My partner and I came to celebrate our one year anniversary and we had an amazing time!! We chose to 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. read more

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Great vibe and solid food The Black Sheep Restaurant + Bar is a fantastic spot for drinks and catching up with friends. The atmosphere is lively and visually appealing -- I love how the space is set up. Ruben, the owner, was our server, and he was personable and attentive even though the restaurant was slammed. It was clear he cares about the experience and makes sure guests are taken care of -- thanks, Ruben! The food was good, with generous portions. It's not "over the top" or heavily specialized, but everything was well-cooked and executed by a chef who knows his craft. Perfect for a relaxed night out with friends. Overall, if you want a fun bar vibe, solid food, and attentive owner-led service, this is a great choice in Santa Barbara. read more

Black Sheep has quickly become one of my absolute favorite restaurants in Santa Barbara -- and honestly, every time I walk in I think, am I really still in Santa Barbara? The level of service is that good. Logan & jess Huge credit to Ruben, the owner, and his wife, who created the beautiful decor. The space is stunning -- high ceilings on the main floor and a cozy, chic European bistro feel upstairs, but still airy and comfortable. It's stylish without being stuffy. The food is consistently excellent -- fresh, seasonal, and often sourced from the farmers market, with many organic ingredients. The chantelle mushrooms and risotto were outstanding. They're also incredibly accommodating with dietary needs (yes, even vegan options -- they had vegan butter ready without hesitation, which I deeply appreciate). And the bar... if you're lucky, you might catch happy hour all night. Even luckier? Jess behind the bar. She is absolutely fantastic -- warm, skilled, and makes the whole experience feel special. An ode to Jess: Hey Jess, the queen of the pour, One drink in and you'll want more. Good vibes, great laughs, service at its best, Every bar needs a Jess -- but this one has the best. The service overall is truly exceptional -- attentive, genuine, and rare to find these days. What does this place need? Honestly... nothing. Just go. If you're visiting Santa Barbara, don't miss it. If you live here, this should become your new favorite spot. read more

The Black Sheep Restaurant + Bar - The best elderflower appertif since Paris - New American Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

This is a perfect spot to come and relax after a long week. The staff is attentive and welcoming and the place is nicely decorated and cozy. They have great happy hour specials. The food was delicious and filling! The fires are delicious and perfect to share. Their duck lettuce wraps are flavorful and come with a sauce you just want to put on everything. One of the must try is the French onion burger. The drinks are delicious and will definitely give you the buzz that you are looking for. I will be back to try other items on the menu or just for a cocktail or two. read more

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My friend and I came for the Sunday prix fixe special and it was definitely a tasty meal! It was recommended by the hotel we stayed at, and we heard it was farm to table. Visiting for a day in SB, post Solvang. Per the server, who was amazing, the chef chooses the surprise tasting menu, so it was fun guessing what might come next. The yellowtail was my fav, with the yuzu cream sauce, and the bone marrow as well. There was also a cheese sauce pasta with sweet potato of sorts that I loved. We cannot remember what the dessert was, but the almond dessert with the lemon curd on top was delightful. Warm & kind of toasty on the outside and soft in the middle. Definitely well worth trying & thanks to the staff for making our first trip to Santa Barbara a lovely one! The seating inside was ok, we were sat kind of in a weird angle two top along the door. As well, a few large birthdays were happening so it was likely busier/a bit on the louder side, but nothing out of the ordinary for a restaurant. Overall a good experience and would come again xx read more

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We walked in and suddenly felt like we no longer were in our "beachy" town. The Black Sheep gives city vibes with eclectic French twist. If I could give this place 10 stars I would. It's that good! Our service was superb, everyone is so friendly. Every single item that we ate was yummy, and it was probably one of the best meals I've ever had. We met the kindest chef, he came out to see if we were doing ok, and explained what each dish consisted of. One of SB's best restaurants/chef! read more

