Continental Restaurants

Seeming light years away from the hustle and bustle of the collegiate/tourist-filled South State Street is an unsuspecting Cal-French local favorite: Downey’s. For 25 years, Owner and Chef John Downey has managed to sustain rave accolades amidst a completely unlikely environment. Yes, the esteemed apex of Santa Barbara restaurant folklore is all but hidden in secluded Mid-Town State Street. More surprising is that once inside, Downey’s is completely void of aesthetic trickery to the point of intrigue. It is evident: John Downey is from the school of substance over style.