Helena Avenue Bakery

Came here for breakfast. They have counter service here but they do bring the food to you. There was already a huge line by the time we reached here. Table was surprisingly easy to find. Food came out fairly quick. Coffee was really good. The sourdough on the breakfast sandwich was a little too crunchy but overall it was yummy. Also got the avocado toast which was also good.

Very beautiful decor, and lots of birds chirping around. Food was good but pricey. The hashbrowns are worth every penny. The fried chicken breakfast sandwich is very good as well. The service was fast but it was not very clear it was Cafe service and so when asked if I needed anything and I asked for a fork, I was surprised by the employee's offended expression. I was not aware of the cutlery and water station and was left to find it on my own. Employees were hard to track down or speak to, other than at the register. Also the self bussing station was in the back of the room through a tight space with full tables of customers. Multiple bussing stations would have been nice, or more clearly labeled if I missed another one.

My wife and I were visiting Santa Barbara and if this tells you how we feel about this bakery: we came here 3 out of the 4 days! The coffee, pastries, and breakfast were fantastic. You definitely need to try the morning bun, the passion fruit poppyseed muffin, and the blueberry scone. I also got the maple sausage breakfast sandwich on a biscuit, which was very tasty. It had a nice, sweet flavor, and was huge! This place is big - it has both indoor and outdoor seating, and a whole wall full of different wines for tasting events I believe. Anyway, the decor and vibe was perfect, and I’d absolutely recommend coming here if you’re close enough!

We had a relaxing breakfast at Helena Avenue Bakery. The bakery space is a really neat industrial building with very tall ceilings and large doors that open to outdoor seating. The space is decorated nicely. The coffees, baked goods, and breakfast sandwich were all delicious. Neither of us were able to connect to the Acme guest WiFi network, but that was a relatively minor detail since we were just stopping in. I’d definitely recommend stopping by!

Love the vibe of this place and how many different things they offer on the menu. The hash browns literally come as a brick and they’re so perfectly seasoned. We shared the breakfast sandwich also and as someone who isn’t a big egg person I love the baked egg patty in there. Biscuits were delish too. Ambiance is so adorable and earthy.

We went on Wednesday for brunch and there were a few empty tables. We were lucky to snatch a parking spot next to the bakery. We ordered a pull-pork sandwich, cinnamon roll and a chocolate crossaint. Cinnamon roll was the best: outside layer was crunchy and warm, the frosting wasn't too sweet, the amount of frosting was more than enough foe the whole roll. Chocolate crossaint was alright: pastry was soft and fluffy, chocolate wasn't melted all the way. Pull-pork had a goof spicy kick to it but it was a little too salty for my taste. Staff were so nice, respectful and welcomed. Service was quick. Love their decoration. We would try to sit outside next time as the flowers in the flower box were lovey on a nice day. These seats got filled up real quick though. Bathroom was not the cleanest.

We came for a breakfast bite and ended up with coffee, a healthy bowl, a breakfast sandwich and truly delicious cinnamon rolls. Very decadent and worth every bite. Not cheap but, it’s great ingredients and, hey, it’s Santa Barbara near the beach!

As someone with autoimmune issues that impact my diet, I was utterly thrilled to hear the majority of their baked goods are made from sourdough discard which is my saving grace for gluten-sensitive restrictions!! I will definitely be coming back to Santa Barbara specifically for HAB!! My husband, daughter and son-in-love shared the delectable buttery Chocolate Chip Cookie, scrumptious Passionfruit Poppyseed Muffin, the balanced sweet, savory and creamy Goat cheese Toast, and the creative Elvis Banana Bread which were all fabulous! My personal brunch item was the breakfast tacos on corn tortillas which were delightful with crispy bacon, a generous layer of cheese, and over easy eggs with just the right kick of spice and seasoning. The staff was very welcoming, accommodating, and informative. I wish I could order for delivery to the San Francisco Bay because I definitely would!!

