This review is for the Sunday brunch buffet review. The place is amazing. Customer service was perfect. Food was awesome. They had taquitoes, chimchinagas, fresh flour tortillas with pastor or carnitas and a great spread of eggs sausage and bacon. The taco bar was amazing as were the tortillas. I definitely recommend this spot for food. We also had the bottomless margaritas and champagne. My margarita was never empty as our lovely server was on it. I definitely recommend this place for Sunday brunch. It will be our go to bottomless spot moving forward. read more

Beautiful venue perfect at night with all the lights and plants and I wanted to give a big shout out for 20/10 service of Antonio B!! Please give this man a raise: does everything with a smile, genuinely loves his job, gets joy from being around marriage / families! We really enjoyed our time here - Antonio B!! read more

Taco tuesday, hell yeah This is the best deal in Santa Barbara by far, for $13 you get an all-you-can-eat Mexican buffet. The only thing better than the buffet is the incredible staff. read more

Hey there Party People Was walking around in Santa Barbara and wondered into the most awesome Brunch spot in the old Mission Area. Just off State Street called El Paseo Restaurant. For the area it was very reasonably priced at $38 and for $10 more you could get unlimited Margaritas, Mimosas or Champagne. You can't beat the beautiful courtyard atmosphere puts you back in time. The wait staff was on it to refill your drinks before you asked My Hubby had to comment that the eggs Benedict was the best he ever had. The egg was poached to perfection. The food selection ran the gamut of classic Mexican to American breakfast fare with many tasty non- carb options for those wanting to keep it light. As a side note the desserts were a perfect capper to the meal. Actually let's call it an experience because it's so much more than a meal. If you are in the area on a Sunday this is a must stop for Brunch bar none Be kind to one another read more

El Paseo Restaurant - Courtyard seating and hot entrees - Mexican Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Service was short, and the food on the website was not what was on the menu when we arrived. We have been going for years and there was nothing original about it. The food was bland and the vibe was no longer welcoming. The pictures of the food are no longer part of the dinner menu and we were deeply disappointed. They lost their magic spark that made them special. We will not be back again. Disappointed is an understatement. read more

My partner and I recently got married at the courthouse, and during the wedding planning, we decided to keep things more budget friendly and not rent a place out for dinner following the ceremony. We wanted to find a yummy Mexican restaurant (which we did not to our research very well because they no longer do Mexican food), but we still had the most amazing experience eating in their beautiful courtyard. While we were surprised that Mexican food was not served, the menu still had fabulous appetizer and dinner options that all 16 of our guests enjoyed. The management/staff were accommodating to our large party, allowed us to bring decorations to dress up our table, and they even set up a cake table which made our lower budget dinner feel much more special. The staff was truly INCREDIBLE 10000/10, and because it was a slower night there, they let us do a first dance on the dance floor while playing our special song -- I couldn't have asked for a better evening. They truly helped us create an unforgettable experience on one of the most important days of our lives. We can't wait to come back and visit again! read more

El Paseo Restaurant - Our cake table they let us set up! - Mexican Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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If you're considering this restaurant as a wedding venue, I strongly recommend looking elsewhere. While the food and location may seem appealing, our experience was completely overshadowed by the manager, Troy. Troy was unprofessional, dismissive, and completely lacking in compassion throughout the process. What should have been an exciting time became unnecessarily stressful because of his attitude and unwillingness to work with us. The most disappointing part was how he handled our deposit. We were forced to cancel our wedding due to unforeseen emergency circumstances and were only a couple of days outside the cancellation window. Rather than showing any understanding or attempting to accommodate the situation in any way, Troy refused to work with us or offer any flexibility. His rigid, unsympathetic approach made an already heartbreaking situation even worse. Ironically, the bar manager--who wasn't even our primary point of contact--was far more attentive, kind, and helpful than Troy. They took the time to answer many of our questions, provided clear information, and treated us with genuine courtesy. We often received better communication and more support from the bar manager than we did from the person actually responsible for coordinating our wedding. Throughout our interactions with Troy, communication felt dismissive, our concerns were treated as an inconvenience, and there was little sense that customer service or empathy mattered. When you're trusting a venue with one of the most important events of your life, you expect professionalism, respect, and at least a willingness to have a conversation when genuine emergencies arise. There are plenty of wedding venues that understand hospitality is about more than collecting deposits--it's about treating people with kindness, respect, and compassion. Unfortunately, that was not our experience with Troy. While we sincerely appreciate the bar manager's professionalism and kindness, we cannot recommend this venue for weddings based on how we were treated by its event manager. read more

I give one star purely based on the recollection of what used to be a great Mexican Restaurant. My family and I came to SB for a weekend away and I told them we HAD to go to El Paseo...after being told they were closed on Saturday night for a private event, we were turned away on Sunday night at 7:10 even though their website says they are open until 8. When I informed the extremely rude hostess, she said they "would look into it". Look at your own website and MAYBE apologize! I do have to that El Paseo though - we went to Los Agaves that WAS MUCH BETTER, much more authentic and much better service! I have a new go to in Santa Barbara, and it is NOT EL PASEO!! read more

WOW! OKAY! This is how you BRUNCH! Large party, no kids, great selection of food and desserts, such great wait staff, and the ambiance is absolutely gorgeous. So relaxing and a beautiful arrangements of trees, sky and light. I will definitely be back, but with my family or friends. read more

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Best brunch in town. So many choices in a beautiful atmosphere. Pace yourself and enjoy a little of everything.

