I had dinner at China Pavilion and it was a great, authentic experience. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, and the food truly stands out.
We started with fried wontons and vegetable pot stickers—both were crisp and flavorful. For the main dishes, we ordered chicken fried rice, chow mein noodles, Kung Pao chicken, and Mongolian beef—every dish was fresh, well-seasoned, and delicious.
Highly recommend for anyone craving classic, flavorful Chinese cuisine!
Quinn S
A Santa Barbara staple! We’ve been going to China Pavillion since the 90s, and it’s always satisfying. We no longer live in SB, but my family demands I stop at China Pavillion before I leave. I am currently on the train with a cooler full of food, and my dad called to make sure I was bringing it. I also do want to shoutout Jennifer who is always so helpful, going above and beyond hosting us (and for the delicious peanuts as we waited).
I highly recommend this restaurant!
As a vegetarian, I specifically recommend the Kung Pao tofu.
juan jose acevedo suarez
They kicked me out before I started eating
T L
Real delicious Chinese food, friendly service, will definitely come back
Stephanie Estrada
I’ve been here plenty of times and have always enjoyed the food but yesterday while we were waiting for our food come out, we noticed a cockroach walking along the window. We told the waiter and she squished the huge cockroach, killing it on the wall right next to us. The waitress did not even apologize and simply disregarded it like it was no big deal. I highly suggest they get pest control and fumigate the building! I will not be coming back 🤮
b Isabella
The restaurant itself is really dirty and the service is horrible and my friends went there they were talking racist stuff about us which is really offensive and the food was horrible absolutely horrible never go there!
SRG
The quality of the food has gone way down. Very disappointing as I have been a client for almost 20 years.
One of the hallmarks of authenticity of a Chinese resto, apart from the food and decor, are the small things you'd find on the dining table, the free appetizer, and the way they prep their utensils. This Chinese resto gets some of these right with a helping of roasted nuts and proper condiments on the sides.
Menu items were translated for tourist dinners so may be labelled differently vs Chinese menus.
You also know that the food is up to par when you see some cooks hand wrapping dumplings near the kitchen. The food is a wide variety of sumptuous regional and trendy Chinese dishes. Serving sizes where adequate. Loved that they had Taiwan Beer.
Only non Chinese thing was the fortune cookies. ?
The service was prompt and fast.
The interiors are basic with counters and tables often seen in Chinese restos.
Vegetarian options: Waiter will help identify pure veg options or may have adjustments
Parking: Lot adjacent with limited time slots at backstreets
Kid-friendliness: Wide options and lots of space
Wheelchair accessibility: Spacious access
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Chinese Broccoli with Oyster Sauce, Shanghai Steamed Dumpling
On our way to Solvang, we decided to stop in Santa Barbara and have some lunch. We've decided to stop here based on the reviews, and the food did not disappoint. The food was very fresh, flavorful, and well-balanced. The staff is friendly, attentive, and very helpful. The leftovers tasted well at dinner and even the next day. The restaurant was decorated nicely and appeared to be clean and overall in a very good location. We recommend that after lunch, you go to the manuscript library across the street. There are plenty of public parking lots in the area.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Mongolian Beef
Kelly Crawford
Best Chinese food in Santa Barbara!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Shannon Miller
The food was absolutely delicious. The Kung pao had just the right amount of spice and was full of flavor. Large tables and nice atmosphere make it a great place for a group. Another plus is the ease of the public paid parking lot next door with 70 minutes free.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
James McMath
Excellent food and service. Best Asian restaurant in town.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Joel Weeks
Egg foo young is fantastic, I really enjoyed it!Covid is over, put soy sauce and salt and pepper back on the table.
I had dinner at China Pavilion and it was a great, authentic experience. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, and the food truly stands out.
We started with fried wontons and vegetable pot stickers—both were crisp and flavorful. For the main dishes, we ordered chicken fried rice, chow mein noodles, Kung Pao chicken, and Mongolian beef—every dish was fresh, well-seasoned, and delicious.
Highly recommend for anyone craving classic, flavorful Chinese cuisine!
A Santa Barbara staple! We’ve been going to China Pavillion since the 90s, and it’s always satisfying. We no longer live in SB, but my family demands I stop at China Pavillion before I leave. I am currently on the train with a cooler full of food, and my dad called to make sure I was bringing it. I also do want to shoutout Jennifer who is always so helpful, going above and beyond hosting us (and for the delicious peanuts as we waited).
I highly recommend this restaurant!
As a vegetarian, I specifically recommend the Kung Pao tofu.
They kicked me out before I started eating
Real delicious Chinese food, friendly service, will definitely come back
I’ve been here plenty of times and have always enjoyed the food but yesterday while we were waiting for our food come out, we noticed a cockroach walking along the window. We told the waiter and she squished the huge cockroach, killing it on the wall right next to us. The waitress did not even apologize and simply disregarded it like it was no big deal. I highly suggest they get pest control and fumigate the building! I will not be coming back 🤮
The restaurant itself is really dirty and the service is horrible and my friends went there they were talking racist stuff about us which is really offensive and the food was horrible absolutely horrible never go there!
The quality of the food has gone way down. Very disappointing as I have been a client for almost 20 years.
It's kind of pricey but it's worth the price.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: General's Chicken, Szechuan Style Beef Noodle Soup
Great food, awesome prices, huge portions
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Crispy Walnut Shrimp, Sesame Shrimp Roll, Mongolian Beef, General's Chicken, Pavilion Crystal Pork Dumpling, Wor Wonton Soup, Soup
One of the hallmarks of authenticity of a Chinese resto, apart from the food and decor, are the small things you'd find on the dining table, the free appetizer, and the way they prep their utensils. This Chinese resto gets some of these right with a helping of roasted nuts and proper condiments on the sides.
Menu items were translated for tourist dinners so may be labelled differently vs Chinese menus.
You also know that the food is up to par when you see some cooks hand wrapping dumplings near the kitchen. The food is a wide variety of sumptuous regional and trendy Chinese dishes. Serving sizes where adequate. Loved that they had Taiwan Beer.
Only non Chinese thing was the fortune cookies. ?
The service was prompt and fast.
The interiors are basic with counters and tables often seen in Chinese restos.
Vegetarian options: Waiter will help identify pure veg options or may have adjustments
Parking: Lot adjacent with limited time slots at backstreets
Kid-friendliness: Wide options and lots of space
Wheelchair accessibility: Spacious access
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Chinese Broccoli with Oyster Sauce, Shanghai Steamed Dumpling
Restaurantji Recommends
On our way to Solvang, we decided to stop in Santa Barbara and have some lunch. We've decided to stop here based on the reviews, and the food did not disappoint. The food was very fresh, flavorful, and well-balanced. The staff is friendly, attentive, and very helpful. The leftovers tasted well at dinner and even the next day. The restaurant was decorated nicely and appeared to be clean and overall in a very good location. We recommend that after lunch, you go to the manuscript library across the street. There are plenty of public parking lots in the area.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Mongolian Beef
Best Chinese food in Santa Barbara!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The food was absolutely delicious. The Kung pao had just the right amount of spice and was full of flavor. Large tables and nice atmosphere make it a great place for a group. Another plus is the ease of the public paid parking lot next door with 70 minutes free.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Excellent food and service. Best Asian restaurant in town.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Egg foo young is fantastic, I really enjoyed it!Covid is over, put soy sauce and salt and pepper back on the table.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
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