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We are currently on a beauty vacation! We’re undergoing a full remodel so everyone can experience a brand new Mexican Coastal Escape. Reopening March 2026 Escape to the laid-back charm of Santa Barbara at Sandbar Cocina y Tequila. Our beachfront restaurant offers a unique blend of Mexican cuisine and coastal vibes. Indulge in fresh seafood, succulent steaks, and a wide variety of tequila and mezcal options. From classic tacos and enchiladas to more adventurous options like seafood ceviche and mole-marinated chicken, our menu has something to satisfy every palate. Pair your meal with one of our signature margaritas or a carefully curated selection of tequila and mezcal.
Festive Mexican eatery & bar has happy hours, parties & a partially outdoor space with fire pits.
Address and Contact Information
Address: 514 State St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Phone: (805) 966-1388
Website: https://www.sandbar.net/
Menu Photos
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Reviews
Dan Knutilla
We dined at The Sandbar and had an incredible experience. We started out on the outdoor street patio, enjoying the most beautiful weather. We shared the Tostado El Rancho Salad and the Baja Burrito with carne asada—both dishes were perfectly cooked, bursting with flavor, and generously portioned. Even the chips and salsa were top-notch. Highly recommend dining here, especially if you can grab a table outside.
… moreNathanael Smith
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Absolutely amazing experience!
The food was outstanding — I ordered the Fajita Salad with Filet Mignon, and it was absolutely delicious. I loved that it was loaded with fresh, raw vegetables, which is exactly what I always look for. Everything was flavorful and beautifully prepared.
The atmosphere was fantastic, and I really appreciated that they were open late when most other restaurants were already closing. The bartender TJ was phenomenal — friendly, professional, and incredibly hardworking. I did notice he seemed to be juggling a lot while another staff member appeared to have it a bit easier, but TJ handled everything with such grace and efficiency. This restaurant is truly lucky to have him. I can’t wait to come back and tip him well next time!
I also appreciate management for taking the time to discuss a concern I had, which ended up being a misunderstanding on my part. Thank you all again for the great food, excellent service, and positive energy.
… moreAbsolutely amazing experience!
The food was outstanding — I ordered the Fajita Salad with Filet Mignon, and it was absolutely delicious. I loved that it was loaded with fresh, raw vegetables, which is exactly what I always look for. Everything was flavorful and beautifully prepared.
The atmosphere was fantastic, and I really appreciated that they were open late when most other restaurants were already closing. The bartender TJ was phenomenal — friendly, professional, and incredibly hardworking. I did notice he seemed to be juggling a lot while another staff member appeared to have it a bit easier, but TJ handled everything with such grace and efficiency. This restaurant is truly lucky to have him. I can’t wait to come back and tip him well next time!
I also appreciate management for taking the time to discuss a concern I had, which ended up being a misunderstanding on my part. Thank you all again for the great food, excellent service, and positive energy.
Mark
Popular Party Spot for Tourists & the Occasional Local. Best for BOGO Bunch.
Always a line
Usual slow service
Mediocre food (except brunch)
A few smiling faces
Great people watching
We joke we swing by for a margarita when walking by or the obligatory stop during Fiesta. Otherwise Sandbar goes unnoticed. That is until I remember they have a Buy One Get One bunch option from a local app. Then we make reservations and head down early on a weekend to find a sleepy State St.
A recent visit was packed. Good thing I made a reservation for up front on the patio. The majority of heir seating is open air but the 4 tops along the railing offer a relaxed view of Santa Barbara people watching. If you’re planning A group on the weekend plan ahead and make a res.
For brunch, until 1p, there’s a mimosa by the. Title option for $25. The sparking wine comes with a carafe of OJ so at current market values the juice alone is $25. It’s a fun way to kick start your day drinking.
I really enjoyed the Birria Tacos Benedict $13.49 Simple concept with poached eggs and consommé. Delicious with a little kick. I will order again. My Brunch Partner loved Taqueria Tacos de Hugo’s with Fresh Carrizo $11.75. The carrizo was in sliced links and not crumble. A nice touch.
Come for the party.
… moreAlways a line
Usual slow service
Mediocre food (except brunch)
A few smiling faces
Great people watching
We joke we swing by for a margarita when walking by or the obligatory stop during Fiesta. Otherwise Sandbar goes unnoticed. That is until I remember they have a Buy One Get One bunch option from a local app. Then we make reservations and head down early on a weekend to find a sleepy State St.
A recent visit was packed. Good thing I made a reservation for up front on the patio. The majority of heir seating is open air but the 4 tops along the railing offer a relaxed view of Santa Barbara people watching. If you’re planning A group on the weekend plan ahead and make a res.
For brunch, until 1p, there’s a mimosa by the. Title option for $25. The sparking wine comes with a carafe of OJ so at current market values the juice alone is $25. It’s a fun way to kick start your day drinking.
