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Arnoldi's Cafe, Santa Barbara, CA

Arnoldi's Cafe

4.8
4.8
775 Reviews
$31 to $50
Italian

Make a booking

2 people
7:00 pm
Booked 13 times today
  • Neighbourhood gem
  • Good for special occasions
  • Charming
Oldest Italian restaurant in Santa Barbara! We have two bocce courts on our patio with outdoor dining. Lots of pasta, appetizers, salads, chicken dishes and homemade desserts...Italian wine and local wine on our wine list...indoor or outdoor seating. We are a true local's secret and kid friendly. Open for dinner 7 days a week! We also host rehearsal dinners, wedding receptions, and large birthday parties.

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Italian, Californian, reserved
  • Hours of Operation
    Lunch Sun 11:00 am–4:30 pm Dinner Daily 5:00 pm–9:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (805) 962-5394
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Private party facilities
    We have a room that fits up to 45 people. People walk through to get outside, but it is often used for private birthday parties, holiday parties and rehearsal dinners.

    We also have a patio that fits up to 100 people and can be reserved privately with a food and beverage minimum

  • Area
    Santa Barbara
  • Cross Street
    Cota Street
  • Parking details
    Street Parking
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cafe, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Indoor Fireplace, Outdoor Smoking Area, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeaway, Weekend Brunch, Wine

What 775 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.8
4.8 based on recent ratings
  • 4.7Food
  • 4.8Service
  • 4.8Ambience
  • 4.6Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • California Central Coast

    Good for groups

  • California Central Coast

    Neighbourhood gem

  • Santa Barbara

    Best Overall

  • Santa Barbara

    Best Service

  • Santa Barbara

    Best Ambience

  • Santa Barbara

    Best Value

  • Santa Barbara

    Child-friendly

  • Santa Barbara

    Good for groups

  • Santa Barbara

    Neighbourhood gem

  • Santa Barbara

    Romantic

  • Santa Barbara

    Good for special occasions

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Arnoldi's Cafe is a charming Italian eatery in Santa Barbara known for its "amazing food with large portions" and "superb service." The cozy atmosphere, with both indoor and outdoor dining options, provides a "great local neighborhood gem" feel. Notably, the "bocce ball court adds a fun element," making it an engaging spot for families and friends alike.

775 Reviews
  1. CaliforniaGirl

    Central Coast2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We had the best time last night at Arnoldi’s! It’s been literally 50 years since I was here last! We arrived early- 5:30pm- and it was nice and quiet. By the time we left- 7:30- the restaurant was full and a bit noisy. The food was amazing and our waiter, Silavano, was so sweet and accommodating. We couldn’t have had a better experience.

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  2. Ken VIP

    San Francisco50 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 3 March 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Cool Place! Great people working there! Very Nostalgic restuarant! Must visit if in Santa Barbara. Even a lot of locals recommend Arnoldis. Food is Awesome!

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  3. Peter VIP

    Los Angeles307 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 20 February 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Driving by you wouldn't stop, the place looks like a block bunker from the outside with faded 7UP signs and other faded signage. It is in a industrial area without regular commercial around it. But on the inside it is a classic old style Italian restaurant, booths with wood bench seating and coat hooks on the walls. The service was excellent, as was the food, the carbanara was true to the style and not the Americanized version. The Veal Scallopini was very good, though the veal was a bit tough and slightly overcooked, the flavors were wonderful. The spaghetti Alfredo was flavorful without being drenched in sauce. The corkage fee is $25, the wine list isn't big and has a good cross section of styles. The prices are on the high side, but you feel that you're getting your value when the food is served. Highly recommended, as well as reservations. Wouldn't hesitate to return.

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  4. robert VIP

    San Francisco12 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 18 February 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Eating at Arnoldo’s was a fantastic experience! We loved the old style atmosphere of a neighborhood family restaurant. The food was exceptional…gnocchi was light as a feather and the eggplant parmigiana was so crisp and plentiful it could be a shared platter! Simon our server was a gem and very attentive and accommodating. Prices were very reasonable. Only gentle criticism was the meatballs were a bit dry. Otherwise Arnoldi’s is a MUST for an outstanding dining experience!!!

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  5. Chris VIP

    San Francisco12 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on 16 February 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great vibe! Loved the valet parking. Food was good, will come back again!

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  6. Nicole

    Los Angeles1 review

    5.0

    Dined on 16 February 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    This was a great experience. The food was yummy, the service was wonderful, and it was reasonable priced for an Italian restaurant. Portions were big enough for sharing.

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  7. Rob

    Central Coast28 reviews

    3.0

    Dined on 15 February 2025

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 3
    We had both chicken piccata and chicken Marsala. The piccata had virtually no lemon flavor and the Marsala virtually tasted like cream of mushroom soup. Both were very disappointing. The Caesar salad and pasta pomodoro were both quite tasty but the main course failed.

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  8. Jerry VIP

    Los Angeles131 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 14 February 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Amazing authentic Italian dinner! A well established family owned restaurant in the heart of Santa Barbara. Classic Italian music playing while enjoying free table bread with a glass of wine. Able to share a Cesar salad without additional cost. Both the beef rib ravioli with meat sauce and the angel hair spaghetti pomodoro were incredible! Topped off dinner with the spumoni covered in chocolate-unbelievable! Will go here every time we visit Santa Barbara for sure!

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  9. Jenna

    Unspecified1 review

    5.0

    Dined on 12 February 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    What an incredible experience. We had a party for my mother’s birthday with all of her friends and it was nothing short of amazing. They were extremely accommodating with no hesitation. The staff was incredible, food was to die for, ambience and setting was absolutely beautiful. I would 1000/10 recommend this place for any sort of outing. We are so grateful for our experience and couldn’t have asked for a better evening.

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  10. Jon

    San Francisco9 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 2 February 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Arnoldoi’s open during the day on Sundays Santa Barbara. Amazing food in a great atmosphere and lots of space for the kids to play. Great service - Couldn’t ask for more!

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FAQs

Arnoldi's Cafe offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (805) 962-5394.

Arnoldi's Cafe is rated 4.8 stars by 775 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a booking

2 people
7:00 pm
Booked 13 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for Arnoldi's Cafe

600 Olive St., Santa Barbara, CA 93101

Additional information

  • Cross Street
    Cota Street
  • Area
    Santa Barbara
  • Hours of Operation
    Lunch Sun 11:00 am–4:30 pm Dinner Daily 5:00 pm–9:00 pm
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Italian, Californian, reserved
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    Street Parking
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cafe, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Indoor Fireplace, Outdoor Smoking Area, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeaway, Weekend Brunch, Wine
  • Phone number
    (805) 962-5394
  • Private party facilities
    We have a room that fits up to 45 people. People walk through to get outside, but it is often used for private birthday parties, holiday parties and rehearsal dinners.

    We also have a patio that fits up to 100 people and can be reserved privately with a food and beverage minimum

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