The Lark is located in the "funk zone" in Santa Barbara. The atmosphere was fantastic. Only bump in the road for our visit was that I called to make the reservation to make sure we had outdoor seating because we were traveling with our dog. I got a reservation notice via my email. When we got there, they said there was nothing on the reservation about the outdoor seating and the dog. They moved quickly to move things around and were able to accommodate us which was appreciated. The outdoor patio is really great and the atmosphere is warm and inviting. The food was really fantastic- there were 4 of us and we shared 6 plates all recommended from our server. Each one were delicious with wonderful presentation. I suggest the cornbread- it has to be the best I have ever had. The fried chicken plate was a perfect amount of chicken vs breading. Loved the watermelon- the seasoning was great. Our waitress was friendly and helpful. Will definitely be back the next time we visit Santa Barbara! read more

The Lark is without question one of the best dining experiences in Santa Barbara. From the time you set foot inside, this restaurant offers an atmosphere that is warm, trendy, and inviting, ideal for a dinner date, party, or even just spending time with friends. The food is exceptional. All the dishes we ordered were fresh, delicious, and presentable. You can tell that they use quality and carefully prepare the dishes. The menu is classy, not in a pretentious way, and all the dishes tasted like they had been prepared with a lot of care. The other area where the hotel stood out was in its services. The staff was attentive to our needs. They were knowledgeable and friendly. The timing was just right. The suggestions were excellent. The Lark offers an all-around experience in the best possible way, with incredible food, great servers, and a memorable atmosphere. This place, without a doubt, offers a true experience of the dining scene in Santa Barbara, and I, for one, can't wait to return. read more

worth the hype! stunning restaurant & romantic atmosphere. 6 of us came here to valetine's dinner & we all loved our dishes. i wish i took pictures of the food, but surely the standouts were the brussels sprouts & the mushroom pappardella. we had a great attentive server (wish i remembered his name) & everyone seemed friendly that works here. read more

The Lark - happy valentine's day! - 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.

absolutely loved this restaurant! the pork belly benedict was so unique, the sauce was great. the garlic fries were super crispy and flavorful. and the sandwich was done right. no wait for brunch on a weekend and the staff are very sweet. read more

The Lark - "The Paperboy" Breakfast Sandwich, Hangover Garlic Confit Fries, Duroc Pork Belly Benedict - New American Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Beautiful place located in Santa Barbara. It is a pretty busy place and the waiting time might be even more than 20-30 minutes. It was our first time here. We actually liked the place and we thank the bartender for assisting us and others at the same time. (If I am not mistaken his name starts with G). Because it is a busy place, apparently your food will arrive pretty late. The bartender had to check on the order's status every 10 minutes. When our food arrived I noticed my food was very cold, meanwhile my boyfriend's dish was fresh and warm. I understand that my dish is not something should be warm , but it felt as it came out of fridge (even the toast). The desserts got delivered in the same way as well . The banana bread was cold, the pecan one was hot enough to burn mouth and also it was way too sweet... so if you're someone who does not enjoy sweets I wouldn't recommend it. The time that we spent on eating was not that long but we sat almost 2 hours waiting on each order to get delivered and served. Overall it was somehow a nice experience, but the waitings are really not that great. read more

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Probably a 4.5 for me but chose the 5 instead of 4. It was a rainy night so they moved our outdoor reservation to indoor where they have overflow at the bakery/breakfast spots that all ties into the building with sale ownership. Family style meal with a wide range of farm to table ingredients. Service was on point, portions perfect, and overall a very enjoyable evening. read more

