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Nella Kitchen & Bar

4.3 (344 reviews)
PriceyAmerican, Bars
Open 11:30 am - 9:00 pm

Order Nella Kitchen & Bar Takeout or Delivery

Nella Kitchen & Bar Photos

NELLA KITCHEN & BAR ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Intimate
Classy
Upscale
Moderate noise

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Recommended Reviews - Nella Kitchen & Bar

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Reviews With Photos - Nella Kitchen & Bar

Pizza with sausage substituted for the mortadella - - DELICIOUS
Becky B.

Nice location attached to a hotel. There was only 1 tv screen in the bar so it's not a good place to watch games, it's more of a place to relax, drink and talk to the people in your party. The pizza was SO good! I was sad when the last piece was gone.

Spring Salad
Dan N.

You can never go wrong at Nella's. Everything from the cocktails to the food is excellent. Servers are attentive and presentation. Is top notch in a small town. Do make reservations though and be aware that if you sit inside it will get noisy. I prefer to sit outside so you can have a conversation but it does cool off at night so bring a jacket.

Adrienne O.

So I've been coming here since it was Bear & Star first (another wonderful chef)... the food is yummy and drinks are solid. But what keeps me coming back and dragging others along with me is the to die for Truffle Flatbread! It's more on a specials portion of the menu so you have to look for it but to me, this is worth a trip to the valley after a leisurely day or wine tastings. Ambiance is lovely, their servers are unpretentious, the patrons are a mixed bag of locals and tourists... always fun!

Ribeye
Sharona M.

Nella is really a delight. It was our first time trying it after hearing rave reviews (especially about their bread). I'm not one who typically would order the bread and butter since it seems like a waste, but everyone talks about it so we had to try. I can confirm the bread & butter is worth the order, sooooo good! We also were told about their ribeye, and got worried when we didn't see it on the menu. But, it was on their specials. Not sure if they have it all the time, but I highly recommend. Mushrooms on top are so tasty as well as the potatoes they come with. We also ordered the Truffle Pizza which was another special, really good as well. Even better cold the next day... One random note is the restaurant has a funky cheese smell... that was kinda annoying lol. Besides that issue, I will add that service is also great. I would return next time we're in the area.

Profiterole
Evelynn K.

Whenever I travel to the CA Central Coast, a side trip to Nella in Los Olivos is a must do. Nella offers delicious, modern, authentic Italian cuisine, great craft cocktails, friendly service and a lovely ambiance with a variety of indoor and outdoor seating options.

Nona Nella meat ball
Ruben P.

We had , bread and butter ($9, but was delicious) Nona Nella meat balls, burrata salad, pinza Bianca, steak and frites and affogato. All the food was simple and very good. Just the dessert wasn't what we expected, kind of disappointed after very nice and good meal. Normal portion, fresh and quality ingredients, good taste. A little pricey but I think the place, the area , service and good food justified pay a little more. The service was excellent and efficient specially the busser and adult Mexican man. He was very nice, polite and super friendly we enjoyed talking to him. The ambience is very nice , elegant and delicate. It's a place that I will return without thinking. I hope if you are in the area , give them a chance .

Indoor bar area soft seating
Kellie C.

Nella Kitchen & Bar is the restaurant inside the Fess Parker Inn. Plenty of free street parking, some of it shaded by trees. We had a party of four for lunch on a Friday at 11:30. Our table was outside on the front porch under the shade of the building. Delightful. Made a reservation through Open Table. The special lunch menu had some more affordable options. We started off for the table with their special carrot salad ($21) and a Bresaola "Pinza" ($30), which is a lighter crust flatbread-type of pizza. We also had the baguette ($9, warm, delicious, a baguette carrée - rectangular) served with French butter and sea salt flakes. Our entrees were the lunch steak frites ($36, excellent), the salmon salad ($28, giant salad with about 8oz of perfectly seasoned, grilled salmon cut into cubes. Excellent), and the Blue Prawns ($22, four large, shelled, head-on prawns, brined and grilled over tomatoey white beans. Prawns were excellent. Beans were a little hard and not interesting). Service was an attentive 4/5. Would return for the steak frites or salmon.

pinsa and  glass of sauvignon blanc
Suzanne P.

