OKU

4.7

1736 Reviews

$31 to $50

Asian

Make a reservation

2 people

Nov 24, 2024

9:30 PM

Booked 51 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
Website
http://www.okurestaurant.com/
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

Location
29 E Cabrillo Blvd, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Neighborhood
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 1,736 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

Noise • Moderate

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.

1,736 Reviews

M
Maggie
Atlanta Metro
2 reviews
3.0
2 reviews
Dined 1 day ago
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.
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E
Emily
San Francisco
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 4 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.
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I
Ira
Los Angeles
2 reviews
1.0
2 reviews
Dined 6 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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C
Cynthia
San Francisco
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined 7 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.
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T
Tiffany
Los Angeles
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on November 17, 2024
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?
OT
OpenTable Diner
Central Coast
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on November 17, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
amazing food and vibe, my fav was the korean tempura cauliflower.
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P
Prescila
Los Angeles
16 reviews
5.0
16 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.
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OT
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!
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A
Amy
New Mexico
3 reviews
1.0
3 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!
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L
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.
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FAQs

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

OKU is rated 4.7 stars by 1736 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a reservation

2 people

Nov 24, 2024

9:30 PM

Booked 51 times today

Order delivery or takeout

29 E Cabrillo Blvd, Santa Barbara, CA 93101

Additional information

Cross street
Cabrillo Blvd and Helena Street
Neighborhood
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

Website
http://www.okurestaurant.com/
Phone number
(805) 690-1650
Catering
Available when Coronavirus restrictions are lifted.
Private party facilities
Please email aubreyb@okurestaurant.com for more information

OKU

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

Menu

What 1,736 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Review summary

FAQs

Does OKU offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

How is OKU restaurant rated?

Is OKU currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information