BEAUTIFUL local spot in Santa Barbara. Great way to start our girls weekend. Delicious food and not a chain restaurant. A true gem!
Jackson H.
This is quite possibly, not only the best restaurant in Santa Barbara, but possibly anywhere. The food, the artwork, the drinks, service, the management, the host, the bus boys.... Everything about this place is perfection. The manager Sam, makes sure everything is on point! A well run establishment that I can't say enough good things about. Ask for Jay the server, he's top notch.
Trudie S.
The restaurant was within walking distance to our hotel and so thought I'd check it out. The restaurant was intimate and out waiter was attentive. We all had a good meal and good wine. Will come back again when back in town.
Christopher R.
Solid food and service and very centrally located. Really enjoyed the ambience in the dining room.
Pearl
We were seated quickly with a reservation. We were seated by a window which was nice but there was a cold draft right over me and multiple bugs flew over our table while we were eating even though the windows were closed. I just felt uncomfortable.I ordered the gnocchi which was subpar but maybe I’ve been spoiled with all the great Italian food available near us at home. The gnocchi itself was pillowy and wonderful but the sauce was lacking flavor. If I knew this I would have asked to switch the sauce to a white sauce or something. My husband ordered the chicken dish which was nice, especially the mushrooms in it, but I wouldn’t say it was the best we’ve ever had.The service was a little odd with switching between the waiter and the busser. The waiter seemed overworked and wasn’t able to create an inviting “stay-for-a-while” energy like the decor itself offered. We asked for drink recs and didn’t get much interaction to make the best decision. I don’t fault him if there are too many tables to tend to but it still made us feel like we were a nuisance.The dessert was the best part but I think by then we just wanted to get out of our drafty, buggy corner so I hardly remember it.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 3
Barbara Tennity
Had reservations and was promptly seated upon our arrival. The staff is incredible. The food is very creative and delicious. Great wine list! Highly recommend.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Steve D.
By far one of our favorite resturant in town. The calamari is so fresh. Love the beef ribs and their fresh bread. Everything tastes so good here and can't wait to come back for more. Thank you.
Tina F.
Great food. We love black pasta. Very chewy and tender. The lamb chops are tasty too. Strongly recommend
Connor L.
Food was good, had the gnocchi and it was very enjoyable. Little pricey but good for Santa Barbara!
Paul S.
Solid, well prepared food. Friendly, timely, skilled service. Comfortable, elegant atmosphere. Fantastic, creative cocktails. Excellent wine list with both bargain and splurge options. They get the details right. Classy place - recommended.
Had a wonderful birthday dinner at Toma. Lovely ambiance, attentive service and great food. Bread and olives were delicious; lasagna was tender and almost light, but full of flavor from pork and spinach; and local halibut on bok choy was beautifully cooked and had some surprising flavors that worked. Looking forward to our next visit already!
Maryam H.
what a treat to dine at Toma! A classy, dark interior with amazingly delicious food. The plate proportions were perfect for us, not too small, not too big and leaves you feeling full in the best way. Service was great for our larger party (we had reservations ahead of time) and we will definitely be back :)
Yula K.
Beautiful restaurant that makes beautiful pasta. Calamari was very good as well but it is difficult to call beaded and lightly fried squid "BEAUTIFUL". After the app and a glass of a lovely local pinot Grigio, I was still craving seafood and went for the specialty seafood paste with just about every broad variation of seafood you could think of. Scallops were the perfect consistency. Albeit a bit small but alas it is not close to scallop season. Salmon was perfectly pink. The little salty prosciutto crumbles worked great with the light and buttery noodles. Also had a bit of the gnocchi, which we were surprised to see also came with shrimp. Weren't as good as the unpeeled, lightly roasted shrimps in the seafood pasta but we were not complaining. Gnocchi were pillowy and delicious like everything else
Frank C.
Went last night..2nd visit...3/15. Food is very good and each plate very pretty. Rack of lamb delicious...seems to be a full rack. Companion had halibut, which can be dry, but was prepared perfectly. Any little negative...had to ask for the bread and olives they serve. And also had to flag down waiter for water.
Angel P.
Embarking on a mid-week family escapade to Santa Barbara, our journey was graced with the epitome of hospitality and genuine warmth, a prelude to the culinary gem awaiting us at Toma Restaurant & Bar. From the outset, the proprietor, Sam, enveloped us in his fervent dedication, seamlessly orchestrating the restaurant's operations while graciously engaging with guests. Seated amidst an ambiance of effortless elegance, we were promptly attended to by our server, who expertly navigated us through a tantalizing array of specialty cocktails. Opting for the Blackberry Shrub and the Local, each sip was a symphony of flavors, with the Blackberry Shrub's seamless fusion of Prosecco effervescence and blackberry's depth, and the Local's refreshing sweetness underscored by the essence of muddled strawberries. After drinks, we were ready for our entrees. We went with the children's Grilled Chicken and mashed potatoes - my little had no trouble clearing her plate. Meanwhile, the Gnocchi and Rigatoni emerged as culinary masterpieces, each bite a divine revelation of expertly crafted flavors and textures, swiftly delivered to our table with commendable efficiency. As we savored the culinary delights before us, enveloped in Toma's enchanting ambiance, it became abundantly clear that this establishment is not merely a restaurant but a standard-bearer of excellence in food, service, and hospitality. Toma unequivocally earns its place as a must-visit destination, whether for an intimate date night or a gastronomic pilgrimage. Thank you Toma for the great experience!
