Took my husband here for his birthday & date night with our baby in a stroller and they were really accommodating. They seated us outside facing the beach but at the end so we weren't too crowded by other tables. Everything we ate here was good but we HIGHLY recommend the Crazy Rich Asians rolls. So worth the market price. We might just make it a tradition to visit here every SB trip. read more

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Food: We ordered several sushi rolls, edamame, and the puffed rice butter lettuce salad. Food was amazing! I especially loved the salad, so refreshing! Service: poorer on this end unfortunately. We sat for 15 minutes with no one checking on us or providing water. I had to call for someone. And then one of our drinks was forgotten. And had to call over again to refill waters :/ Ambiance: it's nice especially if you get a table that has the water view. If I visit Santa Barbara again, I'd come back. read more

Nice views of the pier! Grabbed dinner with the wife on our way home from our honeymoon. We were craving sushi and this place right across from the beach was the perfect spot. They seated us fairly quickly, putting us at a table between the last guests and an upcoming reservation which was perfect for us. We started with some miso soup which was pretty good. The blistered shishito peppers not so much. When peppers burn their skin turns dark black and very flaky, not a very fun texture to chew on. Little bits of burnt pepper skin was getting stuck in our teeth and gums. We only ate a few and sent them away. We shared the salmon lollipops, basically a no rice salmon roll wrapped in cucumber with a stick in it so it looks like a lollipop. They were refreshing but not filling so make sure to order more if you get this. Katie got a Sunrise roll and I got the Crouching Tiger roll which were both really good. We also got a side of the garlic green beans which were fresh and very hot. Our server was very nice and we had a great experience overall here. Prices were reasonable also. read more

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I had planned to come here with a group of friends and family with young kids, but we had to pivot to takeout at the last minute because kids don't care what plans you have when they throw tantrums . The staff were friendly enough to allow us to get cocktails to-go in addition to some sashimi and rolls. Everything was very tasty--we will have to return and try everything in person next time! read more

Oku - Sushi Bars Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

My wife and I found ourselves in Santa Barbara this weekend to celebrate her 40th birthday and upon checking into the inn, we were quickly referred to Oku by the front desk manager. After we offloaded the truck, changed and relaxed for a bit, we headed out for a walk near the waterfront. We eventually made our way down to the beach and found ourselves at Oku. We approached the hostess stand and were greeted by two young ladies who pointed us towards the bar as we'd planned on just stopping by for a cocktail. We were immediately welcomed by Tommy who handed us two menus, set us up with a couple waters and asked if he could serve us a cocktail. I got the Oaxacan old fashioned and my wife got the Oku old fashioned. In addition to our drinks, we also ordered up some shishito peppers, hamachi sashimi, Toro nigiri as well as big eye tuna nigiri. Our drinks arrived quickly and as we sipped on them, our food arrived shortly thereafter. It was early afternoon and we had apparently beat the crowd which was great for us as the place quickly filled up after about half an hour. The shishitos were perfectly prepared and served with a sauce as well as tuna flake on top and made for a phenomenal starter. Shortly thereafter we tore into our sashimi and nigiri all of which was served well and tasted great. While eating our food, the place began filling up and Matt showed up to help man the bar. Despite getting very busy, Tommy and Matt remained attentive and made sure we were taken care of and had what we needed. We finished our cocktails and food, closed out and prepared for our departure, but I hope to come back tomorrow for some more amazing Japanese food and excellent cocktails from the crew here at Oku. Thanks for the hospitality, excellent cocktails and for welcoming us in! Tommy and Matt are both excellent additions to the team! Photos compliments of my wife since I take photos like a Neanderthal. read more

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My husband and I dined here for an early dinner with a reservation. I think after checking in it might've taken 5-10 minutes to be sat. Our server was really kind and on point with everything! Everything came out quickly. We ordered the otoro sushi, ikura sushi, rainbow roll, and two orders of the filet mignon. I have zero complaints about the sushi. It was incredibly delicious! I do think the filet mignon had beautiful plating, but it was very underwhelming, and didn't come out the requested way of cooking. I don't think I'd order that again, but we enjoyed our food overall. We chose to dine outside since it was a nice day and I thought that was pretty nice. We did bring our baby and had enough room with a high chair etc. we'd come back! read more

