Malavika N.

We went for an early dinner, and the staff welcomed us warmly, giving us the most adorable window-side spot. I still can't get over the breathtaking view--it truly set the tone for the evening! We opted for the three-course vegetarian menu, and it was an interesting experience. * The first course was absolutely mind-blowing--creative, flavorful, and a perfect start to the meal. * The main course was a pasta dish with butter and squash--a unique take, though it was just okay for us. * Dessert was a showstopper. My husband and I chose different desserts, and both were so refined, intricate, and delicious that we found ourselves wanting more! One downside was that they don't offer a non-alcoholic pairing menu, just regular sodas, which felt like a missed opportunity. That being said, I can see why Michelin has recognized them. Their menu is original, thoughtfully curated, and full of rich, defined flavors. While not every dish was a hit for us, the experience overall was still very special, thanks to the stunning ambiance, warm hospitality, and beautifully crafted dishes.

Aba H.

We were celebrating and First & Oak has vegan options - the deciding factor for the birthday boy. It's a gourmet, very fine, classy and expensive restaurant attached to a small inn, and smart-casual dress is adequate. The service from everyone was gracious, accommodating and respectful. We ordered from their three-course menu and that was more than enough for us - they also offered a five-course menu. My wife never enjoyed oysters as much as theirs. My younger son and I were equally impressed by their beef fillet over succotash, so it didn't need the au jus served with it, but it was just another taste option. And this menu was all about tasting. Most were very good-to-great, except for me the carrot molé was too spicy and the passion fruit compote was too sweet. We also enjoyed their homemade sourdough bread and garlic butter. My wife loved their chenin blanc wine and I loved their Austrian lager. It seemed obvious to us that they try to offer la crème de la crème of everything.

Ashley C.

Surprised a Michelin Star restaurant was located in Solvang of all places. The wait staff are professional and live up to the service standards expected from a Michelin Star experience. The host/receptionist were polite but cold. They acted like they're used to seeing particular regulars. I ordered a three-course dinner. First course: They didn't have the course I wanted. So we ended up getting cauliflower and beets. The cauliflower was excellent, which is surprising since I don't usually like cauliflower. The beets disappointed me, but I liked that they were topped with meringue. The second course I had a fish of the day and a beef tenderloin. The beef tenderloin was great. The fish was even better. Especially the soup that came with it. Dessert was a weak link as well. My cake was nothing special. The meringue with honeycomb was delicious.

Karen r.

I came here with two friends, and we had an absolutely wonderful time! I loved their tasting menu, and we chose to do the wine pairing. Be forewarned, the wine pairing will get you drunk if you are a lightweight like me! The wines were lovely, the food was excellent, the ambience is beautiful. This is the perfect special occasion place, or come here for no reason. I would come back to Solvang just to eat here.

Vijay N.

My girlfriend and I were visiting Solvang the weekend before Thanksgiving and happened to stay at the Mirabelle Inn. Part of the reason I booked our stay there was because I had noticed first and Oak was downstairs. We had made a reservation for Sunday night at 7:30. We arrived right on time and were promptly seated. The restaurant itself is on the first floor of the hotel right by the front entrance. It quaint, and cozy - perfect for an intimate dinner with your partner or dinner with a smaller group. The menu is split between two tasting menus - a three course option and a five course option, both of which showcase the ingredients native to the Santa Ynez Valley. We ended up going with the five course menu. One thing to note, the staff were extremely flexible with the menu and have alternatives for any dietary restrictions members of your party may have. My girlfriend is vegetarian and the staff effortlessly replaced items on the tasting menu with tasteful and elegant alternatives. Course by course breakdown: For our first course, I got the oyster and my girlfriend got a vegetarian starter of a watermelon crudo. This oyster was one of best oysters I've had in my lifetime - the tomatillo gelee was a perfect accoutrement that cut through the saltiness and brininess of the oyster. I only wish there were more on the plate. The watermelon crudo was refreshing and light - a good vegetarian alternative to whet the appetite In the second course I got the hamachi crudo and girlfriend got a little gem salad with green goddess dressing. The hamachi crudo visually was elegant and came together very well. The highlight of this course though was surprisingly the little gem salad. My girlfriend says she still dreams about that green goddess dressing. It was nutty, salty and rich - a salad has no business being this good. I'd try asking for this as an alternative if you can. The third course was our last starter - the vegetarian option was the truffle roasted cauliflower and the non veg option was seared scallop. The truffle roasted cauliflower was another stand out vegetarian option - the flavors were all super punchy while remaining well balanced. The scallop was also amazing - seared to perfection , and played really well with the creamy corn espuma. For our entree, I got the beef tenderloin and my girlfriend got the ricotta cavatelli. The pasta was fresh and had a good bite to it. The flavor profile was a nice balance between sweet and savory. The beef tenderloin was delicious - cooked to a perfect medium. It was extremely savory and went really well with the potato puree and chard. To wrap up our meal i got the wine cake with braised plum and my girlfriend got the chocolate and honey. Honestly ... it was perfection. On top of all of the incredible food we had during the meal - the service here was top notch. Everyone was extremely attentive and tended to any asks we had. All in all, we thoroughly enjoyed our experience at First and Oak. Even if you are not staying at the Mirabelle Inn, this is a can't miss dining experience in Solvang and its place on the Michelin guide is well deserved. Photos do not do it justice, you have to try it for yourself. Do yourself a favor a stop by here.

Anton N.

