An absolute gem in Montecito! The cuisine is exceptional, featuring fresh ingredients and remarkably vibrant flavors. Their curated wine list is equally impressive. The restaurant itself perfectly balances a warm, inviting atmosphere with a modern, refined aesthetic, creating an experience that is both grounding and uplifting. My best friend recently moved to the area, and this was our first visit. Little Mountain is our new fave restaurant! Just loved it!...can't wait for our next visit! read more

Little Mountain - Didn't take this photo myself. It perfectly represents the perfect atmosphere. - American Near Me - Montecito, California

Simply incredible! The service, the vibe, and the freshness of the entire menu. Can't wait to visit again. read more

Please note that I am reviewing both the 'experience' and the food and prices. First, the night we visited was weird and had pretty bad Sundowner winds. This is important as we were seated in the indoor/outdoor patio. Beautiful, but the wind was blowing so hard that the curtains they had closed to keep the sun out of customers' eyes were dangerous and needed closing. When they did that, with only two people, these curtains were blowing into the dining area and hit me in the head quite forcefully! Luckily I was not hurt. But the only thing staff did was to quickly ask me if I needed medical help, and when I said I did not, they abandoned us immediately! I would have thought that at least the manager would have come to the table to apologize and check up on me! Not the best beginning to our experience I have to say. Moving on, the server was lovely. When we asked her favorite dishes on the menu she had no advice, just ran through each dish, describing it marvelously, but making no commitment! Rather commendible! We eventually ordered a cocktail to start, and they were just standard martinis. One gin and one vodka. I have to say we were shocked when the price for the gin was $26 and the vodka a whopping $29!! I could buy a lovely bottle of very nice vodka for that price! But at the time, we were happy with the drink, being unaware of the cost until we got the bill. We then shared the Beef Tartare and the Hiramasa. Both were good, but my recommendation would be for the Hiramasa - the sauce was wonderful. Our server was pushing us to order, order, order! But we wanted to have a lovely evening and enjoy everything, so we kept stalling on ordering the next course, and unless you want to be rushed through your meal, suggest you try this, too! Next up we had the Heirloom Tomato dish, and since it was at the peak of tomato season, it was good. Nothing outstanding, and there was a small amount of some kind of sauce on the bottom that we couldn't identify, which was really the star of the show. Finally, we had the Pork Chop and an order of the Patatas Bravas. The pork was perfectly cooked, juicy and cooked through, with just a suggestion of pink remaining. Extremely flavorful and thoughtfully cut off the bone and sliced, to make easy sharing. This was my favorite, I think! And the Papas Bravas were nice - nothing to write home about, but very nice. We declined dessert, as we were definitely full by now. Our server had suggested we have one other dish (at the beginning of our order), and we were certainly happy we had not ordered more! I think it's best to order as we did - with pauses between courses so you can gauge your hunger level and the sizes of the dishes you order. All in all I would say it was 'good'. Some dishes outstanding, but not all of them. Prices on the food items are high, but not out of line with other Santa Barbara high-end restaurants. The pricing on the drinks was horrific. They need to disclose how high a basic martini will cost! And we had considered bringing a nice bottle of wine, but the corkage charge is $50, which we thought quite high! All in all, I would go back, but certainly control the flow of food and definitely NOT sit near the outdoor draperies for fear of decapitation! read more

The atmosphere, food, and customer service were amazing. I highly recommend the hiramasa appetizer read more

Little Mountain - Mussel and hiramasa dishes - American Near Me - Montecito, California

