The Santa Barbara Public Market
The locavore movement responsible for establishments like the San Francisco Ferry Building and Pike Place Market in Seattle has also brought about smaller public markets in various cities across the nation. A more recent example is the Santa Barbara Public Market, a block-long bastion of artisan produce and healthy food vendors that’s becoming a community fixture for locals and new destination for visitors to Santa Barbara.
Located just one block off State Street, between Victoria and Sola streets, the Santa Barbara Public Market features between 10 and 15 regional businesses. Market-goers can start their day with a cup of organic, fair-trade Green Star Coffee — ask the barista about bean sourcing or coffee prep and you’ll likely be there awhile — and a Crazy Good Bread Co. pastry. For lunch and dinner, Empty Bowl Gourmet Noodle Bar is a popular choice, serving regional Thai noodle dishes and handmade dumplings inspired by those of Taiwan. Dessert options range from magazine-worthy cupcakes at Enjoy Cupcakes to unique scoops of artisanal ice cream (milk ball, root beer float or honey lavender, perhaps?) from Rori’s.
The majority of vendors offer grab-and-go options from fresh fish to aged cheeses and salami. There’s also a commissary kitchen, which programs cooking classes, local chef demos and winemaker dinners. Several stalls are currently vacant, so the next generation of the Santa Barbara Public Market will debut soon.
– Contributed by Serena Renner
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