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Santa Barbara Shellfish Company

4.0 (3.3k reviews)
Open • 11:00 am - 9:00 pm

Santa Barbara Shellfish Company Photos

SANTA BARBARA SHELLFISH COMPANY ATMOSPHERE

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

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Recommended Reviews - Santa Barbara Shellfish Company

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Calamari & Onion Rings
Vivian A.

We decided to hop on the Amtrak into Santa Barbara one day with absolutely NO game plan. Sometimes those are the best kinds of adventures, right?! We figured we'd stroll down the pier, take in the views, and see where the day took us. We hit the end of the pier and we noticed some seriously delicious-looking seafood plates coming out of this little window. And then the SMELL hit us. Oh my goodness! We couldn't resist! Next thing you know, we had plopped ourselves down at a picnic table, ready to get our seafood fix. LET THE GAMES BEGIN! WHAT WE SWALLOWED: *FRIED CALAMARI: This is our go-to fried seafood dish, and it did NOT disappoint! They offer a variety of fried seafood, but the kids only had eyes for the calamari. LOL! Perfectly crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and not the least bit rubbery or chewy. Just delicious, flavorful bites of fried goodness. *GARLIC OYSTERS: THESE. RIGHT. HERE. These were the reason we stopped in the first place! We caught a whiff of something absolutely heavenly while walking by and had to ask what it was. Turns out it was the garlic oysters, and you better believe we ordered ourselves a plate! That garlicky goodness was everything we hoped it would be and MORE. SO worth stopping for! *LOBSTER ROLL: Oh, be still my seafood-loving heart! I ordered this on our second visit after realizing that, as much as I'd LOVE to devour an entire rock crab by myself, my stomach just wasn't up for the challenge. LOL! So I went with the lobster roll, and WOW. Melt-in-your-mouth delicious! Every bite was pure lobster goodness, and I was one happy camper. I would order this again in a HEARTBEAT! *ROCK CRAB: If I could eat this whole thing by myself, trust me, I WOULD! But realistically, it's the perfect dish to share. Sweet, tender crab meat with that buttery goodness that just melts in your mouth. A little messy? Sure. Worth every bit of effort getting that delicious meat out? ABSOLUTELY! *ONION RINGS: Because apparently all that seafood wasn't enough, we had to throw in some onion rings! LOL! And these were some of the CRISPIEST onion rings we've had. Crunchy, golden, and downright addicting. The perfect side to round out our seafood feast! *CIOPPINO: My pops ordered this on our first visit, and let me tell you, he wasn't sharing with ANYONE! LOL! That's how good it was. When we came back the second time and he ordered it again, we gave him such a hard time about not sharing that he finally let us have a taste. And now I know WHY he was hoarding it! The broth was absolutely ON POINT, rich, flavorful, and teeming with delicious seafood. Even my daughter, who's pretty picky about which seafood she'll eat, couldn't resist dipping the bread into that amazing broth. That alone says a LOT! Santa Barbara Shellfish Company has officially become one of our FAVORITE stops whenever we're in town! There's just something about sitting at a picnic table on the pier, digging into some seriously delicious seafood, and enjoying those gorgeous Santa Barbara views. No fancy frills needed when the food is THIS good! Between those heavenly garlic oysters, my pops' apparently top-secret cioppino, and that lobster roll I could happily eat EVERY SINGLE DAY, this place has won us over. If you're craving fresh, delicious seafood with a side of ocean views, this is definitely the spot! And yes, I'll be dreaming about that lobster roll until our next visit. LOL!

Bread Bowl Chowder
Catthy H.