We had breakfast at Helena Ave Bakery, twice, during our visit to Santa Barbara. The staff are super chatty (in a good way) and super friendly. I noticed that no matter how busy it was, they continued to wipe down the tables but stayed consistent with serving orders. We finally tried the Elvis that everyone on Yelp was raving about. I have to admit that it is totally worth breaking your diet for. We tried a slice of pumpkin bread too just out of curiosity. The banana bread and pumpkin bread were super moist and paired well with coffee. This was definitely my favorite place in the Funk Zone!

The vibe is amazing I bought the olive sourdough bread wow so delicious also got the blueberry scone also delicious. The only thing I got from the kitchen was the avocado toast. I was about the second or third person in line when the doors opened and unfortunately they forgot about me. Everybody was getting their meals, full families that were in line after me. I was just about to go up to see what happened to my avocado toast and then they brought it to me. It was beautiful to look at, but it was so cold. You can tell it has been sitting there nothing more disappointing than having cold food. Definitely try the tea. It was great.

I'm truly disappointed. I've bought their baked goods and thought they were yummy, especially the Cinnamon Rolls. Today, I ordered lunch which was the sourdough Turkey Sandwich and it was horrible.. the sandwich consisted of cheap turkey with no flavor, the tomato which was cut thick was mealy and hard, tasteless yellow cheese, lettuce and the secret sauce, something spicy, that was so unbalanced, that all you could taste was the spice, lettuce and bread. I would rename this sandwich the "Airport Sandwich," over priced and tasteless. The salad dressing on the lettuce only greens was just as bland and limp. I never write reviews; however, I'm a fan of yummy turkey sandwiches and this one missed the mark

Ordered the Fried Chicken Sandwhich along with an Arnold Palmer. Good Sandwhich and good drink. Easy to order and food was delivered quickly.

Tucked away in the funk zone, this is a beautiful bakery with delicious pastries. The garden is well kept and uses foliage as natural barriers between the various vendors in the courtyard. Helena Avenue shares space with the SB collective winery which opens around lunchtime and stays open later than the bakery. When we got there a little after 9am there was a pretty long line already, but it moved fast. It is counter-service style, so you order first to get a number and then will be brought your food when it's ready. The breakfast sandwich was our favorite but the cinnamon roll was also a standout (look at all that frosting!!). Parking is limited, but this is a great stop in any visit to this neighborhood.

Really loved the cuffing! I especially liked how the pastry was not covered in sugar so it wasn't too sweet.

There's really no better way to kick off a Santa Barbara morning than with a little edible in your system and some seriously good food. Shoutout to the lovely cashier who helped us on Thursday around 11 AM--she patiently answered my 101 questions about the sandwiches and pastries, and even made some edits to my HAB Cobb Salad (which was fresh, flavorful, and hit perfectly with the Parmesan Caesar dressing). Now, let's talk about that Ham Baguette--with fines herbes butter and cornichon. Sure, it may look like a simple bolillo con jamón... pero no te dejes engañar. This sandwich was so much more. The bread was perfection, the ham was light and flavorful, and honestly, it was well worth every bit of the $13. And then there was the biscuit. Lord have mercy. It was light, fluffy, and somehow made the homemade jams pop even more. I was all about the apricot spread, while my husband was obsessed with the berry-lavender one. All in all, this place is a vibe--amazing food, friendly staff, and a great way to start the day in SB.

The Elvis is nostalgic and hearty in the best way possible. I will be making this at home - it's such a simple yet classic combination of flavors, and it kept me full all day. I don't know that the pepper on the bacon was entirely necessary, but the rest of the flavors combined beautifully. I also tried a few bites of the brown butter cinnamon roll and was beyond impressed. The outside was a bit hard and overcooked but the interior was perfectly fluffy and cinnamony. We all enjoyed our coffees and meals, and could not have been happier to stumble upon this place for brunch! The line was long but the service was pretty quick once we placed our orders. See you next time!

We also got three of the turkey on sourdough. We absolutely love turkey and sourdough, so we had to try it. The sourdough was nice and lightly toasted, the bacon was absolutely delicious, and whether you go with the greens or chips, both are great choices. While it was a busy day, the food service was fast and great :) new place added to my list

Three words: GLUTEN FREE BISCUIT. I absolutely loved this place. The whole menu is full of fresh, local goodies, creatively prepared. Excellent coffee drinks too. Add in the friendly, efficient service and charmingly rustic/industrial décor, and you've got an excellent choice for breakfast or brunch. Especially great for gluten free options- the biscuit with lavender lemon jam was delicious and I also enjoyed a perfectly-textured blueberry muffin. So good!

