$$$$Sushi, Japanese
Located at the Rosewood Miramar, AMA Sushi is straight out of Japan. The name is a nod to the famed female divers and the space resembles a typical Japanese house with a moody nautical appeal (think dark wood walls with lantern-like light fixtures and a scalloped sushi bar). Then there is the edomae-style sushi, available à la carte or as an omakase. It's worth going all in on the omakase to sample the chef's artistry, which begins with a trinity of bites from soba noodles and fried eggplant to sesame tofu. A seared scallop with wasabi vinaigrette paves the way for nigiri, with standouts inclu
$$$$American
San Ysidro Ranch is a dreamy setting for this rustic stone "house," punctuated by lush gardens, creekside views, rough-hewn beams and a wood-burning fireplace. In the kitchen, hyper-local regional cooking rules, with many of the herbs, fruits and veggies harvested on the property. Arrive early to walk the grounds before your meal. There is exclusivity in the air, which seems to match the affluent diners and informed servers. Regulars aim for seats on the patio along with simpler bites, like the burger or crab cakes; while others may delve into such finer things as a three-course prix-fixe, sta
TripAdvisor review sample · 4.7/5 · 80 reviews
Located in Montecito, The Stonehouse is renowned for its lush, botanical garden setting featuring rose and herb gardens. Reviews frequently praise the exceptional service, high food quality, and extensive wine cellar, making it suitable for family celebrations. However, some guests express disappointment with menu changes, such as the removal of the wedge salad, and note issues with meal pacing. The 'Carriage House' seating area receives criticism for uncomfortable chairs and a lack of ambiance compared to the main dining rooms. While isolated incidents of reservation cancellations and poor service exist, the restaurant maintains a strong 4.7/5 rating, generally regarded as a premium dining destination despite occasional inconsistencies.
Ideal for diners seeking refined ambiance and service; avoid the Carriage House and confirm menu preferences in advance.
🕐 Mo-Sa 07:00-10:00,11:00-15:00,17:00-21:00, Su 07:00-09:00,17:00-21:00
$$$Californian
Chilean-born Chef Diego Moya cut his teeth working in kitchens around the globe before opening Little Mountain in Montecito. The rustic yet elegant dining room draws inspiration from the region's Spanish Colonial history, with tall, white walls, brick floors and wood beams. The intimate ambience makes it a natural fit for date night; be sure to make reservations (though the bar accepts walk-ins). Meanwhile, the menu uses local ingredients to tell a globally inspired story. To begin, a tile fish ceviche with yuzu kosho and sweet peppers is a perfect choice. It's hard to go wrong with any of the