My wife and I found ourselves in Santa Barbara this weekend to celebrate her 40th birthday and upon checking into the inn, we were quickly referred to Oku by the front desk manager. After we offloaded the truck, changed and relaxed for a bit, we headed out for a walk near the waterfront. We eventually made our way down to the beach and found ourselves at Oku. We approached the hostess stand and were greeted by two young ladies who pointed us towards the bar as we'd planned on just stopping by for a cocktail. We were immediately welcomed by Tommy who handed us two menus, set us up with a couple waters and asked if he could serve us a cocktail. I got the Oaxacan old fashioned and my wife got the Oku old fashioned. In addition to our drinks, we also ordered up some shishito peppers, hamachi sashimi, Toro nigiri as well as big eye tuna nigiri. Our drinks arrived quickly and as we sipped on them, our food arrived shortly thereafter. It was early afternoon and we had apparently beat the crowd which was great for us as the place quickly filled up after about half an hour. The shishitos were perfectly prepared and served with a sauce as well as tuna flake on top and made for a phenomenal starter. Shortly thereafter we tore into our sashimi and nigiri all of which was served well and tasted great. While eating our food, the place began filling up and Matt showed up to help man the bar. Despite getting very busy, Tommy and Matt remained attentive and made sure we were taken care of and had what we needed. We finished our cocktails and food, closed out and prepared for our departure, but I hope to come back tomorrow for some more amazing Japanese food and excellent cocktails from the crew here at Oku. Thanks for the hospitality, excellent cocktails and for welcoming us in! Tommy and Matt are both excellent additions to the team! Photos compliments of my wife since I take photos like a Neanderthal. read more

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My husband and I dined here for an early dinner with a reservation. I think after checking in it might've taken 5-10 minutes to be sat. Our server was really kind and on point with everything! Everything came out quickly. We ordered the otoro sushi, ikura sushi, rainbow roll, and two orders of the filet mignon. I have zero complaints about the sushi. It was incredibly delicious! I do think the filet mignon had beautiful plating, but it was very underwhelming, and didn't come out the requested way of cooking. I don't think I'd order that again, but we enjoyed our food overall. We chose to dine outside since it was a nice day and I thought that was pretty nice. We did bring our baby and had enough room with a high chair etc. we'd come back! read more

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Great lunch, with a wonderful view! The hostess was kind, friendly and took us to our seats quickly (which was nice because we did not have a reservation and just popped in after some wine tasting). Our server was great! She was talkative, informative, and very friendly. She brought out everything with a smile, and all of our food was served very quickly (even though they were pretty busy). We ordered: Way of the Dragon Roll (yummy! Very good!) Firecracker Shrimp (tasted pretty good, wish they were a bit crunchier, and that the shrimp themselves were more flavorful- the sauce was great!) Spicy Shrimp Fired Rice- ORDER THIS! It was delicious! Miso soup- it was flavorful, had a deep umami taste, interesting ingredients. Definitely want to come again- all of the plates being served around us looked amazing. read more

Love the vibe of Oku, they played great music and the outdoor patio is practically all covered so it wasn't even very cold at night! The food was also pretty good! The crouching tiger roll was good, some friends tried the short ribs which were yummy, and a ramen that was good. The cocktails were alright, the lychee martini was pretty thick for whatever reason and there was user error on my friends part when she got the red lily--it is a lot more floral than she thought it would be. Almost soapy. Service was fairly decent, our server was really nice but he must of gotten super busy and maybe accidentally rang things in at the wrong times? It was a Saturday night so we understand it's busy. we got the short ribs and a sushi roll before our appetizers, only 2/3 of us got miso soups when asked and it just felt sorta scrambled. He did try to explain some of the errors but felt more like miscommunication with the runners/kitchen. Our apps came dead last out of everything surprisingly. he was really nice with recommendations and fixing up my sushi roll in a way I'd like, so it didn't bother us too much. He also brought out a bday dessert for my friend which was so sweet! Would go again read more

