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    Gelson's Santa Barbara

    3.6 (142 reviews)
    PriceyGrocery, Delis
    Closed 6:00 am - 11:00 pm

    Gelson's Santa Barbara Photos

    GELSON'S SANTA BARBARA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Upscale
    Classy
    Outdoor seating

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    Reviews With Photos

    Rosie O.

    Attended another culinary event at Gelson's Santa Barbara. This was making sushi rolls with Executive Chef Keizer Fujimaki from Redshell Sushi. Redshell does all the sushi for all the Gelsons. This was so much fun with clear demonstration and instructions with quality ingredients. I actually was able to make some great fresh sushi rolls which I never thought I could do. I can't say enough nice things about Gelson's staff; they are so friendly and helpful no matter what you need or ask them. The staff goes out of the way to help. Thanks Gelson's for a great experience.

    Poke & Miso Salmon ⋅ Santa Barbara, California
    Justin L.

    A dismal poke bar experience on my most recent visit (5 PM on a weekday after work). I'm guessing they just don't get enough foot traffic here to replenish ingredients throughout the day unfortunately. The selection was limited and the counter was super messy. The white rice was charred and inedible, so I got the brown rice. It was dry, but chewable. The added sauces helped somewhat. Hawaiian-style ahi tuna was not salty enough but was fine. Imitation crab, avocado, and shrimp tasted like all were sitting out for a couple of hours. Either come during lunch or visit the poke bar at Bristol Farms instead. The sushi and prepared foods sections were in better shape, with plenty available to choose from. I picked up a miso salmon with mixed vegetables and pickled dressing. The fish was a little light on the marinade, but decently flakey. Shredded cabbage and green beans were bland. On the upside, the parking is easy and the baked goods at Renaud's Patisserie and Cafe are excellent. The floral department is also very nice. Not really the place I go for grocery shopping. Everything else I've purchased here (produce, dairy, dry goods, meat, frozen treats) was just about the same as Whole Foods quality-wise. The only difference was the higher price tag.

    My orchid.
    Karne N.

    We really enjoyed shopping in this market as the variety was good and it was well laid out. I'm not going to comment on the food products , obviously, as most of them are pretty standard, but I will say that we bought a stunning orchid at an very reasonable price. For that alone, I would go back!

    Brooklyn brisket
    Ruth G.

    This is the update for Easter meal review. I ate a piece of the Brooklyn brisket and it was well-marinated but on the dry side. It did not come with any gravy, sauce, or au jus. Imagine my disappointment when I visited the store a few days later and saw their brisket slathered with sauce! I'm including a picture of how it was SUPPOSED to be given to me but wasn't. The only good thing about what I ordered for the special day was that I didn't have company so I didn't have to be embarrassed, just disappointed at the $50 I spent for almost an edible food. Now, all of that being said, EVERYTHING else I buy on a weekly basis from their prepared foods is absolutely delicious: I will do a separate review on some of their offerings. But I will never order catered again. I'll go to Lazy Acres for that!

    Find in frozen foods. Excellent veggie burgers to throw on grill from frozen. 18g protein. I've only found them at Gelson's.

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    5 months ago

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    2 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    9 months ago

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    2 years ago

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    Nic N.

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    1 year ago

    Always a great store with the best selection! Quick, courteous help always! Dependable! Thank you!

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    4 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    1 year ago

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    5 years ago

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    1 year ago

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    6 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Fabulous fresh produce and the bakery is to die for.. I always window shop the treats! Lots of good choices of hard to find boxed cereals

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    Nic N.

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    1 year ago

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    4 years ago

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    5 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    3 years ago

    The deli is very underwhelming. Sandwich options are limited and the bread stale. The rest of the store seems fine, albeit overpriced.

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    Yvonne M.

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    2 years ago

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    6 years ago

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    6 years ago

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    9 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    5 years ago

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    8 years ago

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    9 years ago

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    5 years ago

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    5 years ago

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    Page 1 of 4

    Ask the Community - Gelson's Santa Barbara

    Does Gelson's accept Apple pay?

    Anh, we gladly accept Apple Pay in our stores. Happy Thanksgiving!

    Do they offer curbside pick up?

    Hello Gordon, thank you for your question! We do offer curbside pick up through shop.gelsons.com. We hope this helps!… Read more

    View All 3 Questions

    Ralphs Fresh Fare - Pride cakes!!

    Ralphs Fresh Fare

    2.2(151 reviews)
    2.2 mi
    $$

    This is the downtown Santa Barbara Ralph's, and like everything else in Santa Barbara, the exterior…read moreis very pretty. I'm sure the city made Ralph's pay out the nose for the prime location, and you can see some of this reflected in the nice landscaping. How many grocery stores come with their own stone and tile fountains? Inside, the Ralph's is a Ralph's. We went most recently to get children's Tylenol after midnight, always fun, and we were glad they were open and had it in stock. While we were there, my husband reminded me of an earlier visit, over a decade ago, when we were shopping and overheard a child shouting from the next aisle. It was about the most excited I've heard anyone get about anything, a joyful exclamation of "VEGAN CHEESE PIZZA!" I never saw him, but I think of him often. He's probably a full adolescent now, and I hope he still finds such easy pleasure in this beautiful, complicated world and its frozen vegan pizzas. I doubt I've ever been so happy in a Ralph's, but am grateful for this one. Downtown and open late for your basic grocery store needs.

    Ralph's Deli is probably the worst staffed I've ever seen in a grocery store! We waited 20min for…read morean employee. Once she arrived and was not very fluent in English I asked her in Spanish where she was??? She said she was on her Lunch break! During the busiest time of day ? She said yes, that they need more help! Management if you're reading this get the Deli MORE HELP!! Absolutely ridiculous and uncalled for.

    Photos
    Ralphs Fresh Fare - False hours. False advertising.

    False hours. False advertising.

    Ralphs Fresh Fare - Halloween time

    Halloween time

    Ralphs Fresh Fare - Excellent Halloween display

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    Excellent Halloween display

    Gelson's Santa Barbara - grocery - Updated May 2026

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