Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Santo Mezcal

    4.3 (2k reviews)
    Closed 8:00 am - 10:00 pm

    Waitlist - Santo Mezcal

    Waitlist closed

    The restaurant is not taking waitlist parties right now

    Order Santo Mezcal Takeout or Delivery

    Santo Mezcal Photos

    SANTO MEZCAL ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Trendy
    Classy

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - Santo Mezcal

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Vanessa F.

    I took some time writing this review as I stopped by this location on the way home and was left unsure about the experience I received. I found this place online based off some positive reviews. It was fairly packed for a Thursday evening but waited anyways thinking that would be a good sign. The hostess was very friendly and we were seated outside which wasn't an issue, it was the unsteady table that caused everything to shake and move while eating that was. As we were seated we were asked if we wanted chips, salsa and guac. Had we know it was a huge bowl of just guac for an extra charge we definitely would have passed. After returning with our drinks, the waitress began to take our order but in the middle of the order asked us to hold on for a moment and walked off. We then watched her for fifteen minutes seat two tables behind us. She took their drink and even food orders and it wasn't until after then she returned to our table. She stated the kitchen had a mix up and asked what we ordered. After telling her she never took our order she apologized saying it was busy. The food was just okay somewhat bland which was very disappointing but the drinks were good. After requesting the check a lady and her large two dogs walked by with only one being on the leash. The dog began to walk throughout the front of the restaurant off leash. As much as I love animals I did feel it was a bit unsafe especially considering how large the dog was. Before bringing the check our waitress stated she would be back after taking a picture with the dog. I feel the restaurant was overcrowded and overpriced for just okay food and service.

    Happy hour margarita!
    Kt R.

    I stopped by during happy hour and had an overall just okay experience. The chips and salsa were definitely good. I ordered a margarita, which was fine but nothing particularly memorable. The restaurant itself is really cute and in a great location, which made me excited to try it. Unfortunately, the service didn't quite match the vibe--it wasn't bad, but it wasn't especially attentive either. What stood out the most was the pricing. At $10 for a single taco, I expected a bit more in terms of both quality and service. While there were some positives, the experience as a whole didn't quite justify the cost. Overall, it was just okay.

    Nachos with black beans
    Christina A.

    A friend recommended place so I was excited to try it. This is a nice higher end Mexican restaurant. Good location. We went during HH. HH is offered from 3-5pm at the bar. Sweet: Good variety of options for HH. We ordered few different things. Each item is $10 each. All of them were pretty good for a HH price. We ordered nachos, ceviche, fish tacos, rolled tacos and shrimp fried taco. The best dish was the ceviche tostada. The drinks were good and strong. Sour: even though it was $10 each when you think about it that's kind of expensive for one item such as a fish and shrimp taco. The fish taco could've been good but the blue corn tortilla over powered the taste. The food took pretty long. We clocked it and it was over 25 minutes. The restaurant wasn't even busy yet.

    Chips and salsa.  Both salsas were delicious!
    Alex R.

    The dishes here are beautiful! Lots of tequilas and mezcal to choose from. My husband and I split an appetizer and an entree and the portions were big enough that we both left full.

    In the background are the skirts, steak, soft tacos, and in the four ground, the shrimp empanadas.
    John H.

    Wow! This was a recommendation from the hotel staff who said that they have the best margaritas in town. Well they were right. A bustling Mexican restaurant with attentive service and a nice outdoor seating area. An easy walk from our hotel on State Street. I had a fresa margarita and my wife had the blackberry Casas margarita. Fresh ingredients, perfect blend of flavor flavors and just the right amount of top shelf tequila. Refreshing with our mid afternoon lunch. There were many choices for luncheon dinner and a full bar that appeared to specialize in mescal. For lunch, we have the shrimp empanadas and the skirt steak, soft tacos to share. What can I say, they were perfectly prepared and easily enough to share between the two of us. Special note about the empanadas, the pastry that they were in was more like a Filo dough than the hard dough cross of typical empanadas from Argentina. A delightful surprise with perfectly cooked shrimp and Coquita cheese. If we didn't already have plans for dinner, we probably would've gone back. Thanks to the kitchen and staff for making our late lunch a tasty and delightful experience.

    Checking in for Mexican fare
    Liz G.

    All of the food was even better than the last time we were here. My enchiladas were absolutely delicious and so filling! Highly recommend!! Service was fantastic! Our server sang Happy Birthday to me by himself with so much enthusiasm. I think his name was Edgardo, and he was terrific! Do yourself a favor and check out Santo Mezcal. Fresh and creative dishes and excellent service!

    Ceviche Baja California.
    Mickey A.

