Best Coffee Shops in Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara is a fantastic vacation spot, no matter what’s on your itinerary! Located in California wine country, there’s ample opportunity to visit a Santa Barbara winery or tasting room, as well as explore other local activities like whale watching. Its beaches are one of the biggest draws to the area, with outstanding oceanfront dining, water sports, and gorgeous spaces to lie out and enjoy the sun.

With so much to do in Santa Barbara, you’ll need to be sure you’re properly caffeinated. Even if all the activities you’re exploring are exciting and fun, it’s natural to require some coffee in the morning to get a nice jolt to start the day!

Coffee lovers will know the struggle to find good coffee while traveling. You don’t want to settle for an average cup of joe—you want some high-quality caffeine that will fuel you through the day! As caffeine enthusiasts ourselves, we understand where you’re at, so we put together a list of the best coffee shops in Santa Barbara for you to reference! Now you won’t have to worry about digging through pages of Google results: we have it all right here.

Read on to discover the best coffee shops in Santa Barbara!

Dune

• Location: 528 Anacapa St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
• Hours: Mon–Sat: 6 AM – 5 PM; Sun: 7 AM – 5 PM
  
• Website

Founded in 2009, Dune Coffee Roasters has become a staple here in Santa Barbara. They opened their first full-scale roastery in 2012 and have expanded to four locations as of 2025. We can’t get enough of their delicious locally-roasted coffee beans, and you won’t be able to either! Their Anacapa location is right next to the farmer’s market (held every Tuesday and Saturday), so you can make a whole day of it!

Handlebar

• Location: 128 E Canon Perdido St & 2720 De La Vina St, Santa Barbara, CA
• Hours: Daily, 6:30 AM – 5 PM (varies slightly by location)
• Website 

Handlebar is owned by two professional cyclists aiming to bring their love of community and biking to a café space—and we’d say they’re nailing it. You can try freshly roasted beans here (they roast thrice weekly) and delectable pastries. Plus, many of the clientele are bikers, so you’ll hear some fun stories while you’re there. Hey, maybe you’ll get inspired to give cycling a spin!

Caffe Luxe

• Location: 1028 Coast Village Rd Ste A, Montecito, CA 93108
• Hours: Daily, 7 AM – 4 PM
• Website 

Caffe Luxe is dedicated to serving you only the best quality artisanal coffee. Everything they serve is sourced with discipline, meaning they travel to the places where their beans are grown and know exactly where their coffee comes from. You’ll taste the difference when you indulge in a cup here—their philosophy is “unparalleled quality you can taste” for a reason.

Dart

• Location: 121 E Yanonali St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
• Hours: Mon–Thurs: 7 AM – 4 PM; Fri–Sun: 7 AM – 5 PM
• Website

When you grab a cup of coffee at Dart, you’re supporting a small business set on serving ethical, craft-roasted coffee. They donate a percentage of every bean sold to the Yanonali Street Artist Fund, helping sustain Santa Barbara’s diverse art districts. So you’re not only drinking fantastic coffee, but also supporting a great cause!

Lighthouse

• Location: 1819 Cliff Dr Suite C, Santa Barbara, CA 93109 
• Hours: Daily 6 AM–4 PM 
• Website

Lighthouse Coffee opened in 2018 and has been a local favorite ever since. They roast in their Haley Street shop, so you’ll enjoy super fresh coffee. You can also grab food here if you’re feeling peckish. We recommend the lox bagel, but everything on the menu is fantastic!

Santa Barbara Coffee Roasters (RoCo)

• Location: 321 Motor Way, Santa Barbara, CA 93101 
• Hours: Monday–Saturday: 6:30 AM–6:00 PM; Sunday: 7:00 AM–6:00 PM 
• Website

Affectionately referred to as RoCo by locals, Santa Barbara Roasting Company has been serving outstanding cups of coffee in Santa Barbara since 1989, so it’s a local institution. They offer over 70 varieties of coffee, and every one we’ve tried so far has been a hit.

FAQs About the Best Coffee Shops in Santa Barbara

Q: Which Santa Barbara cafés roast their own beans?

A: Santa Barbara Coffee Roasters (RoCo), Dune Coffee Roasters, Dart Coffee Co., and Handlebar all roast in-house. These spots are perfect for coffee lovers who appreciate fresh, locally roasted beans.

Q: Are there coffee shops in Santa Barbara that have outdoor seating?

A: Yes! Dart Coffee has a spacious garden patio, Lighthouse Coffee has outdoor tables near the Mesa, and Dune and Handlebar both offer sidewalk seating. These spots are great for enjoying the sunshine with your cup.

Q: What’s the best area to explore Santa Barbara’s coffee scene?

A: The Funk Zone is a fun starting point; it’s walkable and has Dart and Dune nearby. Downtown Santa Barbara also has Handlebar and Dune locations, while Montecito offers Caffé Luxxe for a more upscale vibe.

Q: Do local coffee shops in Santa Barbara offer food or pastries?

A: Most of them do! You’ll find fresh pastries, breakfast burritos, empanadas, and even gluten-free options at various spots. Dart and Handlebar are especially known for their tasty baked goods. Try a chocolate croissant or cinnamon bun from Handlebar—you won’t be disappointed!

Q: Are any Santa Barbara coffee shops dog-friendly?

A: Definitely. Dart Coffee Co. is a favorite for dog lovers, with a roomy outdoor patio. Most places with outdoor seating are dog-friendly, especially in the Funk Zone and along State Street.

Book Your Santa Barbara Stay Directly with Wanderlust Vacation Rentals!

Yum! Now that you know all the best places to jump-start your day with a nice caffeine boost, you’ll be ready to take on all the activities on your Santa Barbara itinerary. At the end of a long day, you’ll of course want to return to the best Santa Barbara vacation rentals around—and that’s where we come in!

Wanderlust Vacation Rentals has the best vacation rental properties in Santa Barbara, Montecito, Carpinteria, and Summerland. We have exclusive collections like The Paraiso Collection in our catalog, as well as other amenities like rentals with private pools, pet-friendly properties, and oceanfront vacation rentals. No matter what you’re looking for, we’re confident you’ll find the ideal fit within our extensive collection of vacation rentals in and around Santa Barbara.

Ready to book your trip? How exciting! There’s no better time than now to browse our available Santa Barbara vacation rentals and book your trip here directly with Wanderlust Vacation Rentals! Booking your trip directly gives you access to our helpful team so you can have an insider’s view on Santa Barbara, and you’ll avoid third-party fees that come along with booking an Airbnb or VRBO. Choose local when you choose Wanderlust!