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

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

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

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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

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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

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

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

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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

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

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

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

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

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100/100 If you haven't been here, you're missing out!! The food, staff & atmosphere are amazing! We shared all of our dishes; abalone, yellowtail, trout, pork chops and desserts! There was plenty for the 4 of us! The chef and his sous chef were amazing and cooked everything to perfection. The presentation was five star! We will definitely be back next time we're in Santa Barbara. 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

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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

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AMAZING doesn't even do it justice. From Stevie who took care of the reservation for me and my daughter ( last minute because we only had one night in town) to David who served us in a manner that every restaurant wishes their server would. He described the dishes to a T, the pickled veggie app. The trout, the pork chop , the batata side and the rice ALL incredible. The "Summit" cocktail and of course the homemade strawberry ice cream with mint flavored shaved ice. We didn't want the meal to end- Thank you David and of course thank you Chef Diego Moya 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

Wow, one of the best dining experiences I've had in a very long time. All of the ingredients are locally sourced and incredibly fresh. Ridiculous flavor and texture combinations, not to mention each plate looks like a work of art. My fiancé and I will be recommending this incredible spot to anyone that has ears!!! read more

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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

Best meal ever in the USA. I am a veg head and most restaurants simply prepare it as a "side" with little thought and creativity. But not here. Every dish we tried was flavorful, cook to perfection (not the usual overdone charred oven dish) and uniquely different. We ordered several things including steak and chicken. I am not much of a meat eater, it is very seldom, but I must say the steak was the best. We will be back many times while here. read more

Beyond exceptional. Santa Barbara and Montecito are stunning, yet the restaurant scene often feels oddly uninspired. Little Mountain finally breaks that pattern. It captures true LA energy--impeccable aesthetics, thoughtful curation, and food that actually delivers. Fresh, modern, and effortlessly cool. It's about time we had a place that isn't stuck in the past. This feels new, relevant, and exciting-- and it's exactly what the area needed. Thank you. read more

Such a treat to pop up to this spot, I've been keeping on eye on the space since I saw something new was coming. We had no reservations but the hostess was so friendly and accommodating and worked to get us a table, we had some cocktails while we waited. The service is exceptional, the food is also just that, exceptional. Hands down the best I've had since moving up from LA. The beet dish is out of this world. However nothing we ordered wasn't superb. A beautiful space as well, can't wait to return after the holidays. It will be our local 5 star spot. And with that said, price also wasn't insane.. as so many other spots in the area tend to be for food and service that doesn't come close. 10/10 A+. read more

Great service! Excellent atmosphere. Lovely bar and creative drinks. Would give it more stars, but ownership's decision to add a 5% "living wage" to cover the cost of cc fees and their toast POS is nonsense. read more

It was an amazing dining adventure! Beautiful warm and cozy atmosphere! We loved the yellowfin starter and cauliflower sharing plate, the trout was delicious, the pork chop was flavorful, moist and tender accompanied by a delicately proportioned smoked rib! We also loved the patatas bravas and aioli! The dessert, a Mexican coffee and chocolate basque cheesecake was lovely! Thank you to the great staff! We will be back! read more

What a fun night!! Food was stellar with lots of items that showcase local product. Service was nervous but amazing. You could tell they were newly trained but they did great, engaged and were super helpful all night. Highlights for me were the lobster dish, the uni and the pork! Both insane! Well done, we'll be back! read more

Little Mountain - American Near Me - Montecito, California

I loved the warm and welcoming vibe from the friendly, efficient, attentive and knowledgeable staff. The pacing of the meal felt appropriate and there was none of the preciousness that some restaurants have. The food was simple, well-sourced, fresh and delicious, and there were ample selections on the menu. Our party of four very much enjoyed our experience and all agreed that we can't wait to come back. read more

I can't say enough good things about this place. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, the food is delicious and our server Adam made it a truly wonderful experience! read more

The ambiance and service are outstanding. Our waiter made several knowledgeable recommendations on food and beverage selections. The timing of the plating was excellent. The GM greeted everyone with warmth and engaged in conversation about meal satisfaction. There is evident attention to food quality and flavor. We had the off-menu panne con tomate (order it), the salad with lemon dressing (well-selected lettuce and nicely dressed/seasoned), the heirloom tomatoes and sesame rice (both meh), the pork and salmon entrees (cooked to tender perfection with both great flavor and textural interest), and the cheesecake (very rich- could use a berry element to balance the dish). The wine and cocktail lists are thoughtful and unique. The restaurant and bar were both lively with background music and good time energy. I'm excited to see what seasonal changes are made to the menu-We will definitely be coming back again! read more

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