The food was good. We enjoyed the taste and presentation. The wine was ok. I expected much better taste from Santa Barbara's Wineries. Maybe because it was served just from the bottle with no aeration. The service was disappointing. The waiter looked indifferent and the other waiter hit the table on his way and cause the spilling of water. Ambiance was good since it's near the ocean. The lady waiter and the host were great. read more

Ciopino and scallops were very good! Friendly service and good drinks. A little bit pricey but worth it. Sat inside but outside seating looks nice for sunset with lights and heaters. read more

Boathouse at Hendry's Beach - Pan Seared Scallops, Cioppino, Lobster & Truffle Mac & Cheese, oysters, Blood Orange Margarita - Seafood Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

We visited the boathouse for the first time and and had a very pleasant experience. The service was exceptional from everyone there. Beach ambiance since the restaurant is right on the beach. Now the most important thing of all , the food was just right like there is no left, but just right! And the answer is yes... I am definitely going back. note; I am not a fan of beaches, but this time I had fun with the family. As I always say, judge for yourself. read more

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So disappointed. We drove all afternoon from my daughter's beach volleyball tournament in Hermosa to have a lovely beach side dinner. I ordered lobster bisque and a beet and arugula salad with salmon. First the soup came out. It was clam chowder. I waited a solid 10 minutes to get anyone's attention to let them know I had gotten the wrong soup. The waiter apologized and took it back, shortly coming back with the correct soup. Then entrees came out. Apple and walnut salad with salmon. I told the person who brought my food, this is the wrong salad. She took it back and as my husband and daughter started their meals I waited for mine. A few minutes later, the correct salad came out. Honestly I thought I was going crazy and asked my husband, did you hear me order beet and arugula salad? He said yes. I KNOW I did not order apple salad because I really dispose apples in salad lol. I also noted that when the correct salad did arrive it seemed to have no dressing We didn't really get asked if we wanted more drinks, and we had to ask for silverware once our food arrived. I had expected maybe a sincere apology or maybe an offer of a comped dessert at least, but nothing. It's a gorgeous spot and I recommend for a lovely and romantic drink. I'm a pretty chill midwestern lady and 90% of the time I assume everything is my fault but this was just a real big disappointment. At a place where entrees are $35-50 I just would have expected a higher level of service. Having said all that, the ambience is clearly beautiful, and our server was friendly. My daughter enjoyed her seabass and my husband enjoyed his burger although felt he had had better burgers that were not $25. read more

Came here last Monday for lunch with my family before we all parted ways to different parts of the country. They don't take reservations so we knew we would have a wait, but that wait turned to be less than 10 minutes. We were seated on their patio which has a front row view of the pacific. There were six of us. Several of us started with a wedge salad - delicious. Lobster bisque - outstanding. For entrees we had mussels, fish & chips, tuna melt, shrimp cocktail, ceviche and a lobster roll. All of our food came out the same time, nice and hot or chilled. Everything was tasty. We all loved everything that was ordered. The service was excellent too. We'll definitely be back. Highly recommend this place if you are in Santa Barbara. read more

Pretty solid place - especially with a view of the ocean like it has. Ordered the SHRIMP CEVICHE to start, followed by the PAN SEARED SCALLOPS as my main. It's sad you only get four little scallops for nearly $45. At that point I could have taken four steps to the ocean and caught my own. But overall, flavors were good. read more

Boathouse at Hendry's Beach - Pan Seared Scallops - Seafood Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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Anyone in the Santa Barbara area should stop here for a meal! The views are amazing, especially at sunset. Huge outside patio to enjoy the beach. Great staff on top of everything. The food is excellent! First stop on our honeymoon to grab dinner before getting to Cambria. We both got a cup of New England clam chowder, and shared a shrimp cocktail. The clam chowder was great, and the shrimp cocktail was very good. The cocktail sauce was one of the best I've had. She got the grilled salmon and I got the macadamia crusted halibut. The salmon was grilled perfectly, very juicy and flavorful with beautiful grill marks on the outside. It came with a white wine butter sauce that went so well with the whole dish. The veggies were delicious as well. My halibut was so good with a pineapple butter sauce on top, a cheesy potato pancake, and grilled veggies. Such a great dish! Next time we come by this way we'll plan another stop here! read more

