Santa Ynez Valley, California Dining & Restaurants

Room Breakfast Santa Ynez Restaurants Los Olivos Restaurants Ballard Restaurants Santa Ynez Wineries

Awaken your appetite at the Santa Ynez Inn where you’ll enjoy a delicious, home-cooked gourmet breakfast each morning. Chef Heather Lee Henry, who enjoyed success at Grey Eagle Lodge in Grey Eagle, California, and The Porch Restaurant at the Los Olivos Grocery, has created a dizzying array of traditional and neo-traditional gourmet breakfast dishes.

Guests sit down for a bountiful breakfast in the French-country influenced dining room, replete with a glowing fireplace and artistically-appointed tables. Guests of the Inn may choose to eat in front of the open fire or cozy up to a window-seat with a lovely view of Santa Ynez's charming country lanes. Larger groups may share one of the community tables. Since the Santa Ynez Inn only serves breakfast to our guests, the breakfast ambiance is always peaceful, intimate and quiet for comfortable meals and friendly conversation.

Guests may indulge in variety of breakfast entrees, as well as a Continental breakfast, complete with Chef Henry's hand-made granola and hand-baked scones and muffins. A favorite among guests is the Italian Eggs Benedict, with two eggs and Italian Sausage on an Italian Baguette with fresh Pesto sauce. Another delicious dish is the Black Forest Ham and Gruyere Crepes with eggs and Grilled Heirloom Tomatoes. Chef Henry is happy to create made-to-order omelets, and often creates omelets using only egg-whites, for guests with special dietary needs. Guests who would rather start the day by nurturing a sweet tooth can revel in Chef Henry's sumptuous French Toast with Gingered Peaches and Cream.

Private In Room Breakfast.

While the dining room is elegant, warm and welcoming, guests may enjoy breakfast in the private elegance of their room. Breakfast is served 7 days a week, from 7 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Evening Delights at Santa Ynez Inn.

After an exciting day of sightseeing, touring, wine tasting, shopping or cycling, come relax and enjoy an evening of delicious wine, hors d' oeuvres and desserts at the Santa Ynez Inn. Savor Santa Barbara County wines over warm conversation with new friends.

Santa Ynez Valley Dining & Wining.

The charming village of Santa Ynez, California, is a food and wine lover’s utopia. This charming town features a diversity of wonderful fine dining restaurants, cafes, saloons, wineries and tasting rooms to please your palate. From inspired wine country cuisine to authentic California Central Coast barbeque, sizzling steaks to fresh coastal seafood, velvety merlots to buttery chardonnays, the Santa Ynez Valley is a culinary adventure. Our complimentary concierge is happy to make reservations at the wonderful restaurants and wineries throughout the Valley.  [Top]

Santa Ynez Restaurants

 

• Vineyard House Restaurant.

  Adjacent to the Inn and surrounded by the rolling hills and oak-shaded valleys of Santa Ynez, The Vineyard House Restaurant serves inspired wine country cuisine and world-class wines - during lunch and dinner - in a charming Victorian with an outdoor verandah. The restaurant offers daily specials, a great local wine list and private in-room dining at the Santa Ynez Inn.
  

  Website:

  www.thevineyardhouse.com.

• Trattoria Grappolo.

  Located just down the street, Trattoria Grappolo serves Tuscan style cuisine and world-class wines in a warm, intimate Tuscan inspired setting. The restaurant hosts special events and themed cooking classes.
  

  Website:

  www.trattoriagrappolo.com.
• Dos Carlitos. Dos Carlitos offers inspired, regional Mexican and Latin cuisine handcrafted from the freshest ingredients.  A place for friends and family to enjoy a relaxed outdoor patio in the sun or shade, or a casual indoor setting with sunflower colored walls and cozy fire fireplace. Also offering a tequila bar featuring an array of premium 100% Blue Agave tequilas for generous margaritas.
  Contact: 805-688-0033

• Red Barn Steak House.

