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Arts & Letters Cafe Reviews List
Arts & Letters Cafe
The Arts & Letters Café serves classic bistro fare in a beautiful courtyard setting in the heart of downtown Santa Barbara.
Our chef uses the freshest local ingredients to prepare soups, salads and sandwiches in the California cuisine tradition. The Café is also pleased to offer a fine selection of California wines and a full bar.
See more Arts & Letters Cafe details
Our chef uses the freshest local ingredients to prepare soups, salads and sandwiches in the California cuisine tradition. The Café is also pleased to offer a fine selection of California wines and a full bar.
31 Current Reviews
Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews
Overall
(Outstanding)
4.5
/
5
Rating Breakdown 31 reviews
5 stars
(17)
4 stars
(12)
3 stars
(1)
2 stars
(1)
1 star
(0)
Food
(Outstanding)
4.4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
4.3
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
4.6
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
Filter Reviews By:
Diners classify this restaurant as:
- great for lunch(23)
- great for outdoor dining(23)
- neighborhood gem(16)
- fit for foodies(12)
- good for groups(9)
- romantic(9)
Arts & Letters Cafe Reviews List
Review 1 for Arts & Letters Cafe
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Delightful Lunch
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"I recently hosted a group of eight seniors at the Arts & Letters. It was ideal, both food and atmosphere. The sunshine was good, but there was shade. The food was excellent. Several guests expressed a desire to return."
Dined on 5/14/2013
Special Features: good for groups, great for outdoor dining, special occasion
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Review 2 for Arts & Letters Cafe
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Mother's Day Lunch
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"The courtyard setting of this restaurant was perfect for lunch on a warm afternoon. I had the salmon salad which was delicious. The salmon was grilled perfectly and the dressing amount was just right. The menu said it came with haricot verte but on my salad these were missing. My daugher got a burger which she asked for medium rare but actually came quite rare. She ended up picking it apart a bit because of that but didn't want me to send it back. I got my 1st glass of chardonnay pretty quickly however had to remind our server 2 times after I asked for a 2nd glass to have with my food. All in all, we enjoyed ourselves mostly because it was a lovely afternoon and the setting was beautiful."
Dined on 5/12/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, great for brunch, romantic, great for lunch, special occasion
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Review 3 for Arts & Letters Cafe
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Distinclively Different
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"The food is prepared with style. While largely local ingredients the touch in preparation makes a huge difference. The soups are great ( the house pumpkin is worth adding). Either before or after lunch spend some time in the galleries which have excellent offerings. We love it all."
Dined on 5/02/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, great for lunch
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Review 4 for Arts & Letters Cafe
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
Has enjoyed your restaurant
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Has enjoyed your restaurant in the past few weeks as I had a delicious Kale salad for lunch in your nice, picturesque setting, however the coupon was a disappointment. While the accompanying salad was good, the salami sandwich was not what I was expecting from your establishment which usually has health-conscious food. Lots of mayonaise and a chunk of salami was not a welcome suprise. I'll stick to the Kale salad and not trust a coupon special. The wait person was very nice at first, but I got the impression that they may have gotten busy as they passed us by a number of times, our ice tea and water were empty and finally I had to ask for a refill. Pleasant, but something was a bit amiss."
Dined on 04/22/2013
2013
Special Features: scenic view
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Review 5 for Arts & Letters Cafe
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
We love this restaurant. Everything
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"We love this restaurant. Everything interesting and delicious. Wonderful comfortable daytime setting. On your way out, enjoy the outstanding art gallery."
Dined on 04/07/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, special occasion, great for lunch
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Review 6 for Arts & Letters Cafe
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Has always been a favorite
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Has always been a favorite "special" occasion place...however I was disappointed this time in the quality of the food and its presentation.The ambiance remains very special and the service is great.Would not be inclined to go again."
Dined on 03/15/2013
2013
Special Features: great for outdoor dining, romantic
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Review 7 for Arts & Letters Cafe
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Had a very nice experience.
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Had a very nice experience. The wait staff was personable and efficient. Would like to see a couple of gluten free options other than having a salad. Will be back but will have to bring my own bread if I want to order a sandwich (wouldn't be hard for you to keep gluten free bread frozen and pull it out as needed)"
Dined on 02/02/2013
2013
Special Features: good for groups, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, great for lunch
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Review 8 for Arts & Letters Cafe
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
It's my favorite lunch place
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"It's my favorite lunch place in Santa Barbara. It's a lovely patio and the food is wonderful."
Dined on 01/30/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, special occasion, great for lunch
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Review 9 for Arts & Letters Cafe
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Great location on the same
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Great location on the same block as the Granada Theater, and across the street from the Santa Barbara Museum of Art. Easy parking.
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Dined on 01/27/2013
2013
Special Features: great for brunch, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, great for lunch
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Review 10 for Arts & Letters Cafe
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
ALC lunch
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Really enjoyed this first time visit to the cafe. Arrived at opening time for an early lunch prior to going to a SBIFF film event. Loved the tranquil courtyard setting, with the center fountain and surrounding small tables, each decorated with a vase of flowers. My friend ordered the half sandwich/cup of soup/small salad entree and said the pork belly sandwich was delicious and the pumpkin soup tasty. I enjoyed the salmon salad which was prepared similarly to a Niçoise salad. Look forward to sampling more of the menu on a return visit!"
Dined on 01/26/2013
2007
Special Features: great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, romantic, great for lunch
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Review 11 for Arts & Letters Cafe
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Carmel Foodie Very Impressed!
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"The food was fabulous - everyone raved. I loved the pumpkin soup - very unique. The table allowed us privacy and great conversation.
I'm from Carmel and used to very fine dining. I was very impressed by your cafe and will visit again. Even the rain was a plus to the experience."
Dined on 01/25/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, special occasion, great for lunch
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Ratings-Only Reviews for Arts & Letters Cafe
Based on the average of (20) ratings-only reviews
Overall
(Outstanding)
4.5
/
5
1 out of 1 recommend this product
Food
(Outstanding)
4.4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
4.4
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
4.6
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate