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Carlitos Cafe Y Cantina, Santa Barbara, CA
Carlitos Cafe Y Cantina, Santa Barbara, CA
Carlitos Cafe Y Cantina, Santa Barbara, CA
Carlitos Cafe Y Cantina, Santa Barbara, CA
Carlitos Cafe Y Cantina, Santa Barbara, CA

Carlitos Cafe Y Cantina

4.5
4.5
212 Reviews
$30 and under
Mexican
Carlitos is a Santa Barbara restaurant with a vibrant mix of contemporary Mexican cuisine, and award-winning margaritas, rooted in Mexican flavors and traditions that celebrate local ingredients. Inspired by the bounty of the sea and farms nearby, signature dishes include our Fresh Halibut Ceviche, Bohemia Fish Tacos, Garlic Shrimp and our infused Chile oil, refreshing Scallop and Shrimp Salad with Mango vinaigrette, traditional Mole with Chicken, Spicy Back Ribs, and Portobello Mushroom Enchiladas. Colorful umbrellas, and a bubbling fountain at Carlitos accent the sun-filled outdoor patio overlooking State Street, while the dining room features original Fiesta artwork by Channing Peake, and a Cantina stocked with a fantastic collection of 100% Blue Agave Tequilas and Mezcals. Carlitos is a festive gathering place for family and friends, and add some lively Mexican and South American guitars, you have the makings of a fun filled evening!

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Unfortunately, this restaurant is not on the OpenTable reservation network.

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Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Cuisines
    Mexican, Latin / Spanish
  • Hours of operation
    Lunch: Monday - Friday: 11:00am - 4:00pm Brunch: Saturday - Sunday: 11:00am - 4:00pm Dinner: Daily: 4:00pm – 10:00pm
  • Phone number
    (805) 962-7117
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Neighborhood
    Santa Barbara
  • Parking details
    Private Lot
  • Additional
    Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 212 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

4.5
4.5 based on all time ratings
  • 4.4Food
  • 4.4Service
  • 4.4Ambience
  • 4.2Value

NoiseModerate

212 Reviews
  1. Reynaldo

    Philadelphia

    119 reviews

    vip
    2.0

    119 reviews

    Dined on March 12, 2020

    overall2food1service3ambience2
    Worst Mexican(?) food I ever had...anywhere!!! And I spent over a year in Mexico.

    Is this helpful?

  2. SusanS

    Central Coast

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 8, 2020

    overall3food4service1ambience4
    We were disappointed with the service. Our server kept bringing another table's order to us. We had to ask for water refill several times. He was not personable and the only time he made eye contact and smiled, was then he presented the check. This is unfortunate because we loved the location and environment and food.

    Is this helpful?

  3. JohnR

    Orange County

    19 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    19 reviews

    Dined on March 1, 2020

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    our server Ariel (sic) was phenomenal. And the steak at the bottom of the menu was wonderful; tender and tasy.

    1 person found this helpful

  4. OpenTable Diner

    Central Coast

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on February 28, 2020

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Just as good as I remember! Haven’t been to Carlitos in a while and it was just as good, if not better than the last time.

    Is this helpful?

  5. SP33

    Orlando

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on February 28, 2020

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Had a wonderful dinner with friends. Food was great. I had the enchiladas verde. Just the right amount of flavor and heat. Guacamole was great. Server was super-attentive. Outdoor space had a great ambiance. Will definitely go back next time we are in Santa Barbara.

    Is this helpful?

  6. LesF

    Orange County

    32 reviews

    5.0

    32 reviews

    Dined on February 23, 2020

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Loved the restaurant. First time there and definitely not the last. The food was great, service good, and really liked having live music!!!

    Is this helpful?

  7. SawnaG

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 17, 2020

    overall1food1service3ambience2
    I thought Carlitos was extremely overpriced for what you received. The customer service was basic, the food had no flavor and the portions were tiny for the price and the margaritas tasted as thought it was just sweet and sour mix with ice. Unfortunately it’s not a place I’d ever recommend not ever return to.

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  8. DavidF

    San Francisco

    11 reviews

    3.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on February 17, 2020

    overall3food3service3ambience3
    The food was just average. Nothing special. With so many good Mexican restaurants in town, I think you can do better.

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  9. Marsha

    Central Coast

    207 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    207 reviews

    Dined on February 15, 2020

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    The food and service were fine, just not exceptional. Not much atmosphere.

    Is this helpful?