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We came to Boathouse for a late lunch on Saturday (around 2p) thinking we missed the crowd, but it was pretty full. Ended up on a high top table on the back of the deck which was still fine as we had a decent view of the ocean. Servers did a very good job and lunch was pretty tasty overall. Can never go wrong with the clam chowder to start. I had shrimp tacos that were quite filling. My wife had a BLT which was average, however, the seasoned fries were tasty. Overall a good visit on a beautiful day here on the coast! read more

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We stopped by on a whim to grab lunch with my parents. I was actually shocked at the low wait time! (Just 30 minutes on Memorial Day) The hostess (dark hair) was really friendly and helpful! It felt like a very warm welcome. We were seated in the beach front seating, and it was so beautiful. My parents loved sitting and watching the beach while the food was coming out. The food was amazing! We ordered an insane amount of food, but they were able to finish almost everything because of how tasty it was. They can't wait to come back~ read more

Boathouse at Hendry's Beach - Oysters - Seafood Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

The Boathouse at Hendry's Beach is a well established, immensely popular seafood place right above the beach offering standard dockside fare at competitive prices with excellent views. We came on Mother's Day, checking in with a wait time of 2 hours (they take no reservations). It ended up being about 90 minutes, not unreasonable for how busy they were. Staff was friendly and accommodating, nothing exceptional, and understandably busy. We got the fish and chips ($21) which were good, but not exceptional, with the fries well seasoned and the perfect mix of soft on the inside and crisp on the outside. We also got the lobster roll ($33) which was okay, although the lobster was more of a salad consistency than the large pieces I'm accustomed to for this sandwich. Our kids had reasonably priced kids meals of pasta and fish and chips ($11 each). As the photos suggest the location is beautiful, right on the beach, and carries a clean, breezy vibe. Waiting 90 minutes was not problematic at all given we could kick our feet up and rest in the sand. Prices, above, are actually quite reasonable for a restaurant as busy as this one is in a very expensive town in what could be a quite expensive location. Well priced with a beautiful location and fair food, the Boathouse is an easy, satisfying choice for whoever is near the coast and don't mind a wait. Food: 4/5 Service: 4/5 Ambiance: 5/5 Value: 4.5/5 read more

Boathouse at Hendry's Beach - Lobster Roll - Seafood Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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The best seat in town! You come here for one of the only restaurants on the beach in Santa Barbara but you stay for the hospitality and people you meet while you're here. Yes there can be a long wait for large parties when the weather is perfect. And it's almost always perfect. Yes you can put your name in for a table, grab a to-go drink from the bar, and get your feet sandy while you wait. You can get food to-go too which is perfect for a picnic on the beach. No dogs are allowed in the Boathouse but this is a dog friendly beach. There is a doggie tiki hut providing shade for but please quiet your barking one. We're all trying to enjoy ourselves. Yes sunsets are beautiful and set over the water in the winter and the cliffs throughout the summer. Oh and parking is free! But don't honk. We're all trying to make the loop and besides it's a dead giveaway you're from out of town. For the food it's all good and I've had pretty much everything on the menu. Tuna Melt Signature Breakfast House Cured Salmon Plate Shack Burger Clam Chowder Local Hope Ranch Mussels Seared Ahi Tuna Poke These are a few of my favorite things. The Boathouse is filled with good times, good friends, and good food. Come join me at the bar and find out for yourself. read more

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As a caveat, I visited this establishment on an extremely busy UCSB graduation weekend. However, from my experience, I could not imagine the food is good even on a normal day. Given the circumstances of the busy weekend, I'll skip the details of the wait. The staff here was incredibly kind and accommodating (except for the small mistake of serving up our food before utensils but they were quick to fix this). Now, the food! My table ordered a Cioppino, seafood pasta, and a tuna club. None of which I enjoyed! Tuna club: the fish was dark and tasted of literally nothing. Cioppino: sauce / soup was super underwhelming and seafood not fresh. Seafood pasta: the pasta noodles were overcooked and sauce tasted like it came from a can. The view with ocean backdrop is nice BUT you can get a similar view at other establishments in the area (such as the various restaurants on the Santa Barbara pier). read more

