Absolutely stunning dinner at The Lark last night on our only night in Santa Barbara and I feel glad to say we picked the right restaurant! The place was full, including indoor and outdoor seating, great ambience and light level, and lovely string lights above the seating outdoors. To start they bring over a delectable dill popcorn which was a rich, salty, dill and butter creation. Totally set a fun tone for the meal. Then we had the crispy Brussels sprouts (ORDER THESE!!!) they were divine, the sesame and lime combination was reminiscent of a great pad Thai, with the perfect amount of sauce and tiny bites of figs which all worked together in a way I wouldn't have expected. For the mains we had the shrimp toast and the pork ribs, both fantastic both well portioned and both 10/10s. Pork ribs fell off the bone easily and were spicy and tangy without overdoing flavor and the shrimp toast tasted like a great gumbo sauce and the shrimps were big! This is a meal I'll be thinking about and recommending to others for a long time, thank you Lark! read more

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We are at the Lark tonight and had a good experience. It's a fairly casual and comfortable restaurant. We were greeted and seated immediately. I was glad we made reservations. The restaurant was busy. Our server was great. She introduced herself (Giana I believe she said) and helped us understand that the intent of the menu and dining approach is a sharing format. The plates and portion sizes vary depending upon the item. Cocktails: The Lark has a very interesting (in a good way) cocktail menu. Our party tried 5 different cocktails. Everyone loved their drink and commented on how well made they were. Food: The restaurant provides complimentary dill pickle popcorn (10/5) as a snack to get your appetite moving. This unique popcorn flavor was one of the best things I had all night. Everyone in our party agreed. We ordered 40% of the menu. The standouts were the fried chicken (5/5), the duck confit (5/5), and the pork ribs (4/5). Dessert: The chocolate pot-a-crème with banana cream (5/5) and donut holes (5/5) were both very tasty. We had a real good experience at the Lark. My only comment as a first timer was gauging how much food to order. We found the menu items in the Farm and Ranch sections were entree sized plates, while the Ocean section plates varied in size considerably. We consequently over ordered and wasted some food. Although our server Giana was helpful, we could have asked more specific questions to assess the quantity of food better. We enjoyed the restaurant vibe, cocktail program and many of the plates. If I lived in SB, I would have dinner here every other month and enjoy the dill pickle popcorn and the fried chicken with their signature Paloma to wash it all down. read more

We chose this spot to celebrate a milestone birthday and made an advance reservation for a large party. The booking process was smooth and straightforward, which I really appreciated. When we arrived, the ambiance was lovely, we were seated outside, and with the perfect weather, it made for a really nice setting to celebrate. Because of our group size, we were on a prix fixe menu. While I understand the need for that with larger parties, it did limit the experience a bit since we couldn't choose individual dishes. We chose the high priced option with more food. The food itself was decent, but nothing particularly stood out. Many of the courses felt more like appetizers, so it didn't quite feel like a full, well-paced meal. Service was a bit inconsistent. We had Harlow, who seemed a little disengaged at first, though she did warm up after some light conversation. That said, we didn't see much of her afterward and were expecting a bit more attentiveness given the size of our group. She actually had no idea we were celebrating a birthday until about check out. Which is odd because of our advanced reservation. Once she did know she brought out a small birthday dessert. Water refills weren't offered regularly, and we had to flag someone down for additional drinks. There also wasn't much explanation of the dishes as they were brought out, so we found ourselves guessing what each item was based on the paper menu left at our tables. One point of confusion was the billing process. We were asked to put a card on file ahead of time, with the understanding that it would be charged at the end of the meal and that gratuity would be included for a large party. However, neither happened, which left us a bit unsure about how to handle the final payment and tip. Overall, it was a decent experience, and we made the most of the evening thanks to the great company and atmosphere. That said, for the price point, I was hoping for a more seamless and attentive dining experience to match the setting. read more

The Lark - New American Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

One of my fave spots in Santa Barbara. The interior and outdoor patio are both so cute ! Server: Cailin I was SO excited to have the bone marrow and hanger steak, but forgot only brunch is served in the day time. Cailin recommended the breakfast sandwich or the jidori chicken & waffle. I opted for the breakfast sandwich to keep it light. The bacon and jalapeño jam, amazing. Other great options would be the avocado toast or the shakshuka. HIGHLY RECOMMEND. read more

