Gem in Santa Paula. Marella - fantastic bartender. Makes anything great. I had an old fashioned and a whiskey sour (the real one with egg whites) Fernando - wonderful bartender. Very attentive, kind, and professional Food - I only had the pork eggs benedict, it was A++ cornbread as the base, the pork was very tender and tasty, and the Benedict sauce was great to complement. The cheesy grits were delicious as well. Make sure to try their homemade hot sauce as this made my experience even better. The owner - Tracy. She was there both times that I went and was not only nice in talking with me and my friend, but she worked alongside the servers and the barista's to maintain everybody's service. This place is one you have to go to if you're in Santa Paula. Great ambience, they had New Orleans Jazz playing each time I went. The place was busy with a bunch of locals so it's well known, but everyone worked so well together I never had to wait for anything. read more

I really wanted to love this place because I have heard so many good things but it just didn't do it for me. The restaurant was super cute and had comfy seats. Having only two soda options was weird to me but it's either Coke or sprite. Heard the beignets were a must but once we got the they were so dense! Needed to be way more airy. The fried green tomatoes were fine, needed salt but damn 3 slices of tomatoes for $10 is insane. Grits were good but again needed salt (a common theme here). Chips were fine but you guessed it needed salt. The Mac and cheese was definitely my favorite thing here! Needed no salt or anything added! So good! I would try this place again but not high on my list read more

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Recently went to this place to have lunch, based on it's ratings. The staff were very friendly and attentive. The ambiance was cute and comfortable. However, the food was underwhelming. Their fried green tomatoes appear to be one of the things they are known for. I used to cook these all the time when they were in season and my kids loved them. These are typically served as a side dish, not as an entire entree as they had them on their menu. I never heard of anyone eating them in a sandwich. Maybe that was to appease the vegetarians. Most of the tomatoes I were cut way too thick and as a result were crunchy in a raw way, and undercooked. It was like I was eating a warmed up raw green tomato. It should be softer inside and have a tart flavor. The batter was too thick and tasted as if it had no seasoning. Though the dipping sauce was tasty, it wasn't a substitute for the thick flavorless batter. The gumbo was just ok, but to be fair, I feel that way about all gumbo. The bread on the sandwiches was too thick for my friend's taste. We did both love their Cole Slaw though! I am impressed that they can find enough green tomatoes to keep them on their menu all the time. I can rarely find them in grocery stores and when I do it is usually in the fall. They may have other items on their menu that are more appealing. This was just my opinion as someone who was raised eating southern dishes. read more

Absolute Hidden Gem! We've been going to Rabalais Bistro for a couple of years now since they first opened, and it is definitely a family-friendly favorite! The New Orleans-style Cajun food and atmosphere are absolutely wonderful. The restaurant and menu are exceptional, making you feel like you've traveled straight to the South without ever leaving Santa Paula. It's the perfect spot for a date night out, but also great if you are looking for a quick bite to go--their coffee and pastries are delicious (and you can even order special cakes!). Whether you want a quick treat or a full sit-down course meal complete with a full bar and wine, this place has it all. Highly, highly recommend! read more

Rabalais' Bistro - Gluten free carrot cake - Bakeries Near Me - Santa Paula, California

This cafe is one of those teleportation spots, where you feel like you've suddenly appeared in another destination. Today, we indulged in southern charm. Beautiful weather in a covered outdoor seating area. Light breeze. The food was rich and delicious. My matcha was refreshing. Southern hospitality. Loved it! The 25 minute wait on a Sun afternoon was totally worth it. Makayla, our server, was EXCELLENT... patient and attentive. She brought out the package of matcha so I could decide if I wanted to order it or not. Totally unexpected and appreciated. read more

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Friendly service and allows dogs on the front patio. I didn't love my actual meal but it could be I'm just not a fan of the Cajun flavor palette. (Seemed like maybe the coleslaw was an experiment that didn't work out though.) Spouse enjoyed his short ribs. I enjoyed a strong Hurricane! read more

very noisy in and out and crowded for a tue at 10am but able to get a seat quickly. Good, friendly service. We always share a crab cake omelet and were determined to try something else this time. My short rib omelet was good sized, excellent tender lean short-rib meat but the sauce was way too salty. Partner tried the poached egg in spinach. Again, the sauce was way too salty. Not sure why chefs feel they need to over salt everything. I can easily add salt to my meal myself as I please. We will be back, to share the crabcake beni again, perhaps with ear buds. read more