Oku - Crouching tiger roll - Sushi Bars Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Looking for a dirty tini? Cum here. Spicy tuna hand roll... yum. Lollipop sauce is ehhhhh. read more

Oku - Dirty martini - Sushi Bars Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

I recommend Oku Sushi to guests at my hotel all the time, so I finally made it in for dinner the other night and I'm happy to say it absolutely lived up to the recommendation. The sushi was right on par across the board. Everything tasted fresh, the flavors were balanced, and the rolls were rolled tight and done well, which I always notice. They were also great about listening to what we wanted, answering questions, and making thoughtful suggestions. My standout was the spider roll, it was perfect. The soft shell crab was cooked exactly right, crispy without being heavy, and the whole roll just came together really well. Easily my favorite of the night. We also wanted sake but weren't totally sure what direction to go in, and our waitress was phenomenal. She asked the right questions, explained her recommendations in a way that made sense, and ended up steering us toward something we really loved. That kind of service makes a big difference. The vibe is great too, modern, a little hip, fun energy. There are a few different seating options, including an outdoor patio, main dining area, a smaller side space, plus both a bar and sushi bar, which I always appreciate. Overall, this is a spot I'll continue to recommend and definitely come back to myself. read more

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This is still such a fun place for group dining along Cabrillo Blvd, on the inside, or on the upstairs patio overlooking the Harbor (perfect on a sunny day, and even better with the amazing sunsets). And even when dining alone, sitting at the downstairs Bar is always a fun experience. Thanks to our bartender/server REN and the Oku staff for always taking good care of us. A delicious dinner always starts with the Lollipops of Salmon, Sashimi Tacos, and Garlic Noodles with Pork Belly. Favorite rolls continue to be the Mike Wazowski, Everybody Loves Raymond, Crazy Rich Asians, and the 805 Roll. And for drinks they still have an incredible selection of Tequila and Mezcal Cocktails, Japanese Whiskey, Sake, and always a nice wine selection. My current favorite is a German Riesling, Urban, and it pairs nicely with pretty much everything. Highly recommend making reservations, but walk in seating at the Bar can always be nice. read more

Oku is one of those restaurants that manages to feel polished without losing approachability, and after this visit it makes sense why it stays consistently busy. The atmosphere is lively but comfortable, and the service struck that ideal balance of attentive and relaxed that lets you settle in and enjoy the meal at your own pace. What impressed me most was that the kitchen holds its own beyond the sushi bar. The flat iron steak was cooked beautifully with a nice char and deep savory flavor, served over bok choy and fried rice that made the dish feel intentional rather than just a token non seafood option. The firecracker shrimp tempura was crisp and light, not greasy, and the tamarind dipping sauce added a bright sweet tang that kept the dish interesting from start to finish. Nigiri quality was consistently strong. We tried sweet shrimp, monkfish liver, Santa Barbara uni, toro, scallop, and tamago, and each piece tasted clean and fresh with well balanced rice and thoughtful portions. Nothing felt heavy handed. Just solid execution that lets good ingredients shine. Cocktails added a fun layer to the experience. The Oku POG arriving in a lucky cat cup was playful without feeling gimmicky. Oku feels like a place that understands its audience. You can come for a sushi focused dinner, a group night out, or even with someone who does not eat seafood and everyone leaves happy. Strong fundamentals, thoughtful touches, and genuinely welcoming service make this an easy repeat visit. read more

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The service was excellent! The patio is well heated, and you can go with just a t shirt in February. The food was mostly good. The lollipops were a little underwhelming, but the flavors on the Everybody Loves Raymond Roll and the spicy scallop roll were great. The hamachi collar also had a lot of meat and crispy skin. read more

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I brought my partner here for his birthday and the vegan sushi was so lifechanging we ordered seconds. The mushroom one had truffle oil and was so tender. Asparagus filling had the perfect crunch. The vegetable one I imagine is roasted bell peppers but I am unsure. Reservations are a must. We got roof top seating and it was packed. Our server disappear for minutes at a time but that gave us a lot of uninterrupted conversation on the bright side. They surprised us with sorbet for his birthday. It was so sweet of them. Silky with bites of frozen berries. The mint on the icy treat was so refreshing. We would come back. read more

