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    The Lark

    4.2 (2.1k reviews)
    Closed 10:30 am - 2:00 pm, 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM

    The Lark Photos

    THE LARK ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Trendy
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - The Lark

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    Reviews With Photos

    Mocktail
    Aliya Y.

    Fantastic birthday dinner for two of my friends on a Saturday night. The stand outs were the rosemary cornbread (MUST order) and the creekstone steak (halal!). We also tried the beet salad and a seasonal pasta that were great too. The chocolate pot de crème for dessert was just ok though, as it was hard to get to all the layers in the deep glass it was served in. Portions were generous and we left stuffed with leftovers to take home. They also have a great selection of mocktails, we tried several but preferred the fruitier ones. Service was the right amount of attentive. Beautiful outdoor seating to enjoy the SB weather or a cool vintage vibe inside with the converted train car booths. A really great experience all around and I look forward to visiting again!

    Oysters with Lark's magical topping
    Lawrence G.

    Stellar, unique find. We had an excellent server who rolled with the million questions we had. So glad we went with the oysters on my son's recommendation. Just excellent flavor and texture and their "sauce" is a perfect addition. Place is a little funky to find because it's in the middle of a collective of restaurants, but it was worth it. Give yourself a little extra time to find parking.

    Fried chicken and grits
    Becky B.

    Nice location near the beach. They have an indoor portion and patio so you can sit where you're comfortable. The fried chicken was very well seasoned and juicy and the grits were among the best I've ever had.

    Brussels sprouts
    Isabel P.

    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!

    Rosemary butter cornbread
    Richard R.

    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.

    Lamb riblets
    Song H.

    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.

    Thanh D.

    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.

    Crudo
    Mackenzie M.

    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.

    Kayla S.

    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.

    The Paperboy Breakfast Sandwich
    Julie Ann N.

    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.

    Shakshuka
    Jessica H.

    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.

    Kids Meal
    Ella W.

    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.

    Sauvignon blanc and the Lark
    Roy A.

    Beautiful ambiance in the heart of the Santa Barbara funk zone. Enjoyed sitting outside on the expansive brick patio next to the fireplace. Started with a peach manhattan and lovely mocktail. Shared beautifully plated small, fresh and briny oysters from Morro bay. They were some of the best we've had in recent memory as the brine and fresh herb broth complimented very well. The exquisite homemade cornbread served on a hot skillet with rosemary, salt and honey was like a scrumptious dessert. The surprise hit entree of the night was the shrimp on toast which was divine! Large succulent prawns and andouille sausage on toast with a creamy, mild New Orleans style sauce. It's not always on the menu, but if present when you are there, it is worth a try! I also enjoyed the ahi crude which was presented beautifully. Fresh and flavorful with the citrus complimenting the fish. Service was helpful and efficient.

    March 2026 menu

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    2 months ago

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

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    Page 1 of 53

    The Lark Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - The Lark

    Is there a corkage fee?

    Yes. $25 per 750mL bottle of wine for each of the first two bottles, $50 per bottle thereafter.

    Are there any tables available for walk-in or is it reservations only?

    Reservations only, all we did day of is walk up to main reception desk right at 4 to 4:30 and ask

    If i can't make a reservation online. Can we walk in at 5 when the door is open?

    Yes believe walk-ins accepted; but will suggest calling ahead to confirm

    Does the Lark do a corkage for outside wine?

    Yes, $25 per bottle corkage fee applies.

    Do they have a kids menu or kid friendly food?

    We took our 7 year old and it was great. The server we had was especially helpful. He made sure to tell us about hot peppers on a certain plate and asked if we wanted those on the side. Got a lid for the children's beverages. It's not a place where… 

    Dogs allowed outside?

    Yes. It's the reason I found this place!

    Is it possible to call the restaurant? I've tried repeatedly during business hours and no one answers?

    Hi Lisa, Thanks for connecting. Our host desk is staffed beginning at 4 pm. If you leave a message someone will return your call. However, you can also email… 

    Does this restaurant have a view of the ocean?

    No ocean view

    Are dogs allowed?

    Yes, there is a dog-friendly patio so bring your furry friends

    View All 11 Questions

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    Santa Barbara Shellfish Company

    Santa Barbara Shellfish Company

    4.0
    (3.3k reviews)
    0.5 mi
    $$$

    Came here with friends and my partner for the first time. The box crab was amazing. It was living…read more30 mins prior to me eating it. Talk about fresh!! Great customer service. Great atmosphere. 10/10 would highly recommend. I would go during sunset. You won't be disappointed, I promise.

    I wanted the Santa Barbara seafood experience, so we decided to have lunch at Santa Barbara…read moreShellfish Company on the pier. There was a bit of a wait on a weekend lunch, but we were eventually seated on their outside deck right over the water. They have some umbrellas for shade, and you can enjoy the view of the ocean from here. They also have indoor seating, but I think the outside area is generally more enjoyable. We ordered the Garlic Baked Clams to start. An order comes with six Littleneck Clams topped with garlic, breadcrumbs, and parmesan cheese with some extra cheese and some lemon wedges on the side. These were pretty good! We also got a Crab Cakes entree that came with chipotle aioli, coleslaw, and two large onion rings. The crab cakes were good overall, and I enjoyed having some onion rings on the side. But the main reason I wanted to come here was to get their Uni with Raw Scallops! An order comes with six pieces on top of a raw scallop on a slice of lime. They also garnish the plate with the live uni itself. It's so fresh, it's literally still moving on your plate. The uni had a little sweetness and wasn't too bitter. It paired nicely with the scallops! The only downside of this place is there are a handful of pigeons that hang around on the pier walking around looking for food scraps on the floor. You can tell they're pretty used to people because they'll come right up to you and walk under your table and chair. A little bothersome, but it's not too bad. Lastly, there's only one bathroom inside, so the line can get super long. Just a head's up!

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    Santa Barbara Shellfish Company
    Clam chowder in sourdough bread bowl
    Clam chowder in sourdough bread bowl
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    Half Dozen Kumamoto Oysters
    The Drunken Crab

    The Drunken Crab

    4.2
    (793 reviews)
    0.3 mi
    $$

    Can't say enough good things about this place. My husband and I love to go to the boiling crab to…read moreeat this but we drive an hour from home to eat that. Now we can go half way and to Santa Barbara for the same food but definitely more pricy. We had our usual shrimp and also tried the mussels which were good. The corn was good as well. We made one of them New Orleans style which Comes with sausage, corn and potato but we switched to no sausage We really enjoyed it and will definitely return!

    It was our first time trying this place with my fam. We were looking for a seafood place that has…read morecajun, creole taste and this place didn't disappoint us. We ordered 2 lbs of shrimp - I think it's $25+/lb and 1 lb crawfish (can't recall how much maybe its $17+ /lb), 5 steamed rice, 1 large extra sauce (drunken crab mix - can't recall exact name) . Everything was really good - we did medium spice and it was spicy especially for my 12 yr old son but he still enjoyed it though. The service was good, but could've been better - staff are always by the bar are and just chatting, but someone will come check on us from time to time - its just that when we need their attention sometimes its hard because they had their back away from us and we ate at around 2:30ish so the restaurant was pretty empty - just 2-3 tables taken inside. The place is big, lots of seating and great for big groups. However, one of my disappoinment here is the ladies bathroom - its really dirty, trash overflowing and on the floor, etc, like its really dirty. I hope management can fix that issue with the staff. P.S I forgot to take photos because my kids were very hungry and didnt let me take pics...next time!

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    The Drunken Crab
    The Drunken Crab
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    State beach

    The Lark - newamerican - Updated July 2026

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