The 20 best cake shops and cake bakeries in Montecito

Cute lunch spot. Very instagramable. They had a line when we arrived but it went by fast. You need to order at the register before getting a table. I ordered Californian Egg Benedict, avocado toast with sunny side eggs (eggs were additional cost) and lilac salad. Food came out very fast and was very delicious.

Oh my goodness! I love this place. Friendly service. Amazing food. Great ambience. I had egg whites and the avocado toast. It was to die for! Delicious beyond words. Even if you don’t have to watch gluten, you really must try this place!

This place is like heaven for people like me who can't eat gluten! I make a point of stopping here every time I come through Santa Barbara. The food is great, the store itself is lovely, sitting inside is great and sitting outside on State Street is also beautiful. I can't speak for the dessert, but the meals they serve are delicious. I've had their sandwiches and their breakfast options, and have had nothing but great experiences. I even got breakfast to-go here one time on my way to the airport so I could have gluten-free breakfast on the other side of security while waiting for my flight. Worked out great!

A real French patisserie at the center of the picturesque Santa Barbara downtown. The place itself is nothing special, and the coffee is just ok, but the food and pastries are delicious! We had a chicken sandwich, breakfast sandwich and a slice of tiramisu, and everything was great. And, everything is gluten-free!

Wonderful café with a cozy atmosphere. They made me a whole chocolate cake with gluten-free ingredients. The cake was rich, moist, and absolutely delicious. Staff were kind, helpful, and attentive to special requests. Highly recommend for anyone looking for quality desserts in a welcoming place!

I was excited to try this spot. I will say I thoroughly enjoyed the lemon cheesecake, it was fantastic. However my breakfast was covered in oil and completely bland. I took it home because I refuse to waste and will make do but it was not appetizing. The bread was moist, not really toast and didn’t taste like anything even with butter. The potatoes were ok but still covered in oil. I tried to wave and ask for help when someone came outside to get a box but ended up having to go inside and asked a kind stranger to watch my bag. Don’t expect them to ask how it is or how you are. From other reviews it seems their sandwiches are great. I know I would return for a slice of cheesecake. Though the high prices are a consideration.

This FRENCH patisserie met my expectations! Precision made food and the tarts are amazing! I had a slice of NY lemon cheesecake and the sweetness is spot on - will definitely stop here again next time I’m driving through Santa Barbara

Crushcakes absolutely CRUSHED our wedding cake. They did AMAZING. I brought some bouquets to the bakery the day before the wedding and they added it to the cake to make it look beautiful at no extra charge. It also tasted amazing. Would certainly recommend them for any special occasion

I worked with Justin and the team at Crush Cakes for Riley and Tanner’s wedding on April 24 at Villa + Vine in Santa Barbara, and they were amazing to work with! The cake they created was not only delicious, but gorgeously executed with a vintage vibe and delicate pearls throughout. It was truly a showstopper and quickly became the talk of the night during the reception. Guests couldn’t stop admiring it! Justin was so helpful and communicative, making the entire experience smooth and stress-free for my couple. As a wedding planner, I am absolutely looking forward to working with Crush Cakes again in August and highly recommend them to all my SB brides/grooms!

They have a lot of different cupcake flavours, all the ones we tried were delicious and the muffin itself was very spongy and tasteful. Their coffee selection was also interesting. The prices avergage high and the local could be a little bit cleaner. The place is close to the center of the city and they also have a small terrace outside. Staff quite distant. I would recommend to use the outside space to eat and take the coffee to go to see the surroundings, the area is very nice.

Ordered the vegan coconut cloud cake for a birthday for $95 and the cake was clearly either undercooked or had missing ingredients. The cake had the texture of playdough and was inedible. I see in the other reviews that the vegan cakes look normal so it must have been a one off but what was inexcusable was the fact that the owner argued with us on giving us a refund when we went back to the store to show them the inedible cake. The owner was saying that the texture was normal due to the cake being vegan. If that is the case, this company should not be selling vegan cakes! I did eventually get a full refund but when a cake is so clearly badly made, we should be receiving an apology and refund instead of having to argue for it. We ended up getting the Abe’s vegan cake in Whole Foods which was properly baked so again the issue was not due to the cake being vegan lol

We got our wedding cake (coconut cloud) and some desserts (lemon bars and cinnamon rolls) for our wedding reception from Crush Cakes. The cake was beautiful and tasted even better! Our guests loved the lemon bars and cinnamon rolls so much so we didn't even get the chance to try them! We will be back to enjoy all their goodies and will get a small cake or cupcakes from Crush Cakes for our anniversary...the cake was too good to save.

The vanilla rose latte was one of the best coffees I have had in a long time. The pancakes were a pleasant surprise and will be my go to in the area next time I visit. The food was good and service was very quick. The order area is small and crowded quickly but it didn’t matter once the food got served. You are easily transported to a world of your own, where you can really embrace your tastebuds.

Breakfast sandwich was very yummy and coffee excellent. Counter ordering. Tables outside. Oh and pastries very good.

SO HAPPY with how our wedding cake turned out! We had a vision for out cake and Heather really turned it out. She even accommodated our favorite flavor (red velvet) despite it not being on her flavor offering list and it seriously was the best red velvet cake I've had. AND THE FROSTING! Wow. Can't say enough good things! An artist!

Absolutely amazing experience!! Heather is a joy to work with and her cakes are to die for!!!! We have been dreaming of our lavender cake with lemon mousse since our wedding day. Our guests loved the cake, she has such unique and fresh flavors, and is sooo talented. Working with her was awesome, easy to book, answered so many questions, delivered the cake day of to our venue. We were so excited to arrive at our reception and see our gorgeous cake standing proudly! We look forward to visiting her bakery every year on our anniversary for a slice of cake and to reminisce! THANK YOU AGAIN!

