I travel around the world empowering minds in schools and corporate spaces--and having a great time…read moredoing it. I was invited to Montecito County as a keynote speaker, where I also led several workshops and an all-day retreat. When you're doing that kind of work, sleep (and great food!) is paramount. The organizers put me up in a wonderful hotel, and just a few feet away I discovered this adorable bakery. What a gift. Let's talk food--because WOW. I ordered a breakfast burrito with crispy bacon that was absolutely delicious. I treated my daughter to a breakfast sandwich, and she wisely added avocado and crispy bacon (excellent life choice). And I cannot forget the croissant--flaky, buttery, and so good it deserved its own moment. One day I had the hashbrowns, the next day the potatoes--both were outstanding. Comfort food done right. Despite the place being busy, the service was impeccable. Yvette and Jorie were not only kind and welcoming, but incredibly patient, serving everyone with genuine smiles and care. What truly impressed me was returning the next morning before my flight back to San Francisco--and Yvette remembered my name. That speaks volumes about the caliber of people who work here. It's rare, and it matters. I look forward to being hired again in Montecito County--and when I am, I already know exactly where I'll be eating. And hey... maybe you want to hire me sometime too. Highly recommend.

Cute stop on the way to Santa Barbara and much easier to access than the one there…read more All the staff we interacted with was super friendly and engaging. Their bathroom is outside in the plaza but easy to use. Food was ok, good but not fantastic for the price. We ordered an American breakfast with potatoes and biscuit. I really loved the multi colored potatoes and peppers! Eggs were French scrambled and perfect but the biscuit was pretty disappointing, very dry. My Arnold palmer had fresh tea and very tart lemonade. My partner's coffee came in a large mug but was just ok. My side of avocado was fresh but the strawberries in my side of fruit, not so much.

It's our second day here in Santa Barbara and we started it off with a LOVELY lunch here at Alessia…read morePatisserie + Cafe. The smell of coffee and pastries was wafting through the air before we even walked in! Once we did, we were greeted by Kendall and her pretty, smiley face. She immediately gave off great vibes and helped us with our pastry choices. We got the Apricot Danish and Kouign-Amann to start. My son got an iced Americano and I got a Decaf Iced Vanilla Latte with Oat Milk. Leonel's helped us at checkout and she was also very nice, fast and helpful. After sharing the pastries, I immediately decided to get 1 more of each to-go. They were so FRESH, scrumptious and delicious. High quality pastries made with a lot of love and care! We also got the Berry Fruit Tart that we nibbled at after the meal, but we were already so full. It was also delicious and will taste great as a late night snack later! For our entrées, I got the Turkey and Brie Sandwich but subbed Baguette in place of the Ciabatta bread. OMG, it was AMAZING!!! It came with nicely sliced turkey breast, garlic aioli, baby arugula, triple cream Brie and cranberry-fig compote. All the ingredients complimented each other perfectly and tasted absolutely divine and decadent. I hadn't eaten Brie cheese in a long time and this sandwich really hit the spot! The sandwiches/entrées come with a choice of potato chips or house salad, so I chose the salad. The lettuce was so crisp and fresh, and the vinaigrette was very delicate too. My son got the Blue Crab Crepes and WOW! We were both stunned at how delicious it was. A perfect brunch/lunch item for a cafe like this, and honestly, we have never seen crepes with crab anywhere. It came with Hollandaise sauce on top and it wasn't too heavy or overpowering. Just right. He also got his food with a House Salad. We absolutely loved every second of our experience here at Alessia. As wonderful as the food and ambience was, I think Kendall might be the star of the show here. She was such a pleasure to talk to and her positive energy just radiates all around her. The café offers both indoor and outdoor seating with 2 gender-neutral bathrooms. Everything here was clean and well taken care of. There is no parking so you will have to find street parking in the surrounding streets. We will gladly be back anytime we find ourselves in Santa Barbara again! 20/10!

We had a really lovely Sunday brunch at Alessia Patisserie & Cafe. We came hoping for a cozy…read moremorning with some pastry specialties, and overall it was a great experience. We had to wait about 15 minutes for a table, but it actually worked out perfectly. While waiting, we walked across the street where there was a local artist market for International Women's Day, which made the morning even more enjoyable. Once we got our table in the outdoor seating area, the ambiance was really nice and very downtown Santa Barbara. The selection of pastries and brunch items was amazing with lots of different options. I had the avocado toast with dill cucumbers and eggs, which was beautifully presented and very flavorful. My husband had a croissant sandwich with egg and fillings, which he thought was good, and we also shared a pistachio croissant that we both really liked -- it was thick, generously filled, and delicious. The only small thing was that our coffees arrived about 10 minutes before the food, which isn't ideal for breakfast since I usually like to have them together. But when I mentioned it to the staff, they were very accommodating and kindly held the coffee until the food was ready, which I appreciated. The staff were friendly, the food was great, and the overall atmosphere made for a perfect Sunday brunch. It is a bit on the pricier side, but that's also quite normal for Santa Barbara. Overall, we really enjoyed our visit.

