Always amazing, been going for over 20 yrs!! Great customer service and excellent food
Alayna K.
Loved the uni shooter and the clam chowder. Would recommend these! Lobster bisque was great too. The pastas were good and the seafood was definitely fresh! The toast that it comes with was divine. The sauce was a little off. Casual spot with amazing waterfront to eat alongside!
Richard L.
Santa Barbara Shellfish Company is located at the very end of Stearns Wharf. We have tried a few restaurants on the piers and first time trying SB Shellfish Company. We got there around 12:00pm right before it was all packed and got the very last seating for 4 outside. We were quickly provided with a menu and water. After going through the menu and getting advice from a very helpful waiter we ordered the following dishes to share: - Fried Calamari, Oysters, Shrimp, and Scallops combo - Good, all the items are fresh and tasty except the shrimps are too dry. - The Uni plate - Great, this is such a fresh and tasty Uni that you can ask for it. It has the uni taste and sweetness with the fishiness. It does not have the metallic taste afterward as well. It was recommended by our waiter and was a great great choice. - New England Style Clam Chowder bowl X2 - Good, it was a pretty good warm bowl of Clam Chowder that we shared among the 2 people per bowl. - Side of French Fries - Ok, totally extra since someone craved it and it wasn't crispy that we prefered. - We ordered Dungeness Crab - Great, this is another recommendation and we really enjoy it besides Uni. It is as fresh as you can get, there is only fresh tenderness and sweetness of crab meat every bite you put inside your mouth. - Cioppino - Ok, it comes in a bread bowl and was ok, not the best that I had but decent. - Lobster Pasta - Good, it has a pretty good flavor and great noodle texture but lobster is a little over cooked. - Garlic Baked Clams - Good, It was pretty tasty and fresh as well. We really didn't expect it to have such good quality seafood. We really enjoy the Uni and Crab. They are a must order item if you eat at the SB Shellfish Company. Overall, we really enjoy our lunch there and will be a top choice coming back to Santa Barbara for fresh seafood.
Penny P.
What's up: Another place that popped up on my list of places to eat clam chowder was this place. Plus it being located right on the pier should make for nice views right?! Parking: Located on Stearns Wharf, parking is free the first 90 mins with $3.50 per hour after that. Parking is shared among the businesses on the pier but there was plenty of spots available. Environment: We got there about 30 mins before they opened and there was already a line forming. They had menus posted up front so you can figure out what you want to eat before they opened. They have very limited indoor seating but plenty of outdoor seating, as well as nearby tables that can be used when you place a to go order at the side window. We initially were planning to sit indoors but as soon as the doors opened, everyone rushed in to grab a chair; it was pretty much chaos since it didn't matter if you were in line already. We had a party of 5 but in the rush to grab seats, we only ended up with 4 chairs. Staff members were too busy setting up to pay much attention so we decided to go outside and order from the to go window instead. We got our order placed and they call your name when it's ready but since there's only 1 window, if someone is placing their order, you'll still have to wait for them to finish before you can pick up your food, even though it's sitting right there. Be sure to ask for utensils. Restrooms are shared and not nearby, so you'll have to walk a bit to find them. What was ordered: - Lobster Roll (meh) - Crab Cake (it was ok, although the people in line made it sound like it was to die for) - New England Clam Chowder in Bread Bowl (it's ok, bread was not soft/fresh) - Fried Calamari, Oysters, Shrimp, Scallops (a nice variety, all deep fried of course) Yay/Nay/Meh: Meh. I wasn't a fan of this experience. Not only was it a bit chaotic in the beginning, the food was just alright. At least you'll get a bit of a view if you sit outside. Credit cards are accepted.
MJ C.
