I just wanted to give some love to this place because in my brief interaction with the staff, they really treated me and my family well. We were walking Stearns Wharf and I went in to order fries to go for my toddler. The hostess was very warm and welcoming, and handed my toddler a paper kids menu and crayons to color while we waited. This alone is a nice treat for families looking to dine out with their kids to keep the little ones occupied. Then I noticed the kids menu had fish and chips and wanted to change my order to that instead, and without hesitation the hostess brought a supervisor to help facilitate that modification. While we waited, two other employees came by smiling checking on us to make sure we had been helped. They even offered to and happily refilled my son's water bottle multiple times while we were there walking/biking around. The views from the restaurant are stunning as can be expected being oceanside in santa barbara. We happened to catch the sunset there and it was breathtaking. I told myself they definitely earned more of my business so I am already planning another trip back there for a real lunch or dinner experience. My kids loved the fries and fish, even though I had to cut it for them and tell them it was "fish sticks". I personally thought the fries could use more seasoning and be a bit crisper, but the overall i was satisfied On a side note, I love that the parking on the pier is free for the first 90 minutes and only $4/hr after. Gives plenty fo time to explore, eat, perhaps do a boating excursion, etc., and there is plenty of street parking and more paid public parking nearby. read more

Moby Dick Restaurant - View from outside. - American Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Wait staff: Marlen R was excellent.. attentive and patient..everyone working was nice and hospitable Food: Clam chowder: 4 out 10 Cold seafood platter: a nice variety of seafood...clam, oysters, shrimp & more..we throughly enjoyed Mussels & clam steamer: a good size serving of steamed clams & mussels .. great flavor Ambiance: great location on the pier read more

This was our first time back to Moby Dick restaurant on Stearns, wharf in about 7 years. Since another restaurant in the area went through so many changes including remodeling and menu changes leaving me very disappointed with everything. (Except for the actual atmosphere of that restaurant) I had to try something new, so this evening, we decided to come back to Moby Dick for the first time in ages.  Of course, their location is great, and the view of the harbor and the beach is breathtaking. The question is how was the food and the service? I give them a 5 star rating. From the time we walked in and sat down, they treated us great. The menu is much improved over what it was the last time we came, including the delicious USDA. PRIME New York strip steak from Creekstone farms. My wife and I shared an appetizer of crab cakes, "they were perfect". I ordered the New York strip steak that I just mentioned, and my wife ordered the Fish and Chips. Of course we sampled each other's meals, so we could have a variety and both were absolutely fantastic. A USDA. prime steak like that is not a common thing, usually even the high dollar steakhouses in town have USDA choice, but if you know meat, prime is much better, has better flavor, and is way more tender than choice. I ordered the steak medium-rare. It came out Perfectly! We really enjoyed our meal and decided to stay for dessert. We got the dark butter cake topped with vanilla, bean ice cream and other toppings. And again, it was a home run. Our server, Allan was super friendly, very professional and kind. He made our evening that much more pleasant. We stayed until the Sun set took some fantastic pictures off the back patio. We topped off the evening with a great cup of coffee, and a walk back down the pier. I am so glad we came back to give this place another try. After years of passing it by since we had that bad experience 7 years ago. And so pleased that they improved this restaurant way beyond how I ever could have thought. We will definitely be back and this just might be our new place whenever we come to enjoy our frequent Santana Barbara. Great Job! read more

Service was good but the food was mediocre. The fish and chips was way more chips than fish and the fish was way thin. read more

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Cioppino pasta looked great but didn't really have any flavor! However, the sit you very fast and it has a great view of Santa Barbara beach. Service was good and our server was very friendly. Prices were reasonable for seafood but I would not recommend! read more

Moby Dick Restaurant - Cioppino pasta looked great but didn't really have any flavor! - American Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

While looking at the menu outside, we were greeted by the hostess who was very nice and welcoming. Told her it was our first time and she took the time to make a few suggestions. She sat us on the patio. Our waiter who was very attentive. Wifey had the cioppino and I had the whole Blackened Branzino. We also had a dozen oysters and a shrimp cocktail. Everything was delicious. We will definitely be back. Looking forward to trying even more from the menu. read more

