A Must-Visit in Santa Barbara If you're visiting Flor de Maiz, you absolutely cannot skip this place. We ordered the pulpo and the chicken mole, and both dishes were incredible. The pulpo was perfectly cooked--tender with a great char and packed with flavor. The chicken mole was rich, balanced, and deeply satisfying, with that classic complex mole flavor that keeps you going back for another bite. What really stood out, though, was the service. It was phenomenal from start to finish--attentive, friendly, and genuinely welcoming without ever feeling rushed. The staff clearly care about the experience they're giving guests. The food, the atmosphere, and the service all came together for a great meal. If you're in Santa Barbara, make sure this spot is on your list. Highly recommend. read more

Server was super nice and attentive and food was absolutely delicious. Only flaw was after not receiving our order for a while. The waitress came back and asked what we had ordered. The food then came out 15 minutes later however one of the five items was the wrong entrée, and the rest of the items did not have.the right modifications. I believe the order wasn't put in at the time we ordered. We did not mention the modifications and were also missing a item that we did not tell the server about the second time around which is why I think the order wasn't placed originally:/ they did comp a dessert, but we were so full from the delicious food that we didn't eat it. Overall I would go. Back. Staff was friendly, and food was good, mistakes happen. Side note there was some "partying" happening in the restroom so if you go with your family don't let them go unattended. read more

I took my wife there for her birthday And honestly it was horrible. The prices are very expensive and the food was horrible. Since the beginning The chips tasted bad, It tastes like it had windex o ther chemicals, of curse we let our server know about the flavor of it and went to bring us more but the flavor still on it didn't really feel like a fresh chips. the service and the food were okay they dont even have or offer salsas or hot salsas to eat your food. This restaurant isn't real Mexican food Honestly SB has other better restaurants with cheaper prices and better quality of food. read more

Flor De Maiz - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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Beautiful restaurant, love the ambience here. Sayulita margarita was so goood loved the pineapple! Langosta tacos were very flavorful as well. read more

Flor De Maiz - Langosta tacos - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

This is a fancy place by the beach. We came for a birthday dinner celebration and enjoyed our time. I really appreciated the complimentary chips and salsa (it came with two)! I ordered enchiladas and they were so delicious, I should've asked to make them spicier but they had good flavor. I wished they'd come with beans though, they only came with rice! The staff were friendly and brought out a cute little flan for the birthday. The waiter even sang "Happy Birthday" which was really sweet. The flan was so rich and creamy! I also noticed they didn't try to rush us out even though it was already closing time. I'd come back for another special occasion. read more

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Flor De Maiz was a wonderful experience. The food I had the chicken enchilada and it was awesome. The waitstaff took great care of us. Happy Hour in the bar area has an intimate feeling. This is a 5 star restaurant . Unfortunately we weren't reminded of the happy hours. Otherwise an amazing experience. Ronnie S read more

Flor De Maiz - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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Awesome food! Great service! Chips came with 2 dipping sauce, the regular salsa and the creamy version. Both are really good. Tamarindo con chile drink is also very refreshing, mixed with tequila instead of mescal. No line on Wednesday night but the place was pretty packed. Music is not too loud. Will come back to try other food. read more

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Omg best lobster tacos I've ever had, their waitress Erica is probably the best most amazing authentic service we have ever had, their food was great the ambiance is absolutely incredible on the beach with my love we go every month we come it's been a few and I miss it so much, their food their views their service all top notch oh the lobster empanadas so yum I'm getting hungry read more

Flor De Maiz - Look at that view - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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Nice place, we called ahead and they took our reservation for a party of 7. We were promptly seated. The drinks were awesome, the margaritas are the way to go - I got the tamarindo, my friends got the special on with Mezcal ( I forget the name). The food was mostly good, with the exception of the fish tacos. I got the grilled ones and my son got the batter fried ones and they were both pretty bland - which was really disappointing. The flan was good - but a bit claggy and not as sweet. read more

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What a fun place to eat and chill! There was DJ on a Thursday night and he really set the vibe. The margaritas were fabulous and the chicken mole was my favorite. Our server was absolutely fabulous and knowledgeable about the menu. Would go again! read more

