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    California Pasta

    3.9 (450 reviews)
    ModerateItalian
    Open 11:00 am - 9:00 pm

    Order California Pasta Takeout or Delivery

    California Pasta Photos

    CALIFORNIA PASTA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Outdoor seating
    Dogs allowed

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    Recommended Reviews - California Pasta

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    Yoshiko G.

    It's conveniently located inside a shopping mall. I've been there a few times for lunch. I always order pasta, which is pretty average. You can choose a drink from the refrigerator. The service is good. The interior space is small, but you can also eat outdoors. The other day, I had two pastas with a friend, two drinks, and a tip for about $50. Is that a little pricey? You have to park your car at mall parking.

    Megan D.

    7/10 Santa Barbary Spicy Shrimp Pasta - My boyfriend ordered this dish and I tried it as well. Unfortunately, the noodles were overcooked and ended up too soft. However, the sauce was definitely the star of the show and really stood out! 7.5/10 Pesto Cream Alfredo with Chicken - The pasta wasn't overcooked on this plate, thankfully. The sauce was delicious, and the chicken was okay, but nothing to really rave about. Cost - Santa Barbary Spicy Shrimp Pasta $17.45, Pesto Cream Alfredo with Chicken $16.95 (before tax).

    Tony H.

    这家意面店不错,菜品多是美国人常爱吃的经典口味,价格也合理。地理位置也很好,绝对是个适合坐在户外、悠闲享受美食的好地方。 Good pasta place with many of the standard American favorites at a reasonable price. The location is also quite nice. Definitely a good place to just sit outside and enjoy a nice meal.

    Avocado farfelle
    Karen T.

    Surprised at the variety of pasta dishes and quality of this hidden gem at Paseo Nuevo.

    Cajun chicken linguine (back), chicken Caesar w avocado (front)
    Kristina F.

    In a sea of expensive eateries in downtown Santa Barbara, California Pasta offers a solid serving of food for a decent price. Definitely designed as a takeout establishment, you order at the counter in the restaurant, find a seat outdoors in the plaza, and anxiously wait for someone to find you and unite you with your food. We tried their Cajun chicken linguine and a chicken Caesar salad. The salad was absolutely delicious, with a generous serving of (slightly dry but not bad) grilled chicken. The linguine was less creamy than anticipated, but still had a rich and spicy kick. All in all, a good choice for when hunger strikes in downtown SB.

    Thai pasta, Cajun Shrimp Pasta,
    Gabriele A.

    Best food and service! Honestly the food is so delicious and they don't skimp on their portions! Always fresh ingredients and everyone is so helpful.

    Tina T.

    Visited this place with some friends during my bachelorette in Santa Barbara. This is a quick lunch spot located on state street. You order your food and the bring the food to your table. Although the place is very cute and conveniently located on state street I was not impressed with their food. I got the Caesar chicken salad and it was not the best in my opinion.

    Found a bug at the bottom of my Caesar salad today. We are currently here on vacation and didn't want to make a big scene, so we just quietly informed the staff. To their credit, they apologized and refunded the dish.finding a pest in the food was still quite unpleasant and ruined the appetite. Just leaving an honest review here to remind the kitchen to be more careful with washing the greens.

    Sausage Penne and Side Caesar Salad
    Richie D.

    Solid Italian casual food! Sausage penne with a side of Caesar salad was good enough to share. Staff is super friendly and service is great.

    Penne pasta & Garlic bread

    One of the best casual Italian spots in Santa Barbara. The pasta here tastes fresh and authentic -- you can really tell they focus on quality ingredients and proper flavors instead of overcomplicating things. The sauces are rich and well balanced, and the pasta texture is exactly how it should be: perfectly cooked and not mushy. Portions are generous, which makes it great value for Santa Barbara where many places tend to be pricey. Service was friendly and quick, and the atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming. It's the kind of place where you can enjoy a satisfying meal without the pretentious vibe that some tourist restaurants have. If you're in Santa Barbara and craving good pasta, this place is definitely worth visiting.

    Sun-Sun Dried Chicken Farfalle
    Victoria S.

    Great food, big portions, quick service, outdoor seating, inside Paseo Nuevo. We ordered take-out, we enjoyed the sun-dried chicken farfalle pasta & the Chinese chicken salad.

    S B.

    Ordered to go Awkward customer service they just starred at us blankly and said " we think this is your order " Then when we started eating we noticed a bug marinated in the Cesar salad disgusting Avoid at all costs

    Tortellini Cream Marinara
    Danielle M.

    California Pasta is one of our favorite restaurants! At times we eat here back to back days. The food is extremely fresh & delicious with fast service and friendly staff! It's a must visit restaurant and truly a hidden gem in Santa Barbara!