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While walking on the pier, we caught sight of their Happy Hour aka Oyster Hour menu and it was just about that time of day. Oyster Hour: Monday - All Day Tuesday - Friday: 3 pm to 6 pm I believe you can only enjoy Oyster Hour by the Oyster Bar, so let the hostess know if that's what you're there for. We got two dozen of their $1.50 oysters. They were serving up kumiai oysters that day for their Oyster Hour. Kumiai is a Pacific oyster and pretty common for raw bars. It's served with a lemon wedge, horseradish, and cocktail sauce. I wish they offered another variety for the oyster hour though. We also had a couple of $4 Sliders, an order of the $12 Calamari, and a $5 Santa Barbara Blonde. We were just enjoying some light bites as this was our first meal in SB and it's the touristy thing to be doing. Great view of the Pacific Ocean as we sat by the windows. read more

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This was easily one of the highlights of our trip to Santa Barbara! We were lucky enough to get a window seat overlooking the ocean and harbor, and the views were absolutely breathtaking. It was the perfect setting to relax and enjoy a meal on the pier. We ordered the beer-battered shrimp tacos and the fish and chips, and both were incredibly fresh, flavorful, and cooked to perfection. Everything tasted amazing. A huge thank you to our server, Lee, who made the experience even more special. Lee was friendly, attentive, and genuinely welcoming, making us feel right at home from the moment we arrived. The service was outstanding, and to top it all off, we were treated to two delicious desserts, which was such a thoughtful and generous surprise. The restaurant has so much charm and history, and the atmosphere is warm and inviting. Between the incredible food, stunning waterfront views, exceptional service, and Lee's wonderful hospitality, this is an absolute must-visit when you're in Santa Barbara. We can't wait to come back! read more

Moby Dick Restaurant - Keylime crème brûlée and butter cake topped with ice cream and strawberries - American Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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Food was delicious. Great ambience and waiter. Beautiful views and restaurant. Our favorite new place here in Santa Barbara read more

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My family and I came here for a late lunch early dinner while on vacation over the weekend. We were visiting the pier for our family tradition and decided to come to Moby Dicks instead of our usual Long Board. I am so glad we did. We sat on the deck which was so beautiful. We had a male server, I cant think of his name but he was fantastic! We ordered the calamari with lemon aioli which was sooo tasty it had us licking the plate! Then for my dinner I ordered the pasta cioppino. I asked the server if he can ask the chef to make it spicy and he definitely delivered! It was so flavorful. It came with a lobster tail, lots of shrimp, and clams. My partner ordered the snapper which he said was a little salty but the sides were good. My sons mac and cheese was also tastey for being a kids meal! Highly recommend this place not just for the amazing service but also for the food and views. read more

Moby Dick Restaurant - Pasta Cioppino - American Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

This place is crazy busy! We walked in on a Saturday as a party of two, and you definitely can't get a regular table without a reservation. We ended up sitting in the bar area instead. Our bartender/server was slammed, but we still managed to get our oysters in before happy hour ended. The view through all the windows is great, but just be prepared for the crowd--the place is huge and accommodates a lot of people, so it gets loud and hectic. The oysters were good, though! read more

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While strolling on the Stearns Wharf we decided on having an early dinner at Moby Dick restaurant. First time here. Perfect time because there was no waiting. The waitress Lee was super nice and attentive. Very knowledgeable and helpful offering different options on our food selection and drinks. The mood was pleasant with an ocean view. Love the clam chowder! The fried fish and shrimp platter was not as I expected in a nice restaurant. Served with 3 breaded shrimps , 3 onion rings with a few small pieces of calamari. The rest of the plate was full of French fries. Moby Dick is ok. I will try a different restaurant next time I'm in town. read more

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The mussels and clams are too salty I like the snapper that includes 2 sides. The cold lobster roll has too much sauce so it's hard to taste the freshness of the lobster meat itself read more