Hands down the best meal we've had in a while! Everything at Little Mountain is artistically crafted, and the sauces and flavors were so, so good across every dish. We started with the beef tartare, had both the trout and the pork chop for our mains, and finished with the panna cotta and the sourdough ice cream with caramel and figs- every single bite was incredible. The Coco Loco mocktail was also the perfect, refreshingly balanced drink for a warm Southern California day. The ambiance is unbeatable. Sitting on the patio under the oak trees right alongside the creek with mountain views was so relaxing, though the indoor space is just as lovely with its gorgeous bar, dual fireplaces, and open kitchen with a wood-fired oven. You can tell everything was thoughtfully curated, right down to the beautiful Mexican ceramic dishware. Service was top-notch from start to finish. It makes for an ideal date night or evening out with friends (though best to leave the little ones at home, as it's not suitable for young children). 10/10! read more

See all

Little Mountain is an absolute gem! A top restaurant in SoCal for me. We were visiting from LA for a weekend getaway and made a last minute reservation for little mountain and I'm so glad we did. First off the ambiance is immaculate - very airy and light, al fresco and outdoorsy. The staff are all very nice and attentive. We were celebrating our anniversary and they started us off with a complimentary champagne pour. Then the food! We started off with the bread (oaty and chewy) with cultured butter and the hiramasa crudo (the fish felt more like sashimi which we loved and the sauce was bright and citrusy). Then we got the shelling beans with corn puree. This ended up being an unexpected favorite of ours! Lastly the trout - the skin was perfectly crispy, the fish was tender. And the mushrooms were great too! For dessert we ordered the sourdough ice cream which was AMAZING! So creamy. The lovely team at little mountain also sent us the corn cake which we had been eyeing as well. Overall we had an amazing dinner here and we will definitely be back next time we're in SB! read more

See all

5/5, amazing experience throughout. From the little details, like noting what we were celebrating that night, to attentive service, and the delicious food. Everything was bright, very seasonal, and super tasty without being overly heavy or cloying. Cute cottage vibes, ample parking. Would recommend to anyone visiting SB. read more

See all

We had a wonderful dinner at Little Mountain!The atmosphere was fantastic, and the food was truly outstanding. A special thank you to our friend Bella, the service manager, as well as the chef Diego Moya and the entire staff for their warm hospitality and excellent service. Everything was exceptional, from the food to the experience. We highly recommend Little Mountain for a memorable fine-dining experience! read more

Little Mountain - Steak and salad - American Near Me - Montecito, California

See all

Loved our dinner here! Great food, great vibe , great service. Super fresh ingredients with a great mix of options.

Honestly, 10/10 experience, I would say Little Mountain absolutely lived up to the hype. The ambience was super relaxed and intimate, and I liked how the tables inside didn't feel cramped and on top of one another. The service was attentive, our waiters made sure to answer all of our menu questions, that our dishes were well paced, and that our drinks were always filled. The menu is definitely designed to be shareable, which is generally my preference, as it allows you to try more dishes. I also love that Little Mountain's menu changes minutely even sometimes daily based on what produce they might be getting. One of my favorite bites of the whole day, the Cherimoya Panna Cotta, was something that was added just that day, because a neighbor had given them a bunch of Cherimoyas. I also really appreciated the breadth of their mocktail menu, as not every restaurant has fun zero proof drinks. You can make reservations online in advance, but they also keep the bar available for walk-ins. Overall, everything was extremely flavorful and fresh, and I will be back soon to see what new and exciting things are next! read more

See all

Little mountain was easily the best dining experience we've had in Santa Barbara! It was excellent across the board from the design of the space, to the service, to the food. We gave the entire meal a 10/10. Everything we ate was so delicious, but some standouts were: The patatas bravas! The pork loin was a surprising favorite. The chocolate mousse was spectacular. read more

See all

Amazing service and food. Our server perfectly paced out all the dishes so it wouldn't feel too overwhelming or rushed. All delicious and fresh ingredients, and we were really impressed at every dish. read more

See all

Innovative and delicious food... farm to table vibe. It's fun to go early when they open and sit in the bar have a drink. Let it or unleaded add a few items off their menu. It's like much of the nice restaurants in Montecito. The prices are high, but the service is great and the quality of the food and wine list is on par. read more

