Montecito's culinary scene had a real boost this year with several new restaurants opening and more on the way. Here is our guide to the town's hottest new offerings.
Local Santa Barbara chef and Michelin Bib Gourmand winner Ramon Velazquez expanded his elevated Mexican cuisine to Montecito Country Mart back in September. The menu blends flavors of Mexico City with the very best local ingredients including Santa Barbara seafood and organic fruits and vegetables and features Velazquez' award-winning ceviche.
The partners behind Little Dom’s expanded their Santa Barbara County footprint in October with this Montecito newcomer. Bar Lou takes a coastal approach with a menu that reads like a restaurant in the south of France. By working closely with local farmers and purveyors, Bar Lou hopes to provide some of the freshest fare in Montecito. The space is divided into four distinct dining rooms, with mirrored walls, vintage French oak floors and dark green accents with a distinctly modern California bungalow meets French bistro’ vibe.
Clark’s Montecito is a stylish restaurant celebrating coastal American classics spanning from New England to California. The menu features seasonal bounty from the Pacific Ocean. A collaboration between Lambert McGuire Design and Santa Barbara-based architect Jeff Shelton, the space offers a seamless indoor-outdoor dining experience that pays homage to its coastal setting and historic Spanish Colonial Revival architecture.
The newest entrant to the Montecito scene, RH Fireside Grill is an indoor-outdoor Courtyard Restaurant with fireplaces and fountains, a Wine & Barista Bar, plus an Interior Design Atelier. Located in the historic Old Fire House in Montecito's Upper Village, the unique structure has been reimagined as a destination celebrating dining and design and represents the brand’s vision for creating inspiring spaces and authentic experiences that respect and amplify the local culture.
More swanky cocktail bar than restaurant, the newest concept from the Good Lion Hospitality Team is a welcome addition to the Cost Village Road scene. The cocktail bar features a chic design and warm ambiance, steeped in the elegance of a bygone era where guests can sip on thoughtful classic cocktails with innovative twists. Located in the Montecito Inn, the bar features food from the Michelin Bib Gourmand-winning team at Sama Sama.
More activity is in store for our community in 2025. Stay tuned!