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Visited The Lark for dinner and was pretty happy with the experience. Ambiance was good, we were seated outside with plenty of heating sources nearby. Service was also great, our server did a great job of explaining the menu and giving us information about the various dishes before and as they arrived. Overall, the food was great. Plenty of flavor (definitely seasoned to the edge, might be a bit over salted to some). The flavors went well together, classic pairings with just a touch of uniqueness. BBQ popcorn - 8/10, complimentary popcorn with a nice mix of spices Cornbread - 10/10, probably our favorite dish of the night. The cornbread was super crisp on the top and moist on the inside. Drenched with honey and butter. Duck Confit - 8/10, a unique twist to classic duck confit. The duck was cooked well, had a couple of inedible dry pieces on the very edge. Cold figs were a nice touch. Salmon - 9/10, salmon was perfectly cooked and paired well with the okra and corn succotash. Succotash was a touch too salty and probably could have benefited from pairing with a carb element. Chocolate pot de crème - 7/10, a little twist on the classic pb&j, with grape jam and peanut butter mousse. Brittle was a good element of texture. Flavors all worked, but the least standout of all the dishes and the price was a bit steep for the small portion ($16). Would recommend The Lark for as an option for a nice dinner. Great concept and execution! read more

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Birthday dinners rank near the top of the list of 'Most Important Dinners' and have to be perfect. Whether dining with a rambunctious group of friends, close-knit family or a romantic coupling; the ambiance, food and service all need to fall in line. Even though all birthday dinners are special; milestone birthdays are particularly exceptional. I arrived at my 40th birthday (how did I get here?!) and was driving from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara for my birthday extravaganza. Using trusty Yelp, I decided on having my birthday dinner at The Lark. Was it perfect for my 40th? Following the advice other Yelpers who made it very clear that it is virtually impossible to dine at The Lark without reservations (my birthday was on a Friday); I made a reservation for two (reservations must be done via internet: they do not take phone calls). The Lark was already quite booked but I snagged a spot at 5:15. I was able to notate in my reservation that I am Celiac and that we were driving from LA to celebrate my birthday. The Lark holds real estate in the Funk Zone (the arts district of Santa Barbara) on Anacapa in a courtyard pocket alongside other restaurants. Even though The Lark had just opened for dinner hours; it was already busy as a bee hive and the wait was long (thank god for reservations!). Esthetically, The Lark is pleasing with indoor and outdoor dining in a steam punk, refurbished material theme with dark colors, booths from train cars (The Lark is named after a train car), exposed lighting and duct work, glossy wood, etc. The problem is that it is very communal and tables are so close together that the people seated next to us were 2 inches away and we had a combination birthday dinner. My date also couldn't move his arms on his other side because patrons were practically on his lap. I did get seated to a birthday card signed by all the staff which was a MAJOR bonus point. Executive Chef Jason Faluska's menu is slightly abbreviated as our waiter announced that they are a 'shared-plates restaurant' versus genuine entrees and I noticed that gluten free options were barely existent. The waiter even asked if anyone had allergies so I guess they didn't read that part of my reservation note. I wasn't into this shared plates idea; but we proceeded to order off the farm-fresh, American menu. For our drinks, my date asked for a Mojito while I went with an Old-Fashioned. For our meal, we selected the Roasted Tutti Frutti Farms Honeynut Squash (salted pepitas, black pepper mascarpone, red wine poached currants, marjoram - $19) to share; as my date chose the Jidori Free Range Fried Chicken (heirloom grits, pickles, chile de arbol honey, scallions - $38). I didn't have much to choose from in terms of GF but went with the Confit Lamb Belly (fennel pollen yogurt, California mission figs, pickled fresno chiles, puffed wild rice, watercress - $32). While we waited, we were served the house popcorn which varies by season with the fall option being ginger and coriander spiced. This popcorn may have been the best part of The Lark and I normally don't even like popcorn! It was soooo good that I would purchase bags of this if they sold it! The drinks were also fantastic with both the mojito and old-fashioned being some of the best I've tasted. When the dishes arrived, our eyes gazed upon bright, colorful artfully decorated plates that would win a Food Network competition show. The Roasted Squash was delicious, perfectly cooked and delicately paired with the mascarpone. This was my favorite after the popcorn. My date's Jidori Chicken was actually an entrée portion but the alleged grits weren't grits at all but risotto: an Italian would have clutched their pearls. My date said the leftovers the next day were fantastic. But was it worth $38? No. My Confit Lamb Belly was more of an appetizer and although plated beautifully; the rice was actually a deconstructed mousse with pieces of Lamb belly and some figs. I felt like I was eating garnishes versus a plate of food for $32! The Lark surprised us with a birthday scoop of citrus sherbet ice cream with cashews and a candle. Although a sweet gesture, I would have rather ordered dessert because it was simply not good and very odd to pair citrus with cashews. A highlight was a female hostess who complimented me on my eye makeup after I complimented her model looks and she and I fan girl-ed over each other. The Lark is simply a 'trying too hard' , overpriced trendy spot that seems to want to be bourgeois but the shared plates concept doesn't work, it is too congested/seating layout is odd, eating garnishes for $40 wasn't doing it for me, the birthday dessert was, bluntly, gross and the list goes on. The positives were the popcorn, drinks, birthday card and the female hostess. I could have had a much better 40th birthday dinner for the hefty check amount. The Lark is simply a place to say you've tried once but I wouldn't encourage you to run. read more

