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    The Lark

    4.2 (2.1k reviews)
    Closed 5:00 pm - 9:00 PM

    The Lark Photos

    THE LARK ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Trendy
    Moderate noise
    Dogs allowed
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - The Lark

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    Reviews With Photos

    Brussels sprouts
    Isabel P.

    Absolutely stunning dinner at The Lark last night on our only night in Santa Barbara and I feel glad to say we picked the right restaurant! The place was full, including indoor and outdoor seating, great ambience and light level, and lovely string lights above the seating outdoors. To start they bring over a delectable dill popcorn which was a rich, salty, dill and butter creation. Totally set a fun tone for the meal. Then we had the crispy Brussels sprouts (ORDER THESE!!!) they were divine, the sesame and lime combination was reminiscent of a great pad Thai, with the perfect amount of sauce and tiny bites of figs which all worked together in a way I wouldn't have expected. For the mains we had the shrimp toast and the pork ribs, both fantastic both well portioned and both 10/10s. Pork ribs fell off the bone easily and were spicy and tangy without overdoing flavor and the shrimp toast tasted like a great gumbo sauce and the shrimps were big! This is a meal I'll be thinking about and recommending to others for a long time, thank you Lark!

    Rosemary butter cornbread
    Richard R.

    The Lark in SB is one of those dining experiences that stays with you. From the moment you walk in, everything just feels right. The atmosphere, the service, all of it. We started with the rosemary butter cornbread and it set the tone for the entire meal. Rich, warm, and the kind of starter that makes you slow down and enjoy the moment. Then the Jidori free range chicken breast came out and it was on another level. Perfectly cooked, full of flavor, and you could taste the quality in every bite. The staff made the whole experience feel special without being over the top. Attentive, genuine, and clearly proud of what they're serving. That combination of great food and great people is hard to find and The Lark has it.

    Thanh D.

    I had an amazing diner with my girls here during our trip to Santa Barbara. The service js top notch and very professionals. It is on pricier side but the food is really delicious. We had several dishes to share ( recommended) and each of them is so unique, well decorated and tasty . There is outdoor/ indoor sitting.

    Lamb riblets
    Song H.

    Ambiance 5/5 Service 5/5 Food 4/5 What a fun and charming restaurant! Brick walls, wood accents and ironwork chandeliers abound making this place great for a special occasion or just fun times with friends (louder near the bar/kitchen area). Lots of wonderful outdoor seating to enjoy the Santa Barbara weather! My friend and I sat inside towards the rear of the restaurant, but there were large open doors to a quieter outdoor area creating a nice flow. Our table for 2 was so cute! One seat consisted of an old confessional that they turned into a booth. Now on to the food! Food is meant to be shared. For 2 of us we ordered 4 dishes - cornbread, broccolini, pasta and lamb. Best cornbread I've ever had! I need to steal this recipe! The lamb is riblets (not lamb chop) so just be aware of that. It was cooked medium and the sauce it was basted in was perfect. The broccolini was also good with some char. Gave food 4/5 because the pasta was over salted. Oh maybe we got 5 dishes. I forgot the sour cream donuts for dessert! Loved the donuts but not a fan of the sauce it came with. Waitstaff was excellent and helpful! Wonderful dinner.

    Beautiful oyster appetizer
    Grant H.

    Our 25th wedding anniversary is coming up. We were excited to dine at the Lark after looking at the menu; the initial dill pickle popcorn (which I thought was going to be lame) was excellent, and the staff reseated us when I asked that we sit outdoors because the noise of dining inside would be too much for my wife's hearing. Likewise, when our waitress turned on the space heater for a couple next to us, she did hear us and turn it down when it was pretty warm. I know this makes me sound like a complainer, but I was nice and the waitress was too and we moved on to some very picturesque oysters and epically tasty chicken liver mousse. The mousse was a bit more heavy, like pate, but I ain't complaining-- it was delicious with the just right amount of sweet. Next was an awesome wedge salad that didn't scrimp on blue cheese or perfectly fried pork belly. Awesome. What happened next was puzzling, though... we waited maybe 20 or 30 min for our ribs while other patrons who had sat after us finished and left. Eventually I went looking for our waitress and, of course, she was on her way with our ribs just when my wife and I had decided we wanted to get the check and leave. Waitress quickly agreed, gave us the ribs on the house, and the check came and went without a hitch. Like the red card in tonight's World Cup game (USA vs Bosnia/herzegovina), it just didn't seem that intentional or worthy of alsuch a major penalty. The owner company owns loquita (which I love) and we're going there tomorrow night. I would easily give the Lark a second chance given the quality of their food and service in spite of the delay noted above, and would recommend you do so, too.

