5 Restaurants in Downtown, Santa Barbara CA for Great Desserts
Updated 11 October 2026 · 5 restaurants in Downtown, Santa Barbara CA considered · Ranked from Google ratings
This list gathers Downtown Santa Barbara restaurants that Google lists under great dessert, ranked by Google rating. It suits anyone planning a meal that ends with something sweet, whether for a date, a celebration or a casual lunch. Five qualifying businesses were considered, and the order below follows the ranking as it was set. Each entry shows the cuisine category, listed hours, price range where available, and attributes Google displays, along with themes that reviewers raise. Hours and menus change, so check with the restaurant before you visit.
#1
Opal restaurant and bar
★ 4.6 (735 Google reviews)American restaurant$30–60 per person
Representative photo, not of this business.
Opal restaurant and bar is an American restaurant at 1325 State St, rated 4.6 from 735 reviews, with a price range of $30 to $60. Google lists great dessert alongside great cocktails and a great wine list, plus delivery, takeaway and a private dining room. Dinner hours run from 5 pm most evenings, closing at 9 pm, or at 10 pm on Friday and Saturday. Reviewers mention a potato and spinach soup, large portions for the price, and a friendly team.
Best for: Dinner that ends with dessert
- Address
- 1325 State St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, United States
- Hours
- Fri 5–10 pm; Mon 5–9 pm; Sat 5–10 pm; Sun 5–9 pm; Thu 5–9 pm; Tue 5–9 pm; Wed 5–9 pm
#2
milk & honey
★ 4.6 (540 Google reviews)Spanish restaurant$20–60 per person
Representative photo, not of this business.
milk & honey is a Spanish restaurant at 30 W Anapamu St, rated 4.6 from 540 reviews, with a price range of $20 to $60. Google lists great dessert, a great beer selection, great cocktails and a fireplace in the dining room. Hours run until midnight on Friday and Saturday and until 10 pm on most other evenings. Reviewers mention bacon wrapped figs, lamb sliders, mole tacos, and a brie and jam bite that one reviewer did not enjoy.
Best for: Tapas with a sweet finish
- Address
- 30 W Anapamu St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, United States
- Hours
- Fri 5 pm–12 am; Mon 5–10 pm; Sat 5 pm–12 am; Sun 5–9 pm; Thu 5–11 pm; Tue 5–10 pm; Wed 5–10 pm
#3
Jane
★ 4.6 (523 Google reviews)Californian restaurant$30–60 per person
Representative photo, not of this business.
Jane is a Californian restaurant at 1311 State St, rated 4.6 from 523 reviews, with a price range of $30 to $60. Google lists great dessert, a fireplace, happy-hour food and drinks, and a private dining room. Hours include lunch on weekdays and dinner most evenings, and Sunday is closed. Reviewers mention a coconut cake served alongside a salmon dish, a mezzanine set up for a group of 11, and staff who welcomed celebrations.
Best for: Lunch or dinner for small celebrations
- Address
- 1311 State St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, United States
- Hours
- Fri 11:30 am–2:30 pm, 5–9 pm; Mon 11:30 am–2:30 pm, 5–8:30 pm; Sat 5–9 pm; Sun Closed; Thu 11:30 am–2:30 pm, 5–8:30 pm; Tue 11:30 am–2:30 pm, 5–8:30 pm; Wed 11:30 am–2:30 pm, 5–8:30 pm
#4
Scarlett Begonia
★ 4.5 (917 Google reviews)American restaurant$20–30 per person
Representative photo, not of this business.
Scarlett Begonia is an American restaurant at 21 W Victoria St, rated 4.5 from 917 reviews, with a price range of $20 to $30. Hours run daily from 9 am to 2 pm. Google lists great dessert, great coffee, a great tea selection, a fireplace, and breakfast and lunch service. Reviewers mention shrimp and grits, lemon ricotta pancakes, a vegan protein option, and kids' waffles topped with powdered sugar and strawberries.
Best for: Brunch with a sweet breakfast menu
- Address
- 21 W Victoria St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, United States
- Hours
- daily 9 am–2 pm
#5
Via Maestra 42
★ 4.4 (389 Google reviews)Restaurant$20–30 per person
Representative photo, not of this business.
Via Maestra 42 is a restaurant at 3343 State St, rated 4.4 from 389 reviews, with a price range of $20 to $30. Hours run Monday through Saturday from 8:30 am to 9 pm and Sunday from 10 am to 8 pm. Google lists great dessert, great coffee, a great wine list, delivery, and vegan and vegetarian options. Reviewers mention generous portions, a bruschetta that was sold out on one visit, lasagna served cold in spots, and a bill higher than expected.
Best for: Italian meals with coffee and dessert
- Address
- 3343 State St, Santa Barbara, CA 93105, United States
- Hours
- Fri 8:30 am–9 pm; Mon 8:30 am–9 pm; Sat 8:30 am–9 pm; Sun 10 am–8 pm; Thu 8:30 am–9 pm; Tue 8:30 am–9 pm; Wed 8:30 am–9 pm
How we made this list
We looked at 5 restaurants in Downtown, Santa Barbara CA with a Google rating of 4.0 or higher and at least 20 reviews, then listed on Google as “Great dessert”, then by rating. 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
- Opal restaurant and bar, milk & honey, Jane, Scarlett Begonia and Via Maestra 42 take reservations, useful on weekend evenings.
- For an early start, Via Maestra 42 opens at 8:30 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?
Opal restaurant and bar ranks first, with a Google rating of 4.6 from 735 reviews. milk & honey is second at 4.6 from 540 reviews.
Which restaurants in Downtown, Santa Barbara CA are open late?
milk & honey stays open until 12 am.
How much does it cost at these restaurants?
Google lists these price ranges per person: Opal restaurant and bar $30–60; milk & honey $20–60; Jane $30–60; Scarlett Begonia $20–30; Via Maestra 42 $20–30.
Which of these have free parking?
Google lists free parking for Opal restaurant and bar, milk & honey, Jane, Scarlett Begonia and Via Maestra 42.
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