Dinner in Santa Barbara
Starters
Sogno Toscano Burrata
Salt-Roasted Beets, Heirloom Carrot, Espelette Honey
18
Java Blue Crabcake
Hand-Picked Blue Swimming Crab, Aioli, Frisée, Lemon
27
Hope Ranch Mussels
Spanish Chorizo, Roasted Tomato Broth, Grilled Sourdough
32
Crudité and Dip
House Potato Chips, Petite Veggies, French Onion Dip
18
Warm Sourdough & Butter
Sourdough Boule from Röckenwagner Bakery, with Vermont Creamery Butter & Maldon Salt
12
from the Raw Bar
Shrimp Cocktail
Colossal Gulf Shrimp, Cocktail Sauce, Lemon.
5 per order
28
Rockfish Ceviche
Jave Blue Lump Crab, Aguachile, Winter Citrus, Jicama
28
Ahi Tuna Poke
Avocado, Persian Cucumber, Miso Tahini, Wonton Crisps
27
Premium White
Sturgeon Caviar
Private Selection from Sogno Toscano, Crème Fraîche, Chive, Potato Crisps
95
Oysters
Half Dozen, East & West Coast, Mignonette
24
Soup & Salad
Little Gem Caesar
Parmigiano Reggiano, Brioche Croutons Classic Caesar Dressing
19
Baby Kale & Apple Salad
Fiscalini Farmhouse Cheddar, Apple Chips, Pickled Shallots, Champagne Vinaigrette, Walnuts
18
Iceberg Wedge Salad
Daily’s Bacon, Point Reyes Blue, Egg, Tomato, Everything Seasoning, Buttermilk Dressing
21
The Ellwood's Famous
Clam Chowder
Santa Barbara Style,
White Cheddar Potato Gratin
17
Soup of the Day
Seasonally Inspired
MKT
Entrées
Double R Ranch
Braised Beef Short Rib
Whipped Potatoes, Roasted Carrot Broccolini, Red Wine Jus
55
New Zealand
Ora King Salmon
Sashimi-Grade. Arugula, Peppadew, Lemon
64
Poached Lobster Linguine
Santa Barbara-Caught Spiny Lobster Tail, Lobster Sauce Américaine, Baby Zucchini
57
Roasted Jidori Half Chicken
Chicken Pan Jus, Roasted Sweet Potato Wedges, Green Garlic Aioli
41
Seared Diver Scallops
Acquarello Risotto, Crispy Serrano Ham, Roman Artichoke
55
Santa Barbara
Fish of the Day
Locally Caught, Seasonal Preparation
MKT
Mushroom Pappardelle
Braised Short Rib, Mushroom Sofrito Crème Fraîche, Parmigiano-Reggiano
43
Grilled Whole Branzino
Chimichurri, Charred Lemon, Olive Oil
61
Steak and Chops
À LA CARTE
14 oz Creekstone Farms Ribeye
30-day Dry Aged, Center Cut
72
16 oz Prime New York Strip
Center Cut, Grass Fed
83
7 oz Creekstone Farms Filet Mignon
Center Cut
68
14 oz Char Siu Pork Tomahawk
Pasture Raised, Chinese BBQ Glaze, Cucumber Salad
61
Butcher’s Reserve Cut
Chef Selected, Sourced in Limited Quantities
MKT
Enhancements
PAN SEARED DIVER SCALLOP
16
GRILLED GULF SHRIMP (2 PC)
15
JAVA BLUE CRAB CAKE
17
ELLWOOD STEAK SAUCE
7
PEPPERCORN CREAM
7
GREEN GARLIC AÏOLI
7
House Sides
Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Toasted Pecan, White Balsamic, Cashew Butter
14
Sweet Potato Wedges
Green Garlic Aioli, Spicy Thai Chili
12
Lemon Herb Broccolini
Garlic, Chili Flake, Cashew Butter, Lemon
14
Mac and Cheese
Lumache Pasta, Toasted Breadcrumbs
Add Lobster +35
Add Crab +27
15
JOËL ROBUCHON
WHIPPED POTATOES
Butter, Cream, Salt
14
Parties of six of more guests will have an added gratuity of 20%.
