"At Cielito I want to write a different story for Mexican food" - Chef Ramon Velazquez; The core of Cielito’s vision is to bring the rich flavors of authentic, regional Mexican cuisine to our Santa Barbara community. Drawing inspiration from his childhood in Guadalajara, Mexico, Executive Chef Ramon Velazquez captures these traditions with an exceptional menu that prompts a deeper understanding of the rich and diverse flavors of the world class cuisine of Mexico. The menu features freshly made "antojitos" (small cravings) which reflect Santa Barbara's local ingredients and seasonal produce. Cielito also offers a mouthwatering Tequila bar with enticing libations and innovative cocktails as well as a wide selection of Tequilas and Mescals. The elegant décor and sophisticated style of Cielito reflect our mission to provide both Santa Barbara locals and visitors with an unparalleled and memorable dining experience.
"Cute place. A little pricey for what you get. Ceviche sampler was good, but a rip off. Margaritas taste better when it isn't busy. Strange that they don't have a simple taco too. Interesting place."
Dined on 5/11/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, special occasion
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"Cielto's is one of my favorite Santa Barbara restaurants, but last Sunday was definitely an off-night. We dined with some good friends but had to yell at each another due to very loud musicians playing in the lobby -- we asked 4x for the music to be turned down. The regular menu wasn't offered -- had to order a tasting menu or limited ala carte, which had very small portions. We won't go back on a Sunday again."
Dined on 5/05/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies
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"This restaurant has first class interior design. Very chic setting and the food is excellent. Will definitely be eating here again. The serving sizes are not big but ordering and sharing is a good idea. Specialty tequila and amazing bar."
Dined on 5/04/2013
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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"Amazing food. Hubby and I love the octopus appetizer. The flavors hit your mouth and explodes. So good. I love their chicken mole. Chicken is tender and the mole is so delicate and not heavy and tart. Just as good as I get when I go to a nice restaurant in Mexico. Hubby loves his shrimp enchiladas.......I do too. Pricey but a nice meal."
Dined on 04/27/2013
2008
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem
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"The food was excellent and the service was wonderful. We went on a Sunday evening when they have a prix fixe menu and we were able to try many things and the wine pairings were spot on with each dish. Our server was very knowledgeable about both the menu and wine selections."
Dined on 04/14/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic
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"Really well prepared tapas. The waiters were good about explaining what you were about to eat and the tastes were delicious. Good wine and tequila list. We were immediately seated upstairs and could see the entire restaurant. Great tequilas and wine list. Good to find a less touristy place on such a touristy street."
Dined on 03/28/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, kid-friendly, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, special occasion
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"This restaurant was hailed as an upscale Tapas restaurant which was completely inaccurate. A Mexican restaurant with small plates YES, but unfortunately with large plate prices. The food was the worst Mexican food we've ever had, very disappointing indeed. The venue was pleasant enough but that was it. Service was diabolical. Wrong drinks, wrong food served, server forgot to write down our order. It was only when my husband asked where his appetizer was 20 minutes later that the server remembered. Another 20 minutes went by and then my ravenous husband got his food. They tried to make up for it with more mistakes and more poor quality food. NOT A PLEASANT EXPERIENCE - To be honest, dog food probably tastes better! This isn't TAPAS!"
Dined on 03/26/2013
2006
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"Was surprised to see a different menu and cook for Sunday. Also very disappointed that upstairs was closed as I requested a table by the window upstairs. It would have been nice to know both thinks before arriving."
Dined on 03/24/2013
2012
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"Came to Santa Barbara for the first time with my girlfriend for a little date night. I had no idea where to go to dinner, but found this place on Yelp. We had gotten there about an hour early for drinks before our dinner reservation and found the bartenders to be extremely helpful. Not much of a tequila drinker, the bartender helped me find a good, new tequila to try. We were then sat at a nice little table on the second floor. The waitress was extremely nice and helpful with her suggestions. In fact, she sold me on the Ceviche almost immediately. We had also ordered the mushroom tacos (AMAZING), the pork belly quesadilla (AMAZING), and oyster shooters (I think I cried a bit, it was so good). Everything was fantastic."
