This place was unexpectedly great! We were headed to another nearby restaurant and couldn't get in, and my husband said, "how about this place?" It doesn't look like your typical Indian restaurant. The food was fresh and flavorful and I love that they care about where it's sourced. We'll definitely be coming back! It's my new favorite Indian restaurant. The server was very knowledgeable and friendly, and our food came out quickly. The only nit-picky criticism is that I do wish it had a more intimate and darker atmosphere, especially for dinner. It felt a bit sterile and looked more like a lunch spot. But they had really cool dishware/cups/utensils! The owners have good taste. read more

The food is fantastic, the staff is excellent. If do you want some good Indian food go here

Heard good things about Bibi Ji from friends - and it's how it was on my radar to try when I was in town with a friend this past weekend. It was good .... but First, it's located on State. If you've been to the area, you know what parking is like. If you don't - find street parking and walk. Or grab a spot in a lot or garage and walk. I opted for the garage. I don't remember how much it was. I didn't need to sell an organ tho ... Walked in. Lively. Not too loud though. Seemed to be a decent crowd for a Saturday night. No wait. I made a reservation. Host seated us immediately - even having gotten there early. Think, "Ran" time. Service was good. Attentive, friendly and knowledgeable. Off to the food ... We shared the following: Crispy Cauliflower, Garlic Naan, Basmati Rice, Butter Chicken and the Special (Halibut). We liked the meal but both agreed on the following - the appetizer (Cauliflower) is definitely shareable. For more than two people We both started feeling stuffed just before the entrees arrived. I guess we could have stopped as opposed to clearing the plate. For our taste, we would have enjoyed the Naan more if had had more garlic. It was a hint. We enjoyed the Butter Chicken and Basmati Rice. At least I did. However, we both didn't care for the Halibut. If you know the fish, you know it's lean, not fatty so you want to make sure you don't overcook it. Which it was for my preference. If the dish is intentionally cooked this way, then we both just aren't fans. I'm used to Halibut being tender, juicy and flaky. See the pics - what this reminded me was like white meat chicken. We didn't send it back nor take it to go as we did try it and took out about a third of the dish. Another tidbit to share - no hot tea. No big deal, I ordered it iced - but just mentioning it as an FYI. So, would I go back? Undecided. I enjoy ethnic foods, including Indian but I don't live nearby and there's so many other restaurants I haven't been to. But if I were in the area, craving Indian, I'd consider it. read more

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When I saw Creaminal was going to have an Ice Cream Social at Bibi Ji, I knew it was the perfect opportunity to stop by! My friend and I got seated at a table and were served very quickly. Him and I ordered garlic naan, butter chicken, and basmati rice to share. After a mere few minutes, all of the food came out. Everything was very delicious! The chicken was flavorful and sufficiently saucey. The rice was the perfect texture and the garlic naan was soooo good - it was really buttery and crispy. We had no leftovers after eating. For dessert, we got a couple of sundaes from the creaminal x bibi ji collab. The sundaes took a bit of time but were well worth the wait. They had some unique flavors when compared to most sundaes in the area which made for a memorable experience. Admittedly the food was a bit expensive but I enjoyed everything I had! The staff was very helpful and punctual which was appreciated. They had lots of lovely wine options which I'm definitely interested in trying in the future. read more

Bibi Ji - Butter Chicken, Basmati Rice, Garlic Naan - Indian Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

I met a b'ness associate and her sis at this Indian restaurant on blocked off State St. All of the food was flavorful and some had a nice kick. The only downside was the small portions vs the price. Kia, our waiter was super attentive and informative. The ambiance was casual but smart and not loud. I would definitely return here to enjoy high quality Indian food. read more

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Imagine my surprise, disappointment and anger to arrive at this restaurant earlier this evening for a CONFIRMED RESERVATION (confirmed both by email as well as by text earlier in the day). No text. No call. No email. No sign on the door explaining some sort of emergency. Just an empty restaurant. To say this is both unprofessional and unacceptable is an understatement. We are in town for a couple of days to see our son present his doctoral dissertation and we were left holding the bag tonight without any backup plans seeing as how your establishment double confirmed our reservation. And now, hours later I have yet to hear any explanation, even after the fact. Needless to say, this is no way to run a business. read more

