31 Best Seafood Restaurants in Santa Barbara

“Super crowded on Friday night so stood outside and had a beer waiting for a spot to open up at the bar. Loved the vibe so much we never went in. I’m not sure if you can only stand outside when it’s busy but will request it next time for sure.“

“Great food and service. Beautiful location.“

“We were there late afternoon, in time for the happy hour menu (nice selection) we actually sat at the bar in the dining area, very nice atmosphere. Our waiter was excellent, beside servicing our needs, his job was preparing all the oyster dishes for the tables... fresh and grilled. We had a few of the grilled upon his suggestion, the oysters were excellent... done just right with butter and garlic. We ordered off the HH menu, and were not disappointed. Would definitely return... now on our favorite list of food eateries in the SB area. And the mixed drinks 👌.“

“Spot is awesome and lobster is 100% best I’ve ever had! 💯 recommend! 5 stars ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️“

“Hands down the best poke I’ve had so far! The fish was super fresh and full of flavor, and the crab salad that came with the bowl was a great bonus. I got the medium size, and it was much bigger than I expected — definitely a good deal. Surprisingly, the place was empty when I went, which is unexpected given how good the food is. I do wish they had more add-on options, but even as is, the quality and taste are more than enough to bring me back.“

“Good Food - especially the Paella“

“Food is fantastic and so delicious!“

“Great afternoon spent sat outside, drinking superb local beers and nibbling on fantastic local seafood. The service was impeccable from Eva our waitress. Cant recommend this place enough.“

“Had the Lobster Mac & Cheese this time around! So good! The Mango Margie was amazing as well! ❤️🦞🍹🥰👍🏻“

“By far the best seafood around. Everything I have ordered is top notch.“

“The pan-seared peppercorn-crusted filet mignon with potatoes au gratin and sautéed asparagus were as good as I've had anywhere. Thick, small and perfectly cooked medium-rare. And the thinly-sliced tomato salad was the perfect starter. We brought our own wine, but their in-house selection is outstanding. The staff were all extremely courteous and helpful. Our waiter, Dominic, was professional and attentive, and we never felt rushed. We enjoyed a two and a half hour anniversary dinner in a lovely outdoor setting and will definitely revisit when we're back in Santa Barbara! Thanks to everyone at Bouchon for a very special evening.“

“If you're looking to make a lasting impression on your special someone, this restaurant is an absolute must-visit. With its refined ambiance, exquisite cuisine, and impressive wine selection, it offers a truly exceptional dining experience. Having had the pleasure of dining at numerous Michelin-starred restaurants, I can confidently attest that this one stands out from the rest. Upon arrival, you'll be greeted by beautiful gardens and breathtaking views, leading to private bungalows. The staff's warm hospitality and welcoming smiles further enhance the experience. For a truly unforgettable high-end dining experience, this venue is an absolute must.“

“Great service, delicious food and nice atmosphere. The guys who was playing guitar on a street was fantastic 🤗!“

“We really enjoyed our visits, I hope you get to open to full capacity real soon“

“Ca'Dario was a delightful experience. High quality Italian cuisine marked by every dish excellently flavored. Antonio, our server, was very accommodating and pleasant. Reasonable pricing“

“Overall ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5)

Environment ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
Casual, self-service setup.

Food ⭐⭐⭐⭐½☆
• Lobster Roll + Uni ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Excellent. The bread was buttered and toasted perfectly, and both the lobster and uni were very fresh.
Honestly, this combination is hard to mess up
• Fries ⭐⭐⭐☆☆
Too oily and too dry at the same time. Not enjoyable

Will I come back?
Yes—for the lobster roll, not the fries.“

“A great place for celebrating! You always have a great experience at The Palace“

“The recently remodeled and totally reimagined Harbor Restaurant is excellent. The clam chowder is delicious, the crispy Harbor rice melts in your mouth and the local halibut and filet mignon were amazing. The dining room and new bar are beautiful and the ocean views from every table are breathtaking. We’ve enjoyed private events and special dinners here. This place is definitely back better than ever!“

“What a treat! This restaurant was conveniently located near our hotel, and we’re so glad we stopped by. The pistachio-crusted salmon was absolutely amazing—cooked to perfection and now my favorite type of crusted fish!

My husband had the smashburger and really enjoyed it. Just a heads-up: the burger doesn’t come with a side, so be sure to order one.

Their happy hour drinks were fantastic—strong margaritas and great deals! Our waiter was awesome, and the service overall was excellent. Bonus points for being super dog-friendly—they even have a dog menu! Highly recommend this spot for a great meal and atmosphere!“

“Increíble vista, buena comida“

“My husband and I stopped by the restaurant for lunch and were pleasantly surprised by their sandwiches and service. We shared the Omaha trip-trip sandwich, which came with fries and a green salad. It was delicious, and the price was reasonable. Our server, Jenny, was outstanding, and we definitely plan to come back.“

“Great food great service will be back soon need to taste some more tacos 🌮“

“Alex is the best! Food is great, and the service is amazing.“

“I love this place one of the best restaurant my wife and I. The servises is nice and the food so good“

“Good cocktails and a nice place to relax especially for Friday Happy Hours.“

“Food was fantastic. We tried the tuna melt and Wagyu burger. The burger was fresh and so flavorful. Not a frozen patty. My husband and I are local and enjoyed a nice lunch with a great view of the harbor and beautiful Santa Barbara mountains. It took a while to be seated, get our table cleaned and pay our bill… they seemed a bit understaffed for the size of the lunch crowd on a gorgeous sunny January afternoon. One of the servers was wearing casual clothing and could’ve been a bit more professionally dressed as a server. But the food came out fast and tasted amazing and the view was perfect and was a great price value. I highly recommend trying Gracie‘s if you are visiting Santa Barbara and want to be near the waterfront and boat activities. Very large outdoor patio with lots of great seating. It would be a great location for celebrating a special occasion or birthday.“

“Great service, great food. And it’s in Santa Barbara!“

“Hay mucha variedad de comida 🥘 y muy deliciosa“

“We love Chuck’s of Hawaii. Service is perfect, everyone is so pleasant. Last night, on my 88th birthday, our son Chuck and son fChris, not here, took us there for dinner. We all raved about the ribeye steaks, cooked perfectly with a superb flavor, delicious hot baked potato and a surprise cheesecake for my birthday. That was very nice. Thank you so much. Janice Haines“

“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. :)“

“absolutely the best chowder . artichokes and fish are awesome. Great service today from Manuela ! highly recommended 👌 💯“