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Our server was great, the dill pickle popcorn was out of this world, the sea bass was just okay (it had the skin on, which I'm personally not the biggest fan of). The wedge was okay too, but we've had better. We'd come back again, but probably wouldn't go out of our way to do so. We may have just ordered the wrong things! Curious to try other dishes. read more

When in Santa Barbara, you must visit the "funk zone". Walk around, visit galleries, sample breweries. Then if you're like me, dining and a cocktail are a must. The Lark was perfect for a Fourth of July evening meal. It's a little hard to find as it is nestled between restaurants and google maps will mislead you. Don't fret, people will direct you. The bar and restaurant have a great vibe but I prefer the outdoor patio area, especially in the summertime. Dogs welcome without an interrogation so all was happy. Our server was friendly and was very informative in touring us through the menu. Alcohol-free drinks are available (no judgement here). The rawhide (passion fruit and ginger/lemon based) was tasty and refreshing. I'm predictable and went James Bond martini to start (bruised and refreshing). Dishes are meant to be shared. Fried chicken was crisp with a subtle taste of honey. Served crisp with tender interior on a bed of grits. I especially loved the homemade pickles. Had a Japanese tsukemono taste that went well with the chicken. I highly recommend the wedge salad. Made out of romaine instead of iceberg and is topped with spicy pecans and pork belly (believe me it works). It is colorfully finished with purple radish. So aesthetically pleasing and delicious. Also had Santa Barbara bluefin crudo. The fish was fresh, and in my opinion, could have been served by itself. It comes with passion fruit agua chile, coconut lime leaf emulsion which was imaginative, but I prefer the taste of fresh fish (it's me, not you). Santa Barbara is an ideal getaway and the lark is a must. read more

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Amazing service, incredible food and wonderful atmosphere. The Brussels sprouts appetizer is delicious and the Endive Salad was delectable. My date had the Jidori chicken and enjoyed it as well. The complimentary popcorn is yummy too. You are seated pretty close to others, so the conversations aren't that private and it was hard for me to hear my date across the table, but it is a warm and welcoming spot. read more

The Lark - Brussels Sprouts with Dates and complimentary popcorn - New American Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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Delicious deliciousness. Cool place with lots of outdoor and indoor seating. Recommend reservations as on a Wednesday night it was packed. Server very attentive. The brown butter cornbread is a must! Pictured are a couple more delicious bites. read more

The Lark - Cypress Grove Goat Ricotta Dip. - New American Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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Excellent food, excellent service and atmosphere. My only criticism is the serving size. If the concept is , "shared dishes", the serving sizes need to be larger. read more

Food was very good. Service was a bit slow. Dishes would come out but we wouldn't have share plates or utensils.

