International Cuisine
in Our Backyard
Here in the 805, we’re surrounded by natural beauty. Coastlines stretch for miles, citrus groves perfume the air, and life flows with a rhythm that blends small-town ease and worldly sophistication. But beyond the surf breaks and farmers markets, something quietly transformative is happening at the table. Across Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties, internationally inspired restaurants are redefining what it means to dine out, bringing global flavors to our backyard with passion, authenticity, and serious culinary skill.
It’s about craft, the culture, and the chefs and restaurateurs who are planting roots in Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties. They are not just building a restaurant. They are shaping spaces that tie us to memory, tradition, and community.
From intimate sushi counters to stylish mezcal bars, these restaurants share a few things in common. They have a respect for technique, a love of storytelling through food, and a commitment to creating experiences that feel personal and transportive. Some are tucked behind quiet storefronts or nestled in shaded courtyards. Others buzz with energy on busy streets. No matter the setting, each one is driven by more than just a concept. They are shaped by heritage, elevated by training, and deeply rooted in the region’s access to fresh, local ingredients.
What’s taking shape is a dining culture that reflects both who we are and who we’re becoming. Curious. Connected. Open to the world. Meals here invite you to slow down and lean in. Whether it’s a multi-course omakase or a street-style taco plated with care, the experience feels thoughtful and intimate. It’s not just about tasting a dish. It’s about tasting a process, a place, and often, a deeply personal journey.
This movement isn’t limited to high-end destinations or big-city transplants. Many of these eateries are independently owned, run by families or partners who live in and love the 805. They have traded the relentless pace of metropolitan kitchens for something that allows for reflection, connection, and creativity.
The result is a collection of restaurants that feel less like businesses and more like extensions of someones story.
We’re highlighting just a few of the standout examples of how global flavor is thriving here on the Central Coast. These places represent a broader shift. A quiet but powerful movement toward more intentional, inclusive, and inspired dining.
What makes this moment so exciting isn’t just the range of cuisine. It’s the sense of discovery that comes with it. These restaurants are not trying to recreate faraway scenes. They are crafting something rooted right here in the 805. Each one offers a window into another culture and a reflection of our evolving community. It’s a community that values quality over quantity, connection over convenience, and storytelling through flavor. Whether you’re seeking comfort, adventure, or something in between, there has never been a better time to explore the international richness blooming just outside your door.
Relaxed Japanese Small Plates
Izakaya Full Moon
928 E Ojai Ave, Ojai, CA 93023
Izakaya Full Moon offers a quiet invitation into the heart of Ojai’s culinary scene. Tucked just off East Ojai Avenue behind a colorful mural and a modest sign, the restaurant reveals itself slowly. Guests step through a tranquil courtyard into a space where every detail, from design to service, feels intentional. While it may still feel like a local secret, its loyal community of diners continues to grow.
Founded in 2019 by husband-and-wife team Yuya and Asaka Ueno, the restaurant reflects both their fine-dining experience and their deep love for Japanese culinary tradition. After relocating to Ojai, they brought with them the precision of Yuya’s training at Tsujita in Los Angeles and the success of their ramen shop, Cagami Ramen, in Camarillo. The name “Full Moon” honors both Ojai’s poetic nickname, Valley of the Moon, and their youngest child Yuzuki, whose name means “moon” in Japanese.
A narrow alley leads to a peaceful patio where a few tables create an atmosphere that feels more like a private garden than a restaurant. Inside, the seven-seat sushi bar offers an equally intimate experience. Designed by Bunch Design, the interior is minimalist and warm, with wood finishes, soft lighting, and a striking blue tile wall by Heath Ceramics. Every element is thoughtfully chosen. The space invites focus, not flash, allowing the food to take center stage. It’s a setting that encourages guests to slow down and let the experience unfold naturally.
Dining at Izakaya Full Moon draws from the spirit of a traditional izakaya, Japan’s version of a neighborhood gastropub. The menu is built around shareable plates, seasonal flavors, and a style of service that encourages lingering. Each course arrives in quiet succession, building a rhythm that feels intuitive rather than scripted. Spicy edamame and crisp corn kakiage make for vibrant openers, while robata skewers of chicken thigh, pork belly, and wagyu beef bring comfort and depth. Each dish is simply presented, letting flavor and texture lead.
