Santa Barbara in California is known as the haven for Mexican food in the country. There are many authentic Mexican restaurants in the city offering a wide range of delectable Mexican dishes. Whether it is nachos or a fajita you are looking for, there will be restaurants easily available to satisfy your craving. Given the large number of Mexican restaurants sprawled around the city, it is essential to know where to get the best in the city. Make the calories count by visiting some of the best Mexican restaurants in Santa Barbara. Continue reading below to find out where you can find some of the best Mexican cuisines which will be worth your every buck.
1. Sandbar Cocina y Tequila
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
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Posted by Sandbar SB on Tuesday, May 18, 2021
If you are looking for an authentic Mexican restaurant that serves brunch, then this is the restaurant to be at. As they always say, you can always tell how good a restaurant is in a tourist town by looking at the number of locals in it. This restaurant is a testament to this. The food is outstanding and is a place many locals frequent to enjoy a good Mexican meal and drink.
Sandbar Cocina y Tequila
Address: 514 State St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101-1602
Website: Sandbar Cocina y Tequila
Opening hours: 11 am - 2 am
Average price for two: 11 - 30 USD
2. Santo Mezcal
Lovers of Los Agaves who are yearning for a full-service experience complete with creative cocktails, expanded seafood specialities, and a sleek and modern environment need look no further than Santo Mezcal. Located in the lower State Street, this restaurant consistently enjoys great crowds. The restaurant offers contemporary Mexican cuisine while keeping true to the traditional flavours of its Oaxacan roots. Start off with lovely appetizers like ahi tuna ceviche and ceviche pulpo made of octopus. Fresh chips and creative salsas are complimentary for patrons. The restaurant also features an outstanding bar showcasing a wide range of mezcals, tasty tequilas and freshly squeezed juices.
Santo Mezcal
Address: 119 State St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101-352
Website: Santo Mezcal
Opening hours: 8 am - 10 pm
Average price for two: 11 - 30 USD
3. Carlitos Cafe y Cantina
Carlitos Café y Cantina can be considered as a veteran in Santa Barbara’s Mexican restaurant scene. Having opened its door in 1978, the restaurant is reputed for serving out contemporary Mexican food along with great tasting margaritas. Complemented by warm hospitality, the restaurant also boasts one of the best sun-drenched patios in town. Having operated first with a modest menu that serves traditional Mexican food, the restaurant now offers a good blend of Mexican flavours using fresh, local ingredients. Signature dishes at this restaurant include Halibut Ceviche, a garlic shrimp dish with Chile oil and fish tacos.
Carlitos Cafe y Cantina
Address: 1324 State St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, USA
Website: Carlitos Cafe y Cantina
Opening hours: 11 am - 10 pm
Average price for two: 11 - 30 USD
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4. East Beach Tacos
Many people flock to this restaurant to enjoy the restaurant’s offering of The Triple Play, a trio of tacos of diners’ choice. The tacos here are carefully crafted and are highly innovative. Try out the Bánh Mì taco which is made of pulled pork, cabbage, jalapeno, pickled daikon and hoisin aioli dressing or even the Gangnam Style taco made of Korean short rib, spicy chili vinegar as well as generous green onion.Other options include a fish taco or tempura shrimp taco. Wash the trio down with Cabotella Blonde Ale, a great beer with Mexican food.
East Beach Tacos
Address: 3608, 226 S Milpas St, Santa Barbara, CA 93103, United States
Website: East Beach Tacos
Opening hours: 11 am - 7 pm
Average price for two: Under 10 USD
5. La Super-Rica Taqueria
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
La Super-Rica Taqueria is one of the most famous Mexican restaurants in Santa Barbara which consistently sees great queues. From only serving tacos long ago, the restaurant now has expanded its menu to serve all kinds of Mexican dishes. Tortillas are central in this restaurant, yet they are enhanced by quality ingredients and garnishing. Enter this restaurant and the wonderful smell of sizzling meat will fill your senses. A highlight at this restaurant is the delicious Lomito Suiza, which is essentially grilled marinated pork enhanced with melted cheese. If you are in the area, come on down and enjoy what La Super-Rica Taqueria has to offer.
La Super-Rica Taqueria
Address: 622 N Milpas St, Santa Barbara, CA 93103, USA
Website: La Super-Rica Taqueria
Opening hours: Sunday, Monday & Thursday: 11 am – 9 pm, Friday & Saturday: 11 am – 9:30 pm
Average price for two: Under 10 USD
6. Corazon Cocina
Corazon Cocina is one restaurant in downtown Santa Barbara which provides an assortment of flavours from all over Mexico. Specialities at this restaurant include the yellowtail ceviche with watermelon and a unique dish known as hibiscus aguachile from the Yucatan. Authentic chorizos and queso fundido from Chihuahua are also sold here. The aspiring, self-taught chef who has a genuine passion for good food has carefully crafted the dishes served at this restaurant. Lines at this restaurant tend to get long, so do get a seat early if you intend to enjoy a great meal here.
Corazon Cocina
Address: 38 W Victoria St Unit 122, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, USA
Website: Corazon Cocina
Opening hours: 11 am - 9 pm
Average price for two: 11 - 30 USD
7. Lito's Mexican Restaurant
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Lito’s Mexican Restaurant is an authentic Mexican restaurant which offers food typically served at a Mexican home. This is a family-owned restaurant that dishes out delicious food at affordable prices. The carnitas served here are especially delicious and are one of the favourites of the restaurant. Prices at this restaurant are affordable and constantly attract both locals and tourists alike.
Lito's Mexican Restaurant
Address: 514 E Haley St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, USA
Website: Lito’s Mexican Restaurant
Opening hours: Monday - Thursday 6:30 am - 4 pm, Friday 6:30 am - 5 pm, Saturday 6:30 am - 4 pm, Sunday 6:30 am - 2 pm
Average price for two: Upto 10 USD
8. Goa Taco
Editor’s note: establishment is permanently closed
Duvaldi Marneweck, owner of Goa Taco has created great tacos for one and all to enjoy. What sets this restaurant’s tacos apart from all others is that the taco used in this restaurant is a lovely blend of the buttery and flaky nature of the tortilla and the croissant. The tacos feature the great flavours from Mexico and the Mediterranean, with different flavours from all over the world. Some of the restaurant’s favourites include the recado rojo lamb shoulder, that simply melts in your mouth as well as the delicious eggplant salsa and tzatziki that it comes with. The tacos presented in Goa Taco are the size of two regular tacos which are generously packed with interesting ingredients. A popular item in the restaurant is the pork belly taco, that contains a burst of flavours. Tasty snacks are offered at this restaurant like Mexican corn with queso fresco, corn chips and a cheesy quesadilla with sweet-potato salsa.
Goa Taco
Address: 3330, 718 State St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, United States
Website: Goa Taco
Opening hours: Sunday: 11 am – 9 pm, Monday: 11:30 am – 9 pm, Tuesday & Wednesday: 11:30 am – 10 pm, Thursday & Friday: 11.30 am - 11 pm, Saturday: 11 am – 11 pm
Average price for two: Under 10 USD
9. La Playa Azul Cafe
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
If you are in downtown Santa Barbara looking for some authentic Mexican cuisine, then La Playa Azul Cafe is a good one to visit. This classy restaurant specializes in Mexican seafood and other traditional dishes that have been carefully created by chef Ignacio Elias. Along with the delicious meals, take the chance to order and sip premium Patron Margarita. There is a lovely patio in the restaurant. On a good day, sit out at the patio area and enjoy your meal. A favourite to order at this restaurant is the two flame roasted Pasilla Chile. This is a great starter to order along with the Snow Crab Quesadilla. The Playa Azul Tostada is yet another great dish which is a combination of grilled steak or halibut, sliced avocado, grilled vegetables, along with the grilled or shredded chicken.
La Playa Azul Cafe
Address: 914 Santa Barbara St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, USA
Website: La Playa Azul Cafe
Opening hours : Tuesday - Thursday: 11 am - 8.30 pm, Friday - Sunday: 11 am - 9.30 pm
Average price for two : 11 - 30 USD
10. Super Cuca's Taqueria
For great food in a cosy setting, head over to Super Cuca’s Taqueria. This restaurant offers great Mexican food like tacos and burritos at reasonable prices.T he restaurant offers an extensive menu with options for kids also. Super Cuca’s is the self-proclaimed first taqueria in Santa Barbara. Consistently winning the best burrito year after year since 1991, Cuca’s offers hearty portions of meals. Made with authentic ingredients, the taqueria has two locations in Santa Barbara.
Super Cuca's Taqueria
Address: 2030 Cliff Dr #1a, Santa Barbara, CA 93109, USA
Website: Super Cuca’s Taqueria
Opening hours : 7 am - 10 pm
Average price for two: Upto 10 USD
Satisfy that Mexican craving
Hola! Head over to one of the many reputable Mexican restaurants in Santa Barbara to enjoy authentic cuisine. Whether it is nachos or a fajita there will be eateries easily available to satiate your craving.
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