Flor De Maiz - Chicken mole - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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This Restaurant was fantastic. All the food we had was delicious. The ceviche and the tostada de mariscos (forgot picture) were my favorite. The cocktails were made perfectly as well. Our server was very attentive, always checking if we needed anything. His suggestion of food didn't disappoint. The vibe in the restaurant was upbeat and comforting. Flor de Maiz is a must in Santa Barbara read more

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Beautiful Views, But Lacking Substance We were seated right away and given a table with a gorgeous ocean view, but unfortunately the experience went downhill from there. Our waiter was kind and checked on us often, so the service from him personally wasn't the issue. The bigger problem was that everything we ordered came out in the wrong order. Our drinks arrived after our appetizers, my husband's oysters were served first with no fork or spoon, and my empanada didn't show up until the main dishes arrived. My husband ordered the fish tacos, which looked nice but were bland and forgettable, though he did enjoy the rice. My empanada also had a nice presentation but lacked seasoning and was so oily that it oozed with every bite. The biggest disappointment was my "tortilla soup." It was essentially a bowl of tortilla strips and cumin--no real broth, no vegetables, and just three tiny pieces of avocado. The tortilla strips themselves were great, but there were far too many, and the overpowering cumin made it nearly inedible. It didn't taste like tortilla soup at all. As much as we appreciated the view and beachy vibe, the food just didn't deliver. If we return to Santa Barbara someday, we'd probably pass on coming back. read more

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One of our go too spots in SB for dinner. The pulpo al pesto is our favorite dish by far. I've tried a lot of the menu and everything is delicious. The service is always very nice and quick to get everything for you. There is not really a bad spot in the restaurant. The upstairs dining area is great for larger private parties. read more

5 stars for the octopus (pulpo)!!! $36 and you get TWO octopus legs. Not only do you get 2 but theyre huge!! Cooked perfectly and the rice it came with was flavored so well too. Seriously the best octopus dish I've ordered ever. Meals come with chips and salsa (our group came in HUNGRY and our waitress was so nice and gave us many refills as we gobbled it up). A few people got enchiladas and I had a bite of the green verde with chicken and it was yummy. I would pass on the mole chicken though, it came with a chicken breast (we were expecting a chicken leg which it's typically served as) and the mole was just alright. We came at night but it'd be a beautiful place to dine at during the day, because you can see the beach/palm trees (right across the street) from the patio dining. read more

Flor De Maiz - Pulpo pesto and mole chicken - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Since we were only two people, we had no wait at all. Others had to wait for their larger parties. After all, it was a Saturday, it was fiesta, and this place looks popular. I chose the restaurant because they make their own corn tortillas. Overall, it was good. It was not bad and it was not great. Don't get me wrong. It was fresh but for us, it lacked more depth of flavor. Perhaps this is intentional because of their more frequent fliers? If it wasnt for the salsas that they bring out with their freshly fried chips, we would have been struggling. We tried the guacamole, the Green Enchiladas, the Lobster tacos, and the Tamarind Margarita. The guac needed some more salt and flavor but it was fresh. Service was good for us. They were slammed so we appreciated that everything was served in a prompt manner. I would go back and try other things and tell them to "kick it up a notch" when it comes to flavor and spice. read more

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Had great expectations for this spot, and unfortunately it let me down. I went last night with my parents & a friend, waited only about 15-20min before getting seated outside (not bad for a Saturday night). I loved the layout, the option of having indoor/outdoor seating, lighting & atmosphere were ideal. We ordered guacamole the second we sat down & it took over 20min to get to the table. We asked for chips twice before getting a new basket 30min later. I ordered the ribeye tacos & the duck taquitos. Both were very flavorful & I would order again. My friend got the chicken mole enchiladas (pictured), my dad ordered the chicken verde enchilada & my mom ordered the shrimp enchiladas - she was brought chicken enchiladas & wasn't able to get the waitress attention to let her know until 20min later. The food was great, minus the wrong order (this was corrected by management - thank you) and the service was almost invisible. Unfortunately, we will not be going back as the poor service outweighs the quality of the food. read more

