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    China Pavilion

    3.4 (461 reviews)
    ModerateDim Sum
    Open 11:30 am - 2:30 pm, 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM

    Order China Pavilion Takeout or Delivery

    China Pavilion Photos

    CHINA PAVILION ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - China Pavilion

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    Red Bean Sesame Ball
    Rosalva R.

    Love the food and staff everyone so welcoming especially Helen! Will definitely come again

    Hot and Sour Soup
    Melissa L.

    Stumbled upon China Pavilion for lunch and ended up having a really delicious meal. The lunch special I had was a good value and very tasty. The service and ambiance needed a little work but for a casual lunch I did like this place. This restaurant is convenient to get to and they have a parking lot next to them that's free for the first 75 minutes. I love a restaurant in downtown SB that has ample parking. This can be a deal breaker for me when in SB and in a rush but parking is super convenient here. I walked inside and they do have a note at the register saying they were short staffed. The sign looked old but at least I felt prepared. I did have to wait a few minutes at the hostess stand before being seated but the owner was super nice and did apologize for the wait. I was seated at a comfortable booth and I appreciated the attention to detail to set the table so nicely. Nice tablecloths and real solid chopsticks at the table. The menu was big but unfortunately no dim sum for lunch on the weekdays. The lunch specials are where it's at! $14 about got soup, main entree and white rice. Service definitely was hit and miss so more like a 3.5. After being seated by the hostess/owner. After my menu was dropped off no one checked on me for a good long while to take my order. The owner having seen this after about 10 minutes came over to do it herself and then I observed her to scold the two waiters on the floor. More confusing that even after placing my order with her, one waiter did come back to ask if I needed to place my order, told him I had already done it with the lady and he said okay. I feel like the actual waiters here really aren't on top of it. Yet the bus boys were on it, filling my water, clearing plates - it just felt like the waiter was slow to take my order and to bring my check. I will say everyone was friendly but the service was mid - wouldn't come here if I had a time constraint. The food more than made up for the service though. Their Mongolian beef is some of the best I've ever had. Delicious sauce, fresh green onions, and a generous portion of food. While I would have loved fried rice as a side, the white rice was fluffy and allowed me to taste the main dish better. Hot and sour soup isn't my favorite so I only had a couple bites and then pushed it aside. It's a preference thing for me, wish they gave the option to have egg flour soup like some other places. Regardless, the food was very good and a very reasonable price. I would definitely come back for lunch as the Mongolian beef stole my heart and the staff were nice. I just hope they continue to work on general service here and that they can expand some dim sum dishes to their daytime weekday menu.

    I had dinner at China Pavilion and it was a great, authentic experience. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, and the food truly stands out. Highly recommend for anyone craving classic, flavorful Chinese cuisine!

    Salt and Pepper Spareribs
    Kristina M.

    It fulfills a craving, but it's not the best Chinese food I've had in SB. I haven't been when they're serving dim sum, so I can't say this is the most well-rounded review; but I'd say out of the pieces I've tried on the menu, food is a satisfactory 7/10. (4/5) salt and pepper spareribs - wish portion size was greater for price (3.5/5) Hong Kong style noodles - squid is chewy, mushroom is too soggy, good gravy and balance of flavors otherwise (3/5) dim sum sampler - not bad, but not the most flavorful dumplings that I've had (2.5) baby bok choy with shiitake mushroom - ask for sauce on the side, shiitake too soggy and hard to chew, would rather have sliced than whole caps Service is friendly and responsive. They even saved my to-go container after I accidentally left it behind (picked up approx 20 min after I left the restaurant). Lots of seating options - booths and tables.

    We ordered takeout, but we were disappointed because we had to wait an hour. Our food was cold, and we only drove for a maximum of five minutes.

    Mari I.

    I really enjoyed the dinner I had. When you walk in there is a sign noting they are short staffed but despite that they make you feel welcome and service was very attentive. Our server had a great sense of humor as well. The beef and broccoli was delicious. The honey walnut shrimp was tasty as well but a bit too much sauce for my preference. Portions are plentiful and filling. You can order a side of rice which we did to pair with our meals. Overall we had a great time here!

    干炒牛河
    Di F.

    Not Chinese for sure. American Chinese food. Walk away if you want authentic Chinese.

    Beef With Broccoli, Shrimp Chow Mein, and Steamed Rice.
    Jesenia H.

    Some of these reviews do no justice to how good the food tasted! Our first time dining here and we absolutely loved it the service was fast and the food was very tasteful! Will most definitely be coming back with the family on our next trip to Santa Barbara

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    27 days ago

    The food is delish, wait staff great, and it's pretty inside! The hot and sour soup is the best ever and the Szechuan chicken is delish!

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    Page 1 of 12

    China Pavilion Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - China Pavilion

    Is this the best spot for good Dim Sum brunch?

    Yes!!

    When do they serve their Dim Sum menu? I heard it's only on Sundays for lunch?

    Saturday & Sunday for lunch

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    Drove into town from the dessert this evening and wanted Chinese. Checked out a few reviews and…read moreonly 2 places popped up that had at least 4 stars. After looking at menus and comparing we decided on Peking. Sure glad we did too! I have to say if you are ever in Ventura please give this place a try! First thing I noticed is this place is simple yet has a quality about it. I would bring a date here, rather maybe a second or third date. It's nice inside. Wait staff was amazing. Now to the good stuff! I ordered chicken chow fun and partner had Mushu pork and for the appetizer we ordered the paper wrapped chicken. The chicken hit the table first wrapped in tin foil. That didn't deter us at all. This was served with duck sauce and spicy mustard. The mustard was amazing but i love spice! Both were good but the mustard opened up my nasal passages and made me go wow!! Awesome! The two main dishes hit the table and we dug in. Both were great! Let me tell you how hard it is to find a good Chinese place that isn't swimming in soy and oil! This place seasoned correctly and was not greasy at all!! I will tell you this; if you like fast Chinese food like Panda Express and that is what you think of Chinese food then stay there. Here you'll get properly seasoned fair. Over all I recommend and when back in Ventura will visit again for sure! The pictures don't do this place justice.