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Andreina was our server and provided outstanding service from start to finish warm, attentive, and genuinely hospitable. She made the entire experience feel elevated and personal. The sushi was some of the best we've had in Santa Barbara fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. The ocean view from the second floor made it even more special. What really stood out was Andreina offering my girlfriend a blanket to keep her warm such a thoughtful touch that you don't see often these days. We'll definitely be recommending this spot and coming back with friends. Highly recommend! -Ian Lantz read more

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The Food Service and Ambiance were !! I am so glad our daughter found this restaurant. Everything was delicious. Sushi, dessert and service! We will definitely be coming back as our daughter attends UCSB and we visit her frequently, we found our new favorite restaurant to eat at when we come to visit her! read more

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I mean... it's ok, but it's not 4.5 stars... The cauliflowers and the Brussel sprouts were great, but the nigiri sushi... fresh enough but were meh at best... normally I'd be fine with it but this is Santa Barbara... where you're supposed to get some of the best seafood! Well... I definitely didn't feel like I got better seafood than I would have in say... San Bernardino. Service was fine, food wasn't horrible overall but... definitely nowhere near a 4.5. read more

Came here for our anniversary dinner! The service was quick and attentive. We had a reservation for two and were sat down quickly with a wonderful view on the rooftop. The server was kind & knowledgeable about their menu. He helped us choose the right rolls to have a great dinner! I highly suggest making reservations as it does get very busy for dinner! read more

Oku - Spicy Yellowtail box roll - Sushi Bars Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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I had a wonderful experience at this sushi restaurant! The food was absolutely delicious--everything was fresh, flavorful, and clearly made with high-quality ingredients. You can really taste the difference. Our server was incredibly friendly and attentive, paying close attention to every detail and making sure we had everything we needed. The ambiance was fun and upbeat, creating the perfect atmosphere for a great night out. I'll definitely be coming back! read more

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I'm in the middle about oku! This restaurant came highly recommended while adventuring in Santa Barbara. As far as ambiance, the restaurant was beautiful with amazing views of the beach, right off the street. The food was hit or miss for us. The sushi was okay. I ordered the smothered beef and veggies, the wings for an appetizer and the mocktails were definitely a hit. I thought the wings were crispy and the sauce was delicious. The smothered beef dish was a 3/5 - I can't pinpoint what was needed but it was missing something. The service was great - I appreciate that they sought to get us a table with a view outside in the midst of a busy time. read more

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Love this place we ordered a bunch of items and everything was fantastic! Can't wait to go back

Oku has one of the best locations in Santa Barbara -- right by the water with gorgeous ocean views, especially at sunset from the upper balcony. It's the kind of spot you go to more for the atmosphere than the food. The sushi was decent but not particularly memorable, and for a waterfront restaurant, I was expecting a bit more freshness and creativity. Service was solid and attentive, but overall, the experience felt more average than exceptional. Still, if you're looking for a scenic place to grab drinks and enjoy the view, Oku delivers on that front. For standout sushi, though, there are better options in town. read more

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Japanese/sushi restaurant right across the street from a beautiful view of the wharf and beach with a second floor patio to enhance the views. We came in the late afternoon and it was still a little sunny and too warm in the sun to enjoy it, but at night with the stringed lights out there I imagine it's a beautiful place to have a drink and a bite. My friend and I had the lychee martini, garlic mushroom noodles, crouching tiger roll, and the spicy Korean cauliflower. The noodles were a bit starchy but flavor was excellent . The crouching tiger was okay but didn't taste really fresh to me. The cauliflower had a spicy gochujang flavor but not enough sauce IMO. For me I would have preferred something sweet to balance the spicy. I imagine because it was a tempura batter and not something heavier it didn't cover the cauliflower taste enough for me . Service was ok. We were checked on and water was filled, but kind of got a snotty reaction when I asked for some extra sauce for the cauliflower. All in all for the price we paid for small portions was a little much for the enjoyment of the food. The views are killer though. read more

