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
We have a beautiful patio and indoor dining room, perfect for private events, rehearsal dinners, wedding receptions, corporate dinners and birthday celebrations.
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
Popular dishes
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
Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant
4.7
4.7 based on recent ratings
4.7Food
4.6Service
4.7Ambience
4.3Value
Noise • Moderate
Diners' Choice Awards
California Central Coast
Healthy
Santa Barbara
Best Food
Santa Barbara
Good for groups
Santa Barbara
Healthy
Santa Barbara
Great for outdoor dining
Santa Barbara
Good for special occasions
Santa Barbara
Lively
Review summary
AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Gala in Santa Barbara dazzles with its "delicious food," energetic atmosphere, and attentive service. Known for its creative tapas, the restaurant offers a vibrant setting for celebrations. Highlights include the "best branzino" and "amazing cocktails." While noise can be a factor, the overall experience remains "wonderful" and "highly recommended."
334 Reviews
OT
OpenTable Diner
Central Coast1 review
5.0
Dined on 14 March 2025
Overall 5
Food 5
Service 5
Ambience 5
This was our first dining experience at Gala. Overall we had the best time. The restaurant worked with us as we had increased our party. Gala made it so easy to order without stress. The food was amazing in presentation and taste. A wonderful meal. This was a birthday celebration and Gala made it so special and memorable. This was our first but not our last. I highly recommend Gala, especially if you want to celebrate.
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sharon VIP
Central Coast4 reviews
5.0
Dined on 9 March 2025
Overall 5
Food 5
Service 5
Ambience 5
delicious food. the only negative was an almost unbearable noise level
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A
Alina
Los Angeles8 reviews
5.0
Dined on 8 March 2025
Overall 5
Food 4
Service 5
Ambience 5
Gala is an excellent restaurant, with good food and an array of Spanish tapas. The service and ambience are exceptional. Gotta love a restaurant where the unassuming owner is there to greet and welcome everyone! Thanks Gala!
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M
Marc
Los Angeles16 reviews
5.0
Dined on 8 March 2025
Overall 5
Food 5
Service 5
Ambience 5
Our favourite SB restaurant - 3 visits this trip and every one has been great. Quality food, service and ambience. The pasta and steak are go to dishes for us.
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JW
JonathanW VIP
Central Coast2 reviews
2.0
Dined on 8 March 2025
Overall 2
Food 1
Service 1
Ambience 4
There’s a lot of wonderful restaurants in Santa Barbara. This is not one of them. The staff is disconnected, meandering and forgetful with no management oversight.
The food is ‘blah’ at best, inedible in parts.
Forget this place.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Los Angeles1 review
5.0
Dined on 8 March 2025
Overall 5
Food 5
Service 5
Ambience 5
Fun lively atmosphere with amazing service and the most incredible food and drinks. A must!!!!
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W
William VIP
Denver71 reviews
4.0
Dined on 8 March 2025
Overall 4
Food 4
Service 4
Ambience 3
Way too loud to conduct a conversation…..my have to find an alternative
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D
David
Central Coast11 reviews
4.0
Dined on 8 March 2025
Overall 4
Food 4
Service 4
Ambience 5
Real find in downtown Santa Barbara. Innovative menu, fun atmosphere ( inside/outside) good service and happening place. Parking a block away, easy to walk to and great attitude by the whole team. The fish, mussels and fries and drinks really good. Lots of apps and/or full dinner.
Highly recommend.
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ashley VIP
Las Vegas34 reviews
5.0
Dined on 7 March 2025
Overall 5
Food 5
Service 5
Ambience 5
The staff was very observant and attentive. The food was really, really good and the atmosphere was very cool. We’ll definitely be back!
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S
Sarah VIP
San Francisco4 reviews
3.0
Dined on 2 March 2025
Overall 3
Food 4
Service 5
Ambience 3
Great food and service but a little too loud for us :(
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FAQs
Gala is rated 4.7 stars by 334 OpenTable diners.
Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.
We have a beautiful patio and indoor dining room, perfect for private events, rehearsal dinners, wedding receptions, corporate dinners and birthday celebrations.
