Barbareño

Barbareño reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Review summary

1. P

   Pamela VIP

   San Francisco15 reviews

   5.0

   Dined 1 day ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Unbelievable. Impeccable. Absolutely the best meal I’ve had this year. Took a weekend getaway to SB and Barbareño was a high point. We had a bottle of Syrah from Santa Ynez, which was amazing. Ordered the grilled avocado with ponzu, wasabi, and some kind of sour powder. The ponzu was a tad too salty, but overall delicious. I ordered the burrata, grilled peach, and little gem salad and the hint of vanilla bean in the dressing had me all but licking the plate. My partner had the especial, a lamb al pastor over a flatbread with pickled onions. He loved it! Bonus, it’s clear the staff are influenced by Will Guidara’s ethos in Unreasonable Hospitality. They were wonderfully thoughtful, attentive, and knowledgeable. Last thing — the outdoor dining area is perfection. I can’t say enough good things about our experience here.
   

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2. OT

   OpenTable Diner VIP

   Los Angeles3 reviews

   5.0

   Dined 1 day ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   We were visiting Santa Barbara and we’re so impressed by Barbareno. It was perfect and delicious. Every dish we tried was phenomenal and the serve and pace of the meal was perfect.
   

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3. A

   Alex

   Los Angeles1 review

   5.0

   Dined 2 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Amazing 10 of 10 recommend anyone to go there ASAP
   

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4. p

   phil

   Central Coast1 review

   4.0

   Dined 3 days ago

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 3

   A nice place to dine, service pretty good. Don't order too much of the good, interesting and well-presented food.
   

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5. E

   Emily

   Central Coast1 review

   5.0

   Dined 3 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Barbareno has become our MOST favorite restaurant in SB! It is tucked away but still so accessible, and the food is INCREDIBLE. Everrrrrry single dish we were in heaven. They all tasted so different yet felt like a very cohesive menu. Bravo!
   

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6. S

   Scott VIP

   Charlotte3 reviews

   5.0

   Dined 6 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   This is one of the most amazing meals we have ever had. All four of us were cleaning our plates to the last drop of food. Amazing
   

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7. e

   eddie

   Las Vegas1 review

   3.0

   Dined 7 days ago

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 2
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 4

   Menu was limited n quantity of food didn’t equal to its price
   

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8. j

   jola VIP

   Detroit9 reviews

   2.0

   Dined on May 17, 2025

   1. Overall 2
   2. Food 1
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 2

   I’ve had Especial which is a lamb pastor garnish with some cheese salsa, etc. I could not taste any of the things listed. The only thing present was some marinated pink onion, I could taste that. The wine was fine, a Pinot from Alsace. It was the most unpleasant dining experience in Santa Barbara in the last 11 years.
   

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9. T

   Thaili VIP

   Los Angeles4 reviews

   3.0

   Dined on May 12, 2025

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 2
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 4

   We ordered the Egg McMuffin-style appetizer, the crispy pork belly, the fish, and the ‘s’mores for dessert. Overall, the meal was underwhelming—something you’d expect from a trendy but unmemorable spot. The appetizer was especially disappointing. It resembled a pancake topped with sour cream and a bit of prosciutto—nothing particularly refined in flavor, and not very enjoyable. The crispy pork belly sounded promising, with a detailed preparation described by the staff, but it didn’t live up to it. It was overly fatty and lacked any standout flavor—more like deep-fried pork fat than a carefully prepared dish. The fish was the clear highlight. It was moist, flavorful, and well-prepared—balanced and enjoyable. As for the dessert, it aimed for a creative take on s’mores but fell flat. The marshmallow overwhelmed the dish, and it could have used more ice cream to balance it out. Honestly, I would’ve preferred a classic s’more.
   

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10. R

    ROBERT VIP

    Las Vegas2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on May 10, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5

    Wonderful dishes Tapas style. extraordinary flavors and unique plates!
    

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