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Arnoldi's Cafe, Santa Barbara, CA

Arnoldi's Cafe

4.6
4.6
756 Reviews
$31 to $50
Italian

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2 people
20:30
Booked 14 times today
  • Neighbourhood gem
  • Charming
  • Great for outdoor dining
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
  • Website
    http://www.arnoldis.com/
  • 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

Featured in

Menu

Antipasti

  • Zuppa Del GiornoUS$9.00

    Soup of the day ask server

    • Zuppa Del GiornoUS$11.00

      Soup of the day ask server

      • Salumeria PlatterUS$29.00

        Freshly made local burrata warmed in garlic and EVOO, prosciutto, spicy salami, herbed salami, olives and ciabatta

        • Pane AglioUS$14.00

          Garlic bread served with our arrabiata dipping sauce

          • CapreseUS$20.00

            Fresh sliced tomatoes, mozzarella, basil and Kalamata olives drizzled with olive oil

            • Calamari FrittiUS$22.00

              Fried calamari served with a spicy tomato sauce

              • Shrimp GambieriUS$24.00

                Sauteed shrimp served in a spicy garlic white wine tomato sauce

                • BruschettaUS$14.00

                  Ciabatta bread topped with tomatoes, garlic, basil and EVOO

                  Insalate

                  • Insalata GenoveseUS$22.00

                    Chopped romaine, Italian fried chicken strips pesto-ranch dressing, gorgonzola crumbles and red onion

                    • Insalata RucolaUS$16.00

                      Arugula salad, cherry tomatoes, walnuts, drizzled with fresh lemon juice and EVOO

                      • Insalata CesareUS$16.00

                        Classic Caesar salad with shaved parmesan

                        • Insalata ArnoldisUS$16.00

                          Fresh spring mix, bruschetta tomatoes with garlic and basil, in a balsamic vinaigrette topped with parmesan cheese

                          Entrees

                          • Chicken MarsalaUS$35.00

                            Sauteed chicken with a marsala mushroom sauce, served with linguine alfredo

                            • Chicken ParmesanUS$32.00

                              Breaded chicken breast topped with tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese, served with spaghetti pomodoro

                              • Chicken PiccataUS$31.00

                                Sauteed chicken in lemon caper sauce, served with linguine alfredo (Try Sara’s style with pink gnocchi $35)

                                • Fettucine AlfredoUS$25.00

                                  Fettucine in a traditional creamy cheese sauce

                                  • ChickenUS$29.00

                                • Fettucine Alla BologneseUS$32.00

                                  Slow cooked in a meat ragu sauce with meatballs

                                  • Gnocchi

                                    Traditional house made potato dumplings in choice of the following sauces:

                                    • GorgonzolaUS$29.00
                                    • PestoUS$28.00
                                    • PomodoroUS$28.00

                                  • Gnocchi TricoloreUS$32.00

                                    Italian Flag Combination of Pomodoro, Gorgonzola and Pesto

                                    • Linguine Al PestoUS$26.00

                                      Linguine pasta in a freshly made basil and pine nut pesto sauce

                                      • Lasagne Alla BologneseUS$30.00

                                        House made meat lasagna in a pomodoro sauce

                                        Pasta

                                        • LINGUINE PRIMAVERAUS$25.00

                                          Linguine with fresh seasonal veggies, garlic, EVOO, and fresh herb

                                          • MILANESE DE NORTE

                                            Northern Italian dish of thinly pounded meat, breaded, sautéed, then finished with a drizzle of lemon juice, served with linguine pomodoro or fettucine alfredo

                                            • Di Pollo: Chicken breastUS$35.00
                                            • Di Maile: Pork chopUS$37.00
                                            • Di Vitello: VealUS$43.00

                                          • PASTA POMODOROUS$24.00

                                            Your choice of noodle in our famous pomodoro sauce

                                            • SALSICCIA E PEPPERONIUS$34.00

                                              Italian sausage, onions and peppers sauteed served with our midnight spaghetti

                                              • SCALLOPINE AL MARSALAUS$43.00

                                                Sauteed veal in a marsala mushroom sauce served with linguine alfredo

                                                • MELANZANE ALLA PARMIGIANAUS$29.00

                                                  Layered breaded eggplant with pomodoro sauce and mozzarella cheese served with spaghetti pomodoro

                                                  • PENNE ALLA SALMONEUS$30.00

                                                    Pasta with smoked salmon, peas, in a pink tomato cream sauce

                                                    • PENNE ARRABIATAUS$24.00

                                                      Penne pasta in a spicy tomato sauce

                                                      • ROTOLO DI RICOTTAUS$29.00

                                                        Fresh pasta rolled and stuffed with spinach and ricotta cheese topped with mozzarella served in a spinach pesto sauce