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The food and cocktails are great. The location is amazing and has great views. The staff....kind of stuck up and not really accommodating. My wife and I came in and asked to sit at a different table and were told it's only for 4 people. We were given the option to sit in glaring sun, or in the middle of a bunch of cramped tables. There was one other party on the patio when we were seating and everything else was wide open. I understood that it may get busy, but by the time they may have needed that 4 person table, we would've been gone....as proven by the fact that by the time we left there were only two other parties that had joined the patio seating. In addition, the tables they said were 2 or 4 people were the same size, but just with less/more chairs. Would've been an easy request to accommodate but there was zero consideration given even when we asked twice. read more

Solid 3.5 Firstly, the food was really good. Definitely enjoyed the Korean cauliflower and short ribs, and my husband loved the vegetarian rolls and nigiri. My only issue came down to service...if the service is off, it just adds the wrong vibe to the whole experience. Getting someone's attention was pretty difficult when asking for napkins or utensils, and I noticed this was because the servers tended to not look up or around the dining area. They'd go to a table, turn back around, and pay no one else any attention. I also needed to ask everytime to have an empty plate taken off our table, which was a little odd especially when they kept trying to add other dishes to the already tiny table. We were constantly doing Tetris with the plates. Despite this, I do feel like the servers were courteous and polite, so I'm wondering if the odd service was because they may have been under staffed for the night...just a speculation. read more

What an amazing family lunch we had on Sunday!! The service was incredible especially accommodating us with a stroller. We were seated right away at opening time on Sunday. The waiters and waitresses were a delight and lovely. The short rib was SOOOO SOFT and the flavor was incredible. We also got the chicken wings which were soo tasty. We did get a few sushi rolls that were eaten too quickly they were all so fresh. I specifically enjoyed the soft shell crab roll. The restaurant itself is super cute, bathrooms were clean. The view is amazing too! The pier is just across the road so great to have a little walk around. Valet is free if you eat at the restaurant! read more

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If I could give Oku more than 5 stars, I absolutely would! We've been to so many sushi restaurants, and the way Oku handles food allergies is truly outstanding. From the moment we walked in until the moment we left, the service was kind, attentive, and professional. The location is a huge bonus -- right by the ocean. With a reservation, you can snag an outdoor table with a beautiful view, which makes the whole experience even more special. Now, the food... wow. We kept ordering different dishes, and every single bite was fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. (Check out my pictures to see everything we tried!) I honestly don't have a single negative thing to say. Our absolute favorite was the "Crazy Rich Asians" roll -- definitely worth the splurge. Oku has earned a top spot on our list, and we can't wait to go back! read more

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Great staff especially our server Jaime who checked on us often and made sure we were taken care of. Plenty of indoor and outdoor seating but I recommend indoors if you don't want to see car traffic while you eat. Gets a little loud but great for large parties. Fish was very fresh and delicious. I recommend the sashimi over everything else. It was presented well and the wasabi was delicious. None of that packaged wasabi from the grocery store. Mushroom roll was very light and mushroom forward. Pretty healthy and mayo-free! Matcha mocktail was interesting but I think I'll stick to tea next time. Definitely recommend for anyone wanting some fresh sushi near the beach. read more

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Service: disappointed. The staff who led the way to our seats was very careless and just throw the menus on the table and took off. The staff who served our table is relatively welcoming even though it was the dinner peak time, but she introduced menu to other customers beside us which makes us quite unattended. Food: Kudo to the chef! From appetizer to sushi rolls, the flavors are so balanced and phenomenal! The Lava Roll is the right amount of spiciness (though we're told it's a 8.5/10 spicy level, for Asian it's piece of cake haha). The 805 Roll is on the sweet side and the shiso definitely brings out the freshness. Ambiance: sadly the rooftop has a larger party so we weren't able to get a seat, but the ambiance is pretty nice and chill. read more

