Lovely Frenchish menu. My favorites are the mussels and the Nicoise salad (with grilled ahi rather than canned tuna. Go there soon because they're closing in a few weeks, then reopening with a new owner. Same bartender though, which is a blessing.
Helen W.
Great happy hour menu and drinks. Outdoor patio is great. Watch out for the crows. Favorite is bucket of parmesan fries with truffle oil. Artichokes fried with aioli.
Rockerbox
Cafe Stella is closing in a week and they were operating with reduced staff in the front and back of house. This meant a long wait to be seated, a long wait for cocktails and, surprise, a long wait for food. Not the way the restaurant was in better times. The food was fine, up to their usual standard. Get in there quickly if you want a last Croque Madame or Boeuf Bourgignon. We shall miss Cafe Stella.
RJS24
They were short staffed last night. I saw one of the chef's coming out to seat people and pitch in. It was very "teamwork" and likely not too many diners even noticed. The wait staff was friendly and never let on that they were short staffed and more than likely stressed because it was very busy. Our meal was delicious (though the carrot cake was dry and underwhelming).
Joselyn P.
We went as a group for a celebration. Some people would be drinking some of us eating. The bartender was refusing to give service to our group because we were a group and she did not like that
Lynn D.
A few weeks ago, three of us had dinner at Stella and were very pleased. I had only been therefor lunch it the past and they did not disappoint. I had ordered French onion soup before my meal and it was the only time I have not had a complaint about too much salt. Most restaurants over power this soup with way too much salt. Keep up the good work. L Davis
John L.
This place is AWESOME! Their happy hour is the best value in town for the prices and quality of their food and drinks. The best part is, you can just STAY there and go right into a great dinner! Again, fantastic value and price point for the high quality of food and drink one receives at dinner here. It's mainly French or French inspired food, with a few American and Italian dishes thrown in (but not haphazardly) to round out the menu. There's something for everyone here! Special shout out to mixologist Amber crafting awesome cocktails behind the bar (follow her @ craftyandtwisted on Instagram!) and all with a knowledgable, friendly, and positive vibe that makes her bar an especially cool place to hang out! We'll DEFINITELY be back.....again and again!
We had an excellent experience at Le Cafe Stella. The service was excellent, the food delicious, and the ambience lovely. The birthday gelatto dessert was a nice surprise. Our party of three each ordered different entries which were beautifully plated and equally good. We are so happy to see Le Cafe Stella thriving once again. We won't wait for a special occasion to return.
82much
The beet salad was excellent! Amazing that not all French restaurants offer beef bourguignon, but theirs is so flavorful! The appetizer meatball portion was very small, too small. The service was perfect. The atmosphere is very simple and so nice for a change. Loved this local restaurant and would definitely return.
Tanner V.
I've came a few times and had great food and service each visit. The salmon club is great! The vibe is low key, however the dining room can get very loud when the restaurant is busy. The booths are tight together and the backs are low so you're a participant in other tables conversations whether you want to be or not.
Went for drinks and stayed for dinner. Everything was just wonderful! Pistachio crusted brie with a blackberry jam was one of the most delicious ways I've ever had brie. If you like Pate this will not disappoint. I dont usually order lasagna out because I prefer homemade - this was basically homemade without the work. Will definitely get this again! If you want to order drinks, just tell Amber what the base liquor should be and turn her loose. She is one of the best bartenders - great mixology skills, wonderful people skills, just the whole package. Can't wait to go back!
Snapper
We chose to dine outdoors which was unimpressively on a white picnic table that wasn't very clean, had stickiness & uncleaned silverware. Server was very pleasant & accommodating. Chicken cordon blue, filet mignon & artichokes were great. Cocktails tasty.
Glenn R.
Very good food for the price. Apps and cocktails a plus. Staff friendly and efficient
Califoodie
This was a little birthday dinner before a concert at Santa Barbara Bowl for 5 of us....the pluses: The restaurant is totally cute not on any main roads....the food really was delicious ( I had Coq Au Vin) and seriously in today's inflationary world, the value for the money is amazing! However, while our server was delightful with a great personality, the service was slow as can be imagined. Definitely not her fault; the place was busy but clearly understaffed. I guess that's what happens these days in one of the most affluent places on earth....nobody needs to work! But I definitely recommend this place, just don't be in any rush to get anywhere after.
Debski
I love coming to Cafe Stella, especially for their great Happy Hour menu - great choices, great value - I have always found the food at Cafe Stella to be delicious, well proportioned & made with the freshest of ingredients - Service was exceptional as well!
