Best Valentines Day Restaurant Ideas

On February 14th each year, we celebrate love. You find the perfect gift and look for just the right place to enjoy a romantic dinner. The gang at The Santa Barbara Group loves a good meal and wants to offer their best Valentine’s Day Restaurant Ideas.

The article includes a video featuring three places, Black Sheep, Roy and Toma. Below the video, we’ve added a few other places you might want to consider.

Since we will only discuss 6 of Santa Barbara’s many options, your favorite place to go for Valentine’s Day may not have made the list. That said, we’d love your thoughts. Just leave them in the comment section at the end of this post.

Best Valentines Day Restaurant Ideas – The Video

Great Places To Go For Valentine’s Day in Santa Barbara

Santo Mescal, located next to the MOXI at 119 State St., is described as an elevated Mexican concept. It comes from the Los Agaves team and takes Mexican food in new directions.

“dishes like Cazuela Pibil that features pork marinated in a special adobo sauce, slow cooked in banana leaves, topped with pickled red onion and served with habanero salsa, guacamole are just one example.” 

Other specialties include Filet Mignon, seafood and a few vegetarian options.

The ambiance is great as well. Not too formal and not too casual, just the right mix.

After dinner, a romantic stroll along the beach will make this a special evening.

Convivo is another waterfront restaurant sure to make Valentine’s Day special. Located in the Santa Barbara Inn at 901 E Cabrillo, Contivo brings a long history of creating fine Italian food to the table. 

“Italy has always been a melting pot, so we’re not confusing Italian food ​— ​we’re just exploring other cuisines within Italian cooking.”

The food must be good as it has caught the attention of food critics at the New York Times, Robb Report and more. A lot of friends say their roasted chicken and swordfish are amazing.

Add its great location with both patio and indoor dining, views of the ocean and it’s no wonder people love this place.

Bouchon was a top pick when we asked others where to go for Valentines. The menu is anything but ordinary. Items like maple-glazed California Duck & Confit of Thigh are just one example.

Bouchon is also known for its focus on locally sourced ingredients. Here is what they say…

“fresh, local ingredients, prepared with care. Excellent wines that reflect the quality and character of our region and work in concert with the cuisine. Warm, inviting ambience with engaging service at a relaxed, leisurely pace. This is Bouchon.”

Black Sheep is a great choice for a casual, yet romantic Valentine’s dinner. You’ll find it at 26 E Ortega in downtown Santa Barbara.

People describe it as a “come as you are, non-pretentious and sophisticated all at the same time.”

The menu fuses Latin, Asian and Italian flavors and truly makes it work. You’d be hard pressed to find a dish that mixes slow-braised pork belly, roasted shiitake, bean sprouts, green onions, ajitama egg, and garlic chili paste anywhere else… BTW, it’s amazing! Don’t forget to check out their nightly risotto specials.

If you want to catch a movie after dinner, there are two nearby options. Avi has more info and thoughts about Black Sheep in our video.

Roy, located just west of State at Carrillo has a great ambiance for Valentine’s Day. One reviewer describes it as…

“this restaurant has the most romantic atmosphere I have ever experienced. The lighting, artwork, and acoustics are on point. Though the space is cozy it feels spacious.”

The menu is not pretentious, yet still interesting. They just might have the best tomato basil soup you’ve ever tried. Then there is Roy. Not only is he the owner and chef, but he is also often seen coming by the tables to make sure you are delighted. See what Garrett has to say by watching the video.

Toma is our last, but certainly not least restaurant on our best Valentine’s Day restaurant list. It is consistently ranked at the number one place to dine on Trip Advisor and for good reason.

“this restaurant is excellent for food, service, wine and about everything else. Don’t miss it if you are in santa Barbara. A real gem!”

You’ll find Toma near the pier at 324 W Cabrillo. Executive Chef Nat Ely is well known for putting his mark on classic dishes such as their ravioli featuring braised Beef and Pork Ragu, Spinach, Fresh Ricotta, Mozzarella, and Parmesan.

At night at Toma is a night well spent. Joe checked this place out and has lots to say in the video.

We hope you enjoy our take on the best Valentine’s Day restaurant ideas. Naturally, we suffered greatly going to these places and tasting the food so we could bring this to you. All part of the job.

Speaking of our job, if we can show you some love by answering your real estate questions, helping you find a great place to call home or sell the one you have, it would be our honor.

We hope 2019 is treating you well and wish you a fantastic Valentine’s Day to you and those you love.

Joe Parker, Garrett McCaw, and Avi Becker
The Santa Barbara Group
Berkshire Hathaway Home Services