Little Mountain

Wow, what a stunning new restaurant in Montecito! I've been a fan of Chef Diego Moya's cooking for years, so I knew the dinner would be outstanding. Upon arrival, I was met outside by a professional team who led me to a beautifully designed dining room with open kitchen. No detail has been spared in this upscale, yet comfortable space. As expected, the cuisine was memorable, starting with a classic Santa Barbara Urchin. Chef Moya made a panna cotta and then garnished it with red winter citrus, recreating the natural look of the lobes. The crudo was fresh and flavorful, served in an aguachile sauce. The shelling beans were a comforting mix of flavor, showcasing Chef Moya's focus on plant forward cooking. For a main course, the pork loin, garnished with apples and a seasonal fig emulsion sauce was rich and delicious. Both the Cafe de Olla Cheesecake and Koshihikari Pudding were decadent and satisfying ways to end the meal. The wine and cocktail program is well curated to offer compelling pairing options for the cuisine. Service was friendly, attentive and knowledgable. Despite being open for only a few days, Little Mountain is already delivering an exceptional experience, which makes it well worth a trip. I hope to return as soon as possible.

I had one of the most memorable dinners I’ve had in Santa Barbara at this spot. The first thing that struck me was the ambiance—absolutely stunning, but in a way that feels effortless. Every design detail has clearly been considered, from the lighting to the textures in the room, yet nothing feels overdone. It’s the kind of space you settle into immediately. The hospitality is just as impressive. Every person we interacted with was warm, polite, and genuinely knowledgeable about the menu and the wines. There’s an ease to the service here that makes the whole experience feel both refined and relaxed. And the food—easily the highlight. Each dish feels like its own little exploration of flavors, thoughtfully composed and executed with real intention. The open-fire, flame-kissed approach adds this incredible depth and character to the ingredients that I haven’t found anywhere else in Santa Barbara. It’s subtle in some dishes, bold in others, but always purposeful. Chef Diego Moya is clearly raising the bar in Montecito. You can taste the creativity and care in every plate, and it’s exciting to see someone push the dining scene here forward with such confidence. This is the kind of restaurant you immediately start recommending to friends before you’ve even finished your meal.

Little Mountain was beautiful. Our server — Ben if I recall — was so knowledgable, attentive and helped make our experience lovely. Food was perfect, an amazing harmony between local and elegant combinations. Chef Moya's creations are something everyone has to experience at least once in their lives. Atmosphere was great, everything was just outstanding. Will be requesting our server again next time!

I had high expectations for Little Mountain in Montecito, but the experience fell well short. The food itself was fine, but the service was the true downfall of the evening. From the moment I arrived, my interaction with the staff member who appeared to be either the sommelier or the general manager felt cold, transactional, and dismissive—the exact opposite of what a restaurant at this level should deliver. The entire meal felt rushed, as if the priority was simply turning the table rather than providing a curated dining experience. At one point, when I attempted to speak about the wine I brought, I was brushed off abruptly, which only reinforced the sense that hospitality was not a priority here. To add injury to insult, the $50 corkage fee was not only shocking to me, but I could hear other diners around me expressing the same surprise. A corkage fee that steep demands exceptional hospitality and engagement from the staff, and that simply did not happen. I work in the industry and fully understand what it takes to make a restaurant succeed—warmth, attentive service, and making every guest feel welcomed and valued. None of that was present during my visit. Instead, the evening felt impersonal, rushed, and purely transactional. Given the combination of dismissive service, rushed pacing, and surprisingly high corkage with no hospitality to match it, I left sadly disappointed.

There are lots of upscale restaurants in Santa Barbara. Very few give you the kind of experience Little Mountain is offering. The staff were friendly, engaging and informative. The food was fresh and had so many international crossovers. If you want a routine, over salted dinner, go somewhere else. If you want a true dining experience, try Little Mountain.

Little Mountain is a beautiful space in the heart of Montecito that is an elegant addition to the Upper Village. The Spanish-style Santa Barbara design and vibe of locals enjoying the evening offered a warm welcome for our evening. We enjoyed the artful cocktails and wine list with the well curated menu and are looking forward to future opportunities to explore the menu as well as the several unique dining rooms in this new local gem.

We’ve been twice and both times have been exceptional. The food is great and I always recommend the specials of the day. Always the best. Service is impeccable and the space is perfectly beautiful. Highly recommend as a very memorable experience. Can’t wait to go back.

My complement to chef Moya for his delicious gastronomical creations in a fantastic setting. A true dining in a small village vibe.