    Still my favorite Mexican Restaurant for a fun and delicious lunch. And still with their friendly and helpful staff whether we are seated in the dining room, outdoor patio, or there at the bar. Their location is ideal for those of us who enjoy the beach, Downtown, and the Santa Barbara Funk Zone. And even for those people traveling in on Amtrak. The station is just over the tracks (literally), and it's ideal for a lunch and/or dinner upon arrival or before departure. On our recent lunchtime getaway, our server Juan made sure we all had plenty to eat and drink, and then kept an eye on us as we enjoyed everything. Their Lunch Menu has such a wide selection of different dishes for everyone, and their Chef's Lunch Specials always add a special touch. For our lunchtime group it was fun to share the Guacamole, Cazuela de Rajas con Queso, Empanadas de Cochinita, and the Queso Fundido. My own top choices for the Light Plates is their Ceviche de Mariscos, Ceviche de Pescado, and my all-time favorite, the Ceviche Baja California. The choices of Midday Tacos are always delicious. Difficult to recommend just one . . . you need to try them all. And for those of us who appreciate a truly delicious Margarita, Santo Mezcal continues to be known for the "Best Margarita in Santa Barbara." Their Bar Staff is very knowledgeable of those Tequila and Mezcal options, and always make sure you are drinking the very best. Their House Craft Cocktails, Beer, and Wine selections also offer something tasty for everyone.

    Ceviche De Pulpo
    Robyn K.

    So- the guacamole was a 4/5, the octopus ceviche was delicious... But super spicy for those of you that can't handle it (like me), and my duck tacos were a 4/5.... But my hubby did NOT like his Ribeye tacos- and not gonna lie- they didn't look appetizing. They looked SUPER fatty and not appetizing. Overall, most of the meal was yummy, I might try again- but my hubby would be harder to convince.

    Pork Belly Al Pastor Tacos
    Rachel L.

    Came by on a Sunday night for dinner and there was no wait for a party of 2. Service was attentive and friendly. Ambiance was casual and lively- perfect place for a night out with friends. Pork Belly Al Pastor Tacos- blue corn tortilla with crispy pork belly and a side of rice and pinto beans. The crispy pork belly filling was incredibly savory and fresh! The rice and beans were a nice, lighter complement to the tacos. Perfect comfort meal~ Would come again for the pork belly tacos!

    Ceviche verde
    Ali I.

    Would not come here again. Expensive for mediocre food. Maybe I would come for a happy hour. Not for mains. Salsas were pretty good and the cocktail my bf had was decent. Ceviche verde was good but not typical ceviche. It was really sweet. Branzino was not good at all. Overcooked and mushy. Served with mayo based off-colored guac definitely not fresh and some weird sweet butter or sauce. Shrimp tacos were ok... bland and topped with a bunch of chopped pineapple. Salad had more pineapple, sweetened dried cranberries and a mayo based sauce.

    Food

    The BEST place on State St. If you are lucky to have Juan Carlos as your server he is attentive, friendly amd excellent. The food is delicious. Thank you for making our celebration the best it could be. We will take our drive from Ventura County to visit again.

    Rib Eye Tacos
    Abraham E.

    The food here was DIVINE! The ribeye tacos just melted in our mouths and the tostadas san blas were exceptional as well. Our waitress was really kind and attentive. We sat inside and enjoyed the lighting and liveliness.

    Strawberry margarita
    Katherine D.

    Loved that they can take walk ins! We tried the Aguachile negros, short rib sopes, and barbacoa de pato, as well as strawberry margarita. The chips and salsas were really flavorful and good! Loved the variety and spice levels. The food was to die for. Everything was so tender and juicy. Such a delicious twist to Mexican cuisine classics. We were very impressed. I was not a big fan of the strawberry margarita. I got primarily lime flavor. But overall such a great date night spot!!!

    Beans

    See all

    15 hours ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    12 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    13 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Alex R.
    121
    190
    1432

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 10
    Thanks 2
    Love this 10
    Oh no 1

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 8
    Thanks 2
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    1 day ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    12 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Brenda L.
    1695
    4636
    10368

    4 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    22 hours ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Phil H.
    26
    73
    27

    2 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Evelyn A.
    13
    32
    66

    5 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 51

    Santo Mezcal Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Santo Mezcal

    Do they accommodate small children (infants) looking for a lunch?

    Yes, with a fun outdoor patio space too.

    Is there taco Tuesday?

    Not sure. That's a good question. I am sure if you call the establishment, they can give you a better answer.

    Where can I park my car?

    On the street.

    Is there reservations or a waiting list?

    While they do not accept reservations, they do offer a Yelp Waitlist you can join.

    Are you all a kid friendly restaurant? Do you all have a children's menu?

    You can ask them what they have for kids meal. They serve a cheese quesadilla served with either French fries or rice. I think they have taquitos too.

    Is there a weekend happy hour?