First & Oak - A Hidden Culinary Gem in Solvang's Mirabelle Inn: Some restaurants surprise you the moment you walk through the door. First & Oak, nestled inside Solvang's charming Mirabelle Inn, is one of those places--but not for the reasons you might expect. We arrived through the main entrance of the Inn, greeted by what seemed like the front desk receptionist, who momentarily thought we were checking in for the night. In fact, we were there to check out the restaurant. That small jostle--being seated by reception and escorted into what felt more like a wing of the hotel lobby than a standalone dining room--was our first clue that this was going to be an unconventional experience. But if you think for a moment that this unusual entrance would reflect the quality of the food, let me stop you right there: it doesn't. Not even close. The food at First & Oak is nothing short of exquisite. From the moment they placed the iron cast teapot on the table--a sign of true dining thoughtfulness--I knew we were in good hands. Each dish was a mini-masterpiece: contemporary, playful, and crafted with precision. The creams were luxuriously dense, the oils rich and fragrant, the textures perfectly balanced--every element shining on its own while harmonizing beautifully on the plate. One dish arrived with what looked like pine nuts nestled under a cloud of creamy goat cheese, so inventive we weren't even sure how to name it--but we knew it was delicious. Another paired crisp, colorful endive with a savory whipped goat cheese, balancing citrus and mint with clever restraint. The pasta came crowned with whisper-thin parmesan and greens so fresh they seemed to have been plucked that morning. Every plate carried a bold yet delicate creativity that delighted without overwhelming--a quiet culinary confidence. And yet, here's where First & Oak could truly shine brighter: the environment doesn't quite rise to meet the elegance of the cuisine. The fluorescent lighting near the entrance, the proximity to the front desk, and the absence of clear separation between lobby and dining space all slightly dilute the magic of the food. A few simple shifts--warmer, ambient lighting; a soft divider to create intimacy; a little more ceremony at the threshold--would allow the dining experience to fully reflect the caliber of what's coming from the kitchen. Because the food here deserves that. It deserves a stage as graceful as the performance it delivers. First & Oak: A hidden gem ready to step fully into its own spotlight.

Sonj H.

Lovely meal with a European old school vibe. Quiet and intimate restaurant. The stand out item is the cauliflower with truffle (risotto?) and golden raisin reduction. We were not expecting that to be so incredible, but it is the best thing we've tasted in a long time!

Sarah P.

First and Oak was so cute and nice. It's below a hotel and seats are limited. I would highly recommend getting a reservation. We ordered the course menu. We had oyster, tuna crudo, cauliflower, seared scallop, and beef. For dessert, we ordered chocolate and honey and passionfruit cheesecake. The cauliflower was so good and I can understand why it was recommended to us. It truly tasted like art and there were so many flavors in my mouth. I would have to say this was my favorite dish of the night. The beef was also pretty good and tasty. However, I was disappointed by the tuna crudo. I was looking forward to this but I was really shocked by how they cut it. They cut the raw fish into small pieces. The tuna crudo that I've had in the past were cut in bigger chunks and more in thin strips so it's juicy and tasty when its in your mouth. The taste of the crudo at first and oak was so disappointing. I just felt like there wasn't much flavor and the cut was so tiny and thick. The scallops were also pretty disappointing. It didn't really go well with the beets. Very interesting taste. The dessert was so good. I loved both the chocolate and honey and passionfruit. My favorite would have to be the passionfruit cheesecake. It was a very satisfying and clean taste. Perfect to end the dinner!!

Rochelle V.

Phenomenal food and wonderful wine pairing. George was an amazing server. The flight was fork, cutting soft. The pickled cucumbers with the tuna was incredible.

Chai T.

Pet friendly outside seating. We did the 3 course, it was so delicious! Server was very nice and helpful with everything. We definitely would come back! It was a great way to celebrate our anniversary.

Jacquie H.

Quiet little restaurant in Solvang. Easily missed but definitely worth a try! We were seated quickly as we had reservations and the options were a three course or five course meal. We opted to try all the dishes on the menu and nothing disappointed. Our favorites were the roasted cauliflower, cavatelli, and the pan seared scallop. The wine cake was always fantastic - perfectly sweet and the ice cream paired well with it.

Vala R.

We stopped here for the 5 course dinner on a Saturday night in Solvang. We sat outside on the patio. It was a lovely evening and there were heaters if we got cold. Sadly, there was no bar - but beer & wine are available. We each had a glass of wine, but skipped the pairing as we had been wine tasting earlier. Oyster was the first course. And everyone was happy with it. The Trufgle Cauliflower was amazing, maybe my favorite dish. I had the Cavatelli and Beef Tenderloin. Service was prompt and each dish was explained on delivery. It was a lovely evening.

John G.

DO NOT MISS THIS PLACE. What an amazing experience. Normally going someplace with a fixed menu isn't our style but the reviews were outstanding and figured we try something different to celebrate our 28th wedding anniversary. We choose to do the five course dinner. Very quiet romantic place inside with some seating outside. We were seated outside which was nice but got cooler into the evening. By the end of dinner I almost asked them to turn on the patio heater.... Anyway each course came out at a nice pace that wasn't rushed and each course was just incredible. From the kimchi crisp, the cauliflower, the scallop and everything else, was just perfect and amazing. The staff was knowledgeable of what they were serving and super friendly. If you're looking to celebrate a special occasion this place is a must try. Oh and don't forget to make a reservation. A few people were turned away to come back later.