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    Shang Hai

    4.5 (308 reviews)
    ModerateChinese, Vegetarian, Poke
    Open 11:30 am - 2:30 pm, 4:30 PM - 8:30 PM
    Updated 3 months ago

    Shang Hai Photos

    SHANG HAI ATMOSPHERE

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

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    Recommended Reviews - Shang Hai

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    Reviews With Photos

    Adrienne O.

    Can't get enough of our favorite Chinese comfort food as well as Bao & dumplings! Service is always so warm welcoming and on point! Love this cozy eatery, definitely giving home vibes! Shout out to Dani the owner and head chef!

    Pork Egg foo Young
    Tom H.

    I love this place!! Absolutely the best Chinese food in the county! This time I tried the Mu Shu Chicken and it was fantastic! My buddy got the Pork Egg Foo Young. My friend says it is the best he has ever had. Nice big helpings too! Quick service and very reasonably priced, which we all need in these expensive times! Dani is an absolute delight too! My favorite restaurant in Santa Barbara, I highly recommend this awesome restaurant.

    Mango tea

    Best atmosphere, excellent corn egg drop soup, mango tea, Chinese tea and many Chinese dishes. Very happy event for family. Visited this restaurant over decades and it is better than ever!

    The 4 dishes we shared at Shanghai Restaurant- Sorry I didn't get pic before we dug in, but after tasting it I had to capture the cuisine
    Payton B.

    This the best chinese food I've had in Santa Barbara since before Covid. Spicy szechuan tri flavor, shrimp noodles, and a couple of others that I can't remember but were delicious. Outstanding location for a dinner before a concert at the SB Bowl, as it's just a couple of blocks away. Highly recommend Shanghai Restaurant for anyone jonesing for great chinese food.

    stir fried green beans, the flavor and sichuan peppercorns were spot on.
    Tiffany N.

    this place is the real deal! delicious and authentic Chinese and Sichuan cuisine in a warm, inviting ambiance. As a Chinese American myself who has a keen interest in spicy, numbing Sichuan food - i can approve this place is DELISH and more importantly, authentic. The minute you walk in, you're greeted warmly by the owner Dani. She's so sweet and personable and always remembers my name! We ordered the spicy fried chicken, green beans, soup dumplings, pan fried buns, sichuan hot pot and green onion pancakes. This was for four but we couldn't get enough. Highly recommend - this place is truly a gem! PLUS they have delicious boba and fruit teas. All freshly made to order and curated in-house. 5 stars all around!!

    Muu shuu chicken

    My lunch was delicious! I ordered muu shuu chicken and I loved it. Portions are generous and service was very efficient and friendly!

    Crispy bao, pork
    Jade I.

    Homemade and authentic! We had amazing service from the owner and while we waited she was so friendly talking with us. She told us how this place has been around for over 40 years too! We had the chow mein with beef and two kinds of pork bao. The crispy pork bao was definitely my favorite! Great spot!

    Szechuan Vegetables.
    nancy s.

    We stopped by to order takeout, and our experience was mostly positive. The woman who helped us was incredibly kind, and our food was ready quickly. We ordered Moo Shu Pork, Chicken Chow Mein, and Szechuan Vegetables. This seems to be a family-owned restaurant, and it's clear they put in a lot of effort. The food was hot and overall pretty good, though not the most flavorful we've had. My main feedback is about the Szechuan Vegetables. When a dish is advertised as "Szechuan," you expect some chilis, onions, or garlic to add a bold, spicy flavor. Instead, the vegetables were coated in a very heavy, sweet sauce with little spice. I'd suggest cutting back on the sugary sauce and adding more traditional Szechuan flavors to make the dish stand out. I will add a photo of it for reference. Other than that, the restaurant itself is charming, and we'd definitely come back to try more of their menu!

    Mu Shu Vegetable
    Karen S.

    My favorite chinese restaurant. So many Vegetarian choices! We ordered S&P Crispy Tofu, Sesame Balls, Crispy Bao, Soy Cashew Chicken, Soy Chicken Chow Mein & Veggie Mu Shu. All were delicious!!!

    Mushu pork lunch special-take out
    Lisa Aldredge S.

    Im fairly new to the area and found this place. I'm so glad i did! I ordered the pork mushu lunch today and it was superb. The food was quickly prepared with very fresh ingredients. The portion size was very substantial for the cost ($11.95). The owner was onsite and spoke with me with genuine interest. I ordered wonton soup as well but i'm saving it for dinner because the mushu lunch portion was so large! I'll definitely be back! Note that the place seems to be relatively small and is in a smaller strip shopping area. I had to call the place back to get directions because I was having trouble finding it based on Google Maps. It was totally worth the trip, though. Don't hesitate to give it a try! You won't be sorry!

    01. Shrimp Egg Foo Young

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    2 months ago

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    11 days ago

    Best Chinese I've had in a long time. Also, the only restaurant to vent the sweet and sour takeout so it didn't get soggy. 5/5 recommend.