Little Mountain - Fav outside - American Near Me - Montecito, California

Service & ambiance are amazing here!! Staff is so friendly & knowledgeable! I love that they work with in season ingredients! I can't wait to come back & try more! read more

See all

The service was excellent- my absolute favorite was the trout! Thank you for an exceptional experience! read more

See all

My wife and I came here for our 18 year anniversary. We were greeted kindly and accommodated. We were also given complementary sparkling wine. Our waiter, YVES was great! He knew the menu inside and out. He constantly checked up on us. The food was truly amazing and delicious. The drinks were unique and exceptional just like the food. Great place to try for something unique, different, delicious, exciting. Highly recommend this place. read more

We've only been to Little Mountain once, but I can already tell we'll be back with some regularity, despite the small inconvenience of living in L.A. It's a new restaurant, very popular, and we failed to get reservations the first couple times we wanted to go. We managed to snag one for 5:45 on a random Monday and enjoyed an early dinner on the sunlit patio. Matt B. grew up in Montecito and remembered this space--in the Upper Village next to Pierre Lafond--as a casual Italian restaurant. Little Mountain is more upscale, attractively built out with an on-trend dining room and moody bar, but the vibe is relaxed, maybe particularly on the patio. You don't need a special occasion to visit, and we even learned that the full menu is available at the bar, which is reserved for walk-ins. Service was excellent, friendly and helpful. Not formal, but attentive at a pretty high level. There was an interesting cocktail list, and we indulged in a couple of rounds. Every drink was fantastic. The Mission Canyon was zippy and refreshing, with gin, amaro, pineapple, and pink peppercorn. The Picante Fumar was margarita with tequila, lemon drop pepper, pineapple, and lime, with a black salt rim. From the Hearth was a juicy whiskey cocktail with bourbon, grilled fruit compote, lemon, and smoke. Pluck the Day was boozy but bright, with rye, Strawberry Thief brandy, strawberry, and saffron. The food was outstanding, some of the best I've had in Santa Barbara. We started with the country sourdough with house cultured butter, an Oat Bakery loaf swirled black with charcoal. We then shared three crudos. Our agreed-upon favorite was the hiramasa and manzano pepper with satsuma aguachile, an absolute knockout. The hiramasa, or yellowtail amberjack, was fresh and firm and silky, and it came in a vibrant green aguachile sauce with a heap of cilantro and thinly sliced onion or shallot on top. I may have had spoonfuls of the sauce after the fish was gone. I also loved the Santa Barbara spiny lobster with ajo blanco and hummingbird sage, the bouncy bites of spiny lobster blanketed in a creamy white almond sauce decorated with edible flowers. The weak link was the Santa Barbara halibut with daikon and nori, but even that was objectively good. It was just a little more muted than the other two, and the halibut was cut thicker and chewier than my personal preference. We went with the bone-in pork chop for our main course, and it was astoundingly delicious. The pork was so tender, so flavorful, quite possibly the best pork chop we've ever had anywhere. It came with coal-roasted apple, Swiss chard, and a sweet, vinegary sauce that tied everything together. We also ordered a side of grilled radishes with macadamia nuts and clothbound cheddar. It was, to my surprise, served cold, a lovely, unusual salad. For dessert, we ordered a small dish of sweet cream ice cream with blossom sabayon, light and aromatic, a great way to clinch this wonderful meal. We spend a lot of time in Montecito and can't wait to go back to Little Mountain. We'll be back for that hiramasa and pork chop at the earliest opportunity. read more

Beautiful restaurant, really hospitable staff and outstanding food. Imaginative menu with many wonderful choices. Shared the ceviche and Crudo along with a salad and shared a pork chop for entrée. The fish was local and really fresh. We asked and were told that the pork chop was brined (which I usually avoid ), but it wasn't over salty and too tender, the usual problem with restaurant brined meat. Also had dessert. Had a glass of a local Chardonnay with dinner. I guess we asked enough good questions and expressed enough enthusiasm because the chef came by to say hello. Really enjoyed the experience. Will be back. read more

