There's no relation to Thomas Keller's famed Bouchon, but you're not far off. Santa Barbara's Bouchon is wine-country food at its finest. It's not exclusively French bistro cuisine—unlike its Napa sibling-in-name-only—because this charming white-tableclothed hub in the heart of downtown also offers dishes like cabernet-braised short rib with risotto and a serious trio of chilled and seared sea scallops, all to be capped off with the decadent chocolate molten lava cake.

The perfect, unhurried, follow up to a day in the Wine Country is to feast on the bright, flavorful California cooking at pretty Bouchon (meaning ‘wine cork’). A seasonally changing menu spotlights locally grown farm produce and ranched meats that marry beautifully with almost three-dozen regional wines available by the glass. Lovebirds, book a table on the candlelit patio.

This upscale French restaurant serves one of the finest meals you can have in Santa Barbara. It’s expensive and you’ll definitely need a reservation, but if you’re in town on a romantic trip of any kind, Bouchon’s meat-and-seafood heavy menu and multiple string-lit patios are exactly what you want.

One of Santa Barbara’s original and longest continually operating wine country cuisine restaurants, Bouchon was created in 1998 by restaurateur Mitchel Sjerven as a stage for Santa Barbara wines to shine (bouchon means “cork” in French). The enduringly popular theatre district restaurant on Victoria Street is known for its warm hospitality, comprehensive collection of regional wines, and Chef Greg Murphy’s thoughtfully crafted meals—you can often spot Chef at the downtown Tuesday Farmers’ Market. Of the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence wine list, Sjerven and his sommelier Eric Hanson’s shared goal is to create a balance between “well-known and obscure, old standby and new favorite.” With more than 20 lovely local wines available by the glass, the pairing potential is downright thrilling.

This recognition means guests recognize and appreciate the professionals I have on my staff. Our kitchen staff is passionate about the cuisine, and our service team is truly dedicated to creating a wonderful dining experience for each and every guest,” says bouchon owner Mitchell Sjerven. “The Best Of award is another significant milestone — both looking toward a brighter future and putting the past few years further in our rearview mirror.” He continues, “Locals are the backbone to any successful Santa Barbara business, so it is particularly rewarding coming from our neighbors and friends — we love serving you!.

There's no relation to Thomas Keller's Bouchon, but you're not far off: Santa Barbara's Bouchon is wine-country food at its finest. It's not exclusively French bistro cuisine—unlike its Napa sibling-in-name-only—because this charming white-tableclothed hub in the heart of downtown also offers dishes like hamachi crudo in blood orange vinaigrette and some serious sea scallops with an orange-and-rosemary tapenade, all to be capped off with the signature and picture-perfect Baked Alaska. Be sure to snag a reservation before your visit—this is one of town's go-tos for finer dining and date nights.

Not so fast… this decades old Santa Barbara staple for French fare has no relation to Chef Thomas Keller’s acclaimed bouchon in Napa Valley, but you’ll still love the food, wine, and décor nonetheless. It specialises in wine country cuisine such as herbed burrata and carrot salad. And if you’re lucky, you can join the crew on Tuesday afternoon or Saturday morning for a foodie crawl to the Santa Barbara Certified Farmers Market, followed by a three-course wine pairing dinner that might include a maple glazed duck breast.

Consider first Bouchon Santa Barbara (the product of celebrated restaurateur Mitchell Sjerven), where the motto is “as fresh and local as possible.” It’s a mantra you can see on the menu, highlighting fresh catch of the day from right off the coast, as well as produce and artisanal foods from local farms and food purveyors. Wine pairings featuring local vintages are highly recommended. The Palace Grill is another great choice for upscale dining; multiple presidents have enjoyed meals here.

The scene: Taking full advantage of its prestigious coastal location, Bouchon combines the very best of French cuisine with local Californian flavours and ingredients to create an alluring fusion menu. The small, snug surroundings exude charm and warmth, thanks to rustic wooden accents, simple homely seating and an open kitchen where you can watch the magic unfold before your very eyes. These aspects work together to make Bouchon wonderfully gourmet without being overly stuffy.

Coined as a ‘California French’ cuisine, Bouchon is one of the most romantic and delicious dinners you can have in town. The combination of the fabulous menu, the French farmhouse interior and dimmed lights, along with the impeccable local wine list; this is one of those restaurants that was literally made for a special date night. It’s definitely a splurge and reservations in advance are needed but this is a true gem in Santa Barbara.

Serving Californian-French fare made with organic seasonal ingredients and local wines, Bouchon Santa Barbara is a standard for a gastronomic experience unlike any other. With rustic country interiors and the smell of piles and piles of freshly baked baguettes, this place feels like you’re not in Santa Barbara. The slightly open kitchen is enough to let you see all the magic happen.

This intimate restaurant is located in the heart of Santa Barbara, and the heart of Santa Barbara is evident in its menu. Bouchon's fresh vegetables are sourced from Santa Barbara's daily farmers markets, and meat is purchased from local ranchers. For a hands-on experience, you can book a Tuesday farmers market trip with the chef who will then prepare your dinner using his finds.

Excellent wines that reflect the quality and character of our region and work in concert with the cuisine. Warm, inviting ambiance, service at a relaxed, leisurely pace. Santa Barbara ‘Wine Country Cuisine’ means we source our ingredients using an ‘as-fresh-and-as-local-as-possible’ approach, with fish from the Santa Barbara Channel and produce from the surrounding countryside.

