Located inside Lama Dog and Topa Topa taproom, this vibrant little shipping-container-turned-kitchen dishes out unique and exemplary dishes. Order from one window and the food comes out the next. Everything on the detailed-oriented menu does not disappoint. My personal favorite is the pork belly quesadilla. Pairs perfectly well with most beers pouring out at either adjacent taproom. Check this place out and grab a beer. Cheers mates. read more

Located inside the awesome Lama Dog Tap Room. Great menu. It's small but just right. Mostly entrees (the only side I recall seeing were the truffle fries) but they are fantastic and there's something for everyone (including fish and vegan options). I had the seafood burger and it was pretty tasty and super filling. The truffle fries were really good too. Great atmosphere inside Lama Dog. Grab one of their delicious beers and you're all set. read more

Terrible service Order wasn't completed and then claimed I was given the order. No apology No chance ever going there again read more

We got the Nook to-go the other week and it did not disappoint. I took a chance on the sweet potato fries (which I normally do not like) and they were so good! Now I love sweet potato fries but only get them from the Nook because they make them the best! Besides our tasty fries we also ordered one beef burger and one veggie burger. I got the veggie and I really like all the extras to it. The cheese was perfectly creamy and the guacamole was well done. I highly recommend the Nook to anyone in looking for a bite to eat in the Funk Zone. It's definitely my go to spot after a brew or two. read more

See all

Nook is a tiny hidden eatery tucked away next to the Santa Barbara shoreline in the Funk Zone District. How tiny is it? It's stuffed inside of another business: Lama Dog Bottle Shop. You don't usually see that sort of real estate management outside of outlet malls, but regardless, the name fits. I haven't experienced much of Santa Barbara's nightlife yet, so I can only imagine Nook as a hip spot to park your bike for a drink during your mid-day sightseeing. The restaurant is open almost as late as the bottle shop is every night, and the bar is fitted with HD TVs and spacious conversation-inducing counters to keep any patron satisfied until closing, I suppose. What throws me off is the wall of merchandise and the refrigerated "gas station" liquor storage. If you think about it, every House of Blues keeps its gift shop separate from the dining area, and the infamous In-n-Out shake-cup socks are locked behind a glass frame. I found it difficult to unwind in this cozy niche of a restaurant while shoppers sorted through medium, large, and extra-large sizes of "Beer, Bark, Love" dog sweaters. At least you can pick up a six-pack to-go on your way out. But none of that matters. Let's get to the fries! The Nook online menu lists the three styles of fries you can find: regular, sweet potato, and truffle. You won't find any other details online, but The Frequent Fryer has you covered! A full order, which is served in large ceramic sharing bowl, costs $6.75 for regular fries and $7.75 for the other two. Side orders of all three fries are available for $3.50 and are half the size, being served in kitschy metal dipping baskets about the size of a large fist. Each basket, though small, is packed with strong flavors, for better or worse. The side baskets are filled with as many fries that can fit, but you might want to start off with the more affordable side-orders right from the get-go. The regular fries are regular in cut, length, and taste. They're not served extremely hot, but not noticeably lukewarm either. The structure is pretty good, with each fry having a thin brittle layer on the skinless outer edge and a soft bouncy inside. What you won't help but notice is the extreme unescapable saltiness. The salt crystals are larger than usual, I assume because they're fresher materials straight from the local sea, but I was not assuming their potency. Make sure you've got a supply of fresh water, or some sauce to help yourself counter all that salt. All that salt can't be contained on regular fries alone: the sweet potato fries also receive this extra strong dose of sodium. These spuds are cut longer than the regular fries, but are shorter than most other sweet potatoes. The consistency is slightly different too: the edges are just as crispy but the fries hold rigidity in their shape better than the regular fries. The usually sweet and soft flesh inside is baked lightly. The salt dominates this taste again however, with a barely noticeable difference between the regular and sweet potato fries. I'd compare it to changing the type of bread on a soft pretzel: you might notice the change of ingredients, but either way the salt demands your attention. Finally, the hero that conquers all this sea salt is the truffle fries. The regular fries are prepared the same way, but the parmesan cheese is melted onto the spuds instead of being layered as a top coat. The herbs and truffle oil pair well with the potatoes to bring out the taste of these FRENCH FRIED POTATOES, ain't that a surprise? There's a big advantage to digging in to these cute fry baskets: the clumps of leftover cheese and spice fall through the grates, so you've got no mess to worry about. The potato flesh is more likely to melt away in your mouth, but the taste is just as strong as a solidly-prepped slice of garlic bread. All tastes at Nook are acquired tastes, it's just up to you to find which strong flavor connects with you best. Like the features of the space, some dishes may warmly invite you in (the scenic patio or the complex truffle fries), and some may come on too strong (the salty fries and $4 foam beer cozies). Final rating for regular fries: 2/5 Spuds. Final rating for sweet potato fries: 2/5 Spuds. Final rating for truffle fries: 3.5/5 Spuds. read more