If you're seeking a seafood experience that combines stunning ocean views with exceptional freshness and flavor, look no further than Santa Barbara Shellfish Company. Situated right on the pier, this gem offers diners a front-row seat to the beauty of the ocean while indulging in some of the finest seafood delicacies. One of the highlights of my visit was their uni, which was nothing short of amazing. The freshness was unparalleled, and what amazed me the most was how alive it seemed when served--the subtle movement of the spikes added a unique touch that truly enhanced the experience. In addition to their stellar uni, I also had the pleasure of trying their lobster roll and lobster dishes. Both were nothing short of phenomenal. The lobster roll was packed with succulent pieces of lobster meat and served with just the right amount of seasoning, while the lobster itself was cooked to perfection, tender and flavorful. But beyond the delectable dishes, what sets Santa Barbara Shellfish Company apart is its prime location on the pier. The panoramic views of the ocean provide a picturesque backdrop to your dining experience, making it all the more memorable. In summary, if you're craving fresh seafood served with a side of ocean breeze and breathtaking views, Santa Barbara Shellfish Company is the place to be. With their amazing uni, mouthwatering lobster dishes, and unbeatable ambiance, it's a culinary experience you won't soon forget.
Afrin K.
Solid place for fresh seafood off the wharf! The food was fresh and tasty. Limited seating inside particularly when it rains. Only downside is it's quite expensive and prices raised due to inflation, so menu pictures now are outdated as seen on yelp. Overall service was good and would definitely come back.
Benson W.
We came here on a rainy and cold Presidents' Day weekend for dinner. I'm sure during the day the views are fantastic but at night you really can't see much outside. The interior is not much, more a seafood market vibe than a sit down seafood restaurant. We had a wait about 15 minutes for a table outside on a Saturday night since inside is more sort of counter seating than tables. Staff was very friendly and were apologetic about having to sit outside when raining but the umbrellas over the tables were pretty good and we were dressed for the rain. We ordered the clam chowder bread bowl, fried seafood combo platter, and a Caesar salad. Everything was really good. The seafood platter was brought out first because the server said he didn't want it to get cold so in this situation we didn't mind getting our entree before the salad - but also thoughtful of our server. Overall very happy with the food and service. Next time I may want to come back during the day or maybe earlier in the evening to see the sunset - I'm sure that would make for a spectacular view.
Sun G.
I was really looking forward to the uni/scallops and uni shooter. Underwhelming. Not "bad," but had very little flavor. I've had uni all over the world - even served out of the shell right in front of me. The uni/scallops tasted like they had been excessively rinsed by tap water - to the point they lost flavor. The uni shooter had the same issues; the spices were good, but there was too much spice/liquid, which really overwhelmed the already mild uni flavor. Additionally, the sizes of uni and scallops were significantly smaller than in some other pictures. I only point this out to possibly explain the lack of fresh taste, too. Maybe I'll give the place another try on the next visit. Maybe it was just an unlucky trip.
Tiffany M.
Came specifically for the uni scallop dish and it did not disappoint. Scallops were so so but the star was the uni. Some of the best uni I've ever had. It was super plump and buttery and salty. Definitely expensive ($36, I think) but worth a try. Onion rings were giant and also good
Ruby V.
Did some research for best clam chowder in Santa Barbara. This place popped up. Located on Stearns Wharf. Yummy! Did not disappoint. My husband & I shared Blue Point oysters, a shrimp cocktail & a bowl of clam chowder. It did not disappoint! Oyster's were fresh & delicious (they come from Long Island but we don't eat local oysters, shrimp cocktail was fresh & juicy (not local, came from Mexico) & clam chowder. Wow! That was sooo good. Definitely home made. You can sit inside or outside. Beautiful ocean views. Friendly employees. All friendly & anxious to please. We'll be back!
Delightful seafood adventure on a rainy Saturday night! Cannot go wrong with the seasonal bisque, mussels or ceviche.
* dnainsb
I tried to find this place.Looks like delivery only.
Sandra G.
Totally bullshit . We got there and walked inside n they said they're close.. cuz no other customers??!!! Waste my Lyft ride there from hotel. Damn !!! Never again..
Maya B.
The service was great. The seating outside is beautiful. The lobster rolls however are not good. I wish the lobster roll description was more detailed because I wouldn't have ordered it if I knew it was a cold lobster salad type of roll esp at the price point. It tasted fresh but lacking any flavor other than the slaw sauce they used. The fries were heavenly though. I think all of the pier is just not that great of food.
Rose H.
I came here for my birthday. It was a beautiful day. A little breezy. The waiter was very sweet and closed one of the windows. We ordered clam chowder; OMG it was delicious. Lots of clam meat. I also had the shrimp tacos. It was tasty. The ambience of this place is small and reminiscent of home. It's located at the end of the pier. Prices are reasonable. Come on by. The weather was awesome!!
