This little gourmet shop is adorable and so many great foods to indulge in for hosting a party or…read morejust to treat yourself. There are many gourmet cheeses, meats, olive oils, whole bean coffees, wines and more. The woman behind the cheese counter invited us to try the cheese samples. There was a lavender cheese and the black cheese with lemon that caught my eye. I bought the black cheese with lemon. The shop associate told me that the black color comes from licorice powder yet you cannot taste the licorice, only the lemon. There were many things I wanted to buy but had to have control. I love that a mother and daughter team run the shop and I loved hearing the mother speak Danish to an older woman that is one of their regular customers. Definitely check out the wonderful gourmet foods here when you visit Solvang.

Susie, the owner lady of this establishment is extremely rude. (Picture attached is her in all of…read moreher glory) Not sure if she was drunk off her own supply or just a horrible human being. Either way, nobody deserves to be treated the way she will treat you. Please go ANYWHERE else for your cheese and wine. I tried to have a conversation about her cheese selection asking for suggestions and she was terribly rude for no reason at all. You can easily buy most of her cheeses from Trader Joe's for half the price and without being spoken down to as a cutomer. There's plenty of other shops in Solvang with cheese and wine. DO NOT COME HERE!

What a lovely market if I lived closer I would definitely frequent it. Fabulous displays fresh…read morefood and interesting Knick knacks

I am a regular customer and I know what to expect at this store. If I order from the meat counter,…read morethey're usually friendly and do their job very well. The staff know me after so many years and they know what I like. That feels good as a customer. If I need deli-service I can toss a coin on the level of service I'll get. One time a young clerk stood in front of me and stared. No "hello, may I help you." I smiled as I looked at him and said- "Good morning?" I held hope that my example would help him mirror my behavior and be friendlier to the next person. At the coffee counter, my chances are 70/30 that I'll get poor service. It feels like they're doing me a favor. I drink black coffee. Simple and easy, yet it's usually an awkward experience. The supplement department staff is usually excellent and very helpful. The inventory is good. I usually find what I need. The produce section is well stocked. I like their avocados. I rarely need help, but the staff is always helpful and friendly when I do. I love the self-serve bulk spice and tea section. You can save so much money buying in bulk. Check-out cashiers can be very good and friendly or tepid. Considering how much I'm paying for the privilege to shop here, I shouldn't be so casual about this store, but there are few markets in the area. Customer service is a tough job, I understand.

not only was the place run by very kind employees, but the selection was just beautiful!! i must…read morehave been inside looking at all of the tea for 15 minutes. they have a wonderful list of interesting tea blends, unique salt and sugar blends and an impressive collection of spices :) i would recommend that any cooking/tea enthusiasts stop by, you won't want to miss this cute shop!!

The spice trade was once one of the most intricate and sought after commodites in history with…read moremonarchs and sultans devising the best routes to get their hands onto the rarest of spices showing their wealth and class of not only themselves but their representative countries. Although nowadays spices are much more easier to come by (just drive down to your nearest supermarket!); many spices are still on the scarcer side and represent luxury. Have no fear, though, because you no longer have to board a ship and find the passage to the Middle East but can simply head to the Solvang Spice Merchant. Solvang Spice Merchant is a female-owned (shout out to girl bosses!) spice boutique located in the central hub of the famous Danish tourist city of Solvang near Santa Barbara. Opening its doors a couple years before the Covid pandemic in 2018; Solvang Spice Merchant not only survived but thrived with a brick and mortar storefront and an online shipping option (flat rate of $10 shipping no matter the size of purchase!). The business features hand-crafted spices and seasonings, teas, and foodie gift sets serving both tourists and Solvang residents, alike. My boyfriend and I ventured into the Solvang Spice Merchant when visiting Solvang from Los Angeles for the city's Christmas-time Julefest and gazed our eyes on a shop that would make any King or emperor proud. The store is filled with floor to ceiling shelves of spices/seasoning mixes categorized by country/region and then further sub-categorized by ingredients, styles (BBQ, Pickling, etc) available in various bottle sizes (plus some can be purchased at the counter in bulk, as well). If you can conceive a certain spice or seasoning, trust me that Solvang Spice Merchant has it! Even if you are not in the market for spices; the store is fun to browse and discover all of the spices from around the world. My personal spice journey has endlessly been looking for Garam Masala (an Indian spice) which I could have purchased at the Indian shop by my apartment in Los Angeles - but what fun is that?! It is much better to come across Garam Masala at Solvang Spice Merchant where the spices are combined by hand and with love while enjoying the world of spices! We purchased a 2.3 oz bottle (the smallest) of Garam Masala for $10.25 which isn't cheap: but expected from a boutique spice store. I have since used the spice mix on chicken, Steelhead trout and steamed veggies and it is absolute perfection and makes my apartment smell delightful with its warm spices. The only complaint? None of the two young females behind the counter welcomed us into the store, offered any samples (which I learned the store does indeed do), ask if we needed help, etc. Solvang's main gimmick is being a welcoming tourist city ESPECIALLY during Christmas as it is known as the, "Most Christmas-y City in the Nation". Unfortunately, that Hallmark Christmas movie customer service was absent the night of our visit. Despite this minor qualm; Solvang Spice Merchant is a charming spice shop fit for a King, emperor, sultan or just Averages Joes like you and I visiting Solvang. Not only will you find whatever spice your heart desires but you will have an enjoyable time simply scanning the shelves.

