The restaurants below have been suggested by the graduate students, faculty, and staff of the UCSB English Department. The list, however, is absolutely subjective, but we hope that visitors to our department will find these restaurants and cafés as delicious as we do.

You might also look to Fodor's Santa Barbara Guide for further suggestions.

Santa Barbara

Arigato Sushi
11 West Victoria
Sushi, sashimi, tempura and other Japanese favorites.

Brown Pelican
2981 1/2 Cliff Drive
Delicious food in an unbeatable location right on Arroyo Burro beach. Great place to eat and watch the dolphins.

Cajun Kitchen
900 Chapala and 1924 De La Vina at Mission Street
Specializes in delicious breakfasts at affordable prices

Esau's Coffee Shop
403 State Street
Good local joint, great sourdough.

Galanga Thai Restaurant
507 State Street
Eating here is like riding an elephant into the Thailand jungles of pleasure heaven. Get the garlic pepper chicken with Tom Yum Kai and treat yourself right.

Judge for Yourself Café
1218 Santa Barbara Street
Order the Ortega Special for breakfast and enjoy.

La Salsa Restaurant
1131 State Street
Good for fish tacos and other mexican food.

La Super-Rica Taqueria
622 N Milpas Street
Reputedly the best Mexican in town.

The Main Squeeze
138 E Canon Perdido Street
Smoothies, Juice, Pastries, etc.

The Montecito Café
1295 Coast Village Road
Very good food and local wines at outstanding prices.

The Natural Café
508 State Street
Vegetarian and vegan food in a nice location for people watching.

Pacific Crepes
705 Anacapa Street
Healthy portions of savory and dessert crepes in a cafe setting just a block off State Street.

Palace Grill Cajun-Creole
8 East Cota Street
The Palace Grill is a boisterous restaurant with great food. Good for parties.

Rudy's Mexican Restaurant
811 State Street # E and 305 W Montecito Street and 560 Calle Real, Goleta
Good affordable Mexican food, no matter what part of town you're in! Their chile verde and bean burrito is a particular favorite.

The Sojourner
134 E Canon Perdido
Vegetarian and Vegan food a block off State Street.

Sushi Teri
3905 State Street
Sushi and Teriyaki at affordable prices.

Waterfront Grill
113 Harbor Way # 180
The Waterfront Grill in the yacht harbor. Great view, wonderful food, great bar.

Your Place Thai -
622 North Milpas Street
Reputedly the best Thai in town.

Goleta and Isla Vista

Blenders In The Grass
6560 Pardall Rd # A, Isla Vista
A local smoothie and wheatgrass cafe, in walking distance from campus.

Blue Dolphin Cafe
910 Embarcadero Del Norte, Isla Vista
Within walking distance to campus, the Blue Dolphin Cafe offers hardy breakfasts.

Cajun Kitchen
6831 Hollister Ave # A
Like its downtown incarnations, the Goleta Cajun Kitchen offers wonderful breakfasts. About two miles from campus.

Freebirds World Burritos
879 Embarcadero Del Norte, Isla Vista
Grande burritos and great nachos (for both veggie and meat lovers) within walking distance from campus. Open late.

The Natural Café
5892 Hollister
Vegetarian and vegan food in Old Town Goleta.

Rudy's Mexican Restaurant
560 Calle Real, Goleta
Good affordable Mexican food, no matter what part of town you're in! Their chile verde and bean burrito is a particular favorite.

Silvergreens
900 Embarcadero Del Mar # 1, Isla Vista
Good food with a healthy touch close to campus. The sandwiches, salads, and soup are student favorites.

Woodstock's Pizza
928 Embarcadero Del Norte, Isla Vista
Woodstock's Pizza is a student favorite and walking distance from campus.

Coffee and Cafes

Coffee Cat
1201 Anacapa Street, Santa Barbara
Student hangout, no outlets for laptops.

The Daily Grind
2001 De La Vina Street, Santa Barbara
Sunny outdoor patio in a location frequented by graduate students.

Espresso Roma
728 State Street, Santa Barbara and 6521 Pardall, Isla Vista
The Downtown Espresso Roma is the night spot-- good on week nights for studying. They always play your favorite angst-ridden post-rock-ambient-noise-hop-jazz-classics and have interesting art up on the walls. The musical acts they host on weekends are surprisingly good. The IV one has food, comfy couches, large patio.

Hot Spots Espresso Company
36 State Street, Santa Barbara
Open 24 hours.

Java Station
4447 Hollister Avenue, Goleta
Couches and comfy chairs, very open to students spending hours at a time without buying stuff.

Mojo Coffee
7127 Hollister Ave, Goleta
Next to Albertsons in the Storke/Hollister complex. About two miles from campus.

Muddy Waters
508 E Haley Street, Santa Barbara
Lots of cool Spanish tile, couches, comfy chairs, a pool table, a patio, really good coffee, and hip comedy every month! A good spot to study in the day.

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