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  • Toma Restaurant & Bar

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Toma Restaurant & Bar
Toma Restaurant & Bar

Toma Restaurant & Bar Details

  • Dining Style: Casual Elegant
  • Website: http://tomarestaurant.com
  • Phone: (805) 962-0777
  • Hours of Operation: Dinner
    Daily: 5:00pm - 10:00pm
  • Payment Options: AMEX, MasterCard, Visa
  • Cuisine: Italian, Mediterranean
  • Executive Chef: Nat Ely
  • Dress Code: Casual Dress
  • Accepts Walk-Ins: Yes
  • Additional Details: Bar Dining, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Farm to Table, Full Bar, Gluten-free Menu, Personal wines welcome (corkage fee applies), Takeout, View, Wine

Getting there

  • Cross Street: Castillo Street
  • Parking: Street Parking
A word from Toma Restaurant & Bar
Toma Restaurant and Bar is the new waterfront bistro,located along Santa Barbara's picturesque Cabrillo Blvd. Experience Santa Barbara waterfront's most romantic restaurant. Savor exquisite Italian and Mediterranean inspired dishes from Santa Barbara's seasonal bounty, supporting our local… fisherman, farmers, foragers and food artisans. Pour over local and Italian wines along with a full bar of handcrafted cocktails and spirits. Enjoy warm and attentive service while dining window side with a view of the enchanting Santa Barbara harbor.Continued
Awards voted by OpenTable diners
  • Diners' Choice WinnerBest Overall
  • Diners' Choice WinnerBest Food
  • Diners' Choice WinnerBest Service
Diner Reviews
  • "This restaurant was so good. Our squash blossoms were the best ever. The staff were all friendly and our waitor was knowledgable on all the food and how it was prepared with each ingredient. The tables had beautiful fresh flowers on the starch white table cloth. I recommend the local martini to begin. We will return."
    Dined on 7/7/2014
  • "We really enjoyed our meal here. The food is a bit on the rich side but if you don't mind that, great dining spot in SB. Wine list has a good selection that is reasonably priced. Service was outstanding even though it was a busy night."
    Dined on 7/6/2014
  • "Nice little restaurant with mainly Italian cuisine, including seafood. We had a knowledgeable, attentive, but unobtrusive waiter. Restaurant was crowded, but it was avery nice evening."
    Dined on 7/5/2014
  • " I look forward to returning and trying other specialty dishes on their menu."
    Dined on 7/1/2014
  • "There are several water-front restaurants along the Santa Barbara wharf/beach, but Toma's has both location and good food. A little on the high side for dinners, but there are also more reasonable options (pastas, salads, etc.). Kids meals were generous and fairly priced. Overall, a charming place for a dinner out... and only blocks from State Street."
    Dined on 7/1/2014
  • "Our table was not quite ready, they had a lovely romantic table selected for our 40th. Enjoyed an unusual cocktail at the bar! Then it was difficult to choose among the wonderful selections on and off the menu. With the assistance of our very knowledgeable and attentive waiter, we did. I ordered the heirloom Tomato salad with fresh burrata cheese and the capellini with jumbo prawns in an heirloom tomato olive oil sauce! Both outstanding! My husband ordered the marrow with crostini and the sea bass special! Our waiter told us the marrow was enough for two and he would put in a half order if we liked! He was right! Went with the Barolo he recommended. Another great choice! Finished with a fresh strawberry pastry with vanilla cream! Awesome!"
    Dined on 6/30/2014
  • "We live in town and this is one of our favorite spots to bring out of town visitors. Without exception our visitors have always thoroughly enjoyed the service, food and atmosphere. Consistently positive experience. The only possible slight negative is that since there is no on site parking, this can make parking a bit of a struggle for reservations made later in the evening. Plan to arrive a bit earlier than your reservations to secure parking and arrive on schedule."
    Dined on 6/30/2014
  • "We came to Santa Barbara for the first time not knowing anything about the local food places. We found Toma's online and could not be more pleased with the food, ambience and service. If we ever return to SB, we will return to Toma's."
    Dined on 6/29/2014
  • "I think our waiter's name was David, and he provided the best service ever! Our hat is off to you - you should train others. We just happened to walk by this restaurant after dark and it was packed - so we made reservations for the next night and were not disappointed! Thank you all."
    Dined on 6/29/2014
  • "I brought my girlfriend to Santa Barbara for the weekend to celebrate her birthday. We decided to dine at Toma and we couldn't have been happier with the food/service."
    Dined on 6/28/2014
  • "Great meal and some of the best service I have had in a long time. Anyone in the area should go here for a special occasion or just to try some good food. Black Spaghetti was amazing."
    Dined on 6/25/2014
  • "Fantastic dinner! Everything was delightful. We will return soon!"
    Dined on 6/28/2014
  • "They do an outstanding job in all areas. The chef's creations are wonderful. I even tried marrow which was excellent. Can be crowded, a victim of their success!"
    Dined on 5/26/2014