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Came here on a Tuesday because we saw their deal of $1.50 oysters during happy hour. I thought I didn't like oysters, well my mind had changed and they're DELICIOUS! We ordered 2 dozen oysters, fried calamari, clam chowder and my husband got shrimp and chips since he doesn't like oysters. Our server was super attentive and sang happy birthday while bringing out a butter cake that I think my table ordered secretly when I went to the restroom. Sitting outdoors overlooking the water as the sun was setting was the perfect way to end our trip to Santa Barbara. read more

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Loved this place!!!! The food was amazing. The fact that the restaurant was on the pier, the view of the ocean was lovely while you eat. I ate at the bar and our bartender (Latino) was excellent. He took care of of us with the drinks and hospitality. This is a great spot for seafood and drinks read more

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The clam chowder was great. It was very busy and the wait was pretty long. It's not a quiet place but the music was nice. read more

Moby Dick Restaurant - American Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Wonderful service, great food & unbeatable view. Losing 1 star bc the espresso martini was made with regular coffee & it wasn't great. Everything else was absolutely wonderful! read more

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We were passing through Santa Barbara and decided to give Moby Dick a try. The restaurant was busy, but not too loud that we couldn't talk. The server was fabulous. He was busy, but still took the time to care for all of our needs. The drinks were very good and we had Maple old fashioned and a Gin martini. We shared the seafood platter. Which was a disappointment as it didn't match the quality of service we received. The food was ok, but not fantastic. read more

Moby Dick Restaurant - Seafood Platter - American Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

I came on. Tuesday during happy hour. I saw the $1.50 oyster offer so I stopped to eat despite not being that hungry. I was seated within a minute or two as it wasn't that busy at this time. I sat at the oyster bar and saw the oysters being opened right in front of me. I got the pea soup which wasn't anything special, but I was focused on the oysters more. The large oysters tasted different than the small ones and I'm not sure why. I also tried the key lime pie which has a bruleed top and comes with caramel sauce. I had a good experience from the few things that I tried. Environment was nice and my waiter was kind. read more

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Restaurant on the pier with beautiful views and fresh air. Not too busy on a Saturday afternoon, sat at the bar quick service fresh oysters and clam chowder was perfect with our rose wine. Reasonable pricing for the wine and soup but the oysters were overpriced in my opinion. This is a regular stop on our trips up to Santa Barbara. read more

Moby Dick Restaurant - Dragonette rose was really good we went to the winery after trying it. - American Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

This review is for the oyster bar located on Stearns Wharf and inside Moby Dick Restaurant. It's still fairly new and brings a bright updated open space with amazing ocean views and a fresh oyster bar. They offer a curated selection of seafood, craft cocktails, beer and local wines. On my visit, I started with a passion fruit margarita. Surprised? If you know you know! One of my favorites, although I will say that it was pretty expensive, and it will cost you $19. Ouch! This price is based on the location obviously and what most tourists will pay. Despite the price, I still enjoyed it. For food, I ordered the shrimp scampi. Definitely the right choice! The presentation was beyond my expectations and the portion was huge. The shrimp was succulent and full of flavor. It also comes with cilantro rice and garlic cheese bread. The perfect accompaniment to soak up the garlicky buttery juices. It wasn't busy on my visit, which was nice. Then again it was mid-week. The bartender said they tend to get busy later in the day and most weekends. Overall, my visit was pleasant and I could have stayed here all day just looking out at the beautiful ocean waters. A definite bookmark and worth the splurge! read more

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This used to be one of our favorite places to eat but this time was different. The prices were much higher than before. Our food took a long time and was cold when we got it. We sent it back and it was lukewarm when we got it. The food tasted good, it just wasn't hot. Service was good. They gave us a decent discount but even with that, the bill was over $100. Sadly, I don't think we'll be going back. read more

