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    La Playa Azul Cafe

    3.9 (454 reviews)
    ModerateMexican, Salad
    Closed 11:00 am - 9:00 pm
    Updated 3 months ago

    La Playa Azul Cafe Photos

    LA PLAYA AZUL CAFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups
    Dogs allowed

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    Recommended Reviews - La Playa Azul Cafe

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    Clare B.

    DAMN. When I say this place will blow your hair back, I mean it! I've been coming here for a while and should've written this sooner, but my world is officially rocked. What sets them apart is the service: If you're in a rush, they got you. If you're looking to enjoy yourself, THEY GOT YOU. The staff is so nice, attentive, and knowledgeable. David was the server for my section and safe to say he crushed it. He is also absolutely beaming with kindness. Again...great vibes. On David's recommendation, I had the Pescado en Salsa Verde and it will absolutely blow your mind. Pair it with the roasted pineapple margarita (perfect balance) and you're set. This is the vibe for a date, friends, or even a large group event. You CANNOT skip this spot.

    Shrimp Picado
    Lety S.

    It's in downtown, right next to The Presidio. We enjoyed our delicious lunch it was served hot & with warm flour & corn tortillas. Upon arrival you are greeted with chips & salsa. We ordered to eat indoors, I like my food to stay warm because I eat slow to enjoy every bite. It's beautifully decorated in a Spanish style very classy. It gets full fast so expect to wait around dinner hours. Parking is almost non-existing, around this area so we walked to this restaurant If you find parking it's only for 15 & maybe 75 minutes. Enjoy your Mexican food and you'll want to take extra for later too!

    Steak fajitas
    Christine S.

    I was pleasantly surprised how good this was. I wasn't really looking for mexican food because I have it so often. But I truly enjoyed the beef fajitas and shared an entree with my daughter with leftovers to spare. Very tender and moist meat and the vegetables were cooked to a tender consistency - a nicer flavor than most of places I've had fajitas. You can tell they make effort to bring authenticity to their menu. Our server was attentive but did make a couple mistakes with my friend's order that was supposed to be dairy-free. I think he was just a bit frazzled and provided prompt service otherwise. Normally we would have sat out on the patio but it was raining torrentially so we were inside and it was still very nice with the talvera tiles on the walls.

    Chile Verde
    Cheryl R.

    The patio is delightful with lush plants and flowers making for a very pleasant atmosphere. Service was friendly. The guacamole was good. Chile verde was fine, and I really enjoyed the beans. "Grilled" veggies weren't grilled, but likely sautéed. My friends enjoyed the cheese enchiladas.

    Reyna M.

    I'm an SB local and ashamed to say I had never been here before! I had dinner here with a friend a few days ago and absolutely fell in love! The server, Mario, was super awesome and attentive. Sitting in the patio area is a must! They are right across the street from the Presidio and the view is beautiful. I ordered the Caesear salad and it was a nice big portion. We also got flautas for the appetizer which was also delicious and whatever sauce was used (can't remember and unfortunately didn't get a pic because it went too fast!) was bomb! I would love to eventually come back and get a happy hour drink next time! Only downside is that there is not a lot of parking. Aside from that, this place is awesome!

    The Playa Azul Tostada with freshly grilled halibut.
    James W.

    My wife and I recently paid a return visit to the patio at Playa Azul, and it was fantastic! First of all, there's the chips and salsa, and when I say "salsa," it is one of the best anywhere with those great Central Coast tomatoes. Every taste was full of flavor from beginning to end, and we did ask for more. Next, we had the house margaritas, which were a good accompaniment for the meal to come. Based on past experience, we both enjoyed the Playa Azul Tostada with halibut, and it was just perfect. A real treat is getting down to the tostada and tasting well-cooked beans. Plus, the vinaigrette adds some deep flavor to the fish. In fact, we went back on the following day to have it again before leaving Santa Barbara. I'm already asking myself when we can return for a visit. When in Santa Barbara, stop by Playa Azul Cafe.

    Great beer for Mexican food
    Alan F.

    Quaint building ; grandmamas home converted to serving food. The basic chips and salsa is really good with fresh chips and tasty salsa. However those looking more kick/chilies in their salsa, this isn't it. Fish tacos were delicious as were the tequitos . Great rice and beans . This is a standard for SB

    Jenna M.

    Great time! A little secret gem in downtown Santa Barbara. The food is delicious. There are many options to choose from on the menu. The drinks are great too! Everyone is super nice and friendly. They will offer to help you if you have any questions. The restaurant is located in a nice spot. There are options to either sit inside or outside on a nice sunny day.

