Worth the hype! Came around a Saturday afternoon (3pm) and did not have to wait long. However most…read moreof the tables were taken. Parking was super easy to find. I LOVE how much cream they put in the matcha einspanner. The texture and taste of the cream really makes this a good drink. Ceremonial matcha was delicious and umami as always.

Delicious drinks and baked goods! Friendly and very sufficient staff!…read more Kin Bakeshop has become my must visit and the main place I look forward to whenever we make a trip to Santa Barbara. Their drinks are addictedly delicious! I have tried several different ones from espresso, latte, to matcha and non-caffeinated drinks. Each one has been consistently great. 2 stars Due to their popularity, there's always almost a line out the door. However, if you follow them on IG, they do post update stories throughout the day about quantity status and how long the wait would be. They're pretty efficient, so even with a long line, I've never waited more than 20-30mins. 1 star The store is not meant for a sit down and hang out or study spot, but big enough to fit a good number of customers waiting around for drinks. 1 star They don't offer latte art or even hot drink, but ALL of their cold drinks and baked good are more than enough to make up for that! 1 star Really wish they'll start expanding soon. Central Coast can really use a great Asian coffee/bakery. As for now, I'll just have to drive down to Santa Barbara once or twice a month to get my Kin fix! This is the breakdown of my rating for coffee shops: Quality of coffee/drinks/food: up to 2 stars Consistently offer latte art: 1 Star Atmosphere: 1 Star Customer service: 1 Star

While visiting Santa Barbara, we spent one morning exploring the shopping district and the Funk…read moreZone and decided to stop at Helena Avenue Bakery for breakfast. It was clearly a local favorite--the line stretched out the door--but it moved steadily and was well worth the wait. We enjoyed a couple of fresh, flaky croissants and found a lovely spot to sit and ease into the morning. The space has such a relaxed, inviting atmosphere, making it a great place to start the day. One thing we thought was especially unique is that the space transforms into a wine tasting venue in the evenings, giving it a completely different vibe later in the day. Overall, it was a wonderful experience, and I'd absolutely return to sample more of the menu and spend more time enjoying such a beautiful space.

We stopped by Helena Avenue Bakery for breakfast during our trip to Santa Barbara, and it was one…read moreof our favorite meals of the day. The bakery has a cozy, welcoming atmosphere with plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. Even though there was a line when we arrived, it moved quickly, and the staff stayed friendly and organized the whole time. We ordered a yogurt bowl with fresh blueberries and homemade granola, a specialty toast topped with peanut butter, banana, crispy bacon, and a delicious sauce, plus coffee. Everything was fresh, beautifully presented, and full of flavor. You can really tell they use high-quality ingredients. The pastry selection looked incredible as well. From fresh croissants and scones to cinnamon rolls and muffins, it was honestly hard to choose just one. We'll definitely have to come back to try more. If you're visiting Santa Barbara and looking for a great breakfast or coffee spot, Helena Avenue Bakery is absolutely worth the stop. Great food, great coffee, friendly service, and a relaxed atmosphere. Highly recommended!

We decided to come back to this fantastic gluten free bakery and cafe. It was only 2 minutes walk…read morefrom the Kimpton hotel we stayed at. This store was packed the entire weekend when we came in. Store is big and spacious with two sections. One is sit down cafe, the other is bakery and take out area. It's all fast casual style though. They have a lot of varieties to choose from and great coffee and tea to go menu. They take reservations for weekend brunch too. I picked quite a few pastries to try. My favorites are lemon tart and lemon bar. Obviously I like lemon flavored pastries. The red velvet vegan cupcake and blueberry muffin were delicious as well. I am so jealous of this gluten free kitchen bakery and cafe. Wish we had something like this near my home! This is our must stop whenever we are in Santa Barbara!

It's one thing for a restaurant to have great food, but what really makes a place stand out is how…read morethey treat their customers when something doesn't go according to plan. Lilac Patisserie delivered on both fronts. The food and ambiance were excellent, and we really enjoyed our visit. We ran into a small issue with our order, and after bringing it to the attention of the staff, they handled it with genuine care and professionalism. The way the team and management responded turned what could have been a negative experience into one that left an even stronger impression. The salmon plate, pancakes, and chicken sausage were all delicious. The coffee was okay, but that's hardly why you come here. The real standout was the service. Great food is memorable, but exceptional hospitality is what keeps people coming back. We'll definitely be returning.