Our first visit here to Pier Santa Barbara. The beaches we normally go to were too cold so we drove a little further south to my mom's home town. We walked the pier and stopped here for a bite. The weather was perfect so we sat outside on the patio overlooking the ocean. The staff was very friendly and we didn't have to wait to be seated. Considering how busy it seemed in the parking lot, I was surprised at the speediness of getting seated and served. I wasnt super hungry so I got the Ahi Tartare and it was nice and refreshing. Perfectly green Has Avocado guacamole covered in beautiful tuna chunks served with kettle chips. We got the popcorn ship as an appetizer and I loved the batter! It was nice and crispy and had a good seasoning to it. The little shrimps were perfectly cooked as well. The popcorn shrimp is a must have. read more

Moby Dick Restaurant - View from outdoor seating - American Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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Great views, really enjoy their Happy Hour at the oyster bar. Franky is great! If your in town visiting a great place to get a feel for the town and catch dinner with a view of the harbor. read more

Moby Dick Restaurant - Happy Hour $1.50 Oysters!! - American Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

This is my second time visiting this restaurant and it was just as good as my first time! The fish is always fresh and soft, and the cilantro rice is cooked and seasoned very well. The lobster mac & cheese was a little lacking in portion and taste. Would always recommend their market specials for the entrée. The service is always fast and efficient but we always get sat by the ocean which is a stunning view. Definitely recommend this spot if you are looking for a great view and great food along the oceanside. read more

Moby Dick Restaurant - Lobster Mac and Cheese - American Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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Our server, Lee was amazing! She was so attentive and her attention to detail was amazing! Food was delicious and Lee gave great recommendations. View was perfect!! Definitely recommend !!! read more

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Firs time stopping in as I had family in town and they wanted to explore the wharf area. No wait when we arrived and we sat inside with a great view of the ocean and harbor! We had the sweetest waitress who chatted with us and answered all of our questions about the menu. Ordered the grilled fish tacos, grilled salmon, grilled halibut and wedge salad. Everything was pretty good! The tacos were a pretty small portion for the price but tasty. The cilantro lime rice was great and super flavorful. Nothing was super stand-out flavor wise but certainly nothing was bad! Will add this to my list of local places to take friends and family when visiting. read more

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My friend and I visited this seafood restaurant located on Stearns Wharf for lunch and had a great experience. We sat outside since the weather was nice facing the harbor and both tried their lunch option which was Salmon with a side of soups or salad. Their salmon was incredibly fresh and flavorful. The service was also good and our waiter was friendly. I definitely recommend this place and will be back if I am back in Santabarbara. read more

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Celebrating our 30 year anniversary at this place and it was ruined. We'd like to enjoy a cocktail before dinner took about 20 minutes for it to arrive at our table, it was undrinkable. So I ordered a margarita instead,while waiting for that to arrive, our dinner was served before I could even get my drink. I ordered the $35 lobster roll sandwich, they should've called it celery roll because it was awful. The margarita finally arrived, it was horrid! Trust me,this was the worst experience I have ever had in a restaurant in my life !! This is my first Yelp review ever, and I want people to know do not waste your money at this place. The location is beautiful and the restaurant looks lovely but the food and the service was the worst by far! read more

This place is located toward the end of Stearn's Wharf in Santa Barbara, CA. You may drive into this area - look for the parking booth and press button for ticket for arm to raise up. It's a wooden plank road so lots of little bumps. Restaurant is located on right side with a view of harbor fishing boats and lots of pelicans resting. We walked inside and it's a real salty dog atmosphere with wood and brass, comfy and fun, with lots of windows to see the view. We were seated around the side by a bar. Our server was Joseph, and he was just as sweet as can be. They have a specialty drink menu so I had to try the Bloody Mary which was like a mini meal lol with all the garnishes - shrimp, celery, blue cheese stuffed olives, bacon, lemon/lime and a rim of tajin! Joseph explained to me what it was and added a little kick. Hubby had a draft beer but their oyster menu was intriguing with all sorts of choices so he had to try a few. Nice to be able to order one and not an entire plate. Joseph explained what each one was and how prepared etc. This little pick-me-up was just right! Mahalo to Joseph, bartender and chef at Moby Dick's! We shall return read more

