Cancel

Open app

Search

Dawn Cafe + Market

4.4 (58 reviews)
Closed • 7:00 am - 3:00 pm

Dawn Cafe + Market Photos

DAWN CAFE + MARKET ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Outdoor seating
Happy hour specials

You might also consider

Recommended Reviews - Dawn Cafe + Market

Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
Yelp app icon
Browse more easily on the app
Review Feed Illustration

Reviews With Photos

Sheldon R.

Love this small little coffee shop that's connected with The Drift Hotel. They have a few seats outside and I'd imagine they would open the Dusk Bar for seating if the place gets too packed. The service was friendly and efficient for only being one person for a Saturday morning around 8am. The drinks are good with speciality drinks not common to other coffee shops. I loved my Salted Pistachio Latte. It was smooth with just the right amount of sweetness. Cardamom Orange w/ Oatmilk: 4/5 Salted Pistachio Latte w/ Oatmilk: 4.5/5

Avocado toast
Marina M.

This is such a cute little coffee shop! My matcha was delish and my friend got the ice vanilla latte and that was also delish. The barista was so kind as well. I wanted a bacon cheese croissant but they ran out so they gave me an avocado toast instead, so I would suggest going early if you want pastries! It has a cute indoor and outdoor seating area

Ricotta toast
Sandy A.

Orange cardamom latte with oat milk was delicious. Loved the ricotta toast. Just be aware that the prepared food does take a little bit. Service is excellent and there's a good amount of space to sit and eat either inside or outside. A definite would visit again.

Never noticed this cafe bar before! Was really cute and welcoming! Olivia was sweet and helped me decide what coffee I wanted since I was super indecisive today (love her patience lol). Great service, love the ambiance inside and out, love the outdoor patio. Great tasting coffee as well! Olivia got tha coffee to milk to sweetener ratios DOWN

Hot Matcha latte with Oat milk
Amanda T.

Cute coffee shop in downtown SB but also as part of the Drift hotel. It seemed busy all the time, and if you come later, most of their pastries are sold out. I got their matcha latte (hot) with oat milk and it was good! Nothing too special, but did the job. The aesthetic of the cafe is really cute. They also sold pastries but most were sold out by the time I got there. Overall, it's a cute place to check out if you are in downtown SB! Staff was also really friendly and the drink came fast after ordering. I was probably in and out within 15 minutes.

Vanilla latte
Catie M.

Such a cute coffee place on State Street in Santa Barbara. Much more fun than going to a "chain". I asked for my vanilla latte extra sweet and it was just perfect.

matcha

Great spot for coffee the barista isabelle was super nice and friendly I'm so impressed!

Pastries
Melissa S.

Cute little cafe. I will definitely come back to try their coffee and sweet pastries. I had one of their savory pastries pictured : Portabello white truffle bachamel Gruyère warmed up. It was flaky and flavorful , but a bit dry for my taste even when warmed up. Maybe it could have been warmed a bit longer. They were pretty busy and I felt I'd be a bother to ask for longer! Service was okay - not especially warm or friendly but maybe just a busy day for them. I came on a Sunday morning. They had a self serve water station and pretty limited seating near the coffee bar. More is offered in the restaurant/ cafe area. Signs are posted not to block traffic from the coffee bar to the cafe - maybe they need to expand. Overall, would come back but maybe they could tweak some things for a better ambiance near the coffee bar. I did sit here for some time to finish my pastry. Very clean with clean restrooms.

Interior
Dakota L.

Dawn Café is such a cute and unique spot in Santa Barbara! I love the concept of having a café on one side and a bar on the other--it makes for such a fun and versatile atmosphere. Even though it's located below a hotel, you'd never know; it completely holds its own as a fantastic café. The pastries looked incredible, and the Matcha tins was super tempting (though I didn't buy a tin of Matcha this time). I got an unsweetened Matcha latte with oat milk, and it was so smooth--definitely a quality cup. There's a $1 upcharge for oat milk, but that's pretty standard. Service was great, and the interior was just as impressive as the drinks. Definitely a must-visit spot for coffee and Matcha lovers!

Imo O.

Dawn Cafe is such a cute addition to State Street! The baristas were friendly and funny and the cafe was cozy and bright! Ordered an iced vanilla latte with a toasted croissant and it was just what I needed as my afternoon pick-me-up! The perfect place to get a drink and enjoy the nice weather and walk on State St! Not much seating but still nice ambiance inside. I also love that the cafe is called Dawn and the accompanying bar is called Dusk, so fun and clever! Can't wait to stop by on my next State St walk!

