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Restaurants near Paseo Nuevo Shopping Center

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124 restaurants available nearby

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A photo of Barbareño restaurant
1. Barbareño
4.8
Exceptional(2280)
$$$$
• Californian • Santa Barbara
Booked 18 times today
At Barbareño we seek to help further shape and define Central Coast cuisine. We take our inspiration from traditions and specialties of our area, delicacies unique to our region, and the many outstanding purveyors with whom we are so fortunate to work. In all of our efforts, we hope to capture the essence of a particular place or local flavor, embracing the nuances that make our food and drink unique to our home.
A photo of Paloma restaurant
2. Paloma
4.5
Awesome(190)
$$$$
• Bistro • Santa Barbara
Booked 28 times today
Tucked in Santa Barbara’s historic Presidio neighborhood, Paloma is a true locals’ haunt with deep roots and fresh energy. Executive Chef John Parker, known for his wood-fired cooking and ingredient-driven menus, creates bold, seasonal dishes like oak-grilled tri-tip, citrusy carnitas, and fresh-caught fish that celebrate the Central Coast. Housed in a 100-year-old building near State Street and downtown theaters, Paloma blends a warm, welcoming vibe with vibrant flavors and standout service. Guests love the cozy dining room, lively bar, and plant-filled patios—voted Best Sidewalk Cafe and Best Mocktails by the Santa Barbara Independent. Whether it’s date night, a family meal, or drinks with friends, this is a neighborhood spot you’ll want to return to again and again.
A photo of Black Sheep Restaurant + Bar restaurant
3. Black Sheep Restaurant + Bar
4.7
Exceptional(1038)
$$$$
• Californian • Santa Barbara
Booked 16 times today
Now featuring a full bar! A locally owned and operated Californian/Contemporary American restaurant and bar, serving elevated, locally sourced cuisine with bold global influences — paired with craft cocktails, curated wines, and local brews. Located in Old Town Santa Barbara at 18 East Cota Street, our historic space has been home to French restaurants and saloons for over a century.Join us Wednesday–Sunday from 5 PM for an unforgettable dining experience. We offer Happy Hour from 5-6pm, and all night at the Bar. Don't forget to check out our 4 Course Family Style Tasting Menu, offered nightly.Reservations are recommended — especially for larger parties and private events (please reach out to events@blacksheepsb.com for 12 guests or more) — so we can curate an experience tailored to your specific celebration.
A photo of Gala restaurant
4. Gala
4.5
Awesome(502)
$$$$
• European • Santa Barbara
Booked 14 times today
Gala exudes a European meets Santa Barbara charm, where you feel like you’re transported to a beautiful bistro in the Mediterranean. Enjoy shared tapas, farmer's market favorites, pasta and risotto, fresh oysters and the best steak with bone marrow butter & chimichurri. Cozy up for our farm to table craft cocktails, a Pisco sour or martini and a full meal with friends. Curated wine list with local & Spanish wines. Right down the street from the Santa Barbara Courthouse enjoy an evening at Gala. 1 Block From State Street, Easy Parking, Public Lot Nearby, Free 75 Minute Parking, Walking Distance, El Pueblo Viejo Landmark District, Superior Court, Spanish Colonial Revival Courthouse, Santa Barbara Museum Of Art, Courthouse Gardens, Bell Tower, Farm to table, Farmer's market driven, Tapas, Seafood, Steak, Oysters, Happy Hour, Food, Cocktails, Wine, Restaurant, Vegetarian, Friendly, Dog Friendly, Outdoor Patio, Heaters, Warm, Inviting, Weddings, Rehearsal dinners, modern design.
A photo of Holdren's Santa Barbara restaurant
5. Holdren's Santa Barbara
4.6
Exceptional(1383)
$$$$
• Steakhouse • Santa Barbara
Booked 15 times today
Holdren’s Steaks & Seafood, located on State Street, serves up a delicious and diverse menu of seafood and steaks, where the portions are always generous and the prices always reasonable. Our surf and turf menu, including our favorite bacon wrapped stuffed shrimp or our USDA prime steaks that are charbroiled over a mesquite grill, is complimented by an extensive wine list, a healthy assortment of premium spirits, and a selection of signature drinks. Daily meals can be enjoyed in our cozy, and dark saloon-inspired dining room, or on our outdoor patio. The indoor dining room is adorned with brown leather booths, dark wood paneling, and funky artwork lining the exposed brick walls. Holdren’s has been voted as the best steakhouse multiple times by the Santa Barbara Independent’s Reader’s Poll and by the Santa Barbara News Press’ Reader’s Choice Awards.
A photo of The Chanticlair - Santa Barbara restaurant
6. The Chanticlair - Santa Barbara
4.8
Exceptional(65)
$$$$
• Farm-to-table • Santa Barbara
Booked 13 times today
Located in Downtown Santa Barbara at 113 West De La Guerra, The Chanticlair is Old Town Santa Barbara's best hidden culinary gem and most unique dining venue. Featuring two highly acclaimed Chef's Jake Reimer & Jeremy Tummel team with guest chefs, artisans and winemakers dialing up hyper local farm cuisine with bold global flavors matched with an eclectic "Organic and Biodynamic focused" Wine & Sake List. Built by local chef's this unique Santa Barbara Restaurant features a Wed Supper Club, Rotating daily changing peak seasonal menus, chef's tour tasting menu and a one of a kind Mad Hatter Sunday Brunch. Nestled in a historic Spanish Revival House built in 1920 a former church, bike shop and even haunted brothel was turned into one of Santa Barbara's hot spots. There is even a secret New Orleans Po Boy and Gumbo Menu in addition if you sit in their "Alley Cat" Room which is adjacent to the main dining room. All reservations are available through the The Chanticlair Santa Barbara.
A photo of Intermezzo By Wine Cask restaurant
7. Intermezzo By Wine Cask
4.5
Awesome(1910)
$$$$
• Californian • Santa Barbara
Booked 10 times today
Intermezzo by Wine Cask Spring Hours:Currently open for dinner service Tuesday thru Saturday only, 5pm - 8:30pm.We are accepting large Private Events reservations 7 days a week.New Menu by Executive Chef, Hector Bonilla.Modern American cuisine with a Mediterranean twist.Located in the Historic Presidio Neighborhood with a lively atmosphere and an exciting bar featuring amazing photography of iconic 70's and 80's rock musicians! Enjoy dinner on of Santa Barbara's most beautiful outdoor lushly landscaped courtyards! Press pause... Rock your senses!!
A photo of Sandbar Mexican Restaurant restaurant
8. Sandbar Mexican Restaurant
4.2
Awesome(205)
$$$$
• Mexican • Santa Barbara
Booked 10 times today
We are a traditional Sonora style Mexican Restaurant and Tequila Bar. Guests will experience the authentic tastes and warm outdoor dining of Mexico. We use homemade sweet and sour with organic agave nectar in our world class margaritas. We also feature handmade tortilla chips and salsas, fresh Ceviche, homemade guacamole and the best fajitas around.We feature a vibrant bar scene and a social atmosphere. We also serve our full menu nightly until 11pm. Stick around after dinner as we transform into one of Santa Barbara's best late night hot spots.
A photo of Bombay Station 734 restaurant
9. Bombay Station 734
new
(0)
$$$$
• Indian • Santa Barbara
Booked 1 time today
Bombay Station is Indian breakfast, brunch, and lunch restaurant in the heart of Santa Barbara, inspired by the historic railway clubs of old Bombay. We serve handcrafted dosas, house-made chutneys, eggs, fresh juices, specialty coffee, chai, sandwiches, salads, and traditional Indian favorites made with quality ingredients and thoughtful presentation. Our goal is to create a warm, welcoming space where friends and families can slow down, enjoy great food, and experience genuine hospitality. Every dish is prepared with care because we believe you should always be faithful to quality.
A photo of The Lark - Santa Barbara restaurant
Icon
10. The Lark - Santa Barbara
4.7
Exceptional(2711)
$$$$
• Contemporary American • Santa Barbara
Booked 92 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.

