Arnoldi's Cafe

One of my favorite places to dine! Gorgeous patio with incredible ambiance. Perfect spot to dine with kids where they are welcome without feeling like you are at a kiddie restaurant. I recently hosted a large party with guests who had kids as well- everyone was at ease. Planning was easy, and Sara (I think ) was super responsive for minor details prior to my party. She even checked in during to make sure everything was as expected. Thankful they are current with the times and had an amazing mocktail menu rather than the options being juice or soda! My other guests enjoyed this as well. Not drinking doesn't mean you can't be festive! Thank you Arnoldi's for recognizing that. Amazing food, amazing drinks, and perfect setting. Can't wait to host there again!

We had a great time at Arnoldi’s! I went with the lasagna, and it was everything you want in comfort food—rich, hearty, and the sauce is such a highlight. My girlfriend tried the chicken parmesan, and it was spot on, with a crispy crust and just the right amount of sauce and cheese. The cozy, old-school vibe made the meal even better, taking us back to what feels like a slice of Santa Barbara history. The staff was friendly and made sure we were well taken care of. So glad this place is back—can’t wait to visit again!

Arnoldi’s is back and it was great. From our seat inside, the patio looked beautiful with all the white lights and very relaxing. Our server, Ruben, was very friendly and very good. Our food was excellent, with large portions, so come hungry, as we had enough leftovers to home for another meal. We started with Calamari Fritti, with a very good spicy tomato sauce. Scaloppine Al Marsala (veal), Ravioli Di Carne in a Bolognese sauce, Penne Al Pomodoro, and Fettuccini Alfredo with chicken. We had Tiramisu Al Caffe for desert. This is excellent Italian food. If you are in Santa Barbara and want excellent Italian, Arnoldi’s is the place to go.

We had our wedding rehearsal dinner at Arnoldi's and it was amazing! They had been closed for a few months, so our event was the first night that they were going to be opening back up. Sara was on site to ensure that everything ran smoothly, and Guillermo (our designated server) was so kind and so on top of everything. They had a big name chef in town who was helping refine the menu and the food was so good! We ordered Bruschetta, Fried calamari, Spring salad, Penne Pomodoro, Gnocchi with pesto and the Tuscan Chicken which was a big hit! I'm dairy free so I stuck with a Penne Pomodoro and it was so yummy and so smooth - I even took some to go. Overall, it was a great dinner, great service, and great night! I would highly recommend having your private dinner or event here. They supply the chairs and tables so all we had to bring was decor. We had 35 people in our group and everyone was very pleased with Arnoldi's.

A photograph of the tri-color gnocci, juxtaposing the the past with the present, offers a story more eloquent than words ever could. In the grand tapestry of dining experiences, there are certain moments that irrevocably alter our perception of a beloved establishment. The ethereal magic that once enveloped Arnoldi's—much like the innocence of childhood or the fleeting exuberance of graduation day—seems to have dimmed, leaving in its wake a somber shadow of its former self. Let's start with the good. The character of Arnoldi's remains unchanged. I returned with a small group of people some of whom have never been here before. The open backyard and bocce court, the lights, the music drew us in...like moths to a flame. For a fleeting moment, I allowed myself to believe that Arnoldi's was back. But that thought quickly disappeared leaving me to wonder whether I will ever come back here again. The ordeal that followed was a study in patience—albeit one I did not volunteer for. In total we waited 1 hour 47 minutes for our food. 40 minutes was us sitting in an anticipatory limbo waiting for our server to arrive. 1 hour and 7 minutes was lost waiting for entrees. We got our cocktails pretty quickly, and our server brought our appetizer 35 minutes into the wait, but he brought it to the wrong table--a mistake that went unaddressed for another 25 minutes. Despite the long wait, I had a hope at the back of my mind that the food will redeem itself. As the plates arrived, so too did the realization that Arnoldi’s culinary magic had all but vanished. The new cacio e pepe was super diluted. The remaining dishes, though passable, were marred by a sense of melancholy, as if they, too, mourned the loss of their previous glory. To add insult to injury, prices went up 20% across the board while the food quantity shrunk by half--a discrepancy that was as disheartening as it was perplexing. It is only fair to commend the staff, who, despite the chaos, were unfailingly courteous and apologetic. They confided that the new owner had rushed the reopening, despite being woefully under prepared in terms of staffing. One can only hope that these concerns are heeded.

When the door of this restaurant open, anyone can feel the hearts of many generations sharing their culinary heritage. By reading through the restaurant menu. The dishes are well crafted and delicious prepared. By walking through the restaurant people can find many photos with memories from the past. The walls show the history, of many beautiful friendship over the years of their owners life. As well discovered that in the back is a beautiful patio under the sky. Very grateful to be able to experience this amazing restaurant and their cuisine. Thank you to everyone.

Quaint charming cozy Italian restaurant off the beaten path but close to downtown. They even have complimentary valet! Otherwise it’s street parking. Great Italian food at reasonable prices and attentive, friendly service. We have been here twice in the past month. Both times- excellent. Ordered salmon & peas pasta dish once and butternut squash ravioli dish the other time. My spouse ordered the chicken parm. All delicious and generous portions. Glad this place has reopened- it’s even better than before.

Unique and authentic taste. Ordered Veg Lasagna and Rotolo di Ricotta.