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Gala Food & Cocktails - Gala, Santa Barbara, CA

Gala

4.7
4.7
319 Reviews
$31 to $50
European

Make a booking

2 people
19:00
Booked 7 times today
  • Good for special occasions
  • Neighbourhood gem
  • Great for outdoor dining
Gala exudes a European meets Santa Barbara charm, where you feel like you’re transported to a beautiful bistro in the Mediterranean. Enjoy shared tapas, farmer's market favorites, pasta and risotto, fresh oysters and the best steak with bone marrow butter & chimichurri. Cozy up for our farm to table craft cocktails, a Pisco sour or martini and a full meal with friends. Curated wine list with local & Spanish wines. Right down the street from the Santa Barbara Courthouse enjoy an evening at Gala.








1 Block From State Street, Easy Parking, Public Lot Nearby, Free 75 Minute Parking, Walking Distance, El Pueblo Viejo Landmark District, Superior Court, Spanish Colonial Revival Courthouse, Santa Barbara Museum Of Art, Courthouse Gardens, Bell Tower, Farm to table, Farmer's market driven, Tapas, Seafood, Steak, Oysters, Happy Hour, Food, Cocktails, Wine, Restaurant, Vegetarian, Friendly, Dog Friendly, Outdoor Patio, Heaters, Warm, Inviting, Hospitable, Modern Design

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    European, Spanish, American
  • Hours of Operation
    Tue–Sat 4:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (805) 869-2813
  • Website
    http://www.galasb.com/
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive Chef
    Jaime Riesco
  • Private party facilities
    We have a beautiful patio and indoor dining room, perfect for private events, rehearsal dinners, wedding receptions, corporate dinners and birthday celebrations.

Offers

  • Oysters, Pisco Sours & Margaritas Happy Hour

    Multiple dates available
    Tue - Sat - 16:00 - 17:30
    Fresh oysters for $2.50, French fries $6, Olives $5, Calamari $10, Pisco Sours $9, Pitchers of seasonal margaritas for $36 and more! Join us for a Happy Hour at Gala Tuesday through Saturday from 4-5:30

Menu

del jardín, mar & montaña

  • olivesUS$8.00

    kalamata, frescatrano, castelvetrano

    • beau soleil oystersUS$4.00

      served chilled with apple cucumber mignonette or hot with parm and herbs

      • calamariUS$18.00

        house tartar sauce

        • cornbread in a skilletUS$12.00

          honey butter

          • chicken croquetasUS$16.00

            aioli

            • fried green tomatoesUS$10.00

              feta, corn salsa, sweet chili sauce

              • 'pan con tomate'US$14.00

                on charcoal sourdough from Oat Bakery, roasted garlic, farmer's market tomato spread

                • quinoa & potato hashbrownsUS$12.00

                  herb creme fraiche

                  • add salmon gravlaxUS$6.00
                  • add 1 oz caviarUS$29.00

                • given's farm broccoliniUS$12.00

                  spicy sweet & sour sauce

                  • tempura zucchini flowersUS$16.00

                    stuffed with haloumi cheese, romesco sauce

                    • crudoUS$28.00

                      local Channel Islands halibut crudo, aji amarillo leche de tigre, pea shoots

                      • grilled spanish octopusUS$32.00

                        fried yucca, mojo picon sauce, charcoal aioli

                        • burrataUS$24.00

                          butternut squash, pumpkin seeds, pomegranate

                          • dry cured spanish jamónUS$16.00

                            • Full orderUS$28.00

                          None

                          • mushroom risottoUS$28.00

                            butter, thyme, parm, oyster & portobello mushrooms

                            • tagliatelleUS$27.00

                              sun dried tomato pesto, parmesan, tomato petals

                              • branzino a la planchaUS$36.00

                                fennel apple slaw, polenta, herbs

                                • duck confitUS$34.00

                                  confit'd in house maple leaf farm duck leg, mashed potatoes, leafy greens, duck gravy, preserved farmer's mkt gooseberries

