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    Sushi Bar 29

    4.4 (181 reviews)
    Closed 11:30 am - 2:15 pm, 5:00 PM - 8:30 PM
    Updated 3 months ago

    Sushi Bar 29 Photos

    SUSHI BAR 29 ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Good for groups
    Happy hour specials

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    Recommended Reviews - Sushi Bar 29

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    Emily D.

    Great sushi experience while visiting Santa Barbara. We had a small party of 3 and was able to call and reserve a table (they are able to hold for 10 minutes after your reservation time). Great selection of rolls, the veggie tempura was great and the spicy edamame was wonderful. The ambiance is casual, with a wonderful staff. Overall great experience at Sushi Bar 29.

    Inside register and entrance - full sushi bar and chefs seating area
    Mitchell N.

    Alright, you gotta hit up Sushi Bar 29 in Santa Barbara with the fam, and it did not disappoint. I ordered the Hurricane Roll and the Red Dragon Roll, and out of the two, the Hurricane was the clear winner. Had that perfect crunch from the tempura, spicy tuna on top was solid, and while it could have used a little more sauce, once I hit it with some eel sauce, game over. So good. If you go, I would highly recommend getting the spicy edamame too. Whatever sauce they coat it in just hits, and honestly, it brought the Red Dragon Roll to life. I would even suggest the chef toss that same sauce on some of the other rolls because it adds a whole new flavor to the mix. The fam also ordered the tuna nuggets, basically spicy tuna on crispy rice, and they were fire. Great texture and flavor. We paired them with some gyoza, tempura green beans, and more edamame, and everything came out quick and tasted great. Service was super sweet and on it with all the orders and refills. Friendly and fast. It is a small spot tucked on the corner, kind of a hidden gem type feel, but the fish quality was on point, and everything we had was fresh and flavorful. Surprised how good everything was to be honest, but the reviews didn't lie. The whole family left full and happy. Will for sure be back!

    Tempura green beans and cucumber salad
    Annette T.

    Cute little spot on the corner! This was my first time coming in to eat as I usually got takeout before. The staff were so attentive and kind! My regular is the salmon avocado roll and cucumber salad which are always great. Tried the green dragon roll and it was fine but wasn't impressed and would try something else next time. The tempura green beans were delicious though, highly recommend that one too. They have a happy hour so look out for that!

    New rice bowl !!!Monday-Friday lunch specials deal 13$-16$! ! ! Let's gooooooooooooooooooo!!!

    Snake roll (top) Box roll - Tuna Hurricane roll  Lion king roll (bottom)
    Sarah S.

    Sushi date night! My fiancé and I came here on a Friday night around 5 and got right in. They do a great job of transforming the street corner into a pleasing dining experience inside. The music is wonderful and the staff is so friendly, kind and knowledgeable about what to recommend. They menu has something for everyone, but not to the point where it's overwhelming. I would like to see a few more options for people that don't like spicy things though, but my rolls were great regardless. I got the Lion King roll and Snake roll to mix things up from my normal rainbow roll order. The lion king roll was Delish and the eel on the snake roll was sooo good. My fiancé got the Tuna Box roll and Hurricane roll. His favorite was the box roll, which we heard is a favorite among many here! But he loved the hurricane roll too. I don't think you can go wrong here with any order! And just ask the servers for their recommendations if your stumped!

    Local Uni
    Joshua D.

    Great hidden gem in SB! Excellent fish and service. They also had the local Uni on special. Delicious!

    Additional Menu on the Wall
    Katherine S.

    Came here on whim as they had a lunch special and I am always willing to try out to see if I like how they make their sushi. And have to say my favorite which wasn't on their lunch menu was the mango roll that was written on the board when you first walk in! I would definitely come back again as the waitress was incredibly sweet to serve us quickly and was very careful in setting us up to enjoy all our food on the table. Price was right for lunch and food was fast. Edamame was warm and salty which I like as well as served with ginger and a second helping at my request since it's so yummy with our rolls. I would like to come back and explore dinner with different rolls and some sushi with some Japanese beer as this place had potential for a great evening vibe too.

    Hurricane rolls
    Jenn W.

