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    Zaytoon

    4.2 (1.6k reviews)
    Closed 5:00 pm - 10:00 PM

    Zaytoon Photos

    ZAYTOON ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Romantic
    Good for groups
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Zaytoon

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    Pau A.

    one of our all time favorite places ever since our UCSB undergrad days c/o 2010 16 years later, zaytoons is just as beautiful, enchanting, magical, and delicious. absolutely savored our juicy kebab combo of lamb, beef, chicken, rice, salad, and garlic paste along with baklava dessert. karina was lovely and amazing, kind, prompt, professional, thoughtful, and attentive. excellent to meet another fabulous UCSB student. our love about this gem of a place is the romantic whimsy vibes of fire pit tables, fountains, lights, abundance of plants. in the future, would appreciate more diary free and gluten free options. thank you for continuing to be one of our all time happy places in santa barbara. a must.

    Appetizers!
    Elizabeth B.

    This place is so beautiful! Hidden along East Canon Perdido Street, with gorgeous greenery and warm string lights leading you up the stairs, it opens into a lovely courtyard with tables and chairs. Every host/waiter/staff was so kind and helpful, with one of them even offering to take our picture when he saw us struggling to do a group shot (he said he does photography on the side!). The food was absolutely delicious, and my strawberry lemonade was so pretty (and yummy)! My friends and I had a truly wonderful time here and I can't wait to come back!

    Kabob
    Khalid N.

    This place had great ambiance in SB - a spot known for ambience. The gorgeous waitress/hostess set you down by beautiful plants / table vibes providing excellent service. Food was high tear kabobs or I wouldnt make the review. Im arab so i know my stuff

    Baklava
    Raymond B.

    This restaurant is fully outdoors, there are heaters throughout but you may want to bring a jacket in case! But walking in the restaurant you are welcomed with some amazing lights and it sets the tone for great vibe for the whole night. The waiters were all super friendly. To start, we ordered the trio mezza which included hummus, baba ghannouj, and pistachio spread - you can go wrong with these, they all tasted delicious and it's a good choice when you can't choose just one mezza. For entrees we ordered the chicken kebab and kebab combo - very tasty! The chicken was juicy, the other meats were all cooked to perfection in my book! And we ended our night with baklava and you can never go wrong with this! Will definitely come back soon to enjoy the lights and food of this place!

    Standard Cocktail
    Gianina M.

    What can I say about this restaurant. Five star in my opinion. First time visiting this place and it was exquisite. We arrived on a Friday night and they were kind enough to find us a table without reservation (I would still recommend reserving for the weekend). Customer service A plus. Ambiance was so beautiful, we felt we entered another dimension with the patio seating. We ordered Falafel, Baba Ghannouj Chicken Kabobs and Pita Bread. For a cocktail I had a tequila based one called Standard. Everything was made to perfection and fresh. Timing between entrees was perfectly calculated. We were seated like in a private terrace which we loved.

    *Mahi Mahi (with rice pilaf and fatt
    Marisa Q.

    Zaytoon *December 13th, 2025 *6pm- Saturday *5 Stars Environment: *Indoor and Outdoor Seating *Quick Service *Pleasant and Friendly Staff *Beautiful Ambiance Food/Drink: *Chicken Kebab (with rice pilaf and fattoush salad) *Beef Shawarma (with rice pilaf and fattoush salad) *Mahi Mahi (with rice pilaf and fattoush salad) *Duvel Belgian Blond Food here was excellent! We ordered the chicken kebab, beef shawarma, and mahi mahi, and all of the proteins were cooked to perfection. Our group was especially impressive since, chicken and mahi mahi are tricky to cook and can sometimes easily be overcooked. The chicken and mahi mahi were both juicy and flavorful, and the beef shawarma was tender without being dry. The ambiance really elevated the experience. We sat outside and enjoyed the propane fireplace, which was a great touch on a cold Santa Barbara night. The setting felt warm and inviting, and the staff was pleasant and friendly throughout the evening. One small thing to note is to be mindful of where you're seated outdoors, as the wind can occasionally cause a slight gas smell near the fireplace. Overall, a fantastic meal with great food, atmosphere, and service. Definitely a spot I'd return to next time I'm in the area!

