Cancel

Open app

Search

Aura

3.7 (23 reviews)
Closed • 11:00 am - 9:30 pm
Updated 1 month ago

Aura Photos

You might also consider

Recommended Reviews - Aura

Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
Yelp app icon
Browse more easily on the app
Review Feed Illustration

Reviews With Photos

Sashimi
Kayla Z.

Great service! They described menu items that we wernt sure what they were. Everything we got was fresh and delicious! The sashimi was great! It had very cute indoor and outdoor seating.

Ma po tufu with rice

See all

Photo of E J.
12
36
30

4 months ago

Helpful 3
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 0

6 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 1
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 months ago

Helpful 3
Thanks 1
Love this 4
Oh no 1

7 hours ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 days ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

6 months ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 0

2 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

2 months ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 3
Oh no 0

1 month ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Diane A.
131
57
54

1 month ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

16 days ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

5 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 1

4 months ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 0

2 months ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 0

4 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 0
Photo of J C.
2
17
0

5 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

3 months ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 0

5 months ago

Good food little skimpy on the napkins lol other than that pleasant atmosphere. I would definitely recommend.

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

6 months ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

6 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 3
Oh no 0

6 months ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

Aura Reviews in Other Languages

You might also consider

Santa Barbara Craft Ramen - SB Craft Red Ramen. This is my fav and some of the best ramen I've ever had! Delicious and definitely recommend.

Santa Barbara Craft Ramen

(770 reviews)

$$

Arrived here on a Saturday night, driving back from Solvang. It was a bit chilly, so it was a…read moreperfect time to get some ramen. Got seated pretty quickly, where there are various heaters to ensure comfort. Drinks were served pretty quickly. Ordered the Black Ramen (made with Black Garlic Oil) for 19.50, solid price. I enjoy the choices of meat that you can choose from, which I chose Pork Belly, and added an egg to mine. Didn't take too long for the food to come out, everything was really fresh and tasted well. The pork belly was a nice chunk too (I had expected it was going to be smaller). The broth was very delicious, which I killed the entire bowl. With the check, they also give mini Hi-Chews. Overall, great food, great seating, great service. Much Better ramen than some chain restaurants.

The ramen is just ok bordering on mediocre. The vegetarian ramen is downright atrocious. It is…read morefilled with all sorts of non traditional vegetables like broccolini, kale, and even cranberries!?? Those vegetables do not work well with ramen. We tried the black garlic ramen with chashu. It was just ok. The chashu did not have the melt in your mouth texture which is the payoff for clogged arteries. We had the chicken karage. Again, just ok, and a bit dry and stringy. We also ordered a cucumber roll. It was the sloppiest sushi roll we've ever seen. First off it was the big, kimbab size roll, but cut super skinny. So you had to bite off half of it. Which meant all the insides fall out. It was rolled so loose, that you could literally see through it. The chef didn't even bother not serving the messy end pieces, so it looked even more sloppy on the plate. All in all, there is hardly any craft in the ramen. The other dishes are mediocre, and the sushi rolls are amateurish at best.

Nikka Ramen - Tongkatsu Black w/ Pork Shoulder & thin noodles

Nikka Ramen

(888 reviews)

$$

Another amazing experience at Nikka! We were seated right away and our server immediately greeted…read moreus and made sure we knew they temporarily stopped serving sushi. That was no problem for us because we were craving a chashu bowl and some chicken karaage! This was different from other chashu bowls I've had. This one was more balanced with fibrous ingredients like apples and lettuce. It was amazing regardless! I can't wait to come back again!

