My partner and I came to celebrate our one year anniversary and we had an amazing time!! We chose…read moreto do the 4 course tasting menu which was out of this world and incredibly worth the price. Each dish was so flavorful and made with so much care. My favorite dish was the pumpkin style gnocchi we had and the branzino fish, he loved the bone marrow. The soup I forgot to take a picture of was potato and leek with truffle was amazing as well. The restaurant is also very cozy with great ambience and we had fantastic service.

This was a last-minute booking, and I was glad to see plenty of seats available. The food was…read moredelicious and full of flavor. Yummy! The portions were quite small (that sucks!), but the quality and taste definitely made up for it. The restaurant itself is beautiful. I really loved the décor and the overall atmosphere, especially the upstairs section. I was seated in a corner on the ground level, though, and it was extreeeemely hot. The front door was open, but I didn't notice any fans, and I don't believe there is air conditioning. My date was sweating, and I was feeling quite warm as well. We also didn't have any ice in our water, which would have been especially nice given the temperature. Our waiter was pleasant and friendly, although the service didn't feel particularly memorable or exceptional. I was also a little surprised that bread and butter cost extra if you'd like them before your main course. Overall, I want to thank the chef for preparing such delicious food. I would definitely return if I needed a last-minute booking.

We rented out The Lark for our wedding reception last week, and every step of the experience was…read moreimpeccable. From the event planning team (Zachary, you rock!) to the perfectly executed menu and thoughtful follow-up afterward, we truly could not have been happier. We were also lucky enough to meet the chef, Jason, after the reception, and he was incredibly kind and gracious. The food was outstanding! The cornbread, fried chicken, and pasta are absolute must-haves. For cocktails, I highly recommend the Paloma and Serpent's Tooth. Thank you to the entire team at The Lark for making our wedding reception such a special and unforgettable night. We couldn't have asked for a better experience!

Best cornbread of my entire life…read more Whilst bar-hopping, we only stopped at The Lark for a bite, and a cocktail... (we were hoping to find something on the less pricey side for our main dinner) The whiskey fruit-infused cocktails sounded amazing, but just tasted like whiskey. Bit of a let-down, despite being good whiskey. But HOLY-YELP, if you're looking for THE best CORNBREAD you will EVER eat in your life... look no further. It's insane. We didn't explore the menu much beyond that, but it's honestly worth a stop for the cornbread alone.

Food was amazing. Myles was a great server. Very friendly and attentive. He was very knowledgeable…read moreabout the menu and his recommendations were delicious. The octopus and the lamp lollipops especially. The whole staff made this a great experience. Definitely will come back when I'm in town.

"Outstanding Stay at Mar Monte Hotel - Heartfelt Thanks to Your Team!"…read more Dear Mar Monte Hotel Team, We recently stayed at your wonderful property and wanted to express just how much we enjoyed our time with you. From the atmosphere and accommodations to the amenities, our experience was absolutely top-notch. What truly made our stay unforgettable was your exceptional staff. Every person we encountered went above and beyond: - Costa Kitchen & Bar: - Evening drinks with Matt at the bar were fantastic--he is an absolute gem. A special thank you to Patricia, the Food & Beverage Manager, who greeted us in the evening and was wonderful. - In the mornings, it was a highlight to chat with George (Jorge), the F&B Director, as he made his rounds to greet guests at every table. We looked forward to speaking with him every day! - Morning Dining Team: Eric and Pedro provided stellar service at breakfast, and Emma at the host stand greeted us with warmth and kindness every single morning. - Valet Team: Derek and Jack were incredible--always friendly, quick to assist with our car, and super helpful when setting us up with the complimentary bikes. - Front Desk & Housekeeping: Jesus at the front desk was genuinely friendly, considerate, and the perfect welcoming face upon arrival. We also loved how warm and welcoming all the housekeeping staff were whenever we passed them in the halls. We enjoyed walking across the street to visit East beach, and also enjoyed your onsite pool, Jacuzzi, and the lovely outdoor sitting areas. The building we stayed in was fantastic, Santa Maria, and the food at Costa was excellent throughout our visit. If we could offer two small pieces of constructive feedback to make a great place even better: 1. Morning Coffee: Having complimentary coffee available starting at 6:00 AM, instead of 7:00 AM, would be a huge plus! I noticed every morning (along with myself) that many guests are up and ready for an earlier cup of coffee. 2. Hallway Flooring: The carpet in the hallway between the front desk and the pool is looking pretty worn down. Transitioning that space to a stone tile floor would elevate the aesthetic and hold up much better against pool traffic. We also love that your hotel is listed with Costco Travel now and loved our Costco executive perks offered at your hotel! These perks were outstanding with the complimentary breakfast from your scrumptious Costa restaurant menu and 50% off the valet fee. Overall, Mar Monte Hotel is a superb establishment. Thank you all for making our trip to Santa Barbara so memorable. We cannot wait to return! Warmest regards, Zabrina Tipton

Food was great. Amazing service! No notes. I would recommend to anyone in Santa Barbara. Gluten…read morefree options although not explicit on menu. Potato, meatloaf, salad and carrots.

