Their taco Tuesday is great! Honestly everything I've had here is REALLY good. Very flavorful! I gotta say their green salsa is soooo good...and dare I say....better than Los Agaves!!! It really is so yummy. Definitely come eat here if you're looking for authentic flavorful Mexican food! read more

La Cantina - Seafood enchiladas - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

We recently tried the Cantina in the Turnpike Shopping Center. I ordered the Califlower tacos which were honestly super delicious. The cauliflower was fried, and really filling. It also comes with rice and beans on the side as all the tacos do. The guacamole was really fresh and delicious. Definitely recommend ordering it if you like guac. All in all, the experience was good. They had adorable Christmas decorations up, and the staff was really friendly and attentive. Looking forward to returning and trying more items. read more

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My fish tacos were delicious. They had grilled onions and pickled. Yum ! When we arrived there wasn't a soul at the bar--so service excellent. Inside and out (outdoor seating) was very clean and inviting. Great atmosphere. I will definitely be back to try more food items. For those who don't drink alcohol or you're designated driver. They have Corona 0.0 Yaaaaaas ! read more

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La Cantina hasn't failed me yet! After several visits, it's time for my review. Santa Barbara has an abundance of Mexican restaurants in town to choose from. La Cantina brings us New Mexican fare and is worth checking out if you haven't visited yet. They have a great happy hour everyday from 3pm - 5:30. I really enjoy their margaritas here. I've had the watermelon, cucumber basil and passion fruit. I love a good margarita made with fresh ingredients versus artificial, and that's exactly what you get here. As for the food, on my latest visit I tried the enchiladas balandra. The dark rich mole sauce is so delicious and not too sweet or spicy. The chef nailed this mole sauce! I loved it. I've also had their ceviche caribeño which is a great starter. A very light and refreshing ceviche made with halibut, cucumber, lime, tomato, avocado and olive oil. As you can tell I love mole and the pollo con mole is also a great dish to try if you don't want an enchilada. The chicken is formed in a circular shape, and served almost like a sushi roll. I found this to be a beautiful and creative presentation on the chefs part. The tacos are also delicious and full of flavor. I've tried the hongos (mushroom) and fried avocado for a vegetarian option and they are just a flavorful if you don't eat meat. Quesabirria is also a must! The meat is tender and not too greasy. It also comes with consomè. The atmosphere here is spacious and great for a small or large party. Customer service has always been friendly and attentive on my visits. Overall, a great spot to check out located in the middle of town between Santa Barbara and Goleta with plenty of parking. read more

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My family and I initially came to get doughnuts and drinks at Kin Bakeshop next door, but there was a long line, so decided to eat here first. The food and drinks were pretty good, but took a long time to get our food. I can understand if the place was busy, but my family and I were the only ones here. If it wasn't for our waiter being cool, I would've rated this place three stars. Luckily we were partially full from its complimentary chips & salsa so we weren't hangry, but was still uncomfortable waiting for our food. Our mocktails were excellent. Wife and I ordered La Monarca (cucumber, apple, basil) and La Apasionada (passion fruit) drinks. La Monarca was super refreshing. Pescado Culichi was good although the fish was a bit dry. It's halibut with poblano cream sauce and melted cheese, served with a side sautéed veggies. My wife's Camarones Al Mojo De Ajo was even better. It's shrimp in garlic butter sauce served with red beans, rice, and salad. Our waiter was attentive and friendly, which is why I'm willing to give some slack on the slow food service. Not sure what was going on in the kitchen but it just took a long time before our food started coming out. Once the first dish came out, they did come out steadily. Just not sure why it took so long to get started. read more

Ordered the pozole and it was super salty. I also ordered a Coconut Mocktail and it tasted like lemon juice. My wife ordered a watermelon mocktail and it also tasted like lemon juice. Both super bitter. Our server was nice and the food and drinks came out fast. This place is definitely a one and done for my wife and I. read more

