Best Mexican food in Santa Barbara and possibly the US. Mole out of this world. Cocktails are amazing. Who thinks to mix mint and mango?

We had no idea where to eat in Santa Barbara, but Flor de Maíz absolutely nailed it. The food was fantastic, but the real MVP was Giovanna, the hostess. I asked if she had a romantic table, and she fired back with a joke that had us laughing before we even sat down. Talk about a first impression! Her personality, energy, and genuine hospitality made us feel like regulars from the moment we walked in. The steak was outstanding, the atmosphere was perfect, and the service matched the food. First impressions matter, and Giovanna absolutely crushed it. We'll definitely be back. Thanks for making our night so memorable! read more

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We came in as a group of 14 for a reservation and the food itself was genuinely delicious -- the fresh corn tortillas and ceviche were my favorites, and overall the flavors were great. That said, the service experience really brought things down. We arrived at 3:00 for our reservation but weren't seated until 3:20. Once we were seated, it took a while to get settled -- some guests in our own party were slow to get moving and had clearly had a lot to drink, so there was a strong smell of alcohol at our table for a bit, which added to the chaos of getting everyone situated. On top of that, the staff seemed overwhelmed the whole time. There was a fiesta event going on, so the whole restaurant was using plastic cups instead of glassware, which felt a little unfestive for a place at this price point. The music was also very loud, which made it even harder to flag anyone down for service. Despite it being clear the staff were short-staffed and stretched thin, no one offered any acknowledgment, apology, or gesture of care for the wait or the overall experience. The food quality (minus the steak) makes me want to come back, but the service needs real improvement, especially during busy events. The steak in particular didn't match its price -- it tasted more like a $35 steak than what we were charged. read more

Been here a few times and it has always been a good experience but yesterday, me and a few friends dined here. We sat outdoors and it was a great ambiance. I ordered the branzino and specifically asked the waiter if it was grilled and butterflied, he stated yes. My dish arrived and it wasn't grilled nor butterflied but I went on and ate it anyways. The potatoes were undercooked. I mentioned, constructive criticism for the chef and stated he would let him know. Waiter didn't really seem to care or make any accommodations. Also, was overcharging us for a drink that we did not order. He also didn't seem to not check up on us frequently about how things we're going. read more

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Positives: - Tasty and unique salsas with a smoky tomato one and a slightly spicy creamy avocado one. - Friendly service Negatives: - No draft beer because the "carbon dioxide wasn't working." Uh, that's not the way that works. - We had two bites of our appetizer (ordered separately before the entree) and then the entrees arrived. No apology or recognition of something amiss. Just crammed on the table. BTW, the restaurant was half full, so there was no reason to rush us. - Pastor taco meat was chewy and inedible. I left almost all of the entree untouched. read more

We didn't have to wait long for a table. I highly recommend the octopus dish. While the ceviche was a bit too lemony for my taste, it was still enjoyable. The drinks were also great. Great outside ambience. read more

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

The outdoor patio has a great atmosphere and a great view looking right at the beach. The chips and salsa and guacamole were amazing. My chicken tacos were good, but my husband ordered the Ahi tuna and had to send it back because he said it was really tough. They brought him another plate out and he said it was better but still just OK. read more

Flor De Maiz - Ahi tuna - 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

We came back for our 2nd wedding anniversary on August 23rd and it was really great! I got the enchiladas verdes and he got the tacos! We shared of course and some house made guac on the side. Drinks were refreshing and delicious as well! We actually had our wedding reception lunch at Flor de Maiz with our close immediate family 2 years ago and enjoyed the food and atmosphere then too! Amazing place and location for a special occasion or just a nice place to eat out in beautiful Santa Barbara! Also, our waitress very friendly and provided wonderful service. Thank you! read more

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Hit and miss. The enchiladas tasted like way too much liquid smoke in the sauces. We did enjoy their chips and salsas, aguachile, and the rice that came with the meals. Cocktails were ok, very very lime. My mezcal coconut cocktail was just all smoke and lime, not well balanced. Same with my husband's Jamaica cocktail, they tasted similar even though they were two totally different cocktails. The aesthetic here is really nice. Our waiter wasnt particularly friendly but attentive. The music is so loud though, Id definitely say to try to sit outside bc they were bumping music like a club at 6pm. For me it didnt fit the vibe and for dinner I dont like talking over music like that. Overall a decent spot if youre looking for aesthetic views and a lively atmosphere read more