After several years not being able to visit El Paseo Restaurant in Santa Barbara we were very excited to have dinner there this past week. From previous experience we knew a reservation was in order. Arriving at 6:00 we were shocked to find the restaurant almost completely empty! Yes, completely empty except for us 3 and two folks across the patio from our booth along with 3 in the bar! This was only the FIRST SHOCKING SURPRISE!! When the server gave us menus there was NOT ONE MEXICAN DISH OFFERED! What a disappointment to say the least. Our server notified us they only serve Mexican food for Taco Tuesday and some items on Sunday Brunch. Well we think they're trying to offer more generally American dishes which we thought were mediocre at best. So..,if you want true Mexican Cuisine do not go to El Paseo Restaurant, try something else. We will never go back. read more

I went here for their taco Tuesday deal and was so excited as I was visiting from out of town and I got there an hour before closing (more than enough time to eat) and they refused to seat me and were rude. They claimed to be "closing early" and said they didn't care what it said online. I had driven 6 hours and they told us oh well and to leave. Horrible experience and I won't return again. read more

Everything about our experience was great. Friendly professional staff. Fair pricing. Great food.

To celebrate my boyfriend's brother's engagement, our large party was kindly accommodated by the El Paseo Restaurant team! The courtyard was covered by awnings but they were reeled back to reveal the beautiful Santa Barbara skies. Our server recommended the spicy pasta and I'm glad I took his advice! My boyfriend ordered the salmon, which he says was "perfectly cooked and paired well with the mashed potatoes and veggies." El Paseo seemed like a wonderful for a first lunch or a romantic dinner. We can't wait to come back! read more

El Paseo Restaurant - Pasta - Mexican Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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How have I not reviewed this amazing Santa Barbara institution? Whether it's the famous Taco Tuesday buffet or the incredibly indulgent weekend brunch, El Paseo is hands-down the best bang for your buck in our little vacation town. The space itself is gorgeous--you're seated outside (with a covering) in a beautiful atrium with greenery throughout. In a corner, handmade tortillas are being formed and baked. In the back, a stunning bar with any liquor your heart desires is being expertly crafted. An extra fee gives you unlimited margaritas or mimosas for brunch--highly recommend. As this is a buffet the staff is limited in their interactions but we've never had a problem keeping our drinks full and checks arrive on time. The food is tasty and replenished often so you're always going to get a piping hot portion. As a mostly-vegetarian I've never had an issue leaving with a full belly, which is definitely a plus if you're paying ~$40 for the buffet. Highlights include a build your own taco station, a chocolate fountain, and chilled seafood. Reservations are highly recommended, but if you are going to try to walk in make sure you get there as early as possible, as they do stop seating around noon for brunch. This is an excellent place to celebrate special occasions, as well as bring out-of-towners for a unique experience. Truly one of my favorite places in SB! read more

I tried this place for their AYCE Taco Tuesdays and it was pretty enjoyable! It was pretty busy on the day we went (joined waitlist around 6:30 PM) but we were seated by 7. The hostess was super sweet and all the staff were attentive and kind! The restaurant itself is kind of outdoors but shaded. It's super cute and I think most of the appeal is in the ambience. Everything was lively and nicely decorated which made the experience more fun. I ordered a raspberry rumble from the cocktail menu and it was yummy! As for the taco bar, the selection is good but I wish they had more than just stewed meats. The chicken, beef, and pork were all shredded and cooked in sauce (super delicious!) but I really wanted some carne asada or grilled meats. There was birria though, which is a plus for me! I also wish that they labeled the meats since it wasn't always super obvious which meats were which. They also didn't have any small corn tortillas which I found a little sad, but the flour tortillas are good. Hard taco shells were provided as well but I didn't have any. They have veggie sides and rice as well as condiments and toppings. Overall this place was fun! I would recommend the Taco Tuesdays but maybe in the daytime when it's probably less crowded and busy. The food comes out fresh and is delicious, but the selection might not be what's expected. This is definitely a great AYCE experience in downtown SB! read more