    Come here often for their lunch specials as it is close to work. One of the more authentic Chinese…read morerestaurants in Ventura. The food is consistently good. Everything is flavorful without the greasiness. I like that they don't over season or drown their food in sauce so it seems healthier too. Welcoming staff and attentive service. They serve dim sum on the weekends so will have to come back to try that.

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    Peking Restaurant - Dim sum menu

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    Imside

    Meet Up Chinese Cuisine - Veggie fried rice, Broccoli Beef, Zesty Orange Chicken, Chicken Chow Mien, Sauteed Green Beans(Pork), egg Vegetarian Spring Rolls

    Meet Up Chinese Cuisine

    4.2(337 reviews)
    1.7 mi
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    Wow...I came back here again, and my waiter John mentioned that they will soon be adding Dim Sum to…read moretheir menu in May. Lo and behold, he brought to our table a complimentary sample of these delicious morsels. The lunch special again was plentiful and I truly appreciate the value here and the kind service. Thank you!

    My husband and I visited this hidden treasure while out riding our motos last evening around 8:00…read morepm. We had noticed the restaurant a few times before, after stopping for gasoline at the corner station directly across from Meet Up Chinese Cuisine. We had intended to stop by long ago. No more waiting. Last night, we made it happen. Ample parking is on site, and another perk in a city with a shortage of this feature. They also maintain later operating hours than most SB restaurants, another HUGE plus in a city which seemingly shutters before sundown. The restaurant interior is bright, airy fresh, clean and inviting. The two large robotic table attendants wore white attire with cheerful red aprons. They exude a special kind of whimsy and add another level of delight rarely experienced in dining. These capable assistants greet you at the front desk, and proved a novel and intriguing welcome (especially in today's landscape of our ever-increasing AI functionality). The adorable stuffed pandas are a great addition as well. The vividly colorful and impactful tile tapestry behind the entrance doors is a spectacular selfie spot and work of art. It sets the tone for "Meet Up Chinese Cuisine" ~ and is telltale of the effort and authenticity invested in everything they do. There is a live stage off the central dining room - where band equipment quietly awaits to spring to life and provide additional enjoyment to an already beautiful dining and seating arrangement. We were greeted by a kind and polite woman who was working at a nearby table as we entered. She promptly and warmly greeted us, and patiently assisted us in placing our order. This included an item not located on the menu, which my husband loosely described. (THANK YOU!). We were invited to wait comfortably in the dining room while the order was prepared. The scents emanating from the nearby kitchen were heavenly, and so enticingly to our already eager appetites! We placed an order which included three mains and a large soup. It was prepared accordingly to order, and in due time. Bagged and carefully carried to our table, where two young male attendants used the receipt to double-check the contents and asked if we needed any condiments or items. Exceptionally attentive and aware team in this eatery. We were truly excited to get it home and dig-in. Before I describe the dishes, I cannot PRAISE this next feature enough. I've never seen it before, and it is a game changer for take-out (especially saucy dishes and soups)! Once home we carefully unbagged the items...anticipating some leaks and spillage (as we transported it in the cargo attachment on the back of a Motorcycle! Not a DROP!! I carefully removed the plastic lid from the Pork (soft noodle) lo mein with vegetables. Over the TOP of this container, and UNDER the plastic sealing top lid -- we found "SARAN WRAP" which cleverly sealed itself utilizing the heat reaction caused by the HOT food (hence the term: shrink wrap). I was stunned, in a giddy excited manner! I carefully and easily removed the Saran Wrap to a beautiful burst of FRAGRANT steam and delectable noodles with an abundance of meat and FLAVOR! Every bite was flavor-packed and the meat was "melt in your mouth" tender. The temperature was MOST notable. It was as HOT as if the dish had just finished cooking in the kitchen. Splendid! Each subsequent dish (ie: moo goo gai pan, spicy beef with select peppers and veg, hot and sour soup, and the BEST steamed rice) were literally some of the most authentic, flavorful, and delicious Chinese fare we have ever enjoyed. In the top "5" for sure. "CRAZY - GOOD." The kind which lingers pleasantly on your palate and maintains a solid place in your memory vault! For a little tucked away haven, "Meet Up" surprised us in the BEST of WAYS, and now we have a solid genuine gem to enjoy whenever the urge for the ULTIMATE CHINESE FARE hits. Pricing is affordable, with generous portions for the prices paid. Even the steamed RICE is complimentary and provided WITH the dishes (where most in our city seem to charge as ala carte nowadays). There is no skimping here on the rice either (or any dish), and the fresh, tasty, superior locally sourced ingredients shine through in every single bite. Thank you to all who helped us last evening. You represent the very BEST in restaurant hospitality and food service. Santa Barbara is blessed to have you amongst our ever-changing restaurant culture. We became loyal patrons the moment you extended such grace, kindness, and professionalism as we held the menu and discussed options and selections at the register. We are grateful, and appreciate you and your five-star staff, food, and memorable restaurant. Beyond exemplary all the way around. Bravissimo!

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    Meet Up Chinese Cuisine - Band area

    Band area

    Meet Up Chinese Cuisine - Kung pao shrimp

    Kung pao shrimp

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    Meet Up at dusk

    China Pavilion - dimsum - Updated May 2026

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