Came with my mom on Monday around 3:30, so certainly a slow period. Even so, I was surprised how quickly our food came out. The soup was brought out shortly after we sat down, and our sandwiches maybe 5, max 10 minutes later. The veggie burger was one of the best I've ever had, and I thought the chips and salsa on the side was unique. I also got a cup of the daily special soup, cream of carrot. It was quite good, and they gave us a large piece of bread with it. The staff were very nice, and the cashier answered the questions we had about the menu. We had the patio outside to ourselves, and the shade was lovely. Nice quiet location off the 101, perfect for a stop on our drive. Also, we really appreciated the water refill stations, because you can pick how much ice you want, and they had lemon slices too! Will definitely return when stopping in Santa Barbara!! read more

The Natural Cafe - Cream of carrot SOUP CUP - Sandwiches Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

My favorite place to get a salad is this restaurant, especially their arugula salad. The ingredients are consistently fresh. The arugula salad stands out with its crisp greens, delicious toppings such as cranberries and flavorful dressing that brings everything together. You can choose your own dressing and I highly recommend trying tahini dressing. The staff is friendly and welcoming. I highly recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for fresh, delicious salads. read more

The Natural Cafe - Menu - Sandwiches Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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My husbands uncle took us to dinner here. There is indoor and outdoor seating. You order at the counter and the server will bring our food. I had split pea soup-vegan that came with a huge quarter piece of whole wheat bread. Soup was delicious. Had nice slices of carrots and sprinkled with fresh chopped parsley. I ordered the line caught wild salmon, broiled with Teri glaze, brown rice and steamed veggies. Salmon was cooked perfect. Not overcooked and dry. Teri glaze was a compliment to the salmon. It was not drowning the salmon. Servers very attentive and removed our dishes promptly. They had slices of different cakes. We were so full after eating. We were all very satisfied. read more

The Natural Cafe - Sandwiches Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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Good food, reasonable prices. Not the most beautiful interiors, but well-priced, healthy food. I would go back for lunch or takeout.

I have literally eaten here 372 times. It is delicious, reasonable, has a great casual atmosphere, and the service is fast and friendly. The idea one can get fresh healthy food, fairly quickly, brings my family and I back again and again. You will not be disappointed - with the potential exception of the homemade ranch, which isn't great (pro tip: get the thousand island instead). My favorite dishes are the tuna melt, the ranch salad with ranchero chicken instead of the chicken breast (and thousand island, of course), the burrito, and the pasta specials. I also love their tractor juices and mix and match them like an aspiring juice-tender. My family loves this place as much as me and you will too. read more

This place is a healthy alternative to dine in or take out. This has vegetarian options that are tasty. You order at the counter and they bring out the food to you. They have some self serve beverages or bottled beverages along with desserts. The salads are filling and with an option to add a protein of choice. There is a ton of indoor and outdoor seating. My go too is the albacore tuna salad as well as the portobello sandwich. Both tasty options that leave you feeling full but not guilty on calories. read more

The Natural Cafe - ALBACORE SALAD - Sandwiches Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

A great find! Order at the counter and staff bring your food out to your table. A popular place we were there on a Friday around 1:30 and there was a steady stream of customers. Everyone was happy with their food. There was plenty of seeing both inside and out. Highly recommend! read more

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Nice food with plenty of good healthy options to pick from and easy to order out. Liked the lemon dressing but order extra if to go

This place is so good, but please actually listen to dietary restrictions if you are going to advertise as health food. I'm just slightly frustrated. Twice I've asked for the same thing, side of chicken with no seasoning since I have Chrons disease and pepper (unfortunately) can make my stomach hurt really bad in a flare. It was pretty disappointing to come home and see my chicken seasoned. Please work on this with your employees! It is not like I am asking for a preference, it is a genuine sensitivity and I've basically paid for something I can't eat. read more

The Natural Cafe - Sandwiches Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