We arrived at Santa Barbara Shellfish Company around noon on a Sunday and waited roughly 15 minutes to be seated outside. The location is definitely part of the experience since you're right on Stearns Wharf with a great view of the water. Parking is also surprisingly convenient. You can drive directly onto the wharf, and the first 90 minutes are free. We arrived around 11:45 am and found a spot pretty easily, but by the time we left around 1:30 pm, it was packed and we saw cars circling around waiting for spots. I'd definitely keep that in mind if you're coming later on a weekend. We ordered the Bread Bowl Chowder, Clam Linguini, and Lobster Roll. The chowder was fine, and I appreciated that they were actually pretty generous with the clams, but neither the chowder nor the bread bowl itself was particularly memorable to me. The Clam Linguini was extremely rich and buttery, almost to the point where it became difficult for me to keep eating. I usually associate clam pasta with something a little lighter, so this caught me off guard. If you prefer heavier, creamier pastas, you may enjoy it more than I did. The Lobster Roll was packed with lobster, which I definitely appreciated, especially for the price. Unfortunately, the bun was toasted too much for my preference and ended up being overly crunchy. The onion rings on the side were fine but nothing particularly memorable. The staff was friendly throughout our meal and also quickly noticed and took care of some water that started dripping near our table, which I appreciated. Overall, I think the location and experience of eating seafood right on the wharf are fun, but I found the food a little underwhelming for the price. There were things I liked about each dish, especially how generous they were with the seafood, but nothing we tried really stood out enough that I'd go out of my way to come back.

Jessica T.

We had a great time here despite the long wait time. The food was fresh and delicious. The service was excellent, and we enjoyed sitting outside with a beautiful view. Definitely would come back.

Steamed Crab--delish!
Eunhae H.

There's a reason why this place has over 3k reviews on Yelp--the food is so delicious, the ocean view is beautiful, and service is exceptional! After visiting the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Sea Center, we serendipitously came across the Santa Barbara Shellfish Company. We started off with their Cup Chowder, which there were nice bits of bacon in their creamy clam chowder. We also ordered the SB Shrimp Cocktail and half dozen of oysters. All the appetizers were solid. The star of the show was definitely the main course. We ordered the Lobster Roll, Uni, and the Rock Crab Special. My favorite was the Rock Crab Special. The meat was sweet and tender. Another favorite was the Uni, which I believe this place is known for. The uni was very fresh and served on 6 raw scallop and lime wheels. Because this dish was an absolute showstopper, other diners actually stopped by our table to ask if we recommended ordering it--and, of course, our answer was a definitive yes! It was so beautifully presented and just as delicious as it looked. The Lobster Roll was good but it didn't stand out as the other two dishes. It was packed with Maine lobster tossed with celery, capers, chives, mayo and butter in a toasted hoagie roll. It was served with coleslaw and nicely battered onion rings. What really made this dining experience so memorable was the beautiful ocean view. We had just the right amount of sunshine, a cool breeze, and great food to top it all off. It really doesn't get much better than that!

Uni shooter - generous with Uni!
Bom Q.

Jennifer, our server, is the epitome and benchmark of a server. Sets the tone, the expectation, and the experience of pleasure dining. It definitely helps with the quality of food that we had. Our hostess Maleah said it was a 40 minute wait but lucky for us things cleared up and we were seated after 20min. For a fully packed restaurant, our server Jennifer provided us with a great meal experience. The Kitchen obviously prepared the food in such a way that it gave us time to enjoy each dish and when we were ready, the next dish was available. I don't know how they do that but it was just perfect. Enjoy Fellow Yelpers!

Uni
Joaquina F.

The food was so delicious and well worth the hour wait on the weekend. Our server was nice, however service was a little slow as it was so busy. There were dogs outdoors, lots of families and great weather. Would definitely go back.

Lobster roll
Elisa H.

This restaurant is located at the end of the pier in Santa Barbara. I saw that they had great reviews so we stopped by on our way to Monterrey. They interior is quite small but they have a nice outdoor seating area that overlooks the ocean so we opted to sit outside. It was a beautiful day! We ordered the coconut shrimp, lobster roll, clam linguini, and half a dozen oysters. I forget which of the oysters we ordered, but they were both medium size and deliciously fresh. The other entrees were all delicious. Clam meat were fat and juicy and the lobster roll had huge chunks of lobster meat in it. Really fresh and delicious. Our server was a friendly lady that gave great recommendations. She gave us recommendations on our drive to Monterrey as well. Lovely experience dining here.

Crab Cakes
Lisa Y.

