Rare Society isn't just my go-to--it's become my happy place with a menu. Great food? Always. Impeccable service? Every time. And State Street views that come with a side of good people-watching? The cherry on top. But what truly elevates this place above the rest of Santa Barbara's dining scene isn't just the vibe or the view--it's the people. And I'm not talking about the diners (though they do put on a good show). I'm talking about the dream team behind the bar: Derek, Greg, and Kai. These three aren't just bartenders--they're cocktail whisperers, mind readers, and all-around hospitality wizards. Their drinks are crafted with precision, their timing is borderline psychic, and their warmth never crosses into overbearing. They don't just serve you--they curate your evening, turning a simple meal into one of those nights where you're already planning your next visit before you've even paid. And it's not just the bar team--every single staff member I've encountered has been a genuine pleasure to interact with. Shout out to Trevor, Liz, Drew, JC, Adrien and Julio for their exceptional service. And the food? Do yourself a favor and order the Parker House rolls, the grilled artichokes, the Wagyu Denver, lobster, oysters, swordfish and - non-negotiable - dessert. You can't go wrong here, but my personal favorites are the Butter Cake and Bananas Foster's Cheesecake. read more

Please be careful because they tend to add an additional tip without your consent. Although I had a great experience at this place, the aftermath of the pending charges on the card weren't so great. Our bill was over $200 so we paid $100 in cash and paid the rest on the card. We left a cash tip and made sure to mark the receipt that we left a cash tip. We noticed a few days later that the charges were $35 more than what was spent. Turns out they added a $35 tip on their own. It's very disappointing to know that this establishment does these things to their own customers. read more

With all of the great food options there are in the "funk zone" of Santa Barbara, we were torn on where we wanted to celebrate my wife's birthday dinner as there's almost every option available within walking distance of our hotel. She decided she wanted to go to a steakhouse so we asked a bartender at a local bar what his recommendation would be and he mentioned Rare Society. Although I'd never been to Rare Society before, it wasn't the first time I'd heard the name. We actually have a couple of them down here in San Diego and though I've never been there, had heard good things about it. We made a reservation for that evening but the only thing available was on the patio. We arrived about 15 minutes prior to our reservation and the weather already began to cool off. As we walked towards the door we were greeted by the hostesses who also saw that it was my wife's birthday and they wished her happy birthday. We acknowledged that our reservation was on the patio but asked if it was possible to move to inside and they were quickly accommodating to this request. There was no wait even though we were a little early and we were led inside to a corner L-shaped booth. As we were reviewing the menu we were welcomed in by our server Tara who brought us water, offered us drinks and ran down some of the menu items available. For cocktails to start the evening my wife had a manhattan and I had a Woodford old fashioned. Both cocktails were expertly crafted and tasted great. For our appetizer, we had the hamachi crudo which was finely sliced hamachi with a perfect compliment of toppings including pickled pineapple which brought out the flavor of it all. For our main course, we decided to go with "The Associate" board which was recommended by Tara. It is served with three different cuts of steak, bone marrow, and three sauces. All of the cuts were prepared perfectly and the sauces and bone marrow were the perfect compliment. For sides we got broccolini with a creamy lemon sauce, miso glazed carrots and creamed spinach. All the sides we tried were great, but the broccolini and miso glazed carrots were definitely our favorite. To wind down the evening, Tara brought us a dessert menu to look over and although we were very full from dinner we did order two carajillos to sip on. Our dessert drinks were brought out quickly along with a perfect portion of ice cream with which I believe also had some sort of cracker inside of it. I don't recall exactly but it tasted great and was enough for us to split. This being our first experience at a Rare Society location was nothing short of stellar. The service from every employee from the time we approached the front door was exceptional, the food was amazing and was the quality that one would expect at the price point and the cocktails we had were top-tier. This was our first time up to Santa Barbara and I'm not sure when we'll be back, but our experience at Rare Society gives me reason to check out the one down by us as well next time we're looking for a perfect steak dinner. read more

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This place is super excellent food is amazing and the service is incredible good everyone was very attentive to serve us this place is a ten out of ten thank you Will come back and definitely will recommend the place. read more

Rare Society - Executive plate - Steakhouses Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

