The 48 Restaurants Expected to Open in Coming Months

Bear in mind that these are best guesses—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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BRUXIE
The chain specializing in fried chicken, waffle sandwiches, and custard shakes is coming to Paseo Nuevo. Opening forecast: Just opened.

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LILAC MONTECITO
State Street’s popular Lilac Patisserie is branching out into the former Mesa Burger space on Coast Village Road. According to a recent press release, the restaurant will “offer full dinner service in a fine-dining setting. Our menu will include items inspired by European and Californian cuisine [such as] an incredible seafood risotto, steak frites, house made pasta, and a selection of salads, soup, appetizers, entrées and sides. And, of course, dessert! All of our menu items will be gluten-free and we will also offer a number of vegetarian and vegan items.” Opening forecast: January 8. UPDATE 1/8: Someone commented that a sign outside said the restaurant is opening January 8, but the sign is actually for a job fair. The restaurant expects to open at the end of the month. (I poked my head in to ask—it looks sharp.)

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COOKIE PLUG
An outpost of the chain specializing in thick cookies is opening at 918 State Street (Canon Perdido/Carrillo). Opening forecast: Mid-January.

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DART COFFEE CO.
The Santa Barbara Maritime Museum at the harbor has carved out space for a Dart Coffee cafe, with terrace seating. Opening forecast: January.

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SILVERS OMAKASE
Lennon Silvers Lee, former chef at Sushi by Scratch Restaurants (née Sushi Bar Montecito) on Coast Village Road, is going out on his own with a Japanese tasting menu in the old Seven Bar & Kitchen on Helena Avenue in the Funk Zone. The price is $185 per person, which doesn’t include beverages, gratuity, or tax. Opening forecast: February 6; reservations are available now.

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OAT BAKERY
The company’s third location will be a small outpost at the Montecito Country Mart. Opening forecast: Presumably soon.

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WEXLER’S DELI
The L.A. deli known for curing and smoking its own meat and fish is joining the lineup at the Santa Barbara Public Market. Opening forecast: Early February.

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HAPPY CAT EATS
Oku‘s Tina Takaya is branching out with Happy Cat Eats next door on Cabrillo Boulevard; we can expect “a fun, casual, dining spot with Handlebar coffee and great breakfast and lunch options.” Opening forecast: Final permits have been issued, so it should be soon.

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ALMA FONDA FINA
In Little Alex’s former space at the Montecito Country Mart, Corazón Cocina’s Ramon Velazquez plans to offer “soul food, if you will—tacos, soups, enchiladas, and tamales. It’s home cooking.” Opening forecast: Late January.

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LIGHTHOUSE COFFEE
The fifth outpost of the local chain will be in the left side of the former Outback Steakhouse building (5690 Calle Real) in Goleta’s Calle Real Center. Opening forecast: First quarter of 2024.

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STARBUCKS
Construction is underway at 120 State Street (Mason/Yanonali), between the Santa Barbara Visitor Center and Melville Winery. Opening forecast: February.

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BEST BBQ
Santa Paula’s Best BBQ is coming to 716 State Street (Ortega/De La Guerra), most recently home of Mokutan. Opening forecast: Mid-February.

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POKÉ HOUSE
The Northern California poke chain is opening next to Three Pickles in Paseo Nuevo. Opening forecast: February.

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LINDEN HALL
The sophomore effort of Revolver‘s Nick Bodden is the 38-seat Linden Hall in the kitchen and taproom of the former Señor Frog’s outpost in Carpinteria (890 Linden Avenue). Last we heard, Boden said it would be “an homage to my New York roots. Bodegas, Jewish delis, Italian cafes, French bistros. A melting pot of sorts, all filtered through the skills and techniques I’ve picked up throughout the years working. You can expect to find everything from a Scott Sampler–inspired mortadella sandwich, beef tartare, Caesar à la Revolver and house-baked goods like focaccia, challah, and jelly donuts. Plenty of wine and of course vinyl records. I want it to be familiar yet nuanced and keep it strange and interesting like avant-garde jazz.” Opening forecast: Stuck in permitting limbo….

