Best Carpinteria Dining: Steaks, Burgers and Mussels, Oh My!

Zookers Restaurant is a local gem in Carpinteria. Tucked into an unassuming shopping center, you could easily miss or dismiss it. But step inside and you'll find fresh food, great service and a pleasant atmosphere. Zookers is committed to serving California cuisine made with organic, local produce and sustainably raised meats. Try their seafood tostada (made with shrimp and scallops), turkey mushroom meatloaf or Niman Ranch pork chop. Regulars rave about Zookers' caesar salad and the crisp pita chips they bring to your table. Local wines and beers are available too. There is a nice outdoor patio and free parking right out front.

Teddy's By The Sea is a seafood restaurant in sunny Carpinteria, a beach town just 10 minutes or so south of Santa Barbara. The menu includes fried classics like fish and chips and calamari. It also has healthier favorites like cedar plank salmon and tropical ceviche. Not into fish food? No problem. You'll also find burgers, salads and buffalo cauliflower here. Teddy's has a sunny patio and a full bar, making it the perfect place to grab a cocktail before or after a dip in the ocean.

Looking for something to eat, perhaps followed by a sweet treat? Look no further than Crushcakes & Cafe in Carpinteria. This local bakery and cafe has three different locations in the Santa Barbara area. The assortment of cupcake flavors offered changes everyday. Creative varieties include hot buttered rum, tiramisu and, their signature, red velvet. In addition to cupcakes, Crushcakes also serves breakfast and lunch classics, like huevos rancheros and BLTAs (bacon, lettuce, tomato and avocado sandwiches). Breakfast is served all day. Crushcakes can make custom cupcakes and full-sized cakes, as well as cater weddings and parties. The perfect place to pop in for a charming hostess gift or afternoon pick me up!

Lucky Llama is a cozy, locally-owned coffee shop in Carpinteria. If you're looking for a plain ol' cup of joe, stop here. In the mood for a fancy latte? Stop here. Looking for a peanut butter banana mocha or mystic matcha? You got it! In addition to inspired coffee and tea offerings, the Lucky Llama also serves up heathy acai bowls and hearty oatmeal bowls. Assorted baked goods are available, too, including gluten-free options. A large sunny patio invites outdoor enthusiasts. Live bands sometimes play on weekends, and there's usually a show of local art. Plenty of free parking right out front.

If you like curries, Siam Elephant is the restaurant for you! This tiny gem of an eatery serves up tasty Thai food just a few blocks away from the ocean. They offer a variety of curries including seasonal flavors, like pumpkin curry in the fall. Start with a traditional satay kebab or tom kha soup and get an order of mango sticky rice or fried banana for dessert. There is a nice outdoor patio featuring Thai-style woodwork that can accommodate larger parties as well as smaller tables. Siam Elephant serves lunch and dinner. Closed on Mondays. Plenty of free street parking nearby.

Reynaldo's Bakery makes spectacularly beautiful cakes, but you're hungry now and that's not why you came. You're here for the burritos and tamales. And maybe the enchiladas. Try the slow cooked chile colorado burrito for a flavorful lunch that will fill you up. They have breakfast classics too. If you still have room (we doubt you will), you can also grab some Mexican wedding cookies for dessert. While Reynaldo's is the place for hearty Mexican meals, don't forget this place when it's time to celebrate your next special occasion. Their bakers are master decorators! Reynaldo's is a Carpinteria staple since 1980.

Is there a prettier beachfront restaurant in Santa Barbara county? We don't think so. Overlooking Santa Claus beach, a local favorite, the Padaro Beach Grill boasts a park-like outdoor dining room that's ideal for day dates and impromptu gatherings. Enjoy fresh salads, savory burgers and sinfully rich milkshakes that are blended by hand only after you place your order. A large sandbox encourages the kiddos to play while grownups indulge in refreshing beers and local wines. Try the shrimp salad or one of the 100% prime chuck burgers. Live bands are common on the weekends. Free (but often crowded) parking right out front.

The Palms is legendary! Open since 1912, this 100-year old steak and seafood restaurant is classic with a twist... you can cook your own food! That's right, order the cut of meat of your choice (steak, salmon or halibut) and then belly up to the grill to cook it exactly how you like it. Not into DIY? Choose something from the other side of the menu, and let the chefs do all the hard work for you. Every meal also comes with a trip to the salad bar for endless veggies, salsa, beans, potatoes and homemade croutons. The bar serves stiff drinks and is often packed with people and a live band on the weekends. A great place for a date or a party.

Giannfranco's Trattoria is the best Italian restaurant in Carpinteria. Family-owned and just a few blocks from the beach, this hidden gem serves up fresh, authentic dishes that are made to order using high-quality ingredients. Enjoy paninis, pasta and meat dishes for lunch or dinner. A delectable dessert menu includes Italian wedding cake, chocolate mousse and more. The extensive wine list features local and European labels. Giannfranco's has a lovely patio for outdoor dining. Perfect for an intimate celebration with friends or family or make a reservation for a special date night. Like their Facebook page to learn about current special offers, like free bruschetta with purchase of an entree. Free parking in nearby lots or on the street.

Located just past the train tracks on Linden Avenue, mere steps from the beach, is The Spot: a trusty little shack of a restaurant that all the locals know. Serving up delicious burgers and fries for over 90 years, The Spot is Carpinteria's go to for a quick, savory bite. The surprisingly vast menu also includes veggie burgers, select Mexican specialties and fish n' chips. There's no dress code so come in your bikini or trunks if you please. There is seating outside or you can just walk across the street to the park or beach for an impromptu picnic!