Arnoldi's Cafe

The best Chicken Marsala I have ever had in life. The pasta (white sauce) that came with it was perfectly cooked and with delicate flavors. Lisa was one of the best hosts I have ever met. Kind, generous and above all selfless as she ensured my experience was top notch. The restaurant inside and outside are both gorgeous. Must must visit while you are in Santa Barbara. Lisa and Arnoldi’s - thank you for making my vacation memorable.

We were in town from Vegas for a few days and multiple people recommended your restaurant. We made a quick decision and got a reservatiom within 30 minutes. Food and service were amazing and sitting outside enjoying the weather made for a perfect evening. We'll definitely be back and you should too!

One of my favorite places to dine! Gorgeous patio with incredible ambiance. Perfect spot to dine with kids where they are welcome without feeling like you are at a kiddie restaurant. I recently hosted a large party with guests who had kids as well- everyone was at ease. Planning was easy, and Sara (I think ) was super responsive for minor details prior to my party. She even checked in during to make sure everything was as expected. Thankful they are current with the times and had an amazing mocktail menu rather than the options being juice or soda! My other guests enjoyed this as well. Not drinking doesn't mean you can't be festive! Thank you Arnoldi's for recognizing that. Amazing food, amazing drinks, and perfect setting. Can't wait to host there again!

I had my daughter's baby shower at Arnoldi's Cafe. The event went very well. We were seated in the outdoor patio area. Very beautiful seating/patio area. The service at our event was fabulous. The event manager and our servers are excellent! I would definitely recommend having your event at Arnoldi's Cafe! We plan to return for our next event in the near future.

I had a lot of good memories tied to this location, so I was really looking forward to eating here. Sadly, the food was awful — tasteless, low quality, and definitely overpriced. I truly regret choosing this restaurant.

A photograph of the tri-color gnocci, juxtaposing the the past with the present, offers a story more eloquent than words ever could. In the grand tapestry of dining experiences, there are certain moments that irrevocably alter our perception of a beloved establishment. The ethereal magic that once enveloped Arnoldi's—much like the innocence of childhood or the fleeting exuberance of graduation day—seems to have dimmed, leaving in its wake a somber shadow of its former self. Let's start with the good. The character of Arnoldi's remains unchanged. I returned with a small group of people some of whom have never been here before. The open backyard and bocce court, the lights, the music drew us in...like moths to a flame. For a fleeting moment, I allowed myself to believe that Arnoldi's was back. But that thought quickly disappeared leaving me to wonder whether I will ever come back here again. The ordeal that followed was a study in patience—albeit one I did not volunteer for. In total we waited 1 hour 47 minutes for our food. 40 minutes was us sitting in an anticipatory limbo waiting for our server to arrive. 1 hour and 7 minutes was lost waiting for entrees. We got our cocktails pretty quickly, and our server brought our appetizer 35 minutes into the wait, but he brought it to the wrong table--a mistake that went unaddressed for another 25 minutes. Despite the long wait, I had a hope at the back of my mind that the food will redeem itself. As the plates arrived, so too did the realization that Arnoldi’s culinary magic had all but vanished. The new cacio e pepe was super diluted. The remaining dishes, though passable, were marred by a sense of melancholy, as if they, too, mourned the loss of their previous glory. To add insult to injury, prices went up 20% across the board while the food quantity shrunk by half--a discrepancy that was as disheartening as it was perplexing. It is only fair to commend the staff, who, despite the chaos, were unfailingly courteous and apologetic. They confided that the new owner had rushed the reopening, despite being woefully under prepared in terms of staffing. One can only hope that these concerns are heeded.

Great portion for the price. The sun-dried tomatoe sauce on the Tuscan chicken was delicious. The complimentary bread was also scrumptious! Our server was great and very attentive. Free valet during the week as well!

