We visited today from Chino Hills...and we had the most amazing experience. We walked in and asked to taste some oils. Cynthia helped us and allowed us to sample every single one. It sure made my parents first tasting experience so fun. They bought 3 large bottles, I bought 2....and they were all so good!!! Will definitely bring them back. Thank you so much Cynthia for your kindness! read more

After being to Il Fustino a couple times before, our family walked in to purchase more bottles of oil and vinegar as gifts. This visit, we were met with a very rude elderly woman that did not seem to appreciate customers at all. I asked for her name twice and she refused to give it to me. We have been here before and had a very pleasant experience, but this may have ended our shopping here. It was embarrassing. read more

il Fustino - Refused to give her name after making it clear we were not welcome. - Olive Oil Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

They began a new policy of short filling their bottles. Same price but less oil. No explanation from the new check why they are doing it. read more

I went today (03/29/2024) for the first time with my aunts, who have been shopping there for a while buying a lot of their products as gifts for me and other family members. The gifts were awesome so I asked them to take me and my wife to check it out. The store is very nice and clean but the older woman who worked there was awful. She treated us as if we had walked in looking for free oil when we asked about tastings. I felt like a middle schooler who was called into the principals office by the way she treated us. We all decided we will try going back in a few weeks to see if the rude woman is still there working or if we can get someone else to do the tastings. read more

I LOVE il Fustino!! I am hooked on Meyer lemon olive oil, jalapeño olive oil & their amazing aged balsamic vinegar. The owners & employees are so kind & thoughtful. In fact this shop was my first account back in January 2010! Ojai Jelly!! My products have sold there since!! Can't say enough nice things about this great shop & their owners & staff!! Suze Ojai Jelly slinger/Patrona read more

il Fustino - Ojai Habanero Apricot Jam :P - Olive Oil Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Wonderful variety and quality of products especially CA olive oils. All staff members are helpful, courteous and well informed on product lines. Terrific ambiance, also, with product discoveries around each turn or corner. read more

Amazing products, this is the only olive oil we use in my house. The manager as well as the rest of the staff were incredibly helpful and knowledgeable. The store was also very beautifully decorated for the holidays you could tell that someone had put a lot of time and thought into every detail. It's definitely worth the time to stop in whenever I'm in Santa Barbara! read more

Great service and staff. The lemon olive oil and the "yachts of love" dressing is so wonderful ! Highly recommend !

Local olive oils and vinegars, sold by the ounce from large silver urns called fustinos, that's the short version. Long version: I'd walked by this shop several times in the past, never when they were open. It looked sparse inside, with lots of silver urns. I didn't know how a specialty shop like this would make it. But then I got to sample their wares at a local wine and food event called Taste of the Town, and I started to understand that they have a good product. Like a 25 year old balsamic vinegar that's thick and tangy and sweet and an amazing price tag of $26 for 375 ml. Expect to pay upwards of $100 normally, and more if you want a DOP variety. Still, with that location and such specialization, it's going to be tough. And even tougher if they weren't going to be open on Sundays, which was the day I was most likely to have time to make the trip to that area. Well, this Sunday past, we drove by and the door was open!! We zipped right in and discovered they're now open on Sundays. Yay! All the fustinos have spigots, so you can sample whatever you want. These containers are air tight, and keep the oils away from light, so they stay fresh. The oils are mostly olive, and mostly produced locally or within California. Only a few highly specialized items, like the truffle infused oil or the 25 year balsamic, come from elsewhere. All the oils and vinegars are well labeled with good information about the source and flavor. Of course, you should try it for yourself and see what your personal tastes prefer. The vinegar section had a lovely range as well. Pomegranate vinegar, pear vinegar, champagne vinegar, all delicious. We bought a bottle of the 25 year balsamic, and a very small bottle of toasted sesame oil. Wow, the sesame oil was so light tasting, and still with a clear sesame flavor. The man behind the counter said it was that way because it's so fresh. If you bring in your own container, which they highly recommend, you'll get a small discount. Or if you bring in your old il fustino bottle, you'll get a dollar off your refill. The shop also had a small art gallery for viewing, and they hold tastings and cooking classes. You can tell the owners are very passionate about their oils and vinegars, so if you're a similar enthusiast, I'm not sure if you can find better freshness and local flavor elsewhere. Photos, photos! I got photos. read more

