New American Restaurants near Goleta, CA

“We heard this was a lovely little place to enjoy a meal while watching the sunset across Santa Barbara orchards. We were not disappointed! We arrived just before dusk, sat by their fireplace with mai tais. Dinner was fantastic! They had salmon on the menu so I asked for a side of grilled asparagus. It was perfection! They should make it a regular dish! My family enjoyed their soft tacos and chicken ceasar. Above all else was the service. Our host, Victor bent over backwards to make our evening special and checked in regularly to see if we needed anything to make the meal better. (I've eaten at many places but rarely had such genuine care.) We will definitely come again, for the food, view and care.“

“On my 19th bday, my parents took me to the Montecito Cafe and I had the Anaheim Chili Chicken with the thin sliced potato's (almost scallop like) and fell in love with the meal. I went back every year on my birthday in Jan for many, many years and when they opened next to the Arlington, I would have my bday meal there, every year. For the past few years I've been going to the Goleta location and they still carry the meal. Something about the sauce on the chicken/potato's I can't get enough of.. the sauce is BOMB! Follow it up with a heavenly slice of the best coconut cake you've ever wrapped your lips around ( I get it to go, so I can savor every bite in the comfort of my pj's) , you've died and gone to heaven! This place is a gem. You can't go wrong!“

“Sam's offers great and delicious sandwiches for a reasonable price compared to other restaurants in IV. They have very fresh ingredients and friendly and welcoming staff, would highly recommend! Will definitely be coming here again soon“

“Looked up “best food in Santa Barbara”.This was on the list and they accepted “open table”First of all, the complimentary bread was perfection.There is a Slow cooker outside and that smelled fantastic. So I ordered the BBQ Tri Tip.Melted in my mouth like butter.Recommend!My dinner mate ordered Cod and said it wasThe best.Melt in your mouth.Flakey, in the good way, best Cod had in years.And Server Mitchell. 10/10.“

“Came for brunch in the hipster "funk zone" area, at the fairly well-known restaurant, The Lark, for my first time. Service was friendly and great, although our food came out a bit slower than expected. Still, the hostess, waitress and bussers were all informative, fun and kind. The food was fantastic! My spouse loved the shakshuka, as it was powerfully flavorful with cast iron to have that roasted touch. We could've done without the green olives in it, but more for personal taste. My chicken and waffles were also excellent. The waffles were surprisingly light and crispy, with some heavy honey butter to kick you in the mouth. Fried chicken was good. We enjoyed our mimosa flight- particularly with the sparkling wine/champagne served in a separate chilled container to dole out for the flavors (pomegranate, grapefruit, orange and cranberry, iirc). All the other sides like the oyster and hangover fries were well-suited to curb any remaining appetites. Love the decor too, particularly in the booths. Very charming, and classy, while still chill. Easy to find this restaurant nestled with other shops, pastries and coffee. Definitely would come again!“

“Amy & Mitchell... "Thank You"! I recently celebrated my birthday at Bouchon and I cannot remember a more fabulous experience ever. The moment we arrived the greeting was warm and friendly. Nicholas, our server, was attentive and had fantastic suggestions for pairings and dinner selections. The music... ok let's just say the mix of Motown and 70's R&B classics made the evening even more enjoyable. I apologize for my singing! Our champagne, Lauren - Perrier, was the perfect starter and paired well with the Salade Lyonnaise. Please do not sleep on the Warm Pecan & Goat Cheese Tart. "It will change your life" is what the ladies who sat next to us said. They were not incorrect. It was a "pearl clutching experience". The venison & the steak were so well prepared a knife was just a prop. The seasoning on both were excellent. They both are a "must have"! The wine we enjoyed with dinner was absolutely amazing. Adaptation paired well with everything we enjoyed on the menu. Nicholas' suggested as we both enjoy our cabs. The blackberry upside-down cake was a great finish to the meal (it too went well with the wine). From the greet to the music to the food... this is an experience one should have. I plan to have it happen more often.“

“This place takes you back to a different time, it's old school feel, the lighting the decor it was delightful to be sitting there. No show/or entertainment but with the excellent customer service and the music in the background it felt like an experience. Not to mention... the food! Delicious , the drinks tasty, classic, fresh! Very nice place.“

“Best humous I have had in this country! Light and tasty. We had the humous plate with 2 other dips, goats cheese, salad and also the short ribs. We had a delightful conversation with the owner. Everything was fresh and delicious and I can't wait to go again!“

