Helena Avenue Bakery

Restaurant · Lower State

Helena Avenue Bakery

Restaurant · Lower State

4

131 Anacapa St c, Santa Barbara, CA 93101

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Helena Avenue Bakery by null
Helena Avenue Bakery by Infatuation - Reviews
Helena Avenue Bakery by null
Helena Avenue Bakery by null
Helena Avenue Bakery by null
Helena Avenue Bakery by null
Helena Avenue Bakery by null
Helena Avenue Bakery by null
Helena Avenue Bakery by null
Helena Avenue Bakery by null
Helena Avenue Bakery by null
Helena Avenue Bakery by null
Helena Avenue Bakery by null
Helena Avenue Bakery by null
Helena Avenue Bakery by null
Helena Avenue Bakery by null
Helena Avenue Bakery by null
Helena Avenue Bakery by null
Helena Avenue Bakery by null
Helena Avenue Bakery by null
Helena Avenue Bakery by null
Helena Avenue Bakery by null
Helena Avenue Bakery by null
Helena Avenue Bakery by null
Helena Avenue Bakery by null
Helena Avenue Bakery by null
Helena Avenue Bakery by null
Helena Avenue Bakery by null
Helena Avenue Bakery by null
Helena Avenue Bakery by null
Helena Avenue Bakery by null
Helena Avenue Bakery by null
Helena Avenue Bakery by null
Helena Avenue Bakery by null
Helena Avenue Bakery by null
Helena Avenue Bakery by null
Helena Avenue Bakery by null
Helena Avenue Bakery by null
Helena Avenue Bakery by null
Helena Avenue Bakery by null
Helena Avenue Bakery by null
Helena Avenue Bakery by null
Helena Avenue Bakery by null

Highlights

Baked goods, sandwiches, soups, coffee & wine in chic, rustic quarters.  

Featured on Michelin

131 Anacapa St c, Santa Barbara, CA 93101 Get directions

helenaavenuebakery.com
@helenaavenuebakery

$$ · Menu

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131 Anacapa St c, Santa Barbara, CA 93101 Get directions

+1 805 880 3383
helenaavenuebakery.com
@helenaavenuebakery
𝕏
@helenaavebakery

$$ · Menu

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Oct 15, 2025

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@infatuation

Where To Eat Outside In Santa Barbara - Los Angeles - The Infatuation

"Tucked in the alley between Figueroa Mountain Brewing Co. and The Lark, Helena Avenue Bakery is home to our favorite baked goods in Santa Barbara and a great spot to get some carbs in your stomach before all the tasting rooms open. They have an extended back patio with six or so tables." - brant cox

https://www.theinfatuation.com/los-angeles/guides/santa-barbara-restaurants-outdoor-dining-patios
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@eater

How to Spend a 24-Hour Staycation in Santa Barbara | Eater LA

"To stretch my legs after a long ride, I walk to Helena Avenue Bakery, which has plenty of room to sit with coffee and pastries or breakfast made on-site; coming out of Helena’s kitchen are flaky buttermilk biscuits, breakfast tacos, and house-made sourdough toast topped with wildflower honey ricotta. If I arrive after noon, Helena shares a space with the Santa Barbara Wine Collective where local varietals flow." - Mona Holmes

https://la.eater.com/2023/5/25/23737512/where-to-eat-santa-barbara-24-hours-restaurants-wine
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@infatuation

Helena Avenue Bakery - Review - Los Angeles - The Infatuation

"Tucked in the alley between Figueroa Mountain Brewing Co. and The Lark, Helena Avenue Bakery is home to our favorite baked goods in Santa Barbara and a great spot to get some carbs in your stomach before all the tasting rooms open. They have an extended back patio with six or so tables. We haven’t been here yet, but want you to know this spot exists." - Team Infatuation

https://www.theinfatuation.com/los-angeles/reviews/helena-avenue-bakery
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@michelinguide

How to Spend a Weekend in Santa Barbara

"Helena Avenue Bakery is a place for a snack break in the Funk Zone." - Sophie Friedman

https://guide.michelin.com/us/en/article/travel/santa-barbara-food-travel-tips
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Kymble Johnson

Google
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!

Pallas Duong-Gundlach

Google
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.

Mariah Johnson

Google
The egg sandwich is everything. Fried Chicken sandwich was just okay. Matcha latte a little small. Line was long, space is limited, service was awesome and friendly. Great first stop and introduction to Santa Barbara for us.

