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Main dining room with fireplace - Hitching Post II, Buellton, CA

Hitching Post II

4.7 (5295)
$31 to $50
Steakhouse
406 E. Hwy 246, Buellton, CA 93427

Make a booking

A photo of Hitching Post II restaurant

Hitching Post II

4.7
$31 to $50
Steakhouse
Buellton

Make a booking

2 people
7:00 pm
Booked 22 times today

About this restaurant

  • Good for special occasions
  • Neighbourhood gem
  • Great for fine wines
Here, on the Central Coast of California, BBQ has always meant grilling over an open fire of red oak, a style of cooking that is native to our area and goes back to the days of the Spanish Rancheros. By combining the old and the new and using only the finest sources, we have created an exciting cuisine featuring outstanding steaks, ribs, chicken, duck and quail, along with fresh fish and seafood and vegetarian options. The restaurant consistently earns the Wine Spectator Award for our wine list. We also create our own world-class wines available at the restaurant. For 40 years Hitching Post Wines has produced some of the best wines of Santa Barbara County garnering an excellent reputation, particularly for our Pinot Noirs. Visit the restaurant Wednesday through Monday 4:30-8:30 PM. For groups over 6, please contact us directly at 805-688-0676. Closed Tuesdays. Take out available. Yes, we are the restaurant featured in the film SIDEWAYS!

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Steakhouse, American
  • Hours of Operation
    Dinner Mon, Wed–Sun 4:30 pm–9:00 pm
  • Phone number
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Executive Chef
    Frank Ostini
  • Catering
    We cater events at our restaurant and wine tasting room only
  • Private party facilities
    Very limited private and semi-private opportunities. Please call for details.
  • Area
    Buellton
  • Cross street
    Thumbelina
  • Parking Details
    Private Parking
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeaway, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Concierge
AI Beta

Our AI assistant, Concierge, is here to answer your questions about this restaurant.

Reviews

OpenTable reviews from verified diners

Reviews from people who have dined at Hitching Post II.

4.7

4.7
(5295)
  • 4.7Food
  • 4.7Service
  • 4.5Ambience
  • 4.4Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

  • California Central Coast

    Great for fine wines

  • California Central Coast

    Steakhouse

  • Santa Ynez Valley

    Good for groups

  • Santa Ynez Valley

    Hot spot

  • Santa Ynez Valley

    Neighbourhood gem

  • Santa Ynez Valley

    Great for fine wines

  • Santa Ynez Valley

    Good for special occasions

  • Santa Ynez Valley

    Lively

  • Santa Ynez Valley

    Most Booked

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Hitching Post II offers "delicious steaks" cooked to perfection on an open flame, with a standout seasoning blend. Known for its "great service," the restaurant is a favorite for special occasions, featuring an extensive wine list and signature grilled artichokes. Many reviewers praise the "friendly and attentive" staff, creating a welcoming atmosphere.
5,295 Reviews
  1. John

    California Central Coast2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    We dined on the 40th Anniversary special menu option and had an amazingly tasty meal to the finish. It was well worth the $40 per plate asked. We will definitely return!

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  2. Elizabeth Gold

    Greater Boston238 reviews

    3.0

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 3
    Excellent shrimp and duck and steak. Salad a nice size. Appetizers disappointing- mussels which were on special were not good. Mushroom appetizer quite salty but otherwise good flavor. Our garlic bread had no garlic for some reason.

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  3. V Gold

    New York City74 reviews

    4.0

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Delicious dinner served by friendly waiter. She was quick to help and offer suggestions. We were not disappointed with generous beef portions and tasty sides. Wine was delicious, too. A classic. Bravo!

    Is this helpful?

  4. Jennifer Gold

    California Central Coast7 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 1 November 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    It is always a yummy tasting steak when you eat here. If you are a salsa lover ask for some salsa for your bake potato. It’s so yummy! They have a wonderful staff too. Great place to eat!

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  5. Judith

    California Central Coast14 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 31 October 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Best Steak anywhere in the US. Always comes cooked perfectly over oak wood

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  6. eileen

    Los Angeles12 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 30 October 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We are seasonal regulars -The food is always consistently delicious and our server JENNIFER is the BEST-so much personality and what a memory about your likes and dislikes!!! Angel the manager is always friendly and accommodating. We never miss an opportunity to have the best meal when we are in town

    Is this helpful?

  7. Gina Gold

    New York City2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 26 October 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Highly recommend! Food, wine, service were perfect.

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  8. Joanne Gold

    Los Angeles373 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 26 October 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Stopped by for dinner on our way back home. We've been here before with a large group last year and remembered the great food and service. Hitching Post II came through again. Highly recommend.

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  9. Aram

    California Central Coast1 review

    5.0

    Dined on 25 October 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    When in the Santa Ynez Valley I make it a requirement to go to the Hitching Post. Its A great place to go !

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  10. Julia

    Unspecified7 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 23 October 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Our food was exceptional. Had the grilled artichoke as an appetizer and it was the best we’ve ever had. We both had steak. I had the filet and my partner had the New York. Outstanding. Seasoned and cooked to perfection. The cocktails and wine was also wonderful.

    Is this helpful?

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Steakhouse, American
  • Hours of Operation
    Dinner Mon, Wed–Sun 4:30 pm–9:00 pm
  • Phone number
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Executive Chef
    Frank Ostini
  • Catering
    We cater events at our restaurant and wine tasting room only
  • Private party facilities
    Very limited private and semi-private opportunities. Please call for details.
  • Area
    Buellton
  • Cross street
    Thumbelina
  • Parking Details
    Private Parking
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeaway, Wheelchair Access, Wine

FAQs

Yes, guests describe enjoying outdoor, shaded seating and patio-style spots with lovely views (some even mention seeing ostriches in the distance).

Yes, Hitching Post II is one of multiple Hitching Post locations; reviewers frequently reference the original Hitching Post in Casmalia alongside this Buellton spot.

Yes, for groups over six the restaurant asks you to contact them directly at 805-688-0676, and guests report staff have accommodated seating requests like a booth for a newborn.

Hitching Post II feels rustic and warm, wood‑panelled dining rooms with a visible Santa Maria oak-fire grill, a lively bar, and a convivial buzz throughout the dining room.

Business casual is the guide at Hitching Post II, aim for neat, polished attire; many guests also mention dressing up a touch for anniversaries and special evenings.

Yes, Hitching Post II is family-friendly: reviewers note a kids’ menu, helpful staff who accommodated a newborn in a corner booth, and guests calling the spot “kid friendly.”

Yes, staff routinely accommodate families: guests report being seated in a corner booth so a newborn could lie between parents, and servers help families with children.

Yes, Hitching Post II is often chosen for special evenings: guests report celebrating anniversaries there and enjoying its dimly lit, woodsy dining paired with the restaurant’s wine list.

How FAQ content is generated

  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. California Central Coast
  4. Santa Ynez Valley
  5. Buellton

Make a booking

A photo of Hitching Post II restaurant

Hitching Post II

4.7
$31 to $50
Steakhouse
Buellton

Make a booking

2 people
7:00 pm
Booked 22 times today
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