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    Bouchon

    4.4 (1.8k reviews)
    Closed • 5:00 pm - 8:30 PM

    Bouchon Photos

    BOUCHON ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Romantic
    Moderate noise
    Outdoor seating
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Bouchon

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    Reviews With Photos

    The Maple-Glazed California Duck Breast & Confit of Thigh
    Meagan I.

    Made a reservation for dinner to celebrate a birthday/retirement and I'm so glad that I did. This was the perfect dinner for a celebration. It was thoughtful and delicious. My sister and I shared the FOREST MUSHROOM RAGOUT. It was so tasty. A perfect start! The ARUGULA AND SNAP PEA SALAD was bright and delicious. The LAMB was so perfectly cooked and well seasoned, I can't imagine getting anything else. The server was so nice and helpful! The restaurant was relaxed and cozy. Hope to come back soon!

    Forest Mushroom Ragout and Bouchon French 'French Onion' Soup
    Jessica J.

    Excellent food, ambience, and service. Course turn over could have been much faster. Otherwise, they made us feel special for our anniversary and Tony, our server, was knowledgeable, kind, and considerate.

    Profiteroles
    Tiffany G.

    Great service, delicious food, and a wonderful ambiance! Bouchon was the perfect spot to celebrate my best friend's birthday. We started with the crab cakes and burrata salad, I had the Pacific fish for my entrée, and we shared the profiteroles for dessert. Everything was excellent, and we had such a lovely experience!

    Bouchon French 'French Onion' Soup
    Ryan M.

    Amazing restaurant! We typically don't eat French cuisine that often, but this was special! The French onion soup was the best I've ever had. Can't wait to go back

    Sage and Proscuitto Seared Mary's Chicken (Cooked-Thru)
    Becky B.

    This was my first visit to a French restaurant so I wasn't sure what to expect but I was pleasantly surprised. I had the BEST French onion soup I've ever had in my life! Highly suggest getting it, the broth was so rich and delicious. I also ordered the chicken which the sides, juice snd skin was very good but the chicken itself was kind of dry so you definitely had to make sure everything was on your fork to have a good bite.

    Menu, February 2026
    Madi S.

    We were in Santa Barbara for the Film Festival when we happened upon Bouchon and were able to snag a last minute reservation. Located just off the main downtown street on Victoria St., this French-Cali restaurant feels tucked away with either an indoor seating or cozy outdoor patio option. From start to finish, it's a phenomenal full dining experience. Our waiter passionately walked us each dish, explaining in-depth not only the food preparation process but also when ingredients were locally sourced if applicable. We begun with the escargot and tuna tartare for our firsts. Both with beautiful presentation. Our mains were the duck breast & confit, venison loin. Both perfectly cooked, rich in flavor and again lovely presentation. While it's French in style, it's certainly not in portions.

    Sara V.

    Bouchon was absolutely worth the visit. The service was warm, attentive, and made us feel welcome from the moment we arrived. Every dish we ordered was delicious, and the food exceeded our expectations. It definitely did not disappoint. If I'm ever back in Santa Barbara, Bouchon will be one of my first stops. Highly recommend!

    Pan-Roasted Local White Fish (Medium)
    Kristina M.

    My first choice "Special Occasion" restaurant in SB - they have great local wines, pair them well with the specials of the day, and the staff is 100% there for creating ambiance. In fact, the host added rose petals to our table after learning it was my birthday Food is delicious, and they make it easy to share entrees (because I MUST try everything). Highly recommend the maple glazed duck breast and the seared white fish of the day, plus the fig and arugula salad.

    Steak au Poivre

    Dining at Bouchon on Bastille Day was an absolute treat! The festive specials, farmers market menu, extensive wine list, and classic offerings made it difficult to choose--but the Steak au Poivre special was an absolute dream. Every element was cooked to perfection: the filet was buttery, flavorful, and perfectly prepared, the green beans were crisp and fresh, and the layered potato was beautifully cheesy with a deliciously crisp top. The service was exceptional from start to finish. The entire team was warm, attentive, and worked together seamlessly. I appreciated the thoughtful wine recommendations, regular check-ins throughout the meal, and the genuine hospitality from everyone--including the manager, who was actively supporting the staff. The atmosphere was calm, elegant, and the Bastille Day decorations added just the right festive touch. My only complaint? I didn't have a big enough appetite to try more of the menu! I was seated quickly, and the staff was wonderfully accommodating when I decided to move from the patio to the dining room. I highly recommend Bouchon and can't wait to return.

    Ribeye. Perfectly cooked and very tender
    Jenn M.

