Buena Onda Empanadas | Restaurant • Catering • Events

Great empanadas with vegetarian and vegan options. The service was fast and efficient even for a Friday around 5-5:30pm. The ambiance is a vibey place where you can relax and enjoy company from others. They had live music starting at 7pm last Friday. I like how they have outdoor seating with covers to block the sun. We ordered the half dozen special with these flavors: Caprese Hongos Espinaca Fugazetta Papa Vegan Soyrizo I honestly forgot how each one tasted but overall it was 4.5/5. The Beignet Trio was yummy too. My favorite was the hazelnut flavor. Beignet Trio: 4/5

Buena Onda is a nice place, they have mostly outdoor seating and three parking spots. Food is okay, we order a bunch of empanadas but I didn’t think they were out of this world. We order some potato’s as well, they’re tasty but very dry.

So far this is the Best empanadas I’ve had in California. We have some empanadas in LA but this is the best. Marla our service staff that served us was helpful and friendly. Parking is limited but there are a lot of street parking. This is a must visit if you’re in SB.

Buena Onda catered and hosted our Annual Benefit. It unexpectedly began to sprinkle and they were able to quickly cover all of our items that were not waterproof. Their service was seamless and unobtrusive. The food was exceptional in beauty and taste. Excellent! Matias went above and beyond for catering to our needs. Would book again.

We have visited the majority of Argentinian places in Southern California, and there aren't many good ones. This is one we still hadn't visited, and now we wonder what took so long. We came for lunch on a Saturday. When we got there, we were the first ones there, but shortly after, a couple showed up, and they were friendly. The place itself has mostly outdoor seating, and it is beautiful and welcoming. The location is cute, and so is the ambiance. The service we got from every was great, except we weren't brought (or offered to buy) any bread, or anything else, which is expected at Argentine seat down places. Food wise, we got beef empanadas and the milanesa con papas. The empanadas were very good. The size was standard but pricey, though it is probably because of the location. At least they were very good. I liked the beef, which had tons of olives. What I liked was the flavor and the fact that the olives didn't overpower the flavor. I didn't like the milanesa, but my wife thought it was ok. The chimichurri was good, and my daughter and I liked that they carried a spicy version. For dessert, my wife got one of the store bought flavor, but it did seem like they made their own, so we'll get one of those next time. It was good enough that we will be back. We can't wait to come try other food.

Best Argentinian empanadas I've tried so far in California. The Serrano was really good, I recommend it if you like the cheese ones. The chimichurri is also legit.

SOOOO delicious!! These empanadas are the best I've had. We got the dozen and it did not disappoint! And the arugula salad was so refreshing and delicious! That's definitely a must on the menu! Loved the atmosphere as well. It's so relaxing. Takes you to another place of relaxation! And the service and people there are so sweet and accommodating ❤️

A hidden gem in SB! The empanadas are the best we have ever had. The fillings are delicious! We had the beef brisket and chicken. Both were juicy and super flavorful. We will definitely be back soon.

The food and ambiance were absolutely amazing!! We ordered a dozen empanadas for 4-5 of us and all of them were soo delicious. Definitely recommend the special/gaucho! Our server, Marla, was so wonderful and helpful, she really made the experience!!

We had Marla as our server, she was amazing and had great energy. My party of 5 split the dozen empanadas and it was a perfect size for us. My favorite was the carne. I would definitely come back again!

Marla is the best server the chimichurri potato's are soooo good!!!! We love Marla love Marla love Marla yay

Great empanadas with vegetarian and vegan options. The service was fast and efficient even for a Friday around 5-5:30pm. The ambiance is a vibey place where you can relax and enjoy company from others. They had live music starting at 7pm last Friday. I like how they have outdoor seating with covers to block the sun. We ordered the half dozen special with these flavors: Caprese Hongos Espinaca Fugazetta Papa Vegan Soyrizo I honestly forgot how each one tasted but overall it was 4.5/5. The Beignet Trio was yummy too. My favorite was the hazelnut flavor. Beignet Trio: 4/5

Came here at a very off hour - 3pm - for a late lunch. Quaint and ample patio seating. Service was fast and excellent. I ordered the 3 empanada plate with side salad (other choice is their potato dish). I chose a beef, spicy beef, and a tomato & cheese empanada. The meat ones were tasty. The tomato & cheese wasn't one I would order again. You can also take home a box with 6 or 12 empanadas. They also offer frozen empanadas to go.

