We had an outdoor table surrounded by heaters, so we were very comfortable. Our server did a good job of seeing to us. I’m writing this a little too long after our visit and can’t recall what we ate, but I definitely know it was delicious. We enjoyed the meal very much.
AdvtrTrvlr
We stopped here while we were passing through Santa Barbara and wanted to find an Italian restaurant. We have eaten that many Italian restaurants and think that this is one of the top restaurants we have eaten at. My wife had the European Seabass which was very good and I had the beef rigatoni which was also very good. The staff was very professional and not just college kids looking for a part-time work. The service was very good, attentive and everyone was friendly. We sat outside with the heaters which was very pleasant between 5:30 and 7:30 PM. We were definitely suggest this place to anyone who is in the area.
petersJ1219LV
It's been a couple of years since I've been to Olio E Limone due to the pandemic but I was very happy to recently return for lunch and was very happy they survived. The lasagna was delightful; fine home-made pasta and meat with delicious tomato sauce, all very delicately seasoned. Wonderful dish and not heavy. Excellent crusty bread. Service was very personal and friendly. Had the feel of your "local" go-to place but with elegance. Would love to have such a place in San Diego area.
daren green
The best sandwiches and service. In the heart of downtown Santa Barbara and just off state street, Olio Crudo Bar serves up authentic and amazing Italian sandwiches, sliced meats, and fresh cheeses. Stop in and enjoy
1Cannolo
...but a destination! From Bakersfield I have access to the LA basin for gourmet dining. For authentic Italian cooking and recipes developed by an an authentic Italian chef, I travel to Olio e Limone in Santa Barbara. It has been my 'go-to' for the last 15 years and I have never left disappointed...other than the disappointment for having to leave. Many of the dishes remind me of what I ate back home in Italy, where I was born and raised. Bravo, Alberto!
Explore21291868677
Take it from an Italian expat: if you’re craving Italian food, do yourself a favor and check olio e limone out. Easily the best Italian restaurant I’ve ever been to in California. Fresh, high quality ingredients, authentic recipes, exceptional cooking and service. Wish I lived closer..
C3196JObonnied
Serious disappointment. Besides our table not being ready for our reservation and watching them seat walk ups before us, the food was absolutely sub-par. The mozzarella caprese was made with an under-ripe, thinly sliced beef steak tomato that was untrimmed. The mozzarella was gritty and watery. No flavor. We asked for balsamic for the table and it was literally watered down. The pumpkin ravioli which was described with a creamy sage, parmesan sauce was sickeningly sweet. Not savory at all. The gnocchi was made with more flour than potatoes, so they tasted more like matzo balls. And finally, I ordered the Risotto al Nero di Seppia. The squid ink lacked any flavor at all. The calamari were so over cooked it was like chewing on a piece of rubber. The shrimp were cooked well, even though drenched in the black ink, it was the only part I ate. It was advertised as made with Carnaroli rice, but I wouldn't put money on it. Whatever they used was under cooked. The wine was good and one of our waiters was awesome. Although watching him get yelled at by the head waiter in front of the customers was off-putting. If you are looking for fine dining, I do not recommend.
Lisa Marie Dudenhoeffer
The pasta was amazing and so fresh! The tuna wrapped in prosciutto appetizer was so delicious
Ardeshir T.
Wonderful host and great food. The service was amazing as well! Highly recommend. We're visiting Santa Barbara and we happened to find this place.
chicagotraveler0
had dinner there this evening and everything was excellent from the prosciutto and cantaloupe appetizer to the pear tart with caramel dessert. For dinner we had ravioli stuffed with eggplant and goat cheese and rack of lamb. Both were excellent in preparation and taste. The service was excellent as well. Would go back to this restaurant over and over -- so many interesting dishes on the menu. Highly recommend it.
Wonderful staff, great food! I’ve been numerous times and have never been disappointed.
Mary Rose Onquit
We enjoyed fresh seafood we were cravin for. A friend recommended this place as it is near the hotel were staying at in Downtown SB. We're very pleased with great food and excellent service.
FrequentFlier635905
We came upon the Bottega for lunch which is right next door to the restaurant. Many imported Italian products and open for breakfast and lunch. Met Eve - wonderful lady and tried one of their Italian focaccia bread sandwiches. The bread is baked fresh daily right on site. It was a great sandwich. Also ordered a arancini rice ball - shaped more like a pryamid - it was better than any rice ball I ever ate - even in Italy! The Bottega is part of the main restaurant and I decided to try their dinner menu. Again - the food was fabulous, service was great in their outdoor seating area. Had one of their specials that evening - braised short ribs over risotto. WOW! Everything my wife and I ordered for these 2 places was excellent. I return here if in Santa Barbara again.
BruinGirl01
My husband and I had one night in Santa Barbara and this place was recommended to us by the front desk staff at the Marina Beach Motel. The hostess was a little rude and our server was very friendly, but slow to get to us because he kept stopping at the tables right outside of the kitchen each time he came out. The staff that bused the tables were the friendliest and most attentive throughout the night. Food was excellent and my husband said his spicy seafood linguine was the best he has ever had.
Linda H.