Incredible 4-tier wedding cake that stole the show! Heather created a 4-tier masterpiece (pistachio and almond ricotta) that our guests loved and even messaged us after the wedding! The cake was the focal point for our 174 person Belmond Encanto wedding and it dazzled on the lily pond walkway in the center of all our rectangular tables. The look and taste can not be beat! Highly recommend any wedding couple to go with Heather at Frances baking! Best, Ryan & Mariella

We decided on a cake for our small 10-person wedding at the last minute. Heather was able to accommodate our request with just 4 days notice. The cake was outstanding. Not too sweet, light, and super flavorful (we requested funfetti). She delivered it to the restaurant personally prior to our arrival.

We were lucky enough to have Heather create our wedding cake June 2024. It was so lovely and the best cake I’ve ever had. We ended up going with a classic vanilla cake with fresh strawberries and vanilla cream filling and of course vanilla bean buttercream frosting. So lovely. We wanted a “simple”decoration, textured frosting and roses. Gorgeous. The cake was delivered to our on venue and everything went smoothly. Heather was always super quick to reply to emails and answer questions, an overall joy to work with. She’s an incredibly talented baker and we couldn’t have been happier with our cake. Can’t wait for an occasion to order again! We highly recommend Frances Baking in Santa Barbara for a stress-free experience and an incredible product. Thank you so much, Heather for making our day so sweet!

Heather was such a joy to work with throughout our wedding planning period. I loved that we were able to meet in person for a cake tasting. My husband and I initially tried 3 different flavors—all of which were amazing, but we were looking for something different, so we ended up reaching out to Heather to try one of her lavender cakes with strawberries, and a chantilly frosting. We met her in person again for a quick exchange and later tried the cake, which was even better then we could imagine. I remember asking how much we owed her for this cake tasting and she didn’t charge us because she wanted us to find a cake that we loved. I felt so touched and knew we had to book her with our dream wedding cake. As for the design, I sent her a few sample pictures of what we wanted and she completely delivered. I was so happy to see our cake on our wedding day. She is absolutely amazing and I couldn’t recommend her more!

Heather was so helpful during the cake planning process for our elopement, especially considering my husband and I are located all the way in Boston. We had family overnight the cake tastings to us and Heather even wrapped up the tasting cakes and sent us photos/measuring so we knew how big of a package we needed. All flavors we tried were so good and we couldn’t decide on one flavor so we got two! Heather made the most delicious vegan two-tier wedding cake for our small elopement reception. I will be dreaming about this cake for a lifetime! I highly recommend her cakes for any celebration and I’m even thinking of ways we could possibly order again for whenever we’re back in California!

Andersen’s is a charming, family-owned Danish-style bakery and restaurant that’s been passed down through generations. They specialize in authentic European and Scandinavian pastries, and also serve breakfast, brunch, and dinner. They offer both indoor and outdoor seating, and can easily accommodate parties of all sizes. I ordered the crab cake Benedict, and my wife had the bratwurst sausage with eggs. The crab cake Benedict was perfectly cooked - rich, flavorful, and beautifully presented. The bratwurst was equally delicious, packed with savory spices and paired well with the eggs and potatoes. Both dishes are definitely worth trying. The interior of Andersen’s makes you feel like you’ve stepped into a cozy café somewhere in Europe. The antique-style furniture adds to its old-world charm, creating a unique and inviting atmosphere. Overall, Andersen’s is a delightful spot for a casual meal or a special treat. I had the pleasure of meeting the owner. She gave me a little bit of history of the business, and even gave me and my wife a complimentary slice of a delicious cinnamon dessert. It was comparable to Cinnabon, but way better! Definitely give it a try. You won’t be disappointed!

We recently tried this Danish spot in Santa Barbara, and while it wasn’t quite what we expected, the food definitely left an impression. Let’s start with the duck. It was perfectly roasted, with crispy skin and juicy, tender meat. No complaints there—it was flavorful, rich, and cooked just right. The portion was big enough to satisfy, but not over the top. Solid dish. Next up, the goulash. Not something you typically think of as Danish, but it worked. The beef was melt-in-your-mouth tender, and the sauce had that nice balance of savory and a slight kick from the paprika. Comfort food at its finest. Between courses, we took a detour into the world of Danish pastries (Danishes?). These were definitely the stars of the show. Flaky, buttery, and with just the right amount of sweetness. Now, let’s talk about the service—or lack thereof. Don’t expect to sit down and have someone come take your order. You walk in, pay at the counter, and then a server brings the food to your table. It’s not a dealbreaker, but if you’re looking for a full-service experience, this isn’t it. Still, the staff was friendly enough. All in all, it’s a cozy little spot with solid food. The duck and goulash are worth trying, but the pastries are what you’ll remember. If you’re in Santa Barbara and in the mood for something different, it’s worth a stop—just don’t expect table service or a super polished experience.

Great place! I had an exam the day I came and their apple strudel + iced latte was just what I needed. Not much beats having a cold drink and a pastry on a warm summer day.

Nice place, very friendly staff and so far delicious food. I only had a sample of the cheese Danish (blood sugar is high) but it was absolutely delicious. Im going to bring my wife down for their high tea service.

The only item I ever purchase is their Apple strudel which is truly delicious. It’s flaky and full of apples, and only $6.95 for 1/4 of a strip. I used to buy an entire strip to bring to gatherings - - that’s how much I like this pastry. The service was just fine and friendly enough for me.

Long time SB restaurant fortunately survived COVID. Great location to people watch and solid breakfast selections with a bit of a twist. Of course great coffee and pastries. Eggs Benedict pictured. Well behaved dogs allowed outside.

I ate here with my family, and the owner was incredibly rude to not only our party but two others. She yelled at her staff to hurry up, as if they weren’t working hard enough. This place is understaffed, and the service and food are not good whatsoever. I would continue on, as we got recommended other great choices down the road, closer to the railroad. Highly recommended to pass and do not even support.