Sushi and sashimi selections are clean and restrained. You won’t find elaborate garnishes or fusion rolls. Instead, expect beautifully cut fish, perfectly prepared rice, and just the right touch of wasabi. Nigiri with Santa Barbara uni or A5 Miyazaki wagyu reflects the Uenos’ culinary pedigree. Halibut, salmon, and snapper carpaccio showcase a light, seasonal approach. The tsukune skewer, served with egg yolk, is a house specialty known for its richness and balance. Bowls of uni maze-soba, flavorful ramen, and steamed clams in sake broth offer warmth and depth. The menu celebrates tradition while making space for curiosity and experimentation.
Service is gracious and grounded. The team moves with quiet rhythm, offering thoughtful guidance while allowing each guest to settle in at their own pace. Whether seated at the sushi bar or tucked into a courtyard table, the experience feels personal and unrushed. Every part of the evening unfolds with ease, from the timing of each course to the final sip of sake.
In a town celebrated for wellness retreats and farm-to-table favorites, Izakaya Full Moon brings something distinct. It offers a soulful expression of Japanese bar cuisine, built on technique, hospitality, and a deep connection to place. There is no rush and no need for spectacle. The Uenos have created something rare in its restraint. This is not just a place to eat. It is a place to return to.
Modern Mexican Inspired By Tradition
Santo Mezcal
119 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Santo Mezcal brings bold sophistication and coastal vibrancy to Santa Barbara’s culinary landscape, offering a refined take on contemporary Mexican cuisine that bridges heritage and innovation.
Opened in 2017 by restaurateur Carlos Luna, already celebrated for his Los Agaves restaurants, Santo Mezcal was envisioned as a more elevated, seafood-forward concept. Rather than centering on a single region, the restaurant celebrates Mexico’s diverse culinary roots, fusing bold creativity with ancestral ingredients and traditions. Fire, maize, and the sea come together in harmony here, creating a dining experience that feels both rooted and forward-thinking.
Located just steps from the beach, the restaurant’s design reflects its vision—modern, open, and casually elegant. Clean lines and warm materials set the tone, while natural light pours through large windows that connect the interior to the energy of Lower State Street. A mix of polished surfaces and earthy textures strikes a balance between contemporary edge and coastal ease. The airy dining room flows into a lively patio, a favorite for both locals and visitors. Whether indoors or outdoors, the space invites ease and conversation, offering a setting that feels equally suited to a relaxed lunch or a celebratory evening.
The menu tells a story of reinvention without compromise. Raw bar selections highlight the bounty of the Pacific, such as King Kampachi brightened with watermelon leche de tigre or local oysters kissed with citrus. Elevated tacos showcase premium proteins like rib eye, duck carnitas, and pork belly, layered with house-made adobos and hand-pressed tortillas. Signature plates like Camarones al Mezcal—jumbo prawns paired with crispy artichoke hearts and finished with a mezcal beurre blanc—or the Oaxaqueñas duck confit enchiladas smothered in Mole Negro, showcase the kitchen’s ability to combine authenticity with creativity. Pulpo A Las Brasas delivers deep flavor, while flame-grilled Pescado Zarandeado arrives sizzling and aromatic. Handmade tortillas and layered sauces bring nuance, while moles, especially the dark, velvety Mole Negro, showcase patience, balance, and depth.
The cocktail program reflects the same thoughtful balance. The Riviera Hermosa blends bourbon with house-made blood orange sage-thyme syrup, lime, bitters, and a float of Santa Barbara County pinot noir, finished with a cayenne sugar rim. The La Paloma Clásica keeps things crisp and classic with Mezcal Verde or Tequila Cazcabel, fresh-squeezed grapefruit, a pinch of salt, and a single grapefruit slice. Each drink is designed to complement the food rather than compete with it. The bar itself has become a destination of its own, often drawing in guests eager to explore the restaurant’s deep mezcal selection and regionally inspired creations.
Service is warm and informed without ever feeling formal. Staff share knowledge generously while giving diners space to sip, unwind, and enjoy the natural rhythm of the meal. Every plate, every pour, and every detail ties together coastal living, Mexico’s culinary diversity, and Santa Barbara’s creative spirit. Independent, family-rooted, and intentional, Santo Mezcal reflects the broader movement shaping the 805’s dining culture. Here, dining feels deliberate and personal. Whether in search of comfort, discovery, or something in between, this is a place that offers more than a meal. It offers belonging.
