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    Marisella

    4.1 (115 reviews)
    Ultra High-EndItalian, Wine Bars, Cocktail Bars
    Closed 5:00 pm - 9:00 PM

    Marisella Photos

    MARISELLA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Touristy
    Classy
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Marisella

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    rigatoni
    Ivy C.

    Rating: 6/10 Ambiance is gorgeous, with a beautiful ocean view and great romantic lighting. However, service was severely lacking and slow, and the food was expensive for the portions and not the best. We ordered the focaccia with whipped ricotta, crudo, spicy rigatoni, and clam pasta. The focaccia was warm and crispy and contrasted well with the creamy, cheesy ricotta. The crudo was the best item and was fresh and well-seasoned. Pastas were underwhelming. Super small portions (we probably had about 2-3 mouthfuls per person per dish) for the price point. The rigatoni was slightly bland and could've used more salt, but the spice was perfect as someone who likes spicy foods. The clam pasta was a good lighter option but could have used more umami taste. Service was also really slow, which staff did tell us was due to them being understaffed. Overall, we paid $140 before tax for this meal, and it didn't fill us up. Gorgeous venue but I don't think I'd recommend this place as a must-visit restaurant in SB.

    Beautiful setting
    Marina A.

    Beautiful ambiance! Great service! Delicious food! Amazing presentation! Gorgeous views of the shoreline and the ocean! Nice happy hour as well. Located inside The Ritz hotel. Loved it!

    Menu
    Hope M.

    Went in for a quick bite and drinks for happy hour. The staff was friendly, and gave us good recommendations for food and drinks. We ordered lychee drinks, steak tartare, and arancini. One of my friends is a picky eater. She doesn't like the texture of raw meats and seafood, however, she enjoyed the steak tartare. Honestly, it was a little too salty for our tastes but still very good. The lychee and arancini was a fan favorite.

    Strawberry sorbet , so creamy refreshing.
    Joan M.

    This is a beautiful new restaurant at the Bacara Ritz Carlton in Santa Barbara. Great views looking the ocean. The food is stellar! This was our 2nd visit and we were impressed the first time and even more impressed this time!! This place is a foodies dream. Service was impeccable as well. Highly recommend a visit to this beautiful new restaurant. We will be back!!

    Apple Crostata
    Rachel R.

    We had the most delightful dinner here. The service was immaculate, as you can see in the video Austin so kindly made us tableside tiramisu. Great service all around from ALL staff! The food was good. I'm a huge brown butter sage pasta gal, it was okay, but I wouldn't order it again nothing special. It would have been great to add a sweet component in there somehow. I just got back from Italy so perhaps I'm being harsh. I'd recommend getting another main! The deserts were both great but I liked the apple crostata best! We had a large group and though they didn't have enough tables for us (we neglected to make a reservation as we didn't plan to have time, so that's on us) they were so accommodating and moved tables together for us!

    Traditional italian appetizer composed of cherry tomatoes, basil, olive oil, seasoned breadcrumbs
    Pedro G.

    If you're looking to dine in make reservations. They do get booked so a walk in is a gamble. Bar seating is 1st come 1st serve with access to full menu. The restaurant is small but offers great views. Portion sizes are small, BUT simple and flavorful. We ordered their marinated cucumbers, Orecchiette, and Shrimp & Lobster ravioli. The explosion of flavors brought by the food is worth every nickle and dime! For those not staying at the hotel valet parking is the only option offered, enjoy!!

    Cassie D.

    We stopped by this restaurant after a day of wine tasting in downtown Santa Barbara on Halloween. We were a little hungry after wine tasting and decided to sit at the bar for something quick -- we didn't want to wait for a table, just wanted to eat, have a nightcap, and head back to our room. We ordered the filet mignon, the meatballs, and some greens. Everything was delicious and satisfying -- exactly what we needed after a long day. The gentleman at the bar was great -- very friendly and attentive (I wish I remembered his name!). However, the young lady who initially greeted us, I believe her name was Bernice, wasn't as welcoming. It honestly felt like we were inconveniencing her, which left a bit of a sour first impression. Because of that, I'm taking one star off. Overall, though, it was a nice experience, and I'd still come back -- especially for the food and the relaxing atmosphere at the bar.

