Santa Barbara has no shortage of affordable Mexican restaurants and Corazon Cocina, located in the Santa Barbara Public Market is no exception. The fried fish tacos never disappoint, nor does their Sal De Mar Ceviche, made with whatever fish is in season and served on a crispy tortilla with chunks of refreshing watermelon and avocado. The menu also offers plenty of options for vegetarians like the cauliflower tacos, Corazon salad with kale and quinoa, and cheese quesadillas mixed with farmers market seasonal vegetables.How to book: Walk in or order takeout via their website.

Located inside The Santa Barbara Public Market, Corazon Cocina is a seafood-heavy Mexican food counter that’s an ideal spot to grab a low-key lunch while you’re roaming around downtown. Order any of the seafood tostadas (the yellowtail-and-watermelon-covered Sal De Mar is our go-to), and don’t skip out on the mole chicken taco. The entire market has an expanded patio space going along W.

These are a few of our favorite tacos at Corazón Cocina, the Public Market favorite with a new restaurant on East Victoria Street (Corazón Comedor), one opening at the Montecito Country Mart (Alma Fonda Fina), and two more outposts (Corazón Cocina Sur in Carpinteria; and Cocina Jaguar in Ventura) coming soon: the cauliflower taco with tempura cauliflower, Ojai microgreens, crema, almond arbol salsa, avocado, salsa cruda, and dates; the chicken with natural black almond mole, rice, onions, lime-mayo crema, queso fresco, and roasted almonds; and the Tia Juana with octopus, white wild shrimp, avocado, cheese, salsa cruda, peanut arbol salsa, Anaheim chile, and pickled onions.

Guadalajara-raised chef Ramon Velazquez runs S.B.’s most creative pan-Mexican fonda. His small stand in downtown’s Public Market has a penchant for seafood, regional recipes, and farmer’s market ingredients in tostadas, tacos, and daily specials that may not get Angelenos to disavow their favorite tacos, but do bear thoughtful compositions on handmade corn and flour tortillas. Tacos with beer-battered lingcod, chicken in black almond mole negro, or pressed pancita with salsa negra and pomegranate, when at their best, display the deliberation expected from someone who was a sushi chef at nearby Arigato.

You’ll find down-to-earth taco shops like Corazon Cocina on this list—just stop by chef/owner Ramon Velazquez’s stall in the Santa Barbara Public Market for satisfying tacos that integrate fresh, seasonal ingredients, handmade tortillas and vibrant salsas. Bettina is an Italian restaurant located in the Montecito Country Mart helmed by alums of Brooklyn’s iconic Roberta’s—hence the highly memorable wood-fired pizzas. Loquita is a stylish local favorite in the Funk Zone that’s known for flavorful, sharable Spanish-style tapas created by Chef Jasmine Shimoda, as well as award-winning gin and tonics.

••• Congratulations to Bettina, Loquita (above), and Corazón Cocina on receiving Bib Gourmand status from Michelin. (“Not quite a star, but most definitely not a consolation prize, the Bib Gourmand—named after Bibendum, the friendly Michelin Man and the official company mascot for the Michelin—is a just-as-esteemed rating that recognizes friendly establishments that serve good food at moderate prices.”) Below: Bettina’s new focaccia with tomatoes, garlic, and basil, one step closer to the square pie I’ve been begging the restaurant to make.

Just like the street food we love so much in Mexico, this food is affordable enough for anyone to enjoy. At Corazon Cocina we recommend the Al Pastor (spit roasted pork marinated in adobo, with cilantro, pickled habanero-pineapple salsa, and homemade corn tortilla) for some fun and unconventional flavor. The ceviche is also to die for, especially the Sayulita, which is made with a plethora of divine ingredients including wild white shrimp, mango, and burnt habanero aioli.

Modern, innovative and within walking distance of the Beachside Inn. Dining at Corazon Cocina will make you feel as though you’ve temporarily stepped into the streets of Guadalajara—with big, bold color, flavor, and texture in every bite. Serving Mexican street food that’s inspired by ingredients from the local markets, the menu at Corazon Cocina is traditional but also innovative, with Chef Ramon Velazquez using out-of-the-box ideas to keep diners on their toes.

