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Happy Cat Eats

4.6 (145 reviews)
Closed 8:00 am - 6:30 pm

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HAPPY CAT EATS ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Hipster
Casual
Touristy

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Chinese salad - tasty and good portions
Hiromi R.

*Rating this experience with a child & grandparent* This spot was recommended to us by the lovely people at the Santa Barbara Visitor Center. We learned that this casual, beachside walk-up restaurant is the sister concept to the upscale restaurant of Oku, a sushi restaurant. Menus are different but has the same owner, so it has a similar concept and plays with flavors of umami well. We ordered the chicken bao tacos, Chinese chicken salad, and a kids meal hot dog. We really enjoyed those tacos! I loved the Asian flare of the chicken, and that it was served in a bao. The salad was big in portion and tasted fresh. A good way to get some crunchy greens in! The kids meal hot dog was, well, a hot dog! I appreciated that they had a kids meal. We loved the causal vibe of this place. Right by the ocean, sand as part of their decor, and open seating concept. Will come back here for another visit!

Sushi Sando
Morgan B.

Happy Eats Cafe is centered around outdoor dining. You walk up to a register, order, and find a seat while you wait with your number. They had lots of yummy items to choose from. We got two of the sushi sandos. SUPER good. I would come back to try other things! It was very nice, right by the water.

Happy Cat Eats
Liz G.

Happy Cat Eats is great! My husband and I stopped by for lunch after visiting to Art Walk. He ordered a smash burger and I had the soy burger with cheese. We shared fries. Both enjoyed our meals. We sat outside and it was a beautiful day for it...a bit crowded. Service was good. You order at the window and they give you a number and bring the food to your table when it's ready. It's very casual, very efficient, a good place to grab a bite.

Mac and cheese breakfast burrito with pork belly. NA  BEER
Shawn B.

What went well---EVERYTHING! I can't say enough about how great it is to eat right on the main beach walk. Great views and patio. The person at the service window was really friendly and suggested I get a box because the burrito is really big. I've never had a Mac and cheese burrito before and it was fantastic.

The delicious food options from Happy Cat Eats
Celina O.

We loved this wonderful waterfront restaurant and were pleasantly surprised to hear that Happy Cat Eats and Oku Restaurant have the same founders! The ambiance was absolutely stunning, the staff was friendly and attentive, this spot is budget friendly and we absolutely loved the variety of delicious bites and drinks!

Monica V.

I've been here in the summer and spring. It gets pretty busy during lunch time during the summer but my group was able to get a table without a problem. The food came out quickly and was pretty good. My toddler enjoyed the acai bowl. That was one of the reasons I wanted to come back during my vacation recently. I ordered it online and I came on time. I saw there were 2 bowls there. Then someone took them and said it will be a few minutes. I was a little confused about the situation but I eventually got my order. The granola was definitely the star of the bowl. If you like cinnamon this was definitely packing in flavor.

Cinnamon roll
Erika S.

Food was great : breakfast burrito and cinnamon roll. Shared it with my sister and it was plenty. The blueberry matcha was good as well. The service was kind of slow, but we weren't in a rush. Our friends didn't like their food, the tacos, no flavor even with added salsa. Overall, I'd go back, but wouldn't go out of my way

Chinese Chicken Salad
Brent Y.

My wife and I ordered the Chinese Chicken Salad and the Sushi Sando and split both, which worked out perfectly. After reading that the Sando was shareable, I definitely agree because I don't think I could have finished it on my own. The salad was great, with perfectly crispy wonton strips, tender/flavorful chicken and a really good dressing. The Sushi Sando was super unique and unlike anything I've had before. Crispy rice as the "bun" with crab meat, tuna, and seaweed salad inside made for such a fun and delicious combination. Both dishes were light and refreshing. My 5-year-old had the hot dog and it was surprisingly high quality and a really good size. It was served on a Hawaiian roll with a great-quality dog, and since he's pretty picky, the fact that he ate the whole thing says a lot. Overall, it was a great experience. The ocean is right across the street, so the view is a huge bonus, and we also really appreciated how clean the restrooms were. Note: You order at a window and the servers bring your food to you. There's a free 75-minute parking lot down the alley, or you can try parking across the street.

