La Paloma Cafe 702 Anacapa Street • Santa Barbara • CA 93101

Private events at La Paloma Cafe include reception-style or family-style multi-course menus, beer, wine and cocktail selections for your group, and custom printed menus. The cooking leans creative Mexican-Californian, with wood-fired meats, fresh local produce and seafood, and treats like chocolate-stuffed churros. There's no rental fee, just a food and beverage minimum.

La Paloma Cafe offers several options. A full restaurant buyout seats 130 or holds 175 standing, and a full patio buyout seats 65 or holds 90 standing. Smaller spaces include the Anacapa Patio (40 seated), the Upper Deck Patio (26 seated), the Bar (40 standing) and the Snug at the bar (8–10 seated). Private events start at 20 guests.

La Paloma Cafe uses a food and beverage minimum instead of a rental fee, ranging from $1,500 to $25,000 depending on the day, season, space, guest count and event length. Meals start at $50 per person, and a 23% service charge is added. You can also bring your own wine for a corkage fee.

Private events at La Paloma Cafe run within a three-hour window and can start as early as 5pm. Amplified music is allowed with some restrictions, so check the details for your space with the events team.

Yes. La Paloma Cafe's smaller spaces, like the Anacapa Patio (40 seated) and the Upper Deck Patio (26 seated), are well suited to a rehearsal dinner, and the Snug at the bar fits 8–10 for a very intimate gathering. Family-style menus keep the evening relaxed and social.

La Paloma Cafe has a century-long history in downtown Santa Barbara, just steps from State Street. The garden patio feels secluded, with market lights, draped greenery and palms overhead, and a full buyout links it to the art-filled dining rooms. The creative Mexican-Californian menu and drinks like spicy guava mezcal margaritas give the celebration a breezy local feel.