Elvis Way banana bread was to die for. Banana bread was perfectly done. Line was long when we got there but removed relatively fast

Amazing ! Vibes are immaculate. Big spacious areas inside & service was great. They sale dog treats too! Coffee options are limitless & the food is great! Had a ricotta toast that I'm now obsessed with.

This is a cute spot for brunch with both indoor and outdoor seating. They also sell pastries and baked goods. I got the breakfast sandwich, breakfast taco, and arnold palmer drink. The food took awhile to come out, it was busy. The breakfast sandwich was good but it was missing sauce. Overall, it was a nice spot to grab brunch if you are around.

The cutest bakery with the freshest flavors right in the heart of the funk zone! Helena has become one of my must stop places every time I visit SB now. Both the toasts we got were bursting with incredible flavor combinations and you can tell the quality of ingredients is top tier. I'll be thinking about that smoked salmon toast for days! Be ready to wait in line to order, but seating is generally available and the line is worth the wait

I see the hype. Jacobsen salt and pepper products, exclusive olive oil, pretty solid sweet pasteries. They sort of missed the mark on the savory elements. I ordered the mushroom toast. It was decent, but it wasn't extrodinary. The carmalized onions didn't take over but it left it feeling 1 note. The mushrooms still had a firm texture, I like them soft as butter. Unusually the best part of this dish was the farm raised egg on top. Perfectly cooked. Restaurant itself is oddly laid out. Big tables closely packed together. Not particuarly family friendly. Decent, not the best.

One of the best breakfasts I had in Santa Barbara. The spot is so cute, we loved sitting out on the patio with all the greenery. I ordered the avocado toast which was perfect. The sourdough bread in particular was amazing. Had some of my friend's biscuit and jam which were made perfectly as well. Would happily come back!

This is the breakfast and pastry spot. You won't want to try anywhere else because they set a new standard. They offer high quality food at reasonable prices. You will be amazed by their egg sandwiches. I will drive out here to SB from LA just for this place. It's that good! The location is this industrial complex that is very cool. It's next to a wine bar and Figueroa MTN brewery. My photos will only motivate you to try their food. But I cannot explain accurately on taste, you need to experience. I will say you must try the dulce de leche cruffin. AHHHHHMAAAAZING!!!

Fantastic breakfast place! Order at the counter and they bring your food and drinks out to the table. The staff person who took my order was wonderful when I was torn between the strawberry or blueberry compote for my biscuit he offered to get me both! The breakfast sandwiches were delicious with squares of baked eggs. The avocado toast was also fantastic. The California Wine Collective is also located here so you could pop back in the evening for cocktails. Sadly, we discovered this place on our last day in Santa Barbara so we couldn't check it out.

Second time here and still really liked the ambiance and outdoor space. It's located in the funk zone- pretty busy on a weekend and the line was about 15mins. The flowers were beautiful and I liked their playlist. A few months ago I got their season danish and this time again I got the same thing but with Cherry fillings. The ricotta toast was aesthetic and I love they added bee pollen on it. Cappuccino was average. I liked their drip.

I love this bakery. We have come here multiple times since it's close to Moxi. Love to come here for breakfast. It's surrounded by breweries and wineries so if you come in the AM the area might seem like it's closed, but it's not. Unless they have a sign or they have mentioned on their social media that they are closed, they are open. Depending when you come in the AM, it might be busy. We tend to go around the time they open, so it's typically very calm and quiet. They have indoor and outdoor seating. Parking is limited around the area. There are parking structures around/near by. As far as food and drinks go, we have gotten pastries and breakfast items. We tend to try seasonal items since we know they will only have them temporary. My husband has tried the Elvis. He loved it. I recently tried their breakfast sandwich on brioche. Love brioche sandwiches and this one was delicious. I kept it as is since I recently became pescatarian. You can sub avocado for bacon. Overall we love this place. We will continue coming.

