Diners' Choice: Innovative restaurants in Santa Ynez Valley

OpenTable

Updated 05 October 2026

Looking for the best restaurants that are fit for foodies in Santa Ynez Valley? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyses nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favourite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you book, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Na Na Thai

5.0

5 (103)

$30 and under

Thai

Buellton

About the restaurant

A Taste of Bangkok in the Heart of California.
A vibrant restaurant in Buellton, California, inspired by the owners' time living in Thailand. The menu features a diverse selection of elevated street food dishes.
Step inside and be transported to a lively atmosphere. The colorful decor and friendly staff create a welcoming ambiance.
Start your culinary journey with a selection of small plates, like the crispy lumpia, filled with curried beef, or the light and flavorful por pia tofu spring roll, bursting with fresh vegetables and herbs. For a main course, indulge in the pad thai, a classic dish elevated with perfectly grilled shrimp and a symphony of textures. The daily changing fried rice is a show stopper!
Na Na Thai's commitment to authentic flavors extends to their use of locally sourced ingredients. They work closely with farmers and ranchers to ensure the freshest, highest-quality produce and meats.

Top review

MichaelGold

Dined on 10 Oct 2026

Amazing place. Wonderful friendly knowledgeable service and simply scrumptious food

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Experience

Thai Family Style

Experience

New Years Eve Dinner at Na Na Thai

SY Kitchen

4.9

4.9 (4383)

$31 to $50

Italian

Santa Ynez Valley

About the restaurant

RESERVATIONS

Reservations for parties of 5 or more please call restaurant directly.

S. Y. Kitchen requests a credit card to hold a reservation of 6 or more. You may cancel by calling the restaurant by 5 PM two days prior to the reservation. After that cancellation is subject to our policy and fees may be incurred. All credit card information will be processed securely.

Top review

Lydia

Dined 7 days ago

Great food and excellent service Highly recommended

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Popular dish

Tahitian Vanilla Panna Cotta

Popular dish

Pistachio Crème Brûlée

Popular dish

Wild Mushroom Pappardelle

Bell’s

4.9

4.9 (766)

$50 and over

French

Los Alamos

About the restaurant

Based in Los Alamos, CA, Bell’s is a French-inspired bistro from Per Se alums Daisy and Greg Ryan. Earning one Michelin Star since 2021 as well as Food & Wine Best New Chef, and Esquire’s Best New Restaurants and multiple James Beard nominations for Best Chef California and Outstanding Restauranteurs. Bell's is a reimagined bistro fare with eclectic wine selections from independent local producers and select European estates.

LUNCH is served from 11:00am - 3:00pm, Thurs - Mon.
Walk-ins welcomed.

PRIX FIXE DINNER is reservation only, from 5:00 - 8:30pm, Thursday - Monday.
Dinner is $125/person, menu price does not include SERVICE FEE AND TAX.

On Thursdays, we offer our L'EXPRESS DINNER MENU an abbreviated menu (salad and bread course, choice of entree, choice of dessert) for $75/pp - both menus will be offered those nights so no need to make a note, just book as you normally would.

On Monday evenings all wines over $60 are half price!
Please note the number below is TEXT ONLY

Top review

Courtney

Dined 5 days ago

Bell’s FTW always but we can’t stop talking about how great our experience was Monday night. Incredible menu, perfect service, insane wine value. I usually come for lunch and it’s always great but I’m still savoring that night days later <3 TYSM

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Experience

Prix Fixe Dinner Menu - Dining Room

Experience

Prix Fixe Dinner Menu - Outside Patio Dining

Experience

Prix Fixe Dinner Menu - Counter Seats

Bar Le Côte

4.9

4.9 (383)

$31 to $50

Seafood

Los Olivos

About the restaurant

Bar Le Côte is a stylish seafood tavern located in Los Olivos, California. Inspired by the daily catch of the Central Coast and the modern cuisine of Europe’s seaside capitals, our team prepares thoughtful maritime fare in a casual, social atmosphere.

We have limited patio seating and do not allow dogs indoors. If you would like to reserve an outdoor table please email us at info@barlecote.com and we will do our best to accommodate.

Our intimate dining room is best suited for parties of 2–4 guests. We are able to accommodate a limited number of parties of up to 6, depending on availability and seating configuration.

Reservations recommended to guarantee being seated. We give all reservations a 15 minute grace period before being released to other guests. Walk in tables are limited.

* Please note that ride shares and taxis can be hard to come by in the valley, especially later in the evening. We will always do our best to assist in getting you a ride, but please plan accordingly *

Top review

RaeGold

Dined on 17 Oct 2026

Amazing as always. Wonderful service and the food is always fantastic!

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Experience

Dinner for Two

Willows at Chumash Casino

4.8

4.8 (1751)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

Santa Ynez Valley

About the restaurant

The Willows specializes in mouthwatering prime steaks and seafood. This 14 time AAA Four Diamond Award-winning restaurant also features a Wine Spectator Award winning wine list with an extensive selection of local and imported wines, all served in an exquisitely appointed setting.

