Toma Restaurant & Bar

Italian restaurant · West Beach

Toma Restaurant & Bar

Italian restaurant · West Beach

1

324 W Cabrillo Blvd, Santa Barbara, CA 93101

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Toma Restaurant & Bar by null
Toma Restaurant & Bar by null
Toma Restaurant & Bar by null
Toma Restaurant & Bar by null
Toma Restaurant & Bar by null
Toma Restaurant & Bar by null
Toma Restaurant & Bar by null
Toma Restaurant & Bar by null
Toma Restaurant & Bar by null
Toma Restaurant & Bar by null
Toma Restaurant & Bar by null
Toma Restaurant & Bar by null
Toma Restaurant & Bar by null
Toma Restaurant & Bar by null
Toma Restaurant & Bar by null
Toma Restaurant & Bar by null
Toma Restaurant & Bar by null
Toma Restaurant & Bar by null
Toma Restaurant & Bar by null
Toma Restaurant & Bar by null
Toma Restaurant & Bar by null
Toma Restaurant & Bar by null
Toma Restaurant & Bar by null
Toma Restaurant & Bar by null
Toma Restaurant & Bar by null
Toma Restaurant & Bar by null
Toma Restaurant & Bar by null
Toma Restaurant & Bar by null
Toma Restaurant & Bar by null
Toma Restaurant & Bar by null
Toma Restaurant & Bar by null
Toma Restaurant & Bar by null
Toma Restaurant & Bar by null
Toma Restaurant & Bar by null
Toma Restaurant & Bar by null
Toma Restaurant & Bar by null
Toma Restaurant & Bar by null
Toma Restaurant & Bar by null
Toma Restaurant & Bar by null
Toma Restaurant & Bar by null
Toma Restaurant & Bar by null
Toma Restaurant & Bar by null

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Italian eatery with harbor vistas, fresh seafood & pasta  

Featured in Eater
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324 W Cabrillo Blvd, Santa Barbara, CA 93101 Get directions

tomarestaurant.com

$50–100 · Menu

Reserve

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324 W Cabrillo Blvd, Santa Barbara, CA 93101 Get directions

+1 805 962 0777
tomarestaurant.com
TomaRestaurantBar

$50–100 · Menu

Reserve

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Last updated

Aug 11, 2025

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15 Splendid Restaurants to Try in Santa Barbara

"This Mediterranean restaurant sources most of its ingredients from Central Coast vendors, so the grilled octopus, roasted lamb meatballs, and hearty cioppino are particularly fresh. The wine list is thoughtfully organized with Old World Italian selections next to rieslings, sauvignon blancs, and pinot noirs from the surrounding vineyards. Toma’s waterfront views are ideal any time of day." - Mona Holmes

https://la.eater.com/maps/best-santa-barbara-restaurants-california
View Postcard for Toma Restaurant & Bar

tanuja bhowmik

Google
We recently dined at this place. It is a bit pricey, but the food is so worth it. Our server was really attentive and had great suggestions. We did not have a reservation, but since we went early we managed to find a table. We started with some garlic bread. We had the seafood (scallops and prawn) risotto and the lamb chops. For dessert, we had the warm chocolate torte. From start to finish, all the food was amazing. I had the risotto and each bite was so flavorful. Initially, I thought the quantity was less, but found it hard to finish at the end :)

Kathi Smith

Google
Wowza! This place is amazing!!! Atmosphere, service, food, drinks, location---and win-win!!! Had martini and lemon drop, deep fried blue cheese olives, Cioppino, Pasta De Mare, Burrata Salad, wine, tiramisu, and creme brulee Highly recommend!!! Our server Kevin was fantastic, as was other staff and front end manager, Sam, was very attentive! A short walk from the pier for an afternoon stroll!

Britney

Google
This is the best restaurant on the SB boardwalk. Not only because the food is absolutely delectable, but because the service was superior, above and beyond. Had an odd encounter outside as it is the boardwalk area after all and the staff made me feel completely safe. After looking at the website i believe it was one of the owners, Julian going above and beyond. Highly recommend and will definitely be back!