Consuming raw or undercooked meat, eggs, or fish can increase risk of foodborne illness. Food prepared in a scratch kitchen that uses ingredients that include eggs, meat, dairy, fish, shellfish, soy, gluten, peanuts, and treenuts
Santa Barbara’s coastline sets the stage for a dining experience that blends breathtaking ocean views with a thriving culinary scene. For those exploring dinner options in the area, oceanfront dining offers a sensory journey where fresh coastal flavors meet the gentle sea breeze. At The Ellwood, a chef-driven menu and thoughtfully curated atmosphere transform an evening meal into an experience to savor, making it a standout oceanfront restaurant along the Santa Barbara coast. Every visit captures the city’s coastal charm, offering a memorable setting for both casual gatherings and special nights out.
The Elevated Dining Culture of Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara’s food scene blends coastal charm with culinary creativity, where chefs craft experiences that celebrate the region’s bounty. Fresh seafood, local produce, and seasonal ingredients shape menus citywide, reflecting close collaborations between chefs, fishermen, and farmers. Dining here can be casual or refined, from beachside tacos to curated wine flights, offering something for every palate and occasion.
What sets Santa Barbara apart is how its coastal setting enhances every meal. At restaurants like The Ellwood, the salty breeze, gentle waves, and golden California light elevate flavors, turning dinner into a sensory experience. Every visit captures the region’s culinary culture and its effortless connection to the sea, leaving an impression long after the last bite.
Oceanfront Dining: A Unique Santa Barbara Experience
In Santa Barbara, an evening meal becomes a whole sensory experience. Chefs at restaurants like The Ellwood craft each dish with local ingredients, from the morning’s fresh catch to produce harvested from nearby farms, creating menus that shift with the seasons and surprise even regular visitors.
As the day winds down, patios come alive with soft lighting, laughter, and the aroma of expertly prepared dishes blending with the coastal air. The combination of thoughtful flavors, seasonal freshness, and a relaxed yet elegant atmosphere transforms dinner into more than a meal—it becomes an unforgettable moment to savor.
The Ellwood: A Premier Oceanfront Restaurant
Perched on Santa Barbara’s coastline, The Ellwood isn’t just another restaurant with a view. It’s where the Pacific’s rhythm sets the tempo for an evening of culinary discovery. Here, chefs don’t just follow recipes—they craft stories on a plate, drawing inspiration from the ocean’s bounty and the region’s sun-soaked fields.
As twilight paints the sky, The Ellwood transforms. Soft lighting mimics the glow of a California sunset, while the gentle clinking of glasses and murmur of conversation create a soundtrack as soothing as the nearby waves. It’s in this moment that you realize—this isn’t just dinner, it’s a quintessential Santa Barbara experience.
Why Choose The Ellwood for Dinner in Santa Barbara
An evening at The Ellwood begins the moment you step onto its oceanfront terrace, where the gentle sea breeze carries the scent of fresh ingredients and the soft hum of conversation fills the air. Each dish is carefully crafted, blending seasonal seafood and locally sourced produce into plates that are both visually striking and flavorful. From the first bite to the last, the menu celebrates the richness of Santa Barbara’s coastal cuisine while inviting diners to discover something new with every visit.
The setting adapts effortlessly to any occasion, whether it’s a quiet dinner for two, a festive gathering with friends, or a special celebration. Thoughtful service, elegant presentation, and a relaxed California charm come together to create a dining experience that lingers in memory long after the meal ends. At The Ellwood, every evening offers a taste of Santa Barbara’s unique culinary culture paired with sweeping ocean views.
Your Table Awaits on the Santa Barbara Coast
Choosing The Ellwood means savoring what Santa Barbara has to offer in one unforgettable evening. From thoughtfully crafted dishes that highlight the day’s freshest local ingredients to the relaxed elegance of its oceanfront setting, every detail comes together to create a memorable dining experience. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion, enjoying a night out with friends, or simply treating yourself, The Ellwood offers a taste of Santa Barbara’s coastal charm in every bite.
Explore the menu and reserve your table at The Ellwood—and come ready to enjoy exceptional flavors, warm ambiance, and sweeping ocean views that linger long after the last course.