Giselle P.

Cute little cafe in dt sb. Workers were friendly and my drink came out quickly. Lots of space to sit, numerous outlets, and clean restrooms. I'm a bit picky with matcha and thought the hot matcha latte I had here was quite good. Located near a ton of other little shops and right next to a public parking lot.

Ronnie S.

I stopped Dawn as I was exploring downtown. I happened by Dawn Cafe ± Market realizing that Dawn was having a Elite Yelp Event! I stopped in to get a Coffee drink and a bites. I decided on Alex's special Latte and a Ham and cheese pastry. Alex and Michelle were doing a great job of taking care of my needs as well as the other customers! The setting is quite pleasant. The space serves as the entrance to the drift hotel along with dusk the hotel bar. A very unique setup. I spoke with the hotel manager. The entire operation is online and keyless. And they are quite busy. I had a Great experience and it was Fun! Ronnie S

Carley K.

Came here around 10am on a Sunday morning. Fairly empty so all seating was open. Vibe is cozy with lots of neutral colors. I ordered a mocha which was so delicious my husband who claims he doesn't drink coffee drank half of it. It's located on state street in the drift hotel. Friendly staff! Would definitely come back again.

See all

4 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

28 days ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 days ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

10 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

5 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

5 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

28 days ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 0

5 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Kelvin Y.
0
894
3355

8 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

11 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 1

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Imo O.
537
229
1569

2 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 1
Love this 3
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Giselle P.
40
54
117

2 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 1
Love this 3
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 1

3 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Taylor H.
23
13
10

3 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 2
Love this 1
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 0

11 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

5 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 1
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 3
Thanks 0
Love this 4
Oh no 1
Photo of Mr. W.
1
62
0

6 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 0

4 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 0
Photo of S K.
0
11
2

1 year ago

Great drinks and very kind staff, and very cute spot! Tried the seasonal matcha lemonade fizz and had to go back the next day for another

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Jay F.
11
209
315

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Jeannie Y.
40
785
5084

2 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

Page 1 of 2

Ask the Community - Dawn Cafe + Market

You might also consider

Alessia Patisserie & Cafe  - Double Dark Chocolate raspberry croissant. The most delicious and beautiful croissant I've ever had.

Alessia Patisserie & Cafe

4.6(522 reviews)
0.4 mi
•$$

This Patisserie is absolutely amazing. Alessia and her brigade of pastry chefs are absolutely…read moreamazing. These desserts are works of art, AND taste delicious!This is a cute and small restaurant and take-away pastry shop. About 6 tables and a counter to sit/stand at. We were there on a Friday mid morning and they were packed. However they have several food runners and support staff to turn the tables fairly quickly. We waited in line for about 5 minutes to order at the counter as you enter so a line is not unusual, especially peak days and times. We purchased 5 different desserts, the peanut butter crunch was my favorite. The tiramisu was my least favorite...but still delicious. The coffee flavor of the tiramisu tasted fake so Alessia should work on her recipe if she wants a better tiramisu dessert...or just change the name so it reduces the expectation. I attached a photo so you can see the talent of the pastry chefs that Alessia has gathered and trained at this Santa Barbara patisserie. Definitely a must stop and try it.

We decided to try Alessia Patisserie & Cafe on 05/24/2026 at about 12:30pm…read more There is indoor and outdoor seating at this location, and at this time of the day you ordered at the counter and then found a seat. We chose to sit outside Overall, our experience was great; however, there was one sour person, who definitely made this a four star experience instead of five. This was our first time here, and unfortunately our first point of contact was just a terrible person. She was front line, and was manning one of the cashier stations taking orders. She was outright rude, condescending, impatient, curt and hurried. She offered no grace at all, and practically yelled at customers who couldn't quickly make the order. After that, things improved. Our food was brought out by someone that was overwhelmingly pleasant and our plates were collected by another person who had a great attitude. The food was also delicious. I had the Croque Monsieur, and it was awesome. So, overall I would return. The prices are a bit high; however, for the area not that bad and the food was delicious. Just get rid of the crazy rude one.

