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    Happy Cat Eats

    4.6 (148 reviews)
    Closed 8:00 am - 6:30 pm

    Happy Cat Eats Photos

    HAPPY CAT EATS ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Hipster
    Casual
    Touristy

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    Recommended Reviews - Happy Cat Eats

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    Shrimp po boy, lychee lemonade, cinnamon roll
    Amanda L.

    You can't beat sitting near the beach with good food during a nice warm Santa Barbara day. I love the outdoor seating and how you get a beautiful view of the coastline. The shrimp po boy was somewhat small but without enough shrimp for every bite. It was perfectly fried, not overcooked. The slaw was fresh and the sauce helped punch up the flavor. The lychee lemonade was refreshing, a bit sweet so I definitely recommend getting the version with alcohol. The cinnamon roll was tasty and soft. Great frosting. They have a great menu filled with street food. There is a lot of variety, I can't wait to come back. Parking is tricky. I ended up walking over from the Funk Zone.

    Chinese salad - tasty and good portions
    Hiromi R.

    *Rating this experience with a child & grandparent* This spot was recommended to us by the lovely people at the Santa Barbara Visitor Center. We learned that this casual, beachside walk-up restaurant is the sister concept to the upscale restaurant of Oku, a sushi restaurant. Menus are different but has the same owner, so it has a similar concept and plays with flavors of umami well. We ordered the chicken bao tacos, Chinese chicken salad, and a kids meal hot dog. We really enjoyed those tacos! I loved the Asian flare of the chicken, and that it was served in a bao. The salad was big in portion and tasted fresh. A good way to get some crunchy greens in! The kids meal hot dog was, well, a hot dog! I appreciated that they had a kids meal. We loved the causal vibe of this place. Right by the ocean, sand as part of their decor, and open seating concept. Will come back here for another visit!

    Sushi Sando
    Morgan B.

    Happy Eats Cafe is centered around outdoor dining. You walk up to a register, order, and find a seat while you wait with your number. They had lots of yummy items to choose from. We got two of the sushi sandos. SUPER good. I would come back to try other things! It was very nice, right by the water.

    Mac and cheese breakfast burrito with pork belly. NA  BEER
    Shawn B.

    What went well---EVERYTHING! I can't say enough about how great it is to eat right on the main beach walk. Great views and patio. The person at the service window was really friendly and suggested I get a box because the burrito is really big. I've never had a Mac and cheese burrito before and it was fantastic.

    Happy Cat Eats
    Liz G.

    Happy Cat Eats is great! My husband and I stopped by for lunch after visiting to Art Walk. He ordered a smash burger and I had the soy burger with cheese. We shared fries. Both enjoyed our meals. We sat outside and it was a beautiful day for it...a bit crowded. Service was good. You order at the window and they give you a number and bring the food to your table when it's ready. It's very casual, very efficient, a good place to grab a bite.

    The delicious food options from Happy Cat Eats
    Celina O.

    We loved this wonderful waterfront restaurant and were pleasantly surprised to hear that Happy Cat Eats and Oku Restaurant have the same founders! The ambiance was absolutely stunning, the staff was friendly and attentive, this spot is budget friendly and we absolutely loved the variety of delicious bites and drinks!

    Monica V.

    I've been here in the summer and spring. It gets pretty busy during lunch time during the summer but my group was able to get a table without a problem. The food came out quickly and was pretty good. My toddler enjoyed the acai bowl. That was one of the reasons I wanted to come back during my vacation recently. I ordered it online and I came on time. I saw there were 2 bowls there. Then someone took them and said it will be a few minutes. I was a little confused about the situation but I eventually got my order. The granola was definitely the star of the bowl. If you like cinnamon this was definitely packing in flavor.

    Cinnamon roll
    Erika S.

    Food was great : breakfast burrito and cinnamon roll. Shared it with my sister and it was plenty. The blueberry matcha was good as well. The service was kind of slow, but we weren't in a rush. Our friends didn't like their food, the tacos, no flavor even with added salsa. Overall, I'd go back, but wouldn't go out of my way

    Chinese Chicken Salad
    Brent Y.

    My wife and I ordered the Chinese Chicken Salad and the Sushi Sando and split both, which worked out perfectly. After reading that the Sando was shareable, I definitely agree because I don't think I could have finished it on my own. The salad was great, with perfectly crispy wonton strips, tender/flavorful chicken and a really good dressing. The Sushi Sando was super unique and unlike anything I've had before. Crispy rice as the "bun" with crab meat, tuna, and seaweed salad inside made for such a fun and delicious combination. Both dishes were light and refreshing. My 5-year-old had the hot dog and it was surprisingly high quality and a really good size. It was served on a Hawaiian roll with a great-quality dog, and since he's pretty picky, the fact that he ate the whole thing says a lot. Overall, it was a great experience. The ocean is right across the street, so the view is a huge bonus, and we also really appreciated how clean the restrooms were. Note: You order at a window and the servers bring your food to you. There's a free 75-minute parking lot down the alley, or you can try parking across the street.