Dined on 03/22/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, special occasion, hot spot
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"Tasty and creative plays on Mexican and Latin American regional cuisine. The dishes are generally smaller so diners are meant to order a variety of items, which works great since each dish is unique and the variety is wide. The service was excellent, and the atmosphere was fantastic, as we were seated outside near the fountain. The restaurant has plenty of heaters so it doesn't matter if it gets chilly at night,"
Dined on 03/15/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, special occasion, hot spot
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"Cielito is an incredible place for anything from a small snack to a large filling dinner. Since the plates are small and sharing size, you can try lots of tasty dishes. My husband and I love this place and go for our date nights. The inside dining room is beautiful, but can be a little noisy and the outside dining area is perfect, no matter the season since they have the covered area with heaters. I can't say enough about this place, DELICIOUS. I recommend having the Filete de Anticucho if you visit on the weekends. Good stuff!"
Dined on 03/14/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, special occasion, hot spot
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"Had a party of 6 for dinner and everyone had an outstanding experience. The place is visually interesting, the layout is really great, the food is really really good. The bar looked fun too but we went right upstairs for dinner - could see the bar from our table though and it was busy. Would definitely return!"
Dined on 03/08/2013
2006
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"My wife and I went to Cielito for the first time and were quite impressed. The decor of the restaurant is very nice and the sitting areas are spread out so that you don't feel squeezed in with other diners. We followed the suggestions of the waiter and were not disappointed. For appetizers we had the Tuna Tartare and the Beef Skewers. Both were excellent. For entrees, we had the Filet and the Shrimp and Crab Enchiladas. Again, the dishes were quite different but both delicious. We will definitely put Cielito on our rota of Santa Barbara restaurants that we frequent."
Dined on 03/07/2013
2009
Special Features: fit for foodies
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"Service was extremely slow. We sat at the table for nearly 15 minutes before the manager came to take a drink order. Food was ok. Menu baed on tapas so portions were extremely small."
Dined on 03/05/2013
2010
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"Cielito was good as it always is, however all of us who dinned were sad to see one of their best dishes off the menu, the fish skewers, they were amazing. Also my absolute favorite dish on the menu has been changed and is no where near as good as it use to be, the octopus, it was still cooked perfectly but the avocado added to the dish completely monopolizes it. Also I have always recived outstanding service but this time they seemed to miss the mark, I included a Birthday note in when I made the reservation and nothing was done about it, and when the manager came to check in and see how our dinner was going he personally took our drink order and we never recived those beverages."
Dined on 03/02/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for outdoor dining, special occasion, hot spot
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"The food was very tasty but don't expect your typical Mexican fare. I had the tamales wrapped in a banana leaf! Very, very good! The salsa and guacamole were outstanding. Nice ambiance."
Dined on 02/28/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies
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"The appetizers were spectacular (3 types of ceviche; pulpo a la plancha) and the entrees tasty and enjoyable. Nice ambience--much better than it appears on the website. A very enjoyable evening all around."
Dined on 03/01/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, special occasion, great for lunch
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"We enjoyed the restaurant, but it took forever to get our food. It wasn't a busy Monday. The tomatillo salsa and fresh chips were delicious. The entrees are small, but fresh."
Dined on 02/26/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for outdoor dining
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"We went there for my husband's birthday and requested a quiet table. They were very helpful and put us in a very private spot. It was Sunday, so they had the fixed menu and it was absolutely delicious. Only problem was that I ate too much food! The guacamole was superb and the seafood is also excellent. We also had great service. My husband must have mentioned 3 times since then how much he loved the meal."