Most of the baked goods here are vegan, with the exception of a couple sweeter pastries. The vegan…read moremorning buns are delicious. The focaccia and sourdough loafs are hearty and are good toasted at home. It's a tiny store so there's nowhere to sit and eat, but it's great to grab some treats and take home or eat by the beach. Very sweet girl helped us this weekend!

The consistency of this location is very off, I prefer their other location. My recent visit in was…read morethe most unfortunate of all - usually one or two items are off but this time it was all items. This time we got two shiitake shallot bread (my favorite), one sage, one focaccia (my sister's favorite), and two dips. The shallot/shiitake filling was so burnt it just tasted bitter, same as the garlic filling. Black and burnt and bitter. Not enjoyable at all. Truffle dip had no truffle flavor and the other dip was so watery. What happened here? Did they change the cook/recipes? Service was indifferent as always. Such a sad, wasteful experience.

Love this place so much, I consider driving up here from LA for more of the best quiche I ever had…read more So many perfectly sweet desserts to choose from. Everything is high quality and fresh for reasonable prices. Charming, cozy decor with Danish accents. Service is also excellent and warm. Quiche with Hollandaise Sauce - Light, buttery flaky crust, light, fluffy eggs. Absolutely delightful, leeks provided good texture. Came with a strip of bacon. Was so amazing hardly ate the sauce. Don't think you can sub salad for fries but no worries, as the breakfast potatoes were amazing. Many places offer breakfast potatoes but something seemingly simple is actually hard to make well. My friend's Bratwurst Sausage with Eggs, her favorite, was hearty and filling. A lot of indoor seating but we enjoyed our table outside, watching pedestrians on State St. and enjoying the beautiful scenery and architecture. We expected to wait to be seated but surprisingly it wasn't that busy. Order at counter and the food is brought to your table. As we waited, employee kindly gave us two free pastry samples, both delicious. All the baked goods I got to go I want again. Their scones are fabulous-slightly crunchy on the outside, light and fluffy on the inside. Their tea service which comes with champagne is pricey, I believe $75 per person. But interior is a perfect colorful and relaxed setting for tea. My tastebuds dream of coming back. Will be thrilled when I next indulge on their pastries and quiche.

SCORE 0 HEALTH HAZARD 10…read more This is our third time we've had issues with the staff. Today is our last time going here. There was only one person in line and 4 staff members behind the counter standing around talking to each other. Nobody greeted us or asked for our bakery order. When I said excuse me to a dirty blond girl she replied "WHAT!" and continued to joke with a co worker. When the cashier finished with their customer they walked away and even though they saw we were waiting to be helped. I looked around and saw nobody helping seated customers or us at the bakery counter. Finally, the dirty blonde ask what we need and my response was "WHAT" ?! At this point we should have left and gone to Lilac Patisserie however we proceeded to give her our order. I told another customer behind us that rudeness seems to be the norm, and she agreed. I paid for our bakery items and asked an older woman scrolling on her phone if we could have a bag for all of our boxed treats. She grabbed a handful of bags and threw them at me from across the counter. We were appalled and left. We found a place to sit on State street to eat our treats and my daughter said she didn't want her Meringue because the dirty blonde girl used the back of her ungloved hand to repeatedly wipe her nose. We threw all $50 worth of baked goods in the trash. Yes, I should have gone back and complained I'm had everything refunded but it was Mother's Day and we didn't want anything more to do with this establishment. It was also an epiphany that they don't treat everyone this way. It could be you next time. Please go somewhere else. We will never go to anywhere but Lilac Patisserie which is to the left as you exit Andersons, past the stop light. You will definitely get your money's worth and the staff is friendly, professional, and greet you immediately as you reach the counter.

