La Paloma Cafe is a thoughtfully crafted California barbecue restaurant where flavors reflect the past and present of our local community. Paying tribute to the age of the vaquero, La Paloma uses indigenous ingredients prepared with Mexican and Spanish influences and is cooked over fire. Originally opened in 1938, La Paloma Cafe was the premier Mexican restaurant on the strip and became part of Santa Barbara's early history, where Ortega Street was coined "restaurant row" and became a hub of activity. After being closed for 37 years, La Paloma or "The Dove" has once again taken wing on the iconic corner of Anacapa and Ortega.
The family-style menus present authentic Mexican and Spanish influenced fare and includes comforting passed canapes, delicious salads and fire-grilled meats. The wine list focuses on wines from the New World, with selections found locally and from afar featuring wines from Spanish speaking countries to complement the cuisine at La Paloma. We have a full cocktail program that features selections of Mezcal & Tequila, farmers’ market Sangria, and hand-crafted cocktails.