Lovely Frenchish menu. My favorites are the mussels and the Nicoise salad (with grilled ahi rather than canned tuna. Go there soon because they're closing in a few weeks, then reopening with a new owner. Same bartender though, which is a blessing.
Great happy hour menu and drinks. Outdoor patio is great. Watch out for the crows. Favorite is bucket of parmesan fries with truffle oil. Artichokes fried with aioli.
Cafe Stella is closing in a week and they were operating with reduced staff in the front and back of house. This meant a long wait to be seated, a long wait for cocktails and, surprise, a long wait for food. Not the way the restaurant was in better times. The food was fine, up to their usual standard. Get in there quickly if you want a last Croque Madame or Boeuf Bourgignon. We shall miss Cafe Stella.
They were short staffed last night. I saw one of the chef's coming out to seat people and pitch in. It was very "teamwork" and likely not too many diners even noticed. The wait staff was friendly and never let on that they were short staffed and more than likely stressed because it was very busy. Our meal was delicious (though the carrot cake was dry and underwhelming).
We went as a group for a celebration. Some people would be drinking some of us eating. The bartender was refusing to give service to our group because we were a group and she did not like that
A few weeks ago, three of us had dinner at Stella and were very pleased. I had only been therefor lunch it the past and they did not disappoint. I had ordered French onion soup before my meal and it was the only time I have not had a complaint about too much salt. Most restaurants over power this soup with way too much salt. Keep up the good work. L Davis
This place is AWESOME! Their happy hour is the best value in town for the prices and quality of their food and drinks. The best part is, you can just STAY there and go right into a great dinner! Again, fantastic value and price point for the high quality of food and drink one receives at dinner here. It's mainly French or French inspired food, with a few American and Italian dishes thrown in (but not haphazardly) to round out the menu. There's something for everyone here! Special shout out to mixologist Amber crafting awesome cocktails behind the bar (follow her @ craftyandtwisted on Instagram!) and all with a knowledgable, friendly, and positive vibe that makes her bar an especially cool place to hang out! We'll DEFINITELY be back.....again and again!
We had an excellent experience at Le Cafe Stella. The service was excellent, the food delicious, and the ambience lovely. The birthday gelatto dessert was a nice surprise. Our party of three each ordered different entries which were beautifully plated and equally good. We are so happy to see Le Cafe Stella thriving once again. We won't wait for a special occasion to return.
The beet salad was excellent! Amazing that not all French restaurants offer beef bourguignon, but theirs is so flavorful! The appetizer meatball portion was very small, too small. The service was perfect. The atmosphere is very simple and so nice for a change. Loved this local restaurant and would definitely return.
I've came a few times and had great food and service each visit. The salmon club is great! The vibe is low key, however the dining room can get very loud when the restaurant is busy. The booths are tight together and the backs are low so you're a participant in other tables conversations whether you want to be or not.
Restaurantji Recommends
Went for drinks and stayed for dinner. Everything was just wonderful! Pistachio crusted brie with a blackberry jam was one of the most delicious ways I've ever had brie. If you like Pate this will not disappoint. I dont usually order lasagna out because I prefer homemade - this was basically homemade without the work. Will definitely get this again! If you want to order drinks, just tell Amber what the base liquor should be and turn her loose. She is one of the best bartenders - great mixology skills, wonderful people skills, just the whole package. Can't wait to go back!
We chose to dine outdoors which was unimpressively on a white picnic table that wasn't very clean, had stickiness & uncleaned silverware. Server was very pleasant & accommodating. Chicken cordon blue, filet mignon & artichokes were great. Cocktails tasty.
Very good food for the price. Apps and cocktails a plus. Staff friendly and efficient
This was a little birthday dinner before a concert at Santa Barbara Bowl for 5 of us....the pluses: The restaurant is totally cute not on any main roads....the food really was delicious ( I had Coq Au Vin) and seriously in today's inflationary world, the value for the money is amazing! However, while our server was delightful with a great personality, the service was slow as can be imagined. Definitely not her fault; the place was busy but clearly understaffed. I guess that's what happens these days in one of the most affluent places on earth....nobody needs to work! But I definitely recommend this place, just don't be in any rush to get anywhere after.
I love coming to Cafe Stella, especially for their great Happy Hour menu - great choices, great value - I have always found the food at Cafe Stella to be delicious, well proportioned & made with the freshest of ingredients - Service was exceptional as well!