    Yum! We had a lovely dinner at Bouchon. The food was exceptional. The atmosphere is laid-back and refined at the same time. In the tradition of fine dining, timing was well paced with plenty of time to visit and enjoy.

    Crab cake. Not my favorite. I am from the east coast so IYKYK
    Dianna S.

    Loved this restaurant! The food was amazing and service was outstanding. Great spot for a date night or a group of friends.

    Maple-Glazed California Duck Breast & Confit of Thigh (Medium)
    Cassandra B.

    Bouchon has a quaint yet elegant atmosphere. The host let me pick which table I could sit at, which was nice. I had the French onion soup to start. It was very flavorful and the onions almost melt in your mouth. I paired it was a Cabernet Sauvignon, it was a great start to the meal. I had the duck as my entree. Wow! It was so tender and delicious. I enjoyed the vegetables as well. I had it with a Cabernet Pinot mix the waitress recommended. I had the crème brûlée for dessert. It was the perfect ending to the meal. It was light and the top layer had a nice crack when for the first bite. The waitress was so sweet. She comped my second glass of wine since I was eating alone. Service, ambiance and food were all amazing. I definitely recommend Bouchon!

    Terrible food

    My first time at this restaurant and last. I can't believe this restaurant can survive in Santa Barbara. My worst dining experience in my life. Would never visit again. Customer service was terrible and food was awful. I should have just went to Finch & the Fork.

    French onion soup

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    4 months ago

    Great food! Great service! And quaint ambience! Hostess and servers were all wonderful. French onion soup is amazing!!

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    Everything was amazing. Mitchell and his team were great. Highly recommended the experience.

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    Bouchon Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Bouchon

    Did this restaurant relocate about a year ago from another location?

    Thanks for your question, Vicky! Our location is unchanged, we've been at 9 W. Victoria St since Bastille Day 1998 - the original California bouchon!

    What is your corkage fee?

    Was reasonable when we were there last month. $35

    Is there a vegetarian main dish available?

    Thank you for your question and interest in bouchon! We have a very devoted following of… 

    Hi, is it possible to dine here with our well behaved five year old son? What is your policy with kids?

    I think that would be entirely appropriate. We were an adults table, but the staff is lovely( beyond!), and he's well-behaved so I would guess it would be just fine and they would welcome him. Not a stuffy place--just great food and service!

    Is there a dress code for dinner?

    Thanks for your question, Jennifer! We do not have a dress code as our guests arrive with a variety of days spent and evenings planned. Some straight from wine tasting in valley, so casual, others dressed up for their anniversary. However you are… 

    Is this place pet friendly for out door seating?

    Good afternoon, Cindy, and thanks for asking! Yes, we do allow well-behaved dogs in our outdoor seating area. Be sure to mention in 'visitor notes' if you book via OpenTable or let us know on the phone if you call to make the reservation directly… 

    I made reservations for Sunday and just wanted to ensure there were vegetarian options as I did not see any on the menu?

    Thank you for your email and interest in bouchon, Long! We have a very devoted following of… 

    I am considering celebrating my anniversary here, but neither of us drink. Are there reasonable non-alcoholic beverage options other than water?

    Thanks for your interest in bouchon, Meme Cream. Our focus is truly on wine dining and without a bar (beer & wine only) we do not have sufficient refrigeration to offer a robust non-alcoholic drinks menu. Coffee, tea and soda are all we are able… 

    Im wondering how much the tasting menu is and where can I see it?

    Hi, there is no tasting menu I am aware of at Bouchon Santa Barbara!! Enjoy, it's wonderful.

    View All 11 Questions

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    The Black Sheep Restaurant + Bar

    4.4(1.3k reviews)
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    My partner and I came to celebrate our one year anniversary and we had an amazing time!! We chose…read moreto do the 4 course tasting menu which was out of this world and incredibly worth the price. Each dish was so flavorful and made with so much care. My favorite dish was the pumpkin style gnocchi we had and the branzino fish, he loved the bone marrow. The soup I forgot to take a picture of was potato and leek with truffle was amazing as well. The restaurant is also very cozy with great ambience and we had fantastic service.

    This was a last-minute booking, and I was glad to see plenty of seats available. The food was…read moredelicious and full of flavor. Yummy! The portions were quite small (that sucks!), but the quality and taste definitely made up for it. The restaurant itself is beautiful. I really loved the décor and the overall atmosphere, especially the upstairs section. I was seated in a corner on the ground level, though, and it was extreeeemely hot. The front door was open, but I didn't notice any fans, and I don't believe there is air conditioning. My date was sweating, and I was feeling quite warm as well. We also didn't have any ice in our water, which would have been especially nice given the temperature. Our waiter was pleasant and friendly, although the service didn't feel particularly memorable or exceptional. I was also a little surprised that bread and butter cost extra if you'd like them before your main course. Overall, I want to thank the chef for preparing such delicious food. I would definitely return if I needed a last-minute booking.