  10. OpenTable Diner

    Hawaii

    3 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on February 14, 2020

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Very good food!!

    Is this helpful?

  11. Brett

    San Francisco

    44 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    44 reviews

    Dined on February 1, 2020

    overall4food4service5ambience4
    Great margaritas and casual patio dining with our dogs.

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  12. AmyC

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 1, 2020

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    best chips and salsa in town. We have been coming here almost every Friday night for 27 years!

    Is this helpful?

  13. OpenTable Diner

    Central Coast

    106 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    106 reviews

    Dined on January 29, 2020

    overall3food3service2ambience3
    Waiter was arrogant...not the usual there. Food was okay but not up to usual standard. There was no music.

    Is this helpful?

  14. Stephen

    Los Angeles

    12 reviews

    5.0

    12 reviews

    Dined on January 25, 2020

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great place. Always crowded prior to Covid...so the wait for a table in the evenings can be long (prior to Covid). Definitely a place you want to go to for dinner from time to time.

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  15. Edie

    Central Coast

    96 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    96 reviews

    Dined on January 23, 2020

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We had friends visiting during the film festival and I thought they would enjoy watching the commotion in front of the Arlington theater one evening. So I suggested we dine at Carlitos. Everything was perfect. Thank you to Carlitos for reserving parking for their reserved guests. Thank you for seating us with a reservation relatively on time even though the restaurant was packed. Food and drink was brought to us in a timely fashion. And ALL yummy. Our friends had a wonderful evening and so did we. Not our first time there and the food and service is excellent as always. We ordered the salmon, beef fajitas and a burrito, guacamole and calamari. All excellent.

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  16. DanC

    Los Angeles

    7 reviews

    4.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on January 12, 2020

    overall4food5service4ambience3
    Excellent food and margaritas. Very energetic atmosphere, but a big drawback is that if eating indoors it is extremely loud. This makes conversation at the table very difficult even with the person seated in the seat next to you. The bathrooms are very small and if you are a tall person (say 5’10 or more) it makes sitting on the toilet (if needed) a bit uncomfortable. Great location on State St across from the Arlington Theater which was our ultimate destination.

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  17. OpenTable Diner

    Central Coast

    106 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    106 reviews

    Dined on January 9, 2020

    overall3food5service2ambience5
    Great experience until they slopped all our meals into one box!!! We wanted to take this home to eat individually...I've never experienced this...we got a half hearted apology. I feel like they owe us a meal after that... I'd much rather put my own food in a box anyway...I don't want somebody else's food dumped on top of mine! I've never had this happen before!

    Is this helpful?

  18. Maureen

    Los Angeles

    17 reviews

    5.0

    17 reviews

    Dined on January 3, 2020

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great food, great service, always a great experience

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  19. Sand

    Orange County

    9 reviews

    3.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on January 1, 2020

    overall3food2service5ambience4
    Pretty average food, but great service. The spicy baby back ribs were really good, but the rest of the food we ordered was fairly mediocre.

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  20. Patsy

    San Francisco

    50 reviews

    5.0

    50 reviews

    Dined on December 27, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great food and an amazing blood orange margarita!!

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  21. VictoriaV

    Central Coast

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 25, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Had a lovely meal with the family for Christmas Eve! It’s was delicious & service was A+!

    Is this helpful?

  22. GaryH

    Washington DC

    4 reviews

    3.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on December 24, 2019

    overall3food2service4ambience3
    I have been to Carlitos several times while visiting Santa Barbara.The last few times I've been there, the menu was not Tex-Mex as I like it and the drinks were a bit expensive. There are many great restaurants in Santa Barbara, so I probably not be back.

    Is this helpful?

  23. OpenTable Diner

    Central Coast

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 20, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Waiters were quick and really helpful&nice. Blood Orange margarita is really delicious and fajitas are delicious. See you guys soon :)

    Is this helpful?

  24. Tigger

    Los Angeles

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on December 1, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Had a lovely dinner with drinks out on the patio. It was raining when we were there, however there were tables under an awning with heaters.

    Is this helpful?

  25. OkR8r

    San Francisco

    54 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    54 reviews

    Dined on November 30, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Always a must when we travel to SB. Food is authentic, plentiful, and very delicious!

    Is this helpful?

