My parents and I stopped in here because of a recommendation from some credible travel site. Those are sometimes hit or miss. This time was a hit. The inside was small and intimate. Loud but not too loud that you can't hear each other. Our server was excellent, and extremely knowledgeable. We were still a little full from our lunch (4 hours earlier) so we stuck with lighter bites. * Spiced lamb & chicken croketas: maybe one of my favorite bites of the night. Super tasty, but the real winner was the sauce underneath. A sort of aioli type. * Kalamari: you can't go wrong with a really flavorful kalamari * Steak bites: yum. Just yum. * Seaside snap pea: this was my favorite thing we ordered. So fresh and flavorful. It felt light and not heavy. I'd order this again and again. * Tomat: this was good but I also think I'd order a main dish over this. We just weren't hungry enough. This isn't to say it wasn't good. Just not my favorite. read more

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The ambiance was genuinely enjoyable -- music at a comfortable volume. The Olives & Pickles were delicious and the Freezer Martini was easily the highlight of the night. Both worth ordering again. The Jamón Grilled Cheese is where the experience fell short. It arrived burnt -- black edges on the outside. When we flagged it, our waitress initially suggested the crispy exterior was intentional. After showing her a photo of what the dish actually looks like, she offered a remake, which we appreciated. The remake came back without the char, but the kitchen overcorrected. The outside was a hard fried cheese shell with no bread pull, no soft interior, and the jamón barely registered in flavor. The menu photos show soft golden bread with stretch and structure -- neither version we received came close to that. To be clear, I understand the dish is supposed to have a crispy cheese crust. That's not the issue. The issue is that we got burnt first, then essentially a deep-fried shell second, and the bread itself was lost both times. The staff handled the complaint and that counts for something. But two attempts at the same dish with the same core problem is worth flagging for the kitchen. read more

Dom's Taverna - Jamón Grilled Cheese - Basque Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Discovered Dom's Taverna on Yelp since it was just a few blocks away from our hotel so it was a nice walk. Luckily, they had a couple tables open so we didn't have to wait at all to be seated. // COCKTAILS // LA PLUMA: Pisco, passion fruit, licor 43, lime, foam. A solid cocktail if you want something that is not too strong, on the sweeter side with a slight hint of citrus. 4/5 // FOOD // DOM'S LOUIE SALAD: Tuna confit, local crab, poached shrimp, iceberg wedges, piparra, radish, tomato, chive, lemon-espelette vinaigrette, Louie dressing. Light, citrus heavy and mixed with a good amount of seafood. It was a nice twist on your typical seafood louie salad with more of a thousand island style dressing. I would definitely order this again! 4.5/5 CIOPPINO PASTA: eggless fettuccine, shellfish, rockfish, shrimp, calamari, konbu marinara, toasted bread. I'm pretty picky when it comes to cioppino and this one was on the better side. I personally wish the sauce was a little thicker and more flavorful, but the fettuccine was a nice touch to round out the dish. 4/5 Overall, I'm glad we stopped by Dom's Taverna for dinner. It will definitely be on my list of restaurants to come back to when I'm in SB. read more

So I will say Dom's was very good overall, but a bit over the top on the pricey side for the amount of food you get... so hold your pants on and be prepared. So my friend and I came to dine on a Tuesday night at 7:00PM. Upon arrive we were greeted and seated. The atmosphere is bright, fresh, and very open. Our server Brissa introduced herself, she was a bit cold in the beginning, but warmed up to us throughout the evening. We ordered Cocktails while looking over the menu. We ordered the Lamb Croketas, Ganbak, Steak Bites and a Crab Claw. The dishes were delicious but as I said it's a bit pricey for the amount of food you receive. Thank goodness we had a big lunch or we would of still been hungry. Definitely delicious! Atmosphere: is bright, fresh, and very open. Service: good. Food: excellent. read more

