Stopped by this evening for a cold one and to try their sliders. Oh so good. Mario was our terrific…read morebartender and a very nice person. Edward prepared the sliders and brought them out nice and tasty. What a great spot and a short walk from our campsite. The ambiance is positive and the big screens had the ball game on. Indoor and outdoor seating with a fire pit. Highly recommended.

I've stayed at Sideways Inn many times over the years and have often used it as the home base for…read moregolf and wine weekends with friends. Until this visit, I've always had a positive impression. Last night, our group purchased drinks from the Sideways Lounge and sat in the outdoor fireplace area. One member of our group was smoking when an employee approached us and rudely told us smoking wasn't allowed there. That wasn't the issue--we would have gladly complied if the policy had simply been explained respectfully. Instead, we were interrupted multiple times while trying to ask why there were no signs indicating the rule. The employee repeatedly responded, "Well, I'm telling you now." He then told us to go outside the fenced lounge area--even into the parking lot--to smoke, despite posted signs stating that alcohol cannot leave the lounge area. The interaction felt unnecessarily confrontational and inconsistent. Businesses absolutely have the right to enforce their policies. Customers should also expect to be treated with courtesy and respect. Unfortunately, this one interaction overshadowed an otherwise enjoyable trip. After years of staying here and recommending the property to others, I no longer plan to return or recommend Sideways Inn for future golf and wine weekends. I sincerely hope management addresses the customer service issues that led to this experience.

The night could've been salvaged. The Brussels sprouts could've been crispier and more tender…read more(which a higher temperature and longer cooking time would have fixed). The salmon flatbread was a nice, refreshing alternative to a traditional sushi meal. Rick our server was lovely. But the young chef, wearing a hat and AirPods, and who didn't even respond when we said thank you, brought us mostly-frozen meatballs. I was pretty disappointed. I don't mind frozen meatballs, but please defrost and cook them completely before serving them.

We booked rooms at the attached hotel with the intent of coming here on our first evening. We were…read moreinformed upon booking that the lounge would be closed for the entirety of our stay. This was quite a disappointment.

One thing we quickly noticed in Solvang is that there aren't many places open late, so finding High…read moreRoller Tiki Lounge open until 11 PM was a huge plus! After a delicious dinner nearby, we stopped in for drinks, live music, and a good time and this place delivered. They had a great live band playing fun tunes that really set the atmosphere. The vibe was relaxed, lively, and exactly what we were looking for to end the night. Their drink menu is packed with creative and fun options. I ordered the Mango Michelada, and it absolutely did not disappoint. Our waiter was also fantastic, very attentive, friendly, and kept checking in on us throughout the night. If you're in Solvang and looking for a fun late-night spot with good drinks, music, and great service, High Roller Tiki Lounge is definitely worth stopping

We wanted to start our Friday night by grabbing a drink and checking out High Roller Tiki Bar, but…read moreunfortunately, our experience was disappointing from the start. After walking in and passing the host stand, a server who was seated at the bar got up, walked us to a table, and suggested we sit on the loveseat. The host was friendly and welcoming, and the space itself seemed promising. We were excited to settle in, have a drink, and check the place out. The restaurant was nearly empty when we arrived, but shortly after we were seated, a larger group came in. From that point on, it felt like we were completely forgotten. The server focused on the larger party, taking drink orders and delivering beverages as more guests from their group arrived. Meanwhile, we sat waiting without any acknowledgment. Another group of ladies was seated nearby and appeared just as confused about who was helping them. We both work in the restaurant industry, so we understand that larger parties can demand attention and that things don't always go perfectly. We tried to be patient and give the team the benefit of the doubt. However, after waiting more than 15 minutes without anyone checking on us, taking a drink order, or even acknowledging our table, we decided to leave. What made the experience especially frustrating was that the restaurant wasn't busy when we arrived. We never felt welcomed beyond being shown to our table, and ultimately it felt like our business wasn't valued. Hopefully this was just an off night, because the atmosphere and concept seemed like something we would have enjoyed. We'd be willing to give it another chance, but first impressions matter, and unfortunately this one missed the mark. Sadly, it looks like we definitely missed out on the famous Bowl for Two.

