Loquita Santa Barbara

ABOUT LOQUITA

Loquita showcases authentic Spanish food including hot and cold tapas, wood-fired grilled seafood and meats, and seasonal paella. The Mediterranean climate and terroir of Santa Barbara County mirror that of Spain, making the translation of locally sourced produce, meats and seafood an ideal match. The wine list is comprised almost entirely of Spanish wines with exceptional local wines that pair well with the cuisine.Loquita’s cocktail list showcases Spanish vermouths, farmers’ market Sangria, hand-crafted cocktails and a rotating selection of Spain’s king of cocktails, the Gin Tonic.

Open Sunday-Thursday 5pm-9pm | Friday 5pm-10pm| Saturday 4pm-10pm

CRISTIAN GRANADA, EXECUTIVE CHEF

Loquita’s culinary team is led by Chef Cristian Granada, a dynamic Colombian chef whose passion for bold flavors and refined technique comes from deep roots and global training. With a culinary degree from the Fundación Universitaria del Área Andina and additional coursework from Le Cordon Bleu in Madrid, Spain, Cristian brings a fresh, worldly energy to Loquita, grounded in tradition but never afraid to push boundaries. Before coming to Santa Barbara, Cristian was part of the team at Xiquet by Danny Lledó, a Michelin-starred Spanish restaurant in Washington, D.C. He helped shape tasting menus that balanced modern Spanish flavors with fine-dining precision. From there, he stepped into the role of Executive Chef at El Secreto de Rosita, where he ran a fast-paced kitchen built on bold Latin American flavors and global influences. At the same time, he led the team at Sushería in Georgetown, where he leaned into Japanese technique and ingredients, blending structure with creativity. Cristian has been recognized by The Washington Post and the MICHELIN Guide as one of the standout Latin American chefs helping reshape fine dining. At Loquita, he brings that same energy—rooted in Valencian and Spanish tradition, sharpened by global experience, and always focused on the food.

JOE SCHNEIDER, GENERAL MANAGER

With over four decades in hospitality, Joe Schneider brings seasoned expertise and creative vision to Loquita. A California Culinary Academy graduate and certified sommelier, Joe’s approach blends culinary knowledge with a passion for creating memorable dining experiences. Joe comes to Loquita from the iconic Calistoga Depot, where he orchestrated service across multiple dining venues housed in vintage train cars. Previously, at V. Sattui Winery, he created innovative food and wine programs while serving over a million guests annually. His entrepreneurial background includes founding Rhumba in Boulder, where his Caribbean menu and collection of over 100 rum labels created an immersive dining environment. This innovative approach now enriches Loquita’s distinctive Spanish concept. Known for building collaborative and enthusiastic teams, Joe creates an atmosphere where genuine hospitality flourishes, ensuring each guest leaves with a story worth sharing.