Crispy chicken tempura salad
Diane W.

Looking for something light for dinner so we stopped by this outdoor eatery. Great menu, order at counter & pick a table. We ordered the Asian Chicken Salad & the Crispy Chicken Tempura salad - both different but delicious! Large portions, light salad dressing. Nice spot to people watch & enjoy a casual meal. Friendly staff too.

Crispy bao tacos
D L.

Nice little spot! You order before choosing your seat, however there is no menu at the ordering window so best to memorize what you want or walk up with the menu. The main reason I came was for a cinnamon roll. I was one left in the window display. When we ordered, the girl with the short pink hair said "sorry but we're all out". I paused and said "well what about the one right there?" And she goes "oh well yeah I guess we have that one. Is that fine?". Idk if she was trying to hold it for herself or what but that was a weird interaction. She wasn't rude but wasn't friendly either. We ordered: 1. cinnamon roll- rather meh! There was nothing that stood out about it. 2. gingerbread latte- didn't like this. It didn't taste like gingerbread at all and was very weak and froth heavy 3. sushi Sando - unique! It was pretty good but not great. The crispy rice's edges are sharp so that was a little unpleasant. The flavor was great . 4. crispy bao trio- our favorite! This had a great mix of textures and the chicken was perfectly sauced! A nice spot with potential but I don't think it's a must visit. If I come back, I'm just getting the bao tacos!

Mackenzie B.

We came last night for dinner. I have had several friends recommend this restaurant. So I was really excited to try it! The menu alone has so many good options, it was so hard to narrow down and choose. I ended up getting the fish sandwich, my husband got the happy cat burger. Everything tasted pretty delicious, the food was brought out promptly. The service was excellent. I can't wait to return to try the breakfast and brunch! All the coffee specialties and drinks looked amazing!!

The Asian hot dog delicious, the tacos even better. And they actually use real fish for their fish and chips, not frozen
Mr F.

All the food was delicious as always It's a great place to chill back and just relax and check out Santa Barbara

2 Wagyu Burgers and fries & zucchini
Rigo M.

Stopped here for lunch on our way to Cambria, burgers were delicious! Also ordered fries and onion rings that were very tasty as well. Next trip up the coast I definitely will swing by. Enjoyed the coastal view as well.

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19 days ago

came with friends and it was a great burger, I recommend the smash burger, they were really kind, and it over all is a great mood.

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12 days ago

Great little cafe! The açai bowl was good and well as there hot chi tea. Cute little sitting area across from the beach and pier

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The Blue Owl - Pork.Banh mi ($16|dry meat) and Strawberry Walnut salad ($15|overpriced, but very good)

The Blue Owl

(803 reviews)

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While visiting Santa Barbara, my husband and I stopped by The Blue Owl and had a great experience…read more The person who took our order was friendly and very helpful, which made us feel welcome right away. The restaurant has a really fun, eclectic vibe. There are a variety of seating options including tables, booths, and even a sofa with a table. It was very busy when we went, but we were still able to find seating without too much trouble. There wasn't music playing at the time, but there was a small stage area with a piano set up for performers, which gave the space a cool, creative feel. I ordered the 3 bánh mì tacos (two beef and one pork) and Wow, they were amazing! The tortillas tasted freshly made and everything was incredibly flavorful and juicy. The tacos were topped with oyster chili mayo, greens, pickled radish, cilantro, green onion, and chili paste, and were served with sliced cucumbers and radishes on the side. I also ordered a side of kimchi, which was delicious. It had the tangy, crunchy flavor you expect from good kimchi. My husband ordered the tofu Bahn Mi. The sandwich was made on a baguette and served with a side of chips. The baguette was crunchy but not overly hard. The tofu had a nice texture. It was soft but not mushy. The flavor had a nice balance. The menu was extensive including several vegan options. Overall, a really enjoyable stop with great flavors and a unique atmosphere. Definitely worth checking out!

