Johanna Washington
We had lunch at Tamar and absolutely loved it. The Chicken Shawarma Plate was incredible — crispy edges on the chicken, perfectly balanced saffron rice, and a smoky, delicious babaganoush. Service is self-serve with a buzzer, and the casual atmosphere made it an easy, relaxing meal. I sat indoors by an open bay window and it was perfect.
Great value and totally worth it. Definitely be back for the chicken again — and to try the lamb.
So delicious and flavorful. Can’t wait to return!
… moreMegan Boyd
My husband and I stopped in for a quick lunch. Love the atmosphere and vibe especially the long windows overlooking the sidewalk. We both ordered the chicken shawarma sandwich which is highly spiced with turmeric (but not spicy). While I really enjoyed it, my husband did not. To each their own.
… moreMatthew Ferrell
Tamar is the definition of a hidden gem. Tiny, a little crowded, connected to a coffee shop — and absolutely worth it.
The chicken shawarma was packed with flavor, the pickled veggies bright and perfect, and the hummus silky and rich. We tried the whipped cheese with honey (unexpectedly sweet and totally addictive), and the pita was fluffy, hot, and pillowy — dream-level bread.
Five-star food, great prices, perfect lunch spot. Go hungry.
… moreRobert Jones
Falafel sandwich, beef Sharma plate. Great atmosphere, delicious fresh food, pickles to die for! Hummus smooth as silk. Will be back!
… moreJaco Gerbrands
The food was delicious and the setting was upbeat and fun! We will be back! Highly recommended!
… moreAndy Yang
We came here for dinner and was expecting good food for a fast casual place (order in a line and wait for your number to go pick up your food). The quality of the food was way above our expectations – meats, rice and vegetables seasoned perfectly and the quality and skill of cooking the meat so that it is flavorful and moist was a highlight. The hummus (which was a very smooth) was delicious and the pita were pillowy soft.
… moreMaggie Hohle
This was such a treat for our party of five. Every dish was fresh and perfectly prepared. The service was direct and we got clear and friendly answers to the few questions we had. The little gem salad with falafel as well as the trip-dip plate with pita were so fresh we couldn’t believe it. Care was taken with every dish. Five stars!!!
… moreSimran Puri
Tamar is an absolute must-visit in Santa Barbara, especially if you love bold, fresh flavors. We loved everything about this place—the veggie options are outstanding, the flavors are vibrant and well-balanced, and everything tastes incredibly fresh. I had the cauliflower pita pocket, my husband tried the falafel, and both were amazing, but the real star was the pickled veggies served alongside. Bonus: they have a dog-friendly patio, which makes it even better when you’re exploring Santa Barbara with your pup.
… moreJake
Amazing vibes to the place.
The salad had some issues though, the greens were not prepped at all, not cut into edible size nor washed properly, I kept getting a sandy crunch of something every time I went for the lettuce and I know it wasn’t the croutons. Side of chicken tasted nice and had great texture and moisture but $7 for that portion was a bit small in my opinion.
… moreGregory Goodman
The food is excellent. Top notch. They share their space with a coffee house which is fine but all the tables, without exception were dirty. Not just crumbs and stuff but grimy and wet. We couldn’t find a place to sit inside. They seem well staffed but somehow this got dropped. I’d definitely get their food again but I’d opt for carry out.
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