“Great Burger with lots of grilled carmelized onions. Salmon was superb. Josh and his crew do an excellant job as I refer many guests to this establishment from my local hotel. Victor Evarone Managing Partner Cabrillo Inn at the Beach Oceanfront "East Beach" Santa Barbara CA“

“Gluten free bread is available which is huge for us with food allergies! I was able to have steamed mussels and switch out garlic bread with gluten free bread. The bathroom was messy but I will deal with that for the ability to have gluten free bread and amazing flavored seafood!Dietary restrictions: Gluten free bread is available!“

“: Authentic Mexican Cuisine at Its Best** If you're craving a taste of Mexico in Santa Barbara, look no further than Los Agaves. From the moment you step through the door, the aroma of sizzling spices and freshly made tortillas transports you south of the border. The menu boasts a delightful array of traditional Mexican dishes, each bursting with flavor and authenticity. Whether you're indulging in savory tacos, zesty enchiladas, or hearty burritos, every bite is a testament to the chef's skill and dedication to genuine Mexican cuisine. But it's not just the food that keeps patrons coming back for more. The friendly staff and impeccable service make dining at Los Agave's a true pleasure. Whether you're dining in or ordering catering for your next event, you can expect nothing short of excellence. In a city known for its culinary prowess, Los Agaves stands out as a shining example of Mexican gastronomy done right. Highly recommended to anyone seeking a taste of Mexico in the heart of Santa Barbara. ---“

“Amazing food!!!!!! I ordered the vegan burrito (sweetheart burrito I think?) and it was one of the most delicious things I've ever eaten. Also, go on Thursdays (trivia night). It's super fun!!! Super cute interior also. I just really loved this place :)“

“This restaurant was the best food I had during my stay in Santa Barbara. My smash burger was great, and everyone else in my group really enjoyed their meals. The only thing I'd say is you might struggle getting in without waiting, as it can be very busy.“

“I had the sesame crusted salmon with wasabi sauce and rice noodles. It is so good, I get it every time! My husband had the meatloaf with sautéed mushrooms and our friend had the filet mignon cooked perfectly. He said the veggies were very good also. For dessert, we had the Louis Bananas Foster and the Key Lime Pie. Both very good!“

“This was an unexpected place we stumbled upon. It is a New Orleans themed restaurant with lots of flavorful dishes and a friendly staff. They do a cool sing a long with all the patrons and the staff comes around to all the tables to share a toast with you.“

“We ate on a weekday at noon.The food was very well prepared and delicious.The service is to order and bring the food to the tables yourself. The people who work are very friendly.The tables are very uncomfortable and most of them were exposed to the sun.“

“Parking is hard to get, construction doesn’t help finding this location but it is worth it although pricey. The only negative thing I have for this place is the water. It tastes like it’s coming straight out of the hose from outside. Not even tap water. Aside from that, the food and latte coffee were delicious! The special, chicken chilaquiles were surprisingly good! Spicy but tasted good! The single pancakes also great! The Madagascar vanilla latte perfect thanks to the server/cashier who made sure he made it perfect after seeing I was craving one! The straws are cheaply made.“

“I've been searching for a good Italian sub in Santa Barbara for a while and Sam's on the Mesa brings it (I can't vouch for the other locations.because I haven't been there). Sam's on Meigs has a good roll, lots of the meat one wants on a sub, the right amount of mustard, mayonnaise and Italian dressing and good provolone. This was my first time so I didn't know to ask for more pepperocinninis and maybe you don't want more but, in any event, it's the kind of place where I don't doubt Sam will lay them on on. My recommendation is, if you're jonesing for a good Italian Sub in Santa Barbara, go to Sam's To Go on the Mesa.“

“Came here for brunch while in town for a wedding, and everything was delightful. We chose to share the hangover and the salmon Benedict and while both were delicious, the same, and Benedict was the unanimous winner. Our server Riley was so friendly and attentive. We will be back!“

“Our experience could not have been better. We had a great meal paired with wonderful wines. The staff is very friendly and professional, and they made us feel very special. The ham is very good, although it is not iberico, which I would hope for a restaurant of this caliber to have had. Pan con tomate is exceptional, and we loved the roasted garlic. Finally, the fish branzino is excellent.“

