Local Restaurants > Find a Local Restaurant > Santa Barbara, CA > Solvang

Local Restaurants in Solvang, CA

If 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


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


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


Root-246
420 Alisal Rd. Solvang, CA 93463
P: (805) 688-9003
Open Tue-Sun for Dinner (closed Mon)
Gourmet; Local, Seasonal; Signature Cocktails


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


Solvang Restaurant
1672 Copenhagen Dr. Solvang, CA 93463
P: (805) 688-4645
Open Daily
Abelskiver; Authentic Danish fare.


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


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

Solvang: Great for Tourists; Better for Foodies

Solvang Windmill
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.
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