    Santa Barbara Spicy Shrimp Pasta

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    Solid pasta spot with tons of options! Very casual and pretty reasonable given the portion size. Good lunch spot

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    Via Maestra 42

    Via Maestra 42

    4.3
    (891 reviews)
    2.5 mi
    $$

    If you've not found this spot you are missing out!…read more Yes lunch & dinner are delicious- but breakfast here is like the best kept secret in Santa Barbara. Big fan of the toast, jam, and TRUE Italian combos. Everting from delightful eggs to sautéed peppers. Lunch entrees come with a simple salad- a perfect day date. Dogs welcome outside, more kid friendly than it may seem- and don't forget to take desert with you or at the table!

    My visit to Via Maestra 42 came way with mixed feelings. There were definitely aspects of the…read moreexperience that I enjoyed, but a few issues with the food prevented the meal from living up to its potential. For my entree, I ordered the Costolette d'Angello alla Griglia, the grilled lamb chops served with vegetables and mashed potatoes. The lamb was okay, but it arrived more warm than hot and the accompanying mashed potatoes were a disappointment. They arrived noticeably cold in the center, giving the impression that they had been reheated rather than freshly prepared. Unfortunately, those temperature inconsistencies distracted from the dish and even made me question whether everything had been plated and served at its best. The lamb chops were okay overall, but the execution left something to be desired. I also tried the Linguine con Vongole (clam pasta). The flavors were fine and the dish was enjoyable enough, but diners should be aware that there were some broken shell fragments and bits of sand mixed in with the clams. While that can occasionally happen with shellfish dishes, it was noticeable enough that I found myself eating a little more cautiously than I would have liked. One aspect of the restaurant that stood out was the atmosphere. The environment has a distinctive character and personality that makes it feel different from many of the other dining options in SB. It certainly adds to the overall experience. The service was somewhat slow during my visit, though the staff remained friendly and courteous throughout the evening. Overall, this place offered an interesting atmosphere and friendly service, but the food execution felt inconsistent. Between the warm lamb, cold mashed potatoes, and shell fragments in the linguine, the meal didn't quite meet expectations. There's potential here, but a little more attention to detail in the kitchen would go a long way.

    Photos
    Desserts
    Desserts
    Bruschetta di Pomodoro
    Bruschetta di Pomodoro
    Lasagna alla Bolognese

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    Lasagna alla Bolognese
    Toma Restaurant & Bar

    Toma Restaurant & Bar

    4.5
    (1.5k reviews)
    0.8 mi
    $$$

    We loved the food. But our waiter was super rude. Also, it was my son's birthday and didn't even…read moreacknowledge it. It was on the reservation and in the system according to what the hostess. My son wanted to take his time on ordering and when our waiter heard that, his energy's changed completely. At first I wanted to feel bad and maybe think he was having a rough day but every other table he talked too, he was super friendly. He was tall, wears glasses and a chubby waiter, I'm not sure what was his name but that's all I know! Mangers please take this feedback seriously!

    Delightful family dinner (in town for a funeral) at a nice new find in Santa Barbara…read more FOOD & DRINK - Food -- from salads to pasta to meats to desserts -- was all high grade and enjoyed by everyone there. The cocktail menu had some clever mixes, and the wine menu offered plenty (maybe even too many) suggestions. SERVICE - Overall service was attentive and effective. The staff worked with our needs and handled a couple of unexpected situations (a couple in our party unexpectedly showing up with their kids in tow) with aplomb. AMBIANCE - While you can't really see much of the ocean, the front windows face it from across the closest street, and the sense of it being there (especially with the windows open) counts for a lot. The house itself is upscale decorated and set. VALUE - Upscale and food and service matches the upscale prices, but it felt like we got worth for what what paid. We paid a bit over $100 a person -- but that included cocktails and wine (and the two kids, who got plates of their own). NET-NET - We're not locals, but Toma is definitely going on our list for any future visits we make to Santa Barbara.

    Photos
    Inside seating
    Inside seating
    Complimentary bread - honestly it was just ok
    Complimentary bread - honestly it was just ok
    Amuse bouche - fried olives with cheese

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    Amuse bouche - fried olives with cheese
    Ca' Dario

    Ca' Dario

    3.8
    (846 reviews)
    0.5 mi
    $$$

    Popped in on a Weekday for a dinner date early evening-- no reservation/ no wait. (don't let the no…read morewait discourage you) Hot or Not? Ravioli al Burro e Salve : Spinach + Ricotta rav 10/10 bites Beau & I split this one dish (during our SB food tour) and it is rich & delicious, the Crispy sage, the brown butter sauce, the raviolis cooked perfectly all blend so well in this dish. my favorite Rav in all of the (SB) land. HOT! I will keep coming back for this dish. Excellent Service. (we love montecito but it's just not the same at that location, I've had it here before & it's superior in this location) Prime Corner location, lovely ambiance, plentiful street parking in the area (Note: Our "Food Tour" is not an actual Tour, that's what I call going to multiple restaurants in a day i.e., to make the most of a weekend trip/ day trip)

    My dad was craving Italian food on a recent stay in Santa Barbara, and this place came up as a dog…read morefriendly option. We had spent the day wandering through wine tastings and Solvang, so we were hungry. I wish we would have stopped somewhere else though. Ca'Dario was ok, but definitely not great. I wouldn't come back. - mozzarella caprese: probably the best thing on the menu. It's tough to mess up cheese and tomatoes. - fettuccine Alfredo: The dish became coagulated when it was set down in front of us, which made it really unappetizing. - ravioli: This was good, but not memorable. - spaghettini Della Nona: the best pasta we ate.