I really enjoyed the Birria Tacos Benedict $13.49 Simple concept with poached eggs and consommé. Delicious with a little kick. I will order again. My Brunch Partner loved Taqueria Tacos de Hugo’s with Fresh Carrizo $11.75. The carrizo was in sliced links and not crumble. A nice touch.
Come for the party.
chris G
Casey our Waitress was fabulous & really on top of it, we sat at the bar. In fact, everybody seems to work as a team. Food delicious just the right amount, cocktails even better. We were early mind you before the rush.
… moreAaron Wilson, Jr.
The end of this is…we would return.
Strolling State Street on an early mid-week evening is a joy in the summer (post the 4th) since it’s calm and quiet. The wife and I came to Sandbox able to hear our conversation and revel in surprise bean dip.
Our server was nice, but clearly new to working; I ordered a dish that said nothing about avocado or guacamole but, because I know I’m at a Mexican food-themed restaurant, I always ask if there is guacamole with my order. She said no and asked if I wanted some. I said no not at all. When my dish came (see the picture)…multiple slices of avocado. To be fair, I asked about guacamole and not avocado so…
In general, the food needed sauce but was tasty enough despite dry carnitas and ask for a double when ordering any cocktail and the bean dip that automatically came with the chips and salsa set things off well. The decor was crowded…I am assuming they were going for western to make some folks comfortable and arbitrary notes of Mexican style decor for…authenticity?
I realize this doesn’t sound great but the “vibes” are friendly, the seats were comfortable, and the meal not terribly expensive.
Overall, would return the next time we’re in town, just know how to enhance the experience.
… moreStrolling State Street on an early mid-week evening is a joy in the summer (post the 4th) since it’s calm and quiet. The wife and I came to Sandbox able to hear our conversation and revel in surprise bean dip.
Our server was nice, but clearly new to working; I ordered a dish that said nothing about avocado or guacamole but, because I know I’m at a Mexican food-themed restaurant, I always ask if there is guacamole with my order. She said no and asked if I wanted some. I said no not at all. When my dish came (see the picture)…multiple slices of avocado. To be fair, I asked about guacamole and not avocado so…
In general, the food needed sauce but was tasty enough despite dry carnitas and ask for a double when ordering any cocktail and the bean dip that automatically came with the chips and salsa set things off well. The decor was crowded…I am assuming they were going for western to make some folks comfortable and arbitrary notes of Mexican style decor for…authenticity?
I realize this doesn’t sound great but the “vibes” are friendly, the seats were comfortable, and the meal not terribly expensive.
Overall, would return the next time we’re in town, just know how to enhance the experience.
Xbox User
The food looks great and taste is very good. Service was courteous and quick, food came quickly.
Even with a long line, the wait was relatively short. Every table was full of people enjoying the evening. Sports bar feel w/ sports on multiple tvs above the bar and back dining area. Cozy atmosphere, nice heater distribution for breezy fall evenings. Great ambience, with street music, cocktails, and the beers are cold. The staff is dripping with pretty and hansom people. Plenty of parking in back (fee)I recommend you check it out.
… moreEven with a long line, the wait was relatively short. Every table was full of people enjoying the evening. Sports bar feel w/ sports on multiple tvs above the bar and back dining area. Cozy atmosphere, nice heater distribution for breezy fall evenings. Great ambience, with street music, cocktails, and the beers are cold. The staff is dripping with pretty and hansom people. Plenty of parking in back (fee)I recommend you check it out.
Solana Kerr
Wish I could give zero!! I came here on a Saturday night and paid for my tab it was around 31 dollars. Mind you it was a busy Saturday night I gave a five dollar tip and went on my way. My bill was posted on my credit card by Monday. On the following Thursday the total was readjusted to 83 dollars.
I called and asked to speak with a manager and was given the option to have $50 credit or it would be taken to the manager and they would try to refund me my $50. I stated that I did not leave a 50 dollar tip. And I do not want to credit because I do not live in Santa Barbara and will not be going back.
I roughly called around 3 to 4 times and finally got in contact with and the manager. The explanation was it was a simple accident and they’re gonna do their best to get this figured out. Brandon, the manager was very helpful and honestly very nice but I am still disappointed that corporate never got back to me regarding this matter. I had to open up a dispute with my credit card. I get it things happen, and take time but this was back in October and I have never received word from corporate. I honestly did not want to leave a review because I wanted this matter to be handled by corporate. But it never was and it’s been over three months and there has been no solution. Whether this was deliberate or an accident, I would have hoped that corporate (Baja Sharkiez restaurant group) would have handled this matter. Respectfully it is ironic that corporate is putting so much money into remodeling this restaurant when you can’t even get back to your customers that have been wronged.
… moreI called and asked to speak with a manager and was given the option to have $50 credit or it would be taken to the manager and they would try to refund me my $50. I stated that I did not leave a 50 dollar tip. And I do not want to credit because I do not live in Santa Barbara and will not be going back.