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    14 days ago

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    1 year ago

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    1 year ago

    The food, was on point both times we went to pick up food there. I loved the orange chicken.

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    2 months ago

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    6 months ago

    Great taste, good portions, and very reasonable price. I was surprised to find such a good chinese restaurant in santa barbara.

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    6 months ago

    Food is consistently amazing & servers are super sweet. This is a hidden gem. Highly recommend

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    7 months ago

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    8 months ago

    Service was friendly and welcoming. Food was delicious, flavorful and good size portions.

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    Page 1 of 8

    Shang Hai Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Shang Hai

    Is this restaurant air conditioned?

    Yes. Plus the doors are wide open at times.

    Is this resturant closed ? I have been been calling for 1 week and no answer

    No they are wide open! Plus getting busy.

    View All 3 Questions

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    Rascal's Vegan

    4.6(219 reviews)
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    Wow! We went to Rascals Vegan for brunch while visiting the Santa Barbara area. My husband found it…read moreonline, and it definitely did not disappoint. It happened to be their 3-year anniversary weekend, so in addition to their regular menu, they were offering some special dishes. I ordered the special chanterelle bagel. It was topped with buttered chanterelles, bachelor buttons, wood sorrel, chives, and cream cheese. The bagel was beautiful and absolutely delicious. The cream cheese was made from cashews and had a smooth, buttery, creamy flavor. The mushrooms were perfectly cooked and not overly buttery, adding great texture to the dish. We also ordered the chips and guacamole, which came with a trio of salsas: chipotle, habanero, and tomatillo. Each salsa had its own distinct flavor and spice level. The guacamole was topped with pepitas, and the homemade chips were perfectly crisp. My husband ordered the Homerun, which included two large pancakes, bacon, and a "fried egg." The pancakes were dense yet fluffy with great flavor. The bacon tasted very similar to turkey bacon, but the real showstopper was the fried egg. The yolk was incredibly convincing and delicious. He was genuinely surprised by how closely it mimicked the taste of a real egg yolk. The restaurant had a nice Mexican home feel. After our meal, I briefly spoke with the owner, who was friendly and appreciative of our visit. Since it was his 3-year anniversary, we wished him continued success. We'll definitely be back the next time we're in Santa Barbara.

    Food Make sure you get their gauc with the three salsa…read moreoptions. They are a variety of smoky and spicy. The homemade tortilla chips are perfection, hot and perfectly salty. Big fan of fresh chips and this place delivered. Their vegan meats were so good. How they managed to get the texture and their meat crunchy was crazy. Their tacos are the must get because they make their tortillas fresh and they are better than the burrito. Service Came here with a party of seven and the servers were so great with handling a big party. They were attentive without being too overbearing. Ambiance An open space in the front and they have a whole back patio as well. We came for dinner so inside was the best option for us. Nice flowers on the table, you can see the kitchen and the bar as well.

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    Satellite

    Satellite

    4.6(252 reviews)
    0.9 mi
    $$

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

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

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    Soupe du Jour - Vegan broccoli soup

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    Secret Bao - Kungpao Cauliflower

    Secret Bao

    4.5(710 reviews)
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    What can I say other than culinary perfection? It's where street food meets casual dining but with…read moremasterfully crafted menu items that will make your taste buds pop! The KFC Bao was exceptional. Crunchy, tangy, sweet, fresh and savory. A delightful dish that had me wanting a second one. The Dolsot Bokkeumbap was also delicious, savory and a bit in the heavy side, it could use something fresh, acidic or sweet to brighten up the dish. The staff was very friendly and recommended the Bao, so they know what is good on the menu. I was sat outside where they have a beautiful little patio with heaters and comfortable seating. Overall this place is a must try!

    Overall the food was very delicious. I would recommend the Bao (both the KFC and pork belly were…read morevery good). The sweet potato dumplings are fried and had a very unique twist for Asian fusion and would recommend. The kalbi was very mediocre, but it was fun for sharing. Day cake was delicious. I would highly recommend since it came out and was very warm. The bingsu was mostly frozen and was not finally shaved in terms of milk ice and the Nutella pairing with it did not go very well. We had a fantastic server (Cathy) who took our orders and was very friendly. The front staff was quite rude when we followed up what the wait time was (might have been because it was busy, but hope that it's a 1x thing and not a pattern). Otherwise, vibes we're very good and I can see why this is a popular spot.

