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    El Paseo Restaurant

    3.5 (341 reviews)
    ModerateMexican
    Closed 4:00 pm - 9:00 PM

    El Paseo Restaurant Photos

    EL PASEO RESTAURANT ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Happy hour specials
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - El Paseo Restaurant

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    Our cake table they let us set up!
    Maddy M.

    My partner and I recently got married at the courthouse, and during the wedding planning, we decided to keep things more budget friendly and not rent a place out for dinner following the ceremony. [[HIGHLIGHT]]We wanted to find a yummy Mexican restaurant (which we did not to our research very well because they no longer do Mexican food), but we still had the most amazing experience eating in their beautiful courtyard.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] While we were surprised that Mexican food was not served, the menu still had fabulous appetizer and dinner options that all 16 of our guests enjoyed. The management/staff were accommodating to our large party, allowed us to bring decorations to dress up our table, and they even set up a cake table which made our lower budget dinner feel much more special. The staff was truly INCREDIBLE 10000/10, and because it was a slower night there, they let us do a first dance on the dance floor while playing our special song -- I couldn't have asked for a better evening. They truly helped us create an unforgettable experience on one of the most important days of our lives. We can't wait to come back and visit again!

    Courtyard seating and hot entrees
    Michele G.

    Hey there Party People Was walking around in Santa Barbara and wondered into the most awesome Brunch spot in the old Mission Area. Just off State Street called El Paseo Restaurant. For the area it was very reasonably priced at $38 and for $10 more you could get unlimited Margaritas, Mimosas or Champagne. [[HIGHLIGHT]]You can't beat the beautiful courtyard atmosphere puts you back in time.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The wait staff was on it to refill your drinks before you asked My Hubby had to comment that the eggs Benedict was the best he ever had. The egg was poached to perfection. The food selection ran the gamut of classic Mexican to American breakfast fare with many tasty non- carb options for those wanting to keep it light. As a side note the desserts were a perfect capper to the meal. Actually let's call it an experience because it's so much more than a meal. If you are in the area on a Sunday this is a must stop for Brunch bar none Be kind to one another

    Brandy O.

    WOW! OKAY! This is how you BRUNCH! Large party, no kids, great selection of food and desserts, such great wait staff, and [[HIGHLIGHT]]the ambiance is absolutely gorgeous. So relaxing and a beautiful arrangements of trees, sky and light.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] I will definitely be back, but with my family or friends.

    Pasta
    Amanda H.

    To celebrate my boyfriend's brother's engagement, our large party was kindly accommodated by the El Paseo Restaurant team! The courtyard was covered by awnings but they were reeled back to reveal the beautiful Santa Barbara skies. Our server recommended the spicy pasta and I'm glad I took his advice! My boyfriend ordered the salmon, which he says was "perfectly cooked and paired well with the mashed potatoes and veggies." El Paseo seemed like a wonderful for a first lunch or a romantic dinner. We can't wait to come back!

    Carne Asada Bowl
    Kaitlyn R.

    Service was great! They got our drinks and orders taken quickly. They were able to accommodate our group of 20 comfortably. The food itself was amazing! Definitely can fill yourself up on chips and dip. Would recommend getting the guacamole! [[HIGHLIGHT]]The atmosphere of the restaurant is great too![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]It would have been nice to have some background music because it was a little quiet, but overall we had a great time and would recommend.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]

    Raspberry Rumble Cocktail
    Annie L.

    I tried this place for their AYCE Taco Tuesdays and it was pretty enjoyable! It was pretty busy on the day we went (joined waitlist around 6:30 PM) but we were seated by 7. The hostess was super sweet and all the staff were attentive and kind! The restaurant itself is kind of outdoors but shaded. It's super cute and I think most of the appeal is in the ambience. Everything was lively and nicely decorated which made the experience more fun. I ordered a raspberry rumble from the cocktail menu and it was yummy! As for the taco bar, the selection is good but I wish they had more than just stewed meats. The chicken, beef, and pork were all shredded and cooked in sauce (super delicious!) but I really wanted some carne asada or grilled meats. There was birria though, which is a plus for me! I also wish that they labeled the meats since it wasn't always super obvious which meats were which. They also didn't have any small corn tortillas which I found a little sad, but the flour tortillas are good. Hard taco shells were provided as well but I didn't have any. They have veggie sides and rice as well as condiments and toppings. Overall this place was fun! I would recommend the Taco Tuesdays but maybe in the daytime when it's probably less crowded and busy. The food comes out fresh and is delicious, but the selection might not be what's expected. This is definitely a great AYCE experience in downtown SB!