The Lark - The Paperboy Breakfast Sandwich - New American Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Really cute spot in the middle of the funk zone. The crudo was very good, along with the catch of the day cooked perfectly. Ambiance and vibe was a toned down LA vibe. The staff was very nice and heaters everywhere for those chilly nights. read more

The Lark - Crudo - New American Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

I had an amazing diner with my girls here during our trip to Santa Barbara. The service js top notch and very professionals. It is on pricier side but the food is really delicious. We had several dishes to share ( recommended) and each of them is so unique, well decorated and tasty . There is outdoor/ indoor sitting. read more

The Lark - New American Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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The Lark in SB is one of those dining experiences that stays with you. From the moment you walk in, everything just feels right. The atmosphere, the service, all of it. We started with the rosemary butter cornbread and it set the tone for the entire meal. Rich, warm, and the kind of starter that makes you slow down and enjoy the moment. Then the Jidori free range chicken breast came out and it was on another level. Perfectly cooked, full of flavor, and you could taste the quality in every bite. The staff made the whole experience feel special without being over the top. Attentive, genuine, and clearly proud of what they're serving. That combination of great food and great people is hard to find and The Lark has it. read more

The Lark - Rosemary butter cornbread - New American Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Ambiance 5/5 Service 5/5 Food 4/5 What a fun and charming restaurant! Brick walls, wood accents and ironwork chandeliers abound making this place great for a special occasion or just fun times with friends (louder near the bar/kitchen area). Lots of wonderful outdoor seating to enjoy the Santa Barbara weather! My friend and I sat inside towards the rear of the restaurant, but there were large open doors to a quieter outdoor area creating a nice flow. Our table for 2 was so cute! One seat consisted of an old confessional that they turned into a booth. Now on to the food! Food is meant to be shared. For 2 of us we ordered 4 dishes - cornbread, broccolini, pasta and lamb. Best cornbread I've ever had! I need to steal this recipe! The lamb is riblets (not lamb chop) so just be aware of that. It was cooked medium and the sauce it was basted in was perfect. The broccolini was also good with some char. Gave food 4/5 because the pasta was over salted. Oh maybe we got 5 dishes. I forgot the sour cream donuts for dessert! Loved the donuts but not a fan of the sauce it came with. Waitstaff was excellent and helpful! Wonderful dinner. read more

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Beautiful ambiance. Serving size was just right. A little on the expensive side. Cornbread definitely is worth the try. Grits with the fried chicken was flavorful. read more

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Such a warm and inviting setting for a casual date. Morning date with my hubby. Menu is small plates and shareable style. Need to order a few things. We ordered the side of peppered Bacon which is 2 pieces cut in half, toasted banana butter bread, cast iron shakshuka, and of course with a Texan chef we chose the southern fried chicken and sourdough waffle. The chicken and waffle was delicious I would recommend. Our server Gianna was kind and prompt with our order despite several tables being sat same time. For the Coffee option with milk, oat milk or almond no latte cappuccino or specialty coffee drinks. They do have specialty cocktails and juices. read more

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The Lark is a beautiful restaurant in Santa Barbara with lots of outdoor seating--definitely more outdoor than indoor, which adds to its charm. The portions are on the smaller side and feel more suited for sharing, tapas-style, in my opinion. The pork belly eggs Benedict was a bit misleading, as it came with only one egg. My drip coffee (in a small cup) was $7 with no refills, which felt steep. That said, the chicken and waffles were the standout dish, and the kids' chicken tenders were the real MVP. I'd come back for the ambiance and charm of the place, but given the price point and portion sizes, it's hard to fully love. read more

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In the heart of the Funk Zone is a cool spot to eat that even has a Michelin rating. It's spacious place to dine inside or out. I loved their crunchy chicken and sourdough waffle. The salmon gravlox platter was a nice healthy choice. There's lots of interesting things on the menu. Worth visiting! read more

