My friend and I haven't been back to Santa Barbara since 2021. So here we are back in May 2026. My friend and I took a Santa Barbara Sunset Sailing tour. I knew we would arrive back late and there're not a lot of restaurants open past 9:00. We arrived back at the dock at 8:30PM. My friend was hungry and as we were walking back to our hotel, we saw Santo Mezcal still open YEAH! As we have seen in the past, the place is packed and super lively with diner finishing up. There were spots open at the bar we took. Edgar the bar tender (cocktail aficionado) was great! We ordered Cocktails, Espresso Martini and a Mezcal Paloma (so good) I ordered the Shrimp Empanadas. My friend ordered the King Fish Crudo and the Enchiladas Verdes. Even though they were ready to close our food came out hot, fresh, presentation great and tasting delicious. It was a great ending to our sunset cruise night. Atmosphere: fun lively. Service: excellent. Food: excellent. read more

See all

Super easy and convenient location if you're arriving by Amtrak Train. This was the perfect place for lunch on the patio after arriving to Santa Barbara. Service was great and very attentive. -The pulpo or octopus tacos were insanely delicious. The meat was so soft and tender. And oddly their rice and beans were also really really good. -The ceviche was not worth ordering tasted like red chili oil on ceviche. read more

See all

Came here as a recommendation and was blown away by how great this spot is! The ceviche was very flavorful, had a nice kick and was very refreshing. The ribeye tacos, and the beans and rice were also amazing and seasoned perfectly. The portions were also generous so this was not only delicious but also a great value. The entire staff from the servers, to the bartender and the DJ were super friendly and welcoming. It was a great experience, I would highly recommend and can't wait to come back. read more

Santo Mezcal - ceviche - Mexican Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

See all

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. read more

See all

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. read more

See all

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. read more

See all

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. read more

See all

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. read more

Santo Mezcal - In the background are the skirts, steak, soft tacos, and in the four ground, the shrimp empanadas. - Mexican Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

See all

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! read more

See all

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. read more

See all

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. read more

See all

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! read more

Santo Mezcal - Pork Belly Al Pastor Tacos - Mexican Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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. read more

See all

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. read more

Santo Mezcal - Food - Mexican Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

See all

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. read more

Santo Mezcal - Rib Eye Tacos - Mexican Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

See all

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!!! read more

Santo Mezcal - Strawberry margarita - Mexican Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

See all

The good: The grapefruit mocktail is my ideal drink. If I could have one drink for the rest of my life that wasn't water, tea or coffee it would be this one. It blended the perfect amount of bitterness, sweetness, and freshness. The food was amazing here! I love that they gave free chips with 3 different sauces. We tried a duck dish with tortilla and king crudo fish dish with watermelon. The dishes were excellent and so fresh. We loved the flavors, the balanced textures, and the presentation. We got a side of asparagus and rice as well for the kids. The dish that the rice came out on was beautiful. We enjoyed al fresco dining and people-watching. This was our favorite meal we had during our 4 day Santa Barbara stay. The bad: My husband didn't care for the server staying there and watching as we paid the bill. I wish the duck dish came with more tortilla on the side. The interesting: The asparagus had a gamey/goat cheese (?) flavor to it. read more

I grew up coming to Santa Barbara, with Los Agaves becoming my go to taquerias. Love the burritos and the variety of salsas. All grown up now, and when I heard they had an upscale restaurant, I knew I had to check it out. Santo Mezcal is freaking beautiful inside with a long bar, a bar style table, and plenty of indoor/outdoor space. Service was super friendly and knowledgeable about the menu. Sat at the bar as I was by myself. What followed was a damned good meal. Tried the el flor de ahumada (mezcal-based) and riviera hermosa (bourbon-based) which were both superb. The cocktail program here is serious. First was the bartender's reco which was dainty however flavorful as fuck, whereas the latter was my speed very cool looking. Sitting at the bar was the move. Chips and salsa were good as you would expect. The queso fundido appetizer was very good, however very filling. I would only order this if you have a group of at least 3. Still, it was the best rendition I've had of this dish, served with their great quality tortillas. I got the Toro Tacos for my main which were superb. They came with octopus, shrimp, cheese and a hungaro pepper. It was the perfect mix of textures with a good amount of kick. Never had octopus in a taco before, however it added a nice meatiness. This was recommended by the bartender and he did me well. Rice and beans were good too. This was too much food in hindsight, and I would change the appetizer order if I did it again. Still an awesome meal. Los Agaves folks know what they're doing, so I shouldn't be surprised. read more