The staff was friendly and helpful. I only give a 4 star because they were a bit slow to clear the table. Portions were very generous and the pastas were delicious. The salad was not spectacular. I was there with a work partner, my husband and teen daughter and we all enjoyed the experience. We dined outside, under a warm heater with flowers surrounding us. There are even outdoor games to enjoy.

If you want a great Italian restaurant with old school charm, this is it. My wife and I brought our three kids (8,6,4) in and they gave us a lovely table outside by the bocci ball area. It was heated and we were surrounded by other families with younger and much older (fully grown) kids that we could tell have enjoyed the place before. We had the gnocchi and chicken fettuccine and they were both very good. Our wine was a Sangiovese and it was also excellent. Our server was, by far, the best we had during our three day stay in Santa Barbara. This place is definitely worth visiting.

I won't lie. It didn't start great on the service side. We had a reservation but showed up early bc our prior plans ended early. No big deal, as we knew we would possibly have to wait. But we showed up, and the hostess let us know that they weren't busy and could seat us very soon, and in the meantime, we would sit at the bar and wait until the table was prepared. Next thing you know an hour had gone by and our reservation time had arrived. We asked her if we were at least going to be seated now since it was our reservation time. She then advised us that our table had been ready. But she had never advised us that it was ready even tho our party was all of 2 feet from her. This was a huge thing for me as I grew up in the service industry. But I will tell you right now that the food and the service we received from our server Christian most of all saved this review. Christian was absolutely amazing. We were a party of 15, and he handled it like a pro. Hostess - 1 out of 5 Food - 5 out of 5 Christian - 10 out of 5

The good: Service was outstanding. The not so good: The chicken part of my chicken Marsala was tender and ok but the salt laden sauce took over the chicken so much that it never had a chance to be great. The side pasta in white sauce was under boiled and was also taken over with more salt. The really not so good: The prices do not justify the food quality.

One of my favorite places to dine! Gorgeous patio with incredible ambiance. Perfect spot to dine with kids where they are welcome without feeling like you are at a kiddie restaurant. I recently hosted a large party with guests who had kids as well- everyone was at ease. Planning was easy, and Sara (I think ) was super responsive for minor details prior to my party. She even checked in during to make sure everything was as expected. Thankful they are current with the times and had an amazing mocktail menu rather than the options being juice or soda! My other guests enjoyed this as well. Not drinking doesn't mean you can't be festive! Thank you Arnoldi's for recognizing that. Amazing food, amazing drinks, and perfect setting. Can't wait to host there again!

Arrived for dinner about 745 and was seated quickly in a window booth. As you come in you could smell there was seafood. Outside area was also nice. Wife had wanted pasta and they had great choices. Complimentary bread was served. She had angel hair pasta with pomodoro sauce and I had the eggplant parmesan with spaghetti and pomodoro sauce as well. I pomodoro sauce was outstanding. I should have thought about requesting the gorgonzola sauce. Both of us really like our dishes and they serve quite large portions. Portions could be shared and we ended taken food home. We will definitely return here on our next visit. Looks like they have new management and their extensive menu reflects that.

After being stuck in traffic for a while, my wife and I were starving and this is one of the first food spots that popped up on my feed. I love Italian food so we came here. Cute lil shop. The server provided us with some yummy bread and butter and it was good. We ordered chicken Alfredo and tri colored gnocchi. Both meals were so good but we were stuffed so we took the rest to go. We had also ordered two drinks (one each) and they were so strong..I couldn't even finish mine. Our bill was a little steep for what we ordered. Maybe we will be back and try other food.

Ordered delivery of spaghetti and meatballs. We're so disappointed. Not what it used to be and expensive. Another old time sb restaurant not what it used to be.

