Santa Barbara Real Estate
Santa Barbara Hotels
Santa Barbara Restaurants
Santa Barbara Catering
 Santa Barbara > Restaurants > Brummis - The German Taste
  
Read The Restaurant Guy - Santa Barbara's daily food news blog
 

Brummis - The German Taste
3130 State St, Santa Barbara
Phone: (805) 687-5916

  • Category: German
  • Hours: Lunch: Mon-Fri 11:30am-1.30pm Dinner : Mon-Sat. 5pm-9pm
  • Price: $10 - $20
  • Serving: Lunch & Dinner
  • Reservations: Yes, recommended
  • Map
  • Web Site
  • Menu
  • Write a review of this location!

Reviews by the General Public

Really Good!, 8/22/2010
Reviewer: Amanda from Santa Barbara, CA
So good, I loved this place. My first German food experience but one of many for my mother, she loved the potato salad. We each had a chicken schnitzel, one with tomato sauce and the other with mushroom sauce, they were both very good. Even the dressing on my garden salad was fantastic and the salad fresh and tasty. They also have a fantastic little selection of beers for only $4.50 each, we can't wait to go back.

yum, 7/30/2010
Reviewer: a p c from Santa Barbara, CA
Got the bockwurst and was offered a combo: one brat, one bock. Obviously did it, and both were great. Crispy brown on the outside, tender and tasty all through. Sauerkraut was sweet and tangy, and the potato salad was delicious and PLENTIFUL (took it home and am showing some restraint in not digging it out of the fridge and finishing it now). I went in with a schnitzel fiend/afficionado who found the schnitzel here good but not transcendent. The lady cooking/helping out is also an owner at Mediterra, I thought. Can anyone back me up on this? Veronika in her little lederhosen was very nice and attentive but ... I don't know... maybe we're just misanthropic but she really lays it on thick. Sweet lady, but a tad (endearingly!) overbearing. There was another diner there before we left that was loudly asking her friend 'BRUHMMISS? WHAT IS THAT WORD? BRUHMISS?' It's 'Broo-meez', people!
brummis - it'll sweep you off your feet, 7/26/2010
Reviewer: dev n viv from Santa Barbara, CA
Schnitzel was as large as brewhouse's and as tasty as Dutch garden's. Potato pancakes were on point. Veronica is classic! We are gonna go back often...
Great Homemade Food, 7/22/2010
Reviewer: David from Santa Barbara, CA
Not sure why folks will stand in line at mediocre Italian restaurants while Brummis is half empty on a recent Friday night. I think folks do not know / understand German food and are afraid of the unknown. Don't be. It has the same ingredients as most other European cuisines, just seasoned and used in a different manner. The home made noodles are as good as any home made pasta in SB. Better than most in fact. The long, slow cooking of the well seasoned meats develops so much complexity and nuance that every bite offers the "wow" effect. Get out of the Italian - Mexican rut and try something new. This is a fabulous restaurant, family run and friendly with great food.

We have fallen in love with this restaurant, 6/1/2010
Reviewer: Michelle and Emil Jagodinsky from Los Angeles, CA
We live in Los Angeles and drove to SB just to go back to Brummis. Enough said. I need this restaurant to be in LA :) Order anything but get some Rouladen and thank whatever God you believe in that you can have food that taste this good.
Crustenbrauten, 5/23/2010
Reviewer: Gabe from Santa Barbara, CA
This was my third or fourth visit to Brummi's, it definitely won't be my last. Started off with some nice "german style" homemade pretzels along with some thin sliced bread, then had the soup (can't remember which, very savory) followed by potato pancakes and the crustenbrauten for an entree and we split the black forest cake and an apple fritter. I was a little worried that the service might be slow considering we came right in the middle of peak hours on a Saturday night, but it was not a problem. The owner Veronika is a lot of fun, I would come back even if the food was mediocre (it's anything but) just because she's such a kick. I am glad I choose this as my birthday dinner.
Good times in the Good Land, 5/20/2010
Reviewer: John from Goodland
I ate here for the first time today (based on these reviews) and was blown away by the food and service. I went with the Schnitzel Zigeuner (pork wiht a spicy red pepper-tomatoe sauce) and it was fantastic. The homemade potatoe salad was the best taht I have had since hitting Santa Barbara 15 years ago. However, the real treat was talking to the mother side of this ownership team, Veronika. She was a delight to talk with and definately steared me in the right direction for my lunch. She was so great that I would even go back here if the food was bad. I am looking forward to coming back on a Saturday night to get the full experience (German keg beer shipped in) when I don't have to drive back to work. I fully expect to Brummis to become my favorite restaurant over the next couple of weeks. Give it a shot, you will enjoy it.
Traditional German Food, 5/19/2010
Reviewer: Patricia from Santa Barbara, CA
My Mom and I stopped in for dinner last Friday night. It was hard to decide if we should try this restaurant since my Mom is born and raised German and you never know how authentic a "German" restaurant is, but we decided to give it a go and were pleasantly surprised. We had the potato pancake appetizer, which was very good. Mom had the pork loin and I had the beef rouladen entrees. Both were excellent, but I must say, the pork was the favorite - extremely tender meat. Both meals came with spaetzle (German noodles, which aren't really noodles at all) with lots of yummy gravy, and blue cabbage. This is not a diet-friendly place, but it is definitely the food of my Mom's youth! We'll be back. The owner was very friendly, and it was fun for Mom to have someone to converse in German with!
Homemade taste and preparation, 5/17/2010
Reviewer: Elena from Santa Barbara, CA
The food tasted like homemade. Yes, even my Chinese mom made bratwurst and sauerkraut - haha. The dessert came with homemade whipped cream, and the potato pancake appetizer was crispy and moist with plenty of apple sauce. There was plenty for two people for both the appetizer and the dessert. The noodles were not long noodles but small round shaped pasta. Very buttery with a nice bite. It was a little more bland that what I would've liked so I added a touch of salt. The portions are very generous and the owner is super friendly. She was very helpful is suggesting dishes and even made adjustments when I wanted to try just about everything. It's these kind of places that I hope succeed in Santa Barbara.

Hands down the BEST German Restaurant in the area!, 5/16/2010
Reviewer: Mareike S. from Santa Barbara, CA
20 years I've been looking for a decent Sauerbraten in SB. Not only was yours decent, but it was THE BEST, the ABSOLUTE BEST! I was having flashbacks to my mom's cooking. Amazing. Simply amazing. Veronika, your hospitality was outstanding as well. I will definitely become a regular in your restaurant. I cannot wait to try the rest of the food on the menu. I just love your place. Thank you so much!

Great experience, 5/15/2010
Reviewer: Mohamad from Santa Barbara, CA
I have been to this place twice. First time with other students in the German class at UCSB and the second time with a friend. I like the place and the environment. Veronika is doing her best and she is nice and charming. If you know some German, then, there you go, it is the right place to talk some at the same time enjoy the company. The food is great as well and very good for the price. I will definitely go there again.

A Wonderful Place, 5/11/2010
Reviewer: Laksman from Santa Barbara, CA
Food was good, but not too many vegetarian options. But the service and hospitality of Veronica (owner) was simply superb!

The owner really cares, 5/3/2010
Reviewer: Annette from Santa Barbara, CA
Came here a while back. Its a smaller restaurant with an intimate feel. I haven't had much German food but i will say this was really good. The server was really nice and had just started so he explained as much as he could and then had the owner give us recommendations for first timers. The sides were interesting and surprised me while the meat was tender and easy to eat up. The owner came back to check on us and wanted feedback on what we liked and if we had anything to add. Its always nice to have someone care and show it in their service, def a place to check out when you want something a little different.

Coming home to a place I've never been, 5/1/2010
Reviewer: JamesM from Moorpark, CA
Looking for a place to take our Canadian friends on their last night in SB, we stumbled onto this place. Wow! This is not just a restaurant, it's a complete experience. Brummi is playful, friendly, warm and welcoming. The restaurant is neat, clean, crisp, modern and somehow also very homey. Potato pancakes to start: light, crunchy goodness. Krustenbraten was the big hit but everything was delicious: light and slighty sweet sauerkraut, potato salad with a light herby taste I can't describe and an apple fritter to finish that was more like a beignet with fresh apple inside. I always thought German food was heavy and plain. Now I know better. We can't wait to come back. We know it will be like coming home again, even though we've never been to Germany. In one night Brummi makes you part of her family.
The best german taste in America, 4/27/2010
Reviewer: Daniela, Sina und Marc from Santa Barbara, CA
Many thanks for this great taste and familiar atmosphere, it was so nice that we hope to see you again. The Schnitzel, as well as the Krustenbraten was absolutely perfect. And singing (especially for us germans) is not so funny, but this night it was a lot of fun !! Best wishes!!