Food and cocktails: fantastic. We sat down at 8pm and promptly ordered cocktails, an app, and our entrees. All arrived timely and were delicious. At 8:58 our server informed us it was last call for kitchen and bar. No problem. At 9:00 they turned the lights up bright enough for an operating room. Servers loudly bussed tables on either side of us, noisily wiped down tables, hustling all around the remaining occupied tables. We were still eating and trying to enjoy our cocktails. We were basically hustled out of there by 9:10pm. All the good feelings of the dinner now gone. It was rude and entirely unnecessary for the entire staff to treat their remaining guests this way. Fortunately, we have other excellent options in Santa Barbara. read more

Some of the best tacos I've ever had, we stopped by Cinco de Mayo not knowing it's gonna be super busy. They were attentive and we were able to get a table within 20 minutes, which was which was reasonable. The food was amazing. We love, love, love their duck tacos. read more

The road trip down the Coast continues! We were driving to Oxnard and stopped in Santa Barbara for lunch. We'd been in CA 10 days, and hadn't yet had fish tacos! We drove down Stearn's Wharf - looked at the restaurants, then walked back to State Street. We immediately noticed one restaurant that was very crowded-but had one open table for 2 out front. I took a quick look at the menu and saw fish tacos - we sat down immediately. We ordered the guacamole (with chips) which was very good (the guac- not the chips) Next up, we ordered the Del Pescador - halibut and shrimp tacos with cabbage and mango pico de gallo. The halibut had large, white pieces of fish so fresh! I added some guacamole and rice to the taco...I did the same with the shrimp taco - the shrimps were so large and as fresh as the halibut! The mango pico with the slaw, guac and rice made these tacos outstanding! We were lucky to have 'stumbled' on Santo Mezcal. It exceeded both our expectations. read more

See all

Loved the great customer service here and the food here was honestly amazing. Everything tasted very authentic and well thought out, and you can tell they really care about the quality of their dishes. The presentation was beautiful and felt elevated without losing that authentic Mexican flavor. The ribeye tacos were a standout, super flavorful and cooked perfectly. The Valentine's Day drinks were also great, and unlike a lot of places, you could actually taste the alcohol in the cocktails instead of feeling like you paid for flavored juice. Overall, everything felt high quality, from the food to the drinks to the atmosphere. Definitely a place I'd come back to. read more

See all

Food 4.5/5, service 5/5, ambiance 4/5. We ordered a tuna ceviche in a salsa roja to start and we both adored it. Great to share. For drinks my partner got a Jamaica agua Fresca for which they charged us a mocktail rate (eye roll - $9 is way too much) and I got the Jamaica margarita which was delicious. For our main courses we got octopus tacos (tacos de pulpo) and the chicken mole. I thought the tacos were good, the octopus was tender, albeit the cheese was quite heavy. Next time I would try the brasas de pulpo to indulge in octopus without the fried aspect. You can choose two sides so I chose beans and salad - I had the the most amazing side salad with mandarin oranges. My friend got the chicken mole which didn't come with as much sauce as expected; she is Mexican and thought it should have been more heavily seasoned. There were a few other items on the menu we would love to try and would definitely come back. This restaurant is in downtown Santa Barbara and was the only place the visitor center recommended for seafood off the pier, so you know it's fresh. read more

See all

Soliddddddd Everything we ate here was good! One of the locals recommended it to us and we were not disappointed. The ambience was nice, crowded though but overall solid read more

Totally outstanding. Starting with the traditional chips and salsa, the darker salsa just sets this restaurant apart from all others. The server worked with my wife and me to split our plates of Halibut Enchilada and Shrimp Tacos. The halibut had a unique chipotle stye creamy sauce that just rocked while accenting the generous halibut in each enchilada. The 3 shrimp in each taco were big and grilled to perfection. Also the mango salsa for the garden salad was equally delectable. Looking forward to our next visit. read more

