Small local wine bar and vegetarian restaurant. Serves all fresh farmers market based food. Focuses on local and natural wines. Has many vegan options and others that could possibly be made vegan. Offers a seasonal selection of farm-fresh vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options. NOTE: Over-the-counter ordering 7 days/week as well as 7 day evening delivery for all orders in before 5pm. Orders go out at 5:30pm. Open Mon-Sat 12:00pm-8:00pm, Sun 12:00pm-5:00pm. NOTE: Open 5pm-10pm every first Monday.
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1117 State St, Santa Barbara, California, USA, 93101
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- Wheelchair accessible
- Accepts credit cards
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Last update on 03 Dec 2020 by satellitesb
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28 Reviews
First Review by LawrenceG
DominicHowell
Points +73
Great Food - Edit
The food here is amazing, really tasty made with fresh local produce, lots of veggies. They have a diverse menu with a lot of vegan options. Lovely atmosphere and vibe to the place too.
Read moreGuest
underconsume
Points +16
Mostly vegan!!! - Edit
This place uses incredibly fresh ingredients from the local farmers market, the menu is 95% vegan with the exception of only two menu items last week checked yesterday. Service was amazing. Check them out! Tell them to stop carrying cheese like I did. 
Read moreGuest
MNTucson
Points +100
I’d give it 1 star - bland, food had hair in it - Edit
Happy Cow won’t let you give a veggie restaurant 1 star, which is stupid and misleading in the reviews. I travel most weeks and all over the world. I always try to have at least one dinner in a vegan or vegetarian restaurant. This was a bland, uninspired restaurant that gives vegan food a bad name. The Vegan mac was a nutritional yeast sauce with faaaaaar too much yeast and no other taste. Vegan mac can be amazing- this was not. Mine also came with the addition of a big black hair in the sauce - disgusting. The gigante beans we actually just lima beans in broth with a little bad pesto. Extremely bland. Beans need acid and salt and this had neither.
Read moreAgain, just sad food with an added dash of hair
Pros: The wine was fine
Cons: Hair in food, Bland, Uninspired
Guest
alienvegan
Points +4972
Really good - Edit
This is a restaurant that is also a brewery - lots to choose from and very tasty.
Read moreGuest
alidawn22
Points +37
One of the best vegan spots in Santa Barbara - Edit
This food is amazing. The chef sources most of the ingredients from the local farmer’s market. So, if you like local, fresh food, Satellite is for you. I read some other reviews saying it was a bit pricey, but it is well worth it. This food has love in it and is very high prana.
Read moreAlso, great people and ambiance. There is nothing bad to say about it. Love Satellite!
Pros: The Focaccia is 🔥, The Gigantes are amazing, love the Yoga Pants
Cons: Hard to get a table on Thursdays bc a rad band pla
Guest
ScottCline
Points +3156
Yummy yummy vegan Mac-n-cheez! - Edit
I can only base this review on their vegan mac-n-cheez but it was very, very good. It was creamy and delicious. I recommend it.
Read morePros: Lots of options , Friendly staff
Cons: Street parking only- on a pedestrian only street.
Guest
vegan_mouse
Points +1455
Made with care! - Edit
My favorite thing about the dishes I tried here was the attention to detail. It was definitely a treat and their presentation makes it worth the price! The only downside was the amount of vegan options felt minimal, but it is a small menu overall and I'm glad that they offer some vegan options at least!
Read moreGuest
CharlesDugan
Points +83
(Formerly) Some Very Tasty Vegan Options - Edit
Summer 2022, I returned to Satellite for the first time since eating at the "Friendsgiving" special during the Thanksgiving season of 2020, which was my only previous experience since the Lockdown began. During the Lockdown the number of vegan options was very low, until summer.
Read morePrior to the Lockdown I ate at Satellite a number of times. The food was usually very good tasting, but the portions were small and it was expensive. Their Jackfruit tacos (even better, though a lot more expensive, than those at the now defunct VeganGreenGo) were amazing, but they were dropped from the menu before the Lockdown.
On my recent visit I tried the "Eggplant Toast", and the "Filet de Hongo" - both of which looked very good on their website. The topping on the Eggplant Toast was very good - unfortunately, the toast was VERY HARD, it was very difficult to eat. I hope that this was an unusual case, and not normal for this dish, as I would really like it if the bread was not so hard. I would like it even better if I was able to order the topping on potatoes or some other base, rather than the (white) bread toast.
The Filet de Hongo tasted very good. However, I was looking forward to the horseradish in the potatoes. Although the dish tasted very good, I could not taste the horseradish - for my taste it could use a lot more horseradish. The portion size was very small for the price.