I wanted the Santa Barbara seafood experience, so we decided to have lunch at Santa Barbara Shellfish Company on the pier. There was a bit of a wait on a weekend lunch, but we were eventually seated on their outside deck right over the water. They have some umbrellas for shade, and you can enjoy the view of the ocean from here. They also have indoor seating, but I think the outside area is generally more enjoyable. We ordered the Garlic Baked Clams to start. An order comes with six Littleneck Clams topped with garlic, breadcrumbs, and parmesan cheese with some extra cheese and some lemon wedges on the side. These were pretty good! We also got a Crab Cakes entree that came with chipotle aioli, coleslaw, and two large onion rings. The crab cakes were good overall, and I enjoyed having some onion rings on the side. But the main reason I wanted to come here was to get their Uni with Raw Scallops! An order comes with six pieces on top of a raw scallop on a slice of lime. They also garnish the plate with the live uni itself. It's so fresh, it's literally still moving on your plate. The uni had a little sweetness and wasn't too bitter. It paired nicely with the scallops! The only downside of this place is there are a handful of pigeons that hang around on the pier walking around looking for food scraps on the floor. You can tell they're pretty used to people because they'll come right up to you and walk under your table and chair. A little bothersome, but it's not too bad. Lastly, there's only one bathroom inside, so the line can get super long. Just a head's up!

Uni special
Daniel L.

This place is good, albeit with eye watering prices. Every dish could be more palatable if it was cheaper by $7-10. Mark Weins must've spent $300 on himself when he did his vlogging here. Highlights: - Uni special, you know it's fresh when the spiny's are still moving - Clam chowder bread bowl, tons of clam in each bite - Onion rings, panko breaded made it one of the best rings I've had - Steamed clams, broth it was steamed in super garlicky and dleesh Tip: park closer to where you enter and enjoy the short walk to the end of Stearns Wharf so you don't get gridlocked

Uni Special
David M.

Santa Barbara Shellfish Company is well worth the wait. There was a line outside when I arrived, but I chose to sit inside at the bar, which turned out to be a great decision. The uni had arrived fresh that morning, so I ordered the uni special featuring sea urchin over scallops. It was incredibly fresh, sweet, and beautifully showcased the quality of the seafood. Sometimes the simplest preparations are the best. The casual waterfront setting and ultra fresh seafood make this a must visit when you're in Santa Barbara. I'll definitely be back.

Lobster roll and fried seafood platter
Rose C.

Food: got both the lobster bisque and clam chowder, the clam chowder was room temperature... -coconut shrimp was the best dish but could have used more sauce for the amount of shrimp served -lobster roll was served in a toasted bread that did not compliment the lobster mix -fried seafood platter was mediocre Service: our waiter was attentive, we accidentally left our dog water bottle behind and one of the staff ran after us which was greatly appreciated Ambiance: we sat outside with our dogs, its laid back and we were warned it would be windy

Uni
Kathy X.

Had to get the famous Uni, and I'm so glad I did! It comes super fresh, and the shell moving on the plate proves how fresh the uni really is! The uni is sweet, creamy, and briny, which I absolutely love. And the scallop underneath is creamy as well! Such a nice refreshing little bite! They have a takeout window on the side, if you don't want to wait for a seat inside the restaurant.

Bowl Bisque ($11.99)  01-18-2026
Alana M.

I had been wanting to try this place out for years! When hubby & I came to dine here in 2020, the line was insane and the wait was super long. We decided to eat next door, which was sort of a mistake. Luckily, in Jan. 2026, we were able to grab seats at the counter inside. We got to watch the dishes being prepared a la minute! What a treat! They were busy, but each person knew what they were doing and they worked efficiently! Our primary objective was for me to taste a Santa Barbara Uni (Sea Urchin) while IN Santa Barbara! I've had lots of live S.B. Uni at restaurants in the Los Angeles area. We placed an order for the Uni. There were 6 pieces, served over a piece of scallop and placed on a slice of lime. Pretty yet simple presentation! I had to first sample an Uni all by itself. So rich and delicious! Then I ate the bit of scallop by itself as well. So good! I ate the rest of them as served. Loved them! We also got Lobster Bisque, Crab Cakes, and Lobster Tacos to share. Everything was good! Worth the trip to S.B. to eat here! There's usually a ton of people waiting outside. If you have the time and patience, you should eat here at least once!