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I visited The Lark for a birthday brunch on a sunny warm day. Since we were a larger group, we had to pick between two preset family style brunch menus. Although the menu was preset, everything I tried was delicious. The menu items were not typically what I would order, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. The service was fast and very accommodating to us. The Lark is so beautiful and a must visit when you're in Santa Barbara. read more

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We came here on a Monday night after eloping at the courthouse and were excited to celebrate. We had a reservation and were seated quickly at an outdoor table. Things started off strong--our drinks and appetizers came out promptly and were enjoyable. However, the timing for the entrees really took away from the experience. They took an unusually long time to arrive, and we weren't the only ones feeling it. The table next to us was clearly frustrated as well, even considering having one person leave while the other waiting for the last dish to be packed to go yet they were still stuck waiting. By the time our food finally came out, we had lost much of our appetite. While the setting and start of the meal were great, the overall experience felt a bit overpriced for what it ended up being. It was disappointing, especially for what we had hoped would be a memorable, special dinner. read more

The Lark - New American Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

The Lark is a must-visit in Santa Barbara! The ambiance is warm and inviting and the service was excellent throughout the night. I came here with a group of 15 for a bachelorette which was set up with a prix fixe family-style menu- which is always hit or miss by nature, but enough dishes were great enough to have me eager to come back and explore the à la carte menu. I'm still thinking about the cornbread, the Fisherman's Catch, and those doughnut holes with the orange curd! - dill pickle popcorn: mind blowing. We actually had to ask the waitress how this was made. Think salt and vinegar chips but better- in popcorn form - Crispy Brussels Sprouts: good well-executed. A good app. - Brown Butter Rosemary Cornbread: An absolute highlight of the night. The browned butter alone is worth the visit. Don't skip this..I'm still thinking about it! - Line Caught Crudo: My least favorite of the evening. Didn't work for me and many girls left it. The texture was rubbery and I didn't enjoy the creamy sauce - Roasted Beet Salad: Light and refreshing, a nice palate cleanser in the middle of the meal. - The Fisherman's Catch -- One of the best dishes of the night. Beautifully executed and memorable. Fish was so flaky with a crispy skin - Lamb Ribs: Disappointing. Barely any meat on the bones...not worth it in a family-style setting where you're sharing. - Jidori Fried Chicken: Good, solid comfort food done well. - Sourdough Donut Holes: A perfect ending. Fun, warm, and the valencia orange curd pairing was inspired. Highly recommend.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ read more

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We were visiting for memorial weekend and this was the best meal of the trip. Everything was incredibly delicious. Our waitress was very helpful and friendly. My husband is from GA so he is picky when it comes to southern style food but he loved the cornbread and fried chicken and grits dinner. We wish we had ordered more food to try with how incredible everything was. read more

The Lark - Chicken - New American Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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Possibly the most consistent good food and great experience of any restaurant I have been too. This place is consistently great. Love it

The Lark - Santa Barbara The first time I've truly enjoyed a meal in Santa Barbara. Easily one of my top 10 meals ever! Unforgettable! We sat in the Confessional area -- cozy, modern, and full of character -- surrounded by the restaurant's warm, wood-and-industrial vibe. The staff was excellent: attentive, friendly, and clearly proud of the food they serve. The portions are generous. Hubby and I shared everything except drinks and were satiated. The Browned Butter Rosemary Cornbread (served in a tiny cast-iron skillet) MIND BLOWING! Rich, honeyed, and perfect with my Saged and Confused bourbon cocktail. The apple and gouda salad was crisp, bright, and refreshing after that decadent start. Hubby and I were gushing at how delicious and refreshing this salad was. We aren't even big salad eaters! It's that good! Finally, and the fried chicken (3boneless pieces) over peppery grits and a sweet, somewhat honeyed sauce, was very tasty. The grits were a little too peppery IMO, but it was still a wonderful dish. Everything felt fresh, intentional, and beautifully executed. The Lark is reason enough to come back to Santa Barbara. read more

