A Hidden Gem by the Ocean! I can’t say enough good things about this incredible beachside restaurant! From the moment you step in, the breathtaking ocean views set the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable dining experience. The atmosphere is relaxed yet elegant, with the sound of waves complementing every bite. The food is absolutely spectacular—fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. The seafood is as fresh as it gets, and every dish bursts with rich, vibrant flavors. I highly recommend the branzino, which was cooked to perfection. The cocktail menu is just as impressive, with refreshing, creative drinks that pair perfectly with the coastal setting. What truly sets this place apart, though, is the outstanding service. The staff is warm, attentive, and genuinely passionate about making your experience special. Whether you’re here for a romantic dinner, a family gathering, or just a sunset drink, this restaurant delivers in every way. If you’re looking for the perfect spot to enjoy delicious food, stunning views, and top-notch service, this is the place to be. Already counting down the days until I can come back!

It was nice, food's good and there's a view of the whole beach.

The clam chowder is the best I have ever had!! the lobster pasta special was delicious. to top it all off the key lime creme brulee was unforgettable

Wonderful view of the ocean at sunset, then the on hanging over the sea. Delicious food and superb service! Very generous portions. Recommend sharing - we shared a salad, a vegetable, and a protein. The 16 oz pork chop was not only huge and delicious, but very creatively served.

All these things Santa Barbara- good food , views & fine service but in Goleta. Less crowded neighborhood easy parking.

+1

We had a fantastic dining experience at The Elwood in Goleta, made even better by the beautiful beach views. The pork chops were tender, flavorful, and expertly grilled, while the whole fish was fresh and perfectly seasoned. The mussels were a standout as well—plump, delicious, and served in a broth that was absolutely addictive. The combination of incredible food, great service, and that coastal backdrop made for a truly memorable evening.

Had a wonderful dinner - loved the ambiance, excellent service and delicious food! We shared the vegetable crudite, Brussel sprouts and sea bass - they were all delicious. Everything tasted so fresh. The butter cake was amazing! So happy for this new spot in Goleta!

We had the most wonderful time at The Ellwood! What a great addition to Goleta! The food, drinks and service were excellent. Gorgeous views, will definitely be back.

spectacular! beyond what i was expecting! the owners have stolen the show with the ellwood! we felt transported! the entire experience was excellent, totally new and highly refined. this is what SB needed— an elevated dining experience at the beach. we tried a little bit of everything and it was all delicious. great ambiance, kid friendly, hip music, the list goes on. it’s a higher price point, so I look forward to them, expanding into their lunch, brunch and breakfast / beachside Café menus. that way I can go there every week when I’m at the beach. bravo everybody!

Lovely glass glasses, chicken and BLT were great. Nice ocean view. Plenty of lunch seating. Great service. Fun stone tile and decor.

Decided to try this restaurant again. I have to say what a huge improvement! Especially on the food area.

Had lunch on a sunny day. Excellent salads and friendly staff. Will return. Prices matched the quality.

An incredible dining experience in our own backyard. From the service to the impeccable attention and detail to every aspect of the restaurant, you will not be disappointed! Try the salmon poke, eggplant, and steak!!!

Dinner on the patio overlooking the ocean, yes, the atmosphere was delightful. We went here for our anniversary on the recommendation of our friends and it did not disappoint. I had the seabass and my wife had the short rib & mushroom pappardelle. The food was amazing.

Wonderful place for brunch/lunch with a view. Good food, great location and excellent service.

Had lunch recently after community complaints about the prices and menu options. Was pleasantly surprised--seemingly enough standard options for lunch, and prices are on the high side but not outrageous. Very well done renovation, and great deck for good weather. Good private room with view for 8-10. Would definitely go back.

Happy Hour on the patio was nice Saturday at 4pm. Prices, food and wine good, waitress very sweet. We again had a slight challenge w/ where was acceptable for us to sit. Dscussions with "manager" seemed to be needed, then we were graciously seated on the patio. Hopefully they're still getting their HH walk-in vs reservations & event planning fine-tuned. It felt like everyone wanted to accommodate our request to sit outside for HH at 4pm. But also that we were being problematic. Worth waiting for tho as there's lots of lovely outdoor seating & 7 days HH 3-5pm! Wonderful to have such a quality restaurant at Goleta Beach again!

Absolutely beautiful restaurant!!!! Such a good vibe and the service is amazing. As well as the food, it’s delicious and creative but comforting! The view food and vibe are perfect I definitely recommend

+6

Everything we had was excellent, except the potatoes which were just okay (a little too starchy for my taste). We ordered for 4ppl the crudo, clam chowder, broccolini, mashed potatoes, pork chop, and sirloin (plus 2 cocktails and wine). Then we got 2 desserts which were also on point. Clam chowder was different, but delicious. They add a potato slice and cheese at bottom of bowl. So good. My 8 y/o didn't care for the cheese, but my 12 y/o grabbed it before she completed her sentence when she was saying she disapproved. Everything else was cooked and seasoned perfectly and pre sliced to share amongst the table. The mashed potatoes were my least favorite, but still good. My opinionated 8 yo loved the potatoes, so what do I know? The atmosphere was great, except that we were pretty cold on the patio despite the heat lamps and fireplace. Not miserably cold, but ready to get warm when we were done. Better outerwear could have fixed that easily. Overall, great experience and glad to have the place open again. Except, we do miss the bowl with the giant spoon handle to grab a mint.

Surprisingly good food! The mid-well New York Strip is very juicy and soft. Fish ahi starter was very good too. I am sure this newly renovated restaurant will soon become local’s favorite.

The mussels were the best I've ever eaten and I have eaten mussels in several dozen countries. The oysters were great as was the various salads we tried. They have a nice private room. The outdoor fireplace is epic and its underneath a covered Verandah with built-in heaters. The service was first rate as well. Highly recommend for the ocean view the food and the service.

Hard to beat the view here, such a stunning venue. I was fortunate to be seated on the outside patio in time to catch the tail end of a sunset this evening. The staff were all polite and knowledgeable about the menu. I enjoyed the clam chowder au gratin and a char siu pork chop both food items were great and a unique.

A new classic! Omar and team did a tremendous job with revitalizing this space. The food and drink were top notch. Aesthetic is dialed. Will be going back!