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Santa Barbara Shellfish Company Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Santa Barbara Shellfish Company

Do they serve the large crab?

Yes I believe they have king crab unless they sell out

Are they dog friendly?

100 percent

Do they have a Happy Hour?

My husband does not eat seafood. Is there any other options?

Yes. Fish and other items available

Do they take reservations? If not, how busy are Sundays for lunch?

They do not take reservations. First come first served. Best to be there when the first open to guarantee quick seating outside. Although we love sitting inside, very comfy cozy, either at the bar or along the windows.

Is dog allowed?

Yes, outside seating allows dogs.

Does this restaurant have a kids menu?

We went a couple months ago and they did not. Our kids ate from what we ordered.

I see no reservations are accepted. Is this an ideal place for a party of approximately 50 pax?

No, but you could call or go down there and talk to them. 50 is not a dinner, that is a party. It is small. Any place you go would want a heads up with that many.

Do you guys have a bar with a TV?

No tv. Very small and funky (but cool) interior eating area. Just half a dozen stools at a bar that overlooks open kitchen. Another half dozen chairs and small bar for eating along one wall. Outdoor tables (maybe 4) for dining. Worth the squeeze to… 

Will you be open on Thanksgiving day for lunch?

Do they take reservations?

Waiting list hanging outside front door. Sign up as wait is usually not more than 10-15 min.

Can we take dog with us?

Yes, dogs are welcome on the patio.

How is The Santa Barbara bridge?

Great condition

Is this place open for July 4th?

Yes!

Dog friendly for outside sitting area?

Yes, I have seen people with dogs on the patio area.

How much is crab right now?

Due to shortage of crab, starts around $30 lb. And up.

Does your clam chowder include bacon?

No bacon, just clams and potatoes.

Will Uni be available on Monday, Nov. 29th?

They have a live tank in the restaurant with sea urchin there. They reach in and open it there. I think most likely they'll have it, but it may depend on their daily catch/sources. You may want to call day-of to make sure.

Do you have live uni?

Yes. Today's platter had 6 pieces served over raw scallops with lime.

Are they still open for business? The posted number for them is not working.

Yes I think so. I was there for lunch on Tuesday, June 15th and they were very busy.

View All 45 Questions

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Great selection of beer at a fun location on State St! We ordered a flight, a sour beer, and tater…read moretots. We love that the brewery opens out onto the street, makes for fun people watching!

Extremely bizarre confrontational customer-service experience…read more Came in around 5 PM with my wife and dog for Yankees-Red Sox. Everything was great for the first couple hours until around 7:45 PM. I brought my two-hour-old glass up for another Mexican lager and said, "I brought my glass up so you guys don't have to waste another glass, here you go brotha." The employee that just clocked in, Aaron, responded, "Of course I'm gonna use your glass, what else am I supposed to do?" He then stared at me and said, "do you expect me to give your dirty glass to someone else?" I explained I was only offering because I had seen fresh glasses being used earlier for other customers . He gave me the beer and said, "Go ahead and take this glass exactly where you were sitting" with a smug smile He continued staring at me from behind the bar after I sat down. Completely baffled, I finally asked across the bar, "What's the issue, man? You're still staring at me. I'm just sitting here with my wife. Are you drunk on the job? That's the only explanation. What's your issue?" Another employee wearing a Red Sox hat also appeared to repeatedly take shots of beer directly from the tap. I believe Aaron was as well cause his eyes were squinty a bit, but I can't confirm..Will only say facts I can replicate. I only had two drinks over 3 hours and wasn't intoxicated, celebrating anniversary with my wife. I've never experienced customer service this bizarre anywhere. If you're considering coming here, I'd seriously reconsider. A completely unnecessary interaction ruined what had otherwise been a great night. Multiple breweries in the area, go elsewhere.

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Back / game area facing parking lot

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Santa Barbara Shellfish Company - seafood - Updated October 2026

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