Great food, atmosphere, and location. The house made popcorn they bring to the table is excellent, along with all of the items we ordered - highly recommend trying the brussel sprouts. They do suggest ordering family style, and some of the portions can be on the smaller side so be prepared. Check out the bathroom- there is a speakeasy right next door. Parking can be hard to come by in the Funk Zone, but there is a public lot around the corner. read more

The Lark - Hand Cut Pappardelle Pasta - New American Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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By far one of my favorite dining experiences of all time! Not only were the food and drinks fantastic - seriously no misses - the service was top notch. Special shout out to Colter! He was not only funny and personable, but also SO knowledgeable with the entire menu. We had several allergies at the table, and he couldn't have been more accommodating. Thank you, The Lark! Included pics of our must haves: cornbread, citrus fennel salad and Brussels sprouts. read more

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I have always wanted to try this place, so when co-workers were in town with the company credit card and permission for a "splurge," we instantly agreed on The Lark. So glad we did! Super-cool outdoor atmosphere with cozy fires and exceptional service. The food over-delivered--each main ingredient was a superstar, expertly complimented by a well-chosen supporting cast. I'm a fan of family-style dining--because who doesn't want to try everything? From the opening appetizer of comforting cornbread through entrées of lush hand-cut papardelle blended with a perfectly poached egg and humble fried chicken that is truly something to brag about, to the unique desserts (chai-spiced donut holes with maple butter? Yes, please!)...each course unfolded with understated elegance and palette-singing delight. Bonus points for mocktails that were truly a revelation! Definitely my new go-to for special occasions! read more

The Lark - Papardelle with trumpet mushrooms and poached egg - New American Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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This was a religious experience. The cornbread should be called something else, bc comparing it to other cornbreads is unfair. The crispy Brussels sprouts have so much flavor we couldn't actually finish them, which is a first for a vegetable. The papperdelle was unf*cking believable: the complexity of flavor was next level. And the chicken. Oh the chicken. It didn't taste like chicken, it tasted like whatever Meg Ryan had in When Harry Met Sally? I was too full to finish the food, but wished I was hungry enough to eat the whole meal again. Portions are generous, the price is high at first glance, but low given the totality of the experience. read more

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We absolutely love The Lark! We have been so many times and keep coming back. We love sitting at the bar, people watching, enjoying some of their amazing cocktails and wine. Ray is the best bartender in town! The menu is seasonal and we always enjoy every dish! read more

Very good food and service! I highly recommend the sugar snap peas- it has a great combination of texture and flavors. The corn bread was also delicious but definitely very rosemary forward (so make sure you like rosemary!). The fried chicken was great (and very large in size). The pappardelle pasta was just ok- probably would not order again. We ordered two small plates and two large plates and it was a bit too much food. Next time, I would instead likely go with 3 small plates and 1 large plate. Would definitely go again! read more

What a great meal. Cocktail, dinner, atmosphere, service, everything was great. Really crowded. The complimentary popcorn was so good we ate two bowls! read more

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The Lark may be my favorite restaurant in Santa Barbara!!! Decided to celebrate my anniversary dinner here and it was a great choice! I was greeted with rosé and a personalized card from the restaurant which was a nice touch. The complimentary popcorn is so flavorful, I can't grasp the seasonings but feel free to ask for more because you will want more! Ordered: - Big Sur ($14) - California gin, lime, passionfruit, amaro angeleno, lager - really refreshing and tasty! - Crispy Brussels Sprouts ($13) - the best brussels sprouts I've ever had! I couldn't stop eating them. If you like sweet, you will definitely enjoy them too! - Little Gems 'Wedge' ($16) - not a fan of blue cheese but didn't even taste it. The spicy walnuts really make the salad! - Hand Cut Tagliatelle Pasta ($26) - amazing pasta with a slight kick. - 8oz Creekstone Prime Hanger Steak ($42) - I wasn't too impressed with the steak as it was a little bland. Looking back I should've just ordered the ribs. Parking - is only street parking (on State street) TIP - definitely make a reservation on TOCK. Overall - I was very satisfied with my experience at The Lark and can't wait to come back the next time I'm in SB. PLUS - this is 100th Yelp review! Woohoo! read more

