OKU

Name: OKU
Address: 29 E Cabrillo Blvd, Santa Barbara, CA, United States, 93101
Telephone: (805) 690-1650
Price range: $31 to $50
Rating: 4.7

4.7 (1834)

$31 to $50

Asian

29 E Cabrillo Blvd, Santa Barbara, CA 93101

Make a reservation

2 people

May 6, 2025

7:00 PM

Booked 76 times today

About this restaurant

Hot spot
Great for creative cocktails
Great for outdoor dining

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.

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

Popular dishes

What 1,834 people are saying

OKU reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

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
Healthy
California Central Coast
Hot spot
California Central Coast
Most Booked
Santa Barbara
Best Food
Santa Barbara
Innovative
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 "great location" with "beautiful views" of the ocean, making it ideal for a "wonderful evening." Renowned for its "outstanding service," the sushi and Japanese fusion dishes receive high praise for their freshness and creativity. The upstairs patio is a "prime location" for dining.

1,834 Reviews

H
Hilary
San Diego2 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Always a fantastic experience! Loved our birthday dinner.
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J
Johnny
San Diego1 review
5.0
Dined 5 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Favorite spot in town. Love the food every time and enjoy every moment
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P
Pat
Central Coast4 reviews
5.0
Dined on April 26, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We can always count on Oku to provide great food and outstanding service. We know of no better place to enjoy Japanese food - lots of choices and many unique dishes.
Is this helpful?
J
John VIP
New York City33 reviews
5.0
Dined on April 20, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Another excellent experience at OKU service and food was outstanding 5 stars
Is this helpful?
N
Nic
San Diego3 reviews
5.0
Dined on April 20, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great experience today. I think our waiter was Peter, and he knew his stuff. Nice guy, and very attentive. The food here is really good, always. The upstairs patio is one of the best on Cabrillo. Great experience, as usual!
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J
Jennifer VIP
San Francisco5 reviews
5.0
Dined on April 20, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 5
**UPDATED REVIEW** Tina, the owner, called me today and was very apologetic. Even though we had a bit of an unfortunate experience, we understand that mistakes do happen and the food was delicious (Crazy Rich Asian roll was incredible and so was the crispy Korean cauliflower). Also, our server Anya was very nice. We’d like to try to come back and support Oku again. It’s good to know that Tina cares about her patrons! Original review - Unacceptable experience tonight. My 13 year old son ordered a POG juice and they brought him one with alcohol in it. And it was very stiff. He chugged it and realized it didn’t taste right. The waitress did not take it off the bill and no manager came over. DESPICABLE! Don’t take your kids here!!!
OKUResponded on April 21, 2025
Hi Jennifer, I am so sorry for the mistake. After talking with your server, she said someone else delivered the drink as it said virgin pog on the ticket. Your server is a kind and caring person; she would never knowingly serve alcohol to a minor and was very surprised to hear what happened. She was surprised and very apologetic. Since you didn't say anything about being upset, she didn't think it was a problem otherwise she would have sent a manager over. I was relieved to find out the drink was really full when the server removed it from the table. I can guarantee that we would not purposely give a minor the wrong drink nor would we ignore the problem if we thought you were upset. Again, I apologize for misreading your table. And yes had we known we would have taken it off the bill.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Los Angeles1 review
4.0
Dined on April 20, 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
It was good overall. The best thing was the view from the second floor. The service was good and the food was good too.
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N
Nicole
Sacramento8 reviews
5.0
Dined on April 20, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Delicious savory beautifully prepared food. Excellent service. View unbeatable!
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C
Camilla
Central Coast2 reviews
5.0
Dined on April 18, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We loved Oku! Super nice og high quality food! Also looks great! Great location and good service. Fantastic evening!
Is this helpful?
B
Billi VIP
Minneapolis24 reviews
5.0
Dined on April 14, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
A must try in Santa Barbara! The shrimp and crab gyoza were delicious. Loved the Toro as well!
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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 1834 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a reservation

2 people

May 6, 2025

7:00 PM

Booked 76 times today

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

About this restaurant

Additional information

Popular dishes

Crispy Korean Cauliflower

Sunrise Roll

Spicy Rolls

Menu

What 1,834 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

Additional information