So unfortunate that this place has gone so far downhill in recent times. Last three times i have…read morebeen here i got a bad stomach ache. I think its the lettuce. A prices have done nothing but go up. Spent $42 on a meal for two, no drinks or sides just two mains. Crazy. The wait staff is more and more aloof, but they do an acceptable job. I enjoy the live music and i'll be honest the food does taste good, but a $42 tummy ache for two ain't worth it! They do serve espresso in case you want to feel the tummy ache immediately instead of waiting until the next day, at least that's an option!

Fresco At The Market

Fresco At The Market

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Friendly service, super fresh soups and sandwiches in the public market. Great display of fresh…read morehealthy treats/snacks/drinks, light clean decor. It feels expensive upfront but with portion sizes, it's a great deal. For a lighter meal, just share a sandwich and soup with a friend, a lover, whoever! The house lemonade and tea are delicious, with the lemonade being perfectly sweet and tart. Soup of the Day was French Onion, which is on the sweeter side, and comes with cheese and a crostini soaking up the broth. Onions are very nicely caramelized. It was tasty but the portion of this soup was a bit large for the intensity of the soup sweetness, almost like syrup after eating it enough. Any other soup - I'd be fine with the portion size. Partner's review of the BLT: "Plenty of bacon and toasted very nice on sourdough, the sourdough with the soup was balanced. I can tell they added a little bit of butter on the sourdough for the extra crunch. Vegetables - they're vegetables, FRESH though." I had The Griller, hot with provolone on a bolillo roll. Packed with flavor from the peppers and olives, plus all the meat protein was the bomb!

I hate to give a bad review, but I am really mystified by the good reviews. I tried two different…read moredesserts and neither one had any taste at all. One was a small round chocolate cake. The other was a chocolate chip cookie with walnuts. My wife had the same experience, so it wasn't just me. I wouldn't mind that they were rather expensive if they at least tasted good. What is weird is that they looked so good!

Satellite

Satellite

(252 reviews)

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The natural wine bar of my dreams! We came to SB on a trip and were searching for wine bars that…read moreserve natural wine, and this one kept popping up as a top choice -- and it absolutely lived up to the hype. It's located right on State Street, so there's plenty to explore nearby. We came right at opening and were greeted by the friendliest host. The style of the space is amazing -- walls lined with bottles, funky furniture, and such a fun, modern vibe. They were also super dog‑friendly and immediately brought my pup a water bowl, which I always appreciate. The host was incredibly knowledgeable and answered all my questions (and I had many). I'm still new to the wine world, so her openness and guidance meant a lot. I sampled two wines and chose the one that was perfect for me. I also loved that they bring the bottle to your table to show you and tell you more about it. My partner had one of their vermouth cocktails and loved it. We even learned about a natural wine event happening next month that we might come back for. The host also recommended wineries in the area based on our preferences -- such a thoughtful touch. Would definitely come back anytime we're in SB.

Unfortunately, I didn't have the best experience here as I imagined it to be. I stopped by on a…read morewarm day and wanted to enjoy a Spritz. I walked in and spoke with the guy working the bar area. I wasn't sure if I had to order my drink there or if there was table service. He said he could take my order and then I could go find a table to sit at. I placed my order for a Spritz and found a table outside. It seemed like 15 minutes had passed by and still no drink. He tended to another table in front of me with a group of women he knew. I thought he would stop by my table after, but he didn't even acknowledge me. Finally, another staff member tended to me and I told her I had placed my order at the bar and was still waiting for it. She was very kind and quickly got it for me. My observation of this guy, was that he acknowledged everyone around me but for some reason never acknowledged me until my bill was ready. Such a bizarre experience! In any case, I still managed to enjoy myself and was glad the Eva waited on me. She was very kind and I appreciate her getting my drink and food in a timely manner. I ordered the Spanish cheese plate, which was the perfect snacking board. It comes with manchego, membrillo, corn nuts, cornichon, quince, strawberries, focaccia, and charcoal sourdough bread. This plate is great for two people. Overall, a not so great experience, but grateful that Eva came to the rescue! It left me unsure of whether I would come back, only time will tell.

Lilac Pâtisserie

Lilac Pâtisserie

(898 reviews)

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Absolutely love the fact that everything here is gluten-free and you wouldn't even know it! Their…read morebreakfast/brunch items (especially the vegetarian quiche) and their bakery items are absolutely delicious. I can't even say oh they're so good for being gf. They re so so good that they can compete for the crown against any regular flour bakery. The inside is so cute - charming like a French patisserie. The staff is attentive and helpful.

