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    Kimchi Korean BBQ

    4.2 (617 reviews)
    PriceyKorean, Barbeque
    Closed • 12:00 pm - 3:30 PM, 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM

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    KIMCHI KOREAN BBQ ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Loud
    Good for kids
    Good for groups

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    Ice cream's
    Nelly G.

    The food was great, excellent service Angie and Fernando treated us well, i love this place, they always have great music, so you can enjoy your time, the kids always have fun. Thank you for the amazing hospitality

    Susan S.

    The best staff and the most fresh food! Always the best time at Kimchi. Beef belly is the best kbbq meat here, and love the sauces.

    Soooo worth it!!!
    Abigael T.

    They're quick and accommodating! The food is superb :) Definitely a must-try when you're in SB if you're looking for good comfort food. Great food, nice ambiance, and the music isn't too loud--just the right volume to enjoy your meal and have a good conversation with friends. Highly recommend!

    Interior
    Celine P.

    We came here at 2pm after two hikes and were famished. We watched all the servers go on break expect for one. There were at least 5 tables of customers. That poor guy. It was hard to be patient when we are hungry. We got platinum all you can eat because we really wanted the beef tongue. There were a few long moments when we finished all the side dishes and the meats and was simply waiting to put in our next order. The server was trying to tend to all the tables and had a positive demeanor but long wait. There is two single stall bathrooms. We were disappointed in the bulgogi nachos as the ratio of chips to meat was super off. We were also disappointed in the Korean soybean paste stew. Too salty. We tried to put some steam egg inside to make it less salty but the eggs didn't taste good anymore. We love the brisket sauce, the pickled radish wraps, daikon kimchi, pickled onions, and beef tongue the most. We ordered five plates over the course of our time mostly off the platinum menu. We were there for 2.5 hours and didn't feel satiated in the end. I would come back to try again.

    Happy Hour!!
    Suyeon P.

    Having Korean BBQ in Santa Barbara~ The food was delicious, the quality was top-notch, and the service was amazing!

    beef belly
    Emi C.

    i was excited to hear that a kbbq place opened in sb!! as an asian ucsb student i always want to try new asian places around the area. this place has its pros and cons, but i think the pros outweighs the cons definitely. there is a wide menu variety and i reccomend the lunch special its an incredible deal. the beef belly i loved, and the sausage was good too. the soondubu was good, not as good as bcd but still good! japchae was okay, i wouldn't order it again though. the brisket is what i didn't like, the cuts were too thick and too meaty, which isn't how i like my brisket and that might be a personal thing but i didn't enjoy it. same for the rice paper, normally i cannot eat kbbq without rice paper but their rice paper was a little strange tasting. there were also multiple flies flying around a lot, and i had to persistently wave them away. other than that, the service was great despite there only being one server.

    BEEF BULGOGI
    Ирина О.

    Love this place! Amazing food and service! Nice place to come with your friends and have fun time. My favorite dish is glass noodles!

    Karls J.

    Finger licking good, my nephew loved the corn cheese. Better than Gen, and the sides were delicious. And for the prize? Uffff. Forgot to take a picture of the actual food but def will come once a month!

    A satisfied customer!
    Bryan L.

    The service here is fantastic! Servers were constantly aware of the guests needed something or wanted to order more. The detail for me is their ability to know what we needed something as simple as needing more napkins were provided before even asking them. The food was great! The choice in meats and other items was a good spread. I would definitely come back next time that I'm in town!

    The aftermath
    Tatianna Z.

    Tried Kimchi KBBQ in Santa Barbara on a Friday night around 7 PM and surprisingly there was no wait at all. The place is pretty small, probably only around 10 tables that seat about 4-6 people each, so it feels more cozy than a big KBBQ spot. One thing I really liked was that they have a link where you can order food directly from your phone, which made everything super easy and helped avoid waiting around for servers to come by. The service was honestly great. Everyone was very nice, attentive, and the food came out really quickly every time we ordered. That was definitely the highlight of the experience. As for the food itself, the meat quality just wasn't really up to par compared to other KBBQ places I've been to, especially for the price. They charge $36.99 and only offer 5 different meat options, which felt a little limited. I honestly think they benefit from being one of the only KBBQ spots in the wider Santa Barbara area, because in bigger cities with more competition I don't think the pricing and meat quality would stand out as much.