I honestly never leave reviews, but I created an account just so I could leave this one…read more My girlfriend and I stayed at the Vinland Hotel last weekend for her birthday, and I wanted to make the trip feel a little extra special. Before we arrived, I reached out to the hotel to see if there was anything they offered for birthdays. They told me they normally don't do much, which I completely understood, but the woman at the front desk, I believe her name was Geidy, said she would personally see what she could do. I had absolutely no idea just how far she was willing to go. I had balloons and a birthday cake being delivered to the hotel, and Geidy personally met the delivery drivers, collected everything, and set it all up in our room while we were out at breakfast. She kept in touch with me the entire morning, texting updates while I intentionally delayed our arrival so she could finish everything. When we finally walked into the room, it was beautiful. She had arranged the balloons, cake, complimentary bottles from the hotel, and even bought my girlfriend flowers with her own money. She also left a handwritten birthday note from the hotel wishing her a happy birthday and thanking her for spending her special day there. When I thanked her afterward, she was literally sweating from running back and forth getting everything ready for us--in well over 100-degree heat. She treated my girlfriend's birthday like it was important to her too, and that's something we'll never forget. The hotel itself was wonderful, but what made this stay truly unforgettable was Geidy's kindness and generosity. It's incredibly rare to meet someone who genuinely cares that much about making a stranger's experience special. We'll absolutely be staying at the Vinland every time we visit Solvang. And Geidy, if you happen to read this: thank you. You made my girlfriend's birthday so much more memorable than I ever could have on my own. Your kindness meant the world to both of us.

I loved this cozy hotel. Front desk staff were awesome and very helpful. The bar seemed cool but…read moredidn't offer dining options other than small bites. The pool and hot tub looked very inviting but were always busy so we didn't use it . Our room was a nice size and offered a small fridge, microwave and Keurig. No bath tub but nice shower. I liked that the shower/toilet were separated from the sink and mirror to get ready and wash up. The best thing about this place is the location and how it's walking distance to lots of restaurants, bakeries, wine tasting and shopping.

The novelty of spinning records wore off fast, and what could've been a cool, defining feature for…read morethe place ended up feeling more like a missed opportunity. Kelly seemed more focused on catering to a small group of guys in cowboy hats than maintaining the vibe that actually makes this spot stand out. Instead of reading the room, she and her May 1st bartender colleague locked into a single stream of country music that clearly wasn't resonating with most of the crowd. That's really the frustrating part, it wasn't just a music choice, it was the complete lack of awareness or willingness to adjust. People weren't being heard, requests were ignored, and the whole "records" concept felt pointless when it was treated so rigidly. If you're going to lean into vinyl as part of the experience, it should feel curated, responsive, and a little bit special, not like someone just putting on their personal playlist and tuning everyone else out. The drinks were genuinely great, which makes the situation even more disappointing. The potential is clearly there, but the execution on the atmosphere just didn't match. If the records are going to stay, they should actually be used to enhance the environment, not limit it. Otherwise, it might be better to ditch the gimmick entirely rather than let it drag down what could be an otherwise standout spot.

Vaquero Bar is a great spot in Solvang, especially since it's open later than most places in town…read more The cocktails are consistently good, and I love that you can order food right at the bar. The donuts were the perfect sweet treat, and the spicy tuna on crispy rice was absolutely delicious. The atmosphere is fun and welcoming, making it a great place to unwind after exploring Solvang. I'll definitely be back!

This is a really good place to get an oak smoked steak right off of their Santa Maria Grill. The…read morefood here is good, and I absolutely love the taste of the oak that screams Central Coast. (If you sit in the middle of the easternmost dining room you'll have a great view of it.) I've had numerous steaks, their pork chops, lamb, and quail and it's all delicious. Right now I am absolutely in love with their duck. It's really good. The wines here are great as well. They make their own wines, and specialize in Pinot (their Big Circle Syrah is pretty good too). They really care about their wines and it's very apparent in their taste. The service here is excellent as well. This is an amazing place that we make sure to visit every time we're in town.

