Savvy Picks
Sushi
Thirteen South Coast sushi spots locals send friends to, from a ten-seat omakase in the Funk Zone to a harbor takeout window, with what to order and how to book.
- 13 picks
- 15 locations
- 4 towns
- Updated November 4, 2026
Santa Barbara has its own sea urchin, and several of these places serve it. The list runs from omakase counters you book weeks out to roll shops that close by seven. Here are thirteen, in order of how often they were recommended, each checked against its own menu or booking page.
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Arigato Sushi
The most-recommended sushi in town.
A dinner-only sushi bar on upper State Street, with a nightly specials sheet next to the regular menu.
OrderThe Arigato Roll (smoked salmon, snow crab, avocado), or the Santa Barbara uni as nigiri.
TipReservations and takeout are by phone only, and phone orders start at 4. It doesn't take checks.
Checked Nov 4, 2026 on arigatosb.com (opens in a new tab)
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OKU
Sushi across from the beach.
A California-Asian restaurant with a full sushi bar on Cabrillo Boulevard, open daily and from 12:30 on weekends.
OrderThe Lava Roll (bigeye tuna, tempura shrimp, serrano, yellowtail) and a side of the garlic noodles.
TipBook on OpenTable. Fresh wasabi is an add-on.
Checked Nov 4, 2026 on okurestaurant.com (opens in a new tab)
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Silvers Omakase
Ten seats, one menu, $285.
A ten-seat omakase counter, open Tuesday to Saturday by reservation only. Its booking page lists a Michelin star for 2025-2026.
OrderThere's one menu: the omakase, $285 a guest.
TipBook on Tock. A $50 deposit per guest goes toward the bill, and cancelling with less than 24 hours' notice costs full price. No gluten-free, vegetarian or vegan options. Park in its own lot, down the driveway to the right of the building.
Checked Nov 4, 2026 on silversomakase.com (opens in a new tab)
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Sun Sushi
A ten-piece omakase for $65.
An upper State Street sushi bar open for lunch and dinner, with a long special-roll list and local uni.
OrderSushi 10, the ten-piece omakase ($65), or the Sun Roll, deep fried with spicy tuna, salmon and cream cheese ($17.95).
TipOrder pickup online and it texts you when the food is ready. The lunch sushi combo is $21.95.
Checked Nov 4, 2026 on sbsunsushi.com (opens in a new tab)
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Teru Japanese Cuisine
Box rolls and live uni.
A small dinner spot downtown with pressed box rolls and a chef's-choice sushi and sashimi plate.
OrderToro Taku (minced toro with pickled radish and shiso, topped with uni), or the My Dream box roll.
TipClosed Sunday and Monday. Live uni is limited: call ahead to preorder it. Reservations and takeout by phone, (805) 679-5835.
Checked Nov 4, 2026 on terusushisb.com (opens in a new tab)
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Sakana Sushi Bar
Known for its press box rolls.
A family-owned Coast Village Road spot for 20 years, serving traditional and fusion sushi and about 50 sakes.
OrderA press box roll: the Montecito (crab, lobster, avocado, caviar) or the Toro Box.
TipLunch Tuesday to Friday, dinner Tuesday to Saturday. Book on OpenTable.
Checked Nov 4, 2026 on sakana-santabarbara.biz (opens in a new tab)
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Edomasa
Late-night rolls under $15.
Opens at 6 and serves sushi late, with house rolls around $14.
OrderThe Buffalo Volcano Roll ($14.95) or the Baltimore Roll, crab tempura with cream cheese ($14.50).
TipDinner only. Its own site takes pickup and delivery orders.
Checked Nov 4, 2026 on edomasasushi.com (opens in a new tab)
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AMA Sushi
Omakase at the Miramar.
The sushi room inside Rosewood Miramar Beach, with an à la carte menu and set omakase seatings.
OrderThe omakase, six courses from sakizuke to dessert, with an optional sake pairing. Or The Pearl, a lobster and avocado roll in soy paper.
TipBook through the hotel's reservation page. The hours it posts are labeled summer hours, so check the seating times before you go.
Checked Nov 4, 2026 on rosewoodhotels.com (opens in a new tab)
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Sushi Teri
Three locations, big rolls, open daily.
A local mini-chain open seven days for lunch and dinner, popular for takeout and party trays.
OrderOmega III, a spicy tuna roll topped with seared pepper tuna, salmon and albacore, or the Pizza roll with baked spicy scallop.
TipCorkage is $10. Every roll has sesame seeds.
Checked Nov 4, 2026 on sushiteri.com (opens in a new tab)
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Goleta Sushi House
Old Town Goleta's sushi bar.
Lunch on weekdays and dinner six nights, with a 2026 menu of house rolls and nigiri.
OrderThe Hollister Roll, five kinds of fish wrapped in cucumber with ponzu ($16.95), or the Pink Panther in pink soy paper ($13.95).
TipClosed Sundays. Takeout by phone, (805) 683-8724.
Checked Nov 4, 2026 on goletasushihouse.com (opens in a new tab)
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Sushi Go Go
Sushi burritos at the harbor.
A takeout-style harbor spot for rolls and sushi burritos.
OrderThe Sushi Burrito ($18.95) or the Go Go Express Roll, spicy yellowtail and albacore ($19.95).
TipCloses around 6:30 most days and is closed Mondays. Order by phone or online.
Checked Nov 4, 2026 on sushigogotogo.com (opens in a new tab)
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Sushi Bar 29
Happy hour and 3% off for cash.
A downtown sushi bar open for lunch and dinner, with a stacked sushi cake on the menu.
OrderTower 29, layered spicy tuna, avocado, crab and scallop with eel, or the Hurricane Roll.
TipCash, Venmo or Zelle gets 3% off. There's a $15 minimum per person, and parties of five or more get 20% gratuity added. Dine-in happy hour starts at 5.
Checked Nov 4, 2026 on sushibar29.com (opens in a new tab)
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Wabi Sabi
A sushi counter in the Public Market.
A counter inside the Santa Barbara Public Market, for dine-in or pickup.
OrderThe eel bowl, freshwater eel with a soft egg and bok choy, or the Snake Roll.
TipOrder pickup online. Its own site lists two different sets of hours, so call ahead late in the day.
Checked Nov 4, 2026 on wabisabisb.com (opens in a new tab)
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