Excellent and attentive service in a stunning beachfront setting. I had the oysters, fresh grilled fish, and a delicious chocolate tart. It’s definitely on the high end—$160 for one, including a glass of wine and sparkling water.

We had a wonderful time here. The service was great, the view was great, and the food way great. We sat outside and got to watch the sun set while we ate. It was chilly, but they had lots of heat lamps out.

Wow!!! We are so glad our favorite spot has reopened. It is more pretentious and expensive than we wanted, BUT they have done a beautiful job of restoring this fabulous location and restaurant. Hidden at Goleta Beach It is a well-kept secret and gives a real flavor of Goleta, the Good Land.

+6

Nice modern restaurant right by the beach. I really liked the steak sandwich I had for lunch and the ocean view patio is what really makes this place special.

The pasta dish was our favorite but everything was excellent. The service was superb and the view cannot be beat. We were seated right up to the beach for a perfect evening.

I had my rehearsal dinner and after dinner drinks here and it was perfect. It's such a beautiful restaurant and the food is delicious. The staff is very accommodating, especially Lauren who helped us through the process. The family style dinner was more than enough for 16 people -- there was too much food and my mom took some back other hotel! Highly recombined for a meal or a special occasion.

We had a lovely lunch. The food and service were excellent. The view can’t be beat! It was a bit expensive, but will definitely be going back.

Fabulous restaurant with mesmerizing seaside and pier view! Our waiter Eduardo is amazing 🙌🙌

What's not to love about this place. Such a good location. Great atmosphere inside. Upscale. Bartender and staff are very helpful and friendly drinks are good and generous. Food was very good. We have tired the fish and chips and the spicy chicken sandwich. Both were excellent.

Dinner and drinks at The Ellwood is always a great way to spend a weekend here in SB. The building/views are stunning and we’ve had phenomenal dinners here. The drinks are off the charts as well (some favorites are the Sea Foam Darby and the Coastal Caviar). Oysters here are incredibly delicious and well prepared. We have visited for breakfast and lunch as well, we were left a little less than amazed at those meals and just hope they work their way up to the level that dinner is on or provide some more nostalgic, simple options. Overall a great place on this side of SB. Will be back many more times.

What a great hidden gem. The food and service was absolutely amazing. Its very rare for me to five star a location but to be fair, they earned it. I regret not remembering my servers name so I can acknowledge her but all staff was amazing.

Stopped here for drinks and appetizers in the late afternoon. They have a pretty good choice of drinks and appetizers to choose from which were really good. However, the main attraction here is looking out at the beach and the ocean and the sunset which was spectacular. Highly recommend this place. Friendly and helpful staff.

We had an amazing night! Food was amazing and great service. I loved the intimates atmosphere and the fact that light was put down after sunset. Even on the patio there was no wind because was protected by glass that let you admiring the ocean. Maybe there was lightly more noise than expected, but overall was a great experience. I wanted to try this restaurant for some time now and I didn’t get disappointed at all!

What a great location right on the beach! Made for great views along with a beautiful atmosphere; large fireplace outdoors, gorgeous bar area, clean bathrooms. The service was great, they checked on us just enough. A wide variety of foods to choose from on the menu. I did find the menu was more of a sharing menu. Fun drink choices which was perfect since we came here for my daughter's 21st birthday celebration.

The best experience ever before flying out from SBA, bartender Mikey was so friendly and explained the Happy Hours menu which was surprisingly awesome! Definitely will come back to chat with the cool staff! Kudos to the hiring manager, you guys rock!

I went here for my birthdday dinner which happens to be near my Alma Mater! The atmosphere, indoor and outdoor is great! The food was delicious and the service was attentive. We had the clam chowder,cesar salad, roasted salmon, jidori chicken, and NY Strip Steak (with a demi glaze on the side). No complaint in the portions and is comparable to a restaurant in LA of the same price point. We also ordered a few deserts, the pistachio desert was amazing. The Jidori chicken with the flatbread was a pleasant surprise. If you're looking for a nice restaraunt that's directly on the beach but doesnt have the State Street busy bustle and has great food, this restaurant is for you. Pros: - Food, ambiance, happy hour and service. - pretty good wine and cocktail menu - Desert was delicious Cons: - Parking lot is shared with the beach so there's people parking there just for the beach/pier and not necessarily the restaurant. - Booths next to the bar can get crowded during happy hour. Asked for a different table and they easily accommodated our request.

What a delightful dining experience. The interior of the restaurant is sleek and elegant without being pretentious. The staff are courteous, friendly, helpful and very attentive. The menu is well curated and leans toward a more sophisticated palate. Each dish we ordered from the a la carte menu was perfectly balanced, flavorful and delicious. We particularly enjoyed the whole Branzino topped with a zesty and herbaceous chimichurri sauce. And if you are a fan of dessert, don't miss their Butter Cake. Topped with vanilla ice cream, each decadent bite was the stuff dreams are made of.

We had a fantastic lunch at The Ellwood, just minutes from beautiful Goleta Beach. Every dish we tried was delicious, but the Fusilli alla Vodka and Butter Cake were truly exceptional! The pasta was perfectly cooked with a rich, flavorful sauce, and the butter cake was warm, moist, and absolutely unforgettable. We also enjoyed the clam chowder, crab cake and kumamoto oysters — fresh, well-seasoned, and clearly made with care. Huge shoutout to Daisha, our waitress, who gave us wonderful service and great recommendations. She was friendly, attentive, and really made our lunch experience that much better. We’ll definitely be coming back next time we’re in the area. Highly recommend!

This place is a gem. Amazing views from the dining area and the patio. The staff is welcoming as you walk in the door and the servers are kind, knowledgeable and attentive. The food was delicious. We had the oysters, crudo, clam chowder, the short rib pasta, vodka pasta, branzino, and the butter cake for dessert. Visit The Ellwood. You won’t be disappointed.

We walked in as three people, no reservations at 12 noon on a Thursday. There was immediate greeting from staff and were seated near the pier view window table. Amazing service and food was great. Price is more than good. Place filled up quick after that, so after noontime, reservation recommended.

Antonio

What's not to love about this place. Such a good location. Great atmosphere inside. Upscale. Bartender and staff are very helpful and friendly drinks are good and generous. Food was very good. We have tired the fish and chips and the spicy chicken sandwich. Both were excellent.