Flor De Maiz - Duck Taquitos & blackberry margarita - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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Flor de Maiz is a beautiful spot with an upscale, eclectic twist on Mexican cuisine--definitely not your standard fare. We came with a party of 10, and across the board, everyone loved their food. The only hiccup: dishes didn't all come out together, and my husband's entrée lagged more than 10 minutes after the rest of the table. Highlights: * Empanada - Perfectly done and flavorful. * Tortilla Soup - Loved the tableside pour-over of the broth; rich and full of flavor. * Ceviche - Generous portion and well-balanced acidity. A touch heavy on the pineapple, but otherwise delicious. * Risotto (Seafood & Steak/Mushroom) - Both were great, but the seafood option edged out as the favorite. * Shrimp Tacos - A must-try! * Lamb & New York Strip - Both cooked beautifully and full of flavor. Skip: * Side of Baby Carrots - Served plain and steamed with no seasoning or sauce--definitely underwhelming compared to everything else. Overall, a gorgeous venue with creative dishes and great flavors. Just hope the timing in the kitchen improves because the food itself is worth coming back for. read more

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Pre birthday celebration on 5.30.25 . Great views. The food was yummy. Plenty of seating. The bar is a cool place to sit too. I got the carnitas de pork belly tacos and my friend the fried fish tacos. I liked the beans and the taste of my tacos. My plate was around 20 plus bucks. I even bumped in to my buddy Angela from SB. It was such a nice surprise! I didn't get a drink. I would come back. Great customer service . Not too busy when I went in. Fast service . I'll be back for Happy Hour soon! read more

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I came here for my friends birthday dinner last night and it was so much fun! Their upstairs (where our event was) is spacious and beautiful. They did an awesome job of setting up. The staff was super attentive, the food was great, and the overall vibe was amazing! I definitely recommend Flor De Maiz for any event! read more

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Palm trees line the edge of East Beach. The sun sets with a quiet glow. On the patio at Flor de Maíz, you're wrapped in warmth from strong heat lamps and surrounded by the kind of food that makes you slow down and savor. Start with the guacamole and Esquites Mexicanos. Both are fresh, layered, and full of flavor. The Sopa de Tortilla is rich and comforting. Then the real stars arrive. The Barbacoa Short Rib Pot is tender and deeply spiced. The Mole Negro is bold, earthy, and unforgettable. The Enchiladas Verdes bring brightness and just the right amount of heat. The cocktails are spot on. The Margarita Guadalajara is smooth and balanced. The Tamarindo Con Chile is sweet with a spicy edge. The Paloma with mezcal adds a perfect smoky twist. The Yagul Cooler is clean, crisp, and refreshing. Service was flawless. Erika with a K took care of everything with warmth and ease. Finish strong with the chocolate-stuffed churros. They're as good as they sound. Flor de Maíz is the full package. Food, drinks, atmosphere, and service all hit the mark. Santa Barbara evenings don't get better than this. read more

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We came in on a whim- no prior knowledge. We enjoyed a delicious lunch (chicken tacos and fish tacos) and cocktails this week. Loved the rice which was a nice departure from the usual accompaniment. The service was outstanding. Would return in a minute. It looks like it would be lovely and intimate in the evenings for dinner service! read more

I came here last weekend on a quick trip to Santa Barbara with my family and I really enjoyed the food, it was delicious. However, the ambiance threw me off a little. The staff wasn't friendly but they weren't rude either. I came with two little ones and I think that was the problem, I'm not sure this place is kid friendly. Two groups of people even declined being seated next to us because of the high chair, which is understandable I don't take offense in it, but I definitely didn't feel welcomed with two kids under the age of 3. The price was a little high, but I understand being in such close proximity to the pier, it was expected. I think I would definitely give this place a second chance and maybe save it for a date night. read more

Flor De Maiz - Duck taquitos - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

We had a girls' trip planned to visit Santa Barbara and we chose to dine here for lunch upon arrival. We had a reservation and appreciated the extra touch when the restaurant called to let us know our table was ready early. Service was top-tier--Alejandro was our server and he was knowledgeable, welcoming, and incredibly accommodating. I split the shrimp tacos and ribeye tacos with one of my girlfriends, and both were flavorful and well-seasoned. I skipped the rice and went with the black beans instead--and honestly, 10/10 recommend. So good! I also had a Paloma, which was refreshing but a little too sweet for my taste. The ambiance? Gorgeous. Open doors, ocean breeze, and stylish coastal decor made for the perfect Santa Barbara vibe. Whether you're here for a day trip like me and my gfs or staying a while, this spot is absolutely worth a visit. read more

