If you have not been to El Encanto restaurant (The Dining Room & Terrace) since the new owners/management took over, it is well worth a revisit. The service is top notch and friendly. The food has been upgraded, everything we ordered was outstanding. We are neighbors so always tried to patronize the restaurant but previously found it hard to keep going back to the overpriced, ho hum food and bad service. NOT NOW! The food is amazing and at a very reasonable price point, but the biggest standout is the service. Julie Best, the Assistant Manager could not have been friendlier and the servers were so personable, knowledgeable and just fun! We have happily put El Encanto back on the date night rotation. read more

We used to love El Encanto. Over the last couple years, the menu has steadily declined. Its Hard to find anything of interest among the blah choices. read more

I had the honor of having afternoon tea at this location on a blustery day in October. First of all: location, location, location. The situation of this property offers an amazing view from the Santa Barbara Hills all the way down to the ocean. This alone is a great reason to visit El Encanto. The service was impeccable. Completely professional, and very accommodating we were made to feel right at home the entire time we were there. All of the staff are very attentive. The afternoon tea was an embarrassment of riches. Not only did we start off with an amuse bouche, but there are extra courses tucked in here and there on top of the traditional tier of scones, Finger sandwiches, and pastries. There was so much food we had to take extras away with us. The afternoon tea experience is completely decadent and the price reflects this. Be prepared to pay for your experience, but all I can say is it is completely worth it. After RT, we walked around the property a little bit and wished we could afford to stay here someday. I highly recommend giving Belmond El Encanto, a try! read more

Up high in the Santa Barbara hills this spot is perfect for a cocktail or two, a snack and enjoy the city and ocean view. The service is attentive and the drinks are delicious. Charcuterie board is perfect to share. Nice spot to go for happy hour and a relaxing afternoon. read more

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Amazing view and yummy eggs Benedict. Non-rushed service. Did I mention the view?! The terrace is always a perfect spot for brunch. I appreciate that it's not a huge brunch buffet; it's an approachable menu. Bossa Nova theme. Not sure what that was but guitarist was playing easy Latin music. The website is not really reflective of the what is offered. (It said $110 but didn't say what that was for. When I called, I was told that was for something else even though it came up under brunch) read more

Belmond El Encanto Dining Room - Classic Eggs Benedict - New American Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Under new owners that have brought in an amazing chef. Chef Joel made an amazing dinner for us last night. By far one of the best meals I've had in Santa Barbara. Supported by many local ingredients. Highly recommend ! read more

Went here for my graduation brunch and it was very special. Staff was super accommodating, having no problem adding additional people to my res (party of 17). Everything about this place is beautiful; the view is amazing, everything was clean, and the service was impeccable. The wait staff were very kind and polite, and the food was delicious! Would definitely recommend!! read more

Went to Riviera Theatre for a film screening and decided to walk right over to the El Encanto to see about getting a quick bite and drink prior to another film. Am so glad I did! While on the expensive side this is an upscale resort and same for the beautiful dining room. Ambience, service and food were all top-notch! And the peach Bellini was wonderful. It was all worth the splurge...in fact, so good that I decided to not rush out to another film but rather enjoy my meal and the experience. I'll be back! read more

Belmond El Encanto Dining Room - Fresh squeezed orange juice and a peach Bellini while awaiting late breakfast - New American Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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Settled among the Santa Barbara Riviera, the El Encanto is hidden among the trees. Beautiful view of downtown and the harbor. Pros: View Cons: Service is lacking. Just changed their menu to a Mediterranean style and we did not care for it. Hummus tastes like Indian food I had the fried chicken and it was sent special. My husband had the salad and he was not impressed. We won't be back for a while. read more