Gwynna

Dinner and drinks at The Ellwood is always a great way to spend a weekend here in SB. The building/views are stunning and we’ve had phenomenal dinners here. The drinks are off the charts as well (some favorites are the Sea Foam Darby and the Coastal Caviar). Oysters here are incredibly delicious and well prepared. We have visited for breakfast and lunch as well, we were left a little less than amazed at those meals and just hope they work their way up to the level that dinner is on or provide some more nostalgic, simple options. Overall a great place on this side of SB. Will be back many more times.

Mark Goldsmith

Stopped here for drinks and appetizers in the late afternoon. They have a pretty good choice of drinks and appetizers to choose from which were really good. However, the main attraction here is looking out at the beach and the ocean and the sunset which was spectacular. Highly recommend this place. Friendly and helpful staff.

Chiara Grieco

We had an amazing night! Food was amazing and great service. I loved the intimates atmosphere and the fact that light was put down after sunset. Even on the patio there was no wind because was protected by glass that let you admiring the ocean. Maybe there was lightly more noise than expected, but overall was a great experience. I wanted to try this restaurant for some time now and I didn’t get disappointed at all!

Mark V.

What a great hidden gem. The food and service was absolutely amazing. Its very rare for me to five star a location but to be fair, they earned it. I regret not remembering my servers name so I can acknowledge her but all staff was amazing.

Melissa Taft

What a great location right on the beach! Made for great views along with a beautiful atmosphere; large fireplace outdoors, gorgeous bar area, clean bathrooms. The service was great, they checked on us just enough. A wide variety of foods to choose from on the menu. I did find the menu was more of a sharing menu. Fun drink choices which was perfect since we came here for my daughter's 21st birthday celebration.

Stacy Moore

The best experience ever before flying out from SBA, bartender Mikey was so friendly and explained the Happy Hours menu which was surprisingly awesome! Definitely will come back to chat with the cool staff! Kudos to the hiring manager, you guys rock!

Toby Bautista

I went here for my birthdday dinner which happens to be near my Alma Mater! The atmosphere, indoor and outdoor is great! The food was delicious and the service was attentive. We had the clam chowder,cesar salad, roasted salmon, jidori chicken, and NY Strip Steak (with a demi glaze on the side). No complaint in the portions and is comparable to a restaurant in LA of the same price point. We also ordered a few deserts, the pistachio desert was amazing. The Jidori chicken with the flatbread was a pleasant surprise. If you're looking for a nice restaraunt that's directly on the beach but doesnt have the State Street busy bustle and has great food, this restaurant is for you. Pros: - Food, ambiance, happy hour and service. - pretty good wine and cocktail menu - Desert was delicious Cons: - Parking lot is shared with the beach so there's people parking there just for the beach/pier and not necessarily the restaurant. - Booths next to the bar can get crowded during happy hour. Asked for a different table and they easily accommodated our request.

Andrew

What a delightful dining experience. The interior of the restaurant is sleek and elegant without being pretentious. The staff are courteous, friendly, helpful and very attentive. The menu is well curated and leans toward a more sophisticated palate. Each dish we ordered from the a la carte menu was perfectly balanced, flavorful and delicious. We particularly enjoyed the whole Branzino topped with a zesty and herbaceous chimichurri sauce. And if you are a fan of dessert, don't miss their Butter Cake. Topped with vanilla ice cream, each decadent bite was the stuff dreams are made of.

Faro Prestigiacomo

Wow!!! We are so glad our favorite spot has reopened. It is more pretentious and expensive than we wanted, BUT they have done a beautiful job of restoring this fabulous location and restaurant. Hidden at Goleta Beach It is a well-kept secret and gives a real flavor of Goleta, the Good Land.

Eddie Rakoubian

We walked in as three people, no reservations at 12 noon on a Thursday. There was immediate greeting from staff and were seated near the pier view window table. Amazing service and food was great. Price is more than good. Place filled up quick after that, so after noontime, reservation recommended.

Mike Shinn

The pasta dish was our favorite but everything was excellent. The service was superb and the view cannot be beat. We were seated right up to the beach for a perfect evening.

Henry Toquero

We had a fantastic lunch at The Ellwood, just minutes from beautiful Goleta Beach. Every dish we tried was delicious, but the Fusilli alla Vodka and Butter Cake were truly exceptional! The pasta was perfectly cooked with a rich, flavorful sauce, and the butter cake was warm, moist, and absolutely unforgettable. We also enjoyed the clam chowder, crab cake and kumamoto oysters — fresh, well-seasoned, and clearly made with care. Huge shoutout to Daisha, our waitress, who gave us wonderful service and great recommendations. She was friendly, attentive, and really made our lunch experience that much better. We’ll definitely be coming back next time we’re in the area. Highly recommend!

Great ocean views, food flavorful and prepared correctly. Service done well. I would have given an overall 5 stars if the cocktail (Coastal Caviar) I ordered was better. Menu shows it as a martini but a martini it's not.

The food was great and our server was excellent. The only problem was, it took 25 minutes past our reservation to actually be seated. Also the food came out kind of slower than it felt like it should have. Overall , though , my friends and I had a great experience.

While the food was good, it was very expensive for what it was. Additionally, it took a very long time to get food and we spent a lot of time waiting for service after being seated. At the end a 20% mandatory gratuity was forced on the bill (because we had 6 in our party), but at an already expensive place considering the slow service this seemed unjustified.

The best part of this place is the beautiful view of a quiet beach. We went for lunch which was fine. I had fish and chips which was pretty good. Service was slow at times.

Beautiful, new, high-end dining experience set on Goleta Beach. We found the server very kind and the outdoor seating, picturesque. It was cold when we arrived so we had hoped for some hot beverages before our meal. Unfortunately, they did not have hot tea and the coffee was cold and tasted old. After placing our order we waited over 50 minutes for our food to arrive which was longer than we had time for. The meals were pricey for the overall experience, but very pretty location.

For starters, it is finally nice to see the old Beach Side Restaurant back as the Ellwood. Some things that changed may or may not be good for the old local vibe in the past. Locals loved the beach side because it was casual. Fishermen loved to come in for a drink and food. Beach side, even catered to the fisherman by having a food stand at the head of the pier. Unfortunately, they are now classed out. Ellwood seems to take a more classy approach. The food was good, service slow, atmosphere amazing, and the restaurant is beautiful. Side note, UCSB used to have their meetings in the old beach side because it was convenient. It's now too expensive for that to happen.