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Danae', aka Frenchie, the waitress, was phenomenal! I loved her accent, personality, knowledge, skills, and service. She asked how we were doing, so very personable. We ordered cocktails (spring citrus spritzer or something g like that with tangerine and my husband got a French vodka, which he asked for a sample and was willing to try it, thanks to Danae', who told him about the history of it). We shared the wedge salad and loved it! My husband doesn't like salsas and loved this one with its crispy croutons and spicy pecans and added items. We ordered duck confit with rhubarb and asparagus and I got the shrimp toast something with this amazing sauce, with okra. They were shareable plates and so fantastic! So delicious! I LOVED this food and place! We sat outside and they had heat lamps. The waitress accidentally spilled some of my drink and gave me another for free. She taught us history of the place. We decided against dessert. We loved Danae'!!!! She was very attentive and knowledgeable and kind. read more

The location is pretty neat shared courtyard with lots of other food and drink businesses. We were a little early, checked in and checked out all the businesses. Lark's location is pretty neat, we were put in a table for two made out of an old confessional. Feels a little quirky, sounded like a previous couple had declined, but whatever we enjoyed. The place was pretty busy. We started with cocktails - pretty damn good. Menu was shared plates, we had heirloom tomatoes to kickoff, duck tartine and shrimp boil to finish. We had a glass of wine too - decent local selection. Kitchen was right on time, portions were perfect, food was delicious. Service was absolutely awesome (thanks Brooklyn!). read more

Clearly this place does not need another review but I'm drunk and bored and lonely in bed so what the hell! My wife and I tried four different dishes and then had two desserts everything was excellent except the chocolate dessert which was okay it's not really a chocolate dessert I'm not sure what it is I'm not really a chocolate fan it feels like fudge but it's salty and the whole thing is kind of weird so if you're expecting a great chocolate dessert just don't. I told the waitress this place is so good you can put the menu 50 ft away on the wall and start throwing darts whenever the dart lands you can order and you'll like it. I would recommend watching the kitchen in action for a few minutes it's pretty awesome. There's a giant glass viewing area and it looks like Manhattan at lunch time. read more

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In the midst of COVID and restaurants slowly reopening, I appreciate that this place does have outdoor dining. Entrance is on Anacapa St, not Helena St. They provided complimentary popcorn with lemon poppyseed seasoning that was absolutely delicious! Never new popcorn could taste this good. Everything is meant to be shared and our waiter recommended about 3 dishes for 2 people. Handmade Orecchiette Pasta: Nice fresh flavors from the vegetables and the pecorino cheese added some depth. For the price, would have appreciated some protein and would be a dish I skip if I come back. Smoked crab dip: nice smoky flavors of the crab meat. Solid appetizer Crispy duck leg confit: duck was cooked perfect; the meat was soft and the skin was crispy. The corn polenta was also fantastic, but slightly on the sweeter side. Overall, a very solid restaurant that I wouldn't hesitate to recommend. read more

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The Lark is hands down the best restaurant in Santa Barbara. We come here for every birthday and anniversary because we have only had great experiences here. We always order the Brussels sprouts, corn bread, and mussels and it is always so delicious. It's so much flavor packed into a little dish! We also have had an amazing waitress twice now, a lady with short hair I forget her name, and she is so kind and gifted us with champagne to celebrate our anniversary! Can't wait to come back!! read more

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

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I've been to Santa Barbara on numerous occasions, but last night was my first time at The Lark. It's the best overall dining experience I've had in a long time and I dine out often around the country. Our server, Laurel was fantastic from start to finish. She was attentive, yet unobtrusive, knowledgeable and friendly. The popcorn snack they bring to start was the best popcorn I've ever had. We had three rounds of it throughout the meal and took some to go. Yes, it was that good! We had the mussels and cornbread to start. The mussels were fresh and clean and the broth was bright, but also comforting. As a Southerner my expectations weren't high for the cornbread, but it was absolutely amazing in texture and taste. We had the pappardelle pasta and ribs for our main dishes. Both were good, but I'll be thinking about those fresh, light, wide pasta noodles for a while to come. We were too stuffed for dessert, even though we were celebrating a birthday. Instead we read the nice card they had upon our arrival and savored the sweet air of the slightly rainy evening underneath the provided umbrellas, heat lamps, and saffron glow of the outdoor patio lights. We won't hesitate to dine here on future trips and you shouldn't either. read more

Everything was okay. The crude, cauliflower, and signature fried chicken were all fine but not outstanding. For the price and reviews maybe we simply expected too much. The service was decent but our server drifted off at the end of the night after the bill had been dropped off. Maybe it was just an off night? The atmosphere is different, but I didn't really like how some of the tables are laid out and it does get a bit loud. YMMV read more

