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OKU, Santa Barbara, CA

OKU

4.7
4.7
1735 Reviews
$31 to $50
Asian

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 p.m.
Booked 34 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 1,735 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
  • 4.4Value

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 a delightful dining experience with "amazing sushi," a "creative menu," and "wonderful service." Guests enjoy the "spectacular views" from the rooftop and appreciate the "friendly, attentive staff." While some mention occasional noise, the overall ambiance and quality of food make it a "must" visit spot.

1,735 Reviews
  1. Emily

    San Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 3 days ago

    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?

  2. Ira

    Los Angeles

    2 reviews

    1.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 1
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 2
    Service was haphazard from the start. Miso soup was lukewarm, we had to send it back. Appetizers arrived, we finished them, and then 30 minutes passed and we had to remind the waitress that we had ordered main dishes. One finally arrived about ten minutes later -- we had lost our appetites by then and canceled the second one. Apart from the miso soup, the quality of the food was mediocre, and the shishito peppers were very greasy. As we were driving home one of us developed a severe upset stomach and was up all night. Just FYI we have lived in Japan for many years and know what Japanese food should be like.

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  3. Cynthia

    San Francisco

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Our Waitress was among the finest ever at this place. Don’t know her name.

    Is this helpful?

  4. Tiffany

    Los Angeles

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    I had an amazing time spending my birthday there and the food was amazing!

    Is this helpful?

  5. OpenTable Diner

    Central Coast

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    amazing food and vibe, my fav was the korean tempura cauliflower.

    Is this helpful?

  6. Prescila

    Los Angeles

    17 reviews

    5.0

    17 reviews

    Dined on November 11, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Our server and staff overall were all great! They were very attentive and friendly. The food was all delicious and the creme brûlée and tiramisu were both superb.

    Is this helpful?

  7. OpenTable Diner

    Central Coast

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 10, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Best sushi and shishito peppers I've ever had…customer service was excellent!

    Is this helpful?

  8. Amy

    New Mexico

    2 reviews

    1.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on November 2, 2024

    1. Overall 1
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 1
    The service is so bad at Oku. The location is great but the service is some of the worst. Drinks took forever, the waiter never came to check on us. The food took so long. Seriously this place needs a restart. This is the second time I have eaten here. I came back hoping it would be better, it was worst, do not waste your money eating here. Go to the Lark where the service is so much better!

    Is this helpful?

  9. Loni

    San Francisco

    3 reviews

    2.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on November 2, 2024

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 4
    Waited over an hour for each roll. The food was good, but not great. Will not return.

    Is this helpful?

  10. Keith

    Chicago

    33 reviews

    4.0

    33 reviews

    Dined on October 31, 2024

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Food was good, although I’ve had even better. It arrived very quickly. Server Peter was outstanding. Very attentive and personable. Overall, very expensive for amount and quality. Go for the terrific service but know it’ll be expensive for the food.

    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 1735 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 34 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
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