Stella Mare's

4.8

2318 Reviews

$31 to $50

French

Make a reservation

2 people

Dec 30, 2024

7:00 PM

Booked 4 times today

Experiences are available.

Charming
Good for special occasions
Neighborhood gem

French country bistro...Between Montecito and Santa Barbara, Stella Mare's Bistro is located in a historic Victorian home overlooking the Bird Refuge. French country cuisine rules the menu, with dishes like coq au vin, cassoulet, and moules frites. Sip seasonal cocktails amid cozy décor -- all the right ingredients for a great dining experience. Bon appétit!

When requesting the greenhouse please note that is considered indoor dining.

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
French, American
Hours of operation
Brunch Sat, Sun 10:00 am–2:00 pm Lunch Tue–Fri 12:00 pm–2:00 pm Dinner Tue–Sat 5:00 pm–9:00 pm
Phone number
(805) 969-6705
Website
http://www.stellamares.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Smart Casual
Executive chef
Roth Ironside
Catering
Stella Mare’s Restaurant is host to rehearsal dinners, wedding receptions, anniversaries, birthdays, and holiday celebrations, as well as corporate luncheons and dinners. We accommodate private parties of 10 to 130 guests.
Private party facilities
The Private Dining Room An intimate room filled with unique artwork and antiques with windows overlooking the historic bird refuge. Minimum for reservation: 8 Maximum capacity: 14 The Ocean Room and Terrace A beautiful, private room opening onto an outdoor terrace, perfect for socializing with friends during a cocktail hour. Minimum for exclusive reservation: 20 Maximum capacity: 30 The Greenhouse This spectacular glass enclosed room creates the perfect romantic ambiance for any event with its custom built bar, fireplace, cozy couches, and views of the bird refuge. Minimum for exclusive reservation: 30 Maximum capacity: 50

Location
50 Los Patos Way, Santa Barbara, CA 93108
Neighborhood
Santa Barbara
Cross street
Cabrillo
Parking details
Our private parking lot is adjacent to the Greenhouse side of the restaurant and wraps around the building next door. We also have parking directly in front, as well as street parking in front and across the street from the restaurant.
Public transit
Bus stop at the corner of Cabrillo blvd and Los Patos way (our street).
Entertainment
Live Jazz on Wednesday nights, in the greenhouse by the fire.
Additional
Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Delivery, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine

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Experiences

New Year's Eve Dinner
$175.00 per person
Dec 31, 2024 only
New Year's Eve in a French Country bistro. Stella Mare's will offer a 5-course tasting menu. Please visit our website www.stellamares.com. To view the menu under the farewell dinner menu. Thank you and we are looking forward to hosting you this New Year's Eve.

Popular dishes

Artichault Grillé$13.95
Oak grilled artichoke, roasted garlic aioli
Escargots Persillade$15.75
Snails in the shell, garlic & parsley butter
Paté de Campagne$12.75
Country bacon wrapped pork paté, pickled shallots, cornichons, whole grain mustard, crostini
3 Fromages & Compagnie
- MP
Confit de Canard$18.95
Crispy duck leg confit, arugula, black cherry gastrique
Cuisses de Grenouille Provencale$15.95
Herb crusted frog legs, diced tomatoes, garlic, shallots, lemon, capers, white wine, parsley
Oeufs Mimosa au Homard$13.75
Deviled eggs, lobster tail slices, tobiko caviar, pickled shallots, dill, toasted French baguette, arugula, olive oil

Burgers

Stella Burger$17.95
Beef, blue cheese, bacon, caramelized onion, Dijonnaise sauce, brioche bun, French fries
Los Patos Burger$19.75
Ground duck, arugula, goat cheese, black cherry gastrique, Dijonnaise sauce, brioche bun, French fries

Soupes

Soupe a L'Oignon$12.95
French onion soup
Soupe du Jour
- MP

Salades

Endive & Pomme$14.75
Endive, apple, bacon, blue cheese, toasted pecans, honey mustard vinaigrette
Carrotes Râpées$8.75
Classic French finely shaved carrot salad, brunoise shallots, flat leaf parsley, whole grain mustard, lemon juice, citrus Dijon vinaigrette, pickled shallots, olive oil
Laitue$11.75
Bibb lettuce, fresh garden herbs, red onion dressing
Grilled Chopped$15.95
Grilled zucchini, yellow squash, corn, radicchio, tomato, avocado, mixed greens, lemon-mustard vinaigrette

Grill

Provence herbs, ratatouille, and a choice of fries, roasted potatoes or Yukon potato purée

Salmon$32.75
Sauce: Béarnaise, lemon caper Beurre Blanc or Bordelaise
Pork Porterhouse$28.75
Sauce: Béarnaise, Cognac peppercorn or Bordelaise
Filet Mignon
Sauce: Béarnaise, Cognac peppercorn or Bordelaise
- 6 Oz$39.50
New York Steak$39.75
Sauce: Béarnaise, Cognac peppercorn or Bordelaise