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I got looped into trying this new SB restaurant through a $75 off coupon this week. I went but I regret it, don't fall for it like I did. We had a 5pm reservation. The bad experience started when we arrived 5 minutes early and the door was open but they did not allow us in. They made us wait outside in the hot sun, looking at their inappropriate political posters taped to the windows. Don't we get enough politics on the news? Is that what people want to look at when they dine out?? No. The host then seated us in the hot sunny window in the front. The window shade wasn't strong enough, my dining partner had to squint for the first 30 minutes or more, he literally got semi-sunburned. We started with the smoked fish appetizer and drinks. We ordered the crudo to follow, but they brought both out at the same time. For drinks, I started with a Paloma cocktail. It was bland and watery, not nearly as good as the fresh-squeezed grapefruit Paloma I had at Loquito the other day. The smoked fish appetizer was good. The crudo had raw scallops and white fish with watermelon in olive oil. The scallops were sweet and yummy but I didn't care for the white fish, it had no taste and the dish needed acid to balance the sweetness of the scallops and the blandness of the oil. Same hot pickled peppers used on both the smoked fish appetizer and atop the crudo - where the creativity in that? The servers didn't describe the dishes so it was hard to know what you were getting or what the chef had in mind. (Was there a chef in the house? I don't know. None was mentioned.) We then ordered crab legs and a $68 bottle of white wine, a bottle of Perluca Khoros from Paso Robles. Our new server was a bit nicer and offered to chill it on ice. The crab legs and wine were both delicious. For the main we ordered the Morcilla, a meat and bean dish. It looked so unappetizing I didn't even want to try it. It was less than ok. I just nibbled at it and we didn't finish it. Also of note, I went to the ladies room mid way through and both bathrooms were occupied for a long time. After a 2nd knock, the host who had been rude from the start emerged in a huff. Something's not right here. The bill was still $250 after the supposed discount. Not worth it! Blah. Bland. Boring food. Expensive. Don't go. read more

Dom's Taverna - Smoked fish appetizer on the left and scallop + white fish crudo on the right. - Basque Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

We hit up Dom's Taverna for an early dinner during our spring break visit to Santa Barbara. We chose the table by the window to enjoy the natural light coming in. * Steak Bites $19 - These Wagyu pieces were a little overcooked for our liking. * Seaside Snap Pea $16 - This was a refreshing dish with fresh peas and arugula. * Smoked Fish Dip $20 - I love a great smoked fish dip and theirs did not disappoint. The salmon roe gave it that salty kick too. I wasn't the biggest fan of the tapa crackers as they didn't hold the dip very well. I would have preferred a different vessel for the dip. * Surf & Turf Tartare $26 - We love tartare and will order it every time we see it on a menu. Their Wagyu version with the anchovy aioli and fish roe, and truffle chips was very enjoyable. We ended up getting two orders! * Clams & Mussels $16 - A light and tasty dish. * Pea & Artichoke Pasta $28 - An enjoyable pasta with peas and artichokes. There were some super salty bites and can only guess it came from the Basque cheese. * Hongos $27 - Grilled mushrooms with more of a marinated or brined egg yolk, rather than raw, poured table side. Great flavors. * Grappa's Tarta Vasca aka Basque Cheesecake $20 - We never would have known it was a Basque cheesecake if the waitress didn't explain it to us. It was good choice to close out our meal. We had some really enjoyable dishes at Dom's and would probably go again if we were in the area. Service was much more attentive in the beginning but as the evening picked up, service slowed down. It wasn't a deal breaker, but we did have to ask for more water and things like that. I love the water glassware. Very cool. Overall, there are some innovative dishes happening here and I think their menu has been changing already. So I gotta love a restaurant that is constantly changing with the season. read more