We went on Wednesday for brunch and there were a few empty tables. We were lucky to snatch a parking spot next to the bakery. We ordered a pull-pork sandwich, cinnamon roll and a chocolate crossaint. Cinnamon roll was the best: outside layer was crunchy and warm, the frosting wasn't too sweet, the amount of frosting was more than enough foe the whole roll. Chocolate crossaint was alright: pastry was soft and fluffy, chocolate wasn't melted all the way. Pull-pork had a goof spicy kick to it but it was a little too salty for my taste. Staff were so nice, respectful and welcomed. Service was quick. Love their decoration. We would try to sit outside next time as the flowers in the flower box were lovey on a nice day. These seats got filled up real quick though. Bathroom was not the cleanest.

Very beautiful decor, and lots of birds chirping around. Food was good but pricey. The hashbrowns are worth every penny. The fried chicken breakfast sandwich is very good as well. The service was fast but it was not very clear it was Cafe service and so when asked if I needed anything and I asked for a fork, I was surprised by the employee's offended expression. I was not aware of the cutlery and water station and was left to find it on my own. Employees were hard to track down or speak to, other than at the register. Also the self bussing station was in the back of the room through a tight space with full tables of customers. Multiple bussing stations would have been nice, or more clearly labeled if I missed another one.

This bakery was crazy good. Although the line was atrocious at 10AM and took us around 35 minutes to order, the baked goods were unmatched. We were in line originally for their cinnamon rolls but they sell out within the first few hours of opening so I would recommend getting there early. However, we were able to snag a pre-made cinnamon roll kit and we baked it back at home. Everything was pretty expensive but so is everything in Santa Barbara so it didn’t phase us. Would highly recommend trying!

As someone with autoimmune issues that impact my diet, I was utterly thrilled to hear the majority of their baked goods are made from sourdough discard which is my saving grace for gluten-sensitive restrictions!! I will definitely be coming back to Santa Barbara specifically for HAB!! My husband, daughter and son-in-love shared the delectable buttery Chocolate Chip Cookie, scrumptious Passionfruit Poppyseed Muffin, the balanced sweet, savory and creamy Goat cheese Toast, and the creative Elvis Banana Bread which were all fabulous! My personal brunch item was the breakfast tacos on corn tortillas which were delightful with crispy bacon, a generous layer of cheese, and over easy eggs with just the right kick of spice and seasoning. The staff was very welcoming, accommodating, and informative. I wish I could order for delivery to the San Francisco Bay because I definitely would!!

We came for a breakfast bite and ended up with coffee, a healthy bowl, a breakfast sandwich and truly delicious cinnamon rolls. Very decadent and worth every bite. Not cheap but, it’s great ingredients and, hey, it’s Santa Barbara near the beach!

The cinnamon roll is one of the best one i ate for while, perfectly crispy outside soft inside and not too sweet, with the sweet sauce its so good Sandwich sourdough really good too Other bakery decent And the seatings and interior just nice and chill

We come here every time we are in Paso Robles. The raspberry croissant is so delicious! We love supporting family own businesses like this but especially when everything they make is tasty!

It was a really busy morning and the staff worked efficiently to get the orders out. With so many people present, the patio area was overcrowded. Many of the pastries were sold out so I tried something I don’t normally get, a chocolate croissant. It was good enough. So after being in line and eating my food while I waited, how was the coffee? Extra hot like I ordered it, but bland…

The yellow store frount with their kind staff will welcome you with a very nice smile! There is a wonderful breakfast menu and beautiful pastries. There are about 4 to 5 tables outside so if you are looking to dine in with a larger group I would make sure to have plenty of time or plan a picnic near the beach! Perfect place to have morning coffee with a friend.

I eat here often. I usually get their Brioche Breakfast Sandwich, which is delicious, but today I mixed it up and ordered their Croissant Sandwich, but I ordered mine with two fried eggs, sauteed mushrooms, cheese and bechamel on a brioche bun - it was HEAVEN!! Knife and fork for this one. So good!!

Our favorite spot in Montecito for perfect pastries and coffee ; the breakfast sandwich in a brioche bun is insanely good as is the mushroom croissant. Lovely people, great vibe.

Cute cafe stop off before the beach. We loved their iced latte and savoury pastries

Good, but i thought it was a bit pricey for what it was. A lot of it just felt like fancy avacado toast. That being said, I did enjoy almost everything I had, although I thought the breakfast sandwich was a little one-dimensional. I would probably go back for the loaded tartine though!

The brioche is delicious, no doubt. But overall the place was disappointing. The beignets looks’ deceive — supposedly custard filled had less than a tiny dab of filling. Pricing high for what is served. There is no dine in option so all containers are throw-away and cutlery single use plastic. I would not go again.

Absolutely amazing food. Will definitely be back next time we’re in town. Make sure to grab a dessert too!

I love this place for its atmosphere and delicious desserts. Love the breakfasts here, the eggs Benedict is delicious. The staff is friendly. Simple pleasant interior. The place is very popular and it is clear why. Highly recommend. I didn’t like that they don’t clean and wipe the tables, the new visitors have nowhere to sit!!!!

Incredible brunch/lunch food! Ham, cheese, and egg on croissant melts in your mouth! Egg, tomato, mushroom, cheese, and egg on thickly sliced sourdough is hearty and tasty. Side potatoes are perfectly soft inside with just the right texture skins outside. Seasoned with garlic or something. Outdoor patio seating is great for some sun.

Beautiful and delicious coffee & quiche. Outdoor seating plentiful and a couple tables inside. Staff was friendly and the service was super fast. Great quiet place to get breakfast and sit with friends. Well behaved dogs can sit outside with you.