The place was impeccably clean and the layout was great. They need to really make there happy hour menu a do-over. The portions you get for the prices they charge are out of balance. Give the people what they want. The other thing I feel as a guy is I don't need anyone else to cut my steak before it's served. It lets the juices run out and gets cold fast. Just serve it with a sharp steak knife and let me eat it at my pace.

All the food was delicious. From the oyster to the pork chop, every dish on the menu is an elevated take on your favorite. Expected more from the service but maybe it was an off day

My mom and I enjoyed Sunday brunch out in the patio, August 31, 2025. We watched people swim in the ocean and enjoyed the waves. Our server was friendly and helpful. It was lovely!

I had a decent meal with my family... Of course the view was perfect... Staff was courteous and friendly... However, I was in a rush to get to an appointment and didn't go over my check... When I got home and saw the charge, I was shocked to see a $120.00 charge for 3 Bloody Mary cocktails... That's $40.00 per drink! Of course, I called to clear it up and was told I would receive a correction and credit within a few days, but that never happened... I feel extremely disrespected and completely taken advantage of because we were very kind to the staff... It seems like people who treat others at The Ellwood with respect just get ripped off... I was charged nearly double the cost of 3 entrees for 3 marginal drinks and they dishonored their promise to make a correction for the overcharge... Very Very Disappointing! Lauren is Working it out.... 👍 OK... So, after a few phone calls and a intentional follow-up, Lauren credited the overcharge! All is well that ends well...

We had lunch there for the first time and enjoyed the view. The food was good, but nothing special. We had the burger and fish and chips.

Most of the food here is really good. It is a bit expensive since you're paying for the beautiful views. I highly recommend going during sunset. Our server during our most recent visit seemed new and made the experience a bit less enjoyable. He accidentally overcharged us and forgot about our wine multiple times. It was still an enjoyable evening and luckily we were not in a rush. We were able to put in our kids' food orders with our drinks and their food came pretty quickly so that was good. Not a lot of options for kids and no crayons or things like that, just burgers, chicken tenders, or pasta. There is a mac and cheese side on the adult menu that made for a good meal for our older son. The burrata was really good and the scallops were ok. We spent about $200 for a small dinner since most of the dishes are $50-60 and the wine is about $20 per glass. We won't frequent this place but may pop over again after a playground sesh at Goleta Beach.

We went here for a girls night to enjoy each other's company after awhile. Our reservation was at 7:30 and we were the last reservation for the night due to the weather. We felt bad after overhearing the fact and asked if it was still okay to dine in and the staff was kind and told us it was okay! The food was good but the coconut mocktail was amazing and my highlight of the night! I may recommend going early on a weekday so your not the last party but other than that it is a beautiful place to dine in.

Beautiful location. Very nice servers. Unfortunately, there were several issues with the food that really soured the whole experience. The broccoli was mushy/over cooked, the salad was abundant but overdressed, the steak was cooked perfectly but ruined with a sauce that was not pleasant at all, & the mashed potatoes were so salty they were inedible.

I miss the casual vibe (and prices) of the Beachside Bar-Café (RIP) 😢. That being said, I had a wonderful happy hour experience at the Elwood. From the moment we entered, staff were warm and welcoming. We sat outside at the bar, and it was super chill. The ocean view is lovely as always. The HH menu included several raw bar items (love!), so we tried the 1/2 dozen oysters, hamachi crudo, snow crab claws, and veggies with onion dip. I appreciate that the HH menu isn’t a bunch of deep fried items like so many other places. Hits: -The oysters were fresh and fat, the hamachi was so good we ordered a second round (!), and the veggies were juicy fresh💗. -Presentation was beautiful on all dishes. Misses: -I wouldn’t order the snow crab again. The meat should be sweet and delicate and it was simply tasteless, though the presentation was great. -The veggies only had a tiny dish of onion dip. We had to order a second plate of chips (which we didn’t eat) to get enough onion dip for the veggies. -Should be ice cubes not crushed ice in drinks. Crushed ice waters the drink down. Other: -My espresso martini was good, my partner’s marg was mediocre. -The full menu isn’t offered during the happy hour, so we can’t speak to any of the main dishes. This wasn’t an issue for us, but good to be aware of. -For happy hour, you can only sit at the bar (in or outside) and the back patio by the parking lot. -They did a wonderful job renovating the patio. Through the glass, we watched dolphins swim by just offshore. There is a high, clear patio roof for sun protection and plenty of heaters if it’s chilly.

We were seated inside the main dining room at a small table for two as it was rainy and cold outside. There was a large row of tables for two and they were all tightly grouped together. A little too tight for my taste. Our server removed a lamp we had on our table because there's little room for it when food for two arrives. You also don't get normal sized dinner plates, instead you get something closer to a bread plate because, again, the table just isn't large enough to comfortably accommodate them. The tables are fine for coffee and a muffin, but not for dinner. The atmosphere to me was more like a bustling Italian restaurant, as opposed to the relaxing beach cafe it was. The dining area is a little too congested and it's obvious they're trying to maximize the number of patrons. We ordered the branzino, and it was very good, but was a bit small for two as claimed. The chopped salad was not what I was expecting, but it was excellent. We asked if we could get some bread but the server seemed a bit baffled with this unusual order, so we dropped it. Talking to a manager later, he found a way to deliver. We also ordered a butter cake with gelato desert as our main dish was on the small side. And I would definitely order it again - delicious! Service was quick and attentive, although we had to flag down a server to fill both our empty water glasses. They still have a few bugs to work out, like getting their liquor license, and adjusting the lights up and down a few times while we were eating. You would have thought the details would have been worked out with 2 years of preparations, but they're calling this a soft opening for a reason. The bar area in the back is very nice and has a completely different feel to it. Much more relaxing. The place is pricey, dinner for two ran $120 with no drinks. But I'll come back, especially when they open for lunch and it warms up outside. And I'll ask for a larger table.

Amazing, what a great atmosphere. Food is great. Had the fish and chips. Oysters on the half were really good. Drinks could of used a heavier poor. Specially for 15 bucks. Staff is on point. We even had some good jokes.