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we booked a reservation and were seated outside. they have nice warm heating in cases it gets chilly outside (which it did). our servers were lovely and super attentive, making sure we were comfortable and weren't disturbed by any crazy noises. most importantly, the food was delicious especially the seared yellowtail roll and their sashimi! read more

Oku - seared yellowtail roll - Sushi Bars Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Nice spot within walking distance from a lot of the hotels on Cabrillo. We waited about 20 minutes on a Tuesday evening and were seated upstairs. The downstairs patio looked great and I don't think the rooftop was opened at the time. Customer service pace was leisurely amd friendly, sushi rolls were tasty, and the drinks were good. Finished the meal with the 2 piece Toro (fatty tuna nigiri) and it was so good! I can imagine summer evenings eating here are probably fantastic. read more

Oku - Spicy Tuna and Rainbow Roll - Sushi Bars Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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1 Star Our experience here was extremely disappointing and upsetting. During our dinner, a woman came over and rudely interrupted us to tell my 1-year-old to be quiet. Instead of handling the situation professionally or respectfully, she continued to show clear disgust toward our family being there. What made it worse was the lack of support from the manager on duty. Rather than addressing the situation appropriately, the manager allowed other patrons to get involved, which escalated things even more. In the end, my wife and I had to leave with our two small children, and my older son was left in tears. As Latino parents simply trying to enjoy a meal with our family, the way we were treated felt discriminatory and unwelcoming. Families should not be made to feel uncomfortable or pushed out of a restaurant like this. The is clearly no culture at this restaurant, it's sad that this is allowed in such a beautiful city. I hope the business takes situations like this seriously and works on creating a more respectful and inclusive environment for all customers. read more

Low stars because I sincerely do not understand what the other reviews are talking about regarding service. Their service is TERRIBLE. I do not know if it is an off day but good luck calling them trying to order take out/to go via phone call. I called 5 times, zero answers. I know they will say they are "busy" but I was attempting to call at about 740pm. When I went to the location, they were just sitting and waiting for customers. Mike Wazowski roll ($22) - don't know if it's more expensive due to it's name - moderately sliced tuna on top - not freshly fried Crouching Tiger roll ($20) - tastes better than the Mike roll - thinly sliced salmon - sadly the imitation crab is what brought it together - nice crisp Disappointments: - itty bitty wasabi that was mixed with the mike roll (needs better take out packaging and stop being cheap especially of the price) - the hostess looked at me as if I was an idiot I appreciate: - well seasoned ginger... not too spicy and not pink - provided 3 different types (OG, low sodium and gluten free) of the same brand name shoyu packets AMBIENCE - dark - lots of people dressed um very formally and very risqué - huge bar - upstairs and downstairs (better to reserve if you want upstairs and an ocean view) LOCATION AND PARKING - in the heart of Santa Barbara - directly across the pier and ocean - complicated parking... able to find parallel/street parking for free blocks away - valet parking is available but seeing how they parked, I pass. Will I come back? No. Tired of rudeness and their rolls did not blow me away. read more

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Enjoyed lunch here on the rooftop on a beautiful Sunday afternoon and it was a lovely experience. The weather was great, the food was delicious, my lychee martini was incredibly tasty, and I purchased a cute little lucky cat mug to take home to remember my experience. The food was incredible and I got all of my favorites which include Japanese scallops, Masago, Tobiko, and a deliciously incredible snow, crab hand roll that was exactly what I was hoping for and so much more. Highly recommend this spot and will absolutely be back again!! read more

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MOST of the time us Yelpers being our reviews with our experience with the food. On this occasion I want to start by commending the STAFF at Okun.Their attention to customer service is unmatchable. From the moment we walked in our server welcomed us with a big HONEST smile! (in the world of customer service a SMILE is worth mentioning) Our server, was attentive, relatable, knowledgeable, fast, accurate, PRESENTABLE, engaging ... the list is endless! If you take a moment to view my photos, the pictures reflect more than words can say. As we devour all our food, leaving empty plates, as each item we feasted on tasted to perfection. The restaurnat faces the beach, it is clean, modern and meticulously curated representing an upscale sushi restaurant. Looking forward to my next visit to Santa Barbara, Oku is a favorite!! read more

