Santa Barbara is home to alluring, sunny weather and miles of sandy beaches, making it a great location to grab a bite on a restaurant patio. Whether you're looking for a place to enjoy a quick meal with friends or a romantic place to dine while watching the sunset, Santa Barbara features dozens of restaurants along the coastline, offering everything from seafood and steak to hamburgers and sandwiches. Each of the following restaurants has an outdoor dining area, so you can view the calming, blue Pacific Ocean during your meal. Breakfast on A Restaurant Patio
Jeannine's American Bakery Restaurant
Grab a blueberry scone or a pumpkin pecan muffin at Jeannine's American Bakery Restaurant, which serves a wide range of pastries, such as coffee cakes, muffins, cookies and scones. In addition to pastries, the restaurant serves breakfast and lunch. Stop by on the weekends for brunch, and enjoy various Benedict dishes, French toast, pancakes, salads and sandwiches.
Sambo's Restaurant
If you're in the mood for breakfast in the afternoon, Sambo's Restaurant serves breakfast seven days a week from 6:30 a.m. until closing time at 3:00 p.m. Around since 1957, this restaurant won the Certificate of Excellence from Trip Advisor in 2015. Grab a seat on the patio for a view of the ocean, order a jumbo mimosa and treat yourself to one of Sambo's favorites, such as the Papa Jumbo Special, which contains an order of bacon, ham or sausage, two eggs and three pancakes.
Lunch and Dinner
On the Alley
Serving burgers, hot dogs, tacos, salads and sandwiches, On the Alley is a great place to eat when you're in the mood for a quick meal. Visit the Santa Barbara Harbor location and watch boats gliding across the water, and after your meal, take a relaxing walk on the harbor and enjoy the warm sun and gentle breeze.
Beachside Bar and Cafe
Located at one of Santa Barbara's most popular beaches, Goleta Beach Park, Beachside Bar and Cafe offers a stunning view of the ocean and tasty seafood. This restaurant offers indoor and patio seating with a wide range of fresh fish on the lunch and dinner menus. Sip on a Mai Tai or margarita during happy hour, which runs from three to six p.m., and enjoy a plate of crab cakes.
Santa Barbara FisHouse
Specializing in steamed crab, shrimp and lobster, Santa Barbara FisHouse serves many different fresh seafood entrees. The outdoor dining area has a great view of the water and an open fire pit, so you stay cozy while you're eating. The restaurant also offers brunch on Sunday with a focus on seafood dishes, such as the lobster omelet, salmon Benedict and salmon platter.
Moby Dick Restaurant
Enjoy the beauty of the ocean when dining at Moby Dick restaurant, located on Stearns wharf in the middle of the Santa Barbara Bay. There's something for everyone, as the menu includes seafood, steak, pasta and vegetarian dishes. From five to eight p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, six to nine p.m. on Friday and Saturday or 10 a.m. to two p.m. on Sunday, listen to live Spanish music by award-winning guitarist, Derroy.
Treat your significant other to authentic French food and an exclusive Santa Barbara county wine list at Bouchon. During the summer, relax at the stunning patio dining area and enjoy the intimate atmosphere.