Came here for breakfast and sat in their patio area with our dog. It's a fast casual type of spot - order at the register and get a number for your table and they bring the food out to you. Food was very hearty and satisfying. We tried the breakfast taco and the sausage biscuit sandwich. The food was on the saltier side for us.

Beautiful bakery - wonderful transitions and very unique seating areas within the building to outdoors. It's a bakers' dream environment. The baked goods? All were visually appealing. The croissants lacked folds in the dough. Also, each baked good we ordered lacked that baked-this-morning freshness. Service was ok.

I came upon the Bakery to meet up with some alumni of Brooks Institute. They meet the last Tuesday of the month at 8 AM so if you're an alumnus, you're welcome to come. Finding the place was a bit difficult. Yes the address is 131 but you will not see it Look for 137 and go down the Ivy walkway. It'll be on the other end right across from Figueroa mountain brewery. You order at the counter and while a limited selection, the food was really good. You'll get a number they will call and you can pick it up. I have a taco with a coffee for about $20. The interior is welcoming and it looks like they have plenty of tables. I would definitely come back with regards to parking. It's on the street. They mentioned they have a couple spaces and a lot, but I did not find them.

Really good sourdough bread but quite oveprriced. I get my sourdough fresh from local farmers markets all the time and this is comparable to that but I don't pay $52 for two toasts lol so pricing wise kind of ridiculous. Those two boiled eggs(not even scrambled) shows minimum effort made, were $8 additional as was the side of avocado. They charge for everything and the pricing doesn't make sense. Quality is up there but price isn't justified.

So good! So cute! Such a great area! Food is delicious. Patio is great. Service is good. Walkable area is perfect!

I've tried a few different dishes here but the only one I enjoyed enough to order again is the stone fruit toast. Hash brown was not my cup of tea, and they don't have ranch . Can't go wrong with any of the pastries though!

Excellent service. Like seriously so good! Really cool atmosphere. Delicious breakfast sandwich- the egg was light and fluffy and it was a great hearty start to our day's adventuring. Bought some pastries to snack on later and they did not disappoint. The olive loaf was chock full of plump olives and was chewy on the outside and soft inside- great consistency. Highly recommend this spot.

I live in San Jose (not at all close to Santa Barbara) but the last 3 times I was even remotely in the area or at the very least driving through, I stopped here. The BEST gluten free goodies. Highly highly recommend. Don't be scared of the line, moves fast.

A little pricey but wow the food is so good! I ordered the big breakfast taco and it was a real delight. It had bacon, egg, hash brown, cheddar and salsa. I also ordered the almond croissant which was so buttery and flakey. My friends ordered something with bacon and bananas on it, so unique and they enjoyed it. We arrived when the line was still short, eventually it was so long it went to the parking lot. They do have a lot of seating and it is dog friendly.

This was a really cute coffee shop at walking distance from our hotel. They had plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. As vegetarians we tried the following: Buttermilk Biscuit: 4/5. We really enjoyed this one. It was crispy on the outside and soft inside. Enjoyed the butter and jam that came with it. Latte : 4/5. Lemon Ginger Tea : 4/5 The service was friendly and quick.

The line moves quickly so don't let the line deter you from coming! You order, get a number and seat yourself. The table turnover happens fairly quickly. Food is delicious. Atmosphere is chill. Service was good and wait staff was kind. I got the breakfast sandwich and my wife got the breakfast taco- both were delicious. They have a good selection of drinks and many nonalcoholic options as well which was appreciated. The patio is roomy, dog friendly and has a mix of sun and shade available. Highly recommend for a casual , quick and delicious meal!

We traveled in from out of town and found this amazing bakery . The pastries were delicious, the staff was amazing and on it with cleaning the tables . We sat outside and it was perfect to people watch and the ambiance was great .We will definitely be coming back .

Very cute spot with lots of great food/pastry options! Expect a line in the morning (so get there early). We had the honey cake and a pumpkin cruffin. Both super good. The honey flavor in the honey cake was amazing and the layers of the Cruffin were great! Want to go back and try their savory options. Stay Cheerful

Probably "the" best breakfast biscuit sandwiches I've ever had. I've had plenty but this one was amazing! Place is great and ambience was good for our puppy too! Definitely a must if you are around the funk zone during breakfast or brunch!