A Stand Out Restaurant Experience!, 4/15/2010
Reviewer: Sheila from Santa Barbara, CA
What a wonderful restaurant and experience! Tried it for the first time a few weeks ago, and brought friends back for a birthday this past weekend. Each time we had great food, the owner was wonderful to us, the beer was amazing (big liters of kegged German dopple boch - yum!), and even ended up singing and dancing to a German song (I'm sure the beer had nothing to do with that! ha). I thought I didn't like German food, only to realize what I have tasted before was not really "good" - so am glad to be proven wrong! Potato salad was delicious, and I always thought German potato salad was so tart and sour. Found out that is more a Southern German style and this is Northern German style. Didn't even know there was a difference! And appreciate the delicious chicken weinerschnitzel with great sauces as I don't eat beef or veal!! It was the most stand out restaurant experience we have had in ages! Be prepared to not rush, sit back, and enjoy.

The best, Absolutely the best., 4/14/2010
Reviewer: Michelle and Emil Jagodinsky from Los Angeles, CA
I have never been treated so well in a restaurant in Santa Barbara in my entire life (we live in LA so we go here often for a quick getaway). We stumbled on this place. It was near where we stayed. The food was excellent. The service was wonderful. We are still stunned by the experience. We could have been in Munich for all we knew. It is fun and you feel well-fed and very happy when you leave. We ate a lot of different foods and desert and cannot wait to go back.
GOOD GERMAN FOOD!!!, 4/14/2010
Reviewer: Mark Evans from Santa Barbara, CA
Veronica the owner is awesome! Its so much fun to go there and eat good German food and Drink great beer. She has created an Atmosphere that makes you feel like your there in Germany. Don't hesitate if your looking for something good, go here! -Mark
FUN FUN FUN, 4/14/2010
Reviewer: Amy Lawson from Santa Barbara, CA
My boyfriend and I went to Brummis last night and had an absolute ball. Veronika (the owner along with her husband) was an absolute riot. She made the whole experience very fun, and definitely displayed her passion for having Americans enjoy German food and dining. The beers on tap are also wonderful (and HUGE so watch out), and the jovial environment is so tangible, as we sang some crazy German songs. Really a great place to go... definitely for a date night, OR for a big group ready to have a good time.
A Delightful Experience, 4/12/2010
Reviewer: Paul W from Santa Barbara, CA
Ate there Friday night with three friends and what fun we all had. It was amazing. Our server, the mum (I believe) was too much fun. We sang a song in German to close the night out with all the patrons participating. She created a unique unforgettable dinning experience. The food was great too.

Great Food and Excellent Service!, 3/29/2010
Reviewer: Jennifer from Santa Barbara, CA
My boyfriend and I dined here recently and LOVED it. The food reminded me of what I've had growing up and when visiting Germany (I was also excited to see goulash on the menu, which isn't a German dish, but a staple in my family). We came during the NCAA UCSB game, so it wasn't too busy. The owner, Veronika, took our orders and was extremely friendly and helpful when it came to choosing dishes. She came over to talk to us and was so nice, with a great sense of humor--we talked so long we didn't leave until after they closed! All the food was delicious--I loved the potato pancakes with apple sauce, my schnitzel was perfectly cooked and seasoned, and the apple fritters for dessert were excellent. We will definitely have to come back again soon--both for the food, and for the great service. Maybe next time we'll learn the secret to Veronika's Krustenbraten marinade! I hope Brummis is around for a very long time and intend to bring my parents next time they are in town!

Yummy for the tummy!! :-), 3/9/2010
Reviewer: Fiona Day Nguyenphuc from Santa Barbara, CA
This was my second time eating here for lunch and both times were great! Wonderful food!! Very subtle flavour and generous portions. The atmosphere is cosy and the service is outstanding!! The owner gives you very personal attention and is so concerned to make sure you are comfortable and happy with your food. I am also pleased to know that they don't serve veal. Perhaps not perfectly traditional, BUT I am glad they choose not to serve such an unhappy meat! Please try this wonderful place - you will be glad you did!!!!! :-)
Great food and a lot of fun!, 1/29/2010
Reviewer: Erin and Christopher from Carpinteria, CA
My boyfriend and I visited Brummis last night for the first time. We were craving something new for Thursday night beers and Brummis did not disappoint. The black beer was creamy and delicious and the tap brew was foamy and fresh. He loved his pork schnitzel and my spaetzal was buttery and decadent. The food was great but the thing that really made this restaurant a place I will come back to is the genuine warmth and good cheer. From the minute we walked in the door Veronika treated us like neighbors. She made very helpful suggestions for food pairings (the salad that she suggested with my spaetzal was one of the yummiest light salads ever). It is clear that she really cares about the food and the experience of every single customer. If you want a good, authentic German meal this is definitely the place to go in Santa Barbara.
Excellent Dining, 1/13/2010
Reviewer: Mike Lopez from Norwalk, Ca
I took my first trip to Santa Barbara and on my last night we dined at Brummis. The food was delicious and the service was friendly and warm. It was the first time I had ever eaten at a German Restaurant and it is rest assured now that it will not be the last. One can only hope others can match every spoon and fork full of flavor that Brummis introduced me to. Authentic German food at it's finest.
Brummis, 1/8/2010
Reviewer: JP from Santa Barbara, CA
About the food, it is bland and just plain not worth the money. Who makes winerschintzel without veal, but with chicken??? They do and the owner told me "It is too expensive to use veal". Their prices are already outrageous. Additionally, the services was very poor and it took about 30 minutes to get a beer. Don't waste your money here and do NOT believe all the reviews.
5+ rating, 1/7/2010
Reviewer: Kevin, Ana and Ian from Sacramento, CA
Veronika went above and beyond trying to please our finicky 4 year old. We lived in Germany and can attest to the authenticity of Brummis food. The kartofelpuffer (potato pancake) was crispy and very flavorful. The sauces on the snitzels were so flavorful. The HofBrau beer was fresh, served at the perfect temperature and they even have the 1 liter Oktoberfest style mugs. We will definately go back to Brummis the next time we are in Santa Barbara.
Wunderbar! , 1/7/2010
Reviewer: Helly from Goleta, CA
We've been to Brummi's 3 times in the past 7 days, and each time, the experience gets better. I spent my formative years in Germany and grew up on just this sort of hearty cuisine, so coming to Brummi’s brought a wave of pleasant culinary memories back. The food is a slice of heaven-- wonderfully fresh, homemade, mouth-wateringly delicious—in huge portions! And the service is the icing on the cake—such care and love shown by Veronika, the owner— where else is the server/cook/owner going to dote on you, tell entertaining stories, and take such good care of you, just as your own mother would? She puts a lot of love and effort into this restaurant, and it definitely shows, in both the food and the service. We’ve found our Santa Barbara favorite, and intend to come back here often!