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Dining near Paseo Nuevo Shopping Center at a glance

Updated on

Most popular restaurant

popular restaurant

Alley Cat Oyster Bar

4.7

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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
  • Beth
    Chicago / Illinois •17 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 1 day ago
    Wonderful food and service. They take pride in adding impeccable detail in everything they serve.
    More info
    Black Sheep Restaurant + Bar$$$$• Californian• Santa Barbara
    •
    4.7
  • LesleyGold
    Los Angeles •15 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 4 days ago
    I’ve never been disappointed at Barbareno!!! It’s our favorite place to go we go to Santa Barbara.
    More info
    Barbareño$$$$• Californian• Santa Barbara
    •
    4.8
  • EdGold
    San Francisco Bay Area •99 reviews
    5.0
    Dined on Oct 28, 2026
    Great food and service. We will definitely visit these folks again!
    More info
    Paloma$$$$• Bistro• Santa Barbara
    •
    4.5
  • Lisa
    California Central Coast •1 review
    5.0
    Dined on Oct 22, 2026
    We visited Gala for happy hour and had such a lovely experience! The burger was cooked just as ordered, and the burrata appetizer we shared was beautifully presented with amazing flavors. Our waiter, Omar, struck the perfect balance—attentive without hovering. We never felt rushed, even after we’d finished, and loved the comfortable atmosphere and beautiful decor. Happy hour was a wonderful introduction to Gala, and we’re already looking forward to coming back for dinner to explore the full menu!
    More info
    Gala$$$$• European• Santa Barbara
    •
    4.5
  • GenaGold
    Phoenix / Arizona •47 reviews
    5.0
    Dined on Oct 20, 2026
    We all thoroughly enjoyed our meals and time. Thank you!
    More info
    Holdren's Santa Barbara$$$$• Steakhouse• Santa Barbara
    •
    4.6

Discover best restaurants near Paseo Nuevo Shopping Center

Discover the vibrant dining scene surrounding Paseo Nuevo Shopping Center, a key shopping hub in the heart of Santa Barbara. Where to Eat Near Paseo Nuevo Shopping Center? Just steps away from the shopping center, a variety of restaurants awaits to satisfy any craving. Experience Californian cuisine with a colorful Mediterranean twist in a casual yet elegant setting. Options range from lively Mexican eateries serving freshly made guacamole and world-class margaritas to welcoming steakhouses offering delicious surf and turf selections. Whether you're seeking a cozy atmosphere for dinner or a vibrant bar scene for late-night fun, you'll find it all nearby. Enjoy the perfect dining experience that complements your visit to this popular destination.

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