
Zaytoon
A hidden oasis in Santa Barbara offering authentic Lebanese cuisine amidst a magical courtyard with fire pits and enchanting lights.

Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Zaytoon

Highlights
Must-see attractions
A hidden oasis in Santa Barbara offering authentic Lebanese cuisine amidst a magical courtyard with fire pits and enchanting lights.
"The atmosphere is beautiful, try to get a table with the fire pit! You must have a party of 4, but it's such a vibe."
Reserve Your Courtyard Table
Book ahead to secure a table in the popular courtyard, especially those with fire pits.
Try the Vegetarian Feast
Enjoy a delightful mix of hummus, baba ghannouj, falafel, cheese sambosik, and tabbouleh.

Quick Facts
Cuisine
Lebanese
Price
Mid-range
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Enchanting Courtyard Ambiance
Experience a magical outdoor setting with fire pits, twinkling string lights, lush greenery, and soothing fountains.

Authentic Lebanese Flavors
Savor a diverse menu of traditional Lebanese and Middle Eastern dishes, from flavorful kebabs to fresh mezza.

Signature Mezza Platters
Indulge in shareable starters like hummus with pomegranate, cheese sambosik, and flavorful batata harra.
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Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Reserve Your Courtyard Table
Book ahead to secure a table in the popular courtyard, especially those with fire pits.
Try the Vegetarian Feast
Enjoy a delightful mix of hummus, baba ghannouj, falafel, cheese sambosik, and tabbouleh.
Experience Hookah Nights
Visit Sunday through Thursday for Hookah nights to enhance your Mediterranean dining experience.
Ideal for Gatherings
Great for date nights, family meals, or gathering with friends around the fire pit.
Tips
from all over the internet
Reserve Your Courtyard Table
Book ahead to secure a table in the popular courtyard, especially those with fire pits.
Try the Vegetarian Feast
Enjoy a delightful mix of hummus, baba ghannouj, falafel, cheese sambosik, and tabbouleh.
Experience Hookah Nights
Visit Sunday through Thursday for Hookah nights to enhance your Mediterranean dining experience.
Ideal for Gatherings
Great for date nights, family meals, or gathering with friends around the fire pit.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Diners consistently praise Zaytoon for its authentic and flavorful Lebanese cuisine, especially the mezza and grilled dishes. The enchanting courtyard ambiance, complete with fire pits and twinkling lights, is a major draw. While service is generally attentive, some note it can be slow during peak times, and a few find certain appetizers a bit pricey.
"When in the mood for Lebanese food Zaytoon is the place to dine at. Serving up fresh and high quality dishes that are bursting with flavor!
For starters, try the Vegetarian choice. It includes hummus, baba ghannouj, falafel, cheese and Tabbouli. I love everything on this plate! I wish I could buy the hummus and Baba Ghannouj (charbroiled eggplant spread), both are delicious with the pita.
I also love the cheese sambosik, chicken & beef kebab, salmon with basil cream and cocktails of course. Trust me you won’t be disappointed when dining here!
The atmosphere is beautiful. Try to get a table with the fire pit! You must have a party of 4, but it’s such a vibe. Customer service has always been friendly and attentive. The food is served in a timely manner, so you won’t be waiting too long.
Overall, this place is a must visit if you love Lebanese food!"
Angela R.
"Had a wonderful dinner at Zaytoon in Santa Barbara. The place is cozy with beautiful open-air seating around a central fountain, creating a relaxing and inviting ambiance.
We started with a variety of appetizers—cheese sambosak, batata harra, watermelon salad, pistachio spread, and hummus—all flavorful and fresh. For mains, we had the lamb kebab and shawarma, both cooked to perfection. A great spot for delicious Middle Eastern cuisine in a charming setting. Highly recommended!"
Ahmad Alfilimbany
"This is my second time at Zaytoon. I ordered the hummus trio, pita bread, lentils, mixed kabob plate and watermelon salad. Everything was fresh. The Labneh was great. It made a really good spread to make your own pita sandwiches. The ambience is serene and the wait staff was very attentive."
Abdullah Mamun
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
Zaytoon boasts a magical courtyard ambiance with fire pits, twinkling string lights, lush greenery, and fountains, making it ideal for romantic dinners and gatherings.
Popular choices include the mezza like hummus and cheese sambosik, the Mashawi combo, and the flavorful Batata Harra.
Yes, reservations are highly recommended, especially if you wish to secure a table in the desirable courtyard area, particularly those with fire pits.
Yes, Zaytoon clearly labels vegan and vegetarian options, including a popular Vegetarian Feast.
Live entertainment, including belly dancing and Hookah nights, is available on select evenings, typically Thursday through Saturday.
Absolutely! The spacious courtyard and diverse menu make it a great spot for family gatherings.
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Zaytoon is a solid upscale Lebanese restaurant with one of the best patios in all of Santa Barbara. With string lights, foliage everywhere, and big tables with fire pits in the middle, it’s the perfect spot for everything from an anniversary dinner to when you just want to impress the sh*t of someone.
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Tucked off Canon Perdido Street near the Presidio District, Zaytoon’s Lebanese cuisine is made for sharing while their patio tables ensure you’ll be glowing in the best light. Up the romance ante with the help of Slate Catering, who offer a unique dining experience in their Mobile Bistro—a boho-chic van converted into a mini dining room that can be parked in front of some of the city’s best vantages, giving you your own private restaurant.
