- The Santa Barbara Independent

Drink By Matt Kettmann | Tue Dec 30, 2025 | 11:43am

Municipal Winemakers Closing Funk Zone Tasting Room

A centerpiece of Santa Barbara’s waterfront wine scene is shifting attention to other locations.

Drink By Meaghan Clark Tiernan | Thu Dec 25, 2025 | 12:18pm

Ali’s List curates a compendium of the best happy hours in the Santa Barbara area.

Business By Nick Welsh | Tue Dec 23, 2025 | 10:00am

Restaurant co-owner John Thyne III sues City Hall over “unconscionable” lease terms and is served with an eviction notice.

Food By Leslie Dinaberg | Fri Dec 19, 2025 | 3:15pm

The sweet new store’s soft launch is Saturday, December 20.

Food By Meaghan Clark Tiernan | Fri Dec 19, 2025 | 10:00am

Sharing plates, and magic, over dinner as El Encanto’s Culinary Series returns with a veggie-forward spread from Valle de Guadalupe’s Fauna.

Food By Matt Kettmann | Thu Dec 11, 2025 | 4:20pm

Santa Barbara’s Bradley Bennett adds affordable brand to Eastside pickling empire.

Food By Ella Heydenfeldt | Thu Dec 11, 2025 | 3:20pm

More bites after dark.

Drink By Matt Kettmann | Thu Dec 11, 2025 | 1:45pm

Los Padres ForestWatch has launched a passport program for tasting and trekking across the Central Coast.

Cover Story By Matt Kettmann | Wed Dec 10, 2025 | 8:00pm

The legendary food writer’s last memoir is about aging in Santa Barbara and elsewhere.

Bottles & Barrels By Matt Kettmann | Wed Dec 10, 2025 | 2:22pm

Here’s how to taste globally renowned bottlings in a casual setting on East Haley Street in Santa Barbara.