Five Restaurants to Check Out in Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara has a diverse food scene full of fantastic restaurants. New restaurants open regularly ranging from chic fine dining to casual family fare. I wrote about my favorite pizza place earlier this week, here are five more restaurants that you should add to your travel itinerary.

Andersen’s Danish Bakery & Restaurant | https://andersenssantabarbara.com

Home of handcrafted European cuisine and Danish pastries, Andersen’s is a charming restaurant and bakery located on State Street. While you can just stop by to pick up a pastry as you stroll around, take an afternoon to enjoy their high tea. Served on a tiered tray you will sample a variety of sweet and savory Danish-style treats from apple streusel to tea sandwiches. A little different from a traditional English tea, it’s a fun cultural experience for any tea lover or special occasion.

Beachside Bar-Cafe | https://www.beachside-barcafe.com

Located in Goleta, enjoy ocean views and a changing seasonal menu of fresh seafood. Be sure to get a window seat if you can because the view is worth the wait. Right on the beach, you get an unobstructed view of the ocean as you dine. With great lunch specials, this is the perfect stop after a morning on the beach. In addition to the seafood, they also serve a fantastic tri-tip sandwich.

Mizza | https://www.mizzasb.com

Boasting a menu of artisan pizza and Italian cuisine this is a great spot to grab some dinner after a day of shopping on State Street. You can’t miss the yellow umbrellas located in by the La Arcada Plaza, grab a patio seat if you can. They source their produce locally, so be sure to check out their salad and appetizer menus. The heirloom tomato and burrata salad is simple in execution, but delicious with ribbons of fresh basil and fresh cracked pepper. I haven’t had the chance to try their pizza menu, but the creamy pesto and smoked chicken orecchiette is worth consideration.

Old Town Coffee | https://otcoffeeshop.com

Another Goleta favorite, this coffee shop is worth a stop for more than just their latte menu. With empanadas from Buena Onda and donuts from Hook and Press in their pastry case be sure to come hungry. You can’t go wrong with any of the empanada options (though the prosciutto was a personal favorite and the brown butter donut is a must. The cafe has ample seating making it a great place to meet a friend or get some work done, but parking can be a little tricky depending on the time of day.

Les Marchands | http://lesmarchandswine.com

Easily one of the best weekend brunch spots in Santa Barbara. The seating area is relatively small, so arrive early if you want to guarantee your spot. While the specials change regularly, one constant is their spectacular take on chicken and waffles. Perfectly tender chicken with crisp, flavorful skin paired with just the right amount of syrup on a fluffy waffle. Bliss.

What are your Santa Barbara favorites? I’m heading back to the area later this year and am always excited to try something new.

Ten Favorite Santa Barbara Shops

Continuing Central Coast week, today we are going to take a look at some of my favorite shops in Santa Barbara. From large outdoor malls to little treasures tucked into winding side streets, the city has a little something for everyone.

Lewis and Clark | https://www.lewisandclarkltd.com

One of my most anticipated stops every time I am back in Santa Barbara. Located in the La Arcada Plaza of State Street, this is a little shop of wonders. The shelves are full of everything from beautifully curated antiques to delicate jewelry to whimsical stationery. Over the years I have picked up some of my favorite pairs of earrings here (be sure to look through all of their color-coordinated cases), as well as a few charming pieces of stationery for my desk (this year was a darling hedgehog notebook). Be sure to plan a little extra time to peruse the well-stocked shelves.

Peanuts Maternity & Kids | https://www.peanutvine.com

Another favorite in the La Arcada Plaza, this shop is full of charm. A great place to pick up a gift for the children in your life, the selection is also perfect for fans of a little whimsy. Darling stuffed animals, imaginative dress-up pieces, and seasonal accessories (my favorite sequined crab tote was purchased here a few years ago).

Chocolats Du Calibressan | https://www.chococalibressan.com

French style chocolates made with inventive ingredients, rounding out my favorite shops from the La Arcada Plaza is the home of my favorite chocolate truffles. In addition to my stand-by favorites, every time I’ve stopped by they have something new. The pineapple caramel is a must, as is the balsamic vinegar if you’re feeling adventurous. 

The Shopkeepers | https://www.theshopkeepers-sb.com

Their slogan “Curious goods for curious people.” is an apt one. Focusing predominantly on style, you’ll also find decor and trinkets that fit in with the vibe of the store. A great place to find pieces from both local makers and unique globally sourced finds, their shelves are a delight to browse. Their collection of jewelry and hair accessories have been personal favorites.