For the last 40 years, the Hitching Post has been a Buellton institution, serving oak grilled…read moresteaks "West Coast BBQ" style and their own wines. Like many people I heard about it because of the movie Sideways with Paul Giamatti. Despite its notoriety, this place feels authentic and hasn't been over taken by the fame monster...not in the slightest. They just offer great food, great service, and great wines. For all the hype, this place was better than I expected. The patio views out back were sweeping, and I highly recommend coming here when it's still light out (lunch or an early dinner) so you can see what I mean. The views were better than the scenery at some of the winery vineyards in the area. For lunch, I took the recommendation of the worker and got "the best thing on the menu" which was their steak and caramelized onion sandwich. I dont normally order this kind of thing but she convinced me of it and I am glad I listened to her. It was juicy and savory, and the steak was so nicely seasoned. Whenever I've gotten a steak or beef sandwich before usually you have to dip it in au jus bc it's on the dry side, but this was not the case at all here. There was no aioli or sauce to drown out or hide the quality of the meat. It was perfection. We also tried the grilled chicken sandwich which also was beautifully seasoned and slightly blackened and had the juiciest tomato with it. Overall: a very simple lunch but done extremely well, with the best outdoor views in town. As a bonus, birders may appreciate seeing the occasional hawk high overhead or the abundant Blue Jays on the patio. Ample parking on sight.

Food was fresh seafoods & great ambience. Service very good; friendly & attentive! I shall return…read morewhen I go back to Solvang

The only time I seem to go for Happy Hour these days is when I am out of town. Actually, staying in…read moreSolvang this time around meant no driving required, so first stop, HH at Mad and Vin inside the Landsby Hotel Every item we ordered was on point. Between the olive and fig bruschetta and Santa Ynez sliders with duck fries so good, I should've ordered a full order of those fries, to go with that Chata-tini of rum, horchata, cream, cinnamon, my only regret is not returning the next day for dinner.

I love the ambiance it's the whole place from outside to inside. We are a country living couple so…read moreI thought this place was perfect for celebrated my husband's birthday. We entered & instantly love the decor. Unfortunately we were in sticker shock at the menu. It was well beyond our affordability. My poor hubby wants to leave but it was his birthday so we split the twin peaks, 2 bacon wrapped filets. The service was great! As soon a we sat the waitress brought the starter, which is a cowboy soup with salsa & tequila beans. It was delicious, though I typically done like vegetable based soups. The dinner was amazing. The steak was perfect, great flavor combinations. It also included salad & a root beer float. I told the waitress it was his birthday. They came out singing happy birthday with a candle in his icecream. Idk if we would go back, strictly do to the cost but the food is amazing!

What an incredible dinner at AJ Spurs! We sat in the bar area, and our server made the whole…read moreexperience even better. He was personable, super witty, and had us laughing throughout the meal. The food was outstanding. We ordered three top sirloin steaks and a rack of ribs, and everything was cooked perfectly and absolutely delicious. The complimentary beef stew before the meal was amazing and a great way to start dinner. Our kids completely wiped out the crackers, which our server got a good laugh out of. We also appreciated the to-go sodas, and the sundaes and root beer floats that come with the meal were the perfect ending. I hadn't been to AJ Spurs in many years, and I'm so glad we chose it to celebrate my 39th birthday. It was a fantastic experience from start to finish, and we'll definitely be back!