For ceviche, tacos and other Mexican favorites that are farmer's market fresh, visit this restaurant tucked inside The Santa Barbara Public Market. Chef Ramon Velazquez prepares dishes you won't find elsewhere in town, like fresh scallop ceviche tostadas dressed with coconut milk and pomegranate seeds and cauliflower tacos that get a secret sweetness from Medjool dates. Try a crispy pork belly quesadilla in a chile-infused corn tortilla.

The casual Corazón Cocina, located inside the Santa Barbara Public Market, is owned by Chef Ramón Velazquez. Formerly operating as a Sunday pop-up inside a sandwich shop, Corazón earned a devoted following well before arriving to its permanent home in The Public Market, where that pop-up spirit still lives on. For mouthwatering, inventive regional Mexican cuisine that’s quick and easy, it’s hard to beat.

Of all the great food stalls at Downtown's Santa Barbara Public Market, the one you need to be running to is Corazon Cocina. The seafood-heavy Mexican food counter is fantastic, and an ideal spot to grab a low-key lunch in between wine tours. Order any of the seafood tostadas (the yellowtail and watermelon-covered Sal Del Mar is our go-to), and don't skip out on the mole chicken taco.

This creative taqueria serves one of the best fish tacos I’ve ever had. The fillets of lingcod are embraced by a crispy batter and served with shredded cabbage, mayo-lime crema, and salsa cruda in a housemade corn tortilla. The chicken taco is smothered in black almond mole; the seafood taco consists of a mélange of octopus and shrimp with avocado and Anaheim chiles.

Nestled in the Santa Barbara Public Market, Corazón Cocina offers a more modern and gourmet take on tacos. Chef Ramon Velazquez creates inventive taco combinations that are as visually stunning as they are delicious. The garden taco, featuring seasonal vegetables and a flavorful mole sauce, is a standout, while the fish taco with fresh, local catch is a must-try.

Colors pop and flavors dazzle at this fantastic little taqueria in Santa Barbara’s sleek downtown Public Market. Whether you order the Norteño ($7.50, grilled skirt steak) or the Ensenada ($5, beer-battered lingcod), be sure to top your taco at the salsa bar, where habanero-pineapple salsa and other deliciousness await. Details: Open daily at 38 W.

Southern California is home to a slew of excellent Mexican restaurants. Corazon Cocina is at the top of the list in Santa Barbara. Located in the Santa Barbara Public Market, Corazon Cocina delivers fresh, south-of-the-border street food served up with the freshest ingredients to hungry shoppers and dedicated fans.

Chef and owner Ramon Velazquez pulls from his Guadalajaran heritage and combines tradition with creativity to form the final menu. They feature locally-sourced produce and ingredients. Top dishes include grilled octopus tacos and the Oaxaca cheese quesadilla paired with confit tomatoes, radishes, and broccolini.

38 W Victora Street (inside The Public Market) and 214 State Street (The Project), Santa Barbara. Corazon Cocina is taking Santa Barbara by storm!. After gaining a massive following from their humble beginnings as a weekend pop-up restaurant, their first location in The Public Market has been a huge success.

Some of the best fish tacos I have ever had are from Cocina Corazon in Public Market. It’s a walk-up restaurant inside one large building with other restaurants. There is indoor and outdoor seating — I recommend outdoor since it can get loud inside when the sports bar has a game on.

Additionally, Corazon Cocina has become the first restaurant in the Market to serve breakfast, where Chef Ramon Velazquez created a special menu accompanied by Handlebar Coffee for visitors in the morning hours.

Corazon Cocina – In the public market you have this gem that has a new take on tacos and tostadas. Like ceviche with watermelon or aguachiles with hibiscus. All very tropical, all so delicious.

Serving Mexican street food in Santa Barbara that’s inspired by ingredients from the local markets, the menu is traditional but also innovative.

It’s in the Public Market and they serve up some of the best tacos in town. It’s a casual spot that’s perfect for a spontaneous lunch or dinner.