La Cantina - Red Pork Pozole - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Really great restaurant recently opened in eastern Goleta Valley! I like to eat early which fits perfectly with their 11-9 daily hours and happy hour 3-5:30. I sat down at the bar around 4pm. Victor the bartender was very fun to talk to and knowledgeable on the menu. I loved his cool apron. I had Chile Compadre to start, it was excellent. One of the most exciting Mexican menu items I've ever tasted. I also loved their tomatillo salsa served with chips. For my main, I had their chicken posole - the broth was great, all white meat chicken very moist, topped with a perfectly ripen half avocado, radish slices and shredded cabbage. I would have preferred a little more broth and a little less chicken, and a tad less salt. UPDATE: Unfortunately I went back for more posole on a different evening at a later time and the atmosphere and service was AWFUL, mostly thanks to a woman with three little girls who were squealing/shouting loudly and running wild. Note to Parents: this is a nice restaurant. Out of respect for the owner and your community, if you can't control your kids, please take them to McDonalds! read more

La Cantina - Posole - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Everything was great, only withheld one star because when I ordered my steak medium it arrived very rare. It wasn't too big a deal, but I could imagine it would be off putting to many. Corn ribs were excellent, mole was delicious, and the salsas were highly addictive. I wasn't drinking, but the cocktails looked great and I could see they had some hot tequila brands on display. Solid flavors for a very solid gringo Mexican spot. I will be back, especially for the tacos. They looked phenomenal. read more

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La Cantina - Worth the Stop! Driving through, we found La Cantina on Yelp and decided to give it a try -- great choice! The enchiladas, taquitos, and guacamole were fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. The initial greeting wasn't the friendliest, but once we were seated, our waitress Jayden turned it all around. He was friendly, attentive, and made sure we were taken care of the entire meal. If you're in the area and craving season authentic Mexican flavors, stop here -- and ask for Jayden! read more

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We were greeted promptly and seated quickly. The service was friendly and efficient. The margaritas and salsa were great. Some of the chips were under cooked and chewy but most were good. I liked my chili relleno as I love jack cheese and I appreciated the side of tortillas. That said jack cheese isn't Mexican authentic so just know some of the dishes are interpretations of Mexican classics. The alambra dish was very wet and would have been better with a less wet pepper like pasilla but like before it was an interpretation. The outdoor seating was nice and I'd probably go back for the margaritas and outdoor space. read more

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Oh my goodness! This was my second time here and I am so happy this restaurant is in this location. Last time I got the salad with strawberry vinaigrette and chicken and today I had the burrito with chicken to go (I asked for no pico de gallo and sour cream). It was absolutely delicious and the service is impeccable. It is very clean, welcoming and airy. I was only in there for a few minutes before 3 different people offered to help with anything I needed. I highly recommend! read more

La Cantina - Burrito with chicken - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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Loved dining at La Cantina for a pre valentine's night! The Fiesta Azteca platter was absolutely delicious. The aesthetic is just as amazing as the food. The space is colorful, vibrant, and beautifully designed. Great food, great ambiance, and definitely a place I'd come back to when in town! read more

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Lunch at La Cantina was a win. Zesty fish tacos, classic tacos, a crisp Mexican brew, and a tangy Mexican mule. Great flavors, chill vibes, and perfect patio seating. Would definitely taco about it again! Check out my visit @sosalicious805 https://www.instagram.com/reel/DC0nyz-xlxL/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ== read more

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Loved the fast service and delicious food. Adorable decor too! Heaters available in outside patio. Drinks were not that great but you can always pay extra to upgrade to better liquor. read more

My daughter and I went to get into Kin doughnuts next door but this great smell of Mexican food hit us and we decided to try it out! We were just going to get some burritos to-go. We sat at a table on the comfortable patio, they said we could even though we had our dog with us. After ordering two steak burritos, John brought us some chips and salsa while we waited. Not sure what it's called, but their light green avocado-like salsa is insane. So good. Our server, John, made us feel at home and is a big part of our great experience here. The burritos were absolutely on point! So good, I ate the whole thing with a smile on my face. I am looking forward to going back and trying more items. Shout out to the nice gentleman bartender and our server! read more

I lllllloooooooooooovvveee this place cause it's near where I play my football games. And their burritos are lip smacking good. Also, they have KILLER corn ribs. Peace out, homies! read more