Raymond Collins

Most of the food here is really good. It is a bit expensive since you're paying for the beautiful views. I highly recommend going during sunset. Our server during our most recent visit seemed new and made the experience a bit less enjoyable. He accidentally overcharged us and forgot about our wine multiple times. It was still an enjoyable evening and luckily we were not in a rush. We were able to put in our kids' food orders with our drinks and their food came pretty quickly so that was good. Not a lot of options for kids and no crayons or things like that, just burgers, chicken tenders, or pasta. There is a mac and cheese side on the adult menu that made for a good meal for our older son. The burrata was really good and the scallops were ok. We spent about $200 for a small dinner since most of the dishes are $50-60 and the wine is about $20 per glass. We won't frequent this place but may pop over again after a playground sesh at Goleta Beach.

A S L

I miss the casual vibe (and prices) of the Beachside Bar-Café (RIP) 😢. That being said, I had a wonderful happy hour experience at the Elwood. From the moment we entered, staff were warm and welcoming. We sat outside at the bar, and it was super chill. The ocean view is lovely as always. The HH menu included several raw bar items (love!), so we tried the 1/2 dozen oysters, hamachi crudo, snow crab claws, and veggies with onion dip. I appreciate that the HH menu isn’t a bunch of deep fried items like so many other places. Hits: -The oysters were fresh and fat, the hamachi was so good we ordered a second round (!), and the veggies were juicy fresh💗. -Presentation was beautiful on all dishes. Misses: -I wouldn’t order the snow crab again. The meat should be sweet and delicate and it was simply tasteless, though the presentation was great. -The veggies only had a tiny dish of onion dip. We had to order a second plate of chips (which we didn’t eat) to get enough onion dip for the veggies. -Should be ice cubes not crushed ice in drinks. Crushed ice waters the drink down. Other: -My espresso martini was good, my partner’s marg was mediocre. -The full menu isn’t offered during the happy hour, so we can’t speak to any of the main dishes. This wasn’t an issue for us, but good to be aware of. -For happy hour, you can only sit at the bar (in or outside) and the back patio by the parking lot. -They did a wonderful job renovating the patio. Through the glass, we watched dolphins swim by just offshore. There is a high, clear patio roof for sun protection and plenty of heaters if it’s chilly.

Kathy Taylor

Beautiful location. Very nice servers. Unfortunately, there were several issues with the food that really soured the whole experience. The broccoli was mushy/over cooked, the salad was abundant but overdressed, the steak was cooked perfectly but ruined with a sauce that was not pleasant at all, & the mashed potatoes were so salty they were inedible.

Brian Coker

Amazing, what a great atmosphere. Food is great. Had the fish and chips. Oysters on the half were really good. Drinks could of used a heavier poor. Specially for 15 bucks. Staff is on point. We even had some good jokes.

Greg

We were seated inside the main dining room at a small table for two as it was rainy and cold outside. There was a large row of tables for two and they were all tightly grouped together. A little too tight for my taste. Our server removed a lamp we had on our table because there's little room for it when food for two arrives. You also don't get normal sized dinner plates, instead you get something closer to a bread plate because, again, the table just isn't large enough to comfortably accommodate them. The tables are fine for coffee and a muffin, but not for dinner. The atmosphere to me was more like a bustling Italian restaurant, as opposed to the relaxing beach cafe it was. The dining area is a little too congested and it's obvious they're trying to maximize the number of patrons. We ordered the branzino, and it was very good, but was a bit small for two as claimed. The chopped salad was not what I was expecting, but it was excellent. We asked if we could get some bread but the server seemed a bit baffled with this unusual order, so we dropped it. Talking to a manager later, he found a way to deliver. We also ordered a butter cake with gelato desert as our main dish was on the small side. And I would definitely order it again - delicious! Service was quick and attentive, although we had to flag down a server to fill both our empty water glasses. They still have a few bugs to work out, like getting their liquor license, and adjusting the lights up and down a few times while we were eating. You would have thought the details would have been worked out with 2 years of preparations, but they're calling this a soft opening for a reason. The bar area in the back is very nice and has a completely different feel to it. Much more relaxing. The place is pricey, dinner for two ran $120 with no drinks. But I'll come back, especially when they open for lunch and it warms up outside. And I'll ask for a larger table.

Been waiting for a long time for the old Beach side to get rebuilt and newer takes on old favorites. Am interested in construction and am aware of the problems...the build, the site, the permits, the contractors, food licensing, ADT regulations, plumbing, on and on. It is a wonder that this project got approved and finished. So kudos to all involved responsible parties. However,I was disappointed in my experience. The prices were higher than desired, but expected since much money needs to be recouped. No reservations for lunch. I was told the wait was 35-45 minutes. I left and came back at 2pm.........seated right away. Wanted to try some salad and side.Got clam chowder and Caesar Salad. Clam chowder served in a smallish tureen with au gra-teen (as pronounced by server) potatoes at the bottom. The chowder is poured over it...The Caesars salad was good. The chowder was good. Portions were smallish. Cutting the price by 25% would have been more appropriate. Service was ok. First cup of coffee was tepid. Refill at correct temp. Initial plate on table before I sat down had tiny, tiny bits of food still on it. Sent it back. The "house filtered" water was tepid also. Waiter said he lost my ticket, and forget the salad I ordered....ended up paying about $50.tax and tip. Not worth it.....will come back....it is a beautiful space..would really like to enjoy a hearty meal watching a nice sunset experiencing a cool ocean breeze....but will come back when more "standard fare" ( basic steak dinners, more types of fish) is served and prices are commensurate with quality , choices, and prices. Don't want Denny's or IHOP. P.S. The rumor I heard was that the free popcorn that used to be offered at Beach side was going to be retained. Will that be implemented? So final judgement....needs menu tweaking and upgrade in ancillary dining services...will keep watching. Best wishes to all involved in the project.