Ok, not sure how anyone gives this less than 5 stars. Maybe the best meal I have had in the last year. Food was unique, fresh, farm to table and the oysters were top notch. Derive was right on and the wine list was well put together. An intimate, sharing kind of dinner. read more

We had a great experience during our day trip to Santa Barbara! Love that it's dog friendly, would be even better if they offered 1-2 dog friendly food options. It's in a grouping with a few eateries, it's def one of the fancier ones. I knew the food would be good when they brought out this lemon poppy popcorn that was perfectly made. Salty, sweet, sooo good! For starters we got the oysters, ricotta dip, cornbread, and beet salad. All were good. Standout were the oysters that had some kind of ice topping that was delicious. For entrees we got the mussels and pasta. The mussels had a little too much onion for me but my husband liked it. The pasta was very bright and fresh! The pea tendrils actually had a lot of flavor to them rather than just being a garnish. Overall, would def come back here the next time we're in Santa Barbara! read more

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Chef Jason and his amazing team always delivers a unique gourmet dining experience that must be enjoyed to truly understand it. This may seem like hyperbole, but take it from us, world travelers to over 70 international destinations at least once who have sampled some great cuisine worldwide, including some with those coveted "stars", there is absolutely no place like The Lark. We've been dining here almost since they opened, and this time actually flew to California fromFlorida with having a celebratory meal here top of mind. As we have written before in previous reviews, if you live in L.A. or somewhere within even a few hours away, it would be worth the drive to sample the cuisine at The Lark. read more

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The Lark has been written about in many different forms as the spot to be in Santa Barbara. And I definitely say it's worth a visit! The ambience is moody and trendy, yet warm and sophisticated. The staff was super friendly and helpful! We got seated right away after we had booked a reservation online. They seated us in the adjacent bar/speakeasy restaurant connected to it, Pearl Social. The food overall was really delicious! Definitely a restaurant for the foodie, with creative and new flavors, but probably not the place you want to take for any picky eaters or people that don't like adventurous foods. Portions were a bit smaller than we would have liked, but we ordered six dishes for our party of five, and it was just enough food. Everything was truly delicious though! The big surprise was the pasta dish being one of the favorites of the night. The drinks and cocktails were excellent too! Overall, I definitely would recommend as the vibes are immaculate, the staff is friendly, and the changing menu is a great way to try some exceptional flavors. But the limited menu makes it harder to find something that everyone likes. read more

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

Came here for dinner with my husband and baby. We were blown away by the Brussels sprouts but the rest of the meal was just decent. Let me explain We ordered the crispy Brussels sprouts for appetizer. They were sooo amazing. Nice and crispy. They had this tangy yet umami and slightly sweet zing to every bite. Sometimes they can be undercooked at other restaurants, but they honestly couldn't have been better here. Hands down, the best Next we had the pappardelle pasta. It was a little on the lighter flavor side (at least compared to the sprouts) but the pasta was the perfect al dente texture. It was creamy, had a subtle garlic flavor, and the breadcrumbs added a nice crunch. The spare ribs were honestly nothing spectacular. They tasted like your traditional bbq ribs, maybe less juicy and more charred. However, I wasn't blown away even though the flavor was incredible. I didn't eat the slaw that came with it so I can't speak to that though. I'd honestly come back just for the Brussels sprouts. They were amazing!!! read more

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I've been to the Lark a handful of times but it is always a special experience. Their menu has such unique creations and so much flavor. I love their location, which offers both indoor and outdoor seating. Parking can be a challenge in the Funk Zone, but some places nearby have valet options. I'm a big fan of their Brussel sprouts. They also have fresh oysters. The cocktail menu had some great creations, including mocktails. The chai spiced donuts are out of this world good- a perfect choice for Fall. Our server the night I most recently went was incredible. Tended to our table super well. Great spot! read more

The Lark - Special menu for private party (October 2024) - New American Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Restaurant had a lovely, rustic vibe! They served this ginger (?) popcorn in the beginning, which was yummy to chew on while waiting. In terms of the actual dishes, I feel like nothing really wowed me. Chicken tasted great, and I loved the balance of flavor the pickles brought. However, it was a bit dry/tough. The pasta also had a lot of length/size inconsistencies... some strands were longer/thicker, others were shorter/thinner. It was a good meal, but had some areas I believe could be improved in. read more

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Amazing food but even better service...can you imagine.... Thank you Jeremy for superb service last night for out party of 4......your are an asset to the Lark! The fried chicken was incredible.... read more