First off. Server Ashely, 5 stars!! The beignets were amazing. The crab cake Benedict (full order) was huge and tasty. The Plantation Poached was perfectly poached over a wonderful bed of perfectly cooked spinach and onions. Flavor was on point. Potatoes were good too. Not greasy and cooked perfectly. read more

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Well this the second time I was there . It is way way way way overpriced. I had two pancakes and chicken . They for got one pancake . It was good though! The chicken was small tenders should be a breast . It's was over cooked. The service not great. Asked for extra napkins 20 minutes later And only two! The other meals were ok ! 90 dollars are you kidding me ! I won't be going back! Also there was a ten minute wait inside and twenty outside. There were NO CHAIRS TO SIT ON! There was an elderly lady that could not stand . So far the manager of the restaurant GET THOSE CHAIRS NOW! If I'm going to spend that much again which I won't! The chairs should be lined with gold! read more

Stopped here in the way home for breakfast and we hit the jackpot. The place is so cute with side walk seating and patio seating where alcohol can be served. Th indoor dining room will transform you back to New Orleans style restaurant. We ordered the short ribs omelette and some coffee and both hot the spot. Coffee was so good that I didn't even need to add anything. The omelette was fluffy and stuffed with tender short rib meats with brown gravy and melted cheese served with seasoned potatoes and onion. They also have full case of bake goods on the bar side serving from coffee to muffins to cookies and quiches. Can pack them home if you don't have a room left. It's Cajun types of cuisine but not too heavily. Less than 2 hours drive from LA. This is a good place for a day trip. We were so hungry and didn't get a chance to take some pictures of our foods. read more

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Yesterday evening I brought 8 women to Rabalais' Bistro for their first time. Some had concerns that it would be too spicy because it's Cajun themed, but decided to give it a try anyway. Since the patio was empty and the weather was nice, we were able to sit out there. Oh my goodness, everyone had such a good time! The food and the service was a 10+. Beignets yummy! Thank you to our servers, gal from Indiana and fellow from Virginia, you were amazing! I look forward to seeing you soon on a Weds for lunch with my cycling buddies from the Old Kranks. read more

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love their coffee and scones, but everything they make is fresh and delicious! out door seating or indoor, both are nice read more

My wife and I met my sister-in-law and brother-in-law here for breakfast. It was our first time going, but will NOT be the last. First of all, we had no idea that Santa Paula had a historic downtown mainstreet. Rabalais is a comfortable restaurant with a large bakery counter on one side and seating on the other. They serve breakfast until noon, lunch after that. It's a hard timeline...no lunch available at 11:45 and no breakfast after 12:01, so plan accordingly. We ordered their beignets, which were hot, delicious and covered in powdered sugar. They serve them all day long, and come with a praline sauce that is very good. They are must-order items. I had their Big Easy omelette with potatoes for breakfast. It is huge and stuffed with your choice of ham, bacon, sausage or vegetables. The potatoes were nicely seasoned and was also included a toasted piece of french bread that was fantastic. They have a small outdoor patio on the sidewalk that would be nice when the weather is nice if there is seating. read more

Rabalais' Bistro - Big Easy Omelette. Very tasty! - Bakeries Near Me - Santa Paula, California