    Crispy bao tacos
    D L.

    Nice little spot! You order before choosing your seat, however there is no menu at the ordering window so best to memorize what you want or walk up with the menu. The main reason I came was for a cinnamon roll. I was one left in the window display. When we ordered, the girl with the short pink hair said "sorry but we're all out". I paused and said "well what about the one right there?" And she goes "oh well yeah I guess we have that one. Is that fine?". Idk if she was trying to hold it for herself or what but that was a weird interaction. She wasn't rude but wasn't friendly either. We ordered: 1. cinnamon roll- rather meh! There was nothing that stood out about it. 2. gingerbread latte- didn't like this. It didn't taste like gingerbread at all and was very weak and froth heavy 3. sushi Sando - unique! It was pretty good but not great. The crispy rice's edges are sharp so that was a little unpleasant. The flavor was great . 4. crispy bao trio- our favorite! This had a great mix of textures and the chicken was perfectly sauced! A nice spot with potential but I don't think it's a must visit. If I come back, I'm just getting the bao tacos!

    Crispy chicken tempura salad
    Diane W.

    Looking for something light for dinner so we stopped by this outdoor eatery. Great menu, order at counter & pick a table. We ordered the Asian Chicken Salad & the Crispy Chicken Tempura salad - both different but delicious! Large portions, light salad dressing. Nice spot to people watch & enjoy a casual meal. Friendly staff too.

    carnitas loaded fries
    Emi C.

    super popular place in santa barbara definitely for a reason. the loaded carnitas fries are definitely a must try, the cheese is a little heavy but the avocado and carnitas definitely help balance it out. kinda big, good for sharing, and a good price as well. the breakfast burrito was absolutely amazing, the mac and cheese added a unique taste and it also is quite big, i would say share between 2 people. for the fries, i would reccomend sharing between 3 people. very easy to find seats no matter how busy it is, and although it isn't service to table, the food runners are still very helpful. overall had a great experience and can't wait to come back to try the rest of the menu!

    Mackenzie B.

    We came last night for dinner. I have had several friends recommend this restaurant. So I was really excited to try it! The menu alone has so many good options, it was so hard to narrow down and choose. I ended up getting the fish sandwich, my husband got the happy cat burger. Everything tasted pretty delicious, the food was brought out promptly. The service was excellent. I can't wait to return to try the breakfast and brunch! All the coffee specialties and drinks looked amazing!!

    Truffle fries

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    9 months ago

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    1 month ago

    Great little cafe! The açai bowl was good and well as there hot chi tea. Cute little sitting area across from the beach and pier

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    Business owner information

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    10 months ago

    Amazing fish and chippies! Great location too! I love this spot and the outdoor seating.

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    4 months ago

    The chicken tempura sandwich was hands down the best sandwich I've ever eaten! Can't wait to go back and get another!

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    4.7(273 reviews)
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    I have been to The Daisy many times and I am never disappointed! The food is so fresh and flavorful…read moreand the portions are generous! My favorites are: The little gems salad with chicken added. You have to get the green goddess dressing! They make it in house and it's the bomb!! The bahn mi sandwich. It has house made tender brisket, fresh pickled veg on a baguette. So delicious! You can also get it as a salad! You'll never even miss the bread! The Daisy burger. Big meaty patty, with melty cheese, piled high with lettuce, tomato and red onion with a special sauce on a buttery brioche bun! You can really sink your teeth into this one! It also comes with a generous portion of perfectly crispy on the outside tender on the inside fries! Mmm mmm!!! They get really busy so come early!! Definitely a must try!

    The Daisy in Santa Barbara was a bit of a hit-or-miss visit for us…read more The restaurant itself is beautifully decorated, with plenty of outdoor seating, and is dog friendly, which is a big plus. You order at the counter and the food is brought over to your table. The service was friendly, though it could have been better--we had to get our own water, cutlery, and napkins and nobody came to check on us throughout the meal. Maybe that was because we came right at opening on the weekend. Food-wise, some dishes were better than others. The smoked brisket banh mi was disappointing, mainly because the brisket was chewy. The burrata-tomato salad with added chicken breast was good and felt fresh and satisfying. The chicken salad sandwich was okay, but the bread was too hard, which made it less enjoyable. On the positive side, my son really enjoyed the kids' grilled cheese sandwich with fries. Overall, The Daisy has a lovely atmosphere, and a great dog-friendly patio, but the food was a bit hit-or-miss during our visit.