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Well done, Chef! You've solidified Don's in my top3 restaurants in Santa Barbara. First off you'll want to make reservations. This cute, little place fills up by 6 so plan ahead. Not to say you can't walk in but with his popularity and amazing food I don't recommend it. Go ahead an arrive early for a seat at the bar and take in the vibe. It's bright, loud, friendly, and filled with beautiful locals who put thought into what they're wearing. We may be at the beach but wear proper shoes and look sharp on your date night. Why so popular? Before the food is definitely the. Both at the bar and at tables the team is well educated on the menu, friendly, and ready to jump in or give you a little space to figure out northern Spain's Basque region cuisine. It may look scary but I promise you it's not. My latest visit was with a GF friend and our server, Erin, along with Chef Don, even managed to split some ingredients to make every bite safe and delicious for all. Now on to the food. Well, maybe a cocktail. You must start with a Spanish staple, the LAIE Vermouth $8. Next jump on the Bar Bites menu served 5-6 and available at the bar or table. I highly recommend the Jamón Grilled Cheese $10 and Lamburgesa $12. I've tied the Chistorra Glizzy $13 sausage but found it dry. The winner of the night was the Hongos $28 Grilled Mushrooms. I wanted another order but knew we had to keep the party going with Crab Rice $19 and the Spicy Fried Plantains $14. Not don't yet the Prawn Koktel $24 was garlicky awesome with some bread to dredge and we finished off with 6 Raw & 6 Grilled Oysters. Was this a lot of food? YES. And shared by 4 but when food is fresh and if a high quality not processed and preserved you don't feel it. None of us left stuffed. I wanted more but knew I was at "Just Right". Well... until dessert. The Goxo Itota $14 good but the Torrija $17 was the cherry on the top. If you made it through this review you'll see I'm impressed with all Chef Dom Crisp brings to the table. Next time you're at the bar look around, you might just find me sipping on a Vermouth and enjoying a mouth watering Lamburgesa. Eskerrik asko! read more

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Finally had a chance to dine at Dom's Taverna, one of the newer restaurants that opened last year, and it absolutely lived up to the hype. We made a dinner reservation via OpenTable before heading to an SBIFF event, and everything from timing to service felt seamless. This is a share-plates dream, so we ordered accordingly. Hongos, mussels and clams with chorizo (that broth alone is worth the order), prawns with butter and garlic that were rich and perfectly cooked, steak bites, half a dozen oysters, and Santa Barbara crab claws. Every dish came out well-paced and clearly meant for the table, which made the experience feel relaxed instead of rushed. For drinks, I tried both the Don Raj Spritz and the freezer gin martini. One was earthy and refreshing, the other ice-cold and dangerously smooth. Exactly the kind of cocktails you want before a night out. Service was attentive without hovering, knowledgeable when asked, and genuinely warm. Plates were cleared on time, drinks stayed filled, and no one made us feel like we needed to rush out the door. As for value, the quality of the seafood, portion sizes, and overall experience felt fair for what you're getting. This is the kind of place where sharing a few dishes gives you a full, satisfying meal without feeling overcharged. We missed happy hour this time, but for those planning ahead it runs from 3-5:30 pm and again from 9-11 pm, which is honestly a great deal considering the menu. Dom's Taverna hits that sweet spot of elevated but approachable, with thoughtful collaborations that show they're tapped into the community. Great food, solid service, and an easy go-to for both special occasions and spontaneous nights out. read more

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First time at Dom's and it was outstanding. Delicious Fresh Food, Atmospheric Vibes, Great Service with a sprinkle of Michelin Stars on the horizon. A turnkey dining experience from Pintxos to Postre. Santa Barbara Magazine called their Ceviche "a Playful, yet mysterious Little Dish" and each delicacy far exceeded my expectations. Loved the Oysters too! Overall a warm & welcoming Dining experience. We'll be back soon! read more

Dom's Taverna - Basque Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

My wife and I recently went to Dom's Taverna in Santa Barbara for date night and it turned into one of our favorite dining experiences in town. We kicked things off with some tasty cocktails, which immediately set the tone for the night. From the moment we walked in, the entire staff made us feel genuinely welcomed, but a special shoutout goes to our server Raul. He absolutely nailed every recommendation and guided us through the menu like a pro. We started with the crudo, which was bright, fresh, and perfectly balanced. Then came the smoked seafood flatbread, rich and flavorful without being heavy. For our main, Raul suggested the steak txuleta, and it was phenomenal. Cooked to perfection and beautifully paired with the tomato salad, it was one of those combinations you don't forget. We wrapped things up with "La Cuchara," a spoonful of Basque cheesecake topped with caviar. It sounds unexpected, but it was pure magic, creamy, salty, and just the right amount of indulgent to end the night. read more