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    The Black Sheep Restaurant + Bar - Great for private events & gatherings.

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    Lion's Tale - Lamb Burger medium well

    Lion's Tale

    4.3(41 reviews)
    3.7 mi

    Lion's Tale is a great place to check out if you want a cozy atmosphere with great cocktails…read more Whether you come solo or with a group it's always a great time! The drinks here are perfectly made. I've had the margaritas, Paloma and espresso martini. They also offer light bites and food. I've only tried the frites so far, and they are addictive! So perfectly seasoned and served with a garlic aioli dip. Hard to share lol. I'm definitely trying the steak frites next time. This location is perfect for people watching and enjoying the nightlife in Montecito. Prices are very reasonable for the quality served. Customer service is always friendly and attentive. Overall, a great spot if you want to check out something different and get away from downtown Santa Barbara.

    So thoughtfully done without overdoing it, from the menu to lighting and the seating. Their drinks…read morewill compete with any of the top bars in LA, and are in a league of their own in Santa Barbara. Classic drinks are enhanced with a twist, and their signature drinks have ingredient lists that tempt you to try them. Their fries are crispy and seasoned for bar service. Their lamb burger, although a thinner-than-usual patty, has enough fat to make it not a problem. The only suggestion is for them to try using arugula instead of the lettuce they currently use. The mustard, arugula, and Gruyère will elevate it to something beyond truly exceptional. One would hope that a 5/5 experience can happen with any of their bartenders, but Mikey will do what it takes to make sure it happens. Regardless of how busy they may be, his attention to detail is something to admire.

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    Barbareño - Mango Pavlov... one of the best desserts I've ever eaten!

    Barbareño

    4.4(649 reviews)
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    I really enjoyed the halibut. The ingredients were well-balanced, and I loved the flavor. The…read morepresentation was just okay, though, and unfortunately, it doesn't look very appealing in my photo--especially since the restaurant had dimmed the lights. The waiter was very accommodating, and I really appreciated him letting me return the second glass of wine. It took me a little while after finishing the first glass to feel the effects, and by then, I was already getting tipsy. LOL. So I decided to exchange the second glass for a dessert of the same price instead. Thank you, Barbareno, for another pleasant dinner! I always appreciate the wonderful service and the lovely dining experience.

    We had an absolutely wonderful time at Barbareño, from service to food to overall comfort level,…read moreeverything was fantastic. Our server did a great job of explaining the menu and we were able to ask questions to make our experience great. I started with a lovely aromatic orange wine, then we moved into bottles of red. Wine service was quick, elegant, and fit perfectly with the meal. All dishes were coursed so well, my favorites were the ones our server had recommended. Dumpling starters were absolutely a highlight, crudo was fresh and delicious, and pork was a perfect entree to share. The baked California dessert had such prominent flavors and was such a delicate and delightful way to end. Overall I am so happy with my experience here and would recommend for an upscale and comfortable experience

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    Andersen's Danish Bakery & Restaurant - Cranberry kringle

    Andersen's Danish Bakery & Restaurant

    3.8(1.4k reviews)
    0.2 mi
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    Such a lovely lunch in Santa Barbara! The outdoor patio is beautiful and charming, and the food was…read moregenuinely delicious. The steak was perfectly cooked, the Eggs Benedict was rich and satisfying, and the pastries were wonderful too. And I have to mention our server -- friendly, attentive, and seriously reminded me of a young Owen Wilson! The blonde curls and that smile definitely made us do a double take. Great food, beautiful atmosphere, wonderful service -- and an unexpected little Hollywood moment. Definitely a memorable Santa Barbara lunch!

