
Joe’s Cafe is an acclaimed American steakhouse and upbeat bar that’s been the centerpiece of Santa Barbara’s dining, drinking, and socializing since 1928. Our commitment to offering great meals, stiff cocktails, and a friendly ambiance has made Joe’s Cafe a downtown destination for generations of locals and visitors alike. Renowned for serving up a great evening out, Joe’s Cafe transforms seamlessly from a neighborhood restaurant to a lively bar as the evening progresses. Many visitors start and end their night at Joe’s Cafe.
Lively destination for American favorites with a modern twist including steak & seafood since 1928.
Hours
| Friday | 7:30 AM–12 AM |
| Saturday | 7:30 AM–12 AM |
| Sunday | 7:30 AM–10 PM |
| Monday | 7:30 AM–10 PM |
| Tuesday | 7:30 AM–10 PM |
| Wednesday | 7:30 AM–10 PM |
| Thursday | 7:30 AM–10 PM |
Address and Contact Information
Address: 536 State St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Phone: (805) 966-4638
Website: http://www.joescafesb.com/
Menu Photos
Order and Reservations
Order: Order online
Photo Gallery
Related Web Results
Joe’s Cafe Santa Barbara | Traditional American Food Restaurant …
Joe’s Cafe – Visit Santa Barbara
Joe’s Cafe (@joescafesb) · Santa Barbara, CA – Instagram
Reviews
Date/time of visit: Thursday night, ~6:30 PM
Parking: parked at hotel but there’s street parking and parking lots around; don’t think there’s any free parking. No parking for restaurant specifically
Party size: ~12; ~4 5 kids/teens
Environment/ambience: we had a large party so there was a short wait. We stayed at the Hotel Santa Barbara so Joe’s was right across; pretty convenient if you get a little tipsy . TVs around so was able to catch the NBA Finals Game 6; no sound though. Small bar area. Bathroom was clean. Old school Italian place; I was waiting for the hitmen to come through the front door Streets were blocked off so easy to walk around but harder to park. Lots of one way streets around so be careful.
Service: was good; he came around often. Orders were all correct, no mistakes. Friendly. Drinks were a little slow at the start but everything was good; they made up for it with the heavy pours Drinks were strong
Food: had the garlic bread, cheeseburger, onion rings (side of thousand island), and old fashioned. Everything was good; cooked as ordered.
Cost: $450, including tip
Would I go back (yes/no): 80/20; higher if staying at Hotel Santa Barbara but parking seems difficult
Stopped in for breakfast at Joe’s and tried the All American—2 eggs, bacon, hash browns, and toast. Also had the Pancake Sandwich, which came with 2 pancakes, bacon, and eggs. We ordered orange juice too—it tasted hand-squeezed, which was a nice touch.
Food came out warm (not quite hot), and the portions were on the smaller side, but still satisfying. Prices were reasonable for what you get.
Big shout out to Juan, our server—super polite and friendly, made the experience better.
Generous food portions from a gigantic menu featuring both traditional American dishes and more modern stuff.
We had the halibut and the smash burger which were both fantastic and then the homemade cherry pie with ice cream. All really tasty!
Service was good, with a well staffed establishment and decor inside is nice.
In Santa Barbara you’re spoilt for choice but this place is definitely a place that won’t disappoint.
The sidewalk patio did offer a pleasant atmosphere and was great for people-watching, although it’s worth noting that most restaurants along that stretch of State Street now offer similar sidewalk dining, so it didn’t feel particularly unique.
Unfortunately, the service was marginal at best. We had to ask for silverware after our food arrived, and we ended up grabbing condiments from another table because none were brought out with our meal. These small details significantly impacted the overall experience.
The food itself was just okay. Not bad, but not what we expected from such an iconic restaurant. It felt like the quality and effort no longer matched the reputation.
Overall, Joe’s Cafe seems to be relying more on its history than on delivering a memorable dining experience today. With a little more attention to service and food quality, it could easily live up to the legacy it’s known for.
The best blueberry pancakes! Ribs and fettuccini alfredo is a hearty little dinner!