Convivo

4.7

2157 Reviews

$31 to $50

Italian

Make a booking

2 people

17 Feb 2025

19:00

Booked 41 times today

Great for outdoor dining
Great for scenic views
Good for special occasions

Convivo is a Santa Barbara restaurant and bar with an Italian soul. Chef-Owner Peter McNee's food is best described as ‘Nomad Italian’. It strays from the standard or traditional Italian, sourcing inspiration from many other cultures’ cooking but its soul is thoroughly Italian. The ever-changing menu includes small plates, housemade pasta, wood-fired pizza, rotisserie chicken, fresh seafood and steaks served family-style. McNee’s all-star supplier network provides the freshest produce and local seafood the region is famous for.

Inspired by the bounty of the sea, the lush farms and abundant vineyards nearby and the cooking methods of Italy, Convivo is a festive gathering place for locals and visitors alike inside the newly-restored Santa Barbara Inn.

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
Italian, Contemporary Italian, Mediterranean
Hours of Operation
Breakfast Mon–Fri 7:00 am–11:00 am Sat, Sun 7:00 am–10:00 am Brunch Mon–Fri 11:00 am–1:30 pm Sat, Sun 10:00 am–1:30 pm Dinner Daily 1:30 pm–9:00 pm
Phone number
(805) 845-6789
Website
http://www.convivorestaurant.com/
Payment Options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Smart Casual
Executive Chef
Peter McNee
Private party facilities
We offer indoor and outdoor private event spaces that can host 14-90 people.

Location
901 E Cabrillo Blvd, Santa Barbara, CA 93103
Area
Santa Barbara
Cross Street
Milpas Street
Parking details
Additional street and private lot available.
Additional
Gluten-free Options, Outdoor Firepit, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Vegan

Featured in

68 Monterey Area Restaurants to Love This Valentine's Day

Popular dishes

Charcoal PrawnsUS$20.00
fregola, saffron cippolini, blistered peppers, citrus
Pesce CrudoUS$21.00
raw ahi tuna, citrus, sesame cracker, avocado, mustard seed
OctopusUS$21.00
pork belly, poached egg, radish, frisee
Lamb MeatballsUS$16.00
chickpea, pickled rhubarb, tapenade
Chicken Liver*US$13.00
crostone, cherries, celery, pickled red Fresno, hazelnuts
Beef CarpaccioUS$18.00
shallot, grated horseradish, fried caper, creamy bagna cauda

Agricola | Salads & Vegetables

Insalata MercatoUS$16.00
SB market & Parmigiano salad
Charcoal AvocadoUS$16.00
ponzu, strawberry, spring citrus, radicchio
FigsUS$19.00
burrata, butternut squash, cauliflower, crispy brussels, apple
SalatasiUS$16.00
heirloom tomato, cucumber, lemon tahini, kale, crispy chickpeas
Carrots*US$13.00
baba ganoush, saffron cauliflower, dukka, golden raisins
Crispy Yellow Potatoes*US$12.00
za'atar, sauce romesco & lemon tahini
BrusselsUS$16.00
herbed tehina, chicken skin scratchings, Aleppo chile

Forno | Wood Oven Pizza & Flatbread

Add | arugula, castelvetrano olive, mushroom, anchovy or egg $2.50 each; crispy Jamón Serrano $6

Za'atar FlatbreadUS$11.00
accompaniments
FattoushUS$22.00
sesame flatbread, herbed tehina, cherry tomato, cucumber, mint
FunghiUS$22.00
shiitake & oyster mushrooms, fontina, artichokes, sweet onions
MargheritaUS$19.00
fresh mozzarella, tomato, basil, sea salt
Chorizo SausageUS$21.00
dino kale, red onion, castelvetrano olive, mozzarella
Summer PeachUS$25.00
Jamón Serrano, gorgonzola, rosemary, caramelized onion, brussel leaves

