COLD SPRING TAVERN, Santa Barbara - Menu, Prices & Restaurant Reviews

Menu

Appetizers

Charbroiled Tiger Shrimp

on saffron linguine with a wild mushroom cream. larger portion available as a dinner

$9.50

Venison Sausage Stuffed Mushroom

baked in garlic butter with fresh parmesan cheese

$9.50

Baked Artichoke Hearts

with jack cheese, sun dried tomatoes and a garlic cream

$8.00

Platter Of Appetizers For Two

shrimp, venison sausage, and artichoke hearts. platters also available for four or six

$15.50

Main

Sauteed Duck Breast

with roasted shallot demi glace

$25.00

Boneless Half Chicken

charbroiled with fresh cilantro, tequilla, lime marinade

$21.50

The Cold Spring Chicken

baked with our famous almond-raisin stuffing and smothered with sherry sour cream & mushrooms

$21.50

Bar-b-q Baby Back Pork Ribs

with chef's western style bar-b-cue sauce

$23.00

Charbroiled New York Steak

ten ounces of very trim u.s.d.a. choice steak

$23.50

New York Pepper Steak

same as above with black, green and yellow peppercorn sauce

$24.50

Charbroiled 14 Once Center Cut Pork Chop

with a rosemary, apple & brandy demi-glace

$24.00

Charbroiled New Zealand Rack Of Lamb

with champagne, mint glaze

$31.00

Sauteed Medallions Of Rabbit

with wild mushroom, garlic and brandy

$24.00

Charbroiled New Zealand Venison

with blackberry, cabernet demi-glace

$29.00

Is this an American restaurant?

Yes

No

Unsure

Details

Manage this business?

PRICE RANGE

$15.00 – $45.00

CUISINES

American

Meals

Lunch, Dinner, Drinks

FEATURES

Outdoor Seating, Seating, Parking Available, Highchairs Available, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Wine and Beer, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Live Music, Gift Cards Available

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4.5

397 reviews

Excellent

217

Very good

136

Average

27

Poor

8

Terrible

9

Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.

Joe M

Santa Barbara2 contributions

Not ready for Pime-Time

May 2023 • friends

I drove there with my wife and an exchange student. She had seen it on a video and wanted to taste the Tri-tip. I dropped them off so I could find a place to park along the unmaintained winding road. I finally found a place to park off the shoulder in the dirt. While I was parking my wife stood in a line for the Tri-Tip sandwiches. I went and stood in the line for beer and drinks in the tavern. We went up to the back by the old Jail house where we had eaten in the past before the Pandemic. We sat at a table and while I got sauces and salsa. A waiter told my wife she could not sit there. There is a two hour wait for seats and tables without a reservation. The reservation list is a two week wait. To say the least we sat on the wall and ate our sandwiches. The Tri-Tip was dry and tough. Not at all like I have tasted in the past. We ate and walked down the road toward the suicide bridge to find my car. We saw people eating in their cars on the side of the road. On the way a group of men were trying to push an SUV out of a rut caused by the winter storms. The new post pandemic seating rules, the crowds and the winter storms made this probably the worst location to eat Tr-tip I have ever been accustomed to in California. More like a Road House without Patrick Swayze.

Written May 25, 2023

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Moonlight

Los Angeles2658 contributions

Whst a fun and worthwhile side trip

Feb 2023 • family

Read about this place on a travel site and decided to stop by while passing through Santa Barbara. Scenic and winding mountain road took us to this secluded old tavern with great character and amazing bbq tri-tip. Arriving at 11:40am on a Saturday. The place is already crowded with people waiting for table service. Parking is limited, but we were lucky to get an outdoor table for two next to a heat lamp. My french dip sandwich is amazing and the best that I have ever had. The onion ring was crispy and delicious too.

Written February 18, 2023

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

F G

Wildomar17 contributions

Never realized this place existed

Dec 2022 • none

This place was recommended by mother in law, after two previous attempts to eat here we finally made it in barely on a monday night, so for $200 for four, OK sandwiches but not worth the cost and the wait.

Written December 24, 2022

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Lisa S

Carmel13 contributions

Lovely, Quaint Tavern

Jun 2022 • none

This quaint, old tavern was worth the scenic drive to get such a cute little tavern with delicious food in a beautiful and lovely setting. Food was terrific and reasonably priced too. Would recommend to all.

Written November 10, 2022

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

midwstgirl

Dallas164 contributions

History with great food and setting

Oct 2022 • none

What more could you ask for? A harrowing drive to get here but very worth it. All the hype is true. Lots of friendly locals. Music on the weekends. Tri tip is grilling on open wood grill. Beer, wine and cocktails are flowing. Easy going vibe. FANTASTIC food. We had bbq tri tip, chili, house wine (really good---got an extra bottle to go). Onion rings looked great. We sat inside the restaurant. So much charm, cozy. Rustic and original. Very friendly staff. We hated to leave. It's somewhere you should make an effort to get to if you're ever in the area. Simply one-of-a-kind.