Loved our experience at Little Mountain. The Trout had incredible flavor, and the ingredients tasted so fresh. The wine program here is spectacular, and the Somm, Hayden, had excellent recommendations. The whole place has that perfect, intimate Montecito feel. Highly recommend the radishes and don't skip dessert, although 3 may be too much for two people...lesson learned! read more

We recently tried Little Mountain in Montecito and had an overall good experience, though not one we'd likely repeat. Unfortunately, it did not live up to the hype as we had hoped. The space is beautifully designed, with multiple seating areas that each have their own feel, and the service was a standout--warm, attentive, and genuinely welcoming throughout the night. Veronica, our server did a great job For dinner, my wife had the trout, I ordered the pork chop, and we shared the rice. The rice was the biggest miss--fairly basic, mostly sticky rice with a light sprinkle of sesame seeds, and not something we'd order again. The pork chop and trout were both solid and well-prepared, and we did finish both dishes, but neither one stood out in a way that would make us want to order them again--even at a lower price point. The menu leans into creative and unique flavor combinations, which we appreciated in concept, but in execution they didn't quite come together in a way that felt special or crave-worthy. Nothing on the dessert menu pulled us in either, so we passed. Overall, it was an interesting one-time experience, and we're glad we tried it. That said, given the cost and the fact that none of the dishes left a lasting impression, it's not a place we'd likely return to. read more

The beef tartar was AMAZING! I also liked how well the sauce went with the steak. BYEEEEEE! read more

Little Mountain - Me with my empty plate - American Near Me - Montecito, California

My husband and I absolutely loved our experience at Little Mountain. From the moment we walked in, the space felt warm, bright, and beautifully designed, with an open kitchen that added to the energy of the restaurant. The food was incredibly creative while still being approachable. Highlights included the beet dish, Oat Bakery sourdough with cultured butter, and the trout, which was perfectly cooked with crispy skin and rich, flavorful accompaniments. We also discovered a fantastic Italian wine we had never tried before, which paired beautifully with the meal. The cocktail program was equally impressive. The drinks were fresh, seasonal, and balanced without being overly sweet. Every dish and drink felt thoughtful and well executed. What truly elevated the experience was the service. When we couldn't decide between the Basque coffee cheesecake and the strawberry sundae, the manager surprised us with a mini sundae so we could try both. It was a thoughtful touch that made the experience even more memorable. Outstanding food, excellent drinks, a beautiful atmosphere, and top-notch hospitality. We'll definitely be back. read more

We have been waiting to try Little Mountain since they opened and finally had a chance. I really wanted to like it. Highlights were the bread and the hiramasa starter. Low points were mussels that were served cold and had an off taste, the salmon was very very fishy tasting (and we eat a lot of salmon, including SB king), and the chocolate mousse was doused in strong tasting olive oil. We didn't finish our meals and only had a bite or two of the mousse. Service was fine, although the server only asked how the food was right when we were served our main dish and hadn't taken bites yet. She didn't ask again, even though she removed several full plates of food. For the high price point, it was a disappointing experience. Maybe we will try again in a few months. read more

We've eaten there several times, and it is an absolute joy to go there. Great staff. Great food. Great atmosphere. And, again, great staff. Fantastic place. read more

Amazing food, attentive service, and all around great vibes. Certainly the best restaurant in the area, and one of the best in California. 10 out of 10! Definitely coming back! read more

Little Mountain - Storm - Pinot Noir - 2024 - Donnachadh Vineyard - American Near Me - Montecito, California

This place was so cute and the food was delicious, but I got food poisoning!! I'm sad to share this, but I would want to know. I know it's possible anywhere, but this restaurant includes a lot of locally sourced food from farmer's markets, etc., so I was more surprised I guess. read more