I just had one of the greatest meals of my life and I apologize if I can't finish this review because I am too full. It started with some of the tastiest salsa and fresh chips on the planet, but the highlight of the meal (and perhaps my culinary life), was the ceviche verde. It consists of sweet and hot halibut with pineapple and jalapeño, with a generous helping of magic. It is delicious beyond words. I followed that up with seafood tacos, one shrimp and one fish per the waiter's suggestion, topped with homemade habanero sauce. At that point, I could barely see or hear for the rest of the meal because my taste buds would not stop expanding into the other parts of my brain. In a completely unnecessary move, we also ordered and decimated the churros, which come stuffed with chocolate sauce, after which all I could do was hand the waiter my wallet and crawl towards the door. I will need to hit the gym several times before returning so I can fit back in the door, but return I will. read more

Santo Mezcal - A pic from the outside only hints at the coziness and tastiness that awaits you. - Mexican Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

It's just after 8am and we just drove in from Los Angeles. We're on our way to Solvang, but wanted to stop in Santa Barbara for a good breakfast. This place comes highly recommended. The place has just opened, and it's got a beautiful little patio, the inside is very well decorated with a Latin flare with a nice bar in the back. It's got a good open feel and is well lit inside. Service was quick and friendly. We had the Farmer's Omelette It has egg whites, zucchini, blossoms, spinach, Pasilla peppers, corn, and panels cheese. It is served with avocado and home potatoes. What a pretty omelette! The squash blossoms were almost painted on the perfectly made omelette. So delicious and beautiful! Not a huge portion, which I appreciate. We shared it and it was perfect. (You know, senior citizens don't eat that much!) heehee Totally a do-over! read more

Santo Mezcal - Ready to have a great breakfast in Santa Barbara! - Mexican Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

See all

We sat on the patio, which was nice. We went at 11. It wasn't busy. Only two other people on the patio. It took a long time to get our drinks and food. Two large groups showed up and that was pretty much the end of seeing our server. The guacamole wasn't very good. $20 for a small portion that had little to no seasoning. We got it with the pork. It was dry, cold, and flavorless. Waste of $20. The chicken enchiladas were very good. I posted pics of the inside as well because thats important! I would order the enchiladas again. Other group members ordered the octopus tacos and tuna tacos. They did not like them. Ordered a beer and blackberry margarita. The glasses are tall bit deceptive. They hold less than they appear. read more

See all

We had an amazing experience here ! Food was so flavorful and delicious that we wanted to keep eating after being full ! We had the cauliflower ceviche and tilapia enchiladas were off the hook ! So flavorful that it beats the flavors of India ! The drinks were so yummy and got me buzzed ! Would definitely recommend and come back before we leave the town ! read more

Santo Mezcal - Cauliflower ceviche - Mexican Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

See all

The food was so delicious. The service was fast Ambiance was great. The staff were really nice and attentive. I will come again and bring my entire family. read more

Santo Mezcal - Cucumber mezcal - Mexican Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

See all

Had lunch here recently. It's a modest space and the patio was a bit cramped with not much space between tables/customers. Chips & three salsas arrived at our table right away. Pretty sure the salsas are made in house. Not sure about the chips, but no complaints. They were thin and fresh. The salsas were really good, especially the darkest one... poblano?... was really good. The menu is quite expansive, and they have diverse and gourmet offerings. I'm usually game to stray into new gastronomic territory, but on this day I was in the mood for basic, simple food. It doesn't get simpler than crispy chicken tacos, and that is what I ordered. My wife ordered Ahi tacos. The quality of the food is quite good. My tacos came with rice & beans, but I asked the server if I could switch to a salad... and I'm glad I did. The weather was hot, and the salad was fresh, crisp, cold and really tasty. Outstanding. The tacos, once again, were as basic as could be, but the meat was good and the other stuff was also good. Tasty. Our server (sorry I did not get his name) was excellent and attentive. He kept our waters filled up and he was frequently checking up on us. I will return here for something more fancy and update my review. Won't surprise me if it earns 5 stars for my next meal. read more