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Il Fustino carries the best olive oils and vinegars that I have tasted! I especially love their flavored olive oils (garlic and basil!) and their 25-year-old aged Balsamic vinegar, which is now my go-to gift for family and friends. (It's truly unlike any balsamic I've tasted before.) They also carry various other beautifully curated goodies in their shop (dips, spreads, serving trays, chocolates, candles, cards, etc.) so it's a one-stop-shop for really thoughtful and delicious gifts. Plus they ship all over the U.S.! Highly recommend stopping by Il Fustino next time you're in Santa Barbara (and the staff is so nice too!). read more

A place you might just miss while driving. Variety of oils from Garlic to Avocado, this place is bursting with flavors you can't wait to try and even take home! My FYI: Garlic oil White Truffle oil (OMG) 25 year old vinaigrette! OMG Also sale olives and different types of snacks to much or cook with your oil! read more

il Fustino - Bag of goodies!!!! - Olive Oil Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Kaffier Lime vinegar is delicious. So good you could drink it straight. You can sample each product, which is fun, with these little miniature sample cups. Packaging is good. Bottles are approximately $20.00/each but super tasty. read more

il Fustino - Kaffier Lime vinegar, printed metal label is a nice touch. - Olive Oil Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Came here because of the Groupon offer, and walked out with three delicious bottles of vinegar and oil. They have probably over 30 different balsamic vinegars and olive oil you can try before you buy. I appreciated the nice touch of having bread and crackers for dipping, and it was a self serve setup. I've been to shops where the salesperson follows you around and prepares the tastes for you but Il Fustino's setup allows you to read descriptions and taste at your leisure, which was much better. They also have printed recipes as well as available online, which was a nice added touch. I didn't plan to buy three bottles but I liked the blackberry balsamic vinegar so much I bought one for myself and one for a friend. I also bought the Yachts of Love, a mix of mimosa balsamic vinegar with lemon olive oil - unique and tasty! I didn't buy the 25-year old balsamic because of the price but it was very yummy. The per bottle price was $1-2 more than other shops (most were $18.95-$19.95) but the Groupon made it a great deal. They also offer $1 off on refills. This is probably a 4.5-star review but I'm rounding up (better prices would make it a solid 5). I definitely plan to be back or reorder online (if they offer free shipping). read more

Bummed they closed their location at the Santa Barbara Public Market but we finally made it to their location here :) the aged balsamic is what we come for! Well worth the price and a little goes a long way when using it. We will continue to make the drive from the inland empire up to SB just for il Fustino!! read more

Thanks for your reply. It is understandable that you all need a good break during holidays, but please update your social media on Facebook, IG, Yelp and your phone recording. I called your phone No. before I went to your store because I know you may be closed during New Year. I don't know when I will go to Santa Barbara again because I am living in N. California. Anyway, I will order online as your products are pretty good! read more

You guys, FREE delivery! Easy online ordering! By sorting through their product online, I was able to take my time and analyze the world of oils, vinegars and balsamics, which is almost as confusing as the world of wine! Their online ordering system helped me to pull the trigger and order a boat load of product from them, more than when I usually visit at their store. This place has high quality, well thought out, curated oils. I love their aged balsamic and fig balsamic. Their flavored olive oils help add some spark in your cuisine or salad; this is important if you are largely avoiding restaurants during the pandemic. The only thing I'd change about their business is the fact that they don't reflect the polyphenol count, oleic acid content, or free fatty acid level. Purchasing from a specialty high end store like this should provide specific information for those who are health conscious and base purchasing decisions from this kind of data. Other than playing the guessing game over choosing the healthiest possible oil, I'm very satisfied with this company and this is my go to store for specialty oils and vinegars. read more