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Great rooftop overlooking the pier and ocean. Perfect for sunset dining. Love the ambiance and friendly waitstaff. Food is good, as most is in Santa Barbara. Ordered the Rising Sun cocktail, yellowtail carpaccio, and popcorn shrimp. Wish I could have tasted the different layers of the cocktail, but I think the yuzu overpowered the other flavors. Carpaccio and popcorn shrimp were good, but nothing special. read more

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I went here for lunch, they have indoor seating and an upstairs outdoor patio. I ordered the Mike Wazowski Roll & the Everybody Loves Raymond Roll. The Mike Wazowski Roll is made with yellowtail, asparagus, shrimp tempura, avocado, & topped with "Big Eye" tuna- I love shrimp tempura in a roll & their yuzu wasabi aioli was a great flavorful sauce on top. The Everybody Loves Raymond Roll is made with salmon, tempura shrimp, avocado, spicy tuna poke, micro greens, red onions & an eel sauce / miso yuzu aioli- the eel sauce makes it sweet. The rolls were delicious & the restaurant is right across from the beach so you get a nice view with your meal. read more

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Love the vibe of Oku, they played great music and the outdoor patio is practically all covered so it wasn't even very cold at night! The food was also pretty good! The crouching tiger roll was good, some friends tried the short ribs which were yummy, and a ramen that was good. The cocktails were alright, the lychee martini was pretty thick for whatever reason and there was user error on my friends part when she got the red lily--it is a lot more floral than she thought it would be. Almost soapy. Service was fairly decent, our server was really nice but he must of gotten super busy and maybe accidentally rang things in at the wrong times? It was a Saturday night so we understand it's busy. we got the short ribs and a sushi roll before our appetizers, only 2/3 of us got miso soups when asked and it just felt sorta scrambled. He did try to explain some of the errors but felt more like miscommunication with the runners/kitchen. Our apps came dead last out of everything surprisingly. he was really nice with recommendations and fixing up my sushi roll in a way I'd like, so it didn't bother us too much. He also brought out a bday dessert for my friend which was so sweet! Would go again read more

Oku - Crouching tiger roll - Sushi Bars Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Perfect place to eat at for my birthday! I was glad to eat outdoors on such a gorgeous day. I ordered a cold sake, tuna on crispy rice, yellow tail nigiri, smelt egg, sweet shrimp, and the everyone loves Raymond roll. I ate it all up! So fresh. Great waiter he was very attentive and friendly. Would absolutely come back! read more

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This is still such a fun place for group dining along Cabrillo Blvd, on the inside, or on the upstairs patio overlooking the Harbor (perfect on a sunny day, and even better with the amazing sunsets). And even when dining alone, sitting at the downstairs Bar is always a fun experience. Thanks to our bartender/server REN and the Oku staff for always taking good care of us. A delicious dinner always starts with the Lollipops of Salmon, Sashimi Tacos, and Garlic Noodles with Pork Belly. Favorite rolls continue to be the Mike Wazowski, Everybody Loves Raymond, Crazy Rich Asians, and the 805 Roll. And for drinks they still have an incredible selection of Tequila and Mezcal Cocktails, Japanese Whiskey, Sake, and always a nice wine selection. My current favorite is a German Riesling, Urban, and it pairs nicely with pretty much everything. Highly recommend making reservations, but walk in seating at the Bar can always be nice. read more

I recommend Oku Sushi to guests at my hotel all the time, so I finally made it in for dinner the other night and I'm happy to say it absolutely lived up to the recommendation. The sushi was right on par across the board. Everything tasted fresh, the flavors were balanced, and the rolls were rolled tight and done well, which I always notice. They were also great about listening to what we wanted, answering questions, and making thoughtful suggestions. My standout was the spider roll, it was perfect. The soft shell crab was cooked exactly right, crispy without being heavy, and the whole roll just came together really well. Easily my favorite of the night. We also wanted sake but weren't totally sure what direction to go in, and our waitress was phenomenal. She asked the right questions, explained her recommendations in a way that made sense, and ended up steering us toward something we really loved. That kind of service makes a big difference. The vibe is great too, modern, a little hip, fun energy. There are a few different seating options, including an outdoor patio, main dining area, a smaller side space, plus both a bar and sushi bar, which I always appreciate. Overall, this is a spot I'll continue to recommend and definitely come back to myself. read more