Firstly we waited 30mins after we were seat to have our order taken, which on a warmer evening would have not been as bothersome. The food came out in a timely manner once ordered. The food was tasty. Portion size was very small. I ordered the crab cake and I got just that a single crab cake. Nothing else on the plate. I went home and had to have a snack. My husband thought his dinner was also very small. Neither dishes were cheap. We ate outside, it was freezing. The heaters were useless as the wind just blew the heat away. The side patio is too exposed. I did request to go inside but they said they could accommodate us. When we were leaving I noticed lots of empty tables on the covered portion of the patio, which was way warmer than the table they sat us at. Our server was very nice, I do wish he had suggested we move into the covered patio. The cold really ruined our dinner. We couldn’t wait to leave. We will definitely go back. We are very happy to have a lovely restaurant in our neighborhood and we wish them great success.

We enjoyed the reopened Elwood. The chicken club and Chinese Chicken Salad with chicken were both very good with decent sized portions. The calamari was overcooked and a real disappointment. Our server was working hard, but they were understaffed at lunch so we had to wait a bit for the check. The interior decor is bright, fresh and very inviting. I would have given this place 4 stars but the appetizer was a resounding clunker. We will return to the Ellwood and give the kitchen another shot at the fourth star.

The Ellwood at Goleta Beach is a newly opened restaurant near the Santa Barbara airport. They offer a diverse menu, from seafood to steaks. I tried their steak, which was decent. The service was great, and I'll definitely be back to try their seafood since the location is so convenient—right next to the beach and just five minutes from the airport.

My friend and I went to Elwood restaurant for dinner 3 months ago and both were disappointed.. This place is Very overpriced and somewhat uninviting. Regarding the menu, some dinner dishes were available only if you buy double portion and share with another person at super high price. Ridiculous! R.M.

The atmosphere is obscenely nice looking, but the breeze on a nice summer day is too much and they don't have quality patio heating. Uhm, blankets? Ok is this a coach flight? They have several people in sport coats hanging around not doing anything at all, and someone who seems like an owner or GM schmoozing it up, while tables going unattended. They need a real bartender at each bar, probably double the wait staff. And they did not seem to have a traditional busser. Long waits in a cold environment for a disjointed concept.

If only the food and service matched the view. We felt forgotten after our initial greeting. The server’s descriptions of the dishes were inaccurate. The $28 crab cake was described as very large and we expected more. The fish of the day was a small unadorned piece of fish. It was supposed to be on a bed of couscous but there were only a couple of grains of couscous in some arugula. The bread was $10. All in all we spent over $200 without drinks and left unsatisfied.

Family went there for brunch early in the week of January 11. Got there when it opened. Service was exceedingly slow (for both the main course and dessert) and another party (the only other people there at the time) ended up taking their food with them after a long wait, Food was good but I gather not worth the cost. Lovely view.

The rock fish tacos were very bland, with all the toppings I expected more flavor, but they were just meh - must use a lot of lemon & salsa that was for the chips. The chips were good, the salsa was very mild. The reason to come here in my opinion is the view.

We were seated quickly in a beautiful setting with ocean views. Service started on a solid note; our server greeted us within about 10 minutes. We let him know we needed to be out in 1 hour and 15 minutes to make a show, and he assured us that would be plenty of time. We ordered everything at once, and both drinks and appetizers arrived promptly and were well executed. Unfortunately, our entrées never arrived. With the clock ticking, we ultimately had to leave to make our show. Based on the number of large parties dining at the same time, the kitchen appeared to be backed up. Management apologized sincerely and comped our drinks and appetizers without hesitation, which we appreciated. Bottom line: the ambiance is lovely and the front-of-house team handled a tough situation professionally. While the pacing breakdown was disappointing, everything we did receive was good, and the manager’s response was exemplary. I’m chalking this up to an off night driven by a kitchen bottleneck during peak demand and plan to give Ellwood another try. Tips for fellow diners: if you’re on a schedule, mention it early, ask for everything to be fired together, and allow a little extra time on busy nights. Overall, 3 out of 5 stars for this visit, with confidence it could be 4+ on a smoother night.

I was so hopeful for this restaurant. I think I speak for all Goletans, we all wanted this place to be awesome. I feel so bad for how many setbacks the restaurant continues to have. This was our third attempt to dine here. The power was out one time and the bathrooms were flooded this time. So sorry for all the problems. We had come for a birthday. We decided on a lunch, because of the better options. The Fish and Chips were a disappointment. There were three small 2 oz. fish filets. The photo shows approximately the size. Maybe 6 oz. of protein and a bunch of chips. My two sons wolfed their plates and needed more food. They decided to add a clam chowder. No complaints there. I chose the tuna melt. I love this sandwich and have literally had them all over town. I've never had one like this. I took a picture of the half I brought home. Very little tuna and no cheese. How can you have a melt without cheese? The marbled rye was the highlight. They sprung for good bread. A side salad with this or fries would improve this meal. Chips were ok. Our service was not great. Our waiter visited us less than the excellent food runner. After lunch, my husband walked up to the bar to get us a drink. All of our glasses were empty and it was 80°. No water, nothing. We were given initial water and nobody ever came back. We waited 25 minutes for our bill and the same amount to order our food. The food came to us pretty fast, so we were happy. A few tweeks to the menu and improvements to protein portions would help. The service can be so easily improved by the waiters. Reception and food runners were awesome 👌 I wish you all the best. Keep trying.

James Dingman

We were seated quickly in a beautiful setting with ocean views. Service started on a solid note; our server greeted us within about 10 minutes. We let him know we needed to be out in 1 hour and 15 minutes to make a show, and he assured us that would be plenty of time. We ordered everything at once, and both drinks and appetizers arrived promptly and were well executed. Unfortunately, our entrées never arrived. With the clock ticking, we ultimately had to leave to make our show. Based on the number of large parties dining at the same time, the kitchen appeared to be backed up. Management apologized sincerely and comped our drinks and appetizers without hesitation, which we appreciated. Bottom line: the ambiance is lovely and the front-of-house team handled a tough situation professionally. While the pacing breakdown was disappointing, everything we did receive was good, and the manager’s response was exemplary. I’m chalking this up to an off night driven by a kitchen bottleneck during peak demand and plan to give Ellwood another try. Tips for fellow diners: if you’re on a schedule, mention it early, ask for everything to be fired together, and allow a little extra time on busy nights. Overall, 3 out of 5 stars for this visit, with confidence it could be 4+ on a smoother night.

