OKU

Name: OKU
Address: 29 E Cabrillo Blvd, Santa Barbara, CA, United States, 93101
Telephone: (805) 690-1650
Price range: $31 to $50
Rating: 4.8

4.8 (1850)

$31 to $50

Asian

29 E Cabrillo Blvd, Santa Barbara, CA 93101

Make a reservation

2 people

Jun 8, 2025

7:00 PM

Booked 52 times today

About this restaurant

Great for creative cocktails
Great for outdoor dining
Great for scenic views

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 1,850 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

4.8

4.8 based on recent ratings

4.8Food
4.7Service
4.6Ambience
4.5Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

California Central Coast
Hot spot
California Central Coast
Most Booked
Santa Barbara
Best Overall
Santa Barbara
Best Food
Santa Barbara
Best Service
Santa Barbara
Best Value
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 "wonderful atmosphere" with "incredible food" and "beautiful views," particularly from its rooftop patio. Patrons rave about the "outstanding service" and the sushi's "freshness and quality." Ideal for special occasions, the menu features "fabulous gluten-free options" and unique dishes like the "spicy tuna crispy rice."

1,850 Reviews

T
Timothy
Austin2 reviews
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 3
Excellent service and the food was outstanding. Would definitely go back.
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V
Vicki
San Diego1 review
5.0
Dined 7 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Sushi was excellent! Fresh and tasty. Service was also great. A bit noisy is my only complaint.
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O
Olivia
Los Angeles1 review
3.0
Dined on May 31, 2025
1. Overall 3
2. Food 3
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
The views at OKU were absolutely stunning, and we were seated promptly upon arrival. The menu offered so many tempting options, but we decided to share the shishito peppers, fried rice, ribs, and noodles. The food was enjoyable, and the atmosphere was vibrant and inviting. Service was exceptional — attentive without being intrusive — and we never had to wait long for anything we needed. However, given the price point, we were expecting a more elevated dining experience in terms of food quality. While nothing was bad, most of the dishes felt fairly average for the cost. That said, if you're looking for fusion cuisine paired with one of the best views in town, OKU is definitely worth a visit.
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L
Lee VIP
Indiana4 reviews
5.0
Dined on May 29, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Amazing food, great service and beautiful view - also fabulous gluten free options
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A
Aaron
Central Coast3 reviews
5.0
Dined on May 25, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 5
Another exceptional experience! Best restaurant in SB County. Didn’t care for wagu potstickers, shrimp and crab potstickers however, incredible! Sushi is always 5 stars.
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C
Claire VIP
San Diego3 reviews
5.0
Dined on May 25, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 5
Incredible food and views on the rooftop! Spicy tuna crispy rice is my fav!
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T
Tracy
Sacramento / Sacramento Valley1 review
5.0
Dined on May 24, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We celebrated our daughter’s college graduation and it was wonderful. The service was excellent, the food was delicious and the atmosphere was ideal. We would highly recommend for a special occasion or a night out.
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C
Cynthia VIP
Central Coast53 reviews
5.0
Dined on May 21, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Although OKU is full of life with patrons, there is a calm atmosphere. The ambiance, food & drink offerings are far above any sushi restaurant. Thank you Tina for creating a fabulous venue!
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K
Katie
Central Coast9 reviews
5.0
Dined on May 21, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Always a wonderful time at Oku, the food is outstanding and service kind and quick. We can’t stop coming here!
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L
Lady VIP
Los Angeles26 reviews
5.0
Dined on May 21, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Very good food and service at the bar with Ren! Nice☆
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FAQs

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

OKU is rated 4.8 stars by 1850 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a reservation

2 people

Jun 8, 2025

7:00 PM

Booked 52 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 1,850 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