The outdoor patio seating made dining outside very comfortable and pleasant, and I really enjoyed the atmosphere. The food was tasty, but unfortunately, I found it extremely overpriced. I ordered the scallops, which cost $42, but the dish came with only three small scallops. I found that quite outrageous, especially considering the portion size. I was still hungry afterward, so I ordered dessert and oysters, but even then, I needed more food! I ended up having a second dinner at home with ice cream. I'm not joking--I have a voracious appetite! On the positive side, the service was excellent. Our server was sweet, attentive, and very accommodating. She even split the check among the five people in our group, which we greatly appreciated. It made settling the bill much more accurate and convenient. I would definitely return, but I'll probably skip the scallops next time! read more

Gala - Scallops - Spanish Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

I first fell in love with Jaime's food years ago when he and his wife Tara had Picnic in Barcelona, so I was thrilled when they came back to Santa Barbara and opened Gala. I live in Los Angeles now, travel a lot for work, and have been lucky enough to eat at some incredible restaurants all over the world, but Gala remains one of my absolute favorite places to eat. There are so many menu standouts: the cast iron cornbread, tempura zucchini flowers, basically any crudo they put in front of me, the steak, the fries... but HANDS DOWN, I keep coming back for the quinoa hash browns with caviar. They are ridiculous. I'm also a huge fan of the "Happy Meal" burger + martini deal at the bar, which may be one of my favorite things anywhere. The cocktails are fantastic across the board. I regularly stop in just for a Blood Orange Margarita (including during Fiesta because, obviously, Viva La!). Beyond the food, the staff is incredible: warm, knowledgeable, attentive, and never stuffy. I was recently diagnosed with celiac disease, and they have been so kind and accommodating every time I come in. The staff is always happy to check with the kitchen, walk me through what I can safely eat, and make adjustments where possible, which makes dining out so much less stressful. And despite being a beautiful restaurant with seriously great food and cocktails, Gala is also incredibly kid-friendly. There's no kids menu, but I've brought my 4- and 10-year-olds many times and have never once felt like we were out of place. Jaime and Tara are also wonderful members of the Santa Barbara community who give back constantly, which makes supporting Gala even easier. Oh, and Stanley behind the bar is hot. There, I said it. One of my favorite restaurants anywhere. read more

Gala - The best blood orange margaritas! - Spanish Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

First the bad news- and not reflective of Gala. On a busy weekend parking in SB is really difficult if you don't want to pay for parking. I'm a total cheapskate so I spent 15 minutes but finally secured a spot. Now on to the good stuff. This is a delightful family owned restaurant that specializes in Spanish cuisine and European charm. The service was terrific as was the ambiance. You feel at home here. The surprise of the evening was the fried green tomatoes. I think of this as a dish from the south but they could take a lesson from Spain. To put your taste buds into overdrive, check out the jalapeño cheddar cornbread rolls. They are served with very cold honey butter and warm honey as well. My cardiologist would be alarmed at my approval. Now for the first letdown. We shared the branzino à la plancha. It's served on polenta finished in herbs and fennel slaw. Maybe I am too much spice driven but for me this dish was a touch bland compared to the other offerings. We got back on the A train with dessert. We absolutely loved the churros. My memory is that there were two dipping sauces. One a lovely chocolate and the others berry compote. The churros were warm and light and a perfect finish to the dining experience. One tiny complaint to go. I asked for a specific wine and they came back to say it was unfortunately not available. The same was true of my alternative choice. There was nothing wrong with my final wine selection and it paired with the dishes we selected but I'm totally spoiled-I want what I want! So sue me but that's why this isn't 5 stars. Make it 4 3/4 stars instead. Yelp won't let me shade in that fifth star so there you go. Overall, a fab experience and I'd go back in a heartbeat. read more

Gala and their team had done a fantastic job for our wedding dinner ceremony. Before we began coordinating, we were very pleased by their food and staff's friendly, which is why we chose Gala. The event coordinator Justin was so easy to work with and he made sure that all of our requests were handled correctly. All of our guests said positive things about the night. Our bartender fulfilled all the special drinks from our guests and he went above and beyond for us. My wife and I always enjoy their food. The chef definitely delivered on the night of our wedding. The quality remains the same and fresh. The restaurant has open patio. It is perfect for date night and anniversaries. It is also located in a quieter neighborhood and parking lot is right behind. We enjoy the architecture of the restaurant very much. We will be going back annually for our anniversary to reminisce the amazing night. read more