Had a beautiful trip to Santa Barbara over the weekend and stopped by this restaurant on the way back to LA. It is kind of hidden behind all bunch of restaurants, breweries and bars. But once you past all the business establishment, you would find this little place tucked behind a courtyard. We had drinks here before we went across the street to catch our train. Four of us ordered three cocktails and one beer. All came out excellent. What sold me was their customer service. Very attentive, friendly, and personal. The ambience is relaxing and casual. They do have tables but they are for reservations and dinner only. For drinks, we could only stayed at the bar or the communal table. Oh! Their complimentary popcorn was DELICIOUS! I wish they see those in bags so I could buy some of them! Will come back to check out the food next time when I am in town. read more

Ambience and staff were great, but the food was not very tasty. Everything on the menu had a lemon citrusy flavor so I ended up not eating the pasta. The beet salad was very good and highly recommend! read more

Can't comment on their physical location but the food itself is great. They had a stand at the Alex's Lemonade charity event at UCLA and the staff were friendly and the food was good. Would try their restaurant if in the area. read more

The tenderness of the ribs and the flavorful perfection of the hanger steak truly stood out. Combined with the inviting atmosphere and impeccable service, it made for a memorable dining experience. Highly recommend! read more

The Lark - 6 Hour Smoked Duroc Pork Ribs - New American Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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Santa Barbara is our staycation destination especially during the summer time. We go specifically for The Lark. It's always always always good and we've now been going close to a decade every year! read more

The Lark - Hangar steak and trout - New American Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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I love the Lark. It's a bit on the pricer side so this is our go to place for anniversaries and birthdays. The staff is so sweet! I would recommend making a reservation because when my friend and I ate at the bar it was more difficult to get service. Every other time we have made a reservation and it's been great! The food is richer and on the heavier side so be ready to splurge on your calories! read more

My girlfriend and I came to The Lark to celebrate our 4th anniversary, and it honestly turned out to be the best meal we've ever had--no exaggeration. From the moment we walked in, the atmosphere was warm and welcoming, with a beautifully curated space that felt both elevated and relaxed. The standout of the night was the service. Kelsey was our server, and she was absolutely incredible--genuine, attentive, and incredibly knowledgeable about the menu. She made us feel special without being overbearing, and her thoughtful recommendations made the evening even better. Every dish we tried was phenomenal. The flavors were bold and balanced, the ingredients fresh, and everything was plated with care. You can tell the kitchen puts real heart into their craft. read more

We had a wonderful experience here! There were five of us and we made reservations a few months in advance because they were already really booked. Once seated they give you flavored popcorn and complimentary sparkling wine. They suggest that you order multiple dishes and share which is exactly what we did. The portions are small, but the quality and flavor of the food is so elevated that you'll leave happy and satisfied. Southern Pickled Vegetables - $10.00 Brown Butter Cornbread - $9.00 Crispy Brussel Sprouts - $15.00 Pimento Cheese on Texas Toast - $14.00 Cast Iron Market Peppers $17.00 Hand Cut Pappardelle $31.00 Channel Islands Halibut Crudo $21.00 6-Hour Oak Smoked Duroc Pork Ribs $33.00 read more

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Amazing food and great ambience. Everything was amazing. Also located in such a fun area of SB. You'll love it.

Food and ambiance are stellar; perfect place to end the day at after a fun day in the funk zone/downtown SB area. They have the most unique, delicious savory popcorn that is covered in poppy seeds, slightly tangy, and perfectly crunchy. It's the loveliest kick off to what's guaranteed to be a flavorful, delicious dining experience. We really liked the Brussels sprouts (so much flavor, though a little salty; huge portion) and the crab toast (this was phenomenal - blue crab was super fresh and paired so well with the bread). Octopus was very meh, it was a little fishy and probably wouldn't get again. The cadence of the food coming out of the kitchen was a little off, but the food was so good and satisfying. read more

I'm so mad at myself! SORRY GUYS! No pics! Anyways-- I made reservations 2 weeks in advance for a Friday night because it was our anniversary. The place was poppin' when we got there!! It's SO busy and everyone was walking around, standing to wait for tables and the workers were running food left and right to tables. It was a bit overwhelming until we sat down. The outdoor space was really nice filled with fire pits and heat lamps to keep you warm. I've never had a restaurant pay attention to that special occasion information before. I always thought to myself when making a reso online-- no one reads this-- why do I even bother! Well, the Lark def reads it! I wasn't expecting anything and there was a hand written note already at the table and she brought out champagne for us! That was so cuuuute!! Roasted Beets & Strawberries $17.00 ricotta and cashews-- it was so good and refreshing! We have a soft spot for beet salad and always get it if it's on the menu Hand Cut Pappardelle $28.00 maitake mushrooms, peas, goat gouda & hazelnuts tendrils --- i enjoyed this dish, maybe needed a bit of salt but I enjoyed it. I love mushrooms and pasta so this was def up my ally. Pan Seared Cod $34.00 root puree and fuji apple-- the cod was cooked perfectly. I'm not a fish skin person and usually eat around it but the skin on that thing was the best part! It has charred edges and CRISPY! The BF mentioned all drinks were good too! Def would come again! I want to try the oysters, pimento cheese cracklin, cauliflower gratin and mussels next time! This is how you know if I'm gonna come back because I already have my next meal planned. read more

