50 Best Coffee Shops in Santa Barbara

“The lightest, buttery moist scones. They also had hamburgers and salads that looked were very generous portions. All was freshly made. The silverware was REAL silverware.“

“We made a weekend trip from Miami to Santa Barbara mostly just to visit Kin lol. I had seen them on socials and reddit and I'm a sucker for great food and an even better experience. Kin is such a special place. Yes, the line is long but it is oh so worth it. We literally visited every day, twice a day over the long weekend and tried almost every drink and baked treat on the menu LOL. Can't go wrong with anything. Everyday I had a new favorite, it's THAT GOOD. The coconut cloud matcha, and pandan matcha are the best I've ever had. The cookie butter cream top is also stellar. The donuts speak for themselves, but trust me, the flavors taste just as good as they sound reading them on a menu. So thankful we got to try Kin and thank you a million times over to the staff and the amazing owner. I don't know how they do it but they manage to still be warm and friendly even with how insanely busy they are non-stop. For anyone complaining about the lines or prices, this is prob not your vibe. Those of us who get it, 'get it.' I really hope to be able to come back and visit in the future. I wish sooooo much success for this team and hope Kin sticks around and expands (hopefully to Miami lol)“

“My new favorite coffee shop!! Made from scratch flavors for lattes, made from scratch almond milk, amazing menu, staff and variety of exquisite drinks!. 💛“

“Love this place so much. Staff is chill and awesome. The crowd is so friendly and fun. Wonderful place for a quick coffee or a relaxing hour in the sun. Can’t recommend highly enough“

“The best flat white ever!! We sampled lots of coffee shops in Santa Barbara , this was by far the best. The long line attests to it. Their hippie cookie is a perfect pairing and energized us for the next three hours on our road trip. We will be back!“

“Olivia is friendly and her friends barista unfortunately I don’t know her name but both of these ladies are great, professional and friendly
And interior design of coffee shop more than perfect 🤩
Thank you 😊 for great coffee“

“My new favorite coffee shop!! Made from scratch flavors for lattes, made from scratch almond milk, amazing menu, staff and variety of exquisite drinks!. 💛“

“I can't even say I have a favorite. It's all good. When you bring home a warm loaf, all is well with the world.“

“Very happy！！amazing！！👍👍👍“

“Went here after camping at El Capitan canyon for the weekend. Me and the missus were hankering for a good cup of joe after 2 days of instant.

The store was very clean and had a good vibe. Smaller indoor are but there was adequate indoor and outdoor seating. Only one barista / employee working there and he was apologetic about the wait but was extremely helpful.

I got 2 cups of pour over of their lightest roast. It was a bit too dark for my taste but smooth and not bitter at all. My oldest got the creme brulee latte and loved it.

The bacon avocado toast was the BEST! The toast, avocado, bacon, hard boiled egg and sauce was so delicious. I didn't want to share it with my partner it was so good. The breakfast sandwich with sausage was one of the best my youngest ever had apparently. He said it was better than a McDonald's cheeseburger and that WAS his favorite food of all time. Lol. He even asked when we'd be going back.

In summary. The coffee used was on the darker roast side and would probably have been better as an espresso/milk drink in my opinion. If you like darker roasts then this is the place for you. The food there was excellent and I especially recommend the avocado toast.“

“The girls that work at the Haley location in the AM are so nice! I so look forward to passing through on my way to work a few times a month. My friend from LA told me she comes through for the matcha latte when she's in town and it's now one of my faves. Not sweet! Which is what I like and they have a good variety of nutmilks, as well.“

“Friendly and knowledgeable staff. Great service and delicious food.“

“Everyone seems to have their favorite coffee shop. This one’s mine. The people are nice, the coffee is good, and the seating is plentiful.“

“ordered for my mother in law. excited to gift it to her!“

“It's a great spot to learn it's history of the area and the harbor and other maritime information!“

