Best Santa Barbara Restaurants for Mother’s Day Deals and Special Menus in 2026

Mother’s Day is a chance to celebrate the women who shaped our lives with endless support, a lifetime of love, and sacrifice.

This Sunday, May 10, families across the globe will honor moms in their own special ways. Sharing a great meal together is one of the easiest ways to make this day memorable.

If you are planning to treat your mother, here are nine Santa Barbara dining spots to consider for Mother’s Day that could be considered for a perfect Mother’s Day outing.

The Set

Take your mother to The Set. The American bistro located right on East Beach offers a front-row seat to an unforgettable ocean view that your mom can rave to her Facebook friends about.

On Mother’s Day, The Set is hosting a special Mother’s Day brunch for guests featuring live music and their signature MOMosa with many flavors for Mom to pick from.

The Set is located at 633 E Cabrillo Blvd, and brunch runs from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Finch & Fork

Treat your mom to Finch & Fork’s Mother’s Day brunch buffet, which has been put together specifically with her tastes in mind.

With a raw bar including poached shrimp, oysters, and rockfish tiradito, and entrees ranging from a filling smoked salmon Benedict to peach ricotta toast, there will be no shortage of options for Mom.

Finch & Fork is at 31 West Carrillo Street, and the brunch buffet runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (although seating ends at 2 p.m.).

Lulio

If Mom wants a brunch by the coast, but The Set is not up her alley, she would surely love Lulio at the Ritz-Carlton Bacara.

Sitting on the coast of the Pacific Ocean, the five-star hotel does not require guests to book a room to enjoy their Mother’s Day brunch.

Locals and vacationers alike are free to indulge in Lulio’s tuna carpaccio and meticulously crafted black garlic meatballs.

The Ritz-Carlton Bacara is located at 8301 Hollister Avenue, with the brunch occurring from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Costa Kitchen & Bar

Located at the Mar Monte Hotel, Costa Kitchen & Bar is also opening its doors to mothers who live across the street and who are on a getaway.

Mom can satisfy her appetite with homemade breakfast classics such as eggs Benedict or maple-glazed Canadian bacon (or both!). If she isn’t too hungry, she can help herself to Costa’s assortment of fresh fruit or freshly baked pastries.

Costa is located at 1111 E Cabrillo Blvd, and this brunch buffet is happening from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Caruso’s

Rosewood Miramar Beach has multiple restaurants to choose from, but the oceanfront Caruso’s stands out for having one Michelin star. 

For brunch and dinner, the fine-dining restaurant offers guests a special pre-fixe dining experience including local wine pairings and delicacies highlighting the local landscape of the central coast. 

Caruso’s was rated as one of the 25 top restaurants and bars in Santa Barbara, virtually guaranteeing Mom will enjoy herself.

Marisella

Does Mom like pasta made from scratch? Seafood? Italian? Marisella, founded by Chef Danny Grant, has all three and more.

Also at the Ritz-Carlton Bacara on the coast of the Pacific Ocean, the dimly lit dining space effortlessly blends sophistication with a relaxed atmosphere.

Alongside a front-row seat to the view and breeze of the ocean, guests have access to a variety of wines and cocktails to pick from. The diverse menu was crafted personally by Grant and his dedicated team.

The Ritz-Carlton Bacara (and Marisella) is located at 8301 Hollister Avenue.

Scarlett Begonia

Describing itself as one of the most “food-centric restaurants” in California, Scarlett Begonia cooks and thoughtfully prepares each meal with organic, carefully sourced ingredients.

As it does during most major holidays, Scarlett Begonia put together a menu specifically for Mother’s Day.

The three-course menu will include appetizing meals such as lemon ricotta pancakes, chicken Milanese, and smoked salmon. The meals are also set to be served both tableside and buffet style.

Scarlett Begonia is located at 21 West Victoria Street, and brunch will be served from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Brass Bear Brewing 

With its generous wine selection and craft beer, Mom is guaranteed to have a fun time at Brass Bear Brewing.

A decade after opening, the dine-in remains committed to sourcing each and every ingredient locally. These include the ingredients that will be used in the restaurant’s Mother’s Day brunch buffet. 

Offering an assortment of Breakfast classics such as French toast, egg casserole featuring bèchamel, alongside a vegetarian quiche, it is hard to go wrong at Brass Bear Brewing.

The restaurant is located at 28 Anacapa Street, Suite E. Brunch is being served from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Opal

Describing itself as a “locals’ favorite,” the bar and restaurant Opal is stepping away from brunch and opening its doors early at 4 p.m. on Mother’s Day to serve her a dinner she won’t forget.

Alongside their already diverse menu, Opal is offering Mother’s Day specials, including Almond-Crusted Fresh Atlantic Halibut and Bacon-Wrapped Tiger Shrimp to start.

So if mom is not up for breakfast, take her to dinner at Opal.

The spot is located at 1325 State Street.

San Ysidro Ranch

Celebrate Mother’s Day with two special events: a Royal Afternoon Tea in the gardens Thursday–Saturday, May 7–9, from 1–3 p.m., featuring house-made pastries, tea sandwiches, fine teas, and a glass of champagne (Martinelli’s sparkling cider for children), $126–$174 per person; and a three-course Champagne Brunch on Sunday, May 10, from 10 a.m.–1:30 p.m., complete with a flower cart to build a custom bouquet and a scent bar to craft a personal parfum. Reservations are required for both, and the brunch is complimentary with a stay. 

Happy Mother’s Day 

Santa Barbara has plenty of dining options, and it can be overwhelming to decide which place to take Mom. But you can decide to go to Marisella, Opal, or anywhere else listed. Every option is a good one.

At the end of the day, what will matter most to mom is knowing that you see her and you appreciate everything she’s done.