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Service was great! They got our drinks and orders taken quickly. They were able to accommodate our group of 20 comfortably. The food itself was amazing! Definitely can fill yourself up on chips and dip. Would recommend getting the guacamole! The atmosphere of the restaurant is great too! It would have been nice to have some background music because it was a little quiet, but overall we had a great time and would recommend. read more

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Mexican?!?! No chips, no salsa, they do offer 3 margaritas but no tacos, no enchiladas, no burritos. We asked a the menu changes about 3 months ago. So ignore the older reviews as they are no longer relevant. Very disappointed - we will not return. read more

Bogus Happy Hour pricing: half off does not mean half off. They use their own creative math lol. When we inquired, the server dismissively told us she was "busy with a large phone order" and low key flung the check back onto the table. The manager later explained that the prices are set in the computer and we need to deal with it. Lastly, there was only one other table occupied in an otherwise EMPTY restaurant. Wonder why. read more

El Paseo Restaurant - Half off apps aka bocadillos is what we were told was the HH deal - Mexican Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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The staff is very reliable and professional. We booked for a family brunch after my daughter's wedding day. Would definitely book again for other occasions. read more

Was there a few Tuesdays ago. Definitely need different kinds of salsa and some containers to separate it for the kids. Service was okay. Needed our drinks to be refilled more consistently. Ambiance was good. I would recommend to have like a ground beef of steak option and at least some small bowls to use for salsa / sour cream would be appreciated. read more

Went to my friend's wedding this weekend, and the venue was absolutely beautiful and perfect. One thing that stood out the most was the staff, especially waiter Antonio B. He was the definition of service with a smile. He was very kind, respectful, and immersed himself in the celebration; he even cheered on our married couple. And he also speaks Spanish and was able to communicate with my family, who speaks only Spanish. I am so impressed by his service. Please consider him for a raise or promotion in his next review. read more

We really enjoyed this place. We went on the land shark tour of Santa Barbara and the tour guide recommended coming to El Paseo restaurant on Tuesday for the all you can eat tacos buffet. When we got here, it was also early enough for happy hour, so we indulged in the taco buffet and $6.50 margaritas. The happy hour margaritas were surprisingly good. Usually, I am weary of those margaritas, but they were pretty tasty. Our server, Antonio, was very nice, quick, and attentive, as well as the hostess when we arrived. The ambience was great, and we really enjoyed our tacos. The taco buffet came with three different types of meat and every shell you could imagine. There were hard shells, corn, tortillas, and flour tortillas, as well as all the condiments. There were also several different sides. All this for $15 per person. Can't beat that. I recommend this place whenever you are close to State St. in Santa Barbara! Thank you Land Shark Tours for recommending this place. read more

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Antonio was the best. We had a wedding event he was fantastic. Give him a raise. He made sure I made plenty of food and drinks

This mexican restaurant is as historical as it gets. Built in the early 1900's and considered a federal landmark. It's no wonder it has stood the test of time. I came here on a Friday night and I was surprised it wasn't lively or busy with people as I remembered it to be, but it was nice because it felt like we had the restaurant to ourselves. We had a party of 17, but we didn't get to sit together and our tables were split up into two. We still managed to socialize regardless. For drinks, I started with the habañero margarita. I love a good spicy marg, but I didn't expect this one to be off the charts on a Scoville level! Proceed with caution on this one. Second drink was a cucumber margarita, which was much better. We managed to catch the tail end of their happy hour, which runs from 4-6pm, Tuesday - Friday. For food, I had the chicken taquitos and nachos that I shared with my friend. Both were delicious and satisfying. Everyone's meal looked good and came out fresh and hot. Service was fast and attentive. I definitely want to check out their Sunday brunch buffet, which starts at 10:30am to 2:00pm. The cost is $26.95 or $36.95 with house margaritas & champagne. Not a bad deal! They also have a taco Tuesday buffet for $9.95. This is a great place for bigger parties, especially if you have family visiting. Overall, we had a great time here and the food was surprisingly good considering how long this place has been around. Looking forward to coming back to check out their buffet. read more

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The place is great! Food was delicious and loved the variety. I was seated quickly and had great service. This was on a Sunday morning. We had the endless mimosas and enjoyed the ambiance as well as the food. Great place for a family gathering even a date. read more

We held our Wedding Reception and El Paseo Restaurant and there are no words to describe how magical it was. From the delicious food, to the support from their team throughout the night, the evening was perfect. Our guests were in awe of the space from the moment they walked in and couldn't stop commenting on the full experience. THANK YOU!! read more