    Crudo
    Mackenzie M.

    Really cute spot in the middle of the funk zone. The crudo was very good, along with the catch of the day cooked perfectly. Ambiance and vibe was a toned down LA vibe. The staff was very nice and heaters everywhere for those chilly nights.

    Kayla S.

    We chose this spot to celebrate a milestone birthday and made an advance reservation for a large party. The booking process was smooth and straightforward, which I really appreciated. When we arrived, the ambiance was lovely, we were seated outside, and with the perfect weather, it made for a really nice setting to celebrate. Because of our group size, we were on a prix fixe menu. While I understand the need for that with larger parties, it did limit the experience a bit since we couldn't choose individual dishes. We chose the high priced option with more food. The food itself was decent, but nothing particularly stood out. Many of the courses felt more like appetizers, so it didn't quite feel like a full, well-paced meal. Service was a bit inconsistent. We had Harlow, who seemed a little disengaged at first, though she did warm up after some light conversation. That said, we didn't see much of her afterward and were expecting a bit more attentiveness given the size of our group. She actually had no idea we were celebrating a birthday until about check out. Which is odd because of our advanced reservation. Once she did know she brought out a small birthday dessert. Water refills weren't offered regularly, and we had to flag someone down for additional drinks. There also wasn't much explanation of the dishes as they were brought out, so we found ourselves guessing what each item was based on the paper menu left at our tables. One point of confusion was the billing process. We were asked to put a card on file ahead of time, with the understanding that it would be charged at the end of the meal and that gratuity would be included for a large party. However, neither happened, which left us a bit unsure about how to handle the final payment and tip. Overall, it was a decent experience, and we made the most of the evening thanks to the great company and atmosphere. That said, for the price point, I was hoping for a more seamless and attentive dining experience to match the setting.

    The Paperboy Breakfast Sandwich
    Julie Ann N.

    One of my fave spots in Santa Barbara. The interior and outdoor patio are both so cute ! Server: Cailin I was SO excited to have the bone marrow and hanger steak, but forgot only brunch is served in the day time. Cailin recommended the breakfast sandwich or the jidori chicken & waffle. I opted for the breakfast sandwich to keep it light. The bacon and jalapeño jam, amazing. Other great options would be the avocado toast or the shakshuka. HIGHLY RECOMMEND.

    Sauvignon blanc and the Lark
    Roy A.

    Beautiful ambiance in the heart of the Santa Barbara funk zone. Enjoyed sitting outside on the expansive brick patio next to the fireplace. Started with a peach manhattan and lovely mocktail. Shared beautifully plated small, fresh and briny oysters from Morro bay. They were some of the best we've had in recent memory as the brine and fresh herb broth complimented very well. The exquisite homemade cornbread served on a hot skillet with rosemary, salt and honey was like a scrumptious dessert. The surprise hit entree of the night was the shrimp on toast which was divine! Large succulent prawns and andouille sausage on toast with a creamy, mild New Orleans style sauce. It's not always on the menu, but if present when you are there, it is worth a try! I also enjoyed the ahi crude which was presented beautifully. Fresh and flavorful with the citrus complimenting the fish. Service was helpful and efficient.

    Shakshuka
    Jessica H.

    Such a warm and inviting setting for a casual date. Morning date with my hubby. Menu is small plates and shareable style. Need to order a few things. We ordered the side of peppered Bacon which is 2 pieces cut in half, toasted banana butter bread, cast iron shakshuka, and of course with a Texan chef we chose the southern fried chicken and sourdough waffle. The chicken and waffle was delicious I would recommend. Our server Gianna was kind and prompt with our order despite several tables being sat same time. For the Coffee option with milk, oat milk or almond no latte cappuccino or specialty coffee drinks. They do have specialty cocktails and juices.

    Kids Meal
    Ella W.

