5 Best Restaurants in Downtown, Santa Barbara CA
Updated 11 October 2026 · 43 restaurants in Downtown, Santa Barbara CA considered · Ranked from Google ratings
This list covers restaurants in Downtown Santa Barbara CA, ranked by Google rating and weighted by how many people left a review. Forty-two qualifying businesses were considered, and the five below were selected from that pool. It is useful for people walking around the State Street and waterfront areas who want a quick way to narrow down where to eat. Each entry shows its Google category, rating, review count, listed hours and address, and notable features. Descriptions reflect what reviewers mention, not firsthand visits.
#1
Secret Bao
★ 4.7 (680 Google reviews)Asian restaurant
Representative photo, not of this business.
Secret Bao sits at 1201 Anacapa St in Downtown Santa Barbara and is categorized as an Asian restaurant. It holds a 4.7 rating from 680 Google reviews and lists a price range of $20 to $70. Hours run from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm and again in the evening, with Monday and Tuesday closed. The listing includes dine-in, takeaway, delivery, quick bites, happy-hour drinks, and healthy and organic options. Reviewers mention the bao, the pear salad, the kimchi pancake and attentive service.
Best for: Bao and fresh Asian fusion dishes
- Address
- 1201 Anacapa St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, United States
- Hours
- Fri 11:30 am–2:30 pm, 5–9:30 pm; Mon Closed; Sat 11:30 am–2:30 pm, 5–9:30 pm; Sun 11:30 am–2:30 pm, 5–9 pm; Thu 11:30 am–2:30 pm, 5–9 pm; Tue Closed; Wed 11:30 am–2:30 pm, 5–9 pm
#2
Saint Bibiana
★ 4.8 (220 Google reviews)Pizza restaurant
Representative photo, not of this business.
Saint Bibiana is a pizza restaurant at 17 W Ortega St in Downtown Santa Barbara, rated 4.8 on Google from 220 reviews. It is open Wednesday through Sunday from 2 pm into the evening and closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. The listing notes wheelchair-accessible parking, entrance, seating and toilet. Reviewers mention a sourdough crust, fresh and high-quality ingredients, friendly service and a pizza they describe as a new favorite.
Best for: Sourdough pizza by the slice
- Address
- 17 W Ortega St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, United States
- Hours
- Fri 2–9 pm; Mon Closed; Sat 2–9 pm; Sun 2–8:30 pm; Thu 2–9 pm; Tue Closed; Wed 2–9 pm
#3
Rozzi Pizza
★ 4.9 (141 Google reviews)Pizza restaurant
Representative photo, not of this business.
Rozzi Pizza is a pizza restaurant at 233 W Montecito St in Santa Barbara, rated 4.9 on Google from 141 reviews. It is open Wednesday through Sunday from noon to about 8:30 pm and closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. The listing shows wheelchair-accessible parking and entrance. Reviewers mention a menu of slices and whole pies, a crust they compare to New York pizza, and a calm room with quiet music. One reviewer notes there are no heat lamps.
Best for: Pizza by the slice or whole pie
- Address
- 233 W Montecito St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, United States
- Hours
- Fri 12–8:30 pm; Mon Closed; Sat 12–8:30 pm; Sun 12–8:30 pm; Thu 12–8:30 pm; Tue Closed; Wed 12–8:30 pm
#4
Corazón Comedor
★ 4.7 (395 Google reviews)Mexican restaurant
Representative photo, not of this business.
Corazón Comedor is a Mexican restaurant on East Victoria Street in Downtown Santa Barbara, at 29 E Victoria St. It holds a 4.7 rating from 395 Google reviews. Listed hours run daily, opening at 9 am on most days and at 8 am on Saturdays, with closing times between 9 and 9:30 pm. The listing notes a wheelchair-accessible entrance, seating and toilet. Reviewers mention a chile relleno, the chilaquiles, a flavorful steak and a salsa bar.
Best for: Chile relleno and chilaquiles
- Address
- 29 E Victoria St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, United States
- Hours
- Fri 9 am–9:30 pm; Mon 9 am–9 pm; Sat 8 am–9:30 pm; Sun 8 am–9 pm; Thu 9 am–9 pm; Tue 9 am–9 pm; Wed 9 am–9 pm
#5
Brophy Bros. Santa Barbara
★ 4.6 (4,271 Google reviews)Seafood restaurant
Representative photo, not of this business.
Brophy Bros. Santa Barbara is a seafood restaurant at 119 Harbor Way, rated 4.6 on Google from 4,271 reviews. It is listed as open every day from 11 am to 10 pm, with a price range of $20 to $30. The listing describes it as women-owned and notes outdoor seating, delivery, takeaway, a private dining room and a range of drinks. Reviewers mention clam chowder with a hearty flavor, grilled shrimp pasta, and a bar with a view. Some find the portions good value.
Best for: Lunch with a harbor view
- Address
- 119 Harbor Way, Santa Barbara, CA 93109, United States
- Hours
- daily 11 am–10 pm
How we made this list
We looked at 43 restaurants in Downtown, Santa Barbara CA with a Google rating of 4.0 or higher and at least 20 reviews, then ranked by Google rating, weighted by how many people left one. A rating from thousands of reviews counts for more than the same rating from a handful, so a new place with a few perfect scores does not jump the queue. Ratings and hours are from public Google listings on 11 October 2026 and can change. Nobody paid to be on this list.
Tips before you go
- For an early start, Corazón Comedor opens at 8 am.
- Hours and prices come from Google listings and change, so check the listing before a long trip.
Frequently asked questions
Which is the highest-rated restaurant on this list?
Secret Bao ranks first, with a Google rating of 4.7 from 680 reviews. Saint Bibiana is second at 4.8 from 220 reviews.
Which restaurants in Downtown, Santa Barbara CA are open late?
None of these stays open past midnight. The latest to close is Brophy Bros. Santa Barbara, at 10 pm.
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