Ashley Zeldin

Google
I'd been to Toma before but it was my partner's first time. So while I already knew going in I was getting the pasta di mare, my partner went with Walter's suggestions to try the scallops, a nightly special that he insisted belong on the menu. After the first bite of perfectly prepared scallop my partner declared they should be a staple of the menu. He graciously let me have a bite; I wholeheartedly agree. We shared our effusive praise with the manager when he asked our opinion. As much as I can rave about the scallops, I'd like to emphasize that I was absolutely content with my pasta. It's a generous portion with a good seafood-to-noodle ratio. The fried scallions felt somewhat unnecessary, especially texturally. My partner and I had squash blossoms on our first date, so whenever we see them on a menu they're a must-have. I wish I'd had bread to sop up the sauce remaining on the plate. Our other starter, the hamachi crudo, was more straightforward yet just as delicious, garnished with delicate edible flowers. By the time we come back, I hope those scallops have made the menu. Ironically they're the one dish I didn't capture a photo of, so you'll just have to order them for yourself!

Arrianna Hamrah Martin

Google
My husband and I dined here for our wedding anniversary and overall had a very nice time! What we loved: the service and atmosphere are wonderful with a few stand out dishes! The pasta is incredible and next time we will definitely be trying more of it! We both agreed that the truffle gnocchi with Argentinian shrimp was the clear winner of the evening. We decided to share that as our “ appetizer “. The fresh truffle was subtle and delicious, not overpowering at all and the gnocci has probably the best I have ever had. I had the crispy salmon and overall really enjoyed the dish. Very well seasoned and the sauces were delicious. We could be improved: they bring you a few deep fried olives to start and it was a poor first impression because you could tell it had been sitting out as the breading was soggy and not crispy and honestly tasted a little bit stale. We ordered the bread and were underwhelmed because it wasn’t warmed or toasted - and for the extra $4 - it really should have been. My husband had the pork, and while it was cooked very well, it was under seasoned and the whole dish just felt like it was missing something. The desert was good. Overall - we had about a 2 hour dining service and felt very well taken care of. They kindly brought out a sorbet for us to celebrate our anniversary, which was a nice touch! Would come back again and get all the pasta!

Manas Sarkar

Google
I recently dined at Toma Restaurant and Bar in Santa Barbara, and my experience was disappointing, primarily due to the high prices and mediocre food. While the ambiance is pleasant, the value for money is lacking. Upon being seated, I noticed that our table lacked towels, which are typically provided during dinner. I asked twice for them, and after a long wait, a staff member finally came over to apologize for the oversight. This delay in service was frustrating and set a negative tone for the evening. As for the food, it was merely okay but certainly not worth the steep prices. The dishes lacked creativity and flavor, making it hard to justify spending so much. Overall, Toma failed to impress me, and I left feeling unsatisfied with both the service and the meal. I would not recommend it based on my experience.

Eric Shalov

Google
Great cuisine in a small, cozy setting. Service was a bit slow, and they could have mentioned that we'd be billed $8 bucks for garlic bread when they offered it to us. I just assumed, since we'd been waiting, that it would be complimentary. The food was original and tasty, with excellent presentation.

Jonathon Afrah

Google
Ambience is perfect! We had the sea bass special and rigatoni ala Emilio’s. Two perfect entrees!!

Vanessa H.

Yelp
great service from Gabe C! food was amazing, great vibe at the restaurant. Definitely a Santa Barbara gem
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Miguel M.

Yelp
Just imagen Saturday night full restaurant no reservation. Never the less we a party of 7 tried to get in Tomar Restaurant. We approach a gentleman at the door and explained our problem and his answer was... "don't worry we were expecting you, your table will be ready in a minute" That was the first impression then a clean table all dressed with glasses and silverware. We asked for wine and I had my usual vodka martini. Then the food. I shared with my wife, lentil soup and an incredible black ink pasta!! There were some 6 other delicious plates that my family had and we enjoyed a very pleasant evening. The service was prompt and polite we had two waiters attending us all the time. Again the quality of the food was extraordinary. Later when we were leaving we learned that Sam Grant the gentleman that told us "we were expecting you and your table is ready is the owner of the place. Thanks Sam you have a great place, not only pleasant but with decent prices and a great ambiance!!!
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Yuko H.

Yelp
We visited Toma on a Saturday night, drawn by its impressive 4.5-star rating. While some aspects impressed us, others fell short. Room for Improvement: The seafood pasta lacked flavor; the sauce needed more seasoning. The lasagna had burnt top layer and tough parts. The lamb dish was well-cooked but lacked tasty sauce. Service was polite but slow. The Highlights: The red wine was delightful. The Chocolate and Phyllo strawberry desserts were the stars of the meal. Toma offers decent food, but you might find better options elsewhere, especially at a lower price point.
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Lou D.