    Beautiful entryway!
    Rose A.

    Wow!!! This place is stunning!!! Gorgeous entryway, beautiful decor throughout, stunning ocean views, welcoming staff & delicious cocktails & appetizers. After a relaxing day at the Bacara spa, we made it to Happy Hour at Marisella! The bartenders Richie & Bernice were amazing! From the moment we sat at the lovely bar they made us feel welcome & Richie made the best cocktails! He checked on us frequently enough to ensure we had the best first impression of Marisella! He provided great recommendations & had a charming personality! I'm already planning my next visit! Nothing better than great ambiance paired with top notch service!

    Steak Was reordered twice and still was overcooked and extremely small
    Lana L.

    Really disappointed in this place. I changed my previous reservation in another restaurant just because when I saw the view from this one I really wanted to stay here for dinner. So first of all we was waiting for our order forever , then our dishes was delivered to a wrong table and then when the waiter realized it he took it from the wrong table and brought to us. my dish was wrong , the steak we returned twice and the size of it was microscopic! The branzino for two looked like branzino for one. The waiter was nice but absolutely unknowable of anything's service was too long and food was extremely small and not cooked the way we asked. The restaurant itself is very beautiful and the views are incredible.

    carajillo - sooooo goood!
    Hajir S.

    Marisella is new and comes with both the exciting aspects of a new restaurant, and the growing pains. The restaurant has the potential to truly shine and be one of the best spots in Santa Barbara, but right now it's firing hard on some cylinders, and missing others - however the overall experience is good, and if you're staying at the Ritz Carlton Bacara you should do yourself the service of staying on property for dinner here for one of your nights. The cocktail list is splendid - the Mister Carlton is fantastic with tequilla, mezcal, just real flavors of Santa Barbara. Great way to kick off the meal alongside the tomatoes, local olive oil, and tomato salt. I would add the focaccia and some of the accompaniments. It's worth it, and while my wife loved the tomato sauce pot, I loved the whipped ricotta. Wine list also quite stellar, especially if you're into California wines. I wouldn't hesitate to think a bit outside the box from what you normally order - the options are there, but even if drinking by the glass, your options are really wonderful, though pricey. They have Uni on the menu as an appetizer, though I got it on my lobster ravioli. I cannot say enough times that you should be eating Uni when you're in Santa Barbara. Uni tastes better when it's fresh, and it is certainly fresh here. It was a wonderful treat to have, and the pasta while running $44 was worth it thanks to the Uni. The crudos are a great way to start and the red snapper one is so fresh. Hard to not like that. The Lamb Pasta is more of a comfort food and calming. The sides are all nice but expensive and potentially not worth it when you could do another crudo or something. Dessert is good, but the real way to close out this meal is their Carajillo. Then head back to your room and have a great time - or find valet and hope you didn't drink too much...

    Focaccia, olives, carpaccio
    Monika R.

    This was the most special dining experience during our stay in Santa Barbara. The staff, food, and ambiance were incredible. Compliments from the chef and complimentary dessert for our wedding anniversary. We tried multiple cocktails and each was uniquely delicious. Would 10/10 recommend and will definitely be back.

    Javier J.

    I went to Marisella about a week or so after they opened. Emily took great care of us. The timing of the food was awful, but Emily made sure things were made up for, and I appreciate that. The focaccia with its dips is all worth trying. My two favorites were the whipped ricotta and the dip in the pot. Clams casino (+), although potentially no longer available per their online menu Squash blossom (+) Snapper crudo (+) was very heavy on the olive oil, but because of the fish's more neutral taste, this worked out. Garden greens salad (+) dates and pistachios add pizazz to this salad. It is well-balanced and exciting at every bite Shrimp scallop ravioli (+/-) neither hit nor miss, maybe there is just a little too much going on with it, but the flavors didn't mix well for me Lamb Ragu (+) the lamb is a nice addition that adds the earthy and gamey flavors to a pasta that allows for that Filet Mignon (+) I prefer mine as a full barrel cut portion, but the tenderness of the meat here made me less picky for the moment. It was terrific, and although filets are not necessarily known for their high fat content, it had enough to take away from the potential boredom that ribeye lovers complain about when it comes to these cuts. Their cocktails vary from good to great, and their wine options will have something for lovers of pairings. The dessert that I tried was their tableside tiramisu, which I loved because it wasn't overly sweet and kept it simple, which is what a tiramisu should always be. When I saw this was being opened by the same restaurant group that runs Maple and Ash, I had to try as much as possible. Now, they have a good baseline, and it's worth a try. If I had to nitpick, I'd ask for more attention on the pastas; less is more sometimes.