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expensive food, great taste. Stopped by here on our road trip. The restaurant is in a super nice neighborhood where old white people drive lambos. The tasted great, has more flavors and better consistency than the street style I'm used to. read more

Beautiful restaurant located right across from West Beach on Cabrillo. We ate outside on the patio, they have heaters for outside dining when it's chilly. Food: we enjoyed the chips and salsa but saved room for the rest of our dinner -- chips were delicious and fresh and hot. I had a Sayulita Margarita which came in a beautiful pineapple glass -- it's my new favorite Margarita flavor! For dinner I had the shrimp empanadas (they give you 2 very large empanadas, my husband and I could hardly finish them both) and he had the Halibut with verde sauce, delicious. service: Service was excellent, checked on us often even though he had several tables. Ambiance: Nice crowd, the people next to us had a big dog but he was a sweetie just lying near my feet. They gave us some good menu tips. It was beautiful to eat out side as the sun went down. Highly recommend. read more

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This place is an absolute must to visit when you're in Santa Barbara! Food 10/10 the atmosphere is a vibe and our server, Mike was THE ABSOLUTE BEST! If I had the option to give him 10 stars I would! I will definitely be back the next time I'm in town. read more

We were sad Santo Mezcal was closed,wandered up street luckily scored a nice table outside with fantastic views. My daughter and I had the chicken tacos,husband had the pastor 21 tacos.Everything was delicious and just as good as Santo Mezcal. (Turns out same owner!) Excellent service too! My only request for both restaurants--PLEASE bring back the orange salads!!! read more

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Tried this place based on a recommendation, it was a solo trip. It was Sunday night, so Mother's Day, very busy. Wait time was 30 - 45min, which wasn't a surprise, but what did surprise me was the lack of any benches or seating for their longer wait times. With the long wait time, I had already browsed the menu and narrowed down what I wanted to order, but I always ask the waiter's top favorites. What I had in mind is what they also suggested, so I ordered my food as soon as they came over after sitting down. I ordered the Mole Negor, it took 30 - 45min to come out, and sadly it came out ice cold...and the plantains were hard, dry and like sawdust - so guessing they weren't ripe when cooked or not cooked well. The mole tasted amazing, so I'm sure if its served hot like its supposed to be then it probably tastes fantastic. With all the fantastic choices in the area that I could have chosen from, this turned out to be a bummer. It was really hard to get the attention for service or to ask for anything, but when I did get someone's attention, they were very nice and helpful. read more

We went here for happy hour at the suggestion of our hotel. The food was really good and they didn't seem to skimp on the portion size just because it was happy hour. We had the chimichanga and the rib eye dish. Both were really good and more than enough food for two. Service was good and prices were reasonable. Great place to stop and enjoy happy hour at the bar! read more

Flor de Maiz in Santa Barbara is a great spot to visit with friends, especially if you can grab a table on the patio overlooking the ocean. We had a lively evening filled with amazing drinks especially the hibiscus margarita and delicious food like enchiladas, octopus tacos, and other flavorful dishes. The vibrant atmosphere, tasty bites, and scenic views made it a memorable night. Check out my visit @sosalicious805 https://www.instagram.com/reel/DKFbXh1P7H0/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ== read more

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I came here yesterday for a friend's birthday and had such a great experience. We were sat immediately, even though there was only one server working the floor. Once we put in our orders, everything came out surprisingly fast, and the service never felt rushed--just genuinely attentive. The happy hour was so worth it. The only thing to note is that it's technically only available at the bar, which we didn't realize at first since we were seated at a table, but the staff was kind about it and we simply moved over. Totally worth it, though--each appetizer was only $8 and the portions were honestly huge. The chimichanga especially was massive, super filling, and really flavorful. The drinks were strong, the service was great, and the atmosphere was perfect. The view is beautiful--you're right next to the street with a clear line of sight to the ocean, which made the whole experience feel extra special. Overall, this was by far some of the best service I've had in Santa Barbara. I'd definitely come back and would recommend it to anyone looking for good food, good drinks, and a great vibe. read more