Had an awesome meal at Nikka Ramen with my dad during a weekend trip to Santa Barbara. This has…read morebeen one of our go to ramen spots for years, and it never disappoints. The tonkotsu ramen is the star. I always get the Kuro with the black garlic oil, which is hands down my favorite. The broth is incredibly thick, rich, and full of flavor. You can really tell the quality of the pork and the care that goes into the broth every single time. My dad usually goes for the classic tonkotsu with garlic, and it is just as solid and comforting. I always add extra pork, corn, scallions, a little spice, and extra black garlic oil. That black garlic oil takes it to another level with this smooth, garlicky, creamy depth that is unreal. Portions are generous for the price, which makes it even better. Service was excellent. Our server was friendly, attentive, and quick, from taking our order to refilling our drinks. We felt taken care of the whole time. If you are in the Santa Barbara area and looking for a reliable, high-quality ramen spot with amazing broth and great service, this place is an easy recommendation.

The Black Sheep Restaurant + Bar

The Black Sheep Restaurant + Bar

(1.3k reviews)

$$$

Black Sheep has quickly become one of my absolute favorite restaurants in Santa Barbara -- and…read morehonestly, every time I walk in I think, am I really still in Santa Barbara? The level of service is that good. Logan & jess Huge credit to Ruben, the owner, and his wife, who created the beautiful decor. The space is stunning -- high ceilings on the main floor and a cozy, chic European bistro feel upstairs, but still airy and comfortable. It's stylish without being stuffy. The food is consistently excellent -- fresh, seasonal, and often sourced from the farmers market, with many organic ingredients. The chantelle mushrooms and risotto were outstanding. They're also incredibly accommodating with dietary needs (yes, even vegan options -- they had vegan butter ready without hesitation, which I deeply appreciate). And the bar... if you're lucky, you might catch happy hour all night. Even luckier? Jess behind the bar. She is absolutely fantastic -- warm, skilled, and makes the whole experience feel special. An ode to Jess: Hey Jess, the queen of the pour, One drink in and you'll want more. Good vibes, great laughs, service at its best, Every bar needs a Jess -- but this one has the best. The service overall is truly exceptional -- attentive, genuine, and rare to find these days. What does this place need? Honestly... nothing. Just go. If you're visiting Santa Barbara, don't miss it. If you live here, this should become your new favorite spot.

Great vibe and solid food…read more The Black Sheep Restaurant + Bar is a fantastic spot for drinks and catching up with friends. The atmosphere is lively and visually appealing -- I love how the space is set up. Ruben, the owner, was our server, and he was personable and attentive even though the restaurant was slammed. It was clear he cares about the experience and makes sure guests are taken care of -- thanks, Ruben! The food was good, with generous portions. It's not "over the top" or heavily specialized, but everything was well-cooked and executed by a chef who knows his craft. Perfect for a relaxed night out with friends. Overall, if you want a fun bar vibe, solid food, and attentive owner-led service, this is a great choice in Santa Barbara.

Empty Bowl Gourmet Noodle Bar - (Photo/Video by Ins@foodie.skye)

Empty Bowl Gourmet Noodle Bar

(945 reviews)

$$

Bangkok wings. Spicy and sweet crispy and tender. These wings are a must... a special dish only…read moremade for Fridays. I heard that these are legit flavors - a friend who lived in Thailand said this was the closest thing to Thai street food here in Santa Barbara! Go get you some! Thank for the tasty wing and prompt service!

***located inside the Public Market building*** ***it's a…read morekiosk shared with other eateries*** Why four stars? The dishes are sooooooo salty, omg. If you have hypotension, it's perfect. Hangover noodles: extra $ for beef. I am starting to believe it's called hangover because a bunch of ingredients are thrown into the wok with veggies half cooked to wake you up. Beef is more than slightly overcooked but edible. Noodles is drenched and soaked in the sauce making it super salty. Had to utilize the vinegar jalapeños to counteract the salt. Bangkok street noodle: The better half except it was equally over salty, loaded with fish sauce. Had to ask for a bowl of broth since they didn't have hot water. Helped dilute the salt but the salt wasn't going anywhere soon. Lots of meat. SERVICE: They are incredibly friendly and patient, willing to help you until you are satisfied. AMBIENCE: In the middle of the food court. Amazing decor. The seats were a tad uncomfortable with no foot rests. Casual dining. Lots of takeout orders especially for the Pad Thai. Service fee/tips are not automatically included or mandatory. Located in the public market with numerous different cuisines eateries. Street parking is free for 75 minutes except for Sundays. Would I come back? No. I mean it's not bad but it's waaaayyyyy too salty.