    Cheese Enchilada
    Ruby B.

    Fun and special night with friends for dinner here. It was our first time to La Playa Azul. It's one of our friends' favorite places to go. All 5 of enjoyed all the entrees we chose. I had the albondigas soup and it was one of the most delicious renditions I've ever had. It was full of flavor and the veggies and meatballs were delicious! The service was also excellent throughout the evening-attentive and nice. It was very loud because the place was filled with boisterous guests on a Saturday night. Next time we'll reserve a table on the patio where our friends prefer when they come.

    Cocktel de Camaron
    Lindsay W.

    Hands down a great spot to sit outside and enjoy dinner with friends. Parking on street or find a lot nearby. The food options are wide but basically, every dish is yummy! They bring out chips and salsa. We asked for a spicy habanero salsa to kick it up a notch and ordered the guacamole. This is highly recommended. The shrimp or oysters with the ranchera sauce was the fav of the group for entrees and the tacos de papas was best appetizer. The service was quick and food comes out fast. We will be back again, perhaps for happy hour!

    Steak Chilaquiles Verdes
    Guy H.

    Best authentic Mexican food and environment in town!! Strong, delicious drinks, incredible food and the owner is wonderfully kind and attentive. I love to support local businesses when I'm back in town. VERY extensive and large menu with a GREAT happy hour (3-6pm).

    Mark F.

    Cute Patio Lovely Family Great Happy Hour Start your night off at La Playa This is a place where old friends gather on the weight picket fenced in patio, around deep red salsa, rimmed adult beverage, and talk about their day while shaded from the Santa Barbara sun by big'ol trees. This is place where the family run business knows you and you ask about their kids. This is a place that serves up a solid dish with good cocktails. La Playa is a place that should become a staple in your Happy Hour line up or for lunch and dinner. Usually busy with reservations highly recommended for Fridays or Saturdays during the summer. I suggest the patio to take in fresh air and sun SB is known for. And as you know me, I'm looking for the deals which are Tuesday - Sunday: 3 to 6 from an extensive Happy Hour list of eats and drinks. I regularly enjoy the Grilled Steak Quesadillas $10 and will reluctantly share their deliciousness with the table along with the Rajas con Queso $9, and Tostaditas w/ chicken $10. Keep the Premium Margaritas $11.50 or Casa Margaritas $8 flowing! Off the Happy Hour menu I recommend their Steak Ranchero or Carne Asada both at $22.50 or their Chile Verde for $21. I don't recall ever being disappointed with my selection. Come early and stay late. I just might see you in the patio!

    Happy hour margaritas on a Sunday!

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    4 months ago

    Still some of the best Chili Rellenos I've ever had! Super sized servings and excellent, friendly service!

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    2 months ago

    Excellent food, great service and amazing ambiance! what else could you ask for!!! I highly recommend

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    6 months ago

    Great food. Staff friendly. Got there 730 they started closing up at 830. Great location in old downtown

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    Page 1 of 12

    Ask the Community - La Playa Azul Cafe

    Do they offer mocktails or Virgin Margaritas?

    Yes. Just ask for it with no alcohol.

    Is this restaurant pet friendly?

    Yes! Couple here with two dogs almost inside the restaurant one in their lap yes it's dog friendly. They came in when I came in so I know they're not service animals 😃

    Do they use lard in the beans? And is the rice vegetarian? (Not made with chicken/beef broth)

    How do you make Spanish rice without chicken or beef broth?

    View All 4 Questions

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    Came here on a Saturday around 2 pm. We were planning to go to Los Agaves just a block away but…read morethey happened to be closed. Parking was very easy on the street and free. There was a line of people waiting. Took us a little over 30 minutes from getting in line, to ordering and receiving the food later. CASH ONLY. Their specials menu seems to change every day or so. We ordered a taco de hongo (sautéed mushrooms with epazote in a light cream sauce w/ 2 homemade corn tortillas), enchiladas de plaza (chicken breast, potato mushroom, red chile sauce, topped with cheese, chile pasilla strips, cream sauce, avocado and radish), a tamal norteño de puerco (pork tamal), #16 súper-rica especial (pork on 3 tortillas, a modelo, and a piña pepino agua fresca. All for around $63 without tip. They had a tomato salsa, salsa rojo, and salsa verde options. All were delicious. All of the food was excellent and super flavorful. I would say my favorite was definitely the tamal. So savory and the masa was the perfect texture. The pork tacos and mushroom taco were close behind, also delicious. The enchiladas were my least favorite. Still good but I just don't think I can be an enchiladas fan no matter how hard I try!! I just am not a fan of the texture of the tortillas when sauced up. Nevertheless, everything was finished up and nothing left behind. The agua fresca was also super good and refreshing. Very sweet and a little thick so we thinned it out a bit with some water. They have limited outdoor seating but a lot inside. A single bathroom right by the parking lot entrance. Nice and cute spot with hard workers. Would definitely come again!

