Food Stuff

February 8, 2026

Bluewater Grill Is Said to Be Closing Next Month

More food news: New café opening on State Street; easy way to get a free scoop at Rori's Artisanal Creamery; debut Italian Music and Food Festival in April; reservations for El Encanto's Cotogna collab; Lucky Penny pop-up in Los Olivos; Old Town Coffee's Isla Vista outpost has been rebranded; health warning against all mushroom foraging. 1

February 1, 2026

Rori’s Artisanal Creamery Is Opening in Goleta

More food news: What's going on with Intermezzo?; White Caps has returned to the Funk Zone; Sama Sama is no longer involved in Lion's Tale; new restaurant on Milpas Street; ice cream shop opening in Solvang; Tamar's chicken schnitzel sandwich special. 7

January 28, 2026

Hot Bagel Chain Opening on Upper State Street

More food news: Acme Hospitality is adding an L.A. restaurant to its portfolio; revolving restaurant pop-ups slated for downtown storefront; San Francisco chef to cook at El Encanto; new restaurant in Ojai; Apples to Zucchini Cooking School is moving; street kitchens. 21

January 25, 2026

A New Tasting Room on Coast Village Road

More food news: Expanded hours at Little Mountain; update on Linden Square's rooftop bar; comparing coffee prices at Santa Barbara cafés; El Pollo Loco is opening in Goleta; tour Spain with the chef of Dom's Taverna; profiles of Manifattura and The Copper Restaurant; new tasting room in Los Alamos; frozen lasagna worth the trip. 9

January 18, 2026

First Look at Bistro Amasa’s Lunch Menu

More food news: Tyler x Lieu Dit is closed till spring; Mother Dough Bagels expanded its days of operation; three applicants for the former Anchor Rose spaces; the Garagiste Wine Festival is coming up; local restaurant is selling monthly and annual memberships; Seattle-based Eastern European bakery pop-up. 10

January 11, 2026

A Bar for “Gentlemen of Character” Is Opening Downtown

More food news: The name and opening forecast of the Coral Casino's main restaurant; Yetz's Deli has closed but the bagel shop is still open; profiles of Manifattura and Little Mountain; Hawaiian-themed chain coming to Isla Vista; Ojai restaurant shutters after six months; vacant tasting room on lower State Street. 23

January 7, 2026

A Meat-and-Seafood Market Is Opening in Carpinteria

More food news: The debut date of Drover's Doughnuts in Goleta; chain restaurant rumored to be replacing Anchor Rose at the harbor; Santa Barbara Food Connection and Santa Playa Mariscos have closed; the former Derf's is still available; Frinj Coffee update; State Street restaurant space. 21

January 4, 2026

Municipal Winemakers Is Leaving the Funk Zone

More food news: Funk Zone cocktail bar not happening; Merci is getting close to introducing dinner service; paper menus at Aperitivo; Happy Cat Eats looks to expand its outdoor seating; Que profile; nightclub on lower State Street; Cantwell's new operator; update on Lucky Penny's outpost in Los Olivos. 8

December 28, 2025

Casa Agria’s State Street Taproom Is Closing

More food news: Bluewater Grill is looking for a buyer; Aegean and Secret Bao are taking a break; chicken-finger chain opening in Goleta; Oat Bakery's cinnamon-raisin special; compilers of happy-hour deals; Chase Restaurant reopening date; where's the best coffee cake in town? 12

December 21, 2025

Alma Fonda Fina to Become More Casual

More food news: Skyfield will no longer include a restaurant; new sparkling wine bar downtown; New Year's Eve peek at The Grand on State; the inaugural Coffee Culture Fest is this spring; checking out Room Service Coffee and Buena Bodega in Ventura. 10