Yelp
This is one of our favorite little spots every time we go to Santa Barbara. We've had Most every item on the menu and everything is delicious, including the desserts and coffee, drinks afterwards. The servers are always terrific and the Restaurant is filled with charm. Definitely a place that we stop at every time we go to Santa Barbara.
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Ethan N.

Yelp
This review is for our 6:30 dinner on 5/11. Initially made reservations for 8:30 the night before through Opentable but sorely underestimated how hungry we would be by dinner time and ended up showing up two hours early, to which we were accommodated without issue at the bar. Service from the gentleman in black at the bar was spot on throughout the entire meal, from recommendations to attentiveness. Lights are kept dim and the house sommelier's knowledge may have you rethinking not getting a glass with your meal. Surprisingly high family presence as well. We started with their complimentary herb bread and butter as well as an order of the calamari. The tangy green onion sauce was a great alternative to typical marinara, and the bread was moist with a very light mouthfeel. Housemade Pasta was incredible - noodles were coated wonderfully with the rich yet delicate lemon butter sauce, and the shrimp and scallops stole the show with their freshness and size. The Black Spaghetti was pleasantly garlicky and was accompanied by a very healthy amount of well cooked clams. Strips of Calabrese salami provided a nice richness to the dish. Great date night spot.
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Yula K.

Yelp
Beautiful restaurant that makes beautiful pasta. Calamari was very good as well but it is difficult to call beaded and lightly fried squid "BEAUTIFUL". After the app and a glass of a lovely local pinot Grigio, I was still craving seafood and went for the specialty seafood paste with just about every broad variation of seafood you could think of. Scallops were the perfect consistency. Albeit a bit small but alas it is not close to scallop season. Salmon was perfectly pink. The little salty prosciutto crumbles worked great with the light and buttery noodles. Also had a bit of the gnocchi, which we were surprised to see also came with shrimp. Weren't as good as the unpeeled, lightly roasted shrimps in the seafood pasta but we were not complaining. Gnocchi were pillowy and delicious like everything else
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Rachel D.

Yelp
A reservation is a must because we ended up at the bar. Service is great. The ambiance was not great since we sat close to the toilets but I intend to go back with a reservation. The food was delicious. The prosciutto potatoes went very really with the braised beef. The lamb is juicy and presented in a delicious puree. The seafood pasta was fresh. We'll definitely go back
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Bridget G.

Yelp
I was super disappointed in this restaurant. We were staying in Santa Barbara, and our hotel concierge raved about Toma when we asked for dinner recommendations. It also came up when we searched for nearby restaurants with outdoor dining and a view. I called to make a reservation and was told that the earliest seating they had was 9:30, which was weird because Yelp hours showed that they closed at 9. I assumed the hours weren't updated. The host also told us that the city took away their outdoor tables, but they were also super cool if we asked if we could add a few people to our reservation. We were seated pretty shortly after arriving, which was pretty good for a party of 7. The complimentary fried olives seemed like they'd been sitting out for a long time, and I was glad I didn't pay for them. The fried artichokes we ordered were similar, not much flavor and weren't freshly fried. The squash blossoms were probably the best app, although I think a little less goat cheese would be a better flavor balance. I ordered the Seafood Pasta, which other friends at our table had said they were thinking of ordering. It was probably the most bland, unseasoned, flavorless pasta I've ever had. The "sauce" was more like water. I liked the texture and chewiness of the noodles, but that was about it. The salmon chunks and the scallops had no seasoning or sear, and the worst was the shrimp.. it was translucent and undercooked. I hated leaving most of a $39 dinner on the table, but I was afraid of raw shrimp. I'm a big proponent of saying something in the moment as opposed to a Yelp review, but no one came by after that to ask how our food was. It was obvious that they were closed and trying to clean up, but I don't know why we were allowed to dine in at 9:30 in that case.
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Layla S.

Yelp
Lovely restaurant! Excellent service and delicious food. You will love the quaint atmosphere and hospitality.
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Chris S.

Yelp
We just celebrated our 32nd Anniversary enjoying a top notch dining experience! From the way we were greeted, the service and an attention from the servers, managers and wait staff. They gave us suggestions on food pairings and drink choices. There was never any pressure and they were engaging. The food was delicious with generous potions. We will definitely be back with so many choices to choose from.
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Sungani D.