Dined on 02/24/2013
2005
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, romantic, hot spot
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"Love this restaurant. The flavors are incredible and the dishes are inventive, fresh-tasting, light, and very tasty. We had a trio of ceviches. Each was distinct and we could hardly decide which was best. We also ordered a melted chorizo/cheese 'small plate' that came with hot, fresh tortillas. This is gourmet Mexican. We were first seated at a high two-top where I felt the chairs were uncomfortable. I asked if we could be moved to a shorter table and the hostess was very very accommodating for which we were grateful. We're looking forward to returning."
Dined on 02/23/2013
2005
Special Features: fit for foodies
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"My wife and I eat here somewhat frequently. On Sundays, they are doing a prix fixe menu. The choices (even given the, as per design, limited options) were great, as always. On this particular visit, our food was pretty late, but the staff was attentive, and the manager (I guess? I don't really know the terminology) was very helpful in making sure we were happy, even though we didn't complain. The food was fantastic. I was impressed that, even though there was some mild stumble in the chain this time (normally, everything is great, from wait staff to food), someone noticed and went out of their way to make us happy. We always very much enjoy eating here."
Dined on 02/17/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies
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"Great location In a artsy acraide. Great service. Romantic miltilevel seating. Very creative and tasty tapas style servings where a small group can explore their way thru the menu. Highly recommended."
Dined on 02/09/2013
2006
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, late-night find, neighborhood gem, romantic, hot spot
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"Excellent food, though somewhat pricey. I was impressed with the memory of the waiter and his attention. Quite noisey, making conversation difficult."
Dined on 02/09/2013
2013
Special Features: notable wine list, special occasion, hot spot
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"Everyone from the front desk to the bartender were very pleasant and professional. The restaurant works with the group concept, one person takes your order but different people bring out the food, pick up the plates and replenish the water. The server Justin was very attentive, as were the others who served us. My husbands water glass never went empty. The food was served hot and very tasty. A gourmet Mexican restaurant."
Dined on 02/08/2013
2009
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, great for lunch
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"I had a group meeting that unexpectedly grew from ten to about fourteen. No problem, they accomadated without complaint. We ordered an assortment of tapas-style appetizers which were delicious and Dinesh, our server was happy to keep separate tabs for drinks and other orders. A very classy atmosphere at a reasonable price."
Dined on 02/08/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion
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"Well for being it the first time visiting sb and going somewhere that i could of surprised my girlfriend. Even though she has been there before. Cielito was great!! Totally surprised her with a great place and good food. Would definitely visit cielito on my next visit."
Dined on 02/02/2013
2013
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, good for groups, great for outdoor dining, late-night find, romantic, special occasion
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"We were a group of four . Stared with the Ostiones en su Concha - Great salsia with the oysters. Went onto the Ceviche trio, finely executed - loved the variety of textures and flavors. The Pulpp de Planca was the best octopus I have ever eaten. The Antichucho de Filete showcased the best the Kobe beef has to offer. Other standout dishes the Sopesitos de Costailla (tough to execute mini corn boatrs but the they got it just right) and the Tacos el Pastor. The two desserts we tried the Chocolate and Penaut Semi- Fredo and the Apple Empnadas, Salted Caramel and Vanilla Ice cram were all revelations. This is the most imaginative cooking in Santa Barbara today and the marrying of different flavors is exquisite. Bravo !!!"
Dined on 02/02/2013
2013
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, good for groups, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion, hot spot
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"Good meal. my son ordered sierra mist and it tasted like club soda. I agreed we told the waiter and he ordered pineapple juice instead. I think they should have comped this."
Dined on 01/29/2013
2007
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"I told the restaurant it was my birthday and they gave us an extra special table. The food was spectacular as was the service. We will definately go back again and again."
Dined on 01/24/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion, hot spot
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"Always a great time. The server, Nouri, is amazing. he helped us with the most amazing dishes.
However, I made two separate reservations and the restaurant could only find one ... the staff was fabulous. They gave us a big table and we were all happy."
Dined on 01/26/2013
2007
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for outdoor dining, special occasion, great for lunch, hot spot
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