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

We had a lovely night. The food is always delicious and creative. The difference was made by our server, Danae, who recommended the perfect wine and entrees that would complement each other. A little bit of kindness goes a long way. Thank you so much read more

Our go to restaurant for visiting family and friends or a special occasion. Atmosphere is amazing. Staff is always so friendly and helpful. Food is 15/10! The menu rotates based upon the seasons and they source fresh local ingredients so everything is lovely. On our last trip with friends I believe we ordered one of everything on the menu! The cocktails are also the best. I was told by a friend who does not partake, their mocktails were excellent. Because the plates are meant to be shared, there is something for everyone! read more

I absolutely adore The Lark. It has everything you could need; creative appetizers, yummy mocktails, delicious entrees, and it's just as cute as can be. I've been here about five times, and I've never had anything that I didn't love. Even if I get out of my comfort zone to try something new, it's amazing. The service is great. Because of this, along with the artistic presentation of the food, I'd absolutely give this restaurant a Michelin star. Of course, I'm no Michelin judge, but seriously, nothing beats a good visit to The Lark. read more

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

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We were wandering around Santa Barbara downtown and stumbled upon the lark. We didn't have reservations but it was only the two of us on a weekday night so they squeezed us into one of the corner seats. They converted a couple confession stands into seating but it was just awkward because I felt elevated compared to the other person. Interesting concept but didn't quite work for eating purposes. We started with the whipped sheep's feta and pistachio dip with came with lavash cracker as recommended by the server for a starter. I was initially suspicious about sheep feta given it's strong taste which you can definitely taste in the dish but was not so overpowering. It is definitely a heavy starter and you can get full with this dish. For the mains, we tried the morro bay black cod with brown butter celery root puree with slices of granny smith apple, endives, and calamansi lime. This was probably my favorite dish as the skin was crispy and the fish was cooked very well. We also got the mussels which came with sweet potatoes in a cistrus fennel and coriander broth. There was a good portion of mussels but also a bit too many pieces of potatoes I thought. read more

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The best dinner we had in SB. At first we thought it was a tad pricey, but the chicken was a good portion size. Boneless chicken thighs breaded to perfection. The fresh catch, tuna, was also delicious. Cornbread was buttery and paired with the chicken- though very rich. Oysters were solid- the selection changes. The sauce paired with them was great. Our waiter was the best. Overall perfect for a date night. read more

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Truly a delicious "Shared Dining Experience" here in the heart of the Santa Barbara Funk Zone. We kept hearing about the Crispy Brussel Sprouts, Winter Beets & Marinated Burrata, Caramelized Cauliflower, Cast Iron Morro Bay Black Cod, Creekstone Prime Hanger Steak, and the Buttermilk Fried Chicken. With our large group we fortunately got to try them all . . . and each one was incredibly delicious. Notable wine-by-the-glass which was perfect for the entire meal: Grimm's Bluff, Happy Canyon, Rose of Cabernet Sauvignon. As cool as this special night was we were seated outside and comfortably next to one of their fireplaces, and surrounded by their portable heaters. Our server Laurel stuck with us from beginning to end, and she made sure the food came out promptly, and was excellent with her wine and cocktails recommendations. Can't say enough how thorough she was in making sure our night was special. Also special thanks to host Alberto for keeping an eye on us throughout the evening. Highly recommend making reservations to this very special restaurant as it is truly a hot-spot in Santa Barbara. Afterwards Alberto walked us next door to Pearl Social for a continued evening of specialty cocktails. read more

Very disappointed. We have been to the Lark multiple times and it was one of our favorite places in Santa Barbara. When we arrived the hostesses forgot we had checked in. They then led us to the back room where we were the only people in the room for my wife's birthday. We felt very isolated and essentially forgotten about. The waiter barely paid attention to us and clearly wanted us gone. Overall very poor experience with poor service. Sad but we will be looking for a new favorite place in SB. read more