Yelp
This was one of the best Italian meals I've had. From the moment you walk in everything about the place lets you know that you're in for a treat. The service was incredible, they were all so nice and knowledgeable about everything on the menu. The wine list is great, the cocktails are good, and of course the food selection is immaculate. The tuna cones were a great way to start the night. They are a great balance of flavor and make for a great appetizer. The lasagna was to die for. I nearly ordered another one just to take home. Although it's not pictured, I also had some of the rigatoni. Amazing. I definitely recommend coming here if you're looking for an authentic Italian restaurant with good vibes all around.
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Maryam H.

Yelp
what a treat to dine at Toma! A classy, dark interior with amazingly delicious food. The plate proportions were perfect for us, not too small, not too big and leaves you feeling full in the best way. Service was great for our larger party (we had reservations ahead of time) and we will definitely be back :)
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Cathy P.

Yelp
Made a reservation here for my family's first night in Santa Barbara, and it did not disappoint! We had a reservation for a later time at around 8 and we were surprised by how many people were still here. We loved the vibe; it feels a bit more upscale but still has that quintessential SB laid back aura to it. We ordered the Little Gem Salad, the Tuna Cones, the Squash Blossoms, Black Spaghetti, Gnocchi, and the Cioppino. It was honestly the perfect amount of food for the four of us, and every item was delicious. I really liked the uniqueness of the Little Gem Salad and the roasty flavor it had. The Tune Cones were a standout for me. The sesame seeds add a big nutty element to it. As for the entrees, I'm a big gnocchi fan, and they did not skimp out on the shrimp for this. They were so juicy and plump. The only downside to our experience was that the food took a while to get to us. The appetizers came out quick but I think we waited around 45 minutes for our entrees to come out. It was relatively busy, so it makes sense, but we were starving and ended up downing so much bread during that time LOL. Other than that, service was great though.

Paul M.

Yelp
5 for service Food 4.5. Desert 5.0 Really nice place, food very good. Special came a little cool, for a featured item Ambiance. Feels crowded but fairly tame noise level Filo desert far and away the best
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Kevin L.

Yelp
Found this on Yelp as we were looking for a nice place to take my son before dropping him off at UCSB and this was a treat! The mushroom risotto, roasted chicken, sausage rigatoni and arugula salad were incredible and the two desserts we had capped the night off perfectly. They keep the windows open so even if you are sitting inside, you can still see the ocean. Parking around the corner isn't too bad either compared to downtown SB. Next time I come to town to visit my son, this is #1 on the list.
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Mickey A.

Yelp
Still can't say enough about how much we enjoy Toma. Still a comfy cozy space, and whether you sit inside or out, or even at the bar, service is stellar. Their wine and cocktail lists still offer something for everyone, and very much appreciated when pairing the delicious plates with both. We've occasionally just gone in to sit at the bar and enjoy their menu of Starters. The Classic Caesar, Tuna Cones, Grilled Spanish Octopus, Crispy Artichokes, and/or Squash Blossoms are always delicious. And again, I have to say their wine list of both New and Old World Wines is always special. Their helpful servers are always spot-on with both wine and food suggestions. Highly recommend calling for reservations, don't get left out.
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Barbara N.

Yelp
Ohhhhhhh my! We found ourselves a good one! Staying the night in Santa Barbara and wanted a special meal. Husband looked an online and saw one of the top rated restaurants were near our hotel! We arrived 20 minutes early, cuz we were hungry! lol! We were the first ones seated in the restaurant. The staff was extremely attentive the entire meal. The bread and butter and fried olives were amazing. I knew we were in for a treat! Ordered calamari as our starter. Juan the waiter was soooo personable, and a natural! He sold me on the fresh catch of the day: prosciutto wrapped halibut, asparagus and carrots on a bed of polenta! SOLD!!!! My hubs got the ravioli with fresh ricotta, kale, and parmesan. It was so amazing! We shared the raspberry Mouse with berries for dessert! Bam! So so good!! We give the entire staff a 5 star rating as well but Juan deserves extra recognition! Such a fun, easy going guy! We'll be back! And, we'll bring friends.
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Kristina M.

Yelp
Cute restaurant across the street from the beach - high end prices, but it doesn't seem like it has too formal of a dress code. Service is polite and friendly but an odd synthetic friendly, which was a little weird. Food was pretty good though. If you like sashimi, you'll probably enjoy the Tuna Cones appetizer. The cone is filled all the way with sashimi and I like the crunchy texture plus sesame taste against the fish. In terms of cocktails, I really enjoyed the Western and my partner had the Blackberry Smash. Both decently strong and flavorful. For entrees, I really enjoyed the gnocchi. The sauce tasted like it was cooked with lobster and was decadent. The shrimp were also enormous and juicy. I thought it was a little odd that the gnocchi did not have ridges, but this didn't affect the dish. My partner enjoyed the half rack of lamb and was intrigued by the pomegranate harissa sauce. Overall, food was good, just something seemed a little off about our server I guess - still polite though.
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Kristelle A.