                                  • snake river farm striploin steakUS$42.00

                                    bonemarrow butter, chimichurri, roasted garlic & french fries

                                    • herb crusted rack of lambUS$42.00

                                      served with celery root puree, mushrooms, balsamic reduction

                                      • seared scallopsUS$42.00

                                        trout roe, shimeji mushrooms, sautéed spinach, beurre blanc

                                        • buy the table next to you a glass of cavaUS$6.00

                                          SIDES

                                          • french friesUS$7.00

                                            • leafy green salad, herbs, parmUS$9.00

                                              DESSERTS

                                              • jaime's cheesecakeUS$14.00

                                                • almond & rasberry tart, vanilla whipped creamUS$14.00

                                                  • carrot cake, cream cheese frostingUS$14.00

                                                    • flourless chocolate cake, vanilla whipped creamUS$14.00

                                                      • orange creme brûléeUS$14.00

                                                        • glass of port by opoloUS$12.00

                                                          • glass of manzanillaUS$16.00

                                                            • boozy iced coffeeUS$12.00

                                                              homemade bailey's, kahlua, cold brew

                                                              • homemade limoncelloUS$9.00

                                                                Last updated: 3 October 2024

                                                                What 319 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
                                                                • 4.8Food
                                                                • 4.6Service
                                                                • 4.7Ambience
                                                                • 4.4Value

                                                                Noise • Moderate

                                                                Diners' Choice Awards

                                                                • California Central Coast

                                                                  Healthy

                                                                • California Central Coast

                                                                  Lively

                                                                • Santa Barbara

                                                                  Best Food

                                                                • Santa Barbara

                                                                  Best Ambience

                                                                • Santa Barbara

                                                                  Good for groups

                                                                • Santa Barbara

                                                                  Healthy

                                                                • Santa Barbara

                                                                  Hot spot

                                                                • Santa Barbara

                                                                  Great for fine wines

                                                                • Santa Barbara

                                                                  Great for outdoor dining

                                                                • Santa Barbara

                                                                  Good for special occasions

                                                                • Santa Barbara

                                                                  Lively

                                                                Review summary

                                                                AI-generated from verified diner reviews
                                                                Gala offers a vibrant dining experience in Santa Barbara with "excellent food" and "great service." Guests rave about the "life changing raspberry almond tart" and "to die for" lamb. The atmosphere is lively, though sometimes noisy, and the restaurant features creative cocktails and a beautiful setting. Highly recommended for special occasions.

                                                                319 Reviews

                                                                1. Cindy

                                                                  VIP

                                                                  San Francisco

                                                                  6 reviews

                                                                  5.0

                                                                  6 reviews

                                                                  Dined 1 day ago

                                                                  1. Overall 5
                                                                  2. Food 5
                                                                  3. Service 5
                                                                  4. Ambience 5
                                                                  Another fabulous evening at Gala! Service was exceptional, the wait staff is always the best and food was wonderful. And the “Buy Cava for another table” menu item once more brought us together with new friends. ❤️ Love Gala.

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                                                                2. David

                                                                  Central Coast

                                                                  2 reviews

                                                                  5.0

                                                                  2 reviews

                                                                  Dined 2 days ago

                                                                  1. Overall 5
                                                                  2. Food 5
                                                                  3. Service 5
                                                                  4. Ambience 4
                                                                  The food was great as always. Sorry the bottle of wine we ordered off of the wine list wasn’t available, but the option recommended worked out perfectly. Very crowded (Friday night) and very noisy. But everything else was about perfect.

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                                                                3. Juan

                                                                  Central Coast

                                                                  2 reviews

                                                                  5.0

                                                                  2 reviews

                                                                  Dined 2 days ago

                                                                  1. Overall 5
                                                                  2. Food 5
                                                                  3. Service 3
                                                                  4. Ambience 5
                                                                  Food was exceptional very tasty,We started with Octopus with rosted cuya very good and after that we had a Calamari an other nicly done appetaicer, for our mains I had the Bransino nice delicate fish and my wife had the Duck really nice done dish,,,, Graet food I really recommend

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                                                                4. Alexander

                                                                  Central Coast

                                                                  6 reviews

                                                                  5.0

                                                                  6 reviews

                                                                  Dined 2 days ago

                                                                  1. Overall 5
                                                                  2. Food 5
                                                                  3. Service 4
                                                                  4. Ambience 4
                                                                  Menu good selections. Food well prepared and delicious! Indoors a bit noisy and crowded.

