Local Restaurants > Find a Local Restaurant > Santa Barbara, CA > Solvang
Local Restaurants in Solvang, CATweetIf you're looking to take in a little Danish culture, that's great, but the independent, local restaurants in Solvang are worth the trip itself. The weather is great all year long in Solvang (especially compared to Denmark!), and the authentic, Danish food here is an experience unto itself. Seriously, if you come to Solvang and eat at anything but one of the great restaurants here, you will need to have your "Official Foodie" card revoked.
Independent, Local Restaurants in Solvang, CA
The Greenhouse Cafe 487 Atterdag Rd. Solvang, California 93463 P: (805) 688-8408 Open Daily for Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner A Modern Nordic Bistro www.greenhousesolvang.com Paula's Pancake House 1531 Mission Dr. Solvang, CA 93463 P: (805) 688-2867 Open Daily for Breakfast & Lunch, 6am-3pm Danish Style Pancakes; Traditional Breakfast & Lunch www.paulaspancakehouse.com The Red Viking Restaurant 1684 Copenhagen Dr. Solvang, CA 93463 P: (805) 688-6610 Open Daily for Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, 8am-8pm Traditional Danish fare; American fare www.theredvikingrestaurant.com Root-246 420 Alisal Rd. Solvang, CA 93463 P: (805) 688-9003 Open Tue-Sun for Dinner (closed Mon) Gourmet; Local, Seasonal; Signature Cocktails www.root-246.com Solvang Brewing Company 1547 Mission St. Solvang, California 93463 P: (805) 688-2337; F. (805) 688-2333 Open Daily 11am-2am Microbrewery; Gourmet Burgers; Traditional American www.solvangbrewingcompany.com Solvang Restaurant 1672 Copenhagen Dr. Solvang, CA 93463 P: (805) 688-4645 Open Daily Abelskiver; Authentic Danish fare. www.solvangrestaurant.com Succulent Cafe & Trading Company 1555 Mission Dr. Solvang, CA 93463 P: (805) 691-9235; Catering: (805) 691-9444 Open Wed-Sun 11:30am-4pm (Closed Mon-Tue) Gourmet Traditional Fusion succulentcafe.com Sweet Dreams 1618 Copenhagen Dr. Solvang, CA 93463 P: (805) 693-0595 Open Daily Homemade Ice Cream & Desserts Wandering Dog Wine Bar 1539C Mission Dr. Solvang, CA 93463 P: (805) 686-9126; F: (805) 688-7492 Open Daily Wine bar; Local wines; beer www.wanderingdogwinebar.com |
Solvang: Great for Tourists; Better for Foodies
About an hour north of Santa Barbara, in the Santa Ynez Valley, there's a little town called Solvang. Solvang is Danish for "Sunny Field," and there's a reason it carries a Danish name: because Solvang is a little slice of Denmark dropped into sunny California.
We're not going to tell you that Solvang is exactly the same as going to Denmark - mainly because we don't know (we haven't been to Denmark, yet), but the food in the restaurants in Solvang is absolutely fantastic. The vast majority of the food in Solvang is authentic to Denmark's traditional cuisine according to those who have been to Denmark, and those people are the ones who settled this area in 1911 in order to create a traditional, Danish settlement in a warmer climate. Once you get to Solvang, just park the car and walk around. Fortunately the town only covers about two-and-a-half square miles total, and the smell through the air of fresh pastries, cafes and traditional Danish seasonings tempt you to walk in each and every restaurant, bakery and cafe for a sample. Around each corner lays a new scent of something delicious. The independent restaurants in Solvang really do keep the traditional Danish fare of the homeland, although they'll mix in some traditional California Cuisine, too. After all, Solvang has been in California for over 100 years now, so the fresh, California ingredients are bound to make their way into a number of Danish dishes. If you can't make it to Denmark in the summer, then come to Solvang any time of year. The climate is perpetually between 60-80 degrees, and the food in Solvang is always worth the quick drive. Click to return to our Guide to Independent restaurants in Santa Barbara.
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