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VIA MAESTRA ENOTECA
The former Jenny Craig storefront eight doors to the west of Via Maestra on upper State Street will become a wine shop (mainly during the day) and wine bar (mainly in the evening), with wines from Europe and North America. The food situation is still being worked out, but you’ll definitely be able to order takeout from Via Maestra proper and eat it there, including at sidewalk tables. Opening forecast: March.

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TURNPIKE CENTER MEXICAN RESTAURANT
Chris Chiarappa of Mesa Burger and Lighthouse Coffee is planning a Mexican restaurant in two spaces near Kin Bakeshop at Noleta’s Turnpike Center. He’s still looking for a name, if you have any suggestions. Noleta Cantina? Buenoleta? Opening forecast: Later winter/early spring.

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SEVEN BAR & KITCHEN
When the Funk Zone favorite’s lease wasn’t renewed, owner Mike Gomez found a new home in the West Beach building that used to be the The Neighborhood Bar. A remodel has already begun, and he’s working with Rodeo Room (which will stay) “to create a new hub for locals and visitors to enjoy food, drinks and music.” Opening forecast: Early spring.

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ETTY’S JEWISH DELI & BAKERY
The Jewish Federation of Greater Santa Barbara’s revamp of its building at 524 Chapala Street (Haley/Cota) includes a kosher-style Jewish deli. Opening forecast: Unknown.

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BIBI JI
The Indian restaurant’s last day in its current space will be March 15; it’s moving four blocks north to the former McDonald’s at 1213 State Street (Anapamu/Victoria). Owner Alejandro Medina says the new restaurant will be bigger and brighter, with more seats and a much larger kitchen; the spirit will be the same, but the atmosphere will be “a little more hip and new, with a more visually appealing dining room,” including a chef’s counter, and the plan is to increase the wine bar aspect as well. Opening forecast: Mid-April.

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THE ELLWOOD
Co-owner Omar Khashen says that the Independent‘s initial description of the plan for the former Beachside Bar-Cafe at Goleta Beach Park is still accurate: “a focus on California coastal cuisine that’s elevated but not overly expensive, with regionally respectful beer, wine, and spirit selections. They’ll enhance the location’s varied settings—the two bars, the main dining area, the primary patio, and the small rooms that could be rented for small events—and turn the small stand outside into an ice cream shack also serving scaled-down menu options, possibly with to-go cocktails.” And they’re also adding a patio bar and an adjacent event space that will host concerts and private events. Opening forecast: Spring.

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LAMA DOG / SAMA SAMA (A.K.A. LAMA SAMA)
The two local favorites are partnering on a restaurant in the former La Rumba nightclub space on upper State Street (Las Positas/S. Ontare), which is being given an upgrade by Kevin Moore Architect. We can expect a “restaurant/bar and bottle shop that’ll be as accessible to families as it will be to beer/wine geeks and foodies,” said Lama Dog’s Pete Burnham. Opening forecast: Late spring.

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WINGSTOP
The third local outpost of fast-food chain Wingstop—the other two are in La Cumbre Plaza and Isla Vista—is opening in Goleta’s Fairview Shopping Center. Opening forecast: Mid-2024.

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LITTLE ALEX’S
Little Alex’s, which got booted from the Montecito Country Mart in the fall of 2021, will reopen in Fresco Cafe’s former space in the Five Points shopping center on upper State Street. Opening forecast: Before summer.

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VALIDATION ALE
Brian and Briana Deignan have firmed up plans for a second location, Validation Annex, on upper De La Vina, in the corner space near Grocery Outlet. While they won’t be brewing onsite, as in the flagship, the rest will be along the same lines, with “TVs showing the beer menu and validation status, about 28 taps with our seltzer and guest hard kombucha, cider, sparkling mead, wine, just like we have now. Full kitchen with the favorites from HQ along with a full pizza operation.” Opening forecast: Summer 2024.

