Santa Barbara is one of California’s most important beach towns. Although often known as the Southern California hotspot for wine tasting, the growing culinary scene continues to grow and impress every year. Since Bell’s Los Alamos received the region’s first Michelin Star in 2021, Santa Barbara has continued to receive positive recognition for its underground restaurants. While Montecito’s Sushi by Scratch holds a Michelin Star, Caruso’s at The Rosewood Miramar Beach now holds both a Michelin Star and a Green Michelin Star. As well as old favorite restaurants like Lucky’s (a steakhouse), Lark (a great diner), La Super-Rica Taqueria (a favorite of Julia Child) and Bettina pizzeria (an Italian bistro perfect for a slice reliable), among others, a new wave of restaurants is coming to Santa Barbara. In 2024, Santa Barbara welcomed a handful of restaurants and bars—some of them backed by local industry experts like Good Lion’s Misty Orman and Brandon Ristaino and Brandon Boudet of the Eat Heavy Restaurant team and Warner Ebbink.
From an omakase restaurant in the Funk Zone to a modern oyster bar on historic Stearns Wharf, this year’s unexpected openings have managed to win over loyal locals. Whether you’re craving modern Mexican cuisine in Montecito or shellfish with an ocean view, these are the best restaurants and bars opening in 2024 in Santa Barbara.
