Top 15 Affordable Restaurants in Santa Barbara, CA

Preeti Tata We hosted our wedding weekend welcome party with The Cruisery and had a fantastic experience. Communication was easy from the start, and the space felt spacious enough for our group of around 70 guests while still maintaining a fun, intimate atmosphere. There was plenty of room for conversation areas, a dance floor, and easy mingling. The bartenders were friendly, fast, and kept the energy high throughout the night. One of the best parts was how helpful Aaron, the manager, was during our last-minute venue scramble due to a severe rainstorm. He was incredibly accommodating and proactive, offering us their sister property — Unbearable Skee Lodge — at a very competitive rate given the short notice. That space is amazing in its own right: a stylish ski-chalet vibe without feeling kitschy, with comfy couch seating, high tops for easy conversation, and fun skee-ball arcade games that our guests loved. They also gave very thoughtful guidance on ordering, which helped us meet our food & beverage minimum without going under or significantly over — a rare and appreciated level of transparency. Being able to bring in our own friend to DJ was another huge plus. We highly recommend The Cruisery (and Unbearable Skee Lodge) for welcome parties, rehearsal events, or private group gatherings — especially if you want a flexible venue with great service and a fun, relaxed atmosphere.

Ross Mantsurov Lovely place to go for a quick seafood meal right on Santa Barbara Harbor. The clam chowder was one of the best I’ve ever had! The fried calamari was a bit fishy but definitely fresh. They also use some of the same dishes from the popular restaurant Brophy Bros right next door. They are definitely a faster, casual eatery, perfect if you haven’t made a reservation anywhere else!

Gorland G. We had a great time here. The service was superb, and the food was excellent. We liked the sourdough with cultured butter/local olive oil/bacon-date jam. The crispy potato skin chips that came with the burger were delicious and creative — absolutely one of a kind! I also enjoyed the mussels; this was the only place I’ve been to where they removed the beards (the hairy part) from the mussels before cooking. The only thing I would point out is that the portions for the mussels dish and the pasta dish were really small — more like appetizer size instead of entrée size. Keep that in mind when you order. Overall, it was a great experience for us!

Jennifer Murphy We had a fantastic birthday dinner for my husband. The hostess added a sweet card and rose petals to the table. Our waiter, Carey helped us decided on the perfect bottle of wine that paired well with the duck two ways and the wagyu ribeye which were both delicious! We started with the soup and persimmon and burrata salad and finished with dessert but the star were the salad, entrees and wine along with attentive service. I’m glad we made time as it was an enjoyable evening.

Susanne Engberg Creekside came through big time when our outdoor wedding got rainy. With short notice they accommodated our every need. They provided excellent service with a smile and genuine care.

Tianling Wan The Chicken Marsala is great. The wine sauce is slightly heavier than I thought and the knife is somehow difficult to cut, but overall I like it a lot. Will come back to try other dishes. Comfortable outdoor seating too and nice service.

mike AP Always delicious and fresh Mexican food and seafood. The birria with blue corn tortillas were awesome and the tostada with fresh fish and watermelon was delicious. For drinks you gotta have the hibiscus margarita

Catherine Hunt Thanksgiving and ate lunch here the day after. It has outdoor and indoor dining. It was a beautiful, sunny day and we had outdoor seating. I am glad that I made a reservation since they were busy and a lot of people wanted to sit outside. The view was awesome. We enjoyed our food and service. It is a popular restaurant and it was very busy. It is dog friendly which is great since we had our don’s

Cassie Harriman Omg this place is such a gem!!! We can for a late dinner and it was empty? There’s no reason for it to be. The waitresses are delightful and so friendly! The decor is adorable and so inviting. And the FOOD IS DELICIOUS. Just take a look at the photos. Definitely order the flatbreads, they aren’t actually flat they are more fluffy but I prefer them that way. The salmon was great as well and the arrabiata is delicious if you like spicy!

Hannah Downing My new favorite spot in SB! The staff are super friendly and helpful. The sitting area is comfortable and welcoming, both inside and out. The excellent vegan options are an added bonus!

Alexander Cohen Look, if you’re willing to look past the mediocre service and crowded atmosphere, the food here will knock your socks off. We’ve never had a bad meal. All of the pastas and starters are great. I think the ravioli with brown butter and sage are one of the best pasta dishes I’ve ever eaten. The tagliatelle and pappadelle basciola are phenomenal as well. Secondi are all good too, but you’re really coming here for the pasta (or the osso bucco or chicken/veal parm specials). Cocktails are mid, just pass. Come on a weekday or early on a weekend.

Clare Bozzo Easily the BEST dinner in SB. Superior to a number of restaurants in the area(even those with Michelin stars). I’ve been here by myself, with a group of 3-5, 20+ guests AND 120+ guests and the quality and service is consistent and incredible. EVERY. TIME. The service and the food are above and beyond. Every time I’ve come in I ask the for the 4-course meal and I have NEVER been disappointed. They always change it up and if there is ever something that sticks out to me on the menu they will accommodate the ask and incorporate it into the meal. My personal favorite is to sit at the bar. Jess always takes the best care and is beyond exceptional. She been here since being at the old location (reflecting the consistent quality and excellent ownership of Black Sheep). Jess is quick, knows the menu inside and out, and honestly, she is true, top-tier talent. You will not regret visiting here. This is a staple to Santa Barbara and one to remember!!

Jocelyn Brooks Came here while vacationing with the Mrs. Ordered a seafood boil with crabs, mussels and shrimp. Food came out hot. I enjoyed a cider while I was there. I dont think that they have any hard liquor. My server was amazing!! I enjoyed my boil, although I wish the sauce was a little bit thicker like in used to. However, the flavor and mild spice level was good. My wife ate her share the next day and liked it. She also enjoyed the spice level.

Steve Davila The BBQ pork sandwich was fantastic!! They give a healthy portion of stewed pork and the flavor of the sauce w the coleslaw and pickles and soft bread was the best!!

Jennifer Crespo Delicious food!!!! The service was excellent. The environment super nice to enjoy with family and/or friends.