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    Secret Bao - The bar

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    Mezza Thyme - Inside of the beef sambosik

    Mezza Thyme

    4.8(104 reviews)
    0.9 mi

    We hosted a 20-person outdoor wedding reception at our home, and Mezza Thyme catered the event. The…read morefood was outstanding. Throughout the meal, I kept hearing the same comment from different tables: "This is really, really good food." And it was. The Mediterranean dishes were vibrant and fresh -- not generic or middle-of-the-road, but thoughtfully prepared with balanced flavors and ultra-fresh ingredients. Even our most restrained eaters went back for seconds. Delivery was on time as scheduled. The general manager personally supervised the transfer of the food from transport containers into our serving dishes and offered helpful suggestions on serving layout to improve flow. Presentation and execution were handled professionally, which matters when hosting an event at home. Prior to placing the final order, I studied the menu and placed a preliminary order online to establish a starting point. I reviewed it with my daughter and wife and received their approvals before finalizing. I did have a few questions about overlap among side dishes, spoke with the general manager about it, and finalized the order 30 days before the event with no subsequent changes. That clarity made the rest of the planning straightforward. Their menu reflects flavors and traditions rooted in the Levant region. Mediterranean cuisine lends itself well to buffet service within a defined service window. We would be happy to use Mezza Thyme again for any larger-scale gathering -- or for a great meal at home or in their restaurant on Cota Street downtown. I highly recommend them.

    The food is delicious! I came on Friday for lunch and immediately changed my Saturday plans so I…read morecould return. 10/10 all around. The beef samosas or sambusa were perfectly seasoned, crispy, and flakey.

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    Mezza Thyme
    Mezza Thyme - Eggplant Falafel Plate 9/10

    Eggplant Falafel Plate 9/10

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    The Lark - Banana Bread and peppered Bacon which

    The Lark

    4.2(2.1k reviews)
    1.1 mi
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    Absolutely stunning dinner at The Lark last night on our only night in Santa Barbara and I feel…read moreglad to say we picked the right restaurant! The place was full, including indoor and outdoor seating, great ambience and light level, and lovely string lights above the seating outdoors. To start they bring over a delectable dill popcorn which was a rich, salty, dill and butter creation. Totally set a fun tone for the meal. Then we had the crispy Brussels sprouts (ORDER THESE!!!) they were divine, the sesame and lime combination was reminiscent of a great pad Thai, with the perfect amount of sauce and tiny bites of figs which all worked together in a way I wouldn't have expected. For the mains we had the shrimp toast and the pork ribs, both fantastic both well portioned and both 10/10s. Pork ribs fell off the bone easily and were spicy and tangy without overdoing flavor and the shrimp toast tasted like a great gumbo sauce and the shrimps were big! This is a meal I'll be thinking about and recommending to others for a long time, thank you Lark!

    We are at the Lark tonight and had a good experience. It's a fairly casual and comfortable…read morerestaurant. We were greeted and seated immediately. I was glad we made reservations. The restaurant was busy. Our server was great. She introduced herself (Giana I believe she said) and helped us understand that the intent of the menu and dining approach is a sharing format. The plates and portion sizes vary depending upon the item. Cocktails: The Lark has a very interesting (in a good way) cocktail menu. Our party tried 5 different cocktails. Everyone loved their drink and commented on how well made they were. Food: The restaurant provides complimentary dill pickle popcorn (10/5) as a snack to get your appetite moving. This unique popcorn flavor was one of the best things I had all night. Everyone in our party agreed. We ordered 40% of the menu. The standouts were the fried chicken (5/5), the duck confit (5/5), and the pork ribs (4/5). Dessert: The chocolate pot-a-crème with banana cream (5/5) and donut holes (5/5) were both very tasty. We had a real good experience at the Lark. My only comment as a first timer was gauging how much food to order. We found the menu items in the Farm and Ranch sections were entree sized plates, while the Ocean section plates varied in size considerably. We consequently over ordered and wasted some food. Although our server Giana was helpful, we could have asked more specific questions to assess the quantity of food better. We enjoyed the restaurant vibe, cocktail program and many of the plates. If I lived in SB, I would have dinner here every other month and enjoy the dill pickle popcorn and the fried chicken with their signature Paloma to wash it all down.

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    Loquita - Gambas Al Ajillo

    Loquita

    4.4(1.7k reviews)
    1.1 mi
    $$$

    Visited Loquita on 04/11/26 for a birthday celebration and let me tell you I was blown away by the…read moreentire Loquita experience! From the food to the service to the ambience, all of it was truly an amazing experience. Food - We got the patatas bravas and the paella verde. Both were phenomenal. I have tried ~4 other vegan paellas and was originally skeptical going into this, but Loquita's paella was by far the best vegan paella I've ever had! The attention to detail is what made the dish shine. It had perfectly tender mushrooms and artichokes as well as the delicious vegan cream on top. They were able to make the dish smoky and delicious. Dessert - We got the crème brûlée and the pistachio ice cream. Both were truly wonderful, when I go back I will order both of these again! Vibe and Staff - Super cute and romantic vibe, perfect for a nice date. The staff was super attentive and even gave me a little postcard for my birthday! Definitely worth the visit :)

    This place is hyped as a date place…read more It's in a fancy location near the beach, nice patio. It is good food but overhyped IMO. $16 for patatas bravas is a bit on the silly end. lts also one of thoses places that defaults to 20% tip on the low end. I have no problem with paying a 20% tip but the service was poor on my visit. We gave one instructions/request that were just completely disregarded. Very little in terms of service other than attempts to upsell with more Tapas when we were done. Sorry, just being honest.

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    Shang Hai - chinese - Updated May 2026

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