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Great food, cozy ambiance, and personalized service -- what more to expect? The food is Mediterranean inspired and artfully presented. We shared several plates which is probably the best way to go for an enjoyable experience. There is a full bar with the usual cocktails and an emphasis on Spanish wines. Definitely a place we will return on our next visit to SB. read more

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We are on cloud 9 after having our wedding reception luncheon at Gala. The owners, Jaime and Tara, a husband and wife duo, were such a pleasure to work with through the entire process. Our guests are still raving about the delicious food, ambiance, great service, and overall beautiful wedding experience. Our menu included: Passed appetizers- croquetas and bacon wrapped dates, everyone raved! Olives - just like the flavor in Spain!! Family style meal- Brocollini - so much flavor! Cornbread with honey butter - moist and great flavor profile Mushroom Risotto - sooo good! Salad- fresh Steak- everyone raved how tender and savory French fries - great texture Chicken schnitzel - tender and flavorful Dessert: Churros con chocolate - so soft and perfectly executed Jaime's famous cheesecake - I wish we could have just had this for our wedding cake instead! 100/10 Berry tarts - Delicious 100/10 we can't wait to continuing to celebrate our anniversary at Gala for years to come. Tara and Jaime treated us like family and it was an incredible experience. Thank you, Gala team for giving us a wedding to remember! read more

Gala - Ambiance - Spanish Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

I absolutely love Gala. It's a favorite of ours. Everything about it is wonderful. The food is fresh and delicious. The space is gorgeous. The service is so good. read more

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My favorite things about coming to gala are the beautiful patio, delicate refined glassware, and wonderful presentation of all dishes. I've come for dinner a few times but most recently came for happy hour and had such a great time with Omar as my server. I loved the presentation of oysters with a lovely cucumber mignonette, the drinks were delicious, and overall just such a comfortable but elevated experience. read more

Gala - BlackBerry bramble - Spanish Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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Ambiance, great place for a date night. One block off of State so away from the craziness. Service, excellent!!!! Cesar and Stanley are great bartenders. Food delicious, I had the sirloin, my friend had the way and our husbands had the burger. If you sit at the bar they have a burger special with fries and a drink. We also started off with the olives and the half dozen oysters, fresh and light. Ended with some delicious, light cheesecake. Everyone there was so friendly. read more

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Duck Confit? More like how much (duck) (con) I (fit) in my mouth. Came here with a group of coworkers on a trip to Santa Barbara and this was one of the highlights. Loved the meal, service was fast and attentive, and setting was elegant yet intimate. Gala serves good drinks, Spanish-oriented dishes, and is conveniently located in the heart of Santa Barbara. Would heavily recommend to anyone visiting. read more

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My husband and I were researching multiple places for a wedding rehearsal dinner and Gala turned out to be the most accommodating, with the right Mediterranean ambiance that I wanted for our event. The website featured beautiful floral arrangements and we had the restaurant prepare those for us. The tasting was so much fun and we went through lots of wins and dishes. The Santa Barbara wine selections were actually the best. We chose a huge selection of appetizers and entrees. The waitress and owner were so helpful and treated us like family. I appreciated everything they did for us. I also liked that we were able to add on extra food when we ran out! We finished with the most incredible cheesecake on the planet. Love Gala forever and will go back every chance I get! read more

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I had an amazing experience here! The owners and wait staff are phenomenal and the food is beyond delectable. Every single item on the menu will have you excited to try the next and the venue is exquisite. The dining area is very welcoming and beautifully decorated. From the zucchini flowers to the scallops to the incredible cheesecake, you will already be planning your next visit. read more

The branzino and duck were amazing, better than the lamb and steak from 2 years ago. The chicken croqueta was also great, and they threw in an extra one for us. Also provided complementary bubbly. Great service. I don't love their desserts, but they weren't bad. Got the crème brûlée, carrot cake, and cheesecake. read more

Takes reservations for 8:30pm (with a credit card deposit no less), then when you get there at 8:26pm they tell you the chef decided to close early. read more

Great food and service. I like the ambiance. Interior design is really good. I would recommend to everyone who likes fine dining.