For Christmas Eve each year, we pick a nice restaurant to get together with the family - and then open presents afterward. Since we were already staying at the El Encanto over the holidays, we thought an evening at The Dining Room would be a lovely experience. We were wrong. I tried to make the dinner reservation at the same time as the hotel reservation, but that proved to be a challenge. It seems - but I'm not sure - that there are two teams managing the dining schedule. I had to wait until December to know for sure that our dinner reservation was locked in for 5:30PM on Christmas Eve. It was a little nerve wracking. Why was it so hard and why did it take so long? We opted for an earlier reservation because we had two young children in the party - a 2-year-old and a 3-month-old. The plan was to eat our meal and then move the party to a reserved firepit area by the bar at 7PM to unwrap presents. This way, as the kids got tired (and potentially crabby), we'd be out of the dining area so that other diners would have a peaceful night. We didn't move to the firepit until 7:45PM. That's because it took 2+ hours to get through our meal. The service was that slow. And bad. It took at least an hour to get our drinks and appetizers served. We then got our entrees, and then dessert. Overall, the food was okay, but not great. For dessert, one thing we ordered was one of those chocolate lava-type cakes. The server brought it out to the table, along with a dirty old Bic lighter, and attempted to flame the dessert so that the chocolate would melt. After 5 minutes of failed attempts, the waiter just left the dessert. It tasted terrible. When we moved over to the firepit at 7:45PM, the restaurant was less than half full. I will never understand why it was so hard to secure the reservation. They weren't busy, yet service was slow. Never again. read more

Belmond El Encanto Dining Room - New American Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Delicious breakfast with a beautiful view! Great choices and good service. Pancakes generous with fresh fruit and omelette can has many Choices also comes with potato pancake and little salad. Eggs Benedict looked good and coffee fresh. read more

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It's hard to imagine a restaurant that achieves so little with so much. Mother's Day brunch was basically a bad joke. Undoubtedly the joke was so bad because of the incredible cost; $165 per person. A three course meal with combinations like the simple farm lettuce salad, gravlax and an everything bagel, and strawberry cobbler, for $165. Or maybe a Caesar salad, huevos rancheros, and chocolate mousse for that price. Not even a mimosa or black coffee thrown in. It took three attempts before we hit a bottle of wine that they actually had in stock, and it came out unchilled. We live in the neighborhood, and every year we take a crack at this restaurant to see if it's as miserable as the time we last went there. Never ceases to amaze how bad it is. We were hoping for a Mother's Day brunch that was just half as good as the other brunch opportunities in town. But no; rock bottom. Half the tables were empty for good reason. This restaurant is basically tone deaf. read more

We enjoyed a lovely birthday brunch here. The weather was perfect and the views matched! It was very nice of them to bring out a little cake to celebrate read more

Belmond El Encanto Dining Room - Outdoor seating - New American Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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Post Easter Monday lunch. Walked in with group of 11 - they made room for us in the patio. We had a great view, food was great and awesome service. read more

Belmond El Encanto Dining Room - New American Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Being with the family was great. But family members staying here and got the reservation seemed to have a really hard time with the reservations as some other people posted. Our server was fantastic though. read more

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Came in for high tea (I am a first timer) and was blown away with the experience! Everything was delicious and I honestly was full before trying all the pastries and yummy bites. On the pricey side, but expected as it is a high end resort. Service was good, ambiance 10/10 read more

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Terrible service with worse price tag, not worth the time. Server was chatting with her colleagues rather than attending us.

I was was excited to come here, hearing the good recommendations. But I don't feel they are their game. The view I would give a 5 , and the atmosphere. The food was ok , basic a 3 . Lisa our server gets 5 , but the rest service a 3 . A couple that came after us got their drinks and meal before. We were told the had no bartender, and overheard two servers called out. The food runner asked if we wanted something else , and never came back . Lisa was busy with other tables . I had to ask the hostess to get us some ranch. Still they weren't that busy to give better service . I would go back earlier to get a sit on the balcony . It closes 2-5 to prepare for dinner. read more