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The Hamachi Kama was AMAZING! Almost everything else we tried was just ok. The salmon lollipops tasted like only cucumber. The nigiri was pretty good and the one roll we tried was also good. If we go back, I'd stick to the hamachi Kama, some fun rolls, and try some more of the hot dishes. Lychee martini was also very good. read more

Oku is one of those restaurants that manages to feel polished without losing approachability, and after this visit it makes sense why it stays consistently busy. The atmosphere is lively but comfortable, and the service struck that ideal balance of attentive and relaxed that lets you settle in and enjoy the meal at your own pace. What impressed me most was that the kitchen holds its own beyond the sushi bar. The flat iron steak was cooked beautifully with a nice char and deep savory flavor, served over bok choy and fried rice that made the dish feel intentional rather than just a token non seafood option. The firecracker shrimp tempura was crisp and light, not greasy, and the tamarind dipping sauce added a bright sweet tang that kept the dish interesting from start to finish. Nigiri quality was consistently strong. We tried sweet shrimp, monkfish liver, Santa Barbara uni, toro, scallop, and tamago, and each piece tasted clean and fresh with well balanced rice and thoughtful portions. Nothing felt heavy handed. Just solid execution that lets good ingredients shine. Cocktails added a fun layer to the experience. The Oku POG arriving in a lucky cat cup was playful without feeling gimmicky. Oku feels like a place that understands its audience. You can come for a sushi focused dinner, a group night out, or even with someone who does not eat seafood and everyone leaves happy. Strong fundamentals, thoughtful touches, and genuinely welcoming service make this an easy repeat visit. read more

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The service was excellent! The patio is well heated, and you can go with just a t shirt in February. The food was mostly good. The lollipops were a little underwhelming, but the flavors on the Everybody Loves Raymond Roll and the spicy scallop roll were great. The hamachi collar also had a lot of meat and crispy skin. read more

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We tried this place for the first time today and we were first attracted to the happy hour from 4-6pm! The drinks were fantastic.. we began with two gin hibiscus martinis then I asked for a cosmo and Spencer made it perfectly! Honestly it's hard to find a good cosmo! I've asked for light pink and some places still make red cosmos.. gross. So I am writing this review to say Spencer makes a fantastic cosmo! We loved our sushi it was super fresh. We had off of happy hour the Cali roll and shrimp tempura roll both amazing! And the Everyone loves Raymond roll from the regular menu. I think we will come back here first whenever we visit SB now! We loved FisHouse but this has definitely taken over that "favorites" slot (it's right next door!) so we will come here now! It wasn't very busy but again it was around 50pm we visited so I'd say the ambiance is cute and on the quieter level.. there is an upstairs and we may visit upstairs next time! read more

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I brought my partner here for his birthday and the vegan sushi was so lifechanging we ordered seconds. The mushroom one had truffle oil and was so tender. Asparagus filling had the perfect crunch. The vegetable one I imagine is roasted bell peppers but I am unsure. Reservations are a must. We got roof top seating and it was packed. Our server disappear for minutes at a time but that gave us a lot of uninterrupted conversation on the bright side. They surprised us with sorbet for his birthday. It was so sweet of them. Silky with bites of frozen berries. The mint on the icy treat was so refreshing. We would come back. read more

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Came here for our anniversary dinner! The service was quick and attentive. We had a reservation for two and were sat down quickly with a wonderful view on the rooftop. The server was kind & knowledgeable about their menu. He helped us choose the right rolls to have a great dinner! I highly suggest making reservations as it does get very busy for dinner! read more