Flor De Maiz - couple of many items from the happy hour - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Great location, beautiful views and efficient service! Their modern mexican food offers a twist on the classic favorites, and there are lots of great options to choose from. I especially liked the enchiladas verdes! Note that the portions are not large, but the smaller plates do pack a flavor punch. I especially recommend getting a seat on either patio space during sunset to really take advantage of the great views along Cabrillo. read more

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I came here for my birthday, and had a wonderful time. We arrived around lunch time. I'm glad we had reservations, because the restaurant filled up pretty quickly. For lunch my husband and I ordered the Ceviche De Pulpo Con Coco. It's a different style of ceviche than we are used to, but it was delicious. Very fresh tasting and flavorful. For lunch, I ordered the Branzino Zarandeado, and my husband had the Pulpo Al Pesto. Both dishes were equally impressive. My husband was surprised how much octopus he got for the price. He really enjoyed how it was cooked as well. I really liked my dish as well. There are not too many restaurants that have a whole fish on their menu. This fish was perfectly crisp on the outside and flaky on the inside. Flor De Maiz was a perfect way to spend my birthday. If I'm ever in the area again, I will come back read more

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Yes, I recommend this place for the drinks! I tried their Molé Negro and it was ok. The sauce was a nice blend of traditional spices that really came thru, however the grilled chicken that they used on the dish was not great, in fact it was extremely dry...so dry that I had to wash it down with plenty of water!! I've had the Mole here before in the past, but sadly it wasn't that great this time! The service was not bad, they were very friendly. This is a great spot for drinks...those I do recommend! So enjoy a nice margarita in the company of good people...you won't go wrong here! read more

Flor De Maiz - The menu - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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Top Notch!! We feel like we scored here. We visited during happy hour mid-week. We were told happy hour is at the bar only. Perfect! I had a perfectly solid one-drink-buzz-girl scratch margarita. Then another.... One was actually plenty. We tried the Tropical Ceviche and the Chocharrőns de Rib Eye. Both excellent!!! Completely filling for us. The corn tortillas were next level. Homemade. The bartender was friendly, attentive and had some good clown stories! Definitely recommend!! read more

Food is amazing and our server Mike was THE BEST!!!! Very knowledgeable and gave us great recommendations on both food and drinks. Try the carnitas tacos, you will not be disappointed! read more

Incredible restaurant. The food was outstanding! Their salsas were incredible and I still think about them. Loved watching them make their own tortillas. Service was friendly. Great ambiance. Valet parking was convenient. read more

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I have probably tried every taco from this restaurant and they are all fantastic. You cannot go wrong with their soft shell crab tacos or the pulpo tacos. Their pork belly tacos are also a favorite of mine. Love their house salsas. Extensive tequila and mezcal menu. Lovely indoor and outdoor (heated) seating. Quick service. Unfortunately they do not take reservations. Make sure the majority of your party is present to be seated. read more

Flor De Maiz - soft shell crab tacos - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Came here for a celebration a nice, I believe Mexican flare restaurant. It is not the typical food you would find at other Mexican restaurants. I will speak on what I ordered, we were served Chips and 2 different salsas which were very good. I had the Tortilla soup, which was tasty. Overall we were all satisfied with what we ate. We brought our birthday cake (dessert) as it was a birthday celebration. Service was good so was the food. Parking nm or so good. No parking on the premises. read more

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I usually don't give three stars, but the customer service my friends and I received by the hostess was very rude and unprofessional. My friends and I had reservations for fiesta Friday we're SB locals so we understand how busy Fiestas can be. My friend made the reservations two weeks prior to fiestas and she specifically requested a certain table. The hostess was very rude I can only describe her as having bad highlights and too much lip filler. We waited outside for twenty minutes. They sat us upstairs as my friend proceeded to tell the manager we have reservations and this is not the table we requested. We spoke to the manager and asked why we couldn't have the tables that aren't occupied downstairs the manager said she couldn't give us those tables because the owner reserved them. Five minutes passed and the manager called my friend on her phone to tell her that if she's not here in 5 minutes she would loose her reservation and my friend told them we're already here. They comeback upstairs and give us the reserved table she mentioned five minutes prior that her boss reserved. The managers excuse was they had my friend listed twice on their reservation which caused the confusion. Finally, we get our food and drinks our server Adrian was great ... everything we ordered was delicious. read more

Flor De Maiz - Cilantro rice - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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