How lucky are we to have Chef Jaimie in SBA! Ambience is great. Food fabulous. Service very good. Generous portion on olives and so good. They use oat bakery Charcoal Sourdough bread for their traditional tomato bread appetizer. It is sublime and authentic Happy hour at 5pm is a good fun. Not a lot of options but just right The Speical Brazilian cheese bread was sublime. Will go again. Our huge compliments to the chef Jaimie and team One dish came out very late but otherwise was near perfection read more

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This unique and stunning restaurant transports you to Europe with its incredible menu and warm ambience. We came here on date night while visiting SB from OC! We had warm interactions with every single staff member. Special shout out to Justin who was amazing from start to finish, from helping us pick cocktails all the way through dessert! His charming energy made our night perfect! We can't wait to come back. (Also, for the people saying it's small and the tables are close together, yes but...that's the point! If you go to Europe, it's the same vibe. We loved it and didn't feel cramped at all.) read more

Gala has been on my list for so long and I finally got to check it off! Starting with the tapas, you really can't go wrong with anything you order. We absolutely loved the tapas including the zucchini flowers, fried green tomatoes, pão de queijo (cheese bread) and chicken croquetas. For drinks, the Margarita and Old Fashioned were tasty as well. The star of the night was the Snake River Farm Striploin Steak. It was just the perfect entree. The bonemarrow butter, salt, and chimichurri made every bite absolutely perfect.The steak was tender and juicy were sooo tender. My mouth is watering just thinking about it! If you get any entree, please get this! From the ambiance, the tapas, and the drinks, it was an amazing time! Can't wait to come back and try more tapas! read more

First the good news, the food was really good. The broccolini was about the best I have ever had. We were with another couple and we sort of shared our meals. There was universal agreement was the food was excellent. The problem was the tables and how close they were together. I was hit about 3 times in 5 minutes after I sat down by the servers trying to get to other tables. So, the our wives moved on one side of the table and I moved to my wife's spot, leaving one side of the table open for traffic. This is not OK. The table ruined the experience and therefore in my opinion it gets a 1 star. I copied a sentence from a previous review in 2024" "I don't leave 1 star review often, but having the audacity to sit tables closer than a Parisian brasserie at rush hour has to be called out." I guess since it's still the same, they did not get the message read more

This was our first time eating at Gala. We sat at the bar for drinks and food. Both were great. Bar tenders were great. Food was delicious, however the Scallops were pricey for what you get. Three Scallops each the size of a quarter, but they were good. The place was packed and it gets pretty loud and echoey, however I would recommend you give it a try. We will go back for more of the fried green tomatoes (yummy) and try other foods on the menu. read more

What a mess! The place was severely understaffed and it showed since the beginning. Took us 10 minutes for someone to check us in from the waiter booth, so standing in the cold, then they sat us in at bar; keep in mind we had a reservation. We finally get seated and the waiter took forever to get our order and talk to us, a group who sat 10 minutes later got attention first and their food first and then we finally get to order. Lots of strange stares too from the staff, felt uncomfortable and unwelcoming. Honestly a shame because the restaurant is really beautiful and the food is decent, the mushroom risotto was really good and my favorite, the steak was okay.. and the corn bread was yummy. The chefs and the bartenders honestly carried the place but the waiters and service not so much. All I thought throughout this experience is that I want to leave. Would not come back, very disappointed. read more

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I really like this spot! Such a fun setting in downtown Santa Barbara. I recently went on a Wednesday evening and it was easy to get a table immediately upon walking up. The service is excellent. Our waitress was very attentive. We opted for a couple of food choices and a drink. The presentation of everything we ordered was beautiful. The blood orange margarita is super tasty! I devoured the chicken croquettes- so good! The Burrata salad comes with chips that are sooo yummy. I noticed several other things on the menu that I'd love to try. Can't wait to go back! They have both indoor and outdoor seating. No parking available on site but the streets nearby allow for parking (if you can find a spot!) or there are public lots that offer the first 75 minutes free. read more

