A view of the temporary outdoor dining setups in front of restaurants at 1812 and 1814 Cliff Drive in Santa Barbara.
A view of the temporary outdoor dining setups in front of restaurants at 1812 and 1814 Cliff Drive in Santa Barbara. The restaurants have proposed replacing the structures with permanent parklets. Credit: Nick Forselles / Noozhawk photo

Three Cliff Drive restaurants in Santa Barbara received preliminary approval from the Architectural Board of Review on Monday for plans to replace their temporary outdoor dining setups with permanent parklets.

The restaurants — Alcazar Tapas Bar, Ichiban Sushi and Rose Cafe — seek to replace existing wood platforms with new dining decks featuring tables, umbrellas and updated seating. While there are some minor differences in design, such as furniture style and umbrella colors, all three parklets would include metal planters as traffic barriers.

The outdoor dining setups were first allowed as temporary structures after COVID-19 and are now being upgraded under a city ordinance adopted in 2024 that created guidelines for more permanent installations.

The board expressed support for the plans, describing them as a “perfectly acceptable solution” that “enhances and respects the existing building,” according to vice chair Dennis Whelan.

A rendering shows the proposed permanent parklet design for outdoor dining at Ichiban Sushi at 1812 Cliff Drive in Santa Barbara.
A rendering shows the proposed permanent parklet design for Ichiban Sushi at 1812 Cliff Drive in Santa Barbara. Credit: Courtesy rendering

The projects next are set to go before the city’s Staff Hearing Officer for Coastal Development Permit review, with the board’s supportive comments included in the referral.

If approved, they are expected to return to the board for final review.

Alcazar Tapas Bar and Ichiban Sushi are at 1812 Cliff Drive. Rose Cafe is at 1814 Cliff Drive.

— Noozhawk staff writer Nick Forselles can be reached at nforselles@noozhawk.com.