Buena Onda Empanadas | Restaurant • Catering • Events
Artisanal Argentinian empanadas made with quality ingredients. Family-owned and operated, offering a taste of tradition with unique fillings.
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Must-see attractions
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Buena Onda Empanadas | Restaurant • Catering • Events
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Artisanal Argentinian empanadas made with quality ingredients. Family-owned and operated, offering a taste of tradition with unique fillings.
"The best empanadas I've had in California. A must visit if you're in Santa Barbara!"
Try the Sweet Empanadas
Don't miss the sweet empanadas; they are absolutely delicious and a real treat!
Don't Miss the Chimichurri
The housemade chimichurri sauce is a must-try, perfect for dipping empanadas and potatoes.
Quick Facts
Cuisine
Argentinian
Price
Mid-range
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Best Empanadas in California
Experience authentic Argentinian empanadas with unique fillings, praised as the best in California. Made with quality ingredients and freshly baked.
Relaxing Outdoor Ambiance
Enjoy a welcoming atmosphere with mostly outdoor seating, perfect for a relaxing meal. Live music and dancing add to the vibrant vibe.
Authentic Argentina-Style Empanadas
Savor handmade Argentinian empanadas with a variety of meat and vegetarian fillings, complemented by delicious housemade chimichurri sauce.
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Most Popular Items
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Try the Sweet Empanadas
Don't miss the sweet empanadas; they are absolutely delicious and a real treat!
Don't Miss the Chimichurri
The housemade chimichurri sauce is a must-try, perfect for dipping empanadas and potatoes.
Order Frozen Batches
Consider ordering a dozen frozen empanadas to enjoy at home for a convenient and tasty meal.
Arugula Salad is Refreshing
The arugula salad is a refreshing and delicious addition to your empanada order.
Tips
from all over the internet
Try the Sweet Empanadas
Don't miss the sweet empanadas; they are absolutely delicious and a real treat!
Don't Miss the Chimichurri
The housemade chimichurri sauce is a must-try, perfect for dipping empanadas and potatoes.
Order Frozen Batches
Consider ordering a dozen frozen empanadas to enjoy at home for a convenient and tasty meal.
Arugula Salad is Refreshing
The arugula salad is a refreshing and delicious addition to your empanada order.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Buena Onda Empanadas is highly praised for serving some of the best empanadas in California, featuring authentic Argentinian flavors and quality ingredients. Diners love the relaxing outdoor ambiance and the delicious chimichurri sauce. While most reviews are overwhelmingly positive, a few patrons found some empanadas to be a bit dry or lacking in flavor.
"So far this is the Best empanadas I’ve had in California. We have some empanadas in LA but this is the best. Marla our service staff that served us was helpful and friendly. Parking is limited but there are a lot of street parking. This is a must visit if you’re in SB."
M Jeero
"We have visited the majority of Argentinian places in Southern California, and there aren't many good ones. This is one we still hadn't visited, and now we wonder what took so long.
We came for lunch on a Saturday. When we got there, we were the first ones there, but shortly after, a couple showed up, and they were friendly.
The place itself has mostly outdoor seating, and it is beautiful and welcoming. The location is cute, and so is the ambiance.
The service we got from every was great, except we weren't brought (or offered to buy) any bread, or anything else, which is expected at Argentine seat down places.
Food wise, we got beef empanadas and the milanesa con papas. The empanadas were very good. The size was standard but pricey, though it is probably because of the location. At least they were very good. I liked the beef, which had tons of olives. What I liked was the flavor and the fact that the olives didn't overpower the flavor. I didn't like the milanesa, but my wife thought it was ok. The chimichurri was good, and my daughter and I liked that they carried a spicy version.
For dessert, my wife got one of the store bought flavor, but it did seem like they made their own, so we'll get one of those next time.
It was good enough that we will be back. We can't wait to come try other food."
Jeffrey Alvarez
"Buena Onda is a nice place, they have mostly outdoor seating and three parking spots.
Food is okay, we order a bunch of empanadas but I didn’t think they were out of this world.
We order some potato’s as well, they’re tasty but very dry."
Angie Diaz
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
Buena Onda is famous for its authentic Argentinian empanadas, with a variety of meat and vegetarian fillings. They also offer crispy potatoes with chimichurri.
Yes, Buena Onda offers a selection of empanadas with vegetarian and vegan fillings.
Yes, you can order frozen batches of a dozen empanadas to enjoy at home.
The restaurant has a relaxing and welcoming atmosphere, with mostly outdoor seating, and sometimes features live music and dancing.
There are a few parking spots available, but street parking is also an option.
Chimichurri is a classic Argentinian sauce made of finely chopped parsley, garlic, oregano, olive oil, and vinegar, perfect for empanadas and grilled meats.
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State Street Promenade
1131 State St, Santa Barbara805-679-3320Category: ArgentinianAt Buena Onda we are dedicated to quality and true to tradition, offering authentic Argentinian empanadas handmade and freshly baked from our oven to your table. As a family owned and operated business, we take pride in creating a flavorful taste that is both foreign and familiar. With respect to our ingredients, we use only grass-fed, free-range poultry, and locally sourced produce to ensure that our commitment to quality can be tasted in every bite.
The 13 Best Restaurants in Santa Barbara
Buena Onda may only serve empanadas (with the exception of some daily specials), but the menu of ten different empanadas makes it worth coming to this Argentinian spot. The crisp empanadas are handmade and freshly baked to order, filled with savory options from prosciutto ham to bacon and eggs. Don’t miss one of their desserts, and there are larger family meals like pascualina (an Argentine spinach pie) for dine-in or to take home.
21 Local Restaurants Going Above & Beyond Amid Covid-19 Crisis
Family owned and operated business, Buena Onda, is looking out for your family at home with artisanal empanadas with meat and vegetarian options. In reaction to the pandemic, the restaurant is now serving batches of one dozen frozen empanadas to last you through the week. Buena Onda also provides an array of cold or frozen Family Meals that serve anywhere from 2 to 8 people!.
Best Casual Restaurants in Santa Barbara
If you’re in the mood for Argentinian-style empanadas, Buena Onda is a top choice. Their flaky, golden pastries are filled with options like traditional beef, chicken, or creative vegetarian fillings such as spinach and ricotta. Each empanada is freshly made, making Buena Onda a fantastic stop for a quick, flavorful bite.
Off the Beaten Path | Santa Barbara Dining, Places to Eat
Argentinian empanadas make for the perfect quick snack or a feast to share with many. With quality and authenticity in mind, these fresh, handheld bites dipped in the eatery’s to-die-for housemade chimichurri sauce are sure to satisfy. Photo Credit: @yumyumyunz via Instagram
Rob Raede: Buena Onda Has Santa Barbara’s Empanada Market All Wrapped Up | Homes & Lifestyle
Offering artisan empanadas, salads, side dishes, desserts, and carefully selected wines and beer, it’s also the gathering spot for the local Argentinian community.
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