Secret Bao

4.9

699 Reviews

$31 to $50

Asian

Make a reservation

2 people

Mar 6, 2025

7:00 p.m.

Select a time

Booked 44 times today

Innovative
Hot spot
Lively

Contemporary Asian American Restaurant from Chefs Peter Lee & Felicia Medina.

"Consider the bao. Chinese in origin, it’s most easily described as a steamed bun filled with something savory. Yet, like the American concept of a sandwich, the bao exploded into a flexible format of untold bounds — served at any meal, filled with you-name-it, completely closed or wide open, with endless regional variants from across Asia and far beyond." - Matt Kettmann (SB Independent)

1 Block From State Street, Easy Parking, Public Lot Nearby, Free 75 Minute Parking, Walking Distance, El Pueblo Viejo Landmark District, Superior Court, Spanish Colonial Revival Courthouse, Santa Barbara Museum Of Art, Courthouse Gardens, Bell Tower, Bao, Food, Restaurant, Asian, American, New, Modern, Fried, Chicken, Octopus, Vegan, Vegetarian, Paleo, Friendly, Dog Friendly, Outdoor Patio, Heaters, Warm, Inviting, Hospitable, Modern Design

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
Asian, Tapas / Small Plates
Hours of Operation
Lunch Wed–Sun 11:30 am–2:30 pm Dinner Wed, Thu, Sun 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–9:30 pm
Phone number
(805) 259-3226
Website
https://www.secretbaosb.com/
Payment Options
AMEX, Contactless Payment, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress
Executive Chef
Peter Lee & Felicia Medina

Location
1201 Anacapa St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101-2009
Neighbourhood
Santa Barbara
Cross Street
Anapamu
Parking details
Free 90 Minute Lot Next Door
Additional
Beer, Gender Neutral Restroom, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Popular dishes

K.F.C.
korean fried chicken, dragon sauce, coleslaw, umami mayo, pickled red onions
- eaUS$7.00
Pork Belly
scf pork belly, kewpie mayo, sunomono persian cucumbers, hoisin
- eaUS$7.00
Shrimp
shrimp tempura, sweet chili sauce, kewpie mayo, sesame slaw, scallions
- eaUS$8.00
Octopus
crispy spanish octopus, pineapple kimchi, felicia's chili crunch, umami mayo, cilantro
- eaUS$13.00
Soy Chili Dumplings
steamed pork & rainbow charred kimchi, glass noodles, felicia's chili crunch, sweet soy, cilantro, crispy shallots
- 4 PcsUS$15.00

Eat Some Veggies

Sugar Snap Peas & BurrataUS$17.00
tutti frutti farms sugar snap peas, cara cara oranges, burrata, mint, easter radishes, miso vinaigrette
Kungpao CauliflowerUS$15.00
charred red onion, red bell pepper, japanese dried chilis, kung pao sauce, roasted cashews, cilantro
Mapo Tofu Tteok-BokkiUS$16.00
korean rice cakes, shiitake mushrooms, mapo sauce, soft tofu, cilantro

Rice & Noods

Hamachi PokeUS$17.00
japanese hamachi, granny smith apples, jalapeno ponzu, umami mayo, sunomono cucumbers, pickled red onions, avocado, furikake calrose rice
Garlic NoodlesUS$11.00
sun noodles, caramelized garlic, oyster sauce, parmesan reggiano, scallions, crispy garlic, sesame oil
JapchaeUS$16.00
korean sweet potato noodles, roasted shiitake mushrooms, caramelized onions, spinach, beansprouts, sweet soy sesame sauce, furikake, sesame oil
Kimchi JjigaeUS$16.00
braised pork belly, baechu-kimchi, gochujang, soft tofu
CongeeUS$23.00
5 spice duck confit, pickled shiitake mushrooms, felicia's chili crunch, radish, chives
Katsu CurryUS$17.00
breaded pork loin, japanese curry, shiitake mushrooms, calrose furikake rice, scallions
Kalbi BowlUS$23.00
momma lee's korean short ribs, baechu kimchi, red leaf lettuce, calrose rice, sesame oil, furikake, scallions
Pork Belly Fried RiceUS$17.00
scf pork belly, caramelized kimchi, onions, garlic, jasmine rice, farm eggs, sugar snap peas, scallions, momo sauce
Chicken BulgogiUS$15.00
grilled marinated chicken thighs, brussel sprouts, furikake calrose rice, umami mayo, scallions, togarashi, red pickled ginger
BibimbapUS$15.00
spinach, beansprouts, kimchi, soy pickled shiitakes, fresnos, sunomono cucumbers, pickled onions, hooni sauce, calrose rice, sunnyside fried egg, furikake, sesame oil

What 699 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

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

4.9

4.9 based on recent ratings

4.9Food
4.8Service
4.4Ambience
4.6Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

California Central Coast
Innovative
California Central Coast
Hot spot
Santa Barbara
Best Overall
Santa Barbara
Best Food
Santa Barbara
Best Service
Santa Barbara
Best Value
Santa Barbara
Child-friendly
Santa Barbara
Innovative
Santa Barbara
Healthy
Santa Barbara
Hot spot
Santa Barbara
Lively
Santa Barbara
Most Booked

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Secret Bao in Santa Barbara is celebrated for its "phenomenal" and "creative" Asian fusion dishes, with standout items like the KFC Bao and hamachi tacos. The restaurant offers a vibrant atmosphere and attentive service, though it can be "very loud" inside. Outdoor seating provides a quieter alternative.