I am a home care assistant, and I took my clients to this. firstly, dinner gets really busy and bustling. Secondly it was hard to find parking so I had to walk in the street with my physically disabled client. It was scary but eventually there was a ramp to enter and wheel her up. Food was good, it's a healthier way to eat out and service is quick after you wait in line. I tried the chicken pita - my clients ordered the enchiladas and burger with mushrooms. I can speak for the pita, it was yummy but really needing a dressing or something! I thought the chicken was really good and tender but lacking a sauce. I found it dry even after adding some lemon. It's busy and bustling (can be a bit loud and clanky) but I would take my client where again as they help with allergies and food needs with ease and reassurance! read more

A to go order that I picked up... Ordered a pasta primavera, nice green side salad was great, the garlic bread was not good at all water logged since it was wrapped in foil. Either wrap in paper or better yet the same bread serve with butter would have been nice. I am a Midwest guy that loves a good pasta dish this was NOT. It was hot pasta but the veggies were hard to find since they were diced up in to very, very tiny pieces. I like to see the veggies, bite size pieces would be nice. Price was good, but high for the type of pasta dish it was... read more

Another nice meal at Natcaf. I had the half salad and soup. I ordered the natural salad with the lemon dressing and added veggie bacon bits. The vegan potato & tomato soup was great. My boyfriend had the wild teriyaki salmon. It's always a fresh & filling entree. The large bread that came with the soup & salad was dry. We asked for another piece and it was much better. read more

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This was the only place that was walking distance from where I was getting my car serviced. I arrived when they opened and the cashier was unwelcoming. I ordered the tempeh burger, flourless chocolate cake, and Michelle smoothie. I've ordered the tempeh burger to go in the past so I was confident that it was going to be pretty solid. The garlic mayo that comes on it is pretty tasty. The flourless chocolate cake was decadent and had a good texture to it. I give them three stars because this place seems run down and the employees are not nice. There was maybe one worker that came around to take some empty plates and was pretty friendly. Other than that the employees seem pretty miserable here. It was also a let down this place is considered a cafe has no wifi. The area doesn't have very good cell service so using my hot spot wasn't reliable. I think this place is decent for take out, but not so great service. read more

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Came here from out of town and after a heavy Zumba class. I didn't want a full meal, so I opted for the cup of veggie chili and it came with cornbread. Man, I still think about that chili. It was a clean, open space with lots of natural light. You order at the counter and then find your seat. Even though it was such a beautiful day to sit outside, that Santa Barbara sun was unforgiving. Inside, with cool AC it was. Our food came out rather quick, which is great for a group that was slowly turning ravenous. The chicken Caesar salad was truly the star. That chicken? Tender, juicy, and perfectly spiced. The table also got a veggie sandwich, something we always remark we can make at home yet it never comes out as good as it does here. The chicken enchilada I didn't try but it looked delicious. Finally, my chili. Exactly what I wanted. Excited to be back. read more

This place is a delight for vegetarians. They have vegetarian: * Nachos * Quesedilla * Burrito * Enchilada * Tacos * Lasagna * Pasta * Sandwich * Burger * Stir Fry * Tofu bowl And to top it off the service is excellent. You can sense that the employees love working there. I had a couple of very specific questions about ingredients on some of the dishes and the person taking my order was able to answer them confidently. They work at a fast pace also. We got all of our food within 5 minutes of ordering. The ambiance is casual, good for families and large groups. The self-serve area has tons of options for bottled sauces (Tapatio, El Cholo, Ketchup, Tabasco, etc etc). We ended up going back to back days for dinner :) read more

Absolutely love this spot! As a couple choosing more health conscious meals, Natural Cafe is our go to lunch spot. We love this combo! A full natural salad with either a freshly picked avocado for dressing, or their tahini. The hummus platter with no feta and replaced the pita with cucumber-soooo amazing! Since stopping the consumption of breads we now replace pita with extra veggies and my stomach is soooo thankful! We also love to add on sides of muchrooms. I can't thanks this spot enough for always having such friendly service, beautifully outdoor seating with the birds, and nutrient dense affordable meals. Thank you read more

We have literally planned road trips around getting lunch at The Natural Cafe. Delicious healthy food, decent prices, and quick service. Highly recommend any location. read more

I love going here when I visit friends in SB. Consistently delicious food, relaxed and comfortable atmosphere, decent pricing. I like their Zen burger (esp with avocado) but everything I've eaten here has been good. It's not fine dining, but good food. You order at the counter and food is delivered to your table. read more