Written October 25, 2022

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Sandy N

Dallas22 contributions

best onion rings EVER!

Oct 2021 • none

This little, old tavern was very much worth the scenic drive to get such a delicious lunch in a beautiful and quaint setting. Food was terrific and reasonably priced too.

Written November 4, 2021

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

OrangeMarmalade

Minneapolis10 contributions

Classic

Mar 2021 • none

What a fun way to spend a Sunday afternoon! Beautiful drive to a charming, character filled spot on the side of the road. Tri-tip sandwich hit the spot - as did the onion rings! Will be back!

Written March 15, 2021

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Susan Peterson

3 contributions

One of a kind - in a very good way

Mar 2020 • none

This place is utterly unique, dating back to its days as a stagecoach inn. But it's not just the atmosphere that's great - it has terrific food and service. There were four in our group, and everyone's meal was excellent - two of us had the charbroiled half chicken, while another had the baby back pork ribs and another had the rack of lamb. They were charbroiled to perfection. Service was friendly and knowledgeable.

Written March 7, 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Martha W

Exeter341 contributions

The long and windy road

Feb 2020 • couples

Drove from the Santa Barbara Mission to the Cold Spring Tavern for lunch. About 15 or so miles out of town over beautiful mountain roads with some ocean view. Went for lunch on a weekday. Arrived around 11:30 and got one of the last tables. We had the tri tip,sandwich, my husbands as French dip and mine with the salsa. Big portion of tender meat and the roll is quite tasty as well. This is a very lively place that is packed on weekends, with cars and motorcycles. It is rather small inside but has several outside picnic tables. There is also a building where there is live music on weekends. It was a different scene at lunch on a weekday, quiet with mostly first time tourists along with a few men arriving for takeout. Other reviews describe the interior which has a hunting lodge type motif. Don’t miss a chance to eat in this 1800’s era stagecoach stop. The service is friendly and welcoming and the food is delicious. They also have a full bar.

Written February 27, 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

MrGaucho1987

Santa Barbara954 contributions

A Special Place featuring Very Good Weekend Tri Tip

Jan 2020 • none

This is a SB tourist must visit! This place is living history. Not too much changed from its late 1800s stage stop roots. The remote location is worth the work. It's rustic. The base offering is a small rustic bar and a similar small restaurant. heavy on the meats. There is rugged and fun outdoor seating area. They offer a good value and very well-prepared tri-tip at the weekends. In the summer this place is packed to the tree-tops. They have local music as well. It's a memorable restaurant.

Written January 19, 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Mark Y

Des Plaines866 contributions

A Landmark

Aug 2019 • none

Our recent lunch included a delicious Tri Tip sandwich, with the best BBQ sauce in Santa Barbara. The garlic roll was the perfect vessel, too. She loved the quiche, and the crust was amazing. Potato salad is good too. Atmosphere is great, inside of a rustic cabin, originally a stagecoach stop in the mountains. Not the most comfortable seats, but that's a minor complaint. Bonus: We saw a bear digging for grub on the hill just above the Tavern. We had a Sunday breakfast here last year, and it was just as good, with huge portions. Be sure to beat the Sunday afternoon rush. You may have to hike a mile or two from the Tavern.

Written September 8, 2019

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

mexicanbob5150

Santa Ana273 contributions

Gunshow Guru

Aug 2019 • couples

Was recommended here for a nice place for a date ! They start serving dinner @ 5:00pm ! My date ordered the Rabbit🐇plate and I ordered the appetizers sampler ! The offer exotics foods ! Buffalo, new Zealand deer ! Its a little pricey ! But its cozy and quaint ! The servers are very attentive ! 👍👍👍

Written August 13, 2019

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Maggie S

Los Angeles17 contributions

A charming spot for lunch tucked away in the woods

May 2019 • none

We always stop here when in the Santa Barbara area for a tri-tip sandwich and a beer. We love the ambiance of this historical little restaurant that is tucked away off the highway. It gets busy so I'd recommend getting there on the earlier afternoon side.

Written July 2, 2019

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Tigertraveler012

South Carolina226 contributions

Unique Location Great Dinner

Jul 2019 • family

A nice spot off the beaten path combining history, good food, location, and live entertainment. Definitely a place to visit when in Santa Barbara.

Written July 1, 2019

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Monica O

Västerås64 contributions

Interesting atmosphere

Jun 2019 • family

This restaurant is located in the mountains on an old stagecoach road. It’s a historical build with lots of old furniture and decorations. They serve traditional food: chicken, stakes and mashed potatoes. The historical atmosphere alone makes the restaurant worth a visit, but the food is also very good. The staff is from and professional. It’s a small restaurant so make sure that you reserve a table in advance.

Written June 21, 2019

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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