This restaurant is beautiful and spacious. The service was great, friendly and attentive. We ordered Salmon Benedict and Crabcake Benedict. They were delicious. I also like the quality of the mimosa. My husbans ordered a latte and he loved it. Overall, it's a good place to relax and enjoy quality breakfast with an ocean view. We didn't have a problem finding a parking. Highly recommended. read more

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While my family and I were at the Santa Barbara Visitors Center on State Street, one of the ladies who worked there recommended the Boathouse to us. I've been wanting to try this place so we all decided this was where we'd have lunch. This restaurant is right on the beach and had great views! The one pain in the butt part was the parking because we were competing with beach goers who weren't eating at the restaurant. There is an overflow parking lot where my husband found a space. The food was pretty good. We started with the Chowder Fries, which had a generous portion of clam chowder. My husband had the Fish Tacos, which he really enjoyed. My son had the Fish and Shrimp Combo and my daughter ordered the half order of Pancakes with chocolate chips. I ordered the Apple and Walnut Salad. The reason for giving the Boathouse only three stars was because of where we were seated. The hostess sat us on the outside of the patio and not in the patio area and the sun was beating on all of us. There was absolutely NO shade and made it uncomfortable for us the fully enjoy this dining experience. My husband, son and daughter all got sunburned!!! There needs to be shade provided for the patrons who are sat along the patio. The restroom situation was not great either. There were only two available for both genders to use and they weren't the cleanest. I think we're going to skip this place the next time we make the 2+ hours drive from Orange County. read more

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Beautiful place to grab a meal! We sat outside and by the water for breakfast on our visit. Great view of the water for dolphin-watching (we weren't lucky this time). Food was really good. If you like crab cakes, I highly recommend the Boathouse Signature Breakfast! Servers were great! Dog-parking available, as there are no dogs permitted. read more

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My family came here when it was Brown Pelican. The view is great as always as it's right next to the beach with direct access to it. The service was great everyone was so attentive. However the food though was surprisingly disappointing. Specifically the clam chowders tasted a bit off ( had a bit of sourness??). The lobster roll was pretty good but the lobster meat was all shredded with no chunks. We also ordered macadamia nut crusted halibut, fish tacos, and ahi tuna salad and those were a solid 6+. read more

Showed up on a Saturday for a late brunch and got seated immediately. The view from inside is nice, and the interior is well maintained and clean. Service was initially a tad slow for someone to bring waters and take our orders, but food came out quickly and was plentiful! All our meals were delicious. Would highly recommend and we'd return again! read more

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SB Boathouse Restaurant offers absolutely gorgeous ocean views and a wonderful atmosphere, which is the main reason I keep coming back. The setting is beautiful and relaxing, making it a great spot to enjoy the scenery. My favorite dish so far is the Oysters Rockefeller, and my favorite drink is the Lemon Drop. Unfortunately, some of the other drinks I tried were disappointing. I ordered a margarita cocktail that was much too acidic, and the cappuccino was terrible--it tasted like watered-down coffee with milk and was served boiling hot. While the food and drinks have been hit or miss for me, the stunning views and overall ambiance make the experience worthwhile. I'm looking forward to trying more dishes on future visits and hopefully finding more menu items that I enjoy. read more

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There was no way we were going to miss breakfast service at Boathouse. Per usual, we showed up early and waited a decent bit before we were seated but it was worth the wait. Our server continued to check on us during our visit and made us feel welcomed. They were also nice enough to see if the kitchen would send out crab cakes by themselves even if it wasn't on the menu and they did! I ordered their classic eggs Benedict and it was perfect! The hollandaise, the poached eggs, and the potatoes were great! The crab cakes were crispy, flavorful, and paired well with the coleslaw. Their two egg breakfast was also good according to my partner. Her only concern were the eggs not being warm by the time they landed at our table. read more