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One of the best places for lunch in Santa Barbara. Come later around 1pm when the sun comes out to enjoy views over the city and the ocean. Definitely book a table on the terrace, but okay if you're inside as well. Night time is equally enjoyable but without the views unless you come before sunset. Needless to say the food was delicious. We ordered several dishes to try different things, but the best items were their Avocado Fries and Fiesta tacos. Other things we ordered include Caprese Salad and the Tuna Tartar which were incredible. All of that was plenty for two until I saw the waitress bring another table their desert. I asked what is was and they said it's a special chocolate dish they serve for special occasions such as birthdays. But they were happy to bring me one.... OMG sweet tooth heaven! I am kicking myself for not remembering the name. Best of all was the Belmond service. While many people can be turned off eating at a hotel, given all the Pandemic related service issues, I've found that 5-star hotels have been consistent with the service in restaurants. Worth coming here for a really fantastic dining experience. Cannot recommend high enough. read more

Belmond El Encanto Dining Room - Fiesta Tacos - New American Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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Check out my review attached. We are very not happy. Will not be back. Went for buffet brunch, ended up with an expensive a la carte menu with very limited choices. Barely got an apology out of them. I have attached a copy of the menu we were hoping to experience. And now, more than 12 hours later, is still up on their website. Shoddy customer care. read more

Belmond El Encanto Dining Room - See what happened. - New American Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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This is a review to lament the loss of the Sunday brunch. I have enjoyed the brunch at El Encanto with family and friends, and it is a beautiful treat to enjoy their great outdoor seating, with live music and great brunch food. This past Sunday we went and learned that the brunch menu is gone (strange they wouldn't flag this when we made a brunch reservation). Now they have an "all day dining" menu that is basically a dinner menu. There was a "specials" insert for brunch that had one breakfast dish on it. We were really disappointed and decided to leave as we were all there for brunch and were not looking to eat pasta, steak or raw fish! On the plus side, the servers and host were very professional. The setting is outstanding, and the music was still lovely. read more

This is an absolutely amazing restaurant with a very nice atmosphere. The staff was very professional and friendly especially are server, Blake. He was very knowledgeable about the menu and the spectacular property where you will enjoy your meal. While it may be expensive it is well worth the price. 10/10 experience thank you Blake!! read more

Belmond El Encanto Dining Room - Outside dining area - New American Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Lunch was good. I tried the Chinese salad. Well drinks can use a little more alcohol. The outdoor is very nice with a nice view. Valet parking available. read more

The best brunch I've ever had! Impressive menu and elegant presentation in an atmosphere fit for a royalty with sweeping views of Santa Barbara Coast. The service was impeccable too and bottomless mimosas, belinis! read more

I am a local resident who frequently brings special guests to this restaurant for the magnificent food and view. The service is usually great, but my last visit was horrific from a service standpoint. It was not a calm experience flagging servers down who were inattentive. It was my friend's big birthday and I called twice in advance to order a special desert and was told it was noted on our reservation. I reminded both the hostess and the waiter, neither of whom carried out my simple request. They were rude and dismissive and didn't seem to care. The manager was nice, but not present until I asked. When he finally arrived, he listened to my complaint, but he also didn't seem to care either. read more

Long time customer here. First, the restaurant has gone through many changes over the last few years. We brought friends for dinner last night and noticed how empty the restaurant was. The food and service are still good but I was surprised how much the prices have increased. The salads were basic at $28 and I would not order again. The steak was $85 and the portion was quite small. The quality was decent but not the best. The scallops were tasty at $52 but served only 4 pcs. Just not enough for a full meal. Finally, I was disappointed that the crudités were not up to par. I'm hoping that the new chef can pull it together as I am concerned about this new business model. I don't mind paying for great quality but I do mind not getting the Belmont experience that we have loved for many years. read more

5 stars! Great food with an amazing view! A must if you're in Montecito. Very romantic place! read more

Just the best food and service. The drinks are amazing and the people working there are so friendly and caring. 10/10!