First time here, we came via a deal running on the inkind app and were pleasantly surprised!…read more Really peaceful patio especially on a summer evening. Service was excellent, our waiter was very knowledgeable about each dish and the specifics of how everything was prepared and where the ingredients came from. Happy to hear farmers market produce is included! Pacing of service was also good. All the food was delicious, nice array of flavors and spices without being overdone. Concepts were also creative, especially the marshmallow not being made of gelatin but rather koji. Still tasted like a regular marshmallow! Will definitely be back!

After an afternoon of traffic from Pasadena, my husband and I enjoyed dinner at The Set inside the…read moreHilton Santa Barbara Beachfront on May 22, 2026. Because of their limited staff, we waited 20 minutes for a table when only a third of the tables were occupied and no party was ahead of us. The server was friendly and checked on us periodically throughout the meal. We decided to split a salad, a pasta entree and dessert. The kitchen was kind enough to split the Avocado & Citrus Salad for us - ripe avocado, crumbly & creamy goat cheese, bright citrus grapefruit, and pops of nutty pistachio. The Spicy Burnt Chili Shrimp Pasta did not disappoint! Flavorful and enough heat on the shrimp to water the nose but not sweat, and the roasted heirloom tomatoes added an acidic burst of freshness. And the dessert rounded out the meal - Lemon Ricotta Cake - wasn't too sweet, lemon lightness not tart, and a hearty ricotta cake crumb. Definitely order the pasta!

We enjoyed The Set for dinner this evening at about 8:15PM, as we were staying at the Hilton Santa…read moreBarbara. Our overall experience was very nice, with only slight oddity. We checked in with the hostess, and it was kind of an odd experience. The restaurant was about 60% empty, so I imagine the reason we were quoted 20 minutes for our party of two, is because they were short staffed. There couldn't have been any other explanation. This was happening with everyone that was appearing in person. However, once we were seated, our server was great. I forgot his name; however, he was very pleasant and worked very hard hopping from table to table and maintained his friendly demeanor. The restaurant is well decorated, and is a beautiful addition to the end of the lobby. They also have a lot of outdoor seating as well. We shared the Avocado and Citrus salad, the spicy burnt chili shrimp pasta and the Lemon and Ricotta cake. Everything we had was delicious. The salad they were able to split into two portions. It was so good with avocado, grapefruit, pistachio and goat cheese in a light vinaigrette. YUM! The spicy shrimp pasta was equally as yummy. It smelled and tasted so good. It had a smokey flavor and was surprisingly a bit spicy. The lemon and ricotta cake topped off the meal. The cake was dense, but had that light lemon which was a great complement to the heavy ricotta flavor. Very well balanced. Overall, a great experience with just a notch off for the weird entry experience.

The waiter asked us if we were celebrating a special occasion, but for us, it was simply another…read morefun dinner night out. LOL. Little did we know that our first visit to Marisella would take us into such a lovely restaurant with a beautiful ocean view! We came for the STEAKS...yummy yum, and we certainly weren't disappointed. This was our fifth steak restaurant of the week, and so far, Marisella had the best steak dinner we'd experienced. My date is a true steak professional and strict carnivore--he knows his meat because, after all, that's pretty much all he eats! Ha! He said it was the best ribeye he'd had all week. The previous one he tried was TOUGH! Eeew! It was actually my first time trying a ribeye because I usually order filet mignon. My filet was, as expected, wonderfully tender, but the ribeye surprised me in the best way. It was incredibly flavorful and beautifully balanced, with just the right amount of rich, delicious fat--which we both absolutely love! The service was excellent as well. Every staff member was so polite, respectful, and attentive. I especially appreciated their gentle, pleasant communication, which made the entire experience feel even more special. Thank you, Marisella, for such a fun and delicious dinner! We had a wonderful time and will definitely be back again soon! Yay!