Nook - Rating for regular fries: 2/5 Spuds. Rating for sweet potato fries: 2/5 Spuds. Rating for truffle fries: 3.5/5 Spuds. - Bars Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Bratwurst was amazing. Turkey burger too. French fries yum!!!! Great upscale bar food.

A little too fancy for the taste... the spicy chicken sandwich was not spicy but ok, panko breaded which made it light but not the best for my taste. Yummy truffle fries, but it's kinda hard to mess those up. Also tried the chicken quesadilla, should've just made it into tacos. Trying to be different and using corn tortillas is nice, but not good for what I think is a good quesadilla. It was a little greasy and there was just too many flavors going on to enjoy it. Again, fancy but not for the price. Location is great, between the winery/beer tasting rooms great if you're getting a little tipsy and need a bite to eat. We went in the afternoon when it wasn't too busy, the food was fresh but also took a little longer than expected. Would give it another try, maybe something different might tickle my tastebuds. read more

Nook - Spicy chicken sandwich, truffle Parmesan fries, chicken quesadilla - Bars Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

This literal "hole in the wall" has some really inventive comfort/bar food - shocking combinations that you just would never expect to see in a tap room. Very satisfying and interesting renditions of dishes you may have had elsewhere, and many dishes you would never have thought of. Quality of ingredients (for example, the "burger wrap" beef) is extremely good. The taproom(s) it inhabits are easy to hang out in with many options (not just beer). Kid friendly, lots of board games etc. pet friendly too. If you like a restaurant where you'll find inventive dishes, try out this little hidden corner kitchen. read more

I ordered the fish tacos in the evening on 12/30. Overnight I became very ill (food poisoning) and spent my entire New Years Eve in bed. Brutal way to ring in 2024. read more

After doing a little wine tasting in the Funk Zone, we needed a little nosh and decided to eat at The Nook since it was close by. The Nook is a hip Brookyn-esque bar/restaurant. It was packed and loud on a Thursday afternoon, but we were able to snag 2 stools in their dining area. We placed our order at the window and a few minutes later, our buzzer informed us that our food was ready. I ordered the Vegan tostada (pico de gallo, cabbage, greens, corn, lime, avocado). The tostada was crunchy and all of the different flavors were a fiesta in my mouth! This is a great place to meet with some friends and enjoy some grub or brews. There's also an outdoor area with some stools and high tops. Dog and stroller friendly too. Wouldn't mind trying another vegan item off of the menu! read more

Nook - Packed on a Thursday. - Bars Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

See all

Super excited that I found this little place while driving through Santa Barbara! My husband and I were looking for a place to eat that had a wide variety of menu items, allowed dogs, and had good reviews. Sure enough The Nook popped up. (Quick Note, The Nook is the window where you order your food inside of the Lama Dog). I ordered one of their burgers (the one that had a fried tomato and brie) with truffle fries and an amber ale and my husband ordered the halibut tostada. My burger was cooked to a perfect medium rare and was a very generous portion. However, it was so large and messy that it was a bit difficult to eat. Also, I do feel like it could have had more flavor. The Truffle fries were very good and my husband gladly helped me finish them. I tried a bite of my husband's halibut was cooked nicely and his dish was very refreshing. Note, the tostada is a flat tostada, not a tostada shell. One of my favorite parts about The Nook/Lama Dog was the atmosphere; they had awesome ska music playing (which was perfect for St. Patty's Day) and the bar was very spacious. Also, as we love to take our dog with us on our day trips, it's a super plus that they allow dogs on their outdoor patio. read more

See all

The salmon salad and all of their burgers are delicious! Dog friendly and great for groups. Love their hard kombucha selection!