I love Nellas. the food is always so delicious and it's a very comforting place. My one grips is tha a glass of wine is 25$!!! seriously that's just ridiculous

Filet mignon
Alexander C.

Classic, unpretentious, high quality restaurant. We had dinner at Nella and absolutely loved our experience. The dining room was well appointed and lively, without being too loud. The service was welcoming and friendly from start to finish. And, the food was excellent! We had the beef carpaccio and one of their classic pinsas (the four cheese) to start, the duck legs and filet mignon for entrees, and the olive oil cake for dessert. Everything was fresh, beautifully presented, and delicious! I can't recommend Nella enough if you're staying in or passing through Los Olivos.

Dessert
John

This restaurant has the feel, the food and the service of a Michelin restaurant. Every single thing on their menu is absolutely amazing. You can come here by yourself, with a friend, on a date with family or even bring the kids. Everything is fresh. I asked for French baguette, and they kindly request requested that I wait a few minutes as they were going to make it fresh for me. This is an absolute treat and a must visit... An ideally a place you go to over and over again. *** bathrooms are extremely clean and well-maintained***

Ray G.

Nella Kitchen offers world-class service and incredibly delicious food. We drove over an hour to get there, but we'd happily return again and again. If you're a bread lover, prepare to be amazed by their French baguette with salted Bordier butter. It's absolutely delicious and pairs perfectly with Nonna Nella Meatballs. The star of the show is their Pinsa! They're perfectly crunchy and incredibly flavorful. We devoured their Black Truffle Pinsa, but I could have easily ordered the Pinsa and been very satisfied. It makes for an amazing appetizer for 2-4 people. Other pinsas on the menu include Margherita, Bianca, Caponata, Guanciale & Squash, Carciofi, and Sausage & Rapini. For dessert, highly recommend their profiteroles! They're a very light and delicious cream puff with Chantilly and dark chocolate.

Tomato watermelon salad
Karen L.

We had a lovely dinner at Nella which is located in the Fess Parker Inn. The "pinsa", which is a Roman style pizza with a crust made with a combination of rice, wheat, and soy flour, was the standout. The crust is so light and crispy yet can withstand the weight of the sauce and toppings. The tomato, feta and mozzarella salad was also fresh and delicious. The two items are just enough to share between 2 people. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming with a fireplace in the main dining area. I will definitely return next time I'm in the area.

Gohar K.

While on a daytrip in Los Olivos our friends and us came here for lunch. What a wonderful lunch we had. The food here was exceptional. Everything we ordered was so fresh and flavorful. We even had dessert and loved every bite. Great customer service specially from our waiter. He was great. The ambiance here is lovely. Both indoor and outdoor seating is available. Love it here. Will be back again for sure.

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3 months ago

Great place in Los Olivos. The pizza is a must try, food was amazing. Centrally located

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Ask the Community - Nella Kitchen & Bar

Is there a children's menu?

They don't have a children's menu but they should definitely be able to accommodate you. They make great pizzas and pastas so you should be good!

Hi, What's the name of the butter you serve with the baguette bc it was amazing? Thank you

salted bordier butter

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Los Olivos Wine Merchant & Cafe

Los Olivos Wine Merchant & Cafe

4.1
(1.1k reviews)
0.0 mi
$$

The Wine Merchant is a nice wine country restaurant on the main drag in Los Olivos. Had dinner here…read moreafter a day of tasting. The restaurant decor is nice, though nothing special, with a sizeable patio for outdoor dining. We started with a couple of local wines by the glass. The wine list here is heavily biased towards local wines as one would expect from a wine country restaurant. Kudos for the local focus! The menu here is wine country, farm-to-table and the restaurant even has their own organic farm a short distance away where they source ingredients. For dinner we started with the beet salad special served over a citrus yogurt. For main courses we had the grilled rack of lamb and a quinoa bowl with salmon. Every dish was expertly prepared and delicious. The fruits and veggies were exceptionally fresh being sourced directly. David was our server and coincidentally was our server at a wine tasting earlier in the day. His service and that from the supporting team were professional and friendly. I give this restaurant my highest recommendation!