    SCORE 0 HEALTH HAZARD 10…read more This is our third time we've had issues with the staff. Today is our last time going here. There was only one person in line and 4 staff members behind the counter standing around talking to each other. Nobody greeted us or asked for our bakery order. When I said excuse me to a dirty blond girl she replied "WHAT!" and continued to joke with a co worker. When the cashier finished with their customer they walked away and even though they saw we were waiting to be helped. I looked around and saw nobody helping seated customers or us at the bakery counter. Finally, the dirty blonde ask what we need and my response was "WHAT" ?! At this point we should have left and gone to Lilac Patisserie however we proceeded to give her our order. I told another customer behind us that rudeness seems to be the norm, and she agreed. I paid for our bakery items and asked an older woman scrolling on her phone if we could have a bag for all of our boxed treats. She grabbed a handful of bags and threw them at me from across the counter. We were appalled and left. We found a place to sit on State street to eat our treats and my daughter said she didn't want her Meringue because the dirty blonde girl used the back of her ungloved hand to repeatedly wipe her nose. We threw all $50 worth of baked goods in the trash. Yes, I should have gone back and complained I'm had everything refunded but it was Mother's Day and we didn't want anything more to do with this establishment. It was also an epiphany that they don't treat everyone this way. It could be you next time. Please go somewhere else. We will never go to anywhere but Lilac Patisserie which is to the left as you exit Andersons, past the stop light. You will definitely get your money's worth and the staff is friendly, professional, and greet you immediately as you reach the counter.

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    Ca' Dario - Pan-fried Sole with tomato, olive and caper sauce. Beautiful!

    Ca' Dario

    3.8(850 reviews)
    0.1 mi
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    My linguini with clams was delicious! I loved that they filled my plate with plenty of fresh clams,…read moreunlike some restaurants that serve mostly pasta with only a few clams. The dining room is much larger than it appears through the building's exterior windows, which was a pleasant surprise. We were seated at a long table that comfortably accommodated all seven of us, making it perfect for our group. My friend is very pleasant and sociable, but she is also quite clumsy. While chatting and enthusiastically gesturing with her hands, she accidentally knocked over her full glass of red wine, spilling the entire contents onto the man sitting across the table from her. His pants were completely soaked in red wine! Most of the group laughed at the unexpected mishap, but I felt terrible for our friend. He was a good sport, though, and never seemed upset. The waiter immediately came to our aid, removing the white tablecloth and replacing it with a fresh one. I truly appreciated how gracious, patient, and understanding the staff was throughout the whole situation. They handled the unexpected incident with such professionalism and kindness that it made a memorable moment much easier to laugh about. Thank you for your wonderful service and for making our experience so enjoyable. We will definitely dine here again--and hopefully my guests won't be quite so entertaining next time around!

    My dad was craving Italian food on a recent stay in Santa Barbara, and this place came up as a dog…read morefriendly option. We had spent the day wandering through wine tastings and Solvang, so we were hungry. I wish we would have stopped somewhere else though. Ca'Dario was ok, but definitely not great. I wouldn't come back. - mozzarella caprese: probably the best thing on the menu. It's tough to mess up cheese and tomatoes. - fettuccine Alfredo: The dish became coagulated when it was set down in front of us, which made it really unappetizing. - ravioli: This was good, but not memorable. - spaghettini Della Nona: the best pasta we ate.

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    4.6(256 reviews)
    0.1 mi
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    I'm really bummed to see the State Street location close, but I'm excited for more events at the…read moreFactory space. Satellite has always been such a gem -- the live music outside, the patio, and sipping some of the best natural wine in town is something my friends and I genuinely look forward to. Their cheese board is my go‑to: easy to graze on while you relax, chat, and enjoy a glass. One of my favorite memories was when my dad called from a Michelin‑star restaurant in Chicago, telling me he'd tried a Santa Barbara small‑batch natural dessert wine. He was visiting the next weekend, and I was determined to find it. Of course, Satellite had a few bottles left. Being able to surprise him with it was such a fun moment -- and honestly, a testament to how thoughtfully curated their wines are.

    The ambiance is the best thing about this place. Cool vibe with outside seating…read more However, the servers were not very friendly. Also, one of us had to wait at least 15 minutes for our dish (Charred Broccolini) after the rest of the table had already been served, and another 3 minutes to get utensils to eat it. With respect to the food, the Yoga Pants salad was the best item. Most of the food we got (Tomato Soup, Grilled Cheese, Ceci Bean Ragu) was very oily, including the Charred Broccolini dish which also lacked flavor. Overall, our experience wasn't terrible, but was disappointing. We would not recommend or revisit Satellite.

