Stella Mare's

4.8 (2321)

$31 to $50

French

50 Los Patos Way, Santa Barbara, CA 93108

About this restaurant

Charming
Good for special occasions
Neighborhood gem

French country bistro...Between Montecito and Santa Barbara, Stella Mare's Bistro is located in a historic Victorian home overlooking the Bird Refuge. French country cuisine rules the menu, with dishes like coq au vin, cassoulet, and moules frites. Sip seasonal cocktails amid cozy décor -- all the right ingredients for a great dining experience. Bon appétit!

When requesting the greenhouse please note that is considered indoor dining.

Permanently Closed

This restaurant is permanently closed.

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Dining areas

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
French, American
Hours of operation
Brunch Sat, Sun 10:00 am–2:00 pm Lunch Tue–Fri 12:00 pm–2:00 pm Dinner Tue–Sat 5:00 pm–9:00 pm
Phone number
(805) 969-6705
Website
http://www.stellamares.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Smart Casual
Executive chef
Roth Ironside
Catering
Stella Mare’s Restaurant is host to rehearsal dinners, wedding receptions, anniversaries, birthdays, and holiday celebrations, as well as corporate luncheons and dinners. We accommodate private parties of 10 to 130 guests.
Private party facilities
The Private Dining Room An intimate room filled with unique artwork and antiques with windows overlooking the historic bird refuge. Minimum for reservation: 8 Maximum capacity: 14 The Ocean Room and Terrace A beautiful, private room opening onto an outdoor terrace, perfect for socializing with friends during a cocktail hour. Minimum for exclusive reservation: 20 Maximum capacity: 30 The Greenhouse This spectacular glass enclosed room creates the perfect romantic ambiance for any event with its custom built bar, fireplace, cozy couches, and views of the bird refuge. Minimum for exclusive reservation: 30 Maximum capacity: 50

Location
50 Los Patos Way, Santa Barbara, CA 93108
Neighborhood
Santa Barbara
Cross street
Cabrillo
Parking details
Our private parking lot is adjacent to the Greenhouse side of the restaurant and wraps around the building next door. We also have parking directly in front, as well as street parking in front and across the street from the restaurant.
Public transit
Bus stop at the corner of Cabrillo blvd and Los Patos way (our street).
Entertainment
Live Jazz on Wednesday nights, in the greenhouse by the fire.
Additional
Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Delivery, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Artichault Grillé$13.95
Oak grilled artichoke, roasted garlic aioli
Escargots Persillade$15.75
Snails in the shell, garlic & parsley butter
Paté de Campagne$12.75
Country bacon wrapped pork paté, pickled shallots, cornichons, whole grain mustard, crostini
3 Fromages & Compagnie
- MP
Confit de Canard$18.95
Crispy duck leg confit, arugula, black cherry gastrique
Cuisses de Grenouille Provencale$15.95
Herb crusted frog legs, diced tomatoes, garlic, shallots, lemon, capers, white wine, parsley
Oeufs Mimosa au Homard$13.75
Deviled eggs, lobster tail slices, tobiko caviar, pickled shallots, dill, toasted French baguette, arugula, olive oil

Burgers

Stella Burger$17.95
Beef, blue cheese, bacon, caramelized onion, Dijonnaise sauce, brioche bun, French fries
Los Patos Burger$19.75
Ground duck, arugula, goat cheese, black cherry gastrique, Dijonnaise sauce, brioche bun, French fries

Soupes

Soupe a L'Oignon$12.95
French onion soup
Soupe du Jour
- MP

Salades

Endive & Pomme$14.75
Endive, apple, bacon, blue cheese, toasted pecans, honey mustard vinaigrette
Carrotes Râpées$8.75
Classic French finely shaved carrot salad, brunoise shallots, flat leaf parsley, whole grain mustard, lemon juice, citrus Dijon vinaigrette, pickled shallots, olive oil
Laitue$11.75
Bibb lettuce, fresh garden herbs, red onion dressing
Grilled Chopped$15.95
Grilled zucchini, yellow squash, corn, radicchio, tomato, avocado, mixed greens, lemon-mustard vinaigrette

Grill

Provence herbs, ratatouille, and a choice of fries, roasted potatoes or Yukon potato purée