Recently we’ve found ourselves craving a good French bakery and bistro. Personally I blame @jackvelasquez because he recommended this one to us and we found it to be c’est magnifique! 🇫🇷 They claim to offer “A taste of Paris…without the trip to France!” and I have to admit that a resemblance does exist. The croissant was warm, buttery, and flakey, and was filled with fresh and flavorful “copines.” The quiche was masterfully created because it focused its efforts on a limited number of powerful flavors that left the palate in want of nothing. Their coffee and tea offerings are not extensive, but we tried one of each and they were both excellent. I can’t claim to have even attempted to resist the urge to sample their bakery items and felt particularly drawn to their lemon meringue tart and chocolate eclair. Both of them offered decedent flavors and the gold flakes upon the later made us feel quite bougie. We tip our berets to you Jack, this was a great recommendation. 👨‍🎨 And that’s…Henry’s Take. #santabarbarafrenchbakery #santabarbarafrenchbistro

I decided to try the strawberries and cream since I was looking for something sweet and the reviews of the place seemed good but I was a little disappointed. The berries and cream I had tasted like onion. The flavor was not strong but somehow it seemed as if the whole dessert had come in contact with onion. Either prepared on a surface that had onion previously or the utensils used were not cleaned properly. I also had a box of macarons and it came with a black hair of about 2 inches in length, I did not take a picture of it but I did ask for a new box. Not everything was bad as I also bought a baguette which was good, orange juice, cappuccino, and the bomb dessert. Maybe on a different day, I won't have the same experience but as a first experience, I am not looking forward to coming here anytime soon, but when I do, I will update this review accordingly. I really hope the quality standards keep up.

First time experiencing this establishment. Found it on a morning walk on vacation in Santa Barbara. I ordered the Renauds omelette and a double espresso, and it was a fantastic meal and the omelette was prepared perfectly and served with nice fresh crispy around the edge baguette. I was not dressed the best but Bella who was working the register and walked to serve me at my patio table was fantastic and did not seem to mine my mismatched attire. Bella was 100 percent professional and extremely nice to me and the other customers she engaged with ahead of me in line. If I ever return to Santa Barbara I will surely revisit this restaurant again.

Hands down these were delicious pastries. We got the pistachio creme croissant and would recommend! We even got it again the next day and ordered additional croissants (Baklava, almond chocolate). The cafe does get quite busy with the small dining area filled, but there were also seating outside which the staff would bring out your order to you

Delicious pastries and lunch items. Desserts look and taste like works of art. Lunch order include avocado toast with smoked salmon, roast beef sandwich, and crab crepes. The only minor issue is sometimes service can be a bit slow.

My favorite brunch spot in Santa Barbara! Everything is always so delicious. Between my boyfriend and I, we’ve probably ordered everything on the menu and have never been disappointed. On top of everything being so yummy, the staff is so kind. We are always welcomed with a smile. If you’re in Santa Barbara, you can’t miss this spot for brunch.

If you’re in Santa Barbara you must visit Alessia. The croissant sandwich was delicious. We ordered vanilla oat milk cortados which were the best cortados we’ve ever had. And this fig honey dessert was perfection. The perfect way to start our Sunday. Thank you Alessia.

It was quite busy when we arrived but we were seated quickly and the food came out fast as well. You can either get a pastry to go or order and sit down. The food itself was fantastic!

Delicious! One dish can easily be shared by 2 people. They offer both indoor and outdoor seating. Outdoor seating is dog friendly.

I don't know where to start. Everything is delicious. There is outdoor seating along with tables and a large counter indoors. Although you still may need to wait for a seat.

Food: i order amenudo ,quesadilla and sope the menudo was to greasy, the meat from de quesadilla and the sope was really bad i had to throw all food away. Service: it was my first time going to la tapatia restaurant and the cashier was very rude and pushing when i was ordering she didn't let me look a the menu i didn't like the service. They make me wait an hour to get my order i want to leave but they alredy charge me. Definitely not recommended they lost 3 costumers

I order two Menudo’s today and my boyfriend came from work. I heat up the food and we found hair little ones. I called in and they told me to take in the food in and they said it was no hair but it is

I was in there this morning to get tamales. She told me they only had three left. Cheese tamales but when I get home, they don’t even look like tamales they’re open I im not sure what that is in side but it looks i got someone else’s food i have never seen a tamale made like this , total waste of money, I will never eat there again.

Ordered a veggie burrito that they have the ingredients for despite it not being on their menu. (beans, rice, lettuce, pico, guacamole, cheese and sour cream. Must've been offensive to them to have to prepare a meat-free burrito because they wrapped it in a way that made it fall apart when I took the foil off. Sadly, I tipped them before even receiving my order though I just walked in...wasn't dining in or being served in any special manner. So in other words they didn't deserve a tip. I'll stick to Freebirds for my burritos whenever I come to town from now on.

Food is delicious !! I ordered freshly handmade corn tortillas. The flan was out of this world go try!

Every time I visit Santa Barbara and want dank Mexican food, I head here. Friendly ordering process, lots of variety, and open most of the time. And don't forget to grab something from their bakery! Gracias amigos :)

I've been coming here for years and they are amazing. I get my annual Christmas eve pork tamales here Great Mexican bread Great tamales And cool staff

Oat was one of the best places we went during our time in Santa Barbara. We tried it early on during our trip and couldn’t stop talking about it and returned to get more. Our favorites were the sage/garlic bread, super seed cookie, and cinnamon bun. All were so fresh and perfectly made. The staff was also friendly. This is a place I would recommend to everyone going to Santa Barbara. Of note- it is primarily for take out as there is not any seating on the inside.

Overall rating: 4.9 Definitely thought maybe they served coffee, but they’re all bread. Staff wasn’t as friendly as I would hope, but the prices were great! I can see why it’s so popular. Items I ordered: Sage garlic bun Morning bun Highly recommend!

🥖 Bread: The vegan bread options at Oat Bakery are simply outstanding. I particularly enjoyed the variety they offer, with each bread being fresh and warm. Their sourdough with flaxseed was amazing - chewy and slightly yeasty, just delicious. The vegan cinnamon rolls and veggie sandwich were incredible too. The quality and taste of their bread, especially the unique ones like the seed bread and the one with cheddar cheese and apples, left a lasting impression on me 🏡 Atmosphere: Oat Bakery is a cozy and charming spot, a true hidden gem in Santa Barbara. It's a tiny place but has a great vibe, very organic and authentic. The bakery, with its counter opening right onto the street, adds a quaint and welcoming touch. It felt great to be there, enjoying their delicious offerings in such a homely environment 😍 Overall Experience: I was truly amazed by the quality of breads and other items at Oat Bakery. Everything I tried was exceptional. This place is definitely on my must-visit list for Santa Barbara, and I plan to load up on their delicious breads every time I'm in town. It's not just a bakery, it's an experience - one that I highly recommend to anyone visiting or living in Santa Barbara In summary, Oat Bakery is a delightful discovery with its excellent vegan bread options and cozy ambiance, making it a must-visit for anyone in Santa Barbara looking for fresh, warm, and tasty bakery items. There are no seating areas. You wait in line, get in, select, buy and leave happy!!!