This is a hard one to review. We had one good appetizer and a glass of wine. The rest of it kind of…read morewent south. The positive first: walking in everybody was super friendly and greeted us with a smile, and sat us down right away on the patio since we had our dog with us. We ordered the baked brie appetizer and two glasses of red wine. My husband had the Austin Hope Cab and I had a red blend. I don't remember the brand name. It was a little bit expensive for a glass of wine. I wanna say around $25 but we both were in the mood for a good wine and wanted to treat ourselves. The baked Brie was delicious. Negative: the fish and chips and the service. I was so excited to see fish and chips on the menu because it was halibut. I'm used to cod in fish and chips so of course I had to order since I am a huge halibut lover. The table next to us also said what an amazing meal that was and ordered one to go. We received our fish and chips from not our server and the person dropped the meal and left without asking us if we needed anything. My husband and I looked at the fish and chips and immediately started laughing. It looked like little fish nuggets as opposed to fish! I kind of thought we were being punked. We waited and waited for the server to come by or a manager or some thing and could not get anybody to come talk to us. It took 14 minutes for her to finally come tap on our table and ask if everything was OK. We told her it was not OK and to look at the size of the fish and she said she would go tell the kitchen and asked if we wanted to remake it. At that point, we weren't even hungry anymore. We were just kind of annoyed at the entire situation. She comes back out a few minutes later and says we're going to take it off of your bill. We don't see her for a while and then the manager comes over and says we took it off of your bill. He didn't ask if there's any way to make it right he just said OK anyways and walked away at the end. Being in the restaurant industry for many years, I thought this was pretty offensive. If I were him, I probably would have made another one right away or offered something they are known for like their pizza. So overall, I wouldn't be back. I think there's many other restaurants around there and to be treated like that after how we were served....no thank you!

Photos
Outside the wine merchant- so cute!
Outside the wine merchant- so cute!
Grass-fed beef Skirt Steak with seasonal preparations.
Grass-fed beef Skirt Steak with seasonal preparations.
Classic house made pizzas with fresh Mediterranean twists. Try the Alba!

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Classic house made pizzas with fresh Mediterranean twists. Try the Alba!
peasants FEAST

peasants FEAST

4.5
(911 reviews)
5.0 mi
$$

You know the food is fantastic when it's great straight out of the fridge the next day…read more We didn't have reservations here but we were able to walk up and get a seat at the counter even though it was packed that day! Inside of this restaurant is pretty cute but can get a bit noisy since there are so many people inside. We ordered the Copenhagen caesar, Solvang hot chicken sandwich with crispy potatoes, and the mac & cheese with caramelized onions to share. I love a hot chicken sandwich and theirs is absolutely fantastic. The herbs, shredded cabbage, and pickled onions were a great addition to the spicy fried chicken. The crispy potatoes were so good, they held up well the next day as well! I highly recommend getting the caramelized onions added to the mac and cheese. The portion was quite big so we had to take it to go but it was also great to eat cold straight from the fridge. We are definitely coming back again if we are in the area but will try and make a reservation so we can sit outside next time!

Great service! I'd like to come back here and try other things, noteably the chicken sandwich which…read moreseems like the thing to get! Opted for a burger, and though it was good - it just felt lackluster. My beau called his salad "boring" which is a first (as he is the healthiest eater I know). They gave us a great seat with little room to spare for closing so that was very nice of them. Love the atmosphere. Felt very homey and comfortable.

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Table decor
Table decor
Brussel salad
Brussel salad
Fish tacos

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Fish tacos
The Victor Restaurant and Bar

The Victor Restaurant and Bar

4.5
(163 reviews)
4.1 mi
Private events
Outdoor seating

Here's a clean version that keeps your voice but tightens it up a bit:…read more We went to The Victor for Sunday brunch in Santa Ynez and it was kind of perfect. We started with Bloody Marys, which were insanely good. They were out of the Verde, but the bartender improvised and made us something even better. It came with what might be the best bacon I've ever had, which is a bold claim but I stand by it. He even came out to check on us and talk through what he was testing. We loved them. We ordered the deviled eggs with trout roe, which were to die for. Highly recommend. Then we split the breakfast sandwich. They divided it in the kitchen and brought it out with two side salads, which is always such a nice touch. Service was incredible, the atmosphere was lovely, and the whole thing felt a little indulgent in the best way. Exactly what you want on a beautiful spring day in Santa Ynez. Would absolutely go back.