Bouchon is setting the standard for Santa Barbara fine dining. With a passion for breathing fresh life into classic dishes, the chef-driven menu at Bouchon highlights fresh, local ingredients. From fish caught fresh in the Santa Barbara Channel, produce sourced from local farmers, and an extensive local wine list, it doesn't get much more nourishing than Bouchon.

A post shared by Bouchon Santa Barbara (@bouchonsantabarbara). With a menu designed by Chef-Owner Mitchell Sjerven and his team of culinary talents, Bouchon brings the intimacy of fine dining with California wine country cuisine. Located in Santa Barbara’s sought-after wine region since 1998, this restaurant is no relation to Thomas Keller’s famous French Bistro!

Gorgeous, almost too pretty to eat plates that showcase tantalizing, quintessential SoCal cuisine with a French essence. A wonderful spot for date night, a special celebration, or just a fine-dining treat, Bouchon is a dining experience. Begin with the rich and flavorful Forest Mushroom Ragout, black truffle cheese, panino piccolo, tomato, and watercress.

Having absolutely nothing to do with the now-closed restaurant in Beverly Hills, this Bouchon is a super-fancy French restaurant in Santa Barbara. It's expensive and you'll definitely need a reservation, but if you're in Santa Barbara on a romantic trip of any kind, Bouchon's meat-heavy menu and French farmhouse interior are exactly what you want.

While you really can't go wrong with anything on Bouchon's carefully curated menu, standouts have been known to include the Pan Seared Foie Gras and Trio of Seared Sea Scallops, as well as the French Four Onion Soup and Maple Glazed California Duck Breast served over sweet corn, fava beans, leeks, Applewood smoked bacon and butternut squash.

We end this short list with the “original Santa Barbara Wine Country Restaurant.” This is definitely a place to have a reservation, and a reason to celebrate. The food is French, and the atmosphere is elegant French farmhouse. The owner is passionate about Santa Barbara, so you will find over 40 Santa Barbara sourced wines by the glass.

Brophy Bros is beautifully located, overlooking the Marina at the Santa Barbara Harbor – next door to the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum (they also have a multiple other locations in the region including on the Ventura Harbor). This is an ideal location to soak in the relaxing feel of being on the harbor.

If you’ve never had Californian-French cuisine, a trip to Bouchon is a must. This eatery utilizes organic, farm-fresh ingredients like fish from the Santa Barbara Channel and produce from the surrounding countryside. They also take into account how these flavors can be presented with local wines.

This French-inspired bistro brings a taste of France to the American West Coast. The owner’s career in hospitality shines through every detail, from the carefully curated wine list to the warm, intimate atmosphere. What makes it special: Authentic French cuisine with a California twist

This is one of my favorite spots for a romantic dinner or nice evening out with friends. Bouchon's greenery-draped heated patio is fresh from a 2014-15 renovation, and the French-country dining room with its warm woods, fresh flowers, and flickering candlelight is decidedly elegant…

This restaurant reflects the heart of Santa Barbara with vegetables from the farmers' markets, meats from local ranchers and of course an extensive wine list. Everything is always fresh at Bouchon, take a look at the seasonal menu to see the unique opportunities that you have today.

A post shared by Bouchon Santa Barbara (@bouchonsantabarbara). Bouchon is a beloved French eatery that serves farm-fresh dishes with a California twist. This is the ultimate place to come for a romantic date night paired with vintage wines and classic French flavors.

Located in Santa Barbara, Bouchon is a culinary haven where the food steals the show. The menu features French classics with a Californian twist. The duck breast is a standout, perfectly served and richly flavorful, often praised for its tender, pâté-like slices.

When I last lived in Santa Barbara (over 5 years now), Bouchon was a fantastic place to eat. It's not the cheapest restaurant, but I think the price matches the quality. There is an awesome cheese store call C'est Cheese, and right next to it is a great bakery.

Bouchon – If you’re craving something a little more classic, this French-inspired gem in the Funk Zone is cozy, elegant, and perfect for an intimate dinner for two. Think romantic lighting, amazing wines, and all the French food you can dream of.

Bouchon Santa Barbara - Californian cuisine focused on local organic ingredients with a great local wine list. The atmosphere is cozy and the service is outstanding. We went here for Jake's birthday and were happy with that decision.

Details: 3 course menu, with traditional turkey dinner entree available; 3:30 – 8:30 pm.Authentic regional Santa Barbara wine cuisine located at 9 W. Victoria Street.Cost: $85 pp; reservations required, space is limited.

9 W Victoria St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101Phone: 805-730-1160 Visit Website. A post shared by Bouchon Santa Barbara (@bouchonsantabarbara). Dinner in Santa Barbara ought to be a fun affair every so often.

‘Wine Country Cuisine’ French with local flare — Average Entree Price: $32. Bouchon offers fresh local ingredients and an extensive wine list. We love sitting outside.

Bouchon – A beautiful restaurant for a fine meal, you’ll love the epicurean menu full of phenomenal dishes from French onion soup to grilled rack of lamb.

Bouchon: Full disclosure: We like this restaurant so much, we reserved a private room in Bouchon for my husband’s 40th birthday party.