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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. They’ve just submitted final plans to the city. Opening forecast: Summer 2024.

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700 LINDEN AVENUE
The multi-tenant project at 700 Linden Avenue in Carpinteria includes retail, offices, and most important, restaurants. Three food-and-beverage tenants are onboard: Bettina, Ramon Velazquez (Corazón Cocina), and Third Window Brewing Co. Two more slots—a coffee shop and the rooftop bar—remain available. Opening forecast: Summer 2024.

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THE HOTEL EL ROBLAR
Eric Goode—of the Ojai turtle sanctuary, Tiger King, and many projects in New York City—bought the former Oaks at Ojai spa (before that, it was El Roblar hotel) with Warner Ebbink of Little Dom’s Seafood and Ramin Shamshiri of Studio Shamshiri. Brandon Boudet, Ebbink’s partner/chef at Little Dom’s, will be the chef at the hotel’s restaurants. Opening forecast: Summer 2024.

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701 CHAPALA STREET
Construction is underway at the former Romanti-Ezer space; the rumor is it’ll be a burger joint, which feels right but is totally unconfirmed. Opening forecast: Unknown.

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UNNAMED MONTECITO RESTAURANT 
Graham Duncan has leased the former Montecito Wine Bistro in the Upper Village; the project still needs to wind its way through the county’s permitting process. Opening forecast: Fall 2024.

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JEMMA MONTECITO
The main restaurant at The Post, the to-be-reinvented Las Aves complex across from the Andrée Clark Bird Refuge, will be Jemma Montecito. It’s a sister of Jemma di Mare in Brentwood and Jemma Hollywood, from Jackson and Melissa Kalb of Memento Mori Hospitality. (Their other restaurants are Jame in El Segundo and Ospi in Venice Beach.) Promotional materials describe the atmosphere as “coastal Italy meets coastal California.” The restaurant plans to be open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and also offer “picnic and pantry” items. According to the sample menu, the food leans heavily toward classic Italian-American—chicken parm, clams oreganata, shrimp scampi, and so on. Opening forecast: Fall 2024.

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RH MONTECITO
The company formerly known as Restoration Hardware is opening a store in the Old Firehouse building in the Upper Village, and there will be a restaurant. Opening forecast: Second half of 2024.

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FINNEY’S CRAFTHOUSE
The popular regional chain—10 restaurants and counting—is taking over the former Hollister Brewing Company space at Goleta’s Camino Real Marketplace (the one with Home Depot and Costco). Opening forecast: End of 2024.

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TYDE’S
After severing the relationship between the Four Seasons Biltmore resort and the Coral Casino private club, owner Ty Warner hired renowned chef Thomas Keller to take over the club’s food-and-beverage operations, including Tyde’s restaurant, which will be open to the public. Opening forecast: “Thomas Keller is currently in the design phase with his team,” said an update the club sent to members. “Once we understand the scope of work his team is planning on completing, we will have a more realistic timeline for a projected opening.” Sounds like 2025….

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SHALHOOB’S
The local meat purveyor is expanding beyond the Funk Zone and Public Market with a restaurant at the old Woody’s space at 5112 Hollister Avenue. The goal is “a carbon copy of the Funk Zone location” with mini garage doors to “create an outdoor feel inside the restaurant, kind of mimicking our look in the Funk Zone.” Opening forecast: Unknown, but the new doors have been installed and the interior looks cleaned up. UPDATE 1/10: They’re shooting for late February.

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TRATTORIA DEL SOLE
A sister outpost of Trattoria del Sole in Sherman Oaks is in the works for 1027 State Street (Carrillo/Figueroa). The menu is traditional: spaghetti with meatballs, chicken Marsala, fettuccine Alfredo…. Opening forecast: Unknown; a stop-work order has been posted since summer.

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INDIAN TANDOORI KINGDOM
Something called Indian Tandoori Kingdom has applied for a beer-and-wine license at 1026 State Street (Carrillo/Figueroa), most recently Oppi’z. Opening forecast: Unknown.

