The service here is WONDERFUL but the food is painfully average and everything is very over sauced. I actually loved it at this place so I really wish they'd tweak the recipes a bit to provide better food. They're soooo close. read more

Had dinner here with my husband and family for my birthday and it surpassed any and all expectations. From the farm fresh cocktails that were very much enjoyed by our group to the starters and entrees, we were in heaven. Highlights include (get ready for a long list): speck ham and stone fruit starter, penn cove mussels, chargrilled broccolini, saffron couscous salad, lamb scallopini, and the dry aged strip steak were all to die for. We shared plates and couldn't choose a favorite they were all so delicious. Insofar as desserts, we ordered the olive cake- light, fluffy, perfect; the pistachio semifreddo (omg), and the cheesecake(!!!!). Again, all were so good it was difficult for us to choose a favorite. If this wasn't enough already, the atmosphere was California modern chic boasting a gorgeous bar across from East Beach and the service was prompt, personable, not stuffy, and just really attentive without feeling like hovering. Our server, Sam, was kind and caring. He made sure we were well taken care of from start to finish. Can't say enough good things about this gem. read more

We just enjoyed the most wonderful dinner here. The service is outstanding and every single dish was on point. The mussels were maybe the best I've ever had. The branzino is a MUST, so fresh and flavorful. The squid ink pasta was a standout dish, not what I expected in the best way possible. The olive oil cake dessert also surprised us as one of the star dishes. They will be opening brunch service in a month or so and you bet we'll be back to experience that. Hakan made my two young daughters feel so welcome and the whole staff went above and beyond to ensure we had a lovely meal. Thank you for the best meal and we can't wait to come back! read more

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As a local Santa Barbara resident and small business owner, I thought I had tried all of the great restaurants in Santa Barbara but I was wrong. Last night we decided to search out something new and what a great surprise when we landed on Costa. We were greeted by Ally the restaurant manager who took us to our table and introduced us to our server Sam. Sam was very knowledgeable about every dish on the menu and every wine and spirit on the 5 pages of the cocktail and wine list. We started with the homemade sourdough flatbread and their signature broccolini, while we sipped a lovely Local petite Syrah. For my entree I had Bronzino which was perfection. My partner enjoyed the steak, also cooked to perfection. With a little bit of room left we couldn't resist the olive oil cake and the cheesecake. Both deserts came in a gorgeous presentation and were above and beyond delicious. Amazing service and incredible food! Don't miss Costa! read more

Costa Kitchen & Bar - Bronzino cooked to perfection! - New American Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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If I could give them 10/10 stars I would! We decided to come to Santa Barbara and stay at the Mar Monte. We saw the beautiful lemon print on their Instagram and decided to make a reservation at Costa. We arrived 7 minutes early and got seated right away. Our waiter was absolutely fantastic from start to finish!!! He gave us complimentary champagne due to us celebrating our honeymoon. He was so kind and answered all our questions on the menu. We ended up getting the bread & dip appetizer and the lamb for dinner. The food was absolutely INCREDIBLE!!! I loved how the bread had a Lebanese herb called zatar on it with olive oil, it was delicious. The lamb was UNREAL. We are thinking of making a day trip back just so we can dine at Costa! read more

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Wait staff is very young and seemingly inexperienced. Food was good but extremely pricey. Drinks were excellent but expensive.

Had the steak (medium-rare) with a recommended wine. The chef and bartender know their stuff. Great atmosphere with great staff. Patios with a view, courteous staff, and an inviting atmosphere has made Costa my new favorite restaurant in town read more

Costa Kitchen & Bar - Flank steak (half eaten) with a glass of Pence Ranch pinot noir - New American Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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Had a wonderful first time visit to Costa to celebrate my friend's birthday. We were greeted warmly by the hostess and bartender and our server was attentive and made great suggestions from the menu. The highlight from our order was the candied tri-tip with pineapple kimchi, the meat was cooked perfectly, tender, juicy and the flavor came together so well. The decor is bright and colorful and we enjoyed the ocean view before the sun went down. read more

I ran in here after a very long day of flying to grab a bite and some wine. I had the Rigatoni (to go) and it was delicious. The hostess, manager, and bartender were very nice and accommodating. Ultimately I sat at the bar and the bartender made it a great experience. I was tired and wanted to enjoy everything in my room and he did a great job helping me, and getting everything packed up, despite a large group coming in at the end of his shift. The managers name is Hakan Kocak, he should be commended for his excellent level of service! read more