El Paseo Restaurant - Mexican Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Amazing experience to host a wedding reception. The place is closed off and it feels very intimate. We were there from late afternoon to evening. The loghts at night pair well with the beautiful art on the walls for a magically historic feel. We started with small appetizers that all tasted amazing - veggie, beef, chicken, shrimp options. The drinks were an open bar, from coffee to soda and non-alcoholic Shirley Temple to mocktails to cocktails and other alcoholic drinks! Then a berry salad was served. I don't really like fruits on my salad but this was actually well done! The main course was heavy and delicious: salmon, steak, mashed potatoes and veggies. I was so full, it was amazing! Lastly, they were very quick and prompt with cutting the cake and refilling it when it ran out. The servers were all nice and patient! It made the experience even better. Sometimes, it took a while to get our ordered drinks, but it's understandable as they had to clean dishes, prepare and serve the next course, and attend to others as well. My friend and her husband did not have to worry about the food during their celebration. They were able to focus on each other and their loved ones. Thank you El Paseo Restaurant Staff! read more

We had our wedding at el Paseo and it was AMAZING! Troy was so patient and kind with us as we planned months to come for the wedding. He provided ample time to select our food menu and seating arrangements. The space was magical and spacious for our guests to sit and dance! Chef Alex was a sweetheart and ensured everything tasted delicious. The servers were attentive all night and let a glass be empty! Highly recommend this place over and over again! read more

Was visiting Santa Barbara for a weekend and Stumbled upon this place and it was such a delightful experience! This place is so cute and the staff was super friendly. Next time I'm in the area I've gotta visit this place again. read more

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El Paseo is a classic Santa Barbara spot! They had nice Christmas decorations that made it feel festive. I ordered the seafood enchiladas which were good. I also liked the three different types of salsas they brought out with the chips. Not the best Mexican food in SB, but worth it for the ambiance. read more

El Paseo Restaurant - Seafood Enchiladas De Mariscos - Mexican Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Taco Tuesday buffets, It's not great, but there's a lot of it lol I believe they recently raised the price it is now 12.95 a person. It's all you can eat tacos every Tuesday, the downside for me is they only do soft flour tortillas and hard shell corn tortillas and I always am craving the street taco style corn tortillas. They also only have black beans no refried and rice. I also wish there was a spicy hot sauce / salsa. The meat is pretty good and they have the standard taco toppings and of course you can go back as many times as you would like. read more

My friend had a wedding here and the ambiance was perfect - the tarp on top let some outside air in so the temperature was ideal. The food was absolutely delicious - cheesy mashed potatoes, penne pasta, paella, and steak. I want to come back for brunch! read more

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Great service, food was lovely! Dining area was a great atmosphere. We went for the taco Tuesday and was pleasantly surprised. Fresh tortillas and meat had great flavor! read more

So I know y'all mess with taco Tuesday, but you ever messed with a taco Tuesday buffet before?! I'm not one to trust a buffet ever. But guys. This is the fricken best deal in town. $10. All you can eat tacos. Hand made corn and flour tortillas. Fricken bomb carnitas. Don't walk. Don't run. SPRINT to this taco Tuesday at El Paseo because it's next level And of course, no taco Tuesday would be complete without a margarita and some churros. all across the board, this meal takes it. Overall: 10/10 Disclaimer - your tacos probably won't look this good because I'm not making them. But you can try. The churros, however, will look this good. And they will taste even better read more

El Paseo Restaurant - Churros - Mexican Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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We came to El Paseos for Taco Tuesday. The All you can eat tacos are $10 so you really can't beat the price. The food is good but not great. They have Mexican rice and black beans ( wish they had pinto or refried ) and 3 kinds of meat. They also have Zucchini if you are vegetarian along with all the fixings. They have people serving you so no need to worry about a bunch of people touching everything like at other buffets the best part they have homemade tortillas! YUMMY The patio itself is so beautiful and relaxing. Definitely my favorite outside dining in the sb area. read more

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Went for happy hour, sauce tacos, but ended up ordering off the menu. Food hit the spot for all of us. Drinks were strong and delicious. Many fond memories over the years of this iconic restaurant. read more

Clearly by the evidence in our picture this place sucked! LOL Just kidding. It was delicious. We happened to come on the first day back from covid closure. I can't imagine what restaurants are going through but whatever the case, they did a great job and the food was delicious. They do have a couple of servers that are still learning and normally I would dock a star for that but because of the pandemic I'm going to give them that courtesy because I think everybody needs a little Grace right now. We both had the fajitas and, all I will say is that we ate too many tortillas of both kinds.. read more

El Paseo Restaurant - We are very content! LOL so good! - Mexican Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Amazing food. Delicious condiments with good heat. Ambiance too good for family and friends. Service excellent and fast.

Tony was fantastic--super friendly and attentive. My lady boy friend and I had a wonderful time, but we were disappointed to find out they don't serve Tres Leches for dessert. It's a letdown that will take me a while to get over, but I won't let it ruin the overall experience. Also, just a heads-up: they don't offer free churros even if you set a world record for drinking too many fountain drinks. read more