    Danya S.

    Beautiful Lebanese restaurant in Santa Barbara! My son recently moved to the area and has been wanting to try this place. Being Palestinian, I'm super picky when it comes to Arabic food -- but Zaytoon delivered and did not disappoint. We started with the hummus, grape leaves, and tabbouleh. Everything was fresh and delicious. My only critique: the hummus doesn't come with bread, so you have to order it separately. For our mains, we had the beef and chicken kabobs, both tender, flavorful, and perfectly cooked. Next time, I'd love to come on a weekend and with a bigger group. They have tables with fire pits that make for a beautiful, cozy evening atmosphere.

    Brenda F.

    I absolutely love Zaytoon. I've been here several times throughout the years when we're in Santa Barbara. We love to visit as a family. If you can get a table if your party is large enough, that has the fire pit in the middle. It's a real treat. the food is absolutely great and I love their desserts.

    Hummus trio and batatas
    Lisa G.

    I've been to Zaytoon twice now and each time has been fantastic. To be fair, the second time was for a friend's wedding and that already makes it special. They were both such different experiences, so I'll post about them separately. As a regular guest: We were seated on the patio and our waiter was very helpful in helping us decide what to order. We definitely managed to order too much still, but everything was delicious. The seating areas were very cute, I love elegant backyard vibe of the entire place. As a wedding guest: Everything was prepared well, about half the restaurant was sectioned off with plants and you could barely tell there was an entire restaurant on the other side! They kept the food rolling and cleared and combined as needed without disrupting conversations. They did a fantastic job and I would recommend Zaytoon for similar events. Especially the cheese rolls and the potatos!

    Livier M.

    When we booked we were unaware that it is all community seating. We were unsure on how this would go when we arrived but it wasn't as awkward as we thought. It still felt private and the wait staff made sure to attend to you separately. The vibes were chill with really great music going. Every dish we had was flavorful and perfect to share. The cocktail that I had was really good and not overwhelming. Would return if we are ever in the area again.

    Batata Harra
    Braden V.

    This is an absolutely beautiful outdoor restaurant. There is no signage outside, so you need to know where it is, but parking on the street was plentiful when we went on a Saturday. The food was mostly amazing. We started with the Batata Harra, which may have been my favorite portion of the meal. The potatoes were crisp and had a wonderful flavor profile with a strong lemon taste. So delicious. For dinner I tried the Mashawi Combo and all of it was great. I liked the lamb in particular. My wife had the Lemon Chicken, which was tough in texture. I think I'd recommend skipping that one, not the best. In terms of service, everyone was friendly. The pace of service was quite relaxed, which was fine for us on this day, but plan accordingly. All in all, a great place to enjoy the beautiful Santa Barbara weather for a special occasion.

    Hummus, tsatski and baba ghanoush
    Ole B.

    Per Yelp this place is rated as $$, but I would definitely make a correction for $$$. Ordered shawarma plate, it's was just ok, a bit on a dryer end. Definitely, is not made by skilled shawarma maker and cook. Tried their hummus - ok ( trader joe???) baba ghanoush - very good and memorable and tzatziki - ok ( Safeway Greek yogurt?) Interior is beautiful but food lacking flavor and for that price! Service is fast and respectful.

    Baba ghanoush and pistachio cheese appetizer

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    Beautiful ambiance. Cozy and pretty. The service was friendly and quick. The food was delicious.

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    Zaytoon Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Zaytoon

    Is there patio dinning?

    Yes there is patio dining very nicely decorated.

    Is this a Lebanese owned establishment?

    Would bringing an infant for a 5pm dinner be appropriate? Would the outdoor area of the restaurant accommodate a stroller?

    Yesss! I saw several babies in strollers when we visited the restaurant. Make sure you have help to carry it up the outdoor stairs, that's all. :)

    We have a reservation for tonight. Is your outside patio covered since it'll be raining tonight?

    Are the outdoor fire pit tables only for large groups ? Or available for 2 as well.?

    Unfortunately, only large groups. There are no small tables with fire pits.

    Is it handicap accessible?

