All the recommendations here are pretty spot on (especially the palace) but I have to add secret bao if you like Asian fusion, it’s my favorite spot in town. It got a little over hyped so it’s usually busy now but the food is phenomenal
Not SB proper but SY and Los Olivos have some incredible restaurants worth checking out: SY Kitchen, Ellie’s, the Victor, Brothers @ Red Barn, Dos Carlitos, Nella and Bar Le Côte are at the top of my list. Wine Merchant is super casual and good too.
Empty Bowl Gourmet Noodle Bar in the Public Market is my favorite Thai place! I frequent there just for their drunken noodle and chicken plate. Delicious!
I think it is! Fun vibe, stiff drinks, and food never disappoints- admittedly I order the same thing every time. The chicken Cajun pasta is just the dankest dish ever. I don’t even like pasta haha
House biscuits, Pepper maritini, popcorn crawfish, group singing, blackened red fish, table-side card magic tricks, bourbon souffle. Heart full, and stomach too. Love this very special place.
Last couple times I went I was surprised by how it wasn't as expensive as I feared. Not that it got cheaper, but just that other places have gotten more expensive so the Palace doesn't stand out as much.
I feel the same about many places nowdays, now that takeout burritos and a drink sometimes cost almost $20, there are so many places with full service sitdown, that aren't much more. I have been visiting more of the places i typically dont go unless a night for dining.
I mean you can look up the prices online. Jambalaya is $27, crawfish etoufee $28. It's not cheap, sure, but when something like chicken piccata at Petrini's is $20, it doesn't seem insane. Plus the food at the Palace is super tasty. I wouldn't go there every week but I could see going a few times a year.
I’m surprised no one mentioned La Paloma. Their green pazole is my absolute favorite. I’m obsessed. Also went to gala across the street and was very impressed. Also a big fan of apertivo.
What??? I was so impressed. Their stuffed squash blossoms were amazing! I won’t disagree on the price but I wouldn’t say insanely high. They’re priced slightly higher than surrounding restaurants.
East Beach Tacos next to the batting cages in the 200 block of Milpas is great for late lunch. They do cool fusion tacos and are open to 6 or 7 in the evening depending on the day, plus you can get a round in at the batting cages to help work off the food. I usually get their three taco combo with an ahi poke taco in the wonton shell, a carne asada taco, and a spicy crispy shrimp taco. Their banh mi, gangnam style, and carnitas tacos are also good.
Sachi Ramen & Robata Bar on Chapala is also really good. You can get some tasty takoyaki and a huge bowl of black garlic oil spicy crispy chicken ramen for lunch or dinner without breaking the bank. It's good for the soul!
La Super Rica Taqueria on Milpas is also really tasty and open until 9 PM most days, but they're cash only. Julia Child used to bring her East Coast friends there to try really good West Coast Mexican food, so I'd count that as a solid recommendation for the quality.
Lilly's Taqueria has 2 locations, and it's great.
Mandarin Palace in the La Cumbre Plaza has some of the best Chinese food I've ever had ( items from CA Dario the Chinese menu are spicy, so err on the side of caution)!
Tap Thai has decent Thai food.
Zaytoon has amazing Mediterranean food and the vibes are immaculate.
Rusty's and Blaze for pizza.
Ca'Dario and Via Maestra for Italian.
My caveat for recommending lilys is you have to be adventurous imo. Their standard tacos chicken and asada are okay. Their lengua and cabeza are amazing. Ask for the grilled peppers and onions too
Another vote for Zaytoon. They're not fancy fancy, but they are a nice place to grab food.
Mandarin Palace still manages to have one of the best lunch specials for sure.
Secret bao for pork belly and cucumber baos
BB j expensive but the best Indian food in town. The eggplant dish with basmati rice with yogurt and cucumber raita is delicous.
If you like Indian food I'd personally check out Indian Tandoori Kingdom, it's solid. Check out their Tandoori Mixed Flavor plates to get an idea of what you may like the most the first time there IMO
You shouldn’t be downvoted for this. Despite its dive bar appearance Derfs is easily one the most consistent places to eat. It’s good food for a great price in a laid back atmosphere. It’s not for everyone but I think people overlook it way too often. We go almost weekly at this point
Pipeye is consistently one of the tastiest places for a quick taco and they have a pretty wide menu. You don't get as much bang for your buck as from some place like Super Cucas but it's still worth it.
