Enable JavaScript to run this app.
Skip to main content
OpenTable logo
  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. California Central Coast

Restaurants near Natural History Museum

Price
Cuisine
Top Rated
Dining Options
Seating Options
Award-winning
Accessibility

120 restaurants available nearby

How are Featured results ranked

A photo of Loquita restaurant
1. Loquita
4.7
Exceptional(1075)
$$$$
• Spanish • Santa Barbara
Booked 76 times today
Located at the gateway to Santa Barbara’s Funk Zone, Loquita serves Spanish-inspired tapas, wood-fired seafood and meats, and signature seasonal paella crafted with locally sourced ingredients.Our wine list features premier Spanish varietals and exceptional local wines that pair perfectly with the menu, while our cocktail program highlights Spanish vermouths, farmers’ market Sangria, and the king of Spanish cocktails — the Gin-and-Tonic.Experience the warmth, flavor, and spirit of Spain — right here in Santa Barbara.
A photo of The Lark - Santa Barbara restaurant
Icon
2. The Lark - Santa Barbara
4.7
Exceptional(2711)
$$$$
• Contemporary American • Santa Barbara
Booked 117 times today
For Large Party reservations (8+ guests), please reach out to host@thelarksb.comThe Lark pays homage to the history of California train travel and tributes the treasured and long gone Santa Barbara Fish Market, built in the 1920’s as a commercial fish processing plant, shipping their seafood products throughout the state by rail. With an imaginative yet approachable menu created by the gifted Jason Paluska, The Lark celebrates everything found around Santa Barbara County – wineries, farms, ocean and natural beauty. The stunning design strives to connect to the past and the future, using discovered objects from the past and blending them with modern, urban and industrial materials to spectacular effect.
A photo of OKU restaurant
3. OKU
4.6
Exceptional(2193)
$$$$
• Asian • Santa Barbara
Booked 79 times today
Tina Takaya, proprietor, welcomes you to our newest two story restaurant on the water. We feel the key to success is our passion for creating the highest quality food and warm friendly service. We hope you will enjoy your experience as much as we enjoyed creating it for you."We want Locals to feel like Family and Visitors to feel like Locals"Our menu draws from Asian favorites that inspire and excite such as Wagyu Steak, Japanese Sushi, Chinese Dumplings, Garlic Noodles and fresh local seafood.We are located in the heart of Santa Barbara’s Waterfront and Funk Zone Districts. Come enjoy lunch or dinner, soak in the sun by day at our waterfront rooftop bar while sipping on a refreshing cocktail surrounded by our beautiful ocean vista and by night, enjoy lounging by the fireplace after a delicious meal and a great glass of wine.Our chef uses the freshest ingredients from central coast farmers and local fisherman to create dishes with the best of what California has to offer.
A photo of Tre Lune restaurant
4. Tre Lune
4.9
Exceptional(2422)
$$$$
• Italian • Montecito
Booked 47 times today
"Upbeat and comfortable, serving real-deal pastas and pizzas that make you feel like you're in Italy again." - ZAGAT 2010 Fresh fish, veal scaloppini, osso buco, prime steaks, Kobe-beef burgers, organic salads, and house-made desserts. Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner-Cocktails. Award Winner of Italian wines list.Please call to make reservations.
A photo of Bouchon - Santa Barbara restaurant
5. Bouchon - Santa Barbara
4.8
Exceptional(5890)
$$$$
• Californian • Santa Barbara
Booked 25 times today
We are delighted to have added additional outdoor seating but Santa Barbara nights are chilly so bring a sweater or light jacket!Fresh, local ingredients, prepared with care. Excellent wines that reflect the quality and character of our region and work in concert with the cuisine. Warm, inviting ambiance, service at a relaxed, leisurely pace. Santa Barbara ‘Wine Country Cuisine’ means we source our ingredients using an ‘as-fresh-and-as-local-as-possible’ approach, with fish from the Santa Barbara Channel and produce from the surrounding countryside. We then take into account how these flavors can be presented in concert with our local wines. We believe you’ll taste the difference. Bon Appètit!
A photo of Toma Restaurant & Bar restaurant
6. Toma Restaurant & Bar
4.8
Exceptional(6031)
$$$$
• Italian • Santa Barbara
Booked 30 times today
Toma Restaurant and Bar a waterfront bistro, located along Santa Barbara's picturesque Cabrillo Blvd. Experience Santa Barbara waterfront's most romantic restaurant. Savor exquisite Italian and Mediterranean inspired dishes from Santa Barbara's seasonal bounty, supporting our local fisherman, farmers, foragers and food artisans. Pour over local and Italian wines along with a full bar of handcrafted cocktails and spirits. Enjoy warm and attentive service while dining window side with a view of the enchanting Santa Barbara harbor.
A photo of Secret Bao restaurant
7. Secret Bao
4.8
Exceptional(1046)
$$$$
• Asian • Santa Barbara
Booked 39 times today
Contemporary Asian American Restaurant from Chefs Peter Lee & Felicia Medina. "Consider the bao. Chinese in origin, it’s most easily described as a steamed bun filled with something savory. Yet, like the American concept of a sandwich, the bao exploded into a flexible format of untold bounds — served at any meal, filled with you-name-it, completely closed or wide open, with endless regional variants from across Asia and far beyond." - Matt Kettmann (SB Independent)1 Block From State Street, Easy Parking, Public Lot Nearby, Free 75 Minute Parking, Walking Distance, El Pueblo Viejo Landmark District, Superior Court, Spanish Colonial Revival Courthouse, Santa Barbara Museum Of Art, Courthouse Gardens, Bell Tower, Bao, Food, Restaurant, Asian, American, New, Modern, Fried, Chicken, Octopus, Vegan, Vegetarian, Paleo, Friendly, Dog Friendly, Outdoor Patio, Heaters, Warm, Inviting, Hospitable, Modern Design
A photo of Ospi Montecito restaurant
8. Ospi Montecito
4.7
Exceptional(237)
$$$$
• Italian • Santa Barbara
Booked 54 times today
Cal-Italian coastal elegance never tasted so good. Ospi Montecito at The Post is Chef Jackson Kalb’s newest destination for your favorite dinner party.Building on the success of Ospi Venice, Brentwood, and Costa Mesa, we’re serving up our must-try house-made pastas and crispy Romana-tonda pizzas, plus our first-ever breakfast offering, and an exclusive wood-grilled selection featuring locally sourced meat, seafood, and seasonal vegetables from our top-quality vendors. Thoughtfully curated wines and inventive craft cocktails make it the perfect place for a dining destination any time of day.Ospi Montecito reimagines Italian cuisine with modern sophistication, delivering a dining experience as effortlessly refined as the community it calls home.
A photo of Barbareño restaurant
9. Barbareño
4.8
Exceptional(2281)
$$$$
• Californian • Santa Barbara
Booked 20 times today
At Barbareño we seek to help further shape and define Central Coast cuisine. We take our inspiration from traditions and specialties of our area, delicacies unique to our region, and the many outstanding purveyors with whom we are so fortunate to work. In all of our efforts, we hope to capture the essence of a particular place or local flavor, embracing the nuances that make our food and drink unique to our home.
A photo of Opal Restaurant & Bar restaurant
10. Opal Restaurant & Bar
4.7
Exceptional(2143)
$$$$
• Californian • Santa Barbara
Booked 31 times today
We have inside and limited outdoor sidewalk dining. If you prefer to sit outside, please indicate that with your reservation request. To accommodate our second seating, early parties should plan for a maximum stay of 1.5 to 2hrs, depending on party size. Please call 805 966 9676 for more details. A popular local’s favorite, opal restaurant & bar’s Eclectic California Cuisine fuses creative world cuisine influences with American Regional touches, from a 14 oz. Herb-Grilled Ribeye Steak on Tuscan White Beans, to Fresh Pan-Seared Fish & Seafood, Homemade Pastas, Gourmet Pizzas, fresh Baked Breads, imaginative Salads, & Homemade Desserts. We have a Wine Spectator award-winning wine list, & a full bar with seasonal Craft Cocktails. Our entire dining room staff assists to take care of each table, enabling exceptional service in a warm engaging manner, properly nuanced to your mood & taste. Our staff genuinely cares about giving you the best possible experience!