    Yes

    I wanted to message this business regarding spoiled tahini sauce in the take out last night? No option to send messages.

    Immediately if there is problem you should admit it the owner very honest hard worker will help but not nice gossip and criticism 👍

    Hooka still offered?

    No not anymore

    Does Zaytoon have hookah?

    No it does not

    Does Zaytoon offer a happy hour?

    Hi, is the meat you use Halal?

    The lamb

    Hi, Do you have a corkage fee?

    $30

    Hi, is the restaurant open on July 4th, also is the meet Halal, thanks?

    Hi, is the meat there halal?

    Do they take reservations?

    Yes! I think they're on opentable or you can call

    Is the restaurant pet friendly?

    Only service animals

    View All 23 Questions

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    Mezza Thyme

    Mezza Thyme

    4.8
    (103 reviews)
    0.4 mi

    We hosted a 20-person outdoor wedding reception at our home, and Mezza Thyme catered the event. The…read morefood was outstanding. Throughout the meal, I kept hearing the same comment from different tables: "This is really, really good food." And it was. The Mediterranean dishes were vibrant and fresh -- not generic or middle-of-the-road, but thoughtfully prepared with balanced flavors and ultra-fresh ingredients. Even our most restrained eaters went back for seconds. Delivery was on time as scheduled. The general manager personally supervised the transfer of the food from transport containers into our serving dishes and offered helpful suggestions on serving layout to improve flow. Presentation and execution were handled professionally, which matters when hosting an event at home. Prior to placing the final order, I studied the menu and placed a preliminary order online to establish a starting point. I reviewed it with my daughter and wife and received their approvals before finalizing. I did have a few questions about overlap among side dishes, spoke with the general manager about it, and finalized the order 30 days before the event with no subsequent changes. That clarity made the rest of the planning straightforward. Their menu reflects flavors and traditions rooted in the Levant region. Mediterranean cuisine lends itself well to buffet service within a defined service window. We would be happy to use Mezza Thyme again for any larger-scale gathering -- or for a great meal at home or in their restaurant on Cota Street downtown. I highly recommend them.

    The staff was extremely nice and professional. The ambiance was top tier! From the lighting to the…read morebar to the cozy booths! I did not dine in however I did order for takeout on a Saturday night (surprisingly) it was not super busy when I went in. The food is incredible, flavorful, and the meat is super tender! I will 1000% be coming back any chance I get! Mezza Thyme is really really good! WOW!

    Photos
    Mezza Thyme
    Eggplant Falafel Plate 9/10
    Eggplant Falafel Plate 9/10
    The entrance

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    The entrance
    Petra Cafe

    Petra Cafe

    4.1
    (320 reviews)
    0.4 mi
    $$

    Honestly one of the best food experiences I've ever had. The chicken shawarma wrap was divine and I…read moreworry I'll never have food this good again now that it's gone.

    Honestly... save your money…read more I dropped by this Jordanian restaurant /hookah lounge to chill for a bit, have a beer, and enjoy some hookah. It looked like a cool vibe from the outside, but the whole experience left me super disappointed. When I walked in, the place was empty--just the owner and two staff. No greeting, no welcome, just awkward silence while the owner stayed on the phone trying to fix what sounded like a billing issue. The staff didn't speak much English (which is fine), but there was no real effort to help or explain anything either. Eventually, I got a hookah and a beer--$48.50 for one hookah and one beer. Yeah... nearly $50. No food, no extras. That's wild. Then I was told I had to smoke outside on the back patio, which turned out to be a tiny little corner--maybe 6 by 10 feet--with uncomfortable chairs and a random wood bench. It took 15 minutes to even get the hookah (remember, no one else was there), and when it arrived, it was totally burnt. Overpacked, harsh hits, and I ended up having to scrape it and fix it myself just to get it to smoke right. Wanna know the kicker? You only get three coals. That's it. No refills unless you pay for more. No one checked on us for almost an hour, and when I finally asked for more coals, they said (in broken English and mostly Spanish) that that's all you get unless you pay extra. I've smoked hookah all over the place--three coals is nothing, especially when you're charging $35+. No one came around, no vibe, no music, no nothing. Just me, my burnt hookah, and a beer that wasn't even cold. I really tried to find something redeeming about this place, but nothing hit. The service wasn't there, the product wasn't good, and it honestly felt like I was bothering them just by being there. Bottom line: for $50, you can do way better just about anywhere else--or even at home. Hope they turn it around, but for now, I wouldn't recommend it.