Oku - Spicy Yellowtail box roll - Sushi Bars Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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10/10. Our Favorite Meal in Santa Barbara! If you're looking for amazing sushi in Santa Barbara, stop searching and go to Sushi House! We walked in on the 4th of July expecting a long wait, but were seated immediately. Being literally across the street from the ocean made the experience even better. Our waitress, Wren, was fantastic! She recommended the seared yellowtail roll, and it ended up being one of the best sushi rolls we've ever had. The fish was incredibly fresh and the caviar on top added a beautiful pop of color along with a fun burst of texture that took it to another level. We also ordered the salmon sashimi that came on top of a bowl made with rice noodles and fresh greens. The slices of fish were huge, incredibly fresh, and absolutely melted in our mouths. Every bite tasted like the ocean in the best possible way. We had the Everybody Loves Raymond salmon roll and the rice was perfect and fresh and the seaweed wrap gave a perfect chew! The biggest surprise of the night was the edamame. The sauce they use is, without exaggeration, the best we've ever tasted. We started dipping everything into it because it was just that good. I wish they sold bottles of it! We finished with the shrimp fried rice. The portion was perfect for two people to share with sushi. It was flavorful and delicious, although a little heavy on the onions. Between the incredibly fresh fish, beautiful presentation, outstanding service from Wren, the unbeatable location across from the beach, and the fact that we walked right in on one of the busiest holidays of the year, this was easily the highlight of our trip to Santa Barbara. Plus the prices were actually reasonable for location and quality! We'll definitely be back. Highly recommend! read more

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Great lunch, with a wonderful view! The hostess was kind, friendly and took us to our seats quickly (which was nice because we did not have a reservation and just popped in after some wine tasting). Our server was great! She was talkative, informative, and very friendly. She brought out everything with a smile, and all of our food was served very quickly (even though they were pretty busy). We ordered: Way of the Dragon Roll (yummy! Very good!) Firecracker Shrimp (tasted pretty good, wish they were a bit crunchier, and that the shrimp themselves were more flavorful- the sauce was great!) Spicy Shrimp Fired Rice- ORDER THIS! It was delicious! Miso soup- it was flavorful, had a deep umami taste, interesting ingredients. Definitely want to come again- all of the plates being served around us looked amazing. read more

always a must when we visit Santa Barbara. The XO noodles are my go to. Service was great and they were stroller friendly!

Looking for a dirty tini? Cum here. Spicy tuna hand roll... yum. Lollipop sauce is ehhhhh. read more

Oku - Dirty martini - Sushi Bars Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

I'm in the middle about oku! This restaurant came highly recommended while adventuring in Santa Barbara. As far as ambiance, the restaurant was beautiful with amazing views of the beach, right off the street. The food was hit or miss for us. The sushi was okay. I ordered the smothered beef and veggies, the wings for an appetizer and the mocktails were definitely a hit. I thought the wings were crispy and the sauce was delicious. The smothered beef dish was a 3/5 - I can't pinpoint what was needed but it was missing something. The service was great - I appreciate that they sought to get us a table with a view outside in the midst of a busy time. read more

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Had a phenomenal first experience dining here for my boyfriend's birthday. Jamie's service was exceptional and personable, which made for a lovely birthday dinner. Loved the ambiance and pink lighting, though next time we'll try for an upstairs balcony seat;) We ordered the Saigon wings, garlic noodles, Everybody loves Raymond, and the crouching tiger. Also the scorpion shell .We will be back! read more

I mean... it's ok, but it's not 4.5 stars... The cauliflowers and the Brussel sprouts were great, but the nigiri sushi... fresh enough but were meh at best... normally I'd be fine with it but this is Santa Barbara... where you're supposed to get some of the best seafood! Well... I definitely didn't feel like I got better seafood than I would have in say... San Bernardino. Service was fine, food wasn't horrible overall but... definitely nowhere near a 4.5. read more

Oku has one of the best locations in Santa Barbara -- right by the water with gorgeous ocean views, especially at sunset from the upper balcony. It's the kind of spot you go to more for the atmosphere than the food. The sushi was decent but not particularly memorable, and for a waterfront restaurant, I was expecting a bit more freshness and creativity. Service was solid and attentive, but overall, the experience felt more average than exceptional. Still, if you're looking for a scenic place to grab drinks and enjoy the view, Oku delivers on that front. For standout sushi, though, there are better options in town. read more