    Monday to Friday 2 to 5pm

    Do they have a axxess card deal?

    No, however, they participate in the Thanx app which you assign your credit cards and every time you pay using those credit cards you earn points toward free items.

    Do they serve breakfast?

    Yes. Santo Mezcal opens at 8am.

    View All 11 Questions

    You might also consider

    Pearl Social Cocktail Club

    Pearl Social Cocktail Club

    3.8(107 reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$

    Came by here on Valentines day to have a couple drinks. Place is beautiful and the vibe is very…read morechill and relaxing. Took a minute to get some service unfortunately. The drinks were well made and we ordered the charcuterie board to eat. Small place, small menu FYI. Overall not a bad little spot to hang out and catch up with friends or bring a date.

    I absolutely loved Pearl Social and kudos to my friend Jara S. For highlighting them and for the…read morestellar drink recommendation. Pearl social is such a whimsical fun spot to grab a drink and a snack in the funk zone. We stumbled in for a late afternoon drink and it wasn't very busy inside - giving off "best kept secret vibe". The decor is very feminine yet playful. Loved the design and bar area. We opted for a casual booth area by the bar which was really nice. Also all of the little things were done well, crisp menus, clean bathrooms, and music done at just the right sound level. Their menu in the bar area for food is small but mighty - oysters, cheese plates, you name it. I'm definitely going to keep coming here for the cocktails. I've had one of the best sips in 2025 here - which would be The Mixtape cocktail. My friend told me I had to get it and I'm so glad I listen sometimes lol. This cocktail completely blew me away. Passionfruit forward, it's silky, sweet yet very well balanced. One of the more unique and tasty cocktails I've had ever and honestly I'm not sure how I could come back and get anything else. 10/10 Cocktail and menu. Super impressed. Kudos to Mark who was working the bar. Such a lovely spirit and kind person. He really is passionate about his menu and the drinks he's curated. Loved talking to him as we got to know a lot more about Pearl social and how some of their drinks were concerted. Really appreciated his time and expertise. Anytime I'm in the funk zone I will 100% be stopping back by here for a cocktail and good vibes.

    Photos
    Pearl Social Cocktail Club - Cute decor!

    Cute decor!

    Pearl Social Cocktail Club
    Pearl Social Cocktail Club - Accident in paradise and Stay Ready cocktails.

    See all

    Accident in paradise and Stay Ready cocktails.

    The Good Lion - Passionfruit Fizz

    The Good Lion

    4.6(456 reviews)
    1.0 mi
    $$

    The Good Lion is my go to whenever I'm downtown. They always nail it when it comes to creative…read morecocktails. I especially love the names they come up with for each drink. The environment is casual, with indoor and outdoor seating. I love to people watch here! Located next to the Granada and the perfect spot to grab a few drinks before a show. Happy hour is Monday - Friday from 4-6pm and offers a small menu of $9 cocktails. Sometimes it gets pretty crowded depending on what events are happening downtown. My only gripe is that I wish they had two bartenders during the busier nights. They could be short staffed though. Nonetheless, it's still a great spot for good quality cocktails.

    STEPH JUDGEMENT: Cool artsy bar with great cocktails…read more We were looking for a place to wet our whistles before dinner and this place looked promising. Located right next to the Granada Theater on the main drag, it looked to have undergone recent renovations and had a very chill but stylish ambiance. There was plenty of seating on a Wednesday night, and our bartender was a friendly young woman. The hubby got the spiced rum old fashioned, which had an ice cube with a lion's face etched onto it--a nice touch. I got one of their tiny Negronis, which came in a cute tiny mug and cost $5 (it sounded fun). Both tasted great and we had a nice time sipping our drinks and taking in the decor. Alas we had to be on our way so couldn't linger long, but we'd definitely love to stop by again the next time we're in town.

    Photos
    The Good Lion - Bar

    Bar

    The Good Lion - Edgar - Ken-tiki Kentucky

    Edgar - Ken-tiki Kentucky

    The Good Lion - Blackberry Cobbler Royale and an Eastside

    See all

    Blackberry Cobbler Royale and an Eastside

    Cutler's Artisan Spirits

    Cutler's Artisan Spirits

    4.4(67 reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$

    Cutlers was such a fun experience. They've got a cute patio area that is decorated well and they've…read moregot a small menu of cocktails. I had the apple pie mood lifter it was perfect for a warm summer day. It tasted like apple pie! And my hubby got a Negroni, which was very good. We ended up also getting a shot of the cold brew liquor and ended up taking a bottle of that home. We will definitely be back!!