The Lark - Blurry pic of the cornbread. I was too ready to eat it to take a good pic! - New American Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Always a treat to come to The Lark for what i know will be a delicious dinner. My friend and I shared the tuna crudo, roasted brussel sprouts, fried chicken and the toffee cake. Everything was so good. I loved sitting inside the ambiance was great. We did feel towards the end of the evening that we weren't checked on by our server so that could be improved. Took awhile to get their attention to ask for the bill. read more

The Lark - New American Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

The restaurant's location is amazing since it's situated in the back of a cute courtyard with other restaurants nearby. At night the lights are beautiful. If you do want to try this restaurant, a reservation is highly recommended! Or you can be like us and try your luck with the community table (which honestly wasn't that bad). Once you do find a seat, you are served with complimentary popcorn. The seasoning is so unique it'll have you wanting more. But don't spoil your appetite for what's to come... For appetizers, we got the warm and buttery Parker house rolls. I mean, talk about pillowy soft! The crispy Brussels sprout dish was also amazing. The drinks were so creative it was hard to choose. But from the looks of it and from the reactions of other people sitting around us, you can't go wrong with any craft cocktail on the menu. For entree, I enjoyed the pappardelle pasta. The mushrooms provided a nice texture while the basil kept it bright and fresh. My friend enjoyed the fried chicken which we were told was a fan favorite. The chicken was nice and crispy but the grits were on the salty side. Overall I would recommend this restaurant! And if you can't get a seat, this restaurant's prime location has other places nearby you are sure to find something to satisfy that craving. read more

The Lark - Parker house rolls, crispy brussel sprouts, pappardelle pasta - New American Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

The Lark remains an absolute standout in the Santa Barbara dining scene, and our most recent visit was a perfect reminder of why we keep coming back. The hospitality here is top-tier. We had our dog with us, and the staff made it completely seamless, seating us in their comfortable covered outdoor area. It is such a win to find a spot that offers a high-end culinary experience while being genuinely dog-friendly. The kitchen continues to deliver at a very high level. The Tutti Frutti Farms salad was incredibly fresh and bright, while the Superior Farms lamb ribs were a total highlight--perfectly tender and packed with flavor. You cannot leave without ordering the date cake; it's a non-negotiable. We paired the meal with a local Pinot Noir that tied everything together beautifully. Between the attentive service, the consistently excellent food, and the great atmosphere, it's easily one of the best recommendations in town. read more

The Lark - New American Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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Fantastic food, service and atmosphere. Reasonably priced for a "fancy" vibe. Ordered the duck confit and it was beyond tasty.

Wonderful first experience at The Lark. Food was delicious and service was great, it exceeded my expectations in both ways. Our waitress did an amazing job explaining through the menu and recommending what we'd possibly like. Had some of the best oysters, it was hard to find anything like it throughout our SB trip. Menu isn't big but every dish seems to be carefully created, everything that was ordered was memorable. I'll definitely be back! read more

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Came here on a Sunday for brunch with no reservations and got seated right away. A friend had highly recommended this place. The service is on point! The only reason I didn't give this place 5 stars is because the egg is my shakshuka was still raw (whites were still clear). We were so hungry, I just took it out and didn't mention it to the server. My fiancé's food came out perfect. Besides the raw egg, the flavor in the shakshuka was really really good. Our cocktails were really good as well! The patio area is really cute. I would return! read more

Wyatt and Dorian took excellent care of us at the lark. The food fantastic service amazing ambience out of this world... I was taken here by a friend of mine. I'm not familiar with the area, but I was so glad that we ended up here. I really love finding places that are off the beaten path that if you don't know about them, you just don't know so I was very happy to have put another feather in my cap of spots that not everybody knows about but once you know about you always wanna go back... that was the lark for me and I can't wait for my next visit read more

Came here to say with reservations to celebrate our friend during her bachelorette and we were taken to the back near the trash cans (I think the wine bar/ bakery). We had little to no service, had to flag someone down or get extra napkins ourselves, it took forever to get our entrees- and when we checked in with the waitress as she zipped by- we were met with a snarky its coming. Two of us got duck leg confit, which was crispy and it tasted good and the rest of the party got their pappardelle pasta which was kind of heavy and dry. Later I had an upset stomach- and I didn't have anything else to eat or drink that night except water. read more