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Andreina was our server and provided outstanding service from start to finish warm, attentive, and genuinely hospitable. She made the entire experience feel elevated and personal. The sushi was some of the best we've had in Santa Barbara fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. The ocean view from the second floor made it even more special. What really stood out was Andreina offering my girlfriend a blanket to keep her warm such a thoughtful touch that you don't see often these days. We'll definitely be recommending this spot and coming back with friends. Highly recommend! -Ian Lantz read more

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Japanese/sushi restaurant right across the street from a beautiful view of the wharf and beach with a second floor patio to enhance the views. We came in the late afternoon and it was still a little sunny and too warm in the sun to enjoy it, but at night with the stringed lights out there I imagine it's a beautiful place to have a drink and a bite. My friend and I had the lychee martini, garlic mushroom noodles, crouching tiger roll, and the spicy Korean cauliflower. The noodles were a bit starchy but flavor was excellent . The crouching tiger was okay but didn't taste really fresh to me. The cauliflower had a spicy gochujang flavor but not enough sauce IMO. For me I would have preferred something sweet to balance the spicy. I imagine because it was a tempura batter and not something heavier it didn't cover the cauliflower taste enough for me . Service was ok. We were checked on and water was filled, but kind of got a snotty reaction when I asked for some extra sauce for the cauliflower. All in all for the price we paid for small portions was a little much for the enjoyment of the food. The views are killer though. read more

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I had a wonderful experience at this sushi restaurant! The food was absolutely delicious--everything was fresh, flavorful, and clearly made with high-quality ingredients. You can really taste the difference. Our server was incredibly friendly and attentive, paying close attention to every detail and making sure we had everything we needed. The ambiance was fun and upbeat, creating the perfect atmosphere for a great night out. I'll definitely be coming back! read more

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such a great experience we came for our three-year anniversary dinner and all the food was super super great. Our favorite rolls for the everybody loves Raymond and 805. Peter, our server was kind enough to bring us a little anniversary treat at the end and was so thoughtful throughout the whole experience. 10 out of 10 recommend this place. Definitely try and sit on the upper deck patio gorgeous view and plenty of heaters. read more

Oku - Sushi Bars Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

What an amazing family lunch we had on Sunday!! The service was incredible especially accommodating us with a stroller. We were seated right away at opening time on Sunday. The waiters and waitresses were a delight and lovely. The short rib was SOOOO SOFT and the flavor was incredible. We also got the chicken wings which were soo tasty. We did get a few sushi rolls that were eaten too quickly they were all so fresh. I specifically enjoyed the soft shell crab roll. The restaurant itself is super cute, bathrooms were clean. The view is amazing too! The pier is just across the road so great to have a little walk around. Valet is free if you eat at the restaurant! read more

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If I could give Oku more than 5 stars, I absolutely would! We've been to so many sushi restaurants, and the way Oku handles food allergies is truly outstanding. From the moment we walked in until the moment we left, the service was kind, attentive, and professional. The location is a huge bonus -- right by the ocean. With a reservation, you can snag an outdoor table with a beautiful view, which makes the whole experience even more special. Now, the food... wow. We kept ordering different dishes, and every single bite was fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. (Check out my pictures to see everything we tried!) I honestly don't have a single negative thing to say. Our absolute favorite was the "Crazy Rich Asians" roll -- definitely worth the splurge. Oku has earned a top spot on our list, and we can't wait to go back! read more

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Great staff especially our server Jaime who checked on us often and made sure we were taken care of. Plenty of indoor and outdoor seating but I recommend indoors if you don't want to see car traffic while you eat. Gets a little loud but great for large parties. Fish was very fresh and delicious. I recommend the sashimi over everything else. It was presented well and the wasabi was delicious. None of that packaged wasabi from the grocery store. Mushroom roll was very light and mushroom forward. Pretty healthy and mayo-free! Matcha mocktail was interesting but I think I'll stick to tea next time. Definitely recommend for anyone wanting some fresh sushi near the beach. read more

