The Cozy Restaurant In Southern California That’s Perfect For An Intimate Dinner
By Natasha Kayes|Published January 29, 2024
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Natasha Kayes
Author
I was born and raised in sunny Southern California and will never tire of the West Coast, although I spent several years living in Southeast Asia, about as far from California as you can get. Wherever I am in the world, I love straying from the beaten path, experiencing local life, and discovering hidden gems - camera in hand. The beach is my happy place and when I am not there (or writing), you will usually find me baking, watching movies, and cuddling my pugs. I have traveled around the country and around the world, and it never, ever gets old. Being able to combine my passion for travel and my love of writing is nothing short of a dream.
Whether you are planning a romantic date night, celebrating a special occasion, or an evening out to catch up with a close friend, I have a perfect restaurant for you. If you know me, you know that the beach is my happy place, and sunsets over the ocean take it over the top. Enter Boathouse at Hendry’s Beach. This oceanfront restaurant in Santa Barbara, CA, is the perfect spot for a lovely dinner with someone special.
Boathouse at Hendry’s Beach (affectionately referred to locally simply as Hendry’s) is an upscale restaurant nestled between two cliffs right on the beach, offering a fun, laid-back spot during the day and a cozy, romantic ambiance come nightfall - and panoramic views all the time.
The curved dining room wraps along the edge of the restaurant and has a warm, laid-back elegance, and cozy tables along open windows that bring the outside - ocean breezes, beautiful sunsets, and all - in.
Being on the ocean, it’s no surprise that there are plenty of incredibly fresh seafood options, including shareable platters, starters, main entrees, and a pretty extensive raw bar. Of course, if you’re not into surf, there are plenty of turf options including steaks, chicken, salads, etc.!
You can also come to Hendry’s for a relaxing brunch, a lunch date, or one of the best happy hours around.
Share one of several desserts offered (or get your own if you have room!) like Creme Brûlée, Banana Foster, or Mud Pie. Celebrating a special occasion? For a very small cake-cutting fee, you can bring your own special dessert.
Whether or not it’s happy hour, the cocktail menu is worth checking out. You will find a long list of signature concoctions, wines, beer, dessert drinks, and quite a few craft mocktails.
Spend the afternoon at the beach, take a long stroll along the water’s edge before dinner, or follow up a cozy meal with a romantic moonlit walk on the shore.
Have you enjoyed an intimate dinner at this oceanfront restaurant in Santa Barbara, CA? Share your experience with us in the comments. For hours, menus, and more, visit the Boathouse at Hendry’s Beach website or follow Hendry’s on Facebook. If you love Santa Barbara and ocean sunsets, you are also going to want to check out this incredible Sunset Kayak Tour.