Came for brunch in the hipster "funk zone" area, at the fairly well-known restaurant, The Lark, for my first time. Service was friendly and great, although our food came out a bit slower than expected. Still, the hostess, waitress and bussers were all informative, fun and kind. The food was fantastic! My spouse loved the shakshuka, as it was powerfully flavorful with cast iron to have that roasted touch. We could've done without the green olives in it, but more for personal taste. My chicken and waffles were also excellent. The waffles were surprisingly light and crispy, with some heavy honey butter to kick you in the mouth. Fried chicken was good. We enjoyed our mimosa flight- particularly with the sparkling wine/champagne served in a separate chilled container to dole out for the flavors (pomegranate, grapefruit, orange and cranberry, iirc). All the other sides like the oyster and hangover fries were well-suited to curb any remaining appetites. Love the decor too, particularly in the booths. Very charming, and classy, while still chill. Easy to find this restaurant nestled with other shops, pastries and coffee. Definitely would come again! read more

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I generally don't write negative reviews on Yelp. And this is a 3 star review, so technically not a negative one. Came here for brunch on Father's Day, party of 6. Positives: food was great. Our server was lovely. The place itself is beautiful - plenty of outdoor seating with shade if needed, and the inside is airy. We didn't have any drinks, but they sounded amazing and the bar looked great as well. Negatives: One of my biggest pet peeves with dining out these days is when a restaurant tells you they are "family style" when they truly aren't, but just say that as a justification for not knowing how to course food out correctly. It's one thing at dinner time, but brunch?? I ordered a breakfast sandwich, and there are six of us. How is that family style? Are we supposed to pass it around and all take a bite? One of my companions ordered eggs and bacon. It was two eggs and a single serving of bacon. Unless you are a family of one, that is not a family style dish. And as we all predicted at the start, the food came out at wildly inconsistent times. The person who ordered eggs and bacon got their two scrambled eggs on a plate (well before anyone else got any food), and the bacon came about 10 minutes later. The rest of our table got food more or less within acceptable times of the others, except one person whose dish never came. We should have complained earlier, but everything was so all over the place it was hard to tell at first if this was a result of "family style" or if the order was not put in. Spoiler alert - it wasn't put in. Ironically, we also had various members of the wait staff come by at least 4 different times to deliver food that wasn't ours. And sure enough, our final bill had no relation to what we had ordered. We had to walk them through reconstructing our actual bill, and politely conveyed to the mgmt that our overall experience was subpar at best. To say they were uninterested in our feedback is an understatement. Food was good enough I'd consider going back solo, or for drinks and a hang on the patio. But would not recommend for a group, and definitely not at brunch. read more

The food is delicious, for brunch I had the cast iron baked shakshuka, you can taste the spicy Aleppo pepper and the tangy French feta. The flight of mimosa is refreshing. Our server is knowledgeable. Ambiance is instagrammable with lots of fresh flowers read more

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This is such a great place in Santa Barbara. We first visited a few years ago and loved the food, but didn't have outstanding service or a great table location. It still didn't ruin our experience. During this visit, we had a different yet equally bad seating location, but the service was perfect, and the food was delicious! We tried the cornbread (DO NOT MISS THIS ONE!), the Brussels Sprouts (yum!), the oysters (Skip this one, it was the only let-down of the night), the ribs (Great), and the Mussels (Ridiculously tasty!). We finished with a delicious matcha ice cream with macadamia nuts and coconut. Manager, Patricia, was so welcoming and made sure that we had a great experience, and we sincerely appreciated it. 100% recommended restaurant in Santa Barbara. read more