We were huge Beachside fan for decades, so we really wanted to make The Ellwood work for us. We have been here 3 times for lunch & dinners in hopes of finding something we'd really enjoy. I think we are going to finally give up on this place. Chips and onion dip: chips are a bit stale and the onion dip was lacking. Short ribs: strange flavor, not my thing I guess. Wings: sauce was different to say the least, $1/wing? Hamburger: should be on the kid's menu. Steak sandwich: steak was good but not enough and didn't work with the Arugula and sauce, perhaps it should be an appetizer. For us simpler folk, I'd recommend bringing back a few Beachside items and adding in a few more options: Hamburgers, grilled cheese, onion rings, bbq wings, and even bring back the Chile Rellenos De Camarones (Beachside Classic). Lastly, as husband and wife, they never let us sit where we want... even with a reservation. The best seats are always reserved for 4 people and those tables remain empty the entire time we are there. The Beachside thrived for more than 30 years by keeping the Locals coming back on a regular basis. When the tourist season ends, and the Locals just can't get with the cuisine, I wonder what will come of The Ellwood.

Beautiful place, nice service. The food is laughably overpriced. Sixty dollars for a 12 oz bronzino? About the same price for a chunk of (overcooked) salmon? The food just doesn't warrant the price. This isn't inventive food, different and interesting food; just the same food you get down the street but for *over* twice as much. How important is the view to you?

A beautiful view of the ocean. A very ordinary menu. We had the fish and chips. Petty much right out of a supermarket frozen package.

Drinks are excellent although on the expensive side. Would benefit from lowering a small amount to draw more locals. We ordered the Cesar salad with shrimp which was unfortunate. Just a touch of dressing with a heavy hand of parmesan and 2 croutons. Mostly a lettuce forward flavor. They charged $15 for the shrimp which they only supplied 3 of. They were named large salads on the menu but were more of an appetizer side but priced as an entree. The clam chowder au gratin was excellent though! Overall, would be a great spot to grab an expensive drink with a nice view but you may be better off going elsewhere if you are looking for some of the better food options SB and Goleta have to offer.

We had a reservation at 5:30, upon being seated by a manager, he asked us if we would be gone by 7 because he has another reservation coming in….what I thought??? That’s how we are greeted!? It then took 1 hour before we were served our soup and salad and another hour before Brussel spouts and fish came out…. The server never came by to tell us why our food was taking so long NOR did he try to make our wait better by offering complementary bread and butter or a few shrimp cocktail that are served cold so no need to cook..I have worked in the restaurant business and this was upsetting. Once we got the food it was tasty but very overpriced. Inside is loud, outside had sun in guests eyes. They have a lot to work on. The busser and water boys are very delightful and charming. But one can only drink so much water while waiting an hour for soup and salad. Not sure if we will return. I’ll take a walk on the beach and pack my own food. At least no one would ask me to leave at a set time… which btw never happened because we were still waiting for our food….disappointing

A lovely dining experience; food was exceptional and the service attentive. Unfortunately, we did find a bug in one of our drinks, and while the issue was eventually resolved, it required us to speak with a manager to have it addressed. I would have anticipated a place with otherwise reigning service to fully understand why this soured our dinner.

The only thing great about this place is the view. The food was mediocre at best. I would expect this quality of food from a food truck, not a full kitchen. The prices are also a bit high, so you are definitely paying for the view, not the food. We should have been warned by the theme of other reviews saying that they are "trying to find their rhythm." Well, at this point, I would have to say they are tone deaf. Their meager menu only offers over a dozen choices and everything we tried was average at best. If you only play a few songs, you had better be able to play them well. They don't. If you want much better food, a much better menu selection at a better price and a better beach, go to the Shoreline Cafe or if you want great food, great menu and similar prices on a better beach, go to Boathouse.

Stopped by for a late (2pm) lunch. Spectacular setting. Right on the water. They've done a superb job at remodeling the old Beachside place. However...the service was slow as was the kitchen and the food (calamari, BLT, al pastor tacos, chardonnay, gelato, sorbet) was mediocre at best. Sadly very disappointing. We won't be back anytime soon.

We value and appreciate good food and a nice atmosphere. The Elwood has both. However, what a shame that the staff was so inattentive on our lunchtime visit. The restaurant was only at about 50% percent capacity, yet we had to wait a good five minutes to be seated by a hostess who didn't offer any apology for the long wait. After a ten-minute wait at the table we flagged her down to ask if any server had been assigned to our table. Our server came, took our order, and we waited another fifteen minutes for the food to be delivered. After the check was delivered, we waited another ten minutes before flagging down the hostess once again to ask if the check was ever going to be picked up. She went inside to get the check yet failed to provide a pen for us to sign the bill. Yes, once again we had to flag her down. When asked if it was just a crazy day for the staff, she didn't seem to sense that we hadn't felt very attended to or valued as customers. She offered a cursory, "I'm sorry you feel that way," and that was how our lunch experience at The Elwood ended. We won't rush back for another lunchtime there.

We went there today to have Sunday Brunch. It was the first time we had been there since the Beachside had closed. Initially, it looked very nice and inviting. We sat at a table by the window that had cushioned seating along side the wall. The first thing we noticed was the small size of the water glasses. I was even more surprised to see that my glass of soda was the same size! Although it wasn’t really busy inside the restaurant, it took a long time for the server to be come and take our order. In fact, we had flies paying more attention to us than our server! While we were waiting, my wife and I, using our napkins, killed four flies that hovered around us and landed on the window!! I think that the old restaurant had ceiling fans that operated. If the new restaurant installed them it would reduce the nuisance of the flies. The other issue was the coffee that my wife and our friend ordered. The first cup of decaf was bitter and cold. A fresh cup was hotter (courtesy of the microwave) but was still extremely bitter. My wife and friend ended up sending it back, and removing it from our bill. My wife’s crab Benedict was cold. My wife prefers her food to be extremely hot. Lastly, the initial taste of the water was good. However, when a waiter refilled my glass, it smelled TERRIBLE!! I guess is that the pitcher was refilled with tap water. Overall, we were very disappointed with our first experience there. However, the issues that I listed can be easily corrected, which will improve the guest experience.