a.ma.zing, 1/7/2010
Reviewer: Joseph Carnes from Santa Barbara, CA
An incredible experience. From the moment you enter, Veronika, the owner/server greets you, and you are family. The taste of real meat, obviously cooked over an open flame moments before appearing on your plate, is impossible to conceal. The Sausages are plump and extremely moist, but have an obvious fire searing. The potato pancakes are moist and creamy on the inside, with a crunchy outside, and a wonderful apple sauce to compliment. A carefully selected representation of german beers and wine is available. Veronika will be happy to (correctly) assist the correct flavor pairings, as well as tell you what sauces on your plate should be allowed to mingle amongst the foods, and which should be eaten separately. Singing German songs are frequent, with Veronika handing out German songsheets for those of us who don't speak it. This is a place for a true home-cooked meal. Even if you aren't German.
A very warm and customer-friendly place in SB , 1/5/2010
Reviewer: Mrs. Harvey Winston from Pacific Palisades, CA
I have never been at Brummis but, I gave their gift certificate to our friend who lives in Santa Barbara. Today, my friend called to thank me, she raved about the food and the graciousness of Brummis' owner, Veronika. Apparently , the prices were so reasonable that my friend's gift certificate could be extended to another visit to this place. Veronika not only made me look good but also made my French friend feel at home, in an authentic German restaurant. The next time I visit S.B., I will definitely go to Brummis. Until then, I will use their gift certificates to pleasantly surprise my friends there.
Authentic German Food, 1/5/2010
Reviewer: Brat and John from Napa Valley, CA
This is the kind of cooking my Mother would make when I was a young girl. Incredibly delicious. Large portions. Wonderful flavors. Veronika (owner/server)is high energy dressed in leiderhosen. She explains everything you order and the proper way in which the food should be eaten. She gives you samples of things to try while you are waiting for your dinner. The restaurant isn't flashy. It doesn't need to be as the food is the best!! This is a family owned and run restaurant. Definitely authentic German cuisine. A wonderful dining experience. We can't wait to return on our next trip!
The Greatest German Food, 1/2/2010
Reviewer: The Lowmans from Sacramento, CA
My family and I had the privilege and the pleasure of dining at Brummis on December 17, 2009, on our way to our Christmas vacation in Palm Springs. We arrived ahead of our scheduled reservation and were welcomed and made to feel comfortable. Veronika's running commentary on German food and the food itself were incomparable. We are of German heritage and tremendously enjoyed the wonderful food and the surroundings. You can bet we will be back to Brummis at our very first chance.

Feels like home! , 12/27/2009
Reviewer: Christian from Hameln, Germany (visit - Santa Barbara)
Christmas with the Brummis! What a happy Weihnacht! Didn't know what to do while I'm visiting a Friend over here and my Family not around. Went to Brummis by Chance - and - oh boy, what a great decision. The Food was excellent and the portions just like at home. Too much to finish if you had a regular eating day ahead! The food has a homemade character - one of the best, though! It's 100% authentic German food, no franchised or adapted food. This is the real deal! The Restaurant was extremely busy that night, but the Brummis-Team always took their time to please and chit chat with the guests. (which is considered really a nice thing in Germany!) I can not wait to eat over there again! So why not 5-Stars? I reduced the rating by .5 because I think that even on this high level there's room for improvement! I'll go check it out these days, for sure.

One of the best restaurants in town., 12/23/2009
Reviewer: Sam from Santa Barbara, CA
I have been to many local restaurants in town and yesterday was my first time dining at Brummis and it was over the top, I was very full after eating a large portion of my meal but I couldn't stop eating (yup that's how good it was). I ordered the Wiener from the Schnitzels menu with home made German Potato Salad and both were very delicious. I would highly recommend Brummis for home made style food. The service was great we were very warmly greeted by Veronica we felt we were regulars by the way she treated us. Now we will dine at Brummis often and I wish them the best of luck. Hope to see you there soon
Interesting Experience, 12/17/2009
Reviewer: Jennifer from Pasadena, CA
We were greeted warmly by I assume the owner/hostess/waitress. The whole restaurant is a storefront consisting of about 20 tables. The restaurant was about 1/2 full when we came for our 6:30 dinner reservation on the Saturday night after Thanksgiving. The service was a bit surreal. I know the proprietor was trying to please but she kept getting distracted by parties that were closer to the kitchen than us . The menu encourages you to sample before ordering. We asked for a sample of the goulash for our son. When the proprietor did finally come back, she presented him with a deep soup bowl filled to the brim! Thank goodness it was delicious because he did indeed order it as his meal. The spaetzel had a nice texture but bland. Potato dumplings were included with our meals too. I've never had one so I didn't know what to think of it as it was the size of a potato and gluttenous like mochi. So the inconsistencies in the service included never getting our water refilled, not getting more bread after we were offered, and waiting about 45 minutes to give our order. Because we had questions, waited for our initial bread, water, and sample of the goulash, she would disappear each time without taking our order. Once we got our food, it almost made up for sitting without anything to eat or drink. Normally, I would appreciate the leisurely pace but I had nothing to enjoy. Since we don't live in Santa Barbara, it will be some time before returning to give this little gem a second chance.
So Good!, 11/25/2009
Reviewer: Nick from Goleta, CA
I went to get takeout for lunch and wished I could have stayed. The atmosphere was sooo friendly and the food was superb. I can not wait to go back for dinner and to eat there and enjoy the full effect!
Feels like home...if I were German, 11/22/2009
Reviewer: Chee from Santa Barbara, CA
This place is a throwback to the good ol' days, where leiderhosen was worn with pride, beer was served in big mugs, and food was rustic and delicious. The service was excellent--the owner, Veronika, and the other server were very attentive, even filling my water glass when it was still half full. I got the bockwurst, which is a smoked sausage, and it was delicious with a side of saurkraut and rye bread. Yummy! I felt like I was part of a foreign exchange family, and Veronika provided me with a lot of education about the food I was eating and the proper way in which it should be eaten. The atmosphere is definitely homey but cute enough to take a date to. The restaurant also has some German music playing in the background. Definitely a cultural immersion experience! This was my first time here, and it won't be my last. Keep up the good work, Brummis!!
homey, 11/16/2009
Reviewer: veronique from Santa Barbara, CA
the food was very good...its difficult to decide on what to order but the owner was present and helped out..she also gave some complimentary taste testing of some german bread with apple butter..it was good but i was hesitant to try... if u are not an adventurous eater u might want to stick with the french fries... vey good food.
Simple, Fresh, Quality Ingredients, 11/5/2009
Reviewer: Michael from Santa Barbara, CA
I used to live in NY City and Brummis reminded me of a family-run restaurant in Greenwich Village. Small, intimate, friendly, excellent food. No hyperbole, just delivering the best they can.
Nice Lederhosen, 10/11/2009
Reviewer: Gabe from Santa Barbara, CA
I'm a somewhat frequent Dutch Garden customer and came here for the first time tonight and was not disappointed. I'm not prepared to declare a winner in the war for German culinary supremacy in Santa Barbara,(They're both great) but I loved Brummis. We went fairly early on a Sunday evening and did not experience any of the slow service due to overcrowding other posters have described.(but it was less than half full) I was lucky enough to get in on the coattails of a larger party who pre-ordered the haxen (some kind of a delicious slow cooked pork entree) which is being offered (usually) only with advance notice during their observance of Oktoberfest which goes until the 25th of this month. Veronika (the owner) explained this is because she has to order it special from a German butcher in Orange County. The haxen was very tasty, it had a crispy delicious skin, moist meat that fell off the bone, plenty of sauerkraut and potato salad on the side. The owner Veronika was the friendliest restaurateur I've met in quite some time, and did a great job of making us feel at home. One of the members of my party (who was probably older than Veronika) joked that "I feel like I have a mother again" The Hofbrau on draft was tasty and poured with the requisite respect and time a good German beer requires. If I have any criticism of the service it was that Veronika was somewhat insistent handing out lyrics sheets and getting the entire restaurant to sing German songs so we had to wait an extra few minutes for the bill. I'm not entirely sure that was an accident, but it was fun anyway. I'll have to come back and sample more of the sausages so I can do a more accurate head to head comparison with Dutch Gardens. It may even take multiple visits... oh darn.
Great food, great hosts, wonderful evening, 10/6/2009
Reviewer: Len and Pauline from Casa Grande, AZ
A reminder of our year and a half stationed in Germany in the 1970's. Warm, personal, accomodating service. The food was outstanding and plentiful. Veronica was very delightful and obviously cares about her guests. We will surely visit on our next trip to Santa Barbara.

Really good German Food, 10/5/2009
Reviewer: Cindy from Santa Barbara, CA
Best German potatoes ever! No heavy vinegar taste. Surprisingly light and refreshing. Pork very tender and delicious. Veronika is a hoot! We appreicated her being so accommodating.
The Best!, 10/4/2009
Reviewer: Annelie from Santa Barbara, CA
Everything I have tried has been great. Although I do miss the thin gravy. We don't eat out often, but when we do, we look forward to some great German food. You're the BEST

Gemutlichkeit, 9/29/2009
Reviewer: Steve Youmans from Ventura, CA
You will do no better for traditional German food then in the caring hands of The Brumm Family. Veronika was the most gracious host. I left full of the best German food and beer that I have had in years. If you like to eat good food or like good beer or just good company you owe it to yourself to try Brummis, the German Taste. Tell them the Little German Boy sent you -
Great food, beer and people!
Reviewer: Alison and Eric from Santa Barbara, CA
We went there early on a weeknight, and had a great meal, great service and good beer. The meals were pretty large, so I recommend sharing. Very authentic German cuisine.