One other criticism that applies to EVERY Santa Barbara vegan restaurant, is that they all serve only white flour bread for various dishes that use bread (including buns, rolls, flatbreads etc.). I would really prefer whole grain breads.
I will return to try some of their other recent vegan additions to their menu.
Also, my three star rating was mainly because I will generally not rate any non-vegan vegetarian restaurant more than 3 stars (and I do not patronize restaurants that are not at least vegetarian).
Update(12/27/22): I returned to satellite a few months ago - and unfortunately it was disappointing. It is the most expensive vegan/vegetarian restaurant in SB (which is saying a lot as SB vegan/vegetarian restaurants tend towards being very expensive). The food was simultaneously very bland - and EXTREMELY oily. The soup was swimming in oil, and so was the Filet de Hongo (which had previously been my favorite dish) which was also more bland (with less flowers) than in the past. Additionally, the oil was not even a high quality olive oil - but a bland tasteless (olive?) oil.
Updated from previous review on 2023-01-09
Pros: Not much anymore
Cons: Not vegan, Expensive, White Flour Bread and too much bland oil
Guest
AdityaDhulipala
Points +23
“If 🎶you’re going to Santa Barbara🎶be sure to savor some flowers for flavor🎶” - Edit
(The title is a ref to that hippie SF song by Scott McKenzie) Santa Barbara is a land unique unto itself. Distinctly Californian yet remarkably nothing like anything to its northern or southern neighbors. Satellite embodies that unique spirit with their vegan tacos, and this wholesome quinoa and lentil stew that is topped off with fresh cilantro. My friends got some other dishes. We all got some drinks too. Everything has flower petals in there. Unique!
Read moreGuest
RaymondWalker
Points +16
Great ambiance - Edit
Salads were large and tasty! Fresh baked choc chip cookies were awesome. Loved the live band.
Read moreGuest
MaryDenholm
Points +329
Tasty but SMALL portions - Edit
Sorry I just can’t give 5 stars to a place where an entree is more a shareable appetizer size. For the price the portions should be larger. I have loved everything each time I’ve gone but need more food! Yoga pants salad is great for lunch.
Read morePros: Delicious , Lots of vegan options
Cons: Small portions for price
Guest
tonyakay
Points +3496
Great spot especially for wine lovers - Edit
I didn’t have a glass but I do have a taste for wine and I think you’d love this place if you like a nice veg wine bar with lots of v options. I did have the local booch, the soup of the day and olives. Everything was excellent and served with attention to detail like flowers in plating and printed pages as plate decor. Not cheap.
Read moreGuest
skeralum
Points +18
Tasty entree's - Edit
Had the Baes bowl and Cauliflower Curry Couscous. Excellent. Wine was fantastic but not cheap.
Read moreGuest
VeganCookieLover
Points +3008
Creative dishes, too oily - Edit
The vegan menu items are interesting, inviting and creative. They are also beautifully plated with little edible flowers. Unfortunately, there is so much oil in the food it drowns it of its natural flavors. We had the focaccia, winter squashes, curried cauliflower couscous and seared broccolini. When my sweetie left, the first thing he said was “disappointing.” That sums up our experience.
Read morePros: Imaginative vegan dishes , Beautifully plated food
Cons: Way too oily , Needs more heating lamps , Pay counter 1st so 2 much hassle 2 refundoilyfood
Guest
vickerbasket
Points +1253
Refreshing and Filling - Edit
Came here on a Wednesday for lunch. They have plenty of seating in their outdoor patio that extends on the street itself. You order at the counter and find a seat.
Read moreWe ordered their miso cabbage, yoga pants salad, filet de hongo, the daily soup (coconut cream, celery, fenugreek, sweet potato), brussels spouts. The miso cabbage was nicely charred with a ginger and miso dressing, quite satisfying. The yoga pants salad was citrusy, with beets, but maybe a tad overdressed. The filet de hongo consisted of shitake mushrooms on a bed of polenta and did give us the feeling of eating a filet of something. The soup was pretty good, not overly coconut-flavored, but could've been a bit warmer. I forget what the brussels sprouts were on a base of, but it was pretty satisfying.
Overall, I think it has a nice ambiance on State St. I would come back for a light lunch. Service was also pretty fast.
Pros: light but filling, miso cabbage, outdoor seating
Cons: salad was slightly overdressed
Guest
EPvegan
Points +106
Try the Yoga Pants Salad - Edit
The Yoga Pants Salad included a fresh mix of greens, fruit, and veggies - all in a lightly seasoned dressing.
Read morePros: Good variety of vegan dishes
Cons: Dishes come out of the kitchen at different times., You may get your dish after others are finished
Guest
S...c..
