Santa Barbara’s booming restaurant scene reaches new heights in 2025. While this affluent beach town is best known for its idyllic charm, picturesque mountain and sea views, and numerous wine tasting rooms, its growing restaurant scene makes Santa Barbara one of California’s best foodie destinations.
Silvers Omakase made a splash last year with its exquisite sushi, earning a Michelin star in just a few months. We’ve also seen MML Hospitality bring the West Coast’s first Clark’s Oyster Bar to Montecito, and Michelin Bib Gourmand award-winning chef Ramon Velazquez open Alma Fonda Fina. This year, however, more vacancies have emerged that are already making a lasting impression.
Due to the loss of Los Angeles, chef Dom Crisp moved to the American Riviera and opened a bistro of the same name serving Basque cuisine. The Ritz-Carlton Bacara is opening not one but two new concept restaurants after completing a multi-million dollar renovation, while one of the best burger joints in Los Angeles is coming to Chapala Street. Local eateries are opening new restaurants in places like Aperitivo and Barbareño, and Goleta Beach’s highly anticipated Elwood has finally opened.
Whether you want burgers and martinis with harbor views in Montecito or a taste of coastal California cuisine, these are the best restaurants opening in Santa Barbara in 2025.