Specialitées

Coq au Vin$28.75
French braise of chicken with red wine, lardons, pearl onions, bacon, mushrooms, green peas, garlic, sweet potato purée
Steak Frites
New York steak, Maitre d'Hotel butter, fries
- 10 Oz$38.75
Saumon Amandine$33.75
Salmon, almonds, purple cauliflower purée, sautéed haricots verts, cauliflower florets, crispy sage, sweet carrot vinaigrette
Jarret d'Agneau$34.75
Braised lamb shank, white wine, parmesan polenta, sundried tomatoes, fava beans, sundried tomato tapenade, goat cheese crumbles
Sole Meuniére$29.95
Petrale sole, saffron poached potatoes, wilted spinach, cherry tomato confit, Lemon segments and a lemon caper brown butter sauce
Mignon de Porc$29.50
Whole grain mustard marinated Pork tenderloin, goat cheese pea purée, braised mushroom, red wine gastrique, goat cheese crumbles
Moules Frites a la Crème$39.75
Mussels in white wine and Pernod, braised leeks, shallots, cream sauce, French fries, mayonnaise
Short Ribs á la Bourguignone$32.95
Cabernet braised beef short rib, mushrooms, carrots, lardons, pearl red onions, mashed potatoes

Sides

Petite Salade$7.50
Mixed greens
Creamed Spinach$9.95
Broccoli Béarnaise$9.75
Sautéed Mushrooms$6.75
Sautéed Green Beans$7.95
Roasted Broccoli$7.75
Sautéed Garlic Spinach$6.75

What 2,318 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

4.8Food
4.7Service
4.8Ambience
4.7Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

California Central Coast
Best Value
Santa Barbara
Best Overall
Santa Barbara
Best Ambiance
Santa Barbara
Best Value
Santa Barbara
Great for brunch
Santa Barbara
Good for groups
Santa Barbara
Romantic
Santa Barbara
Most Booked

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Stella Mare's is a charming French restaurant in Santa Barbara that exudes the essence of Parisian dining. Patrons rave about its "excellent food" and "impeccable service," with many highlighting the "beautiful ambiance" and "romantic setting." The menu features classic French dishes like cassoulet and coq au vin, making it a "hidden gem" for lovers of French cuisine. Despite its impending closure, Stella Mare's remains a beloved local treasure where "wonderful meals" and "memorable experiences" are guaranteed.

2,318 Reviews

J
John
VIP
Los Angeles
39 reviews
5.0
39 reviews
Dined 1 day ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Really great meal with a variety of delicious food so sad they are closing for “an upscale Mexican restaurant” right just what Santa Barbara needs an upscale Mexican we have dozens already. instead of a delicious French restaurant that has a history here in Santa Barbara for I don’t know almost 30 years
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K
Kitty
VIP
Los Angeles
7 reviews
5.0
7 reviews
Dined 1 day ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
It was perfect and lovely, and we’re devastated to see it go and be replaced by yet another Mexican restaurant.
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K
Kevin
Central Coast
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 2 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The Confit De Canard (crispy duck on stuffed French toast) at Stella Mare’s is probably my favorite dish of all time. The sweet and the savory are perfectly matched. We had our wedding reception there three years ago and that is when I discovered this dish. When I heard the restaurant was closing at the end of the month I was bummed. The wife and I made a special trip up there yesterday to eat at Stella Mare’s one last time. It was bittersweet. The food and ambiance is top notch, and the prices very reasonable. Santa Barbara is losing a real gem! Sad it won’t be around in a few days and sounds like the restaurant will not be resurrected anywhere else anytime soon, at least that is what our waiter said. 😢 Cheers to the chefs Roth Ironside and Heriberto Munoz for some great memories!
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J
Judy
VIP
Seattle
8 reviews
5.0
8 reviews
Dined 3 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Chef Roth, you will be sorely missed! We hope to eat at your next restaurant in the very near future! 🇨🇵 🥰
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Los Angeles
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined 4 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Stella Mare’s is amazing! I can’t believe they’re closing forever. So very sad! They’ll be missed♥️
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J
Jennifer
Los Angeles
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on December 22, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Every time we dine at Stella Mare's we have a top notch experience. The food is always perfectly prepared, the staff is very attentive and kind and the value can't be beat. We are very sad they are closing at the end of the year but wish the entire staff all the best. Thank you for all the great years of service!
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G
Gabriele
VIP
Central Coast
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on December 22, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Excellent! Sad they’re closing down they’re very good
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W
Wendy
San Francisco
6 reviews
5.0
6 reviews
Dined on December 22, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Beautiful Brunch ambience in “greenhouse” room overlooking Bird Refuge area…great ambience for Sunday Brunch with Christmas decorations and fireplace, warm & cozy! Superb food and reasonable cost, super service…so sorry this wonderful restaurant is closing after 26 yrs🙏 It’s a gem & has been a special celebratory location for several family events♥️🥰…a one of a kind place!
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S
Susan
VIP
Chicago
11 reviews
4.0
11 reviews
Dined on December 22, 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
Wonderful as always at Stella Mare. So sad they are being forced to close end of this month.
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M
Michael
San Francisco
12 reviews
5.0
12 reviews
Dined on December 22, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 5
We’ve never had a less than “Stellar” experience at Stella Mares. We are sorry to see it close, but congratulations for twenty nine years of excellence.
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FAQs

Stella Mare's offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (805) 969-6705.

Stella Mare's is rated 4.8 stars by 2318 OpenTable diners.