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FUNK ZONE RESTAURANT
Henry Courtmanche and Brian Joseph Kelly have applied for a liquor license for the tiny building at 42 Helena Avenue. The type of license requires food be served. Opening forecast: Unknown.

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MEXICAN SEAFOOD RESTAURANT SANTA PLAYA MARISCOS
The folks at Yona Redz on lower State are opening a Mexican seafood restaurant in the former Bedda Mia (1218 State Street) next to the Granada Theatre. Brasil Arts Café space at 1230 State Street. (Thanks to Meredith for clearing that up. Restaurant Guy reported that the restaurant would be “next to the Granada Theatre,” so asked Yona Redz if that meant Bedda Mia, and they said yes….) Opening forecast: Unknown. UPDATE 1/10: The sign posted at the site says the name will be Santa Playa Mariscos.

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HIGH SEAS MEAD
High Seas Mead has long been birthing a taproom at 138 Powers Avenue, off East Beach. Opening forecast: Unknown.

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NICK THE GREEK
An outpost of the fast-casual chain—serving gyros, souvlaki, falafel, and the like—is opening in the former Natural Café space on State (Haley/Cota). Opening forecast: Unknown.

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LILY’S DONUTS & POPS
Lily’s Donuts & Pops appeared to be opening in the former Cold Stone Creamery space on State Street (Haley/Cota), but the status is unclear and they’re uncommunicative. Opening forecast: Unknown.

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SLODOCO
San Luis Obispo donut shop SloDoCo will expand to Goleta at 290 Storke Road (near Target). I’m not sure which of the pictured spaces is in play…. Opening forecast: Unknown.

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CLARK’S
Austin seafood restaurant Clark’s Oyster Bar, which also has an outpost in Aspen, is taking over the former Cava on Coast Village Road—and Jeff Shelton is redoing the buildings in his inimitable style. Opening forecast: Unknown.

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

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SKYFIELD
Mary Ta, founder of the MASS Beverly and Minotti Los Angeles showrooms, has ambitious plans 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 amongst 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: Unknown.

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EVERYTABLE
With the noble mission of “making nutritious, fresh food affordable to all,” 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 New York City and all over Southern California. Opening forecast: It apparently depends on when/if Amazon workers return to the office.

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Also on the horizon:

••• The WATERLINE complex in the Funk Zone—home to Lama Dog and the Nook, et al—is adding two more restaurants, with an additional 336 seats, most of which are on the adjacent parking lot.
••• The restaurant at the FOUR SEASONS BILTMORE is being redone with an emphasis on outdoor seating.
••• Besides Jemma Montecito mentioned above, THE POST, as the Las Aves complex across from the Andrée Clark Bird Refuge will be known, will include a café/bakery.
••• Runyon is also in the permitting stages for an outpost of its PLATFORM development at 301 E. Yanonali, on the west side of Garden Street and south of the 101. The plans show at least one restaurant.
••• The plans for the former Casa Blanca and Fit Buddha parts of the ANDALUCIA BUILDING at State and E. Gutierrez have been said to include a restaurant and bar, a “speakeasy,” and a music venue.
••• The new owners of 801 STATE STREET (at De La Guerra) are considering a restaurant and perhaps a bar.
••• 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, and construction is slated to start this quarter.
••• The plans submitted by the ROSEWOOD MIRAMAR BEACH resort for an addition at the corner of S. Jameson Lane and Eucalyptus Lane include “a café and grab-and-go eatery,” as per the Montecito Journal.
••• THE PALMS building in Carpinteria was bought in June by Mark Armenante and Young Sohn, who also own One White Street in New York City.
••• Plans are in process for turning the former Forever 21 building at 901 STATE STREET (at Canon Perdido) into a 22-room hotel with a restaurant in the lobby (“where the light from the glass-bottom rooftop pool will shimmer through the building,” said the architect) and a rooftop bar and “basement speakeasy [to] transport patrons to days of old.”

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