A Santa Barbara staple! If you are looking for quality, healthy, and hearty meals definitely give Nati Cafe a try. There is truly something for everyone. Any and all food restrictions can be accommodated. You feel good eating here and you don't leave feeling hungry even though you are eating healthily. I highly recommend this place! read more

Huge fan! I have Natural Café once a week and I never get sick of it. I've had so many things on the menu and it's all so delicious. NC Power Bowl is a favorite read more

We had a lovely time at Natural Cafe. The staff was very polite and personable and the food was delicious. read more

The Natural Cafe - Quesadilla and salad - Sandwiches Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Great health food selection. Honest to goodness just quality food at affordable prices. You can tell this place is a local favorite. It is an IYKYK kinda place. I ordered Cesar salad with grilled chicken, albacore tuna salad and pita bread. It satisfied my dinner needs tonight. read more

The Natural Cafe - Sandwiches Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

AND BLOWN YOUR MIND WILL BE! Arugula + Tahini + Grilled Chicken + Turkey Salad delivered on quality and spoke volumes about the service provided. My wife talked about this salad like it was her best friend bringing her a birthday present. She and I love salads that are fresh, well-seasoned, and crisp. TNC hit the mark (receiving high marks)! The lemon bar was the icing on the cake causing a double take! ARNOLD SCHWARTENEGGAR RATING I'll be back! read more

Kids Mac and cheese for $8 is bland and awful. Kids didn't like it. Just boiled pasta with a teaspoon of butter. No cheese.

Natural Cafe is great. I can't say enough good things about this place. It's a local gem. The food is consistent and solid. The service is quick and the food is fresh. I surmise that management prides itself on serving healthy food as the options here are about the healthiest and cleanest I've seen at any restaurant. They have plenty of meat and vegan options. I suppose it's worth noting the food is not the most decadent or spice-forward, but the menu is pretty big and I imagine there's something for everyone here. Dinner date idea: grab a bite at Natural Cafe then walk over and enjoy a movie at The Hitchcock Theatre. read more

Consistently good, healthy vegan food. Quick service, great outside tables. They are very accommodating about substitutions. I go there at least once a month. read more

Daughter and I stopped by for dinner. There were a couple of salmon specials that caught our eye, so I had the blackened salmon with brown rice and mixed vegetables, and my daughter had the salmon with pesto and a side salad. The gal taking our order was friendly. I got my drink from the tea bar and we sat outside, which was very nice. We were looking forward to our dinners. Our dinners were plated nicely. Mine wasn't really blackened, but it was tender, though not especially moist. The bigger problems were that the rice was dry and the steamed vegetables were flavorless. Maybe I misinterpreted the name of the restaurant. When I read "natural" I think of simple yet flavorful food, but I'm thinking the restaurant might have interpreted "natural" as in not seasoned. I read in another review that there is a sauce bar. I suggest taking advantage of it. I probably would have put some soy sauce on the brown rice and looked at what else was available for the steamed veggies. I used a little of my daughter's lemon and herb salad dressing and it helped. I had squeezed the lemon that came with my meal dry, but it still needed that little kick of salad dressing. I'd order a sandwich if I went back. read more

The Natural Cafe - Pesto salmon with salad - Sandwiches Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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This place is the bomb- diggity in Santa Barbara. Delicious and satiating food. I had the chicken salad and it was great. All of their portions are great and you are left feeling full. I've ordered here a couple times and highly recommend their: -tuna sandwich -karma burger -chicken enchiladas -natural burger They have wonderful vegan options too if you are vegan. If you want to eat healthy and guilt-free , this place is it and it's very easy to do take-out/ pick-up. read more

The Natural Cafe - Chicken Salad, Salad, Sandwich, Carrotcake, Strawberry Smoothie - Sandwiches Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

The food is decent, healthy, reasonable portions. The prices keep going up and an average lunch there is now around $17......a bit pricey for a place where you have to stand in line to order your food, get your own water and utensils, and bus your own table when you are done. That said, the manager at the Hitchcock location is amazing. No matter how busy she is, she is efficient, sharp minded, well mannered and has a million dollar smile to share. read more

