Cava

This Montecito restaurant draws on influences from Mexico, Latin America, and Spain. Locals pile into the yellow-walled dining room and fill the patio for tostadas and sandwiches at lunch, as well as dishes like seafood fajitas and paella Valenciana at dinner. Santa Barbara is a coastal city, so it should come as no surprise that seafood plays more than a supporting role. Papaya salsa accompanies grilled salmon, and fish like mahi mahi and sea bass are regularly served. Cava lays claim to the “ultimate” margarita, hand-shaken with fresh squeezed lime juice, orange liqueur, and tequila. A besito (little kiss) of Cava arrives in the form of a chocolate torte.