Yelp
Went here after doing some destressing in the city. Food was delish! Parking is easy and service was great. There is an indoor and outdoor seating. Bathroom is clean which is great. You can make RSVPs with no issues
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Dikran I.

Yelp
Excellent food and service . The staff are so nice ! They the calamari and the fish of the day. Highly recommended . Also the deserts and drinks were top notch. Looks like hole in the wall but very cozy and sweet restaurant. Hope they last forever .

Alex T.

Yelp
Service was great! Gnocchi was good. Portions were very small. Cioppino was fine. Don't order the short rib it was like beef jerky.

Kalyn C.

Yelp
The food was great but service was bad. Our waiter was very slow, argued with us when a wrong dish came out, charged us 5 glasses of wine when we only had two. We were also there for about 3 hours.... We got there at 7:45 and we didn't get our food until like 10pm... and Even after we complained a couple times he came back and tried to argue and make excuses. We saw the waiter take some shots with a customer at the bar a couple times, which is honestly not a problem but we had many issues.... even complained to the manager and got no "I'm sorries" 0 comped, nothing. Service was bad food was good.
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Lucy B.

Yelp
Just tried it with a friend. Tuna cones were ok, not as flavorful as I hoped. I had the seafood pasta and it too was not much in terms of flavor, though the seafood was plentiful. My friend's halibut was really good. Service was very attentive. I also think it's very expensive. Most beach places are for the tourists and it was doing a nice tourist business the night we were there.
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Steve D.

Yelp
By far one of our favorite resturant in town. The calamari is so fresh. Love the beef ribs and their fresh bread. Everything tastes so good here and can't wait to come back for more. Thank you.
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Melissa L.

Yelp
Came here to celebrate a birthday and I don't quite understand the hype. The food was good, but it's pretty hard to mess up Italian food and I didn't see anything that interesting on the menu. Service was good and the restaurant itself was like any typical nicer Italian restaurant with dim lighting and white cloth tables. Tuna cones: 1/5 The cone itself was sweet which did not pair well with the tuna which did not taste fresh. In a place like Santa Barbara where you can get a great fresh poke bowl for $15 why would anyone pay that much for these tiny bites?! Shrimp gnocchi: 5/5 there were a lot of shrimp and the gnocchi was perfectly pillowy and soft.
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Ciera W.

Yelp
Pasta was cooked to perfection, service was excellent, and the atmosphere was cozy! Highly recommend Toma!
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Richard W.

Yelp
Food is top notch, service is great, patio can be a bit tough. When it's windy, the palm trees blow fronds everywhere and the cars steer to avoid them. The outdoor patio is in the street and it's dangerous out there. But like I said, GREAT food! Bring your high value credit, it's all a la carte. Cheers! Great wine menu.
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Nette B.

Yelp
I need to update my review based on my last visit 12/3/2022. Service was good. Food: Braised Shortrib Lasagna Cioppino Grilled Octuous Tuna Cones The Braised Shortrib and Tuna cones were good but not great. The lasagna lacked flavor/taste. I tried the shrimp in the cioppono, and it was overcooked. I feel that the food was not as good as I first remembered.
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Leanne M.

Yelp
A wonderful meal and experience. The beet and citrus salad was excellent. The hazelnuts sprinkled over the top of the salad took it to the next level Loved the butter that was sprinkled with Himalayan sea salt The lasagna was next level.
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Katharine S.

Yelp
Excellent food! My boyfriend had the lasagna and I had the rigatoni. Wow - the flavor, spices and sauce were amazing! We also got a dessert - Creme Brulee - it was so good! Ambience, service and decor was great! I would highly recommend this restaurant!
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E G.

Yelp
Everything we had was delicious! We ordered two salads and the crispy artichokes as starters. The gnocchi, our main meal, was so flavorful. The cocktail I had, la Jovencita, was perfect. We were seated right away at a good table, and the service was also pretty good. The ambience was super for a Saturday night. Only knocking one point because the kid's meal, buttered noodles, was $18. That's just wrong. There's literally nothing to it and it was probably less than a half serving. We were a little shocked. Other than that, the pricing was as expected for the location and quality of the food.

