Dining Information

Although Santa Barbara, as a college town, has plenty of places for munching on comfort food and swilling beer, the unquestioned center for local and tourist activity is State Street , lined with a number of good restaurants, bars and clubs .

Chad's 625 Chapala St tel 805/568-1876. Features a modern American menu in the intimate atmosphere of a historic Victorian home.

Citronelle 901 Cabrillo Blvd tel 805/963-4717. Perhaps the most swank dining of all, nouveau French and American cuisine with only a hint of pretension.

Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf 811-A State St tel 805/966-2442. A solid café and a great place to watch the evening clubgoers parade back and forth on the strip.

El Paseo 10 El Paseo tel 805/962-6050. Upscale Mexican restaurant with a festive fountain courtyard.

Madhouse Martini Lounge 434 State St tel 805/962-5516. Mellow spot that cashes in on the retro-cocktail craze with easygoing style and modern decor.

Mousse Odile 18 E Cota St tel 805/962-5393. Pricey French cuisine with a California flair.

Natural Café 508 State St tel 805/962-9494. Offers scrumptious veggie meals and prime vistas for people-watching.

Pascucci 729 State St tel 805/963-8123. Serving tremendous portions of innovative Italian dishes at reasonable prices.

Rose Café 424 E Haley St tel 805/966-3773. Popular no-frills cantina offering tasty Mexican specialties at great prices.

Zelo 630 State St tel 805/966-5792. Popular restaurant and club hosting spirited DJs with eclectic tastes.