Arnoldi's is back and it's just as great as ever! This classic spot just reopened after a few months and we had an awesome time. The back patio is super cute, with white lights and a beautiful garden--perfect for a relaxing evening. The chicken Parmesan was amazing, and the gin martini hit the spot. Our server, Selvanno, was so accommodating and friendly. He made us feel right at home and went above and beyond to make us feel amazing. Our group of 6 had a blast. You can either come here on a date night, with your family, or with a big party. Definitely recommend checking it out if you're in Santa Barbara!

Had dinner there Christmas Eve since it has been closed for a while. It was our favorite restaurant in Santa Barbara. Food was good, but not up to the same standard especially the calamari. They must be using a different recipe. My advice is to go back to the old. The menu for Christmas Eve was limited but good service as usual was excellent.. I will still go back there.

Ruben absolutely killed it! He seems to always know what special touches to add. And the staff are always amazing and never seem to disappoint

Stopped in last night to sample the food and prep for our rehearsal dinner later this month. Management was extremely attentive and we couldn't be happier. What a great spot for an outdoor celebration, great food and a family style atmosphere!!!

What a wonderful homecoming to Santa Barbara with Arnoldi's re-opening this week! This landmark is dear to my heart, the food was delicious as always, the outdoor seating warm & inviting- such a Classic! Thank you Sara for keeping this Santa Barbara gem alive! Good to see all the family's friendly faces!

Really disappointed. The service was great. G Ute place. The lasagna bolognese was nothing like a bolognese sauce. It tasted like vodka sauce from a jar. Overpriced for what you get.

Such a hidden gem for Italian food!! The portions are generous and delicious. You will not leave hungry. From the moment you come in the service is top notch and attentive. Their cheese and meats platter can feed a small village. They have an extensive wine list but do serve basic cocktails as well. The lasagna and the meatballs were delicious with an explosion of flavor. The outside has ample space for groups and cozy feeling away from the busy main drag. Perfect for a date or big groups to enjoy an Italian meal.

This restaurant has reopened and an absolute disappointment. Don't waste your time nor money. - Menu is the same as the other fifty Italian restaurants in Santa Barbara. - Service was poor and 90% of the time had to ask wait staff for service. - Chardonnay list was poor and limited. - The Caprese cheese was below average quality and sliced tomato simply sucked. - Bread was cold and below average. - Both entrees brought to table and no silverware to eat. I stopped the staff walking by and informed them we need silverware to eat. Notice picture of entrees and no silverware to eat. Come on staff! Five minutes later silverware was brought to table. It takes 3 minutes for food to go cold when sitting outside. - Chicken Parmesan with spaghetti was good. - Lasagna was good. Outdoor seating included looking at extensive power-lines. Come on owners. Grow a hedge and make the outdoor seating area attractive. - Parking is on street and the neighbor is consider the undesirable area of Santa Barbara with high crime. No pride of ownership with the mediocre Italian restaurant. Save your hard earned money and go to a different restaurant. Why reopen a restaurant to have patrons not want to return?! I paid $180 for two people to eat and left knowing why the restaurant had NEVER been recommended by locals. NEVER recommended..... There are multiple 1 Star reviews since opening two days ago.

It is great to see Arnoldi's was sold and the new owners have kept the same wonderful old school & fun vibe! Not to mention unreal calamari and pastas and drinks. The service was awesome and we could not have been happier! Can't wait to come back. Kudos!!! And really fun for 3 generations. The grandkids had Shirley temples!

Always delicious and fun. Not much has changed under newer ownership - which is a positive thing. Has a great reputation in town, and deep roots! Our server last night was great- patient and kind with large chaotic party. Decor and setup outside is lovely and warm.

This is a must when in Santa Barbara! First of all, the vibe is so old school Italiano! There's a great bar that was calling my name. We ended up w a table on the covered patio. The food was spectacular! I had the bolognese with meatballs. Hands down best sauce ever. My companion had the eggplant parmigiana with pesto pasta on the side and mannnnnnn! That was the best eggplant parmigiana I've ever had! I can't say enough about this place. It's classic, delicious and perfect service!