Great menu selections. Even better flavor & presentation. The service was on point; warm, friendly and efficient. We really loved the dining rooms as well. We sat in the room facing the kitchen with its impressive chefs. We were in town for a wedding and my wife wasn't trying to eat too much, but, ordinarily, we would've ordered half the menu. Next time for sure! Can't wait to come back! Thank you so much for exceeding my expectations and please keep it up . read more

We celebrated our birthdays at Little Mountain for the first time and had a wonderful evening. Sitting outside under the beautiful tree was such a lovely setting, and the ambiance was exceptional. Erick provided outstanding service and his recommendations were spot on. Jen also helped us with the wine and cocktails, making the evening even more enjoyable. A truly memorable experience we'll definitely be back! read more

I'm absolutely blown away. Everything is so beautifully intentional here. It's warm and inviting, as if entering into someone's home and the food is INCREDIBLE. Each dish is so creative and unique - I got to experience something totally new for the first time in a long time. The team here is super special and we can't wait to come back - absolutely recommend to anyone and everyone. read more

Little Mountain - American Near Me - Montecito, California

See all

I had one of the most memorable dinners I've had in Santa Barbara at this spot. The first thing that struck me was the ambiance--absolutely stunning, but in a way that feels effortless. Every design detail has clearly been considered, from the lighting to the textures in the room, yet nothing feels overdone. It's the kind of space you settle into immediately. The hospitality is just as impressive. Every person we interacted with was warm, polite, and genuinely knowledgeable about the menu and the wines. There's an ease to the service here that makes the whole experience feel both refined and relaxed. And the food--easily the highlight. Each dish feels like its own little exploration of flavors, thoughtfully composed and executed with real intention. The open-fire, flame-kissed approach adds this incredible depth and character to the ingredients that I haven't found anywhere else in Santa Barbara. It's subtle in some dishes, bold in others, but always purposeful. Chef Diego Moya is clearly raising the bar in Montecito. You can taste the creativity and care in every plate, and it's exciting to see someone push the dining scene here forward with such confidence. This is the kind of restaurant you immediately start recommending to friends before you've even finished your meal. read more

See all

Third time there. First was phenominal, wait staff, menu, ambience, service, comfort at a big price, but, who cares if you're treated well and the experience is great? 2nd time, took a social group in which I belong. Was embarrassed beyond. Bad service, food uneatable (fed leftover to my dog, cut, could not even cut through the tiny slices of pork chop. Sun streaming in on 2 peeps at our table, no one even comiing to serve water. I coud go on and on. I wrote to resaurant after this experience, had long conversation and emails exchanged over this. Bryce, owner, promised if we go again, we would get exemplary service and foo - offered a bottle of champagne expected dinner to be comped ( I NEVER have done this) . I brought a friend who had been there with me second time and hoped for better dish tha the uneatable pork. 3rd time with said friend - took forever to order a drink. Then, left alone for a long time. No apps or shared even ooked edible, but, we ordered anyway. They were terrible. The 2 entrees were very good (salm, chciken). The service was snooty, done by someone who hads never had a job, obviously, who had someone "shadowing "her. No one knew what thery were doing; there were long waits, then trying to clear table with one of us till eating. I had to wave her down to get a second glass of wine. It was a disaster and we do not plan to go back or ever encourage anyone to bother going there. So disappointed. This time it was Hal-full. Bid reason for that.If you love spending $100 on bad service and food, you might like it. read more

One of our new favorite restaurants! We will definitely return. The staff was so kind and all of the food was clearly thoughtfully curated. Well seasoned and well balanced. Couldn't have asked for a better evening. read more

Got a table in the lush courtyard outside. Started the meal with bread and butter. Sounds simple...oh no! Absolutely amazing craft butter and bread. That was the beginning of one great course after another. We've dined at many restaurants in SB and Montecito. None are as truly fine as Little Mountain. Not only was the food great, but the vibe (ya vibe) was fantastic. This is now on top of our list. read more

