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Stella Mare's, Santa Barbara, CA

Stella Mare's

4.8
4.8
2299 Reviews
$31 to $50
French
A photo of Stella Mare's restaurant

Stella Mare's

4.8
$31 to $50
French
Santa Barbara

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 40 times today
  • Charming
  • Good for special occasions
  • Neighborhood gem
French country bistro...Between Montecito and Santa Barbara, Stella Mare's Bistro is located in a historic Victorian home overlooking the Bird Refuge. French country cuisine rules the menu, with dishes like coq au vin, cassoulet, and moules frites. Sip seasonal cocktails amid cozy décor -- all the right ingredients for a great dining experience. Bon appétit!

When requesting the greenhouse please note that is considered indoor dining.

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    French, American
  • Hours of operation
    Brunch Sat, Sun 10:00 am–2:00 pm Lunch Tue–Fri 12:00 pm–2:00 pm Dinner Tue–Sat 5:00 pm–9:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (805) 969-6705
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Executive chef
    Roth Ironside
  • Catering
    Stella Mare’s Restaurant is host to rehearsal dinners, wedding receptions, anniversaries, birthdays, and holiday celebrations, as well as corporate luncheons and dinners. We accommodate private parties of 10 to 130 guests.
  • Private party facilities
    The Private Dining Room An intimate room filled with unique artwork and antiques with windows overlooking the historic bird refuge. Minimum for reservation: 8 Maximum capacity: 14 The Ocean Room and Terrace A beautiful, private room opening onto an outdoor terrace, perfect for socializing with friends during a cocktail hour. Minimum for exclusive reservation: 20 Maximum capacity: 30 The Greenhouse This spectacular glass enclosed room creates the perfect romantic ambiance for any event with its custom built bar, fireplace, cozy couches, and views of the bird refuge. Minimum for exclusive reservation: 30 Maximum capacity: 50
  • Neighborhood
    Santa Barbara
  • Cross street
    Cabrillo
  • Parking details
    Our private parking lot is adjacent to the Greenhouse side of the restaurant and wraps around the building next door. We also have parking directly in front, as well as street parking in front and across the street from the restaurant.
  • Public transit
    Bus stop at the corner of Cabrillo blvd and Los Patos way (our street).
  • Entertainment
    Live Jazz on Wednesday nights, in the greenhouse by the fire.
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Delivery, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine
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What 2,299 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

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

4.8
4.8 based on recent ratings
  • 4.8Food
  • 4.7Service
  • 4.8Ambience
  • 4.7Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • California Central Coast

    Best Value

  • Santa Barbara

    Best Overall

  • Santa Barbara

    Best Ambiance

  • Santa Barbara

    Best Value

  • Santa Barbara

    Great for brunch

  • Santa Barbara

    Good for groups

  • Santa Barbara

    Romantic

  • Santa Barbara

    Most Booked

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Stella Mare's is a charming French restaurant in Santa Barbara that exudes the essence of Parisian dining. Patrons rave about its "excellent food" and "impeccable service," with many highlighting the "beautiful ambiance" and "romantic setting." The menu features classic French dishes like cassoulet and coq au vin, making it a "hidden gem" for lovers of French cuisine. Despite its impending closure, Stella Mare's remains a beloved local treasure where "wonderful meals" and "memorable experiences" are guaranteed.

2,299 Reviews
  1. Peggy

    Los Angeles

    13 reviews

    5.0

    13 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We love Stella Mare. So sad that they’re closing because of redevelopment. We hope Santa Barbara preserves that 1870’s building and that they are able to relocate. Great food, great setting, wonderful servers (thank you Francois, who’s been there from the beginning). This meal was a perfect goodbye!

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  2. Mark

    Los Angeles

    25 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    25 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    What a delightful restaurant! Wonderful ambience, super attentive service, and the food is exquisite!! A wonderful French bistro! I couldn't recommend this more!! Simply lovely, romantic and a beautiful experience.

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  3. Linda

    Central Coast

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    This local restaurant is a real gem! It's very sad Stella Mare is closing at the end of the year. Where will we find escargot, frog legs, duck confit with French toast...to name a few delights. Food, staff & service ALWAYS outstanding.