I've been lucky enough to visit this restaurant several times, and each visit has been a great experience. It's delightful to see how it's evolved over time, every time I go something has changed just a bit. This time, I finally decided to leave a review because I realized I hadn't done so earlier, and honestly, it's well deserved. The empanadas are genuinely some of the best I've had , the potatoes are addicting with the aïoli and chimichurri sauce on them. Always complimented with a beer, which is nice and I just appreciate is the cozy atmosphere. I definitely look forward to my next visit.

Buena Onda is a place I kept hearing about, so I decided to pay them a visit for lunch! The area is very inviting, however parking can be a bit tough. Aside from their empanadas, they also sell baked goods inside a glass case which welcomes you as soon as you enter. We ordered the breakfast empanada along with the mushroom and spinach. It came with a side if the chimi papas. Our food came out in a timely manner and seemed to be prepared fresh. I thought the empanadas were just ok. They were smaller in sized compared to what I am used to and tasted like hot pockets , and most of the chimi papas were burnt. I wasn't really blown away like I thought I'd be. Overall, I am glad I got to try them out, but im in no rush to come back.

Buena Onda is a nice place, they have mostly outdoor seating and three parking spots. Food is okay, we order a bunch of empanadas but I didn't think they were out of this world. We order some potato's as well, they're tasty but very dry.

Buena Onda is a true gem in the SB area serving up some authentic and freshly made Argentinian empanadas. This spot is located in a neighborhood area with a small parking lot with like 3-4 spots available. To get here, street parking will most likely be your best bet. Reservations are welcome, but they also accept walk ins as well. Wifey and I stopped by for lunch around 12pm and were seated right away. They have indoor seating or a very nice spacious patio area with lots of seating as well. For their menu, they have a great selection of different empanadas, milanesas, pizzas, and side dishes to choose from. We opted for a half dozen empanadas consisting of the Carne, Pollo, Serrano, Special, Hongos, and Buen Dia along with the Chimi Papas as a side dish. Overall, we thoroughly enjoyed our dining experience here and the ambiance of the spot. The food was packed full of flavor and every bite was as delicious as the last! The authentic Argentinian flavors and flare really shined through. All of the staff here are very friendly and welcoming. If you are ever in the SB area, this spot is a must try!

Such a cute spot with super delicious empanadas! I found the meat to be well-cooked & very flavorful, & the side salad was great with their dressing & super fresh. Outdoor seating area was extremely pretty & relaxing, & the staff was friendly & attentive! Definitely a great spot to visit if you're in the mood for empanadas!

First time dining in and I was very satisfied! I've had their empanadas at other establishments, but their sit in restaurant is a way better experience. Nice outdoor seating and kind attentive wait staff! We ordered the milanesa sandwich with salad, the three empanada combo plate with chimi papas, their dulce de leche cheesecake and the coppa al limone dessert. The three empanadas we ordered were the serrano, buen dia, and the daily special. My favorite was the serrano. I liked the amount of cheese in it and the prosciutto gave it a good savory flavor. The buen dia was a great choice for brunch. The chimi papas were really good! Had a slight amount of spice to it which I liked. They were in the salty side, but the empanadas weren't too salty so the meal was balanced. The milanesa was okay. Didn't have any stand out flavors like the other food items had. I liked the bread that it was on! The desserts were amazing! I'm so glad we decided to try a couple out. Their cheese cake was so good and the dulce de leche made it even better. I liked how much crust there was! The coppa al limone was a contrast to the cheesecake and that's what made it so good! Nice acidity to it and it wasn't too sweet. Our waiter was very nice and accommodating! Great experience overall.