                                                        • RAVIOLI DI CARNEUS$25.00

                                                          Short rib ravioli in a gorgonzola cream

                                                          • PENNE FILANTI QUATTRO FORMAGGIUS$29.00

                                                            Quill shaped pasta in a cream sauce with Parmesan, Mozzarella and Pecorino cheese, prosciutto cotto and walnuts

                                                            • SPAGHETTI AI FRUTTI DI MAREUS$34.00

                                                              Spaghetti with fresh assorted seafood in a light spicy tomato sauce

                                                              • SPAGHETTI ALLE VONGOLEUS$32.00

                                                                Spaghetti with fresh clams in a choice of white wine or our tomato sauce

                                                                • SPAGHETTI CARBONARAUS$28.00

                                                                  Spaghetti with an egg, cream, Pancetta and cheese

                                                                  • TUSCAN CHICKENUS$32.00

                                                                    Grilled chicken breast topped with sundried tomato alfredo sauce, served with spaghetti in your choice of pomodoro sauce or alfredo sauce

                                                                    • SCALLOPINE PICATTAUS$40.00

                                                                      Sauteed veal in a lemon caper white wine sauce served with linguine alfredo

                                                                      • SALMONE ALLA GRIGLIAUS$42.00

                                                                        Fresh Salmon filet marinated in herbs and olive oil, served with our midnight spaghetti and spinach

                                                                        • LASAGNE VERDIUS$29.00

                                                                          Housemade fresh veggie lasagne

                                                                          • RAVIOLI AI QUATTRO FORMAGGIUS$24.00

                                                                            Four cheese ravioli in a pink cream tomato sauce

                                                                            • COSTATA DI MANZOUS$51.00

                                                                              12 oz Certified Angus Ribeye steak with chianti wine sauce, café potatoes, sauteed spinach and grilled artichoke

                                                                              Last updated: 13 October 2024

                                                                              What 756 people are saying

                                                                              Overall ratings and reviews

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

                                                                              4.6
                                                                              4.6 based on recent ratings
                                                                              • 4.4Food
                                                                              • 4.6Service
                                                                              • 4.7Ambience
                                                                              • 4.3Value

                                                                              Noise • Moderate

                                                                              Diners' Choice Awards

                                                                              • California Central Coast

                                                                                Neighbourhood gem

                                                                              • Santa Barbara

                                                                                Child-friendly

                                                                              • Santa Barbara

                                                                                Good for groups

                                                                              • Santa Barbara

                                                                                Hot spot

                                                                              • Santa Barbara

                                                                                Neighbourhood gem

                                                                              • Santa Barbara

                                                                                Great for outdoor dining

                                                                              • Santa Barbara

                                                                                Italian

                                                                              Review summary

                                                                              AI-generated from verified diner reviews
                                                                              Arnoldi's Cafe offers a charming and welcoming atmosphere with "amazing food" and "consistently welcoming service." Guests rave about the delicious Italian cuisine, especially the lasagna and spaghetti sauce. The outdoor dining experience is highlighted for its ambiance. While some service issues were noted, patrons appreciate the improvements since reopening.

                                                                              756 Reviews

                                                                              1. Nida

                                                                                Los Angeles

                                                                                2 reviews

                                                                                vip
                                                                                5.0

                                                                                2 reviews

                                                                                Dined 3 days ago

                                                                                1. Overall 5
                                                                                2. Food 5
                                                                                3. Service 5
                                                                                4. Ambience 5
                                                                                Great food and ambiance… staff friendly and professional.

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                                                                              2. Orlando

                                                                                Central Coast

                                                                                1 review

                                                                                5.0

                                                                                1 review

                                                                                Dined on 16 November 2024

                                                                                1. Overall 5
                                                                                2. Food 5
                                                                                3. Service 5
                                                                                4. Ambience 5
                                                                                Nice cozy place for either a romantic dinner or a social gathering of friends. I would highly recommend, and the food is excellent! They have added valet parking!