First timer and YUM 😋 I really liked the gluten free seed bread. Lots of different seeds with a smooth texture and paired well with their jalapeño basil cashew spread. The loaf is heavy and dense, but maintained its moisture quite well. Hubby loved the morning bun. We also loved the sourdough and focaccia. Looking forward to trying new breads and spreads next time. The bakers all seemed pleasant on an early Saturday morning. Highly recommend!

Best find in Santa Barbara!!! We were lucky to be staying a couple doors down and happened to walk into this cute little bakery. The women that work there are just so lovely and you get to see them at work making their breads. We really enjoyed the sweets. They use a date paste instead of sugar and later I found out they are vegan also. You MUST try the Hygge bun which is like a little cinnamon roll baked fresh daily and warm from the oven😋We went every day for breakfast and even brought some home to put in the freezer. This was like a dream for me since I cannot have sugar cane or dairy so I usually am not able to get sweets. Absolutely THE best!

As a bread enthusiast, I love this place. The sage garlic loaf was so delicious I ate the whole thing in one sitting. Decent price for fancy bread (~$7-13), very tasty. Bit of a longer line, maybe 15-20 minute wait at 11:30am

I want to give them 5 out of 5 star + hilarious feedback. Everything that we bought was amazingly delicious and baked meticulously. I cannot express my feelings guys. You must stop by this bakery if have a chance.

Really adorable shop and such a great pit stop between LA & SLO. All the touches are pink and gold even the utensils and flooded with sunlight...I loved it! It is even next door to a few cute stores & a market. ...my favorite was the post office!. I happened upon it at lunch time. I bet it is even better when just before or just after. They had so many different things I was afraid to ask all my questions with the line getting longer behind me. I have quite a few food allergies...so I just went safe. I really was hoping for a sweet treat. I think they even had grilled salmon! Food was good too! FYI so close to the beach! ...and zoo.

Merci Montecito used to be one of my favorite spots — especially for their white bean salad, which was not only delicious but also a rare gem for those of us who are plant-based or have food allergies. It paired perfectly with the kale salad (hold the cheese), and was one of the few offerings in town that felt thoughtfully crafted for everyone at the table. Unfortunately, that staple salad is no longer on the menu. In its place is a haricot vert and chickpea salad — which sounded promising — until I found out the vinaigrette (which is already tossed in and can't be on the side) contains egg. That makes it a no-go for vegans and anyone with egg allergies. Disappointing, but not the end of the world… except it kind of is when there’s little else on the menu that checks those boxes for plant-based protein. What really soured the experience, though, was the attitude at the register. When I politely asked about vegan or allergy-friendly options, the gentleman seemed annoyed and dismissive. Thankfully, another staff member stepped in and flagged the egg in the dressing — which could’ve been a serious issue for me due to allergies. It's essential to clearly identify ingredients and allergy triggers like egg or dairy — especially when dishes sound plant-based but aren’t fully. I’ve always believed a good café or restaurant should be welcoming and inclusive — especially in a community like Montecito where people have diverse dietary needs. I used to recommend Merci. Now, with the white bean salad gone, the lack of allergy transparency, and the disappointing customer service, I find myself looking elsewhere — even within the same shopping area (yes, even next door). The vibe has also shifted — it’s more crowded and less warm than it used to be. Our kale salad today was overdressed and just… not great. So, sadly, my previous glowing reviews need an update. This visit was a 3-star experience at best — more like a 2.5. I’ll keep checking in, hoping for the return of the white bean salad and, honestly, a little more patience and understanding for long-time customers. Until then, it’s a pass.

Merci is a fine place, quick stop and for adventurous palates. They are very unique meals, and unfortunately, mine was salty and no one asked about it. I was happy with the experience, I just expected a bit more since the place is a bit pricey. Portion is perfect, the eggs were about the best Ive had in a while. My meal was very overpowering, and salty. The reason of 4 starts, no one checked. Id come back for sure, if I am ever in the area. The ambiance is a bit loud since it’s tiny, but nothing to scare you away… go ahead and try this place, you won’t regret it.

The chicken payard with almond flour is one of the greatest meals on earth, the cookie dough to take home just perfect. Kale Salad amazing, Every item here is some of the best food I’ve had in my life. Straight up worth every penny. Fresh local delicious

Very hostile and rude man at the checkout (it seems others have had the same problem, with the same guy). I came in at a not especially busy time, and there was just one person ahead of me. When my turn came I asked for a cinnamon bun (not heated) and a fruit tart, for takeout. Both were siting right there, barely 2ft from the register, and I figured that he would simply put them in a bag and hand them to me. I paid, stupidly tipped 15%, and then waited. Without saying a word, he went on to serve someone else, disappeared for a bit, came back. I waited longer. There were no other customers at the register, but zero sign of me getting the two items. I realized that the way they do it is that even if you are getting a couple of muffins from the cabinet that require no preparation, they process the order as if you were at a table and had requested scrambled eggs. You go into the order line. So I asked him if someone could just pop the two items in a bag so I could leave. Oh boy, he did not like that! "you know there are others in front of you, also waiting". I said yes, but they are at tables, not standing here, and I am just asking for these two things in a bag! He made a series of sarcastic comments, furiously put two pastries in a bag (one of them not what I ordered) and slammed them down on the counter, telling me I "really needed to be more patient". It took him less than 12 seconds to do that, less time than it took me to pay and give him a tip. Instead he made me wait for no reason at all, in a space that is not large enough to have people waiting. So, in conclusion - they have a broken system (in fairness, not his fault), and an employee who clearly has none of the skills needed to be customer facing. Incidentally, I have been there many times and often noticed his attitude is of someone who would rather be doing something else.