What an amazing place! The fact that every single thing is gluten free is amazing! 3 cases of…read moregluten free sweets is unheard of! I walked in not knowing what I want. The cashier who helped me was so sweet! I asked her what her favorites are and got a few of her reccs + extra. For reference, I can have gluten, however the person I shared these desserts with, cannot . I visited twice and got the following, In order of most liked (I didn't dislike anything btw) 1. Brownie- our favorite! Can't even tell it's gluten free. Great texture, moist on the inside, and the chocolate flavor is deepened by an espresso powder. Rich and delicious, I could eat 10 of them. This was as sweet as a regular brownie but a million times better in taste and texture. 2. Strawberry cheesecake - soooo goood, fresh and delicious! So perfect and can't tell it's gluten free. This was addictive! 3. Hazelnut cheesecake- very fluffy! It didn't scream hazel nut but it was definitely good! Can't tell it's gluten free. It's not dense like a traditional cheesecake, nor does it have a typical cheesecake flavor. Texture is almost like a mousse. It's not very sweet, which I enjoyed. I ate some, then put in the fridge. It is wayyyy better chilled as that's when the hazelnut flavor shines through. I liked that it was true hazelnut flavor instead of Nutella. 4. Cookies and cream cheesecake - really good but couldn't really taste the cookies&cream portion, it was still tasty though and the richest out of all the cakes 5. Blueberry lemon tarte- The blueberry flavor is stronger than the lemon but I didn't mind that. Crust had good texture. It didn't have the buttery flavor I was looking for, however I know it really had to get gluten free crusts to form as is, so I'm sure adding a bunch of butter would make it fall apart. Overall this is light and perfect for spring/summer. 6. Coconut cake - another light and fluffy one. The sponge cake does not have a lot of density so i don't think a slice would be able to stand up straight on its own . The flavor was good yet not super sweet . This was best at room temp. 7. Apple pie - I liked this! The apples were good. Not super sweet. While I liked the crust, my friend did not and said it needed more flavor. I think she was looking for that savory buttery flavor. I will try their other pies next time and see what happens! Overall really liked everything I got. My favorite thing about all of them was that they weren't too sweet. I also think their prices are very reasonable. Usually gluten free desserts cost a little more, but i felt their prices were on par with other bakeries My order was packaged well in the cutest boxes and bags. Inside is clean, welcoming, and chic. This is great place to impress someone who can't have gluten. Even if you CAN have gluten, you will enjoy it if you want light desserts that aren't super sweet , and that don't make you feel heavy / sluggish after. 10/10!

Helena Avenue Bakery - Turkey Sandwich with chips & an orange soda

Helena Avenue Bakery

(800 reviews)

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I've been coming to Helena for years and I have to say, the love it gets is very well deserved…read more They have some of the butteriest croissants out there! The dough lamination is absolutely perfect. I was lucky to attend an event at the gardens where the had profiteroles that were absolutely divine. Being central to the funk zone with plenty of outdoor seating the ambiance is absolutely on point. We had a minor mixup with an order and the head chef herself came out and made it right, giving us the tastiest baguette I think I've ever had. I have to say the head chef, who's name escapes me right now, has to be one of the sweetest and most talented people in the industry I've met. Definitely come here for an amazing breakfast or some 10/10 pastries.

Whew! This was a *pricey* breakfast, but it WAS good! That being said $62 good? Meh…read more $62: (2) Iced Vanilla lattes (1) Banana (1) Breakfast Taco (1) Breakfast sandwich (1) Croissant (1) Children's toast +egg The sandwich and taco were really good, but keep in mind it's JUST the one taco, JUST the sandwich. The homemade (I assume?) bread and jam for the kids meal was SO good! The vanilla lattes were not work $6.75 at all though... nothing special to them and easily watered down. The space itself is nice, outdoor/indoor concept. My daughter loved all the flowers and the birds that would fly inside for crumbs. I would come back but would JUST get the meals, the extras weren't worth the price IMO (even the croissant).

Happy Cat Eats - burgers - Updated May 2026

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