Santa Barbara might be the most ideal place on earth thanks to its perfect location nestled between the mountains and the Pacific Ocean. It’s almost so ideal that it’s a little annoying. Alysha went to college in Santa Barbara, and we have returned a few times over the past few years.
The city itself is relatively small, which makes it a perfect place to spend a relaxing weekend.
But just because it is small absolutely does not mean it is short on things to do or gluten free eateries. On our last trip, we spent three days walking, eating, drinking coffee and wine, and soaking up alllllll the coastal California vibes.
This guide to eating gluten free in Santa Barbara will provide you with 11 gluten free restaurant options, including six that are completely gluten free, so you don’t need to worry about cross-contamination.
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A Complete Guide to Eating Gluten Free in Santa Barbara
Below are the top gluten free restaurants in Santa Barbara with notes on potential cross-contamination and things to avoid based on my experience, as well as the best coffee shops and places to drink, according to conversations I`ve had at each establishment.
Wondering where to lodge in Santa Barbara? We’ve got you covered. Read our guide to the most suitable places to stay in Santa Barbara to find the perfect home base for your trip.
Dedicated Gluten Free Restaurants in Santa Barbara
There are four eating establishments in Santa Barbara dedicated to gluten free options. Note that I’m including Goleta here, which is a short drive away, as the restaurant is definitely worth the extra effort to reach.
Lilac Pâtisserie
The bakery and restaurant called Lilac Pâtisserie in Santa Barbara is likely the top choice for gluten free dining. It is also arguably the premier gluten free bakery and brunch destination. We visited twice because the food was so highly enjoyable.
Their breakfast food offering, which is available every day until 2pm, contains different choices like omelettes, quiche and a very satisfying breakfast sandwich with thick bread stuffed abundantly with ham, cheese, pesto, and fried eggs. During the weekends at brunch (served Fri-Sun until 2pm), you’ll be able to enjoy all the standard breakfast foods you’ve been missing out on. Belgian Waffles. Pancakes. French toast. Coffee cake.
For the midday meal, which I found a little less thrilling, they’ve got a range of soups, salads, and sandwiches. I`m certain they’re delicious, but when we saw French toast we knew we had to experience brunch there.
And we had yet to try the desserts! They offer various cakes, cheesecakes, cookies, muffins, cupcakes, tarts… and I`m sure I left out some options. If you enjoy cheesecake, be sure to select a slice while dining here. We opted for a lemon blueberry tart, which was both a) delicious and b) beautifully crafted.
In summary, visiting this restaurant is recommended. One time likely won`t be enough, in our opinions, due to the high quality food and location right in the heart of Santa Barbara on State Street.
Santa Barbara Cider Co + Elubia’s Kitchen
Technically, these two locations are in Goleta, which is about a 10-minute drive from the State Street area in Santa Barbara. Nonetheless, it`s worth the trip. It`s in an industrial-like region just off the freeway, allowing ample space for cidermaking, pupusas, and an outdoor area.
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The website Elubia’s Kitchen provided an exceptional dining experience during our weekend stay in Santa Barbara. We have a great passion for the varied cuisines of Latin America, whether arepas in Colombia, tacos and tamales in Mexico City, or other dishes throughout the region. Elubia’s Kitchen creatively prepares a wide assortment of authentic foods representing Latin American nations. Pupusas, which were reminiscent of stuffed arepas we previously enjoyed in Colombia, were particularly noteworthy. One can select the filling for the thick corn pancake, and the deliciously spicy diablita version containing chorizo, jalapenos and habaneros, paired with cheese, is highly recommended. Another suggested choice is the Loroco and cheese pupusa, featuring an edible Central American flower called Loroco.
We selected the Grande Meal 2, meaning we also got to sample the potato taquitos (yum!), the Casamiento (a mixture of rice, beans, sour cream, and cotija cheese), and we added a Mexican tamale to accompany it. It was such a large amount of food that we didn`t eat dinner that evening.
On one hand, I wish we’d gotten an opportunity to sample the Guatemalan tamale to juxtapose and contrast it with Mexican tamales, which we’re fairly acquainted with. On the other hand, I’m glad we didn’t because the amount of food was quite substantial.
Everything on the menu is gluten free! And it’s remarkably affordable – a very filling meal for two average people (aka not us) will likely be $20-25.
There is a bright and sunny patio area to enjoy your cider and pupusas outside, which makes for a lovely afternoon in Santa Barbara.
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Other Gluten Free Restaurants in Santa Barbara
Here are some other eateries in Santa Barbara that, while not entirely gluten free, can prepare a gluten free meal for you safely based on my discussions with them.
However, CIRCUMSTANCES CAN CHANGE. You need to make sure to reach out and ensure that they can accommodate your needs, which might differ from mine. An important step in my process of finding gluten free restaurants is reaching out ahead of time through Instagram, email, or a phone call, and I suggest you do the same. Don’t take my word alone, always double check yourself.
Apna Indian Kitchen: We walked by this establishment early in the morning when it was still closed and I saw that their menu clearly indicated gluten free options. We enjoy Indian cuisine, so I was immediately interested. I reached out through social media to ask some questions and learned that the tandoori chicken and shrimp are cooked in a special type of oven with the naan bread, so those with Celiac disease should avoid them. Stick to curries and rice, which is what we did.