Awesome experience!
Reviewer: Erica from Santa Barbara, CA
We had such a fun time visiting Brummis. The food is very delicious and authentic. The owner stopped by our table with great stories and special German treats. Big beers, great food, very good people. Totally stands outs in Santa Barbara!!!
Finally! Some real homecookin!
Reviewer: John and Solana from Santa Barbara, CA
Veronika was the best waitress we've had ever! The food was amazingly good... so much better than the touristy german food I've eaten my whole life! Portions were big... the schnitzel brummis was delicious! Awesome purple cabbage and homemade german pasta! Very authentic! Our new favorite local eatery! :)
homestyle food and big beers
Reviewer: Laura Grant from Santa Barbara, CA
We went here to take my mom to a german restaurant, because she lived there, but discovered a new friendly place that we will return to often -- the proprietors are amazingly helpful and interested in everyone having a personal and enjoyable experience -- they will mix and match the food sides and all is made on the premises. The big stein, draft beers seem overpriced, but fun to drink.

Love it
Reviewer: Susie from Santa Barbara, CA
Fiesta time, but wanted something different. Service is outstanding with a pleasant personal touch. Food is great.

Well prepared and tasty
Reviewer: Bob Jorgenson from Santa Maria, CA
I read of BRUMMIS in the NEWS PRESS and made it a point to stop for lunch. I've since enjoyed a fine dinner (Veronica told me I must). Now I eat there often. She takes care to prepare the rouladen as it should be (or as I enjoy it most). Her daughter makes the finest spaetzle I've tasted in America. I'm always comfortable and enjoy the warmth. Maybe I just crave attention which is served out in great portions. Thank you for making the long journey from East Berlin (now BERLIN) to Santa Barbara. We now have the gift of your great cooking and boundless joy.
Brummis delivers that "Gotta have it" food
Reviewer: Jinelle from Santa Barbara, CA
Again, after multiple trips to this restaurant Brummis continues to deliver that "just gotta have it" type food as I move my way around the menu. Getting in a rut now always starting with the potato pancake, but it is so good my loyalties are stuck.

But tonight I moved past the crackling roast pork with the wonderful klosse dumplings and on to the sausages and found a new "just gotta have it" love - the smoked bratwust - fat and tasty with the most delicious and satisfying snap to the casing along with just perfect saurkraut that is actually almost sweet like we ran into in Munich, and terrific mustard and creamy balanced potato salad with just the right touch of crisp and tart. The apple fritters to end it all are beyond delicious as just the right touch at the end.

Add the draft Hofbrau beer and enough left overs to take home for a few more meals and you have the best dining bargain in Santa Barbara. And always that special friendly Brummis service. This is a happy place to visit and it won't be long before I just "gotta have it" .... all over again. Thanks for bringing the very satisfying delights of simple German food to Santa Barbara.
Delightful!
Reviewer: Eibhlín Dubh Ní Chonaill from Santa Barbara, CA
The outside of the building is a little misleading; I thought it was going to be a little more shady than it was, but it turned out to be a very nice restaurant with excellent food and service. The portions are huge, they serve beer by the liter, and... Veronika? is it? is very, very tolerant of Americans trying to speak German, which I found hilarious.
What a Treat
Reviewer: Lewis Rivera from Santa Barbara, CA
Everything was delicious. We had them bring out what they thought we would like and enjoyed every dish. The food was wonderful. They also have German beers on tap with steins. How could you ask for anything more. Very friendly, can't wait to dine here again.
Authentic German Food
Reviewer: Matthias from Santa Barbara, CA
On a trip to L.A. we looked for a place to have dinner, drove right by Brummis and decided on Gulasch, Wiener Schnitzel and Spaetzle. The service was awesome and personalized. The food (of which we received plenty - the portions are big!) was authentic and delicious. Only I wish the Gulasch had come with German Spaetzle (homemade German pasta) instead of regular noodles. The imported German beer was awesome as well - nothing beats that. Prost!
Great Time
Reviewer: James Fay from Santa Barbara, CA
Please to review this amazing food restaurant. Lady was very nice. Sausages were very big. Potato's were very nice. I like the German Mustard and the German bread. And the German taste. And the beer was very nice.
Truly Wonderful: Don't Miss Out
Reviewer: C from Santa Barbara, CA
This is far and away one of the best experiences I've had dining out in Santa Barbara. We tried several items on the menu and every single one was outstanding. Be warned: the portions are generous and so tasty that you'll need to loosen your belt on the way out. Also, the woman who served us was vivacious, fun, and really knows her food. We'll be headed back soon, since I'm craving it already...

Yummy food, quick service!
Reviewer: Nicole from Santa Barbara, CA
I ate here last night and tried German food for the first time. There were 4 of us and our waitress (the mom) suggested we get 4 different dishes and eat them family style so that way we could try everything. It was delicious!! She arranged it so we could try all the side dishes too, dumpling, noodles, potato salad, etc. The meal was very heavy but really good!
Straight from a German kitchen
Reviewer: Michelle from Santa Barbara, CA
From the food to the service - Brummis makes you feel at home. It felt like I was eating at a friends house with Mom in the kitchen. Food was a little heavy but everything was delicious! The prices are reasonable and the portions are big, so you get what you pay for (with leftovers!). This was the first of many anticipated visits.

Delicious and Fulfilling!
Reviewer: Paul and Van from Santa Barbara, CA
We, and 3 of our friends, wanted to try a new restaurant on an impulse and we were not disappointed. Everything was picture perfect, despite us walking in close to closing time. Our hostess was attentive and described the food very well for us. We ordered beer from the tap and got our very large glasses, at which our hostess told us, "In Germany, we say 'Prost!' for cheers." The beer was great, and poured well. The food has to be tasted to be believed. We each ordered something different, from sausage to goulash, so we tasted the gammut. Everyone had a bit of everyone else's food, and everyone agreed it was delicious! Try it, seriously. :)

Great, authentic German taste at a good price
Reviewer: Andreas from Los Angeles, CA
I finally had a chance to check out Brummis in Santa Barbara. It was worth the wait, and it's great to know that there is a SoCal German restaurant worth going to now. Almost every German restaurant between Santa Barbara and Los Angeles has disappointed me until now. The service and food here are both fantastic, and the prices are very reasonable, especially for a nice dinner in Santa Barbara. My main criticism would be that the cheese spätzle were a bit too cheesy for me. Everything else was fantastic, and I look forward to going back soon.
Awesome
Reviewer: Steve Lange from Santa Barbara, CA
I'm from a German background so "meat & potatoes" style cooking is not unfamiliar to me at all. In college I sold bratwurst and bretzels and have enjoyed some great German restuarants in the Bay Area (i.e. Walzwerk, Speisekammer). And I've had some very good home cooked German dishes from people who really know how to make them. So, I feel I know of which I speak here. Summary: Brummi's is great and does not disappoint. The decor is very cool, with a focus on Berlin and the influence the Cold War had on the city. Lighting is a bit bright but very typical for a German restaurant, in my experience. Veronika is great, she's very welcoming and makes you feel right at home, the biers are huge, plentiful and tasty, the food is great, and don't miss the apple fritter for dessert. Come hungry because you definitely won't leave hungry. So glad to have such a wonderful spot here in town. We go back regularly and have never been disappointed in the least.
Overall, just OK
Reviewer: CS from Santa Barbara, CA
Large portions, mostly tasty, avoid the busy times. I've dined here a few times and never had a bad experience, but also have to say the food is nothing remarkable. I have to admit I still prefer the food and beer selection at the other place up the road. The mother/daughter team are very friendly and do a good job, but during busy times they definitely could use another server. Overall, just OK.
An amazing experience
Reviewer: Kyle Van de Kamer from Santa Barbara, CA
Las night, my family and I arrived at Brummis at 9:20 pm, twenty minutes after their closing time. Veronica (the co-owner) served us with vigor and delight. She was oh so kind to all of us even though we arrived late. She and her restaurant truly give back to the community of Santa Barbara everyday. It would not be such a nice to live if Brummis wasn't here. I give them all my luck in the future and my family and I are certainly coming back in the near future for a few schnitzels. Thank you so much Brummis, you have put german cuisine on the map of Santa Barbara!
sehr gut!
Reviewer: Eric from Santa Barbara, CA
Fantastic Bockwurst and Bratwurst, accompanied by the freshest Sauerkraut I've ever had. Even if you don't normally like sauerkraut, you will like it here. Very friendly and personable service, goes well with the cozy atmosphere. I'll definitely be back to Brummis.
Ausgezeichnet! (German for "excellent")
Reviewer: Joni from Santa Barbara, CA
I took my husband for dinner at Brummis last night and had a great time. Veronica, of the husband/wife team who own/run the restaurant, gave wonderful service, making recommendations that were excellent. The servings are huge and the prices very reasonable. Unfortunately, we were too full to try the desserts. We'll be sure to leave room for dessert next time.