Wandered in during Julefest weekend. Pleasantly surprised by the variety of goodies in here. I was…read morein search of chocolate covered marshmallows and man do they them! Stafford's had both chocolate covered marshmallows and s'mores. Got the milk chocolate covered and dark chocolate covered versions of the marshmallow and s'more's. Overall, service was quick and processional. They take Apple Pay. Note, the store is L-shaped with a large display table at the entrance. Getting around inside with a stroller was a bit tight. Additionally, the front door to store doesn't open up all the way due to the bottom corner clipping on the flagstone.

One thing about me, I love Swedish Candy so I was super excited to see that they had a store in…read moreSolvang! Unfortunately, the store was not what I expected, which is my fault for assuming I suppose. The Swedish Candy Factory specializes in Polkagris - which are big candy canes essentially. I was hoping to find more Swedish candy options and not just a Swedish candy store - if that makes sense. There were lots of candy options from gummies to chocolates though! The inside was cute and well organized throughout 2 different rooms. They even had a candy making station where you could watch employees, but no one was making anything when we arrived. They also had a big screen that displayed Polkagri fun facts. Overall, this was a very cute store, but nothing besides the Polkagris were any different from the other candy stores I visited during my trip. Staff was very friendly though!

Big parking lot!…read more Inside, very large. A market and really great food to go. (We ordered sandwiches and went to sunstone winery around the corner. ). You write on the paper and just leave it on the counter. Took about 20+ mins to prepare , maybe because the Rueben takes much longer ??? Busy place. Sandwiches were exceptional, not just great ! If camping at lake chacuma or going to a winery - an excellent option. Restroom was in the back , follow the yellow line on the ground, lol. Basically in the warehouse area. Strange , but that's fine.

Stopped here on our way into downtown Solvang. Hot and cold foods available plus a juice/coffee bar…read moreall in a supermarket. I loved it! The food was good and lots of choices that are not really available back home. Lots of great beer and wine choices. I will definitely be back.

Our first stop after checking into our Inn in Solvang was the Copenhagen Sausage Garden!…read more It was on my husband's list of food places to try while in the area and I'm so glad we did. We ordered the Bavarian Pretzel that came with cheese sauce, the Sausage Sampler with Jalapeño Cheddar Bacon, Bratwurst, Kielbasa and Hot Italian plus a big beer and a cider! The pretzel was buttery, soft and paired well with the cheese sauce. I loved all of the sausages, but my favorite was the Bratwurst and Kielbasa - our daughter loved them as well. They offer a plethora of sauces to enjoy from Curry Ketchup to Honey Mustard plus they offer fresh Sauerkraut and other pickled items. They offer picnic tables outside under a shaded area which filled up very quickly. Staff were nothing special - but they were hustling to get the orders out as well as clearing off tables. Overall, we really enjoyed the Copenhagen Sausage Garden - we wanted to stop by one more time before heading home, but couldn't find the time. We will definitely come back next time we are in Solvang! Check them out!

Visiting from out of town, found this place on Yelp. Food was okay. Seems like staff were too busy…read moreon their phone and not attentive. Outdoor seating was okay.