After having breakfast I was craving a sweet treat. I really wanted a cinnamon roll so I searched cinnamon rolls and this place popped up stating they have brown butter cinnamon rolls . I was immediately sold . When you arrive you wait in line and then place your order . I just got the cinnamon roll but all the other pastries looked really good . We waited about 10 minutes for it and we decided to dive in . Overall the cinnamon roll was just okay to me . It was a little in the hard side and the cinnamon flavor was lacking . But the frosting was really good . This place seems popular with the locals and visitors alike . You can also grab wine here as well .

Had this twisted croissant muffin type pastry, and it was amazing! So many layers without being overly sweet! Wish I could've tried other things on their menu as they all looked/sounded amazing! There's a lot of seating inside and out, they even have boardgames for you to play. Definitely would come back!

Absolutely delicious! Our table tried the Biscuit and gravy (abit on the heavier side but delicious)!, The elvis (fantastic banana bread; everything on this plate was amazing), The Breakfast Taco (amazing! Just get it), and the Ricotta toast (fresh, light and flavourful), along with a few pastries it's just top tier! 10/10 would recommend. Great service and clean environment.

Very cute bakery with lots of patio seating, surrounded by beautiful flower boxes. The service was quick and everyone was polite. We had the chocolate almond croissant which was fantastic. Also tried the cinnamon roll which was a little bit too salty for my taste but overall not bad.

Went here with my girlfriend. She really liked it overall and called it a 4/5. The wildflower honey ricotta toast was the highlight, she said it was basically an 11/10. When I asked her why she said the Fresh fruit had a great flavor, and she said it smelled amazing so it touched on multiple senses and that it was definitely worth ordering. She also tried the Eureka lemon yogurt with almond granola. Said it was good but too tart/sweet, and said it was like a 3/5. The hash brown was unique and savory and kind of garlicky and she gave that a 5/5. She got a vanilla latte too and gave it a 5/5. She's not quick to hand out 5s when it comes to coffee so that's saying something. Overall, she'd come back here and I probably would too. Nice atmosphere though

Amazing spot for brunch! I've heard about this spot for a while and I'm glad I finally tried it! Ordered the hash brown with smoked ketchup, pear and earl grey danish, southern fried chicken biscuit, griddled sausage biscuit sandwich, cappuccino and Arnold palmer. The hash brown was nice and crispy, wish it was a bigger portion, but was still good. The smoky flavor in the ketchup was good at first, but then the flavor became overpowering. The pear and earl grey danish was so good! Nice and flaky and the earl grey flavor was subtle but added a good flavor to the pastry. The Southern fried chicken biscuit sandwich was probably my favorite! Amazing crisp to the chicken. The flavor was nice with a bit of spice to it. The biscuit was nice and fluffy. 10/10! The griddled sausage biscuit was also very good. Loved the balance of sweet and salty flavors. Had the same fluffy biscuit that I loved. Didn't enjoy as much as the chicken sandwich, but was definitely a hit. Arnold palmer wasn't too sweet which I liked. Cappuccino was solid and came with a pretty design on top! Loved how spacious and open the restaurant was. Had to order up front and the workers were nice. Will be back!

This was such a fantastic lunch! We came over from the farmer's market, super hungry, and we arrived during the lunch rush. We waited in line for quite a while, but it was totally fine because they have some spectacular plants and we spent most of the time admiring those. Despite the line, there was lots of seating available both inside and outside, and it was a nice place to be. Pastries were nuts! Sandwiches were fantastic. Will definitely go again.

Cute little spot in the funk zone. I got up early to have a yummy breakfast waiting for my partners birthday, and I picked this little gem. It's in a beautiful open building connected to a brewery, so it feels very open and airy which is nice. I ordered two breakfast sandwich's, one dairy free, and some hash browns. I also ordered a vanilla latte and a praline latte, and they both were delicious! I walked in right at opening and everyone was super friendly and ready to get the orders in. They also took care to ask about any allergies since I wanted no cheese on my breakfast sando, which I appreciated. I would definitely recommend stopping but this spot. They also have a lunch menu that looks just as good!

