Masala Spice - Santa Barbara — Restaurant in Santa Barbara

A Delicious New Gem in Santa Barbara: Finally, a Fabulous Indian Restaurant on the Mesa!

I am beyond thrilled to share my excitement about a new Indian restaurant that has recently opened on the Mesa in Santa Barbara – and let me tell you, it’s nothing short of a culinary gem! As a longtime lover of Indian cuisine, I've been eagerly awaiting a place like this to grace our beautiful city, and after two visits, I can confidently say it exceeds all expectations.

First, let’s talk about the food. WOW. From the moment you step inside, the aroma of fresh spices and herbs fills the air, and you just know you’re in for something special. I’ve tried a variety of dishes, and each one has been absolutely divine. The flavors are bold, vibrant, and expertly balanced. Whether it's the creamy, rich curries or the perfectly seasoned tandoori dishes, every bite is a reminder of why Indian cuisine is so beloved. The naan is soft and warm, just the right amount of char from the tandoor, and their biryani? Heavenly. It’s rare to find such authentic, flavorful dishes so perfectly executed outside of India, but this place delivers every time.

But the experience doesn't stop with the food. The staff here is incredibly welcoming, attentive, and genuinely friendly. They’re happy to offer recommendations and make you feel right at home, which is a real treat in a town with so many dining options. The service is top-notch, and you can tell the team is passionate about the food they serve.

This restaurant is exactly what the Mesa area needed—an elevated, authentic Indian dining experience that combines incredible flavors with a cozy, inviting atmosphere. Whether you’re a longtime fan of Indian food or someone looking to try it for the first time, I cannot recommend this place enough. It’s already become one of my go-to spots in Santa Barbara!

If you’re in the area, do yourself a favor and check it out. You won’t be disappointed – I’m already looking forward to...

I can’t say anything about what the food tastes like because I left before I could order. The menu scared me quite frankly. When I see “Indian Cuisine” I don’t think of pizza, pasta, tacos, steak… and no, not fun fusion plays which even then 🫤. As we sat at our table waiting 20 minutes without a server coming over, I contemplated the menu over and over. I had no faith in having a good meal here. Only one page of the 5 page menu was strictly focused on Indian dishes. Myself and my party didn’t want to stick around to find out so we left. I have heard good things about the Goleta location and when you looks at their website the menu is completely different. It would be hard to convince to go back there. Also, I get that they just opened and everyone has those initial bumps, but one server for the entire place? Not a good first...

The menu online is not accurate. The menu at the mesa location is…bizarre.

There are some curries, and tacos, and Alfredo pasta…And a rack of lamb ribs? It’s weird, and feels like they have no idea what they want to serve.

I’d let you know how it was, but the table next to us and ourselves were forgotten about. They had said they had been waiting for 20 minutes before we sat down and then waited 20 minutes more just to order.

Tried to ask about nut allergies and were told they would get back to us. We waited but they never came back to us...