“We had the BEST time here celebrating my niece's 21st birthday!! Food was great, ambience was great, drinks were great AND the staff is great! Kathy, Colleen and Megan were so fun and so sweet!!! Thank you for making our night perfect!“

“4 for lunch today, 3 burgers and a patty melt. Hawaiian Burger with teriyaki and grilled pineapple was great...large and messy, but very good flavor. Fries were a little oversalted. Decent beer selection. Two of us had Firestone DBA. Service was excellent and attentive. Parking is easy, atmosphere is clean and pleasant.“

“Came here the other day. It was clean and well maintained. My burger was delicious but I asked for no tomato in mine and my niece wanted pickles in hers- not sure if it was charged. When the food arrived none of our request were even fulfilled. I pulled the tomato out and gave my niece some of my pickles. I don't get why we have to tip prior to getting our food when errors with your staff caused this. I saw on the register that our information was inputted but ignored in the kitchen? I even tipped when I ordered a beer. Should I have? This wasn't a huge deal. Just annoying. Please keep this in mind going forward. Thanks!“

“The vegan burger (plus the combo fries and drink) is amazing. Probably the best clearly-labelled vegan burger you're going to get in the area, since it has a good patty, a good bun, and a delicious thousand island sauce, and the vegan options in IV are lacking… $10 for a vegan burger, fries, and drink is better than almost any place I've been to. Fast service, but you eat in a cafeteria-like setting. Haven't tried the black bean or hummus burger, but I'm sure they're good too. I come here every week as a lunch between my classes.“

“Yummy food, quick service, and solid cocktails. We’ve come here a couple of times, and enjoyed everything we’ve had each time! It is part of a hotel lobby, which dings the ambience so slightly, but it’s very nicely re-done and a pretty place to be!“

“Good spot for breakfast/brunch Rollex- I ordered this with bacon. This was a no frills, straight forward meal. The african flatbread reminded me of a Chinese Scallion pancake, sans the scallions. Nice chew to it, and it paired well with smashed avocados, bacon, scrambled eggs and smoked tomato, though I didn't taste the tomato at all.“

“I've been to one dueling piano bar and had the best time so I was thrilled to find out SB has one too. This one was a bit smaller and took a bit longer to get going than the other one I visited but the pianists were amazing and super responsive to song requests. We shut the evening down with I want It That Way by the Backstreet Boys to my eternal delight. Unfortunately service wasn't great. Our waitress seemed to disappear at one point when we really wanted another round; we put in a reservation that didn't seem to be in their books when we showed up and I tried several of their cocktails to my tongue's disappointment. Feel like the alcohol to non-alcohol ratios were off. Luckily the ambiance was sufficient to carry us through the night!“

“Loved loved loved! Got the Nook Burger protein style with the $1 upgraded truffle fries — 10/10 recommend! Every component was delicious, especially the bacon jam. $21 total. Most entrees are around $18. A little confusing to find, as “Nook” isn’t on any signage outside.The mahi tacos were bursting with flavor in every bite. $16 for 2.“

“First thing you should know of you're a first time visitor is that parking is divided. When you pull up to the front of the restaurant, you can see that if you would've driven to the next drive way there is much more parking. This place is cute. The front entrance brings you to the bar area. Everyone is helpful and friendly. If you continue on, the outdoor patio is nice. Good ambiance. Then there is another area. Everything is clean with a bit of a garden feel. There's a little creek running through the back. Most importantly, the food and drinks were good, and not overpriced! We got a big burrito, chips, salsa, macaroni and cheese, and a taco plate. All great!“

“Great dinners at Roy Sat night. Everything on the menu sounded good. The house made warm bread absolutely delicious. Just wish they had a little live dinner music. That would have been perfect. Also, they don't offer Bombay Sapphire gin for some reason. But Hendricks was ok. We will definitely be back!!“

“Phenomenal. I went with a friend and we had the lamb shank and the rib-eye, which were amazing. The house steak sauce and the bernaise sauce went so well with the rib-eye. We also had the octopus appetizer and it was beyond delicious. Loved this place. Will definitely be back. Incredible views of the pacific ocean as well from the patio.“

“We stayed at the Kimpton for two days and had breakfast Sunday. I had the eggs Benedict which were yummy. Thick apiece of ham and the sauce was great. My wife had the short braised ribs with poach eggs. The meat was off the chart good! Luckily she got full and I got to finish it. Our server was ant and it a great atmosphere. Highly recommend“