Buena Onda means "good vibes" and it's certainly discernible when one steps foot towards this family-owned restaurant that celebrates its Argentine food and culture in an unassuming setting oozing California coolness and laid-back ambiance. The empanadas here are pretty hefty with each hand-held pastry packed full of flavor. Empanadas eaten: Carne (beef), Hongos (Crimini mushrooms), Pollo (chicken), Gaucho (brisket beef), Serrano (Prosciutto ham), and Batata (sweet potato). Definitely recommend the Gaucho, Batata and Pollo. Notes: - Only three parking spots on the private lot, but otherwise must find street parking - Really beautiful courtyard seating area that's dog-friendly - They also host live musical performances - Empanadas are baked to order and differentiated by how they are folded - Many varieties of empanadas to choose from the authentic Argentinian versions to ones influenced by Californian and Italian cuisine - Tasty chimichurri dipping sauce comes with order of empanadas - Maintains maximum flavor when re-heated - Vegan/vegetarian options also offered - Catering available for any event - Open Tuesday through Sunday at 11 AM. Closed Monday. Already looking forward to the day we return to Santa Barbara just so that we could dine there instead of inside our car! Bless my partner for taking the reins in finding this awesome lunch spot when I wasn't feeling well and ordering half a dozen to try. Can't wait to taste the other empanadas.

Amazing empanadas. Super friendly staff. They gave us extra food just to apologize for the slightly long wait. A warm, fire lamp'ed outdoor seating area that was a great vibe to sit down and eat a dinner with friends. Highly recommend!

Cute spot for great empanadas. It's nestled in a neighborhood so the area is a little unassuming, but the restaurant itself is adorable. I loved the outdoor patio seating. The hubs and I ordered a half dozen to share and enjoyed our tasting experience. From what I can remember... - Buen Dia: breakfast empanada that ended up being my favorite. Very savory and delicious, bursting with flavor - Chile Verde: this was a special during our visit and our second fave! - Carne: classic ground beef empanada that was a solid choice - Chicken: shredded chicken, I personally didn't love this one, but it still tasted good and wasn't dry - Caprese: kinda like a mini calzone, but this one wasn't super special IMO - Hongos: another solid option, but felt a little overpowered by the mozarella for my personal taste Overall - a great spot that I'd visit again if I'm ever in SB!

This place is absolutely gorgeous! While it's a little hard to find since it's not on the main drag of Santa Barbara, it's well worth the effort. The ambiance is incredibly charming and gives off a cozy yet vibrant vibe. We sat in the outdoor area, which is lush, green, and simply beautiful. It reminded me so much of Argentina--it truly transported me back to my travels there. The empanadas were out of this world! We tried the beef, carne, and vegetarian options, and all of them were absolutely delicious and authentic. Each bite was packed with flavor and cooked to perfection. I also tried the Argua salad, which was refreshing and elevated by an amazing lemon vinaigrette. It was light, zesty, and complemented the meal perfectly. The service was excellent--friendly and attentive without being overbearing. I can absolutely see myself coming back here often. Highly recommend this hidden gem!

Believe the 5 stars on this one! I look forward to coming here when we're in the area. It's a great snack or quick bite! They have an awesome outdoor patio too if you decide to dine in, but we usually order them to go. They have a variety of empanadas, even a gluten free option. I suggest getting a half dozen to try a variety. They give you a paper showing you how to differentiate each flavor which I think is pretty thoughtful! Their empanadas are made fresh and their fillings are pretty generous. I enjoy the Serrano and spinach empanada the most. Don't forget the chimichurri sauce either!

In town for the weekend this past July. We searched yelp for some suggestions. Extremely happy to find an authentic emapanadas in the area. Located on a nice quiet street. Inviting outdoor patio area. We ordered the half dozen of the chicken, carne, and caprese. A side of arugula salad and the Pappas. Such flavor in everything we decided on. Mouth watering when I think about it. Definitely a must visit if you like the flavor of authentic Argentine empanadas. Service was very attentive even though it was quite busy. Cannot wait to travel to Santa Barbara again knowing that this place will definitely on our return visit.

Honestly I had been here once before and let me tell you these have to be some of the most delicious empanadas I've ever had. A bit windy but quiet and super friendly staff. This is a place you CANNOT skip. Super delicious ended it with a brownie for dessert

Empanadas were delicious!! They have a 3 car parking lot. Expect to look for street parking.