Arnoldi's was great! Immediately upon sitting down, we were served bread and butter, with olive oil and balsamic vinegar on the side. Despite the busy night, we were attended to expeditiously and professionally, and were able to order our food in a timely manner. Service was great. Meanwhile, we chatted and enjoyed the beautiful ambiance; we were seated outside, where there was an elegant terrace and (optional) heaters. I ordered the tricolor gnocchi with vegetables (you can pick meat or veggies to be incorporated into the dish). It was really good!! I could only eat a small portion, though, since it was such a dense, rich, hearty meal. I liked the red sauce the best, as the pesto was good but a bit overpowering, and the white sauce was just slightly underwhelming. I packed the leftovers to go and it was a great lunch the next day.

We had our wedding rehearsal dinner at Arnoldi's and it was amazing! They had been closed for a few months, so our event was the first night that they were going to be opening back up. Sara was on site to ensure that everything ran smoothly, and Guillermo (our designated server) was so kind and so on top of everything. They had a big name chef in town who was helping refine the menu and the food was so good! We ordered Bruschetta, Fried calamari, Spring salad, Penne Pomodoro, Gnocchi with pesto and the Tuscan Chicken which was a big hit! I'm dairy free so I stuck with a Penne Pomodoro and it was so yummy and so smooth - I even took some to go. Overall, it was a great dinner, great service, and great night! I would highly recommend having your private dinner or event here. They supply the chairs and tables so all we had to bring was decor. We had 35 people in our group and everyone was very pleased with Arnoldi's.

We had to make a last minute reservation for a large group, outside (because of dog) and we wanted Italian. Arnoldi's was the only one available and reviews said it was "old school Italian," which is exactly what it was. The patio was lovely, the food very decent - standouts were the caprese salad and the lasagna and pomodoro- and the service was very friendly and accommodating. My linguini vongole was highly spicy (white, lots of red pepper) but otherwise delicious and had lots and lots of clams. Highly recommend if you're in the mood for unfussy, tasty Italian staples.

It's been a while since I've eaten here and I'm glad I came back! I love that the table was set with the dinner bread the moment we were seated. We ordered the arugula salad for our appetizer and that was a good amount of salad for 3. My friends ordered the veggie linguini and gorgonzola gnocchi (not pictured, but was yummy!). I got the lasagna bolognese because it was made with house made pasta and sauce. My lasagna was super tasty and the portion was really generous! The sauce was really good. The staff is really nice and attentive. This is a great italian restaurant for families. They even have bocce ball! Will be back for sure!

Great service and food! Family friendly restaurant. Back patio is so pretty. The drinks were amazing. Highly recommend!

The atmosphere on the back patio is amazing, and perfect for a large friend and family gathering - so that is a 5 star! They also have bocce ball there I ordered the chicken piccata upon the waiter's recommendation and it was completely bland and the chicken was overcooked. I have had chicken piccata hundreds of times, and also have made it myself, and this was the most uninspired I have ever tasted. I snacked on everyone else's meal and took it home to doctor it up and see if anything about it was salvageable. Really disappointing. Gnocchi, also hand made there, were equally bland and boring. Took them home also, added pesto the next day to make them enjoyable and they were edible. My husband ordered the rotello which was lasagna rolled up with ricotta and spinach, those were delicious! And our friend ordered the frutto Di mare which is a seafood and pasta dish, he loved it, ate every bite, and didn't even share! So it's hit and miss out of the kitchen I would say. The service and ambiance were excellent though - and it is one of the oldest restaurants in Santa Barbara / I was there eating a meal 50 years ago and it is still charming.

Arnoldi's has returned and they have not missed a step. The food is amazing. The service is great. The new staff is polished. Can't wait to return.

Thank you for a wonderful evening We have a dinner group that we meet with once a month We have been meeting for over 20 years I must say that we had a great time . The he dinner and service was great!! Good times with old friends and a great restaurant are just what we Cherish and we thank you for for great memories !!!