Grano | House Made Pasta

Lemon Ricotta CappellacciUS$32.00
SB rock crab & saffron shellfish brodo
Seaweed MafaldineUS$23.00
mushrooms, broccoli di ciccio, miso butter, garlic, furikake
Ink SpaghettiniUS$28.00
SB uni butter, garlic, mussels, clams & prawns
GuinzaglioUS$25.00
7 hour veal bolognese & Parmigiano
BucatiniUS$25.00
pancetta, chile, crushed tomato, pecorino

Convivo | Main Course

Pesce MistoUS$48.00
mixed grill of seafood, Roman artichokes, salsa verde
Channel Islands HalibutUS$38.00
dino kale, fennel, cherry tomato confit, olive tapenade
CostoletteUS$26.00
1/2 rack of smoked & slow roasted pork baby back ribs, giardiniera
Spit Roasted Chicken (half)US$26.00
harissa, charmoula, olive, almonds, cauliflower
Grilled Bone In RibeyeUS$48.00
herb butter, cherry tomato, chimichurri, arugula

What 2,157 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

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

4.7

4.7 based on recent ratings

4.7Food
4.7Service
4.6Ambience
4.4Value

Noise • Moderate

Diners' Choice Awards

California Central Coast
Healthy
California Central Coast
Great for outdoor dining
California Central Coast
Italian
Santa Barbara
Great for brunch
Santa Barbara
Innovative
Santa Barbara
Healthy
Santa Barbara
Great for outdoor dining
Santa Barbara
Romantic
Santa Barbara
Great for scenic views

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Convivo in Santa Barbara offers a delightful dining experience with its "beautiful setting" and "amazing food and service". Notable for its "unique flavor pairings" and "friendly staff," it's a "hidden gem" with "great gluten-free options". Enjoy the "wonderful service" and "delicious creative food" on the "lovely patio".

2,157 Reviews

D
Doug
Central Coast
10 reviews
5.0
10 reviews
Dined 1 day ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great food and service. A very attractive setting as well.
Is this helpful?
W
Wendy
VIP
Central Coast
130 reviews
5.0
130 reviews
Dined 1 day ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Wonderful food, spirits, ambience, and service! Highly recommend the seafood dishes, unique pizzas, and house salad!!!
Is this helpful?
h
heather
Los Angeles
7 reviews
3.0
7 reviews
Dined 2 days ago
1. Overall 3
2. Food 3
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 4
We went there on Valentine’s evening for a special dinner. What we got was an average meal. Overpriced. Small portions. The manager walked right past our table to greet numerous tables and ask how their meal was. Did not stop at our table. There are so many choices in Santa Barbara. I would suggest finding some place else.
Is this helpful?
A
August
Central Coast
1 review
2.0
1 review
Dined 3 days ago
1. Overall 2
2. Food 5
3. Service 1
4. Ambience 2
The food was amazing, however the service was poor. We were sat far away considering it was fairly empty, table was increadibly wobbly to the point that it spilled our drinks a couple times and was directly next to an outdoor heater making the chairs sit adjecent to each other rather then facing each other. Took them approximately 30 min to take our order, the table behind us had twice as many people and arrived 25 min after us and they received their food sooner. Took a while to get refill on our drink, and to have clutter cleared up used dishes and trash(it was windy and we crept having to pick up the beer can from the floor). Honestly next time we’d just order to go and eat it at the beach rather than be at a restaurant that made us feel like we weren’t welcomed there. We made the best of it considering it was a date on Valentine’s Day.
Is this helpful?
G
Geoff
Central Coast
9 reviews
5.0
9 reviews
Dined 4 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Great menu and food is very very good. Prices are reasonable. Ambience is a little generic and like eating in a hotel restaurant. Window seat over looking stacked up chairs and tables outside (it was raining). Maybe plants could have improved the view.b
Is this helpful?
K
Ken
Central Coast
2 reviews
4.0
2 reviews
Dined on 9 February 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
Great food and service. Always consistently good! Primo location. Right across from east beach.
Is this helpful?
S
Sonya
Portland
55 reviews
5.0
55 reviews
Dined on 9 February 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Excellent food and service! Thank you for a memorable evening
Is this helpful?
L
Laura
VIP
Central Coast
8 reviews
5.0
8 reviews
Dined on 26 January 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great place - our first time there - server was great and food was super good - cocktails were like you make at home which is great - plus it’s across from the beach - awesome!
Is this helpful?
G
Georgi
Las Vegas
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on 25 January 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Convivo is a hidden gem in Santa Barbara. One of the best locations in town.
Is this helpful?
A
Alison
VIP
Dublin
6 reviews
5.0
6 reviews
Dined on 19 January 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 5
A new favorite in SB! Have eaten here at least 3 times in the last week. Especially like the Octopus, charred Avocado salad, beets, carrots and Brussels. As I’m gluten free, the menu being marked up is very helpful. Nice wine list, friendly staff, good location all add to this positive experience;
Is this helpful?