Crushcakes never disappoints! I love coming here for breakfast or lunch. The food is always…read moredelicious, and made with the freshest ingredients. It's a block away from state street and tucked away on the corner of Arlington Avenue and Anapamu St. They have plenty of seating indoors Yuli's deluxe breakfast sandwich is my favorite here. Made with a fried egg, bacon, jack cheese, sauteed jalapenos, arugula and sriracha aioli on a brioche bun. It's not too heavy but it fills me up. On my recent visit I tried the fluffy pancakes breakfast. It comes with eggs and your choice of bacon or sausage. The pancakes were super fluffy and delicious! I've also had David's Chicken Sando for lunch made with roasted chicken, avocado, swiss. tomatoes, romaine, red onions, house aioli on grilled brioche bun. So good! I love sandwiches served on the brioche buns. They're soft and not too thick like regular buns. Crush cakes also has a nice variety of their specialty cupcakes. Not too sweet and the perfect treat to satisfy your cravings. Overall, one of my favorite casual restaurants in town that offers delicious food, friendly service and reasonable prices.

Came here to have some breakfast at around 11am…read more Ambience: 10/10 Service: amazing And everyone here was amazing and friendly the service was top notch and I loved all the food. I would definitely come here again and recommend to anyone to come and eat. And it's really close to the mission so why not!

Delicious gluten free Cafe Mocha cupcakes . had dozen cupcake delivered to surprise my son on his…read more25th birthday. Very accommodating and reliable baker . Thank you for delivering too. Highly recommend if you are from Santa Barbara.

Samantha catered ~150 mini cupcakes for my wedding with 2-3 weeks notice. She was very friendly and…read moreprofessional. We ordered the chocolate salted caramel which was fantastic, vanilla passionfruit (good) and strawberry lemonade (decent but not stunning like the other two). We ran out during the reception quicker than expected! They were a hit. Overall would recommend and would love to try more flavors!

GET READY FOR A TRANSCENDENT DONUT EXPERIENCE…read more Just off State Street on Figueroa, you'll find a donut shop that feels more like a craft breakfast kitchen with a serious pastry soul. The owner's love for their craft, staff, and product make for an inviting ambiance you don't find in many establishments in their class. DON'T MISS BREAKFAST Their menu goes far beyond donuts, blending whimsical, flavor-forward pastries with substantial breakfast sandwiches and bowls featuring bacon, turkey sausage, and mouthwatering, fluffy eggs that taste like they've been kissed with something buttery, creamy, and completely unforgettable. PASTRY IS IN THEIR DNA The first sign you're in the right place? Walking past stacks of pastry flour on your way to the donut counter. Nothing says "this is going to be good" like seeing the foundation of the craft right there in front of you. And these are not airy, forgettable donuts. These are brioche-style, flavor-filled, butter-forward creations that deliver exactly what the menu promises. CHOCOLATE CHERRY ALMOND OLD FASHIONED (OH MY) The Chocolate Cherry Almond Old Fashioned is in a class of its own. It surpasses every old fashioned donut I've had, with a light cake base, a low-oil profile, and none of the overly craggy, greasy edges you get from a less thoughtful donut. This is pastry territory. The chocolate and almond are subtle at first, then the cherry arrives with a dramatic full tastebud activation -- sweet, salt, fat, and bitter all working together. The cherry blooms at the back of your mouth like springtime near the Capitol in D.C. or a Japanese cherry blossom landscape. It's where cake and donut collide into something that redefines the experience for kids and kids at heart. SNAP-CRACKLE-POP TREAT WITH AN UPGRADE THAT'S SWEET The Brown Butter Rice Krispie Treat Donut is another five-star execution of both concept and flavor. The Rice Krispies are real -- not decorative. They sit in a marshmallow flow atop a lightly sweet donut that oozes buttery goodness, with just the right touch of salt to elevate the sweetness and add that extra delight on the palate. I'LL BE BACK! Hook & Press is not just making donuts. They're creating edible moments. Santa Barbara is lucky to have them.

I was in Santa Barbara for the fourth and I have had this place on my bookmarks list. I was super…read moreexcited that I got to try it finally. My husband and I found parking right away on the street so that was already a great sign. Especially in SB. We went a little before 12 and there wasn't a lot of people. I got the strawberry milkshake donut and the apple fritter. My daughters devoured the strawberry milkshake one. I have tried a lot of different apple fritter donuts and this one wasn't my favorite. It wasn't a strong apple taste and the donut seems too fluffy for an apple fritter. But the WINNER was the salted brown butter latte. It was perfection. I loved everything about it. I will definitely be back for the coffee and may try some other donuts.