Santa Barbara's Culinary Scene Heats Up in 2025
A year after being thrust into the spotlight by newcomers like Silvers Omakase and Clark's Oyster Bar, this California coastal town is solidifying its reputation as a top culinary destination. With upscale eateries sprouting up left and right, Santa Barbara has cemented its place among California's most sought-after dining destinations.
For the first half of 2025, chef Dom Crisp made his mark with an eponymous Basque-inspired taverna that's already making waves in the local food scene. The Ritz-Carlton Bacara followed suit by unveiling two brand-new restaurants as part of its multimillion-dollar renovation – a testament to the luxury hotel's commitment to staying ahead of the curve.
Montecito saw another influx of top-notch eateries, with MML Hospitality launching Clark's Oyster Bar on the West Coast for the first time. Meanwhile, Alma Fonda Fina took the stage as the latest venture from chef Ramon Velazquez, who earned his stripes at the Michelin Bib Gourmand-winning establishment.
But it's not just local favorites that are making a splash – Los Angeles got a taste of what Santa Barbara has to offer with the relocation of chef Dom Crisp. The culinary up-and-comer brought his signature Basque flair to the American Riviera, cementing the town's status as a top dining destination.
Santa Barbara also saw several established eateries expand their offerings, while newcomers like Elwood on Goleta Beach finally opened its doors to rave reviews. Whether you're in the mood for coastal California cuisine or a burger with a view, Santa Barbara has something for everyone – and 2025's latest crop of restaurant openings is proof that this culinary scene show no signs of slowing down anytime soon.
A year after being thrust into the spotlight by newcomers like Silvers Omakase and Clark's Oyster Bar, this California coastal town is solidifying its reputation as a top culinary destination. With upscale eateries sprouting up left and right, Santa Barbara has cemented its place among California's most sought-after dining destinations.
For the first half of 2025, chef Dom Crisp made his mark with an eponymous Basque-inspired taverna that's already making waves in the local food scene. The Ritz-Carlton Bacara followed suit by unveiling two brand-new restaurants as part of its multimillion-dollar renovation – a testament to the luxury hotel's commitment to staying ahead of the curve.
Montecito saw another influx of top-notch eateries, with MML Hospitality launching Clark's Oyster Bar on the West Coast for the first time. Meanwhile, Alma Fonda Fina took the stage as the latest venture from chef Ramon Velazquez, who earned his stripes at the Michelin Bib Gourmand-winning establishment.
But it's not just local favorites that are making a splash – Los Angeles got a taste of what Santa Barbara has to offer with the relocation of chef Dom Crisp. The culinary up-and-comer brought his signature Basque flair to the American Riviera, cementing the town's status as a top dining destination.
Santa Barbara also saw several established eateries expand their offerings, while newcomers like Elwood on Goleta Beach finally opened its doors to rave reviews. Whether you're in the mood for coastal California cuisine or a burger with a view, Santa Barbara has something for everyone – and 2025's latest crop of restaurant openings is proof that this culinary scene show no signs of slowing down anytime soon.
i mean, have you tried elwood yet? i went there last month and the burger with a view was insane 
! but what's crazy is that i saw a comment from someone saying that santa barba is too touristy now... like, what do you even say to that? 
has anyone else noticed this trend? are we losing the local vibe or what? 
I'm so stoked to see Santa Barbara's culinary scene heating up like crazy! It's awesome how the town is solidifying its rep as a top dining destination 
, and I love that The Ritz-Carlton Bacara is pushing the luxury hotel thing to new heights 
. And can we talk about Alma Fonda Fina - chef Ramon Velazquez must be so proud of his latest venture 
! It's also dope to see LA get a taste of what Santa Barbara has to offer with Dom Crisp's relocation, and I'm loving the fact that there's something for every foodie vibe - from coastal Cali cuisine to burgers with a view 
. What do you guys think about this culinary hotspot?
the fact that they're getting more upscale places like The Ritz-Carlton Bacara's new restaurants is a total win for us foodies who've been raving about this town already 
and i'm loving how chef Dom Crisp brought his Basque flair to la, that's a game changer imo! 
has anyone tried elwood yet? heard it's got a sick view 
. It's just another coastal town with some fancy restaurants, right? I mean, the fact that people are flying in from LA to try Dom Crisp's Basque-inspired stuff is pretty whack 
. Can't they just go to the beach like a normal person? And those luxury hotels just throwing out fancy new restaurants left and right? It's all just a bunch of hype 
. I swear, every time you turn around there's another "trendy" restaurant popping up in Montecito... when are people gonna realize it's all just the same old overpriced food 
?
dom crisp's taverna is a must-try for any foodie, and clark's oyster bar on montecito is already on my bucket list 
! i mean, having all these new restaurants popping up and oldies but goodies getting revamped too is literally the best news ever 
. the ritz-carlton bacara is always a hot spot, but now they're taking it to the next level with new restaurants 
. montecito's got its own share of culinary excitement too, from clark's oyster bar to alma fonda fina 
!
it's just another beach town with fancy restaurants that people are gonna go crazy for because they're 'basque-inspired' 
! Anyway, it's clear that Santa Barbara is the new foodie hotspot – who needs LA when you've got the beach and burgers with a view? 
The fact that they're attracting chefs from LA like Dom Crisp is a testament to their culinary chops. And let's be real, who wouldn't want to dine with a view of the coast? 
I mean, who wouldn't want to try that new Basque-inspired taverna? Dom Crisp is a genius chef 
and his stuff is literally on point. And can we talk about how epic it is that The Ritz-Carlton Bacara is bringin' the heat with their new restaurants? 
And Alma Fonda Fina is another one of those hidden gems I love... Chef Ramon Velazquez knows his stuff. It's so cool to see these talented chefs poppin' up and elevatin' the Santa Barbara food scene.
. I love it, though - I've been to SB a few times and it's always had some great eats, but this is next level! The Ritz-Carlton Bacara gettin' all fancy with new restaurants? 
And chef Dom Crisp bringin' his Basque flair to LA? That's just genius! 
I'm thinkin' of takin' my squad out there soon for some seafood and good vibes. SB, you're lookin' sharp in 2025! 
It's gonna be interesting to see how these newcomers shake things up and if they can keep the vibe of the town intact.
. I'm not sure how much more of this upscale dining scene we can handle before it feels like everyone's trying to be another fancy restaurant 
I feel like I'm living vicariously through Santa Barbara's foodie scene right now! It's amazing to see how the town has come together to create such a vibrant and exciting culinary landscape. I love how new restaurants are popping up left and right, each with its own unique flavor and style. And can we talk about Dom Crisp's Basque-inspired taverna? My mouth is watering just thinking about it 
️