Santo Mezcal - Santa Barbara (CA)

5 /5 Lauren Oliver: My cousin and I came here during a weekend getaway to see what all the hype was about—and it absolutely lived up to it! The service was super friendly, and the ambiance was cozy and welcoming. I had the Verde Enchiladas, my cousin had the Short Rib Tacos, and both were incredible. I also had a Mexican Mule that was perfectly made. Everything from start to finish was a 10/10. Highly recommend for lunch or dinner if youre in Santa Barbara!

5 /5 Alexie Chamness: I went here to eat for my birthday/last night in Santa Barbara. This was a solo trip and it can sometimes feel lonely on your birthday miles away from friends and family. Omar was a wonderful server from the start. He suggested the ribeye tacos when I asked what the go to menu item was. They were phenomenal! The steak melted in my mouth and all the flavors were right on! He also offered a shooter that was so yummy! To finish the evening he brought me dessert and him and another waitress sang to me. It truly made me feel special and was a great way to close out my birthday/this trip! Thank you! These photos dont do this dinner/drinks justice because I just snapped quickly but had to share!

5 /5 Wook Chung: Santo Mezcal (SM) is a true gem in the heart of Santa Barbara. It is a festival of variety - both for your eyes and palate, and seems to get it right almost all the time. This is top class progressive Mexican cuisine with heavy seafood additions. Be prepared to be dazzled in ways that you did not expect. Lets start with guac and chips. Chips were fresh made, crispy, all good. But then, you have this guacamole but with sprinkled crispy pork belly. I have never had that twist and it worked out beautifully. And yes, it has to be crispy pork bits or else they would not go well with the chips. Beautifully done. There was a mushroom carpaccio dish that was perhaps the best mushroom dish Ive ever tasted. Sliced portobello mushrooms lightly grilled with a bit of lime, onions, burrata cheese, and other flavors. Truly magical. The beef apache was also quite innovative. It was a tartar yet mixed with avocado, tuna, and other goodness. Again, the flavor was unique and well balanced. I could go on and on about the empanadas, salad, tacos, etc. But here is the crux. Every dish is meticulously created. They are visually stunning and colorful. And each of them is has a way to progress Mexican cuisine in a particular way. They are experimental in your mouth. And most of them are marvelous. The one downside were the oysters as they came out a bit "room temperature". It didnt feel good to be eating room temperature raw oysters. I think the kitchen may have made it earlier but somehow the serving was late. Santo Mezcal is absolutely a stunner. Whether you like Mexican food or not, you must try this place when youre in Santa Barbara.

5 /5 Christopher Ales: Service was very friendly at the bar. Had a couple of different margaritas and they were fantastic.....you can really tell the difference when quality ingredients are used. For food I had the oysters stuffed with tuna, shrimp aquachile Negro and the crab enchiladas. All three were very delicious and would recommend anything that I ordered. The chips and salsa(2 different salsas) were also very good.

5 /5 Andrew W: Santo Mezcal is a fantastic spot in Santa Barbara if you’re looking for authentic flavors with a modern, elevated touch. We started with chips and salsas, and each one had its own personality—the smoky salsa stood out, while the verde added a bright kick. The queso fundido with chorizo and poblano peppers came out bubbling hot in a skillet and was easily one of the highlights of the meal—gooey, flavorful, and perfect with tortillas. For the main course, the enchiladas were beautifully presented with a squash blossom and a fresh green salad on top. The flavors were layered and balanced—earthy mushrooms inside, a rich green sauce, and just the right touch of cream. Paired with rice and beans, it was both hearty and refined. Parking is valet only, but there are plenty of affordable public parking lots close by, so it’s easy to get in and out. Santo Mezcal combines traditional Mexican dishes with a creative twist, and everything feels fresh and thoughtfully prepared. Highly recommend if you’re in Santa Barbara!