The Top Rated Taco Restaurant: Regrettably, we missed out on dining at this establishment because we failed to realize they were closed on Wednesdays. However, you now have been informed so you can avoid making the same error. This location is said to be one of Julia Child`s preferred places to eat apparently, so we were eager to sample their offerings. They provide numerous gluten free selections – as all tortillas are made from corn so there is no need for concern regarding flour tortillas and cross-contamination, and the only two items containing gluten that they mentioned when I called to inquire were the chile relleno and cream sauce. Ask the cashier for assistance – they should be knowledgeable about what is safe and what is not for customers on a gluten free diet.
Arigato Sushi: Japanese cuisine chain with gluten free options and tamari soy sauce substitute. We didn’t eat here, but I’ve seen it advised in multiple places as a safe option, and they have an allergen menu for servers in case they can’t recall what’s safe and what’s not.
Loquita Santa Barbara: We ran out of time, but this Spanish place rated highly on my list. They offer paella, which we enjoy, and that is what I would order. It is located right on State Street near the Funk Zone and Waterfront. They confirmed containing gluten free options, but were unable to provide exact dishes (other than paella) that are gluten free.
Gluten Free Spots Around Santa Barbara
These next three places are in Ojai and Ventura, around 30-40 minutes by vehicle from Santa Barbara. If bohemian charm had a location, it would undoubtedly be Ojai. Ventura serves as the departure point for trips to the Channel Islands, very worthwhile visiting if in the area.
Harvest Cafe (Ventura, CA)
Ventura, located approximately 30 minutes south of Santa Barbara and serving as a gateway to the Channel Islands archipelago, has a surprisingly intriguing selection of food and beverage establishments.
The Harvest Cafe located in the heart of Ventura is a 100% gluten free and plant-based dining option containing many tempting gluten-free dishes. We stopped there for lunch on our way to Los Angeles, and it proved to be worth the stop. Situated a few blocks from Patagonia`s headquarters, most of the patrons appeared to be employees from that company. I refrained from asking them to hire me, demonstrating noteworthy restraint. In any case, be sure to order the pizza. We also considered the savory buckwheat waffle with mushroom gravy but decided we had plenty of amazing gluten-free cuisine awaiting us in Los Angeles, so we passed on it.
Food Harmonics (Ojai, CA)
Unfortunately closed during our Ojai visit, this place was still high on my list. The menu at Food Harmonics is completely gluten-free and sugar and soy-free, worth a stop if in Ojai.
SunOven Bakery (Ojai + Ventura, CA)
SunOven Bakery doesn’t have its own retail location, but you can have products shipped to your door, or pick them up at Beacon Coffee in Ojai, which is what we did. It’s a dedicated gluten free bakery in Ventura (also, vegan) and the two baked goods we tried were DELICIOUS – a savory jalapeno scone, and a seasonal cranberry-orange zest donut.
We acquired them at Beacon Coffee in Ojai, where visitors can find a rotating assortment of donuts, scones, cinnamon rolls, and more, as well as bread and bagels for purchase. It`s best to arrive early – items sell out quickly. For instance, we obtained the final jalapeño scone… at 7:45 am.
The Best Coffee in Santa Barbara
There are three spots in Santa Barbara that should be on every coffee lover’s list. If you don’t already know, I have strong feelings about coffee, and nearly everyone I know thinks that I’m a coffee connoisseur.
- Dune Coffee Roasters was my favorite spot in terms of coffee. They operate two places in downtown Santa Barbara, with one directly on State Street a few blocks from Lilac. They typically provide a single origin option for drip, along with a few they can craft as a pour over. And, of course, all the espresso beverages you can imagine.
- Dart Coffee Roasters was my preferred locale in regard to ambiance. The space itself is bright and well lit, with abundant natural light, but the highlight is the coffee garden, which is across the street. And I’m here to declare that every coffee shop should have a coffee garden, because it’s a lovely place to spend time in the sun and read, write, and unwind. We found ourselves there repeatedly in three days, and it’s right in the middle of the best part of the Funk Zone, so the area couldn’t be better.
- The coffee roasting business Handlebar Coffee Roasters was also highly regarded even though it was third on this list. We walked around one morning to their flagship location, which was approximately one and a half miles up State Street from our hotel, and relaxed in the outdoor area there, where we became very fond of a seven week old black lab puppy. They also have a site in Downtown Santa Barbara if traveling on foot or by vehicle from there is not an option.
Where to Drink in Santa Barbara
In terms of recommended tasting rooms, we’re big fans of the Valley Project, which sources famous grapes that are cultivated in innovative ways by local producers. And that map of Santa Barbara wine regions behind the bar is FANTASTIC.
I want to make it extremely clear up front here that they are NOT 100% gluten free. However, they do have an entire page on their website dedicated to explaining their kitchen procedures to minimize cross-contact with gluten.
For cider, head to the nearby town of Goleta for Santa Barbara Cider Co, which was previously mentioned.
For cocktails, head to Milk & Honey,The Good Lion, or Test Pilot.
Final Thoughts
Santa Barbara, with its picturesque beaches, charming downtown area, and vibrant funk zone is certainly worth a visit for a short break. There are plenty of gluten free options available in town, and you’ll have difficulty experiencing them all in just a weekend, so I suppose you`ll need to return to sample everything. You’ll probably start planning your next trip to Santa Barbara as soon as you leave anyway.
Psst! Planning a trip to California? Don’t miss our other California travel guides!
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