  26. Dini

    San Francisco

    67 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    67 reviews

    Dined on November 10, 2019

    overall3food2service5ambience4
    Carlitos has been opened for 40 years so I expected it would be great Mexican food. I found the food to be very bland. I did like their chips and salsa but the taco’s were very average. The other thing I didn’t like was how fast they brought all our food. We ordered a salad to start and they bought the entree’s out with the salad’s. I hate to feel rushed when I am out to dinner. I must say all the staff were friendly and helpful.

    Is this helpful?

  27. up4maui

    Sacramento

    16 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    16 reviews

    Dined on October 25, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    One of our favorite places to eat in Santa Barbara!

    Is this helpful?

  28. Char

    Central Coast

    8 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on October 16, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The staff was extremely friendly. We were seated quickly, served drinks and food in an appropriate amount of time and was on our way to our event with plenty of time to spare!

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  29. TraciR

    Central Coast

    10 reviews

    5.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on October 12, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Attentive staff. Great chips & salsa/guacamole & the drinks are tasty too. Food is always more than enough & great flavors.

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  30. rthbaum

    Los Angeles

    12 reviews

    3.0

    12 reviews

    Dined on October 5, 2019

    overall3food3service3ambience2
    Food was average nothing spectacular. Too many tables on the patio, crowded. Waiters kept bumping into ba I of chair as they worked their way through the area.

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  31. OpenTable Diner

    Central Coast

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on September 26, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    First time at Carlitos with my boyfriend and they did not disappoint! We both got mango margs with a spicy mix on the rim and I had the best chicken fajitas I think I’ve ever had. Can’t wait to go back!

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  32. MMae

    Central Coast

    13 reviews

    4.0

    13 reviews

    Dined on September 25, 2019

    overall4food5service5ambience5
    Ordered a margarita and wasn't disappointed, it was as good as I was lead to believe. The chips came with a very good red salsa as well as a corn salsa both were very flavorful. My entree was a very tasteful chili relleno and the corn and chili tamale..which tasted delicious. We will be back.

    Is this helpful?

  33. CynthiaO

    Central Coast

    39 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    39 reviews

    Dined on September 21, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Fabulous place to get together with long time friends. The ambiance on the patio in Santa Barbara is like none other.

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  34. NancyH

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 9, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Enjoyed a quick drink and lite dinner recently on the patio, before going to a show at the Arlington. Every one of the staff was friendly and helpful, seating was prompt. Service, food and beverage were all first rate. We will be back, thanks for a lovely evening !

    Is this helpful?

  35. Designer

    Central Coast

    53 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    53 reviews

    Dined on September 8, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We are local and always love to enjoy everything that they have to offer! The food is always consistent and great!

    Is this helpful?

  36. hungry

    Central Coast

    23 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    23 reviews

    Dined on September 8, 2019

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    I love Carlitos! I actually ate at Carlitos twice this week, and at Dos Carlitos once. I have to say that the food is always better at Dos Carlitos, but it's hard to beat the ambiance of being downtown Santa Barbara, nestled between the mountains and the Arlington Theater.

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  37. Cshepp

    Los Angeles

    40 reviews

    5.0

    40 reviews

    Dined on September 8, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Excellent food and service! We appreciated the help from our server, Cindy. Thank you!

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  38. Rali

    Los Angeles

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on September 3, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Best Mexican food !!! Every time we visit Santa Barbara , Carlitos is a must!!!

    Is this helpful?

  39. DenaD

    Central Coast

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 3, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Price of kids' meal surprisingly didn't include a drink. Those were extra. The food and atmosphere were fantastic. We would definitely recommend! Family friendly and appreciated the vegetarian option.

    Is this helpful?

  40. Chris

    Los Angeles

    123 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    123 reviews

    Dined on August 31, 2019

    overall5food5service4ambience5
    Agave margarita and steak tostada delicious

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

Carlitos Cafe Y Cantina is rated 4.5 stars by 212 OpenTable diners.

Not available on OpenTable

Unfortunately, this restaurant is not on the OpenTable reservation network.

If you like, we'll notify you by email if this restaurant joins.


Is this your restaurant?
Claim this listing
Google Map for Carlitos Cafe Y Cantina

1324 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101

Additional information

  • Neighborhood
    Santa Barbara
  • Hours of operation
    Lunch: Monday - Friday: 11:00am - 4:00pm Brunch: Saturday - Sunday: 11:00am - 4:00pm Dinner: Daily: 4:00pm – 10:00pm
  • Cuisines
    Mexican, Latin / Spanish
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    Private Lot
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Additional
    Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine
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