We weren't here spur of the moment for a big birthday celebration. It was a Wednesday night and they were nice enough to sit us in a comfy boooty. It was perfect right from walking in. The ambiance, the service and the food smelt amazing. Our server and the host were so sweet and accommodating. I ordered probably 5-6 of the house made lemonade. It was fantastic. I got the swordfish with the yummy beurre blanc. My hubby chose the Ribeye. It was cook and seasoned perfectly and the meat was very tender and moist. No gristle. Top 3 steaks he's had out. The sides we opted for mashed potatoes which were seasoned perfectly and the consistency was spot on, Mac and cheese and some amazing asparagus dish with an amazing sauce and something crispy textured on top to balance it out. Everything was fantastic and there was not 1 dish I could complain about. It was timed perfectly and the food was hot. The gave us a complimentary homemade scoop of ice cream and I also got the crème brûlée. Only feedback for the crème brûlée was, the custard itself was hot not cold like traditional. Other than that, everything was above and beyond. We were happy we sporadically chose this place to celebrate and we will make sure the recommend it to our friends and family and we will be back! Oh! They even signed a birthday card from the whole staff working that night! What a nice and thoughtful touch! We can't wait to come back to SB for another wonderful 5 star dining experience. read more

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I celebrated my birthday at Rare Society in Santa Barbara and let me tell you.... The whole staff made me feel so special! We were greeted by the very polite hostess with a warm smile and a "happy birthday"! Our table also had a greeting card signed by the staff. Our waitress was top class! Our choice of food from the menu was off the Board section. We choose to go with the Associate. Which is selection of the chef determined cuts of the night. (Highly recommend) Along with a side of whipped mashed potatoes. Absolutely delicious! The ambience of the restaurant set the mood! Loved every moment of this dinning experience! Thank you Rare Society Santa Barbara! read more

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Made it to Rare Society in Santa Barbara and it was a great experience. The Caesar salad was hands down one of the best I've had, and the espresso martini was a nice nightcap. Between the food, the atmosphere, and the service, it made for a great date night. read more

Great as always. I'm trying to go keto but I slipped up and ordered rolls. Not the best idea for trying to get shredded abs. The best salad I've ever had. Dry aged ribeye top notch. Also, it's walking distance to spearmint rhino if you're looking for dessert. Service is impeccable and restaurant is immaculate. read more

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Great service, great food, awesome happy hour, highly recommend. Gregg at the bar rocks and makes killer cocktails!

Service is great and the restaurant is beautiful, the food is good but not amazing it's overpriced. Glad I tried it but I wouldn't grave the food. I would Come back for drinks and maybe an appetizer because of the sexy bar read more

Rare Society - Bill - Steakhouses Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Amazing food, amazing oysters , amazing service. The ambience is awesome. Must try Fried Brusells Sprouts read more

Rare Society - Patio sitting - Steakhouses Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

The storefront caught our eye, so we checked it out online and grabbed a reservation for the evening. On Resy, it looked like earlier slots were only for the patio, so we booked 8 PM to make sure we got indoor seating. The service was excellent and as professional as you'd expect from a classy spot. We ordered the Apprentice Board because we liked the idea of trying different cuts, not many steakhouses offer a sampler like that, so it was a fun choice. The beef was delicious and even came with three of their signature dips. We also added the truffle potatoes and the lamb popcicles. The bone marrow on the apprenticeship board was nice change of pace since I haven't had it in a while. One random tip: sodas have unlimited refills, but they aren't listed under the non-alcoholic section on the menu. My only real complaint was that our plate was pretty cold when it was served. I'm not sure if the plate warmer wasn't working, but it definitely felt off for a steak dish. Other than that, everything was great and we managed to finish it all. read more

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The food here is amazing This is one of the places that you come once if you're life unless you're rich If you're rich here in SB then come back for food occasions because this is An amazing place The food takes a second but it's overall great and the best sauces you are going to get Come back for sure or to impress someone Parking is a little hard but not too much read more

Rare Society - Lollipop lamb chop - Steakhouses Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Simply delicious. We were famished after a private event in Montecito. We started with the Parker Rolls drenched in butter so good and the perfect way to begin. Shared the ribeye and broccolini, both cooked perfectly and full of flavor. The vibe was cool and casual. Such a great spot for a quick meal. Reasonably priced, excellent service, and overall just a really solid experience. Definitely recommend checking it out. read more

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Overrated and a Big Flop This was our first trip to Santa Barbara, and we wanted to end our weekend with a great steakhouse dinner. Unfortunately, this spot missed the mark. We booked an outdoor table on OpenTable, then called to request indoor seating but never received a call back. When we arrived, the staff brushed off our request even though we later saw plenty of empty indoor booths. Our server was friendly, but the service overall was inattentive--especially disappointing for the prices here. The dry-aged steak was overpriced, dried out, and served with a blackened bone. The asparagus and mac 'n' cheese were tasty but overly salty. We enjoyed the Faust wine, but for the cost, having to pour it ourselves most of the night felt ridiculous. The final straw was the state of the women's restroom: one stall out of order, one without toilet paper or seat covers, and another clogged. It clearly isn't maintained well. Overall, this was a one-and-done experience for us. We won't be returning, and we can't recommend it. A huge letdown. read more

