17 Best Japanese Restaurants near Montecito

AMA Sushi Sushi Bar
1759 S Jameson Ln, Montecito

Customers` Favorites

Sashimi
Omakase

“We had an outstanding dinner at AMA Sushi. Every dish was exceptional, but the freshness and quality of the fish truly stood out.

Our favorites included the Kaisou Salad, Toro nigiri, Shima Aji nigiri, the Woman of the Sea roll, the Fukuda roll, and the Sake Kasu Marinated Black Cod. Everything was beautifully prepared and absolutely delicious.

The hospitality was just as impressive as the food. A special thank you to Alessandro, who went well above and beyond for us. We were visiting from out of town and accidentally booked our reservation for the wrong evening. Despite our mistake, Alessandro was incredibly gracious, welcoming, and worked to accommodate us while we were at the restaurant. That level of kindness made a lasting impression.

From the spectacular food to the genuinely warm service, AMA Sushi exceeded every expectation. We highly recommend it and will absolutely return the next time we’re in town.“

4.4 Superb36 Reviews
Yoichi's | Japanese Cuisine Japanese
230 E Victoria St, Santa Barbara - 4.06 miles

Customers` Favorites

Fish Cake and Crab Soup
Snow Crab and Egg Cake
Assorted Appetizers
Selection of Sake
Sushi Course
Chawanmushi
Rock Fish
King Crab
Mackerel
Sashimi

“Awesome meal with the finest ingredients! Romantic evening with the wife.“

4.9 Superb54 Reviews
Edomasa Sushi Bar & Restaurant Japanese • $$
2710 De La Vina St, Santa Barbara - 5.32 miles

Customers` Favorites

Sushi Combo at Edomasa Santa Barbara
Sushi & Sashimi Combination
Sushi Dinner Special
Buffalo Volcano Roll
Sushi Dinner Rolls
Salad & Miso Soup
California Roll
Chicken Teriyaki
Sunomono Salad
Mochi Ice Cream

“I lived in SB my whole life up until 4 years ago and have been going to edomasa for near 30 years now. The food is incredible!! Santa Barbara offers many other sushi restaurants but none come close to comparing to edomasa. They are mostly too expensive, not fresh, extremely packed with tourists, etc. Edomasa is the real deal when it comes to a locals spot with even the famous that live there frequenting (they skip the fancy frills for quality too �)... Edomasa will always be my FAVORITE restaurant in SB! �“

4.6 Superb70 Reviews
O NIGIRI & SUSHI Japanese • $$
3001 State St A, Santa Barbara - 5.49 miles

Customers` Favorites

Spicy Albacore Salad
California Roll
Japanese Beer
Sushi Roll
Miso Soup
Tempura

“Wonderful, thoughtful, and kind. And great food! Pleasant atmosphere.“

4.5 Superb54 Reviews
Kaz To Go | Japanese Japanese • $
3613 State St, Santa Barbara - 6.2 miles

Customers` Favorites

Chicken Soba Noodles
Pork Ginger Don
Vegetable Udon
Katsu Curry

“Good food fast and inexpensive.“

4.9 Superb16 Reviews
Sushi Bar 29 Japanese • $$
1134 Chapala St, Santa Barbara - 4.29 miles

Customers` Favorites

Chicken or Pork Cutlet Rice Bowl
Summer Fresh Roll
California Roll
Nigiri Sampler
Fried Calamari
Salad
Tuna

“😋 Very Fresh sushi and huge variety“

4.4 Superb62 Reviews
Teru Japanese Cuisine Japanese • $$
1305 State St, Santa Barbara - 4.45 miles

Customers` Favorites

Hamachi or Salmon Kama
Grilled Ginger Chicken
Salmon and Yellowtail
Sashimi Appetizer
Uni Sea Urchin
California Roll
I Love Surfing
Shrimp Tempura
Lomi Lomi Roll
Omakase Sushi

“This place is the Go-To spot for sushi.. always fresh and delicious 😋“

4.4 Superb59 Reviews
Sakana Sushi Bar & Japanese Japanese • $$$
1046 Coast Village Rd K, Santa Barbara - 1.44 miles

Customers` Favorites

Spicy Tuna Roll Sprouts Cucumber Avo
Red Jalapeño Yellowtail Box
Miso Eggplant Appetizer
Black Widow Roll
Sea Urchin Nigiri
Octopus Sashimi
Sakana Special
Salmon Sashimi
Montecito Roll
Sushi Plate

“Awesome place to get sushi! They have a HUGE menu! Very friendly and knowledgeable service! Great atmosphere with tables inside and outside, also great opportunity to sit at the sushi bar an get recommendations from the chefs!
I have really enjoyed everything I have ordered here! I will visit often!“

4.1 Good53 Reviews
Sushi Teri - Santa Barbara Japanese Restaurant Sushi • $$
1013 Bath St, Santa Barbara - 4.39 miles

Customers` Favorites

Avocado & Cucumber Roll
Philadelphia Roll
Gangnam Style Roll
Teriyaki Chicken
California Roll
Scorpion Roll
Spider Roll
Sushi Rolls
Miso Soup
Poke Bowl

“FANTASTIC JAPANESE RESTAURANT Fantastic food and service - great vegan, vegetarian and other options.Food is well presented, fresh and yummy 😋. Great service, a welcoming vibe definitely will be coming back ❤️❤️❤️ 👌e“