    Hmmm..... Where to start!?!…read more It was cool watching all the cooks in the open kitchen, the staff looked happy and I was so impressed with the scale of business coming out of such a small kitchen. I did notice that workers were going back and forth to a house nextdoor picking up stuff-- cooked food, veggies and such... The restaurant itself is pretty cute-- open seating inside, nice outdoor seating. The older gent who took my order was sweet and kind. I was looking so forward to this place. But sadly, it simply wasn't worth the wait or cost. This is a picture the remaining portions---yes we ate most of it because we chose to not eat ANYTHING before getting there and the hungry anticipation took over--- we really tried to like the food, but it was just not great. #1 beef taco-- on the white plate--dry dry dry. No flavor. Just dried out beef jerky shavings on a tortilla. Didn't eat it. #18 Julia child's favorite --on Black plates- weird pork meat with crunchy peppers, and globs of melted cheese-- not great. Over-hyped. No flavor, no sauce, pork was soft, had no chew- it was strange. We had a special tamale item on the banana leaf. Chicken mole-- way too sweet, no sauce on top, and somehow it was super wet-- moist and too soft. We ordered a chili releno, but the guy didn't hear, so we didn't taste that-- I asked for some of the crema that comes with it and was charged 75¢ for a small 1oz portion-- tasted like hot cream. Watery and lacking body. No flavor. Cinnamon coffee was served in tiny cups-- super hot, no cream. Asked for cream-- and one of the guys said " no cream" was rude and wasn't interested in helping ---we only got one lid, so I mentioned that there is no way to carry scalding hot coffee with no lid-- someone finally brought the smallest amount of milk. Old coffee with cinnamon stick flavor-- not even good. Guacamole was really sad. Super whipped smooth shinny avocado with tons of pico in it. No citrus, no salt, just crunchy pico-- zero avocado chunks or flavor. The avocado is served on and with fresh tortillas -- the tortillas were great, but they are served with everything, so it felt like a waste. NO LIMES!! The salsas were decent. But NO LIMES!!! Negro Modelo especial beers were ice cold, refreshing and delicious-- the beers had limes. We paid $68 for the food and drinks- I left $10 for a tip. I don't really feel like this was authentic Mexican food at all. I am not sure what to call it. It seemed like it has been "gringo'ed" down-- no heat, no chiles, no spice, no flavor, no limes, no love. Glad I can mark this joint off the list.

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    A Must-Visit in Santa Barbara If you're visiting Flor de…read moreMaiz, you absolutely cannot skip this place. We ordered the pulpo and the chicken mole, and both dishes were incredible. The pulpo was perfectly cooked--tender with a great char and packed with flavor. The chicken mole was rich, balanced, and deeply satisfying, with that classic complex mole flavor that keeps you going back for another bite. What really stood out, though, was the service. It was phenomenal from start to finish--attentive, friendly, and genuinely welcoming without ever feeling rushed. The staff clearly care about the experience they're giving guests. The food, the atmosphere, and the service all came together for a great meal. If you're in Santa Barbara, make sure this spot is on your list. Highly recommend.

    Server was super nice and attentive and food was absolutely delicious. Only flaw was after not…read morereceiving our order for a while. The waitress came back and asked what we had ordered. The food then came out 15 minutes later however one of the five items was the wrong entrée, and the rest of the items did not have.the right modifications. I believe the order wasn't put in at the time we ordered. We did not mention the modifications and were also missing a item that we did not tell the server about the second time around which is why I think the order wasn't placed originally:/ they did comp a dessert, but we were so full from the delicious food that we didn't eat it. Overall I would go. Back. Staff was friendly, and food was good, mistakes happen. Side note there was some "partying" happening in the restroom so if you go with your family don't let them go unattended.

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    This place is hyped as a date place…read more It's in a fancy location near the beach, nice patio. It is good food but overhyped IMO. $16 for patatas bravas is a bit on the silly end. lts also one of thoses places that defaults to 20% tip on the low end. I have no problem with paying a 20% tip but the service was poor on my visit. We gave one instructions/request that were just completely disregarded. Very little in terms of service other than attempts to upsell with more Tapas when we were done. Sorry, just being honest.

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    La Playa Azul Cafe - mexican - Updated May 2026

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