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Food was great! The lamb lollipops are amazing. Our server was great- really nice and funny and was very helpful with the wine selection. The restaurant is gorgeous- my boyfriend and I have been to the bar before and the drinks were amazing Great date night spot or GNO dinner spot read more

Amazing ambiance and menu at this newish trendy steakhouse in Santa Barbara. The executive meat platter is the way to go. Ribeye New York strip and fillet on one platter. Add a wood fire lobster to indulge in a fantastic meal. read more

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The lighting inside was a dim but kind of a bit too dim. The workers were super attentive! And now we go onto the food... we started with the house rolls and wow they were amazing we ended up ordering 2 orders of these! The creamy spinach was delish. And we ended up getting the Executive Board & an extra order of the cedar River prime bullseye ribeye. Each meat was so so good & cooked perfectly! We came with a party of 6 of us (4 adults and 2 kids) and this food amount was perfect enough for us. It was definitely on the pricier side but still worth it in my opinion! We were actually celebrating mine and my gf's engagement and we got a nice complementary cup of champagne! read more

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Appetizers (Tuna & rolls) were great Main course was cooked as ordered Wine was good. Cocktail had too much ice Service was stellar Desserts (banana cheese, chocolate cookie and the butter cake) all were amazing! The decor is classy and elegant read more

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Excellent fun bar with great cocktails and top notch service. After my awful meal at Oku we stopped in here for drinks. The music had a great beat, lively crowd and an attentive bar tender. After several experiences in places here in Santa Barbara with poor service, the attentive bar tender was greatly appreciated. I saw folks having some eats and I saw on the menu the lamb pops. Since my food at Oku was not edible I ordered that and omg, amazing lamb!! The relish it was in was delicious and lamb full of flavor and perfectly cooked. Our cocktails were wonderful. This saved my evening for me!! read more

This place is top notch!! Since we walked in everyone was really nice and welcoming Our server was super helpful and she answered all of our questions. We ended up ordering the Meat board enough for 4 people and some side which were incredibly tasty and well prepared. The bread rolls are soft and delicious. This place is elegant, classy and modern all in one. Perfect for a special occasion or just for a nice dinner with the family. Definitely worth it! read more

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Really happy I was able to finally try Rare Society as I've had them bookmarked for a while. Always love a steakhouse that has a happy hour menu so it seemed safe to venture in for a late afternoon snack and cocktail. Really enjoyed sitting at the bar. Nice views either of the kitchen or the main drag outside the window. The bar was clean and spacious, making it a great spot to converse and watch the cocktail magic. Our bartender and server was Kai who was absolutely lovely. I appreciate a bartender who is willing to chat, make recommendations and be a little silly (in a good professional banter way of course). Service felt very attentive and genuine. Was impressed and would say service and ambiance are easily 5 stars worthy. The team that works here all seemed very friendly and easy to talk to. I love when a steakhouse doesn't give off pretentious vibes and truly the vibes and service are immaculate here. Another bonus is that their cocktails and cold seafood options were stellar. My friend's classic martini and my amaretto sour were spot on! Well crafted drinks, perfectly boozy and balanced. Also I'm a sucker for a cold seafood tower and presentation was A+. We ordered a variety of oysters and their old bay cold shrimp cocktail which was beautifully plated for us. A showstopper for sure. I found the oyster and shrimp to be tasty. Primarily the reason I just can't give this spot a full five stars is the price point. For many they'll dine here and not give it a second thought but as a single income girly, spots like this are more of a treat and can't be on my regular rotation. I own it. While the quality and service was there, I still found it to be a bit pricy given some of the items we ordered were on happy hour menu. Essentially oysters, one shrimp cocktail and a cocktail a piece ran us a bill of $100+. While delicious, not filling or a full meal. I appreciate rare society for what they are. An elevated meal which at least has service and ambiance to back it up. I'm happy I tried them, had a good time, but there are more affordable spots for seafood and cocktails in the area. read more