    Chantel S.

    I enjoyed my previous experience but came back for a birthday celebration and was let down. I requested a table along the window and was not given it even when one appeared open. Instead I was at a table in the middle of the busiest walkway with staff constantly walking past. When asked about adjusting it and shared my request ahead of time the hostess was confused at first and did look into it, but then I was told that the table along the window was PAID ahead of time to be reserved. I was disappointed to find that paying a deposit for a table was an acceptable policy and think it is unfair to the other customers. It detracted from the experience.

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    Ask the Community - Marisella

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    Samsara Wine

    Samsara Wine

    4.9
    (48 reviews)
    3.9 mi

    We have been visiting this wine shop once a year for the past few years and look forward to it…read moreevery time. It's very unassuming but that's the best part. Chill vibes. We sit out in the outdoor patio that's basically a part of the parking lot with our dog (and now toddler) and it's great. We love the rose the best and most recently, got a taste of the Chardonnay. Jack has been the man every time except we met Hailey (? Sorry if I got your name wrong) this time and they are wonderful.

    Samsara winery is located about 10-15 minutes away from Santa Barbara, and tucked away off Los…read moreCarneros Rd. I love checking out new wineries I haven't been to, and came across this one on Tik Tok. There's ample parking here with other small businesses in this little plaza. Such as Captain Fatty's Brewery and Green Star coffee. The winery itself is located around the corner once you drive in. Look for the signage directing you towards the back. They have a nice outdoor patio area, but I chose to sit inside on my visit. I was the only person there most likely because it was a weekday. I decided to do a tasting of the reds. It was $30, which seemed a little high but the wine is from the Santa Rita Hills region. Anyone who knows about STA. is aware that they have the best Pinots. I enjoyed each tasting and Julie was really good at explaining each pour. The Pinot and Syrah/Grenache/Mourvèdre were my favorites. I also appreciate that I didn't get a headache after sampling the wines. That's a huge plus! Overall, I had a nice experience here. I would love to come back and try their wine specials and listen to live music on a Sunday Funday afternoon.

    Photos
    Syrah/Grenache and Rosé of Mourvèdre and Grenache. Thanks Genevieve and Gina.
    Syrah/Grenache and Rosé of Mourvèdre and Grenache. Thanks Genevieve and Gina.
    Indoor seating
    Indoor seating
    Always delicious swirling here at Samsara. Even better with tasting room mascot Gus.

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    Always delicious swirling here at Samsara. Even better with tasting room mascot Gus.
    Aperitivo

    Aperitivo

    4.8
    (166 reviews)
    12.9 mi

    A warning: don't come here…read more If you come here, your expectations for any future plate of expertly and carefully prepared crudo will be extinguished forever in the aftermath--the afterlife--of a crudo so delicate, so beautifully presented that few plates could compare. There was life before this crudo plate, and there is life afterward. Burrata? You haven't *tasted* burrata. A plump burrata seeming to bloom amongst hefty slices of speck resting on a bed of some of the sweetest peaches I've ever eaten, grains of oil-kissed mustard seed divinely adorning its crown. I'm light-headed writing this. My queendom for burrata of this caliber. Now, the service. Exquisite, warm, intelligent. Lindsey (Lindsay? Please tell me how to spell thy name!) was incredible. From the moment we walked in, to the moment we left, we felt genuinely welcomed and cared for throughout our dining experience. I was merely passing through on my way back home to Claremont from Monterey (on a research trip; you didn't ask, dear reader, but this context is essential as research takes its toll on one's nervous system and sometimes only a glass of wine and delightful aperitivos will do to calm thyself) and decided to stop here on a whim. Don't come here, lest you find some excuse to drive 2.5 hours out of your way from the Inland Empire to Santa Barbara to taste not only these delights again, but to feel welcomed so wholesomely into a space where it is clear (from service to food prep) that the art of the aperitivo is not lost, not shallowly puppeteered for an unknowing diner, but ALIVE, and vibrantly so. Thank you to everyone there for one of the best dining experiences of my life. I will be back. Don't come. Turn away. Do not embrace the internal shifting of one's sense of self. Like Stephen King warns his Constant Reader at the end of The Dark Tower: "Should you go on, you will surely be disappointed, perhaps even heartbroken...Endings are heartless. Ending is just another word for goodbye. Would you still? Very well, then, come. (Do you hear me sigh?) Here is the Dark Tower, at the end of End-World. See it, I beg. See it very well. Here is the Dark Tower at sunset." Here, at Aperitivo, is a materialized sunset that you can taste in every bite. Like many, I read beyond Stephen King's warning to see the truth of what lay at the culmination of his most famous series. I want the truth, however painful it may be. If you are strong enough to embrace a shift in what a truly special dining experience *can* be, then come, at your own peril. Oh, and they have txakoli. Long days and pleasant nights, dear reader.

