Convivo

4.7 (2454)

$31 to $50

Italian

901 E Cabrillo Blvd, Santa Barbara, CA 93103

Make a booking

Convivo

4.7

$31 to $50

Italian

Santa Barbara

Make a booking

2 people

23 Oct 2026

19:30

Booked 27 times today

Experiences are available.

About this restaurant

Great for outdoor dining
Great for scenic views
Good for special occasions

Convivo is a Santa Barbara restaurant and bar with an Italian soul. Chef-Owner Peter McNee's food is best described as ‘Nomad Italian.’ It strays from the standard or traditional Italian, sourcing inspiration from many other cultures’ cooking but its soul is thoroughly Italian. The ever-changing menu includes small plates, housemade pasta, wood-fired pizza, rotisserie chicken, fresh seafood and steaks served family-style. McNee’s all-star supplier network provides the freshest produce and local seafood the region is famous for. Convivo features a bright dining room and bar along with two expansive heated patios across from Santa Barbara's East Beach with views of the Pacific.

Inspired by the bounty of the sea, the lush farms and abundant vineyards nearby coupled with the cooking methods of Italy, Convivo is a festive gathering place for locals and visitors alike inside the newly-restored Santa Barbara Inn.

Dining areas

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
Italian, Contemporary Italian, Mediterranean
Hours of Operation
Breakfast Mon–Fri 07:00–11:00 Sat, Sun 07:00–10:00 Brunch Mon–Fri 11:00–13:30 Sat, Sun 10:00–13:30 Dinner Mon–Thu, Sun 13:45–20:30 Fri, Sat 13:45–21:00 Happy Hour Mon–Fri 14:00–17:00
Phone number
(805) 845-6789
Website
http://www.convivorestaurant.com/
Payment Options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress Code
Smart Casual
Executive Chef
Peter McNee
Private party facilities
We offer indoor and outdoor private event spaces that can host 14-90 people.
Delivery & takeout
Order direct

Location
901 E Cabrillo Blvd, Santa Barbara, CA 93103
Area
Santa Barbara
Cross Street
Milpas Street
Parking Details
Additional street and private lot available.
Additional
Dog Friendly, Gluten-free Options, Outdoor Firepit, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Vegan

Experiences

Christmas Feast
1 - 6 people
25 Dec 2026 only
Convivo offers a three-course menu for $125 per person or a four-course menu for $150 on Christmas Day from 3 pm–9 pm (price does not include tax and gratuity). You can view our full Christmas Feast menu on our website. We look forward to celebrating with you.
Thanksgiving Feast
1 - 6 people
26 Nov 2026 only
Convivo offers a 3 course menu for $115 per person or a 4 course menu for $140 on Thanksgiving Day from 12pm - 9pm (price does not include tax and gratuity). You can view our full Thanksgiving menu on our website. We look forward to hosting you soon!

Concierge
AI Beta

Our AI assistant, Concierge, is here to answer your questions about this restaurant.

Coxinhas US$15.00
crispy fried chicken & fontina crocchete, pimenton aioli
Lamb MeatballsUS$16.00
chickpea, pomegranates, tapenade
Chicken LiverUS$15.00
crostone, strawberry, celery, pickled red Fresno, hazelnuts (nuts)
Beef Carpaccio US$19.00
shallot, grated horseradish, fried caper, creamy bagna cauda (gluten free)
GamberoniUS$23.00
roasted prawns, garlic, broccoli di ciccio, ceci fritti, muhammara (gluten free, nuts)
OctopusUS$22.00
pork belly, poached egg, radish, frisée (gluten free)
Pesce CrudoUS$22.00
raw ahi tuna, citrus, sesame cracker, avocado, mustard seed

AGRICOLA

SALADS & VEGETABLES

Insalata MercatoUS$17.00
SB market & Parmigiano salad (vegetarian, gluten free)
Gem lettuceUS$17.00
lemon anchovy dressing, dino kale, crostini, Manchego (vegetarian)
Charcoal AvocadoUS$18.00
ponzu, strawberry, pomegranates, citrus, radicchio (vegan, gluten free)
Oak grilled AsparagusUS$16.00
lemon mascarpone, citrus, hazelnuts, chimichurri (vegetarian, gluten free, nuts)
CarrotsUS$14.00
baba ganoush, saffron cauliflower, dukka, golden raisins (vegan, gluten free, nuts)
Crispy yellow PotatoesUS$14.00
za’atar, sauce romesco & lemon tahini (vegan, gluten free, nuts)
BrusselsUS$16.00
herbed tehina, chicken skin scratchings, Aleppo chile (gluten free)