I'm so glad that this kitchen is here, sandwiched in between two little brewery-type pubs. I enjoyed the giant burger, with the cute, little basket of fries. read more

This is my first time eating at Nook. The food was delivered to our office. I ordered the veggie flatbread and a side of house salad. The salad was big for a side salad and was alright. The veggie flatbread looked like it was done in a rush. The toppings were everywhere except the flatbread. All in all, the veggie flatbread was soaking in oil and was bland and I didn't even taste the pesto. I'm looking into trying their other dishes but I know I won't be ordering the veggie flatbread anymore. read more

First night in Santana Barbara and I was craving a burger. I got the Lama burger. Did not disappoint. It was cooked to perfection. Gigantic and deliciously juicy. It was a very messy burger lol. But I ain't complaining! The truffle fries were good but the burger was definitely the hero. The Nook shares its with a bar (I think its called the Lava Dog?) And you can buy drinks (soft drinks and beer, spirits). My kiddos liked their food as well. Apparently the lobster mac and cheese was hit amongst them! read more

Nook - This burger was topped with a huge chili that was stuffed with gruyere cheese! - Bars Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Hearty food that pairs well with beer! I've been fortunate enough to dine here several times when I've patronized the watering holes at The Waterline - no pun intended! It's uniquely situated within the confines of this building, in what looks to be a converted storage container. Pretty cool. Regardless of day or time, there is usually a line for The Nook. I see it as a testament to their quality. Each time I've ordered from here, the food is just that. They make a great ahi sandwich and their pretzel bun burger is delicious. The pricing isn't cheap, items start at around $14, but I'd say that the cost is on par with the competition. You certainly get a good bang for your buck. You don't necessarily have to patronize one of the taprooms to order food from here - simply just walk in and get in line. Worth it! read more

Great location, good vibes, EXCELLENT burger!

Never did get my food after ordering, waiting, checking in, and ordering again. I was excited about this place and wish I'd had a good experience. Unfortunately, I can't recommend it, as you might lose your money and not get your meal. read more

I love coming to Lama for a beer and getting a turkey burger from the Nook! I've had a bunch of things on their menu but I think the fried chicken sandwich and the turkey burger are my favorite. If you're not hungry for a full meal, their truffle fries are also a great snack to go with your beer. I highly recommend coming here for dinner, a beer, and watching a game or just hanging with friends! read more

Whether to hold it against them that they serve foie gras? (2/5 green stars) On a recent trip to Lama Dog taproom I ordered some truffle fries from the Nook. They were $7, which is definitely stretching it, pricewise. They were very good though, so on the basis of the fries alone (and service, which was friendly and fast) I'm giving them 4/5 regular stars. I'm also giving The Nook 2/5 "green stars" for social and environmental impact, based on these reasons: * They have a couple of vegan specials. * The rest of the menu is pretty heavy on meat. * They don't have any info (on site or online) on sourcing of meat and fish. * They do mention using organic greens and local berries on one dish. * I didn't see it until afterwards that they serve a foie gras burger. Foie gras was banned in 2012 in California because the force-feeding was deemed to be cruel. It was overturned in 2015, based on claims that the CA law violates federal law. It's currently under appeal. * The Nook management told me that their foie gras supplier is Hudson Valley. After reading about HV, watching their videos, reading some discussion articles (including vet opinions) I would have to say that there are worse conditions that animals have to endure (in factory farms). But I'm still against the idea of foie gras because it involves force feeding to create a diseased state. Find out more at Green Stars Project dot org. read more

See all

Stopped by to check this place out for an outing I had planned next week. Looked nice, so I decided to purchase a warm pretzel they had which looked good. My friend and I were going to share it as it was very large. Cost was $8.50 I believe, rather pricey. No problem if it was good. NOT!! The worst pretzel I've ever had! Tasteless, hardly any salt, lot of air holes in it, no density at all! $8.50, inflated price! Wouldn't have another even if it were free! Don't think I'm going to go back for lunch! Also they were not very friendly... read more

Loved this place! Every single thing we ordered was good. Highly recommend the quesadillas and spicy chicken sandwich. Beers were nice and cold, and service was great will be back read more

Nook - Jalapeño poppers, steak quesadilla, and spicy chicken sandwich - Bars Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