Meh. Milanese was dry and overcooked. Empanada has way too much cheese and almost no prosciutto. Also my empanada was half the size as the other one sent to other tables. Only outside seating from what I saw.

I ordered take out from Buena Onda for a quick snack/lunch on Saturday, and I was not disappointed! We tried 4 different empanadas and they were mostly very good. They came out warm and freshly baked--I was so satisfied even though they were $4.25 each. Worth every dollar! They have a beautiful outdoor seating area, and 2 spotting spots inside their lot. We did take out so they actually brought our order to our car outside. You can place your online order through their website. Customer service was great!

Takeout lunch by myself, waited on the sunny patio briefly for my order. I was super excited to try the gluten free empanadas with a crust of almond flour and mozzarella. This style pie is only available as carne with ground beef, peppers and olives, or hongos with mushrooms, peppers, onions and cheese. I ordered a combo with one of each style pie and a side salad. I say pie because the gf empanadas are a round fluted tart shap, open faced and about the size of my palm. They were both flavorful and delicious. I could have eaten more! I mostly devoured them in the car on the drive back to my hotel, then enjoyed the salad on the patio. A super duper little side salad with fresh greens, tomatoes and walnuts with a tangy vinaigrette. Very satisfying and I highly recommend!

Came here because I love empanadas, and well, that's why. Need to eat lunch, right? Place is located on a dead stretch of Haley st, however they do a good job of separating the outdoor area with plants and a bar. I was hungover so didn't drink, and just got a Mexican coke. Service was great. Got the lunch special with 2 empanadas and chimi pappas. Tried the carne and pollo to keep things simple. The pollo was the best chicken empanada I've had. Great pastry, good amount of filling too. The carne was a bit skimpy on the beef but good otherwise. They were really generous with the potatoes to the point that I wish I got the salad instead, or just another empanada. Would come back for takeout and just get the empanadas. Wish they had a bigger menu.

Empanadas are delicious and service was okay! Cute little outdoor spot! Looks like they do live music which is cool! The drink was very average, probably wouldn't get again. Took a star off because my friend I went with asked if she could get fries instead of the potatoes/salad that comes with the combo and the waiter said they would ask and instead of coming back they automatically put the potatoes with her dish. I have to say they are really good but would have been nice to come back and ask what she would have preferred

Very nice empanadas! The restaurant was also very cute & Instagrammable. Staff was rly fast & friendly as well!

Years later and it is still wonderful! Everything tastes fresh, homemade, and high quality. My kid loved their pizza which tasted like a bakery style pizza I used to eat in Davis. I loved their pollo empanada and the chimi papas. Their chimichurri sauces are bomb, especially the spicy one. I could literally put it on everything and they need to sell it jarred up to go. We sat outside on a rainy Tuesday but the server was super nice even though we were the only ones dining in. Before you go, try the beignets!

On this train day trip from the SFV to Santa Barbara, my eyes were on Buena Onda, to try the artisan baked, Argentinian Empanadas. It was a cool and overcast day, so sitting at the beautiful tables outside was a no brainer. You are in a nice environment that is colorful with vegetation and flowers. And the ambiance is just right. So I took my time. First a beverage, over a period of close to an hour and then I ordered the Buen Dia (Bacon and Egg) empanada. All the empanadas here are baked, with a nice outer brown coloring and fresh bite. They are hand filled, put on a conveyor belt where they are hand sealed and baked down stream. The Buen Dia filling was tasty. The accompanying chimichurri sauce was superb. I ordered half a dozen more to bring back to the Valley. They were, two more of the Buen Dia and one each of the Carne, Pollo, Caprese and Hongos. They were all good, however I found it difficult to tell which Empanada was which (with the ones I had, except for the Caprese) even though there was a cheat sheet. The shapes and markings need to be non-ambiguous, to make it easier for selection before eating.

