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Guide to the 13 best Santa Barbara restaurants on the beach

Published Date: August 9, 2023

One of the best Santa Barbara restaurants on the beach sits on a pier in the middle of the pacific ocean.
Whether you’re road tripping through SoCal or hoping to catch a wave at one of many Santa Barbara surf spots, you can’t skip a dining experience at one of the top Santa Barbara restaurants on the beach.From gourmet seafood to classic California cuisine using fresh, local ingredients, we've rounded up 13 beachside restaurants that can take any Santa Barbara stay to the next level, and we've ordered them from most affordable to most expensive:

Second homes by the beach

1. On The Alley

A graphic showcases the average rating and cost of Santa Barbara restaurants on the beach for breakfast.
  • Average rating: 4.5 stars
  • Cost: $
  • Cuisine: American
Tucked away near the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum, On The Alley offers quick counter service with outdoor picnic tables close enough to the water that you can feel the ocean breezes. On The Alley serves breakfast all day, with simple and delicious favorites like breakfast bowls, oatmeal with fresh blueberries, waffles, French toast sticks and fresh fruit smoothies. Headed out boating? Order ahead on their website and enjoy a takeout breakfast on the water. 

2. Chad’s 

  • Average rating: 4.4 stars
  • Cost: $$
  • Cuisine: Breakfast
With an enviable location adjacent to Santa Barbara Harbor, Chad’s offers breakfast classics like omelets, eggs Benedict, French toast and oatmeal, as well as a unique take on the California breakfast burrito — with bacon, avocado and french fries! Adventurous diners will want the 911 Emergency Omelet, which is packed with chorizo, roasted green chiles and jalapeños. You also won’t want to miss the mimosa flight. 

3. Shoreline Beach Cafe  

  • Average rating: 4.4  stars
  • Cost: $$
  • Cuisine: American
Grabbing a bite to eat before a day spent at the beach is easy when your restaurant of choice is literally on the beach. Shoreline Beach Cafe offers outdoor dining on the beach as well as on a shaded deck. Sink your toes into the sand of Leadbetter Beach while enjoying breakfast favorites like pancakes with fresh fruit, scrambles, breakfast burritos and huevos rancheros. Come back in the afternoon for weekday happy hour!

4. Santa Barbara Shellfish Company

A graphic showcases the average rating and cost of Santa Barbara restaurants on the beach for seafood cuisine.
  • Average rating: 4.5 stars
  • Cost: $$
  • Cuisine: Seafood
You can’t get more waterfront than dining on a pier! Santa Barbara Shellfish Company has been a mainstay since 1980, with favorite dishes like Dungeness crab, shrimp ceviche, oysters, clams and lobster. The restaurant is popular, so don’t be surprised if there’s a wait. If you’re in a rush, you can always order from the walk-up window. 

5. Boathouse at Hendry's Beach

  • Average rating: 4.5 stars
  • Cost: $$
  • Cuisine: Seafood
For sunset cocktails, a romantic dinner or a celebratory evening, book a table at the Boathouse at Hendry's Beach. The restaurant features a cozy heated patio and a menu that goes on and on. There are extensive raw bar offerings, plus plenty of seafood starters. Main course options include (you guessed it) fresh seafood, or opt for classically prepared Harris Ranch steaks. 

6. Moby Dick

  • Average rating: 4 stars
  • Cost: $$
  • Cuisine: Seafood
​​Moby Dick is a popular seafood spot located on Santa Barbara’s historic Stearns Wharf. The restaurant offers a variety of dishes, from fresh fish and lobster to burgers and salads, all with a stunning view of the Pacific Ocean. The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and also hosts special events such as weddings and parties. 

7. Brophy Bros

  • Average rating: 4.5 stars
  • Cost: $$$
  • Cuisine: Seafood
Enjoy American cuisine overlooking the Santa Barbara Marina at Brophy Bros. Grab a table on the patio and treat yourself to an impressive variety of fresh seafood. Start with steamed clams or mussels, ceviche or oyster shooters. Main course specials vary, but popular dishes include grilled swordfish, Cajun sea bass and beer-battered fish and chips. 

8. Bluewater Grill

  • Average rating: 4.3 stars
  • Cost: $$$
  • Cuisine: Seafood
Specializing in seafood and local cuisine, Bluewater Grill offers a variety of dishes, including oysters, lobster and the ever-popular fish tacos. The restaurant has a full bar with wine, beer and cocktails. Bluewater Grill is open daily for lunch and dinner, andr brunch on weekends. The restaurant has a classic Santa Barbara atmosphere, with indoor and outdoor seating options. Bluewater Grill is a popular destination for those who enjoy fresh and delicious food, friendly service and scenic views of the harbor.

9. Tydes

  • Average rating: 4.3 stars
  • Cost: $$$
  • Cuisine: Seafood
Enjoy indoor-outdoor fine dining at Tydes, a chic restaurant in the Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore. In addition to jaw-dropping views, Tydes features incredible dishes like poached local halibut, grilled lobster with black truffle gnocchi and Wagyu beef short ribs. The upscale atmosphere makes it the perfect venue for a Santa Barbara date night.If you can see yourself enjoying all that Santa Barbara has to offer — including its rapidly growing food scene — consider owning your own second home in the area.

10. Padaro Beach Grill

A graphic showcases the average rating and cost of Santa Barbara restaurants on the beach for Californian food.
  • Average rating: 4.3 stars
  • Cost: $$
  • Cuisine: Californian
Padaro Beach Grill is a casual dining restaurant specializing in local dishes with fresh ingredients. The restaurant has a full bar, a spacious patio and a playground for kids. Padaro Beach Grill is a great place to enjoy a relaxing meal with family and friends while taking in the stunning views of the ocean and mountains.

11. Bella Vista

  • Average rating: 4.4 stars
  • Cost: $$$
  • Cuisine: Californian
Bella Vista is a popular destination for locals and tourists alike. The restaurant offers a variety of dishes, from pasta and pizza to seafood and steak. The atmosphere is cozy and elegant, with stunning ocean and mountain views. Bella Vista is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and also hosts special events and catering services. 

12. Toma Restaurant & Bar

A graphic showcases the average rating and cost of Santa Barbara restaurants on the beach for international cuisine.
  • Average rating: 4.6 stars
  • Cost: $$$
  • Cuisine: Italian
Open for dinner only, the award-winning Toma Restaurant & Bar is an upscale Mediterranean eatery on the waterfront. Start by sharing handcrafted flatbread before enjoying an incredible array of house-made pastas, risottos and main dishes like braised beef short ribs or seared scallops. There’s also an extensive wine list featuring selections from both California and Italy. Time for an after-dinner beach walk? Cross the street and you’re on the sand of West Beach. 

13. OKU Restaurant

  • Average rating: 4.6
  • Cost: $$$
  • Cuisine: Japanese
OKU restaurant is a popular destination for sushi lovers and Asian fusion cuisine enthusiasts. The chef uses fresh, high-quality ingredients such as wild-caught fish, organic vegetables and homemade sauces. The restaurant also has a full bar, featuring sake, cocktails, wine and beer. But the best part is the stunning view of the ocean — perfect to enjoy while eating sushi. 

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Want to turn Santa Barbara into your go-to vacation destination? Become a co-owner of a beautiful luxury second home and return year-round to relax, dine and explore everything the Central California coast has to offer.
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