A D.

Yelp
We started with a caprese salad. The tomatos were not quite ripe and the cheese was rubbery. Chiopino was good. The seafood pasta sauce was too rich, but ok. Service was ok
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Jennifer L.

Yelp
Went here for date night on a Saturday evening with 5:00 pm reservations. We were immediately greeted and seated at our table; our waiter provided us with drink suggestions. The indoor seating is very romantic, with the dark lighting and red tones. We received complimentary bread with olive oil, and to my pleasant surprise- blue cheese olives! I wish the bread came with vinegar, but the olives were delightful. Our appetizer was the Grilled Spanish Octopus. The octopus was cooked nicely, such that is was soft and easy to chew. It also came with a variety of micro greens and vegetables along with a sauce. This was my least favorite dish of the night; I found myself wishing for another/more sauce to add to the flavor. For our entrees, we ordered the New Zealand rack of lamb and the Bay Salmon. The rack of lamb was excellent. Soft and tender, juicy, and amazing taste. The salmon was also fantastic; the skin had a nice crisp and there was a plethora of flavor from the fish, two sauces, and beans. I noticed that the sauce with the salmon was the same as the sauce with the octopus. Overall, I highly recommend Toma for a nice dinner out with a significant other, or for a special occasion. The service, ambiance, and presentation are amazing. I took off a star because I believe that the food could have more flavor - it didn't outstand me like other Italian places I have been to. However, I was very satisfied with my dinner and I hope to come again soon.
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Ann D.

Yelp
I think the service and the drinks were good. The dessert also was good. The caprese salad, Caesar salad, and calamari had good plating but it was not over the top. I have had better salads and calamari elsewhere. I did not have a main dish here. Ownership also has recently changed. The ambiance is really nice and I enjoyed the red rose at each table.
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Joanne V.

Yelp
We had an enjoyable dinner at Toma but mainly because the wait staff was so professional and kind. The outside patio was pleasant even though it was raining. The food, however, did not live up to it's reputation. The seafood pasta was bland, and the sausage pasta was good, but not spectacular. I'd say we picked the wrong items, but they were touted as their most popular dishes. The bar was also not equipped to make a negroni, which seemed odd for an upscale Italian restaurant. Perhaps our high expectations tainted our experience - it is definitely a well respected and loved establishment.
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Will E.

Yelp
The service here was amazing. The attentiveness and hospitality were top notch. This was my second time at Toma and the service has been above and beyond both time. The decor and all the settings were done beautifully. Restrooms were very clean. My only compliant is that some of the tables are too close together. Almost bumped into the other table trying to get up from the table. Now comes the reason for the two stars. My girlfriend ordered the cioppino and I, the rack of lamb. As well as some tuna cones to start the meal. The cones are amazing. My girlfriend has come here a few times just for the cones themselves. I cannot say the same for the rest of the food. I had ordered the rack of lamb medium rare as per the recommendation of the staff and received it closer to well done, but otherwise the vegetables and sauce complimented the lamb very well. The cioppino on the other hand was disgusting. The broth was overly fishy, to which you might say, "well its a seafood dish, of course its going to be fishy". Unfortunately the taste just lingered way after the meal. Possibly the worst cioppino and even frozen from costco was not this offensive. Did they use old seafood in the stew? Possibly. The cioppino was barely touched and we just opted to just not take the leftover home. We were still hungry, but luckily the funkzone has a lot of other eateries that do not disappoint. tl;dr great service, but disgusting food and a cook staff that doesnt know how to take temperature
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Angel P.

Yelp
Embarking on a mid-week family escapade to Santa Barbara, our journey was graced with the epitome of hospitality and genuine warmth, a prelude to the culinary gem awaiting us at Toma Restaurant & Bar. From the outset, the proprietor, Sam, enveloped us in his fervent dedication, seamlessly orchestrating the restaurant's operations while graciously engaging with guests. Seated amidst an ambiance of effortless elegance, we were promptly attended to by our server, who expertly navigated us through a tantalizing array of specialty cocktails. Opting for the Blackberry Shrub and the Local, each sip was a symphony of flavors, with the Blackberry Shrub's seamless fusion of Prosecco effervescence and blackberry's depth, and the Local's refreshing sweetness underscored by the essence of muddled strawberries. After drinks, we were ready for our entrees. We went with the children's Grilled Chicken and mashed potatoes - my little had no trouble clearing her plate. Meanwhile, the Gnocchi and Rigatoni emerged as culinary masterpieces, each bite a divine revelation of expertly crafted flavors and textures, swiftly delivered to our table with commendable efficiency. As we savored the culinary delights before us, enveloped in Toma's enchanting ambiance, it became abundantly clear that this establishment is not merely a restaurant but a standard-bearer of excellence in food, service, and hospitality. Toma unequivocally earns its place as a must-visit destination, whether for an intimate date night or a gastronomic pilgrimage. Thank you Toma for the great experience!
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Suzanne Marianna I.