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  4. Robert

    Philadelphia

    5 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on December 1, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Magical early holiday dinner. All the best for the holidays. cheers Robert and Jeanette

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  5. TexasSunshine

    San Francisco

    7 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on December 1, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    This is one of our favorite restaurants in Santa Barbara! The Victorian home that sits in the edge of a bird estuary is absolutely gorgeous, and the sunroom is a delight to eat in! The menu is both creative and delicious. We are so sad that this restaurant is closing at the end of December, due to losing their lease with new development. We want to thank everyone who has been involved with this fabulous restaurant for so many years of beautiful memories! 

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  6. Peggy

    San Francisco

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on December 1, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    It was fabulous hate to see this beautiful place close Thank you for the ice cream for my grandson that was so special Happy holidays

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  7. Lea

    Los Angeles

    49 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    49 reviews

    Dined on November 29, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    My friend and I drove to Santa Barbara all the way from L.A., just to have one final meal at this favorite gem before it sadly closes its doors at the end of the year. The beautiful, French country ambiance in the sunny greenhouse dining room, the tasty dishes and the attentive service can't be beat and will be much missed. We are heartbroken to lose yet another part of history.

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  8. OpenTable Diner

    Minneapolis

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on November 29, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    What a wonderful Thanksgiving meal!! They were so sweet, and the food was divine! Very sad they are closing at the end of the year.

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  9. Rick

    Central Coast

    12 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    12 reviews

    Dined on November 29, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    This review is for Stella Mare's fixed price Thanksgiving dinner.

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  10. Verna

    Central Coast

    15 reviews

    5.0

    15 reviews

    Dined on November 28, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Stella Mare is one of our favorite restaurants in Santa Barbara. The glasshouse room is lovely and we always enjoy a delicious meal with excellent service, whether it’s brunch, lunch or dinner. This year, we enjoyed Thanksgiving at Stella Mare for the third year …. It’s a perfect restaurant to celebrate such an occasion.

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FAQs

Stella Mare's offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (805) 969-6705.

Stella Mare's is rated 4.8 stars by 2299 OpenTable diners.

Stella Mare's does offer gift cards which you can purchase here.

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

A photo of Stella Mare's restaurant

Stella Mare's

4.8
$31 to $50
French
Santa Barbara

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 40 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for Stella Mare's

50 Los Patos Way, Santa Barbara, CA 93108

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Cross street
    Cabrillo
  • Neighborhood
    Santa Barbara
  • Hours of operation
    Brunch Sat, Sun 10:00 am–2:00 pm Lunch Tue–Fri 12:00 pm–2:00 pm Dinner Tue–Sat 5:00 pm–9:00 pm
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    French, American
  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Parking details
    Our private parking lot is adjacent to the Greenhouse side of the restaurant and wraps around the building next door. We also have parking directly in front, as well as street parking in front and across the street from the restaurant.
  • Public transit
    Bus stop at the corner of Cabrillo blvd and Los Patos way (our street).
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Roth Ironside
  • Entertainment
    Live Jazz on Wednesday nights, in the greenhouse by the fire.
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Delivery, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Phone number
    (805) 969-6705
  • Catering
    Stella Mare’s Restaurant is host to rehearsal dinners, wedding receptions, anniversaries, birthdays, and holiday celebrations, as well as corporate luncheons and dinners. We accommodate private parties of 10 to 130 guests.
  • Private party facilities
    The Private Dining Room An intimate room filled with unique artwork and antiques with windows overlooking the historic bird refuge. Minimum for reservation: 8 Maximum capacity: 14 The Ocean Room and Terrace A beautiful, private room opening onto an outdoor terrace, perfect for socializing with friends during a cocktail hour. Minimum for exclusive reservation: 20 Maximum capacity: 30 The Greenhouse This spectacular glass enclosed room creates the perfect romantic ambiance for any event with its custom built bar, fireplace, cozy couches, and views of the bird refuge. Minimum for exclusive reservation: 30 Maximum capacity: 50
Gift card

Gift card

Send gift cards instantly by email or print to present in person.

Send a gift card
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