Came here for a birthday brunch. The ambience and patio are lovely. My partner took me for a birthday brunch. We got: - The Elvis: It was yummy.. but too much banana. There is banana as a topping and as the bread. Aesthetically prettier in looks than taste. - Fried Chicken Sandwich: I love fried chicken sandwhich. Personally, it was dry and salty. - Side of egg: simple and good. Overall service was decent. Our experience was not bad, but nothing spectacular.

Helena Avenue bakery is really a wonderful place. Everything is top-notch made from scratch tasting full flavor. Try their breakfast tacos. You will not be disappointed. Anything with their sourdough bread will make you happy. The pastries are truly worth it.

It's a must try! Top quality goods, great service and a cool vibe. Helena Avenue Bakery is definitely trendy and a widely promoted attraction in Santa Barbara's "Funk Zone" but don't let that deter you. They offer a variety of fresh breads, pastries, sandwiches, salads, coffee/tea and more! I stopped here for a relaxing lunch and left 100% satisfied. I highly recommend the avocado toast which was topped with cucumber, micro-greens and lightly seasoned. If you're hungry, you can easily add a 7-minute egg and/or side of mixed greens. The bread tasted so good that I tried to order a loaf but they had just sold out! It's also a great place to relax and enjoy a coffee or glass of wine from the wine collective that shared the space. I'll have to give that a try next time. In summary, Helena Bakery rocks. Enjoy!

Loved the Carpinteria Avocado Toast ($14). It comes with persian cucumber, sunflower seeds & sprouts, aleppo pepper and I added on a 7 minute egg ($2). Previous visits, I've had the Fried Chicken Sandwich, which has sweet jalapeno jam, black pepper bacon, and honey butter ($15). It's delicious. The hash browns are also amazing, if you like hash browns. They are golden brown on the outside and well seasoned. Yum! ($7) If sweet is more your thing, I'd skip the Brown-Butter Cinnamon Roll ($7). Sadly whenever I tried them, they are rock hard. Maybe I have bad luck with them? I am a big fan of their Blueberry Lemon Scone ($4). Worth a visit for breakfast. Lovely atmosphere and very nice staff. It's got outdoor and indoor seating. I have seen pups at this restaurant so I think dogs are allowed to sit outside. YAY!

The food here is excellent, came for breakfast and will be back next time we visit. The croissant/muffin was so good. They had a lavender flavor that was unique and not too strong. Both of the breakfast sandwiches were rich and delicious. It's super cute inside, everything is made with organic flour. They use unbleached napkins, water is filtered. Very health conscious, which is nice.

I was visiting Santa Barbara for a wedding and my boyfriend and I went into town to explore and find some breakfast. I had some spots picked out, but had my eye on Helena Avenue Bakery after checking out their menu online and seeing their delicious offerings. We went on a Saturday morning and there was a line, but our wait was only 10 minutes before we made it to the counter and ordered. Don't let a line stop you from coming! I had read reviews online that service was fast and it was! We ordered and our food and drinks were at our table shortly. I got the Griddled Sausage Biscuit Sandwich and my boyfriend got the Breakfast Sandwich on Brioche. We had a bite of each other's sandwiches and agreed they were both delicious but we're happy we ordered our respective sandwiches. We split fresh fruit and a Plum & Almond Cream Danish, and to be honest, I'm still dreaming about those items as I am writing this! They were the perfect sides to our main dishes. We each had coffee and Arnold Palmers, which were also fantastic. Helena Avenue Bakery is a sunny, open-air spot, with local offerings also available for purchase (teas, soaps, salt, etc.). This is a really hip spot and a good place to catch up with friends. It is really cool seeing the bakery and bakers working and making creations as you are ordering. We would have bought a baguette if we weren't flying home the next day. I'll be dreaming about this spot and hope to return again!

Mushroom toast was a little too sweet for me. The mushroom were chewy and rubbery, and onion toooo sugary. And avocado toast a little too muted and underwhelming. A 3.5 for me, but loved the cozy vibe, dog friendly patio and the local merchandise available for sale. Will be back to try other things!