    Half off apps aka bocadillos is what we were told was the HH deal

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    A Hidden gem in SB with great happy hour or taco Tuesday! Beautiful Santa Barbara Spanish historical architecture.

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    Page 3 of 9

    Ask the Community - El Paseo Restaurant

    For those who have had a wedding here... what are the best tasting food options for our guests?

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    Santo Mezcal

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    If you're looking for a spot this summer with all the vibes, killer margaritas, and delicious food,…read morelook no further than Santo Mezcal in Santa Barbara. My bestie (and yelp elite) Imo brought me here for a girls day after raving about it for months, and now I completely understand the hype. We grabbed seats at the bar (which is honestly the place to be, especially since this spot gets busy on the weekends). Hint hint: make a reservation or get here early. But overall the bar was the perfect place to people watch and to catch up. When it comes to service, impeccable. Despite being busy everyone was attentive and the drinks/food were well placed despite it being a full house. And can we talk about the bartenders? They were so welcoming and even let us film while they worked their magic making cocktails. Watching them crank out cocktails with so much flair was half the entertainment and they couldn't have been nicer. Service was definitely a 10/10. We enjoyed a few margaritas but my favorite was definitely the Hibiscus Margarita. It wasn't overly sweet and was just refreshing. I also had the tamarind Marg which was good too. Extensive cocktail menu and mezcal if you like it. The food absolutely lived up to the drinks. Santo Mezcal takes classic Mexican flavors and gives them a slightly elevated twist while still keeping everything comforting and approachable. My friend couldn't stop talking about her Pork Belly Tacos and I fell in love with the Shrimp Enchiladas. They were loaded with fresh shrimp and covered in the most incredible creamy chipotle sauce (same as their sister restaurant Los agaves for reference). Definitely one of my favorite enchiladas around, 10/10 also. One thing I wasn't expecting is that their chips and salsa might be some of the best I've had. The tortilla chips were fresh, warm, perfectly salted, and paired with a salsa so good I probably ate two bowls before our food even arrived. Honestly, you could sit at the bar with a basket of chips, salsa, and margaritas for hours and be completely happy. Make sure you don't pass up on the chips and salsa. As noted, this is a more elevated Mexican restaurant so prices are slightly more $$$ but you get what you pay for. Just worth noting because if you equate good Mexican food being $2 tacos and a bucket of beer, this spot won't do it for you. But if you want something for more of a special occasion where the food, vibes and service are A+ then this spot is for you.

    Found this place off Yelp and have to say, it did not disappoint. It's on the Main Street headed…read moreto the pier so great location. Great place to take a rest and people watch. You get free chips & salsa and they have a variety which is nice. We also asked for a hot one and boy was it hot-habanero. We ordered: -Ceviche de Mariscos- good, refreshing -Pulpo tacos- great flavor, small amount of octopus for the price. The salad with mango dressing is amazing! -tacos rib eye- she loved it -short rib tacos - also enjoyed Service was good. Delicious

    Photos
    Seating area
    Seating area
    Picana Oaxaquena
    Picana Oaxaquena
    Sopecitos

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    Sopecitos
    Los Agaves

    Los Agaves

    4.5
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    The food, service and ambiance are superb. Ironically we were going to another taco place but it…read morewas closed today. My husband and I were delighted to experience such a clean, fresh restaurant. The prices are right as well. Highly recommend!

    Los Agaves On De Lavina St. -- A Rare Review from Someone Who Hates Writing Reviews…read moreI spent 25 years owning a business. I know what good service looks like, and I know what entitled looks like. I never write reviews -- I watched Yelp destroy good people over bad nights, and I swore I'd stay out of it. Tonight changed that. I sat at the bar. It took the bartender over five minutes to acknowledge I existed. Another five to ten to deliver a Coke. I ordered dinner and waited forty minutes -- which I might have forgiven, except getting his attention was nearly impossible the entire night. No eye contact. Body language that made clear I was an inconvenience, not a guest. Every interaction felt like I was interrupting something more important. When I finally got him to check on my order, he went to the computer and discovered he'd never placed it. I walked out. I noticed the people around me weren't faring much better. The slowness wasn't just my experience -- it was the room. Los Agaves appears to be a popular place, and maybe on another night with another bartender it earns that reputation. But entitlement has a way of spreading when nobody checks it. I hope management is paying attention -- because a beautiful restaurant dies one invisible guest at a time.