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    Caruso's

    Caruso's

    4.4(260 reviews)
    4.4 mi
    •$$$$

    We went back to Caruso's for a gratuitously nice end-of-summer date night, this time getting a 6:30…read moretable with a prime view. For some reason, the only option for that time slot was the chef's tasting menu, though I wonder if we could have plead down to the four-course if we'd called ahead. The restaurant wasn't especially busy, and I'm sure there was some flexibility in the bookings. The chef's tasting was pretty decadent for a Wednesday. It was also a wonderful experience, a long dinner looking out at the beach, through sunset on a summer evening. Service was immaculate. Our waiter was fantastic, as was our sommelier Tre, a young guy with a clear passion for wine, who gave us handwritten recommendations for our upcoming trip to Paso Robles. We got the regional California wine pairing, and it was fun and educational, featuring several great wines that went well with our food. Dinner started with the house antipasti, a spread of small, delicate dishes. My favorite was probably the spot prawn open face sandwich with kimchi and finger lime, though I also loved the compressed melon topped with uni and Tsar Nicoulai caviar. There was a Baja kanpachi cigar, garnished with caviar, a super-thin toast with prosciutto and fig, and a shot's worth of sour plum juice flavored with cinnamon. Real Michelin star stuff here, both in the ceremony and the execution. Honestly, everything we ate was superb. The first larger course was the refreshing Cavaillon melon gazpacho with melon salad, feta snow, and an intricate melon rind tuille. Then we had a colorful Baja kanpachi crudo, silky raw fish arranged with shaved rhubarb, cucumber, avocado, pickled radish, pickled strawberry, and finger lime, with a strawberry aguachile sauce touched with serrano pepper. Next, we had Iron Chef tomato: tomato salad and tomato with panzanella; a sidecar of buffalo mozzarella and a "martini" of cool tomato water. Summery and light, with intensely concentrated tomato flavor. After that, bread service, house sourdough with ramp butter and Buellton olive oil. Two pastas, both very Caruso's, Italian cooking extruded through Montecito. There was casoncelli alla Nerano, crescent-schaped pasta with crispy fried zucchini, provolone del Monaco, and pine nuts. Then spaghettini with Stephanie's uni (thank you very much), burrata, and a lush tomato sauce fortified with shrimp consommé. We had the option of switching out our entrée courses for salmon and beef, for an extra charge. I don't know why one would do this with Channel Island white bass and Liberty duck as the default choices. Both were excellent, perfectly cooked. The bass came with Brentwood corn, chanterelles, and corn beurre a la nage, the duck--breast and sausage--with plum, in various forms, and sour prune sugo di cottura. There was a vibrant green palate cleanser of basil sorbet with candied pistachios and pickled and fresh blackberries, exactly my kind of dessert. Then a more decadent brown butter cake with marinated Santa Barbara peaches, pine nuts, and fig gelato, finished with vinegar infused with peach and fig. Finally, an array of mignardises: a chocolate hazelnut bonbon, a fig tartlet with goat cheese, a strawberry pate de fruit with Thai chili, a chocolate truffle with raspberry powder, and a Tahitian vanilla cigar with coffee. This was a special dinner, one I'd love to repeat in another few years. Next time, maybe we'll save Caruso's for a special occasion, but I'm glad we made the most of this lovely date night.

    We had a memorable evening at Caruso's tonight. Their location is stunning. The restaurant is…read morelocated right on the beach. You cannot find a better oceanfront dining experience in Santa Barbara/Montecito. The hostess team was super friendly and chatty. Great first impression. One hostess took a photo of our group when asked. The wait staff team were very professional, knowledgeable, and fun. Vincent, Arturo, Ali, and Olive were just a few of the standouts making our evening unforgettable. We had at least another 5 or 6 other service team members that assisted throughout our culinary journey tonight. With the chef's tasting menu, we had a 4 hour dining experience. My only critique is that 80% of the time we had to pour our own wine. This is very unusual for a restaurant the caliber of Caruso's. While I don't believe the responsibility should rest entirely on our sommelier, Trey. However, he should be the one leading the charge on rectifying this service oversight. The lack of attentiveness on pouring our wine and cleaning the crumbs off the table were the two reasons I couldn't give Caruso's 5 stars. The unique, creative, and amazing food preparations that our group enjoyed all evening certainly wasn't the issue. Okay, so let's talk about the food. In a word...Amazing!!! Chef Massimo and his kitchen brigade are flexing their world class culinary gymnastics with local produce, seafood and proteins that scream Michelin experience. Each tasting course was beautifully presented on unique 'plates' or serving vessels that enhanced the artistry of Chef Massimo's tasting experience. We ate seasonal and local preparations that represented Santa Barbara farm and coastal cuisine incredibly well. Caruso's is a dining experience worth the every penny we spent. If you appreciate great food and service, treat yourself, your best friends, and your family to a chef's tasting dinner at Caruso's. It will be an amazing experience that will leave a lasting memory.

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    Bouchon - french - Updated September 2026

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