5 Underrated Bakeries in Downtown, Santa Barbara CA Worth Trying
Updated 11 October 2026 · 8 bakeries in Downtown, Santa Barbara CA considered · Ranked from Google ratings
This list covers underrated bakeries in Downtown Santa Barbara, CA, for anyone who wants fresh bread, pastries or celebration cakes away from the best-known names. Each place was chosen because it holds a Google rating of 4.4 or higher with fewer than 400 reviews. Eight qualifying businesses were considered. The five below are ranked from Google ratings weighted by review count, and each blurb uses only listed hours, address, attributes, price range and what reviewers mention.
#1
Spudnuts and Bagels
★ 4.8 (313 Google reviews)Donut shop
Representative photo, not of this business.
Spudnuts and Bagels is a donut shop on State Street, rated 4.8 from 313 Google reviews. It is open daily from 5 am to 5 pm and lists wheelchair-accessible parking and an entrance. Reviewers mention fresh bagels, a jalapeño cheese bagel in particular, a large range of pastries and quick, friendly service. Several praise the breakfast sandwiches and chocolate donuts, and one reviewer who moved away says it was their go-to breakfast spot.
Best for: Bagels and breakfast on the go
- Address
- 3629 State St, Santa Barbara, CA 93105, United States
- Hours
- daily 5 am–5 pm
#2
Oat Bakery - Downtown
★ 4.8 (243 Google reviews)Bakery and Cake Shop
Representative photo, not of this business.
Oat Bakery - Downtown is a bakery and cake shop on West Haley Street, rated 4.8 from 243 Google reviews. Listed hours are 8 am to 2:30 pm on most weekdays and Saturday, with Tuesday open until 6 pm. Reviewers describe it as a small takeout bakery where the bakers work behind an open counter. They mention vegan bread options, a flaxseed sourdough, sage garlic bread, cinnamon buns and olive focaccia. Some note that prices run on the higher side.
Best for: Fresh bread and vegan baked goods
- Address
- 5 W Haley St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, United States
- Hours
- Fri 8 am–2:30 pm; Mon 8 am–2:30 pm; Sat 8 am–2:30 pm; Sun 9 am–12 pm; Thu 8 am–2:30 pm; Tue 8 am–6 pm; Wed 8 am–2:30 pm
#3
Deux Bakery
★ 4.7 (83 Google reviews)Bakery and Cake Shop$10–20 per person
Representative photo, not of this business.
Deux Bakery is a bakery on Reddick Street, rated 4.7 from 83 Google reviews, with a listed price range of $10 to $20. It opens at 7 am Tuesday to Friday and on Saturday, closing at 3 pm on weekdays and 2 pm on Saturday, and is closed Mondays and Sundays. Reviewers mention very moist bran muffins, handmade breads and pastries, and a multigrain sourdough loaf. Handmade jams are also sold. One reviewer noted that prices were not posted and had to be requested item by item.
Best for: Bran muffins and handmade sourdough
- Address
- 824 Reddick St, Santa Barbara, CA 93103, United States
- Hours
- Fri 7 am–3 pm; Mon Closed; Sat 7 am–2 pm; Sun Closed; Thu 7 am–3 pm; Tue 7 am–3 pm; Wed 7 am–3 pm
#4
The Little Things Bakery
★ 4.7 (54 Google reviews)Bakery and Cake Shop
Representative photo, not of this business.
The Little Things Bakery is a bakery on Cliff Drive, rated 4.7 from 54 Google reviews. It is open Monday to Friday from 10 am to 6 pm and on Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm, and is closed Sundays. Reviewers mention custom wedding cakes, cupcakes for a fusion wedding, a heart-shaped cake for a couple, and a short-notice elopement order that was accommodated. Several say the cakes tasted great and looked just as requested. Wheelchair-accessible parking and entrance are listed.
Best for: Custom wedding and celebration cakes
- Address
- 2018 Cliff Dr, Santa Barbara, CA 93109, United States
- Hours
- Fri 10 am–6 pm; Mon 10 am–6 pm; Sat 10 am–4 pm; Sun Closed; Thu 10 am–6 pm; Tue 10 am–6 pm; Wed 10 am–6 pm
#5
ALESSIA Patisserie and Cafe
★ 4.6 (378 Google reviews)Bakery and Cake Shop
Representative photo, not of this business.
ALESSIA Patisserie and Cafe is a bakery and cafe on East Canon Perdido Street, rated 4.6 from 378 Google reviews. It is open most days from 7 am to 4 pm, with weekend hours from 8 am, and is closed Mondays. Reviewers describe the pastry showcase as beautiful, and mention a tart, tiramisu, scones, a maple bacon bun and avocado toast. Feedback on savory dishes is mixed. Wheelchair-accessible seating and toilet are listed.
Best for: Pastries and sit-down breakfast plates
- Address
- 134 E Canon Perdido St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, United States
- Hours
- Fri 7 am–4 pm; Mon Closed; Sat 8 am–4 pm; Sun 8 am–4 pm; Thu 7 am–4 pm; Tue 7 am–4 pm; Wed 7 am–4 pm
How we made this list
We looked at 8 bakeries in Downtown, Santa Barbara CA with a Google rating of 4.0 or higher and at least 20 reviews, then rated 4.4 or higher on Google but with fewer than 400 reviews. 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
- For an early start, Deux 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 bakery on this list?
Spudnuts and Bagels ranks first, with a Google rating of 4.8 from 313 reviews. Oat Bakery - Downtown is second at 4.8 from 243 reviews.
Which bakeries in Downtown, Santa Barbara CA are open late?
None of these stays open past midnight. The latest to close is Oat Bakery - Downtown, at 6 pm.
How much does it cost at these bakeries?
Google lists these price ranges per person: Deux Bakery $10–20. The others do not list a price range.
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