Wonderful service, wonderful food
Reviewer: Liz from Santa Barbara, CA
My husband and I have been to Brummis quite a few times and it never disappoints. I have never had a meal that was less than superb, and the owners are always warm and welcoming. I would recommend this place to anyone who wants authentic German food.
Great German food!
Reviewer: Desiree from Santa Barbara, CA
I grew up on German food and I recently just came back from visiting my brother in Germany so when I heard about this new German restuarant I could not resist. I was pleasantly surprised by how busy it was when my boyfriend and I went. The sevice was a bit slow at first, but they did have a full restaurant and only two servers. (my only tip, get another server or two) Once we we were greeted by our server, the service was friendly and the food did not dissappoint. I ordered my favorite...spatzel and was very satisfied as was my boyfriend. The owner is an authentic german lady who really takes pride in her restaurant. The portions are huge so come hungry!
Valentines Day
Reviewer: Steve from Santa Barbara, CA
I took my wife and parents to Brummis for Valentines Day dinner. My parents like Germand food and they wanted to try it. I had read the reviews and was looking forward to a wonderful meal. First, the service was slow. It looked like they had enough staff (don't know about in the kitchen) and while there were a number of tables full, the restaurant was about half full. The potato pancakes were good. I had the Bummi schnitzel, large portion. I wasn't sure what was on top, but it was not what I expected. My wife had the crackling pork with apples and prunes, but there were no prunes or apples and the pork had too much "bark," maybe that's the "crakling" part. I like bark, but better on ribs, and my wife cut it off. On a positive note I must say my parents enjoyed their meal, but they never complain. Like another reviewer, I would have liked to have known they had beer on tap in large steins. I would have ordered that rather than the bottled beer I had. I might try it again, maybe for lunch.

Great Food, Great Service
Reviewer: Stan from Santa Barbara, CA
We just got back from a work lunch at Brummis. The mother was our server and you could tell the pride she put into her food. I tried the Russian soup, which was awesome, followed by the Jagerschnitzle. Manuela tells you right away that it's Northern/East German food, so do not expect Bavarian style potato salad (to which she made a sour face). No problem, it was delicious. Her brusque style was well received, as it was obvious she was confident in the quality of food being served. I will have to make it back there for a tall stein of HB, and maybe get a peak at the daughter.
Best German Food In Town
Reviewer: Nikolai Lambert from Santa Barbara, CA
Okay so I have tried this place twice now. The first time I had the smoked sausage. That was good. I was pleased with the German Potato Salad. Different then other places but Its very good. Better actually then Dutch Garden. Now for the Sauerkraut. Amazing. The best Ive had. Far superior then the other place down the road. It tastes fresh, homemade, and like effort was put into it. This visit was a week ago. Now for Today: Today I tried the Bratwurst. Delicious. Tasted like it was made right there. Amazing flavor. The Sauerkraut went perfectly with it. The German Potato salad was a nice touch and very tasty. I also tried some some they had that had meat in it. I was told it was a Russian soup. Very good soup. Good flavor. Excellent start to a wonderful lunch. Now for the service. Very attentive. The woman (I believe is the daughter) is very friendly and takes pride in making sure her patrons are happy and filled. Which I was on both occasions. Thank you very much. (I'm the young man who was in the window table and I had the Black Army cap on)
Will be going back ... with friends!
Reviewer: Michelle from Santa Barbara, CA
My husband and I decided to go somewhere new for dinner and thought we'd give Brummis a try. We're very glad we did. It's a very cozy restaurant and the food was yummy. I had the Fleischklopse (meatballs with potato salad) and my husband had the Jagerschnitzel with Spaetzle. The meatballs were extremely flavorful and the potato salad was very good - subtle tastes and extremely refreshing (which is a weird thing to say about potato salad but it's true). I think I enjoyed the meal more than any I had in Germany. My husband thought the mushroom sauce on his Schnitzel was tasty and especially liked his Spaetzle. The service was especially wonderful. It really made the experience. Veronika was very attentive and friendly.

Excellent restaurant
Reviewer: Susan Smiley from Santa Barbara, CA
The food is Excellent so was the service and Atmosphere. My husband and I have a few German friends who we will recommend this restaurant to, as well as to our American and Turkish friends in fact we want every one to know what a great restaurant it is. This is my second visit, I took a friend there for her birthday so decided that my husband should experience the restaurant also. A great restaurant will go there again for sure

Had a genuine German experience
Reviewer: renita ramirez from Santa Barbara, CA
two things i'd like to get my opinions across. first, the food was awesome. handsdown, by far the best home cooked german food in town and to me anywhere in california. i've lived in san francisco bay area all my life and i was afraid my comfort foods from back home won't be matched. on the contrary, it was a great food and sense awakening experience . i had the sauerbraten, with pea pudding, potato salad and a tall glass of beer. for desert, i had the apple fritters. yummmmmmers. i even had plenty of food to eat at home, twice. secondly, the mother and daughter servers were as warm and delightful and was ultra friendly. not many server/folks actually take the time and converse with you the history of the food and their story of how the recipe got passed down from generations and onward. i loved this place and will always go back for the food and the hospitality. kudos to brummis restaurant
Great!!
Reviewer: Cathy from Santa Barbara, CA
It was soooo good. This was the first visit, and will be back again soon. The service was perfect.. all of my questions about the food were answered. The food was so good, just as I remembered from trips to Germany. The portions were so large, I asked for a 'doggie bag.' Thanks for a really nice meal.
TWO STRIKES YOU OUT-NOT GOOD AT ALL
Reviewer: Peter O. from Carp.
The first time I went for lunch and had the jager schnitzel and elas salad. The schnitzel seemed like it was packaged rather the home made, it was soggy and tough. The sauce had a weird canned taste to it, not at all like the other jager schnitzels I've had at the other German restaurant on state (dutch garden). It might of been my fault but I had it with fries, I thought the menu said homemade and for sale they were not home, they were just soggy and bad. The elas salad looked good on the menu, but the dressing wasn't very good. A friend wanted to go about a week or two later, so I deiceded to give it another try. There were 3 of us. I had bratwurst, my friend had the sauerbraten, and his wife had the bratwurst as well. We were both very unimpressed with the bratwurst, I don't think it was homemade and you can make the same thing at home with stuff you buy at the butcher, also they don't have a nice selection of mustard like the dutch garden. The red cabbage was completly different from the rest and way over seasoned. My friend's sauerbraten was not at all like he thought it would be and wondered where special marinate was. The one positive note the beers we had were very good.

