The Red Barn

Santa Barbara Wine Country restaurants

Brothers Restaurant Santa Ynez

The 2013 opened their second Santa Barbara Wine Country restaurant, Brothers Restaurant at the Red Barn in Santa Ynez. This allows them to offer great food, wine and hospitality to visitors and locals alike. The brothers strive to have legendary service and innovative “made from scratch” cuisine. They provide a welcoming and comfortable atmosphere that causes you to return time and again.

In the summer of 1996, they opened the original Brothers Restaurant in Solvang, which they soon outgrew. In 2002, the brothers brought fine dining to Mattei’s Tavern. They took care of that venerable spot until they opened Sides Hardware & Shoes – in Los Olivos in 2012.

The Nichols Brothers

The Nichols brothers, Matt & Jeff, grew up in Ames, Iowa where their love of cooking, good food and a sense of family and community was nurtured.

Saddle up and mosey on over to our newly revamped hideaway! With a barn-red paint on the outside, you’ll find a warm and welcoming local tavern feel inside, boasting clean lines and a rustic charm. Our space is accented with rich oak, restored branded wood beams, a white-paneled ceiling, and wrought iron lighting. The L-shaped room now features higher ceilings and massive glass windows, creating an airy, open space.

The Red Barn Restaurant Chefs

Watch our talented chefs in action in the open display kitchen. We’ve added a glass-enclosed wine room right next to the dining area, and the original wood-burning fireplaces are still crackling away, with seasoned firewood provided by the trusty Agin Brothers who’ve been supplying the Nichols family for over a decade.

The room, beautifully illuminated by two wrought iron and rope chandeliers, handcrafted by local blacksmith Hans Duus, featuring vintage Edison-style bulbs. Historical photographs of Los Rancheros Visitadores, the legendary group of local horsemen and ranchers dating back to 1929, adorn the walls.

During construction, we discovered old wallpaper beneath layers of paint and paneling, illustrated with dancing girls, pistols, playing cards, and saloons. We’ve preserved and framed these treasures to grace our dining room walls. Don’t miss JC’s handsome bar, crafted by locals Scott and Chris Bruhn from a felled pine tree from Figueroa Mountain. Come on in and experience the perfect blend of history, charm, and western flair!