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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.
Perfect place to eat at for my birthday! I was glad to eat outdoors on such a gorgeous day. I ordered a cold sake, tuna on crispy rice, yellow tail nigiri, smelt egg, sweet shrimp, and the everyone loves Raymond roll. I ate it all up! So fresh. Great waiter he was very attentive and friendly. Would absolutely come back!
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!
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
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.
such a great experience we came for our three-year anniversary dinner and all the food was super super great. Our favorite rolls for the everybody loves Raymond and 805. Peter, our server was kind enough to bring us a little anniversary treat at the end and was so thoughtful throughout the whole experience. 10 out of 10 recommend this place. Definitely try and sit on the upper deck patio gorgeous view and plenty of heaters.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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
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.
Everything was super scrumptiously delicious. You can feel the ocean breeze if you sit in the patio and watch the cars go by. Service was pretty good even though for some reason it took awhile to get anything at first. We had the crispy Korean cauliflower and the Saigon wings to start off and let me tell you ...both choices were amazing! The cauliflower are little bites that just melt in your mouth and the wings were perfectly spiced. We also had the sashimi tacos which were also delectable and we ended with some rolls that didn't disappoint. Writing this review is making my mouth water just thinking of the food. read more
EDIT: the owner reached out and said I didn't like the California Roll wasn't made with mayo,however that's incorrect,rice was hard! I have had it before without mayo and and was excited to order it with it omitted. We made reservations on open table and requested outdoor patio.Assumed it was on rooftop,it was not. Dishes ordered snow crab rolls,Cadillac rolls,few vegan rolls.Everything was good except snow crab rolls were horrible. It was nice sitting on (lower) patio and received excellent service.We were all very disappointed didn't get rooftop seating. I'd only go back for that and maybe just few appetizers and drinks. read more
Business owner information
Tina T.
Thank you for your feedback and for dining with us. I am sorry we…
9 months ago
Loved this purple-themed restaurant! The lighting is gorgeous--perfect for photos. The lamb is a must-try: tender inside, crispy outside, and not greasy at all. The three-layer dessert was light, flavorful, and simply amazing. Service was thoughtful (they even gave my cat a chair!) and the staff explained desserts in detail. Highly recommend! read more
2 years ago
Honestly, if we're speaking of the food, it's okay at best. The best part of the experience is the views and the atmosphere, but not really much of anything else. We ordered a roll and the seaweed was so chewy that it took a whiiiile to swallow and enjoy. The yakisoba was lacking a lot of flavor. Because we weren't too satisfied with what we ordered, we tried ordering another roll but it took way too long that we didn't even want it anymore. Overall, the views are honestly what is keeping this place open and poppin. The food, on the other hand, is very questionable. read more
1 year ago
It's definitely on the pricier side but the ambiance was nice. definitely recommend reserving, but we sat at the bar which is first come first serve! We ordered three rolls and the xo garlic noodles with shrimp read more
9 months ago
I came to santa Barbra for my birthday and this restaurant was amazing . The food quality was so fresh , the staff was good and the ambiance was beautiful if you sit outside . We were disappointed because when booking the reservation my Boyfriend requested to sit outside with a view to surprise me for my birthday but they did not allow that for us . But other wise this restaurant is great read more
9 months ago