It’s a perfect light bite for breakfast with their beautifully made coffee/hot drinks in the AM. Their lunch has been a favorite to take home or to enjoy with colleagues or friends at their location. Their chicken paillard are what dreams are made of. My favorite GF option in town. It’s perfect to share or as 2 meals. And other favorite are the duck legs, quiche, Jamon and butter sandwich, gigante beans and seasonal salad options.

This place is a favorite. In fact, they probably have the best chocolate chip cookies in town. Hands down

One of the best bakeries in town. All their Mexican confections are the best in town. Also, their bread pudding is some of the best I’ve ever had anywhere. And I enjoy anything they fill with custard or sweet cheese. Rosa and her staff are so friendly. Excellent prices and service. A gem! No wonder they have been in business for 40 years!!!!

I was born In Santa Barbara but now I live in san diego but everything I go visit my siblings la Bella Rosa is a must stop for me the Conchitas are the best I ever had and it is truly a santa barbara historic place since I was a little boy going her on Sunday mornings with my dad was the best

I ordered a Tres Leches cake from La Bella Rosa for a special occasion. So fresh, tasty and beautifully made. Will definitely be ordering from them again.

Great total experience! My daughter in law wanted a tres leches cake for her baby shower and although it was last minute La Bella Rosa Bakery said that they could do it. The person I talked to was so nice and they were wonderful during pick up. I told them to decorate it however they wanted because I was so busy and it was last minute and I had no ideas. They did a BEAUTIFUL JOB and the mama and papa to be were really thrilled. It didn't just look great but it was SO delicious! Not too sweet, we all had way too much because it was so good. I didn't get any pics of the slices unfortunately because I was way too busy eating but it was 4 layers and so so good.

I live and Goleta and drive all the way here just for their bread. Their bread is probly the best in town. The torta is very tasty as well

La Bella Rosa Bakery, to me and many others, is a historical bakery. It's tucked away in a beautiful community right before the mesa in Santa Barbara. The best authentic Mexican Bakery around for many many miles. Five stars everyday!

In my opinion, best bakery in town in terms of quality/prices/atmosphere and service! Love you guys!

Where to get the good stuff. Parking crowded but worth it. Go early.

This is the best pace to go for authentic Mexican Sweet Bread. It's baked fresh every morning. I love knowing I can count on Veronicas for a variety of delicious fresh sweet bread when I come, either for one concha or a few dozen. They even sell tamales!!!

Wow, usually pretty good but this recent time I found someone’s hair in my tamale. It was actually inside the husk, I could see it and pulled it out. I ordered 8 tamales and had to throw some away.

This place use to be better, the tamales were once the best in town but now they are becoming more and more dry, more dough then meat, more undercooked, more careless then before... I remember when the owners took pride in this place, seems like they are becoming complacent just like other shop owners. Half the time they undercooked or they don't make enough.

YO this place is OFF THE CHAIN in the morning!! Forget Jacks Bagels or a lame gas station.....Grab your donut/breakfast sandwich and morning coffee from these guys.....You will immediately see and smell what I'm talking about when you enter the place. You're welcome.

Great food quality, unfortunately, EVERY TIME I go, I always get short changed with my tamal order. I paid for 12, but only received 11 today. Last time I got 14, when I paid for 18. At $2/ tamal that's $10 in two visits that they've taken from me; us all the other tamales they've shorted us on before.. I tried to give them another chance after last time, but this is it. I'm really disappointed, I drove from UCSB all the way downtown, just to get ripped off.

Over all good assortment of breads, morning beverages, and tamales. But they consistently have an attitude about their business. Answers about anything are vague or they don't care. This is across multiple employees. If you don't require any type of customer service, you will be fine.

I ordered a BLT with wheat bread. The bacon is freshly cooked, the deep grill marks on the bread give me that cruch I look for. There's a good layer of sauce that doesn't make the bread soggy The salad is kept fresh. It's an enjoyable meal!

We ordered some sandwiches that were delicious. Also got some pumpkin empanadas to go, will be back for more!

Amazing torta with overeasy egg, avocado, roast beef, ham, turkey & cheese plus a side salad of lettuce & spinach with Parmesan cheese. The dressing was just the right amount of spice added. Had half left for lunch, too. Thank you so much!

Small panadería throwback to Haley Street before the bougie coffee, hipster beer, and other spillover across the freeway (i.e. the Haley Street Nerf Herder celebrates in their iconic tune “Down on Haley”). In addition to great Mexican pastries, wonderful tamales during Christmas time. Rajas, pork, chicken. $3/tamale and you have to order in advance but worth it.

No joke, best torta I've had. Awesome customer service. Ordered around 11:40 am, food was ready in less than 10 mins.

What a great place. Staff is friendly and so many things. The Tarasco torta is amazing. The pastries are delicious. He even gave us a tamale to try and it was so good!

I love everything I've had from here. It is one of the best mexican bakeries/delis I've ever been, and the food is consistently above my expectations. I really can't recommend Los Tarascos enough. Try the chicken ranch salad, pesto torta, or the carnitas/asada burrito especially. The chicken ranch salad is the picture I have attached.

I recently had the pleasure of working with The Little Things Bakery by ordering 18 custom decorated sugar cookies for a baby shower. I was so happy with how they turned out (baseballs with light blue stitching), but the cookie!! Let me tell you we were blown away how good they tasted! So not only were they a perfect addition to the days celebration but to have them taste as perfect as they looked was amazing. Cant' wait to order again for our next family gathering.

We visited The Little Things Bakery for a tasting for our wedding cake & they were super helpful! We ended up selecting 3 different types of cake/cupcakes and they were all delicious! The options were extensive & the tasting plate gave us the opportunity to try out so many combos. Our guests loved them, and we received so many compliments on the flavors. We'll definitely be heading back to try more!