    After a sweet drink, at a bar nearby, I was seeking something less sweet- thus we headed over to…read moreCutler's for a drink or two. This location is in the heart of the Funk Zone near the pier in Santa Barbara. When we approached the location, we saw that they were only offering drinks outside on the patio- as the temps were ok on Saturday in early September, we felt ok sitting on a small patio on lounge chairs with relaxing music in the background. The patio is in the back of Cutler's that can be entered around the corner (map on the front door of Cutler's shows the directions). The patio is next to other tasting room patios featuring wine and next door to Lark's restaurant. When we visited the tasting room at about 3pm in the afternoon, we were the only individuals there but started to fill up with other small groups. When a large group entered, the waitress said you will need a reservation as she was only wait staff there. Perhaps a sign is needed to notify people, that groups need reservations. The drinks were spot on- the drinks started at 14 dollars to about 16 dollars for cocktails. The tasting room also offers tastings of their products too. The tastings looked small. The cocktails were well poured. I was just disappointed to find out that I could not get a Bloody Mary on a Saturday- only Sundays- the Bloody Mary looked really good. If you are done with wine, and seeking something different, come relax on the patio here if your vibe is a low key environment with solid distillery cocktails.

    Photos
    Cutler's Artisan Spirits - Our cocktails

    Our cocktails

    Cutler's Artisan Spirits - Signage on patio

    Signage on patio

    Cutler's Artisan Spirits - 33 Bourbon and a shot of their Cold brew coffee liqueur.

    See all

    33 Bourbon and a shot of their Cold brew coffee liqueur.

    Oku - Santa Barbara's premier waterfront restaurant

    Oku

    4.3(1.1k reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$$
    Rooftop seating
    Gluten-free friendly

    Andreina was our server and provided outstanding service from start to finish warm, attentive, and…read moregenuinely hospitable. She made the entire experience feel elevated and personal. The sushi was some of the best we've had in Santa Barbara fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. The ocean view from the second floor made it even more special. What really stood out was Andreina offering my girlfriend a blanket to keep her warm such a thoughtful touch that you don't see often these days. We'll definitely be recommending this spot and coming back with friends. Highly recommend! -Ian Lantz

    My husband and I dined here for an early dinner with a reservation. I think after checking in it…read moremight've taken 5-10 minutes to be sat. Our server was really kind and on point with everything! Everything came out quickly. We ordered the otoro sushi, ikura sushi, rainbow roll, and two orders of the filet mignon. I have zero complaints about the sushi. It was incredibly delicious! I do think the filet mignon had beautiful plating, but it was very underwhelming, and didn't come out the requested way of cooking. I don't think I'd order that again, but we enjoyed our food overall. We chose to dine outside since it was a nice day and I thought that was pretty nice. We did bring our baby and had enough room with a high chair etc. we'd come back!

    Photos
    Oku - Gorgeous place for our post-work drink!

    Gorgeous place for our post-work drink!

    Oku - Yellowtail Carpaccio paired with Sakuna Rose Sake

    Yellowtail Carpaccio paired with Sakuna Rose Sake

    Oku - Way of the Dragon Roll and Piranha Roll. Paired with unfiltered Momo Kawa Sake!

    See all

    Way of the Dragon Roll and Piranha Roll. Paired with unfiltered Momo Kawa Sake!

    The Society: State & Mason - The Society signage with outdoor patio

    The Society: State & Mason

    4.5(92 reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$$

    I feel like it's always an impromptu visit each time we're here. Obviously whenever we're in Santa…read moreBarbara then it's a must. Casey took care of us this visit which was great. It was toward the end of the day. A little tasting before dinner never hurts anyone. Plus it was nice to share the experience with some friends that haven't been before. Perfect day to sit outside with the heatwave. Also nice to start with a little bubbly. Their wine selections from Sonoma and Napa as well the coast were all amazing. We did the sunset sip which their wine offering was great. All their white, red as well as rose and bubbles were great. Rich bold and full of notes. The place is perfect as it located right in the heart of town. Just minutes from the pier and part of the hotel. So people watching is great. They also serve food which comes from the restaurant next door. A snack with your tasting or a pairing. Each visit has always been great. A nice relaxing and mellow tasting experience. The choices of wine are always excellent. Plus it's nice to taste other wines from the sister wineries versus wine just from one. Casey, took good care of us this time.

    We had a lovely tasting here today. Wines were great but the service was even better. Logan served…read moreus today and not only was she knowledgeable about the wine but was super friendly and engaging. Do yourself a favor stop in for a glass of wine. You won't be disappointed. Oh and order a charcuterie board. It comes Goat Tree a couple of doors up. One of the best boards we've ever ordered at a winery. Tasting room has inside outside seating. Inside has some comfy chairs. Really nice place to enjoy some wine.

    Photos
    The Society: State & Mason
    The Society: State & Mason - Bubbly rose

    Bubbly rose

    The Society: State & Mason

    See all

    Santo Mezcal - mexican - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...