Last night, friends and I went to The Ellwood at Goleta Beach for a celebratory dinner. Unfortunately, the experience fell well short of expectations. We had a 6:15 reservation, yet while waiting at the host stand, the hostess appeared overwhelmed and checked in several parties who arrived after us. Once seated on the patio, we asked to have the heater turned on. After waiting about fifteen minutes with no response, we had to flag down another server for assistance. Our waiter was pleasant when he finally arrived and asked if we preferred flat or sparkling water. We had brought a special bottle of 2012 Taittinger Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs, and we were perfectly comfortable paying the $30 corkage fee. Glasses were brought, the champagne poured, and we even offered our waiter a taste. Shortly after, I noticed one glass had a chip on the rim and requested a replacement—something that should never happen in a restaurant at this level. We soon realized the heater at our table wasn’t working. We asked to move to another table with an overhead heater that was already on. The restaurant was not full, and to their credit, this was handled quickly and easily. After that, service became inconsistent. Our waiter disappeared for an extended period, and it took quite some time before we were able to place our food order. We ordered a mix of side dishes and the New York steak. While the food itself was generally good, the steak was notably small for the price and had an unusually high amount of gristle, which was disappointing given the cost. What made this experience especially unfortunate is that our last visit in late spring or early summer was very positive. This time, however, the combination of disorganized hosting, slow and uneven service, small details being overlooked, and questionable value made for a disappointing evening—particularly for a celebration. I hope this was an off night, but based on this visit, The Ellwood did not deliver the level of hospitality or execution its setting and pricing suggest.

I am writing to share feedback regarding our recent experiences at The Ellwood. This was our third visit as a work group for lunch, and unfortunately, each visit has been disappointing. Given the pricing and upscale positioning of the restaurant, the overall experience does not reflect the value being presented. There appears to be a noticeable disconnect between the service staff and the kitchen, as well as a lack of cohesive team culture. Aside from the welcoming and professional front desk staff, the service overall felt impersonal and unengaged. Service timing has also been a consistent issue. Once seated, the wait time to be served is excessively long. Requests for anything additional at the table require an unreasonable amount of time, and even receiving the check involves a prolonged wait. In fact, the only way to avoid significant delays is to request the check at the same time food is delivered, which is not an acceptable dining experience. Additionally, the quality and presentation of the food did not meet expectations for a restaurant at this price point. The dishes lacked the refinement and elegance one would reasonably anticipate from a high-end establishment. Because of these repeated experiences, we will not be returning in the future. I hope this feedback is helpful as you evaluate opportunities for improvement.

Ron

We value and appreciate good food and a nice atmosphere. The Elwood has both. However, what a shame that the staff was so inattentive on our lunchtime visit. The restaurant was only at about 50% percent capacity, yet we had to wait a good five minutes to be seated by a hostess who didn't offer any apology for the long wait. After a ten-minute wait at the table we flagged her down to ask if any server had been assigned to our table. Our server came, took our order, and we waited another fifteen minutes for the food to be delivered. After the check was delivered, we waited another ten minutes before flagging down the hostess once again to ask if the check was ever going to be picked up. She went inside to get the check yet failed to provide a pen for us to sign the bill. Yes, once again we had to flag her down. When asked if it was just a crazy day for the staff, she didn't seem to sense that we hadn't felt very attended to or valued as customers. She offered a cursory, "I'm sorry you feel that way," and that was how our lunch experience at The Elwood ended. We won't rush back for another lunchtime there.

We waited so long for this place to open... So disappointed. The portions are small the price is exaggerated even for being a nice seaside restaurant. The server had no knowledge of what she was serving and when asked why the salmon was priced $64 (an attempt to find out what was so special about it) her response was, " well, it's cooked nicely and comes with no sides...." Having worked in the restaurant business and fine dining for 25 years of working in fine dining, I am speechless. What a waste of a beautiful location

$77.00 for 3 beers and 2 appetizers - during Happy Hour. Stopped by here yesterday. Way too expensive. This place was much better as Beachside Cafe when it had local character and prices that didn't cost a 2nd on your home. The server even picked up our menus without asking if we wanted to order any food. Guess I should have taken the hint.

Caesar Salad was terrible and horrendously overpriced. Charging an extra 10 dollars for the a few slivers of store bought chicken is criminal. The pieces of lettuce and the croutons were so big that I can't even eat them and one bite. I wasn't given enough dressing and it didn't even have the authentic Caesar salad taste. 26 dollars is absolutely ridiculous for a chicken Caesar salad that I can from Costco that tastes better and is much more abundantly portioned. The butter cake was amazing.

With so many great choices in the are for high end dining the Ellwood has missed the mark by a country mile. Sure it's on the beach and the view is nice but for the price the food should be high quality and memorable. We found it to be just average and poorly flavored. They are trying to do a little bit of everything with the menu and it's not done very well.

Just had lunch there 9/4/2025 . Seemed semi busy, Got seated right away , got water right away . Them it went down hill from there . Saw multiple servers around our table , no eye contact. After 10 to 12 minutes someone FINALLY took our order. The best servers were not the servers themselves but the bus staff those guys were great. Had to go through them to get the check . If you want good service think again . We won’t be going again . And word of mouth goes a long way .

Food lukewarm, undercooked, no ice in water, waited nearly 30 mins. (Even though there were only 4-5 couples in restaurant) to get a “coke” which was mixed on site snd did not taste like a coke— overly expnsive… won’t be back … miss the “Beachside”

We weren’t greeted at our table for about 10 minutes. When the server finally came over, he looked confused and asked what we were doing there, which was a terrible way to start a meal. At one point we even saw a dog get water before we did… The server honestly seemed like he was doing his best but was clearly overworked, even though there were tons of staff around and he was the only person actually doing any work. Food was very basic for the price. Spare ribs were dry. They charge $15 for pitta chips and cheese dip. A manager (I’m assuming, bald man in thick glasses and suit) walked past our table after we’d finished our food, drinks, and water, clearly saw we were done, and kept going, then stood around at the bar for a few minutes. He went to greet another table and chatted with them, while our plates were never cleared. He walked past us again and ignored us, then went back to the bar joking with the server. I had to finally get up, walk to him and ask for the check, when I noticed his horrible bad breath. On top of that, a chef was wandering around the dining area getting in people’s way without helping, and lingering by the bar watching the women there, which felt unprofessional and uncomfortable. Overall feels like a soulless establishment owned by a LA hospitality group, which is exactly what it is.