Salmon$32.75
Sauce: Béarnaise, lemon caper Beurre Blanc or Bordelaise
Pork Porterhouse$28.75
Sauce: Béarnaise, Cognac peppercorn or Bordelaise
Filet Mignon
Sauce: Béarnaise, Cognac peppercorn or Bordelaise
- 6 Oz$39.50
New York Steak$39.75
Sauce: Béarnaise, Cognac peppercorn or Bordelaise

Specialitées

Coq au Vin$28.75
French braise of chicken with red wine, lardons, pearl onions, bacon, mushrooms, green peas, garlic, sweet potato purée
Steak Frites
New York steak, Maitre d'Hotel butter, fries
- 10 Oz$38.75
Saumon Amandine$33.75
Salmon, almonds, purple cauliflower purée, sautéed haricots verts, cauliflower florets, crispy sage, sweet carrot vinaigrette
Jarret d'Agneau$34.75
Braised lamb shank, white wine, parmesan polenta, sundried tomatoes, fava beans, sundried tomato tapenade, goat cheese crumbles
Sole Meuniére$29.95
Petrale sole, saffron poached potatoes, wilted spinach, cherry tomato confit, Lemon segments and a lemon caper brown butter sauce
Mignon de Porc$29.50
Whole grain mustard marinated Pork tenderloin, goat cheese pea purée, braised mushroom, red wine gastrique, goat cheese crumbles
Moules Frites a la Crème$39.75
Mussels in white wine and Pernod, braised leeks, shallots, cream sauce, French fries, mayonnaise
Short Ribs á la Bourguignone$32.95
Cabernet braised beef short rib, mushrooms, carrots, lardons, pearl red onions, mashed potatoes

Sides

Petite Salade$7.50
Mixed greens
Creamed Spinach$9.95
Broccoli Béarnaise$9.75
Sautéed Mushrooms$6.75
Sautéed Green Beans$7.95
Roasted Broccoli$7.75
Sautéed Garlic Spinach$6.75

Reviews

OpenTable reviews from verified diners

Reviews from people who have dined at Stella Mare's.

4.8

(2321)

4.8Food
4.7Service
4.9Ambience
4.7Value

Noise • Moderate

2,268 Reviews

B
Brent
San Francisco4 reviews
5.0
Dined on January 1, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Sad to see this restaurant closing due to being purchased by a new owner, rumored to open another Mexican style restaurant. My wife’s favorite restaurant. One of the memorable ones in Santa Barbara, where most others are mediocre, this was always part of the few exceptionally good ones. Unfortunately, now the options for quality French food has been reduced by half. We’ll miss the friendly staff, quality food, and welcoming ambiance.
2 people found this helpful
M
Maureen Gold
Central Coast31 reviews
5.0
Dined on December 31, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
This is the restaurant I have been going to for many years usually on a Thursday afternoon with three of my girlfriends we have lunch and spending an hour and a half or two playing bridge afterwards it was such a comfortable and enjoyable experience for all of us, the staff were great. That is why I decided to bring my husband LES to the final night before they close we will all miss them and it was a wonderful wonderful experience.
1 person found this helpful
R
Robin
Yosemite1 review
5.0
Dined on December 31, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We had a lovely New Year’s Eve lunch at Stella Mare’s. So sorry it is closing. We wish all the best to Roth and his staff
1 person found this helpful
J
John Gold
Los Angeles49 reviews
5.0
Dined on December 29, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Really great meal with a variety of delicious food so sad they are closing for “an upscale Mexican restaurant” right just what Santa Barbara needs an upscale Mexican we have dozens already. instead of a delicious French restaurant that has a history here in Santa Barbara for I don’t know almost 30 years
1 person found this helpful
K
Kitty Gold
Los Angeles8 reviews
5.0
Dined on December 29, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
It was perfect and lovely, and we’re devastated to see it go and be replaced by yet another Mexican restaurant.
1 person found this helpful
K
Kevin
Central Coast1 review
5.0
Dined on December 28, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The Confit De Canard (crispy duck on stuffed French toast) at Stella Mare’s is probably my favorite dish of all time. The sweet and the savory are perfectly matched. We had our wedding reception there three years ago and that is when I discovered this dish. When I heard the restaurant was closing at the end of the month I was bummed. The wife and I made a special trip up there yesterday to eat at Stella Mare’s one last time. It was bittersweet. The food and ambiance is top notch, and the prices very reasonable. Santa Barbara is losing a real gem! Sad it won’t be around in a few days and sounds like the restaurant will not be resurrected anywhere else anytime soon, at least that is what our waiter said. 😢 Cheers to the chefs Roth Ironside and Heriberto Munoz for some great memories!
1 person found this helpful
J
Judy Gold
Seattle10 reviews
5.0
Dined on December 27, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Chef Roth, you will be sorely missed! We hope to eat at your next restaurant in the very near future! 🇨🇵 🥰
1 person found this helpful
OT
OpenTable Diner
Los Angeles2 reviews
5.0
Dined on December 26, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Stella Mare’s is amazing! I can’t believe they’re closing forever. So very sad! They’ll be missed♥️
1 person found this helpful
J
Jennifer
Los Angeles6 reviews
5.0
Dined on December 22, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Every time we dine at Stella Mare's we have a top notch experience. The food is always perfectly prepared, the staff is very attentive and kind and the value can't be beat. We are very sad they are closing at the end of the year but wish the entire staff all the best. Thank you for all the great years of service!
1 person found this helpful
G
Gabriele Gold
Central Coast3 reviews
5.0
Dined on December 22, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Excellent! Sad they’re closing down they’re very good
1 person found this helpful