The Blue Door | http://www.thebluedoorsb.com/

Also located in the Funk Zone, this shop features both a vintage and modern collection of furniture, art, and accessories. The antique mixes well with the more current styles, and every display is vibrant and eye-catching. A perfect stop after brunch.

Nordstrom | https://shop.nordstrom.com/store-details/nordstrom-paseo-nuevo

While not a local store, this is by far my favorite Nordstrom location. The rooftop cafe has a beautiful view, and their selection is well curated to a more unique aesthetic. Be sure to check out their hair accessories (a few of my favorite headbands have been picked up here) as well as their handbags. Even if you don’t plan to shop, grab a coffee and enjoy the view.

SpaceNK | http://www.montecitocountrymart.com/space-nk-apothecary

Another store with a reach outside of Santa Barbara, but one that’s difficult to find in the United States, this is a must-stop for anyone interested in makeup and beauty. Everyone behind the counter is knowledgeable about the products carried (they are trained on all new releases as they arrive), making it a good time to try something new that’s suited to your specific skin or hair needs. If you visit during your birthday month be sure to pick up your gift, they change every month and often feature luxury brands like Oribe and Chantecaille.

The French Press | https://www.dunecoffee.com

A cafe may not be your first thought for a shopping excursion, but French Press is worth a browse for all coffee and tea lovers. Here you’ll find an array of locally roasted coffee, globally sourced tea, and interesting treats. They also make a fantastic latte.

Chaucer’s Bookstore | http://www.chaucersbooks.com

Perhaps with a little nostalgia, this was my favorite bookstore as a young girl and it continues to be my favorite bookstore in Santa Barbara. The shelves are full of everything from best sellers and new releases to local interest and stationery. I can get lost for hours wandering the aisles. The perfect place to pick up your next beach read.

I love picking up pieces on vacation that will remind me of the trip after I return home. Even if I’m not doing a lot of shopping, I try to pick up a local food, and either a piece of jewelry or home decor. As my collection has grown over the years, I love to see how it’s been shaped by the places I have been. What are your favorite things to pick up while on vacation?

Bettina Pizzeria

What better way to kick off Central Coast week on my blog than to talk about the restaurant that I visited on three separate occasions during my week’s vacation? My goal while on vacation is generally to try as much in a given city as I possibly can, so multiple visits to the same restaurant are a rarity. And then there was Bettina.

After a long day of driving all I could think about was pizza, and after a quick Yelp search I discovered that not only was Bettina close to my hotel, but the menu looked particularly delightful. From wood-fired bread and pepperoni pizza drizzled in local California honey to the truly spectacular carbonara pizza, every dish had an interesting twist.

Appetizers

Try the wood-fired bread. This was one of two repeat orders and it is one that you won’t regret. Warm and tangy with a side of house cultured butter that melts into the open crumb. It’s pure bliss. For something a little more substantial the fried cauliflower was also a hit, not least because the ranch dipping sauce on the side was heavenly.

Pizza

One of the things that caught my eye from the beginning was the seasonal menu of pizza options utilizing fresh (and often local) ingredients. The pepperoni pizza is generously sprinkled with the spicy disks and drizzled with a local California honey. The combination of sweet and spicy was well balanced (though the heat was a little much for me). The real shining star of the current menu is the carbonara pizza. Ricotta, mozzarella, and provolone piccante paired with melt in your mouth bites of pancetta and topped with an egg for good measure. The combination is the perfect savory mix of sharp and creamy with an added layer of richness from the pancetta and egg yolk. This was the dish that brought me back for a third visit.

Dessert

With an in-house pastry chef, the dessert menu should be given consideration. With the traditional Italian restaurant offerings of tiramisu to olive oil cake the menu is brief, but varied enough to suit both the traditionalist as well as the culinary adventurer. I couldn’t resist the call of the chocolate hazelnut cake and I wasn’t disappointed. Incredibly moist layers of chocolate cake sandwiched between buttercream and topped with roasted hazelnuts are served chilled. Sweet without being too much after a full meal, it’s a cake worth sharing.

I’m already plotting my next trip back when I’m in the area later this year (their winter menu has a potato pizza that looks divine) and adding a few flavor profiles to my everyday arsenal. Pepperoni drizzled with honey is a must, and I will be trying out adding some homemade ricotta to my next batch of carbonara. What is your favorite pizza pairing?

Bettina

1014 Coast Village Road

Santa Barbara, CA 93108

http://www.bettinapizzeria.com/