I went to dinner last night with my boss/good friend at The Black Sheep to celebrate my birthday and it was my first time there. The restaurant is beautiful - elegant with classy decor and color tones. We had a table in front of the window across from the bar and it was lovely. We met Logan and Ruben; Logan was our host (and sometimes collected our plates and brought us more water) and Ruben seemed to be the head manager of the restaurant, checking in on us often (but not too often). (UPDATE: I just realized Ruben is the OWNER!). Both were extremely kind and personable. (There was also a gal bringing our food out but I didn't get her name - she was so sweet though). Ruben knew of my friend (she's an event coordinator in the area and has worked with them before) and he was so warm and excited to talk about future events/plans. He also made me feel special during my birthday celebration and I really appreciated that! He brought out two glasses of champagne for us to toast! We ordered a few appetizers - the beet salad, crab cake, and baguette. My friend had the crab cake and she loved it! She said it was filled with more crab than breading, which other places don't do - they're usually mostly breading - so she was very pleased. We split the baguette and this bread was HEAVENLY. The butter? Possibly even better! It was probably the best butter I've ever had. The beet salad was very beet-heavy for my taste, but it was beautiful and bright with a lovely bit of sauce/dressing in the bowl. We also had some olives arrive at our table and they were quite yummy! I even had a few with the baguette and butter. We were filling up on appetizers so we decided to split an entree. Ruben was so kind and asked if we wanted to do a smaller portion of two things we were deciding between - the beef cheeks and ricotta cavatelli. We happily said yes! First came the cavatelli and it was truly one of the best things I've ever had! So light and fluffy and perfect! And then came the beef and - my goodness - it was so tender and melted in your mouth. What an incredible meal! Lastly, as a birthday dessert, we had the pistachio cheesecake. I do not normally go for cheesecake but it sounded fun - something different to try. And it was another hit! One of the best desserts I've had in ages! It was light, not too sweet, with cream on top and a few blueberries on the side. Once finished, Reuben popped over to check in and let us know that our meal was taken care of! We were shocked and so grateful!! My friend and I were both incredibly impressed and over-the-moon with our experience here. We are so excited to work with them in the future and highly recommend having your receptions, birthday events, and other celebratory occasions here! What an incredible experience! read more

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Santa Barbara already does half the work for you. You roll into town around sunset and everything feels slightly unreal in the best way. The coast glows, State Street stretches out like an invitation, boutiques hum, restaurants buzz, and you immediately understand why people "just stay for dinner" and somehow never leave. Black Sheep fits into that scene perfectly, not by blending in, but by leaning confidently into its own personality. From the moment you walk in, the space feels alive. Contemporary without being cold, comfortable without being sleepy. High ceilings, an open layout, and a bar that feels like it actually wants you to sit down and stay awhile. One of the coolest touches is the projection of old films onto the wall, framed like a classic painting. It's clever, unexpected, and oddly soothing, like the restaurant is quietly entertaining itself while you eat. Upstairs, the loft space opens things up even more, making it easy to imagine everything from birthday dinners to big group celebrations happening without anyone feeling squeezed or forgotten. The energy here is warm, and a lot of that comes from the people. Ruben sets the tone immediately--welcoming, engaged, genuinely interested in making sure your night lands exactly where it should. There's no forced enthusiasm, just real hospitality that makes you relax before the first sip or bite arrives. The menu follows suit. It's globally inspired without feeling scattered, pulling from Mediterranean, French, and Asian influences in a way that feels playful and confident rather than confused. We started with the crudo, and it made a strong first impression. Generous slices of pristine fish--amachi, yellowtail, tuna--firm yet tender, clean, and beautifully presented. Each bite felt fresh and balanced, the kind of dish that makes you pause mid-conversation because your brain briefly needs to focus on what just happened in your mouth. A subtle cream on the side tied everything together without stealing attention. The olives arrived next, a small bowl of Castelvetrano olives that did exactly what olives should do: salty, mild, and endlessly snackable. Dangerous, really. The tomato bisque was light and comforting, warm without being heavy, the kind of soup that feels like a thoughtful reset before moving on. For mains, the wild boar ribs were the kind of dish you remember later. Fall-off-the-bone tender, coated in a sweet barbecue sauce with just enough spice to keep things interesting, resting on a bed of cabbage that soaked up all the good stuff. It was hearty without being overwhelming, indulgent without being messy. The risotto followed with creamy confidence. Rich, smooth, and comforting, doing exactly what a good risotto should do without trying to reinvent itself. Dessert sealed the deal. The chocolate mousse was light, airy, and generous, paired thoughtfully with a ten-year port that made each bite feel like it was exactly where it belonged. The rum sponge cake came dressed with Chantilly cream and raspberries, balanced beautifully by a Hungarian Tokaji that leaned into the sweetness without tipping it over the edge. It felt celebratory, relaxed, and very well timed. Service played a huge role in making the night memorable. Mel was fantastic--experienced, intuitive, and perfectly in sync with the energy of the table. She understood this was a birthday dinner without making it feel staged or overdone. Her recommendations landed, her pacing felt natural, and her presence was friendly without hovering. That balance is harder to pull off than it looks, and she made it feel effortless. Black Sheep is the kind of place that feels equally right for locals and visitors. It's polished but playful, stylish without being stiff, and lively without being loud. You can dress up a little or come as you are and still feel like you made the right choice. If you live in Santa Barbara, this deserves a regular spot in your rotation. If you're visiting, it's absolutely worth stopping by, even if just for a drink and a few shared plates. Black Sheep doesn't try to impress you loudly. It just quietly delivers a really good night, and sometimes that's the best kind of magic. read more

