The 32 Restaurants Expected to Open in Coming Months

Bear in mind that restaurants and bars rarely open when they aspire to. And every time I run a roundup like this, we learn of several other establishments in the works. If you know of any, please email [email protected] or text 917-209-6473.

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THE NUGGET
The local chain is expanding to Carpinteria, in the space that was home to Lantern Tree Books. Opening forecast: Just opened.

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SEOULMATE KITCHEN
Joining Fresco at the Market in the wave of newcomers to the Santa Barbara Public Market is a Korean-inspired café and restaurant from Juan Pedro Muñoz, former chef at The Cruisery, is taking two spaces (formerly Big T’s Deli and Three Monkeys). The menus can be seen here. Opening forecast: Soft-opening this Friday, with a grand opening on Friday, July 18.

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LITTLE KING
The Buellton café is joining the lineup at The Post. Opening forecast: July.

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DOM’S TAVERNA
Raj Nallapothola of Toronix Gourmet and chef Dom Crisp (most recently of The Lonely Oyster in L.A.) are opening a Basque-inspired restaurant in the former Trattoria Vittoria on E. Victoria Street. Opening forecast: July.

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AEGEAN
Chef Efe Onoglu, who has been hosting pop-up dinners and events for a while now, is opening an eastern Mediterranean restaurant called Aegean at 731 De La Guerra Plaza. Opening forecast: July.

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GRACIE
The reinvented Breakwater Restaurant space on the harbor will be “the waterfront restaurant and cocktail bar Santa Barbara deserves,” says co-owner Dudley Michael. “A casual, all-day concept but with an elevated brunch, happy hour, dinner and cocktail experience.” Opening forecast: July.

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DART COFFEE CO.
The Dart outpost at Carpinteria’s new Linden Square complex will have coffee, of course, as well as savory and sweet toasts, organic soft-serve, and beer and wine. Opening forecast: Early August.

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LITTLE MOUNTAIN
Little Mountain is a true farm-to-table restaurant in the former Montecito Wine Bistro in the Upper Village; the chef is now Diego Moya, formerly of New York City restaurants including June Wine Bar, Racines, and Hemlock (which I remember very fondly from my time in the city). Opening forecast: Mid-August.

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‘QUE
Solvang’s Whiskey ‘N Rye is bringing barbecue to the former Fala Bar space at the Santa Barbara Public Market. “While guests will find smoked-to-perfection brisket and pulled pork at the core of our menu, the concept also celebrates a wider flavor spectrum, showcasing grilled and smoked vegetables and housemade sauces,” says the press release. Opening forecast: Late summer or early fall.

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LILY’S DONUTS & POPS
Lily’s Donuts & Pops is opening two outposts: one in the former Cold Stone Creamery storefront on State Street (Haley/Cota) and another inside the Santa Barbara Public Market. “The State Street location will be our flagship, featuring our full-size menu of donuts and craft popsicles as well as coffee, and beer and wine pairings,” says cofounder Omar Khashen. “The Public Market location will be a miniature version without popsicles, but we may add them at some point.” Opening forecast: Unknown; still awaiting permits (but keep an eye open for pop-ups at the Public Market).

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UPPER VILLAGE ITALIAN
S.Y. Kitchen’s Luca Crestanelli is opening an Italian restaurant in the former Via Vai space in the Upper Village: “The core idea is doing what we do best,” he says. “Simple dishes made with high-quality ingredients. A relaxed and vibrant atmosphere. Comfortable space. Good wine. Good service. Hopefully we can get a liquor license.” Opening forecast: Late summer or early fall.

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MANIFATTURA
Andrea Girardello and Brian Dodero are working on a more grown-up version of Aperitivo—focusing on pasta and taking reservations—around the corner at 413 State Street; the current location on E. Haley will downshift to more of the wine bar it was initially intended to be. Opening forecast: Summer.

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THE GOLETA SPOT
Out by the airport, 521 Norman Firestone Road—former site of the Elephant Bar and High Sierra Grill—will be home to The Goleta Spot, with multiple food trucks. One of the owners is Ben Schroeder of Goleta’s Santa Barbara Cider Company. Opening forecast: Unknown, but the one-year lease starts this month.

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NOBU
The global chain with more than 50 locations is coming to the Four Seasons Biltmore. Opening forecast: The hotel has expressed a goal to reopen this year.

