it very much. I had the halibut and it was also very good.
Lovely setting - very beautiful. Waiter was a little cheeky, but straightened up as the night went on.
9. Toma Restaurant and Bar
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By Ruth C - Scranton, Pennsylvania, United States
Artichoke appetizer was good, but a bit too heavy on the coating. Short Ribs were excellent, as was the ravioli. Place was crowded, but service was good. Nice wine selection. Loved the grenache syrah blend. Ended the meal with creme brulee, which was also delicious.
10. Honor Bar
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 163 reviews
Reviewed By waterandmore - Washington DC, District of Columbia
Very nice place inside and outside with a gas fireplace and seating while waiting outside. Fabulous burgers and french fries and a very interesting lunch menu. We split burgers and the fries were so good we placed a second order. Definitely on the list for a return visit.