Ross Mantsurov

Google
This bakery was crazy good. Although the line was atrocious at 10AM and took us around 35 minutes to order, the baked goods were unmatched. We were in line originally for their cinnamon rolls but they sell out within the first few hours of opening so I would recommend getting there early. However, we were able to snag a pre-made cinnamon roll kit and we baked it back at home. Everything was pretty expensive but so is everything in Santa Barbara so it didn’t phase us. Would highly recommend trying!

Max

Google
Unfortunately, overpriced avocado toast was intolerably salty and the $10 kids toast & egg was plate plain. Granola parfait was tasty and refreshing but latte had an odd side taste. Super pretty popular place but for us clearly did not meet the quality vs price “worth it” point. Obviously they buy the food somewhere else add a sprinkle and resell.

Marshelle Wilburn

Google
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!!

p86111

Google
The cinnamon roll is one of the best one i ate for while, perfectly crispy outside soft inside and not too sweet, with the sweet sauce its so good Sandwich sourdough really good too Other bakery decent And the seatings and interior just nice and chill

Laura Ford

Google
Casual counter service eatery. Self serve water station with a tiny tap. It was bustling at 10am on a Sunday- but we were lucky to grab a table outside as someone was leaving. Others had hyped the avocado roast so I was looking forward to it, but I found it a little bland and the bread hard to bite into. It looked beautiful though! Coffees were good and the ambiance was fun and relaxed. Cinnamon role was good for “breakfast dessert”. 😊 oh- 2 slices of bacon were a $8 up-charge, it wasn’t on the menu but they did accommodate a side of bacon. The bacon was really delicious and I can almost admit that it was worth the 💰

Sheree S.

Yelp
The salads and baked goods were delicious and beautiful. The service was super kind and accommodating.
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Sara D.

Yelp
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!
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Mayra S.

Yelp
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.
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Dinushka H.

Yelp
The place was spacious and very cute. We had to stand in line for around 20-30 mins on Saturday morning. Passionfruit and poppy seed muffin - 8/10 - this was delicious with a great intense passion fruit flavor which I think is harder to come by. Almond croissant - 10/10 amazing highly recommend. Breakfast sandwich - 6/10 - the egg was fluffy and good. The brioche was a bit more on the sweet side. Overall the dish was okay, I felt it lacked flavor and could be improved with a sauce maybe.
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Madie D.

Yelp
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!
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Tesla T.

Yelp
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.
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Allison T.

Yelp
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!
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Wendy C.

Yelp
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.
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Ashley R.

Yelp
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!!!
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Luiza M.

Yelp
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
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Jacqueline C.

Yelp
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.
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Morganne M.

Yelp
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!
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Peter T.

Yelp
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.
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Donna C.

Yelp
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.
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Yohonna B.

Yelp
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 .
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Rija K.

Yelp
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.
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Raquel O.

Yelp
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.
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Melanie B.

Yelp
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.
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Ali W.

Yelp
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.
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Kacey C.

Yelp
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.
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Genezaret C.

Yelp
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.
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Mike E.

Yelp
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.
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Gabriel N.

Yelp
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.
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Steve A.

Yelp
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.
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Roger S.

Yelp
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!
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Kristen C.

Yelp
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.
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Sara S.

Yelp
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.
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Tiffanie T.

Yelp
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!
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Shreya S.

Yelp
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.

Hunter L.

Yelp
Everything Helena Avenue Bakery does is a masterpiece. To name a few: their matchas, cinnamon rolls, pulled pork gochujang sandwiches. They have loads of seasonal items that keep me looking forward to something all year. Best service and most beautiful patio also!

Madeline L.

Yelp
This sandwich was amazing - first of all, they make their own sourdough (it is a bakery, after all!). Second of all, the ingredients they use are high quality and work well together. The turkey is tender and flavorful, the bacon is salty, the chipotle aioli is creamy and perfectly spicy (not too much!), and the veggies were crisp and had just the right amount of "bite". The girl at the register was kind and quick. I also loved the amount of tables inside & out - I wasn't worried if I would have a place to sit after ordering. The small garden was also very sweet.
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Garen A.

Yelp
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
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Cindy C.

Yelp
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!
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Lianna M.

Yelp
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!
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Nicole W.

Yelp
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.
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Rachel B.

Yelp
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.
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RJ S.

Yelp
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!
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Joyce H.

Yelp
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!
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Anna B.

Yelp
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!
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Emily M.

Yelp
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!
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Meghan H.

Yelp
I love Helena Ave. Bakery for breakfast/brunch! They have had some amazing pastries lately, including a tiramisu cruffin and homemade strawberry poptart. This is a great spot in the Funk Zone, surrounded by coffee shops, boutiques and wineries/breweries. This is the perfect first stop if you are planning a full day along State St. or the water. When I have visited, service has been pretty quick and the staff are friendly.
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Sharon C.

