The Wayfarer is one of The 15 Best Trendy Places in Santa Barbara.

1. The Wayfarer

8.0
12 E Montecito St (State Street), Santa Barbara, CA
Hotel · Lower State · 10 tips and reviews

LaurissaLaurissa: I wouldn't call it a "hostel." The rooms are tiny but trendy, very clean, and cozy. Friendly staff. Walking distance from the pier. I would stay again, but I wasn't fond of our ground floor room.

Lauren P.Lauren Pedrazzi: Trendy, great location, don't miss the jumbo jenga & connect 4 in the common area!

Rachael L.Rachael Leonie: I don't know how this place gets away with being called a "hostel," but I'll take it! Trendy, fun atmosphere and a positive vibe. Great location, clean rooms, and just overall good accommodations.

Handlebar Coffee is one of The 15 Best Trendy Places in Santa Barbara.

2. Handlebar Coffee

9.2
128 E Canon Perdido St (Santa Barbara St.), Santa Barbara, CA
Coffee Shop · Santa Barbara Downtown · 91 tips and reviews

Emilio C.Emilio C: Nice and trendy coffee shop. There's no outlets though, so make sure you have a lot of battery power if you're bringing your computer.

Vittorio G.Vittorio Grieco: Truly artisan coffee & a great little place to have a cozy afternoon pick me up coffee & chat with a friend. Next to Three Pickles sandwiches (great subs!) my favorite Goodland Club

Luc J.Luc Jacobs: Best coffee I encountered in Santa Barbara. Beautiful setting.

The French Press is one of The 15 Best Trendy Places in Santa Barbara.

3. The French Press

8.8
1101 State St (at Figueroa St), Santa Barbara, CA
Coffee Shop · Santa Barbara Downtown · 88 tips and reviews

Toni F.Toni Frohoff: My fav flavor of coffee & associated munchies in SB so far. Hip but hard to find a cozy spot. Perhaps that is necessary to keep the crowds moving. Love it always, esp to go!

Rachel K.Rachel K: The pourover coffee and iced chai teas are the way to go.

Andrew Z.Andrew Zombie: Great place for hipster watching

The Funk Zone is one of The 15 Best Trendy Places in Santa Barbara.

4. The Funk Zone

8.6
34 Anacapa Street (Yanonali Street), Santa Barbara, CA
Art Gallery · Lower State · 8 tips and reviews

Stacy B.Stacy Bo Bacy: Neat spot, especially if you’re into cool street art, trendy restaurants, wine tasting, and shopping for home decor.

Alex G.Alex G: Great wine and people watching just steps from the beach.

Vittorio G.Vittorio Grieco: Funk Zone = where the creatively eclectic artists of Santa Barbara fade away from pop culture & enter into the portal of artistic knowledge & discovery. Careful when you are wondering in wonderland.

The Good Lion is one of The 15 Best Trendy Places in Santa Barbara.

5. The Good Lion

8.8
1212 State St, Santa Barbara, CA
Cocktail Bar · Santa Barbara Downtown · 7 tips and reviews

Doug d.Doug de Wet: Well made classic cocktails in a attractive, comfortable space, my Martini (pictured) was excellent, and you will be warmly welcomed with a complimentary glass of punch.

Stacy B.Stacy Bo Bacy: Fun atmosphere and cocktails, including a rotating seasonal menu. Best when there’s music playing but can get crowded.

AllenAllen: Montenegro daiquiri and the Kon-tiki Kentucky are both delicious.

The Lark is one of The 15 Best Trendy Places in Santa Barbara.

6. The Lark

8.9
131 Anacapa St Ste A (Yanonali Street), Santa Barbara, CA
New American Restaurant · Lower State · 48 tips and reviews

Meredith B.Meredith Blechman: Great outdoor seating or indoor bar scene. Food is phenomenal. Get the Brussels sprouts and hazelnut praline ice cream sandwich for dessert. Can't go wrong with everything in between. And make a res!

Taryn M.Taryn Matthews: My favorite restaurant in SB! The brussel sprouts are out of this world!

Danielle H.Danielle Hunt: Brussels sprouts are insanely tasty. The hanger steak is phenomenal but could have had more steak and less broccoli. The beef cheeks with bone marrow is rich and decadent. The ice cream sandwich OMG

Lure Fish House is one of The 15 Best Trendy Places in Santa Barbara.

7. Lure Fish House

8.9
3815 State St., Suite G131 (La Cumbre), Santa Barbara, CA
Seafood Restaurant · North State · 6 tips and reviews

Solène G.Solène G.: I had the sesame seared ahi tuna, with almond pesto cauliflower and brown rice and loved it! Service is great and we were served quickly. One of my favorite places to eat fish in SB.

Natalie G.Natalie Guerra: Wow, oysters galore. We got their signature oysters and they were out of this world! I got the salmon with a side of grilled spinach which was also the bomb. This place is amazing for any occasion!

Gleymar L.Gleymar Loyo: So delicious everything !!! 🙌🏻

The Habit Burger Grill is one of The 15 Best Trendy Places in Santa Barbara.