    The Lark is a beautiful restaurant in Santa Barbara with lots of outdoor seating--definitely more outdoor than indoor, which adds to its charm. The portions are on the smaller side and feel more suited for sharing, tapas-style, in my opinion. The pork belly eggs Benedict was a bit misleading, as it came with only one egg. My drip coffee (in a small cup) was $7 with no refills, which felt steep. That said, the chicken and waffles were the standout dish, and the kids' chicken tenders were the real MVP. I'd come back for the ambiance and charm of the place, but given the price point and portion sizes, it's hard to fully love.

    March 2026 menu
    Izy R.

    Beautiful ambiance. Serving size was just right. A little on the expensive side. Cornbread definitely is worth the try. Grits with the fried chicken was flavorful.

    Steve W.

    In the heart of the Funk Zone is a cool spot to eat that even has a Michelin rating. It's spacious place to dine inside or out. I loved their crunchy chicken and sourdough waffle. The salmon gravlox platter was a nice healthy choice. There's lots of interesting things on the menu. Worth visiting!

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    2 months ago

    Possibly the most consistent good food and great experience of any restaurant I have been too. This place is consistently great. Love it

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    Page 1 of 53

    The Lark Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - The Lark

    Is there a corkage fee?

    Yes. $25 per 750mL bottle of wine for each of the first two bottles, $50 per bottle thereafter.

    Are there any tables available for walk-in or is it reservations only?

    Reservations only, all we did day of is walk up to main reception desk right at 4 to 4:30 and ask

    If i can't make a reservation online. Can we walk in at 5 when the door is open?

    Yes believe walk-ins accepted; but will suggest calling ahead to confirm

    Does the Lark do a corkage for outside wine?

    Yes, $25 per bottle corkage fee applies.

    Do they have a kids menu or kid friendly food?

    We took our 7 year old and it was great. The server we had was especially helpful. He made sure to tell us about hot peppers on a certain plate and asked if we wanted those on the side. Got a lid for the children's beverages. It's not a place where… Read more

    Dogs allowed outside?

    Yes. It's the reason I found this place!

    Is it possible to call the restaurant? I've tried repeatedly during business hours and no one answers?

    Hi Lisa, Thanks for connecting. Our host desk is staffed beginning at 4 pm. If you leave a message someone will return your call. However, you can also email… Read more

    Does this restaurant have a view of the ocean?

    No ocean view

    Are dogs allowed?

    Yes, there is a dog-friendly patio so bring your furry friends

    View All 11 Questions

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    Test Pilot

    Test Pilot

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    Test Pilot lands somewhere in the orbit of tiki without fully crash-landing on a bamboo runway, and…read morehonestly, that works in its favor. In a stretch of Lower State packed with breweries, wine bars, and roaming weekend energy-drink humans in vintage bowling shirts, it threads the needle nicely between cocktail bar and tropical escape pod. The menu leans tiki-adjacent rather than deep-cut exotica, but the drinks are smartly built and avoid the "every problem can be solved with more rum" philosophy. There's a solid spread of spirits across the board, which makes the place feel more welcoming to a broader nightlife crowd instead of strictly rum disciples clutching vintage Trader Vic's mugs. The Oaxacan Dead was the standout for me. Smoky, balanced, endlessly sippable. One of those drinks where every sip quietly talks you into ordering another without turning into a sugar avalanche. The Jungle Bird was also great, though presented more in the direction of a Negroni than the punchier tropical versions you usually see. Bitter, restrained, and easy to settle into. Crowd-wise, things tilted a little frat-floaty as the night rolled on, but the staff handled everything smoothly and kept the vibe from turning into full pirate mutiny. Service stayed friendly and composed even when the volume of the room started climbing like a malfunctioning theremin. Big bonus points for the location and outdoor seating. Being right in the middle of Lower State makes it an easy launch point or final stop depending on your evening trajectory. Grab a drink, people-watch, drift between breweries and wine spots, repeat as necessary.

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    Bananacapa and Oaxacan Dead cocktails
    Bananacapa and Oaxacan Dead cocktails
    Inside
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    Original burger
    Original burger
    Saison 5/5 Oct 2025
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    Fried and house sauce

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    Fried and house sauce

    The Lark - newamerican - Updated July 2026

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