FORNO

WOOD OVEN PIZZA & FLATBREAD

Za’atar flatbreadUS$12.00
accompaniments (vegetarian)
MargheritaUS$21.00
fresh mozzarella, tomato, basil, sea salt (vegetarian)
Jamón SerranoUS$25.00
asparagus, gorgonzola, rosemary, caramelized onion, brussels
FunghiUS$23.00
shiitake & oyster mushrooms, fontina, artichokes, sweet onions (vegetarian)
Chorizo SausageUS$23.00
dino kale, red onion, castelvetrano olive, mozzarella
Spicy Soppressata SalameUS$23.00
tomato, mozzarella, arugula
AddUS$2.50
arugula, castelvetrano olive, red onion, anchovy or egg
- crispy Jamón SerranoUS$6.00
- shiitake & oyster mushroomsUS$5.00

GRANO

HOUSE MADE PASTA

Frutti di MareUS$30.00
spaghetti, mixed shellfish, lemon garlic butter, zucchini, bottarga
Lamb Tortelloni alla PrimaveraUS$30.00
green garlic, spring vegetables & Manchego
Seaweed MafaldineUS$24.00
mushrooms, broccoli di ciccio, miso butter, garlic, furikake (vegetarian)
Lemon ricotta CappellacciUS$32.00
SB rock crab & saffron shellfish brodo
GuinaziglioUS$26.00
7 hour veal bolognese & Parmigiano
BucatiniUS$26.00
pancetta, chile, crushed tomato, pecorino

CONVIVO

WOOD FIRED FEAST

Pesce MistoUS$48.00
mixed grill of seafood, shishito peppers, salsa verde (gluten free)
Channel Islands HalibutUS$38.00
roasted fennel, dino kale, citrus, olive tapenade (gluten free)
Miso braised Short Rib US$38.00
SB uni risottino & roasted kimchi carrots (gluten free)
Spit roasted ChickenUS$28.00
harissa, charmoula, olive, almonds, cauliflower (gluten free, nuts)
- FullUS$48.00
CostoletteUS$26.00
1/2 rack of smoked & slow roasted pork baby back ribs, giardiniera (gluten free)
Grilled bone in RibeyeUS$65.00
cherry tomatoes, herb butter, shallots, chimichurri (gluten free)

Uncategorised

Our focacciaUS$4.00
basil oil, onion & caciocavallo (vegetarian)
CondimentiUS$8.00
kimchi, Roman artichokes & giardiniera (vegan, gluten free)
Sott’olioUS$6.00
marinated olives (vegan, gluten free)

Reviews

OpenTable reviews from verified diners

Reviews from people who have dined at Convivo.

4.7

(2454)

4.7Food
4.5Service
4.7Ambience
4.4Value

Noise • Moderate

Diners' Choice Awards

Santa Barbara
Innovative
Santa Barbara
Great for scenic views
Santa Barbara
Italian

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Convivo offers "spectacular ambience" and "creative dishes" with a beautiful ocean view. Diners rave about their "unique and impeccably prepared" meals, highlighting the "best chicken meal ever" and "delicious affogato". The restaurant's customer service is also praised for being attentive and accommodating, making it a "hidden gem" in Santa Barbara.