Horrible!!!
Reviewer: Chris White from Santa Barbara, CA
To all this is a warning! First let me start by saying the food here is not at all good. Being of german decent I KNOW GOOD FOOD! My OPA was a great cook. I had Bratwurst and my wife a chicken salad. The Bratwurst was okay made by Shalobs in town. The Brat was grilled and served with a raw wonder bread bun. My wifes salad was a joke. Dutch Garden is way better but needs a good German cleaning. Save your hard earned money. Cheers!
Fabulous Authentic German Food!
Reviewer: Brandon from Newport Beach, CA
I drove all the way up from Orange County in order to try some real German food, since I heard great things about Brummis. Let me tell you, the long drive was completely worth it. I’ve never had much exposure to German food so I wasn’t quite sure what to order. The owners were very polite and informative, helping me decide on my meal. They introduced me to the Potato Pancakes, and Rinderrouladen. I loved them both. They were even nice enough to allow me try both the Spatzle and Klosse with my meal. The food was delicious and full of flavor and I will never forget the owners, making it a fun and fulfilling experience. Though I’m sad that I live too far to make it an everyday eating spot, I will definitely make it a point to go back when I’m craving authentic German food. I will at least know the trip will be worth it.
Great German Fare
Reviewer: Marian Smith from Sammamish, WA
I loved "Brummis - The German Taste." It is authentic German fare as its best. Having just returned from a trip to Germany, the overall experience still weighing heavy in my heart and in my mind, it was a real welcomed surprise. The food was excellent and abundant, the service outstanding, and the ambience warm and inviting. Thank you, Brummis, for taking me back, if just for an evening, to this most wonderful country called "Germany." You can bet I'll be back for more.
Wunderbar German Food!
Reviewer: Rip from Santa Barbara, CA
My wife and I just had dinner tonight at Brummis. The food was excellent - She had the cracking pork and I had the Brummi schnitzel. The food portions were huge - we couldn't finish it all. Looking forward to eating the leftovers later. Everything was very flavorful and well made. The salad was fresh and delicious. The potato pancake was yummy. The service was also wonderful. The mother and daughter were very attentive and warm, and we had excellent service throughout. This was the second time we have been here, and we enjoyed the meal and service tremendously both times. We look forward to our next visit here. Ausgezeichnet!
A disappointment
Reviewer: Paul from Santa Barbara, CA
I was curious to read the reviews of Brummis, the new german restaurant in town. Many were very positive (‘finally, a real german restaurant’, ‘real german food’, ‘authentic..’). This piqued my interest, so off we went for dinner. I ordered Jaegerschnitzel and my wife had Ziegeunerschnitzel (schnitzel with so-called ‘gypsy’, i.e., paprika-based, sauce). We were served small portions of german bread with butter. Our Schnitzels came with potato salad or french fries. We both ordered potato salad; french fries aren't exactly german fare. Our cutlets were well-prepared and of ample proportions. That’s where the positive ends. My ‘Jaeger’ sauce was a small serving of what tasted like Campbell’s mushroom soup. My wife’s portion of Zieguener sauce was equally skimpy and not flavorful. Our german potato resembled a bland, mayonnaise based American version. In short, our dinners were a disappointment. Since I’d enjoyed the Jaegerschnitzel dinner at the Dutch Garden, I made a return trip there to compare it with Brummis’ version. Both meals were roughly the same price. The Jaegerschnitzel at DG was smothered in real mushroom sauce, there’s a choice of german potato salad or german potato pancakes, a small serving of hot bread and a modest serving of fresh veggies with sauerkraut, PLUS a choice of delicious homemade soup or an ample green salad. Hands down, it was simply a more flavorful, tastier meal and without doubt the better value. On a positive note, Brummis is well-lighted and clean, and the mother/daughter duo are welcoming, very friendly and attentive. I’ll give them 5 stars on this point, but Jaegerschnitzel and Ziegeunerschnitzel dinners are what we ate; they get 2 stars. I’ve lived in Santa Barbara for 38 years and have seen German restaurants come and go (Redwood Inn, German Haus, Heidelberg Inn, etc.). I sincerely hope Brummis makes a go of it, but I won’t be going back any time soon.

Will give them another chance.
Reviewer: Stuart from Santa Barbara, CA
My wife and I ate here during Fiesta when we got sick of Mexican food. The food was so authentic "home cooking" that it was terrible. The mother and daughter team were very nice and "gemutlich" but we thought their restaurant wouldn't last the month. Well, obviously it has and the recent reviews are very positive so I am willing to give them another chance. If the other reviewers are right they have improved things a lot. Maybe I'll have a good strong German dark beer with my meal too. I am happy for the owners that they have made a success of their endeavor
Great food but time to add staff
Reviewer: Brian from Santa Barbara, CA
We tried Brummis after reading all of the great reviews. The food was great. No doubt about it. The bratwurst reminded me of Bavaria and the jaegerschnitzel was crisp, tasty and not greasy at all. The only issue (and it wasn't anything that would keep me from coming back) was that the owner was the only person on wait staff. The poor thing had a packed house by 6:45 but only her to tend to the tables. My wife and I felt really bad for her. We noticed the fill up happening and made sure to order quickly so we wouldn't be waiting too long but I know some folks who were there before us didn't pay attention and were still waiting for their food when we left. That may have been deliberate on their part, though. Anyway, we loved the place but would love it even more if she got some full time help so that they could turn over more tables and be more successful.

Delicious food, nicest people
Reviewer: Brooke from Santa Barbara, CA
The owners of this restaraunt are fantastic! They offer a great menu of fresh and authentic dishes. The mother / daughter team also are some of the best servers in town, offering quick service and helpful information regarding their menu. The food was incredible! This will be a go to restaraunt for us!
A Most Welcome Addition
Reviewer: james from Santa Barbara, CA
My wife and I eat out way too often so it is a nice surprise to stumble over something quite out of the ordinary from what has been our routine. Though our experience with German cuisine is somewhat limited, I do have a few random past experiences from which to draw upon in making this assessment. While I did very much enjoy what I ordered, there are a few classic German dishes, such as sauerkraut, that simply are non-starters for me. Nevertheless, I found the food wonderful and the service to be most attentive. Put down that burrito or burger and treat yourself to something different for a change.
Worst Meal In 20 years
Reviewer: alex from Santa Barbara, CA
Do not bother with this resturant. We just brought home our to-go dinner. Tried one bit and threw it away...pure grease. Deep fried, tough, too much seasoning, Campbells mushroom soup on deep fried pork. deep fried apple slice (same grease as pork cooked in). horrible horrible..still can't get the greasy taste out of my mouth. $50 down the tubes and horrible aftertaste. fed it to my dog. horrible horrible. I can not believe they would even bother opening this place. it will be closed by Feb 1, 2008 without a doubt.

Traditional German Comfort Food Served with a Smile!
Reviewer: Jim from Santa Barbara, CA
I've been to Brummis several times and have enjoyed each experience. It's a mother/daughter operation, with mom Veronika running the "front of the house" while daughter Manuela does the cooking. The food is delightful, mainly consisting of traditional German dishes that come with spicy tart red cabbage and your choice of Spaetzle (a kind of noodle) or dumplings. They also have some nice German beers and wine to accompany your meal.

Warm family welcome
Reviewer: Lidia from Santa Barbara, CA
I am no big fan of German food, but I was charmed by this restaurant. The interior is streamlined and cozy, making it beautiful and welcoming. We were waited on the owner and made to feel extremely welcomed, like we were dining at her house. The food was enjoyable, particularly the potato salad. Overall, the place is charming and the service is personal.

super gut
Reviewer: Meinke from Neubrandenburg, MV
Frohe Weihnachten aus Deutschland wuenschen Marlies, Tim, Marcus und Franzi! Wir hoffen, dass es euch an eurem ersten amerikanischen Weihnachten gut geht und ihr uns nicht zu doll vermisst :) Waere schoen mal wieder etwas von euch zu hoeren. Bis dahin ein frohes Fest und einen guten Rutsch in ein erfolgreiches 2009!

Good food in uptown
Reviewer: Jon S from Santa Barbara, CA
It was our first time eating dinner here and everything was excellent. Between five of us we took our time and tasted almost everything. Highly recommend the apple fritters even if you don't have room! I hope this place stays around, oh and they serve ice cold beers in huge steins, just make sure to ask what's on tap. It wasn't covered in their menu.
Excellent, Excellent, Excellent
Reviewer: Larry from Santa Barbara, CA
I have lived a total of 7 years in Germany, mostly in the Southern part and I always enjoyed good German food. So my wife, Carol, and I, having visited Europe 4 times in the past 10 years, were delighted when we found out a new German Restaurant was in town. Sat. Dec. 13, 2008, was our first visit, and we could not have been more pleased. Even though the food in Southern Germany can be quite different from the food in Northern Germany, both of us were greatly surprised on how tasty and authentic the food was. We were used to German Restaurants here in the U.S. that touted great German food but were sadly lacking. Brummis delighted us. We pretty much ordered a sampling of all the entrees and appetizers. The food was cooked to perfection. The Rouladen was delicious as was the Sauerbraten, the Kesslerbraten, the Bratwurst and the Schnitzel. The service was fast and extremely friendly with 2 lovely waitresses making sure that our meal and time at Brummis was enjoyable, and... it was. Those of you who are in the market for good, authentic German food, cooked like "Grandma" used to, grab your better halves and head on over to Brummis German Restaurant. You will not be disappointed and will enjoy yourselves greatly. P.S. Be sure and order the "Wurst Fleisch" and "Potato Pancake" appetizers. Then spread the Wurst Fleisch on top of the Potato Pancake. Great Taste. Also order the Apple Fritter dessert. OUTSTANDING. P.S.S. They will be open for lunch starting Dec. 19th.

