We're staying at the hotel where Caya is housed but if we lived locally we'd definitely go to Caya. It's got a beautiful patio,, the staff is super friendly and helpful, and the food is great.
Kevin
Restaurant had a nice ambience, especially with the lights in the evening. The cocktails were refreshing and the charcuterie platter was great! For the entree, we had the risotto. It was simply not a risotto, it lacked the consistency/texture of risotto. It was rice and vegetables with no salt, and just tasted quite bad so we didn't eat more than a few bites. Service was also slow. It took 25 minutes for someone to come by to take our drink order. Once we got our food, no one came by to check on the table or refill waters. At the end of the meal we were sitting waiting for 30 minutes before we had to call someone over to ask for the check. The experience started out great, but ended quite poorly. Overall, just a disappointing dinner especially for the price.
Pamela
Disappointed. Went there a few years back when it was the Goodland. Things have changed, alot! The food was very mediocre. In face, I should have sent back the fish tacos. Cold, soft and missing the avocado. Shame it was such a great place.
Jennifer
Delicious food . Pasta was a little spicy, but I traded with.my husband who ordered the fish tacos that were delicious. Ambiance was chic and adorable and the service exceeded our expectations.
Larry
What should have been a great experience: good decor, well-prepared food, decent value, was marred by some of the most inept service I've experienced in a while. It wasn't just one person, either. From not taking our order until we flagged someone down, to bringing appetizers for sharing with no utensils, to leaving dirty dishes and moving them aside to put down the main courses, to not coming back after dropping off the dessert menus, and so on and so on. We weren't upset and there was no conflict. The wait staff was pleasant. Just absurdly clueless. My message to the restaurant: if you brought in someone who trained the staff in how to provide average service, you'd have a winner. Otherwise, I can't imagine someone coming there twice.
JohnM
A unique menu (with wonderful ‘daily specials') and a TERRIFIC staff (Sybille was GREAT) makes this a wonderful choice. Wine list could use a makeover (60% Pinot Noir?) but all else is noteworthy.
Libby
I rated our dining experience down a notch because the service is a little slow. The servers are pleasant and nice, but I realize they are short staffed and they never explain or apologize for the slow service The food is excellent however, when one finally gets it. The ambience is the best part of dining at Caya. It is outdoors and they have heaters if needed. They do have indoor seating, but it isn't as pleasant. It is relaxed casual and not for a romantic date. It is an upbeat, lively atmosphere.
PamelaB
This is our third year celebrating Mother's Day at Cava. We felt that the food was not as good as we remember it; however, the service was excellent as was the ambience. The menu had changed, which was disappointing.
GMOKids
The atmosphere can't be beat. Sunny quiet patio was very relaxing. The service was prompt and responsive. Ordered the poke bowl - wasn't crazy about the seasoning, but the portions were big. Would return but would order something different.
JohnM
Different menu (not the same-old/same-old), friendly service, and tasty food (delivered a bit slowly, but not slowly enough to drop a star). Have dined here several times in the past, will return.
Really enjoyed the food at the restaurant and the ambience was quite nice. next door at the bar they had live music so it was a nice transition. This was a cool vibe spot for the Goleta area.
It was never clear when I made the reservation that they had a special Easter menu. It would've been great for them to put that out there to let people know there was very little options available and it was disappointing.
notafoodie
The service was excellent. The food, not so much. The meals were not hot, this was a brunch and one would expect egg dishes to be warm to hot. The meat was tough, hard to cut, three of us that had it didn't eat any. Drinks were fine. Had been there for happy hour a couple weeks prior, again excellent service, good drinks and appetizers were good. Perhaps they just can't do brunch and egg dishes.
JHcentralcal
Ordered the $22 burger. Requested medium rare, it was so overcooked, almost unedible. Also asked for the sauce on the side, that did not happen. My friends also asked for their sauce on the side, that did not happen either. At the prices they are charging, food should be a lot better
The food was delicious and so many great dishes to choose from. We were a party of 6 and everyone enjoyed there meal.. Are sever Julia was great!! We will definitely be back again!