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Came here for dinner and it was a cute spot right by the water. We sat inside but next time would choose to sit outside so we can see the view better. We got the spicy fried rice and yakisoba both made vegetarian and they were good but lacked a little spice and flavor for me. Once we added some chili oil and sriracha it was much better. Also tried the rainbow sushi roll which was pretty solid. And we got the gochujang cauliflower which we really liked. Overall the food was okay but the ambiance and location is really great! read more

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We visited this Japanese seafood restaurant for my bachelorette with 4 of my friends and we had a wonderful experience. One of my friends and I tried three different sushi, edamame, and their espresso martinis.Their food was incredibly fresh and flavorful. Their edamame was probably the best edamame I have had as it had such an amazing flavor. The service was just as also great as our waiter was very friendly, attentive, and made the whole meal even more enjoyable. The environment of the restaurant was also fun. I left with my friends all feeling completely satisfied and already excited to come back again if we are ever in Santa Barbara. read more

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Sat at the bar for Happy Hour (it was nice to take advantage of the lower prices on some things!) and enjoyed the Lava Roll, some nigiri, Firecracker Rock Shrimp and some cocktails. We enjoyed the atmosphere and the staff was friendly and helpful. Nice place to visit if you are in the area! read more

First and foremost, the service was great. Our server was incredibly knowledgeable and provided honest and insightful information regarding the food. Second, the quality of the food was fresh and flavorful. All of our rolls, nigiri and fish dishes were amazing. The wines complemented the seafood nicely. The location near the beach was also a plus. read more

I've heard good things about this place which also we would always see when we walked passed by. The hours are normally dinner only so that never gave us a chance to try it out. Well, it was a friend's birthday and that's where she wanted to have her dinner. First off, they need to improve on their phone skills. As in returning calls. Leaving messages and not getting a reply, that's just in poor taste when you have people trying to get in to your facility... Besides that, the whole experience was great. The only way we got a got a hold of someone was by walking in. We were told that they could seat us at 9pm for our group. We had a decent size group, 10 of us. But instead, they got us in a little earlier. Don't know if it was short staff or they just don't want to utilize that extra room. Which they sat us in the little room off the main dining area. The whole night, it was just us in that area. Julian who took care of us was great. Service was excellent and made the night more pleasant. Very friendly and sweet. Menu wise, cocktails were excellent. Lychee martini was hit for everyone. We opted for a few rolls, appetizers and some sushi. The ramen was quite nice as well. Also, the yellowtail collar was pretty tasty. Decent size portion and the meat was flakey and cooked well. The sushi lollipop I believe was pretty nice. Throughout the evening, we just added on more and more things. Finishing off, they brought out some mochi for the birthday group. With the large group, gratuity was added on already which was fine. Overall, service was nice. Julian was excellent and everyone that came to our table to drop off food was sweet as well. The meal was excellent. The only thing, work on replying back to people when they're leaving messages and trying ti get in. Overall, we enjoyed ourselves. read more

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Ate here on the suggestion of a friend who lives in Santa Barbara, he selected it because it is walking distance from our hotel. He had nigiri sushi and soup, my spouse and I had sushi rolls. Spouse found the sushi to be salty, I thought it was fine. We eat sushi fairly regularly and fond the quality to be good not great. I can see returning, but there are many many other delicious choices in Santa Barbara. My ratings: 5 for location and service 4 for atmosphere 3.5 for food and value. read more

I have a list of favorite restaurants in SB and this is one of them. They have delicious food and being by the ocean is always a plus! read more

Oku - Sushi Bars Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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Rennnnnn is the best server!!! Best at helping pick what to to order, checks up on you and is a good vibe all around amazing really helped make our dinner special!!! read more

Oku - Outdoor view - Sushi Bars Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

If you're lucky enough to get either of the servers named Sarah, then you've done Oku right. Must order the Wings for app and Red Lily cocktail read more