We had the best experience at this bakery. They made our small wedding cake absolutely magical. Thank you

I recently had the pleasure of working with Leah at the Little Things Bakery for my wedding, and they surpassed all expectations. Their cake was a delectable masterpiece, combining flavors flawlessly. The attention to detail and artistic flair were remarkable, and the handcrafted decorations matched our theme perfectly. Leah at the Little Things Bakery provided exceptional customer service, making the process stress-free. The delivery and setup were flawless, and the cake became the highlight of our reception. I highly recommend The Little Things Bakery for their talent, commitment, and passion. Thank you for making our day magical!

Our wedding cake turned out beautiful & delicious. At our tasting we couldn't decide between the 3 flavors so we ended up with all of them: lemon cake with raspberry filling, chocolate cake with mousse filling & red velvet with cream cheese filling. Working with The Little Things Bakery was a breeze - Leah was super helpful over email with what we wanted. The person at the bakery we met with at the tasting (apologies I didn't catch his name!) was also really helpful. We regret not saving the top of our cake it was so good. We'll be back in a year to get one just for ourselves!

We ordered a wedding cake (bottom later chocolate with chocolate buttercream, top layer almond with raspberry) and it was absolutely incredible, so delicious and everyone kept coming back for more. The service was also top notch - quick responses to emails, delivered exactly when promised, super helpful and constructive. Thank you so much for such an amazing cake! Strongly recommend you order with this bakery.

Leah at The Little Things Bakery was very helpful when it came to ordering our wedding cake. She had the best flavor combination recommendations and worked with us to create our dream fiesta-inspired colorful wedding cake. The carrot cake was absolutely delicious and very moist. We highly recommend their desserts and look forward to working with them again in the future!

Lele and Signe did a wonderful job on our wedding cake. They were so helpful from start to finish with design, flavorings, everything was superb. It was delicious!

Highly recommend Lele Patisserie for your wedding cake needs! We were able to do a take home tasting and get to try our selected cakes and frostings from the menu. This was super helpful since many other bakeries only allow you to try their pre selected flavors. Lele and Signe offered a lot of feedback on our selections and we felt very confident in the final selection. Our wedding cake came out SO beautifully, it was exactly how I imagined it to be and it was so delicious. Can't wait to eat that top layer on our anniversary next year.

Lele made our wedding cake in June and it was absolutely incredible. We wanted a mini cutting cake and she nailed it. We did chocolate cake with espresso buttercream and it was to die for. We keep sneaking bites from our freezer stash! Highly recommend Lele Patisserie and we will definitely be coming back for years to come to relive these beautiful memories.

Lele & Signe did fabulous work on our wedding cakes!! The cakes were exactly what I was hoping for and were delicious. Lele & Signe were so positive, communicative and helpful while we worked out what we wanted - we had a somewhat non traditional request and they were quick to suggest solutions, and we got an amazing outcome. The way they placed the florals was really lovely as well. Highly recommend!

Lele at Lele Patisserie was great to work with! She took the time to hold several calls with us and discuss our vision for dessert for the welcome party we were hosting in Santa Barbara. We knew we wanted a dessert with both the kid‘s colleges represented but didn’t know whether we wanted cake or cookies, but Lele was there to guide us. She was patient and knowledgeable and helped walk us through all the options and possibilities. In the end, Lele's cookie design and packaging turned out perfect ... and even better than we had imagined! They couldn't have been more perfect, and we were so pleased! The cookies were in clear bag with a ribbon tying their printed insignia onto it. The presentation of the cookies looked great and were a big hit as they were wrapped so our guests could take them as they left the party. Guests came up to us the next day at the wedding telling us they were the best tasting cookies they had ever eaten. We contacted Lele only a week before the welcome party which was incredible that she could pull this off on such short notice. Working with Lele, we could tell that she was passionate about her job and dedicated to getting it right! Lele was professional, very flexible, easy to communicate and coordinate with, and sweet! We highly recommend her!

I truly had the best experience with Lele Patisserie. They were so communicative throughout the whole process, and the cake they made for my wedding was absolutely delicious. I can't recommend them enough!

We had Lele Patisserie create a cake to celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary. They were so easy to work with and our cake was a masterpiece. We absolutely loved it. Unfortunately we don't live near Santa Barbara (we were just visiting), but we if did I would definitely use them again.

We tried their sage garlic bread, oat bun, and frosnapper. Their breads were very well prepared and you can tell a lot of time and careful preparations went into each bread they sell. We wish we had this bakery closer to our home in Davis! We'll be back to try their other unique scandinavian danish pastries.

Wonderful bakery with a Scandinavian twist. Easy to find parking and fast service. Healthy organic bread options that are very tasty. Excellent staff, with the utmost attention to detail on both product and store front. I recommend getting a coffee and an enjoying a seasonal pastry. Charcoal sourdough, olive focaccia, and of course one of the awesome spreads or dips available. Great addition to Montecito and right off the 101. You can’t skip on visiting Oat Bakery…

Oat Bakery is newly opened business in Montecito. They have one in Santa Barbara CA. The staff is very nice. The freshly Baked bread and pastries are beautifully made. And delicious too. At this point in time they are not serving drink (espresso/matcha). OB is waiting for city permits. They are using Central Milling Flour and the goods are baked in daylight. This is for the heal of the bakers. You really can feel the love in the food.

Their gluten free wellness bread is to-die-for! So yummy and hearty! I’m so glad I found them and will travel from Ojai to buy it!

Gluten Free Bread!! I’m not gluten free at all but this bread is worth every penny. Also their pastries are 🤩

Good Fresh Baked 👌

The hygge bun was delicious!! 10/10 recommend

Best cake of my life!! Laurie is a dream maker. We ordered a 50-person wedding cake along with two additional sheet cakes to serve our guests, and every bite was unforgettable. She let us choose three flavors — carrot, strawberry shortcake, and lemon raspberry — and each one was unique, delicious, and totally memorable. Guests could not stop raving about how it was the best cake they’ve ever had… and I couldn’t agree more! Not only was the cake beautiful and delicious, but Laurie was also such a pleasure to work with. She was warm, professional, and incredibly flexible throughout the entire process. I can’t recommend her enough — she truly made our day even more special.