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    20 days ago

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    25 days ago

    Wow this was truly amazing. The service was great and the ambiance was great. The food was great and the service was great.

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    11 days ago

    Small hole in the wall treasure! Excellent food, amazing service. The host has hot peppers !

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    6 days ago

    Service was very quick and food was very good for the price. Get the premium and u get like hella food all included ‍

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    Page 1 of 16

    Kimchi Korean BBQ Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Kimchi Korean BBQ

    Do you charge for kids?

    Kids price is age plus $3 between 4-11years old. Ex) 4 year old +$3= $7 charge. 5year old… 

    Is there kimchi?

    Yes!

    Do they play KPOP there? Not a dealbreaker, just a big fan.

    They do play kpop but also they play a variety of songs that are more modern

    Do they have outdoor seating or a place to sit with pets?

    No, we don’t have outdoor seating. Sorry..

    Do they take reservations?

    No. You have to put your name on the list in person

    Is it ok if there is only me in the table?

    I don't see why not! It's a place to eat food, and I'm sure if you go during a lesser congested time, you'll easily get a small table to yourself.

    A bit confused by the pricing for kids. Is it based on age or height? I have a 4 & 6 year old both over 50" and there's no way I'm paying an adult price for them.

    Depends on age.. if you call us then we can explain more details... Thank you.

    Do they serve bimibap?

    Sorry,we don't have bibimbob

    View All 12 Questions

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    Best BBQ Santa Barbara

    Best BBQ Santa Barbara

    3.9(139 reviews)
    2.4 mi
    •$$

    Tried one of the most talked about BBQ spots in Santa Barbara and ordered the 2 meat combo with tri…read moretip and beef rib. It came with a huge chunk of bread, baked beans, and two sides. We went with double macaroni salad. The tri tip ended up being our favorite. It was juicy, tender, and packed with smoky flavor. We were actually more excited for the beef rib, hoping it would be super juicy and fall off the bone tender, but it didn't quite hit that expectation. It was still flavorful, just a little tougher than we hoped. The half and half sauce also had more spice than we personally prefer. The baked beans were delicious and paired really well with the meats. The only side that fell a little flat for us was the macaroni salad because it could definitely use a bit more flavor and dressing. Also taking off one star because the silver skin on the ribs should've been removed for a cleaner bite. That said, for the portion size and quality of food, the price was honestly very affordable. You definitely get a lot of food for what you pay for, which makes it a great BBQ spot if you're hungry and want something satisfying without spending too much. Overall, still a solid BBQ stop in Santa Barbara and definitely worth trying if you're craving smoked meats.

    Tried something different in SB. The place is clean and the…read moreservice was great, however the food is buns. We tried 3 different meats beef ribs, pork ribs, and tri-tip. We ordered a side of coleslaw and think they gave us beans and rice complementary which was super nice. Just wished the food was better. The tri-tip was ok however the pork and the beef ribs were way overcooked. They were soo dry. They minced the cabbage for the coleslaw to nothing. It was just mush drenched in a thin liquid. The flavor was lacking and texture was someone I couldn't get over. The beans themselves were cooked just right, however there was 0 flavor. It tasted just like they just boiled the beans in water. As if they forgot they need to add seasonings at the minimum. The rice was cooked well. When outside I didn't smell any smoke so I don't think they cook the meat onsite, which most likely contributes to the over cooked meats when they reheat. The bathroom was clean. The prices are comparable for BBQ. If you like your meat well done, then come, but for me this a total pass.