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We had our post-wedding lunch there. It was amazing; The food was fabulous, the tone and service were pitch-perfect. We had the entire restaurant, so can't speak to service to diners, but our guests raved about the attention to the servers. read more

Whenever I return "home" to Santa Barbara, this is a must visit. It has all of the character that makes Santa Barbara so special including local owners whose heart you can feel in the experience. It's the perfect blend of beautiful and casual. The design of the space and the details are gorgeous. The interior is intimate and we love sitting at the bar with all of the giant windows open to the outdoors. We've done anniversaries and birthdays here and it feels like a truly celebratory night, but we've also loved meeting friends casually for drinks and appetizers or dinner before shows at the bowl. They've got great cocktails and everything is incredibly fresh. We usually do small plates and share because we love the variety in flavors and texture. Everything is seasonal and fresh and the presentation is always exceptional. You really can't go wrong. read more

The stunning ambiance sets the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable dining experience. We got to meet the head chef Jaime who was so kind and it was such a treat! Every dish we tasted was a masterpiece--flavorful, beautifully presented, and clearly made with the finest ingredients. The staff went above and beyond, delivering attentive and genuine service that made us feel truly valued. From start to finish, everything was flawless. If you're looking for incredible food paired with exceptional hospitality in a gorgeous setting, this place is an absolute must! We look forward to coming back to our favorite Restaurant! Thank you Gala for an incredible night! read more

Gorgeous classy restaurant, delicious cocktails and even more sensational food. Every single item was spectacular and the service was superb. I have been three times and every visit is exceptional. read more

A beautiful space with a tasteful Spanish modern-contemporary vibe. This staff was so accommodating and helpful, they made it possible to propose and I couldn't have asked for a better turnout. THANK YOU!!! Not only did we enjoy the environment and the accommodations, but the food was exceptional. I had the rack of lamb and this was made to perfection! The Tagliatelle and green fried tomatoes are also very noteworthy. I would definitely come back and recommend to others! Thank you again, Gala team. read more

Gala - Our table set up for a party of 11. - Spanish Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Gala is hands down ~ one of my favorite spots! Its such a classy, beautiful, and inviting vibe. Love the decor.... The food is spot on! Every time I go.... I went last weekend with a couple friends.... we got: Fried green tomatoes Tempura zucchini flowers Mushroom risotto Branzino Yummm. It was all absolutely delicious! Cocktails are stellar, and wine selection is on point! All the staff & servers were lovely... We had a great time! read more

We came into town for graduation and rented a great Airbnb about two miles away from Gala. We have had these reservations for about two months and we were looking forward to this meal. The atmosphere and staff were impeccable. Now for the review...when we arrived we had a party of 7 and we were seated too close to the other table and they graciously moved our table so that we could sit down. For appetizers we ordered the crudo (too fishy), zucchini blossoms needed to be steamed more prior to frying as they were too tough but the flavor was good. The olives were delicious. The jamón was also delicious, however the chips needed salt. They weren't salted at all. For the main course, the Duck wins the best meal award! The mash potatoes and the duck were prepared to perfection. The scallops were too salty and smelled really fishy we had two ordered of that and would not recommend. The steak was almost completely rare and my daughter was afraid to send it back so I did but by the time it came back she was full. The branzino was delicious as it had a nice crispy skin and the polenta was great. The mushroom risotto also looked excellent. For desserts we got cheesecake (wasn't great), flourless cake (wouldn't get again), peach cobbler (the best one). The waitress and hostess and expediter were all kind, friendly and lovely. Thank you so much! read more

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I finally made it to Gala with a girlfriend last weekend. I love tapas and sharing so you can try different menu items. We shared the lobster croquetas, zucchini blossoms, quinoa hashbrowns, crudo, and sun dried tomato tagliatelle. Most the tapas had 3 pieces which is not ideal for sharing - i wish it would come with 4. The crudo and tagliatelle were our favorite and the other items were all fried which i could pass on next time. We also had great glasses of wine but i would definitely love to check out the cocktails next time. read more