4.6 Superb69 Reviews
Arigato Sushi Sushi • $$$
1225 State St, Santa Barbara - 4.28 miles

Customers` Favorites

Soft Shell Crab Tempura with Dijon Vinaigrette
Up All Night with Quail Egg
Hamachi Yellowtail Roll
Jalapeño Yellowtail
Honmaguro Carpaccio
Crab Cream Cheese
Kumamoto Oyster
Salmon Sashimi
Santa Barbara
Sushi Combo

“Amazing sushi! Outdoor dining at it’s best.“

4.3 Superb119 Reviews
Kyoto Japanese Restaurant Japanese • $$
3232 State St, Santa Barbara - 5.81 miles

Customers` Favorites

Combination Tempura
Sashimi Combination
Combination Sushi
Chicken Teriyaki
Shrimp Tempura
Hawaiian Roll
Rainbow Roll
CA Hand Roll
Mexican Roll
Spider Roll

“Excellent service the food awesome I recommend the playboy roll ❤️“

3.8 Good62 Reviews
Sun Sushi Sushi • $$
3631 State St, Santa Barbara - 6.24 miles

Customers` Favorites

Fresh Water Eel and Salmon Sushi
Yellow Tail Carpaccio
Sweet Shrimp Jumbo
Smelt Roe Masago
State Street Roll
Chicken Teriyaki
Yellowtail Kama
Red Dragon Roll
California Roll
Spicy Tuna Roll

“Awesome! First experience with sushi!“

4.2 Good102 Reviews
Hibachi Steak House and Sushi Bar by Something's Fishy Japanese • $$
502 State St, Santa Barbara - 3.86 miles

Customers` Favorites

2 Item Combo Ribeye Steak \u0026 Chicken w Fried Rice
Tempura Shrimp Roll
Fried Shrimp Skewers
California Roll
Salmon Sashimi
Prawn Cocktail
Hibachi Shrimp
New York Steak
Veggie Sushi
Crunchy Roll

“My girlfriend and I visited Hibachi Steak House and Sushi Bar by Something's Fishy on July 10th after making a reservation by phone.

My girlfriend has a life-threatening allergy to peanuts and nuts in genral, so dining at a new restaurant is always a stressful experience for us. Unfortunately, not every restaurant takes food allergies as seriously as they should.

From the moment we arrived, Amy went above and beyond to make us feel safe and welcome. She carefully guided my girlfriend through the menu, answered all of our questions, and made sure to communicate everything clearly to Chef Fernando. He did an excellent job, not only ensuring the meal was prepared safely but also putting on a fantastic hibachi show that made the evening even more enjoyable.

The food was delicious, the quality was excellent, and the prices were reasonable. Overall, it was a fantastic dining experience, and we would absolutely return if we ever visit Santa Barbara again. Hibachi always makes an ordinary dinner much more fun, and this restaurant delivered on both the food and the experience.

The only very minor criticism is that the chairs felt a little low compared to the height of the table, but that's a small detail in what was otherwise an outstanding evening.

If I could suggest two improvements, they would be to offer online reservations through the restaurant's website instead of only by phone, as this would make it much easier for customers to choose your restaurant. Secondly, staying open a little later could help attract more European visitors, as we tend to eat dinner later in the evening.

A big thank you to Amy and Chef Fernando for taking food allergies seriously and making us feel completely comfortable. It truly made all the difference. We highly recommend this restaurant.“

3.8 Good89 Reviews
Sushi Go Go Sushi • $
119 Harbor Way STE B, Santa Barbara - 4.15 miles

Customers` Favorites

Sushi Combo Plate
Go Go Roll 10 pcs
Uni Sea Urchin
Rainbow Roll
Sashimi

“Hole in the wall sushi on the harbor. The tuna and salmon used in my salad was excellent quality with generous portions of avocado, seaweed and roe. This was a busy Friday and it took 20 minutes to get our orders. Limited seating is at adjacent patio overlooking the docks. Food is brought out as takeout so don't expect complete service. Tempura items were only ok.“

4.1 Good65 Reviews
Ichiban Sushi Sushi • $$
1812 Cliff Dr, Santa Barbara - 5.61 miles

Customers` Favorites

California Roll and Tempura Dinner Combination
Philly Roll and California Roll
Sashimi Combination
Avocado Eel Roll
Rainbow Roll
Box Sushi
Miso Soup
Rolls

“Hassle-Free, Relaxing Dining

We moved to the neighborhood on Valentines Day 2026, and Ichiban quickly became one of our new local favorites. It's laid-back, welcoming, and a refreshing change from the bougie Coast Village Road dining scene.

The food is always delicious, and the service is consistently friendly. Each meal has been excellent, and we've never had to wait for a table. Even the wine list feels like a throwback to a simpler time, with prices by the glass that don't rival the cost of an entire bottle.

Ichiban is a true Mesa gem!“

3.8 Good46 Reviews
Hana Kitchen - Santa Barbara Downtown Asian • $
503 State St, Santa Barbara - 3.89 miles

Customers` Favorites

Vegan Chicken and Beef Combo
Chicken Teriyaki Bowl
Teriyaki Mango Tacos
Spicy Chicken Bowl
Vegan Chicken Bowl
Fried Shrimp
Mini Chicken
Vegan Bowl
Beef Bowl

“Loved it !!“

3.4 Good85 Reviews
Sushi Tyme Sushi • $
819 State St, Santa Barbara - 4.06 miles

Customers` Favorites

Green Dragon Roll
Spicy Tuna Roll

“We got Rainbow rolls, It so delicious! My friends recommended me here. she recently had wonderful service that she kept talking about her and the food yes! Yummy! taking care of us. She totally so sweet and makes us feel welcome. We will come back and bring more friends and family here for sure. :)“

3 Average60 Reviews

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