    Not the first and definitely not the last we'll be here. Stumbled upon Aperitivo a few years ago,…read moreand it was some of the best and most authentic Italian food I'd ever had (even before knowing what real Italian food tasted like). Now that I've come back from Italy, I have a greater appreciation for Aperitivo and what it stands for. Definitely fell in love with the concept of aperitivo in Italy, and this restaurant really embodies that concept. Sat down and got myself a Negroni. It was pretty damn good and close to what a real negroni would taste like if it had Campari. Was pleasantly surprised that they gave us snacks on the side (in true spirit of aperitivo) and then proceeded to crush some crudo and mortadella sandwich. Afterwards, ended the night off with delicious affogato. Really brought me back to my time in Italy. The menu is always fresh and seasonal, so there's always something new to look forward to. Will definitely be back.

    Photos
    Inside view. Love the checkered floor
    Inside view. Love the checkered floor
    INSALATA DI RADICCHIO, PERE, NOCCIOLE, PARMIGIANO
    INSALATA DI RADICCHIO, PERE, NOCCIOLE, PARMIGIANO
    Inside view - Get here early because they get busy!

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    Inside view - Get here early because they get busy!
    The Lark

    The Lark

    4.2
    (2.1k reviews)
    13.2 mi
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    Sad that this place has been around for over a decade and we just ate here, last night. Glad that…read morewe found it and will return. JJ was our server and he did a great job of moderating how much we ordered and bringing out the plates in good combinations. All the plates are to be shared and our party of 4 enjoyed them all. We were seated outside. It was a nice, the sun only hitting 1 person for a few minutes before it moved far enough for us all to be in the shade. The menu served as sun protection for that time. Cantaloupe was ripe and the tajin and lime gave it a delicious new flavor profile. We overheard the table next to us raving about the heirloom tomato panzanella, so, we ordered it too. The ricotta made this dish. Totally understood what the other table was talking about and we were thankful to overhear them. The Lark's Classic Wedge was the best wedge I have ever had. Sure, I don't eat as many salads as I should but I can appreciate the difference between bacon and the crispy pork belly served here. The line caught crude was ahi. This came out first and we devoured it. The picture will tell you all the words I can't put together right now. New Orleans Shrimp Toast was the only "hot dish" we had. The included sausage was a little too spicy hot for the table. Not me, though! The jus was incredible. If I had another piece of brioche, I would have left the plate clean. Had the narrator as my cocktail. Sweet and sensational!

    I think we had come in for drinks at the bar a while ago. This time we made a last minute late…read morenight reservation through sapphire reserve access. The oasis like patio was lively for such late night hour. It took a while for someone to come by take our drink orders. But once our waitress arrived the service was very good from beginning to the end. We decided on a Mezcal specialty cocktail and hubby's usual Vesper martini. For food we had dip and chips, veggie pasta, crispy duck and cast iron steak. The dill pickle popcorns were so yummy. I liked the flavorful pasta the most and the duck was very delicious as well. We really liked our late night meal and everything tasted so good. This is a fantastic restaurant and bar for drinks and late night eats!

    Photos
    Dining room
    Dining room
    Handmade Rigatoni Pasta
    Handmade Rigatoni Pasta
    Tea Time (NA)

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    Tea Time (NA)

    Marisella - italian - Updated August 2026

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