FAQs

Convivo offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (805) 845-6789.

Convivo is rated 4.7 stars by 2157 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a booking

2 people

17 Feb 2025

19:00

Booked 41 times today

Order delivery or takeout

901 E Cabrillo Blvd, Santa Barbara, CA 93103

Dining areas

Additional information

Cross Street
Milpas Street
Area
Santa Barbara
Hours of Operation
Breakfast Mon–Fri 7:00 am–11:00 am Sat, Sun 7:00 am–10:00 am Brunch Mon–Fri 11:00 am–1:30 pm Sat, Sun 10:00 am–1:30 pm Dinner Daily 1:30 pm–9:00 pm
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
Italian, Contemporary Italian, Mediterranean
Dining style
Casual Elegant
Dress code
Smart Casual
Parking details
Additional street and private lot available.
Payment Options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Executive Chef
Peter McNee
Additional
Gluten-free Options, Outdoor Firepit, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Vegan

Website
http://www.convivorestaurant.com/
Phone number
(805) 845-6789
Private party facilities
We offer indoor and outdoor private event spaces that can host 14-90 people.

Featured in

68 Monterey Area Restaurants to Love This Valentine's Day

Convivo

Make a booking

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

Additional information

68 Monterey Area Restaurants to Love This Valentine's Day

Cappellacci

Spaghetti

Bucatini

Cicchetti | Appetizers

Charcoal PrawnsUS$20.00

Pesce CrudoUS$21.00

OctopusUS$21.00

Lamb MeatballsUS$16.00

Chicken Liver*US$13.00

Beef CarpaccioUS$18.00

Agricola | Salads & Vegetables

Insalata MercatoUS$16.00

Charcoal AvocadoUS$16.00

FigsUS$19.00

SalatasiUS$16.00

Carrots*US$13.00

Crispy Yellow Potatoes*US$12.00

BrusselsUS$16.00

Forno | Wood Oven Pizza & Flatbread

Za'atar FlatbreadUS$11.00

FattoushUS$22.00

FunghiUS$22.00

MargheritaUS$19.00

Chorizo SausageUS$21.00

Summer PeachUS$25.00

Grano | House Made Pasta

Lemon Ricotta CappellacciUS$32.00

Seaweed MafaldineUS$23.00

Ink SpaghettiniUS$28.00

GuinzaglioUS$25.00

BucatiniUS$25.00

Convivo | Main Course

Pesce MistoUS$48.00

Channel Islands HalibutUS$38.00

CostoletteUS$26.00

Spit Roasted Chicken (half)US$26.00

Grilled Bone In RibeyeUS$48.00

Featured Item

Our FocacciaUS$4.00

CondimentiUS$8.00

Sott'olioUS$6.00

Overall ratings and reviews

Diners' Choice Awards

Review summary

FAQs

Does Convivo offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

How is Convivo restaurant rated?

Is Convivo currently accepting bookings?

Make a booking

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

Additional information

Featured in

68 Monterey Area Restaurants to Love This Valentine's Day