Michelin has been awarding stars since the early 1900s, and since that first star was given, restauranteurs and chefs alike have dreamed of earning one.
One restaurant in Santa Barbara has been awarded a Michelin Star, and 14 others have been given a Michelin distinction, such as a Bib Gourmand, which reviews affordable quality restaurants.
When it comes to those coveted Stars, according to a Michelin panel, judges look at the quality of ingredients and consistency of the restaurant. They also consider the technique and process for each menu item as well as the resulting flavors. The personality of the chef must shine through the menu. Overall, stars are awarded in a tier of “very good” (1 star), “excellent” (2 stars), and “exceptional” (3 stars).
We’ll start with Caruso’s, the Michelin Star restaurant in Santa Barbara, followed by the 14 Michelin-reviewed Santa Barbara restaurants that earned a Bib Gourmand. (If you enjoy reading about food, look at these foods you didn’t know were invented in America.)
Caruso’s
With stunning views of the Pacific and open-air dining, it’s no wonder Caruso’s in Montecito earned a Michelin Star. Known for its take on Californian cuisine with inspiration from Italian recipes, the menu is centered around regional ingredients and local produce. Try their A5 Tartare or their Channel Island spiny lobster. They also earned a Michelin Green Star for their local sourcing and sustainability efforts.
Bibi Ji
Michelin commended Bibi Ji for its efficient setup and beautiful outdoor patio. Top dishes include the crisped cauliflower in chili-garlic sauce and sesame, and the Baingan Bharta, a ginger eggplant plate with toasted cumin, and tomatoes. They have a well-rounded section of tandoor and curries, with the Barra Kebab lamb chops recommended as a Michelin favorite.
Barbareño
Barbareño‘s plates combine unique details with plentiful flavors and colorful choices. Michelin highlighted the grilled avocado and mentioned the “Eggamuffins,” which come with a topping of whipped seascape cheese foam, Italian cured speck, and grated, cured egg yolk. Mains include options like local black cod and pork chop with apples. Michelin mentioned the Hive and Honey panna cotta for dessert.
Sama Sama Kitchen
One of the more affordable options on this list, Sama Sama Kitchen is a locally sourced Southeast Asian restaurant co-owned by chef Ryan Simorangkir and Tyler Peek. Michelin deemed this restaurant worthy of a Bib Gourmand and recommended the green papaya salad to start.
Yoichi’s
Yoichi’s is a multi-course Japanese dining experience headed by chef Yoichi Kawabata. The Michelin review recounts the grilled Waygu beef in sansho pepper glaze, and duck breast in sweet soy sauce with green peppers. Next comes the Owan course, a soup, followed by sashimi, a grilled dish, a simmered dish, and then Shokuji, the sushi course. The final course is the Kanmi, or dessert.
Corazon Cocina
Corazon Cocina chef and owner Ramon Velazquez pulls from his Guadalajaran heritage to form his menu, which features locally sourced produce and ingredients. Favorites include grilled octopus tacos and the Oaxaca cheese quesadilla paired with confit tomatoes, radishes, and broccolini. They have an array of ceviches, burritos, specials, and sauces that compliment the bursting and brilliant flavors. In awarding a Bib Gourmand, Michelin said to “say yes to all three of the different salsas handed out with your order.”
Loquita
Loquita‘s Michelin-recommended tapas include a crusted pan con tomate and a chorizo y pollo paella. There are smaller bites as well, including Medjool dates, with blue cheese and smoked rosemary almonds, as well as some top-notch charcuterie offerings. This Bib Gourmand restaurant won’t hurt your wallet, either.
The Lark
The Lark menu features family-style portions of locally sourced ingredients like blistered shishito and sweet-and-sour pickles. Main dishes include an array of grilled vegetables, as well as a hand-cut pappardelle pasta with roasted butternut squash, maitake mushrooms, and a soft poached egg. Dessert offerings include cardamom-spiced donuts, dark chocolate pot de creme, and a lime mango sorbet.
Blackbird
Hotel Californian’s Blackbird restaurant is led by executive chef Travis Watson, who combines local produce and ocean ingredients for a taste of California. Appetizers include West Coast oysters, ceviche, a citrus salad, and broccolini. Entrees include seared scallops, black cod, eggplant, and risotto. Michelin recommended Blackbird’s fig pavlova with savory olive oil.
Los Agaves
Another Michelin-reviewed restaurant that won’t break the bank, Los Agaves offers an expansive menu of flavorful dishes. Michelin recommended the halibut ceviche tostada with cilantro and avocado. There’s also the costra taco al pastor, which features pineapple, marinated pork, and pickled onions.
Bettina
Bettina received a Bib Gourmand rating from the Michelin Guide. Co-owned by Brendan Smith and Rachel Greenspan, their restaurant features over a dozen varieties of wood-fired pizza. Michelin recommended the carbonara with pancetta, the egg with pecorino, and the seasonal summer peach with red onions, fontina, and poblano peppers. Desserts include an olive oil cake with thyme and orange zest, and brown butter chocolate chip cookies with Jacobsen’s sea salt.
The Stonehouse
The Stonehouse is focused on hyper-local regional sourcing. Try their Chilean sea bass, maple-glazed king salmon, or herb-crusted rack of lamb. Michelin mentioned the three-course prix-fixe with hamachi sashimi, pan-roasted striped bass, and a signature Meyer-lemon tart.
Sushi by Scratch Restaurants: Montecito
Sushi by Scratch is co-owed by chefs Phillip Frankland Lee and Margarita Kallas-Lee. This menu is known for its unique take on classic sushi dishes, like adding sweet corn pudding or sourdough bread crumbs to grilled hamachi. They’re also known for their iconic house-fermented soy sauce. Michelin recommended pairing brown sugar, chili ponzu, fried onions, and pineapple with wagyu beef and delicate fish dishes.
Silvers Omakase
Added to the Michelin Guide in July 2024, Silvers Omakase is led by chef Lennon Silvers Lee and offers a Japanese tasting menu. Michelin recommended diners “enjoy one or two small dishes before a parade of nigiri, which may include hamachi, shima aji, as well as bluefin tuna.”
AMA Sushi
If you can’t get to Japan, AMA Sushi is the best place to go. Chef Kentaro Ikuta is an artist with his menu, which includes omakase tasting at the sushi bar, a prix fixe, and a la carte menu. Michelin added AMA Sushi in 2023 and recommended the seared scallop with wasabi vinaigrette, and black sesame cheesecake for dessert. (Read on to find out about seafood you should avoid.)