Santa Barbara Restaurant Week returns with special menus and local deals
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — Food lovers across the Central Coast can take advantage of special dining deals as Santa Barbara Restaurant Week gets underway.
With rising dining costs in 2026, the week-long event is giving locals a chance to enjoy prix-fixe menus at a more affordable price point while supporting area restaurants.
For many residents, it’s also an opportunity to try something new or revisit favorite spots.
“I look at this as sort of an incentive to try something new, or go to a favorite place,” said Santa Barbara resident Diane Murphy.
Restaurants across Santa Barbara and Montecito are offering curated menus designed to bring in customers during the spring season
“The restaurant business is challenging across the board,” said Sara Skrinski, owner of Arnoldi’s Cafe. “We do all of our food from scratch.”
At Arnoldi’s Cafe, Skrinski highlights her Italian roots through dishes inspired by northern Italy. The restaurant’s Restaurant Week menu includes an appetizer, entrée, dessert and cocktail for $75, with some exclusive items only available during the event.
Among them is a Capri lemon ravioli, a specialty not typically found on the regular menu, along with fan-favorite dishes like chicken Milanese.
Over in Montecito, Clark’s Oyster Bar is also participating, offering a three-course menu for $60.
Chef Jacob Levan says the goal is to deliver a well-rounded dining experience.
“You get a choice of soup, salad, one of our favorite entrees and a dessert,” Levan said. “It’s going to be a really great experience.”
Popular menu items include the restaurant’s linguine with clams, alongside fresh oysters and house-made sourdough bread.
From coastal seafood to farm-to-table cuisine, Restaurant Week showcases the diversity of the region’s food scene — all at discounted prices.
The event runs through Sunday, giving diners a limited window to make reservations and explore participating restaurants.
For a full list of menus and locations, visit SB RESTAURANT WEEKS.