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Absolutely loved our experience at The Black Sheep. The food was outstanding, but what truly elevated the night was Jess, who was an incredible bartender and host. She guided us through the menu and suggested some must-try dishes -- the bone marrow was unreal, the burger was perfectly done, and we ended on the best note with dessert (the crème brûlée is a must). read more

The Black Sheep Restaurant + Bar - Jess is the best - New American Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Truly had the best meal of our lives at Black Sheep. We hosted our wedding dinner reception here and rented out the upstairs space for 30ish people. Kelly helped us plan the entire thing via email for months and it turned out even more amazing than we could have ever imagined!! The upstairs space was absolutely perfect for a party of our size - the perfect amount of intimate and cozy. Vibes were immaculate. But the FOOD was a freaking showstopper. We got the prix fixe family style menu and I am not kidding when I say every. single. dish. was an absolute banger. The burrata with heirloom tomatoes was the creamiest, most flavorful I've ever had. Adult bread & butter absolutely lived up to its name with decadent bone marrow. Hand rolled cavatelli was unassuming but SO good and perfectly crispy. And the chocolate roulade for dessert had us all speechless and honestly lost our minds over how good that was. On top of all that, the drinks are a HIT. Every espresso martini I'll ever have will forever be compared to Black Sheep's. I can't say enough how ecstatic we are that we celebrated our incredibly special day at Black Sheep. Everything from the service, vibes, food, drinks, and overall atmosphere at Black Sheep was beyond perfection. We cannot WAIT to come back and celebrate our anniversary here!! read more

The owner was our server and he was so attentive and personable! We did the tasting menu for $75 each and it was so worth it. Got to try a little bit of everything on the menu and it was all delicious. The pistachio cheesecake at the end was amazing! Great small intimate restaurant with romantic vibes. read more

Visited Santa Barbara for the weekend and had a wonderful mother and daughter bonding time .We had dinner in this trendy restaurant and I truly highly recommend it.The food is excellent, authentic and delicious! On top of it, it was amazing to see the owner, Ruben, waiting on customers himself, talking to them like we are at home, He pours excellent wine according to the dish served to us.What an awesome dining experience. He is also dog friendly. read more

This review is a year long overdue, but my husband and I had our wedding dinner "reception" here after our ceremony at the Santa Barbara Courthouse in May 2025. I genuinely can't recommend it enough. The food is amazing, service was over the top, and the restaurant went above and beyond to make sure our night was perfect. Communicating with Kelly was a breeze and she really made sure everything was perfect for us. I wish I remembered the name of the main server who made our night so special but I've attached a photo of him lol. We can't wait to be back to celebrate our anniversary in a few short weeks and in the years that follow. I have also recommended so many people to follow our wedding day from the ceremony to the restaurant as it was our perfect day (: read more

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Wonderful restaurant with friendly staff and great food every time I revisit. The beverage program is always a plus. And the room feels beautiful and elevated without being too stuffy. Big thumbs up! read more

My husband and I went here for their "Sunday Supper" and had an amazing experience!! Cozy, cute interior with friendly staff and delicious bites. It was fun to see what next course would come out of the kitchen. Each dish had great flavor, and fresh ingredients (nothing too oily or salty). We look forward to coming back! read more

My wife and I payed a visit to The Black Sheep Restaurant on Feb. 13, 2026, our anniversary. Asia was serving us and she is so calm and inviting, I wasn't sure if she was taking our order or the tour guide of the restaurant. It was a pleasure to interact with her. We ordered the Chefs Special tasting, and when I tell you it was a journey of flavors that I will never forget. My wife had the Coconut Pillow cocktail and she said it is her new go to when we return. The pistachio cheesecake is a must try. I am not going to list the dishes, but I will say the chefs tasting is worth it. Pair it with the wine and it is a great date night. What rounded the night off was meeting Ruben. We laughed, talked in a way that made the whole night feel like a home meal with family. I will definitely return. read more