Sama Sama Kitchen - Morning After ($24) Nasi Goreng Jawa w/ Chicken Satay

Sama Sama Kitchen

(731 reviews)

$$

We came here for a late lunch as we saw it holds Michelin Bib…read more Sweet: great menu options. So many tasty choices. We ordered the Vietnamese chicken wings and braised pork noodles. Both very delicious. The wings were all flats so that was a plus alone. Full of good flavor and very crispy. The noodles were delicious as well. I recommend both. The restaurant is decorated very nice and the server was attentive. Sour: the restaurant was very clean but it bothers me so much when some places have a designated area that flies like to circle around that tends to be near the bar. I wish there could be more control to prevent that. I did really enjoy the meal but the portions were small. If it wasn't so good I would almost say the prices weren't worth it. You can definitely share but I would get at least 3 options for 2 people. My husband and I weren't that hungry so it was a decent amount since it was such a late lunch and we were thinking about getting something else shortly after. Overall I hope we are in town again soon as there are other things I'd like to try.

The chicken wings were absolutely amazing - if you do nothing else, order those!!! The Vietnamese…read morestyle was my favorite. The shaved bok choy and duck salad was SO good as well!!! The duck was excellent, and didn't feel too fatty - it was perfect. The drinks were good as well - had the spritz. Our servers were so polite and friendly, and honestly just felt like we were around friends. I like that this place, like many jn Santa Barbara, pays their staff a living wage and so you end up with a more authentic interaction that doesn't feel forced. The aesthetic was beautiful - perfect for a lunch date or for a dinner before sunset. Open air seating, beautiful decor, overall a lovely experience!

Uniboil - Stewed beef noodle

Uniboil

(306 reviews)

$$

We were passing the area when we decided we needed some lunch. I found this place on yelp and…read moredecided to give it a try. It was an open layout that had plenty of seating inside the restaurant. The decor was moder, but not overdone. We were greeting and pointed to a table but that was it. We realized there was a QR code on the table and we could order our food on there. It took a little while to get our food even though no one else was there. I found it really odd to not even be told to use the QR code to order or be informed of anything. Stewed beef noodles with Ramen- 9/10 My husband ordered this and I tried some. The broth was delicious. Rich and flavorful but not overbearing. The noodles were cooked perfectly and the meat was tender. The bok choy was a needed touch. My husband ate the whole bowl and wanted a second because was so good. Certified Angus Beef hot pot- 8/10 I ordered this with the tom yum broth. I didn't know it was a creamy version of the broth until it was served. I'm not mad about it but it wasn't in the description in case others are dairy sensitive. The broth was flavorful and really delicious. I will say that the beef was tough and it a typical cut that overcooked very quickly in the broth. I'm not positive it was Angus beef grade. I just now realized it was missing the lotus root but gave me zucchini instead. I was also missing my quail eggs. If I didn't read the description to know I was supposed to have them, I would've missed that too. Overall, the food was delicious but the service was 1 star for sure. We were never checked on and the waiter only appeared if we pushed the call button. If you can overlook the lack of customer service, the food is really delicious.

For our monthly house dinner, we stumbled upon Uniboil and were knocked out of the park! Their…read morevermicelli was absolutely delicious when paired with the spicy broth and beef! It also my first time having lotus fruit and now it's a must have for any broth/hot pot! It was a very relaxing restaurant to enjoy conversations with friends! It was incredibly easy to order food using their QR code menu on the table and the servers were very attentive if someone needed a refill on water or if we needed extra utensils! I'm looking forward to the rainy season when I can really leverage their Hong Kong-style hot pot!

Aura - seafood - Updated May 2026

Loading...
Loading...
Loading...