After the reopening of Arnold's Cafe we were hopeful to have a solid alternative for Italien Food in SB. Boy oh boy what a disappointment. Quality and selection of food is average at best, probably below average. Prices on the other hand are very rich. Frankly, our favorite Italien place in Downtown SB on Victoria has same price point but much better selection and quality. In fact, we had Italien food at one of the best (!) Italien restaurants in Newport Beach and even there we did not pay more than at Arnold's Cafe. A little side note: Waiters were very pushy. At one pint we were thinking they'd say "you have to order more to eat here". Anyways, if you want to spend top dollars on great food, go somewhere else. If you are looking for average Italian food, buy a lasagna from your grocery store.

We took a day trip to Santa Barbara to check out a few colleges. We stopped by Arnoldis restaurant and OH MY GOSH!! Arnoldi's did not disappoint! The food, drinks and atmosphere was top notch! A touch of elegance mixed with charm. Price was on point! Service was 10 out of 10! Such a wonderful way to wind down our day! Thank you for such a great experience! We definitely will be back!

Really delicious spot, so glad it's reopened! Tried the chicken parm and short rib ravioli and they were both delicious! And the bathroom is clean and fine.

We were part of a party of ten people tonight, which can be challenging for some restaurants, but the service here was excellent! No waiting or having to remind servers about anything. The food itself was wonderful! We ordered a variety of dishes: penne arrabiata, eggplant parmesan, chicken piccata, spaghetti carbonara, spaghetti bolognese, etc. According to everyone, it was all delicious! We were seated outside and got to watch a bocci ball game. We were celebrating birthdays and the staff told us to take our time, we didn't feel rushed at all, as some places make you feel. It was a great evening! We'll definitely be back soon.

The food is delicious! The bread basket they give you to start is homemade daily by a local baker. Some highlights of the meal for me: the bruschetta del casa (comes with goat cheese), the tiramisu de limone, and the Tuscan chicken with Alfredo sauce. The only lowlight: the service was a little slow (long gaps between being checked on by the waiter, and a long wait for food). But the food was delish!! I would definitely recommend Arnoldi's for authentic and delicious Italian food in the Santa Barbara area. It's a sit-down restaurant that is not overly fancy. I felt like I fit in wearing my jeans and tennis shoes.

Long time customer, came back to see the business after it changed hands and happy to report that all of the old magic is still present! Same delicious food, beautiful ambience, fun family bocce ball, and absolutely amazing service by Simon, Jorge, and Imani. This restaurant is a local treasure that continues to shine!

Yes, it was definitely your bathroom, but I am very pleased to hear that they are spruced up.

Everything was wonderful. We were here for a wedding reception. The food was outstanding. It's a wonderful place and our experience was first class. Can't go wrong eating here.

My partner and I used to love coming here, but were really disappointing coming back for the first time since ownership changed. The quality of the food was way worse than before. Our entrees were absolutely covered in sauce that tasted metallic like it was from a can and not a jar, and like spaghetti-o's sauce, honestly. My meatballs weren't fully cooked either. Service was odd. I couldn't find spaghetti and meatballs on the menu? I asked our server almost joking if they had spaghetti and meatballs and he had to look over the menu himself for a minute and couldn't find it. This is an Italian restaurant... We also didn't get our food until 8:45 for a 7:45 reservation. I understand it was a Saturday night but taking an hour to get fo feels like poor management. The price and quality of the food was definitely not worth the wait. We had finished our wine by the time we got our food. Bummer because my partner and I were celebrating our engagement just hours prior. Sad to see our favorite Italian restaurant in town become this

HIGHLY recommend! The food is amazing, service is incredible, wonderful atmosphere and great for groups, dates or families.

