A Sommelier's Guide to Food and Wine in Santa Barbara

Wineries & tasting rooms

Downtown Santa Barbara boasts more than 20 tasting rooms spread over multiple neighborhoods. From The Funk Zone to the Presidio and Midtown, this Urban Wine Trail is easily walkable. It encompasses an eclectic mix of tasting rooms, cocktail bars and restaurants.

• Funk Zone: Located just north of Sterns Wharf, between the ocean and Hwy 101, the Funk Zone was funky long before it received its more hip-sounding name. This converted manufacturing district is now home to tasting rooms, breweries, cafes, bakeries, restaurants, cocktail bars and boutique shops. It is all nestled into an area the size of New York’s Grand Central Station.

• For wine tasting, my personal favorites include The Santa Barbara Wine Collective, Melville Winery, Riverbench Winery and Corks & Crowns. If cocktails are more your thing, Test Pilot serves up delicious rum-based concoctions in a tiki bar setting. Or try Pearl Social, which offers a cultured, romantic setting with live music. If you just want to hang out with your friends over a beer, head on over to Lama Dog Taproom and sample some of their 20 revolving craft beers.

The Presidio/Downtown

This is just steps from State Street. The Presidio area boasts premier wine tasting rooms, high-end and casual restaurants, boutique shops and wellness centers. A few stand-out tasting rooms in the neighborhood include Au Bon Climat, Grassini Family Vineyards, Happy Canyon Vineyard and Barbieri and Kempe Wines.

Midtown

Midtown is along the “Haley Street Corridor” of the Urban Wine Trail. Midtown is situated between Anacapa and Milpas St. It houses six fully-functioning wineries, including Whitcraft Winery, Carr Winery and Jaffurs Cellars. There are also breweries (Third Window), coffee shops (Lighthouse Coffee) and eateries (Ah! Juice) popular with locals.

Wine shops

From Montecito to Goleta, Santa Barbara is home to many wine shops that double as wine bars. Two of my favorites, focusing on local wines are Vino Divino and The Goodland Wine Shop. Stop by to pick up a bottle and enjoy a glass while you shop! There are also weekly tasting events featuring local winemakers at both locations.

Picnics and markets

Once you’ve grabbed your wine and cheese, head up to the Mission Rose Garden for a picnic and a sunset. This is a local favorite and a great meeting point for beautiful views of the city.

One of my other favorite ways to picnic is on Ledbetter beach with oysters from the Santa Barbara Fish Market and a bottle of wine from one of the local wineries in the Funk Zone.

If you happen to be in town on either a Tuesday evening or a Saturday morning, the Santa Barbara Farmer’s Market is one of the best in the county. Definitely don’t skip the strawberries.

Wine and food tours

One of the best ways to experience Santa Barbara Wine Country is through a local wine tour company. My recommendation is Sustainable Wine Tours. Scott and his drivers are extremely knowledgable about the region and curate an intimate experience visiting off-the-beaten path wineries, cellars and vineyards. Spend the whole day in the Santa Ynez Valley to truly understand why this region is so special.

Eat This, Shoot That is a local walking tour that will take you around the Funk Zone or your own private customized tour of town to taste and photograph some of what SB has to offer without even leaving town!

Restaurants, wine & cocktail bars

Barbareño: A high-end yet relaxed restaurant in downtown, off State Street highlighting the culinary history and traditions of the region using locally-sourced ingredients. A master of wine curates the wine list and focuses on local Californian treasures.

Satellite: A space-themed natural wine bar and vegetarian restaurant located right in the heart of downtown on State Street. Every night there is something happening here, from a blind tasting to magic to live music. Not just a wine bar, they are also a wine shop and have opened a second location. They host wine-focused events like a paint night and The Central Coast Natural Wine Festival. Not just a wine bar, they are also a wine shop and have opened a second location where they host wine-focused events like a paint night and The Central Coast Natural Wine Festival.

Bouchon: The original wine country cuisine featuring local, fresh ingredients from the farmer’s market and a Wine Enthusiast Award of Excellence wine list, Bouchon has been a local staple since 1998. It gives off a rustic yet sophisticated energy with an open kitchen so you can watch all the magic happen.

Loquita: Showcasing authentic Spanish food, Loquita highlights the Mediterranean climate and terroir of Santa Barbara that mirrors Spain. Although the wine list consists of mostly Spanish wines, you can find some local gems featuring Spanish varietals.

The Lark: Located in the heart of the Funk Zone, The Lark’s menu is truly farm-to-table California cuisine. There is a large communal table, giving a nod to the industrial history of the area. The style features vintage and repurposed furniture that gives The Lark an inviting feeling while serving up some of the best food in town. The wine list focuses on local small-producers, while the cocktail menu is dynamic.

Revolver Pizza: A funky little New York-style pizza joint on the Westside, named after the Beatles album, features a limited menu and a natural wine list. This hidden gem also offers live jazz weekly.

Bibi Ji: Located in the arts district of downtown, Bibi Ji offers a modern twist on traditional Indian dishes. There is an extensive natural wine list created by a James Beard award-winning sommelier and winemaker, Rajat Parr.

Bettina: Neapolitan-style pizza, Italian spritzes, local wine and more at this friendly spot in Montecito. The menu changes often, but the quality of the ingredients stays high. They are also open for lunch daily. Besides all of the food and drinks here, I also really love the lighting in the daytime.

Arigato Sushi: One of the longest-standing restaurants on State Street, Arigato has an extensive food menu and sake list. I love sake and this is definitely one of the best places in town to find the most options. They also get the freshest local uni, which everyone must try at least once when they visit Santa Barbara.

Sama Sama: A Southeast Asian-inspired menu made from local ingredients located in the heart of downtown. The cocktail menu is ever-changing and so delicious. Either before or after your meal, head next door for an aperitif or digestif at The Good Lion.