2,454 Reviews

J
Jon
California Central Coast2 reviews
4.0
Dined 2 days ago
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
The food is always so good there. We have never had a disappointing meal there!
Is this helpful?
H
Heather Gold
California Central Coast5 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Convivo is one of my favorite restaurants in SB! Consistently delish food, great service, seasonal variety, and excellent wine menu.
Is this helpful?
J
James
Washington, D.C. Area1 review
4.0
Dined on 15 October 2026
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 5
Food and atmosphere were great. However, $26 for a very stingy pour of pinot noir was not acceptable!
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J
Jill
San Diego6 reviews
3.0
Dined on 14 October 2026
1. Overall 3
2. Food 3
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 5
The ocean view is the reason to eat here. The food was mediocre. Our waiter seemed to completely forget we were there so we never had an opportunity to order a second drink or dessert. By the time he came back, we just wanted to leave.
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S
Steve
San Francisco Bay Area17 reviews
4.0
Dined on 12 October 2026
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
We came on a Sunday evening, and were surprised that it was not packed with people. We sat on the patio which offers lovely ocean views but was a little loud. Our server was friendly and offered suggestions for dinner. We shared a pasta dish and grilled avocado salad. We shared the ribeye and it was delicious. One of the best I have had. Since we stayed at the hotel it was very easy and I would recommend.
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W
Wendy Gold
California Central Coast199 reviews
5.0
Dined on 11 October 2026
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 5
The chef(s) here are outstanding! The food is unique and impeccably prepared. I had THE BEST CHICKEN MEAL EVER! Highly recommend their Ensalada Mercado and finish with their Affogato (I hold my espresso for my after dinner coffee:-) The ambience is spectacular too. It was exceptionally crowded when we went due to wedding receptions, etc. Our server was a bit swamped and made a mistake in my husband’s order but they fixed his order and remade mine so we could eat it freshly made together!! They also comp’d our salad. Now that’s really good customer service!!
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C
Cheryl
California Central Coast2 reviews
5.0
Dined on 9 October 2026
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The ambiance was unbeatable. The food was outstanding and our server was nice and accommodating. I will definitely return!
Is this helpful?
M
Monique Gold
Los Angeles4 reviews
5.0
Dined on 7 October 2026
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 5
Awesome healthy food!! Great outdoor! Great friendly experience!
Is this helpful?
G
Glen
Unspecified1 review
3.0
Dined on 3 October 2026
1. Overall 3
2. Food 3
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 4
I was looking for Beachview but this restaurant is not that it is across the the highway and you have to strain your eyes very hard to actually see the ocean at a distance. Although the restaurants pool was besides the restaurant and we could see the waves in the swimming pool
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B
Bob Gold
Houston9 reviews
5.0
Dined on 3 October 2026
1. Overall 5
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Very busy Friday night at the venue - glad we had a reservation. Service was good despite crowd. Tuna starter was very good. Rib dinner was good but could have been hotter. Also probably need a bit more spice on ribs and a sauce on the side would be nice. Wife had seafood medley: a generous portion and the shrimp were great. Something in the dish apparently did not sit right and the wife was up most of the night - not good. Would try it again.
Is this helpful?

Dining areas

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
Italian, Contemporary Italian, Mediterranean
Hours of Operation
Breakfast Mon–Fri 07:00–11:00 Sat, Sun 07:00–10:00 Brunch Mon–Fri 11:00–13:30 Sat, Sun 10:00–13:30 Dinner Mon–Thu, Sun 13:45–20:30 Fri, Sat 13:45–21:00 Happy Hour Mon–Fri 14:00–17:00
Phone number
(805) 845-6789
Website
http://www.convivorestaurant.com/
Payment Options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress Code
Smart Casual
Executive Chef
Peter McNee
Private party facilities
We offer indoor and outdoor private event spaces that can host 14-90 people.
Delivery & takeout
Order direct

Location
901 E Cabrillo Blvd, Santa Barbara, CA 93103
Area
Santa Barbara
Cross Street
Milpas Street
Parking Details
Additional street and private lot available.
Additional
Dog Friendly, Gluten-free Options, Outdoor Firepit, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Vegan

FAQs

Weekend brunch at Convivo is a favorite, brunch is served Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 am to 1:30 pm, and guests praise the Easter/weekend brunch experience.

Many guests report generous portions for certain mains, the spit-roasted/half chicken is often described as large (frequently leaving half to take home) and the pork shank has been called big enough to feed three to four people.

Yes, Convivo's menus include clearly labelled vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free dishes, for example Insalata Mercato (vegetarian, gluten-free), Charcoal Avocado (vegan, gluten-free) and Crispy Yellow Potatoes (vegan, gluten-free, nuts), plus several gluten-free mains.

Convivo's posted hours are: Breakfast Mon–Fri 7:00 am–11:00 am; Sat, Sun 7:00 am–10:00 am. Brunch Mon–Fri 11:00 am–1:30 pm; Sat, Sun 10:00 am–1:30 pm. Dinner Mon–Thu, Sun 1:45 pm–8:30 pm; Fri, Sat 1:45 pm–9:00 pm. Happy Hour Mon–Fri 2:00 pm–5:00 pm.