    First visit here and they do things right. I've always said it's the mom and pop shops that will surprise you with how good they are when compared to a big chain. They often become my favorite and in SB, this has joined that list. Location: Corner of Chapala and Anapamu. Parking lot located about 100 feet away ( first 75 minutes free). Place is in the heart of downtown Santa Barbara. Food: Hurricane roll was really good. I'd get it again. Really doesn't need soy sauce as it already has a drizzle on top. Unagi (eel) sushi was the perfect size and crispy on the edges telling me this eel was just cooked minutes before hitting my plate. Perfect. My dining companion had the Mike Dancing Pants (true name, it's on the menu) and was just the right amount and really liked it. I could have eaten another 1/2 plate of sushi, but I didn't wanted to carry home a bloated feeling on the 2 hour drive home to LA. We opted for black sesame mochi ice cream and I got the fried sweet bun with a dipping sauce. The fried sweet bun was a tiny portion, but perfect for not over stuffing myself. Hot enough to burn my fingers at first contact, I grabbed the chopsticks and the dipping sauce cooled the bun enough for eating. Delicious!! Perfect end to a hot day. Summary: The place is run by a family with Robert ( who trained with a sushi chef for years) at the helm. Hole in the wall spot that feels more like a neighborhood bar, the food is top notch. Places like this exist because the locals know what they like and don't tell tourists about good spots in town. Service was great and attentive. Not a good a spot for parties larger than 4, but I'm sure they can accomodate and put tables together. It's a small casual spot so if you want a drink and appetizer after work or just a casual dinner without all the fuss, I suggest come here before or after sightseeing before heading back home with good food and a cold mug of iced green tea. Happy eating!!

    Tempura Ice Cream
    Alex M.

    Back in Santa Barbara is another sushi place, at Sushi Bar 29. They had tempura ice cream, and if you know me, this is one of my favorite desserts because of how it defies logic by frying ice cream in hot oil. Here, the tempura batter was fried nice and crisp which added great texture to the cold smooth green tea ice cream in the interior. This version is an adequate serving of the dish and nothing more. Beef Sukiyaki is an excellent dish that I rarely find in the Santa Barbara area. The broth here was excellent -- it had a strong soy and mirin flavor as expected and really nailed the taste. But don't be fooled by the large pot because it only contains a few pieces of low quality beef and a few pieces of vegetable and a small bunch of yam noodles. The amount of content in the bowl was very minimal, which is really a shame. Fresh, sweet, juicy uni at Sushi Bar 29! While smaller and more pricey ($16) than Sun Sushi, their uni still hits the quality mark as they are fresh, vibrant, and delicious. Highly recommend everyone to try some fresh sea urchin in their lifetime. My biggest problem with this restaurant is that place has both the unpleasant attributes of penny pinching and expensive food. I think it's pretty ridiculous for an upscale restaurant to charge for something as basic as tea, sauce, and condiments if you ask me.

    Flower Roll
    John T.

    Great options, kind service and delicious rolls. The flower roll is a seasonal item but when they have it make sure to try it.

    Salmon and Yellowtail Sashimi
    Lauren H.

    My husband and I had many sushi places to pick from and we lucked out at this spot! We were quickly seated and served. The food came out incredibly fast and fresh. Our server was so sweet and was sure to explain everything clearly. The music in the restaurant was calming and it was truly a lovely dining experience. We ordered miso soup, a spicy tuna roll, rainbow roll, and some salmon and yellowtail sashimi. All extremely affordable! If I were to change one thing, I'd have ordered the sashimi combo appetizer instead of individual pieces as it offers more pieces for about the same price. We will definitely visit again when we are back in town, this place deserves all the love it gets!

    Fisherman Roll with yellowtail, shrimp, avocado, cucumber and a sesame eel sauce ($13), (rather than wasabi yuzu sauce) - delicious!

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    Excellent fresh and tasty.. I will be back for fast great service. Sushi variety impressive

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    Sushi Bar 29 Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Sushi Bar 29

    Can you still order okonomiyaki even if it's not on the menu anymore? The quality is like of Japan

    Yes, of course. We put it back to our daily special now! so you can order it anytime. Thank you!!

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    Oku - Santa Barbara's premier waterfront restaurant

    Oku

    4.3(1.1k reviews)
    1.1 mi
    $$$
    Rooftop seating
    Gluten-free friendly

    Andreina was our server and provided outstanding service from start to finish warm, attentive, and…read moregenuinely 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

    My husband and I dined here for an early dinner with a reservation. I think after checking in it…read moremight'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!