Great food and ambiance. Menu is pricey, you're paying for its location right across the street and cuisine on the edge of fine dining. The Korean Fried Cauliflower was good, lightly battered with a light spicy and sweet orange flavored sauce. The miso soup was pricier than you'd see at other Japanese restaurants but tasted more robust and had large amounts of tofu and seaweed. The garlic noodles were nothing significant, were on the firm side and seemed slightly undercooked. The short rib dish was delicious. It was tender, topped with a sweet reduction over mashed potatoes and served with a side of well seasoned vegetables. Hard to justify $20+ for a sushi roll but I'd come here again for their other entrees. read more
5 months ago
Amazing view! Even though it was 8p, the glimmer of light off the ocean near the pier from the rooftop was such a beautiful view. The rooftop is large enough where you don't feel like you're on top of the table next to you. The server was friendly as was all the staff that we got to encounter. They were quick bringing us our food and paid attention when the plates were empty to take them away. The Otoro was beyond mouthwatering. I could've eaten it all night! The snow crab hand roll was so tasty as was the carpaccio and the Mike Wazawski. I look forward to coming back! read more
11 months ago
Really delicious food with something for everyone! Super friendly service, beautiful setting, and they were able to accommodate our big group on short notice. Loved the vegan rainbow roll I ordered and my kids and husband and our whole table enjoyed their dishes as well. Parking in a public lot nearby was very chill. read more
2 years ago
We sat outside at night and they a nice view overlooking the ocean with heaters. The fatty tuna nigiri was my favorite! The tuna melted in my mouth and tasted fresh. For rolls we ordered crazy rich Asians, 805 roll, and everybody loves Raymond. Out of the three, crazy rich Asians was the best! But it was fairly expensive for the roll, its priced MSP and was priced $40 when we went. read more
10 months ago
Our server, Sarah was awesome. She took care of all of our drinks in our food and love her enthusiasm. read more
My friend and I went to Oku because we wanted something that wasn't tacos! We honestly didn't have high expectations thinking it was one of those places more known for their beach view than their food, but goodness was I sooooo wrong. The rolls were immaculate. We got the Crispy Korean Cauliflower as an appetizer, which I'd give it a 7-8/10 as a Korean hahaha but the ROLLS....!!! - Crazy Rich Asians Rolls: 9.8/10 - Scallops Roll (I forget the exact name): 10/10 It was actually my first time trying scallops, and I'm in love now. read more
6 months ago
This was our first time at oku and it was awesome. Great staff, knowledgeable. Loved the outdoor seating. Our new go-to for sushi lunch in santa barbara. read more
2 years ago
Loved the decor inside AND that the outdoor patio was heated, as our reservation was for outdoor seating on a windy Saturday night. The sushi was pretty good! Many options for maki and not overly inflated for the price. My 2 friends and I shared the 805 Roll, Mike Wazowski, and Spicy Flying Newton - all 3 being delicious. I also enjoyed the Red Lily cocktail - it had a strong lychee flavor, but was almost the same price as one of the rolls. Service was polite, but it was a busy night, so food took a little long. read more
Really cute ambiance and service is great! I sat outside for dinner and had a really nice view of the boardwalk. I got the tuna crispy rice and way of the dragon roll, which were both delicious. The sushi roll had a very unique flavor with the cream cheese in it. I also got a summer plum wine spritz as my drink. It was similar to an aperol spritz but it had kinsen plum wine instead and was sweeter. I enjoyed my dinner here and would definitely come back. read more
Still our favorite sushi place in Santa Barbara. This time we were on our own, so decided to try a few new things. Firecracker Rock shrimp - crispy tempura w/ sriracha and a tamarind dipping sauce - amazing. Sashimi Caroaccio w/ yellowtail or Big Eye tina in garlic ponzu sauce - wow. Then, Lava Roll w/ big eye tuna, shrimp tempura, roasted Serrano, avocado, sriracha aioli, topped w/ yellowtail, cilantro, shaved red onion, wasabi aioli, and to Biko on torched spicy Gochujang - oh my goodness, spicy deliciousness! Had a Hidden Dragon martini w/ Thai chili infused tequila, lime, contreau, lychee lacquer, and half black salt rim - fabulous. Love this place! read more
1 year ago
Business owner information
Tina T.
