cold spring tavern

Lv2T

We stopped at this old stage coach stop and found the buildings all charming. We heard it was built around 1865. There is live music outside till 430 and starts inside at 430. The try tip sandwich is amazing. You can watch the great mix of people from bikers to families. THe drive up provides beautiful scenery. Inexpensive. Go for the food, enjoy the history.

CBunches

LOVED the ambience, loved the location, loved the setup, liked the food.This place is just an awesome place to come to. I dont live in Santa Barbara, but I think this is a must for anyone who lives or visits there. Nature is awesome, smells great...biker bar, and I have heard the tri-tip sandwichs are to die for.We went for breakfast. Let me start off by saying if I come here again for breakfast it will be soley for the biscuits and gravy. BEST I think I have had in a long time. I ordered the venison sausage plate. The eggs were a little dry and under seasoned, the venison sausage was a bit different than I expected. With my dad and brothers, and grandfather, and cousins...etc being hunters, I have eaten a lot of venison. I am not sure that this venison was deer as it tasted very different and had a different texture than I was used to. I know that another dish on the menu said something about rabbit venison, so maybe this is what it was? Im not sure. The country potatoes were delish as well. A lot of food for not a lot of money. The service was good as well!

CentralCalifornia09

The whole area is darling, such a good backdrop for photos. The antique and rustic style was cozy and inviting. I enjoyed a delicious tri-tip sandwich with very limited amount of meat, but still tender and tasty. Everyone at our table enjoyed different things (chili size, French dip, and a bowl of mixed meat chili. Service was good and attentive. The establishment needs more ladies restrooms as the line was ten deep.

Fib0112358

If you're in Santa Barbara for the high end restaurants, cafes, and shopping scene, this isn't the place. If you're here with an interest in great food that is interesting but not overly pretentious, and you're looking for something other than the glitz, this is the place.

22staciek

We stopped in for a beer and enjoyed the live music! Yes, there are bikers here, so if that bothers you best not to stop in. Also, keep in mind if you park off the street, there is poison oak on the hillsides. We had a good time. For people who are bringing children, you may run into a few that have had a few too many. Keep that in mind. Loved the live music and the beautiful drive on the way to Solvang. One of the most beautiful valleys I've seen in California this time of year.

Svignolo

Cold Springs feels like you are in the middle of nowhere when you are only 20 minutes outside of Santa Barbara. The food is worthy of the drive. It is very rustic and cabin- like! It can get very busy so try to plan ahead.

Author1984

Great hidden gem of a pit stop. Food and beer prices were a bit higher than expected, but it's almost like visiting an island since it's so isolated...the true charm of the area. Would have given 5 stars but the service was not attentive and order-area confusing.

HBWillsy33

I have been coming to this place on and off for years, but never with a big crowd nor have I eaten in the restaurant. On the final stop of our winery visiting, wine tasting extravaganza, we stopped in for brunch and took up the entire back of the restaurant. The wait staff couldn't have been nicer or more attentive,making everyone feel very comfortable and almost like family. This only made the rustic setting all the more magical. We had an absolute blast bantering with the bartender, waitress and waiter, but I think they had just as much fun with our crew. The food was yummy, but the experience of being there tops all. Sundays there are the best as there is a variety of people there, from bikers, to single ladies having a day out, to families with kids running around. The smell of the area is divinely woody and the cool log seating creates an "area" for people watching and a foot stomping good time, especially when Tom and Kenny are playing. This is one of my all time favorite places on earth and well worth a visit!!! You'll keep going back!

sbav8r

Well known AND off the beaten track, CST is a funky little shack with fantastic food. Last time I ate there I had cayman, and it was delicious (and did not taste like chicken!). Gets crowded on the weekends, especially Sunday BBQ. Well worth the drive!

Nadorick

Cold Springs Tavern is north of Santa Barbara on highway 154. If you are going to the Santa Inez Valley to do some wine tasting it is worth stopping for lunch at the tavern. This old stage coach stop sits on a lush piece of property and is very authentic. The food is pretty good as well.

travler2130

We went for dinner here because it was close to our RV park and we're so glad we did. It is expensive but delicious. I had the duck breast, so yummy. The Jack Daniels pecan pie for dessert was also exceptional. The service was top notch too. There was only one other table occupied so it was a slow night (Tuesday). Like others have said I would like to return in the daylight hours as it is a very historic location. Tricky winding road but so worth the drive. Open every day/night except Christmas.

bpott77

According to a bunch of people I heard from, this was the last stop to get a bite to eat before you had to help push the stagecoach the rest of the way up the hill. Now it's a trendy hangout for foodies, winemakers, chefs and bikers, even though it's 30 minutes from Santa Barbara. It's a really pretty location and the dinners are outstanding. They have a great selection of wines, mostly but not all local, and less in the way of beer and spirits. Service is friendly and professional, maybe just a bit snooty. Great place for a romantic dinner if you come during the week, maybe not so much on a Saturday.

kinron

This place is rich in history and simply adorable. To our real surprise though, the food and service was outstanding! We both went for the tri-tip sandwich and were not disappointed. We'll be back to Cold Spring Tavern for sure! (Incidentally, this is the first place to ever serve Hidden Valley Ranch dressing!)

Buzz_Carol

Went for bloody marys and breakfast which was very good but it's all about the location and the historic stagecoach stop. Wish we had time to come back for BBQ and music in the afternoon.

seag9

This has always been one of our absolute favorite restaurants to go to for special occasions. The last 2 visits we found were overpriced for the quality of the food. Don't get me wrong - the food was good, it just wasn't great. It feels like they are living on their reputation and not actually trying to keep up what got them the reputation. The atmosphere is still the cabin, rustic feel - which is fun - but not enough else going for it to warrant the pricing.