    Photos
    Best BBQ Santa Barbara - Looking toward back of restaurant

    Looking toward back of restaurant

    Best BBQ Santa Barbara - Family Meal

    Family Meal

    Best BBQ Santa Barbara - Front counter

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    Front counter

    Cold Spring Tavern

    Cold Spring Tavern

    4.3(1.5k reviews)
    8.3 mi
    •$$

    If you have never been here, do it! Been here many times. I had their tri-tip sandwich. I asked…read morewith no BBQ sauce. I love the flavor of the meat. I did put some creamed horseradish on a couple of bites. My wife had the 3 chile samplers. Stage Coach, 3 game chile, and the chlle verde. All excellent. I upgraded my side to the 3 game chile. It cost a bit more, but worth it. Afterwards, check out the place and the surrounding forest area.

    Food Went here after reading about it online and wanting to…read moretry the tri-tip sandwich. We ordered some nachos and a tri-tip sandwich and we enjoyed the food overall. Just outside the restaurant, you can see them smoking the tri-tip which added to the experience and to the craving of the sandwich. First, the nachos were pretty good, they were heavy handed on the chips and filling and made for an enjoyable eating experience and the flavors of it were pretty good as well. Now to the the tri-tip sandwich, we loved the sandwich as the meat was really tender to the point that the sandwich doesn't disassemble when you bite into it. The flavor of the meat itself really good and I would definitely come back just for the sandwich alone Service/Ambiance We had arrived right around opening time and the place was already starting to get packed. Parking is just along the road so take note of that and it was really full by the time we were leaving. For our party of two, we got seated pretty much right away inside the restaurant. The vibe of the place was really nice as it had that old style homey feel and being surrounded by nature added to the nice ambiance. The staff were nice and service of the food was relatively quick as well, overall a really great experience

    Photos
    Cold Spring Tavern - Inside the restaurant

    Inside the restaurant

    Cold Spring Tavern - Chili sampler

    Chili sampler

    Cold Spring Tavern - Tri tip sandwich

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    Tri tip sandwich

    Shalhoob's Funk Zone Patio - 1/4 Rack of Ribs

    Shalhoob's Funk Zone Patio

    4.3(711 reviews)
    2.9 mi
    •$$

    Came to Santa Barbara for the first time and this was the first stop my friend and I made. Holyyyyy…read moreeverything was so good! Great way to kick off the trip. We ordered the nachos with pulled pork, Mac and cheese with brisket, and two burgers. We underestimated how much food was coming out . Not only was it huge portions, everything also tasted so good. The people taking our orders were also super sweet.

    Funk in Public…read more Family-owned and operated local chain of restaurants and butcher shops that's been serving the Santa Barbara community for over fifty years (ca. 1973). This location is in Santa Barbara's "Funk Zone" district, which was formerly an industrial area that's turned into a wine and art district full of interesting places to gander. The Good: * Huge dog-friendly covered outdoor seating * Full lineup of their signature Shalhoob craft beers. They also have fermented grapes and liquor, if beer isn't your jam. * Service was friendly and welcoming. * Street Parking and City-owned lots, as well. The lots are your best bet, and they're free for a short while. * Prices are very reasonable for a BBQ place. * The Street Corn app might be the best thing we ate here as the corn was super fresh right off the cob, and the Chipotle aioli was superb. * BBQ Beans was more of a bean soup, but it was decent. * Mac & Cheese was also pretty good. Carrots enjoyed it more than I did, but I might've been grumpy from the shitty meats (more on that in a minute). The Meh: * Tritip was completely dry and tasted like it was cooked in the oven and then finished on the grill. But, I will say, at least it was edible unlike the ribs... The Ugly: * Maybe the worst ribs I've ever had. They were just completely hammered with salt and completely blew out my palate within two bites, which is a shame because they were tender and cooked well, but jfc, no amount of sauce or anything is going to save something this salty. Conclusion: Maybe we just caught them on a bad day because a place doesn't survive for over fifty years serving up meat like this. I'd be willing to give them another try someday, but I need my tongue to recover first.