Always wondered why Indian cuisine never made it (yet) into America's mainstream. Perhaps it's because of migratory patterns, as there are only a handful of pockets of Indian "towns" here in California (or elsewhere). From my personal experience, the most notable is Little India in Artesia, CA -- which has always been my benchmark when it comes to Indian food. Hence, a chance detour to Bibi Ji along Santa Barbara's main street was an opportunity to keep my overall experience honest while expanding my understanding of Indian cuisine. First off, going to Bibi Ji must be intentional, as you will most likely park in a structure. We arrived right at opening time -- 5:00 p.m.-- since we didn't have a reservation. For dinner, we intentionally skipped the Tandoori Chicken (who hasn't had it, right?), opting instead for our server's personal recommendations: the Malai Kebab and the Panir Tikka. We also had the garlic naan and potato fritters. The Panir Tikka was the showstopper -- Indian cottage cheese skewered kebab-style, somehow incredibly holding its shape as it absorbed the smoky char of the tandoor, becoming the perfect canvas for the coriander-mint chutney. The Malai Kebab featured chicken breasts turned incredibly juicy by a rich marinade of yogurt, garlic (and I detected lime juice, too). I came here humbled, realizing there's still much to experience --and enjoy -- about Indian food well beyond Tandoori Chicken. Curry on, Bibi Ji! Restaurants such as these will make Indian cuisine mainstream yet! A well-deserved five stars -- no hesitation, no asterisk. read more

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Finally made it to Bibi Ji this past weekend during a trip to Santa Barbara. We were able to walk in and only had to wait 10-15 minutes to be seated. Their drinks list is great and there is something for everyone! They also have a huge wine list that you can request for wines by the bottle. Our server was extremely attentive and we never felt like we had to wait around to get someone's attention which was great. We enjoyed the aloo papdi chaat app, chicken tikka, and my favorite sides we had were the coconut rice and okra raita. Overall a really fun energetic spot with very friendly staff! read more

I visited Bibi Ji for the first time over the weekend and greatly enjoyed the food and overall dining experience! Staff were friendly, and helpful in navigating the menu. The food was all flavorful and delicious. We will be returning some time in the near future to try more of the menu! read more

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First time visiting their new location and really enjoyed it! The atmosphere inside has a fun vibe. The food was delicious across the board. Portions were on the smaller side, but everything we had was flavorful. My favorite dishes were the black lentil dal and the Mysore Bonda - absolutely amazing. We also tried dessert, and while the scoop of ice cream was delicious, $10 felt a bit steep for the portion size. Overall, a great experience and I'd definitely come back! read more

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Ok. So, this may now be my favorite restaurant in Santa Barbara. Uni biryani was a revelation. I tried warning the staff that we'd need a bigger table. Anyways, tried a bunch and thought it fitting to have one of Raj Parr's wines (Phelan Farms) at a restaurant that he's linked to. Trousseau paired incredibly well with the Indian cuisine. Loved the decor and vibe of this place. Would definitely be back. read more

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Literally don't even remember what we got here, but everything was super delicious and the staff gave really good recommendations! And please try the passion fruit lassi. It's unfortunately located on the worst side of state street, so I presume it doesn't get a lot of traffic, but I hope i'm wrong bc everyone should try it! On con was that they wouldn't let us sit in a booth because we weren't a big party even though there was nobody in the restaurant, but I get it I guess. read more

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Sooooo good. I crave Bibi Ji and the vibe is awesome. The chef has taken Indian food to the next level with his modern interpretation of classic dishes making them healthy and tasty. Highly recommend! read more

This was such an unexpected and beautiful experience. From the first bite, the food stood out -- the chicken tikka and appetizers were incredibly fresh, balanced, and full of depth. Every dish felt intentional rather than routine. What truly elevated the evening was the service and care. As an Indian guest, it meant a lot to see the flavors handled with respect and thoughtfulness rather than approximation. The personalization throughout the experience made it feel warm, attentive, and genuinely considered. The bartender and drinks added another layer entirely thoughtful, well-balanced cocktails, excellent recommendations, and a clear pride in craft. Nothing felt generic or rushed; each drink felt as carefully curated as the food. The personal wine menu and guidance were equally impressive and added to the sense of refinement. An experience rooted in flavor, hospitality, and attention to detail. I left feeling delighted, relaxed, and truly well taken care of. read more

I've been a few times and every time it is delicious. It's on my way home from work and it is nice and quiet early in the evening. Tonight I had the crispy cauliflower, bibi ji dal, and the coconut curry. All were delicious. read more

We had reservations for 4 and when we arrived they put us back by the kitchen sorta in a "bar".... really bad seats. We requested a table and had to wait about 15 minutes for a table. I wouldn't have minded so much but they didn't offer us any drinks or water or anything while we waited.... The service (besides this part) was pretty good, but I thought I would mention this. Perhaps if you are making reservations specify you want an actual table. The food here though is the best "Indian" food I have ever had. I put "Indian" in quotes because it is Indian food by nature, but it's just way too fancy to really be called Indian food. Who cares though because it's the best "Indian" food I have ever had. Butter Chicken - This was my favorite part of the food. Enough spice for me (who likes spicy) but then my girfriend who does not like spicy also could handle it... how did they do this magic? I was going to list everything I had, like I did above, but I decided not too... because what is the point? It all was good! Really, really, good fancy-Indian food, that has really circulates the entire pallate. I was surprised they never asked us for "spicyness level" yet, everything came out with a ton of flavor and it made our whole party happy, who like various levels of spiciness. I will give them 4.5 stars with a half star removed for the reservations table issue. read more