How is content generated

Dining near Natural History Museum at a glance

Updated on

Most popular restaurant

popular restaurant

Alley Cat Oyster Bar

4.7

View restaurant

Discover local gems

Exceptional reviews

Most popular cuisine

popular cuisine

Italian

Average check amount

$31 to $50

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you
From verified diners like you
  • Jonathan
    California Central Coast •4 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 2 days ago
    We had an absolutely exquisite meal. Service was outstanding ! Simply a fantastic restaurant !
    More info
    Bouchon - Santa Barbara$$$$• Californian• Santa Barbara
    •
    4.8
  • AngelaGold
    Denver / Colorado •100 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 3 days ago
    We enjoyed a delicious meal at OKU. The fish was so fresh and the texture was perfect! We loved all of the nigiri and tried a few new rolls. The cauliflower starter and rockfish was delicious! Aine M was our server and she was exceptional! She made our night perfect and accommodated a request we had beautifully. We will be back!
    More info
    OKU$$$$• Asian• Santa Barbara
    •
    4.6
  • Jim
    San Francisco Bay Area •4 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 3 days ago
    All the food and drinks were great. We were trying to decide between two meat dishes, and our waiter suggested the lamb pops and they were fabulous. 
    More info
    Loquita$$$$• Spanish• Santa Barbara
    •
    4.7
  • Mitchell
    Las Vegas •2 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 4 days ago
    The fried chicken was impeccable. Super flavorful and juicy. The use of chicken thighs was smart. Served with grits and breadcrumbs and butter pickles. Great combo. The cornbread can’t be humanly described. But trust me it’s gooooood!
    More info
    The Lark - Santa Barbara$$$$• Contemporary American• Santa Barbara
    •
    4.7
  • Brenda
    Atlanta •14 reviews
    5.0
    Dined on Oct 28, 2026
    We’ve been eating at Tre Lune for years . We travel from Atlanta to visit them . The food , staff and atmosphere can not be beat
    More info
    Tre Lune$$$$• Italian• Montecito
    •
    4.9

Discover best restaurants near Natural History Museum

Discover the wonders of the Natural History Museum, a fascinating destination where you can explore the beauty of our planet’s past and present. Where to Eat Near Natural History Museum? After your visit, delight in the vibrant dining scene just a stone's throw away. Options abound, from casual eateries offering fresh seafood and delectable sushi to fine dining that highlights Californian flavors with gourmet pizzas and classic American fare. Enjoy a laid-back atmosphere at pleasing bistros where you can savor comforting dishes inspired by international cuisines, such as Asian and Italian inspirations. For a delightful end to your experience, indulge in a meal with thoughtfully crafted cocktails, embracing both local ingredients and culinary creativity.

Explore OpenTable

Discover
OpenTable
  • About Us
  • Blog
  • Careers
  • Press
More
Our sites
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookies and Interest-Based Ads
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Cookie Preferences
Copyright © 2026 OpenTable Australia Level 22, 357 Collins Street, Melbourne, Victoria - All rights reserved.
OpenTable is part of Booking Holdings, the world leader in online travel and related services.
Booking Logo
Priceline Logo
KAYAK Logo
Agoda Logo
OpenTable Logo