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Service: disappointed. The staff who led the way to our seats was very careless and just throw the menus on the table and took off. The staff who served our table is relatively welcoming even though it was the dinner peak time, but she introduced menu to other customers beside us which makes us quite unattended. Food: Kudo to the chef! From appetizer to sushi rolls, the flavors are so balanced and phenomenal! The Lava Roll is the right amount of spiciness (though we're told it's a 8.5/10 spicy level, for Asian it's piece of cake haha). The 805 Roll is on the sweet side and the shiso definitely brings out the freshness. Ambiance: sadly the rooftop has a larger party so we weren't able to get a seat, but the ambiance is pretty nice and chill. read more

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The food and cocktails are great. The location is amazing and has great views. The staff....kind of stuck up and not really accommodating. My wife and I came in and asked to sit at a different table and were told it's only for 4 people. We were given the option to sit in glaring sun, or in the middle of a bunch of cramped tables. There was one other party on the patio when we were seating and everything else was wide open. I understood that it may get busy, but by the time they may have needed that 4 person table, we would've been gone....as proven by the fact that by the time we left there were only two other parties that had joined the patio seating. In addition, the tables they said were 2 or 4 people were the same size, but just with less/more chairs. Would've been an easy request to accommodate but there was zero consideration given even when we asked twice. read more

Low stars because I sincerely do not understand what the other reviews are talking about regarding service. Their service is TERRIBLE. I do not know if it is an off day but good luck calling them trying to order take out/to go via phone call. I called 5 times, zero answers. I know they will say they are "busy" but I was attempting to call at about 740pm. When I went to the location, they were just sitting and waiting for customers. Mike Wazowski roll ($22) - don't know if it's more expensive due to it's name - moderately sliced tuna on top - not freshly fried Crouching Tiger roll ($20) - tastes better than the Mike roll - thinly sliced salmon - sadly the imitation crab is what brought it together - nice crisp Disappointments: - itty bitty wasabi that was mixed with the mike roll (needs better take out packaging and stop being cheap especially of the price) - the hostess looked at me as if I was an idiot I appreciate: - well seasoned ginger... not too spicy and not pink - provided 3 different types (OG, low sodium and gluten free) of the same brand name shoyu packets AMBIENCE - dark - lots of people dressed um very formally and very risqué - huge bar - upstairs and downstairs (better to reserve if you want upstairs and an ocean view) LOCATION AND PARKING - in the heart of Santa Barbara - directly across the pier and ocean - complicated parking... able to find parallel/street parking for free blocks away - valet parking is available but seeing how they parked, I pass. Will I come back? No. Tired of rudeness and their rolls did not blow me away. read more

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So happy we found this little jewel on the Santa Barbara coast. It's got great food, a fabulous view, and comfortable atmosphere. The patio is comfortable, but the traffic makes it a little noisy. We will return for more great food. read more

Enjoyed lunch here on the rooftop on a beautiful Sunday afternoon and it was a lovely experience. The weather was great, the food was delicious, my lychee martini was incredibly tasty, and I purchased a cute little lucky cat mug to take home to remember my experience. The food was incredible and I got all of my favorites which include Japanese scallops, Masago, Tobiko, and a deliciously incredible snow, crab hand roll that was exactly what I was hoping for and so much more. Highly recommend this spot and will absolutely be back again!! read more

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MOST of the time us Yelpers being our reviews with our experience with the food. On this occasion I want to start by commending the STAFF at Okun.Their attention to customer service is unmatchable. From the moment we walked in our server welcomed us with a big HONEST smile! (in the world of customer service a SMILE is worth mentioning) Our server, was attentive, relatable, knowledgeable, fast, accurate, PRESENTABLE, engaging ... the list is endless! If you take a moment to view my photos, the pictures reflect more than words can say. As we devour all our food, leaving empty plates, as each item we feasted on tasted to perfection. The restaurnat faces the beach, it is clean, modern and meticulously curated representing an upscale sushi restaurant. Looking forward to my next visit to Santa Barbara, Oku is a favorite!! read more

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Came here for dinner and it was a cute spot right by the water. We sat inside but next time would choose to sit outside so we can see the view better. We got the spicy fried rice and yakisoba both made vegetarian and they were good but lacked a little spice and flavor for me. Once we added some chili oil and sriracha it was much better. Also tried the rainbow sushi roll which was pretty solid. And we got the gochujang cauliflower which we really liked. Overall the food was okay but the ambiance and location is really great! read more

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