Stumbled across this little gem on Victoria and was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the food and the Albertini. Staff was very pleasant and made the experience even that much better. Breakfast was beyond delicious and experience very relaxing. Thank you!
We had an outdoor table surrounded by heaters, so we were very comfortable. Our server did a good job of seeing to us. I’m writing this a little too long after our visit and can’t recall what we ate, but I definitely know it was delicious. We enjoyed the meal very much.
We stopped here while we were passing through Santa Barbara and wanted to find an Italian restaurant. We have eaten that many Italian restaurants and think that this is one of the top restaurants we have eaten at. My wife had the European Seabass which was very good and I had the beef rigatoni which was also very good. The staff was very professional and not just college kids looking for a part-time work. The service was very good, attentive and everyone was friendly. We sat outside with the heaters which was very pleasant between 5:30 and 7:30 PM. We were definitely suggest this place to anyone who is in the area.
It's been a couple of years since I've been to Olio E Limone due to the pandemic but I was very happy to recently return for lunch and was very happy they survived. The lasagna was delightful; fine home-made pasta and meat with delicious tomato sauce, all very delicately seasoned. Wonderful dish and not heavy. Excellent crusty bread. Service was very personal and friendly. Had the feel of your "local" go-to place but with elegance. Would love to have such a place in San Diego area.
The best sandwiches and service. In the heart of downtown Santa Barbara and just off state street, Olio Crudo Bar serves up authentic and amazing Italian sandwiches, sliced meats, and fresh cheeses. Stop in and enjoy
...but a destination! From Bakersfield I have access to the LA basin for gourmet dining. For authentic Italian cooking and recipes developed by an an authentic Italian chef, I travel to Olio e Limone in Santa Barbara. It has been my 'go-to' for the last 15 years and I have never left disappointed...other than the disappointment for having to leave. Many of the dishes remind me of what I ate back home in Italy, where I was born and raised. Bravo, Alberto!
Take it from an Italian expat: if you’re craving Italian food, do yourself a favor and check olio e limone out. Easily the best Italian restaurant I’ve ever been to in California. Fresh, high quality ingredients, authentic recipes, exceptional cooking and service. Wish I lived closer..
Serious disappointment. Besides our table not being ready for our reservation and watching them seat walk ups before us, the food was absolutely sub-par. The mozzarella caprese was made with an under-ripe, thinly sliced beef steak tomato that was untrimmed. The mozzarella was gritty and watery. No flavor. We asked for balsamic for the table and it was literally watered down. The pumpkin ravioli which was described with a creamy sage, parmesan sauce was sickeningly sweet. Not savory at all. The gnocchi was made with more flour than potatoes, so they tasted more like matzo balls. And finally, I ordered the Risotto al Nero di Seppia. The squid ink lacked any flavor at all. The calamari were so over cooked it was like chewing on a piece of rubber. The shrimp were cooked well, even though drenched in the black ink, it was the only part I ate. It was advertised as made with Carnaroli rice, but I wouldn't put money on it. Whatever they used was under cooked. The wine was good and one of our waiters was awesome. Although watching him get yelled at by the head waiter in front of the customers was off-putting. If you are looking for fine dining, I do not recommend.
The pasta was amazing and so fresh! The tuna wrapped in prosciutto appetizer was so delicious
Wonderful host and great food. The service was amazing as well! Highly recommend. We're visiting Santa Barbara and we happened to find this place.
had dinner there this evening and everything was excellent from the prosciutto and cantaloupe appetizer to the pear tart with caramel dessert. For dinner we had ravioli stuffed with eggplant and goat cheese and rack of lamb. Both were excellent in preparation and taste. The service was excellent as well. Would go back to this restaurant over and over -- so many interesting dishes on the menu. Highly recommend it.
Restaurantji Recommends
Wonderful staff, great food! I’ve been numerous times and have never been disappointed.
We enjoyed fresh seafood we were cravin for. A friend recommended this place as it is near the hotel were staying at in Downtown SB. We're very pleased with great food and excellent service.
We came upon the Bottega for lunch which is right next door to the restaurant. Many imported Italian products and open for breakfast and lunch. Met Eve - wonderful lady and tried one of their Italian focaccia bread sandwiches. The bread is baked fresh daily right on site. It was a great sandwich. Also ordered a arancini rice ball - shaped more like a pryamid - it was better than any rice ball I ever ate - even in Italy! The Bottega is part of the main restaurant and I decided to try their dinner menu. Again - the food was fabulous, service was great in their outdoor seating area. Had one of their specials that evening - braised short ribs over risotto. WOW! Everything my wife and I ordered for these 2 places was excellent. I return here if in Santa Barbara again.
My husband and I had one night in Santa Barbara and this place was recommended to us by the front desk staff at the Marina Beach Motel. The hostess was a little rude and our server was very friendly, but slow to get to us because he kept stopping at the tables right outside of the kitchen each time he came out. The staff that bused the tables were the friendliest and most attentive throughout the night. Food was excellent and my husband said his spicy seafood linguine was the best he has ever had.
Stumbled across this little gem on Victoria and was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the food and the Albertini. Staff was very pleasant and made the experience even that much better. Breakfast was beyond delicious and experience very relaxing. Thank you!