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I can't sing my praises about this spot enough. Each dish was an absolute home-run for me. The flavor and depth to each dish was so exceptional. If there is anything that you have to try here, I would recommend the Surf and Turf Tartare and the Bread Pudding. Ambiance was perfect in here. We came during dinner time so it was busy and bustling. The wait staff was helpful and the noise level felt just right. Nothing felt boring here and it was a great mix of casual chic. I'm excited to come back for more next time! This has got to be one of my fav spots in SB thus far! read more

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Dom's Taverna is such a gem. We came here for a bachelorette party and did a tasting, and the whole experience was fantastic. The staff was incredibly friendly and welcoming, and the dishes came out quickly. Every single plate was impressive, and it was honestly hard to pick a favorite. We started with a delicious, umami‑forward steak tartare paired with salty potato chips. Then came a local tilefish crudo, which ended up being one of the highlights of the night. I had never tried tilefish before, and it was so fun to see them use fresh, locally sourced ingredients. My personal favorite was the smoked fish dip. It was so good that we boxed up the leftovers to use on our bagel bar the next morning. The presentation and flavors were outstanding. We also enjoyed a bright, fresh salad and perfectly crispy fried artichokes. I had their Night Vision cocktail, which was a crowd favorite, and they also offer a great freezer martini and a solid wine selection. For mains, we tried both the fish and the steak frites, and both were exceptional. We finished with their Basque cheesecake and a brûléed bread pudding that had the perfect crispy top. Our server, Drew, was wonderful. He was attentive, friendly, and really helpful when it came to choosing a wine for dinner. I would highly recommend Dom's Taverna. I've also heard they have a great late‑night happy hour, and I'm already looking forward to coming back to try it. read more

We had a beautiful first time experience! It was beautifully decorated. We appreciated the attention to detail by the servers. Also, we loved interacting with the chef! You can tell that he really cared about our experience. We loved our drinks and meal, especially the steak bites and ciopinno. read more

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I debated on the stars. I'd hate for their rating to be low due to my sense of what things should cost. The sandwich was good; it was $20. After tax and tip, I spent $27 on a sandwich today. It did not come with anything: chips, garnish salad. It was a holiday lunch with friends so special occasion. On a regular basis, I don't see this being a go to for me. The service was nice. The environment is inviting. This is my third visit there and I'm still not sure of what to order when I go. As I don't speak Basque, I find the menu a little difficult to understand. So far it seems like the Basque Bowl with rice and a few little things in it could be a good choice. read more

Dom's Taverna - Submarino Española Sando It's a long sandwich. There are 2 halves here. - Basque Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

The food and cocktails were excellent. I will have dreams of the cheesecake caviar bites. They are bus and have 2 seating times- I was catching up with a girlfriend so at times I felt a little rushed. But won't knock points for that- being busy means you are doing something right. Will be returning read more

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Loved this place! Not sure why i waited so long to try it. I didn't know they had happy hour and open late. Its always a struggle trying to find something to eat after a show at Arlington and people are constantly asking me. I had the red happy hour wine, jamon grilled cheese and fries. I can't wait to return. I saw other items on menu that caught my eye. And i loved the vibe. I would feel so comfortable popping in by myself, sitting at the bar for a glass of wine and meal. read more

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My group of friends and I visited when they just opened and had a lovely time for lunch. The seafood is quality. We enjoyed the fusions of flavors and enthusiasm from the staff. I have on thing to say- GET THE GRILLED OYSTERS! It was so good, we HAD to get another order in. I dream about these oysters often, they are the best grilled oysters I've ever had. read more