“👍Love the coffee from this company. I order it for my honey to have at home“

“It’s hard to describe perfect. Everything from the extraordinary staff, to the comfortable atmosphere, to the perfectly prepared food was spot on. We are greatly appreciative for the work that goes into an operation like this.“

“Really liked this coffee shop and the beautiful pictures hanging on its walls. I'm curious to find out who the photographer is, especially of the overcast sky and grey ocean. It's stunning. Anyway, nice coffee shop with great ambiance.“

“Food is great, atmosphere is awesome, and service is friendly!
I ordered the Country Breakfast Burrito, it was delicious! I also had the Mocha Latte and an Blended Mocha, both were great!
Fun deli to grab a bite to eat and coffee! They have a large selection on artisan chocolate, cards, and other grocery items you don't find everywhere! Great experience!“

“Sweet perfection! These colorful lokum are a feast for the eyes and the taste buds. 10/10“

“Wonderful French pastries in California with beautiful setting.“

“⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Absolutely loved this brunch spot! The avocado toast was incredibly fresh, flavorful, and perfectly prepared. And the fried chicken burrito… wow. So crispy, juicy, and delicious — easily one of the best brunch items I’ve had in a long time. Everything tasted amazing, the atmosphere was great, and the service was super friendly. Definitely coming back again!“

“A rare gem in Santa Barbara. A friendly bar with billiards and a smoker's terrace. Very good beers and a charming atmosphere, a bit out of time. The staff is friendly and helpful. For a real change of scenery, it is a place not to be missed.“

“Super friendly staff here make wonderful espressos and Sunkist lattes. Despite the down vote and biblical verse quoting of another reviewer, the Mission supports this business and this business supports the Mission. The owner couldn't be more kind. It's so nice to go up and enjoy the Rose garden and get a coffee on a beautiful morning.“

“Small batch, local roasting at it's finest☕“

“the savory everything bagel brioche donut and the sweet and savory maple bacon are to die for!“

“What a spot. This is one of the most convenient locations for certain tasks. They definitely served good coffee at a reasonable price, as well as delicious cookies. I was rocking in my seat because of the music they were playing. This is always the place! I would strongly recommend it to my peers, family, and coworkers. Continue your good work!“

“My new favorite coffee shop!! Made from scratch flavors for lattes, made from scratch almond milk, amazing menu, staff and variety of exquisite drinks!. 💛“

“The breve lattes are 🔥 !!“

“wonderful family friendly neighborhood restaurant with great food, and always served with a smile. I would highly recommend to anyone for breakfast or lunch. Debbie also makes fabulous mimosas for breakfast. 😊“

“Iced caramel macchiato and a cheese danish“

“Very friendly and open staff here; you'd never guess or feel like you're in Monticeto among the wealthy elites (which you are).The folks at Caffe Luxxe are so down to earth they even make friendly suggestions, since I'm no coffee connoisseur.And their Caffe Nico latte distinguishes them from other coffee shops, in Santa Barbara. This drink doesn't disappoint!“

“there was this purple haired person that made my 3 pumps vanilla frappe that lowkey snapped so hard omfg. give them a raise on the lowks. attaching a picture of the drink they made btw. if i was on death row, id die happy knowing i had a caramel ribbon crunch made by this purple haired worker. thank you. for everything.“

“If you’re anywhere near Del Pueblo Cafe, do yourself a favor and stop in, this place always delivers.

I tried the California burrito, and it was easily one of the best I’ve had in a long time. Everything was spot-on: perfectly seasoned, generously filled, and just the right balance of flavors without feeling overly heavy. The quesabirria was just as impressive: rich, savory, and packed with that slow-cooked depth you hope for but don’t always get.

What really surprised me, though, was the drinks. Their coffee is excellent (not just an afterthought like at a lot of spots), and the matcha is genuinely good—smooth, not overly sweet, and clearly made with care and in house.