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I dined here the other night and had the most amazing experience! I was visiting a friend in Santa Barbara and was in the mood for steak so I decided to give this place a try. The interior is beautiful and sleek, and I really enjoyed the music they had going. Starting off with the apps I had the Parker house rolls recommended by my sever. They were piping hot and fresh with a garlicky truffle butter. Also the best Caesar I've ever had with fried anchovies which were a nice surprise. I had a lovely server, I can't remember his name but he was tall with brown hair. He suggested the Denver steak saying it's a cross between a NY and a filet and he was spot on! Nice and Smokey but melt in your mouth tender. Service and attention to detail were outstanding and consistent throughout the meal. I was too full for dessert but need to try the butter cake next time. Next time I'm in Santa Barbara, this will definitely be first stop. Amazing dinner! read more

A big thank you to everyone at Rare Society for such a warm welcome and exceptional service. From the moment we arrived, the team made our evening feel truly special. The ambiance inside was classy and set the tone for a wonderful meal. Everyone was incredibly knowledgeable about the menu and helped guide us to the perfect selections. The executive platter of dry-aged meats was outstanding--and even better knowing we had delicious leftovers the next day. The pickled fried onion rings were a surprising standout (wouldn't have expected that combo, but it worked beautifully!), and the potatoes au gratin were absolutely spot on. We're already looking forward to returning on our next trip to Santa Barbara. See you again soon! read more

Rare Society - The Executive Board with dry aged meats, bone marrow and sauces to compliment. - Steakhouses Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Everyone in the group enjoyed a nice night out with a meat board, swordfish, and tons of appetizers and starters. We all loved the broccolini and wedge salad. Plus, we even agreed that we could just come for various vegetables and the onion rings without the meat. The service was great, and helped recommend options for each person. The s'mores birthday ice cream at the end was a winner along with sitting outside under the heater and people watching on a Saturday night. If there is one dish to try that you can't find in SB regularly, go for the lamb lollipops with chimichurri sauce. read more

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Steak was sad, salad was smothered in cheese, sides were okay. Service was excellent Main issue with this place is the price. Almost $300 for 2 people, one drink per person. If you're going to charge top dollar, food better be excellent. Sadly this type of low quality, high cost dining is becoming the norm. Will not be coming back read more

Had a lovely experience here! My boyfriend and I had a reservation for about an hour before they close on a Monday. We were a little worried about coming in close to closing but the service was great. We were seated immediately and there were only a few other tables in there. Our server was very attentive, but we didn't feel rushed. He helped us make good decisions regarding what to order. Drinks were really good. I had the Wild Card which has red bell pepper, interesting concept but I was pleasantly surprised. Most of their drink options seem less sweet and more on the refreshing side. My favorite part were the appetizers. The Ahi Tuna Tartare was so fresh with great proportions. We also loved the Wood Grilled Lamb Lollipop. We ordered two, and they came together with the best Chimichurri sauce and a good amount of meat on the bone. My boyfriend had the 20oz NY Strip, and added the black truffle. So good and cooked to perfection. I had the Pacific Swordfish which came with a really nice sauce. Celebrating our anniversary, they brought us a complimentary drink. Was a really nice finishing touch. Overall pleasant experience! Definitely on the pricier side, but it was a great way to celebrate. read more

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Quite pricey for what was given, but parking was easy to find and the inside was dark/elegant.

Took my wife here for her birthday. Had the filet mignon , broccolini, wedge salad, petit lobster and potatoes au gratin. Loved every bite. For sure you must get the potatoes au gratin. Great job Rare Society! read more

Rare Society - Wedge Salad . - Steakhouses Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

I would have rated this establishment 6 stars based on the presentation and quality of their food; however, our experience was significantly diminished by a service issue. We requested an additional scoop of ice cream for our dessert, as we were a party of four seeking to share a small portion. We were quite satisfied from dinner, which was expertly prepared and showcased excellent red oak wood flavor, with generous portions. The server declined our request and immediately presented the bill, despite our not having indicated we were finished. This approach was inappropriate. As professionals in the hospitality industry, both management and staff should understand that there are more courteous ways to decline a request, such as explaining any policy restrictions. This experience has left us uncertain about returning to any Rare Society locations. read more

Unfortunately we only sat at the bar for drinks since we couldn't get reservations but just seeing the interior it is very modern, hip, dark and romantic. Being a steakhouse it is a on the pricier side just like drinks but the bartenders were talkative and creative. Great decor and drink selections with pairing offerings for your meal. read more

Rare Society - Steakhouses Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

We were looking for a pitstop, and we came here for Monday happy hour. Great spot for anyone looking to enjoy an upscale feeling experience. The place looks modern and gold-accented sleek, with a touch of dark, wooden charm that makes it a little sophisticated. The menu focuses on premium cuts of steak, but we're here for the oysters with cocktails to spice up the night. We ordered the signature burger to make sure we got full, and it definitely rounded up the meal. The service was great with friendly staff, and the location is convenient to walk from wine tasting at the Funk Zone! read more