  • "We have always had great meals at Toma. Our anniversary dining experience was made very special by the chef and staff. The pairing of flavors really hit the mark. The marrow appetizer was the best we have had."
    Dined on 6/25/2014
  • "We visit Santa Barbara every summer and always eat at Toma at least once, usually twice. Food is creative and always served with an extra touch of care. The complimentary olives are amazing ... so much so that we ask for extras and sometimes extra extras to take home! The squash blossoms are a beautiful and tasty appetizer -- our favorite. We've tried the majority of entrees and have never been disappointed. The staff is, without exception, well-trained and many have been there since before Toma was purchased from the previous owners (when it was named Emiliano's). It continues to be one of our favorites after many (maybe 20+?) years."
    Dined on 6/26/2014
  • "Incredible dining experience. Met the owner, Tom, when we went by to try to change our reservation to a later time. Very personable and passionate about his restaurant. He graciously accommodated the change in time. The food was fabulous and David, our waiter, was great! We will definitely return to Toma the next time we visit beautiful Santa Barbara!"
    Dined on 6/25/2014
  • "Service was excellent. The food was good but a bit bland and too salty. I had tuna cones. the tuna needed something more like some wasabi or another layer of flavor, like a dash of yuzu ponzu. the black spaghetti was excellent and the calamari and clams perfectly cooked but the sauce was too salty and needed some sort of acidity. i would go back and try other things on the menu though."
    Dined on 6/25/2014
  • "I been going to Santa Barbara for years and upset I did not visit Toma before. It is on of the top 3 restruant I feel in Santa Barbara. The Food & Service is OUT of this WORLD. It is a MOST place to eat if you are in Santa Barbara."
    Dined on 6/22/2014
  • "Our friends kept raving about Toma, so we took them along to help us celebrate our 30th anniversary. They recommended all their favorites and we had a wonderful meal. Our waiter was very attentive and particularly well versed in wines. We were surprised that the place was so packed on a Monday night. Glad we made our reservations through OpenTable."
    Dined on 6/23/2014
  • "The food was as excellent as it looked. We actually took pictures to send to friends who would love the bone marrow and the tuna cones. The lasagna and the bouillabaisse were the best we have ever had. Our waiter was knowledgable and a good conversationalist so added to our experience. Only wish we lived close enough to go more often."
    Dined on 6/23/2014
  • "Local Santa Barbarians know about Toma. Visitors walk by it without realizing what a great meal they just missed. Wonderfully fresh food prepared exquisitely. It has become one of our favorites I a city with many, many to choose from."
    Dined on 6/23/2014
  • "There are many wonderful restaurants in Santa Barbara, I have dined at many of them over the years. But Toma takes it over the top and is heads above all the other dining spots in town. It was so good we ate there on two consecutive nights, and everything was wonderful. They have some traditional Italian fare, lasagna, and raviolis, but that's not all. There are some wonderful starters, like stuffed squash blossoms, and bone marrow just to name 2. The lamb is wonderful, and they also had fresh salmon that was cooked perfectly. This will be my new go to restaurant for dinner when I visit Santa Barbara in the future. Make sure you make reservations, the place was packed even on week days..."
    Dined on 6/22/2014
  • "Every mouthful was wonderful and made my friend and I wish we lived closer so we could dine at Toma more often! From specialty cocktails, to the mouthwateringly delish Tuna Cones, onto the entrees (Lasagna to die for and Scallops were the best Ive ever had) to the specialty after dinner coffee drinks (yes, a trend here) and the delightful Creme Brulee to finish it off - we could not have been happier or more impressed with Toma. Our waiter was delightful as were the entire wait staff and hostess. thank you Toma for a lovely diner"
    Dined on 6/20/2014
  • "Loved Toma's. The food was excellent. Enjoyed the zucchini blossoms and the octopus as a starter. Nice wine selection. We will be back."
    Dined on 6/17/2014
  • "Food was good, but we were looking for a quiet evening of celebration of our 25th wedding anniversary and were disappointed with the noise level and the lack of ambience. Good view and nice location."
    Dined on 6/17/2014
  • "We had a party of 7 for dinner. The staff was polite and attentive. The food outstanding. They brought fried blue cheese stuffed olives and a loaf of fabulous bread to the table right away. We ordered the squash blossom & artichoke appetizers which were unique and tasty. The entrees were equally well received....steak, chicken, sea bass & ravioli....desserts of creme brulee and warm chocolate torte were incredible! Will definitely return"
    Dined on 6/14/2014
  • "The very best food and service I have had in a long time compared to other top restaurants. Manager & server were outstanding! There was nothing I can say negative! Great job! Keep up the good work & keep up the high quality."
    Dined on 6/13/2014