For once, the raves undersold the experience. We sat at the bar with Jess, and that made all the difference. A great location, a charming ambiance, and phenomenal food...set off by expert service that truly cares. The food was simply outstanding with flavors that told a story; the wine list had a beguiling tale of its own. Jess made us regulars in just one night. We can't wait to come back! read more

First time to The Black Sheep. Great restaurant atmosphere and service. Our waiter was excellent and personable, always makes experience better. Not really family or kid friendly, but great restaurant for adult or date gathering. Since we had not been before we chose the 4 course tasting menu, chef's choice. Good experience, not fabulous; four stars not five because it needed some tweaking. Wonderful wine list and full bar available which is a pleasure. Our first course was salt, roasted pickled beet salad, and burrata gnus. Both delicious Second course was Wild, mushroom and gnudi in creme sherry and adult bread and butter with roasted bone marrow. Not as delicious, although the wild mushroom dish was really delicious it was far too thick and rich, and the bone marrow was way too gelatinous. We could not eat it. Third course was kurobeta pork spare ribs and mussels. The spare ribs were well done and delicious but the big disappointment were the mussels , which I always love, but never had overcooked mussels before. And I have eaten them many places; the mussels were so well done that they were just a pile of mush when you took them out of the shell. I had to send them back and they did bring another portion that was somewhat better and edible, but still overdone. The sauce the mussels were steamed in was excellent flavor which helped save the experience somewhat. In my opinion, this should not happen at a restaurant of this quality. Final course was dessert and it was a winner. It was bourbon cake, and crème brûlée, both excellent especially with a double shot of espresso. I would recommend a visit to this fine restaurant. But I would never get the four course tasting menu again; maybe best for me to try apero hour next time. PS. Portion sizes were great. Enjoy your visit. read more

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My husband and I celebrated our birthdays with a gift certificate from our children at the Black Sheep restaurant. I cannot recommend this restaurant highly enough. It started with wonderful welcome service, followed by recommendations from our fabulous waitress. The food was delicious. We started with the muscles, then had the Bolognese, followed by two amazing desserts if you are in Santa Barbara and have the chance to go to this restaurant run and go there it's so worth it. read more

My husband and I came here over Labor Day weekend while visiting Santa Barbara. I'd made a reservation about a week before coming and it was easy to make online. We were staying nearby and walked to the restaurant but there were ample spots for street parking nearby. When we came in, we were promptly greeted and seated. The ambiance at the restaurant is beautiful and chic. It's the perfect place for an upscale meal whether it's a date or night with friends or family. Our server was very friendly and welcoming and congratulated us on our anniversary. They recommended that we get the Sunday special dinner menu, which was $55 for four courses (a steal in my opinion). With the Sunday special, we got an amuse bouche, bread, an appetizer, a main and dessert. It was a huge amount of food, and great value. With this amount of food, we were already pretty full by the time our mains arrived, even though the glutton in me wanted to stuff myself despite that my stomach was already achingly full. I can't say anything more about the food here other than that it was superb. Will remember this place as one of my favorite meals in Santa Barbara and can't wait to visit next time I'm here. read more

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Very good food but we left unsatisfied. My wife and adult daughters went to celebrate our wedding anniversary and chose Black Sheep from among the many excellent dining options locally. We were quickly seated on the lovely back patio at the table in the corner near the wall. There was a garbage smell coming from the other side of the wall and we moved over with no further issues. Three other tables around us were also sat at the same time effectively slamming the server. But the food came out quickly and effectively which is a nod to the kitchen given how busy the restaurant was. All four tables ordered the Sunday dinner which is a chefs choice multi course meal. The food was all very good and beautifully presented. The primary issue came when dessert came. Again the food was very good but our server had gone missing. No offer of coffee or drink with dessert (we had finished our bottle of wine and just had whatever water remained in our water glasses). He was gone for a while and when he came out the desserts were pretty much done and he was ready to present us, and all of their other tables, with the check. Again no offer of coffee, drink or water refill. We paid the check and left. It was a very unsatisfying end to a very good meal. With so many great options in town I'm not sure we will be back. read more