Probably one of my faves in all of Santa Barbara. While there isn't table service (you order at the counter), the finished product of food entree is usually a work of art. I ordered a shredded burrito & beer one afternoon upon leaving SB, and needed something to stay on my bones for a while when driving eastbound into Pasadena. Natural Cafe served up an entree that was a pleasant surprise, with shredded beef that seemed lightly seasoned. Even the salad was pretty good. No complaints about the beer. It took a little time for the burrito to arrive, which was ok. I had eaten one of the cookies sold at the counter as a small appetizer. While an employee indicated that there was Wi-Fi, this really isn't set up for it. I had taken a tablet out to reference something, yet had to use my network. No big deal. I love returning to this venue, and highly recommend it for a good lunch. read more

The Natural Cafe - Shredded beef burrito with salad & beer. - Sandwiches Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

I've long been a fan of this establishment. Fresh, healthy, delicious food at a reasonable price. It's sort of self serve. You order at the register and find a table. It's not all vegan but the fresh salmon and such keeps me coming back. The ambiance is casual but the atmosphere is relatively quiet. It's a good place to have an early dinner and walk to the movie theater for a nice affordable evening. This place will always be one of my favorites because they are so good and reliable. read more

I was a regular at the Natural Cafe (Simi Valley circa 2008 and Goleta circa 2010 locations) when I had projects near by, I always loved their fresh, tasty menu that left me full of goodness. I always lamented that there wasn't a location in LA (still would love that). So when I found myself in Santa Barbara for a race, I suggested to my friend we hit this location for lunch (my first time here). Naturally, I went for my fave--The Local Favorite, with a side of the ranchera chicken. Ah, just as delicious as I remembered... the nine-grain bread and garlic mayo just makes an avocado sandwich hit the SPOT. I was full and happy, so imagine my surprise when after the race, my friend asked if we could go back for lunch before we headed home. Um, YES. Got my fix a second time, this time with a side of turkey chili. I hope you will be here for many years to come, and yes, I'm definitely stopping in next time I'm up this way. read more

I love The Natural's kale salad and their tofu bowl with salad. So good and tasty. Natural, simple and easy!

I really enjoy the soup and salad combo here. My cream of mushroom soup was not to warm. It was healthy though. The service was good. The ambiance has some nice touches with Buddha. But they could clean up the booths. It seems like they cleaned the table and wiped Parmesan cheese onto the seats. read more

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Normally this is a go to spot for us. Not sure what's up with Natural Cafe lately, but seems like it's hit or miss with if your order will be correct or not. This time I opened my lasagna and was pretty shocked at the condition of it... looks like it melted in the box or is some kind of soup mess... read more

The Natural Cafe - Veggie Lasagna? - Sandwiches Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Great ambiance, very clean and elegantly decorated. Very good service and above all food is very healthy and great... Thank you

Absolutely love this place! So tasty, healthy, large portions and great variety. Easy parking, plenty of seating. Good all around! Wish they had one in LA! read more

I hate to write this but feel it's important to communicate the need for high quality food preparedness to the staff. On Wednesday, July 16th my partner and I ordered takeout from the Hitchcock location. I got a grilled cheese and he got the marinara pasta with chicken. This is a monthly, if not biweekly occurrence for us as we love Natural Cafe. My partner alluded to his meal having an unusual taste but hadn't eaten all day so continued to eat his meal. At 1am he woke up to excruciating abdominal pain and from that point on, experienced absolutely horrible food poisoning lasting 10+ hours. As a local firefighter, he unfortunately had to miss work the next day and went two additional days with an upset stomach. We sadly won't be back. read more

man I used to love this place but today was bad the dam dish me and my friend received our food on had some nasty old crust food stuff on there i had to ask for my money back that was so bad cant find the good places anymore they are all not up the standards of even place that I love called lemonade restaurant read more

Love this place. Fresh food cooked to perfection. Always been consistent and delicious, and many great choices. Their Baja burrito is my go-to, but everything I've tried there is good honestly. I always leave happy and satisfied and nourished, rather than heavy and unhealthy. read more