Best Beachfront Dining in Santa Barbara

The Shoreline Cafe is one of the very few places in Santa Barbara where you can sit at a table and be served breakfast, lunch or dinner with your feet in the sand - right on the beach! Order some fish tacos and a cocktail or bucket of Coronas and watch the waves. The Shoreline is family and group friendly, but be prepared for a wait at peak eating times on warm days. Tables on the sand usually have the longest wait, but there are patio and bar seats too. There is also a walk-up window with a limited menu for shakes and to-go bites. Paid and free parking in the lot right out front.

Is there a more charming beachfront restaurant location in Santa Barbara County? We don't think so. Overlooking Santa Claus beach, a local favorite, the Padaro Beach Grill boasts a park-like outdoor dining room that's ideal for day dates and impromptu gatherings. Enjoy fresh salads, savory burgers and sinfully rich milkshakes that are blended by hand only after you place your order. A large sandbox encourages the kiddos to play while grown-ups indulge in refreshing beers and local wines. Try the shrimp salad or the prime burger. Live bands have been known to play on the weekends. Free (but often crowded) parking right out front.

Well this is a treat! After years of a culinary black hole close to the zoo, Costa in the freshly remodeled Mar Monte Hotel is serving up local fare with a heavy dose of flavor. The new menu features rich coastal Italian cuisine infused with Middle Eastern influences. Start with a cocktail and some roasted market carrots in a meyer lemon yogurt before tucking into a whole roasted branzino topped with green olive salsa, paired with local wine. The dining room is gorgeous, but it's hard to beat the patio that overlooks the ocean. No time for a multi-course meal but still want a tasty nibble? Pop in during Golden Hour every Wednesday through Sunday from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with special deals on select beverages and appetizers to enjoy while taking in the beautiful Santa Barbara sunset.

For a totally indulgent, totally scrumptious meal (with an unparalleled ocean view), look no further than Caruso's at the Rosewood Miramar Beach. Chef Massimo's perfectly plated seasonal dishes use the highest quality ingredients sourced from neighboring farmers, fishermen and ranchers. The prix fixe menu includes four courses that change often; there's a vegan prix fixe option too. Choose from an extensive selection of hyperlocal and international wines and handcrafted cocktails to pair with your meal. Caruso's was recently added to the Michelin Guide, making it one of an exclusive handful of Central Coast restaurants to achieve that distinction. Fun note: Caruso's has a "Casual Elegance" dress code. If you've been wanting an excuse to dress for dinner, this might be it.

Convivo is located at the Santa Barbara Inn, across the street from East Beach. The Italian-inspired menu is rich in Central Coast ingredients. In addition to beautiful food, this restaurant serves up large, healthy doses of fresh ocean air. Convivo specializes in shareable plates that change daily with what's in season. The Italian-leaning menu includes wood-fired pizza, grilled seafood that's often locally caught, house-made pasta and farm-fresh vegetables. To complement the food, there's a beverage menu complete with spritzes, negronis and, of course, vino. Very scenic, incredible menu, wine on tap, sunny patio, lots of free parking... are you on your way yet? Did we mention they serve brunch too?

If you're looking for fresh Mexican food with a view of the sea, this is the place! Think of Flor De Maiz as the fancier, more sophisticated sister of local favorite Los Agaves. Sure, she has tacos, but hers are stuffed with lobster and Angus steak. Yes, she has ceviche, but hers is served in a young coconut for extra drama. Of course you can get a margarita, but it will be made with Patron. Flor de Maiz celebrates the innovative cuisine of Oaxaca in a fun and lively atmosphere. There's an open kitchen, wraparound bar and sunny patio that's right across from the beach. While takeout is available, you'll get the best experience if you eat there. But be warned: it gets busy (especially on Friday and Saturday nights) so be prepared to wait!

The Boathouse is a Santa Barbara seafood restaurant with one of the best beach locations around. Tucked away in a quiet part of town and facing Hendry's beach, this is a great place to go for a romantic date, family dinner or birthday celebration. Enjoy fresh surf and turf on a beautiful patio that's sunny during the day and nicely heated at night. Local seafood is served as available. Santa Barbara catches include spiny lobster and Dungeness crab. Brunch, lunch and dinner served daily. Happy hour is from 3-6 p.m. Sunday through Thursday. First come, first served (reservations not accepted). Parking is free, but the lot does get crowded.

Located just past the train tracks on Linden Avenue, mere steps from the beach, is The Spot: a trusty little shack of a restaurant that all the locals know. Serving up delicious burgers and fries for more than 100 years, The Spot is Carpinteria's go-to for a quick, filling bite. The surprisingly vast menu also includes veggie burgers, Mexican specialties and fish n' chips. There's no dress code so come in your bikini or trunks if you please. There is seating outside OR you can just walk across the street to the park or beach for an impromptu picnic! A can't-miss "spot" in Santa Barbara.

Seafood doesn't get any fresher than this! (And you can't get any closer to the ocean.) At the Santa Barbara Shellfish Company, you can pick your lunch right out of the tanks. Established in 1980, this tiny restaurant on the pier began as a shellfish shop before popular demand (and secret family recipes) transformed it into the bustling eatery it is today. Their menu includes all types of shellfish but live abalones, crabs and lobsters - many locally sourced - are the real stars. Draft beer pairs nicely with a bread bowl of chowder on a cold or foggy day. There is bar seating inside, table seating outside and even a walk-up window for to go orders. First come, first served.

Unbeatable harbor views, fresh seafood and the happy noise of a jolly crowd combine to make Brophy Bros. irresistible, even at a distance. Bustling and busy, Brophy's serves up some of the city's most coveted clam chowder, along with awesome garlic baked clams and hefty portions of cioppino. Fresh, grilled fish is also a fine choice, along with a host of other fresh-from-the-sea options. Grab a table on the patio overlooking the water for the most memorable experience. These are the best seats, even on wet, gloomy days when they pull down the transparent siding to protect you from the elements. Arrive early because weekend waits can be well over an hour.