Dining in Santa Barbara Without Reservations
Santa Barbara is filled with amazing restaurants but many of them are booked weeks in advance. Sometimes we struggle with where to go at the last minute when we haven’t made reservations, so in case you find yourself in this situation, we have created a list of our favorite spots that don’t require advance booking. We’ve tried to include a mix of different cuisines, some casual spots and a few more upscale restaurants.
1. PUBLIC MARKET
I had to start with the Public Market because this is the go-to spot for my housemates and I when we decide we want to go out for a meal but don’t have a reservation and cannot all agree on what kind of food we want to eat. The Santa Barbara Public Market is located downtown and is a food hall with several different merchants, so everyone is always able to find something they like and we can still all eat together. The Public market has everything from pizzas to mexican food, to sushi, thai food, mediterranean cuisine and more. Some of my favorites in the Public Market are the Corazon Cocina tacos and margaritas, Empty Bowls Khao Soi (a thai coconut curry noodle soup), and the Fala Bowl from Fala Bar. They even have Rori’s Ice cream in there as the perfect dessert when you finish your meal. The Public Market is the perfect place to go with a group of friends and you can dress as casually as you like. The next time I go I am definitely going to try the newest addition, Three Monkeys, which serves Asian street food.
2. SANTO MEZCAL
If you are looking for a more upscale dining experience and do not have a reservation, Santo Mezcal is a perfect option as they only accept walk-ins. Santo Mezcal is a small Mexican restaurant owned by Carlos Luna of Los Agaves fame. They have an amazing selection of margaritas (Zahra loves the Beso Ardiente) and the modern take on classic Mexican food is delicious as well. We love all the ceviches, the camarones al mezcal and of course the classic enchiladas verde.
3. APERTIVO
Aperitivo is another great option for those wanting a higher end restaurant but do not have a reservation. Aperitivo is a small wine bar and restaurant in downtown Santa Barbara that serves Italian food and has a great list of spritzers and wines to pair perfectly with your meal. Aperitivo’s menu changes often depending on what is in season but they serve incredible bites like olives, bruschetta and burrata and a selection of handmade pastas that changes often. This is the perfect place to go on a date night. (p.s. You must be 21 or older!)
4. HONOR BAR
Honor Bar has been one of our family’s favorite and most visited restaurants since we started coming to Santa Barbara 9 years ago! Honor Bar is the perfect spot to sit outside and enjoy a meal and margarita on a sunny day, or be cozy and sit inside at the bar on a cloudy one. Some of our staples at the Honor Bar are the dip duo, deviled eggs, and smoked salmon. My mom and I both love the emerald kale with rotisserie chicken and roasted peanut vinaigrette as a main course and the boys always go for Ding’s crispy chicken sandwich or the french dip. If there is ever a wait we just walk along coast village road and peek into some of the nearby shops. You can never go wrong with Honor Bar, which by the way is part of the Hillstone Group which has restaurants in several states.
5. FINNEY’S CRAFTHOUSE
Finney’s is hands down one of my favorite restaurants in Santa Barbara! It is an upbeat and lively restaurant and we often come here before a night out or to watch a sports game. They have a huge list of cocktails - the raspberry smash is my personal favorite - and a massive menu with so many good options. I love their flatbreads and always order crispy coconut shrimp to start. Finny’s also has a great happy hour with cocktails ranging from $6-$9 and select food items from $7-$9 as well–definitely a steal by Santa Barbara standards!
6. THIRD WINDOW BREWING CO
Third Window Brewing may possibly have the best smashburger we have ever had. Third Window Brewery is a fun and lively place to dine downtown and they often have live music on the weekends. Third Window is not too expensive or fancy, and is a great option for any night you spontaneously want to eat out. They have a huge selection of beers and ciders and have different food vendors pop-up during the week. From Tuesday through Sunday they serve the best wagyu smashburgers you will ever have. We haven’t been on a Monday yet, but that is the one night they serve wood-fired sourdough pizzas, which also look amazing. If you’re not a beer or cider person, don’t worry–the potek winery is next door and shares courtyard seating with Third Window.
7. SHALHOOBS
Shalhoobs is another favorite of mine and is an open air patio restaurant located in the Funk Zone. Shalhoobs is on the more casual side and is a great option for both lunch and dinner. Shalhoob’s began as a premium butcher shop and has since evolved to a restaurant and event space serving a large menu of American style food. Shahoob’s is primarily known for their meats, especially their tri tip. Everything I have tried there has been amazing; however, the trip tip tacos, mac n cheese, and the street corn are a must.
8. BOATHOUSE AT HENDRY’S BEACH
If you’re okay with a bit of a wait, the Boathouse on Hendry’s Beach is an ideal spot, with high end seafood and amazing ocean views. We love to go for brunch and stroll the beach while we wait. An early dinner, with views of the sunset is also spectacular. Definitely try the oysters and shrimp cocktail, which are as fresh as they come.
9. THE DAISY
If you are wanting to go out to dinner but aren’t ready to ditch your health kick, the menu at the Daisy is full of healthy, nourishing options for both lunch and dinner. The Daisy is the perfect mix of casual dining in a beautiful space with a convenient location right on State Street. Every item on the menu is fresh and delicious but the falafel bowl is especially well-loved. They also have a great wine selection and my favorite gluten free double chocolate chip walnut cookies baked fresh every day. (Reservations for groups of 6 and larger are accepted)
10. BROAD STREET OYSTER CO
One of our more recent favorites is Broad Street Oyster Co on lower state street. The restaurant was first established in Malibu in 2019 and recently expanded to Santa Barbara and Los Angeles, with additional locations opening soon in San Francisco and Huntington Beach. The lobster rolls here are world famous and where else can you get caviar service or Santa Barbara’s finest uni while sitting on a picnic bench in your shorts and flip flops?
As you can see, even if making reservations slipped your mind or you decided to visit Santa Barbara at the last minute, there are still a lot of amazing dining options in our favorite beach town that you can just walk into and enjoy a world-class meal.