    Photos
    Interior
    Interior
    Shawarma wrap
    Shawarma wrap
    Mezza plate

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    Mezza plate
    Omaya’s Lebanese Cuisine

    Omaya’s Lebanese Cuisine

    4.6
    (475 reviews)
    65.7 mi
    $$

    My 1st time at this Lebanese restaurant. The ambiance was nothing special and the interior is very…read moresmall, but very clean. We each ordered the chicken kabobs (called something else on the menu). It came with 2 sides and we each ordered the tabouli and rice. I also ordered tzatziki and they served us 2 good sized pieces of freshly made pita. The chicken was marinated and grilled perfectly. I usually eat 1/2 and take home the rest. I ate every bite. We both enjoyed our choices. I'm not a big garlic sauce person, but my friend loved it and cleaned her serving cup. Our waitress gave each of us a baklava finger, for dessert. No charge. We received excellent service, from the hostess to the waitress. They also have 2 bakery counters so my friend ordered some baklava fingers to go and plans on returning to try some more goodies. Overall, we had a 2 hour catch up lunch and a really tasty meal, without being rushed. I will be back.

    Food at Omaya's is delicious and one of the reasons I have been back several times. They have a…read moregreat selection of meat, vegetarian and vegan options which makes dining with friends easy. I particularly love their hot appetizer plate that includes the cheese rolls and kibbeh. Unfortunately their service and dining experience recently has made me question if I'll be back again. Their space is very small so a table for 6 people is really uncomfortable. On top of that, their serving dishes are massive and the service staff is unaware how to put the dishes on the table because the table is so small. There were only 2 people waiting tables which caused for a lot of frustration from the staff. They also rarely stopped by our table to clear out plates which again we needed some plates gone because tables were so small. Recommendation, more people need to work at the front and y'all need bigger tables. A $330 meal (which included $50 service charge) where the service was rough was not worth.

    Photos
    The counter
    The counter
    Chicken Shawarma with rice
    Chicken Shawarma with rice
    The falafel is out of this world

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    The falafel is out of this world
    Costa Kitchen & Bar

    Costa Kitchen & Bar

    4.0
    (122 reviews)
    1.7 mi
    $$

    My friends and I came here for breakfast on a Saturday morning. We were a group of 10 people, and…read morethe restaurant was able to seat us right away when we came early. Food: I ordered the veggie omelet that had avocado on top. I was surprised that it was guacamole on top instead of sliced avocado, but I didn't mind. The omelet was still pretty good, and I enjoyed the side of potatoes as well. Service: Service was friendly and quick for our large table. The servers didn't skip a beat with our large table. Food came out promptly after ordering. TL;DR - Great breakfast spot for our large group!

    We decided to try its breakfast while staying at Mar Monte for the weekend. Inside, with its casual…read moreupscale décor, was quite spacious and could easily accommodate 70+ guests. The friendly staff guided us to our table and brough water and menu right away. After browsing through their menu, we ordered the following items: Seasonal Fruits & Berries: In the plate, there were dates, fresh berries, sliced cantaloupe, pineapple, and apple. All clean and delicious. Traditional Breakfast: It was quite a hearty meal with eggs, sausages, potatoes, and toasted bread. Everything was well prepared and nicely seasoned. Crab Bennedict: The crab meat portion was generous, the poached eggs were cooked to perfection, and the toasted brioche was slightly crispy outside and soft inside. It also came with a cup of fresh fruits. Great food and reasonable prices for the location. Highly recommended.

    Photos
    Costa Kitchen & Bar
    Whole Grilled Branzino Mezze Platter
    Whole Grilled Branzino Mezze Platter
    Whole Grilled Branzino Torta Mexicana Sandwhich

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    Whole Grilled Branzino Torta Mexicana Sandwhich

    Zaytoon - lebanese - Updated July 2026

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