I cannot recommend Olive + Lavender Farms highly enough. From the moment you arrive, it feels like…read morea hidden gem tucked into the heart of Los Olivos. They offer a complimentary olive oil tasting, allowing you to truly appreciate the depth and character of each variety. The fresh bread served alongside the tasting is crafted from scratch in nearby Los Alamos at Bob's Well Bread Bakery, and it is delicious. A few of my personal favorites were the Santa Ynez, Garlic, and Habanero olive oils. The Garlic was so outstanding that I immediately purchased a bottle to take home. It is incredibly versatile. The setting itself is just as memorable as the tasting. There is ample charming outdoor seating beside a small creek, and the gentle sound of flowing water creates a peaceful, almost meditative atmosphere. The vibes are truly immaculate. Inside, the shop is beautifully styled and filled with thoughtfully selected gifts and, of course, an impressive array of olive oils available for purchase. Hayley (sorry if it's spelled wrong) was especially warm and helpful, making the visit feel welcoming. They also offer WiFi, which allowed us to linger a bit longer and get some work done. It is rare to find a place that combines quality, hospitality, and atmosphere so seamlessly.

A great experience. Cute outdoor space for pets, kids, and adults…read more The free olive oil tasting also gave us 7 different oils and 2 vinegars to sample with pieces of bread to enjoy. My favorite are the white truffle, SY herbal blend, and garlic olive oil for the flavored oils. The arbequina and korineiki were great balanced flavors. I enjoyed the barrel aged balsamic vinegar so much I bought some to enjoy at home. The two women who assisted us were so nice and welcoming as well

Such a fun little experience. Our friends recommended we check this spot out. They have a huge…read morevariety of flavors of beef Jerky, beef sticks, popcorn, hot sauces, and more. The lady at the counter lets you sample any beef jerky you like, answers any questions you may have. My favorite was the mango habanero. The texture was nice and tender not overly tough, the flavor was well seasoned & balanced. A little on the pricier side, but that's expected in a touristy spot.

What a pleasant experience we had in here! The girl helping us was so kind and friendly! She helped…read moreus pick the ones we wanted and let us test them all. The only downside here is the price :/ $40 for a bag of been jerky is kind of insane when Costco is like $14. However, the quality I'm assuming is way better. They also have such unique flavors! Worth trying once and the pineapple beef jerky we bought was very flavorful. It'd just very expensive is all.

I hate to write this bad review ... but I'm hoping it helps improve things. Stopped by this past…read moreweekend and ordered a Caesar salad and an Italian sandwich. The Caesar salad had the dressing on the side (not a problem).. but when I came to eat it the lettuce (no dressing on it) was beyond salty.. it was as if someone had poured salt instead of Parmesan on it. It was so bad that I threw it out and didn't continue to eat it. The sandwich was ok... but the bread was stale... and it honestly wasn't the fresh lunch I was expecting to have. It also took around 30min to get my order even though the place was almost empty. I think they can do better... felt like many careless mistakes.

My husband and I were staying in Solvang with our dogs. We came here for an early lunch. The…read moreexterior is cute with a rustic feel and there are plenty of seating outside with a gorgeous view. My husband went inside to order and I waited outside with our dogs but they told me I could come inside with them. I ordered the tuna sandwich and my husband got the turkey sandwich. I almost ordered a small charcuterie board for us to share but then thought it'd be too much food so I held off. The sandwiches were unique and not your typical tuna or turkey sandwiches. We were impressed with the taste and quality of the food in addition to the customer service. We ended up coming back a second time 30 minutes before they closed at 3pm. I got the tri-tip sandwich while my husband got the meatloaf sandwich. The owner even came out to meet all 3 of our Shih Tzu. We will definitely have to come back the next time we're in the area.

What a great find! We were walking down the street looking…read morefor a restaurant and a woman approached us and asked us if we needed a restaurant recommendation. She recommended Mad and Vin!! And a couple others. We enjoyed a beet salad, mushroom pasta, a Pinot Noir, and a butterscotch crème brûlée!!! All a 10 out of 10! Our server was George and our busser was Rudy! A perfect team, never had to ask for anything they were very attentive, perfection! This is one of those restaurants that if we lived here, we would come regularly.

Great spot for Sunday brunch.. beautiful dining room tucked inside hotel…read moreExcellent attentive staff Food was delicious .. avocados toast and chilaquiles frittata.. yummmmie! Regular brew coffee was good