Merci Montecito is one of those places that feels special the moment you step inside. It's stylish…read moreyet cozy, thoughtfully curated, and has that unmistakable Montecito charm that makes you want to linger. The food is absolutely delicious--fresh, beautifully presented, and full of bright, balanced flavors. Whether you're stopping in for a pastry, a light bite, or a full meal, everything has a homemade quality elevated by great ingredients and careful preparation. The baked goods in particular are standouts: flaky, delicate, and clearly made with skill and intention. The service is friendly, warm, and genuinely welcoming. The team here creates an atmosphere that's relaxed but polished, making it a perfect spot for a casual meet-up, a quiet morning, or a comforting midday break. Merci Montecito has quickly become one of my favorite stops in the area. If you appreciate thoughtful food, beautiful ambiance, and kind service, this place is a must-visit.

The food is divine. The location helps romanticize this spot, but I have never had a bad bite…read more Breakfast lunch or dinner which they just started. Located in the country mart and it just feels so picturesque. Don't forget to grab the pre made cookie dough!

Stopped by here for some breakfast. Had always heard about their incredible almond croissants, and…read moreit was finally time to give them a try. Their almond croissants are absolutely delicious! Large almond croissant stuffed with a thick, rich almond filled that is divine. Probably one of the best croissants I have ever had. That being said, I'm giving it a 4/5 for the rest of their food. We had come for breakfast, and their meals seemed a bit more expensive for the taste of the food. Just average, don't think I would order a plate of food here again. However, I would hands down come back for more of their croissants. Great drinks. Their Peach Mint Iced Tea was DELISH, and their fresh squeezed orange juice was perfect. Their coffee menu left a bit to be desired, don't think I would choose one of those again. Overall, this is the place to go to grab yourself one of the best almond croissants. Would return for another one of those.

Got some pastries to go on a Saturday morning. Not much of a line but service was still a little…read moreslow. Decent amount of outdoor seating and a few seats inside as well. Ordered a morning bun, sticky bun, pain aux raisins, and croissant. Everything was pretty good though my favorite was the morning bun. Worth a try if you're in the mood for French pastries!

The good: This place is a winner. The pastries here were…read morephenomenal. They were the amongst the best I've ever had! I got the morning cinnamon roll, pain suiss chocolat, and the chocolate almond croissant. I don't know why pain au chocolat and almond croissants are usually 2 separate things but here they were combined into one pastry and of course it is as delicious as it sounds. The pain suiss was my favorite because it had a delectably crunchy and fine texture from all of the small striations on the pastry. The display for the pastries was small and didn't seem like there was an impressive spread but everything was a hit and I am sure all of the other pastries were delicious as well. They had savory menu items too. The bad: The interior is small and there are only a few high chairs. The interesting: There were plenty of spots to park when I came in the morning right in front of the store. There were also several outdoor tables for dining.

Bree'osh is a cute bakery in Montecito to stop at for some baked goods and drinks!…read more Really friendly staff who gave us bogo on pastries in the last hour of being open for the day! Win for both of us! We gobbled up their remaining goods of the morning and got a great deal. Their grains are all from France, specializing in sourdough and hand making all their pastries. We tried the Almond Croissant and a fruit cookie which were both good. The standout is their Kouign Amann ($5.50) which you can't find everywhere! The owner of this bakery is actually from Brittany, France - the town this little delight was created in. Dominique Ansel made me fall in love with these flaky treats, and Bree'osh does the kouign amann quite well. If you've never had one before, it's similar to a croissant with brown sugar folded into a very buttery and delicious mold. Also had a solid cold brew coffee. With a few seats inside and outside on the cute outdoor sidewalk, Bree'osh is a fabulous place for a morning stop.

Just a perfect place to stop for a breakfast burrito, cappuccino, muffin and grab a few essentials…read morefor the kitchen! The house made granola is phenomenal and keeps its crunch for weeks! Lots of seating outside, as well as in a shaded grassy area on the other side of the parking lot. Nice spot for a relaxing morning coffee or post-hike smoothie. Plenty of pups to say hi to as well! Parking lot can get busy, but there is steady movement.

