Louie's California Bistro

3.3

734 Reviews

$31 to $50

American

Charming
Neighbourhood gem
Great for outdoor dining

Intimate and exclusive due to it's limited seating, Louie’s California Bistro has long been touted as one of Santa Barbara's favorite local secrets. Unconcerned with flashy food trends, the focus at Louie's has always been to take local ingredients and make them shine, often through classic style cooking and recipes. Add in Central Coast wines and a table on the historic wrap around veranda and you have the makings for a truly enjoyable dining experience. Louie's resides within a local landmark: The Upham Hotel. The Upham, built in 1871, is California's longest continuously operating hotel and is one of Santa Barbara's oldest buildings, having survived the earthquake of 1925.

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Dining areas

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
American, Californian, Comfort Food
Hours of Operation
Dinner Tue–Thu 5:30 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:30 pm–9:30 pm
Phone number
(805) 679-5313
Website
http://www.louiescabistro.com/
Payment Options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Business Casual
Private party facilities
We often cater private events in the meeting rooms of the Upham Hotel. Please inquire for pricing

Location
1404 De La Vina St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101-3027
Area
Santa Barbara
Cross Street
De La Vina Street at Sola Street
Parking details
Street Parking
Additional
Gluten-free Options, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Vegan

Tomato, Gorgonzola, Red Onions, Basil, Pine Nuts & Balsamic VinaigretteUS$13.00
Strawberry and Spinach Salad with Caramelized Pecans & Poppy Seed DressingUS$15.00
Pear and Gorgonzola Salad Over Spinach with Avocado, Red Onion & Cilantro VinaigretteUS$16.00
Caesar with French Bread CroutonsUS$13.00
Mixed Sweet Greens with Fresh Herb VinaigretteUS$10.00

Pizza & Pasta

Pizza with Caramelized Onions and Gorgonzola CheeseUS$18.00
Pizza with Cajun Chicken and PineappleUS$19.00
Angel Hair with Tomatoes, Olives, Capers, Oregano, Basil, Pine Nuts and ParmesanUS$21.00
Fettuccini with Tomato, Fresh Basil and Parmesan In a Light Herb Cream SauceUS$23.00
Spaghetti with Meatballs, Marinara Sauce and Topped with ParmesanUS$24.00
Linguini with Grilled Shrimp, Tomatoes, Kalamata Olives, Spinach, and Feta CheeseUS$25.00

Entrées

Chicken PiccataUS$28.00
served over Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Spinach and Asparagus with Louie's Piccata Sauce
Grilled Meat LoafUS$27.00
Sautéed Mushrooms and Onions, Cabernet Sauce and Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Lightly Breaded Filet of SoleUS$29.00
served over a Potato Pancake with Steamed Asparagus and a Lemon Beurre Blanc Sauce
Beef StroganoffUS$32.00
Filet Tips with Mushrooms, Onions in a Stroganoff Cream Sauce over Noodles
Sesame Crusted Scottish SalmonUS$35.00
with Stir Fried Vegetables in a Soy Ginger Vinaigrette with Rice Noodles and a Wasabi Cream Sauce
Louie's Seasonal Seafood and Shrimp CioppinoUS$35.00
with Saffron Rice
Sautéed Catch of the DayUS$36.00
with Wild Mushroom Risotto, French Green Beans and a Saffron Cream Sauce
Grilled Filet MignonUS$41.00
with Sautéed Mushrooms and Caramelized Shallot, Cabernet Sauce and Crumbled Gorgonzola Cheese, over a Potato Pancake

What 734 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

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

3.3

3.3 based on recent ratings

3.4Food
3.2Service
3.8Ambience
3.3Value

Noise • Energetic

Diners' Choice Awards

Santa Barbara
Great for brunch
Santa Barbara
Healthy
Santa Barbara
Neighbourhood gem
Santa Barbara
Great for fine wines
Santa Barbara
Great for outdoor dining
Santa Barbara
Romantic

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Louie's California Bistro is a charming escape in Santa Barbara, offering a delightful atmosphere and a "marvelous owner." Guests praise the "excellent food and service," with standout dishes like eggs Benedict and salmon. While some menu items may need refinement, the overall dining experience remains satisfying and memorable.