8. The Habit Burger Grill

8.7
628 State St (btw E Ortega St & E Cota St), Santa Barbara, CA
Burger Joint · Lower State · 32 tips and reviews

S M.S Marsh: REALLY GOOD BURGERS. The teriyaki char (sticky sweet Asian bbq sauce with pineapple ring) and 50/50 onion rings and fries with ranch is the way to go!

Zach L.Zach Low: If you can't decide on fries or rings, then order their 50/50. You will get the best of both worlds...

Haz 0.Haz 0: Veggie burger is pretty bomb

Sama Sama Kitchen is one of The 15 Best Trendy Places in Santa Barbara.

9. Sama Sama Kitchen

8.9
1208 State St (anapamu), Santa Barbara, CA
Asian Restaurant · Santa Barbara Downtown · 26 tips and reviews

Geoffrey G.Geoffrey Gray: Great food great music great service. A new fav in SB!! Get the sama sama cocktail and the pork belly bao. And the fries are insane!

Varun S.Varun Shetty: Sama Sama cocktail is bourbon, jasmine sweet tea and lemon. Super refreshing. Fried noodle and rice dishes are 💯. So are the brussel sprouts.

Trammell M.Trammell Mark: Pork Butt Porridge at brunch is delicious!

Santa Barbara Shellfish Co. is one of The 15 Best Trendy Places in Santa Barbara.

10. Santa Barbara Shellfish Co.

8.6
230 Stearns Wharf (at Cabrillo Blvd), Santa Barbara, CA
Seafood Restaurant · 84 tips and reviews

Loris G.Loris Grillet: Trendy place by the sea!

WhitneyWhitney: Amaaazing!! Try everything, at least once!

David K.David Kavanagh: This is the real deal! Walk past the rest and wait for a seat here!

Helena Avenue Bakery is one of The 15 Best Trendy Places in Santa Barbara.

11. Helena Avenue Bakery

8.0
131 Anacapa St Ste C, Santa Barbara, CA
Bakery · Lower State · 19 tips and reviews

Stacy B.Stacy Bo Bacy: Service is very friendly and hip atmosphere, but food and coffee are just alright.

Sara P.Sara Pratt: Biscuit with tomato gravy (I skipped the egg) was delicious and filling. Nice depth of flavor in the gravy and great biscuit taste!

Allison R.Allison Rain: Rosemary toast

The Blue Owl is one of The 15 Best Trendy Places in Santa Barbara.

12. The Blue Owl

9.0
5 W Canon Perdido St (at State St), Santa Barbara, CA
Sandwich Spot · Santa Barbara Downtown · 39 tips and reviews

Ryan G.Ryan Gantz: Santa Barbara's great little gourmet secret. For lunch you want a Duck Croissant or savory salad, with a Mexican coke or house soda.. But you must come back late night for a Thai Basil Burger.

lemonjelly l.lemonjelly luukkanen: Rosemary lemonade and Thai iced tea are both made in-house. Delicious. Thai tea is not overly sweet, too. If you are there with a friend, get both.

Suzie B.Suzie Black: Check out the banh mi!

Honor Bar is one of The 15 Best Trendy Places in Santa Barbara.

13. Honor Bar

9.0
1255 Coast Village Rd, Santa Barbara, CA
New American Restaurant · 9 tips and reviews

Natalie G.Natalie Guerra: Everything on this menu is so good. But the chicken sandwich and the kale salad are definitely my favorites on the menu.

Gretchen F.Gretchen Fowler: Opening January 2015! A casual food and bar concept with gourmet sandwiches and snacks. We look forward to welcoming you soon! Read more.

Kyle M.Kyle Miller: Kale salad is delicious!

Figueroa Mountain Brewing Company is one of The 15 Best Trendy Places in Santa Barbara.

14. Figueroa Mountain Brewing Company

8.7
137 Anacapa St, Santa Barbara, CA
Brewery · Lower State · 43 tips and reviews

Doug d.Doug de Wet: Wide ranging lineup with something for every taste, from crisp, refreshing pilsner, to malty ales and hoppy IPAs, even juicy shandies.

Nic V.Nic Viz: Their patio is dog friendly ❤️🐶

Matt V.Matt VL: Great beer. Really talented live music, but uncomfortably loud.

Cafe Zaytoon is one of The 15 Best Trendy Places in Santa Barbara.

15. Cafe Zaytoon

9.0
209 E Canon Perdido St (at Santa Barbara St.), Santa Barbara, CA
Mediterranean Restaurant · Downtown Santa Barbara · 53 tips and reviews

AlisonAlison: Batatas were amazing. Can't go wrong with anything on the menu. Sit outside on the patio. Each table has its own fire pit and if you're still nippy, they have a great selection of teas (unlimited).

Thomas M.Thomas Meyer: Get the fries as your side.

RinaRina: Go to Cafe Zaytoon. Sit at a fire pit and enjoy a Hookah (and perhaps some tasty appetizers!).