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    Nook

    4.1 (294 reviews)
    ModerateBars, New American
    Closed 11:30 am - 9:00 pm
    Updated 2 months ago

    Order Nook Takeout or Delivery

    Nook Photos

    NOOK ATMOSPHERE

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    Hipster
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    Casual
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    Reviews With Photos

    Jorge H.

    My wife and I have been wanting to try this place out and we finally did. We both ordered a burger and fries. The burgers were good, the patties had an interesting texture. The fries were really good and they were crunchy which was a plus. It's a good spot to have a beer and watch football games.

    The Nook Burger. Comes with fries
    Jenn M.

    The halibut tostada is consistently good and fresh and one of the best values in town. It is $22 and has a huge piece of fish on it. The flavors are all good. The Nook burger is $20, comes with fries. I was told that's a going price of a burger these days. My friend said it was very good and just right.

    Destiny W.

    Might be the best burger I've ever had. The service was really good and the fries were delicious!

    Britt R.

    I definitely enjoyed the Topa Topa burger. I have never had brie on a burger and it actually tasted really good. The llama burger didn't have much flavor, even though there were a lot of toppings. I have had the pork belly quesadilla here before and I really enjoyed that. I appreciate that it's kid friendly but kids cannot sit at the bar inside or outside, of course. Always been a big fan of the nook a little hidden gem.

    Seafood burger and truffle fries
    Kimberly H.

    Went there to watch an NBA game, VIBE was amazing, they had several TVs so other sports events where on as well. There were several other businesses that shared the space and it was open seating. I sat at the bar which was a different business than the "Nook" (which is a food only business). You have to order at a window and are then given a buzzer to alert you when your food is ready. I ordered the "seafood burger", which was a blended patty of salmon, shrimp, and scallops and I opted for truffle fries. Although very busy and crowded on this particular day, it did not take long for my food. Even if the wait would've been longer, the food would have been well worth it.

    Ordering/pick up window
    Holly M.

    The Nook is inside the Lama Dog Tap Room and my husband, and I wanted to try their burgers since they came highly recommend by the locals. I'm so glad we came here! I was impressed with their burger selection, and it was hard to decide what one to get. The burgers are generously sized, with a thick and juicy patty that fills the bun. The patties are cooked to perfection, retaining their natural juices. Each bite is succulent and flavorful. You'll find a variety of toppings to customize your burger. From classic lettuce, tomato, and onion to more adventurous options like avocado or caramelized onions. The buns are soft, slightly toasted, and hold up well against the juicy patty and toppings. The seasoning is spot-on, enhancing the beefy flavor without overpowering it. Whether you like it simple or loaded with toppings, The Nook's burgers are a delightful treat for your taste buds and don't forget the seasoned fries! They were perfect nice and crispy just the way I like them! We rolled out of there we were so full! Remember, taste is subjective, but most visitors agree that The Nook's burgers are a must-try when you're in Santa Barbara! They also offer other types of food if you aren't a burger person such as salads, pork belly quesadilla, and sandwiches. The atmosphere inside the tap room is one of my favs! Didn't really interact with the staff just ordered from them.

    Lama Burger
    Diana L.

    Hidden in the popular happening Funk zone, the nook serves as the anchor between llama dog and topa topa breweries. Their menu consist of hearty meals that pair well with a flight or one beer. Order truffle fries! But their regular fries are just as delicious and crispy- just order both! The lama burger, good luck trying to get all layers in one bite. You get preference on how the meat to be done. ( I personally do medium rare). This burger includes bacon and a Chile filled with cheese. It's worth the battle to eat it. Just dig in! Always get the pretzel! Tough exterior soft interior-comfort food! If you must go healthy the salmon salad is a filling portion and delicious. This place is great for groups of all sizes, but seating is on a first come first serve basis. Most workers are attentive and friendly.

    9/14/2024

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    4 months ago

    Love the food and the vibe here. Menu is always fun to try something new and sit outside.

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    Georges B.

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    Georges B.

    Thanks for the killer review Amy!

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    9 months ago

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    1 year ago

    Friendly staff. Decent food. Taco Tuesdays are the screaming deal. Love the pretzel bites.

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    Georges B.

    Thank you Eliz!!

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    3 years ago

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    5 years ago

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    11 months ago

    We tried the burgers and Mac and cheese. Poor quality food. Felt like frozen food got defrost.