Costa Kitchen & Bar - New American Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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A hidden gem - Costa is a wonderful restaurant and bar. I love their swanky decor and vibe. Because it's located on the other end of East Beach away from State Street and the wharf tourist traps - it's not as crowded which is a huge plus. The food is always on point and delicious, the service is amazing and the chill ambiance is where you want to be on a beautiful Santa Barbara afternoon. We love sitting on the patio overlooking the beach, listening to the waves and enjoying a glass of wine (or 2). My favorite dish is the Branzino and my husband's is the lamb chop. The manager Hakau came to our table and introduced himself, he wanted ensure our experiences was excellent and it was. If you want an exceptional dining experience I highly recommend Costa Kitchen & Bar. read more

Costa Kitchen & Bar - New American Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Stopped by for a bite while visiting friends, and we had a great time. Ambiance is relaxed and elegant service was prompt, drinks on point!!! and the meal was amazing. read more

The food and service or so exceptional. Jianna was a wonderful server. The food is all creative and unexpected. And the gorgeous ocean view is perfect. read more

Very good food and portions for a low price. We dined at Costa once for breakfast and once for dinner, and both times the food was spectacular. For dinner we had the appetizers of octopus and focaccia. The octopus was very tender. The salmon dish was delicious, especially with the grain mixture at the bottom. The white fish was also good, the real star of the show was the corn pudding and the gnocchi. The cauliflower was good too. For breakfast they gave us a giant fruit plate and we also ordered the breakfast sandwich and the breakfast burrito. They were kind enough to replace the chorizo with avocado in the breakfast burrito. It was absolutely delicious! Both times the waiters were kind and attentive, and restaurant was less than half full. The setting is whimsical and comfortable and the bathrooms are also very nice. They have live music on Wednesday and Friday nights as well. read more

We went here for dinner last night. Certainly would not recommend for dinner, slow to serve, worst Caesar salad I ever had, dinner was mediocre. Nice atmosphere. Waiter was mediocre. read more

Nice ambiance, hotel staff was amazing. Unfortunately the restaurant food was mediocre with slow service. Breakfast & dinner.

The food was so delicious and service was great. Justice was a bet personable and attentive bartender. We loved his drink recommendations.

Chef Gunnar dazzled us with his swordfish special. Fresh, tasty, authentic. Thank you for the personal service and welcoming atmosphere. From cocktails to dessert one of the best dine out meals we've had in a long time. We will return. Welcome to Santa Barbara Chef Gunnar. read more

Costa Kitchen & Bar - Tahini semifreddo - New American Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Best red snapper fish I have ever had! The red snapper was a special celebrating Old Spanish Days. I hope the Chef will repeat it it was so good (and beautifully presented). My husband has had the Branzino fish, another extraordinary dish he raved about. As a local, I'm looking forward to going back. This is now our go to place when guests are in town or just meeting up with friends. The Chef and staff have proven for a delicious, non disappointing meal. It is worth the wait in-between courses to enjoy the environment and the people. Kudos Chef and staff read more

Absolutely love this place! Came in with a couple of girlfriends and we all had the best time! Great drinks from the bartender, Omar. The "Hennything is Possible" was delicious! We also chatted up with the manager, Ian, who was so much fun. Most definitely would recommend Costa to anyone looking have great service and amazing drinks. read more

Costa Kitchen & Bar - Amazing drinks from Omar! - New American Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

I had the pork chop with red cabbage. One of the best meals I had in Santa Barbara montecito area. Reminded me of my childhood only better. The Ceasar salad was excellent as well. If you're near east beach may want to give it a try. read more

The mini loaf with the cashew butter was great! Had a great glass of Syrah with our bolognese pasta....delicious!!! Great service by our server Justine! Beautiful decor and location! read more

Stumbled on Costa, trying to find a fine dining experience in Santa Barbara, and total score! Elegant outdoor patio with quiet tables and comfortable chairs. Beautiful modern dining room with a contemporary but earthy flare. The Spanish influenced meal was excellent with uniquely sourced dishes. Pinchos with fresh anchovies and caviar, jamon croquettes, pressed watermelon salad with arugula and feta, all perfect. The lamb was ample, delectable with pearl couscous and oyster mushrooms. Olive oil cake mild and dense with cream. The complex flavors here are very mild and subtle, for those who like the quality of the ingredients to shine through. The menu also features fresh locally sourced clams and homemade pasta. Perfect, attentive, knowledgeable service from Zoe - thank you! - and the support staff. We will drive from LA again certainly to enjoy. read more