I ran by the store today, after reading lemonjelly's great review. Ah, lemonjelly, why are you always five steps ahead of me in exploring and learning about the great things this town has to offer? I can never catch up with you! ;) So this store is located in a strip mall around the corner from Gelsons and Renaud's (the original one). I went in there today to see if I could try out some of their vinegars and olive oils...something I know very little about! Conveniently, they had a sign outside that said "Free olive oil and vinegar tastings!" which they probably keep outside all the time now. The son first helped me, and pointed out two olive oils to try. One of them had black pepper, which made me cough a lot. It was embarrassing, but luckily they had a water cooler nearby. After I coughed, the son said, "yeah, that one makes me cough too." I suggest that they warn customers in the future before trying that one. I also tried the vinegars and ended up buying their Black Cherry Vinegar, $18.95 for 375ml. The father rung me up, and suggested that I try the pomegranate vinegar next time. Apparently it's a big seller. I hope to go back, but will definitely avoid that darned black pepper oil!! read more

They're oils and vinegar are world class. I love their basil oil with pomegranate vinegar. read more

il Fustino - Olive Oil Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

I had a groupon and it expired on 12/26/13. I went in on the 26th and no one was at the business and that day wasn't listed on their holiday hours sign posted on their door. I came back a few days later and they allowed me to use the entire value of the groupon. I was able to get my favorite aged balsamic vinegar....yum! Thanks for doing the right thing! Can't wait for you to be downtown! read more

super nice people, let us sample the whole store before even buying anything. Bought some oils and it was great. Will go again read more

Love it! My boyfriend and I tried a few of them. And the young lady at the register was sweet, and helpful, really made us feel welcome. We tried the jalapeno and the basil- both were fantastic and reasonably priced. Bought the basil, couldn't be happier with our choice. read more

Once you have their oils and vinegars nothing else will do. Every single oil and vinegar is extraordinary, I love them all. I ordered my favorites online yesterday and they were promptly delivered to my door around 6:30pm today. So convenient and I had just finished chopping up the dinner salads! Perfect timing! Thank you il Fustino! read more

If you are a heat-seeker, you must try the Habanero EVOO - but be very careful as it is extremely spicy! So spicy they keep it in the back and you have to ask for a sampling. One dip and I was in love! We got a bottle of the habanero as well as the Pomegranate Vinegar which was sweet and not too vinegary. At $20/bottle it was pricier than other places which warrants -1 star. They also have some very interesting salts on the counter. I am presently kicking myself for not getting the ghost pepper salt which was so flavorful (and spicy) when I dipped an olive in. I guess we'll just have to make another trip to SB soon! read more

This shop is a Santa Barbara gem. There oils and vinegars alone can transform a dish to something special.

I enjoy their little sample station. We often come down and purchase 1 or 2 bottles in town to take to family in Virginia on Holidays and stuff like that. I recommend their Italian herb flavord one, I can't remember the name but it had some italian her flavor to it. read more

I got to say that any place that can infuse jalapeno with olive oil is a winner in my book! Il Fustino's selection is impeccable and they make great gifts for friends and family. My personal experience with them has been fantastic thus far especially with shipping to the east coast! If you're visiting Santa Barbara you should totally check out their selection both in the upper street location and in the public market. Lastly, I would like to say how friendly the staff is and how knowledgeable they are on all their products! read more

This was the first oil and vinegar tasting store I had been to, and it was a wonderful experience! They walk you through, and tell you how to sample the oils and vinegars efficiently so you can obtain the most flavor. Mmm MMM! The vinegar selection was so good! It really awakened my liking for vinegar. The oils were interesting. I appreciated them, but I was not as fond of them. I think the idea of sipping on oil just freaked me out even though you're drinking olive oil, which is a healthier option. Their oil selection included lemon oil, orange oil, and jalapeno oil. As suggested by an employee, I paired their jalapeno oil and pomegranate vinegar in a sample cup, and slurped that. Sounds like an odd couple, but they married perfectly well in my mouth! Of the vinegar selection, I was caught between whether the 30 year old balsamic vinegar, pomegranate vinegar, or blackberry vinegar was my favorite. In the end, a small ounce of the 30 year old balsamic vinegar and the pomegranate vinegar made its way back home with me. So delicious! I would drink the vinegar plain if it were not for their price tags. A little pricey, but the business has got to make a profit somehow, and with the unique specialty and great quality, this business is entitled to set these prices. Next time I will be bringing back a larger bottle with me. read more