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    Georges B.

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    2 years ago

    Cool spot to hangout. Truffle fries SMACK. Nook burger mid though. Fast service which is always nice.

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    Page 1 of 8

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    Ask the Community - Nook

    Is there a Kids menu?

    I don't think so, but I am pretty sure they can make something work for kids. When I was there the other night there were a number of kids. So I would assume they would adjust some menu items to be completely kid friendly.

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    We chose this spot to celebrate a milestone birthday and made an advance reservation for a large…read moreparty. The booking process was smooth and straightforward, which I really appreciated. When we arrived, the ambiance was lovely, we were seated outside, and with the perfect weather, it made for a really nice setting to celebrate. Because of our group size, we were on a prix fixe menu. While I understand the need for that with larger parties, it did limit the experience a bit since we couldn't choose individual dishes. We chose the high priced option with more food. The food itself was decent, but nothing particularly stood out. Many of the courses felt more like appetizers, so it didn't quite feel like a full, well-paced meal. Service was a bit inconsistent. We had Harlow, who seemed a little disengaged at first, though she did warm up after some light conversation. That said, we didn't see much of her afterward and were expecting a bit more attentiveness given the size of our group. She actually had no idea we were celebrating a birthday until about check out. Which is odd because of our advanced reservation. Once she did know she brought out a small birthday dessert. Water refills weren't offered regularly, and we had to flag someone down for additional drinks. There also wasn't much explanation of the dishes as they were brought out, so we found ourselves guessing what each item was based on the paper menu left at our tables. One point of confusion was the billing process. We were asked to put a card on file ahead of time, with the understanding that it would be charged at the end of the meal and that gratuity would be included for a large party. However, neither happened, which left us a bit unsure about how to handle the final payment and tip. Overall, it was a decent experience, and we made the most of the evening thanks to the great company and atmosphere. That said, for the price point, I was hoping for a more seamless and attentive dining experience to match the setting.

    The Black Sheep Restaurant + Bar

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    (1.3k reviews)

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    Black Sheep has quickly become one of my absolute favorite restaurants in Santa Barbara -- and…read morehonestly, every time I walk in I think, am I really still in Santa Barbara? The level of service is that good. Logan & jess Huge credit to Ruben, the owner, and his wife, who created the beautiful decor. The space is stunning -- high ceilings on the main floor and a cozy, chic European bistro feel upstairs, but still airy and comfortable. It's stylish without being stuffy. The food is consistently excellent -- fresh, seasonal, and often sourced from the farmers market, with many organic ingredients. The chantelle mushrooms and risotto were outstanding. They're also incredibly accommodating with dietary needs (yes, even vegan options -- they had vegan butter ready without hesitation, which I deeply appreciate). And the bar... if you're lucky, you might catch happy hour all night. Even luckier? Jess behind the bar. She is absolutely fantastic -- warm, skilled, and makes the whole experience feel special. An ode to Jess: Hey Jess, the queen of the pour, One drink in and you'll want more. Good vibes, great laughs, service at its best, Every bar needs a Jess -- but this one has the best. The service overall is truly exceptional -- attentive, genuine, and rare to find these days. What does this place need? Honestly... nothing. Just go. If you're visiting Santa Barbara, don't miss it. If you live here, this should become your new favorite spot.

    Great vibe and solid food…read more The Black Sheep Restaurant + Bar is a fantastic spot for drinks and catching up with friends. The atmosphere is lively and visually appealing -- I love how the space is set up. Ruben, the owner, was our server, and he was personable and attentive even though the restaurant was slammed. It was clear he cares about the experience and makes sure guests are taken care of -- thanks, Ruben! The food was good, with generous portions. It's not "over the top" or heavily specialized, but everything was well-cooked and executed by a chef who knows his craft. Perfect for a relaxed night out with friends. Overall, if you want a fun bar vibe, solid food, and attentive owner-led service, this is a great choice in Santa Barbara.