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Transparency: Late Review On our trip to Santa Barbara we stopped here for Lunch/Dinner. We went to "The Oyster Bar". We were seated in the patio which gave a pleasant view of the ocean. There is a glass wall that shields you from the elements when the wind picks up. The service was good, attentive, and accommodating. The Food: You don't go to an oyster bar and not have oysters, lol. They were excellent. There was a special at the time which brought them into more reasonable prices. We had the half dozen. They were fresh, and tasty. The other dishes included the halibut and the mussels. Both were fresh, with good presentation. read more

Moby Dick Restaurant - Half Dozen Oyster Sampler - American Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Stopped in on Thursday night for the tail end of their "Oyster Hour." Sat at the bar. Grabbed a couple blonde beers, a couple oysters and two sliders - all on the menu for their happy hour. Beers were great. Oysters were oysters, and the sliders were no where near worth their discounted price of $4 each. They had a great flavor but were just far too expensive for how small they were. The owner was there. My husband noticed him looking at bottles near us in the bar and commented to him that he looked like he owned the place. He replied, "Good guess." After the owner was gone, we listened to the manager behind the bar complaining to the bartender about his sore arm. We continuously watched this same manager grab quick pulls off the Michelob Ultra tap. Also watched him pour a glass of wine back into the bottle. At his last stop at the taps before we left (he probably stopped there 5 times that we saw), he glanced over his shoulder to make sure the owner was out of sight (he was preoccupied talking with a couple and walking them through part of the restaurant) before pouring himself another shot of beer and chugging it. This place has a lot of potential. Unfortunately this manager's shenanigans and unprofessional demeanor aren't helping. read more

Rice was good. Ordered the king Crab had rice and broccoli with a wonderful strawberry sorbet as dessert. The king crab was dry.and tasteless. The only thing that was good was the rice so for $149 just order the side of Rice and save your money. read more

Moby Dick is located at the Pier. I had a great halibut ceviche! The best! Hazy ipa also super cold and tasty. Actually had the same ipa few more places, but Moby Dick hazy ipa was the best. Great view from anywhere you sit. Watching a boat or two floating on the ocean is great. Friendly service. Nice bathroom. read more

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We stopped by Moby Dick when we trying to come to Santa Barbara Shellfish Company and the wait was too long. They seated us within 20 minutes at noon on a Sunday, which was pretty great! I ordered the steamer combo, which was mussels and clams in a white wine and garlic sauce, with a side of toasted bread. YUMM!! That was a pretty good deal to me and it tasted delicious. I did notice that all of our dishes had dill, including my dish and our garlic parsley Parmesan oysters. I'm not a fan of dill, so I wished it didn't include the dill. BUT, it was still delicious without! read more

Moby Dick Restaurant - Steamed Seafood Platter (Clams and Mussels) - American Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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Food was really good. Sitting on the patio looking over the ocean! Can't beat that. My drink was refreshing and the service was timely and non intrusive. read more

Moby Dick Restaurant - Lobster Macaroni and cheese - American Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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Great service from Everardo. Ask for him when you come to this spot. Solid food. Had clam chowder. fish and chip good stuff

We just had a team dinner at Moby Dick - our server was Marlen she was so attentive and made our whole groups evening! Even getting to know why we were in Santa Barbara - walking with World vision!! The crab cakes were light and cooked beautifully and clam chowder was very nicely done!! Would come back any time I'm back in town! read more

They use AI slop to advertise their food. They use AI slop to advertise their food. They use AI slop to advertise their food.

Frankie was great! We sat in the bar area with such a lovely view of the ocean. The calamari was perfectly crisp and served with a delicious lemon aoli. The surf and Turf was very good! Only thing is the lobster came still on the shell and my boyfriend didn't know how to resells lobster properly so that kinda took away from the experience and he lost a good amount of lobster to the shell. Great service and great food with a beautiful view would come back!! read more