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My friends and I were greeted by the sweetest person, Audrey. She was so friendly and gave us the rundown. I appreciated that she was honest about the wait time and recommended the bar seating (there were two seats available). By sheer luck, a reservation only had half the people show and we got a table. Thank you food gods! Raul was our server and he was simply the best! He educated us on the menu and made amazing recommendations. He was a joy to have serve us in this foodie experience. Literally no other feedback other than I hope he always serves me when I come visit. The tomat was an explosion of different flavors that meshed so well. SO WELL! We ordered a side of bread just to dip in the sauce. Fresh, delicious, flavorful...what more can one ask for? The crudo was devoured quickly. What can I say? It was exactly what it should be. Surf and turf tartare dish was perfection especially eaten with the chips. Salty, crispy, crunchy ::chefs kiss:: I would literally come back just for this. I don't think i can order this dish any where else because it will never be this good. Full disclosure, we ordered THREE rounds of this dish and had zero regrets. Lobster rice was a special (you can typically order the crab rice) and i would highly recommend it. The lobster was cooked perfectly and everything mixed together so well. The smoked shell flatbread was too much, too overpowering. I could not throughly enjoy what this dish had to offer due to the kick. I was told it had a little more spice than usual so I'll need to try it again in the future. Chicken croketas were flaky on the outside, perfectly cooked on the inside and sat in a lovely (and delicious) sauce of dill. Look, bathrooms (in general) are pretty standard however, i need to give kudos to the fact that they provide feminine hygiene products and a full length mirror. It's the small touches that really make this place great! Quick tip: make reservations. This place is a hot spot and while you can gamble with walking in, bar seating is not guaranteed and tables get snatched quickly. read more

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Wow. Dinner at Dom's was one of the best meals I've had in Santa Barbara in a long time. The hospitality is warm and genuine -- the kind that immediately makes you feel like you're a regular, even on your first visit. The space itself is stunning, with a beautiful, hand-milled wood bar that the owner, Dom, crafted from a tree on his family's land -- the very tree under which both he and his parents were married. It's the kind of detail that tells you this is a place built with intention and heart. And then there's the food -- layered, soulful, and deeply satisfying. The steak frites is unforgettable: perfectly cooked, tender, and finished with a sauce that's just indulgent enough. The clams are bright and buttery; the paella is generously composed and deeply flavored; the flatbread and bread service are the kind of simple things done exceptionally well. We also loved the Japanese sweet potato and the whole fish, both reflecting the kitchen's confidence in letting good ingredients speak for themselves. If you care about food and love restaurants that are personal, grounded, and generous in spirit, Dom's is a must. Santa Barbara is lucky to have it. read more

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We were looking for a late-night spot in Santa Barbara with good food and drinks and found out that Dom's Taverna had just opened recently. The restaurant was buzzing with people and energy. We ordered several cocktails: Night Vision, Don Raj Spritz, Espresso Eroa, and D'Alizia. I really appreciated that their drinks had a more sophisticated flavor profile rather than being overly sweet. For food, we pretty much ordered the whole menu (except the chicken croquettes, which had sold out for the night). We had the oysters, steak bites, brochetas de hongos, chistorra glizzy, jamon grilled cheese, taverna smash, and russet fries. The standouts for us were the oysters, jamon grilled cheese, chistorra glizzy (Basque hot dog), and the grilled mushrooms. The oysters were impressively fresh, even late in the evening. The jamon added incredible depth to the grilled cheese, the chistorra burst with bold Basque/Spanish flavors, and the mushrooms -- grilled in the Josper oven -- had that perfect earthy aroma while staying juicy and tender. Honestly, every dish was excellent. You can tell they put real thought into sourcing quality ingredients and preparing them with care. The restaurant is brand new, with a modern, chic, yet relaxed vibe. The open kitchen is gorgeous. Dom's Taverna is now officially my favorite spot in Santa Barbara -- it fits right in this lovely coastal town. I hope they keep up with the great work and I will be back again and again. read more

