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Convivo, Santa Barbara, CA

Convivo

4.7
4.7
2168 Reviews
$31 to $50
Italian

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2 people
20:30
Booked 10 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.

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Location
    901 E Cabrillo Blvd, Santa Barbara, CA 93103
  • Phone number
    (805) 845-6789
  • 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
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Parking details
    Additional street and private lot available.
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive Chef
    Peter McNee
  • Delivery & takeout
    Order direct

Featured in

Menu

Cicchetti | Appetizers

  • 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

                                                            Featured Item

                                                            • Our FocacciaUS$4.00

                                                              basil oil, onion & caciocavallo

                                                              • CondimentiUS$8.00

                                                                Roman artichokes, kimchi & giardiniera

                                                                • Sott'olioUS$6.00

                                                                  marinated olives

                                                                  Last updated: 31 July 2023

                                                                  What 2,168 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

                                                                  • Santa Barbara

                                                                    Innovative

                                                                  • Santa Barbara

                                                                    Healthy

                                                                  • Santa Barbara

                                                                    Great for outdoor dining

                                                                  • Santa Barbara

                                                                    Romantic

                                                                  Review summary

                                                                  AI-generated from verified diner reviews
                                                                  Convivo offers a delightful dining experience with "amazing food," "excellent service," and a "beautiful outdoor patio." Patrons rave about the creative dishes, "delicious and generous" portions, and the charming ambiance. The restaurant is a favorite for special occasions and casual outings alike, enhanced by its stunning ocean views.

                                                                  2,168 Reviews

                                                                  1. jimmy VIP

                                                                    San Francisco1 review

                                                                    5.0

                                                                    Dined 2 days ago

                                                                    1. Overall 5
                                                                    2. Food 5
                                                                    3. Service 5
                                                                    4. Ambience 4
                                                                    We had an amazing lunch with friends! Food was great both in taste & presentation! The staff were attentive, but not intrusive. The service was fast & excellent! We will return!

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                                                                  2. Maggie VIP

                                                                    Phoenix37 reviews

                                                                    5.0

                                                                    Dined 2 days ago

                                                                    1. Overall 5
                                                                    2. Food 5
                                                                    3. Service 5
                                                                    4. Ambience 5
                                                                    Great waiters and pizza. Burrata salad so interesting and good.

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                                                                  3. OpenTable Diner

                                                                    Central Coast1 review

                                                                    3.0

                                                                    Dined 2 days ago

                                                                    1. Overall 3
                                                                    2. Food 5
                                                                    3. Service 5
                                                                    4. Ambience 5
                                                                    Have celebrated several special occasions at Convivo. The food as usual was very good. The server was polite and attentive. I had noted in the reservation that we were celebrating our 50th anniversary. There was no mention of this at the restaurant. A simple congratulations would have been nice.

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                                                                  4. TimB VIP

                                                                    Indiana3 reviews

                                                                    5.0

                                                                    Dined on 8 March 2025

                                                                    1. Overall 5
                                                                    2. Food 5
                                                                    3. Service 5
                                                                    4. Ambience 5
                                                                    Our experience could not have been better. The food, service & ambience were unparalleled.

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                                                                  5. nancy

                                                                    Central Coast134 reviews

                                                                    4.0

                                                                    Dined on 6 March 2025

                                                                    1. Overall 4
                                                                    2. Food 4
                                                                    3. Service 5
                                                                    4. Ambience 4
                                                                    As always this is a great spot, the beet salad was healthy and beautifully presented, a great complement to our pastas/ our waitress was fabulous!

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                                                                  6. Ami VIP

                                                                    Central Coast5 reviews

                                                                    5.0

                                                                    Dined on 5 March 2025

                                                                    1. Overall 5
                                                                    2. Food 5
                                                                    3. Service 5
                                                                    4. Ambience 5
                                                                    Vermillion was fantastic. Waitstaff perfect. Thank you for continuing to be one of the best restaurants in SB.

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                                                                  7. Nancy

                                                                    Mobile9 reviews

                                                                    4.0

                                                                    Dined on 2 March 2025

                                                                    1. Overall 4
                                                                    2. Food 5
                                                                    3. Service 4
                                                                    4. Ambience 4
                                                                    What a pleasant surprise. Service started a bit out of whack, but server heard our concerns and corrected the problem. Food was outstanding.

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                                                                  8. Emily

                                                                    Los Angeles3 reviews

                                                                    1.0

                                                                    Dined on 23 February 2025

                                                                    1. Overall 1
                                                                    2. Food 4
                                                                    3. Service 1
                                                                    4. Ambience 2
                                                                    Date night! We arrived and were seated, but waited so long to order that the manager had to come to us (unsolicited), asking if we had been helped. He took our order. In addition to food, we ordered a bottle of wine, but when our server brought it to us, he served the white wine at room temperature. We added ice cubes to our glasses and it was disappointing but we shrugged it off, no big deal. Food was very good, ambience was fine. We requested our check, and it was brought to us. There were two items on the bill that we didn't recognize- when we brought this to the attention of our server, he immediately took the bill and said "oh, one moment". Moments later, he brought us a new bill, no longer containing the two items we didn't order. When I asked how he knew what was wrong, he mumbled something about confusing us with the other table. Very strange. We love dining out and are so respectful of the restaurant environment and the team it takes to run things smoothly, but this was decidedly off... and off putting. What a shame, the quality of the food was very good.

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                                                                  9. julie VIP

                                                                    Central Coast18 reviews

                                                                    5.0

                                                                    Dined on 17 February 2025

                                                                    1. Overall 5
                                                                    2. Food 5
                                                                    3. Service 5
                                                                    4. Ambience 5
                                                                    I love this restaurant and I always order the same things! The Oak roasted chicken is fabulous as are the carrots and the brussels sprouts and the focaccia. This is my go to place!

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                                                                  10. Bin

                                                                    Orange County13 reviews

                                                                    4.0

                                                                    Dined on 16 February 2025

                                                                    1. Overall 4
                                                                    2. Food 4
                                                                    3. Service 4
                                                                    4. Ambience 4
                                                                    The characteristic of this restaurant is that each dish has the taste of an artist, with bright colors and beautiful appearance, which makes us reluctant to use knives and forks to enjoy the delicious food.

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                                                                  FAQs

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

                                                                  Convivo is rated 4.7 stars by 2168 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 10 times today
                                                                  Google Map for Convivo

                                                                  901 E Cabrillo Blvd, Santa Barbara, CA 93103

                                                                  Dining areas

                                                                  Additional information

                                                                  • Phone number
                                                                    (805) 845-6789
                                                                  • 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
                                                                  • Dress code
                                                                    Smart Casual
                                                                  • Parking details
                                                                    Additional street and private lot available.
                                                                  • Payment Options
                                                                    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
                                                                  • Executive Chef
                                                                    Peter McNee
                                                                  • Delivery & takeout
                                                                    Order direct

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