Santa Barbara has adopted a European flair by creating the State Street Promenade.

This central area of Downtown Santa Barbara's entertainment and retail district has been turned into a vast 10-block pedestrian walkway, stretching from Sola to Gutierrez Streets.

Visitors can now explore, shop, sip, and dine while taking in State Street's architectural beauty and vibrant atmosphere, all without worrying about car traffic. It's the perfect setting for a leisurely stroll!

After trying the establishments on State Street, venture to other areas of downtown to discover some hidden gems. 

Here are some of my favorite restaurants:

On State Street

Jane

Jane is billed as an American, international, Vegetarian-Friendly restaurant – and it offers an exciting fusion of cuisines.

It is a place where you can order Duck Breast, Curry Chicken, Veal Marsala, or a Cheeseburger.

During our recent visit, we enjoyed the patio seats and tried the Lamb Chops and Chicken Curry. Both were perfectly cooked and very tasty.

We ended the meal with a Toffee Sundae and a Pecan Tart, for an excellent finish.

1311 State St, Santa Barbara, CA

Opal

Opal offers Italian-American dishes with international influence. The menu includes many pasta dishes, but if you prefer to skip the carbs, you can also enjoy duck, chicken, and steak dishes.

On our last visit, we tried the Fettuccine With Tiger Shrimp and the Chicken Chipotle. The food was delicious, and the portions were huge.

We also enjoyed their wine list. I had a Merlot, and my wife enjoyed a Riesling. For dessert, we tried their Gelato and Crème Brulee.

1325 State St, Santa Barbara, CA

Santo Mezcal

We went to Mezcal for convenience, right next to our hotel. But we ended up enjoying an excellent Mexican meal with lots of drinks.

This place is bustling and does not take reservations, but you can get on the waitlist at yelp.com.

The ambiance was a little loud for us, but it would be heaven for sports fans with many screens to catch the latest game.

During our visit, my wife ordered "Tlacoyo De Huitlacoche Y Hongos" – a corn tortilla with huitlacoche mushroom.

My meal was more traditional Mexican cuisine – the Enchiladas Verde.

We finished our meal with Pan De Elote – a Toffee Caramel with vanilla ice cream.

119 State St, Santa Barbara, CA

Close to State

Helena Ave Bakery

For a culinary adventure, head to Helena Ave Bakery. This café and bakery offer the best bread, scones, and biscuits. They also make unique and delicious sandwiches.

Your breakfast can be as simple as French bread with butter and jam or as elaborate as a Breakfast Sandwich on Brioche or Green Eggs & Ham on a Biscuit.

Lunch choices include a Turkey Sandwich, Cous Cous Salad, or a BLT.

131 Anacapa St c, Santa Barbara, CA

Black Sheep

Black Sheep chefs like to source their ingredients locally, keep them organic, and experiment with their creations.

Although it is not on State Street, it is only a few blocks away. They have several patios to choose from and some indoor seating.

During our visit, we ordered the catch of the day—scallops—and the duck leg confit. They were both cooked just right and delicious.

If you feel adventurous, try the Menu Gastronomique, a 4-course meal selected by the chef.

We tried their Lemon Drop Martini and the Manhattan. The drinks were a little above average, and the selection was short. If you prefer wine with your meal, they offer a good selection.

We finished our meal with the Almond Financier and the Chocolate Torte. Both were excellent.

26 E Ortega St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101

OKU

OKU is located at the corner of State and Cabrillo streets, facing the beach, and serves creative Asian-inspired dishes.

The covered patios are a great place to relax, enjoy the views, and savor the delicious food.

The menu includes a delightful selection of Sushi, Sashimi, and freshly caught seafood dishes to share. You can also order steak, vegetarian, and gluten-free meals.

On our recent visit, we had Miso Soup, Spicy Yellowtail Rolls, Shinpbi Rolls, and Rainbow Rolls. The rolls were fresh and tasty, and the service was excellent.

For a great finish to a great meal, I recommend the Meyer Lemon Tartlette.

29 E Cabrillo Blvd, Santa Barbara, CA

Beachfront Gourmet at Happy Cat Eats

Located right on Cabrillo Boulevard, Happy Cat Eats is the high-energy, walk-up sibling to the upscale Oku Sushi. It is the perfect solution for travelers who want five-star flavors without a formal sit-down commitment. This outdoor eatery specializes in "elevated fast food" that you can enjoy with your toes practically in the sand.

The Signature Sushi Sandwich

The menu’s centerpiece is the Sushi Sandwich. This isn't your standard deli fare; it’s a masterclass in coastal fusion. Imagine layers of premium spicy tuna, creamy avocado, and seasoned crab pressed between "bread" made of crispy seaweed and toasted sushi rice. It offers the satisfying crunch of a handheld meal with the clean, sophisticated finish of a high-end roll. It is sturdy, fresh, and designed for a stroll along the waterfront.

The Tropical Finish

No visit is complete without a Dole Whip. This dairy-free, pineapple soft serve is a cult favorite for a reason. In the Santa Barbara sun, its tart acidity provides a brilliant contrast to the rich, savory notes of the sushi. Grab a cup, walk across the street to the low stone wall overlooking the Pacific, and enjoy the quintessential American Riviera moment.

High-Quality Speed

Happy Cat Eats proves you don't need a white tablecloth to enjoy world-class seafood. By utilizing the same kitchen expertise as Oku, they deliver premium ingredients at a fraction of the time. It is the ultimate "grab and go" for a high-quality afternoon on the coast.

Bouchon

If you feel like being pampered while enjoying great food, visiting Bouchon is a must.

This restaurant offers French/American dishes prepared with locally sourced ingredients and served with excellent attention to detail.

Our waiter was attentive and knowledgeable, explained the various options, and made good wine recommendations.

We were not very hungry, so we shared a rack of lamb and each ordered butternut squash soup.

The lamb was perfect, but the soup was very bland. We still enjoyed our meal and ended it with the warm lemon berry cake.

The dessert was very tasty and delightful to the eyes.

9 W Victoria St, Santa Barbara, CA

The Roundhouse

This restaurant is inside the Hilton Beachfront – right on the beach. We were staying at the Hilton, so it was convenient to have breakfast at this place.

We were not expecting a lot but were pleasantly surprised by the food and the service.

You can have the traditional American breakfast, build your Omelet, French Toast, or Mexican-style Chilaquiles. You can also go light and have Granola & Yogurt or mixed fruit.

633 E. Cabrillo Blvd., Santa Barbara, CA

Chad's Cafe

Another great place for breakfast is this cafe, which is right on Cabrillo Street, the main street overlooking the bay.

The location is excellent, but the food is even better.

We woke up too early for the hotel's breakfast during our visit, so we walked a few steps to the cafe and enjoyed our coffee and food.

Before we ordered, the server offered us fresh muffins to go with the coffee.

We ordered the Huevos Rancheros and Mom's Pancakes. The food was very tasty, and the portions were large. We had enough for the next day's breakfast.

216 W Cabrillo Blvd, Santa Barbara, CA

Further Away

Boat House

This hidden gem is located right on the sand in Hendry's Beach. The beach is gorgeous and very popular, so you may not find a parking spot.

We went for breakfast and ordered the Breakfast Burrito and Pancakes. The burrito was exceptional, and the pancakes were fluffy and tasty. Other good breakfast choices are the Signature Breakfast, a delicious creation of snow and rock crab cakes under poached eggs, or the Quinoa Breakfast Bowl.

2981 Cliff Dr, Santa Barbara, CA