We ordered the $75 "tasting menu" that somehow was only $55 per person because it was sunday and that somehow was an entire gastronomic $300 value michelin level 9 course meal. Absolutely. Insane. value. The food itself was also incredible. I feel like I'm making off like a thief tonight! Props to the pretty bar lady for hooking my girlfriend and I up with this deal!!! If i posted picture proof of this dinner you'd think it was a boldfaced lie read more

We went here for the early dinner prix fix. It's 3 courses for $41. AN ABSOLUTE STEAL OF A DEAL!! We started off with the warm bread with the garlic butter and this dish that had peaches with chèvre. The GARLIC BUTTER IS TO DIE FOR!! I wish I asked to buy some and brought it home. The peaches chèvre dish was not my favorite. It seemed underwhelming and it was the dish we paid full price for For the 3 course meal i had the farmers market lettuce, the hand rolled cavatelli, and the brown sugar crème brûlée l. The lettuce was not that good. It did not have enough dressing for my liking. The hand rolled cavatelli was surprising decadent and filling. To make space for dessert, I had to have leftovers. The crème brûlée was heaven. Crème brûlée is one of my favorite desserts and it was delicious here. The other person got the tomato bisque, the coq vin, and the fondant cake for their dessert. They had no complaints. I had a bite of the coq vin because I've never had it before and the chicken with the red wine sauce was amazing. The fondant cake with the vanilla bean gelato and the raspberry was such a good dish. We would definitely come back again for that garlic butter and the early dinner special. Our waiter was super friendly and gave great recommendations. He paced out our food perfectly and knew when we wanted to call it quits because we were full. Such a beautiful restaurant. It really gave classic French vibes read more

The Black Sheep Restaurant + Bar - Brown sugar crème brûlée - New American Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

I started with the velvet buzz, which was their espresso cocktail. It was strong, smooth, and had a nice coffee flavor My bf and I ordered the early dinner prix fixe meal to share. We chose the market greens salad for the appetizer, free range chicken for the entree, and the queen bee rum cake for dessert. Our appetizer was simple yet tasty! The dressing paired well with the goat cheese bits. Our entree tho...WOW. The chicken was so tender and juicy, it slid right off the bone and melted in my mouth I'm not usually a fan of fruit in salty/savory dishes but the combo of the sauce with the fruits, olives, and couscous was perfect! We also shared the 4 oz. French onion burger and it was so delish! All the fixings that came with it made it really unique, which could've been overwhelming if it was a bigger burger but it was the perfect size. Our dessert was a good way to end our meal bc it was so yummy w/o being overly sweet or filling! The service was also great when we dined here! I have food allergies (with peanuts being a pretty big one) and forgot to mention that when I ordered. So our server and even the hostess were kind enough to keep checking back with the kitchen to make sure there weren't any peanuts in our dishes. I will definitely be booking another trip to SB in the future so I can go back to try their other menu items bc everything sounded so good!! I'd highly recommend checking out The Black Sheep if you're ever in the area! read more

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Service is top tier! I would definitely recommend making a reservation for a better experience though so that was a fault on me especially for a Sunday night. Hostess was good about seating people in the order they arrived which I appreciate! Papas tacos and the mocktail of the day were really good! Risotto was good but too pricey, but it's market price. I just wasn't expecting it to be that much. Maybe I got the wrong idea but it seemed like they sat certain people at better tables. The duck fat fries are ADDICTING!!! The plate was sort of too big though and I would've been fine with half the portion and half the price. I don't really think it's fair to call a huge plate that size a "side" but we shared it! We were choosing between the crem Brûlée and the rum cake. We got the rum cake and it was a little too sweet for our likings but I also don't have a big sweet tooth. Blonde server whose name I did not get so I apologize, was great! She took the dessert off our bill which I wasn't expecting. I hate when food goes to waste, so I asked about boxing it up because I knew someone at my house would really enjoy it and they did that no problem! The last thing I would ever want to do is try and get a free dessert so I was worried it would come across that way. But I appreciate the service here a lot and food is very good! I see why they have such great ratings. read more

The Black Sheep Restaurant + Bar - New American Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