Have you ever enjoyed your meal and conversation so much that breakfast rolls into lunch, you're hungry again, so you request to see the next menu? Well, that's how I feel about the hospitality at Rabalais'. A cute, relaxing, southern hospitality vibe that has me so comfortable I could spend the day relaxed and eating here. And I HAVE! This time my friend and I arrived for breakfast on Saturday around 11:30 - DON'T JUDGE, she's a busy Mama! She went with the Creole Crab Cake Benedict, proclaiming it yummy, and I the Redneck Breakfast(fried green tomatoes, thick cut bacon, 2 eggs and fried potatoes, topped w/hollandaise sauce, served on a bed of spinach). This is only my 2nd time having fried green tomatoes and Rabalais' does theirs with a gritty corn meal. Interesting, but a bit too crunchy for my palette. No worries, because before long, it was 1:30, we were still flapping our jaws in an effort to play catch up on the Days of Our Lives, and then we were hungry again. I went back to the hostess stand and asked, if they weren't too busy, could we keep the table and order lunch? Sure! was the answer with a knowing laugh, it wasn't the first they'd seen. For lunch, we both opted for the large Arugula Salad topped with fresh sliced pear, praline pecans, crumbled Gorgonzola and house balsamic on the side and added blackened salmon - FABULOUS! The hefty salmon steak was cooked to perfection and the seasoning was not over done. We both also enjoyed their Chai Latte, mine hot, hers on ice. I'm surprised we both skipped the sweet case this time, but there will definitely be a "next", so until then, laissez les bons temps rouler at Rabalais' and CHEERS! "CC" read more

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Great location. Loved that there's indoor and outdoor seating available. Service was fast and friendly. The menu isn't overwhelming with options and has some great eye catchers! Love the fact that there's a bar in case it's 5 o'clock somewhere. Short rib omelette! Yum!!! Pulled pork Benedict also yum! Both dishes were full of flavor and generously portioned. The beignets are HUGE!!! They look like giant pillows and they are perfectly crisp on the outside and chewy on the inside. I definitely recommend ordering the pecan praline sauce for them, you won't regret it. We all enjoyed the atmosphere, our food and the overall experience! Can't wait to come back and try those lunch options! read more

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Absolutely amazing! I had the short rib omelette and every piece of the breakfast was cooked to absolute perfection. The gravy on the omelette was such a fantastic touch! Even the sourdough was perfectly buttered. It' was such a pleasure for my meal to far exceed my expectations. read more

One of my friends introduced me to this restaurant, and I loved it. The restaurant is located in downtown Santa Paula. I wasn't expecting much from what it looked like from the outside, but once I stepped inside, I was impressed. The restaurant is so cute with ample space. You can grab a quick coffee and pastry or sit down and have a meal there. They also have a bar, so you can sit and have an alcoholic drink if you want. The service was great. Although I just stopped to catch up with my friend while we had a drink, I'll have to come back to try their food. read more

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Never gets old, what a wonderful gem in downtown Santa Paula. Fantastic food, drinks and amazing deserts. read more

Rabalais' Bistro - Mufalatta salad - Bakeries Near Me - Santa Paula, California

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Solid overall. The English muffin for the Benedict's was way over-toasted. The beignets were good. The service was friendly. The vibe is family friendly, eating outdoors is nice. read more

Rabalais' Bistro is a charming and welcoming spot in the heart of Santa Paula, offering a taste of Southern comfort with a cozy, small-town vibe. The moment you step inside, you're greeted by warm lighting, vintage décor, and the inviting smell of fresh pastries and Cajun spices coming from the kitchen. It feels like a local gathering place -- relaxed, friendly, and full of character. The menu is full of hearty Louisiana-inspired dishes, and the food delivers both flavor and comfort. Their gumbo is rich and satisfying, the Po'boys are generously filled, and the beignets are a real highlight -- warm, airy, and dusted with just the right amount of powdered sugar. Everything tastes homemade, and portion sizes are more than enough to leave you full and happy. Whether you're there for breakfast, brunch, or a casual dinner, there's always something delicious to look forward to. Service at Rabalais' is attentive and helpful with recommendations. The atmosphere is lively without being hectic, making it a great place for a relaxed meal with family or friends. If you're looking for comfort food, Southern flavors, and a welcoming environment, Rabalais' Bistro is absolutely worth a visit when you're in Santa Paula. read more

I had rated this New Orleans style "bistro" a "4" last time, but I'm raising them to a "5", due to one of the best po'boys I've ever eaten. And that includes 9 years of New Orleans living! I had the catfish po'boy, my husband had the gumbo, and we were both highly satisfied. My only complaint is the amount of dressing in their cole slaw, but when I complained he offered to swap it for a side salad. Side salad, indeed! It was huge. All in all, a nice night out, again. read more