My husband and I enjoyed the nook burger today. I asked for it to be cooked "med rare" and it came out "well", I brought it back to Barbara who without any hesitation said, "ok" we will remake it and bring it out correctly. I was happily impressed with Barbara's kindness and willingness to make sure we had a wonderful experience at the nook! We did, and the food was outstanding! We highly recommend eating here!!! When we come to town again, we have this on our repeat list. Cheers read more

my fiancé and I ordered these togo because the wait to sit down was a little long. the food came quickly and was a perfect meal on the beach (in our car bc it was windy). our host that took our order was super friendly and helpful, unfortunately i forgot to get his name :/ will definitely come back to try the lobster mac & cheese! read more

See all

All the food is amazing, you can't go wrong. Spicy fried chicken sandwich is my favorite! Also all the burgers and salads are to die for. Love the truffle fries. Great location. Close to the water and other bars/shops. Service is really great too, everyone is super friendly. Love that it is dog friendly! My favorite spot in SB! read more

Nook - Bars Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

See all

Nook, is hands down a 7/7 on the cj scale. You can't go wrong with this local favorite and they've got great choices all around for everyone. Some recommendations are the Lobster Mac & Cheese, Truffle fries, the Waterline Burger, the Veggie Flatbread, & the Key Lime Pie. The food is amazing, and the team at Nook are truly top notch and welcoming to all. You can't ask for a better all around experience. read more

Nook - The Waterline Burger & Truffle Fries - Bars Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

See all

Highly disappointed because the lobster mac and cheese does not have any lobster apart from the teeny tiny specks on top of the plate. Instead, the LOBSTER mac and cheese had multiple WHOLE SHRIMP that was not even chopped. What kind of establishment advertises a lobster mac and cheese but uses SHRIMP to pass off at lobster. (there is no mention of shrimp in the product description) I honestly wasted my money here. read more

Ordered from Grubhub tonight. 4 stars for spicy fried chicken sandwich but the fries were 0 stars. If I'm going to pay $17 for a chicken sandwich at least have homemade fries. The fries were typical frozen type and undercooked as well:(. Wow...I can not believe the establishment is defending their crappy frozen fries!!! I never mentioned that the fries were cold? The quality is poor and they were undercooked. read more

The nook is a great place to get food. Also the cute blue eyed boy tanner was so helpful. I'm definitely coming back.

Great burger, amazing shrimp quesadilla, wonderful friendly service, will be back next time we visit Santa Barbara

My husband and I hit up Lama Dog and The Nook for some beer and a casual dinner after a long day of eating at a family barbecue in Santa Barbara. The Nook was a little food shack with window service, sharing space with the bar. A good set-up in theory--the space was just a bit too crowded to be wholly enjoyable. Matt B. and I took our meal standing against a narrow counter. Service was fine, reasonably quick and friendly. We did order a pretzel, only to find out after paying that they were out of them. They offered to replace it with truffle fries, though, which cost more, and when we declined (because Matt doesn't like truffle fries), they refunded us for the pretzel. The food was okay. Ambitious menu--a lot of enticing things on there--but the execution wasn't quite there. There was sea urchin with Asian pear and lemon shallot dressing, served in the spiny sea urchin shell. There just wasn't enough sea urchin relative to the other stuff, a mess of pear slaw and minced shallot that almost made the uni into an incidental sauce. The blackened rockfish soft tacos were decent, grilled fish served with cabbage, lime, salsa, queso fresco, and chipotle mayo. The fish was nice, and there was a lot of good texture. The tacos just weren't that memorable--pretty low on my lifetime fish taco ranking, and high when it comes to price. Matt did enjoy his Nook burger, which he got plain. I had a bite, and it was solid, with a juicy chuck and tenderloin patty cooked a pleasant medium rare. I'd recommend The Nook if you're already at Lama Dog. It's a fine option for some upscale bar food, and it is right there. That said, I wouldn't go out of my way for it, and as I live in L.A., it'll probably be a long time before I have reason to come back. read more

Chill hang out spot in the Funk Zone! I've had their nook burger and spicy chicken sandwich. The burgers are huge and very messy. I think I liked the chicken sandwich better. Definitely want to go back and try their tri tip sandwich though! It looks so good. read more

Just following up on my 2016 review. The Nook has gotten even better. Just had the halibut tostada and it's mind blowing. Big piece of fresh halibut with incredible salad. Seriously, this place somehow keeps getting better. Hands down the best food in town. I love the Nook! read more

