Oku

Pretty average to be honest. The food was mixed. Sushi was actually pretty good. Ramen was more like chow mein and bland. Ribs ditto very bland. Service was well meaning and sweet but all over the place. Guy trying to put down main courses whilst we were still having starters. Two of the four main dishes turned up as they other two were finishing with no apology. Got asked for desserts twice again after already ordering. Nice folk, just all a bit of a mess.

Food was excellent and potions were good. Three of us shared 4 appetizers dishes with leftovers. Wine list small but good. Only reason not 4 stars was noise level. But that was the same for all the restaurants in that area.

Went to Oku with friends for my birthday. The food, as always, was excellent. Highly recommend the shishito peppers and the black garlic filet. The salad, drinks, and sushi were all excellent as well. Great service and food.

Beautiful views and amazing food (plenty of vegetarian options as well)! The service was great… shout out to our server Sarah!!

We were in Santa Barbara on vacation. Made a reservation. Showed up a little early but no issues and they took us upstairs for the best seat in the house. Right along the wall facing the ocean. It was amazing.

Honestly overpriced and underwhelming. Sushi was served pretty warm, and generally average to sub par but charged at a premium price. Service was really great though!

Stellar service, food and view! Management on site and helping out. Attentive staff and great selection. Memorable dining in a memorable location!

OKU: Couldn’t ask for a better evening, excellent food and service with a great view. I had made reservations for my friend and I on a Sunday at 7:45. When we arrived the restaurant was completely full. We were seating on the second floor patio with a view. Our server Lanea was fantastic, super friendly and attentive. We order cocktails while deciding what to eat. We tried a new Sake for us, SOTO, which was excellent, along with my Red Lily. We ordered Blistered Shishito Pepper and Tempura Soft Shell Crab for appetizers. The rest was traditional sushi choices we love: Uni, Salmon, Sweet Shrimp, Tuna, Yellowtail and Masago. All the food came out fresh and all tasting great. Atmosphere: typical Japanese restaurant with wonderful patio. Service: excellent. Food: excellent.

The coolest place in town--allow a lot of time for parking--offers inventive Asian food and sushi in a stylish setting, with a lovely second-floor patio that looks out across the ocean. The Korean cauliflower is stunning and my Japanese wife assures me that the sushi is the best in town, and makes her feel she's back in Kyoto. The service we had was friendly and solicitous. Prices can get high quite quickly, the place is often packed and it doesn't feel much like Santa Barbara. But it's the most striking Asian fusion place around.

Food and view from the 2nd floor was amazing!