La Cantina - Me eating a burrito - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Decided to try La Cantina for the first time today for lunch. Wasn't very busy for a weekday lunch. Service was prompt and courteous. Restaurant was very well kept and clean. Salsa was delicious. Like the spicy red. I ordered a torta, which I never do. It was very good. I look forward to trying a few other items on the menu. read more

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La Cantina is a spacious spot with plenty of parking, making it a convenient choice for a casual lunch. We visited shortly after it opened, and there weren't many people there, so we expected a more attentive level of service. Unfortunately, the service was pretty minimal. The atmosphere was nice, but the food didn't quite live up to our expectations. One of our friends really enjoyed her shrimp dish, but the rest of us weren't as impressed. We did appreciate the complimentary chips and salsa. I had the steak fajitas, and they were unfortunately under-seasoned--lacking salt and flavor overall. We didn't try any drinks, so this review is focused strictly on the food. With a bit more seasoning and better service, La Cantina could definitely become a more appealing spot, but for now, it felt like it was still working out the kinks. read more

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Great customer service from Victor at the bar! Food and drinks were wonderful, but above all customer service blew us away! Would recommend to any local or tourist swinging by the area. read more

La Cantina - La monarca was delicious! - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Great open ambiance, friendly and welcoming atmosphere, the staff is accommodating. The vibe inside is vey much of a bar. however the patio is friendly enough for a family to enjoy. Both dishes had fresh ingredients and excellent flavor they most definitely found a great lime juice cocktail for both. (The protein could use more time cooking in the citrus, perhaps ordering ahead of time would fix that) -I'm looking forward to coming back and exploring the menu read more

La Cantina - Halibut Ceviche - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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Very happy for this delightful new addition to the Turnpike shopping center. La Cantina has a nice menu with a good selection of dishes, including mocajete and mole. Their prices are comparable with other restaurants in the area. $18 for two tacos, for example. The tortilla chips and corn tortillas are handmade and fresh. I ordered guacamole and chicken pazole. The pazole was good. I enjoyed the guacamole the best. I look forward to trying other dishes here. The staff members are friendly. There are television monitors up which made it convenient to watch the World Series. read more

Great cocktails, the Paloma and passionfruit margarita were amazing. Tons of tvs, awesome spot to watch games and the food is delicious. Good happy hour menu too! read more

La Cantina - QUESABIRRIA and CHILE RELLENO - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

We came here for Restaurant Week, definitely a very solid menu! Well worth it. The atmosphere was chill and nice, and our waiters were fast & very helpful! read more

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The food here was ok. Wasn't really a fan of the rice and the marinated pork tacos weren't anything special. This could just be what I ordered though because my mom loved her nachos. Mocktail was tasty. I would give it another chance, possibly for happy hour. I just think there are much better Mexican food spots in Santa Barbara to go to. The service was great though! read more

The only thing I liked was the guacamole and their happy hour price(but I wouldn't come here twice for it). I originally came here for their burrito week burrito only to be very disappointed with the burrito. It was mostly rice with very little beef without their french fries that's supposed to be in it. The rice in the burrito was extremely salty. They had two types of salsa and it was very mediocre, neither one of them was spicy. We ordered their happy hour aguachile, the word itself has chili in it but there was no chili peppers in it so it wasn't spicy at all, the shrimp was not cooked in lime juice, chili peppers & cilantro like it should've been. The shrimp came out cooked in a red coctel like sauce vs the verde color that usually are in aguachiles. We also got their halibut ceviche, the fish was definitely cooked in lime juice but it was overtly salty and the lime juice exacerbated it. It had a fishy taste to it, which probably explains why it was over salted in lime juice. Based on the dishes we ate, the food doesn't taste like authentic Mexican food except the halibut ceviche. This place reminds me of Little Alex. There are plenty of authentic Mexican restaurants all over Santa Barbara & Goleta, this ain't it. read more

Love this new spot! What a great addition to the area. An higher end menu than this area is used to and a full bar too! Comfy indoor and outdoor seating and great service. We loved splitting the molcajete and we both enjoyed my Paloma. read more

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La Cantina is our "cheers" spot! Bar tenders are friendly, easygoing and drinks are excellent. We always see someone we know it has that neighborhood feel! Oh, and did I mention we love the food? Servings are generous and we always try something different. We have had family events there and often we just belly up to the bar! If you haven' t tried La Cantina you are missing out! read more