Absolutely lovely room, with delicious food and friendly service. There is beautiful outdoor…read moreseating, but it was a cold rainy evening (quite unusual for late April) but the dining room was cozy and warm. We had great cocktails, made at the gorgeous bar in the next room. Two couples, and we each split our orders and they plated everything separated for us, which was wonderful! Started with cold oysters, Caesar salad (sprinkled with smoked paprika, which was a cool enhancement.) We couldn't resist trying the soup of the day, which was a corn chowder. Each couple split a cup and it was incredible! Then had the Santa Maria tri-tip with chimichurri and duck fat fries. The steak was perfectly cooked, and the fries were also. Our server, Ernesto, could not have been nicer. Definitely a recommended restaurant, and we all said we would return the next time we are up in Santa Ynez.

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The Victor Restaurant and Bar
The Victor Restaurant and Bar
The Victor Restaurant and Bar

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The Tavern at Zaca Creek

The Tavern at Zaca Creek

4.4
(207 reviews)
4.5 mi

We stayed at the inn and decided to make it easy and make reservations at the Tavern. They give you…read morescones to start your meal and they were amazing! Savory and one of the best scones I've ever had! Didn't even need the sweet butter that came with it. We had the crab beignets for an appetizer. Very nice and light, fresh crab just missing a some salt. My fiancé ordered the burger with their version of fries and I had the scallops pasta. My fresh scallops were perfectly seared and paired with the beautifully blanched veggies and pasta. All fantastic, just missing a little salt. Burger was really well made and so were their fries. Service was ok, a little hands off for such a slow night. Well decorated inside and out with lots of plants. The whole place is dreamy!

A charming restaurant with a lovely, quaint ambiance that creates an immediately welcoming setting…read more The service was exceptional gracious, attentive, and genuinely personable. Our party was warmly greeted upon arrival and made to feel completely at home throughout the evening. The cuisine was very good, and the overall dining experience was thoughtfully executed. One minor note would be that one of the pasta dishes could have been drained slightly more prior to plating. Otherwise, the meal was excellent. I would gladly recommend this restaurant to others seeking a warm, inviting atmosphere paired with attentive service and excellent food.

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The Tavern bar
The Tavern bar
Ahi tuna salad
Ahi tuna salad
Baked Alaska

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Baked Alaska
S Y Kitchen

S Y Kitchen

4.4
(1.1k reviews)
4.1 mi
$$$

Having been advised by a local museum docent that "everybody eats at SY Kitchen", I jumped online…read moreto make a quick reservation for two of us. We walked in early, asked to sit at the bar, and our reservation was honored. The restaurant was bustling but service did not feel rushed or hurried. We were lucky to dine at the bar; Mr. Maciel took truly excellent care of us the whole evening, remembering every request and taking care of every detail for our dining experience. His wine recommendations were also spot on. We decided to focus on three different pastas and were not disappointed. Highly recommended. My absolute favorite was the Wild Mushroom Pappardelle but honestly, every pasta was delicious. Portions were generous and leftovers were promptly boxed up to take home. Folks clearly schedule special dinners here, warranting dressing up, but casual diners such as ourselves also felt comfortable. I'd recommend dining at the bar for exceptional service and a front-line seat to all the action.