Delicious!!!!!
Reviewer: Barbara from Santa Barbara, CA
First time at Brumms last evening was incredible and as I sit here eating my left-overs for lunch, I can't wait to go back and try something else. The sauerbraten was wonderful. The apple fritter with vanilla sauce heavenly. Veronika is a delight. Great coffee, too. Welcome, Brummis.
BEST GERMAN FOOD EVER
Reviewer: BOB DUNCAN from CARPINTERIA CA
I CAN'T TYPE BUT I CAN EAT....AND MY TWO MEALS AT BRUMMIS HAVE BEEN WONDERFUL....ABUNDANT GERMAN HOME COOKONG AT A GREAT PRICE AND SERVICE WITH A SMILE AND GOOD HUMOR. LIVE OUT OF TOWN BUT WILL BE BACK AGAIN.....DUNCAN
Once again 5 Stars
Reviewer: Stef from Santa Barbara, CA
So there we were again....at Brummi's. Once again just great food and great friendly service. Try the Wuerzfleisch and the Soljanka as starters. They are both just great. I am very happy that they have nice and cold Hofbraeuhaus Lager. Now I can order "noch 'ne Halbe, bitte" and enjoy the taste of a good old german bier. Thank you and see you soon.
So glad we gave it a try!
Reviewer: Stacey from Santa Barbara, CA
We stopped here on a whim earlier this week, having heard great things about the food. We received a warm greeting and were immediately seated with some of the excellent bread to get started on. My young daughter really loved the pretzel bread. We ordered potato pancakes ("kartoffelpuffer"), currywurst, and crackling pork ("krustenbraten") (apologies for my probable wrong spelling). Everything was terrific. The portion sizes were large and the flavors were well developed. I also want to thank the owner for her suggestion of an excellent dark German beer, which was a perfect compliment to my meal. Her friendly service made our night really terrific. My husband and I really enjoyed our dinner here and had great fun introducing our daughter to a new cuisine. We'll definitely return and will bring friends!
Just Okay
Reviewer: Danny from Santa Barbara, CA
First off the place is nice inside and the menu creative. The meal started with bread and pretzels, which were both good. I like the idea that they let you try the dish before you order it. They had a special that night which there was only "two left" and they were really trying to push it on me. I ended up tasting the sauerbraten and ordering that. It was good but it just wasn't great, it was good for the first few bites and then was just bland. It came with Klosse, which weren’t very good at all, they were way over seasoned. It also came with red cabbage, which is one of my favorites and wasn't very good either. I also had for a starter the potato pancake, which was really bad, I love potato pancakes and this is the worst I have had. What made the service bad for starters was when I didn't eat the whole pancake or the apple sauce that came with it, the young girl seemed offended, also with not eating the red cabbage the came with the entree. For better German food try Dutch Garden, the food is always great and the owner is never rude.
Fantastic! Great German food and service!!!
Reviewer: Mike Shinn from Santa Barbara, CA
We had a wonderful dinner here last night. Everything was perfect - the potato pancakes, schnitzel, sour soup and the spaetzel are fantastic. Sorry, my keyboard doesn't support umlauts. Highly recommended.
Das beste deutsche Essen in Santa Barbara!
Reviewer: Eric Stapelfeld from Santa Barbara, CA
This restaurant is a great addition to Santa Barbara's already fantastic lineup of restaurants, and definitely fills niche that needed to be filled. As a Global Studies and German student that lived abroad a year in Germany, I definitely appreciate having a fantastic place to go now. The owners are super friendly, accommodating and very generous. It's great to see that they are so involved in their food and service, you feel as if you are eating a home cooked meal inside a German Gasthaus. Another apspect I really appreciated is the decor. After living in Germany for a year it always dissappoints me to go into a "German" restaurant and everything looks like it is right of the alps, since most of the country doesn't actually use this architecture. My only criticism is that the lighting is very bright, so it's not the most romantic place in the evening to go to. But that won't keep me away at all. Ich kann nicht warten, bis ich dort wieder essen kann!

Wunderbar!
Reviewer: Christine from Santa Barbara, CA
As a German, I was impressed all around! The food was great...really hitting that spot only food from home can hit. My "kraut" cravings have been satified! The restaurant and service are warm but with a no-frills feeling. Will certaintly go back sooner than later!

Bitte, auf dem Tisch Aromat, danke.
Reviewer: Jinelle from Santa Barbara, CA
One thing missing in this wonderful restaurant is a container of Aromat on the table to enliven these good basics. Recent review in the Independent unfortunately claimed most of the food was "lacking flavor" according to his admitted lack of knowledge of German cooking. But this is a valid criticism if one wants to reach the more jaded, hyped up palate used to spicier international offerings. Just like any good "foreign" restuarant that has collection of special condiments at the table for adjusting to individual tastes, a bit of Aromat gives this food that extra touch, just like you find in every Swiss restaurant where this sits proudly on the table.
A great place to eat German food!!
Reviewer: Silvia Gilman from Santa Barbara, CA
I moved to the US about 6 years ago and had always an occasional craving for some german food (I usually had to take the effort and cook it myself :0() . When I saw that a new German restaurant just opened here in town I was very excited but also a bit sceptic. I went to so many German restaurants that were all run by people in Lederhosen with horrible Bavarian music and just the all-round German clichee - whereas Germany has som much more to offer than that. It's easy to imagine that I was very pleased by the decor and the nice ambiance at Brummis which was very modern. The food was really good and even for me as a German who is from the Ruhr Area more interesting since some of it is based from the Berlin cuisine. The staff was so EXTREMLY friendly that if we didn't had a bill at the end - we all felt more as we were eating at somebodies house rather than a restaurant - that's how warming the atmosphere was. I recommend everybody who is intersted in stopping by and enjoying some german food and a KOENIG PILSENER beer (I think this is the very first place I have EVER seen that beer offered!) What a treat!

Excellent!
Reviewer: Heidi from Santa Barbara, CA
I love German food, and I loved Brummis! They are incredibly hospitable people who serve incredible food.
An example for other SB restaurants
Reviewer: Ben from Santa Barbara, CA
There are two things that are great about Brummis. First, it's a totally unique and interesting food option in Santa Barbara. I had no experience with German cuisine, but the chance to try it couldn't be passed up. I'm glad I did try it, because the food was delicious. The second great thing about Brummis is the service. I challenge anyone to find another Santa Barbara restaurant more dedicated to delighting their customers. Any restaurant could learn something about customer service from Brummis. I wish them all the best. See you for Oktoberfest!

just really good
Reviewer: Asuka Nemoto from Los Angeles, CA
My husband and I went to this restaurant yesterday. My husband is a German American and his grandma used to cook really good German food for her family when he was very young. The dish at this restaurant totally brought back his old memory, and he loved it. It's too bad that we live in LA and cannot come back here often... So Santa Barbara people, you are so lucky and we really envy you guys!!

Great "home cooked" German food
Reviewer: Brian from Santa Barbara, CA
I went in recently with my daughter and a friend and we loved the food and the service. My daughter is 2 and they we very accommodating making sure she was happy and entertained. The food is some of the best German food I've had in the US. I've been to Germany several times and was an exchange student just out of High School (DPHS!!). I remarked to my friend that the food reminded me of the food you are lucky to eat if you know a family in Europe, recipes that are handed down from the generations. I will return again soon with my wife to try more of the great cuisine and wish the Brummi's lots of luck in their new restaurant but based on all the fine reviews they are definitely a great addition to Santa Barbara. As for Hannah, you seem to have and ax to grind, taking the time to review a restaurant several weeks later and including an "East German" slur seems over the top. Plumbing problems happen in restaurants all the time, as does slow service when business is just starting up. Based on my experience the Brummi's have fixed the rough edges and moved on. It's probably best if you did too Hannah...