Yes, Convivo's ocean-view heated patios, bright dining room and many guests celebrating anniversaries make it well suited to a special evening out.

Yes, Convivo offers two expansive heated patios across from Santa Barbara's East Beach, and guests frequently praise dining on the patio for its ocean views.

Convivo feels bright and ocean‑facing: a sunny dining room and bar with expansive, heated patios that look out to the Pacific, guests call the patio beautiful and note an elegant, welcoming setting.

Yes, Convivo hosts a weekday Happy Hour (Monday–Friday, 2:00–5:00 PM), and guests also praise the special Restaurant Week menus and discounted wine/drink selections when those events run.

Convivo often feels lively at peak service, while guests report that brunch visits can be pretty quiet and relaxed.

Yes, the outdoor patio welcomes diners with their dogs; guests describe bringing multiple dogs and being warmly received while seated outside.

Smart casual is the guide at Convivo, polished but relaxed, and many guests do dress up a touch for anniversaries and special evenings.

Yes, families dine here regularly: guests report bringing children and enjoying the outdoor patio and family-style dishes, making Convivo an easy choice for family dinners.

Yes, Convivo has a full drinks program: craft cocktails, a curated wine list (Italian and Central Coast selections), sparkling wines, and local beers and meads.

The Charcoal Avocado salad is a standout at Convivo, it appears on the menu and guests praise its charred avocado and bright, complementary flavors.

Convivo offers a bright indoor dining room and bar plus two expansive heated patios facing East Beach, and it also has a Montecito Room used for events like intimate weddings.

How FAQ content is generated

Make a booking

Convivo

4.7

$31 to $50

Italian

Santa Barbara

Make a booking

2 people

23 Oct 2026

19:30

Booked 27 times today

Experiences are available.

Convivo

Make a booking

Convivo

Make a booking

About this restaurant

Dining areas

Additional information

Christmas Feast

Thanksgiving Feast

CICCHETTI

Coxinhas US$15.00

Lamb MeatballsUS$16.00

Chicken LiverUS$15.00

Beef Carpaccio US$19.00

GamberoniUS$23.00

OctopusUS$22.00

Pesce CrudoUS$22.00

AGRICOLA

Insalata MercatoUS$17.00

Gem lettuceUS$17.00

Charcoal AvocadoUS$18.00

Oak grilled AsparagusUS$16.00

CarrotsUS$14.00

Crispy yellow PotatoesUS$14.00

BrusselsUS$16.00

FORNO

Za’atar flatbreadUS$12.00

MargheritaUS$21.00

Jamón SerranoUS$25.00

FunghiUS$23.00

Chorizo SausageUS$23.00

Spicy Soppressata SalameUS$23.00

AddUS$2.50

GRANO

Frutti di MareUS$30.00

Lamb Tortelloni alla PrimaveraUS$30.00

Seaweed MafaldineUS$24.00

Lemon ricotta CappellacciUS$32.00

GuinaziglioUS$26.00

BucatiniUS$26.00

CONVIVO

Pesce MistoUS$48.00

Channel Islands HalibutUS$38.00

Miso braised Short Rib US$38.00

Spit roasted ChickenUS$28.00

CostoletteUS$26.00

Grilled bone in RibeyeUS$65.00

Uncategorised

Our focacciaUS$4.00

CondimentiUS$8.00

Sott’olioUS$6.00

Diners' Choice Awards

Review summary

Dining areas

Additional information

FAQs

What is the best day to go to Convivo?

What are the portion sizes like at this restaurant?

Does this restaurant have vegan/vegetarian, gluten-free or other dietary options?

What are this restaurant's opening hours?

Is this a good pick for date night?

Does this restaurant have outdoor seating?

What's the ambience/atmosphere like in this restaurant?

Does this restaurant have any specials deals or experiences?

When is this restaurant busiest and quietest?

Is this restaurant dog-friendly?

What is the dress code for Convivo?

Is this restaurant kid-friendly?

Does this restaurant serve alcohol?

What is this restaurant's stand-out or favorite dish?

What seating arrangements/rooms does this restaurant have?

Make a booking

Convivo

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