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Literally a perfect experience. The staff was friendly, the atmosphere was relaxed but classy, and the food was unbelievable! From the drinks to the appetizers to the main course to dessert, everything was a perfect 10. I would highly highly recommend if you want lovely, tasty experience in Santa Barbara. read more

I came here for a rehearsal dinner and they double booked the room with a huge business party who were standing up giving speeches which made it so awkward that the bridal party couldn't even carry on with their conversation. Everyone ordered the lamb chops and most people sent them back or didn't eat them because they were served completely rare. For $50 a plate this was insanely disappointing. And then the dessert took over 30 min to come out. Staff was very nice but What a horrible experience and not worth the money. read more

Absolutely fantastic staff. Nice location. Really good food and okay wine list. Would have been five stars except the servings are just plain too small. The dessert was a larger serving than either of our entrees. Still, the overall experience was very good. We will be back. read more

Went for a birthday and was delighted with every dish, plus both desserts. Staff was great and the outdoor tables are perfect. Would definitely return read more

Wish I could give this place 0 stars. I am staying at the hotel where this restaurant is located. I ordered at 5:15. The person said the food will take 20 min max and asked for my phone number in case it is done early. 45 min later my husband is still waiting with no good answer as to why the restaurant is taking so long. It's terrible as we just drove in and are tired and hungry. Please do yourself a favor and do not go to this restaurant! read more

My wife and I stumbled upon this place when the nearby restaurant was a bit busy. The hostess was friendly and that made us want to stay and give it a try. We had a mini loaf as a starter, which was great... and then the king salmon and the rigatoni for our meals. They were both excellent! Our server Matt was great and friendly as well as the chef, Gunnar, who made it a point to greet all of the guests. I would highly recommend this place and the definitely put it on my list to return on a regular basis. Also, the location is amazing and the view is terrific. Everything was very clean and everyone was a very friendly. read more

Went for drinks at the bar when Josh Q was bartending. Awesome service, yummy drinks, and great atmosphere!

I made reservations for Nov 26 at Costa weeks ago for a special occasion. We walked to the restaurant that evening to find a sign posted on the door saying they were closed "due to unfortunate circumstances". Stuff happens, I get that, but this restaurant had my email address and phone number and yet they didn't bother to let us know they were going to be closed. We couldn't get into any other local restaurant at the last minute so ended up getting takeout to our hotel room. A very disappointing experience. read more

Incredible food, cute space, and great service. Carrots were so good I had to order them twice. read more

Costa Kitchen & Bar - New American Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Had an excellent dinner on the outdoor ocean front patio last night. What an incredible view! The heaters kept us cozy and the service was very attentive and friendly. Love the cocktail menu, the Gucci Old Fashioned was killer! Lots of great shareable dishes and entrees. Roasted broccoli and carrots were highlights. Salmon was excellent, kids loved the pasta. Their spin on the cheesecake was incredible, we were all fighting for the spoon. Excellent new restaurant for the neighborhood! read more

Great Restaurant! Went in last week. The staff said they had only been open a week but it didn't show. Menu was Italian leaning with pasta made in house and cocktails were tasty. read more

Chef Gunnar is one of the best things to happen to Santa Barbara! My wife and I are true foodies and his dishes are elevating! it won't take long for this new "secret" to get out. And the service was outstanding, which you also have to have to have one of the most enjoyable meals. We'll be back for sure! Greg G read more

Had dinner tonight at Costa Kitchen. Our waiter Sam was very friendly. He explained it was a new menu and was very thorough in explaining our selections. We started with a salad and the baby carrots. I had the Scottish Salmon and my Husband had the roasted chicken with polenta both were very good. A very enjoyable relaxing atmosphere which was EXACTLY what we were looking for. read more

Great food. Fast friendly efficient service from our waiter Sam. Very nice evening. Thanks Sam!!

Absolutely incredible meal! Best seafood I've had in years. Everything we tried was fantastic, so flavorful and balanced, perfectly cooked. The service was great too. We look forward to returning and trying other dishes. read more

Good experience & good food. Zoe was informative & attentive. Loved the dry aged steak

Zoe our waitress was amazing. She took very good care of us. Food came out perfectly timed. She knew the menu well and recommended wine. The view of the ocean was beautiful and the sky at sunset was great. The restaurant is well decorated, cozy, and clean. The food especially the steak was very good. Would love to go back. read more

We ate there because we were staying at the hotel and the restaurant was unexpectedly great!! It was empty when we arrived, granted it was early evening, so we thought it might be a sign to leave. We are really glad we stayed. The service was great, the food was tasty and the setting was lovely. Definitely, recommend. :) read more