    Finch & Fork - Bailey's Brioche French Toast

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    Visited Finch & Fork with my girlfriend. We had a lovely breakfast. Service was attentive and…read morefriendly. Our food was delicious. I'm normally not a yogurt person, but I really enjoyed theirs. I'm pretty sure the granola was homemade or at the very least sourced from a whole food brand. The baked pears added the perfect amount of sweetness. Pancakes and Avocado toast were also delicious. The cocktail is dangerous; I could have sipped on it all day. The restaurant is located inside The Kimpton. It's a beautiful property. Shoutout to Robert who was a pleasure to meet. Oh, and PARKING is COMPLIMENTARY if you dine at the restaurant, how awesome is that! (don't forget to tip the valet)

    Took my mom here for Mother's Day brunch after seeing generally positive reviews online…read more Unfortunately, the experience did not live up to the price point at all. First, Finch & Fork is essentially just the restaurant inside the Kimpton Canary Hotel. What I mean is that it's not a restaurant that happens to be inside of hotel property (think Caruso's). It's just where you eat as a hotel guest that is hungry for brunch. We had an 11:00 AM reservation, which I believe was the earliest brunch seating. The hotel lobby was packed and chaotic when we arrived. We checked in and sat down to wait, but while we were waiting, multiple other parties of two who checked in after us were seated first. Not a huge issue on its own, but not a great start. The Mother's Day brunch itself consisted of a buffet plus an entrée selection. The buffet had three main sections: seafood (oysters, shrimp, tuna poke), salads, and miscellaneous bites and desserts like deviled eggs, Italian wedding soup, and macarons. Honestly, the buffet felt more like cocktail hour appetizers at a wedding than a true luxury brunch spread. The entrées were fine. The service was fine. Nothing was bad, but nothing felt memorable or special either. The atmosphere was also extremely loud...noticeably so. What really dropped the rating for me was the value. For two people with no alcohol (just iced tea), the total came out to $264.60. That price was honestly shocking for what was offered. Nothing about the food, service, or atmosphere justified that kind of cost. As we were leaving, we noticed a Photo Booth setup and a bouquet-making station across the lobby. No one had mentioned either of these to us, and the bouquet station appeared unattended, so we weren't even sure whether it was included or an extra charge. Overall, I left feeling disappointed, especially because this was meant to be a special Mother's Day outing for my mom. If you're just looking for a casual hotel brunch/lunch/dinner, it's perfectly fine. But for a holiday brunch at this price point, I expected something much more polished, elevated, and memorable.

    Barbareño - Mango Pavlov... one of the best desserts I've ever eaten!

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    Opal - PESTO SAUTEED BAY SCALLOP SALAD $18.95

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    STEPH JUDGEMENT: Elegant-casual with a well-heeled older crowd…read more We wanted a nice dinner while in town and this place looked promising based on the reviews. We'd made reservations and were seated promptly when we arrived. The ambiance was warm and inviting. We noticed that the diners' demographic skewed older, but that was fine with us--it made for a relaxing time. We started things off with some cocktails: I got the Opal martini (gin and vodka, with Gorgonzola stuffed Olive--very good) and the hubby got the house old fashioned (not too sweet, also very good). They brought out a small complimentary bread basket, which had two different kinds of excellent bread. Carb avoidance be damned! We ordered the following: - warm seafood salad (lots of fresh seafood--great) - butter lettuce salad with Gorgonzola (so simple and so delicious) - mushroom risotto (delicious! Cheesy with bits of walnuts and asparagus as well as the shrooms) We thought the prices were reasonable prices for the quality, and the service was excellent. Overall a really great experience; would definitely try again.

    The ambiance at Opal was as usual, lovely, but extremely noisy. Not a lot they can do about that,…read morebut be aware if you are a large group that you won't be able to hear each other! And usually, the food is really good at Opal. But not this time! Very disappointing. Due to popular demand, they put the hangar steak back on the menu. I love that dish, so ordered it with great anticipation! But I was sorely disappointed. The steak was perfectly cooked to medium rare, but that's where the goodness stopped. It was extremely tough with gristle running throughout. The meat itself was flavorless. And, the sauce was something I couldn't even identify! No idea what it was, but it wasn't tasty. The mashed potatoes mentioned they contained horseradish. I love horseradish, so I was excited to try them. Unfortunately, half a bottle of horseradish in 1/2 cup of potatoes just doesn't work! Would have been better to have plain potatoes with a side of horseradish! I have to say the vegetables were nicely prepared, but nothing to write home about. All in all, a disappointing trip to Opal. I hope they make this dish the way t used to be, or cease putting it on the menu. It doesn't work at all the way it is.

    Nook - bars - Updated May 2026

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