Rabalais' Bistro - Coconut macaroon. - Bakeries Near Me - Santa Paula, California

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I love this place so much! Stopped in yesterday on my lunch break and ordered an iced pumpkin spice latte and a red velvet cookie. Friend ordered a hot chai and a snickerdoodle cookie. read more

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I liked it. Seemed a bit on the pricey side. But, very tasty. I ordered some coffee drinks with a chocolate chip cookie(tasted vey fresh). I also took an order of fried green tomatoes and a small order of beignets to go. It was my first time trying both of them. What a good surprise. I would suggest having the beignets there. The food and drinks came fast and were very tasty. Service was pleasant . Cash register/pastry area, coffee drinks, and food to go all great. I thought the layout was cool and inviting. I got things to go, however, sitting down is a nice option. Vaulted ceilings and wood floors. Felt spacious. Nice chairs and pictures on the walls. Much more food options if you go there for lunch or dinner. Totally worth a try. You might like it. read more

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Cute spot with delicious fare. My party of 3 were seated right away, and I ordered the California croque and a jamaica. The salads look so beautiful as well. Croque was warm and savory, I will definitely be back to try all of them. The bakery looked so good, I had to indulge in a slice of coffee cake with a thick, caramel coconut walnut coating, which was also amazing. Can't wait to revisit! read more

For everyone who sees this post, no kidding you have to try this place if in the area of Santa Paula. The food was awesome and the atmosphere of the place is too. You have to make sure you save room for dessert. The beignets and pralines sauce are better than a donut. "The Bomb". Thank you to our awesome server Michael. On my favorite list and will be back. Oh try the claim chowder, better than Andrea's in Ventura. It was all very good. read more

What a great find! I'm our drive back from Santa Barbara, we wanted coffee and found this gem! Great vibes, amazing service and the pastries and coffee were SO flavorful! We got red velvet cookies, apple pie cheesecake and a few other cookies. DEFINITELY bookmarking this place and coming back!! Outdoor and indoor seating. This place is SUCH A VIBE read more

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After eight years, we are back at Robalais and I have to ask why we did we wait so long? The food was amazing and the service was great. I had the Cajun Sunrise with a latte. Both were fantastic! This place is a gem in the heart of Santa Paula. This is a must stop while traveling down the 126. Parking is anywhere you can find it on the street. The service and food do not disappoint. Don't forget to try the Beignets.... So good! read more

Rabalais' Bistro - Latte and Beignets ...yum! - Bakeries Near Me - Santa Paula, California

The staff was very friendly and the atmosphere inside was very chill and calm. Definitely felt welcomed. Food look and tasted amazing read more

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I honestly came on here to talk about our server Tamara because she was absolutely wonderful! She was patient with us, explained things thoroughly, while also giving her own thoughts on menu items and coffee drinks, and seemed very knowledgeable about it all. She suggested a coffee drink to me and it was absolutely fabulous and was just the right ratio of milk to coffee like I said I wanted! Food was great as well, but I had to come on here to talk about her great service because she was the best!! read more

Rabalais' Bistro - Lemon Blueberry Cake - Bakeries Near Me - Santa Paula, California

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I love Rabalais, from the amazing food, fabulous lattes and decadent beignets, to the super efficient service and welcoming atmosphere...this little bistro located in the heart of Santa Paula does an epic job of pleasing its customers and making them feel at home. Our waitress was super sweet and accommodating, making sure that my breakfast was delicious and healthy. Portion sizes are extremely generous. And the lattes are as good as any you'll find in all of California. Parking can be a bit tricky on weekends, but trust me...It's well worth it. You might want to give yourself a bit of distance to walk afterward anyway if you've indulged in one or two of their infamous beignets! read more

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Good coffee and fresh pastries. The cookies are huge and moist. Will be back to try lunch.

