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Arnoldi's Cafe, Santa Barbara, CA

Arnoldi's Cafe

4.6
4.6
762 Reviews
$31 to $50
Italian

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 8 times today
  • Neighborhood gem
  • Charming
  • Great for outdoor dining
Oldest Italian restaurant in Santa Barbara! We have two bocce courts on our patio with outdoor dining. Lots of pasta, appetizers, salads, chicken dishes and homemade desserts...Italian wine and local wine on our wine list...indoor or outdoor seating. We are a true local's secret and kid friendly. Open for dinner 7 days a week! We also host rehearsal dinners, wedding receptions, and large birthday parties.

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Italian, Californian, reserved
  • Hours of operation
    Lunch Sun 11:00 am–4:30 pm Dinner Daily 5:00 pm–9:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (805) 962-5394
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Private party facilities
    We have a room that fits up to 45 people. People walk through to get outside, but it is often used for private birthday parties, holiday parties and rehearsal dinners.

    We also have a patio that fits up to 100 people and can be reserved privately with a food and beverage minimum

  • Neighborhood
    Santa Barbara
  • Cross street
    Cota Street
  • Parking details
    Street Parking
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cafe, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Indoor Fireplace, Outdoor Smoking Area, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wine

What 762 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.6
4.6 based on recent ratings
  • 4.4Food
  • 4.6Service
  • 4.7Ambience
  • 4.3Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • California Central Coast

    Neighborhood gem

  • Santa Barbara

    Neighborhood gem

  • Santa Barbara

    Italian

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Arnoldi's Cafe is a beloved Santa Barbara establishment renowned for its "amazing food, service and ambiance." Guests rave about their delicious Italian dishes, including the "more delicious than ever" lasagna and "amazing" spaghetti sauce. The restaurant offers a charming outdoor dining experience, complete with bocce ball tournaments, making it a "perfect date night" spot. While service can occasionally be slow, the welcoming staff and "wonderful ambience" keep patrons returning.

762 Reviews
  1. Thomas

    Central Coast

    9 reviews

    vip
    1.0

    9 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 1
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 3
    This will be a harsh review. We love Italian food, this is not a place to go if you’re looking for good tasting Italian food. All meals ordered were subpar…. Veal piccata- tough, bland, sauce terrible- ordered a different pasta than the Alfredo, bland spaghetti noodles that tasted like dirty dish water. ( returned dish) Bolognese lasagne- cold, bland, and where was the meat? Bolognese fettuccine- bland and again no meat but hard small meatballs? Is that a bolognese? ( gave up and didn’t eat) Short rib ravioli- again bland and just not very good. Please find real cooks! And maybe better recipes. Won’t return.

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  2. Christy

    Central Coast

    44 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    44 reviews

    Dined on December 1, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    This is the 2nd time I have dined at Arnoldi's since it reopened, and both visits have been fantastic. The food is superb, and the waitstaff very attentive. I loved sitting out back in the garden. The music is from the 30's-50's and perfect for the setting.

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  3. Eric

    Las Vegas

    62 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    62 reviews

    Dined on November 30, 2024

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Delightful evening, food was great and the service was fine.

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  4. Lisa

    Palm Springs

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 29, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Excellent Thanksgiving dinner!! Will return ~ loved the atmosphere outside on patio. Great service even though very crowded!

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  5. Joan

    Sacramento

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on November 28, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Family, homey place to enjoy a traditional meal. Feels very local and part of an old Santa Barbara neighborhood

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  6. Jason

    Central Coast

    25 reviews

    5.0

    25 reviews

    Dined on November 26, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Really enjoyed a family dinner, the food was great but the service was a little slow with some forgotten orders.

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  7. Nida

    Los Angeles

    2 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on November 24, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great food and ambiance… staff friendly and professional.

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  8. Orlando

    Central Coast

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 16, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Nice cozy place for either a romantic dinner or a social gathering of friends. I would highly recommend, and the food is excellent! They have added valet parking!

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  9. Karen

    Houston

    11 reviews

    5.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on November 12, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Lovely local restaurant. Relaxed atmosphere. Fabulous Italian food! Growing up in Philadelphia I’m very picky about Italian dishes. This restaurant exceeded My expectations. Friendly service

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  10. Jan

    Central Coast

    16 reviews

    5.0

    16 reviews

    Dined on November 4, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    I'm very pleased to see Arnoldi's back in the mix. The welcoming, comfortable east-side atmosphere is just as it always has been in the more than 50 years we've been eating there, and the traditional Italian menu has been expanded and improved. The kitchen is on top of everything, and service is stellar. Hoping the arancini appetizer is a regular!

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FAQs

Arnoldi's Cafe offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (805) 962-5394.

Arnoldi's Cafe is rated 4.6 stars by 762 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 8 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for Arnoldi's Cafe

600 Olive St., Santa Barbara, CA 93101

Additional information

  • Cross street
    Cota Street
  • Neighborhood
    Santa Barbara
  • Hours of operation
    Lunch Sun 11:00 am–4:30 pm Dinner Daily 5:00 pm–9:00 pm
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Italian, Californian, reserved
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    Street Parking
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cafe, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Indoor Fireplace, Outdoor Smoking Area, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wine
  • Phone number
    (805) 962-5394
  • Private party facilities
    We have a room that fits up to 45 people. People walk through to get outside, but it is often used for private birthday parties, holiday parties and rehearsal dinners.

    We also have a patio that fits up to 100 people and can be reserved privately with a food and beverage minimum

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