23 cheap eats places in Santa Barbara, editor-picked. the best low-budget spots in Santa Barbara: the places editors actually return to. All Santa Barbara food.
La Super-Rica Taqueria ★ 4.3
Milpas Corridor · 622 N Milpas Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93103
Cash-only counter on Milpas since 1980. Julia Child's favourite Mexican restaurant in the US. Daily blackboard, hand-pressed corn tortilla tacos.
La Super-Rica Taqueria ★ 4.3
Milpas Corridor · 622 N Milpas Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93103
Cash-only Milpas counter since 1980. Julia Child's favourite Mexican restaurant in the US. Daily blackboard of corn tortilla tacos and roasted chiles.
La Super-Rica Taqueria ★ 4.3
Milpas Corridor · 622 N Milpas Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93103
Cash-only Milpas taco counter since 1980. Julia Child's favourite Mexican restaurant in the US. Daily blackboard, hand-pressed corn tortillas.
Handlebar Coffee Roasters ★ 4.0
Downtown Santa Barbara · 128 E. Canon Perdido Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Founded by former professional cyclists in 2011. Small-batch roasts from Ethiopia, Colombia, Guatemala, Kenya. Two cafes, precise single-origin brews.
Dart Coffee Co ★ 4.0
Funk Zone · 121 East Yanonali Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Funk Zone roastery with organic fair-trade beans from small-lot indigenous farmers. A portion of every sale goes to the Yanonali Street Artist Fund.
Handlebar Coffee Roasters ★ 4.0
Downtown Santa Barbara · 128 E. Canon Perdido Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Founded by professional cyclists in 2011. Small-lot beans from Ethiopia, Colombia, Guatemala, Kenya. Two cafes, subscription service, ethical sourcing.
Dart Coffee Co ★ 4.0
Funk Zone · 121 East Yanonali Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Funk Zone roastery by Dr. David Dart. Organic fair-trade beans from small-lot indigenous farmers. A share of every sale funds the Yanonali Street Artist Fund.
Dart Coffee Co ★ 4.0
Funk Zone · 121 East Yanonali Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Funk Zone roastery sourcing organic fair-trade beans from small-lot indigenous farmers. A share of every sale supports the Yanonali Street Artist Fund.
Tip: Order whatever the roaster opened that morning. The single-origin pour-overs change with each roast batch and the staff can explain the farmer behind it.
Corazon Cocina ★ 3.8
Downtown Santa Barbara · 38 West Victoria Street, Unit 122, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Michelin Bib Gourmand counter in the Santa Barbara Public Market. Street food tacos, ceviches, and regional Mexican dishes from fresh local ingredients.
Dune Coffee Roasters ★ 3.8
Downtown Santa Barbara · 1101 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Santa Barbara specialty coffee anchor since 2009. State Street flagship serves espresso, pour-overs, and seasonal single-origins in a bright downtown space.
Dune Coffee Roasters ★ 3.8
Downtown Santa Barbara · 1101 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Santa Barbara specialty roaster since 2009. State Street flagship serves espresso, pour-overs, seasonal single-origins from 07:00. Multiple city locations.
Corazon Cocina ★ 3.8
Downtown Santa Barbara · 38 West Victoria Street, Unit 122, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Michelin Bib Gourmand counter in the Santa Barbara Public Market. Street food tacos, ceviches, and regional Mexican dishes from fresh local ingredients.
Corazon Cocina ★ 3.8
Downtown Santa Barbara · 38 West Victoria Street, Unit 122, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Michelin Bib Gourmand Mexican counter in the Santa Barbara Public Market. Hand-pressed tortillas, regional guisados, horchata. No advance reservation needed.
D'Angelo Bread ★ 3.7
Downtown Santa Barbara · 25 W Gutierrez Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Long-running downtown bakery serving European-style breads, pastries, and breakfast with strong espresso. A neighbourhood anchor at pre-Instagram prices.
Santa Barbara Roasting Company ★ 3.7
Funk Zone · 321 Motor Way, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Santa Barbara's original roaster since 1989, nicknamed RoCo. Over 70 bean varieties roasted on-site. Espresso and cold brew near the Funk Zone.
Santa Barbara Roasting Company ★ 3.7
Funk Zone · 321 Motor Way, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Santa Barbara's first roaster since 1989, nicknamed RoCo. Over 70 bean varieties on-site in 50-pound batches. Espresso and cold brew near the Funk Zone.
D'Angelo Bread ★ 3.7
Downtown Santa Barbara · 25 W Gutierrez Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Downtown bakery on a residential side street serving European sourdough and pastries. Pre-Instagram pricing, locals-only crowd, cash-friendly counter.
Tip: Arrive before 09:00 for the best bread selection. The outdoor seating fills with local regulars and the espresso is strong.
D'Angelo Bread ★ 3.6
Downtown Santa Barbara · 25 W Gutierrez Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Long-running downtown bakery serving European-style breads and breakfast with strong espresso. Neighbourhood anchor on a residential side street.
Santa Barbara Roasting Company ★ 3.6
Funk Zone · 321 Motor Way, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Santa Barbara's first roaster since 1989, nicknamed RoCo. Over 70 varieties roasted on-site in 50-pound batches. Espresso, cold brew, a dozen beans to buy.
The Press Room ★ 3.2
Downtown Santa Barbara · 15 E Ortega Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
English-style pub on Ortega Street open until 02:00. The go-to for Premier League football in Santa Barbara. Dog-friendly, no-frills, genuine local crowd.
Super Cuca's ★ 3.2
Downtown Santa Barbara · 626 W Micheltorena Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Counter-service taqueria on Micheltorena open 06:00 to 22:00 daily. Generous burritos, breakfast tacos, and carne asada. Vegetarian options throughout.
The Press Room ★ 3.2
Downtown Santa Barbara · 15 E Ortega Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Long-running English-style pub on Ortega Street open until 02:00. The go-to for Premier League football in Santa Barbara. Dog-friendly, no-frills.
Super Cuca's ★ 3.2
Downtown Santa Barbara · 626 W Micheltorena Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Counter-service taqueria on Micheltorena Street. Generous burritos, breakfast burritos, menudo, caldo. One of the longest-running taquerias in Santa Barbara.