Always amazing, been going for over 20 yrs!! Great customer service and excellent food
Loved the uni shooter and the clam chowder. Would recommend these! Lobster bisque was great too. The pastas were good and the seafood was definitely fresh! The toast that it comes with was divine. The sauce was a little off. Casual spot with amazing waterfront to eat alongside!
Santa Barbara Shellfish Company is located at the very end of Stearns Wharf. We have tried a few restaurants on the piers and first time trying SB Shellfish Company. We got there around 12:00pm right before it was all packed and got the very last seating for 4 outside. We were quickly provided with a menu and water. After going through the menu and getting advice from a very helpful waiter we ordered the following dishes to share: - Fried Calamari, Oysters, Shrimp, and Scallops combo - Good, all the items are fresh and tasty except the shrimps are too dry. - The Uni plate - Great, this is such a fresh and tasty Uni that you can ask for it. It has the uni taste and sweetness with the fishiness. It does not have the metallic taste afterward as well. It was recommended by our waiter and was a great great choice. - New England Style Clam Chowder bowl X2 - Good, it was a pretty good warm bowl of Clam Chowder that we shared among the 2 people per bowl. - Side of French Fries - Ok, totally extra since someone craved it and it wasn't crispy that we prefered. - We ordered Dungeness Crab - Great, this is another recommendation and we really enjoy it besides Uni. It is as fresh as you can get, there is only fresh tenderness and sweetness of crab meat every bite you put inside your mouth. - Cioppino - Ok, it comes in a bread bowl and was ok, not the best that I had but decent. - Lobster Pasta - Good, it has a pretty good flavor and great noodle texture but lobster is a little over cooked. - Garlic Baked Clams - Good, It was pretty tasty and fresh as well. We really didn't expect it to have such good quality seafood. We really enjoy the Uni and Crab. They are a must order item if you eat at the SB Shellfish Company. Overall, we really enjoy our lunch there and will be a top choice coming back to Santa Barbara for fresh seafood.
What's up: Another place that popped up on my list of places to eat clam chowder was this place. Plus it being located right on the pier should make for nice views right?! Parking: Located on Stearns Wharf, parking is free the first 90 mins with $3.50 per hour after that. Parking is shared among the businesses on the pier but there was plenty of spots available. Environment: We got there about 30 mins before they opened and there was already a line forming. They had menus posted up front so you can figure out what you want to eat before they opened. They have very limited indoor seating but plenty of outdoor seating, as well as nearby tables that can be used when you place a to go order at the side window. We initially were planning to sit indoors but as soon as the doors opened, everyone rushed in to grab a chair; it was pretty much chaos since it didn't matter if you were in line already. We had a party of 5 but in the rush to grab seats, we only ended up with 4 chairs. Staff members were too busy setting up to pay much attention so we decided to go outside and order from the to go window instead. We got our order placed and they call your name when it's ready but since there's only 1 window, if someone is placing their order, you'll still have to wait for them to finish before you can pick up your food, even though it's sitting right there. Be sure to ask for utensils. Restrooms are shared and not nearby, so you'll have to walk a bit to find them. What was ordered: - Lobster Roll (meh) - Crab Cake (it was ok, although the people in line made it sound like it was to die for) - New England Clam Chowder in Bread Bowl (it's ok, bread was not soft/fresh) - Fried Calamari, Oysters, Shrimp, Scallops (a nice variety, all deep fried of course) Yay/Nay/Meh: Meh. I wasn't a fan of this experience. Not only was it a bit chaotic in the beginning, the food was just alright. At least you'll get a bit of a view if you sit outside. Credit cards are accepted.