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My husband and I recently moved to Los Angeles. While I've been to LA numerous times, I haven't lived in California since I was 2. That was over 50 years ago. My husband understands how much of a transition this was and he has been trying to make our outings fun. On this occasion we were with his friend and friend's wife. He considers him a brother since they have known each other for well over 50 years. We went to Santa Barbara to enjoy the a Day of Sunshine, good food, family and the beach. We stopped for lunch at Boathouse at Hendrys Beach. We were sat right away. The restaurant was packed but we got to the restaurant at the right time. This restaurant is right on the water and we were sitting outside next to the glass and had a perfect view. We had an amazing lunch. I ordered the Baja shrimp tacos. The dish was put together well with amazing fresh vegetables and pineapple. My husband ordered the Baja grilled fish tacos, friends had a lobster roll and Baja tacos with breaded fish. On the side we had the Old Bay Fries and a Lobster bisque cup of soup. The food was presented well and very colorful. The food was fresh and everything looked good. The server was busy and not only did she get to us timely the kitchen was fast! The place has a great vibe. The restaurant was clean and orderly. They were playing music and it wasn't overbearing, which is a plus. For 2 appetizers, 5 mains, 3 ice teas and 1 soda we spent $150. Tip was $30. Bill and tip works out to $45 a person. This is not unreasonable for a restaurant on the beach in Santa Barbara. Was a good day! Great food! Great location! read more

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Great vibe in this place! It definitely gets crowded, so be prepared for a wait, and if you're coming when it's chillier, definitely bring a jacket! Me and my friend got the Crab Cakes to split as our appetizer, and I ordered the Sea Bass as the main. We also ordered the Mud Pie to split as our dessert. I thought the crab cakes were really good, and loved the salad in the center; seemed like an Asian salad. My fish was also good and loved the mashed potatoes. I wish the asparagus and spinach was stacked differently to make it easier to eat all together, as the spinach was under the mashed potatoes, and the asparagus were strangely under the fish. The Mud Pie was delicious! Although it was freezing outside, I thought it was great, and definitely satisfied my sweet craving that night. Service was great as well, and our waiter was very nice and helped recommend my friend food. read more

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The clam chowder was just okay while the fish and chips were not even that. The fries were dry and flavorless. The fish coating was very thick on small pieces of fish. Our server also wasn't very interested in serving. The location on the beach is amazing though. read more

Busy restaurant with even busier shared parking lot with beach goers. Tip- skip the log towards the restaurant and make a left to the additional parking. It'll save you some time being stuck trying to park and eventually ending up parking at the additional lot anyway. Stay close to the restaurant and check in with them often if you don't get a text. They had our table ready for us a while ago but the text never went through. Got two dishes and a soup- the clam chowder had a lot of clam in it. Add a slash of Tabasco- Devine. The fish taco was well balanced. All the flavors from the light crispy fish to the vegetables added was perfectly executed. The Mushroom and spinach omelette with egg white and no cheese- served with abundant of mushroom was delish. Definitely getting that again. Service is on the slower side but very relaxing with the ocean front view and breeze so sit back and just enjoy the view and company. read more

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Secluded spot right on the beach! This place doesn't take reservations so plan accordingly. Got there at about 5:30 and had to wait an hour for a party of 6! We were seated outside and it was beautiful! The patio is surrounded by glass so you get a view of the ocean and has plenty of heaters to keep you warm. There is also outside seating directly across from the beach without the glass. Staff is attentive and friendly. Food is delicious! My go to is the cioppino - the warm and hearty tomatoey broth with all the seafood and the crisp garlic bread on the side. Is delicious! read more

Boathouse at Hendry's Beach - Menu - Seafood Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

I loved the ambiance at this restaurant!! good food with a beautiful beach view. our server was very nice despite the restaurant being quite packed. beware sitting near windows though, a lot of flies in that area, besides that everything was really nice read more

Boathouse at Hendry's Beach - Seafood Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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An excellent experience! A beautiful view, delicious food, and a helpful staff. We got literally everything we had asked for at the Boathouse. I'm glad the recommendation came through! read more