Yelp
We enjoyed our recent dinner at Toma, each ordering a fish and steak daily special. Pros: The meal was delicious with beautiful presentation and thoughtful ingredients. The ambience was nice and intimate: perfect for a date night or my birthday, as it happened to be. The young man serving water was very friendly and polite. Cons: The server wouldn't make eye contact with me, only spoke to my husband, and then handed me the bill at the end of the meal. Something red got splashed across the side of my husband's Italian shirt, which we assume was from staff or another customer. It wasn't an area that he could have spilled on while we were enjoying our meal.
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Pierre C.

Yelp
One of the best restaurants in Santa Barabara hands down. Definitely great service. Thank you Gabriel for your attentiveness and friendly table side manner :) Tuna cones are a staple... no one else in town has these. It's a simple sushi fix with an sesame twist The flat bread sausage pizza was very good with a slight kick of Calabrian pepper spice. Cheese was loaded inside. Special of the day - scallops and prawns was very creamy and good. Pesto and asparagus flavor was just right. Spanish octopus has such a wonderful taste I could order this over and over. Very flavorful- definitely rivals lLoquita's octopus tapa plate, but each unique in their own respect. The beet salad was good, but it was fairly sweet, almost like a dessert plate. The burrata didn't seem to balance it out. Personally I like beets, but this was hard to finish as I got tired of the flavor quickly. Nice presentation though. Desserts are the best. Can't go wrong with crème brûlée. Crispy top and creamy custard underneath. Chocolate torte was sooooo good. Warm chocolate everywhere. This is a must for lava-cake-like lovers. Simply. The. Best. Ice cream for the win. On top of it all Toma gave a birthday treat which was the cherry on top. Toma is on my top 5 list for restaurants in Santa Barbara. Unique and tasty. Great for trendy celebrations. Parking on the street and wonderful atmosphere for socializing- it can get loud at times, but it's a great place to take your out of town friends and family. Thank you for the great food and service- looking forward to visit again soon!
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Anastacia M.

Yelp
Everything was so delicious! We started with the calamari crisp and tasty. Had a Topa Topa beer and then on to the main course! The pasta was delicious and so were the scallops. We finished it with the creme brûlée! The ambiance is also fantastic with views of the harbor. A little pricey but worth it!
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David D.

Yelp
Amazing! Food was amazing. Service was amazing. Vibe was amazing. Drinks were on point. Ambiance checked out for sure and it was a birthday dinner celebration. Would definitely come back.
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Kelly S.

Yelp
We were so happy to snag a reservation at Toma since they always seem to be booked. It was a chilly night but the patio wasn't too cold with the heaters. We started with 50/50 martinis that have gin and blue cheese olives. Loved them! The tuna cones were a perfect starter with fresh fish and a crispy cone that has a touch of sweetness. I also love that they're served in what looks like an antique candelabra. The bread comes with tasty fried blue cheese stuffed olives. We split the Caesar salad with anchovies which were the perfect topping! For dinner we ordered the Brander Cabernet Sauvignon which paired perfectly with my Lasagna and my husband's New Zealand Rack of Lamb. The Lasagna is a good sized portion and I took about half home to enjoy later. My husband thoroughly enjoyed his meal and did not leave any leftovers. We finished off our evening with the Citrus Olive Oil Cake. It was delectable and amazing. Our server was very sweet and friendly. She always showed up with fresh Parmesan after different courses arrived. We love a good date night at Toma - it's always very consistent and so unique compared to other local restaurants.
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Samantha S.

Yelp
Loved this place! We ordered the truffle gnocchi and I must say, that was the most tender shrimp I've ever had, and I've had shrimp from all over the world. The gnocchi was delightful and the sauce was perfect, not too heavy. The octopus was also lovely. For dessert we got the citrus Olive oil cake which was nice but not the best I've had. It was a little sweet for my liking. The chocolate torte was also on the sweet side but a knock out dessert. Super pretty ambience with the vines and lights. The staff was very friendly, we really enjoyed our waiter Juan who was honest about which dishes are his favorite and was just so accommodating And although the outdoor seating was on the larger side, it all still felt very intimate.
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Ashwini N.

