5 Underrated Restaurants in Downtown, Santa Barbara CA Worth Trying
Updated 11 October 2026 · 12 restaurants in Downtown, Santa Barbara CA considered · Ranked from Google ratings
This list points to Downtown Santa Barbara restaurants that have strong Google ratings but fewer reviews than the busiest places in town. Each business here is rated 4.4 or higher with fewer than 400 reviews, which makes it a useful pick for travelers and locals who want to try somewhere less crowded. Twelve qualifying businesses were considered, and the order below follows the ranking as it was set. Entries cover the cuisine category, listed hours, address, attributes and themes that reviewers raise. Some listings do not show a price range, and hours can change.
#1
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, rated 4.9 from 141 reviews. Hours run Wednesday through Sunday from noon to 8:30 pm, and Monday and Tuesday are closed. Google lists a wheelchair-accessible entrance and parking, and no price range is shown. Reviewers mention a menu that is easy to order from, pies and slices such as the Rozzi, a crust one reviewer compared to New York pizza, and a calm seating area with quiet music.
Best for: Pizza by the slice or by the 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
#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, rated 4.8 from 220 reviews. Hours run Wednesday through Saturday from 2 to 9 pm and Sunday from 2 to 8:30 pm, with Monday and Tuesday closed. Google lists wheelchair-accessible parking, entrance, seating and toilet. Reviewers mention sourdough pizza sold by the slice, a crisp crust, high-quality ingredients and friendly service. One visitor from out of town described it 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
Corazón Comedor
★ 4.7 (395 Google reviews)Mexican restaurant
Representative photo, not of this business.
Corazón Comedor is a Mexican restaurant at 29 E Victoria St, rated 4.7 from 395 reviews. Hours run daily from about 8 or 9 am until 9 pm, with a 9:30 pm close on Friday and Saturday. Google lists a wheelchair-accessible entrance, seating and toilet. Reviewers mention a chile relleno, steak and chilaquiles, large chips and guacamole, and a salsa bar. One reviewer celebrated a birthday there and described the dishes as simple and full of flavor.
Best for: Mexican plates and a salsa bar
- 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
#4
Olio Bottega
★ 4.7 (52 Google reviews)Restaurant$20–30 per person
Representative photo, not of this business.
Olio Bottega is a restaurant at 11 W Victoria St, Suite 18, rated 4.7 from 52 reviews, with a price range of $20 to $30. Hours run Tuesday through Sunday from 11 am to 4 pm, and Monday is closed. Google lists takeaway, dine-in, fast service, great coffee, wine and beer, breakfast and lunch, and a casual, cozy and trendy feel. Reviewers mention capocollo and prosciutto, a filling pork belly dish, and service that is friendly and unhurried.
Best for: Italian lunch and charcuterie
- Address
- 11 W Victoria St #18, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, United States
- Hours
- Fri 11 am–4 pm; Mon Closed; Sat 11 am–4 pm; Sun 11 am–4 pm; Thu 11 am–4 pm; Tue 11 am–4 pm; Wed 11 am–4 pm
#5
The Daisy
★ 4.6 (191 Google reviews)Restaurant$20–30 per person
Representative photo, not of this business.
The Daisy is a restaurant at 1221 State St, rated 4.6 from 191 reviews, with a price range of $20 to $30. Google lists lunch most days, dinner from 5 to 8:30 pm on most weekdays and Sunday lunch until 2:30 pm, with Monday closed. Attributes include counter-style quick bites, outdoor seating, vegetarian and vegan options, healthy options and a small market. Reviewers mention tomato basil soup, a brisket banh mi, a fish trio plate, and one complaint about a hard sandwich crust.
Best for: Fresh counter-service lunch with vegetarian options
- Address
- 1221 State St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, United States
- Hours
- Fri 11 am–2 pm, 5–8:30 pm; Mon Closed; Sat 11 am–2 pm, 5–8:30 pm; Sun 11 am–2:30 pm; Thu 11 am–2 pm, 5–8 pm; Tue 11 am–2 pm, 5–8 pm; Wed 11 am–2 pm, 5–8 pm
How we made this list
We looked at 12 restaurants in Downtown, Santa Barbara CA with a Google rating of 4.0 or higher and at least 20 reviews, then rated 4.4 or higher on Google but with fewer than 400 reviews. 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
- The Daisy takes reservations, useful on weekend evenings.
- 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?
Rozzi Pizza ranks first, with a Google rating of 4.9 from 141 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 Corazón Comedor, at 9:30 pm.
How much does it cost at these restaurants?
Google lists these price ranges per person: Olio Bottega $20–30; The Daisy $20–30. The others do not list a price range.
Which of these have free parking?
Google lists free parking for Olio Bottega and The Daisy.
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