From the moment you walk in, there's a calm, welcoming energy that's hard to describe but immediately noticeable. The entire team moves with this quiet confidence, everyone clearly in sync and doing their job seamlessly. It creates a relaxed, collected atmosphere that makes you want to settle in and truly enjoy the experience. The ownership and management set the tone in such an authentic way. The owner personally checks in on tables and even sends out fun little tastes from the bar, which adds such a thoughtful and personal touch. Asia and the rest of the management team are incredibly engaging, attentive without hovering, and genuinely invested in making sure every guest feels taken care of. You can feel that culture of hospitality throughout the entire staff. What made the night even more special was that I came in with my 10 year old daughter. She kept saying how amazing the place was and that it was the best steak she's ever had. As a dad, that meant a lot. The staff made her feel welcomed and important, not just like a kid tagging along. She felt seen and special, and that says everything about the heart behind this restaurant. The décor feels like stepping into a refined French dining space, warm, intimate, and beautifully curated. As someone who really appreciates creative cuisine, I was blown away. The dishes are imaginative yet balanced. Even the salads combine ingredients and flavors you would never expect to work together, yet they do so beautifully. Every plate feels intentional and impeccably executed. It's rare to find a place where the energy, service, and food all align so perfectly. Black Sheep is not just a restaurant, it is an experience. We will absolutely be back. read more

Everything spot on here! Came for dinner with friends. The tasting menu was so good- and they were able to accommodate gluten free. Really nice interior. Great atmosphere read more

Great food and service! Every menu item tastes great. We brought friends who had never been. We will be back soon!

This is not a review of the restaurant's food or service (which were both outstanding), but of the movie that was playing up on the big screen inside the restaurant, which we were seated right under. Oh, "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory". A classic. And what a delight to see it again unexpectedly for the first time in a while. I'm not sure if it might simply be a sort of "pass" we grant to children's movies to be a little weirder than your average flick, but this film really is quite strange. I had forgotten that the movie basically starts with revealing that Charlie's family all live in the same, single bed together. Add to that scenes of a character (Violet) turning blue and inflating to the size of a blueberry; a hypnotic, fever-dream-esque chocolate river scene; and of course, the final scene of smashing out of the glass roof of the factory via an elevator, and it's quite the journey to embark on. Overall, a good film-certainly a strange one-but one that has undoubtedly earned its legacy and that continues to fascinate and delight even today. read more

From the moment you walk in, there's a calm, welcoming energy that's hard to describe but immediately noticeable. The entire team moves with this quiet confidence, everyone clearly in sync and doing their job seamlessly. It creates a relaxed, collected atmosphere that makes you want to settle in and truly enjoy the experience. The ownership and management set the tone in such an authentic way. The owner personally checks in on tables and even sends out fun little tastes from the bar, which adds such a thoughtful and personal touch. Asia and the rest of the management team are incredibly engaging, attentive without hovering, and genuinely invested in making sure every guest feels taken care of. You can feel that culture of hospitality throughout the entire staff. What made the night even more special was that I came in with my 10 year old daughter. She kept saying how amazing the place was and that it was the best steak she's ever had. As a dad, that meant a lot. The staff made her feel welcomed and important, not just like a kid tagging along. She felt seen and special, and that says everything about the heart behind this restaurant. The décor feels like stepping into a refined French dining space, warm, intimate, and beautifully curated. As someone who really appreciates creative cuisine, I was blown away. The dishes are imaginative yet balanced. Even the salads combine ingredients and flavors you would never expect to work together, yet they do so beautifully. Every plate feels intentional and impeccably executed. It's rare to find a place where the energy, service, and food all align so perfectly. Black Sheep is not just a restaurant, it is an experience. We will absolutely be back. read more

One of my most memorable dining experiences -- and I was joined by my 12 year old daughter. I highly, highly, highly recommend that you order the dinner Chef's choice taste Courses. While it only has 4 courses, each course includes several plates of the most delicious appetizers, entrees and desserts. My daughter and I got to try bone marrow for our first time, which was salty and quite delicious. For every plate of every course, we had to be generous in letting each other have at least half. There were several plates that were literally worthy of dipping the bread into the very last drop of sauce. We went on a Sunday evening in December and had wonderful service with each course perfectly timed. Highly recommend! read more

Food is amazing Service was very good Saturday night was busy as id expect but glad I was able to book a table on short notice We celebrated my birthday here and it was a delightful evening with friends , our party of 8 were seated in the back where is cozy and was perfect for conversation . Definitely recommend it read more

My date and I had a fantastic time here with a 7:30 reservation. The space is clean and has a warm atmosphere. We decided to have the 9 course chef's taste menu and it was spectacular. Our server was very attentive and friendly. We stayed until close (10PM) and they did not rush us to leave. I highly recommend. read more