734 Reviews

K
Kristen
VIP
Orange County
4 reviews
1.0
4 reviews
Dined 7 days ago
1. Overall 1
2. Food 1
3. Service 1
4. Ambience 5
The restaurant is no longer in business shouldn't be on open table. Our party showed up and place was closed. Phone number is no longer working either
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L
Lindsey
Central Coast
5 reviews
1.0
5 reviews
Dined on 15 December 2024
1. Overall 1
2. Food 1
3. Service 1
4. Ambience 1
This restaurant is closed and should be removed from Open Table. What a letdown when we arrived!
Is this helpful?
P
Patty
Central Coast
1 review
1.0
1 review
Dined on 6 December 2024
1. Overall 1
2. Food 1
3. Service 1
4. Ambience 1
I made a reservation through Ooen Table for this restaurant, only to discover upon arrival with 6 people that the restaurant closed down completely. It’s important to stay current with your clients! Contact them to remove this restaurant as an option through Open Table.
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W
Walter
VIP
Central Coast
17 reviews
1.0
17 reviews
Dined on 1 December 2024
1. Overall 1
2. Food 1
3. Service 1
4. Ambience 1
I booked an OpenTable reservation for 4 at Louie's California Bistro last week. When we arrived, the restaurant had been closed for 2 weeks! A sign on the door said reopening was TBD. I can not understand how OpenTable can accept and book a reservation without confirming with someone at the restaurant. I even got a text the day before our "reservation" asking me to confirm my reservation. This begs the question, "If I have to call the restaurant to confirm that they are open for business, why not just make my reservation directly with the restaurant and forget about using OpenTable."
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M
Margaret
VIP
Los Angeles
17 reviews
1.0
17 reviews
Dined on 30 November 2024
1. Overall 1
2. Food 1
3. Service 1
4. Ambience 1
Very disappointed! My party of 9 showed up to a closed restaurant! A note on the door said closed and under new management…… You should not be taking reservations on Open Table. I even called the day of the reservation and they had a message saying they would be open at 5pm just to reconfirm our reservation. We have had many enjoyable dinners here and I am extremely disappointed.
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B
Bob Jr.
Central Coast
139 reviews
4.0
139 reviews
Dined on 2 November 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 1
4. Ambience 5
My wife and I very much enjoy dining at Louie's The food and the atmosphere/location/ambiance are great.
Is this helpful?
D
David
VIP
Las Vegas
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on 1 November 2024
1. Overall 3
2. Food 3
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 1
We were only ones there, my pizza tasted like a frozen pizza, they noted online they had certain entrees they didn't have and they charged us for splitting entrees when each person had their own and didn't remove the charge when asked
Is this helpful?
B
Bob
Central Coast
4 reviews
3.0
4 reviews
Dined on 31 October 2024
1. Overall 3
2. Food 2
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 3
Having been before and had a very positive experience this time was disappointing. The chicken piccata wasn’t really a chicken piccata and was so/so. The cioppino was mediocre.
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A
Ann
Sacramento
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 28 October 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Wonderful food and great service. The Flourless chocolate cake was easily for 2 if not 3 or 4. Very rich and yummy!
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C
Catherine
San Francisco
2 reviews
4.0
2 reviews
Dined on 11 October 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 3
Joli établissement un peu en retrait des quartiers touristiques. Galerie autour du restaurant où il est possible de manger à l’extérieur. Carte resserrée mais intéressante et bons conseils du serveur.
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FAQs

Louie's California Bistro offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (805) 679-5313.

Louie's California Bistro is rated 3.3 stars by 734 OpenTable diners.

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

Not available on OpenTable

Unfortunately, this restaurant is not on the OpenTable booking network. To check availability, please contact them directly.

Is this your restaurant?

Claim this listing

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for Louie's California Bistro

1404 De La Vina St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101-3027

Dining areas

Additional information

Cross Street
De La Vina Street at Sola Street
Area
Santa Barbara
Hours of Operation
Dinner Tue–Thu 5:30 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:30 pm–9:30 pm
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
American, Californian, Comfort Food
Dining style
Casual Elegant
Dress code
Business Casual
Parking details
Street Parking
Payment Options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Additional
Gluten-free Options, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Vegan

Website
http://www.louiescabistro.com/
Phone number
(805) 679-5313
Private party facilities
We often cater private events in the meeting rooms of the Upham Hotel. Please inquire for pricing

Louie's California Bistro

Not available on OpenTable

Order delivery or takeout

There’s more to explore

Dining areas

Additional information

Starters

Filet Mignon TipsUS$15.00

Shrimp and Scallop CakesUS$16.00

Crabmeat DumplingsUS$17.00

Salads

Tomato, Gorgonzola, Red Onions, Basil, Pine Nuts & Balsamic VinaigretteUS$13.00

Strawberry and Spinach Salad with Caramelized Pecans & Poppy Seed DressingUS$15.00

Pear and Gorgonzola Salad Over Spinach with Avocado, Red Onion & Cilantro VinaigretteUS$16.00

Caesar with French Bread CroutonsUS$13.00

Mixed Sweet Greens with Fresh Herb VinaigretteUS$10.00

Pizza & Pasta

Pizza with Caramelized Onions and Gorgonzola CheeseUS$18.00

Pizza with Cajun Chicken and PineappleUS$19.00

Angel Hair with Tomatoes, Olives, Capers, Oregano, Basil, Pine Nuts and ParmesanUS$21.00

Fettuccini with Tomato, Fresh Basil and Parmesan In a Light Herb Cream SauceUS$23.00

Spaghetti with Meatballs, Marinara Sauce and Topped with ParmesanUS$24.00

Linguini with Grilled Shrimp, Tomatoes, Kalamata Olives, Spinach, and Feta CheeseUS$25.00

Entrées

Chicken PiccataUS$28.00

Grilled Meat LoafUS$27.00

Lightly Breaded Filet of SoleUS$29.00

Beef StroganoffUS$32.00

Sesame Crusted Scottish SalmonUS$35.00

Louie's Seasonal Seafood and Shrimp CioppinoUS$35.00

Sautéed Catch of the DayUS$36.00

Grilled Filet MignonUS$41.00

Overall ratings and reviews

Diners' Choice Awards

Review summary

FAQs

Does Louie's California Bistro offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

How is Louie's California Bistro restaurant rated?

Is Louie's California Bistro currently accepting bookings?

Not available on OpenTable

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

Additional information