I am known for many things (some good, some bad, some pretty, some ugly - but I digress); with one…read morebeing my obsession with all things medieval. In fact, I professionally moonlight as Historian specializing in medieval English history! This means that I am a sucker for anything reminding of the time period; making the Santa Barbara-adjacent Danish city of Solvang right up my alley with its medieval storybook streets/architecture. Among the many spots in Solvang that make my heart go pitter-patter is The Good Life: a cellar wine/ale/tavern- bar. Grab your favorite wench and come along to grab a pint... Stroll down Mission Drive in the famous Danish city of Solvang and you will be delighted to venture upon The Good Life that appears to pop out of a medieval history book with exposed wooden beans, plaster exterior walls and an entrance that resides at basement level (they don't call it a cellar bar for nothing!). Owned by a husband-wife team with extensive hospitality and restaurant experience under their belts in 2012; the charm of The Good Life is instantaneous and perfect for a gal like me obsessed with this sort of thing. Prepare to be instantly transported into the 15th century! Once you cross the threshold of The Good Life, the Shakesperean feel continues but is also modernized with a glowing fireplace, plush arm chairs and high bar tables (plus bar seating) and floor to ceiling wine racks. The Good Life is a perfect ratio of Solvang tradition with hints of romance making it ideal for a casual beverage, tourist pop-in or memorable date night drink. The latter is exactly how my boyfriend and I happened to come across The Good Life as we were visiting Solvang from Los Angeles for the city's Christmas-time Julefest. We had just spent the evening making holiday memories among the city's Christmas trees, twinkling lights and sugary delights. Post Danish-dinner, we decided to wrap up our forever-Solvang memory with a drink at The Good Life. We were immediately greeted by the male manning The Good Life without any attitude or distaste towards us for coming in as he was preparing to close for the evening. If he was upset with us in any way - he certainly didn't show it! The Good Life features an amazing menu of local and international wines, beers, ales, meads, ciders, and ports that make The Good Life feel fancy-schmancy and artisan; but also, neighborhood friendly for your favorite hipster or friend next door. My boyfriend and I shared a cider (I wish I remembered the specific one but alas my memory evades me) while enjoying the atmosphere of warmth at The Good Life. Other customers sat in the plush chairs with notepads and tarot cards, an older couple arrived to cap off the evening and I enjoyed the view of my boyfriend in a medieval-Danish inspired cellar bar. The Good Life is standout at accommodating to all customers and making sure no one feels out of place. A bountiful tip as important as the bosom of a medieval bar wench: the bathroom at The Good Life is labeled as 'Office'. Don't worry, you won't walk in on someone preparing accounting books and the only business happening behind this door involves you and your private matters. The Good Life is delightful and unique but doesn't just stop there: it also differentiates itself with a truly impressive alcohol selection that allows you to be introduced to local, national, Danish and international bevies you have surely not tried prior. The Good Life is recommended for a drink on your next trip to the tourist-friendly city of Solvang. Even if you aren't pretending to be in medieval times...

My favorite bar and wine tasting downtown…read more Our server was super friendly and really took the time to tell us about each drink as he poured. The location is 21 and over which creates a really relaxing atmosphere. The drinks were so good we even bought a bottle to take home.

Super fast service and cozy atmosphere. Food came out within 10 minutes and they refill coffee…read more PROTEIN PANCAKES + BACON AND BANANA $15.95 - ( 7/10 ) Big portion with seeet and salty taste - the protein pancakes itself are very proteiney( to be expected) so be sure to add all the toppings! It'll taste WHEY better BACON BURRITO $14.25 - ( 7.5/10 ) Mostly egg and cheese, might help to add more meat. But the taste was good, had a kick! Cheese was also meaty and pulley SPICY AND HOT OMELETTE $16.75 - ( 7/10 ) Texture was great but was missing a kick / strong flavor profile. The food was not spicy like the name suggests. DANISH PANCAKES + BERRIES - ( 6/10 ) Not bad! The pancakes on their own weren't too sweet and I actually quite liked adding the lemon they added onto the side. It made the pancakes less heavy CHICKEN AND WAFFLES $15.50 - ( 6/10 ) it's hard to find a place that has good chicken AND waffle. Not bad nothing amazing. Chicken was a bit on the dryer side. Kinda taste like Tyson chicken Waffles moist and good! Good size. TATER TOTS - ( 9/10 ) Tater tots are super crispy and crunchy in the BEST WAY! Not sure how they made it so crunchy without it even browning but they were tasty! - coffee refill - Bathrooms available - Street parking

Went to Brekkies with my best friend after my appointment last month ( this review was so behind )…read moreand it was honestly such a nice little breakfast stop in Solvang! :)) The place felt really refreshing and the staff were super nice. I got the Eggs Benedict and it was good, but I have to say I liked my best friend's food more :') We also tried their Belgian waffle and OMG it was so good!! Definitely one of my favorite things we had. Overall, really good food, nice service, and a cute place to just relax and enjoy breakfast. Definitely worth trying if you're in Solvang!