See all

We went here Friday night to celebrate a nice birthday dinner, expecting good service and excellent food. However, neither were offered. 1. Attempted to be innovative but sorely missed the mark. Our entire dining party experienced gastrointestinal issues that night 2. My sone in law ordered the crab enchiladas (The Cabo) which were listed with beans and rice or a choice of salad on request. When the plate came with a salad and no beans he pointed out to the waiter that he didn't get beans. He was told by the waiter that they automatically serve a salad with seafood dishes and that if he wanted beans he could add them for an additional $7.00. No apology for the assumption or mistake and the option was delivered in a very brusque tone. 3. We were seated along the wall with the major aisle on the other side. The waiter asked for our party to scoot in, even when we were uncomfortably squished against the table. Poor spatial layout. Needless to say, we left the dining experience feeling as if we were a bother. The lack of hospitality was astonishing. NEVER AGAIN!!!! read more

Service: wasn't the best, we decided to sit outside. Was a little cold and asked the waitress if they could turn on the warmer and she said she would ( never did). Also, we asked for more creamer she only gave us 1. Wasn't really asking us if we were okay. Food: Okay, the food was amazing. My salad was so good. And my husband ordered short- rib sopes and they were delicious. Salsas were on point. Ambiance: was chill I'm Mexican, so if I go to a Mexican place to spend money, the food better be good than what we make. And this place topped it!! So if you want some good sopes, this is your place. Work on the service though. read more

Santo Mezcal - Mexican Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Although the weight took a while, the food and drinks were amazing. I had the best ceviche and margarita here! I'm drooling and dying to go back. read more

See all

This place is always packed and the food never disappoints. Classic mexican food, beautifully made. Tacos, enchiladas, and ceviche are so good and deliciously seasoned. We got queso as an app and it was not the dipping kind for the chips. So it threw me off. It was like stringy and had too many peppers. Flavor was good but that what i wanted. The day we went there was a bird attacking everyone and their food, like no mercy. It ruined our outdoor dining experience. Other than that the food and people were good. read more

See all

We were in town and ordered food to go. I'm so glad we chose this restaurant, the food was 10/10. The crab enchiladas were sooooo good I wish I didn't have to share them with my husband. The ahi tuna ceviche was a bit spicy (hotter if you eat the jalapeños), but was perfectly fresh and had pops of crispy sweetness with pomegranate seeds and corn kernels. I would order both of these dishes again the next time we come, as well as something new to try. I'm sure everything is great. read more

See all

The food was delicious!! Lots of flavor in every bite, I ordered the Chile Relleno which had a good amount of avocado and beef packed inside. Definitely worth checking out! read more

Santo Mezcal - Del Mar Tacos (top left), Enchiladas Verdes (top right), and Chile Relleno (bottom) - Mexican Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

They have a waitlist on Yelp, which is great because this place looks like it's always busy. Make sure you keep an eye on it and sign up. The drinks and the food were really enjoyable. I got shrimp enchiladas verde. The tuna ceviche was also excellent. The ceviche did come without any chips or anything to eat at with so we had to ask for more chips. Would've been five stars, but the service was incredibly slow, and it was hard to flag a server because it was so crowded that they only came your way when they had a reason too. Would definitely go back to eat there again. read more

Visiting Santa Barbara, this is a must stop. Located about a block from the Amtrak station so it's an easy walk when you arrive to town or before you head out. I didn't notice parking because I was on foot but parking offsite and walking state street is ideal. The drinks, the food, the ambiance are all top tier. Service is effective and efficient and they get busy, but handle it with ease. Looking forward to returning! read more

Santo Mezcal - Mexican Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

See all

Such a disappointment. I hadn't been and I absolutely was looking forward to it. The Mexican food in Santa Barbara is great all around. The service was barely OK. It took forever just to order our meal or get drinks ordered. My husband got the duck confit enchiladas. I got one of my favorite things at most restaurants, the Queso Fundido With a side of black refried beans. Tortillas came with it. Their tortillas were flat and cold and hadn't been even remotely heated to make palatable. The refried beans were pinto beans and not black and tasted like dog food. There was no chorizo in my Queso Fundido. And my husband's duck confit enchiladas somehow were bland. Our friends got enchiladas that supposedly had squash blossoms in them. There was not one squash blossom, but an overload of mushrooms. For the price that you are paying, the service and the food has got to be better. This was kind of disgusting and Taco Bell would have been far more satisfying. If you're trying to cater to tourists and you're not worrying about them coming back, job well done. Unfortunately, for those of us that live here we are going to spread the word. Go somewhere else. read more

Santo Mezcal - The refried "black beans". Dog food - Mexican Near Me - Santa Barbara, California