Lively Restaurants in Santa Barbara

Sometimes you simply want a meal, sometimes you just want to have a good time, and sometimes you want all of the above wrapped up in a tasty, fun-filled package. Herewith, you'll find Santa Barbara restaurants where games are encouraged, wine flows freely on tap, and family-style meals are the norm. Arnoldi's Cafe serves up hearty Italian fare and has bocce ball courts out back for after-dinner tourneys. Palazzio is known for Italian dishes that can feed a whole family, and the wine-on-tap is on the honor system, so keep track! Cold Spring Tavern is a wagon wheel stop turned fine dining restaurant located in the hills. On Sundays, live bands entertain while locals inhale tri-tip barbecue sandwiches and frosty brews. Two-step encouraged! Live music and stiff drinks flow at SOhO, while fresh farmers market cocktails are the draw at the Hungry Cat, and both are hangouts for the 20- and 30-something crowd. Spice things up with cool mojitos and Tango night at the Argentinian inspired Cafe Buenos Aires. For a casual meal, wait in line at the famos La Super-Rica Taqueria (a favorite of onetime Sana Barbaran Julia Child), and stick your feet in the sand while sipping a cocktail at Shoreline Beach Cafe.

Arnoldis Cafe

600 Olive Street

One of the oldest restaurants in Santa Barbara, this cafe serves up authentic Italian fare...
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Brewhouse

229 West Montecito Street

Home brews and live music draw crowds at this lower Westside hangout...
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Brophy Bros. Restaurant & Clam Bar

119 Harbor Way
Off Cabrillo Blvd. in the Waterfront Center

Fish time...
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Cafe Buenos Aires

1316 State Street

Quiet Dining...
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Cold Spring Tavern

5995 Stagecoach Road

This onetime stagecoach is located on San Marco Pass and has been serving cold brews and hearty steaks since the 1940s...
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Hungry Cat

1134 Chapala Street

Creative cocktails and fresh fish draw crowds to this sleek and modern downtown eatery...
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La Super-Rica Taqueria

622 N. Milpas St
Between Cota and Ortega Sts

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Palazzio

1026 State St

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Shoreline Beach Cafe

801 Shoreline Drive

Feast on fish tacos and margaritas while dining on the sand...
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SOhO Restaurant & Music Club

1221 State Street
Suite 205

Live Music 7 Days a Week!...
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