The Lark is a super cute, trendy restaurant with an awesome menu. We made reservations online the day of. We were pleasantly surprised to see that there was availability. When we arrived, we were immediately impressed by the atmosphere, both inside and out. There isn't the option to specify when booking the reservation and were seated inside which was a positive thing for us.. at first. We were brought to our table, which just happened to be a table created specifically for ants. The designer of the restaurant didn't take into consideration that human bodies cannot actually morph into shapes that can maneuver around wooden stumps. I am making light of the situation, but their booth tables are so poorly designed that no one larger than average can comfortably sit there. Never mind the awkward poles that block the entrances into the seats... the table is also incredibly short, making it uncomfortable to eat normally. The lighting in the restaurant also makes it difficult to read the menu and actually see the food. Comfortability in the restaurant as a whole was lacking, which is why we didn't give the Lark 5 stars. Service was great. Kelly took care of us and he gave us great suggestions. He was funny and checked in just often enough. Food-wise, everything was incredible. We started with the oysters, which were plump and delicious. The gremolada was refreshing and presentation (for all of the dishes we ordered) was beautiful. The cauliflower gratin was our second dish and was one of the best cauliflower dishes I have ever had; a little bit spicy and a very creamy. The basil was an unexpected pleasant addition to the flavor profiles. Entrees; we shared the 16oz ribeye and the fried chicken. I personally preferred the steak, but our table as a whole loved both. The steak was very well cooked and plated beautifully, but I totally craved a bit of a fattier cut. It didn't have the beautiful deckle on the ribeye that we love so much. The fried chicken is the dish that was most highly recommended by Kelly. Very unique; unlike any other fried chicken dish I have had. I loved that it was boneless and it was super crispy. Not a huge fan of smokiness in food, so I didn't love the plum bbq sauce, but it was a really great dish overall. read more

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I love this place! It's definitely a must go when in Santa Barbara. The food is amazing, the fried chicken is the best I ever had. The restaurant is beautiful and the staff very kind. The Funk Zone where the restaurant is located is very cool and hip. It was my third time there and I can't wait to go back! read more

The Lark - Wayne Farms Buttermilk Fried Chicken - New American Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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This is my favorite restaurant in Santa Barbara! My boyfriend and I make a visit for dinner every time we're in town. Once seated, we were served complimentary popcorn and that stuff is GOOD. The Lark promotes a rotating menu of shareable-sized items. Between the two of us, we order two items and it's always enough. Our favorites are the Fried Chicken, Brussel Sprouts, and Cauliflower. Everything is so well seasoned and bursting in flavor. Literally not many other places can compare. During our last visit, the bar was a little slow, but the restaurant was very busy. I'm excited for our next date night at The Lark! read more

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

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Everything was soooo good. The parpadelle was my favorite (but I also just love parpadelle). Two people in our party had food poisoning so the waiter was super understanding and brought out some bread for them while the rest of us went to town on the rest of the food. I was most impressed with our waiter, who not only asked if we liked each dish, but what could be improved?! It is clear they are passionate about what they do and it is certainly reflected in the food they serve. read more

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What a delight! The waiter greeted me right away. Although a place to share a meal I was by myself. Due to this I asked for the waiter's recommendations on plates that could be eaten by one person. The Belgian endive with pears salad was divine as was the Line Caught Channel Islands Crudo! My French press coffee at the end of the meal was smooth and delicious. I will definitely be back and highly recommend this restaurant. I guess very my sincere thank you to my gracious waiter also! read more

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

a sneaky stunning restaurant hidden in the casual funk zone that gives out complimentary lemon zest popcorn? a bizarre role to fill but I'll take it - 1. That popcorn was actually insane I would like a costco size bag ASAP - as for service, did the waiter shamelessly recomend the most expensive vodka and gins on the menu? yes, don't think we didn't notice - pickled vegetables were extremely pickled which I loved, the beets soaked up all the flavor of the vinegar and exploded in your mouth - arugula salad was a reminder that my home made salads will never be this good, like that dressing was incredible without me feeling like I inhaled 40grams of saturated fats - brussels rivaled that of @samasamakitchen , the dates and nuts with the sweet carmalization. I could genuinely eat these every single day. - we also ordered the buttermilk chicken w grits which isn't pictured, it and the mussels were the only really affordable protein option....good but for this restaurants classy ambience and other options they should have a grilled chicken read more

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This place has wonderful food options their olive oil cake is to die for! both indoor and outdoor seating provide a good experience. I love the fact that you order many dishes to share. read more