We worked with Laurie for our wedding and couldn't be happier with the cake. She was incredibly kind and easy to work with and went above and beyond our expectations. We got to taste a variety of flavors and loved them all. We went with the citrus olive oil cake which is so delicious- highly recommend. We also had her make a cake for my bridal shower which was a great way to test as well. I sent Laurie a few images of the design I wanted and she made it even more beautiful than I could've imagined and made the entire process seamless.

I will start by saying I am ridiculously picky about cake. I feel like I have high standards for what I consider a delicious cake- the main thing being it can’t be too sweet/ sugary. Not only did Laurie design a PERFECT cake, it tasted AMAZING!!! I live hours away from Laurie and was never able to make a trip for cake tasting (one was cancelled less than 24 hours before due to a nasty storm) and she was so gracious and accommodating! I decided to book her without ever doing a taste test telling her “if your cakes taste half as good as they look, it’s going to be great” and I was NOT disappointed! I sent over some inspo for design ideas, and I always trust the professionals to do what they do best, and she came up with a cake that was so “us”. We went with a strawberry not shortcake flavor and it was so fresh, fluffy, perfect amount of sweetness, just the perfect cake. It was so great that my mom was dancing around the reception with plates of cake making sure every single guest got a piece 😂 we all made sure to eat the rest of it for breakfast the next morning- cake was GONE. RUN DON’T WALK!!!!

Laurie at Room for Cake is AMAZING! We hired her to create a completely custom cake for our wedding and I am so, so glad we did. Laurie was extremely communicative and fast at responding throughout the whole process, which was almost a year from the day I first reached out to our wedding day. We made several changes along the way, and Laurie rolled with the punches and always said 'yes' no matter how complicated or complex the request was. I sent her an inspiration photo from Pinterest and she made our dream cake come true. She even accommodated putting on two cake toppers and florals! We received so many compliments on our cake and our guests were blown away with the quality of the taste but also the presentation and design. Laurie is a magician and I cannot thank her enough for agreeing to work with us on our cake. It turned out better than we could have ever imagined - the pictures speak for themselves! You will not regret hiring Laurie!! Seriously, just do it!

Huge thanks to Laurie! We fully trusted her when she made our vegan wedding cake, and she surpassed our expectations on the presentation, taste, and delivery. We also recommend doing a cake tasting with Laurie to work out any kinks before the big day. Laurie went out of her way to be creative with our vegan wedding cake and it turned out perfectly. We very much appreciate all of her hard work. Look no further if you are searching for a master baker in the Santa Barbara area! Thank you again, Laurie!

Laurie is the best! She made us the most beautiful and delicious cake for our intimate wedding! We gave her a couple of inspiration photos and the result exceeded our expectations. Thank you so much for creating this tasty piece of art :) PC: Sarah Vendramini Photography

Laurie was so unbelievable to work with! She was so accommodating and the cake tasting was delicious. I sent her some inspiration photos for what we wanted for our wedding cake and she absolutely delivered. The cake was gorgeous, and SO delicious! We got the lemon olive oil cake. It was perfect!

GBH’s offerings are high quality, made with love and care that you can taste and count on, and every morsel is so, sooo delicious! Sandra uses recipes that please; everything we have tried has become a new favorite. Besides selfishly wishing she would expand to an easy SYV pop-up (or pick up) spot, we are 100% happy with her GBH treasures ❤️

The best pop-up baker in Santa Barbara. Sandra is a true gem. Cardamom Buns are legendary.

We had an amazing brunch at Jeannine’s! Our Havana latte was delicious! We tried Santa Barbara scrambled, tri tip sandwich, avocado toast and tuna melt sandwich were all good! We also had the coconut pineapple scone — best scone I’ve ever had. Service was excellent as well. I highly recommend this restaurant 👍🏽👍🏽

One of my all-time favourite places! Great for breakfast, brunch, or lunch, and a wide variety of Californian-style foods. They're also very adaptable for people with dietary restrictions or food intolerances. My only sad point is that they took the once-loved Californian omelette off the menu at some point, which was a shame because it was so delicious! The coffee and pastries are tasty and fresh, and the charm of the outdoor patio in the heart of Montecito is unbeatable. Great value for money, friendly staff, and consistently good food -- I've been coming here for more than 10 years and still have always found it lovely every time.

I love this place so much! The food and coffee are delicious, and the staff is incredible. They are so kind and cheerful. They truly brightened my day! I can’t wait to visit Montecito again. Jeannine’s will definitely be my first stop!

Honestly, the food is ok, but not worth the hype and long line. Normally I wouldn't bother to write a review here but what puts a bee in my bonnet is that at all of their locations they spill out and take over the whole plaza. Setting up tables in front of other businesses without permission is so unbelievably rude and greedy. I wish other patrons would take note of this and support more thoughtful businesses. I promise there's far better food and service elsewhere.

What an excellent place for breakfast! Located in peaceful and blissful Montecito this restaurant is always popular with the locals and tourists alike. Sometimes you see a long line of people waiting outside. It is worth the wait. Their food is very delicious and their service is quick. The only problem is that the diners want to hang out at the tables for longer because it’s such a fun place to see and be seen and people watch. If you wake up early you will get in without a problem. Try their breakfast and bakery goods. They also offer fun mimosas mixed with great bubbles. Inside the restaurant there is a beautiful vintage stained glass window. Do check it out as well.

Such good food! We decided to come back a second day for breakfast. The customer service is top notch! Loved everything about it.

Service is absolutely stellar. The vibes are high and as authentic as it gets. Food is a solid 4.9, best lobster benny I've had hands down. Atmosphere radiates, definitely recommend.