Yelp
Came here on a Friday night. Cute lil place tucked in by the Harbor. Romantic ambiance. The service was really good. Loved the Super Tuscan wine, full bodied and luscious. Grilled Octopus and Flatbread was really tasty! We were already half full by the time the main course arrives. The ravioli was pretty good. Great that it's on OpenTable which makes it so much easier to plan. Only thing I didn't like was that they asked for a card while booking the table and plans do change at the last minute, people can fall sick too, so it's unfair to charge upon a no-show.
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Elisa C.

Yelp
We walked in earlier than our scheduled reservation. The hostess told us that our wait time would be 45 minutes to an hour. However, this was not a problem for us until I noticed that they sat two large parties before us [they had other empty tables during this time as well]. I spoke with a man to complain (not sure who he is) who stated that they sit everyone in order of reservations. Okay, cool. They could have let us know before actually having us wait for an hour. It seems that this establishment needs to come to a consensus regarding protocols and routines. Don't waste people's time!

M M.

Yelp
This got such great reviews, but was a huge miss from us. We started with the artichoke appetizer and while it was tasty, it wasn't up to par. It tasted of canned artichokes fried. Not what you expect from a higher in restaurant such as this. My husband had the pork chop and it was sliced up in the pieces that were sliced off The bone were dry, but the pieces that were still on the bone we ok. I had the squid pasta and Iwith the seafood and it was just OK. It had these hard pieces of cured Italian ham on the top that just didn't belong. I've had much better at lower end places, and this was not cheap.
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Paul S.

Yelp
Solid, well prepared food. Friendly, timely, skilled service. Comfortable, elegant atmosphere. Fantastic, creative cocktails. Excellent wine list with both bargain and splurge options. They get the details right. Classy place - recommended.

Emily C.

Yelp
Subpar food- HORRIBLE SERVICE. We came here for a good friend's birthday with a party of 9- not that big for a qualified restaurant and our waiter was awful. He argued with our party with discrepancies on the bill, insisted we ordered things when we didn't, was taking shots behind the bar throughout the evening and was extremely inattentive. It took him 45 minutes to bring 2 glasses of wine. What should have been a 2ish hour dinner was 4 hours long because he was so inattentive. The icing on the cake was that our waiter made sure to circle "gratuity not included" on our bill... his tip probably would have been much better if he was more attentive we would have ordered more drinks. But don't worry- he charged for extra glasses of wine that we did not in fact order to increase the bill. We informed the manager of our experience several times and only received one apology. Super disappointed as there was no service recovery offered. To the owners I plead you to assess your staff and encourage better service recovery.
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Vanessa R.

Yelp
10 out of 10 Fantastic!!! Had to come out to try Toma since it's been 5 years since my last visit! And I can confidently tell you- I was blown away! My only regret- eating the bread! It was delicious but the portions are very big and I was full halfway through my pasta! The food is absolutely Fantastic. To drink i ordered the "La Jovencita" a lightly spicy mezcal cocktail with a dried tamarind foam. It was all things; creamy, tangy, frothy, tart and not too sweet. Raul at the bar was excellent! When I asked about which Mezcal he used he told me he had personally gone to Oaxaca to meet with the producer. He's clearly passionate and knowledgeable about his craft. I had the signature tuna cones- totally unique and and delightful. Super delicate ahi tuna filled sesame cones amazing! I had the Gnocci for my main and honestly too good for words! Argentinian prawns with roasted garlic and a creamy savory pomodoro and black truffle sauce! Mmm chef's kiss! Really couldn't not say enough about the food. Ambiance is very nice. It's romantic yet lively so great for a date. Beautiful artwork on the walls. The demographic is mostly older and I believe reflects the pricing which is on the high side- as a restaurant worker myself I understand this subject will be subjective but for me I was more than happy with the value I experienced! I highly recommend Toma.

Kyle H.

Yelp
Food was good although I expected more for the price. Had the short rib au jus. Beef was slightly overcooked and a little dry. Vegetables were undercooked and slightly bland. The lasagna was great though! Probably should have went with pasta. Service was ok. The waiter seemed distracted or maybe had too many tables so we didn't get that much attention. Overall, a decent experience but could have been better.