BEAUTIFUL local spot in Santa Barbara. Great way to start our girls weekend. Delicious food and not a chain restaurant. A true gem!
This is quite possibly, not only the best restaurant in Santa Barbara, but possibly anywhere. The food, the artwork, the drinks, service, the management, the host, the bus boys.... Everything about this place is perfection. The manager Sam, makes sure everything is on point! A well run establishment that I can't say enough good things about. Ask for Jay the server, he's top notch.
The restaurant was within walking distance to our hotel and so thought I'd check it out. The restaurant was intimate and out waiter was attentive. We all had a good meal and good wine. Will come back again when back in town.
Solid food and service and very centrally located. Really enjoyed the ambience in the dining room.
We were seated quickly with a reservation. We were seated by a window which was nice but there was a cold draft right over me and multiple bugs flew over our table while we were eating even though the windows were closed. I just felt uncomfortable.I ordered the gnocchi which was subpar but maybe I’ve been spoiled with all the great Italian food available near us at home. The gnocchi itself was pillowy and wonderful but the sauce was lacking flavor. If I knew this I would have asked to switch the sauce to a white sauce or something. My husband ordered the chicken dish which was nice, especially the mushrooms in it, but I wouldn’t say it was the best we’ve ever had.The service was a little odd with switching between the waiter and the busser. The waiter seemed overworked and wasn’t able to create an inviting “stay-for-a-while” energy like the decor itself offered. We asked for drink recs and didn’t get much interaction to make the best decision. I don’t fault him if there are too many tables to tend to but it still made us feel like we were a nuisance.The dessert was the best part but I think by then we just wanted to get out of our drafty, buggy corner so I hardly remember it.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 3
Had reservations and was promptly seated upon our arrival. The staff is incredible. The food is very creative and delicious. Great wine list! Highly recommend.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
By far one of our favorite resturant in town. The calamari is so fresh. Love the beef ribs and their fresh bread. Everything tastes so good here and can't wait to come back for more. Thank you.
Great food. We love black pasta. Very chewy and tender. The lamb chops are tasty too. Strongly recommend
Food was good, had the gnocchi and it was very enjoyable. Little pricey but good for Santa Barbara!
Solid, well prepared food. Friendly, timely, skilled service. Comfortable, elegant atmosphere. Fantastic, creative cocktails. Excellent wine list with both bargain and splurge options. They get the details right. Classy place - recommended.
Restaurantji Recommends
Had a wonderful birthday dinner at Toma. Lovely ambiance, attentive service and great food. Bread and olives were delicious; lasagna was tender and almost light, but full of flavor from pork and spinach; and local halibut on bok choy was beautifully cooked and had some surprising flavors that worked. Looking forward to our next visit already!
what a treat to dine at Toma! A classy, dark interior with amazingly delicious food. The plate proportions were perfect for us, not too small, not too big and leaves you feeling full in the best way. Service was great for our larger party (we had reservations ahead of time) and we will definitely be back :)
Beautiful restaurant that makes beautiful pasta. Calamari was very good as well but it is difficult to call beaded and lightly fried squid "BEAUTIFUL". After the app and a glass of a lovely local pinot Grigio, I was still craving seafood and went for the specialty seafood paste with just about every broad variation of seafood you could think of. Scallops were the perfect consistency. Albeit a bit small but alas it is not close to scallop season. Salmon was perfectly pink. The little salty prosciutto crumbles worked great with the light and buttery noodles. Also had a bit of the gnocchi, which we were surprised to see also came with shrimp. Weren't as good as the unpeeled, lightly roasted shrimps in the seafood pasta but we were not complaining. Gnocchi were pillowy and delicious like everything else
Went last night..2nd visit...3/15. Food is very good and each plate very pretty. Rack of lamb delicious...seems to be a full rack. Companion had halibut, which can be dry, but was prepared perfectly. Any little negative...had to ask for the bread and olives they serve. And also had to flag down waiter for water.
Embarking on a mid-week family escapade to Santa Barbara, our journey was graced with the epitome of hospitality and genuine warmth, a prelude to the culinary gem awaiting us at Toma Restaurant & Bar. From the outset, the proprietor, Sam, enveloped us in his fervent dedication, seamlessly orchestrating the restaurant's operations while graciously engaging with guests. Seated amidst an ambiance of effortless elegance, we were promptly attended to by our server, who expertly navigated us through a tantalizing array of specialty cocktails. Opting for the Blackberry Shrub and the Local, each sip was a symphony of flavors, with the Blackberry Shrub's seamless fusion of Prosecco effervescence and blackberry's depth, and the Local's refreshing sweetness underscored by the essence of muddled strawberries. After drinks, we were ready for our entrees. We went with the children's Grilled Chicken and mashed potatoes - my little had no trouble clearing her plate. Meanwhile, the Gnocchi and Rigatoni emerged as culinary masterpieces, each bite a divine revelation of expertly crafted flavors and textures, swiftly delivered to our table with commendable efficiency. As we savored the culinary delights before us, enveloped in Toma's enchanting ambiance, it became abundantly clear that this establishment is not merely a restaurant but a standard-bearer of excellence in food, service, and hospitality. Toma unequivocally earns its place as a must-visit destination, whether for an intimate date night or a gastronomic pilgrimage. Thank you Toma for the great experience!