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I'm so glad I went back to try the diner menu! First time I went for lunch with a couple of friends. The smoked fish dip and Bomba was our favorite. The tartare is mouthwatering delicious! I didn't want to share with my husband. Chef Don said his Cioppino was his favorite, so we were on a mission to try it. It absolutely was the best. Seasoning was perfect and plenty of seafood. It's a pasta dish and the pasta tasted handmade. Not sure if it was. My husband is from Spain and loves Morcilla (Blood Sausage). I was afraid of it but it was soooo good we pretty much licked the place clean. We ended with the bread pudding which was one of the best ever. Robin our server was very attentive. read more

Dom's Taverna - Cioppino Pasta. We ate all the other stuff and forgot to take pics. - Basque Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Stellar service. If you don't travel and only dine in Santa Barbara and have a lot of cash to burn you should love it. Oysters were shipped across country according to bartender. Lost a lot of flavor along the way. The sausage used in the mussels was more like a cut up hot dog than the tasty sausage described on the menu. Did not delve into the menu past those items. read more

Dom's Taverna - Lemondrop Martini - Basque Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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Celebrated a friend's birthday at Dom's Taverna during their opening weekend in August. Dom's is a hop, skip and jump away from the State Street main drag. The kitchen is helmed by Chef Dom Crisp (Dom's Taverna EaterLA). The inspiration is basque cuisine with California , but I find it a loose interpretation with the menu covering a swath of pretty familiar dishes. Dishes were solid. Brunch/lunch dishes were very family-friendly as we had kids with us. We ordered a variety of things and I didn't get a chance to snap shots before everyone dug in.I think this is probably my favorite daytime meal in SB. Things were well-executed. Bar program was great. I had a few very refreshing cocktails...perfect for a warm summer day. Service was spot on. The team took great care of us even though it was a challenging opening weekend...the AC died on Friday with no hope of repair until the following week. Everyone was still welcoming and gracious even though the conditions were a little warm. The service team even slipped us some candy for the kids. I could see this being our brunch/lunch spot next time we're in town. Dinner menu looks even more promising than brunch/lunch. I think more of the Basque and Spanish influences are more evident in the evenings. Definitely looking forward to revisiting. read more

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"Basque Tavern Burger" during Burger Week, available Wed.-Sun., 2/19-2/22, noon-3PM. Chef Dom Crisp has made a truly delicious and memorable halal Lamb and Blue burger with Spanish Blue cheese, saffron aioli and balsamic onion jam. We love lamb, blue cheese and saffron; Chef Dom's combination is outstanding. Don't miss this burger, dine in only, but worth the walk from the Granada-Anacapa parking lot #6. Chef Dom please put this on your regular menu. We'll be back to try your other dishes as we support great new restaurants. read more

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Dom's Taverna is THE spot. Every time I come here it honestly feels like I'm walking into a close friend's house, everyone is beyond kind, welcoming, and just genuinely good people. The energy alone makes you want to stay. Now the food... insane!!!! We had the Surf & Turf Tartare, Taverna Burger, Ensalada Rusa, and russet fries and not a single miss on the table. Lunch and dinner both go hard here, everything is balanced, and clearly made with intention. The cocktail menu is one of a kind, and if you love mezcal, this place is going to make you very happy. Creative drinks, great options. Dom's is one of those rare places where the vibe, the service, and the food all line up perfectly. Easy favorite. Will always come back. read more

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Food was good and service was great. Ambiance is trendy, cool and comfortable. The food and alcohol is pricey! Our dinner was good but for two people we spent about $350. It's a cool place and food is good but not worth the money we spent. read more

Came here for burger week. It was packed so we had to wait about 20 min for a table. I'm not into lamb so I opted for the tartar. I took one bite of the lamb burger and it was too gamey for me (I love beef too much). The tartar has pieces of celery, green onions, smoked fish eggs on top with truffle chips. The chips had a strong truffle flavor! Most places shy away from the truffle flavor so I was impressed. I really enjoyed the fish eggs on top because they were the most firm eggs I've had and the smokiness added another layer of flavor. I enjoyed the fish eggs and truffle chips more than the wagyu beef ... read more

