Set along the sand at Rosewood Miramar Beach, Caruso’s offers diners front-row views of the Pacific, complete with ocean breezes and sunsets that frame the evening service. The Michelin-starred restaurant reflects the philosophy of chef partner Massimo Falsini, whose team focuses on creating food that delights without harming the environment. “We want to make people feel great with incredible food that’s presented beautifully and served in a gracious way—with kindness and with heart,” says Falsini.
At the 82-seat restaurant, Falsini’s Italian upbringing meets California farming in a menu that might include California king crab risotto with pickled blueberries and Brentwood corn. Ingredients are never flown in—fish come from local waters, produce is sourced from nearby farms and the property’s own gardens, and honey is harvested on-site. Caruso’s also operates with a long-term goal of reaching net-zero carbon emissions by 2026.
Caruso’s offers a four-course menu priced at $185 per person, or a $295 tasting menu that includes all antipasti and primi dishes. Dinner concludes with a mignardise of lemon tarallucci cookies, made with repurposed flour that might otherwise go to waste. Even the printed menu reflects the restaurant’s ethos: it is produced on Crush sustainable paper, created from ground food residue such as hazelnut shells, coffee, and grape skins.
Caruso’s takes its name from property owner Rick J. Caruso, the developer behind Rosewood Miramar Beach. The resort is among just 15 properties worldwide to hold a rare triple Five-Star designation from the Forbes Travel Guide, with its hotel, spa, and restaurant all earning the accolade. Located in Santa Barbara—often called the “American Riviera” for its Mediterranean climate—the beachfront restaurant is celebrated for its hyperlocal ingredients, al fresco dining, and its dual Michelin recognition: a star and a Green Star for sustainability, awarded in 2022 and retained ever since.
“Caruso’s is a restaurant with a deep soul and deep love for the terroir,” says Falsini. “We’re open seven days a week. We do volume, and when you do volume it’s harder—but we love it. We love having a full restaurant and people coming in and enjoying life.” With its oceanfront setting, attentive service, and strong commitment to local purveyors, Caruso’s delivers an experience that balances elegance with heart.