I have been coming here pretty much everyday before work for a coffee and smoothie. When I call and…read moretell them my name, they know my order which I appreciated. 2 days ago, I went in as normal and the lady in the back told me that they will take care of me at the front. I got a card as well, went up and paid, & left. Yesterday when I went in a lady in the back told me the smoothie wasn't paid for. I was confused and checked my statement and gladly paid for it as the day before it appeared I was only charged for the card (not my mistake). When I went in this morning, the older lady who is usually pretty nice said to me with a few people around, "you need to pay this time". I thought that was pretty petty and unprofessional to say in front of other customers as well. Again I have been coming here for months and have spent well over $1,500 here in the last half year or so. After today I think that may change as it just isn't right to address something like that when it was a workers mistake not charging me correctly the first time around.

Unique and tasty menu options, but not worth the price and wait. Loved the savory porridge. Ham…read moresandwich was okay but definitely not worth the price. Staff is kind and friendly, and the shop and grounds are beautiful. But this is probably more of a stop and try it once kind of a place rather than a staple or somewhere I'd go again. You know what though? They did have a KILLER (if not also ridiculously overpriced) brownie.

Summerland, CA We…read morestopped in for lunch on our way up to Santa Barbara. Order at the counter and seat yourself outside. The environment is lovely even though right off of Hwy 101. We ordered a Reuben sandwich and a salad to share. The food is very high quality and the presentation is lovely but the portion sizes were a little smaller as we had hoped for a good size lunch to share. Nevertheless, we're glad we got to try their Cafe. The waitress was really kind. I was curious about the beet hummus and she brought out a taste which was delicious. There's no doubt I would be back to check out their offerings another time but they are fairly pricey for what you get, and probably a good place to go if you want to eat something on the lighter side.

One of our new favorite spots in Santa Barbara. The sesame twist was incredible, as was the morning…read morebun. We got a loaf of sesame sourdough, which was warm and had just come out of the oven. Absolutely incredible. The staff were friendly and knowledgeable, no complaints whatsoever!

Amazing Danish bakery!…read more We tried the rosemary olive focaccia and was hands down the best focaccia I've ever had hg far -- smooth soft texture just the right amount of seasoning -- flavorful but not overpowering. Then we also tried the frosnapper, which was a thin, flaky, crispy and buttery pastry with almond and marzipan that was also unique and outstanding -- great texture and flavor! Friendly staff too! A must stop for anyone walking in Santa Barbara

I want to start my review by talking about the stellar customer service experience I received while…read morevisiting Kin's for the first time. The young lady up front was very welcoming and provided amazing service! This place has been so popular on social media and they are known for their matcha specials. If you follow them on instagram they post their daily specials and provide great updates of their inventory and wait times (a genius idea may I add). My personal favorites were the matcha einspanner and their strawberry matcha latte. For mochi donuts I especially enjoyed their lemon blueberry ricotta and brown butter turon specials. Inside they have nice seating and some stools but it gets very busy so the seating area can fill up. They also provide umbrellas if there is a long line and a hot sun outside. I highly recommend this place so be sure to check it out!

Was curious about the hype surrounding this place so I decided to go check it out. Went on a…read moreSaturday at 9:15AM and there were already 10 people in line before opening. We got the regular matcha latte and the strawberry matcha latte which were both delicious and had lots of matcha in it which we appreciated. We also liked that the drinks weren't too sweet. We also tried the mochi donuts, mango cheesecake was good but Thai tea Oreo was weird. Ube muffin was decent but overpriced for the size. Wish we could've tried the brioche but they don't sell them until noon. Overall solid spot for matcha and pastries!

I've been coming to Helena for years and I have to say, the love it gets is very well deserved…read more They have some of the butteriest croissants out there! The dough lamination is absolutely perfect. I was lucky to attend an event at the gardens where the had profiteroles that were absolutely divine. Being central to the funk zone with plenty of outdoor seating the ambiance is absolutely on point. We had a minor mixup with an order and the head chef herself came out and made it right, giving us the tastiest baguette I think I've ever had. I have to say the head chef, who's name escapes me right now, has to be one of the sweetest and most talented people in the industry I've met. Definitely come here for an amazing breakfast or some 10/10 pastries.

Whew! This was a *pricey* breakfast, but it WAS good! That being said $62 good? Meh…read more $62: (2) Iced Vanilla lattes (1) Banana (1) Breakfast Taco (1) Breakfast sandwich (1) Croissant (1) Children's toast +egg The sandwich and taco were really good, but keep in mind it's JUST the one taco, JUST the sandwich. The homemade (I assume?) bread and jam for the kids meal was SO good! The vanilla lattes were not work $6.75 at all though... nothing special to them and easily watered down. The space itself is nice, outdoor/indoor concept. My daughter loved all the flowers and the birds that would fly inside for crumbs. I would come back but would JUST get the meals, the extras weren't worth the price IMO (even the croissant).