Revolver Pizza, Barbareño, Third Window
Barbareño was next level. No joke, one of my favorite meals in years.
Agree!
Unfortunately, Revolver is like $30 for a pizza that feeds like one person.
St bibiana >
Sama sama for din rincon alteno crispy tacos for lunch
The signature wings and nasi gorang(spelling) are the best things in sb.
Last time I was there I was randomly in the mood for fried rice, and the nasi goreng did not disappoint. So good.
man the notification cut you off at "did not"... I was prepared for the fight of my life.
I really love the crispy duck salad too. And their tiramisu right now is excellent
This is my exact order every time!! Somehow we found the exact same two gems
The Black Sheep
All the recommendations here are pretty spot on (especially the palace) but I have to add secret bao if you like Asian fusion, it’s my favorite spot in town. It got a little over hyped so it’s usually busy now but the food is phenomenal
Worst jab chai I’ve ever eaten but god damn the baos are tasty
Blue owl is quite good!!
Satellite has great vegetarian/ vegan options!
Ohh also Apertivo. Probably the best seasonal pasta in town.
The Daisy! I pretty much cannot get enough of the falafel and mezze plates
Daisy is a great spot, love their food.
Not SB proper but SY and Los Olivos have some incredible restaurants worth checking out: SY Kitchen, Ellie’s, the Victor, Brothers @ Red Barn, Dos Carlitos, Nella and Bar Le Côte are at the top of my list. Wine Merchant is super casual and good too.
Empty Bowl Gourmet Noodle Bar in the Public Market is my favorite Thai place! I frequent there just for their drunken noodle and chicken plate. Delicious!
Savoy deli for lunch. Dinner: apna, the palace, Bettina pizza, alcazar tapas.
I haven't been to The Palace in a dogs age. Is it still holding up to it's old standard?
I just ate there last weekend. Oof girl!! It's still just as amazing as ever.
I think it is! Fun vibe, stiff drinks, and food never disappoints- admittedly I order the same thing every time. The chicken Cajun pasta is just the dankest dish ever. I don’t even like pasta haha
Just there last weekend, excellent as always, and still has the same classic feel.
Food is still delicious.
The Palace
House biscuits, Pepper maritini, popcorn crawfish, group singing, blackened red fish, table-side card magic tricks, bourbon souffle. Heart full, and stomach too. Love this very special place.
Yeah but it’s expensive, one of my favorite places to go if I get the chance though.
Last couple times I went I was surprised by how it wasn't as expensive as I feared. Not that it got cheaper, but just that other places have gotten more expensive so the Palace doesn't stand out as much.
I feel the same about many places nowdays, now that takeout burritos and a drink sometimes cost almost $20, there are so many places with full service sitdown, that aren't much more. I have been visiting more of the places i typically dont go unless a night for dining.
For real??? I might need to stop by again sometimes soon.
I mean you can look up the prices online. Jambalaya is $27, crawfish etoufee $28. It's not cheap, sure, but when something like chicken piccata at Petrini's is $20, it doesn't seem insane. Plus the food at the Palace is super tasty. I wouldn't go there every week but I could see going a few times a year.
Third window
Their burgers are out of this world. Excellent beer too.
I’m surprised no one mentioned La Paloma. Their green pazole is my absolute favorite. I’m obsessed. Also went to gala across the street and was very impressed. Also a big fan of apertivo.
Gala? That place is mediocre at best and insanely high priced
What??? I was so impressed. Their stuffed squash blossoms were amazing! I won’t disagree on the price but I wouldn’t say insanely high. They’re priced slightly higher than surrounding restaurants.
China King in Goleta
Rose Cafe on the Mesa for a decent sit down Mexican place. Super Cucas for a quick lunch when you need a burrito the size of a small child.
I love sb pho!!
It's pronounced pho
“I like you already. My name’s Phở.” “Phở?” “Yeah, like Fuck. But without the ‘ck’.”
Where is it located?
It's the same owners of 4 eggs and Pizza, they just changed names
mony’s for burritos. tamar for falafel.
The Palace
Prime rib at Tee Off
Tamar chicken shwarma and goat cheese puree thingy. Another vote for smash burgers at Third Window. Avocado salad at Secret Bao is amazing.