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This "Indian" cuisine restaurant doesn't have hot chai tea, and that's all you need to know. Although they have iced chai tea. Didn't care to try it. I'd rather go to an Indian restaurant that serves meat than one that doesn't have hot chai tea. (Not really). The food was okay but not worth the calories. Good ambience. The service had a "you're welcome" attitude about them, as though I should be thanking them for spending my money there. Not going back until they learn to make hot chai tea. read more

Amazed to see a restaurant with such a fresh AND authentic take on Indian food, and loving that they get how beautiful wine can pair with Indian food, specifically orange wine. Service was remarkably attentive. This is a fine dining experience for a great price. read more

Amazing meal! We took some friends for the second time and everyone raved about the food. Definitely a good find.

Certainly worth the visit. The food and service were good. For the amount they charge my expectations would be a bit higher. I may be biased as I've been to much better similar establishments at more reasonable prices. I get it though, times are tough these days and running a restaurant is more difficult than ever. Support this business if you can! Perhaps the staff can appreciate it's hitting us too. read more

Bland Indian food if one can call Indian "bland". Dry basmati rice. Flavours were non existent. New location with increased price and small portions in fancy dishes. Service was attentive though. read more

This is the best Indian food I've ever had. I love restaurants that encourage sharing dishes because you get to try a bit of everything. Each dish was flavorful and so satisfying. There wasn't anything we ordered that I didn't love. The space itself is so cute and I loved the dishes/glassware(took photos of the brands to hunt them down). The staff were so kind and well informed about their menu/wine options. read more

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Had an excellent dinner , sharing crispy cauliflower (mmmmm), murgh tikka, butter chicken, and panir-onion-chili kulcha, washed down with a couple glasses of recommended wines. Everything was wonderful - very tender and moist tandoori chicken (the "murgh"), delicious flavors with the perfect amount of spice - a definite level above typical Indian fare. Service was attentive and friendly. Wishing I lived closer so I could try more of their offerings! read more

Excellent food. We got half of the items on the menu and everything was cooked perfectly- lots of flavor and one of the best butter chickens I've had. Plating and presentation was excellent as well. The service staff were very gracious and thoughtful, and the vibe in the restaurant is very lively and active. Overall awesome experience and hope to be back soon! read more

Bibi Ji - Indian Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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Me and my friend went to dinner and Daniel the bar manager took great care of us! We ordered the butter chicken, the tandoor chicken and the garlic naan. Everything was so good!! 10/10 read more

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Food was pretty good. I am a spice person and they just like didn't seem to have the intensity I wanted. Bland is unfair, just not a break a sweat type of thing. The wine was UNGODLY... absolutely out of this world stuff. Unique collection. Great reco's from staff The experience was all time. Amazing seat. Incredible staff. The owner even came out and chopped it up with us for awhile read more

had a reservation for a special day and they weren't open at the advertised hours even though we we're allowed to make a reservation.

Great service and even better food. We met the owner and he was a very nice personable guy, every staff member we had was amazing. Basically ordered half the menu and nothing disappointed us (party of 3). The restaurant itself is gorgeous nice and spacious. As for the food, absolutely incredible, modern delicious Indian food and the absolute best butter chicken I've ever had, same for the garlic naan it's must try. read more

Bibi Ji - Indian Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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Only if there was another low star I can possibly give to this place I definitely would. These guys really don't know how they are managing the restaurant and that being in downtown Santa Barbara. The host sits us down and a random weird dude comes from the kitchen and pretty much tells us we have to get up since we had no reservation. Since we didn't make any. Claims to be the owner. We had good patience as a customer to actually get up and wait for some tables to get ready. But pretty much they never deserve any good customers to be at their restaurant. This place and the management deserves none other than 0 Star. Good luck finding better employees who should know how to run this place. read more

bland bland bland bland bland bland very bland no taste tasteless. Small portions. The $25 entree doesn't even come with rice. Now you have to spend $8 on some rice that costs maybe 50c to make. I would never come back, there was nothing authentic or worth the money in that place. 1 star because I loved the service, great people read more