Boathouse at Hendry's Beach - Seafood Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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Came on a Sunday morning for brunch and there was a 30 minute wait for a party of 2. There were a good number of tables with a beachfront view and the vibes were casual. Service was friendly and attentive. Classic Egg Benedict- Egg benedicts were fresh and eggs were poached to perfection. I appreciated the unique touch they added to the breakfast potatoes that made it somewhat like a scramble without eggs- contained a good mix of onions, bell peppers and potatoes. Parking was relatively easy with a big parking lot next to the restaurant. Would definitely come again for the breathtaking view and the immaculate vibes! read more

Boathouse at Hendry's Beach - Classic Egg Benedict - Seafood Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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My husband and I and our dear friends from St. Louis rented an Airbnb in the area in March 2026. I checked YELP for some grub help. We are so grateful to have found this delightful restaurant! It was so fantastic, we dined here two days in a row! Everything we tried was fabulous! The food was very fresh and tasty and the portions were generous. The employees were very nice. Oooooh, the Old Bay fries are scrumptious! I thought I had photos of our friend's other dishes but they were winners too: macadamia crusted halibut and the grilled sea bass entree. The ambiance and location are right out of a movie. It's located right on the beach in a quiet, off the beaten path road that ends at the restaurant. You can spend the entire day there enjoying the beach and having lovely meals! We chose to eat on their outdoor patio under umbrellas. They also offer indoor seating as well as some small tables on the beach sidewalk. The main parking lot is small and scoring a spot can be trying. They do have a spill-over lot near the entrance. Like George Costanza on Seinfeld does, start close and do concentric circles -lol! We were blessed by the Parking Gods both days we dined there! After enjoying your delicious meal, take a walk on the beach. There is a little water station near the restaurant (on the sidewalk) where you can wash the sand off of your feet. We cannot wait to be back! V & K read more

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Friendly service. Great location. Loved having breakfast while watching the dogs frolicking on the beach. The coffee was lovely. Breakfast/brunch menu is very limited, so I'll have to go back some time for seafood. read more

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The Boathouse continues to be a place where you not only expect great service and delicious food, but it also delivers on that expectation. With the bluffs to one side and the ocean waves on the other, the setting couldn't be any more amazing. I started with a blood orange mimosa. Then along came the signature breakfast that comes with crab cakes, poached eggs and potatoes. Everything was delightfully prepared and would recommend it over and over again. read more

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My partner and I went for dinner and the ambiance was lovely! It's a beautifully situated restaurant right on the coast with fantastic ocean views. We were seated inside but it was warm - there's no AC (that I could feel) and the windows only have very thin openings on the sides, so not much of a breeze comes through. I noticed their menu on their website is different from their physical menu in the restaurant. I asked our server about it and she was very kind/understanding but couldn't give me a reason for the difference (not her fault). I was a bit frustrated because none of the items I planned to get when looking at the menu online were available in the restaurant, but our server was able to have the kitchen make me a chicken pasta option (the one on the website) and I really appreciated it! Overall it's a wonderful space and the food was delicious, but I do wish their digital menus matched their physical menus and that there was more of a breeze/flowing air inside so it wasn't so stuffy. read more

Boathouse at Hendry's Beach - View of the water from inside - Seafood Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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A beach side restaurant, plenty of umbrellas to cover from the sun. Love the chill vibes this place gives off. Wonderful view of the beach, nice cool breeze. The staff was nice and the service was top notch. I ordered the Latte, which was smooth, and bold. I also ordered the Fish and Chips which was pretty good. read more

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Boathouse is a classic SB restaurant that is always fun to visit given its great location and the buzz of the place especially at dinner. It does get cold though so bundle up. The seafood is always fresh, tasty and fairly priced. We had the cioppino which was full of fruits of the sea in a well-seasoned broth, the grilled sea bass was perfectly cooked and flaky and the Caesar salad with blackened sea bass was also a standout. Several good choices for dessert too, including a brownie sundae, tiramisu and mud pie. The service is quick and efficient especially given how busy it is always. True rating of 4.5 if half stars were available. Definitely part of the rotation on most SB visits. read more