Photos
Alessia Patisserie & Cafe  - Our Seating

Our Seating

Alessia Patisserie & Cafe  - Paris Brest

Paris Brest

Alessia Patisserie & Cafe  - Coffee Latte

See all

Coffee Latte

Live Oak Cafe - Santa Barbra Breakfast Wrap

Live Oak Cafe

4.4(406 reviews)
1.7 mi
•$$

Great food! Friendly staff and a variety of food which was all tasty. We stayed at the best western…read moreand stopped in for late dinner. I got the grain bowl with bulgogi and my husband got the chicken masala (I think) which are two odd dishes together but so tasty! The second time I got a lavender latte which was perfectly balanced and not overly Floral and the Pork Belly Bahn Mi with fries. HUGE sandwhich but so tasty and even better when I ate the second half the next day. Will definitely come back to try more when we are in the area again

Came across Live Oak Cafe while staying nearby for the weekend and honestly, it ended up being one…read moreof our favorite spots in Santa Barbara. We stopped in on a Saturday for a late brunch/early lunch and were surprised there was no wait. The vibe is super chill--quiet, neighborhood café energy, not overcrowded or hectic like a lot of brunch places. Service was warm and welcoming, and the food really delivered. We ordered the lemon zest brioche French toast, eggs Benedict, and a classic eggs + toast with turkey sausage/patties, along with tea and coffee. Everything was fresh, flavorful, and just really well done. It's owned by a couple (they were even featured in a magazine a few years back), and you can genuinely feel that care and intention in the space--from the atmosphere to the team working there. Nothing feels rushed or impersonal. What really says a lot--we kept coming back every day we were there. It's one of those low-key, slightly hidden gems that ends up being the highlight of your trip.

Photos
Live Oak Cafe - Indoor seating

Indoor seating

Live Oak Cafe - Yummy - Santa Barbara Breakfast Wrap without meat, but with great salsa

Yummy - Santa Barbara Breakfast Wrap without meat, but with great salsa

Live Oak Cafe - Interior

See all

Interior

State & Fig - The Cajun Bird

State & Fig

4.1(596 reviews)
0.6 mi
•$$

Note that this is a review specifically for a private event (wedding lunch reception)…read more My wife and I recently got married at the Santa Barbara Courthouse and were looking for a restaurant to host a lunch reception and State & Fig absolutely delivered. A 5/5 experience and we would certainly work with them again. We were in contact with Serina for about a year before the wedding and she was very accommodating, responsive, and helpful throughout the entire process. We initially met with her to discuss our vision, had a food and cake tasting, and also a final walk through with our coordinator to ensure everything was smooth. In terms of food, atmosphere, and service, I would want to go through all three in detail: 1) Food: We had a lunch style buffet and the food options were fresh and many of our guests gave very positive feedback and took shameless second trips. Serina and the owner (Patrick) were able to source many of the ingredients seasonally and cater to our guests' palate (Asian-inspired, etc.). We had a tasting and they took our feedback into consideration in earnest. Moreover, our strawberry cake was AMAZING. 2) Atmosphere: The restaurant had a great layout for our party size (~90 or so) with seating inside, outside, and upstairs. This arrangement allowed us to have an intimate reception despite having a lot of guests. The decor in the restaurant is minimal, which allows customization to make the space truly our own. State & Fig allowed us to borrow a few decorations, which was generous. 3) Service: The two points before were already excellent, but State & Fig's outstanding service took the lunch reception to another level. Serina was a joy to work with in terms of bringing our vision to life and was always there to make things easy for us. Patrick ensured that this was a special day for us, and encouraged us to soak it in and enjoy it as much as we can. And the wait staff and servers on the day of were professional and attentive. For that, we are immensely grateful. There were other restaurants that we toured before selecting S&F, and it was clear that hosting the reception would simply be a transactional business affair. This felt like a genuine desire to make our special day a memorable experience. Overall, a 5/5 experience and we hope that others will be able to have State & Fig host their special day. P.S. A funny aside: we met a couple sitting next to us during our tasting, who were returning to celebrate their anniversary after getting married at S&F. They told us we were in good hands and not to worry, and we AGREE.

They have solid salad and soup for quick grab. I was working across the street and I needed a quick…read morelunch, they delivered it.

