Food Stuff

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

December 14, 2025

The End of the Isla Vista Food Coop Downtown Market

More food news: The Grand on State update; status of the Chick-fil-A in Noleta; The Copper Coffee Pot has opened; Ghirardelli debuts next weekend; owners of The Harbor Restaurant are suing the city; "jet set après ski dining experience" coming to town; Himalayan Kitchen closed for maintenance; Pacific Pickle Works profile; Merci's chocolate caramels. 10

December 7, 2025

Dart Coffee Co. Is Expanding to Summerland

More food news: A change of plans for the former L'Antica Pizzeria da Michele space; Aegean is now accepting reservations; the seating at Little Mountain; 'tis the season for hot mulled wine; more on Bistro Amasa; holiday pop-up of Meghan Markle’s line of jams, teas, etc. 19

December 3, 2025

Inside the New, Mostly Vegan Corner Market Downtown

More food news: A free drink for local nonprofit employees; the menu at Noe's Cafe, now open across from the courthouse; the story of Lucky Penny's facade; anyone know the Chick-fil-A franchisee?; Funk Zone development will now have six food-and-beverage outlets; Bistro Amasa's recipe for roasted carrots; White Caps in Summerland plans to start over from the ground up; State Street Asian restaurant rebrands. 9

November 23, 2025

Pascucci Restaurant Will Close After 33 Years

More food news: Who's serving Thanksgiving dinner this year; profile of Motley Crew Marketplace; the menu at Que barbecue; De La Vina Mexican restaurant rebranded; hazelnuts worth the shipping charge. 2

November 18, 2025

Opening Date for Que at the Santa Barbara Public Market

More food news: Update on El Encanto's plan for a pergola with retractable roof; new Summerland café; a breakfast burrito pop-up at Na Na Thai; Merci's chicken pot pie; rentable raclette grills. 23

November 9, 2025

First Look at Bistro Amasa, Opening This Week

More food news: Brass Bird confirmed for San Roque; Manifattura is now taking reservations online; Anchor Rose is reportedly closing; the changes at Corazón Comedor; Sandbar is closed for remodeling; two restaurants partner on a TV dinner–themed night; Nantucket wine bar in residence at Tyler x Lieu Dit; SB Biergarten is adding an outdoor dining deck; the Miracle Christmas pop-up will be in Solvang, too. 17