    Photos
    Fresh new update to the restaurant
    Fresh new update to the restaurant
    Ceviche Tostada (amazing!)
    Ceviche Tostada (amazing!)
    Margarita Flight

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    Margarita Flight
    Corazon Cocina

    Corazon Cocina

    4.5
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    0.5 mi
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    Back to table service! Yay!!!…read more Attractive and very clean restaurant with great service. Truly delicious Mexican food. I love pozole - Cc's rendition is top notch and comes with all the extras to put in the soup including avocado, chopped onion, a whole fried tortilla to break up into the broth and Mexican oregano (the small is more than enough for one hungry person or to share with two).Homemade chips come with a four salsa selection ranging substantially hot to a delicate tomatillo green. I tried my tablemate's tacos, all three varieties were very very good. I've had takeout from here, but it's really worth going in person because the food is nuanced and best when piping hot as it's made.

    I was lured to Corazon Cocina based on their Michelin Bib Gourmand status and their good reviews…read more It's located inside the Santa Barbara Public Market and is probably the most popular stall there. You order at the counter and are given a buzzer. Prices are HIGH. A single taco starts at $5.95 for sweet potato, then goes as high as $10.95 for one taco. They make their own blue corn tortillas from scratch, so that your tacos will be on freshly griddled tortillas. Al pastor is my favorite so I had to get one of those ($6.95). This was probably the most disappointing al pastor I have ever had. It was burnt and very salty and the flavor seemed a bit off. Some of the pineapple was not ripe. I'm glad that my husband pushed me to order another taco - this one the corriente - a shrimp taco ($8.95). This was infinitely better, with perfectly cooked shrimp. If I had just ordered this taco, my review would have been higher! Maybe I came on an off day, because other reviews seem to like the al pastor. The tortillas are terrific and I would be curious to try other tacos on their menu.

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    Corazon Cocina
    Corazon Cocina
    Sal de Mar Ceviche
    Sal de Mar Ceviche
    Sal del mar.. Good but could use a bit more acidity. Comes with tortilla chips.

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    Sal del mar.. Good but could use a bit more acidity. Comes with tortilla chips.
    Flor De Maiz

    Flor De Maiz

    4.1
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    0.8 mi
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    A Must-Visit in Santa Barbara If you're visiting Flor de…read moreMaiz, you absolutely cannot skip this place. We ordered the pulpo and the chicken mole, and both dishes were incredible. The pulpo was perfectly cooked--tender with a great char and packed with flavor. The chicken mole was rich, balanced, and deeply satisfying, with that classic complex mole flavor that keeps you going back for another bite. What really stood out, though, was the service. It was phenomenal from start to finish--attentive, friendly, and genuinely welcoming without ever feeling rushed. The staff clearly care about the experience they're giving guests. The food, the atmosphere, and the service all came together for a great meal. If you're in Santa Barbara, make sure this spot is on your list. Highly recommend.

    Been here a few times and it has always been a good experience but yesterday, me and a few…read morefriends dined here. We sat outdoors and it was a great ambiance. I ordered the branzino and specifically asked the waiter if it was grilled and butterflied, he stated yes. My dish arrived and it wasn't grilled nor butterflied but I went on and ate it anyways. The potatoes were undercooked. I mentioned, constructive criticism for the chef and stated he would let him know. Waiter didn't really seem to care or make any accommodations. Also, was overcharging us for a drink that we did not order. He also didn't seem to not check up on us frequently about how things we're going.

    Photos
    Romantic lit candles along steps
    Romantic lit candles along steps
    MOLE NEGRO   Jidori chicken| black mole | rice | fried plantains | sesame seeds | tortillas
    MOLE NEGRO Jidori chicken| black mole | rice | fried plantains | sesame seeds | tortillas
    Flan - delicious! And I'm not a flan girly

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    Flan - delicious! And I'm not a flan girly
    Loquita

    Loquita

    4.4
    (1.7k reviews)
    0.6 mi
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    We came here on a whim and everything about it was so enjoyable!…read more The service was good. Until we got seated, the service felt lukewarm, but our server, Joquin(?) made us feel so welcome! He gave us some great advice on what to order and we enjoyed every bit of it! There was also another gentleman that brought out the umbrella for us since it was getting sunny. We had a couple workers walk by without asking, but he was so kind enough to make us comfortable. The drinks we ordered were so refreshing. We ordered the Costa Blanca, De Aqui, and the Bengala de Granada. The drinks were so crisp that it almost felt like a palette cleanser. The yellowtail crudo was perfectly balanced between sweet and citrusy. The oysters looked spicy but were pleasantly mild! The octopus was tender and soft. The paella was flavorful and nicely garlicky. Loquita is small and cute. It's a little packed inside once it gets busy, so it was a relief we got seated outside.

    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

    El Paseo Restaurant - mexican - Updated August 2026

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