Belcampo Meat Co.
This week my friend Lori came to visit here in Southern California from Ozark, Alabama which if you don’t know is 22 miles from Dothan, which is 30 miles from Enterprise, just to give you an idea.
As I am the self-proclaimed Senior Vice President in charge of Tourism, it was my job to entertain her with a classic California day of food, sun and more food. My friend Joni had told me about a new venue that had recently opened in Santa Barbara called the Santa Barbara Public Market.
The Pasta Shoppe
Located on Victoria Street, right off of State Street, the heart and soul of downtown Santa Barbara’s retail center, this 22,000 square foot space is home to some of the area’s best purveyor’s of “handcrafted, regionally sourced and sustainably made foods”.
Rori’s Artisanal Creamery
For me this market is very reminiscent of my visits to The Ferry Building in San Francisco and Eataly in New York City. So, the Santa Barbara Public Market may not be an original idea, but it’s certainly a good one, and one that I hope the community as well as tourists will embrace if it is to do well and thrive.
Chicken Lettuce Wraps at Empty Bowl Gourmet Noodle Bar
The market itself is open and bright, modern and industrial looking, making it for me a very welcoming space. Sunlight streams in from skylights overhead. Scattered throughout the marketplace is seating, so when you purchase your food there is ample space to sit and enjoy it comfortably.
Chicken Curry Soup at Empty Bowl Gourmet Noodle Bar
Everything you would need to prepare an elegant dinner party, to stock your fridge, or if you just need to grab a bite during your lunch break is under this one roof. There are 14 different purveyors offering everything from gourmet meats and seafood, to artisanal breads, coffee, ice cream and homemade pasta.
Steak Salad at Empty Bowl Gourmet Noodle Bar
We stopped and had lunch at the Empty Bowl Gourmet Noodle Bar which was very tasty as you can see from the photos, and then we proceeded to the other businesses to take things home to share with our families. I, of course, had to buy the Orange/Chocolate Bread from the Crazy Good Bread Co. and I can confirm to you, that it was in fact, crazy good bread.
Crazy Good Bread
There’s already a pretty vibrant food scene in Santa Barbara with Olio e Limone being one of my favorites, and this is just one more option that will bring me back again and again. On this particular sunny afternoon, the marketplace was buzzing with shoppers and lots of positive energy. Each shopkeeper was cheerily handing out samples and were more than willing to chat with you about their particular product.
Culture Counter at Santa Barbara Public Market
I think they’ve done a spectacular job with this concept and I wish someone would bring an idea like this to the San Fernando Valley, cause we sure could use it. I should also tell you that the market does have a parking lot in back of it which in the summer may not be large enough to hold all of its customers, but there seems to be several public parking lots in the immediate area.
It was certainly a delightful way to spend several hours if good food is your hobby. And you know it’s mine, so…
Santa Barbara Public Market
Santa Barbara Public Market – 38 West Victoria (at Chapala) Santa Barbara, CA 93101 (805) 770-7702 Open Daily from 7am – 10:30pm
Thank you for the wonderful guide. I have friends visiting this summer and will definitely check it out.
Judy, I’m sure your friends will love it. It’s a great way to spend an afternoon, and then you can head to the beach!
Santa Barbara is one of our favorite towns, Sheryl! So excited to learn about the Public Market! We’ll check it out on our next visit.
Clover, I’m sure you will love it!
I had the most enjoyable day with you and Joni. That was so up my alley. That Curry Soup was awesome. I have to agree with you if food is your hobby that’s a great place to go. Thanks again Sheryl for being my personal tour guide:)
Lori, you are most welcome!
fun!! i visited santa barbara last year and fell in love with it! this gives me a new reason to go back. such a great idea. thanks for sharing!
Hi Christie, there’s a million reasons to love Santa Barbara, and this is one of them!
What a good friend you are, Sheryl! I always love a good public market!
Wonderful to see this post on our local SBPM! Here I am just a couple of miles away and I haven’t had the opportunity to go check it out — yet. Glad to get the lowdown from you, thanks so much for visiting and sharing all of your adventures!
Joan, go check it out, you’ll be thrilled it’s right there in town!
I see a weekend get-away about to be scheduled!!! You always have the best tips on places to go try. Thanks, Sheryl!
Jeff, this is a place I know you’ll enjoy! Just go on an empty stomach!
I want to go so badly!
So come on down!
It looks great! 🙂 Such a shame I’m across the other side of the world!
Oh, what a wonderful indoor market…looks like just my kind of a place!
It looks like a great market. That steak salad has caught my attention….oh man..now I am seriously hungry.
I’ve never had the pleasure of visiting California, much less Santa Barbara (it’s definitely on my to do list!) This market looks amazing…especially the bread! It’s calling my name!
I hope some day you get a chance to visit, Santa Barbara (and this marketplace) is really something to see!
Great guide! Thanks for sharing. 🙂
I just love your blog; I keep trying all your recipes! I met you when you were eating at Empty Noodle and you told me about your blog and I just can’t get enough! I hope all is well!
LOL!!! I remember. Thanks so much for following, I really appreciate it!