Amazing amazing restaurant. I'm from San Francisco and live in San Diego. This is up there with the best I've had. I will note it is ZERO kid friendly. We ended up taking turns walking our kids around this entire facility between courses and every 5 minutes. They were so bored. Service is interesting. We're interracial and given we have kids our server looked at us funny but was sufficient enough. I told her I'm sorry we have kids but we do very well, thanks for your patience. She grimaced. The food here was to die for, and we went simple. Brussel sprouts, wedge salad, 2 kids meals, pasta. Everything was incredible. The wedge salad was medium sized, had huge lumps of entire wedges, fresh lettuce, incredible amount of high quality blue cheese chunks. The pasta was the best I've had in so so so long. Freshly made wide noodles, and INCREDIBLE mushrooms. They were so soft, so well seasoned, full of natural flavor. My glass of wine? Some glass of cab but it was amazing. Perfect balance of depth but less harsh and tingly. After I tipped our server $50 bucks on our $200 bill she was so quietly smiley and happy. You take care of us, we take care of you. We are well off now but both my wife and I waited tables, paid for college and our rent while our rich bitch friends never had to have a job and their parents paid for their education. Work hard you get what you deserve. Everyone involved with the operation of this restaurants deserves not 5, but 10 stars. read more

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Good food our server was wonderful nice photo op in front of the place nice place to soak up the sun and have nice conversation outdoors food recommendation, well you simply can't go try anything on the menu because let me tell you as other people food was coming out I wanted theirs too. read more

We came 10/30 to celebrate the night before getting married! Our bartenders were so nice and accommodating- Sam and Junior. I love whiskey and I wanted to try something new as an old fashioned. They let me view a few whiskeys and even a tiny sample and I found one I loved. Their patience and customer service needs to be recognized! We had the most wonderful time here. We only came for a cocktail, we unfortunately didn't try any food, but they did serve complimentary kettle corn which was cute! It was our first time here and we were actually going to a different spot but we saw this place walking by and had to check it out and so glad we did. We will be back! -Megan and Wilson read more

The Lark - New American Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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We dined here for the first time on 05/10/2025 with a 6pm reservation. This is a pretty large restaurant area, with a good amount of space indoors, but even more space outdoors. It was a tad hot outside when we arrived, so we were thankful to sit indoors. We had a wonderful server, I believe his name was Briton. He took good care of us during the entire meal and was very helpful, friendly and attentive; however, here the service is well assisted by the food runners, who also did a great job. This restaurant is meant for sharing, and that is exactly what we did. We did each have our own drink; however, after that everything was shared. We started with the Chips and Dip, which consisted of some delicious salt and vinegar chips with some Salmon Roe Dip. We then had the Duck Leg Confit and then ended with the Papardelle Pasta. All three dishes were outstanding; however, I wish there would have been a little bit more to the duck. For dessert, we shared the Dark Chocolate Pot De Creme, which was just a perfect ending to a great meal. The chocolate, peanut butter and jam worked so well together. Oh, and I almost forgot the dill pickle popcorn that everyone gets at the beginning of the meal. A great experience and a great meal. I would most definitely return again in the future. read more

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This Farm to table restaurant is absolutely outstanding in every way!! I want to give a huge shoutout to our amazing server Kelsey!! This restaurant and service is 10 stars in every category!! read more

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Amazing food and a fun anniversary experience! We celebrated our anniversary at The Lark and it was fantastic. They started us off with Dill Pickle Popcorn as an anniversary gift -- addictingly good! For our meal, I had the "Superior Farms" Slow Cooked Lamb Ribs, my wife had the Jidori Free Range Fried Chicken, and we shared the Crispy Brussels Sprouts. Everything was flavorful, perfectly cooked, and generous in portion. The staff was excellent -- especially Kelsey, our server, who made the visit so much fun. Five stars to her for attentive and friendly service! The atmosphere is lively and welcoming, the prices are reasonable for the quality, and the overall vibe is just really enjoyable. If you want great food, good portions, and a fun place to celebrate, The Lark is a must-visit in Santa Barbara. read more

