Head to Santa Barbara for incredible scenery, fun shopping, and full bellies. Santa Barbara is the perfect destination along the Pacific Coast Highway for exploring and having fun during your Thanksgiving break. This little slice of paradise will make you happy to leave home and spend Thanksgiving along the coast and in the sun.
Here is a list of the best Thanksgiving dinners in Santa Barbara. It’s time to leave the cooking to the professionals and relax during the holiday season.
Coast and Olive
- Address: 1295 Coast Village Rd
Coast and Olive have all the classic Thanksgiving favorites this year paired with an incredible wine and cocktail menu. The cost varies by menu item, and reservations are highly recommended to snag your spot at the table.
Convivo
- Address: 901 East Cabrillo Blvd
Sit along the coast and enjoy a great Thanksgiving meal at Convivo. They will offer a three and four-course menu, you just have to decide which one you want more. The menus will have seasonal favorites like roasted turkey to miso honey roasted short ribs. You’ll end the night with something sweet, like their pumpkin tart or an almond crumble.
El Encanto
- Address: 800 Alvarado Place
Located in the foothills of Santa Barbara is the Belmond Hotel, where El Encanto is within. This iconic hotel will offer a fantastic Thanksgiving dinner in their dining room and terrace. Reservations are required to attend dinner.
Plow + Angel
- Address: San Ysidro Ranch
Experience a three-course fine-dining Thanksgiving meal at Plow + Angel. You will choose your dish for each course with options like roasted turkey to innovative seasonal dishes. Dinner is $125 per person, and reservations are recommended.
Louie’s California Bistro
- Address: 1404 De La Vina
Not only will you get a delicious Thanksgiving dinner at Louie’s California Bistro, but you’ll also be surrounded by history. The bistro is located in the Upham Hotel, California’s oldest continuously operating hotel. Their menu will have options like soup or salad, entrees with roasted turkey and stuffing, cranberry sauce, and mashed potatoes, or fresh salmon with lemon mustard and caper beurre blanc. There is a little bit of everything for everyone at Louie’s, and dinner will be $75 per person.
Stonehouse Restaurant
- Address: 900 San Ysidro Ln
Grab Thanksgiving dinner from executive chef Matt Johnson at Stonehouse Restaurant. His team is whipping up a four-course dinner with a fine dining experience accented with fresh herbs and produce from the chef’s organic garden. Reservations are required to attend Thanksgiving dinner at Stonehouse.
The Revere Room
- Address: 1759 S Jameson Ln
The Revere Room at the Rosewood Miramar Beach will use locally sourced ingredients to make their holiday feast a true farm-to-table event. Dinner will be from 5 pm to 9 pm with their Prix fix dinner menu crafted around a spectacular holiday season. The cost is $125 per adult and $55 for children.
Caruso’s
Address: 1759 S Jameson Ln
Caruso is also located inside the Rosewood Miramar Beach and will have a Prix-fix Thanksgiving dinner from Chef Massimo Falsini. Their brunch and dinner menu will feature intriguing interpretations of a traditional Thanksgiving feast. Each menu item will have a flair of Falsini’s Southern Italian heritage, so you’re in for a treat. Dinner is $185 per adult and $75 per child. Reservations are required.
Chandelier Ballroom
- Address: 1759 S Jameson Ln
The Chandelier Ballroom inside the Rosewood Miramar Beach will have two dining services for all guests on Thanksgiving. Brunch is from noon to 3 pm, and dinner from 4 pm to 7 pm. Their traditional Thanksgiving meal will have a regional twist with live music and themed activities for kids. Dinner is $155 per adult and $65 per child, with reservations being required.
Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort
- Address: 633 E Cabrillo Blvd
The Hilton will offer a Thanksgiving buffet to help gather families and give thanks. All your holiday favorites are there with some fun twists like infused flavors known to California. Guests can expect to enjoy freshly caught coastal seafood, homemade cornbread stuffing, and harvested stone fruit. The view for dinner will be spectacular, with panoramic ocean views and classic holiday music. Dinner is $115 per adult and $50 for children.
Cold Spring Tavern
- Address: 5995 Stage Coach Rd
Put a twist on your Thanksgiving dinner by enjoying it in a forest. Cold Spring Tavern will have a Prix fix menu with roasted pistachio corn chowder, slow-roasted turkey or prime rib, and poached wild Alaskan salmon. Jeffery Pine will offer live music from 2 pm to 7 pm. Dinner runs at $85 per adult and $35 per child. Reservations are required.
Harbor Restaurant
- Address: 210 Stearns Wharf
Grab a Thanksgiving buffet at Harbor Restaurant with all your favorites. Dive into a carving station, fresh local seafood, and as many appetizers as the eye can see. For anyone 21 and up, tickets will include bottomless champagne or mimosas to help make this a unique holiday experience. Dinner is $95 per adult and $45 per child. Doors are open from noon to 9 pm.
Poe & Co
- Address: 440 East Ortega St
Poe & Co will have a decadent, made-to-order Thanksgiving feast ready for anyone looking for a to-go option. Their menu will include drinks, desserts, and all the necessary fixings. The cost for this to-go meal varies on what menu items you choose.
Helena Avenue Bakery
- Address: 131 Anacapa St C
Helena Avenue Bakery offers an “everything but the turkey” to-go menu. Savory sides and delicious sweets are ready to go when you are with this to-go offering. Choices include naval orange and cranberry compote, a turkey brine kit, sourdough bread stuffing, “take and bake” brioche rolls, and porcini mushroom and black gravy.
There are a ton of dishes you can choose from with generous portions for four to six people. The bakery also has house-made desserts for sale. Place orders by November 21 at 2 pm, and pickup will begin November 23 between 11 am and 2:30 pm.
Santa Barbara is a great area to spend Thanksgiving. If you have time, check out all the events they’re offering here as well.