Gala - Zucchini flowers and crudo - Spanish Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

The staff at Gala were amazing, my boyfriend and I didn't know what to order and the server was so helpful. We had a great dining experience at Gala, we will for sure be back! read more

A little Mediterranean gem in Santa Barbara. The space is beautifully decorated--warm, inviting, and effortlessly stylish. We came in for oysters and French fries, and both were absolutely perfect: oysters fresh and briny, fries crisp and and WOW... both were so fresh and perfectly done. The oysters were cold and briny, the fries crispy and salty in the best way.. The cocktails were excellent--well balanced and thoughtfully made--and the service was attentive without being overbearing. A lovely spot for a relaxed yet elevated Happy Hour. We'll definitely be back for dinner! read more

We came in for happy hour but ended up ordering from the regular menu too because a few things caught our eye. The cocktails were fantastic - we had margaritas and pisco sours, and both were delicious. I also tried fried green tomatoes for the first time; they were okay, but I probably wouldn't order them again. The sweet chili sauce at the bottom didn't really work for me. We also had calamari and oysters, both of which were solid. We sat outside on a beautiful day, enjoying the atmosphere. The margaritas were definitely the highlight for me! I'll definitely be back soon to try more dishes. read more

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Our server Justin was absolutely divine. They were very attentive and helpful when I was unsure on what to order. The atmosphere was welcoming and warm read more

Our server, Justin, truly served They were bubbly and attentive. Loved the experience read more

Came on a Saturday night, got seated very quickly. They were definitely busy with it being Saturday of Memorial Day weekend, but staff was friendly and helped as much as they could. Ambiance was okay, couldn't hear any music, definitely loud with conversation and cold. Got seated outside with a tall table, no heater nearby or offered to us. Food was really disappointing to me. It was just bland/boring. I thought flavors were pretty much nonexistent, cocktails were way too sugary, and portions were super small for pricing. All the food was good quality but just didn't have the flavor for me. Wouldn't go back and wouldn't recommend them either if you like flavor. read more

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I've been to Spain several times, and Gala's tapas are as authentic as it gets. The ambiance makes you feel like you're in Barcelona. Fantastic experience all around! read more

Gala is our first choice for a fun, relaxed, delicious and friendly night out in Santa Barbara. Owners Chef Jaime and Tara bring a spectacular European/American vibe along with their incredibly delicious food and beverage offerings. Their staff is fantastic as well. If you want to feel immediately at home, welcome and well cared for, Gala is your spot! read more

I went as part of a large party on a very busy evening and it was a great experience. We sat on the outside lower patio. My branzino was excellent! We enjoyed cornbread and stuffed squash blossom appetizers, and I tasted the mushroom risotto. Everything was delicious. Our server Stanley was attentive and helpful with suggestions. Also really loved the wine choice. We will be back! read more

Came here on a Wednesday evening with some coworkers looking to try out a new restaurant. We were seated indoors and were presented with the happy hour menu. We were a bit confused as happy hour had ended a few minutes prior to us arriving so we double checked with our server. He assured us that on slower evenings, they opt to extend the time frame and encouraged us to order from the happy hour menu. Unfortunately, it was only until after we had ordered drinks and a few appetizers that another waiter informed us that our previous server was mistaken and that we would be charged the full price for those items. While it wasn't the end of the world, it would have been nice to know that happy hour was indeed over after we had double checked to confirm before ordering off of its menu. The food itself was delicious! I highly recommend the oysters (both the fresh and the baked) and the halibut crudo as appetizers! The seafood was incredibly fresh and had a beautiful presentation. We did have the cornbread skillet and while it was delicious, it was comparable to a Trader Joe's cornbread box mix. The mushroom risotto was good, but be aware that it has an incredibly smoky flavor to which I was not expecting but as an avid mushroom fan, appreciated it nonetheless. We had the cheesecake for dessert and it was probably one of the highlights of the entire meal. The berries were fresh and the cheesecake itself was not too sweet. If you order a dessert at Gala, get the cheesecake!! Overall, Gala was a lovely restaurant and is a great place to go after work or to take your friends and family visiting from out of town. I look forward to dining here in the near future but would probably order a different entree. read more

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