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My wife and I made a reservation here to try out their coastal and Texas-inspired dining experience with shareable plates. The food comes out as it is prepped and the expectations were set high but fell a little bit flat towards the end. Time and Tide - A herby vodka cocktail with mellow citrus to start and a slight bitterness finish. Easy to sip on throughout the meal with not too strong flavors Crispy Brussel Sprouts - Incredibly savory first bite with umami and acid on the first bite! Brussels sprouts are cooked crispy in the outside yet tender on the inside. Tastes like soy sauce, lime, and a little bit of spicy kick. Handcut Pappardelle Pasta - A light carbonara sauce on firm pasta. Seasoned well and the citrus breadcrumbs add a nice depth of tang and crunch to each bite. 6 Hour Smoked Duroc Pork Spare Ribs - Taste and texture really varies on this one. I had an end piece that was tough and dry, but I also had a rib that was tender and fatty. Decent smokiness on the first bite with a mild kick at the end. Coleslaw was creamy and compliments the dish but nothing out of the ordinary. Service and advice on navigating the menu was easy thanks to our server Corina. I could've ordered the not as popular dishes but I wanted to try something different than the seafood items. Maybe I'll come back for those next time. read more

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They say "you can't argue with success". Well, I'm here to argue with it. The Lark is obviously a very successful restaurant, which is no easy feat anywhere, but especially in Santa Barbara. The place was packed last night, with a very long wait for a table if you didn't have a reservation, which we didn't have, but our party of five was able to get seating immediately at their communal table, which ended up being the most successful part of our experience. One of our party ordered a "Serpent's Tooth" cocktail, which SOUNDED good based on the description, but when she and then the rest of us tried it, we all found it to be SO SWEET, like sickeningly/cloyingly sweet, but one would never gather that outcome from the description on their menu. Our friend wasn't going to return it because she felt embarrassed to do so, so I returned it on her behalf. Our server was nice about it, and said it's batched that way and not a function of how much simple syrup the bartender adds manually, so obviously, somebody in management needs to tweak the sweetness level on that drink by at least half so that it will appeal to anyone other than 21 year olds trying their first drink. Our server then brought our friend another more properly made martini, so all good. My date and I ordered drinks and dinner. We asked our server for a separate check, and then ordered the Jidori Free Range Fried Chicken with "anson mills" heirloom grits, bread & butter pickles, chile de arbol honey, and scallions, priced at $38. Big disappointment. The chicken was both overly breaded on the outside, and overly greasy on the inside. It appeared they had used untrimmed chicken thighs, so there were big pieces of fat mixed in with the meat, so it was difficult to get an actual bite of meat through all of the breading and fat. Again, from the chicken breading to the grits, everything had a sweet note, which runs counterintuitive to what one thinks of when one thinks of fried chicken. Perhaps the chef should put that honey on the side instead of making everyone eat sweet fried chicken? Our friends ordered Southern Pimento Cheese, Brown Butter Rosemary Cornbread, and The Lark's Classic Wedge. Everything was decent, but nothing special, and bordering on "meh". Our server brought ONE check for all five of us after we'd requested a separate check, which made for an awkward divvying up at the end, which we'd tried to avoid. We've probably been to the Lark five or six times over their entire existence, and each time we've come away with the same feeling: That it's overpriced, and overrated. $5 each per oyster? $125 for a ribeye? It's a trendy place for sure, so if you want to "see and be seen", this is the place for you. If you want great food at a fair(er) price, there are far better choices in town. read more

We have been back several times when visiting our daughter in SB, and each time it has been great! Ambiance, service and food are all consistently good. read more

Excellent service, great drinks and a few favorites we have whenever we get a craving- The cornbread is delicious, the ribs are delectable, and the Prime flat iron is mouthwatering. The ambience is pretty great too! Enjoy! read more

All I can say is "WOW!!!" Up in Santa Barbara from L.A. for the weekend and tthought I'd take the wife and kids to The Lark for dinner. It's been a few years since we've dined here and, let's just say it's even better than I recalled. Got a rather late rez (please book early) on a Friday night. My family of four sat outdoors with our tripod Husky. Our server, Ramona, made sure to bring out a bowl of water without our having to ask- so thoughtful. We started with some cocktails made with a new Austrian Vodka, NEFT- so smooth. We followed Ramona's suggestion and ordered a bunch of dishes to enjoy family-style. The corn bread was the best I've ever had- who knew that rosemary works well with the sweetness of corn bread?? Pimiento dip was fire. Wedge salad with pork belly is a novel combination that just hits. Crudo was fresh. Complimentary popcorn was like elevated kettle corn- great for munching with cocktails while we waited for the other food to arrive. Next up: Jidori fried chicken- expertly-fried on a bed of grits. So good! Pork ribs were so tender and serving-size generous. Finished with the Pot de Creme- imagine this dessert being less sweet and rich than you're used to, and with a Butterfinger-tasting crumble on top. Wowzers. And, Ramona remembered that my daughter can't have dairy and gave her a scoop of sorbet on the house. Can't wait for a return visit to The Lark! Bon Appétit. read more