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                                                                              3. Karen

                                                                                Houston

                                                                                11 reviews

                                                                                5.0

                                                                                11 reviews

                                                                                Dined on 12 November 2024

                                                                                1. Overall 5
                                                                                2. Food 5
                                                                                3. Service 5
                                                                                4. Ambience 5
                                                                                Lovely local restaurant. Relaxed atmosphere. Fabulous Italian food! Growing up in Philadelphia I’m very picky about Italian dishes. This restaurant exceeded My expectations. Friendly service

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                                                                              4. Jan

                                                                                Central Coast

                                                                                16 reviews

                                                                                5.0

                                                                                16 reviews

                                                                                Dined on 4 November 2024

                                                                                1. Overall 5
                                                                                2. Food 4
                                                                                3. Service 5
                                                                                4. Ambience 5
                                                                                I'm very pleased to see Arnoldi's back in the mix. The welcoming, comfortable east-side atmosphere is just as it always has been in the more than 50 years we've been eating there, and the traditional Italian menu has been expanded and improved. The kitchen is on top of everything, and service is stellar. Hoping the arancini appetizer is a regular!

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                                                                              5. Jason

                                                                                Central Coast

                                                                                24 reviews

                                                                                5.0

                                                                                24 reviews

                                                                                Dined on 20 October 2024

                                                                                1. Overall 5
                                                                                2. Food 5
                                                                                3. Service 5
                                                                                4. Ambience 5
                                                                                We enjoyed the improvements to the restaurant since it has reopened. The staff was friendly and the food was top notch!

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                                                                              6. Jill

                                                                                Los Angeles

                                                                                2 reviews

                                                                                2.0

                                                                                2 reviews

                                                                                Dined on 20 October 2024

                                                                                1. Overall 2
                                                                                2. Food 3
                                                                                3. Service 2
                                                                                4. Ambience 4
                                                                                I made an Open Table reservation for 6:45 pm. It was my birthday, and I added that to the reservation. There were several large tables outside just getting food. It took 2 hours for 2 of us to have dinner. The waiter brought the check without even asking if we'd like coffee or dessert, let alone bring a birthday candle. We understand, having worked in the industry, but it felt like the waiter had far too many people for his age. We ordered a bottle of wine, they didn't have 2 of the bottles, and we didn't get water or a glass of anything for almost an hour. Food came out hot and delicious. Just really a disappointment. The manager could have stopped by, offered a cocktail for our wait. We mentioned the birthday to the waiter and he just apologized. We had already paid the bill by the time he came back to our table. We complained, and he said they shouldn't have sat another table. Love the place, just now we know better than to select it for a special occasion.

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                                                                              7. holly

                                                                                Orange County

                                                                                3 reviews

                                                                                5.0

                                                                                3 reviews

                                                                                Dined on 20 October 2024

                                                                                1. Overall 5
                                                                                2. Food 5
                                                                                3. Service 5
                                                                                4. Ambience 5
                                                                                Best Italian food in town, the staff is amazing and super helpful. I really love this place, seems like they have a lot of regulars and that everyone knows each other. Real family and friend's style. I would definitely recommend this to anyone and everyone.

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                                                                              8. Benjamin

                                                                                San Francisco

                                                                                1 review

                                                                                5.0

                                                                                1 review

                                                                                Dined on 20 October 2024

                                                                                1. Overall 5
                                                                                2. Food 5
                                                                                3. Service 5
                                                                                4. Ambience 5
                                                                                Always hits. Make sure you're hungry and craving delicious pasta

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                                                                              9. Andrew

                                                                                Seattle

                                                                                10 reviews

                                                                                1.0

                                                                                10 reviews

                                                                                Dined on 19 October 2024

                                                                                1. Overall 1
                                                                                2. Food 1
                                                                                3. Service 2
                                                                                4. Ambience 2
                                                                                Let me start with a positive note. They make a great caprese salad. The tomatoes were fresh, and that really made the plate sing. Unfortunately, that's about the only nice thing I can say. My wife's Manhattan had way too much bitters in it (we like bitters, but this had to have been a quarter ounce - it was all you could taste). The calamari were rubbery and flavorless. The sauce on my wife's pasta tasted like a can of Spaghetti-os. My chicken piccata wasn't dredged in flour before being sautéed, and the sauce was bland. We opted to get out as quickly as we could.

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                                                                              10. Jess

                                                                                Los Angeles

                                                                                2 reviews

                                                                                5.0

                                                                                2 reviews

                                                                                Dined on 11 October 2024

                                                                                1. Overall 5
                                                                                2. Food 5
                                                                                3. Service 5
                                                                                4. Ambience 5
                                                                                Wonderful service, amazing food and w love it outside Perfect date night with my daughter :)

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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 4.6 stars by 756 OpenTable diners.

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

                                                                              Make a booking

                                                                              2 people
                                                                              20:30
                                                                              Booked 14 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
                                                                                Gluten-free Options, Indoor Fireplace, Patio/Outdoor Dining
                                                                              • Website
                                                                                http://www.arnoldis.com/
                                                                              • 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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