Really good empanadas!! We got the half-dozen for $25; two each of : Hongos (5/5): probably my most favorite of the lot Espinaca (4/5): the right amount of cheese! Vegana (4/5): quite liked the vegan cream cheese. We also got the chimmi papas- pretty much just roasted potatoes but their sauces were excellent!! Service was fairly quick. Loved the ambience. 3 parking spots (pretty tight) on-site. Free street parking on streets perpendicular to Haley.

In the case of the people versus Buena Onda, the verdict is: over-rated and overpriced. Had dinner here with a group 12 family members, and it seemed from the start that the since waiters were already "guaranteed" an 18% gratuity they just weren't interested in taking care of us or making our dinner special. They got several items in our order wrong. They were slow, and when we asked if they could open an umbrella for us to shade us, they told my brother in law he could it himself. Wtf? Really? And then there's the uninspired Argentinian food... Messi and Maradona would be ashamed. We ordered a dozen of various kinds to share, and they are basically all the same - just stuffed with cheese and very little else. We also ordered items like a pizza that could be confused with Red Baron's, and fries could also have been picked up in the same freezer aisle. They think they're cute and clever by making the empanadas' filling coded with different shapes. Are you kidding me? They look more like play doh kindergarten arts and crafts than 5-star empanadas! They're guilty of pretending to be something they're not, and sadly, Santa Barabara foodies are so desperate to have good empanadas that they've turned this mediocre restaurant into nothing but a 5-star façade. Also, the parking sucks.

The staff was amazing and friendly and speak Spanish. Parking: mostly street parking; there are 2 parking spots on their lot It's a pretty small interior: 1 side is like a bakery/pick up and the other is a single restroom. All the tables and seating are outdoors; there are heat lamps and some umbrellas/coverings. Food: the empanadas are baked and are delicious. They also come with regular (or you can ask for spicy) chimichurri. I really enjoyed it and see myself returning.

Buena Onda was such a cute outdoor space upon arrival. Located on a quiet block but as you approach there's string lights above and live music entertainment. (Live music only on Fridays) We waited to be seated and a waitress told us we can pick any available tables. Side note: the restaurant is entirely outdoor, so if you're there during the evenings remember to grab your jacket. The menu reflected that empanadas were their specialties so we had to give them a go. They did not disappoint at all - in fact they may be some of the best I've had. The pastry shell was the star to me while you had your pick of any fillings from meats, veggie to even vegan options. It's such a cute casual spot to catch up with a friend or go on a date. I recommend if you're in the SB area and are looking for some delicious empanadas with a cozy vibe.

We wanted to try this place since they opened. Finally the day is came. Really nice outside seating and lovely. Very attentive service too. We tried the 5 kinds of empanadas. All of them are really good, well balanced! Our server Martin was very good server! Definitely we will be back try something else!

This is def a casual eatery. Parking is along the street. You'll hear the restaurant before you see it haha since they seem to have live music regularly. It's a bit loud so I don't think it would be a good place to try getting to know someone ie first dates. The empanadas were pretty good. We got the half dozen- beef, gaucho, chicken, caprese, spinach, and mushroom. I appreciate that they have just as many vegetarian and vegan options as meat ones, however I found the vegetarian fillings somewhat lacking in flavor. The mushroom one had very few actual mushrooms and had a strong bell pepper taste. My boyfriend enjoyed the meat filled ones and we both agreed that their pastry portion was well done, soft but hearty. The potatoes with chimichurry were really good and I'm happy we got them!

I'm sad I live so far away because this place was delicious! Super authentic empanadas that my girlfriend and I loved! We got a half dozen with beef, special (spicy beef), chicken, spinach, ham & cheese, and I believe the last one was kale. All super yummy and the papas there are delicious! Service was good and the ambiance was outdoor seating!

Food was delicious and our server was amazing. Go support our girl Marla. The ambiance of the patio was so cute and the live music was perfect for a Friday night dinner.

What a nice surprise! We tried a variety of their Empanadas and every single one was very delicious and beyond our expectations including the mushroom, caprese and spinach empanadas. Our favorite was the chicken Empanadas. Service was exceptional and prices reasonable. Definitely to be included among our top rated and favorites in Santa Barbara!

