The City of Santa Barbara is filled with great places to eat that are easy to find. When you get out into Wine Country, finding those places can be a little more difficult. We find that word of mouth is the best way to find great places to eat, so here are a few spots we’ve found through great recommendations. From fine dining to fast casual there are plenty of great options for dining over the 2015 Vintners Spring Weekend.
Full of Life Flatbread
in Los Alamos
Thursday: 4:30 to 9 pm
Friday and Saturday: 4:30 to 10 pm
Sunday Supper: 4 to 8 pm
(805) 344-4400
Mattei’s Tavern in Los Olivos
Los Olivos Wine Merchant & Cafe in Los Olivos
The Los Olivos Wine Merchant & Cafe is the perfect spot to stop for a little lunch or dinner when you are tasting in Los Olivos. You are likely to see a gaggle of winemakers here, enjoying lunch with family. The last Friday of each month they have a guest winemaker in the house, walking around talking to guest and pouring their wine. This place is elegant without being stuffy and their selection of local wines is spectacular.
2879 Grand Avenue, Los Olivos, CA 93441
Open for lunch and dinner from 11:30-8:30 Monday – Friday
Saturday & Sunday, open for breakfast from 8:00 – 10:30 a.m., 11:30 – 8:30 p.m. for lunch & dinner.
805.688.7265
Sides Hardware & Shoes in Los Olivos
Sides Hardware & Shoes is a Brothers Restaurant in Los Olivos. The Nichols Brothers have been a fixture in this area since 1996. They began with Brother Restaurant in Solvang then moved to Matteis Tavern in 2002 where they were until opening Sides Hardware & Shoes in 2012. The food is from scratch, fresh and innovative. A down-home feel with an elevated menu. The name is from the buildings previous tenants and has a front porch and back patio for dining. But it’s small so plan ahead and set a reservation,
2375 Alamo Pintado Avenue, Los Olivos, California, 93441
Open daily for lunch (11.30am – 2.30pm) and dinner (5 – 8.30pm, 9pm Fridays & Saturdays)
805.688.4820
Industrial Eats in Buellton
Jeff & Janet Olsson have been in this community for awhile catering events with their company New West Catering. People in the Wine Industry here were very familiar with them for their fabulous food at special events. Finally, they opened Industrial Eats and gave folks a place they could find them all the time. The restaurant is small and fast/casual. Order at the counter and find a seat, maybe at the big community table. You will smell things cooking in the wood fired ovens which is their only method of cooking here. The menu changes daily, depending on what the local farmers and vendors have available and is written on large rolls of butcher paper that hang on the wall behind the counter. You can sign up for butchering classes or just pick up some of the amazing smoked and cured meats they sell at the deli counter. And if you want to add photos to your Facebook feed that will make you drool, like their Facebook page where they post tantalizing photos of the incredible food they are serving during the day.
2879 Grand Avenue, Los Olivos, CA 93441
Open daily 10 am to 9 pm
(805) 688-8807
Chomp in Solvang
Sometimes you just need something basic to eat. A non fussy stick to your ribs kinda dinner. Chomp is the place to go. Located in downtown Solvang this place serves all American Cuisine; burgers, hot dogs, fish & chips, fries, onion rigs and some amazing shakes and malts. The large wait staff of high school age kids, bustle about moving food quickly and efficiently with a team spirit. The ice cream shakes are amazing and they have local beers and wines available.
1693 Mission Drive , Solvang, CA 93463
Open Mon – Thu, 11:30 – 8:30pm & Fri – Sun, 11:30am – 9pm
(805) 688-7733
Ballard Inn and Restaurant
We were lucky enough to attend the 1st annual Larner Vineyards Winemaker’s dinner here last year. Chef Budi Kazali creates meals that are special, and memorable. His style is Asian/French fusion is elevated by the amazing fresh ingredients that come from local farmers. Pair this with an amazing local wine list and you have more than dinner, you have a great memory. This small restaurant has only 12 tables, so be sure to make a reservation.
2436 Baseline Ave., Ballard, CA 93463
(800) 638-2466
Open Wednesday thru Sunday from 5:30 to 9:00
Terravant Winery Restaurant in Bueltton
Until recently known as Avant Wine and Tapas, the newly rebranded Terravant Winery Restaurant is one of our favorite stops. The restaurant is on Industrial Way in Buellton and is attached to Terravante Wine Company which is a custom crush facility for local winemakers. The restaurant serves amazing tapas and has 52 wines on tap on their Wine Wall, most of which are local. The food also is local, most of it coming from within a 30 mile radius of the restaurant.
35 Industrial Way, Buellton, CA 93427
11AM-9PM —Wine Tasting 7 days a week
Lunch: 11AM-3PM • Happy Hour: Mon-Fri 3PM-5PM • Dinner: 5PM – 9PM
Live Music: Thur, Fri, & Sat from 6PM-close
805.686.4742
Trattoria Grappolo in Santa Ynez
The Grand Tasting is wonderful for tasting wines, and it’s also great for finding new restaurants. Last Spring Michael tasted a bite from their booth at the Grand Tasting and knew where we were going for dinner. Located in the city of Santa Ynez, this restaurant was busy when we arrived and we managed to get a seat at the bar. I must admit to falling into a perfect spot, as we watched the pizzas go into the wood fired oven and were treated to a full show of culinary choreography as the staff seamlessly worked in the small space, making pizzas and pastas. This kitchen works like a well oiled machine and it is a joy to watch. And the food…well it’s pretty good too.
3687 Sagunto St, Santa Ynez, CA 93460
Lunch: Tuesday – Sunday, 11:30-3:00
Dinner: Monday – Sunday, 5:00-10:00
805.688.6899
Again this is just a sampling, there are many more wonderful restaurants that I look forward to visiting.
And if you are headed to the Grand Tasting on Saturday April 25th at River View Park in Buellton, you will find many restaurants there with tastings to try!
For More information on the Santa Barbara Vintners visit them at http://www.sbcountywines.com.
Leave a Reply