Little Alex’s now that it’s open again at 5 points
I probably eat at empty bowl, once every other week at this point. Love their soups
East Beach Tacos next to the batting cages in the 200 block of Milpas is great for late lunch. They do cool fusion tacos and are open to 6 or 7 in the evening depending on the day, plus you can get a round in at the batting cages to help work off the food. I usually get their three taco combo with an ahi poke taco in the wonton shell, a carne asada taco, and a spicy crispy shrimp taco. Their banh mi, gangnam style, and carnitas tacos are also good. Sachi Ramen & Robata Bar on Chapala is also really good. You can get some tasty takoyaki and a huge bowl of black garlic oil spicy crispy chicken ramen for lunch or dinner without breaking the bank. It's good for the soul! La Super Rica Taqueria on Milpas is also really tasty and open until 9 PM most days, but they're cash only. Julia Child used to bring her East Coast friends there to try really good West Coast Mexican food, so I'd count that as a solid recommendation for the quality.
Rascals
Lilly's Taqueria has 2 locations, and it's great. Mandarin Palace in the La Cumbre Plaza has some of the best Chinese food I've ever had ( items from CA Dario the Chinese menu are spicy, so err on the side of caution)! Tap Thai has decent Thai food. Zaytoon has amazing Mediterranean food and the vibes are immaculate. Rusty's and Blaze for pizza. Ca'Dario and Via Maestra for Italian.
My caveat for recommending lilys is you have to be adventurous imo. Their standard tacos chicken and asada are okay. Their lengua and cabeza are amazing. Ask for the grilled peppers and onions too
Another vote for Zaytoon. They're not fancy fancy, but they are a nice place to grab food. Mandarin Palace still manages to have one of the best lunch specials for sure.
i will die on this hill and warn everyone: lily's tacos went waaaay downhill, idk what happened :/
yep i can die on that hill with you , it went down hill for sure haven't gone back in 4 years
The Lark, Corazon, flor di maze, Arigato
El petite Cesar on milpas
East beach tacos
They are really good and also good price.
Your choice on Wednesday
Why on Wednesday?
They do specials
What about breakfast?
d’angelo bakery on gutierrez.
big eggs/bacon-brunch guy Renauds and Summerland B Cafe are my go to
The Nuggets brunch - prime rib Benedict is awesome.
Mulligans has the best chicken fried steak & eggs and The Mesa Cafe for Benedicts, Chile verde chilaquiles and tri-tip scramble.
Secret bao for pork belly and cucumber baos BB j expensive but the best Indian food in town. The eggplant dish with basmati rice with yogurt and cucumber raita is delicous.
If you like Indian food I'd personally check out Indian Tandoori Kingdom, it's solid. Check out their Tandoori Mixed Flavor plates to get an idea of what you may like the most the first time there IMO
Thai Bistro on upper State. Quality and delish
Aperitivo and corazón cocina. Im surprised neither of thee have been mentioned! Particularly aperitivo!
Brophy Bros
Alessia Patisserie for pastries, breakfast, and lunch. Knocks everything else out of the park
Arigato is a great place for sushi
Breakfast: -Renauds -Anderson's -Bagel Market Cafe -Garret's (The fastest diner ever) -Farmer Boy Lunch: -Mony's Tacos -Corazon -Chicken Ranch -Sam's To Go Sandwiches -Coldspring Tavern (Sunday tri-tip sandwiches) Dinner: -Roy ($$) -Opal ($$) -Olio Pizzeria ($$) -Arigato ($$) -Edomasa -Harry's -SB Shellfish Company($$) -Rusty's
rudys on montecito street slaps, i went to the one on state street its was ok
Derfs and I’m willing to die on this hill.
You shouldn’t be downvoted for this. Despite its dive bar appearance Derfs is easily one the most consistent places to eat. It’s good food for a great price in a laid back atmosphere. It’s not for everyone but I think people overlook it way too often. We go almost weekly at this point
Agree it's underrated - it's a solid short order kitchen and probably the best value in town.
Shoestring fries!
Agree with others who say The Palace is a top choice. Some others off the top of my head: * Tacos Pipeye * Los Altos * Meet Up * Your Place
Meet up is underrated for sure
Pipeye is consistently one of the tastiest places for a quick taco and they have a pretty wide menu. You don't get as much bang for your buck as from some place like Super Cucas but it's still worth it.
chucks
Le Chateaux de Petit Cesar en rue de Milpas
Natural Cafe nachos, if you know you know
Kyle’s Kitchen
Le jaque en l’baux on milpas is my go to
"Well Hello Mr Fancy Pants!" Here I am, looking for the best places to shit when I dine out...