5 Cafes in Downtown, Santa Barbara CA for Great Desserts
Updated 11 October 2026 · 5 cafes in Downtown, Santa Barbara CA considered · Ranked from Google ratings
Businesses were first filtered by a Google listing for great dessert, then ordered by rating. Five qualifying businesses were considered for this Downtown Santa Barbara, CA list. Each entry gives the address, hours, listed price range and features, and what reviewers say about sweets, drinks and service, so you can match a place to what you want to eat.
#1
LOKUM
★ 4.6 (776 Google reviews)Dessert shop
Representative photo, not of this business.
LOKUM is a dessert shop at 1019 State St in Downtown, open daily from 10 am to 8 pm and until 9 pm on Saturdays. It holds a 4.6 rating from 776 Google reviews. Google lists great dessert, delivery, takeaway, dine-in and a free parking lot. Reviewers mention Turkish delight and baklava that they describe as fresh and not overly sweet, along with Turkish coffee and tea. One reviewer said the prices were reasonable for the area.
Best for: Turkish sweets and baklava
- Address
- 1019 State St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, United States
- Hours
- Fri 10 am–8 pm; Mon 10 am–8 pm; Sat 9:30 am–9 pm; Sun 10 am–8 pm; Thu 10 am–8 pm; Tue 10 am–8 pm; Wed 10 am–8 pm
#2
Scarlett Begonia
★ 4.5 (917 Google reviews)American restaurant$20–30 per person
Representative photo, not of this business.
Scarlett Begonia is an American restaurant at 21 W Victoria St, open daily from 9 am to 2 pm, with a listed price range of $20 to $30. It has a 4.5 rating from 917 Google reviews. Google lists outdoor seating, a fireplace, cocktails and great dessert. Reviewers mention shrimp and grits with chorizo, lemon ricotta pancakes, kids waffles and a vegan protein option. One reviewer found the quinoa oatmeal more soupy than expected. Brunch visits get praise for service and atmosphere.
Best for: Brunch with a dessert course
- Address
- 21 W Victoria St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, United States
- Hours
- daily 9 am–2 pm
#3
Helena Avenue Bakery
★ 4.5 (822 Google reviews)Restaurant
Representative photo, not of this business.
Helena Avenue Bakery is a restaurant at 131 Anacapa St, open daily from 7 am to 2:30 pm. It holds a 4.5 rating from 822 Google reviews. Google lists great dessert, great coffee, vegan and vegetarian options, and outdoor seating. Reviewers mention a breakfast sandwich on light brioche with cheddar and chive butter, and a space that feels cozy and spacious. Lines can be long, orders are placed at the counter, and diners bus their own tables. Opinions on food quality vary.
Best for: Breakfast sandwiches and a relaxed meal
- Address
- 131 Anacapa St c, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, United States
- Hours
- daily 7 am–2:30 pm
#4
Crushcakes & Cafe
★ 4.3 (511 Google reviews)Cafe$10–20 per person
Representative photo, not of this business.
Crushcakes & Cafe is a cafe at 1315 Anacapa St, open daily from 7:30 am to 4 pm, with a listed price range of $10 to $20. It has a 4.3 rating from 511 Google reviews. Google lists great dessert, great coffee, breakfast, brunch, vegan options and a spot good for working on a laptop. Reviewers mention a wide choice of cupcake flavors, red velvet pancakes and a vanilla rose latte. Some say the ordering area gets crowded, service can vary, and prices run high.
Best for: Cupcakes and sweet pancakes
- Address
- 1315 Anacapa St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, United States
- Hours
- daily 7:30 am–4 pm
#5
Goat Tree
★ 4 (629 Google reviews)Cafe$10–40 per person
Representative photo, not of this business.
Goat Tree is a cafe at 36 State St, open daily from 7 am to 8 pm, with a listed price range of $10 to $40. It has a 4 rating from 629 Google reviews. Google lists breakfast, lunch, dinner, great dessert, beer, cocktails and happy-hour drinks. Reviewers mention a breakfast with an old-school feel and a modern twist, a chai latte they recommend, and a dog-friendly spot for cocktails. Some note waits when the cafe is busy and understaffed.
Best for: Breakfast and evening drinks
- Address
- 36 State St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, United States
- Hours
- daily 7 am–8 pm
How we made this list
We looked at 5 cafes in Downtown, Santa Barbara CA with a Google rating of 4.0 or higher and at least 20 reviews, then listed on Google as “Great dessert”, then by rating. A rating from thousands of reviews counts for more than the same rating from a handful, so a new place with a few perfect scores does not jump the queue. Ratings and hours are from public Google listings on 11 October 2026 and can change. Nobody paid to be on this list.
Tips before you go
- Scarlett Begonia and Goat Tree take reservations, useful on weekend evenings.
- For an early start, Helena Avenue Bakery opens at 7 am.
- Hours and prices come from Google listings and change, so check the listing before a long trip.
Frequently asked questions
Which is the highest-rated cafe on this list?
LOKUM ranks first, with a Google rating of 4.6 from 776 reviews. Scarlett Begonia is second at 4.5 from 917 reviews.
Which cafes in Downtown, Santa Barbara CA are open late?
None of these stays open past midnight. The latest to close is LOKUM, at 9 pm.
How much does it cost at these cafes?
Google lists these price ranges per person: Scarlett Begonia $20–30; Crushcakes & Cafe $10–20; Goat Tree $10–40. The others do not list a price range.
Which of these have free parking?
Google lists free parking for LOKUM, Scarlett Begonia, Helena Avenue Bakery, Crushcakes & Cafe and Goat Tree.
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