Tasty food, good house made Lassi and friendly service--my main issue(among others noted below) is they need to work on their allergen/dietary labeling. Items marked Vegan have dairy according to kitchen and our server. And other items marked without gluten supposedly have gluten or direct cross contamination in the fryer like the papadam, potatoes and fritters. Correct dietary labeling or knowledge is really important! I hope they figure this out, as the menu has misinformation which could leave some folks feeling sick afterwards. Also to note: Space can get loud if crowded. Serving sizes left room to be desired-- especially at the $20/$25+ price point for one tiny bowl of curry and not including rice or anything else. read more

The food is so delicious and amazing. Fresh organic from the SB farmers market and they use sustainable practice throughout the restaurant. Adam, our waiter was wonderful. read more

We were given a large portion of heavily deep fried cauliflower. Half of the garlic naan was burnt. The butter chicken lacked any spice and the basmati rice stuck together. In clumps. Out "mango lasses did not taste like mango but rather a they were a creme colored drink. Also we asked to sit at a larger table as the place had few people in it. We like more room. But no we were told those tables were reserved for goups of 4. Those same tables were also empty when we left. We have no plans to go back to Bibi Ji. read more

This Michelin star recognized restaurant was booked through open-table. When we got there, we were first welcomed to our seats by the generous and attentive staff. They had written a card for us to welcome our anniversary along with some wine for us to try. How thoughtful! We ordered the Crispy Cauliflower, the Butter Chicken, Garlic Naan, and Bibi Ji Dal Makhni, and Basmati Rice. We Drank the passion fruit lassi and the Ice Chai. Overall, the food was okay, the best was the butter chicken. The Crispy Cauliflower honestly tasted like orange chicken, the outside crisp was really good when it was hot, but soggy as it got cold throughout the dinner. The cauliflower was grilled really well though! The Butter Chicken was some of the best butter chicken we had, and definitely a stand out dish. The tikki masala had the right flavors, and perfectly grilled chicken. The Bbii Ji Dal Makhni was a close send, with creamy black lentil & house spices. The flavors made this taste beyond just your average vegan dish, and this was cooked very nicely. The Garlic Naan was decent, definitely light in flavor and good textures. The basmati rice was mid, mostly because it was served pretty cold. The Drinks were the worst part though, particularly the sour passionfruit lassi, which had the right consistency but not the flavors. The Iced Chai was also pretty watered down as well, probably because there is nothing added to it. Overall this was a good place to eat with good ambiance. Definitely would eat the butter chicken again and maybe try some of their other tandors in the future. read more

Bibi Ji - Crispy Cauliflower - Indian Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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Bibi Ji is not your father's Indian food. This trendy (and loud) Santa Barbara restaurant puts a unique twist on Indian cuisine. The space is lovely and a bit unusual with its pink walls and relatively random decor. The food is absolutely beautiful and almost too lovely to eat. We ordered the crispy cauliflower (which seemed to be a popular choice at every table), the lamb chops, the saag paneer, the garlic naan, and the coconut rice. It was a ton of food, with the cauliflower alone probably being a 5-person portion. The food was very good, beautifully spiced but not hot. The only criticism is that the naan was a bit doughy, and the saag could use a bit more salt. Overall, I highly recommend this joint, but the Michelin Guide has already told you that. read more

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Amazing wine and food. The vibes are also so great and very Santa Barbara / Cali Indian. Amazingggg eggplant dip, and the stuffed naan was incredible. It was all amazing. Wine list is very limited for by the glass but very extensive for bottles. read more

Bibi Ji - Indian Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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This was pretty disappointing. The food ranged from awesome to sad. Dal was wonderful!! The waiter pushed the crispy Cauliflower on us as 'the best thing on the menu' and it came out fast, but us was wet and soggy, not crispy at all. The place was empty and it made the vibes kinda sad. There were 2 other couples eating and it just felt depressing at 7:15. Somehow this made the service even worse, water ran out, couldn't get a bill or any more drinks cause waiter dude was too busy chatting with the bartender. The hostess refused to seat us at a 4 top despite all of them being open on a slow night. Just a lame power move. Our table ended up overflowing with dishes. I never tip less than 20, but I pulled out my calculator for this tip. Overall a crummy experience and I was really looking forward to it. Disappointed is the summary. Maybe it was just a bad night? read more

Amazing!!! We loved every dish we got. The garlic naan bread, crispy cauliflower, potato fritters, butter chicken and the best thing was the Murgh Tikka (a must!!!!!!) Service was wonderful and cannot wait to go back again. read more

Rude service, long wait for food (45 min+, then came back to say "heads up, what your ordered has run out"). the food was ok

The food was average. Didn't enjoy it too much. Service is good, which is why I'm giving them 4 stars. Ambiance is also nice, cozy and clean. read more

Bibi Ji - Coconut curry - Indian Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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