699 Reviews

CS
CraigS
VIP
Los Angeles
44 reviews
5.0
44 reviews
Dined 3 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
This is one of the best restaurants in downtown Santa Barbara. Creative, quality, interesting and fabulous. Just do it! It is amazing! You will love the cauliflower, broccolini, ribs, shrimp, carbonara, really you will love everything! It is a must go when you are in town - cool, hip, young and delicious! Own it!
Is this helpful?
A
Alex
Central Coast
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined 5 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The cauliflower, kfc bao, shrimp bao, and the dumplings were so worth it! So yummy! The lobster noodles I could pass on next time. Get dessert too! Everything is good on dessert menu
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N
Nancy
VIP
San Francisco
6 reviews
5.0
6 reviews
Dined 6 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Our dinner exceeded our expectations. Very casual atmosphere but every dish was extraordinarily delicious. The food was presented beautifully and everything was so flavorful and unique. Our wait person, Maya, was terrific as well. I highly recommend! Wish we could go back again tonight!
Is this helpful?
G
Garry
VIP
Chicago
16 reviews
5.0
16 reviews
Dined 7 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
First time there. We’ll be back! And Dom was a wonderful and informative server.
Is this helpful?
A
Amy
San Francisco
4 reviews
4.0
4 reviews
Dined on February 23, 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 2
The food is very good although I wish there were more gluten-free options. Didn’t really like the diner style atmosphere. Would’ve been more relaxing if it were a slightly more elevated dining experience.
Is this helpful?
V
Veronica
Central Coast
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on February 23, 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 4
I really love the food at Secret Bao! The flavors, textures and profiles are always innovative and delicious! Moreover, the waitresses are always so kind! I really respect and admire what’s happening here — this is one of our absolute favorite spots in town.
Is this helpful?
R
Richard
VIP
San Francisco
36 reviews
5.0
36 reviews
Dined on February 22, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Fabulous food and superb service in a wonderful restaurant. The food melts in your mouth. I recommend the Tacos as a starter they are heavenly
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L
Linda
Greater Boston
1 review
2.0
1 review
Dined on February 22, 2025
1. Overall 2
2. Food 3
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 2
We were one of the first people entered the restaurant when it first opened. However, they were already out of one of the special of the day item. The waiter said they only had 2 of those to begin with. Why put on a special menu if you don’t have enough. Another item, the Korean Paella, the chef cannot make it because they’re too busy in the kitchen. They could only make 1 for the table behind us. I have never heard of a restaurant too busy to make something for the customers. We would have understood if we had to wait a bit, but not able to make the order?? We will not be returning to this restaurant ever again.
Is this helpful?
J
Joe
VIP
San Diego
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on February 21, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Incredible good and our server was very attentive
Is this helpful?
m
michelle
Central Coast
17 reviews
5.0
17 reviews
Dined on February 20, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Food was very good , so glad to shares many different dishes , can’t wait til brussel sprouts are back! Honey so shrimp was my favorite can’t wait to come back and try other fabulous dishes
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FAQs

Secret Bao offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (805) 259-3226.

Secret Bao is rated 4.9 stars by 699 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a reservation

2 people

Mar 6, 2025

7:00 p.m.

Select a time

Booked 44 times today

Order delivery or takeout

1201 Anacapa St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101-2009

Dining areas

Additional information

Cross Street
Anapamu
Neighbourhood
Santa Barbara
Hours of Operation
Lunch Wed–Sun 11:30 am–2:30 pm Dinner Wed, Thu, Sun 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–9:30 pm
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
Asian, Tapas / Small Plates
Dining style
Casual Dining
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
Free 90 Minute Lot Next Door
Payment Options
AMEX, Contactless Payment, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Executive Chef
Peter Lee & Felicia Medina
Additional
Beer, Gender Neutral Restroom, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
https://www.secretbaosb.com/
Phone number
(805) 259-3226

Secret Bao

Make a reservation

Select a time

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

Additional information

KFC Bao

KFC

Kung Pao Cauliflower

Baos / Dimsum

K.F.C.

Pork Belly

Shrimp

Octopus

Soy Chili Dumplings

Eat Some Veggies

Sugar Snap Peas & BurrataUS$17.00

Kungpao CauliflowerUS$15.00

Mapo Tofu Tteok-BokkiUS$16.00

Rice & Noods

Hamachi PokeUS$17.00

Garlic NoodlesUS$11.00

JapchaeUS$16.00

Kimchi JjigaeUS$16.00

CongeeUS$23.00

Katsu CurryUS$17.00

Kalbi BowlUS$23.00

Pork Belly Fried RiceUS$17.00

Chicken BulgogiUS$15.00

BibimbapUS$15.00

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Review summary

FAQs

Does Secret Bao offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

How is Secret Bao restaurant rated?

Is Secret Bao currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Select a time

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

Additional information