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    Santa Barbara Craft Ramen - SB Craft Red Ramen. This is my fav and some of the best ramen I've ever had! Delicious and definitely recommend.

    Santa Barbara Craft Ramen

    4.1(769 reviews)
    0.7 mi
    $$

    Arrived here on a Saturday night, driving back from Solvang. It was a bit chilly, so it was a…read moreperfect time to get some ramen. Got seated pretty quickly, where there are various heaters to ensure comfort. Drinks were served pretty quickly. Ordered the Black Ramen (made with Black Garlic Oil) for 19.50, solid price. I enjoy the choices of meat that you can choose from, which I chose Pork Belly, and added an egg to mine. Didn't take too long for the food to come out, everything was really fresh and tasted well. The pork belly was a nice chunk too (I had expected it was going to be smaller). The broth was very delicious, which I killed the entire bowl. With the check, they also give mini Hi-Chews. Overall, great food, great seating, great service. Much Better ramen than some chain restaurants.

    The ramen is just ok bordering on mediocre. The vegetarian ramen is downright atrocious. It is…read morefilled with all sorts of non traditional vegetables like broccolini, kale, and even cranberries!?? Those vegetables do not work well with ramen. We tried the black garlic ramen with chashu. It was just ok. The chashu did not have the melt in your mouth texture which is the payoff for clogged arteries. We had the chicken karage. Again, just ok, and a bit dry and stringy. We also ordered a cucumber roll. It was the sloppiest sushi roll we've ever seen. First off it was the big, kimbab size roll, but cut super skinny. So you had to bite off half of it. Which meant all the insides fall out. It was rolled so loose, that you could literally see through it. The chef didn't even bother not serving the messy end pieces, so it looked even more sloppy on the plate. All in all, there is hardly any craft in the ramen. The other dishes are mediocre, and the sushi rolls are amateurish at best.

    Photos
    Santa Barbara Craft Ramen - Wall decoration near kitchen

    Wall decoration near kitchen

    Santa Barbara Craft Ramen - SB Craft Red Ramen (spicy) with pork shoulder. Love this place! They have a great lemonade too that pairs well.

    SB Craft Red Ramen (spicy) with pork shoulder. Love this place! They have a great lemonade too that pairs well.

    Santa Barbara Craft Ramen - Chicken Karaage

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    Chicken Karaage

    Secret Bao - Kungpao Cauliflower

    Secret Bao

    4.5(709 reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$

    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.

    Photos
    Secret Bao - The bar

    The bar

    Secret Bao - Sweet Potato Dumplings

    Sweet Potato Dumplings

    Secret Bao - Yum ... just this is enough

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    Yum ... just this is enough

    Wild Tea Leaf - The best matcha I've ever had !

    Wild Tea Leaf

    4.8(41 reviews)
    0.4 mi

    An intimate tea experience - very zen, relaxing, and rejuvenating…read more My partner and I stopped here for a little afternoon pick me up - hot jasmine and mint tea with sides of miso soup and matcha cheesecake. Definitely good little caffeine and sweet treat for me and the overall atmosphere with the plants and tea sets and music is very relaxing. The shopkeepers are quite friendly and keep the space calm, well-kept, and make delicious drinks and eats!