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Today we had lunch at La Cantina. We have eaten here about 6 times since they opened. We love Mexican food and this is elevated, amazingly delicious food- definitely one of the best Mexican food restaurants in Santa Barbara. Bonus- the patio is really nice as well. read more

Some of the worst Mexican food I've ever had. Tasteless, chewy meat, jarred garlic in the salsa, teeeerrible nachos. Service was great and super friendly. Ambiance is also very nice. I will not be eating at this restaurant again. read more

We had dinner at la cantina and I was pleasantly surprised! Drinks are amazing, staff was attentive and kept coming to check on us and wait our table. Drew was our server and he was great & on top of it! We ordered a halibut ceviche & the fiesta azteca platter. Ceviche was great! The platter lacked a little bit of flavor, a little bland even I added salt the salsas are very flavorful ! Dog friendly outdoor seating in always a plus ! We will definitely be back and try other menu items! read more

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A girl friend and I had lunch here this week and we both enjoyed our meals. There were many items on the menu that looked intriguing but I decided to keep my lunch lite and went with what is posted. The soup was quite good and had just the right amount of spice. My friend enjoyed her safe chicken tacos ;-). The few staff were helpful and it was not at all crowded as it was almost 2 pm. Definitely would go back, likely for dinner next time or HH which is every day 3-5:30 pm with drink and food discounts. read more

La Cantina - Bacon wrapped cheese filled pepper - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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Food is delicious and fresh. I had the best Chile relleno I've ever had. The sauce was so tasty.

La Cantina was awesome!! We are neighborhood locals and finally strolled on over with our baby. We enjoyed some happy hour menu items and had a great waitress, Jen who kindly encouraged our palettes. Excellent service read more

Wow worst place ever. So so so so bland and the waiter ate fries off the order before it went out and walked away. They have no spice or flavor do not come here. read more

Delicious food, drinks, very nice people and good looking restaurant. I definitely recommend this place read more

La Cantina - Cucumber margarita with mezcal - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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I grew up in the area and have loved tacos my entire life, so I was really excited to try this place. I'm also a tough critic when it comes to food, and to be honest, my expectations were low since my nephew said he didn't care for it. We went on Taco Tuesday, and while I'm not sure if this is always the case, the Taco Tuesday tacos were much smaller than the regular ones but still called the same thing. I really don't like when things feel misleading. I asked the waitress before ordering, and she said they were the same tacos. When I asked again about the size, she said they were "a little smaller." I asked if that meant half the size, and she said no, just a little smaller. My sister ordered the Taco Tuesday tacos, and I ordered the regular ones. Hers were bite-sized, while mine were huge... at least three times bigger. That's the only reason I gave four stars instead of five. Simple fix... don't scam your customers and piss them off. Name them mini or street or anything to differentiate . Moving on, the service was great, the place had a nice vibe, and the food was honestly amazing. The ribeye steak tacos were perfect, the red rice had great flavor, and the portions were generous. It's a bit pricier than a typical taco joint, but the quality and flavor make it worth it. I'm stoked to finally have a great taco spot in my hood. Well done, La Cantina! read more

A buddy and I went there for their Happy Hour drinks and food. Very happy with the food quality, as well as the expediency of delivery. Our waitress was very attentive and friendly, so much so, that we felt the need to compliment her to the manager. I will definitely go back. read more

This restaurant is so creative with their dishes and cocktails and the ambiance is awesome! We ordered the ceviche, chicken mole, + corn ribs and everything was delish! I absolutely recommend the corn ribs to start! The service was friendly and there is plenty of seating for large groups. Great Mexican food addition for Goleta! read more

We have tried this place twice... Once going up north and the second time when we returned home. The food was delicious! However it is so darn cold that it is impossible to enjoy your meal. It was 60 degrees or under because they have large bay doors and windows open. Our food each time was cold by the second bite. We had to wear our coats. We will not return read more

This restaurant is 100% excellent! I couldn't be more delighted to have it close by! The ambiance is casual but classy. Two patios with heaters, gorgeous bar, great happy hour! Service was great and the food was the best Mexican food I have had in literally years!! So happy this place opened up!! read more