The waitress was really nice and attentive, the food was tasty but the kitchen staff takes an eternity to get food out of the kitchen because these dudes are too busy talking and doing everything else but cooking. Gotta step up that kitchen game. Ambiance is nice.

Amazing customer service from Marla! Such kind and caring vibes and attitude! Food was amazing and ambiance was immaculate!

The food? Amazing but the server was even better. Go for some good eats and for Marla! The ambiance was beautiful and so is Marla. We left no food to spare.

Cute, cute little restaurant with the most delicious empanadas! We happened to be in Santa Barbara and wanted to pick up a few to take home. The gentleman taking our order was very friendly, explaining the choices. Empanadas are available freshly baked, half baked or frozen, by the dozen, half dozen or individual. We chose 4, a corn, chicken, quinoa and spinach. In just a few minutes, the empanadas were boxed and ready to go along with a delicious side chimichurri. Noticed a darling patio out front with heaters if one wanted to eat there. Needless to say, the aroma filled the car and the freshly baked hot empanadas never made it home, Without exception, they were delicious! Another great find to visit next time we are in the area.

their server marla? GORGEOUS. food is awesome too. but marla. more awesome. ambience is great, loved the live music. but love marla more.

Great food and service. Especially if you are looking for something different. A little tricky finding parking nearby.

Soooo delicious!!! Initially I was put off by the slower than normal service and lack of parking, but nothing could've prepared me for how delicious these empanadas were. We tried the mushroom, beef, and chicken empanadas. I'm a meat lover so I was expecting the beef to be my favorite, however the mushroom one had so much flavor and it took the crown. The chicken and beef also had a good flavor but the cheese complimented the mushroom one better. I was in the area for only a couple days so I didn't get a chance to get more, but 100% if I'm in the area, I'm stopping by here again and even taking some to go. Ambiance is very cute despite the lack of parking. Definitely picture worthy and aesthetic vibe.

Got Empanadas to go when driving through Santa Barbara. This place was so yummy and filling. Got the ground beef empanadas and they were flavorful and hearty. They were fast and easy to take to go. I will definitely come back and definitely recommend.

Best empanadas in the area, the meat were amazing, the Gaucho one are incredible!! I also loved the mushroom ones. If you live in the area you're so damm lucky but it's a good thing I don't and it's quite a drive to get here cause I would be 500lbs. The Salads are great, the staff is great, friendly, attentive without being bothersome, they know your product well, their deserts are always delicious and so are their Drinks, so run down to Buena Onda and get ready to stuff yourselves!!!

The amount of vegetarian options blew my mind. Cannot go wrong with anything on the menu was my first thought. Very friendly service. It's away from the noise, tucked away in a nice part of the city. I loved the veggie empanadas that we got. I don't remember which ones exactly (sorry) but, I think you won't be disappointed with the anything you order here

Beautiful courtyard for a lovely outdoor luncheon. We tried the Serrano (chile and cheese), Hongo (mushroom), and Carne (ground beef) empanadas and loved the savory fillings encased in the pastry. Service was quick and friendly. Highly recommend stopping by for their empanada combos. They come with a generous serving of either salad or potatoes and a delicious chimichurri sauce.

Craving some Argentina food, some warm and delicious empanadas? Buena Onda has it right in town for you! We came here for a large group dinner. They had our tables set up in their courtyard and served the group a variety of empanadas. I honestly don't know there are so many different types of empanadas until I visited Buena Onda! They even have options for gluten-free or vegetarian empanadas. I was very impressed by the quality of their food. Their drink menu was very nice too. The service was great, and we really had a great time here.

By chance I met a local chef while picking up a latte this morning. She shared that there are some truly excellent local eateries if you're willing to venture just a little bit away from State Street. I am so glad I took a chance and tried Buena Onda. What a special place! It was a perfect Southern California moment: 70 degrees, blue skies, sitting in the shade, enjoying music, and having the best empanadas I've ever had. The pastry was golden and crisp but still had a stretchy fluffy texture. Each empanada we tried tasted of fresh ingredients and seemed thoughtfully created. Also, I will be dreaming of this chimichurri. Compliments to the chef!