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The Black Sheep is must for anyone who's loves food!!! The other night we went out and were very excited to check out this restaurant and it exceeded expectations. We started the night sharing the Crudo du Jour. This salad was a great start to the meal. The seared tuna was perfectly cooked and the cucumber and radish complimented the citrus salad dressing. For the main course we ordered the Trio of California Spring Lamb. The meat loaf was moist and the harissa sauce on top was delicious. The tri tip lamb had a perfect char on the outside and was served over kale and root vegetables. The meat was tender and flavorful. My favorite part of the trip was the lamb rib. The meat was so tender the bone slid right off the meat. You couldn't have asked for a better entree! To end the night, we shared the Passion Fruit Trifle. It was sweet, sour and light tasting. It was the perfect dessert to end the meal with. I also have to thank our waiter, John, for his excellent recommendations and service. He made the experience with his knowledge of the menu and excellent service. Between the food, service and setup of the restaurant, The Black Sheep is a perfect restaurant to checkout and revisit in downtown Santa Barbara...five stars all the way! read more

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Blacksheep has been the place for my fiancée and me over the past two years. From when she was my girlfriend to now being my fiancée, this restaurant has been part of so many special moments in our relationship. We've dined here seven times, always choosing their set course menus, and every visit feels like discovering a new world of flavors. Just when I think I understand a dish, Blacksheep elevates it to a level I didn't know was possible--perfectly balanced, beautifully plated, and absolutely unforgettable. Beyond the exceptional food, the service here sets a standard. On our most recent visit, Luke took care of us and made us feel genuinely welcomed and valued. It's rare to find a place where hospitality matches the quality of the cuisine, but Blacksheep delivers on both fronts effortlessly. This restaurant holds a truly special place in my heart. It's not just about the incredible food or the excellent service--it's about the memories we've created here. Whether it's a celebration, a special date, or simply an evening to treat ourselves, Blacksheep remains our favorite restaurant in the world. We'll definitely continue coming back for years to come. read more

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We did the chef's tasting menu. Food was incredible. We also did the wine pairing. Kim, our server, was delightful. The outdoor patio was cozy and warm. We definitely will be back. read more

The restaurant is very nice w a bar and a lot of nice wood. The service was attentive and the menu varied and interesting. We opted for the 3 course Happy hour menu. The salad and carrot ginger soup were wonderful. My wife had the Nudi and I had the Coq Au Vin which was very good. Both of our desserts also were good. We definitely will be going back! read more

Very accommodating service and good food. They kindly set us up in back patio to accommodate our dog being with us - there's a little bit of an issue with the music from the bar next door clashing with the music of the restaurant but it was nice and peaceful back there. Food was decent - husband very much enjoyed the hamachi crudo, the baguette with garlic chive butter was outstanding and the chicken entree was tender. Pommes frites and filet (the latter was a sub offered by the restaurant after they ran out of NY strip, they offered at same price, which we appreciated) and chicken were all under seasoned and lacking in salt but we requested table salt and this helped. Overall, a nice dining experience. read more

Absolutely LOVED this place! My son turned 20 and we came to Santa Barbara to celebrate his birthday (of course he coudn't visit us b/c he was having a party that night). i wanted to pick a nice place. Found this on Yelp...and i'm very pleased with our experiece. We had a 5:00 reservation so we could take advantage of the 3 course $39 meal. (see attached image). we had two tiny pups in tow (in a stroller) and they behaved quite well...only had to take them out once for a quick stroll. course #1: we all had cauliflower soup ...YUM course #2: 2 of us had the beef short rib, 1 had the coq au vin, and 1 had the hand rolled ricotta cavatelli. Honestly i always silently question the person who orders pasta over meat ...but let me tell you that the pasta dish was phenomenal! in fact all 3 were amazing. course #3: i think we were 2 & 2...creme brulee and bananas foster brea pudding...both were delish I wonder how often this menu changes...b/c i want to come back for another round! Excellent service....really 5 star dining experience. food was phenomenal atmosphere was upscale yet not pretentious. read more

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Our first time at Black Sheep will not be our last. We had a lovely 3-course Happy Hour dinner for only $41. The salad, short ribs and dessert exceeded our expectations and the atmosphere and service did too. They also have our favorite Validation Ales on tap and a nice wine selection. The only advice I would give? Consider getting more comfortable bar stools with backs since our favorite spot is usually at the bar. read more