Overall, it’s one of those rare places where everything you get is good—from the food to the drinks— I wish it was just a little further from my work so I wouldn’t be so tempted all the time.“

“We were celebrating our anniversary and wanted to stay on property so chose The Bistro. From start to finish, everything about our experience was absolutely incredible. The service was warm and attentive, the ambiance was just right, and every dish was beautifully prepared and full of flavor. We had the seabass and beet salad, both of which were perfectly executed. The chef and team ensure you have a wonderful experience with delicious food and impeccable service. Whether a special occasion or a just looking for a great meal, go to The Bistro, you won't be disappointed.“

“Everyone seems to have their favorite coffee shop. This one’s mine. The people are nice, the coffee is good, and the seating is plentiful.“

“👍Love the coffee from this company. I order it for my honey to have at home“

“Fun refreshing dessert 🍨 lots of yummy flavors“

“This location is a shining example of what’s possible when you have a stellar management team at the helm. While the entire team delivers consistently great service, the leadership deserves real credit for building such a strong, people-first culture. They’ve clearly hired a group of hardworking, personable individuals who genuinely care.

The other day, I watched the team respond instantly and compassionately when a disabled customer dropped their drink. There was no hesitation - just immediate action. A manager stepped in to reassure the customer while others quickly remade the drink and cleaned up the spill. It wasn’t just “good service” - it was good people doing the right thing. And this isn’t a one-off moment. I see this level of care all the time.

I used to manage a high-end retail store, and I would always tell my team: the difference between a great experience and a memorable one is you. Your positivity, compassion, and humanity matter more than any product or brand ever could.

I can go to any Starbucks - there are plenty - but I choose this one because of the people.“

“I visited from Colorado and bought one of everything for my stay. I have NEVER had better gluten free products!!! I wish you shipped! thanks for being awesome 😎“

“Always been a very good place to get together and have great food and beverages ☺️“

“went in on my meal break while working in montecito wasn’t too hungry so I ordered a truffle which was good the pizza aroma smelled good eventually I’m sure will have a pizza from there but what I ordered was good enough for me 🙂“

“Peet's has the best coffee in the area. The espresso is hand pulled and consistently high quality. I especially like the whole milk mocha. Baristas are always trained. They seem to have improved the snacks offered, they were mediocre until recently, but really, you go to Peet's for coffee. No longer offer teas.“

“Amazing spot, delicious food and coffee!!💯“

“I visited Lighthouse Coffee today and had their breakfast sandwich along with the cucumber toast. Both were delicious — the sandwich was hearty and satisfying, and the cucumber toast was fresh, crisp, and full of flavor. The ambience inside is warm and inviting, making it a nice spot to start the morning.

The coffee was good, though the flavor could be a bit more balanced to match how great the food is. Overall, a very pleasant experience and definitely a place I’d return to.“

“Nice people behind the counter. The young lady helped me decide on another drink when the first one I wanted was only made cold. My coffee was made quickly. I stayed while and wrote postcards to my friends. Nice music over the airwaves to keep me relaxed. A peaceful atmosphere when you need little break from a busy day. I will return when I'm in the neighborhood.“

“Great stop when travel the coast line in California“

“We got takeout breakfast tacos. It’s in the Public Market but pretty much everything else in the market is closed in the mornings - so not much to comment on the atmosphere. The breakfast tacos were good and average size. We got the steak taco and a birria taco. They were good, only issue was the birria taco was extremely messy and hard to eat. This isn’t something you want with takeout and eating on the go. Relatively fast service but it is cooked to order so expect a bit of a wait.“

“We went here for a quick break and had hot beverages. We’ve ordered Hot Chocolate and Hot Caffe Mocha.

I must say that when visiting Starbucks outlet very rare case to have both drinks achieve the quality taste that we want and this outlet did a great job and had pretty efficient and friendly staff. Great job!

Hubby and I enjoyed our hot drinks“