Dining areas

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
French, American
Hours of operation
Brunch Sat, Sun 10:00 am–2:00 pm Lunch Tue–Fri 12:00 pm–2:00 pm Dinner Tue–Sat 5:00 pm–9:00 pm
Phone number
(805) 969-6705
Website
http://www.stellamares.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Smart Casual
Executive chef
Roth Ironside
Catering
Stella Mare’s Restaurant is host to rehearsal dinners, wedding receptions, anniversaries, birthdays, and holiday celebrations, as well as corporate luncheons and dinners. We accommodate private parties of 10 to 130 guests.
Private party facilities
The Private Dining Room An intimate room filled with unique artwork and antiques with windows overlooking the historic bird refuge. Minimum for reservation: 8 Maximum capacity: 14 The Ocean Room and Terrace A beautiful, private room opening onto an outdoor terrace, perfect for socializing with friends during a cocktail hour. Minimum for exclusive reservation: 20 Maximum capacity: 30 The Greenhouse This spectacular glass enclosed room creates the perfect romantic ambiance for any event with its custom built bar, fireplace, cozy couches, and views of the bird refuge. Minimum for exclusive reservation: 30 Maximum capacity: 50

Location
50 Los Patos Way, Santa Barbara, CA 93108
Neighborhood
Santa Barbara
Cross street
Cabrillo
Parking details
Our private parking lot is adjacent to the Greenhouse side of the restaurant and wraps around the building next door. We also have parking directly in front, as well as street parking in front and across the street from the restaurant.
Public transit
Bus stop at the corner of Cabrillo blvd and Los Patos way (our street).
Entertainment
Live Jazz on Wednesday nights, in the greenhouse by the fire.
Additional
Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Delivery, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Permanently Closed

This restaurant is permanently closed.

Stella Mare's

About this restaurant

Permanently Closed

There’s more to explore

Dining areas

Additional information

Petits Plats

Artichault Grillé$13.95

Escargots Persillade$15.75

Paté de Campagne$12.75

3 Fromages & Compagnie

Confit de Canard$18.95

Cuisses de Grenouille Provencale$15.95

Oeufs Mimosa au Homard$13.75

Burgers

Stella Burger$17.95

Los Patos Burger$19.75

Soupes

Soupe a L'Oignon$12.95

Soupe du Jour

Salades

Endive & Pomme$14.75

Carrotes Râpées$8.75

Laitue$11.75

Grilled Chopped$15.95

Grill

Salmon$32.75

Pork Porterhouse$28.75

Filet Mignon

New York Steak$39.75

Specialitées

Coq au Vin$28.75

Steak Frites

Saumon Amandine$33.75

Jarret d'Agneau$34.75

Sole Meuniére$29.95

Mignon de Porc$29.50

Moules Frites a la Crème$39.75

Short Ribs á la Bourguignone$32.95

Sides

Petite Salade$7.50

Creamed Spinach$9.95

Broccoli Béarnaise$9.75

Sautéed Mushrooms$6.75

Sautéed Green Beans$7.95

Roasted Broccoli$7.75

Sautéed Garlic Spinach$6.75

Dining areas

Additional information

Permanently Closed