Rare Society - Steakhouses Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Food was 10/10. Came the Monday after Valentine's Day and it was super fun and busy! We were lucky to get a seat at the bar, we waited in line 15 minutes before opening! Bar staff was great and so was the food and drinks! Loved that at the bar there is an open area to see into the kitchen! The staff is so friendly and efficient! Will be back again soon for a Monday. Steak cooked PERFECTLY! read more

Rare Society - Oyster Monday. Skewers. Ahi. Cosmo. Pilsner. - Steakhouses Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Rare Society on State Street in Santa Barbara is hands-down one of the best steakhouses I've been to in recent memory. From the moment we walked in, the vibe was perfect--retro-chic, upscale but welcoming, with that classic steakhouse energy right in the heart of downtown. I went straight for the 8 oz filet mignon, paired with the au gratin potatoes and asparagus. The bread rolls were a must too. Oh my goodness... the filet was melt-in-your-mouth tender, incredibly juicy, and had that beautiful char from the open flame grill. Service was spot-on--attentive without being overbearing--and our server knew the menu inside out. Lots of people on the patio, enjoying wine and cocktails that looked fun. Definitely one of the best steakhouses in town. read more

Food was amazing. Service was amazing. It was a great place to celebrate our wedding anniversary. The hand-signed card was a very nice touch and very much appreciated. read more

.., aaaaannnd, we're back! You know a place is special if you've thought about & talked about it for 2 years. Last night (12/26/25), was our second visit to Rare Society and it did not disappoint. I will admit that after an amazing first experience here 2 years prior, a well deserved review had unfortunately not been given the chance to shine. This is my amends to give this exquisite establishment our appreciation. Off the bat the ambiance & decor is radiant and sexy so the proper attire is encouraged. Service is always excellent here & the staff is very accommodating. Shout out to Levi for taking care of us! My girlfriend and I both ordered the 8oz. Filet Mignon (medium rare), accompanied by 2 sides; Potato Au Gratin w/ Truffle Mornay and Black Truffle, with the Asparagus w/ a Spring Onion Vinaigrette, XO Mayo, & Crispy Garlic. All were superb. Our Filet Mignon was perfectly cooked with the right amount of char coveting the quality goodness within. I will add a side note for my fellow patrons about the 20oz. 40 Day Dry-Aged NY Strip that I had gotten on our first experience. Though the flavor was excellent, the meat to fat ratio was slightly disappointing. The NY strip came already cut & it just felt like I didn't get enough meat for the price. I had finished my strip while my girlfriend still had more meat than I had with her Filet Mignon. Again nothing bad, flavor was all there, just a little heads up. Not sure if that's how it's served presently but for my experience it was. With that being said, the Filet Mignon I had last night was truly savored & appreciated. Potato Au Gratin was phenomenal, served in a cast iron skillet with a cheese pull & exceptional flavor. The asparagus provided a nice balance to bring it all together. All in all, the flare matches the flavor here & we highly recommend it. Thank you again Rare Society for the amazing experience, we shall return! read more

Had a beautiful casual dinner at one of my favorite spots! Bartender was great, food was delicious as usual! I'm thankful there's more than one location. Best part is the consistency from restaurant to restaurant... hard to do and you've mastered it. Thank you! read more

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Came here on my birthday, this is more of my husband's style of food- and though I rarely eat steak or beef- it was a pleasant surprise. We started off with the Parker house rolls which were just ooh la la!! (Secret tip - keep ordering garlic rolls - it's really all you need :-)) We got the Lamb lollipop as well - - and that was splendid! Melt in the mouth. We then got the Executive Board which was the piece de resistence - bae was in heaven and I couldn't argue with how luscious the meat and taste was. For dessert, we got the Creme brulee and I got a birthday scoop :topped with a smore - yummo! Since it was my birthday, I had 2 glasses of wine (and why not) Margerum - Red blend to start with and then the Syrah from Beckman Vineyards (ding ding ding - winner!) read more

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Sat at the bar with my family on a thursday night. Was immediately greeted with a warm welcome. Such a nice place to come and have a nice steak or appetizers. The bartenders that night were amazing and did a phenomenal job taking care of my family. Had great talks and suggestions. Overall an amazing experience! read more

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The food is amazing and the service is exceptional. Definitely recommend their happy hour and the specialty drinks! read more

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