Wow. I was honestly blown away by how good the food was here. Everything we had was fresh and really flavorful - the fish especially was cooked perfectly. What I loved is that they're not trying to be overly fancy or do anything gimmicky - they just do good food, really well. And it shows. Also... I'm still thinking about the cheesecake. Like actually dreaming about it. The vibe is great too - nice but still relaxed, not stuffy at all. It's the kind of spot you can go for an easy dinner and end up having an amazing meal. read more

Dom's Taverna - Basque Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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Stopped off at Dom's for lunch today. Would have gotten 5 stars but they were out of their crudo after selling me on it. If you are looking for something new and different, this is a Spanish Basque restaurant and the menu changes regularly based on local ingredients. They specialize in seafood and beef dishes. They are relatively new as they opened March 25'. Omar was very helpful at explaining the menu and highlights and he made a great mescal drink, Txolo Squiggles. Since they were out of the Crudo, I had the Jurassco sandwich and I thought it was going to be small but it was quite filling. Also tried the grilled oysters to start and they were tasty. Overall, if you are in Santa Barbara near State Street, give an a try. I hope to make it back soon. read more

I believe Dom's is a new restaurant, so my wife and I decided to try it out. The atmosphere was great, it was very busy for a Tuesday night. We got lucky with a table right when we checked in with the host. (Great Host). The food was amazing especially the crab claws. They had great flavor and tasted very fresh. The drinks were on point too. read more

Dom's Taverna - Oysters, chicken Crokets, crab claws, - Basque Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Impeccable service, bustling restaurant, and memorable food. I mostly came here to make sure that everyone tries the Smoked Shell Flatbread! The sobrasada with the smoked mussels, the hot honey with the salty pork-- it's a flavor bomb. The toasted bread is soft and chewy. It was hard not to order a second after we finished the first! The Albariño was light, crisp, and the perfect accompaniment. The chef was a gracious host. I can't wait to try more. read more

Dom's Taverna - The smoked shell flatbread is a must!!! I will get this every time I go-- it's so craveable. - Basque Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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Amazing Service!! Awesome special for a great cause (which we ordered). This could (and should have) been a five star review. The nitpicky reasons why it wasn't: 1. Three of the seven dishes we ordered (other than the special) were seasoned using smoked trout roe. While this was a treat the first time it came out with the Hongas, it quickly felt like the menu was a one note wonder with the smoked fish dip. 2. The surf and turf tartare (which was one of the dishes featuring trout roe but we expected that) was served with packaged, factory made truffle chips. These chips are overwhelming to the dish as a whole. Would suggest taking the optional shaved truffle and making it standard and then serving with salted chips. Honestly the market this restaurant is in expects this and knows the cost (tartare is not common here) would make this dish a show stopper. We will be back and had an overall excellent experience and are excited to support local businesses. read more

Came here for a date night and really enjoyed it! The restaurant had great energy and the service was excellent. Our server recommended a Spanish white wine that was perfect. It was light and refreshing and paired well with the variety of dishes we shared. The food was fresh and tasted good, but nothing really stood out as especially memorable. That said, the menu had a lot to offer, and I have a feeling we may have missed a standout dish or two. I'd definitely be open to coming back to explore more of the menu and cocktails. read more

Dom's Taverna - Basque Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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My only regret is not coming here sooner!! Everything was incredible. We had the croquetas, crudo, steak skewers and basque cheesecake. A moment for the crudo because it's the best I've ever had. The flavors were so sophisticated and carefully balanced. Fish was super fresh and soft like butter, paired with an insane sauce that I would have liked to take home in a bottle! And the cheesecake... will be dreaming about it until my next visit. To drink, I had the Paloma, which was amazing. I've had many palomas, and this is a winner! Such a creative take on this drink, with a perfect balance of sweet and salty. But... what really brought everything together was the atmosphere and staff. I came with a girlfriend at 6:30, left at 9:30. Never felt rushed. Just good vibes, chatting at the bar. The food and interior itself is very upscale, but it's not stuffy like a lot of the restaurants in SB that have this caliber of dining! It felt casual and everyone just seemed really happy! Need to come back with my husband for a date night, but it's really a perfect place for any occasion- birthdays, family dinner, girls night. Thank you Chloe, Raj, Dom, Vishal, and EVERYONE for making us feel so at home! read more