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BOUCHON BAKERY
The former hair salon at the Four Seasons Biltmore resort will become an outpost of chef Thomas Keller’s Bouchon Bakery brand, which has outposts in Yountville and Las Vegas. Opening forecast: The hotel has expressed a goal to reopen this year.

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YETZ’S BAGELS
Yetz’s Bagels owner Dan Dunietz is converting around 1,000 square feet of what was once laundromat (next to Rusty’s and Chipotle in the southeast corner of Storke and Hollister) into a bagel shop. Production will happen in the new location, with bagels delivered daily to the original Isla Vista shop. “I want to bring a slice of New York here to Santa Barbara in the form of a classic, N.Y. bagel shop—selling lox and other smoked fish by the pound, deli salads, etc.,” he says. Opening forecast: By year end.

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THE MULLET
Lama Dog is expanding within the Waterline complex in the Funk Zone. “The new spot, a cocktail/hi-fi bar, is right behind Lama Dog, literally sharing a wall and patio,” says owner Pete Burnham. “It’s vinyl-themed, with a DJ booth and full liquor.” Opening forecast: By year end.

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BOGAVANTE
The third restaurant at The Post, taking over the old Stella Mare’s space at the freeway end of Los Patos Way, is Bogavante, Spanish for “lobster.” The proprietor is Alejandro Marin, a co-owner of Loreto and La Cha Cha Chá in L.A. “Bogavante will bring together the vibrant culinary traditions of Northern Mexico and Santa Barbara’s coastal bounty. Inspired by the region’s rich Mexican heritage, the menu will feature fresh, locally sourced seafood and ranch-raised meats, honoring the flavors and spirit of vaquero culture.” Opening forecast: Late 2025/early 2026.

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FUNK ZONE COCKTAIL BAR
The 900-square-foot structure at 42 Helena Avenue, once home to a kiln for drying wood shipped in via Stearns Wharf, will be a “little seafood and cocktail bar.” Opening forecast: Summer 2026.

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THE COOP
The Ellwood is building a snack bar on the other side of the pier at Goleta Beach Park. Opening forecast: 2026.

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TEDDY’S ON STATE
Sarah Dandona and Juan Rodriguez of Teddy’s by the Sea, Brass Bird, and Omni Catering are opening an outpost of Teddy’s in the former MacKenzie Market (3102 State Street) in San Roque. Opening forecast: 2026.

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SKYFIELD
Mary Ta, founder of the MASS Beverly and Minotti Los Angeles showrooms, has big ambitions for the former Black Sheep space (Anacapa/Ortega). “Skyfield is a community-driven, ingredient-centric dining outpost and retail concept inspired by the stunning landscape of the Santa Barbara coastline and the biodiversity of Skyfield Ranch—an 80-acre certified organic farm nestled in and among the Los Padres National Forest. Skyfield will have a strong emphasis on seasonality and locality—inviting local farmers, fisherman, and artisans to showcase their ingredients with mindfully curated foods, products and educational experiences. The plans involve a restaurant that will serve lunch and dinner, while a quick-service and retail component will be available alongside a bottle shop.” Opening forecast: 2026.

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THE PALMS & RINCON HILL MARKET
The landmark Palms building in Carpinteria was bought by the couple that also owns One White Street in New York City. The downstairs and rooftop will be casual, and a “chef’s kitchen” concept will be on the second floor. Next door, the former Oaxaca Fresh space at 721 Linden Avenue will be the site of the affiliated Rincon Hill Market, with produce from Rincon Hill Farm, prepared foods, bread and pastries, juices, and coffee. Opening forecast: Early 2026 (Rincon Hill Market) and late 2026 (the restaurant).

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BARBAREÑO OFFSHOOT AT THE UPHAM
Barbareño is opening “a technique-driven, modern Californian bistro” at the former Louie’s California Bistro inside The Upham hotel at De La Vina and Sola. Opening forecast: Unknown.

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LUNA CAFE
Luna Cafe is coming to the Judge for Yourself Cafe space at the corner of Santa Barbara Street and Equestrian Avenue. There’s nothing online other than a categorization as “coffee and tea,” but the beer-and-wine-license notice in the window indicates the ambitions go beyond that. Opening forecast: Unknown.

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JONESY’S FRIED CHICKEN
The old Derf’s Cafe space at De La Vina and Mission Street will become the second outpost of the popular Goleta fried-chicken restaurant. Opening forecast: Unknown.