I am a local Santa Barbara in and have went to this restaurant for years in the past I just drop by today. $86 between me and my daughter two drinks and bruschetta.. My recommendation keep it moving. There was nothing special about the bruschetta or the two glasses of wine that I drunk tonight. The only difference was the $15 a glass of wine, which was outrageous not even full I could've bought a bottle and it would've been cheaper or not go here again not

Thrilled to see Arnoldi's back open for business. Food might be even more delicious than before. Tuscan Chicken and Chicken Parmigiana were highlights for us. Don't miss the tiramisu for dessert. Staff was new but very upfront about working out the opening weekend hiccups. They did a great job! Will definitely be back soon.

We just had our wedding reception here and I can't say good enough things about our experience. Sara (owner) was so responsive and kind for almost a year of us planning. She made me feel at ease which is so appreciated during wedding planning. The food was amazing, all our guests thought so too. The overall ambiance was great and the staff was very attentive and friendly. Price was competitive and well worth every penny. Thanks Arnoldis and Sara for making our wedding night unforgettable!!!

We're so glad to have found and dined here in New Years Eve! My husband and I planned our NY trip to Santa Barbara last minute, so we were worried that the restaurants were fully booked. Luckily, we saw Arnoldi's still had a few tables left, so we decided to give it a shot, and they did not disappoint. The most important thing, the food, was delicious! Filet Mignon Arnoldi's was on point. The steak was juicy and side dishes were palatable. We also ordered the special salad, which from what I can remember consisted of butter lettuce, beet, and blue cheese. It was to die for. I even intend to re-create it at home. Service was also great, and we enjoyed the family-friendly ambience. Will definitely come back!

First time and I'm impressed with the eggplant parmigiana. As someone who is particular with eggplant parm I rate theirs 10/10. They slice it thin and it's just the right amount of crispy and the sauce is in fact flavorful. It looks as good as it tastes. For the pasta on the side I requested the gorgonzola sauce instead of marinara sauce. It tasted like Alfredo sauce, still good, but was expecting that punch of flavor that gorgonzola brings. Great meal. Loved it. Will be back!

Very cute ambiance and massive proportions. I got the spaghetti al vongole with the white wine sauce. The white wine sauce was amazing and so were the clams except there was a lot of little bits of shell in the pasta and I felt like i was going to crack my teeth. The pasta was a little too plain for me and didn't pick up the sauce well. But the ambiance and tables are super cute and give an old Italian vibe. I might have to try something else on their menu.

This place was amazing!!! Great ambiance, staff as really friendly, food and wine was delicious! So good we may even come back before we leave town.

Great food and good service ! Definitely worth a try!!!!!!!!! Yummy in my tummy !!!!!!!!!!!

Fabulous food. Excellent service. Valet parking is worth it as parking is not easy. Portions are plentiful. I'll definitely return.

They're back and... better! Did not think it was possible to improve upon my favorite old school Italian restaurant, but we came in for an early Sunday dinner and they knocked it out of the park. They got my kid's butter noodles out immediately. My Chicken Parmesan was perfection. Everyone I was with really enjoyed their food and we shared a great bottle of wine. The wait staff was upfront about working out some kinks as they had just reopened, but our experience was top notch. Will be back and so so glad to have this special place back.

Held a surprise birthday party for my Mom over the weekend with 25 of her closest friends and family. The management was communicative and provided a perfect set up and wait staff to take really good care of us throughout the evening. Everyone enjoyed the Italian appetizers, wine and entrees, which were plentiful! It was a wonderful night she will remember for years to come!

A Santa Barbara local favorite. Good food and drink. Great vibe. Bocce courts. All make this a family favorite. Somehow Manager Sara keeps things moving with a smile and kind word to customers. Recommended.

I don't know why it took me so long to visit Arnoldi's Cafe but I am sure glad I have. The food was delicious with the carbonara being my absolute favorite. The ambiance is also something to behold if you are seated in their outside courtyard during the sunset hours. The painted sky and the food makes for a great combination.