I roughly called around 3 to 4 times and finally got in contact with and the manager. The explanation was it was a simple accident and they’re gonna do their best to get this figured out. Brandon, the manager was very helpful and honestly very nice but I am still disappointed that corporate never got back to me regarding this matter. I had to open up a dispute with my credit card. I get it things happen, and take time but this was back in October and I have never received word from corporate. I honestly did not want to leave a review because I wanted this matter to be handled by corporate. But it never was and it’s been over three months and there has been no solution. Whether this was deliberate or an accident, I would have hoped that corporate (Baja Sharkiez restaurant group) would have handled this matter. Respectfully it is ironic that corporate is putting so much money into remodeling this restaurant when you can’t even get back to your customers that have been wronged.
Scott Puccinelli
I recently had the unfortunate experience of dining at Sandbar in Santa Barbara, and I must say, it was nothing short of disappointing. From the moment I walked in, I was greeted with a vibrant atmosphere and beautiful beachy decor, which initially gave me high hopes for a pleasant evening. However, my excitement quickly turned to disappointment as I sampled the food.
The menu offered a variety of options, and I decided to go for a dish that sounded unique and delicious. Unfortunately, my choice turned out to be a huge mistake. The food was unbelievably spicy – and not in a good way. I’ve always enjoyed a bit of heat in my meals, but the level of spiciness here was completely over the top. It felt as if the chef had liberally poured a bottle of hot sauce onto my plate without any regard for flavor balance.
The sheer intensity of the spiciness overshadowed any other flavors that might have been present in the dish. I couldn’t taste the freshness of the ingredients or appreciate the supposed subtleties of the recipe. It was all about the heat, which completely overwhelmed my palate. The dining experience quickly turned into a painful ordeal rather than an enjoyable meal.
To their credit, the servers seemed sympathetic to my discomfort, and didn’t charge me for my entrée. When I mentioned the excessive spiciness of the dish, they apologized and offered for me to order something else, but ilat that point i couldn’t eat.
I left Sandbar feeling disappointed and unsatisfied. While the ambiance and beachy vibes were undoubtedly appealing, the subpar food and lackluster service overshadowed any positives. I believe that a restaurant experience should be a harmonious blend of flavors, presentation, and service, and unfortunately, Sandbar fell short on all counts during my visit.
My dining experience at Sandbar in Santa Barbara was far from enjoyable due to the excessively spicy food and the lack of attention to customer feedback. I cannot in good conscience recommend this establishment to anyone who values a well-balanced and satisfying dining experience. It’s a shame that such a beautiful location is marred by the disappointing execution of its culinary offerings.
… moreThe menu offered a variety of options, and I decided to go for a dish that sounded unique and delicious. Unfortunately, my choice turned out to be a huge mistake. The food was unbelievably spicy – and not in a good way. I’ve always enjoyed a bit of heat in my meals, but the level of spiciness here was completely over the top. It felt as if the chef had liberally poured a bottle of hot sauce onto my plate without any regard for flavor balance.
The sheer intensity of the spiciness overshadowed any other flavors that might have been present in the dish. I couldn’t taste the freshness of the ingredients or appreciate the supposed subtleties of the recipe. It was all about the heat, which completely overwhelmed my palate. The dining experience quickly turned into a painful ordeal rather than an enjoyable meal.
To their credit, the servers seemed sympathetic to my discomfort, and didn’t charge me for my entrée. When I mentioned the excessive spiciness of the dish, they apologized and offered for me to order something else, but ilat that point i couldn’t eat.
I left Sandbar feeling disappointed and unsatisfied. While the ambiance and beachy vibes were undoubtedly appealing, the subpar food and lackluster service overshadowed any positives. I believe that a restaurant experience should be a harmonious blend of flavors, presentation, and service, and unfortunately, Sandbar fell short on all counts during my visit.
My dining experience at Sandbar in Santa Barbara was far from enjoyable due to the excessively spicy food and the lack of attention to customer feedback. I cannot in good conscience recommend this establishment to anyone who values a well-balanced and satisfying dining experience. It’s a shame that such a beautiful location is marred by the disappointing execution of its culinary offerings.
Michael Ann Effron
This place was a great find on our one day trip in Santa Barbara. We’re from Ohio and so we were traveling the coast of California looking for all different unique places to visit and experience. This place definitely made the top of the list. Their food was fabulous, great happy hour deals. The atmosphere was so special and just fun! I recommend it to anyone who’s looking for something to eat with friends or family, or even by yourself. They had plenty of TVs if you’re there to watch sports but they didn’t stand out because the rest of the atmosphere is decorated so well. Lots of seating options, the restrooms were clean, and our server was great!
… moreJohn Kusmierz
Nothing but 5 stars. Santa Barbara old town area, where this restaurant is, is charming. A blocked off walkable street of restaurants. The food menu was interesting with a few things this mid westerner does not see in mexican restaurants back home. Food quality was good at a surprisingly reasonable price. If you are very sensitive to spicy/hot food I recommend you ask for suggestions however. Only if you are on the sensitive side though. As for atmosphere I will let the pictures speak for themselves.
… more