My cousin took me to dinner here and we were honestly blown away. This was one of the most elevated dining experiences we've ever had, and even though some of the dishes sounded a little intimidating at first, every single thing we ordered was incredible. We started with the bagar flame beets, which was by far my favorite thing I ate and I never grew up liking beets. They were colorful, perfectly balanced, and so good I could've easily ordered another plate. The hamachi pineapple guava aguachile was super fresh, beautifully presented, and the perfect portion. Every dish that came out looked like a piece of art. For our mains, we shared the steak and the salmon (wow). Easily the best steak and salmon I've ever had. The vegetables that came with the steak were unreal... I didn't even know vegetables could taste so delicious. Dessert absolutely stole the show. The sourdough ice cream was one of the best desserts I've ever had, and dipping it into Chef Diego's mom's mousse recipe made it even better. Beyond the food, the service was amazing. From the moment we sat down, everyone made us feel so welcome. We sat at the bar and loved it, and David even offered to show us around the restaurant, which was such a nice touch. Each room had its own vibe and made me want to come back just to experience them all. Chef Diego stopped by to check on us, which meant so much and really showed how much care goes into everything. Our server, Annie, was incredible--so friendly, helpful, and genuinely made the night better. The manager, Azaro, also came by to chat, which just reinforced how great the whole team is. It was just the most amazing night ever Such an amazing experience from start to finish. I'll definitely be back, and if I could give more than five stars, I would. read more

See all

Incredible dining experience they took great care of my wife and I. Made our anniversary special, we'll be back for our next visit down to SB read more

Well.... As locals we were super excited for the anticipated arrival of Little Mountain and sadly very disappointed tonight with just about everything! For starters, we were seated on the side patio which was cold and underwhelming in ambiance. We asked to move to a table inside the dining room and were then seated at a round table for 4 in the middle of the dining room which was awkward and uncomfortable for a party of 2. Then we were asked to order our entire meal with the reassurance by our server everything would be properly timed. Well.... Within 8 minutes everything arrived all at once. We hadn't even finished our cocktail. Horrible. Food was cold. Over sauced and over smoked. Best thing was the chocolate mousse for dessert. Sadly, we won't be back. Too many other wonderful neighborhood options. Ambiance was nice. Best room by far is the bar area. read more

Little Mountain is such a lovely spot -- warm, welcoming, and great addition to the growing restaurant scene in the upper village of Montecito. I went for dinner, and the salmon was fantastic: cooked to perfection, delicate and flavorful, with a light char. The menu leans heavily on seasonal, locally sourced ingredients -- lots of innovative dishes. The wine list is thoughtful too, with lots of small-producer, low-intervention picks that pair beautifully with the food. Service was exceptional, not rushed. The whole place has this inviting, rustic elegance -- think Spanish Colonial meets California laid-back. If you want a restaurant that's both chic and genuinely warm, Little Mountain's a great choice. Highly recommended. read more

The dinner we enjoyed at Little Mountain was a next level experience. The flavors, textures and presentation were fresh and unique. We started with delicious sourdough bread and a butter that I could have eaten by itself, Hiramasa, (Yellowtail Amberjack crudo) and Market Greens served with a Meyers lemon dressing. All were outstanding and I would order again and again. We then had the trout with mushrooms which was melt in your mouth good and went so well with the Koshihikari rice cooked with sesame seeds. The sprouting cauliflower added just the right balance and was delicious. I have not had some of these food items but after this experience, I would try anything on the menu and trust that I'll love it. The service was attentive but not overbearing, the ambiance a welcoming calm and comfortable vibe. I'm looking forward to going again! read more

First off - we came with our kids (2 & 4) and were very impressed with how prepared the team was to deal with a party with small children. Immaculate execution to deliver the dishes quickly and the food was impeccable for adults and kids alike. While this is definitely an adult oriented restaurant, I was really impressed by the team to make this a memorable experience. read more

What a perfect setting and the food is just fantastic. Staff is amazing! Cannot wait to make this our favorite local restaurant.