Such a nice addition to Santa Barbara! Open, airy and makes you feel like you're visiting the Basque Country. The food was incredible and I really enjoyed all of the different options. The crab rice was definitely my favorite. Grab a group of your friends and try as many pintxos as possible. For it being the second night of opening, service was outstanding. So happy to have a new Spanish restaurant here! read more

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It was nice and fancy - but not too fancy. The menu was full of many interesting dishes that reminded me of Spanish tapas and quinine. The food we ordered was well-prepared and delicious and left us totally satisfied. Bonus was the great service and warm atmosphere. read more

Dom's Taverna - The entrance - Basque Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

This is my favorite restaurant in Santa Barbara. Every single time I go, the experience is exceptional from start to finish. The staff truly makes this place special. Mark, Chloe, Ben, Chef Dom, and the owner Raj all go out of their way to make you feel welcome and taken care of. They don't just serve you, they genuinely check in to make sure everything is perfect. You can feel how much they care about the restaurant and about their guests. The food is amazing (consistently!), the drinks are so good, and the vibe is fun, lively, and welcoming without ever feeling overwhelming. It's the kind of place you go for one dinner and end up staying way longer than you planned because you're having such a good time. If you're in Santa Barbara and want incredible food, great drinks, and the kind of hospitality that makes you feel like a regular, Dom's Taverna is it. Couldn't recommend it more. read more

Dom's Taverna - Basque Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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We had the Papas Julien and (2) sandwiches: the Submarino Española and the Churrasco. Everything was really flavorful - the Submarino Española was really unique and really tasty, highly recommend. The staff was friendly and attentive. I will definitely be back! read more

Had a beautiful lunch at this new spot on Victoria St. The atmosphere is fresh and welcoming. The staff was on top of it! We also met Dom who is the nicest guy and as busy as he is, took time to say hi to guests. The food is unlike anything I've had in SB. Spanish Basque. Lots of seafood on the menu, plus other options if you don't like fish. The highlight for me was the Tomat. Amazing appetizer! Whether you love tomatoes or not, get it! So much going on in this dish that I'm already thinking of popping in for another one again this week. The cioppino and crudo also excellent. Priced just right too. read more

Dom's Taverna - Cioppino, Crudo, Tomat - Basque Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

A Basque Culinary Revelation I'm still thinking about the hongos dish--and I suspect I will be for a long time. This was easily one of the most transportive dining experiences I've had in recent memory. From the first bite, it was clear that this kitchen isn't just preparing Basque-inspired food--it's honoring it with real reverence and remarkable skill. The hongos (grilled mushrooms with a raw egg yolk, bottarga, and roe) was a dish that genuinely left my partner and me speechless. Earthy, silky, briny, and perfectly restrained--the flavors came together with such harmony it felt almost alchemical. The yolk pulled everything together like velvet, while the bottarga and roe brought just the right saline brightness to make each bite feel layered and alive. If you only order one dish, let it be this. It's quiet brilliance on a plate. And then--Grappa's Tarta Vasca. I didn't expect dessert to linger with me the way it did, but it was absolutely divine. Creamy, caramelized, just the right touch of sweetness... it was heavenly enough to inspire me to attempt my own Basque cheesecake at home (which, I'll admit, still doesn't quite compare). It's that good. There's a quiet confidence to the cooking here--nothing feels showy, and yet every plate delivers nuance, precision, and soul. This is food with heritage, cooked with heart. Already dreaming of my return visit. read more

Dom's Taverna - Grappa's Tarta Vasca - Basque Near Me - Santa Barbara, California