We stopped by here on a Sunday afternoon at 3:40 and they were closed.we came from Orange County too. :(

We had a Groupon. Everything is available to sample. Food, olives, soaps, lotions vinegars and oils. The 25 year old aged balsamic was fantastic. Very nice kids work in the store. They also have recipes free for the taking. Fun and tasty. read more

I like to get their various oils to throw in the occasional gift basket. It tends to be something my clients like.

This is my go-to place for gifts for my boyfriend's family when I go to visit. The packaging is always very nice, and they also sell a variety of other foods and knick knacks that are perfect to throw into a gift box. The olive oil and vinegar selection is varied and the quality can't be beat! My absolute favorite oil is the basil, and favorite combo is black & basil and yachts of love. I love to top bagels and lox with the basil olive oil, and use any of the balsamic or vinegar in salad dressings. Honestly one of the best ways to enjoy the oil and vinegar is to dip a fresh baguette into it, especially with a dash of the herb mix they sell and a little salt. They also have a location in the public market that's super convenient. Can't sing enough praise about this place! read more

Amazing kalamata olives. My favorite pomegranate vinegar. Lovely and knowledgeable lady to assist you. Best service ever. A hidden gem. Nice way to wind down after standing in line at nearby post office. Treat yourself and then purchase a special gift for a deserving someone. read more

This place is fantastic. The customer service was warm friendly and informative. The products they sell are... exquisite. Seriously the 25 year balsamic blows my mind every time I taste it. Considering how expensive olive oil tends to be anyway, I find the stuff they sell to be really worth it. Totally try stopping in and doing a tasting. If you love gourmet food then this is the place for you! read more

LOVE LOVE LOVE this place!!! The staff is so so helpful and unbelievably knowledgeable! (Especially Brian and Victoria!!) they always have a new recipe for me to make with their different products! The rosemary olive oil is my personal favorite and I put it on EVERYTHING. The caramelized garlic is another favorite and I typically eat it by the jar. I love going in to sample new things and going to their website or Instagram to find new recipes! Thank you il fustino!! read more

I hate writing bad reviews for places, but I don't think it's fair to only share my good experiences. I love fresh olive oil and vinegar. Normally I go to Viva Oliva, but a friend asked me to try out Il Fustino since she has a few bottles to refill. We walked in and honestly my first impression of the owner(?) was Santa Barbara Snob. He was callous and extremely all-knowing. The thing is, I know a lot about olive oil, and I am always willing to learn more. So if he approached us differently and maybe wore a smile I would have been interested. I definitely felt like I was in Santa Barbara, and not in the best way. I also didn't feel the olive oil was very fresh. He said all the oils were local, which means they must be in the store a good chunk of the year until the next press happens in California, that was a little off-putting. Although, I know a lot of Santa Barbarians like to stick to local businesses and products - I'm with you guys on that one, but I don't want to waste money on oil that isn't as rich in antioxidants as one I can get for less. It was also pretty pricey. Maybe I'm just cheap and picky, but I feel with specialty foods it's more acceptable. read more

Great products in spite of insufferably rude and inattentive staff on multiple visits--clearly not just an off day.

Can't get enough of this place! The selection of premium quality olive oil and vinegars can't be matched in Santa Barbara. Great customer service and knowledge of products. Makes the PERFECT gift. Family and friends think I've become an aficionado of olive oil, really I just let the staff school me for a few minutes and pretend I'm an expert. Nobody questions my expertise, they are too busy eating. read more

Great local store with huge variety of olive oil and vinegar . This place not only sells great exquisite olive oil but also has a small gallery room and each month one local artist has his/her show there. This place is well worth to visit! read more

Was really looking forward to my Il Fustino experience but it ended up being sub-par. The shop looks really good but the customer service was lacking. It's a shame because I am very much a foodie and was hoping to be a repeat customer but, with the high prices and lack of good customer service, I'll pass. read more