Points +46
Delicious! - Edit
Delicious vegan food! Small menu selection but everything we ordered was incredibly tasty, creative, unique, and delicious.
Read moreGuest
AlwaysForAnimals
Points +270
Fabulous salad!! - Edit
Happy waiters, good food. Definitely try the yoga salad.
Read morePros: Some great vegan options available
Guest
ParsleySage
Points +16
A 5 star experience! Each dish unique, beautiful, and tasteful — full of taste! - Edit
Each dish—we had 3– was unique, beautiful, and tasteful, ie full of taste. Imagine a salad deepening in taste over time. It happened. Herbed Baked Tomatoes over Shitake bread makes me salivate to remember. And so it goes. Wine too. Enjoy
Read morePros: Whole food plant based, Delicious , Taste deepened
Cons: None Ivan think of
Guest
WillSzo
Points +84
Yoga Pants Salad - Edit
Every vegan dish I’ve eaten here is fresh and delicious and beautifully plated! In the mood for a healthy salad? Order the yoga pants salad made with fresh seasonal farmers market veggies! You will not be disappointed!
Read moreGuest
ksmedley
Points +38
Unreliable - Edit
We drove up to Santa Barbara just to eat here. Unfortunately it wasn’t open at 11 on a Saturday like it said it did online and on happy cow. We walked by a few more times - didn’t open until at least 90 minutes after listed open time. Bummer.
Read moresatellitesb
Hey there, So sorry to hear we weren't open for you. We changed our hours in September to open at noon each day and after changing those hours on all the other platforms I totally forgot about happy cow! Apologies for that. I sure hope you'll drop in on us again and give us a shot. Looking forward to it!
Read moreGuest
vegbenzboy
Points +242
Flavorlicious !!! - Edit
Had three outstanding dishes. Started off with the Smoked Shrooms packed with flavor and the Yoga Pants salad two delicious items to share. Followed by the Vegan Tacos topped off with the Crazy Cake. Service was outstanding & friendly. Looking forward to coming back and tasting more of the vegan dishes.
Read morePros: Outdoor Seating, Pricing, Vegan Selections
satellitesb
Thanks so much for the kind words!! Great to have you :)
Read moreGuest
Csnyder
Points +36
Great Wine Bar With Veggie Food - Edit
Went here on vacation. The owner is super nice, he offered us tastings of a few of the wines & the food is yummy. We had the Vegan Shiitake Mushroom Tacos ; they were delicious . We got the Vegan Crazy Cake which was also fantastic . I would definitely go back the next time I’m in S.B.
Read moresatellitesb
I'm so happy you had a good time!! It was a delight to host you. Thanks for coming by!!
Read moreGuest
elisacuddy
Points +16
Magical - Edit
Beyond delicious! The Sexy Toast is an absolute must. The Yoga Pants salad is my go-to taste explosion. Don’t miss this beautiful, magical spot when in Santa Barbara!
Read morePros: Great ambiance , Low manipulation, organic, biodynamic wines, Cool vibe with a patio
satellitesb
Thanks so much for the sweet words!! You are always the brightest and most wonderful guest?Thank you for the love!
Read moreGuest
Liz_zie
Points +72
Must eat at this place! - Edit
This place is an absolute must if you are in Santa Barbara. I believe it is only 1 of 2 vegan/vegetarian places in SB. It is a tapas style restaurant with really fresh and delicious food. If you go here you need to try the tacos! The staff here are really friendly and helpful too! If I'm ever back in SB I would absolutely make this my first food stop.
Read morePros: Fresh, healthy , lots of vegan options, great atmosphere and decor
satellitesb
Thank you so much for the review! You rock. Thank you x 1,000,000
Read moreGuest
manonthemove
Points +42
Unique dishes, amazing presentation. - Edit
Friendly service and lots of choices. Try the Shrub drink!
Read moresatellitesb
Thank you!! We love the shrub too!
Read moreGuest
mmmichael
Points +46
Superb - Edit
This is a real gem. They offer first rate vegan and vegetarian food with a carefully curated wine and beer list filled with natural choices from around the world. Very impressive. Having eaten at countless vegan places, this one has food that is passionately prepared and each ingredient is considered. The soup of the day was a delicate broth with exotic mushrooms, potatoes and herbs. The pizza was incredible and the bread they serve is mainly from Oat Bakery. It’s a comfortable place to hang and feels like an oasis in the city.
Read morePros: Creative and unusual offerings, Friendly and knowledgeable staff, Intimate and comfortable atmosphere
satellitesb
Thanks so much for the note! We sure love OAT Bakery too!! Can't wait to have you back :)
Read moreGuest
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