Nice atmosphere. I ordered the ahi ceviche it was a tiny portion not even an appetizer. The sauce it sat in was eh. It tells you some thing when were asking for more chips at the end of our meal. I think our whole table felt the same way.
Joey Anca
The best Mexican Restaurant in Santa Barbara. Great outdoor setting too.
jon hall
I moved to Santa Barbara nearly a year ago and have spent much of that time exploring the local food and culture. While there’s still much to discover, for me, La Cocina has become one of my favorite “go-to” spots. Located a half block off State St., La Cocina is a hidden gem that strikes a rare trifecta of food, drink and atmosphere. Theirs is a wonderful spin on traditional Mexican cuisine, introducing unique flavors and delicious interpretations of dishes that somehow manage to elevate the idea of tacos, enchilada and ceviche to an entirely new level. The yellowtail tostadas are a wonderful take on ceviche; the Blistered Padron Chile’s are an incredible rendition of roasted shishito peppers (don’t miss the incredible chipotle salsa hiding underneath); and the Turkey Tacos, which sound like a bland dish fit for the unwary huero, are actually an incredible mix of shredded turkey immersed in an amazing cebolla habanero sauce that has a distinct mole flavor. Served with homemade tortillas an pickle chunks (YES, PICKLES), this is a can’t miss dish. And the drinks... it’s hard to know where to begin, though you know you’re in good hands when tasting their take on an Old Fashioned (made with tequila aged in bourbon barrels). Sit out back in the courtyard fireside under beautiful trees and patio lights to complete the experience at this, one of the best restaurants in Santa Barbara.
Mona D.
This is a hidden gem, truly. The courtyard is beyond romantic, dining under hundred year old olive trees. Service is superb. Cocktails are beautiful and so good. Food is unbelievably yum, especially the yellowtail tostadas! Can't wait to go back for lunch! A perfect spot for a big party or a romantic date.
We started off pretty excited. Menu looked great. I'll start off by saying we both got sick from the food. When i mentioned to the waiter the cucumber salad was bad (tasted rotten) they told me it was the dressing. It had already soaked into my tortillas which now smelled like feet. I was met with attitude and impatience. The pork was so salty i could barely choke it down. Seasoning on everything was weird and bitter... never coming back. Thanks for the rude dinner. Customers around us also complaining. Chips we're stale. Food was gross. Waitstaff poor. No thanks.
Olivia S.
La Cocina is all the things you look for in a Santa Barbara Mexican restaurant: harnessing the city's natural beauty, Latin elegance, gorgeous local produce behind each dish, outdoor dining in a twinkling light courtyard, unpretentious staff, stiff drinks and a nice wine list. From the minute the salsa comes to the table, you know this is a different experience. The salsa is fresh, made just moments before, out of ingredients you can't quite pin down because it's nowhere in the ballpark of regular Mexican restaurant salsa. Then the guacamole makes you weep. We ordered the Padron chilies -- blistered and soft and petite which are sprinkled in a creamy poblano sauce. Honestly I can't say enough about the cuisine here. I even had a roasted romaine salad who he could have been just pedestrian but in the hands of La Cocina it was elevated with nuts, pepitas, corn and a creamy dressing, became a fantastic entree. I will come back just for that salad. And the peppers. My husband got the ducks de Leche and was blown away. This is my new favorite spot in downtown SB for a chic date night.
Maddy N.
Met friends and had an exceptional experience. Great food, great service and a great time! Enjoyed the Dip de Frijoles, Ranch Mussels, and the Pasilla Relleno (pictured). Everything tasted so fresh - amazing food! Will be back for many times to come!
Nasim S.
Best happy hour ever!! The fish tacos are amazing, enjoyed the service, and fresa margaritas were on point. Also, recommend the shishito peppers!!
Marty C.