If you're seeking a seafood experience that combines stunning ocean views with exceptional freshness and flavor, look no further than Santa Barbara Shellfish Company. Situated right on the pier, this gem offers diners a front-row seat to the beauty of the ocean while indulging in some of the finest seafood delicacies. One of the highlights of my visit was their uni, which was nothing short of amazing. The freshness was unparalleled, and what amazed me the most was how alive it seemed when served--the subtle movement of the spikes added a unique touch that truly enhanced the experience. In addition to their stellar uni, I also had the pleasure of trying their lobster roll and lobster dishes. Both were nothing short of phenomenal. The lobster roll was packed with succulent pieces of lobster meat and served with just the right amount of seasoning, while the lobster itself was cooked to perfection, tender and flavorful. But beyond the delectable dishes, what sets Santa Barbara Shellfish Company apart is its prime location on the pier. The panoramic views of the ocean provide a picturesque backdrop to your dining experience, making it all the more memorable. In summary, if you're craving fresh seafood served with a side of ocean breeze and breathtaking views, Santa Barbara Shellfish Company is the place to be. With their amazing uni, mouthwatering lobster dishes, and unbeatable ambiance, it's a culinary experience you won't soon forget.
Solid place for fresh seafood off the wharf! The food was fresh and tasty. Limited seating inside particularly when it rains. Only downside is it's quite expensive and prices raised due to inflation, so menu pictures now are outdated as seen on yelp. Overall service was good and would definitely come back.
We came here on a rainy and cold Presidents' Day weekend for dinner. I'm sure during the day the views are fantastic but at night you really can't see much outside. The interior is not much, more a seafood market vibe than a sit down seafood restaurant. We had a wait about 15 minutes for a table outside on a Saturday night since inside is more sort of counter seating than tables. Staff was very friendly and were apologetic about having to sit outside when raining but the umbrellas over the tables were pretty good and we were dressed for the rain. We ordered the clam chowder bread bowl, fried seafood combo platter, and a Caesar salad. Everything was really good. The seafood platter was brought out first because the server said he didn't want it to get cold so in this situation we didn't mind getting our entree before the salad - but also thoughtful of our server. Overall very happy with the food and service. Next time I may want to come back during the day or maybe earlier in the evening to see the sunset - I'm sure that would make for a spectacular view.
I was really looking forward to the uni/scallops and uni shooter. Underwhelming. Not "bad," but had very little flavor. I've had uni all over the world - even served out of the shell right in front of me. The uni/scallops tasted like they had been excessively rinsed by tap water - to the point they lost flavor. The uni shooter had the same issues; the spices were good, but there was too much spice/liquid, which really overwhelmed the already mild uni flavor. Additionally, the sizes of uni and scallops were significantly smaller than in some other pictures. I only point this out to possibly explain the lack of fresh taste, too. Maybe I'll give the place another try on the next visit. Maybe it was just an unlucky trip.
Came specifically for the uni scallop dish and it did not disappoint. Scallops were so so but the star was the uni. Some of the best uni I've ever had. It was super plump and buttery and salty. Definitely expensive ($36, I think) but worth a try. Onion rings were giant and also good
Did some research for best clam chowder in Santa Barbara. This place popped up. Located on Stearns Wharf. Yummy! Did not disappoint. My husband & I shared Blue Point oysters, a shrimp cocktail & a bowl of clam chowder. It did not disappoint! Oyster's were fresh & delicious (they come from Long Island but we don't eat local oysters, shrimp cocktail was fresh & juicy (not local, came from Mexico) & clam chowder. Wow! That was sooo good. Definitely home made. You can sit inside or outside. Beautiful ocean views. Friendly employees. All friendly & anxious to please. We'll be back!
Restaurantji Recommends
Delightful seafood adventure on a rainy Saturday night! Cannot go wrong with the seasonal bisque, mussels or ceviche.
I tried to find this place.Looks like delivery only.
Totally bullshit . We got there and walked inside n they said they're close.. cuz no other customers??!!! Waste my Lyft ride there from hotel. Damn !!! Never again..
The service was great. The seating outside is beautiful. The lobster rolls however are not good. I wish the lobster roll description was more detailed because I wouldn't have ordered it if I knew it was a cold lobster salad type of roll esp at the price point. It tasted fresh but lacking any flavor other than the slaw sauce they used. The fries were heavenly though. I think all of the pier is just not that great of food.
I came here for my birthday. It was a beautiful day. A little breezy. The waiter was very sweet and closed one of the windows. We ordered clam chowder; OMG it was delicious. Lots of clam meat. I also had the shrimp tacos. It was tasty. The ambience of this place is small and reminiscent of home. It's located at the end of the pier. Prices are reasonable. Come on by. The weather was awesome!!