Disclaimer. We did not dine at this place, but it has probably the best view in the Santa Barbara area and the bartender mixology was absolutely spot on. read more

The El Encanto has been a scenic dining experience for longer than any of us have lived here. The current chef is terrific. Success has a price. They are oversubscribed and way UNDERSTAFFED. This is not the staff's fault. It is the fault of management. The GM needs to staff up on weekend nights if Belmond intends to live up to its reputation or have me return. Service was subpar in the dining experience particularly at the above par pricing. And valet service to retrieve the car was near nonexistent (15 minute wait). Again not the staff's fault or responsibility, but management is asleep at the wheel of success with serious UNDERSTAFFING. read more

Had excellent meals during my stay. Very fresh produce and ingredients. Beautiful fruit plate, delicious smoked salmon (I'm from nyc and a total smoked salmon snob), impeccable service. Highly recommend this restaurant, with a peaceful ambience and gorgeous views. read more

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Went for breakfast. The view was beautiful!! The food very delicious. We had the Eggs Benedict and Pancakes. The restaurant staff were also great. We will be back soon!! read more

Belmond El Encanto Dining Room - Sitting near the fireplace. - New American Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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I get why it's named El Encanto because the grounds of the facility are beautiful and I love all the plants everywhere! As far as the food and what they are charging people for it.... it's a big El Encant-NO! Guys, I want to give this place a better score but I just can't. It's a huge kick to the nuts when you get the fucking breakfast bill let alone the dinner bill. And they have the nerve to offer 2 caviar options as starters? Why? Maybe because you don't have to cook it and can just serve it? ‍(BTW never eaten caviar so I'm probably full of shit) I just can't get down with bad food at crazy prices. Now let's talk about the stars at your Encanto. Toyo who was my massage therapist at the spa, was the best and made me feel so relaxed and calm. Will she do house calls? Jacob at the pool was very nice and got drinks very fast. He even hooked up some sweet jams with some Euro jazz hip hop. We both agreed some Migos would have slapped but maybe not for some of the other pool guests. Thanks Jake! (Also the pool menu was . Get it together) Hit me up when you get a new chef and change the entire menu. read more

Belmond El Encanto Dining Room - Pool - New American Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Lip service from a manager does not change the likelihood of a poor dining experience here; so disappointing in every way except the view. Wish I had checked the reviews more carefully and stayed away. Nothing clearly, when you read most reviews, is changing in the El Encanto dining experience, because a manager rotely apologizes and says they will try to do better. I will not be back to a place that offers a nonchalant apology, and then the apology is followed by other contemporary customer reviews showing the SAME problems are part of the experience of most guests over the course of more than a year. Do not follow negative reviews with a promise to change dear manager, and then apparently change nothing. It is insincere and even insulting! And NO, I am not coming back! read more

Belmond El Encanto is a beautiful hotel, with a not so exceptional indoor wait staff. I've had the pleasure of eating at their scenic patio dining area, and also inside. For my indoor experience, it started a sunny afternoon, and on arrival there were plenty empty tables that had not been cleared off; nor did my boyfriend want to wait 20 plus minutes to order food, so we were stuck choosing one of the very small tables on the inside near the bar. We decided that since the tables were so small we'd only order a few cocktails and one plate, of very tiny portioned yellowtail crudo, which was pretty expensive -- $18? I don't feel like we got what we paid for. I felt as though the drinks were very watered down. I had ordered a cocktail and there was a huge cube in there, which then melted not even 10 minutes later. And although the dining room's ambience was great, the lack of food, beverage and service definitely fell flat. For my patio experience, I went for my Birthday, and we had a wonderful experience, away from the dreaded indoor dining area. I ordered the Thai Inspired Crab soup, their exceptional squid ink linguine & crab, and their Enchanted Floating Island, with the Tables Creek "Sacrerouge" pairing which cannot be forgotten. THE STAFF - Although the El Encanto dining room was a bit short-staffed at the times I've dined here, I would think they could have had someone cleaning tables for new arrivals, since they accept walk-ins. The servers were knowledgeable of the menu, but the bartenders inside seemed like they were pretty clueless, which hindered our experience a bit. Definitely recommend making a reservation here for eating on their patio dining area during a sunset, you won't regret it. read more

Loved the environment, the service was top tier. The food was good, but I have had better The service (I had Alfred) and he was such a gem. So funny and so knowledgeable of the menu. I have a nut allergy and once I told them all the staff was on top of making sure that there were no nuts in any of my food. Food : RECOMMEND : Beet salad so so good - can be split it's a good size I got the steak and the flavor was perfect with the sauce, but I asked for medium rare and it came out more like well done which I wasn't too happy about. The other starters (scallops and halibut) were very tasty!! I know this place would be 5 stars in my eyes if the steak was cooked better so will definitely be giving it another try! They also gave our party 2 complimentary desserts which both were to die for - highly recommend the cheesecake read more

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Unfortunately, the Belmond dining room was a disappointment. The ambiance is beautiful, but the service and food/drink left a lot to be desired. The waiter forgot to tell us the specials, so we saw plates of lamb delivered to other tables while we ordered from the limited menu. He also forgot the birthday cake until after we signed the check and were about to leave. The food was plated beautifully, but lacked flavor. I would recommend visiting for a glass of wine to soak in the atmosphere, but get dinner somewhere else. read more

This is not for the hotel. We are currently guest at the hotel. Room 1202. 3rd time back. Restaurant seems to have gone downhill. Staff seem rude and not happy to work here. Don't mind paying the large rate for this property, hotel is worth it. Do mind not getting a refill of coffee at breakfast. Asked for another cup, just wanted a half cup, and was rudely told he doesn't make up the rules and needed to charge me for another cup or a pot of coffee. Just strange and too much of an upsell. read more

Belmond El Encanto Dining Room - Coffee. - New American Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Quick Summary Had a wonderful return to the Belmond. Excellent service, food and ambiance throughout the night. The El Encanto Dining Room is back! Food- 5 stars They also had their Free-range chicken and tomahawk displayed to the table before bringing it back to being cut (we didn't have that experience when they restaurant first reopened earlier in the pandemic, but it's returned!) Roasted beet salad- very good. plated well and they even separated and plated two individual dishes for my girlfriend and I Maple Farms Duck Breast- this was pretty good, but the star of the show was the California Surf and Turf California Surf and Turf- everything about this dish was phenomenal. I usually prefer ribeyes over filets, but this was one of the best filets I've ever had. Perfectly seasoned and so buttery. The oysters along with the spinach were mouth-watering as well. This was ridiculously good Goleta Lemon- I liked this dessert more than the Floating Island and the tacos. It's good but not memorable Tres Leches Chocolate Tacos- I would pass on these tacos in the future. It's a good idea and good ingredients. But it's very sloppy to eat and your hands get all sticky because the chocolate shell melts on your fingers Service- 5 stars Phenomenal service from our waiters. Really appreciated that they split our salad into individual plates and even nicely plated each of them. Very helpful without being overbearing. Had a wonderful birthday dinner Ambiance/Value- 5 stars Excellent views from the terrace. Lovely band in the background. It doesn't get much better Bottom Line One of the best cooked filets I've had. Excellent food, service and ambiance. Will be returning! read more

Lovely location and friendly staff. Operationally a bit messy and lacking attention. Seems they need additional staff or one person to float and make sure everyone is taken care of. Food is good. We usually only do breakfast here as there are better options for dinner in the area. I think they would I increase demand hiring a better chef for dinners. read more

Belmond El Encanto Dining Room - Dessert tres leches chocolate Tacos - New American Near Me - Santa Barbara, California