Very pretty restaurant with warm lighting! Nice environment for a date! My friend and I enjoyed the warm chips and salsa that were placed in front of us...both had great flavor! She ordered enchiladas with shredded beef, and I ordered the chicken "Enfrijolada" with shredded chicken. My Enfrijolada looked very similar to my friend's enchiladas. The chicken in my dish had good flavor, and was fresh. The dishes were both small, but filling! For dessert, we shared a Tres Leches Strawberry Cake, which was tasty!! The decor and lighting are very pretty and romantic. La Cocina has a large cocktail selection. If you're looking for a pretty and romantic environment with tasty food, try this place out! The outside courtyard looked inviting as well, although we sat inside!
Upscale Mexican food. Tasty with good cocktails and a fine outdoor area!
James P.
I eat here all the time and I usually get the norteño. It's skirt steak, beans and avocado. Pretty much everything here is super delicious and it's Mexican food that is fine dining. There's also dessert, tres leches cake is incredible. Their habanero pineapple salsa is one of my favorite. They also have a bakery and they have Coca-Cola from Mexico. What more could you want?
lynette l.
last night was my third time there. It's honestly hard to believe how on it they are. the most simple cocktails are simply outstanding, then from the salsa they serve with the chips - super limey and fresh - to the apps, sides, entrees - just all so excellent. The local cod is crisp but not fried, the sauce light and full of fresh flavors, just perfection. the been dip is delightfully YUM, the tacos the relleno, everything we've tried! and the patio area out back is so lovely.
Carol Newren
best tequila old fashioned and lamb tacos
N S.
A-OK describes this place. It is an A for ambience...as the outdoor olive courtyard if sweet, romantic and magical. It reminds of some places i have been in Marrakech. Food is a C at best. I am so sorry. The bean dip was too salty. I liked the handmade small tortillas that it came with..a bonus as i asked what comes with it like chips or such and they just said yes. Server should be more clear..it was a good surprise for me though. The beef enchilada my friend got was nothing great, draped in a type of mole sauce that didn't do anything for us. Love the space, Kind Host and welcoming, happy server but the food was so lacking I just don't think i would return when so many other great places for Mexican food. That said, if you are going to a book signing next door at Paradise Found, it is conveniently located. Wish i have more positive to say. Oh and they don't offer an option for non dairy folks..like please offer non dairy cheese options for the veggie item, at least.
Nice atmosphere. I ordered the ahi ceviche it was a tiny portion not even an appetizer. The sauce it sat in was eh. It tells you some thing when were asking for more chips at the end of our meal. I think our whole table felt the same way.
The best Mexican Restaurant in Santa Barbara. Great outdoor setting too.
I moved to Santa Barbara nearly a year ago and have spent much of that time exploring the local food and culture. While there’s still much to discover, for me, La Cocina has become one of my favorite “go-to” spots. Located a half block off State St., La Cocina is a hidden gem that strikes a rare trifecta of food, drink and atmosphere. Theirs is a wonderful spin on traditional Mexican cuisine, introducing unique flavors and delicious interpretations of dishes that somehow manage to elevate the idea of tacos, enchilada and ceviche to an entirely new level. The yellowtail tostadas are a wonderful take on ceviche; the Blistered Padron Chile’s are an incredible rendition of roasted shishito peppers (don’t miss the incredible chipotle salsa hiding underneath); and the Turkey Tacos, which sound like a bland dish fit for the unwary huero, are actually an incredible mix of shredded turkey immersed in an amazing cebolla habanero sauce that has a distinct mole flavor. Served with homemade tortillas an pickle chunks (YES, PICKLES), this is a can’t miss dish. And the drinks... it’s hard to know where to begin, though you know you’re in good hands when tasting their take on an Old Fashioned (made with tequila aged in bourbon barrels). Sit out back in the courtyard fireside under beautiful trees and patio lights to complete the experience at this, one of the best restaurants in Santa Barbara.
This is a hidden gem, truly. The courtyard is beyond romantic, dining under hundred year old olive trees. Service is superb. Cocktails are beautiful and so good. Food is unbelievably yum, especially the yellowtail tostadas! Can't wait to go back for lunch! A perfect spot for a big party or a romantic date.
Nice looking restaurant. Nice staff. Loved sitting outside.