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                                                                5. Glenn

                                                                  Los Angeles

                                                                  73 reviews

                                                                  5.0

                                                                  73 reviews

                                                                  Dined on 6 February 2025

                                                                  1. Overall 5
                                                                  2. Food 5
                                                                  3. Service 5
                                                                  4. Ambience 5
                                                                  The food was terrific. We ordered cornbread, barata salad, fried zucchini blossoms, and flourless chocolate cake. All were fresh and perfectly prepared. The service was excellent. A definite 5-star choice. We can't wait to return and try more items.

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                                                                6. Mary

                                                                  Central Coast

                                                                  6 reviews

                                                                  5.0

                                                                  6 reviews

                                                                  Dined on 6 February 2025

                                                                  1. Overall 5
                                                                  2. Food 5
                                                                  3. Service 5
                                                                  4. Ambience 5
                                                                  Wonderful dinner as always! Beautiful restaurant, lovely service and delicious food. The tagliatelle is definitely a favorite dish! Looking forward to dining there again soon!

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                                                                7. Amanda

                                                                  Central Coast

                                                                  4 reviews

                                                                  5.0

                                                                  4 reviews

                                                                  Dined on 31 January 2025

                                                                  1. Overall 5
                                                                  2. Food 5
                                                                  3. Service 5
                                                                  4. Ambience 5
                                                                  I had the best birthday dinner ever. EVERYTHING was incredible, the raspberry almond tart was truly life changing. So delicious and such good service 10000/10

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                                                                8. toni

                                                                  San Francisco

                                                                  9 reviews

                                                                  4.0

                                                                  9 reviews

                                                                  Dined on 31 January 2025

                                                                  1. Overall 4
                                                                  2. Food 4
                                                                  3. Service 4
                                                                  4. Ambience 4
                                                                  Nice small place very clean and modern. Service was great. The food was fresh and well prepared and presented. For me it was a little spicy because I can’t tolerate much space but for most I think it would be fine. I would recommend for lunch anytime and a casual but delicious dinner

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                                                                9. kerri

                                                                  VIP

                                                                  Denver

                                                                  174 reviews

                                                                  4.0

                                                                  174 reviews

                                                                  Dined on 31 January 2025

                                                                  1. Overall 4
                                                                  2. Food 5
                                                                  3. Service 3
                                                                  4. Ambience 3
                                                                  Food was outstanding. The black dover sole was perfectly prepared and loved the sides. Had several started and the zucchini blossoms stand out and the corn bread. We also had the almond tart and the chocolate dessert. What we didn’t think was great was the service. We felt we were always trying to get our wait persons attention. And the noise level was high.

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                                                                10. Paul

                                                                  San Francisco

                                                                  5 reviews

                                                                  5.0

                                                                  5 reviews

                                                                  Dined on 26 January 2025

                                                                  1. Overall 5
                                                                  2. Food 5
                                                                  3. Service 5
                                                                  4. Ambience 5
                                                                  Great staff, excellent food. Lovely setting. Highly recommend

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                                                                FAQs

                                                                Gala is rated 4.7 stars by 319 OpenTable diners.

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

                                                                Make a booking

                                                                2 people
                                                                19:00
                                                                Booked 7 times today
                                                                Google Map for Gala

                                                                705 Anacapa St., Santa Barbara, CA 93101

                                                                Dining areas

                                                                Additional information

                                                                • Cross Street
                                                                  Ortega St.
                                                                • Area
                                                                  Santa Barbara
                                                                • Hours of Operation
                                                                  Tue–Sat 4:00 pm–10:00 pm
                                                                • Price
                                                                  $31 to $50
                                                                • Cuisines
                                                                  European, Spanish, American
                                                                • Dining style
                                                                  Casual Dining
                                                                • Dress code
                                                                  Casual Dress
                                                                • Parking details
                                                                  Public Lot
                                                                • Payment Options
                                                                  AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
                                                                • Executive Chef
                                                                  Jaime Riesco
                                                                • Additional
                                                                  Gluten-free Options, Vegan
                                                                • Website
                                                                  http://www.galasb.com/
                                                                • Phone number
                                                                  (805) 869-2813
                                                                • Private party facilities
                                                                  We have a beautiful patio and indoor dining room, perfect for private events, rehearsal dinners, wedding receptions, corporate dinners and birthday celebrations.
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