    Photos
    Shalhoob's Funk Zone Patio - Family style

    Family style

    Shalhoob's Funk Zone Patio - 1/4lb Tri-Tip ($13)

    1/4lb Tri-Tip ($13)

    Shalhoob's Funk Zone Patio - Mac & Cheese ($7.50)

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    Mac & Cheese ($7.50)

    Mylestone BBQ - Tri Tip Sandwich deliciousness

    Mylestone BBQ

    4.8(18 reviews)
    8.2 mi

    My friends and I stopped by here as we were waiting for our car to be inspected for a flat tire…read moreafter our camping trip. That flat tire was definitely a blessing in disguise because without it, we wouldn't have found this incredible spot! This place is located in a business complex, and from the outside, it looks like a quaint little place, but the moment you walk in, it is HUGE! Tons of seating, a pool table, and outdoor patio. It's even dog friendly! Such a hidden gem. Not only that, but the food was INCREDIBLE! We tried everything on the menu, and we were all blown away. Each of my friends had a different favorite, which means that there's something for everyone, and I'm still drooling just thinking about it. Haha It's hard to pick favorites, but I especially loved the ribs and tri tip sandwich. The staff was SUPER friendly and took their time explaining the menu to us. They made us feel like close friends rather than customers. It's been awhile since I left a review for anything, but I knew I needed to give this place one because they deserve all the hype. I'll definitely make my way down here next time I am in the Santa Barbara area.

    Really good bbq. I had the tri tip sando, pork spare ribs and esquite. The meat was smoked really…read morewell, tender and still really juicy and Smokey. Located in The Draughtsman brewery in Goleta, the vibe is really cool and good beers on tap. Charles, the owner is really friendly and takes care of you. He's got some good bbq sauces and hot sauce is banging.

    Photos
    Mylestone BBQ - Chicken leg quarter and a pint for lunch

    Chicken leg quarter and a pint for lunch

    Mylestone BBQ - Homemade Bourbon Crème brûlée pairs nicely with Draughtsmen Star Pine wine

    Homemade Bourbon Crème brûlée pairs nicely with Draughtsmen Star Pine wine

    Mylestone BBQ - Tri Tip Sandwixh with BBQ, Spicy BBQ and Dijon mustard sauces

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    Tri Tip Sandwixh with BBQ, Spicy BBQ and Dijon mustard sauces

    Barbareño - Mango Pavlov... one of the best desserts I've ever eaten!

    Barbareño

    4.4(652 reviews)
    2.3 mi
    •$$$

    Soo good! Saw this as a top recommended spot and I was really impressed by everything. We were able…read moreto call in a last minute reservation for five people. Service was great and our server was really attentive. We weren't super hungry so just ordered a few bites to share. What we got: -Ranchero Scotch Eggs -Beet Salad -Ricotta Dumplings -Santa Maria BBQ I would everything again except for maybe the dumplings as it was more of a donut than dumpling. But the flavor combinations and plating of everything was honestly so good. You must get scotch eggs! I was very impressed with this dish. It was such a fun dinner and must go to when in Santa Barbara!

    Barbareño completely delivered for our date night! We started on their patio, which has the perfect…read morecasual yet elevated atmosphere, and were taken care of by a warm, friendly staff. We kicked things off with the crudo and the summer vegetables, followed by the fried chicken and ranch and the sea bass for our main courses. Every single dish was packed with noteworthy flavor. For dessert, the vegan, gluten-free avocado mousse was absolutely divine! I also highly recommend their N/A basil shrub if you're looking for a delicious sober-curious option. The menu is on the smaller side, but it clearly changes seasonally to focus on peak local ingredients. That farm-to-table energy was exactly what we were looking for. Highly recommend--we loved every minute and will definitely be back!

    Photos
    Barbareño
    Barbareño - Animal potatoes

    Animal potatoes

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    Beers

    Kimchi Korean BBQ - korean - Updated October 2026

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