  • "The food and service were excellent. The menu was interesting and each course served was delicious and all portions were very generous. The staff was most accommodating for our seating requests and the waiters were very attentive with out being overbearing."
    Dined on 6/12/2014
  • "We arrived at 5:30pm and by 7pm the place was jam packed so get there early. Ordered a cocktail from the bar that was perfect. No surprise since the bartender has been there like 20 years. I ordered the scallops which were amazing and my date ordered the sea bass. Both excellent."
    Dined on 6/12/2014
  • "We went here based on a recommendation from an acquaintance. The service was good but not overly attentive. The tuna cones were excellent; however, my husband & I were very disappointed in our meals. They were very different dishes but both were bland & tasteless. They certainly don't skimp on the alcohol in their drinks. Their drinks were way too strong & undrinkable. When this was mentioned to the waiter, he did not comment or offer to change our drinks."
    Dined on 6/12/2014
  • "We went for our anniversary, had three fish courses and a great bottle of wine and greatly enjoyed all of it."
    Dined on 6/10/2014
  • "The food was outstanding, the atmosphere was friendly and informal, but the wait staff needs to be a bit more attentive, it took way too long to get and then pay the bill."
    Dined on 6/10/2014
  • "First time visit to Toma R&B even though we are Santa Barbara residents. A pleasant surprise. Quiet decor - not overstuffed with some view of the beach. Food was generally delicious. Interesting appetizers with local sources. Main courses: I had cioppino and my wife had chicken. Both dishes were served in a nice arrangement and very tasty. Desert was very innovative combination of local berries and flaky pastry. Wine list was adequate. Finally, the price was very reasonable for Santa Barbara."
    Dined on 6/8/2014
  • "Toma has a ridiculous seating policy. Every time we have gone (4) we are shown to the worst table in the restaurant, even with an Open Table request. We usually eat early, when the there are few people, so I ask for another table which I receive. I watch this happen again and again with others. They ask for another table and receive it. Why not fulfill Open Table requests and give those who come early the best table available? Who is Toma waiting for? There are many excellent restaurants in Santa Barbara. I will go to those that make me feel like a valuable customer."
    Dined on 6/7/2014
  • "We are serious foodies. Toma was outstanding from the moment we walked in. Highly recommend this gem"
    Dined on 6/5/2014
  • "We ate at this restaurant and we're highly disappointed. The food quality was not worth the price even though it had received a high rating. It seems to be a hang out for the locals but don't go there if you want good Italian food. Our waiter spent more time greeting people than attending tables. There are other Italian restaurants in Santa Barbara that are way better and even less pricey so I highly recommend that you bypass it. "
    Dined on 6/5/2014
  • "I went looking for a great restaurant to treat my sister-in-law for her birthday, and I found it! From the moment we entered the restaurant, it was non-stop wonderful. We let our waiter, David, know we were interested in a nice, leisurely dinner and he was perfect. Started us off with a delicious cocktail, moved to artichoke appetizers that we almost fought over, and then on to the main event. The Halibut Special for her and the Gnocchi for me made us wish the restaurant was a little darker, so we could lick the plates. We felt unhurried, cared for, and were able to finish off the evening chatting over coffee and an excellent shared dessert. I expect to be back and would highly recommend the experience to anyone."
    Dined on 6/4/2014
  • "I wanted to try everything on the menu, but we were only in town one night. I had the black pasta with seafood. It was delicious. If we did live closer, Toma's would become my husband's and my favorite place to eat. The staff was very friendly and helpful when trying to decide what to eat. You should try this place! "
    Dined on 6/3/2014
  • " an interesting menu with the a wonderful wait staff! Our waiter Tre couldn't have been more helpful. & with such a spectacular view one hardly needs elegant decor. The menu was very creative and not traditional heavy Italian."
    Dined on 6/1/2014
  • "All around great restaurant - and not just for meat-eaters. I am a vegetarian who often suffers through mediocre meals while my meat-eating mate feels sorry for me and raves about the stellar quality of what he has ordered. But whenever we go to Toma, we are both happy. The food is roll-your-eyes-up-inside-your-head great, beautifully plated, and the service could not be better. The acoustics are good - it's a lively place - not one of those quiet, hushed atmospheres - but you can actually carry on a conversation without having to shout. I love this place."
    Dined on 5/30/2014
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Diners' Choice Awards
  • California Central Coast Winners
  • Best Overall
  • Best Service
  • Italian
  • Most Booked
  • Santa Barbara Winners
  • Best Overall
  • Best Food
  • Best Service
  • Fit for Foodies
  • Most Booked
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