S.Y. Kitchen rocks as Santa Ynez's premier restaurant with indoor-outdoor spaces with austere white…read morepainted walls warmed by wood accents. Elite Yelper Isobel L. and I ate at the bar to view the hard working staff in the kitchen and at the bar. Our barman, Mr. Maciel, was really informative and helpful in choosing the right wine to pair by the glass and making sure we were supplied with appropriate dining accoutrements along the way. He even let me sample two alternate wines for me to determine which pairing may be optimal. Perusing the menu, the pasta at S.Y. seemed the most intriguing so I asked that each pasta dish come out one at a time to be paired with the previously discussed wines. 1) SPAGHETTI con VONGOLE E BOTTARGA: Spaghetti was perfectly al dente. Shells of Manila clams were wide open presenting their briny, meatiness. Bottarga seemed like dried mullet roe to add a mild sea funkiness. Roasted fennel for an aromatic licorice finish. Soupçon of Calabrian chiles. All in a light white wine reduction. 1a) Vermentino | Podere San Cristoforo Maremma "Luminoso" 2021: Lively white wine with refreshing citrus and fennel undertone. Good acidity and minerality to cleanse the palate. 2) WILD MUSHROOM PAPPARDELLE: Wide flat, firm wheat pasta. Fresh woodsy, wild mushrooms, thyme, Parmigiano Reggiano. Seems napped with a touch of butter or evoo. 2a) Pinot Noir, Altamarea, Santa Barbara County, 2023: Subdued damask rose and strawberry bouquet. Sparkling garnet red wine as mentioned by Elite Yelper Isobel L. Fruit forward, lush black fruits, mellow acidity & tannins melded well with the creaminess of this pasta dish. Good call by Bartender Maciel. 3) Gigli al Ropeton: Salsiccia, Pancetta, Mascarpone, Pecorino, Pomodoro, Basilico: Mascarpone added creaminess while Pecorino had a right amount of gamey dairy all to create an overriding cheesiness. House made crumbly pellets of Salsiccia Italiana and Pancetta added porkiness. Sugo di Pomodoro has a sweet tomato sauce acidity that unified this hearty dish. 3a) Nebbiolo, Poderi Colla, Alba "Drago" 2023: Good solid red wine from Piedmonte. Heavier dark fruits such as black berry. Light acidity and tannins. 4) TAHITIAN VANILLA PANNA COTTA: Refreshing, light, creamy, vanilla pudding. Caramel, ladies' kisses cookie crumbles and scattering of blueberries and raspberries, sprig of spearmint. 5) PISTACHIO CRÈME BRÛLÉE: 100% Sicilian pistachio inside the thick, dense Crème Caramel filling, which seems similar to Leche Asado, with glazed sugar top coating. 4+ Stars

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S Y Kitchen
Butter squash soup
Butter squash soup
Signature watermelon  margarita and espresso martini

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Signature watermelon margarita and espresso martini
Craft House At Corque

Craft House At Corque

4.2
(495 reviews)
5.1 mi
$$$

Celebrating our nation's 250th birthday in beautiful Solvang!…read more We ate at Craft House four times during our visit--and for good reason! It is, in our opinion, the best restaurant in Solvang. Every meal was exceptional, and the service was consistently outstanding. From the moment we walked in, Daniel welcomed us with a warm smile that made us feel right at home. At our first breakfast, Taylor provided friendly, attentive service that set the tone for the rest of our visits. That evening, we enjoyed the cauliflower appetizer, beet & burrata salad, short rib grilled cheese and black tie burger. Every dish was absolutely delicious. On our second breakfast visit, Sandra took wonderful care of us. She is such an asset to Craft House--knowledgeable, personable, and genuinely welcoming. Sophia, who brought out our food several times, always greeted us with the biggest smile. You can tell she truly loves what she does. Lorenzo and Nora were also fantastic servers who helped make every visit memorable. Over four visits, we sampled several different entrées and breakfasts. The avocado toast and chorizo quesadilla were definite standouts, and every meal exceeded our expectations. A heartfelt thank you to the entire Craft House team for your incredible hospitality, exceptional service, and outstanding food. We can't wait to return!

Our favorite spot in Solvang. We come 3 times a year and this is always our dinner spot ( sometimes…read morewe'll come twice if we're there longer). Everything we have ordered has been amazing. Some favorites are the short rib grilled cheese, Korean filet salad, pizza, pasta, Brussel sprouts,, cocktails, I mean everything is so good! Live music outside on weekends is a vibe. Service is always great! Whenever we bring family or friends here they all have loved it! I usually make a reservation for a Saturday night but there's always some open tables available.

Photos
Inside front.
Inside front.
The BEST Black Tie Burger
The BEST Black Tie Burger
Our table.

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Our table.

Nella Kitchen & Bar - tradamerican - Updated July 2026

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