    Photos
    Ca' Dario
    Hurricane Hilary dinner
    Hurricane Hilary dinner
    Ca' Dario

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    L’antica Pizzeria Da Michele - Santa Barbara

    L’antica Pizzeria Da Michele - Santa Barbara

    3.9
    (210 reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$

    If you are looking for some quality pizza in SB, look no further. L' antica pizzeria hand makes and…read morebakes each pizza order in-house. I love the thin crusts of their pizzas because it doesn't leave you feeling too heavy even if you ate the whole pizza (aka, no food coma crash despite the carbs). Tried the Caserta Pizza (5/5) It's made with double flor di latte sauce base that gives it creaminess. Then topped with Italian sausage, garlic pecorino, basil, smoked provolone cheese, and Calabrian chili. The sausage was savory, and the cheese was melty and of good quality. You can taste the mild spice from the chili flakes and the herbal-ness from the basil. Add-on some of their housemade chili oil sauce for an additional spice kick. Service was professional and courteous. We had a great time and really enjoyed our dine-in experience here. We'll be coming back to try out other flavors for sure.

    I cannot believe that this place doesn't have five stars on Yelp. This was the best pizza I have…read morehad in recent memory. Wow. Paper thin crust, fresh ingredients. I thought I must've been in Napoli. I was with some friends because we were on our way to a performance (I am a musician) and we were in a hurry. The waiter accommodated us and the pizza came out in under 10 minutes, I believe. The atmosphere is simple but nice. I was surprised that it wasn't more busy on a Friday night. I am telling you, this was fantastic pizza. I cannot wait to go back and to try some of the pasta.

    Photos
    Polipo: braised Spanish octopus, potato, olive, caper,  tomato
    Polipo: braised Spanish octopus, potato, olive, caper, tomato
    CAPRICCIOSA: Tomato, Fior di Latte, Pecorino, Basil, Artichoke, Mushroom, Black Olive, Ham
    CAPRICCIOSA: Tomato, Fior di Latte, Pecorino, Basil, Artichoke, Mushroom, Black Olive, Ham
    DIAVOLA: Tomato, Fior di Latte, Pecorino, Basil, Spicy Soppressata

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    DIAVOLA: Tomato, Fior di Latte, Pecorino, Basil, Spicy Soppressata
    Loquita

    Loquita

    4.4
    (1.7k reviews)
    0.6 mi
    $$$

    Mediterranean European cuisines are my favorites and my diet. I don't get to eat Spanish food often…read moreso we had to come in for an early dinner. We were seated at the beautiful back patio but it was a bit too hot & sunny for me. The patio was very cozy and relaxing though. We started off with sparkling water and pitcher of sangria to cool down on a hot day. For food we had beef carpaccio, broccolini, octopus, tortilla espanola (Spanish omelet) and whole branzino. The food was fantastic and so flavorful. I can see why this restaurant is so popular. Our waitress was so friendly and helpful. The staffs were all very polite and welcoming. What an amazing Spanish restaurant and bar, we will definitely visit again whenever we are in town!

    We happened to come for dinner and were luckily seated without a reservation (highly recommend…read moremaking a reservation if you plan on coming). We were seated at the bar style seating where you get to see the kitchen, which I actually prefer since you get to see everyone work. // DRINKS // Ooo Mami: lalo tequila, mezcal, lemon, passionfruit, agave, orange bitters, umami. A little on the sweeter side, but pretty well balanced and fruit forward. 4/5 // FOOD // Patatas Bravas: yukon gold potatoes, pimentón emulsion, brava sauce, garlic aioli. This appetizer didn't stand out. It's your typical patatas bravas, but it wasn't as flavorful as I've had elsewhere. 3/5 Ensalada Invierno: roasted kale, baby beets, marcona almonds, orange supreme, coca bread, manchego foam. Very smoky! I was surprised how much the kale took on the smoke of the grill, but it was very different. 2/5 Mariscos: bomba rice, manila clams, jumbo prawns, grilled squid, squid ink, green peas, garlic aioli. The star of the show and absolutely delicious. It was so flavorful and the grilled squid was so tender and melt in your mouth delicious. 5/5 Overall, even though the starters were a miss for me, I would definitely come back for the paella and drinks again, and also to try a few of the other dishes.

    Photos
    Cake table set up by staffers.
    Cake table set up by staffers.
    Piquillos Ahumados
    Piquillos Ahumados
    CROQUETA DE JAMÓN 3 FOR $16  paprika aioli, crispy potato nest with  Add truffle manchego $5

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    CROQUETA DE JAMÓN 3 FOR $16 paprika aioli, crispy potato nest with Add truffle manchego $5

    California Pasta - italian - Updated August 2026

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