Photos
State & Fig - Baby Shower table scape

Baby Shower table scape

State & Fig
State & Fig - Reception Setup - Flowers by Maria's Little Garden (IG: marias_littlegarden)

See all

Reception Setup - Flowers by Maria's Little Garden (IG: marias_littlegarden)

Little King Coffee

Little King Coffee

4.1(34 reviews)
2.3 mi

Had the opportunity to try Little King Coffee prior to our drive back home and we are in love!!…read more Found in The Post Montecito, Little King Coffee is situated with a nice patio with comfy seating. There is plentiful of free parking in the adjacent parking lot as well as street parking (just across from the great nature trail around the bird refuge). Staff are friendly and helpful and craft fantastic coffee based beverages. For brunch we had the Jammy Egg toast which was incredible. The flavor of the aioli spread with the jammy egg and sprigs of fresh dill was incredibly tasty. We also had the breakfast sandwich which had perfectly cooked egg and scrumptious biscuit as the bread. Definitely would recommend both. Iced latte and the rosemary orange hot latte were fantastic. Loved the overall ambience of both the cafe and location. Can't wait to come back!!

The good: I had a rosemary orange latte with whole and a…read moregarden mint latte with 2% milk. The first latte was very fragrant. The temperature was great, the latte art was great, and the syrup flavor options were so fun. The interior and exterior decor were immaculate. I loved the mallard rocking ducks outside the front door for the kids. The exterior tables (with marble tops) and chairs were beautiful and I was surprised that they were being used as outdoor tables because I am sure the elements with weather them down fast. I liked the cute design touches inside like the hand painted trim on the windows, the art, and the plants. They played country music inside. There was plenty of parking. The surrounding area is gorgeous with lots of tall trees. The bad: The mint latte could've used a little more mint flavor. I tried the biscuit and egg sandwich as well as the Dijon mustard toast with ham. I thought both were subpar to what I was expecting. The bread slice was thick, the ham was cold, and it could've used more of a spread or sauce. The biscuit tasted microwaved. The drinks came in beautiful orange glasses but I think it made the volume slightly smaller. The interesting: The bathroom is outside of the coffee shop but is very clean and nice. You need a code to enter.

Photos
Little King Coffee - Menu

Menu

Little King Coffee - A hair cooked into the coffee cake

A hair cooked into the coffee cake

Little King Coffee

See all

Handlebar Coffee Roasters - Love the mural and great sitting area

Handlebar Coffee Roasters

4.6(1.3k reviews)
0.4 mi
•$$

One of my favorite coffee shops in SB. I take my coffee black here bc I savor the richness of the…read morehot coffee. Nothing to taint it. No milk. Nothing fancy. Just good solid coffee. I lied. I may get a pastry every now and then :)

One of my favorite things to do when travelling is definitely visiting different coffee shops,…read moreespecially local favorites. This store is so cool! Like many parts of Santa Barbara, the buildings are steeped in history and reflect the Spanish heritage of the city. I walked in my dog (they're dog friendly!) and went straight to look for the menu. My dog immediately found the bike pump and the snacks they leave for dogs. Service is super nice! They all seem very jovial and cheerful - making it a really nice local vibe. It was great to see the community in the coffee shop. Sadly, the coffee leaves something to be desired. Their menu is pretty standard - you got your flat whites, cappuccinos, lattes - and nothing special or standout from the menu. That's fine - you can still be a standout coffee shop with a standard menu. I ordered two vanilla lattes - one hot, and the other iced with oat milk. Unfortunately, I think my order was misheard as my iced oat latte was missing the vanilla. - Vanilla Latte: Fine. My partner typically orders this everywhere and he said it was fine, but nothing standout. 3/5 - Iced Oat Latte: Already mentioned it was missing the vanilla I asked for, so I'll discuss the other elements. They use a darker roast - thus, making it more susceptible to a bitter taste. That, and I believe an over-extraction or a longer pull made the coffee quite bitter. They also served it in the same cup as the hot coffee. My main issue with this is that I'm a slower coffee drinker, and thus my cup began disintegrating as time passed. Their cups aren't constructed to uphold iced coffee well. 2/5 It was such a prime location nearby the USPS and is sat in a great historic area. Handlebars has great staff, who clearly enjoy their jobs, and have a great community surrounding it. It's sad that their coffee is subpar. Strongly recommend you order your coffee hot, to drink in-store, or just avoid.

Photos
Handlebar Coffee Roasters - Vanilla Latte

Vanilla Latte

Handlebar Coffee Roasters - Inside

Inside

Handlebar Coffee Roasters - Quad Mocha

See all

Quad Mocha

Dawn Cafe + Market - coffee - Updated May 2026

Loading...
Loading...
Loading...