Top review

Susan

Dined 1 day ago

Dinner was delicious as usual! You can't go wrong with any of the steaks that Willows offers. We enjoyed Calimari and grilled Oysters for appetizers and the Wedge Salad and the Caesars Salad were also delicious and the portions generous. We always ask for Richie as he is the best of the best! He totally took care of our group of four! Thank you Richie!!

Leonardo Ristorante & Pizzeria

4.8

4.8 (1611)

$31 to $50

Italian

Solvang

About the restaurant

Authentic Italian cuisine in the heart of Santa Ynez Valley, by Chef Leonardo Curti and loyal staff.
Three years in a row voted Best in the Valley by our loyal patrons.
Cozy atmosphere with additional back room, craft cocktails, Napolitan wood fire pizza oven, pasta, seafood, steaks, and risotto.

Top review

JimGold

Dined 4 days ago

Great food and freshly made pasta. The server was very good too

Nella Kitchen and Bar

4.8

4.8 (1431)

$31 to $50

Californian

Santa Ynez Valley

About the restaurant

Opened in August 2020, Nella Kitchen & Bar offers fresh, modern California cuisine and focuses on 'Roman Pinsas'.
Meals are served on the front porch overlooking Grand Ave where guests are warmly welcomed, or in the cozy Dining Room which also has a private Wine Room that can host family seating and private parties.
Cocktails are focused on classics and served in the Lounge with a lot of bar seating.
As much as we love pets, we only allow service animals at Nella, thank you for understanding.

Top review

EllenGold

Dined on 14 Oct 2026

We enjoyed the evening. We were at a round table which is perfect for a group of 6. We all enjoyed our food and drinks. I splurged and had the chocolate mousse for dessert and it was spectacular! I had the tuna tartare for my dinner and it was yummy. You cannot go wrong with any of the choices at Nella's.

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Pony Cocktails + Kitchen

4.8

4.8 (151)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Santa Ynez

About the restaurant

Owner & Mixologist Battaglini Alberto redesigned this iconic Santa Ynez landmark into something unique, elevated yet comfortable.
Situated in the heart of Santa Ynez Valley and, with Chef Jonny McDermott on the helm of the kitchen, Pony COCKTAILS + KITCHEN has a comfortable yet upscale feeling with a super friendly approach to food reflecting globally inspired dishes and fresh farm produces. The cocktail program follow the same ideology of the food giving every cocktails a unique flavor and personality.
Open for breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner this hybrid Cafe/Cocktail Bar Restaurant integrate the Santa Ynez Valley style with modern comfort style food and unrealistic Cocktails.

Top review

TinaGold

Dined on 17 Oct 2026

We loved our dinner! Service was excellent and our food was delicious!

The Gathering Table

4.8

4.8 (435)

$31 to $50

Contemporary Asian

Solvang

About the restaurant

Welcome to The Gathering Table, Solvang’s newest culinary gem. Led by acclaimed Chef Budi Kazali, renowned for his innovative Asian cuisine with French influences, our restaurant promises an unforgettable dining experience.

Chef Budi Kazali brings his mastery to every dish, infusing flavors from his Indonesian heritage with local ingredients sourced from nearby farms. Whether indulging in his signature dishes or exploring new creations, every bite at The Gathering Table is a celebration of culinary artistry.

Situated amidst Solvang’s picturesque streets, our restaurant offers a serene outdoor dining area, perfect for enjoying Chef Kazali’s creations al fresco. Inside, savor handcrafted cocktails at our full bar or host an intimate gathering in our Private Dining Room, where every detail is tailored to exceed your expectations.

Discover a place where exquisite cuisine meets warm and approachable hospitality at The Gathering Table!

Top review

John

Dined 2 days ago

Wonderful location, amazing food, drinks, service. The staff was very accommodating to our two small dogs. They brought out a water bowl for them and prepared some ground beef for them with so seasonings and salt of course. Would recommend this restaurant.

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Pan Fried Duck Breast

Pico

4.7

4.7 (31)

$31 to $50

Californian

Los Alamos

About the restaurant

Nestled in the charming, historic town of Los Alamos Pico offers a warm and inviting farm-to-table dining experience and boasts a beautiful edible garden. Husband and wife team Chef Kali Kopley and Lumen Winemaker Will Henry have cultivated a culinary destination with ingredients sourced from local farmers, ranchers, fishermen and winemakers who are committed to organic, sustainable, regenerative and humane practices. The restaurant is deeply committed to a farmer-driven philosophy. This dedication ensures innovative, ingredient-focused dishes that celebrate the bounty of the region. Pico also boasts an award-winning wine list, featuring small, handcrafted wines that perfectly complement the vibrant flavors. Pico Restaurant is located in the historic Los Alamos General Store in California's Central Coast. It's a place where history, community, and exceptional cuisine converge.

Top review

Peter

Dined 4 days ago

This is a comfortable yet elegant restaurant in a wonderful historic space in downtown Los Alamos. The food choices are not vast, but everything we had was delicious and made with local ingredients. They also produce their own wine (Lumen) which is lovely! The service was prompt and friendly.

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Experience

Lumen Wine Tasting

Experience

Know Thy Farmer Lunch with Lompoc Bean Co.

Experience

Know Thy Farmer Lunch with Finley Farm

Explore Diners' Choice best of Santa Ynez Valley