Local icon Pascucci, which has been a mainstay of the downtown restaurant scene since the early 1990s, is saying goodbye with an open letter to the Santa Barbara community.

“It is with a very heavy heart that we announce that Pascucci Restaurant, a local favorite for 31 years, will close its doors mid-March, 2025,” says owner Laura Knight. “After 5 years at our current location of 509 State Street, we are losing our lease. We’ve had the honor of serving the Santa Barbara Community for decades. We began this adventure in a tiny spot (only 7 tables) in Paseo Nuevo where we spent our first 4 and 1/2 years. Next, we moved to a bigger location in Paseo Nuevo where we stayed for 21 years. In the much larger space, we were able to add several more tables and a full bar. When that lease expired 5 years ago, we moved to 509 State Street. Through all of these changes, we’ve consistently served good food, at a fair price, in a warm and friendly environment. Everything we make is fresh, homemade, and locally sourced, from Shalhoob Meat Company, to Kanaloa Seafoods, Santa Barbara Roasting Company, Jordano’s, and others. We are and have always been a local small business supporting other local small businesses.

“We’ve had customers tell us that they came to us on a first date, then they brought their kids in, who are now adults and bringing their own kids in. We’ve hosted countless celebrations, team dinners, girls’ night out, family gatherings, and meals shared by good friends. We will miss all of it-and YOU. As a proud sponsor of our beloved Summer Solstice parade and celebration, after 23 years of hosting our annual dine-out for Solstice fundraiser, we will very much miss this event, and I know our community will too…Please keep supporting our beloved parade! Be sure to come in over the next few weeks and enjoy a final meal with us. Our staff (some of whom have been with us for 20+ years) looks forward to continuing to serve you through mid-March (we are still working on the exact date with the new landlord). Sincerely, Laura Knight and staff”