We had dinner reservations here and so glad we did. It's definitely a hot dinner spot in the Funk area of SB. Absolutely loved the environment and how cozy it felt. Our server was extremely kind, but they were definitely short staffed for a Monday evening. We got: -Tutti Frutti farms heirloom tomatoes (liked it a lot!) -Line caught crudo (can definitely tell it's fresh high quality fish, but missing some citrus) -flat iron (amazing, highly recommend) -sourdough donuts (tasted too much like sourdough, wish it was coated more in sugar) -cocktails (good, but didn't love it. We regretted not sticking with wine) Overall, a solid place for dinner. read more

Beautiful setting and a lot of outdoor dining. The FOOD, I will be back for. Their salad and corn bread were the best! read more

We made reservations for the Lark for a Sunday night dinner. They were very busy and the service was a little slow. Food wise, I really enjoyed the wedge salad with the crispy pork belly pieces and the Fisher's Catch with salmon was probably the best salmon I've ever had. It was so moist and tender with the crispest crust. The pasta lacked flavor but had a great texture. I would pass on the fried chicken. Overall I would definitely recommend The Lark! read more

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My first time eating here. This place is beautiful. The atmosphere is pretty cool our waitress name Ramona was pretty awesome and explain how their dishes work. Apparently you need to order a few things to share with your friends and or family. The food is great just be prepared to pay little bit of money for the quality of the food. read more

The Lark - Unfortunately, I didn't took photos of our food, this was the final bill - New American Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Could not wait to write this review bc it is so deserving! My niece had her wedding reception at The Lark on 8/7/25. From the start to finish, every staff treated us like royalties. They were friendly, super helpful and kind. Their priority was to give the bride and groom the best! Being their point person, Joekim asked if there was anything they can do and to let him know how they can help. After telling him that a father and daughter dance as well as couples first dance was importance to our tradition, he immediately got to work and moved the tables to give room. Now, that's what I call top notch service! Our hosts, Jianna, Robert, Stephen, Jackie, and everyone else who was part of the customer service/restaurant was phenomenal! They were all amazing and they were all easy to work with and they were very supportive. I wish we lived close by so we can dine here frequently. I can't say enough about how delicious and amazing the food was. We had a five course meal, salad, Brussel sprouts, pasta, chicken, salmon, ribeye, donut, cinnamon rolls etc... wow, every single food they brought out was outstanding! Ribeye was tender, salmon was perfectly cooked, chicken was crispy and stayed crispy the whole night. The venue, the service and food brought so much memories to their beautiful wedding. We can't stop talking about everything! So glad my niece and nephew found this gem. Everyone should definitely check out the Lark for any occasion or event bc they will make your dream occasion come true! Thank you to all the staff at The Lark for such a memorable day! Can't wait to come back! Sorry I didn't capture all the photos, got too busy eating haha. read more

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We had dinner Sunday night at the Lark during our two day stay in S.B. The food was delicious! We had the fried chicken and the catch of the day - Salmon. Both dishes were excellent. The chef at the Lark does an amazing job not only how tasty the food is but also with its presentation. The vibe in the restaurant and Bar is pretty cool not just locals but also tourists and all age groups as you can tell when you enter the restaurant. Our table where they seated us was near an old church confessional which we thought was funny but added character to the place especially since part of it is used for a table for two. Glad we picked this restaurant for dinner in the Funk Zone. We'll be back next time we're in the area. read more

The Lark - A couple of tables at the Lark restaurant in Santa Barbara. You can confess to your partner while you're eating. LOL! - New American Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Omg, sooooooo good! Several people told us to try the Lark and we are so glad we did! The food was EXCELLENT! It started with the cornbread. I can't even describe how good it was, you must try! The fried chicken dish was so good too along with the seafood and everything else we tried. Our waitress was fantastic. We sat outside and loved the high everything vibe of this restaurant. read more

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A group of us were in town for the day and decided to head over to The Lark for brunch. We sat on the patio and enjoyed the inviting atmosphere. I had the avocado toast and it was hands down the I've ever had. The banana bread is also a must have. Service was great and I will definitely be visiting again. read more