Sushi Restaurants in Santa Barbara

Any U.S. culinary destination worth its salt must have top-notch sushi in the mix, and we’re pleased to share that Santa Barbara’s lineup of good sushi restaurants keeps getting better and better.  No matter what the price point, the Japanese art of sushi is a ritual worth experiencing and savoring. Whether you’re a connoisseur or a sushi novice, you’ll find a diversity of sushi restaurant styles spread out around the Santa Barbara South Coast. From high-end omakase and kaiseki restaurants to small, family-run neighborhood joints and fast-casual Japanese takeaway, prepare to have your senses delighted. As the Japanese say before beginning a meal, itadakimasu!

Bucket-List Locations

We start our Santa Barbara sushi restaurant guide at the highest end of the spectrum with two eateries that have earned the California Michelin Guide’s esteemed seal of approval. You can experience kaiseiki at Yoichi’s in downtown Santa Barbara, where the acclaimed seven-course dinner starts at $135 per person. Kaiseiki is similar to omakase in its ceremonial nature, but this equally refined chef’s menu format is generally six to 15 dishes that expand beyond sushi. Elevate your sushi palate with a visit to the intimate 13-seat sushi bar, Ama Sushi at Rosewood Miramar Beach, where you’ll immerse yourself in the tradition of Edomae-style sushi. Edomae, which uses cured fish, is a technique that dates back to the Edo age in Tokyo, Japan. Here, you can choose to indulge in under-the-sea delicacies from the a la carte menu or experience an authentic omakase meal.

Downtown

Arigato Sushi is a highly-rated classic Santa Barbara sushi spot serving dinner seven days a week. The State Street staple offers an extensive six-page food menu including nightly specials based on what’s fresh and local, such as Santa Barbara uni and albacore. Vegetarians don’t have to miss out on the sushi ritual here, thanks to a robust selection of plant-based rolls. Teru Sushi, named after Japan-born chef-owner Teru, boasts a variety of different Japanese dishes that stay true to Chef’s 30 years of expertise in the kitchen. With classics such as toro (fatty tuna belly) and yellowtail nigiri, hot bites like spicy chicken karaage and outside-of-the-box specialty rolls such as the Toro Taku (minced toro, pickled radish, shiso leaf and uni) or the Lomi Lomi (spicy salmon, avocado, shiso, topped with salmon and lemon), high-quality, expertly crafted dishes are a staple in this State Street establishment.

Tucked in the Santa Barbara Public Market, Wabi Sabi Sushi Bar was opened by Chef Buck Thananaken, a Thailand native who mastered his craft working at Kai and Arigato, among others. His accessible menu of sushi, sashimi (raw fish) and handrolls are complemented by bowls and salads. You can drop in for lunch or dinner seven days a week. Sushi Teri is a Santa Barbara County institution with four locations. The downtown Santa Barbara restaurant is on a quiet stretch of Bath Street and offers a reliable menu of affordable lunch and dinner items seven days a week. The family-friendly restaurant also caters to kids with a choice of teriyaki chicken or beef served with rice, salad and steamed veggies. And Sushi Bar 29 is a straight-forward sushi and Japanese cuisine hideaway on Chapala Street that’s open for lunch and dinner every day but Sunday

The Funk Zone & Waterfront

Silvers Omakase in Santa Barbara’s Funk Zone, led by chef/owner Lennon Silvers Lee, offers an exquisite, premium chef’s choice tasting menu featuring the freshest cuts of fish, innovative flavors and an elevated ambiance. The restaurant earned spot on the Michelin guide, a testament to the top-notch experience offered from start to finish. Oku Restaurant is a newer addition to the coastal dining scene. Situated on waterfront Cabrillo Boulevard, this contemporary Japanese fusion restaurant has a dedicated sushi bar creating sashimi, nigiri (fish atop rice), and specialty rolls (rice, fish, and/or vegetables wrapped in seaweed)—all pair nicely with killer cocktails.

Uptown

Heading uptown, Edomasa Sushi Bar & Restaurant was established by sushi master chef Taichi Fujita in 1989. Closed on Sundays and Mondays, Edomasa is open for dinner and offers a popular late-night happy hour menu, along with a full range of sushi and Japanese classics. Kyoto Japanese Restaurant on upper State has been locally owned and operated by the Kim family since 2004. Here you’ll find stellar Japanese fare for lunch and dinner, a dedicated sushi kitchen, and private Tatami dining rooms for groups. Also on upper State, Shintori Sushi has that hole-in-the-wall vibe and is a low-key spot to pop in for a sushi combo, plate of sashimi, or cut rolls. And Sun Sushi is a well-regarded “mom and pop” sushi restaurant up the street, serving lunch Tuesdays through Fridays and dinner nightly (except Mondays).

Goleta

In “The Good Land” to the north, The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara recently debuted, San Setto, an upscale sushi bar within its Angel Oak restaurant now serving rolls, sashimi, and more plates—along with epic ocean views. At this time, San Setto is exclusively available for hotel guests, but that’s just one more sublime reason to book an overnight getaway in Goleta. On the casual side is the Goleta outpost of Sushi Teri, located in easy walking distance from The Leta Hotel and open daily. Goleta Sushi House is a charming, family-friendly restaurant in Old Town Goleta, where you can opt to sit at the sushi bar or on the back patio.

Montecito

Just south of Santa Barbara proper in Montecito is Sakana Sushi Bar & Japanese Restaurant. The dark, moody restaurant, tucked in a shopping center adjacent to Montecito Country Mart, has earned the praise of Gwyneth Paltrow’s goop, which commended the breadth of the sake list in one of their travel guides. Sakana doesn’t take reservations, but you can take your chances walking in for lunch Tuesday through Friday and dinner Tuesday through Saturday nights. Sushi by Scratch Restaurants, an omakase restaurant located in the Montecito Inn, created by the combined talents of chef-owners and husband/wife duo Phillip Frankland Lee (a contestant from TV’s “Top Chef Season 13,” “Chopped” and other shows) and pastry chef Margarita Kallas-Lee. If you’re not familiar, omakase is an elaborate, multi-course sushi feast that leaves all decisions in the chef’s capable hands—dietary restrictions can usually be accommodated and the chef may change course based on diners’ reactions to previous dishes. With only 10 seats available for each of the three nightly seatings, coveted Sushi by Scratch Restaurants reservations are available for pre-booking on Tock. The 17-course meal starts at $165 per person and includes a welcome drink at the Montecito Inn.