We're staying at the hotel where Caya is housed but if we lived locally we'd definitely go to Caya. It's got a beautiful patio,, the staff is super friendly and helpful, and the food is great.
Restaurant had a nice ambience, especially with the lights in the evening. The cocktails were refreshing and the charcuterie platter was great! For the entree, we had the risotto. It was simply not a risotto, it lacked the consistency/texture of risotto. It was rice and vegetables with no salt, and just tasted quite bad so we didn't eat more than a few bites. Service was also slow. It took 25 minutes for someone to come by to take our drink order. Once we got our food, no one came by to check on the table or refill waters. At the end of the meal we were sitting waiting for 30 minutes before we had to call someone over to ask for the check. The experience started out great, but ended quite poorly. Overall, just a disappointing dinner especially for the price.
Disappointed. Went there a few years back when it was the Goodland. Things have changed, alot! The food was very mediocre. In face, I should have sent back the fish tacos. Cold, soft and missing the avocado. Shame it was such a great place.
Delicious food . Pasta was a little spicy, but I traded with.my husband who ordered the fish tacos that were delicious. Ambiance was chic and adorable and the service exceeded our expectations.
What should have been a great experience: good decor, well-prepared food, decent value, was marred by some of the most inept service I've experienced in a while. It wasn't just one person, either. From not taking our order until we flagged someone down, to bringing appetizers for sharing with no utensils, to leaving dirty dishes and moving them aside to put down the main courses, to not coming back after dropping off the dessert menus, and so on and so on. We weren't upset and there was no conflict. The wait staff was pleasant. Just absurdly clueless. My message to the restaurant: if you brought in someone who trained the staff in how to provide average service, you'd have a winner. Otherwise, I can't imagine someone coming there twice.
A unique menu (with wonderful ‘daily specials') and a TERRIFIC staff (Sybille was GREAT) makes this a wonderful choice. Wine list could use a makeover (60% Pinot Noir?) but all else is noteworthy.
I rated our dining experience down a notch because the service is a little slow. The servers are pleasant and nice, but I realize they are short staffed and they never explain or apologize for the slow service The food is excellent however, when one finally gets it. The ambience is the best part of dining at Caya. It is outdoors and they have heaters if needed. They do have indoor seating, but it isn't as pleasant. It is relaxed casual and not for a romantic date. It is an upbeat, lively atmosphere.
This is our third year celebrating Mother's Day at Cava. We felt that the food was not as good as we remember it; however, the service was excellent as was the ambience. The menu had changed, which was disappointing.
The atmosphere can't be beat. Sunny quiet patio was very relaxing. The service was prompt and responsive. Ordered the poke bowl - wasn't crazy about the seasoning, but the portions were big. Would return but would order something different.
Different menu (not the same-old/same-old), friendly service, and tasty food (delivered a bit slowly, but not slowly enough to drop a star). Have dined here several times in the past, will return.
Restaurantji Recommends
Really enjoyed the food at the restaurant and the ambience was quite nice. next door at the bar they had live music so it was a nice transition. This was a cool vibe spot for the Goleta area.
It was never clear when I made the reservation that they had a special Easter menu. It would've been great for them to put that out there to let people know there was very little options available and it was disappointing.
The service was excellent. The food, not so much. The meals were not hot, this was a brunch and one would expect egg dishes to be warm to hot. The meat was tough, hard to cut, three of us that had it didn't eat any. Drinks were fine. Had been there for happy hour a couple weeks prior, again excellent service, good drinks and appetizers were good. Perhaps they just can't do brunch and egg dishes.
Ordered the $22 burger. Requested medium rare, it was so overcooked, almost unedible. Also asked for the sauce on the side, that did not happen. My friends also asked for their sauce on the side, that did not happen either. At the prices they are charging, food should be a lot better
The food was delicious and so many great dishes to choose from. We were a party of 6 and everyone enjoyed there meal.. Are sever Julia was great!! We will definitely be back again!
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