OOOOOOOOO Rabalais, you really wowed me! My new favorite brunch in town :) My sister-in-law recommended this place to me, so I went with my husband on a Sunday afternoon. The restaurant was bustling with customers but had good vibes overall. We were seated indoors, and it was still fairly loud, but not too overstimulating. Our server, Bianca, was absolutely wonderful. She had a super positive, friendly attitude and made us feel so welcome. Thank you Bianca! :) I got an iced vanilla latte with oat milk and my husband got the chicory au lait. My latte was great -- smooth, well-balanced, and not too sweet. The au lait was good too, with a subtle earthy aroma and a hint of nutty sweetness. For our meal, my husband ordered the Monte Cristo and I got the Short Rib Omelette. Both dishes were absolute superstars. The sweetness French toast complemented the savory ham and cheese so well, and the housemade strawberry jam added the extra brightness this dish needed. The toast had a great crisp to it but was still soft enough to bite into. My omelette was exquisite -- the short rib was cooked perfectly and the gravy on top was so flavorful. I loved the addition of mushrooms too :) We were so full but we still wanted to try the beignets, and WOW that was a good choice. We only ordered 3 but they were so big!!! They came out hot and fresh, and they were fluffy and airy on the inside yet crispy on the outside. We dipped them in the chicory au lait for the most amazing combination. We'll have to return to try the pecan praline sauce! So many smiley faces in this review but Rabalais deserves it. Can't wait to take guests here sometime soon! read more

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One of our favorite places for breakfast and or brunch serving amazing comfort soul foods. Met some friends for dinner and we were all commenting on how delicious every thing was and plenty of it. There are so many amazing choices on the menu you really need multiple visits to enjoy them all. Staff is always smiling and welcoming as you enter the dining room and throughout the meal. They now have a full bar which enhances the evening, and you really can't go wrong with any choice on the menu. But always save room for the Beignets, each order freshly made and served warm. I am a big fan of their grits, coarse ground and so tasty with each entree served. Their fried green tomatoes always a favorite and always delizioso. Going back for more! Bon Appetitto! read more

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Such a cool place. I've never been to Santa Paula before. But if you do. Rabalais is the place to go. Lunch is served at 11, so breakfast is the only option until 11. I went all out, and I will certainly come back for more. I received good service, the food was worthwhile, and flavorful food is what you're gonna get. Jalepeno cornbread and the sausage are divine! read more

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We stopped in for coffee and beignets. It was a brisk morning and we sat outside since no seating was available. It was nice seeing locals pass by. The beignets were excellent. Light and fluffy not too sweet. The hot cocoa was perfect. Excellent tasting chocolate. The server indicated that the chocolate for the hot cocoa was made in house. We also had matcha latte. Also very good. Highly recommend restaurant. Buen provecho. read more

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Awesome place to eat, I love the shrimp Gumbo. One of my favorite places to have family breakfast on weekends. Highly recommend you visit on a bright day ;) read more

Santa Paula's little secret! This place was amazing! Great place for coffee, pastries, and food! read more

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This is our first visit to this beautiful, remarkable, and serene establishment. Customer service was on point. We were uncertain about what to order as everything on the menu appeared enticing. I chose the Crab Cake Benedict, while my boyfriend opted for the short rib omelet. Our meals exceeded our expectations; they were incredibly flavorful. I would rate it a perfect 10 out of 10, and we look forward to returning to sample the entire menu. We highly recommend Rabalais Bistro. read more

Had dinner with my sister at Rabalais. I ordered the Chicken Poillard with potato and vegetables. All three were excellent. Can't go wrong with the food. I had a Negroni cocktail and it was an excellent sipping drink. Never did finish it. We finished and asked for a piece of Key Lime pie to go. We shared it at home with a fresh brewed cup of coffee, the pie was real sweet but the coffee cut the sweetness some what. Rabalais is one of my favorite restaurants for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Oh the Beignets are to die for just a good as the ones i got in New Orleans. read more

Visited this cute gem located in the center of santapaula. Very antique rustic vibe. Loved the aesthetic. Came on a weekday so there was plenty of parking! There's some seating outside and plenty indoors. Staff was kind but wish they acknowledge customers upon entry instead of the customer seeking employees to order. I ordered a Vanilla blended and it was truly amazing and not too sweet, You can substitute milk options for additional charge. I also ordered a peanut buttet chocolate cookie and a lemon cookie. Defenitely Lemon cookie is my favorite. Overall I am defenitely coming back to try their lunch options soon & provide my opinion on that! Coffee! so far the best. read more

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