My husband and I went to The Lark last night to celebrate my birthday! Upon arrival we were greeted by our server who was sweet, engaging, genuine, and authentic. While perusing the menu, we were surprised with complimentary pickle popcorn which was out of this world. For dinner we chose the Brussels sprouts, oysters, New Orleans shrimp toast, and finally the porchetta. Everything was delicious and unique, my favorite were the Brussels and shrimp toast. The oysters were very fresh and bright. I least enjoyed the porchetta which was a disappointment because I was most excited for it with that being said it was still decent (maybe just not my jam). Desert was good as well! Now the reason for the missing star in my review. Having experience working in a Michelin restaurant I feel there are some things that could have been better considering their Michelin recommendation and the style of dining. For example, we had to pour our own water from the beginning then half way through our dinner our water bottle was taken to be refilled but never returned. Second, not every dish was described to us which is fine but our first dish was so we're were expecting it the rest of the meal. Lastly, drink service was very slow we received our first dish before our drinks and waited a long time for our second one as well. Overall we had an excellent experience at the lark! My husband and I found it to be a great value for the price. If we find ourselves back in Santa Barbara we will be back. read more

Stopped by for dinner after day of wine tasting in the Funk Zone. Service and ambiance were good. The Good The Parker rolls with house butter were phenomenal. The pappardelle pasta was very well made What was just Ok The ribeye steak entree was just ok. The pastrami rub was an interesting touch but would have preferred the natural flavor of the steak. read more

If you get their cookbook you immediately realize why the food is so good. So many things require complex prep days beforehand. The food is tip top. This should at least be a Bib Gourmand on Michelin. The only drawback I have isn't them, it's more their neighbors and the patio. The inside has great vibes-- but the patio could use a lil facelift. And at times on the patio you get blasted by their neighbors music, or smothered in cigarette or weed smoke. You do you, I don't want to breathe that when I'm eating. read more

We celebrated our daughters 20th Birthday at The Lark. We had a great experience. The food was so delicious, and Ramona was the best server. It was our first time dining there and she made us feel welcome and she was so nice. Thank you! read more

The Lark - Bday celebration at The Lark! - New American Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Had Easter Brunch there this year. I had eggs Benedict. Texas toast should be the new standard for all Benedict's! My husband had Shakshuka. Always a solid choice there. Wait staff very attentive and efficient. read more

Such a great place to go for an intimate gathering or date. Got to sit outside, and it was so cute. Food, service, and vibes are all immaculate. Got to try the hangar steak, fried chicken, and crudo. Steak was tender and cooked to perfection, only complaint is that it didn't come out very hot. Fried chicken was SO good, perfectly tender and moist. The pickles and gravy that comes with it pairs perfectly with the chicken. Crudo was my least favorite, I feel like it was missing an acidity or sweetness, still pretty good though. Will be coming here again the next time I am in SB. Such a solid place. read more

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Brussel sprouts are packed with flavor, worth trying item on the menu. The rest of the food is meh - underwhelming. Not worth waiting if you don't have a reservation. Service was ok, decent wait time for food to be served. Nice ambiance. Good idea for a dinner date, otherwise save your hard earned money and go somewhere else. read more

What a wonderful spot! Santa Barbara is full of hidden gems and The Lark is definitely one of them. The indoor/outdoor ambiance is so beautiful. So many unique and yummy dish options. I can't remember the name but the fried chicken plate is to die for. Insanely delicious, with a glass of white wine! Can't go wrong. The parking may be tough which is totally understandable if you're a SB local but there's a chance you'll find something close by if you get lucky! It was my first time recently and would definitely come back. read more