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GHIRARDELLI CHOCOLATE COMPANY
Ghirardelli Chocolate Company‘s 19th chocolate/ice cream shop nationwide will be at 509 State Street (Haley/Cota). Opening forecast: Unknown.

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MENDOCINO FARMS
Sandwich-and-salad chain Mendocino Farms—with 76 locations and counting—is opening in the former Panera Bread space in La Cumbre Plaza. Opening forecast: Unknown.

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CAJÉ COFFEE ROASTERS
The local chain is opening a café at 5340 Hollister Avenue in Patterson Center. Opening forecast: Unknown.

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CORAL CASINO RESTAURANT
After severing the relationship between the Four Seasons Biltmore resort and the Coral Casino private club, owner Ty Warner hired world-renowned chef Thomas Keller to take over the latter’s food-and-beverage operations, including Tyde’s restaurant, which will be open to the public, with a dedicated door on Channel Drive, a piano lounge, and a new name. Opening forecast: Unknown.

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CHICK-FIL-A
The loved/loathed fast-food chain has long been working on an outlet at the site of the former IHOP at 4765 Calle Real, east of N. Turnpike Road. Opening forecast: Unknown.

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EVERYTABLE
Everytable is a chain that charges more in well-off areas to subsidize meals in poorer communities. The restaurant at the base of Amazon’s office at State and Carrillo was supposed to be the first outside L.A., but in the many years that that the project has been on ice, the company has opened locations in the Bay Area, New York City (all of which have closed), and all over Southern California. Opening forecast: Unknown, but maybe the planters outside are a sign…?

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OVER IN OJAI…
••• The biggest thing to happen in Ojai in many years is the newly opened HOTEL EL ROBLAR, the former Oaks at Ojai spa (before that, it was El Roblar hotel). The owners—Warner Ebbink of Little Dom’s Seafood and Bar Lou; Eric Goode of the Ojai turtle sanctuary, Tiger King, and many projects in New York City; Jeremy McBride; and Ramin Shamshiri of Studio Shamshiri—have turned it into something special. The lobby bar is open now, and the main restaurant, Condor Bar (below), is slated to open for dinner on July 16, with weekend brunch to follow. The food is Mexican.
••• OJAI MOUNTAIN FARM is opening a “store/pub/deli” in the Libbey Arcade this fall.
••• Radio Roma, a small listening bar/taqueria off Libbey Park, is adding a dedicated restaurant called TACO ROMA in the space next door.

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FURTHER AWAY ON THE HORIZON…
••• EL ENCANTO is being sold; any reinvention will likely include a revamp of the restaurant.
••• LINDEN SQUARE has a rooftop bar that will one day get leased (below).
••• The plans for the PLATFORM development at 301 E. Yanonali, on the west side of Garden Street and south of the 101, include four food-and-beverage spaces.
••• On land owned by the Fess Parker family, the Robert Green Company is developing an 86-room resort—with “a signature restaurant with outdoor dining overlooking the ocean, a rooftop bar and grill with unparalleled views, and a lobby bar and lounge with enticing small plates”—at 433 E. CABRILLO BOULEVARD, at the corner of S. Calle Cesar Chavez. It will be positioned somewhere between the Rosewood Miramar Beach and the Hotel Californian. Construction has yet to begin, though.
••• The ROSEWOOD MIRAMAR BEACH resort’s addition at the corner of S. Jameson Lane and Eucalyptus Lane will include a café with grab-and-go options.
••• The owners of 801 STATE STREET (at De La Guerra) are considering a restaurant and perhaps a bar.
••• Ty Warner’s plan for the SANDPIPER GOLF CLUB in Goleta includes replacing the 9,305-square-foot clubhouse with a two-story club and restaurant of 37,000 square feet. Moreover, the landmark Barnsdall-Rio Grande Gas Station would be brought back to life as mini museum with a bike-friendly café.
••• The website for THE NEIGHBORHOOD AT STATE & HOPE, the mixed-use project on the 8.7 acres at the northeast of La Cumbre Plaza, shows a restaurant on State Street and a food hall.
••• The building at 730 State Street (Ortega/De La Guerra) is becoming an outpost of PODSHARE, which offers “flexible, single rate, network wide housing” so you can “travel and live remote,” and will have a café on the back terrace on De La Guerra Plaza.
••• The little terrace at 628 STATE STREET (Cota/Ortega)—formerly home to Blush, and across the paseo from the Habit—will be the site of a new restaurant.

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