Hi Christine, I am perplexed why you are saying the management staff…
3 months ago
1 year ago
7 months ago
Really unfriendly hostess (seems to be the theme in Santa Barbara) bartender and servers were great but the sushi was underwhelming. I was so excited to try this place but I prefer the sushi at my local sprouts read more
7 months ago
2 years ago
I will say, I wish I could have given 3.5 stars. The ambiance is lovely. The view of the beach, the heat lamps. The service was great. The hostess was kind, and the server was nice and helpful and smiled very kindly. The food was just. Food. I was not blown away, but I wasn't disgusted. The gyoza was supposed to be shrimp and crab, but didn't taste anything but shrimp. And the dumpling wrapper was falling off immediately after picking up the shrimp. Maybe we chose the wrong rolls, but they were fine. I guess the price you pay is for the vibes. read more
We came here for a light dinner, ocean views, and some fresh sushi rolls. We ordered the rainbow roll, sunrise roll, and the pear salad. The salad was delicious-- so many textures with the crunchy rice and soft lettuce. The rolls were just okay. I could tell the fish was very fresh but I like more creative rolls (and rolls without tempura in them). I went to one place that added lemon and cucumber in the rolls and now I can never go back. Would love them to explore adding those flavors too. Thank you for the great evening! read more
2 years ago
Delicious, fresh sushi!! The ambiance here is great and the location is beautiful, especially if you get a patio seat as it overlooks the ocean. Fish is so fresh and the rolls were soooo yummy. Tried uni for the first time here!! We got 2 cocktails, one being served in a lucky cat!!! It was so cute (very expensive) but we wanted to have a memento to take home to remember our trip. Service was nice and fast. 100% I would come back and I'd bring people with me to try the delicious sushi from here. read more
3 months ago
2 years ago
I found this amazing restaurant while on vacation in Santa Barbara. My wife enjoyed the experience we loved the food and we will definitely come back every time we are in Santa Barbara read more
Made reservations for 2 @ 5:45pm on a Sunday a week before the reservation. We arrived at 5pm and they were able to seat us earlier than our reservation time. Parking is pretty limited around the restaurant, but they have complimentary Valet parking in the back. The restaurant has a cool vibe to it. Lots of tables inside and outside. We were seated outside during a storm, but luckily they had covers and heaters! We were served by Peter. He was really friendly and gave great recommendations. Thanks for the fantastic service, Peter! The food overall was amazing! Highly recommend the dishes below. We tried: - OTORO Sashimi - HON MAGURO Sashimi - CRAZY RICH ASIANS (MP: $38) - RAINBOW ROLL - SALMON LOLLIPOPS - UNI SPOON (MP: $16) We also ordered the XO Grilled Shrimp over Garlic Noodles. This dish would've been perfect if the noodles had a stronger garlic flavor and if they had bigger shrimp or more shrimp. This dish is what prevented me from rating this place 5 stars. Overall, a solid Japanese restaurant with decent prices. read more
7 months ago
1 year ago
The food and the service was incredible. Our server recommended our entire dinner, including the appetizers. All of it was delicious. read more
2 years ago
For a special occasion, Oku is the spot in Santa Barbara to celebrate with a meal. We reserved ahead of time for a spot on the rooftop patio, and the staff had the very middle table ready for us along the wall for a view of the beach & Stearns Wharf. Star of the show: Crispy Korean Cauliflower. You absolutely have to try this. Crispy on the outside, soft but still has some bite on the inside. The sauce isn't too spicy or sweet, just right. The XO grilled shrimp were good, but the garlic noodles aren't anything special. The Uni Spoon's market pricing was $16 at the time, and I had no regrets splurging on it. I'm not sure if I was supposed to pick up the Uni pieces 1 by 1 or not, but I downed the entire spoon in 1 go. Delicious! read more
8 months ago
8 months ago
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Ask the Community - Oku
What is the price for 2 for all you can eat?
There is no all-you-can-eat option here.
How far away is the Santa Barbara Bowl?
Go to google maps and put both addresses and find out! It's simple really!
I made a reservation for 10/6@7:45 for 4 for outdoor is that rooftop as well?
You have to request if you'd like rooftop seating. They are usually very accommodating.
Is the rooftop patio handicap accessible?
Yes there is an elevator to take you to the rooftop seating.
Do you have to have a reservation?
It depends on the day of the week. On weekends it's best to make reservations
Is Oku dog friendly in the outdoor seating area?
Yes. Well behaved dogs are welcome
What is on the happy hour menu? And what are the prices?
Why does Yelp recommend reviews?
58 reviews that are not currently recommended
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Oku - sushi - Updated June 2026
Best of Santa Barbara
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