Palapa is a local favorite! Mary and Leo created a quaint authentic Mexican Food restaurant at State St and the 154- next to the new Hyatt. The patio is a great place to relax and meet your friends during the 3-6PM Happy Hour (M-Thursday). Come meet our friendly staff that have been with us for years. We are Palapa, a local and mom and pop type place with great food.
Upbeat Mexican eatery offering housemade salsa, seafood & a large patio with weekly mariachi bands. Based on 511 reviews, the restaurant has received a rating of 4.3 stars. Price $$
✔️ Dine-in ✔️ Takeout ✔️ Delivery
Address:
4123 State St, Santa Barbara, CA 93110
Phone: (805) 683-3074
Social Profile: 
Hours
| Friday | 11 AM–10 PM |
| Saturday | 7 AM–9 PM |
| Sunday | 7 AM–9 PM |
| Monday
(Labor Day)
|
11 AM–9 PM
Hours might differ
|
| Tuesday | 11 AM–9 PM |
| Wednesday | 11 AM–9 PM |
| Thursday | 11 AM–9 PM |
Menu
… View more
Photo Gallery
Reviews
Jay Mar
Great staff, delicious food, and reasonably priced. We had the Chile verde and fish lunch special l. The fish was cooked in an awesome creamy garlic sauce and to flaky perfection. I also really liked that they had different side options other than the usual “red rice & refried pinto beans” – you can also get a cilantro rice, frijoles de la hoya, black beans, and sautéed veggies. Parking can be a bit tricky, but worth it!
… more
Greg
Service was initially great and we were seated right away on their outside patio. Chips and salsa were great and a cold Negra Modelo was delivered promptly. The problems started when the food arrived. The portions were on the small side but the tamale was pretty tasty. Unfortunately my chicken enchilada was stone cold so I tracked down a server to heat it. The salty black beans were already hot so when I eventually got my plate back the beans were like hot lava. I ordered a second beer, but despite confirming with 2 servers it never showed. Cool atmosphere on their patio though so we may give it another try.
… more
rising star
Mucho delisioso and affordable! I recommend the le simple veggie burrito for breakfast.$11! And complimentary chips and salsa! Juan was a wonderful server, so personable, and misses his family in Reno…we are praying that he gets to go there once the flooding here in the central valley stops. They have wonderful dramatic Mexican music and it’s an adorable place! Palapas means palm and the other outdoor seating and they’re right next to the Hyatt in what’s called upper State Street of very sleepy area that also has the Dutch gardens! A German restaurant that was open for many many years and is classic and authentic with their wiener schnitzel. I’ll be reviewing them soon as I’ve eaten there twice and they have freshly harvested chaperel mushrooms from Gaviota in an incredible soup. 1 just gave me complimentary samples of the beans and rice which look delicioso as well! Five stars for Palapas!!!
… more
Kevin Brewer
We had the surf and turf Parillada. Ton of food and wonderful presentation. Plenty of different flavors. Staff was very wonderful and friendly. The chef came out and explained everything on the dish before we ordered. Very highly recommended.
… more
Dammz33
Great find, surprisingly empty on a late Saturday morning. My huevos rancheros was kinda small portion but very delicious. (Wife) Menudo was very good and she was all smiles slurping it up. If I lived close by I’d be a regular. Well worth the visit
… more
A L
I thought it was one of the better Mexican dinners I’ve had in Santa Barbara. In my opinion it’s kind of a standard menu so a little more classic compared to some of the popular Mexican restaurants in SB. I would go back for sure.
… more
Mark Y
We’ve been several times and always enjoy ourselves. The food is good quality, prices aren’t bad, and the staff has always been friendly. They’ll meet you with chips and salsa before you even have a chance to sit down.
… more
Stephanie Jordan
The masa they use for their tamales is so fluffy and delicious! I recommend the chicken and cheese with green sauce. The red sauce is just a little too rich for my GERD to handle unfortunately, but it’s also tasty 🙁 if you don’t have a sensitive stomach, then I’m sure you won’t be disappointed! The salsa that comes with the free chips is also bright and has a nice complexity of flavor without being too spicy. I’m sure you can get great tamales at a taqueria or smaller Mexican spot much cheaper, but considering their rent must be pretty high and it’s convenient to the hotel we are staying at, the price is completely worth the value. It was a meal that filled my tummy without feeling heavy and filled my heart with gratitude. Thank you!
… more
Linda Garcia
The tostada ceviche appetizer is such a huge portion that it’s a sharable plate for 2-3. I was expecting it to be marinated in lime to give it a more lemony taste but none the less it is really good and tastes really fresh.
… more
Mohammad Reza Mahmoodi
Nice atmosphere. Feels like you are in Mexico, but not the best Mexican food in town.
… more
… View more