O Nigiri & Sushi has quickly become my absolute go-to for sushi in SB. The fish quality is incredible every single time, and the service is so friendly it honestly feels like visiting family.
Beyond the food, the vibe is great. They always have an amazing playlist going. Lunch specials are a steal, and dinner is consistently fire. It’s usually easy to get a table, though it can definitely get busy. Highly recommend if you want high-quality sushi without a massive bill.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Molly Pines
O Nigiri has quickly become our favorite neighborhood sushi spot. The fish is consistently fresh, the portions are generous, and the flavors are beautifully balanced. Whether dining in or ordering takeout, this place never disappoints. The service is attentive, and the owners’ genuine care truly stands out. The atmosphere feels cozy, authentic, and distinctly local, with paper lanterns signed by regulars adding to the charm. There are tons of great specials, so check out their lunch special as well as their “Salmon Homecoming.”
Bonus: The music selection was poppin - they played everything from The Beatles to millennial bangers. Run, don’t walk, to O Nigiri!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Natalie Friedman
So good and really cute decor
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Aurora Zemjanis
One of my favorite sushi restaurants! Great hospitality and the food was amazing!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Alexander D
Great food! Cozy environment.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
orange
I don't write reviews, but tonight I will because I am so so happy we went to O Nigiri & Sushi. We had been going to Shintori Sushi since 2003, every week, until the owner had to sell and leave. The next owners were terrible, we went twice and never again. Well, we noticed the name had changed and I read a review earlier today that the original owner from 20 years ago is back! I didn't believe it, can't be. Well, she's back and what a beautiful dinner we had. Food, customer service, Gume, the sushi chef, catching up with the owner, the whole lot was fantastic. We will again be regulars. If you haven't been here yet, please go! If you went when it was owned by the previous owners who ruined the restaurant's reputation, please try it again. It's a lovely experience.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jutta
So nice to be back at this friendly place with the new owners, whom we remembered from 20 years ago. Sushi and nigiri were fresh and great tasting. It was fun to talk to our generous hosts. We will certainly come back on our next stay in Santa Barbara. Thank you for a great dinner!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Matt Schmidt
Great food and great staff! Easily became one of our favorites! Very small restaurant but with cozy vibes and decor.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ryan Healy
Great little neighborhood sushi spot. The staff is really friendly, they make you feel warm and inviting. The food is good for the price that you pay. The baked rolls are incredible.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Caroline Novia
Amazing Staff and the sushi quality is amazing. Jumbo Scallop sushi is best in Santa Barbara. 100% recommend!
I absolutely loved Shintori (which used to be here) and they have the same chef, same fresh melt in your mouth fish but new owner. Nice family owner vibes! It’s all cleaned up and good vibes! Check it out!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Greg Feitt
Attentive service, great sushi, warm and inviting atmosphere
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
María moreno
Fresh and tasty + great service
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Adi Storm
I never received my meal. After waiting 45 minutes, I saw the sushi chef had cleaned up his station and left.
I understand when mistakes happen, but how is it that my server never checked in on us? I waited 10 minutes for my water. I then had to remind my server that I ordered a beer. I even poked my server about my meal, with no results. I get it, restaurants are busy places. However, after 45 minutes, there was no one in the restaurant anymore.
I entered hungry, and I left even hungrier. The head waitress, who might have been the owner, was very nice and comped us the beer. That being said, she also never checked in on us until we where on our way out the door. I was just disappointed that our date night ended up with a yogurt from Trader Joes.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 1
Annie Lin
Fresh fish, beautiful presentation, and wonderful hospitality! Such great cuisine!
O Nigiri & Sushi has quickly become my absolute go-to for sushi in SB. The fish quality is incredible every single time, and the service is so friendly it honestly feels like visiting family.
Beyond the food, the vibe is great. They always have an amazing playlist going. Lunch specials are a steal, and dinner is consistently fire. It’s usually easy to get a table, though it can definitely get busy. Highly recommend if you want high-quality sushi without a massive bill.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
O Nigiri has quickly become our favorite neighborhood sushi spot. The fish is consistently fresh, the portions are generous, and the flavors are beautifully balanced. Whether dining in or ordering takeout, this place never disappoints. The service is attentive, and the owners’ genuine care truly stands out. The atmosphere feels cozy, authentic, and distinctly local, with paper lanterns signed by regulars adding to the charm. There are tons of great specials, so check out their lunch special as well as their “Salmon Homecoming.”
Bonus: The music selection was poppin - they played everything from The Beatles to millennial bangers. Run, don’t walk, to O Nigiri!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
So good and really cute decor
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
One of my favorite sushi restaurants! Great hospitality and the food was amazing!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great food! Cozy environment.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I don't write reviews, but tonight I will because I am so so happy we went to O Nigiri & Sushi. We had been going to Shintori Sushi since 2003, every week, until the owner had to sell and leave. The next owners were terrible, we went twice and never again.
Well, we noticed the name had changed and I read a review earlier today that the original owner from 20 years ago is back! I didn't believe it, can't be. Well, she's back and what a beautiful dinner we had. Food, customer service, Gume, the sushi chef, catching up with the owner, the whole lot was fantastic. We will again be regulars.
If you haven't been here yet, please go! If you went when it was owned by the previous owners who ruined the restaurant's reputation, please try it again. It's a lovely experience.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
So nice to be back at this friendly place with the new owners, whom we remembered from 20 years ago. Sushi and nigiri were fresh and great tasting. It was fun to talk to our generous hosts. We will certainly come back on our next stay in Santa Barbara. Thank you for a great dinner!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great food and great staff! Easily became one of our favorites! Very small restaurant but with cozy vibes and decor.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great little neighborhood sushi spot. The staff is really friendly, they make you feel warm and inviting. The food is good for the price that you pay. The baked rolls are incredible.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Amazing Staff and the sushi quality is amazing. Jumbo Scallop sushi is best in Santa Barbara. 100% recommend!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
I absolutely loved Shintori (which used to be here) and they have the same chef, same fresh melt in your mouth fish but new owner. Nice family owner vibes! It’s all cleaned up and good vibes! Check it out!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Attentive service, great sushi, warm and inviting atmosphere
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Fresh and tasty + great service
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I never received my meal. After waiting 45 minutes, I saw the sushi chef had cleaned up his station and left.
I understand when mistakes happen, but how is it that my server never checked in on us? I waited 10 minutes for my water. I then had to remind my server that I ordered a beer. I even poked my server about my meal, with no results. I get it, restaurants are busy places. However, after 45 minutes, there was no one in the restaurant anymore.
I entered hungry, and I left even hungrier. The head waitress, who might have been the owner, was very nice and comped us the beer. That being said, she also never checked in on us until we where on our way out the door. I was just disappointed that our date night ended up with a yogurt from Trader Joes.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 1
Fresh fish, beautiful presentation, and wonderful hospitality! Such great cuisine!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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