I wish I had never spent any money there.
Reviewer: Hannah from Santa Barbara, CA
When I first saw that a new german restaurant opened in Santa Barbara,I was really excited to go.As a german,it was hard for me to find authentic german food.But Brummi's was a horrible experience and definitely not worth the money.I went with my friends and family,and it took the woman one hour to even remark us.Then,it took another half an hour for our food to arrive,and when it was finally there we were more than disappointed.The sauerkraut was from a can,the schnitzel had a bad quality and the salad was definitly not fresh. Worst of all,while we were eating,the owner told us that the toilet was leaking,and the dirty disgusting toilet water was up to under my friends' chairs. The whole time the owner tried to make excuses why everything took such an eternity.Quite honestly I was ashamed that i had proposed to eat at brummi's.Brummi's is disgrace for all german food.Paying so much money for small portions of disgusting something,I will never go there again.
1. Klasse
Reviewer: Carlos M Nash from Santa Barbara, CA
I've eaten at Brummis twice, and both times were wonderful. The decor is very pleasing with a sprinkling of images from Germany, in particular Berlin. I highly recommend the Kartoffelpuffer und Apfelmus for starters; very light and refreshing. I've had both the Sauerbraten and Jägerschnitzel. I have to say, the Jägerschnitzel with Kartoffelsalat definitely won me over. Best of all is the highly personable owners/staff. For me, dining at Brummis will be a regular weekly occurrence.
Great little restaurant
Reviewer: Milan from Santa Barbara, CA
We went to Brummis for dinner, and we really liked the food, the service and the decor. They have some interesting memorabilia from East Germany on the walls. The food was excellent, the portion was ample, and the dark German beer that I had was excellent, too. Highly recommend! Constructive criticism - need to refill the water glasses ;-)
Outstanding!
Reviewer: Frank from Santa Barbara, CA
Our second visit, and definitely highly recommendable!! Do yourself a favor, and hurry over to Brummi's! The service is friendly and prompt. The menu is true German, well presented, and very flavorful. Rouladen was outstanding. Schnitzel was thin, gently battered and cooked, with your choice of Jaeger (hunter's) sauce of mushrooms and cream, or Ziguener (gypsy style) with red pepper and tomatoes. The potato salad was truly special, and the potato dumpling (Kloesse) was perfectly cooked. I have spent well over a year in Germany and Austria, and this would have been a delightful home-cooked meal there. As Brummi's gets better known, I would encourage them to get a broader selection of wines (not expensive, and not all German). The beers are all German, and all very good.
Best Potato Salad EVER...
Reviewer: Monica & Gabe from Santa Barbara, CA
I saw this place on this website a while back and have never taken the time to try it. We popped in for an early dinner tonight and LOVED the mom & daughter team and the food. It TRULY feels like eating at someone's home in Europe. They come out and show you how to serve the appetizer (we had never seen anything like it) and check on you all the time. They are a GREAT team and the food was truly home-cooking and delicious. The portions are HUGE and they are so sad if you will not take a doggie bag (so we took boxes!)...It is such a gem! I am thrilled to have finally tried it and will suggest it to all my pals...FANTASTIC PLACE!
Sehr Gutes Essen!!
Reviewer: Angela from Santa Barbara, CA
I took my visiting family there on Saturday and since my Opa is from Germany I was hoping for the best. It was great, my Opa loved his Sauerbraten and my parents loved both of their meals too. I have grown up eating German Cusine and it's so hard to find a restaurant that tastes like home, but this one hit the spot. The service was excellent and the place is very clean and resonably priced. I definitly recommend trying it.

Kartoffelpuffer + "Jäger" Schnitzel + Eierkuchen! Delicious!
Reviewer: Dylan Penev from Santa Barbara, CA
My first time at this restaurant. The service was excellent. The waitresses were very friendly and charming. It was a very relaxing atmosphere and I have felt a piece of Europe again. My Kartoffelpuffer with apple sauce tasted a bit like fish, but actually it was roasted potatoes. The "Jäger" Schnitzel was very delicious and the French Fried were crispy and soft. The Eierkuchen was the right dessert for the right dinner. BRAVO! Gruss Dylan (from Switzerland living in Santa Barbara) I'll pay you a visit soon!
Great German Restaurant
Reviewer: Melanie from Santa Barbara, CA
I was the first time in this restaurant and I'm Swiss. So, I was really excited how the food was and actually I loved the food. I had a great evening there and felt almost like home. Finally, a good European restaurant in Santa Barbara. And the service was good too!You should check it out! Guten Appetit;-)

Nice new place
Reviewer: Kat from Santa Barbara, CA
Our family had a lovely dinner at Brummi's. The service, provided by co-owner Veronika, was wonderful - very warm and attentive. The restaurant was SPOTLESS. The food was good - my son loved his beef rouladen. I don't eat red meat so the menu choices were pretty limited for me. I thought everything was great but would like to suggest adding a vegetarian stew or similar to meet the tastes of those that are not big meat eaters. Overall, we had a lovely meal and were very happy to have such a cute little place in our neighborhood!
Warm, wonderful and welcoming
Reviewer: Jinelle from Santa Barbara, CA
BRUMMIS - THE GERMAN TASTE - 3130 STATE STREET, SANTA BARBARA Dinner for two: Started with their "russian" soup -hearty, rich and good, almost a meal in itself; salad crisp and plentiful with choice of two light, flavorful dressings. Other appetizers were intriguing, but almost looked too filling so I want to try them at another time with a lesser entree. Entrees: "Crackling pork" - roast pork, gravy, wonderful light potato dumplings they call Klosse (or choice of spatzle) and red cabbage - enough for three meals so I took the rest home - a classic, well prepared and wonderful. Owner aplogized they were unable to get the pork with sufficient fatty skin on it to make it "crackling", but it was still very good. Other was schintzle with mushroom gravy, (various other preparations available) with exceptional potato salad. Again, very nicely prepared. Dessert: a little miscommuication due to language problems (owners speak limited English and it was my thin German that led to the mistake) we ended up with the apple fritters instead of the apple crepes, but no complaint as they sat swimming in a nice custard sauce and were a perfect ending to a very nice German meal. Two good german beers in a pleasant, modest cafe surrounding. All entree prices well under $20, portions almost too large and I had leftovers for two more days, and it got even better two days later. This is definitely a place for hearty food, comfort food, great filling lunches, large portioned dinners, and especially a cold weather retreat from the storm. And charming service. You get the feeling if you don't like something, they will bend over backwards to make it better. The place is run by a mother and her young daughter who only came to town a short while ago. They know the restaurant business so I wonder what brought them here as German food is a very under-represented food in California towns, especially a beach town with Spanish heritage. But we do have a very sizable local German community and at one time had several German deli's and the quaint old Heidelburg Inn downtown. The owner took her grandmother's curry wurst recipe to our local meat purveyor (Shalhoob) to have them custom made and encouraged us to come back for lunch and give them a try. This is sure to happen. The side dishes along with the custom sausages makes Brummis worthy of many repeat visits. And did I say I love pork? Yes, this is the place. It all whetted my appetite for an upcoming trip to Munich and the Christmas markets with the cold weather and hot sausages make a culinary marriage made in heaven.

Don't overlook the soup!
Reviewer: Herman from Carpinteria/CA


Great Addition to Upper State (and to Santa Barbara)
Reviewer: Mike from Santa Barbara, CA
My wife and I have been to Brummis three times now and it gets better every time with each new item we try. The schnitzel is the best I've ever had and the potato pancakes are fried to crispy perfection. The Chicken Jagr is delicious and they also make a very nice sauerbraten dinner. The Brumm family is lovely and you can tell that they sincerely wish that you have a great dining experience.

Finally
Reviewer: Tanya from Santa Barbara, CA
a good german restaurant in town. As a german it felt like being at home for a while. It is very pleasant to be able to order everything in german and get authentic food. I had the "Sauerbraten mit Spaetzle" which I can definetely recommend, and I also tried the "Kartoffelsalat" which is very good. Although I have to admit that I am from the south of Germany where the same food looks and tastes a bit different. I will definetely recommend this restaurant not only to my german friends in town...Wishing you all the success. Tanya
Real German Food in SB...Endlich.
Reviewer: Stef from Santa Barbara, CA
Endlich....German food has arrived to our city. Dutch Garden, please RIP....and stop calling your food German. Going to Brummi's reminded me of the things I used to taste at home...Great "Schnitzel", Great "Braten", great "Kartoffelsalat"(north german style) and great "Bier". I was suprised to find a Koestritzer Schwarzbier (Goete's favorite) so I had to drink one. Manuela and Veronika are very friendly and make you feel at home....It's just good to speak German when you go out for some authentic german food. Next time I will try the "Currywurst" a real Berliner speciality. Thanks Brummi's

Have you eaten here? Write a review of this location!      Terms of Service