The globally renowned Michelin Guide — considered the go-to publication for quality dining across Europe, Asia, Brazil, and North America, has listed Sama Sma Kitchen on their website. This eatery in the heart of downtown is not only good fun but also good for the wallet. Here, two Chefs/partners bring their disparate expertise—one is a barbecue aficionado from Nashville, the other is Indonesian, and together they turn out a menu of thoroughly pleasing Southeast Asian food. Indonesian-Californian fusion is the mashup. With a vibrant and spicy menu peppered with ingredients from local farms, you'll be wanting one of everything, and that's okay. Go ahead and do it. This is a great spot for sharing. Attractions include a well-spiced rendition of green papaya salad, mixing aromatic herbs, chilies and peanuts. Jidori wings in a tamarind glaze, crispy duck salad, seared octopus with leek and chili oil, the Bao can be ordered fried or steamed, which yields a pillowy soft bun to be filled with crunchy fried chicken in a tangy sauce. The interior is appealingly simple, but the back patio is a hidden gem, filled with string lights and communal tables that can be booked for parties. Weekday happy hour simply means steep discounts on a variety of food and drinks. Go!

There's no relation to Thomas Keller's Bouchon, but you're not far off: Santa Barbara's Bouchon is wine-country food at its finest. It's not exclusively French bistro cuisine—unlike its Napa sibling-in-name-only—because this charming white-tableclothed hub in the heart of downtown also offers dishes like hamachi crudo in blood orange vinaigrette and some serious sea scallops with an orange-and-rosemary tapenade, all to be capped off with the signature and picture-perfect Baked Alaska. Be sure to snag a reservation before your visit—this is one of town's go-tos for finer dining and date nights. 

Housed in a former fish market in the Funk Zone, the Lark has become the restaurant to eat at in Santa Barbara. It’s a celebration of the Central Coast with a seasonally changing menu—the constant being a menu that’s split between “the farm,” “the ocean” and “the ranch.” If you can’t score a reservation here, at least consider a stop at its sister pizza shop, Lucky Penny, located right next door.

The first thing you'll notice about Barbareño, a MICHELIN GUIDE restaurant, is that prime patio—and that's exactly where you want to be sitting as you sip glass after glass from the lengthy menu of Central Coast wines. As you try and decide between uni carbonara and the market fish with avocado-leaf curry, take in the salt air—because hey, you'll only be about eight blocks from the ocean—and then dig into whatever "Central Coast Cuisine" really is. This is a restaurant defining it.

Lilly’s Taqueria resides in a no-frills space right next to the freeway. When you walk in, you’ll find a menu that doesn’t so much ask what type of meat would you like, but which part. Don’t let that overhwlem you; Lilly’s serves up some of the best tacos around, even if you stick to the tried-and-true grilled steak or pork.

You can credit Julia Child’s endorsement and a Katy Perry shout-out for turning a tiny corner taqueria into a foodie frenzy. But we’d rather let the tortillas and cuts of grilled meat at La Super-Rica Taqueria do the talking. The tacos—any of them, really—are the main attraction, and you can dress up your dish with full-plate specials like a cheese-stuffed pasilla chile. Go as early as possible on a weekday (not that it’s closed on Wednesdays), if possible, to avoid the lines and secure a plastic chair on the covered patio.

Loquita, a MICHELIN GUIDE restaurant, is located just blocks from The 3 Dux. Small and stylish, the space oozes with creative flair—picture colorful tiles, a humming bar framed by soft pink stools, and starburst light fixtures. Find a perch at the beloved wood counter or outside in the inviting and attractive patio. Servers know the menu by heart, so follow their lead and start with tapas like crusty pan con tomate, before digging into hearty chorizo y pollo paella. An homage to the El Bullí olive is a contemporary signature, while carpaccio garnished with pickled mustard seeds and aged sherry vinegar is fittingly popular. A separate gin and tonic list, complete with iterations of the classic, makes a great kickoff (and sendoff).

Cold Spring Tavern is only 20 minutes from Downtown Santa Barbara, but the Los Padres National Forest outpost feels like an entirely different world. The unimaginably charming 1860s stagecoach stop is known for its tri-tip and regularly hosts cookouts with the lean cut on weekends. The dark, cozy restaurant is perfect for a romantic meal, while the lively Log Cabin Bar hosts live music and dancing on weekend nights.

The globally renowned Michelin Guide — considered the go-to publication for quality dining across Europe, Asia, Brazil, and North America listed Bibi Ji. This trendy Indian from co-owners Alejandro Medina and noted sommelier Rajat Parr is incredible. Inside, the space is small but well appointed, with vaulted ceilings and chandeliers; the patio outside is a verdant, summertime delight. Harnessing the best of land and sea, these dishes are born for sharing. Behold such inventive bites as crispy cauliflower tossed with chili-garlic sauce and finished with sesame. Barra kebab highlights intensely spiced tandoor lamb chops with mint chutney; while vegetables like baingan bharta (eggplant with ginger) are a heady treat. The Uni Biryani is incredible. The cooking is strong and flavors well executed. No wonder, dessert is an afterthought.

Secret Bao is a new Asian west-inspired restaurant in Southern California, run by experienced chefs Peter Lee and Felicia Medina. The restaurant serves modern Asian American cuisine, with influences from Joel Robuchon, Jaleo, Osteria Mozza & Scarpetta to name a few. What started as a pop-up in a local coffee shop has grown into a full-blown (and quite chic) restaurant, and Santa Barbara couldn't be more excited. This Korean-inspired lunch and dinner spot divides its menu into bao and not-bao. Bao being those cushiony, taco-esque steamed buns that hug your mouth as you eat them (with fillings ranging from pork belly to fried mushrooms). Not-bao includes everything else, from noodles and rice to cooked meat and raw fish. Ingredients are sourced as close to home as possible, and prices are more than reasonable. Inside and outside dining options are available, as is online takeout ordering. Probably the best Asian food in Santa Barbara.

Click here for all the top Asian restaurants in Santa Barbara.