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On another amazing day in Santa Barbara, I wanted to have lunch with an ocean view. How have we missed this perfect spot that hits all the marks? Tuck into a creamy clam chowder and then enjoy an incredible Ahi Tuna Club sandwich with Bacon, Avocado, and Slaw on perfectly grilled, delicious Sourdough bread. Comfortably seated in the cool, shaded patio overlooking our beautiful Pacific Ocean. From a friendly, efficient hostess to a very attentive server, this place does not disappoint. I haven't been this satisfied with lunch anywhere this close lately. This place is awesome. Best Arnold Palmer with, I think, Peach Tea, and just-right sweet Lemonade too. read more

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The Boathouse at Hendry's Beach is a beautiful café with plenty of spacious seating both inside and out. The design reminded me Hemingway's The Old Man and the Sea. Unfortunately, I cannot say the same about our dining experience. The portions are very large, and no one warned us when we ordered multiple dishes. The flavor wasn't there. The fish and chips arrived soggy, and honestly, I've had a better fried fish from Trader Joe's... that really shouldn't be the case in a seafood restaurant. The ceviche was decent, but it came in a huge plate even though it was listed under appetizers. A little heads-up would have been nice. My husband tried the burger, and while the individual ingredients seemed fine, he said the flavors didn't "dance" as one. Overall, it's a lovely setting with friendly service, but the food itself left us disappointed. I might return if I'm in the area again for the atmosphere, but I'd be more cautious about portion sizes and keep my expectations lower. Honestly, it would be better if the restaurant either improved the taste of the food or adjusted the prices to match the quality. read more

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Everything was amazing!! The crab cakes were amazing! The Benedict was absolutely phenomenal. Hubby liked his dish too but I can't remember the name of it. Would definitely visit again. Service was amazing and the view of the ocean was gorgeous. read more

Boathouse at Hendry's Beach - Signature Breakfast - Seafood Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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I don't think I say enough about this place!! I t was so amazing!! We sat at the bar and the bartenders were great. We had amazing drinks and ordered dinner. We enjoyed the clam chowder, steamed clams, coconut shrimp and the boathouse pasta. The location is amazing, right on the ocean. This place is a must! read more

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A great seafood restaurant, right on Henry's Beach just North of Santa Barbara. We had a 30 minute wait for an outside patio table on a Saturday afternoon. We got a table, right at the glass in the shade, so in my opinion, better than the beach front tables with no shade.. We had the crab cakes, steamed mussels, clam chowder and the cioppino. All were great! Makenna was a very nice server. A great experience. read more

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I would give it a ZERO if I could. Girl don't even play with me, I LOVE my seafood but this.... No. Like the service is alright, they lowkey forgot our utensils and we had to ask for them but it's okay sometimes people forget, other than that the service is nice. But this food is so expensive and it's right next to the beach, I'm expecting some good seafood. But everything here tastes so bland. That tuna club (seared Ahi tuna), that tuna was straight grayish black and tasted kind of gross. I would rather eat a tuna sandwich with straight up starkist packaged tuna. I KNOW tuna well, and this was just not it, you can tell it comes straight out a freezer and it's not fresh at all. That seafood pasta was so mid, like it tasted alright but there wasn't even enough seafood in there like where tf is my seafood if you're making me pay for it. That Cioppino DONT even order it. That tastes like nothing, my instant tom yum soup tastes better than that, this thing has ZERO flavor. And tell me why the bread doesn't even have flavor either. If you're in the Santa Barbara area, give yourself some good food at the Santa Barbara shellfish company that is 100000 times better than this trash. The ambiance like bruh it's okay like it's the basic by the beach. read more

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Great place! I loved my lobster roll. They def didn't skimp on the lobster! Could've done without the fries as I felt they were bland. Tuna tartare was alright. I loved the mocktails as well. Pancakes were good. The best part was the staff- all the staff was very accommodating and nice. Great view of the beach and a nice vibe inside. I want to give a 4.5 but going to round up to a 5. I would definitely return! read more