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Somehow Zaytoon is rarely mentioned in places to eat in Santa Barbara, which makes it hands down the best-hidden gem restaurant in the area and the one place I always have dinner at every time I’m in town!. Zaytoon is a Lebanese and Middle Eastern restaurant with a delicious gourmet menu and a beautiful patio. It’s a hidden oasis full of flowers and greenery with fire pits, live entertainment and a beautiful fountain and architecture.
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Zaytoon restaurant in Downtown Santa Barbara boasts not only delicious Lebanese cuisine, but also the best patio in town. Complete with twinkle lights, personal firepits, hanging ivy and live music and dancing on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, the atmosphere here is intoxicating. Ideal for an evening date, we recommend making a reservation to secure a table with a fire and ordering one of the dishes to share with your loved one
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If you’re looking for a gorgeous outdoor dining experience with hearty Labenese eats and fresh ingredients, look no further than Zaytoon. Ivy and bougainvillea coat the walls of this fountain-filled courtyard, with lots of cozy sections that make this spacious restaurant feel cozy and intimate. Zaytoon is another spot that would be great for a group so you can sample more of the divine options.
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If you're hungry for a taste of the Mediterranean, head to Zaytoon for tasty Lebanese food in a lush, tropical setting. Two blocks off of bustling State Street, this restaurant offers an oasis for road weary travelers and work weary locals. Enjoy falafel, shawarma, kebab and many other Lebanese favorites in the open air, surrounded by the happy sounds of fountains and lit by twinkling lights.
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The fabulous Lebanese spot, Zaytoon, typically provides a cozy atmosphere paired with their flavorful Mediterranean dishes. While we are not able to enjoy the food by the fires at Zaytoon’s outdoor patio, you can still order dinner from them for takeout or delivery through their website. Though there is a $50 minimum for delivery, Zaytoon is offering a 20% discount off any order!.
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If live entertainment, a cozy outdoor fire pit, and excellent Lebanese and Middle Eastern food is what you seek, then Zaytoon is the Santa Barbara restaurant for you!. This restaurant is also on the Geneva Ives 10BEST list, so you can only expect great things. Sunday through Thursday are Hookah nights, adding another dimension to the mediterranean dining experience.
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Recently, I took a weekend trip with my family to Santa Barbara, CA (You can read about it here). The last time I visited this wonderful, peaceful, beach-side Southern California city was three years ago with my mom and grandma. Zaytoon was one of the restaurants we ate at, and even though I had only eaten there once before I remembered it very well!
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Tucked away in a charming garden setting, Zaytoon offers one of Santa Barbara’s most romantic outdoor dining experiences. This Lebanese restaurant features a lush patio with private, fire-lit tables perfect for a cool fall evening. The fragrant aromas of Mediterranean spices fill the air, complementing the serene surroundings.
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Zaytoon – As I said earlier, I liked Santa Barbara not only for their seafood restaurants, but I also liked Santa Barbara for its other types of restaurants. Zaytoon is one of them. A Lebanese/Middle Eastern fare restaurant, it’s the perfect place to sit on the patio, smoke hookah, and enjoy their weekly live entertainment.
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Some popular eateries include: Los Agaves Restaurant, Brophy Bros., Toma Restaurant & Bar and Zaytoon. You can also expect excellent flavors at places like Cadiz Restaurant & Lounge, Arigato Sushi and the Sandbar. And of course, no California city is complete without a long list of world-class breweries and wineries.
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Zaytoon – I love going her with a big group of friends and sharing plates in their outdoor patio around the fire. Best, possibly the only, Arab food in town with fresh ingredients sourced from the local farmer’s market. I can eat they Tzatziki all day, every day.
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Zaytoon is Lebanese cuisine, which is naturally vegetarian-friendly. Zaytoon has a secret garden-like setting, super romantic and peaceful. Veg-friendly items include soups, mezza and entrees, suitable for vegan eaters with all items clearly labeled.
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This Middle Eastern restaurant in downtown Santa Barbara is so much fun!. Reserve a fire pit table in the courtyard to enjoy great food and cocktails. The best (in my opinion) dishes are naturally vegan and marked as such on the menu.
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Zaytoon: Zaytoon is a family-owned Mediterranean restaurant offering a casual and friendly atmosphere. Their menu includes a range of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean dishes such as falafel, kebabs, hummus, and tabbouleh.
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Lebanese cuisine finds a setting among Santa Barbara restaurants at Zaytoon. This serene space gives enchanted garden vibes while serving some of the best global fare anywhere in California.
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Fantastic Middle-Eastern restaurant with an ambiance of quiet elegance. Cash and Credit Card payments accepted. Staff is very friendly and attentive.
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Zaytoon (Lebanese food in a romantic setting with fire pits downtown. Enjoy belly dancing for extra entertainment on Saturday evenings)
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit