Every single piece of this dining experience was perfection. From the melt-in-your-mouth gnocchi to the insanely delicious spaghetti-o bolognese, everything we tasted was 10/10 no notes. Even outshining the food though was the service. Nicole is our new BFF; every one of us wanted to invite her over for girls night after dinner. And the owner, Jesse, was so kind, welcoming, and generous. This is a can't-miss spot in Santa Barbara. Eat here, tell all your friends to eat here, and then fall asleep dreaming of the gnocchi just like I'm going to tonight. read more

The service is spectacular and the bites are delicious. I was disappointed with the cocktails as I felt I was drinking expensive juice. It lacked alcohol. I tried both the margarita and the old fashioned and they were too sweet for my liking. The bread is soft, fluffy and warm and so delicious. The olives order them! The meatloaf is more of an appetizer so make sure if you are hungry order more. The meatloaf had lamb and beef combo explosion with flavor-gave Mediterranean vibes. The chicken fried mushroom was a treat, tasty! I was excited to try the smore dessert by was disappointed upon attempting to eat as what should have been "mousse" instead was a frozen block of ice. The marshmallow topping was delicious could have had a thicker graham cracker crust. The carrot cake is a must try as it is both a work of art and delicious. Reminded me of a garden. Overall I would give this place another chance possibly try their brunch. read more

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First time here and already planning to come back. The service was great, the vibe was even better, just one of those places that feels good to be in. We all ended up ordering the specials for both starters and mains, and they were honestly as good as they sounded. They also have very reasonable corkage fees, we brought two bottles with us. That said, the regular menu looked really solid too, so there's plenty of reason to come back and try more. read more

Bistro Amasa - S'MORES cacao-avocado mousse, graham cracker, chocolate soil, koji marshmallow - New American Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Food was delicious! The Roasted Chicken was AMAZING, a true show stopper. We loved the country fried Mushroom, and the Caesar Croquettes were delightful! Very large portions for everything, come hungry! Lovely bar, excellent service, romantic, classic and chic ambience! read more

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Top notch service at Bistro Amasa. It's located inside The Upham with a small indoor dining room and bar. The restaurant extends outward to the hotel's side porch with overhead heaters for chilly nights. We enjoyed the meal and indoor ambiance; however, the burger I ordered was the least favorite of the three dishes we ordered. There's an odd and off putting flavor from the tomato garum condiment, which just doesn't mesh well in burger form. Definitely order the gnocchi, it was excellent. While we were dining inside another larger party was finishing their meal. It was when they left that I noticed they had a big dog with them. I love dogs, but I don't want time in an upscale tiny restaurant. read more

Came for happy hour margaritas and stayed for the food. Two margaritas later and I knew I couldn't leave without dinner. The only con I had about happy hour is that they offer light fare, such as warm marinated olives or bread and butter for food. Hopefully they can extend on the light bites, but in any case the margaritas were perfectly crafted. I'm not a huge fan of mezcal tequila, but the one used here was by Derrumbes, which had a light smokiness that wasn't overpowering. I really enjoyed it! Happy Hour is offered Wednesday to Sunday from 4-5pm. Bistro Amasa is located at the Upham Hotel a few blocks away from downtown on the corner of De La Vina & Sola. It's a casual yet beautiful setting that blends victorian charm with modern warmth. I recommend reserving a table outside. Now, on to the food! I ordered the hot smoked salmon, which is layered with everything bagel cream, dill caper gremolata, crispy shallots, farro, and a delicate tomato water that brought everything together perfectly. I honestly never heard of tomato water, but it definitely worked with this dish! The salmon was fresh, light, flaky and perfectly seasoned. I loved the subtle smoke flavor it was giving. I've never had a salmon dish like this and it is now one of my favorites. And of course...dessert was a must! The Angel's Affogato was pure indulgence yet still light and not overly filling. Made with fior di latte gelato drowned in espresso with a splash of sambuca and topped with whipped mascarpone. Great presentation and it was the perfect way to end my solo dinner date. Pro Tip: Check your receipt thoroughly! I was charged full price for happy hour drinks, but the manager kindly fixed it. Also, the amount taken from my checking account was over by $2.00 more than what I signed for. Not sure what happened, but it's only $2 and I can live with that. Despite the mishap, I had a great experience and would still come back. The food was great, and now they are offering weekend brunch from 9:30am to 2pm. Looking forward to checking that out! read more

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Love this place ! The veranda is absolutely charming, cosy and elegant, with great lighting. Service is really great: professional, but not pretentious. Personable but not casual. Perfectly balanced ! Food was really good. We ordered the burgers. Really nicely done. The bun, the cheese, the sauce, and of course the meat all came together for a wonderful burger experience. It's a burger for grown ups, with real cheese, way superior to the trendy but boring smash burgers that you find all over town. Also, delicious thick cut French fries, on the rustic side, served with tasty house ketchup ! Great Job everyone !!! read more

Cute ambiance and very sweet staff! Unfortunately disappointing experience as the food was room temperature and fish and meat were undercooked. The drinks also tasted watered down. Would not recommend, especially at this price point. Wait times on items we ordered was oddly slow for it not being busy on a Tuesday night. read more

Came upon this lovely tiny restaurant. We came for dinner, and never been here before so didn't know what to expect. We got the Waldorf , Gnocchi & Cheese, and their special of the day which was this delicious tomato like pasta. The Waldorf was good. We've never had it before, it was sweet and super filling. The Gnocchi was amazing. It was flavorful and melted in my mouth. The pasta was my favorite. It was saucy and the noodles were cooked just right. Service was good. The woman bringing out the food was sweet and quick. Overall, great experience. read more

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Very good! Excited to have another amazing dinner options in SB. The marinated olives were very good. I loved the carrots and the salad. The fries were strange and not great. The size of the French fries were too thick and soft. The burger had a sauce on it that had a strange texture. The service was fast and kind and accommodating. The decor was very charming and suited the building well. I'll go back! read more

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I had a wonderful experience here out on the comfortable but elegant covered patio. Lucas provided attentive and quick service while Nicole helped make my experience great. The steak tartare was delicious and amasa martini was the perfect level of dirty. read more

Bistro Amasa - Amasa martini, steak tartare - New American Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

This place is one of the best places to eat delicious French cuisine in the area. Since it's located so close to downtown Santa Barbara area we enjoyed a nice walk to the location. The seating inside was beautiful and comfortable. They have a very nice outdoor seating as well that feels like your having a nice meal on a porch. We ordered a warm olive dish to start that was full of flavor and a beautiful twist on green olives. The feta cheese and bread complemented the dish very well. For entrée, the Salmon dish was full of smoky flavor. It was easly one of my favorite Salmon dishes. We ordered maple glazed carrots and grilled asparagus that equally were amazing. Our server, Aliluka, was an absolute pleasure. Hw provide excellent service and went above and beyond to make sure our first experience was enjoyable. He took our anniversary dinner celebration to a higher level and made this place memorable for us. I highly recommend this restaurant. read more

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I took advantage of a Resy Amex offer to try Amasa for dinner. I love the setting in a small vintage home. The server was fantastic and not only suggested different wine alternatives but she let me try them. We were also given a free drink on the house since it was our anniversary. The pork and beans and roasted chicken were cooked to perfection. We had the s'mores for dessert and it was chocolaty delicious. Highly recommended. read more

Food was amazing. Service good. Ambiance was French Bistro. Now back to the food... super tasty and on point. Others I've talked to felt the same. Like maybe the best in SB. Rivals San Ysidro Ranch. Baked potato for starter. Yep. Pork. Glass of wine. :-) Headed back. read more

This place is absolutely incredible, it has very comfortable vibes w/ classic charm-- and the food is melt in your mouth incredible - - everything we ordered was the best we have ever experienced-- the baked potato, the fries, the Spaghetti-os Bolognese, the beef tartare, the olives with the sourdough & not to mention, the cocktails-- so delicious!! Our waitress Nicole was absolutely fantastic, she was so fun to talk to and made us feel very at home-- the owner Jesse, came to our table to make sure everything was well done, and we so appreciated the attention to detail and the effort to make us feel like we were at home! read more

The food was terrible! First of all, they were out of the steak. The country fried mushrooms were not edible & way over-cooked. The pork was dry & the spaghetti-o bolognese was forgettable. The burger was fair but the fries were surprisingly good & stayed warm for a long time due to the stainless steel cup they were served in. The atmosphere was lovely as were the entire staff. Too bad; did the kitchen have a one-off night? read more

Great food, great service, (Lucas) and great ambiance on the heated veranda. The twice baked potato was a hit, as was the salmon and grilled asparagus. Also, don't get me started on the cheesecake! Chefs kiss! Can't wait to try brunch! read more

We've been here twice and bistro amasa never disappoints! Food is amazing, such a cute and cozy atmosphere and service is always excellent and personal. Erika was our server tonight, she was so knowledgeable about the menu and was so fun. They have a new happy hour 8-9 pm and we were able to get the Girl Dinner (wedge salad, truffle fries, and apple slices with caramel), the Adult Happy Meal (burger fries and apples slices with caramel). The perfect size portions and HH drinks are $12! What a steal. The craft cocktails are so yummy and unique. It was a chilly night on the patio but they have great heaters and blankets Erika offered us! The owner Jesse visited our table, filled our waters and made sure everything was coming out delish! 10/10 can't wait to return! read more

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Everything here was amazing from the service to the food. We started out with the gnocchi which melted in your mouth and I had the chicken entree that was absolutely delicious. Our server Erika was fantastic and extremely knowledgeable! read more

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One of the best burgers in Santa Barbara! Delicious food across the board (the steak tartare is also fantastic), nice ambiance, and the staff members are all super attentive and friendly. We've been twice since it opened and will definitely be back again soon. read more

Highly recommend, the food was fabulous! Devoured our gnocchi so quick. I've never loved a burger so much it was the perfect size and absolutely delicious, the fries were crispy on the outside and soft on the inside so delightful. And the carrots were so good! It was the perfect meal! read more

Bistro Amasa - Burger & carrots - New American Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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We love Bistro Amasa! We've been for both dinner and happy hour a few times. Food and drinks are delicious, and the service is always exceptional! A couple of highlights: the olives, the carrots, pork & beans, and the twice baked potato! Portions are good sized and make splitting among two or four people a great option. Happy hour has half off bottles of wine which are already reasonably priced, and cocktail deals. Bistro Amasa will definitely be a frequent spot for us! read more

Service was amazing. Food was delicious. I shall return with friends again and again.

Everything we had was amazing and Jenna was so friendly & had great recs from the menu! Some of our favorites were the Waldorf Salad, Caesar Croquettes, Twice Baked Potato, Steak Frites, and the S'mores for dessert. We also tried the margarita, old fashioned, and espresso martini from the cocktail menu and enjoyed all of them - the old fashioned especially. If you love Barbareño you will definitely love Bistro Amasa. We're so excited there is a sister restaurant in the area and can't wait to come back to try other menu items! read more

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Enjoyed the newly opened Amasa that is on a quiet street off of State. Meatloaf was a highlight.

This restaurant has a wonderful kitchen and the food is superb. Their outdoor heated terrace is a lovely spot.

Food was SO good! Setting was perfect for client lunch, easy walk from downtown. Quiet setting that didn't feel rushed. Staff was amazing, personably and attentive. Glad we came and will come again! read more

Excellent food and service! We went for brunch and it was perfect. The Bloody Mary is the best I've ever had. The veranda is beautiful and unlike anything else we have in SB. read more

10/10! The amaretto sour was one of the best cocktails I've had in a long time. My server Nicole and runner Oliver (if I got their names correctly) were absolutely fabulous. We tried nearly everything on the menu and it was all spectacular. My group's plates were spaced perfectly and all dropped at the same time. Can't wait to come back! read more

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Amasa was Awesome! Spectacular, Michelin-worthy food, an amazing atmosphere, both inside and out, wonderful farm-to-table offerings. Erika B was simply divine as our server and guide for our unforgettable meal. Enthusiastic about our journey and incredibly knowledgeable about the dishes, ingredients, origins, and pairings. We cannot wait to get back. The cocktails were also expertly prepared by true artisans of the craft of mixology. Real Deal high end craftmanship. Do this! Go there! read more

Bistro Amasa - S'more dessert. Amazing AF! - New American Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Hidden gem near downtown SB! All the food I ordered are pretty good, especially the steak. Drinks are very good as well, I forgot which wine I got but it's fairly decent too. read more

We've always loved this space, a small charming restaurant in a historic hotel. This was our first time eating at the new restaurant in that space, and we weren't disappointed. Everything from the hand crafted cocktails to the apps, mains, and desserts were top notch. Some of our favorites were the cheese sticks (an elevated version of bar food), the roast chicken entree, and the persimmon cheesecake. The s'mores dessert was also good, but we could have skipped the "apple something something". Our server Josh took very good care of us. We'll definitely be back! read more

Came in from out of town for a visit and we got sat in a booth that had a lightbulb flickering so kind of started out the night oddly. However, my pickiest kid said she really liked the restaurant and the food. She loved the bread/butter and buttered noodles with parmesan. My other daughter enjoyed the shrimp cocktail while I enjoyed the steak tartare. The carrots were a must and the steak frites also pretty good. The garlic bread had too much of a bite for a kids palate however so the kids did not like that. I would lighten up the garlic bite and change up the sauce on the oysters. Otherwise, the vanilla ice cream and PBJ sandwich were nice to close out our meal. Would def be willing to try this place again. read more

We tried this new restaurant last week. It was fantastic. I had the meatloaf which was great. I closed my meal out with the carrot cake and it did not disappoint. read more

Bistro Amasa is a fantastic new add to the SB food scene. Bold, approachable flavors. Highlights were gnocchi, carrots, chicken, croquettes...but nothing was a miss. Colin and Jenna are the best and the service is phenomenal. The restaurant is also so cool and pretty! Highly recommend! read more

Happy to have another gem open up in SB! With the people from Barbareñeo involved, of course it's good. Steak Frites, Waldorf salad, and Croquettes were all stand outs. The cocktail menu is well thought out. Classics drinks with a subtle, interesting twist. Looking forward to another visit soon. read more

We were told about this place by a relative and it did not disappoint, in fact it was exceptional. Booked at last minute so only the porch available but it's quite cosy & we love to eat outdoors any time of year. Started with Whiskey Sours (hard to find good ones, these were perfection) with warm olives and fromage blanc, perfect nibble with excellent cocktails. Followed by a fabulous steak tartare, crispy cold delicious little gem salad and tasty caesar croquettes, a little heavy for me but excellent caesar flavour. I had roast chicken - probably the best roast chicken I've ever had in my life as the chicken was both deliciously moist & flavorful with perfectly roasted crispy skin and crunchy cucumber & carrots ribbons on top. Preparation & combination of ingredients in this dish was exquisite. I usually don't order chicken when dining out as it's almost always dry. Not so here. My husband is not a huge fan of NY strip but in the mood for steak so at the suggestion of our excellent server Aliukas, he tried it and it did not disappoint. Steak cooked to perfection (request for rare is not always achieved but was here) with a delish chimichurri, baked potato topped with creme fraiche and excellent glass of pinot noir. Although quite full, we managed to eat the entire smores dessert as it was yet another exquisite combination of ingredients flawlessly executed. This bistro feels like it was magically transported from France or Switzerland to SB, the food is that good as was the understated but perfectly timed & executed service with just the amount of info on each course. read more

Unfortunately we (there were 4 of us) had very disappointing meals. The only item that was delicious was the chicken. But it came with nothing else, just a plate of chicken for $32. We paid $8 for 4 small pieces of bread with butter. Service was ok. Wonderful setting. read more

On a rainy night, my son and I sat on the outdoor porch, warmed by a heater overhead and the comfort of wood under foot and the history of the Upham Hotel. Erika, our server, extended that comfort with joyfull and seemingly effortless care to ensure we missed nothing of the fully satisfying fare, somehow rich and light simultanously. This is a place to reward the time you can spend with those you love. read more

We had some of the best food of our week in Cali here on the last night of our trip (while staying at the adjoining Hotel Upham). Weren't super hungry so just had some bread and butter and went straight to entrees. My companion had the roast chicken. Very flavorful with a Mediterranean flair. I had the 'pork and beans' - a nice pork chop done sous vide style and finished with a smoky char, served with gigantes beans in a savory sauce. Both dishes were wonderful. Would have had overall higher rating but for some service missteps. Oddly changed changed servers on us mid-meal and second one didn't seem too interested in our needs. Had to practically beg for a glass of wine and more water. Similarly, we were seated next to the small bar and started off with a couple of delightful cocktails mixed by a knowledgeable young bartender. Then he disappeared. We were interested in a digestif after dinner, maybe a cognac or glass of port, or maybe even a Baileys, but they didn't seem to have any of those so we just called it a night. Still a very enjoyable meal and we would return if the opportunity arose. read more