We started off pretty excited. Menu looked great. I'll start off by saying we both got sick from the food. When i mentioned to the waiter the cucumber salad was bad (tasted rotten) they told me it was the dressing. It had already soaked into my tortillas which now smelled like feet. I was met with attitude and impatience. The pork was so salty i could barely choke it down. Seasoning on everything was weird and bitter... never coming back. Thanks for the rude dinner. Customers around us also complaining. Chips we're stale. Food was gross. Waitstaff poor. No thanks.
La Cocina is all the things you look for in a Santa Barbara Mexican restaurant: harnessing the city's natural beauty, Latin elegance, gorgeous local produce behind each dish, outdoor dining in a twinkling light courtyard, unpretentious staff, stiff drinks and a nice wine list. From the minute the salsa comes to the table, you know this is a different experience. The salsa is fresh, made just moments before, out of ingredients you can't quite pin down because it's nowhere in the ballpark of regular Mexican restaurant salsa. Then the guacamole makes you weep. We ordered the Padron chilies -- blistered and soft and petite which are sprinkled in a creamy poblano sauce. Honestly I can't say enough about the cuisine here. I even had a roasted romaine salad who he could have been just pedestrian but in the hands of La Cocina it was elevated with nuts, pepitas, corn and a creamy dressing, became a fantastic entree. I will come back just for that salad. And the peppers. My husband got the ducks de Leche and was blown away. This is my new favorite spot in downtown SB for a chic date night.
Met friends and had an exceptional experience. Great food, great service and a great time! Enjoyed the Dip de Frijoles, Ranch Mussels, and the Pasilla Relleno (pictured). Everything tasted so fresh - amazing food! Will be back for many times to come!
Best happy hour ever!! The fish tacos are amazing, enjoyed the service, and fresa margaritas were on point. Also, recommend the shishito peppers!!
Very pretty restaurant with warm lighting! Nice environment for a date! My friend and I enjoyed the warm chips and salsa that were placed in front of us...both had great flavor! She ordered enchiladas with shredded beef, and I ordered the chicken "Enfrijolada" with shredded chicken. My Enfrijolada looked very similar to my friend's enchiladas. The chicken in my dish had good flavor, and was fresh. The dishes were both small, but filling! For dessert, we shared a Tres Leches Strawberry Cake, which was tasty!! The decor and lighting are very pretty and romantic. La Cocina has a large cocktail selection. If you're looking for a pretty and romantic environment with tasty food, try this place out! The outside courtyard looked inviting as well, although we sat inside!
Restaurantji Recommends
Upscale Mexican food. Tasty with good cocktails and a fine outdoor area!
I eat here all the time and I usually get the norteño. It's skirt steak, beans and avocado. Pretty much everything here is super delicious and it's Mexican food that is fine dining. There's also dessert, tres leches cake is incredible. Their habanero pineapple salsa is one of my favorite. They also have a bakery and they have Coca-Cola from Mexico. What more could you want?
last night was my third time there. It's honestly hard to believe how on it they are. the most simple cocktails are simply outstanding, then from the salsa they serve with the chips - super limey and fresh - to the apps, sides, entrees - just all so excellent. The local cod is crisp but not fried, the sauce light and full of fresh flavors, just perfection. the been dip is delightfully YUM, the tacos the relleno, everything we've tried! and the patio area out back is so lovely.
best tequila old fashioned and lamb tacos
A-OK describes this place. It is an A for ambience...as the outdoor olive courtyard if sweet, romantic and magical. It reminds of some places i have been in Marrakech. Food is a C at best. I am so sorry. The bean dip was too salty. I liked the handmade small tortillas that it came with..a bonus as i asked what comes with it like chips or such and they just said yes. Server should be more clear..it was a good surprise for me though. The beef enchilada my friend got was nothing great, draped in a type of mole sauce that didn't do anything for us. Love the space, Kind Host and welcoming, happy server but the food was so lacking I just don't think i would return when so many other great places for Mexican food. That said, if you are going to a book signing next door at Paradise Found, it is conveniently located. Wish i have more positive to say. Oh and they don't offer an option for non dairy folks..like please offer non dairy cheese options for the veggie item, at least.