Zocalo
Zocalo — photo 2
Zocalo — photo 3
Zocalo — photo 4
Zocalo — photo 5

Zocalo

901 Embarcadero Del Mar, Isla Vista, CA

★★★★★4.8(187 Google reviews)

Crema's Take

Zocalo brings genuine Mexican flavors and warmth to Isla Vista with standout dishes like quesabirria that locals can't stop raving about, paired with specialty drinks like their beloved abuelita mocha that hit just right on chilly days. The intimate, boutique-style café atmosphere—complete with friendly staff and small but welcoming seating—makes it feel less like a quick grab spot and more like a neighborhood gathering place where both the food and the vibe are equally excellent.

What to expect

Quick grabLight foodTraditional drinksFamily friendlyLate nightsPastries

Google Reviews

Claudia
★★★★★2 months ago

We ate lunch here yesterday, it was delicious!!! We had the quesabirria tacos and the burrito divorciado without the tortilla, good portions and very tasty. The staff is very friendly and good atmosphere, there is convenient parking across the street. Hope to come back to Santa Barbara soon to eat here again.

Alice Rivera
★★★★★3 months ago

Food is excellent. The service is superb. Vibe is lively. The abuleita mocha was just what I needed on a cold windy day. I didn't think I can get authentic Mexican in Santa Barbara but this place hit it!

Giorgio Nicoletti
★★★★★8 months ago

I had dinner at Zocalo several times while I was staying in Isla Vista. The food is absolutely fantastic, everything I ate was amazing. Special mention to the Quesabirria, it quickly became my favorite Mexican food. I also loved their Horchata. Prices are very fair, and service is spot on. Do come here! It's worth it.

Will Heo
★★★★★9 months ago

Seriously their quesabirria is so amazing I can't get enough of it. Dip it in their consomé, which is other worldly btw, and you get the perfect bite. The only downside is your fingers are gonna smell like birria the rest of your day. Oh, I totally forgot about their horchata latte. I'm telling you, if you haven't made up your mind about what to get for dinner and you haven't tried their their quesabirria yet, then you now know what you should get tonight.

Steve Spain
★★★★a year ago

This place has more of a boutique/coffee house style that serves great authentic Mexican food. Seating area is very small and they do not have any alcoholic beverages, otherwise I would have given it a five-star. I'd go back! Good portions and good prices.

Crema Reviews

No Crema reviews yet

Been here? Be the first to leave a review in the app.

Write a review on iOS