The Set

Open

Closed

$

$$

🍔 American

Santa Barbara

casual-dining

3.5
Casual, trendy spot offering comfort food, cocktails, and live music with ocean vibes and attentive service in Santa Barbara's East Beach.

$

$$

Heading

casual-dining

ReservationsVisit
Now
Closed

📍

The Set

Santa Barbara

$

Enjoy comfort food, great cocktails, and live music in a trendy, casual atmosphere at The Set in Santa Barbara.

ReservationsVisit
Menu
Visit

🎉 Santa Barbara Recs You Won’t Find on TikTok

Get a guide to the best events, hidden gems, and exclusive perks, every week by . Thousands already subscribed. You in?

Join for Free

About
3.5
(
18
)

Located inside the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort, The Set showcases comfort food and craft cocktails in a casual yet trendy setting with a vibrant atmosphere.

The restaurant offers outdoor seating, live music, a cozy fireplace, and a sports-friendly environment backed by attentive, friendly staff who accommodate vegan and vegetarian needs.

What to Expect:

    🍹 Great cocktails including reputed Pina Coladas
    🔥 Cozy fireplace and live music
    🍽️ Comfort food with vegan and vegetarian options
    🍴 Casual and trendy vibes with outdoor seating

Important Information:

    Reservations recommended for dinner
    Accessible with wheelchair-friendly entrance, parking, restrooms, and seating
    Offers takeout and dine-in options; no delivery
    Pets allowed, including dogs outside

Despite being popular for lunch and dinner, patrons report fluctuating service quality, especially during understaffed periods.

Haley's Pick 🍽️

You probably know her as @milehighandhungry. Each week, Haley shares the one place she’s obsessed with right now. From hidden gems to hot new openings, if she picks it, it’s worth the hype.

Haley's Review of Riot BBQ
Riot BBQ on South Delaware feels like a backyard cookout run by a Top Chef, because it is. Chef Manny Barella and pitmaster Patrick Klaiber have teamed up to blend Monterrey flavors with Texas-style smoke, and the results are seriously craveable.

The brisket steals the show: tender, deeply smoky, and finished with Barella’s bold spice rub. Get it solo or wrapped in buttery Raquelita tortillas. The pulled pork brings heat with ancho, guajillo, and morita chiles, and the al pastor ribs are sticky, sweet, and slightly charred in all the right ways.

Even the sides are insanely good! Think crunchy pepita-macha slaw and banana pudding served in a jar that tastes just like childhood (but better). Every bite feels intentional.

It’s barbecue with heart, history, and just the right amount of heat. Riot BBQ isn’t just a meal, it’s a moment worth lining up for.

– Haley @milehighandhungry
🔊
🔊
🔊

📍 Local Insights

🍹 Sip the Best Pina Coladas: Locals recommend The Set for Santa Barbara's top Pina Coladas, a must-try cocktail.

🔥 Fire Pit Experience: Book in advance for the unique fireplace seating offering cozy vibes and s’mores desserts.

🌮 Seek Out Mahi Mahi Tacos: A highlighted dish by frequent guests, perfect for those craving seaside comfort food.

🕒 Time Your Visit: Arrive early on brunch days for prompt service, as understaffing affects peak dining times noticeably.

⏰ Hours

Monday: Closed

Tuesday: Closed

Wednesday: Closed

Thursday: Closed

Friday: Closed

Saturday: Closed

Sunday: Closed

👉 Best For

Casual dining, families, groups, solo dining, cocktail lovers

The Set

633 E Cabrillo Blvd
,
Santa Barbara
,
CA
93103

Review Sentiment

Based on the 50 most recent Google reviews
Mixed reviews highlight excellent food and cocktails with friendly staff when fully operational, especially praising brunch and vegan options. However, many report severe service delays, understaffing, and inconsistent quality leading to dissatisfaction during busy or understaffed times.

Last updated on

January 9th, 2026

From The preserve

Standout Dishes

Go For

The Selection

Accommodations

Course Stats

Angler’s Offerings

What You'll Find

Mahi Mahi Tacos, Upscale Mac n Cheese, Braised Beef, Salmon Pilaf, Truffle Fries, S’mores Dessert, Pina Coladas, Small Plates, Vegan and Vegetarian Options, Comfort Food, Cocktails, Wine, Beer

📆 Best Times to Visit

Visit early for brunch or weekday dinners to avoid understaffing issues; reservations recommended on weekends and holidays due to limited seating.
Santa Barbara Recs. No Noise.
Get a guide to the best events and pop-ups each week. Curated by locals, for locals. Trusted by thousands.

Join for Free

Similar

Mo's To-Go

$

Santa Barbara

$

Heading

None

Yetz's Deli

$

Isla Vista

$$

🥗 Vegan & Vegetarian

Heading

5

Meun Fan Thai Café

$

Goleta

$$

🍜 Thai

Heading

4.3

Chase Restaurant and Lounge

$

Santa Barbara

$$

🍝 Italian

Heading

3.9

Oak Park Market + Eatery

$

Santa Barbara

$

🥗 Health

Heading

4.5

Margerum Santa Barbara Tasting Room

$

Santa Barbara

$$

🍷 Wine Bar

Heading

4.7

Broad Street Oyster Company

$

Santa Barbara

$$

🦞 Seafood

Heading

4.1

Timbers Roadhouse

$

Goleta

$$

🥩 Steakhouse

Heading

4.2

Savoy Cafe & Deli

$

Santa Barbara

$$

🥗 Vegan & Vegetarian

Heading

4.6

Taquería Rincón Alteño

$

Santa Barbara

$$

🌮 Mexican

Heading

4.4

Spudnuts and Bagels

$

Santa Barbara

$

🥐 Café & Bakery

Heading

4.8

Masala Spice - Santa Barbara

$

Santa Barbara

$$

🍛 Indian

Heading

4.6

$

Heading

VisitReservations

Menu

Visit