Marisella was easily one of my favorite dining experiences in Santa Barbara. The restaurant is…read moreinside the Ritz-Carlton Bacara, and the entire atmosphere is elegant, sophisticated, and beautiful without feeling stuffy. Our server was absolutely fantastic. She was so professional, quick, polite, and genuinely friendly that I honestly wondered if she was the manager. She had that fresh, confident energy where you can tell someone really knows what they're doing and actually enjoys taking care of their guests. And the FOOD... wow. The whipped ricotta with honey and black pepper was probably my favorite thing I tasted all night. Creamy, slightly sweet, perfectly balanced -- I could have eaten the entire plate. The black truffle Wagyu carpaccio was incredible. The steak practically melted in my mouth, and the truffle flavor made it feel so decadent without being overwhelming. The spicy rigatoni alla vodka was also SO good fresh, rich, full of flavor, and exactly the kind of pasta you keep going back And I have to mention my virgin "Gossip Girl" drink because it was delightful! fresh, refreshing, and honestly such a fun drink. Everything from the food to the service to the beautiful setting felt elevated. This is definitely the kind of place I would come back to for a special dinner. Marisella really delivered. Thank you

Enjoyed a sunset dinner here during our stay at the Ritz Carlton Bacara. Service and staff were…read moreincredible. Our server Lexie was super attentive and kind. Food and drinks were delicious. Unbeatable view. Would dine here again!

Service was great. People were great. Food, ESPECIALLY for the price, was mediocre at best…read more Used to eat here when it was The Bistro. Really enjoyed that spot. Had some of my favorite avocado toast of all time. We're locals and wanted to go to a place to celebrate. Thought we'd try this new spot to do just that. My margarita was $25 per glass. It was good. Smaller drink for the price. But fine. We ordered the zucchini fritters, which were absolutely amazing. Everything else that came after it was a huge letdown. The $36 wagyu burger was super dry. Heard someone else who also ordered it asking for at least an aioli sauce for it bc they seemed to also believe it was also dry and bland. Got the focaccia sandwich that was also dry, bland, and pretty salty. Fries it came with were good. For desert got the olive oil cake with a scoop of ice cream. The scoop of ice cream was delicious, but almost the same price as the cake? Weird. And the cake was also super dry and bland. Went to use the bathroom and none of the stalls were clean. Looked similar to a gas station bathroom. Spent over $250 and left feeling pretty disappointed. Definitely will take our business elsewhere. Won't be coming back.

From a world traveler's perspective, Manifattura is truly outstanding. I've traveled extensively…read morethroughout Italy, including studying at the university in Bologna, and I have family in Florence, so I've had the opportunity to experience Italian cuisine in many different places. In my opinion, the pasta at Manifattura is even better than some of the best I've enjoyed in Italy. The combination of high-quality Italian flour and fresh farmers market produce makes the cuisine exceptional--even compared with fine-dining restaurants in Italy. Santa Barbara is fortunate to have a restaurant that brings so much passion and intention to every dish and every spritz. The Italian wine list, thoughtfully curated by the owner and sommelier, is equally impressive. It showcases Old World reds from small villages throughout Italy, with selections ranging from Barolo from Piedmont to Nerello from Sicily. Manifattura will always be top tier.

Incredible food, a thoughtful menu, beautifully designed interior, and classy service! I did quite…read morea bit of research beforehand and this consistently came up as a popular and trendy spot in town. It absolutely lived up to the hype. I especially have to highlight their hospitality and professionalism. I ordered the special appetizer which was their scallop crudo. Unfortunately, I found the seafood a bit too fishy for my liking. I mentioned this to our server, who graciously took the dish away. To my surprise and appreciation, they removed it from our bill entirely and didn't make a big production out of it. I was genuinely impressed by this gesture and their polished service throughout the evening. "Pizza" Bianca - 5/5, excellent focaccia bread! The exterior was beautifully crisp while the inside remained airy, bouncy, and moist. FIORI DI ZUCCA FRITTI - 5/5, Zucchini blossoms are in season, so I was thrilled to see this classic Italian appetizer on the menu. The fried shell was incredibly light and delicate while the blossom itself remained sweet and juicy. The ricotta filling wasn't overly rich and had a lovely lemony brightness that balanced everything perfectly. SACCHETTI ALLA NORCINA CON CILIEGIE E VINCOTTO - 10/5, this was an unexpected combination of flavors, creating a dish that tasted so sophisticated. I love sweet and savory pairings, so I knew I had to order this dish. The pasta was perfectly al dente and the pork sausage filling was wonderfully juicy. It paired beautifully with the cherries and brown butter sauce with the hazelnuts and sage marrying everything together. I cannot recommend this dish enough! TAGLIATELLE DEGLI UMARELLES - 5/5, a classic meat sauce over freshly made pasta noodles. My personal preference is tomato based sauces, but this was still delicious!