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    Satellite

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    Unfortunately, I didn't have the best experience here as I imagined it to be. I stopped by on a…read morewarm day and wanted to enjoy a Spritz. I walked in and spoke with the guy working the bar area. I wasn't sure if I had to order my drink there or if there was table service. He said he could take my order and then I could go find a table to sit at. I placed my order for a Spritz and found a table outside. It seemed like 15 minutes had passed by and still no drink. He tended to another table in front of me with a group of women he knew. I thought he would stop by my table after, but he didn't even acknowledge me. Finally, another staff member tended to me and I told her I had placed my order at the bar and was still waiting for it. She was very kind and quickly got it for me. My observation of this guy, was that he acknowledged everyone around me but for some reason never acknowledged me until my bill was ready. Such a bizarre experience! In any case, I still managed to enjoy myself and was glad the Eva waited on me. She was very kind and I appreciate her getting my drink and food in a timely manner. I ordered the Spanish cheese plate, which was the perfect snacking board. It comes with manchego, membrillo, corn nuts, cornichon, quince, strawberries, focaccia, and charcoal sourdough bread. This plate is great for two people. Overall, a not so great experience, but grateful that Eva came to the rescue! It left me unsure of whether I would come back, only time will tell.

    The natural wine bar of my dreams! We came to SB on a trip and were searching for wine bars that…read moreserve natural wine, and this one kept popping up as a top choice -- and it absolutely lived up to the hype. It's located right on State Street, so there's plenty to explore nearby. We came right at opening and were greeted by the friendliest host. The style of the space is amazing -- walls lined with bottles, funky furniture, and such a fun, modern vibe. They were also super dog‑friendly and immediately brought my pup a water bowl, which I always appreciate. The host was incredibly knowledgeable and answered all my questions (and I had many). I'm still new to the wine world, so her openness and guidance meant a lot. I sampled two wines and chose the one that was perfect for me. I also loved that they bring the bottle to your table to show you and tell you more about it. My partner had one of their vermouth cocktails and loved it. We even learned about a natural wine event happening next month that we might come back for. The host also recommended wineries in the area based on our preferences -- such a thoughtful touch. Would definitely come back anytime we're in SB.

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    State & Fig - The Cajun Bird

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    Finch & Fork - Caesar Salad

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    We had dinner at Finch and Fork and ordered the fried chicken with sautéed baby broccoli and mashed…read morepotatoes. The potatoes were the standout. The butter was balanced, the texture was so good. The chicken wasn't dry and was seasoned perfectly. However, Sabit, the assistant manager is the reason I'm writing this. He was incredibly kind to us. We watched him move through the dining room the entire time we were there. He wasn't checking on tables the way managers do when they're running a script. He was actually paying attention to people. The staff around him seemed comfortable, not performative, which usually tells you more about a manager than anything they say. The food was good, Sabit made it better. We'll be back.

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    Helena Avenue Bakery - Turkey Sandwich with chips & an orange soda

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    It's taken me a while to check out this delicious eatery but it's now going in the rotation for a…read morequick delicious cafe meal. Located in the Funk Zone, Helena shares a space with SB Wine Collective. There's indoor and outdoor seating. Order at the counter, get a number, grab a seat, and your food/drink will be delivered to you. Cutlery is at a self service station along with water. The big breakfast taco is delicious! Highly recommend. I've also had take out of the Italian hoagie... let me just say it's one of the best sandwiches I've had as of lately. The bread was crisp yet soft, the meats perfect, and the Italian vinaigrette and veggies were fresh. If it was that great for takeout I cannot wait to try it dining in. Their breads and pastries are baked fresh daily! Open 7-2:30 though you'll encounter a long line on the weekends so be prepared.

    I've been coming to Helena for years and I have to say, the love it gets is very well deserved…read more They have some of the butteriest croissants out there! The dough lamination is absolutely perfect. I was lucky to attend an event at the gardens where the had profiteroles that were absolutely divine. Being central to the funk zone with plenty of outdoor seating the ambiance is absolutely on point. We had a minor mixup with an order and the head chef herself came out and made it right, giving us the tastiest baguette I think I've ever had. I have to say the head chef, who's name escapes me right now, has to be one of the sweetest and most talented people in the industry I've met. Definitely come here for an amazing breakfast or some 10/10 pastries.

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