    came here recently w/ my partner. The aesthetic? Beautiful. The initial service? Great! The price…read moreof 1 very small slice of cake? Awful. ($14 ONE slice). The presentation of the matchas was beautiful. The cake was delicious, but definitely felt over priced for the size. Anyways, we give the beautifully presented matchas a try. Below mid. Tasted like super milked down, CULINARY grade matcha. Like if you want soy milk with a hint of culinary grade matcha, it's that. So, definitely not the ceremonial grade that is advertised. Anywho, still was happy since everything seemed to be going well so far. Eventually my partner and I trade drinks, since it seemed there was something off about theirs but they were unsure if it was just in their head? It wasn't. I tried their drink, it tasted like pure soy milk. I'm not even joking I seriously wish I was! Lol. And during that, what seemed to be a Lady that was the owner was having a conversation with another person in the shop about how upset she was about a review since the person was upset because "the drink didn't taste like matcha," . She was also talking about how it's frustrating and discouraging to hear that when "you work so hard all day just to have someone say that, AND our matcha is CEREMONIAL like the stuff we have is good so I don't know why she would even say that." Although I empathize, it felt very unprofessional to have that conversation in front of customers (us). Like I'm all for conversation and whatnot, but it just seemed unprofessional and unwelcoming if we were to raise the concern we had with our drink. Anyways, I work up the nerve to say something. The owner walks up and I tell her "sorry it's just weird because it doesn't taste the same as mine it tastes like it's missing matcha", she proceeds to look very visibly bothered and says "That's weird. I don't know why that would happen, they're the same measurements but okay" . I then say "sorry about that" , she says "it's ok" in a condescending tone/demeanor. I shouldn't be apologizing lol in retrospect but after all, I am a people pleaser. She comes back and my partner is slightly more satisfied. But, still, it's just slightly green soy milk with a HINT of culinary grade matcha. We leave, we're quiet. And then we laugh. And we already know what both of us were thinking: "That's was the worst matcha ever". And not only that but she was so rude just because we had an issue with a drink. Felt like a child throwing a tantrum tbh! Look, we may be harsh judges because we are very, very articulate with our matchas. We make matcha at home as well and try to perfect it even more everytime. We both admit, it's NOT easy to perfect it. But, if you're gonna call yourself a "wild tea leaf" and claim to specialize in matcha, please at least have it taste like ceremonial grade matcha, like you seem to advertise. Also, customer feedback is not an attack on your character. Learn to take criticism and use it to grow. Without criticism, perfection wouldn't exist. Overall, we would've rated this place a solid 4/10 for the vibes and aesthetic. But because of the service and atmosphere the lady set, it is a solid 0/10. Will not be back, and I recommend you don't spend your money here unless they somehow learn to accept constructive criticism and genuinely improve.

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    Wild Tea Leaf - Herbs and herbal teas beautifully displayed

    Herbs and herbal teas beautifully displayed

    Wild Tea Leaf - Tea with my special teapet.

    Tea with my special teapet.

    Wild Tea Leaf - Raspberry matcha latte + black sesame seed latte

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    Raspberry matcha latte + black sesame seed latte

    Sama Sama Kitchen - Morning After ($24) Nasi Goreng Jawa w/ Chicken Satay

    Sama Sama Kitchen

    3.9(732 reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$

    We came here for a late lunch as we saw it holds Michelin Bib…read more Sweet: great menu options. So many tasty choices. We ordered the Vietnamese chicken wings and braised pork noodles. Both very delicious. The wings were all flats so that was a plus alone. Full of good flavor and very crispy. The noodles were delicious as well. I recommend both. The restaurant is decorated very nice and the server was attentive. Sour: the restaurant was very clean but it bothers me so much when some places have a designated area that flies like to circle around that tends to be near the bar. I wish there could be more control to prevent that. I did really enjoy the meal but the portions were small. If it wasn't so good I would almost say the prices weren't worth it. You can definitely share but I would get at least 3 options for 2 people. My husband and I weren't that hungry so it was a decent amount since it was such a late lunch and we were thinking about getting something else shortly after. Overall I hope we are in town again soon as there are other things I'd like to try.

    The chicken wings were absolutely amazing - if you do nothing else, order those!!! The Vietnamese…read morestyle was my favorite. The shaved bok choy and duck salad was SO good as well!!! The duck was excellent, and didn't feel too fatty - it was perfect. The drinks were good as well - had the spritz. Our servers were so polite and friendly, and honestly just felt like we were around friends. I like that this place, like many jn Santa Barbara, pays their staff a living wage and so you end up with a more authentic interaction that doesn't feel forced. The aesthetic was beautiful - perfect for a lunch date or for a dinner before sunset. Open air seating, beautiful decor, overall a lovely experience!

    Photos
    Sama Sama Kitchen - Ig : @dawntc

    Ig : @dawntc

    Sama Sama Kitchen - Braised Pork Mie Goreng ($23)

    Braised Pork Mie Goreng ($23)

    Sama Sama Kitchen - Morning After ($24) Nasi Goreng Jawa w/ Chicken Satay

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    Morning After ($24) Nasi Goreng Jawa w/ Chicken Satay

    Sushi Bar 29 - japanese - Updated May 2026

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