Flor De Maiz - Aguachile. Absolutely delicious. The best thing we ate here - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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Great place to watch World Cup soccer and the sunset. Loved the house margarita and the chips with salsa and avo dip. The ceviche was so fresh! Portions are large! The sirloin taco had perfectly cooked slices of steak with a crusty cheese on homemade tortillas. The trio of quesadillas were also delish- mushroom, peppers, and zucchini blossom! Yum! The chicken tacos were very good and filling. The branzino is a large filet served with fresh veggies. Everything was On point and so was the excellent service! Love this place read more

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A really flavorful experience that's near the shore and large portions. Most items came with a good kick but I was able to have the fried fish tacos that aren't spicy. The taco is quite large so I ended up using a fork than attempting to lift with my hands, so that tells you how big it is. The staff were nice overall and I recommend if you want a slightly upscale spot in the are that doesn't break the bank either. 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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Great Mexican food! We got the pulpo pesto and fish tacos. Octopus was tender but overseasoned, and I liked how we could get the fish grilled. Food was on the heavier, richer side. Service is okay, I had to ask to get my water refilled. Ambiance was nice, since we could have a proper sit down meal. read more

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High end Mexican restaurant. I tried the Tostada de camaron with pulpo and tacos de langosta. The corn tortillas have great flavor. Great service. read more

Giovanna and Neydi were absolutely amazing!! Our group of 8 had such an amazing experience! Food and drinks were amazing. Giovanna and Neydi gave us great recommendations on food and drinks! Thank you!!! read more

This is always a great place to enjoy friends and good food. The staff is very friendly and knowledgeable. Dinner was amazing. The food was delicious and the ocean view, beautiful. There's only one little thing that could help a lot of us that need to be connected to work or family, a wi-fi connection for guests. Especially since cellular connectivity is so bad in your establishment. read more

Flor De Maiz - Drinks!!! Delicious Drinks - 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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A must for lunch or dinner . Service was great . Food was exceptional. Across the street from the beach. We ordered the filet mignon tacos, the ribeye tacos, the green chili enchiladas the ceviche and this fantastic drink. It's like an espresso martini, but it's called a Carajillo with liquor 43 and espresso ... go , you will not regret it . Beautiful restaurant! read more

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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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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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Very nice staff. Consistent service and the food is excellent! Fresh and flavorful! My go to are the fish tacos but I've tried almost all of the menu. Good job! read more

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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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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Best mole negro I've had in years. Great food, super efficient and friendly service, everybody that works here hustles. Recommended. read more

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

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No vegan options labeled on the menu. They were able to veganize the cauliflower tacos by omitting cheese and aioli but this really diminishes the dish as the cauliflower is not battered or seasoned. I mean, thanks for having something I can eat, but I won't be back unless they serve an explicitly vegan option that they can be proud of. I asked my server twice if the creamy green salsa that was served with the chips was vegan and she didn't know and went to ask someone, but got sidetracked both times so I didn't eat it. read more

Flor De Maiz - Cauliflower tacos, no cheese, no aioli - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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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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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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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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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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

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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Stopped by for lunch after a run. Had the green salad and enchiladas trios - was well made. Good cocktails as well. Service was friendly.

Having reservations for a party of 13 got us in rt away on graduation day, thank goodness because we were hungry. Wait staff was nice but not so accommodating when sending food back and getting it rushed because we didn't know it had seeds, which is an issue for our GP. Other wise food and drinks were great. Chips and salsas were really yummy. It's a beautiful and really busy restaurant with nice outdoor seating as well. 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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This venue is excellent! It is worth the wait. The drinks are perfect. Our server was on point with all of his recommendations. The food is delicious! The chef came to our table to ask @ our experience. I will definitely be back. Thank you for a wonderful lunch. read more

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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Went here for my birthday and honestly the food was delicious. The waitress very friendly, super quick and very attentive. Gave us a free drink on the house as well very sweet of him sadly I did not get his name. The view is beautiful is just across the beach and the bar is beautiful. 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