Yelp
I'm surprised this is the "best" breakfast and bakery in Santa Barbara. The ambiance is beautiful with a lot of flowers and greenery, but wish the food program was better. The price for the food they give is pretty ridiculous. $13 for a breakfast taco, that's literally one egg over a few small cubes of hash browns on a flour tortilla. My husband looked at my dish and said "someone is laughing to the bank." Breakfast sandwich was a bit better with egg and a little bacon. Strawberry shortcake was weird. Biscuits covered in cream and jammy strawberries. Where's the shortcake?? Best thing was the cruffin. Crispy, flaky, soft inside.
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Tommy M.

Yelp
I make my way to Helena Avenue Bakery in the Funk Zone each and every time that I'm in Santa Barbara, it is located close to trendy shops, bars, coffee shops, restaurants and the beach, parking is always a challenge in this area. There is lot of outside patio seating with shaded areas and umbrellas, plus inside has table and chairs with a long community bar table settings. You order pay gett a number then staff bring your order to you service is great here plus the food is always delicious. I had the turkey sandwich that came with smoked cheddar,chipotle aioli, heirloom tomato, and crispy bacon all on a sourdough bread it is so GOOD! I also had a warm flaky chocolate croissant also really GOOD! Plus potato chips that is very crisp and crunchy. Helena Ave Bakery share space with Santa Barbara Wine Collective that has a bar with wine tasting, Oh there is only one unisex restroom for both places.
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Daniel L.

Yelp
Always a must-visit when I'm in the area. Located in the Funk Zone, the parent company that owns this bakery, also has a few businesses immediately surrounding, and Loquita, another must-check-out restaurant. Couple goodies: Seasonal cranberry cookie 10/10 Breakfast sandwich on brioche bun 9/10 Elvis toast 8/10 Food quality is 9/10. Post-sale service e.g., wiping down tables or refilling the empty water glasses for water is sometimes slow. Depending on when you come, the area might be overflowing with foot traffic or the rush hour just passed. We came on a weekday just after they opened.
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Lauren H.

Yelp
So it was a 20 minute wait, but worth it. Hubby got the cinnamon roll, it was different style but really good and I got the breakfast taco which was phenomenal. We also got a maple croissant for later which was bomb
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Vira P.

Yelp
When I dined here last year, I promised I'd get the Elvis on my next Fiesta trip. And I did just that! I'm not a fan of peanut butter, but man do I love Elvis sandwiches and toasts! And this one was unique as it was served on a thick slice of banana bread. It was amazingly delicious! And well balanced - I can taste each component separately but were in harmony when eaten in one bite. The bananas and honey gave it a slight sweetness that went well with the crispy peppery bacon and savory peanut butter. This is by far my favorite Elvis toast I've ever had. And I had to get a pastry to go, which I got a blueberry scone. I ate it later that evening with a cup of tea and it automatically made me relaxed. The blueberries were bright and the pastry was buttery. Service was great as usual. And the weather this past Fiesta was absolutely gorgeous so it was wonderful dining outside. We were lucky to get a table because that's where everyone was heading. I adore Helena Ave Bakery and it is my go-to spot in Santa Barbara.
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Tom M.

Yelp
Saw this on Google, thought I'd check it out (even left another place after walking in and not feelin it). What a delight! The ricotta, honey, stone fruit toast exceeded my expectations. Definitely want to come back next time I'm in Santa Barbara. Amazing ambiance and they obviously take their craft seriously.
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Ashley S.

Yelp
The food here is incredible. Farm to table style. Everything tastes super fresh and you can see everything cooking/at work if you gaze to the left of the check out counter. There was one cook that I noticed whipping everything up with a constant flow of people. I waited less than 10 minutes though for two breakfast sandwiches. So very quick service. The vanilla lattes I ordered were amazing, I tried two other local and popular coffee spots while I was here because of the high yelp reviews but this one was by far my favorite out of all 3. NOT a great place if you're not looking to splurge. I paid $96 for two coffees, two breakfast items, two bags of chips and two watermelon waters. Overall I would highly recommend this place, worth every penny in my opinion.
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Karina P.

Yelp
This adorable farm to table vibe is a must do in SB! The seating area is also beautiful- we sat outside in a little courtyard with colorful plants and cute garden furniture. The food was great- we ordered the summerland on sourdough (this was my sandwich- I demolished it), the pastrami sandwich, farmers market bowl, and avocado toast. This is obvious but because this is a bakery, order a dish with actual bread. The bread is so so so good. Their pastries also looked good but unfortunately we didn't get any of those. And the potato chips that come with the sandwiches - perfectly tasty and salty!