Enable JavaScript to run this app.
Skip to main content
OpenTable logo
  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. California Central Coast
  4. Santa Barbara
  5. Santa Barbara
OKU, Santa Barbara, CA

OKU

4.7
4.7
1744 Reviews
$31 to $50
Asian

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 p.m.
Booked 46 times today
  • Great for outdoor dining
  • Great for scenic views
  • Good for special occasions
Tina Takaya, proprietor, welcomes you to our newest two story restaurant on the water. We feel the key to success is our passion for creating the highest quality food and warm friendly service.

We hope you will enjoy your experience as much as we enjoyed creating it for you.
"We want Locals to feel like Family and Visitors to feel like Locals"

Our menu draws from Asian favorites that inspire and excite such as Wagyu Steak, Japanese Sushi, Chinese Dumplings, Garlic Noodles and fresh local seafood.

We are located in the heart of Santa Barbara’s Waterfront and Funk Zone Districts. Come enjoy lunch or dinner, soak in the sun by day at our waterfront rooftop bar while sipping on a refreshing cocktail surrounded by our beautiful ocean vista and by night, enjoy lounging by the fireplace after a delicious meal and a great glass of wine.

Our chef uses the freshest ingredients from central coast farmers and local fisherman to create dishes with the best of what California has to offer.

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Asian, Contemporary Asian, Sushi
  • Hours of Operation
    Lunch Fri 3:00 pm–4:00 pm Sat, Sun 12:30 pm–4:00 pm Dinner Mon–Thu, Sun 4:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 4:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (805) 690-1650
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Executive Chef
    Felipe Barajas, Jose and Felix Alonso
  • Catering
    Available when Coronavirus restrictions are lifted.
  • Private party facilities
    Please email aubreyb@okurestaurant.com for more information
  • Neighbourhood
    Santa Barbara
  • Cross Street
    Cabrillo Blvd and Helena Street
  • Parking details
    Complimentary Valet service available Friday thru Sunday in the back parking lot, enter from Anacapa Street
  • Public transit
    Complimentary Valet service available in the back parking lot, enter from Anacapa St.
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Delivery, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Indoor Fireplace, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 1,744 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.7
4.7 based on recent ratings
  • 4.7Food
  • 4.7Service
  • 4.6Ambience
  • 4.3Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • California Central Coast

    Hot spot

  • California Central Coast

    Great for outdoor dining

  • California Central Coast

    Most Booked

  • Santa Barbara

    Good for groups

  • Santa Barbara

    Healthy

  • Santa Barbara

    Hot spot

  • Santa Barbara

    Great for outdoor dining

  • Santa Barbara

    Great for scenic views

  • Santa Barbara

    Lively

  • Santa Barbara

    Most Booked

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
OKU in Santa Barbara offers an exceptional dining experience with "amazing fresh sushi," "wonderful service," and a "beautiful ocean view." Guests rave about their standout rolls and delicious dishes like the "korean tempura cauliflower." The atmosphere is inviting, complemented by attentive staff and a picturesque setting, making it a must-visit spot.

1,744 Reviews
  1. Kathy

    Central Coast

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We love Oku Great all the time Fresh Innovative Lovely server

    Is this helpful?

  2. michele

    Hawaii

    12 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    12 reviews

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Incredibly fresh food, nice presentation, friendly server. Would certainly return and recommend.

    Is this helpful?

  3. Melanie

    Los Angeles

    10 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    10 reviews

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Excellent food, great food! Fun atmosphere!!🎉We will definitely be back..

    Is this helpful?

  4. Mark

    Central Coast

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Delicious food. Very good service. Great ambience. Always better than our remembrance of the previous time. Highly recommended. Certainly one of the best restaurants in Santa Barbara

    Is this helpful?

  5. MontecitoDeb

    Central Coast

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on November 30, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    The food was delicious and interesting. We had an outside table. Although there was plastic and heaters, I could have been warmer. The plastic wasn’t overly attractive.

    Is this helpful?

  6. Andy

    Central Coast

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on November 28, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The rolls were excellent and the Nigri very fresh.

    Is this helpful?

  7. Alyssa

    Miami

    11 reviews

    5.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on November 27, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Fresh tuna carpaccio, everybody loves Raymond roll and the uni nigiri were amazing!!!

    Is this helpful?

  8. SjclocalDiner

    San Francisco

    76 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    76 reviews

    Dined on November 25, 2024

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 4
    Great food as usual. Long wait to get service and after ordering never saw waitress until after had finished with dinner for 10-15 minutes. Ran out of water but never anyone offered more.

    Is this helpful?

  9. Maggie

    Atlanta Metro

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 24, 2024

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 2
    The service was wonderful and food was very good. Unfortunately, our table location made the whole experience less than great. Our table as at a corner, right across from the stairs and kitchen door and right next to the patio door. There was a music speaker directly above my head. The noise and constant movement made the experience unpleasant. We made advance reservations so expected at least a real table. We adored our server though. There shouldn’t be a table there - it is in the way of everything and far too busy and noisy.

    Is this helpful?

  10. Emily

    San Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 21, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    The experience was exactly whay we hoped for and then some. We asked to be seated near a heater since they only had outdoor seating left (late November) and this request was met! I’m told they also have blankets if the heater isn’t enough for you. The waiter was extremely accommodating and happily answered ~10 questions for us about the menu before we actually ordered. The food is wonderful as is the service. The free valet is a great perk as well, especially during busy season. All around great experience.

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

OKU offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (805) 690-1650.

OKU is rated 4.7 stars by 1744 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 p.m.
Booked 46 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for OKU

29 E Cabrillo Blvd, Santa Barbara, CA 93101

Additional information

  • Cross Street
    Cabrillo Blvd and Helena Street
  • Neighbourhood
    Santa Barbara
  • Hours of Operation
    Lunch Fri 3:00 pm–4:00 pm Sat, Sun 12:30 pm–4:00 pm Dinner Mon–Thu, Sun 4:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 4:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Asian, Contemporary Asian, Sushi
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Parking details
    Complimentary Valet service available Friday thru Sunday in the back parking lot, enter from Anacapa Street
  • Public transit
    Complimentary Valet service available in the back parking lot, enter from Anacapa St.
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive Chef
    Felipe Barajas, Jose and Felix Alonso
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Delivery, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Indoor Fireplace, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Phone number
    (805) 690-1650
  • Catering
    Available when Coronavirus restrictions are lifted.
  • Private party facilities
    Please email aubreyb@okurestaurant.com for more information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookies and Interest-Based Ads
  • Cookie Preferences
Copyright © 2024 OpenTable, Inc. 1 Montgomery St Ste 500, San Francisco CA 94104 - All rights reserved.
OpenTable is part of Booking Holdings, the world leader in online travel and related services.
Booking Logo
Priceline Logo
KAYAK Logo
Agoda Logo
OpenTable Logo