Nook - Busy Saturday. Was so much fun! Great mix of people, fantastic food, and great atmosphere. The girls I brought loved it! - Bars Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Came here for a date and spent over $30 (including tax) on two burgers. The portions and taste were not worth the price. I really liked the parmesan truffle fries ($1 extra with a burger; burger normally comes with regular fries) but the burger...Never in my life have I been so disappointed by a burger. All these hyped reviews made it seem like an experience, but I ended up being really disappointed. They say hunger is the best spice, and the Nook burger was the first thing I'd eaten all day. But after I took one bite of it, I literally didn't want to take another. It wasn't terrible like it tasted bad. It just wasn't flavorful, or the flavors didn't really stand out. The patty seemed flavorless and it wasn't cooked to medium well like I'd specified (more like medium). The bun got soggy pretty quickly. The only thing I really tasted were the pickles and maybe the bacon jam if I concentrated hard enough. One redeeming point is that the patty wasn't lumpy in the middle, which can happen when it cooks and puffs up. Anyway, I ended up saving the rest of my burger and putting it in the fridge. It didn't taste any better reheated. To be honest, it tasted exactly the same-- that is, disappointing and pretty tasteless. The atmosphere of this place is pretty great, but I wouldn't come here for the burgers. read more

Everything I've gotten here has been really good! We still talk about the chicken wings from this place that we had over 6 months ago. Last time I went I had their house bratwurst. I'm German so I didn't expect too much but it was actually pretty good and came with a side of fries which was nice. read more

Nook - House bratwurst.. pretty good! - Bars Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Flavor profile on the crab cakes was decent, but quite disappointed in the size. 16$ for two minuscule cakes. (See connect 4 game-piece for reference) I know this place is way overpriced but this is just getting out of hand! read more

Nook - Overpriced crab cakes. - Bars Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

I asbo love this place! But it is pricey. Super clever placement just inside Lama Dog. The menu items are excellent: burgers, lobster mac, pork belly quesadillas, this & that. I was fortunate to have attended an event where i tasted everything they offer and all of it was delicious! So good that i ate things that arent exactly in my repertoire! Only knocked a star bc the food can be inconsistent. Came back once for the flat iron steak sandwich i fell so deeply in love with but that time it was chewy and a poor cut. Another time I tried the Lama burger. OMG. Im not a burger person and Ive only had one other burger that blew my mind like this (in AZ). Carmelized onions. A giant cheesy green pepper of some variety. And just some perfectly cooked insane deliciousness. Pricey but damn it was worth it & i cant wait to get it again. (UPDATE: I got it again!) Their lobster mac is fantastic also! read more

Nook - LAMA BURGER. 2nd best burger Iv ever had. Bam! - Bars Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Oh my yumminess!!!!!! This is my second time here and they did not disappoint! We shared the Lama Burger & Fish Tacos with truffle fries and it was all amazing. Hold on tight to the Lama Burger, it's packed with so many goodies, it's a little slippery. It's a community vibe with the design and industrial setting and really sets the tone for a fun, casual afternoon. Seating inside can be a little limited, but worth the wait! We paired our meal with a fantastic Lama Dog Syrah and ate at the bar. Can't wait to go back! read more

See all

The Nook is great and an excellent addition to the funk zone which was sorely lacking in food options. I love the idea of a walk up food counter that services a beer taproom featuring amazing g beer from all over CA as well as servicing a brewery specific tasting room and a winery tasting room. All options checked here. Food of course is excellent, can't complain at all on that front. Because of that lines tend to be long and space is in fairly short supply on most days. Nonetheless, if you employ my oft recommend mid week, off hour attack you can enjoy the wonders of the Nook and it's surrounding goodness in relative peace. The heirloom tomato and blackened shrimp salad was to die for though nearly every other person in the place ordered the house burger and raved about it. OK. Next time its definitely the burger read more

Nook - Heirloom tomato salad with arugula avocado balsamic and blackened shrimp and chili lime dressing - Bars Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

This place is definitely "happening." If you'd like to enjoy a beer and some good food.. this spot is the jam.. a Saturday night will be crowded and very loud but if you're there to grab a beer and a quick/delicious bite.. I would def hit this spot.. the menu has so many gourmet bar style burgers and sandwiches to choose from and great fries to accompany them.. I enjoyed the Topa Topa burger.. whoever made the burger def didn't cheat me on the patty itself but there was hardly any bacon jam or brie cheese which were the two ingredients that drew me to the menu item to begin with.. those items made the burger the burger.. id eat there again for sure.. I just expect a little more out of a $15 burger read more

Nook - Topa Topa burger - Bars Near Me - Santa Barbara, California