  Located in downtown Santa Ynez, the Red Barn serves the most flavorful steaks in the Santa Ynez Valley, as well as fresh seafood and a selection of beer, wine and a full bar in a comfortable, low-key family atmosphere.
  

  Contact:

  805-688-4142.  [Top]

Los Olivos Restaurants

 

• 

  Brother's Restaurant at Mattei’s Tavern.

  Serving one of the best prime ribs in the Santa Ynez Valley, Mattei’s Tavern is a glimpse into the pioneering spirit and hospitality of the old west. Restored to stagecoach day glory and surrounded by beautiful gardens and lawns, Mattei’s is a beloved landmark in Los Olivos serving wine country cuisine, succulent prime steaks, fresh seafood and local, organic produce. Amid cozy dining rooms and warm fireplaces, you’ll enjoy innovative cuisine, fine wine and enticing aromas from the open kitchen. Web: www.matteistavern.com.

• Los Olivos Café.

  A wine and food lover’s destination in the Santa Ynez Valley, Los Olivos Café serves delectable California-Mediterranean cuisine and Santa Barbara County wines. Enjoy the bounty of the valley on the wisteria-covered patio or enjoy a glass by the concrete fireplace and bar. The café also offers a wine store with over 300 wines and a wine tasting bar as well as a banquet room. Featured in the movie Sideways, this award-winning restaurant received the Wine Spectator's Excellence Award for Best Restaurant of 2007. Web: www.losolivoscafe.com.

• Patrick's Sidestreet Café.

  Nestled in the beautiful Santa Ynez Wine Country in the town of Los Olivos, this quaint, pet-friendly restaurant serves gourmet dishes and wines in colorful dining room displaying local artists and an outdoor patio. Try the braised short ribs or peppercorn crusted ribeye. Wednesday - Sunday for Lunch & Dinner offering guests no corkage fee. Web: www.patrickssidestreetcafe.com.  [Top]

Ballard & Buellton Restaurants

 

• The Ballard Inn Restaurant.

  Located in the charming town of Ballard -6 miles from the Inn - The Ballard Inn Restaurant is one of the most intimate and romantic dining destinations in the Santa Ynez Valley. With 12 candle-lit tables, soft music, and a roaring fireplace, the restaurant offers award-winning French Asian cuisine and an extensive wine list in an elegant, peaceful atmosphere. Web: www.ballardinn.com/restaurant

• The Hitching Post II.

  Enjoy California Central Coast style BBQ, outstanding steaks, ribs and chicken, unique dishes like smoked duck breast and ostrich, home-made soups and outstanding pastries, along with what the Los Angeles Times calls the "best" French Fries in Southern California. Savor exciting cuisine, impeccable wines and friendly service in the Santa Ynez Valley. Web: www.hitchingpost2.com.  [Top]

Nearby Santa Ynez Valley Wineries.

Taste acclaimed Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Syrah and other varietals at over 70 world-class wineries and charming tasting rooms in the Santa Ynez Valley. Stop by these wonderful local wineries - just minutes from the Santa Ynez Inn - and experience a taste of the Santa Barbara Wine Country.

• Artiste Winery - Santa Ynez - www.artiste.com
• Gainey Vineyard & Winery - Santa Ynez - www.gaineyvineyard.com
• Sunstone Vineyards & Winery - Santa Ynez - www.sunstonewinery.com
• Rideau Winery & Vineyard - Solvang - www.rideauvineyard.com
• Carhartt Vineyard & Winery - Los Olivos - www.carharttvineyard.com/
• Foxen Winery - Santa Maria - www.foxenvineyard.com
• Melville Vineyards and Winery - Lompoc - www.melvillewinery.com
• Alma Rosa Winery & Vineyard - Lompoc - www.almarosawinery.com
• Foley Estates Vineyard & Winery - Lompoc - www.foleywines.com
• Rusack Vineyards - Solvang - www.rusack.com  [Top]