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Secret Bao, Santa Barbara, CA

Secret Bao

4.8 (730)
$31 to $50
Asian
1201 Anacapa St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101-2009

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 29 times today

About this restaurant

  • Neighborhood gem
  • Innovative
  • Lively
Contemporary Asian American Restaurant from Chefs Peter Lee & Felicia Medina.

"Consider the bao. Chinese in origin, it’s most easily described as a steamed bun filled with something savory. Yet, like the American concept of a sandwich, the bao exploded into a flexible format of untold bounds — served at any meal, filled with you-name-it, completely closed or wide open, with endless regional variants from across Asia and far beyond." - Matt Kettmann (SB Independent)








1 Block From State Street, Easy Parking, Public Lot Nearby, Free 75 Minute Parking, Walking Distance, El Pueblo Viejo Landmark District, Superior Court, Spanish Colonial Revival Courthouse, Santa Barbara Museum Of Art, Courthouse Gardens, Bell Tower, Bao, Food, Restaurant, Asian, American, New, Modern, Fried, Chicken, Octopus, Vegan, Vegetarian, Paleo, Friendly, Dog Friendly, Outdoor Patio, Heaters, Warm, Inviting, Hospitable, Modern Design

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Asian, Tapas / Small Plates
  • Hours of operation
    Lunch Wed–Sun 11:30 am–2:30 pm Dinner Wed, Thu, Sun 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–9:30 pm
  • Phone number
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Contactless Payment, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive chef
    Peter Lee & Felicia Medina
  • Delivery & takeout
  • Neighborhood
    Santa Barbara
  • Cross street
    Anapamu
  • Parking details
    Free 90 Minute Lot Next Door
  • Additional
    Beer, Gender Neutral Restroom, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 730 people are saying

Secret Bao 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
  • 4.8Service
  • 4.4Ambience
  • 4.5Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • California Central Coast

    Innovative

  • Santa Barbara

    Best Overall

  • Santa Barbara

    Best Food

  • Santa Barbara

    Best Service

  • Santa Barbara

    Best Value

  • Santa Barbara

    Innovative

  • Santa Barbara

    Hot spot

  • Santa Barbara

    Great for scenic views

  • Santa Barbara

    Lively

  • Santa Barbara

    Most Booked

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Secret Bao offers an inventive Asian fusion dining experience with consistently "delicious food" and "phenomenal service." Standout dishes include hamachi tacos, KFC bao, and creative specials. Though it can be "very loud" and crowded, the vibrant atmosphere and "excellent" culinary creations make it a "must go" spot in Santa Barbara.

730 Reviews
  1. Gerald

    San Francisco7 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    This meal was phenomenal!! Each dish was delicious!!

    Is this helpful?

  2. Susan

    Central Coast1 review

    3.0

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 3
    We went to Secret Bao a month ago and had a great experience…food was very good and the service was too. Last night however the food was very mediocre…such a disappointment, but the service was fine.

    Is this helpful?

  3. Jay VIP

    Central Coast11 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Everything was perfect! The seats, service and especially the food was great. Thank you for another wonderful dinner and experience!

    Is this helpful?

  4. James

    Los Angeles21 reviews

    4.0

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Our server RJ was excellent. Food was pretty good and need to explore more of the menu to give a full eval on the food. Eclectic Asian mix of Korean, Japanese and Chinese...others. Looking forward to returning here. My Korean Penicillin cocktail hit the spot.

    Is this helpful?

  5. megan VIP

    Orange County8 reviews

    4.0

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    We tried several items from the menus. We especially liked the beef chow fun and felt like we got a good amount of food in that dish. Overall, we enjoyed our meal and would definitely return.

    Is this helpful?

  6. Neethling

    Singapore1 review

    5.0

    Dined on May 3, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Awesome fusion between Asian and American dishes. Great service. Will definitely come back here again!

    Is this helpful?

  7. Rick

    Central Coast1 review

    5.0

    Dined on April 28, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Curry with crab was delicious, as were the KFC’s. Once again, server was terrific!

    Is this helpful?

  8. Barry

    Los Angeles13 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 27, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Outstanding evening with fabulous service ( thanks Isabel and team and delicious food! Don’t overlook the specials!

    Is this helpful?

  9. Daniel VIP

    Los Angeles3 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 26, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Really great food. Highly recommend. Will definitely be back!

    Is this helpful?

  10. Paula

    Central Coast7 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 25, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Awesome!!! This place blows my mind every time. RJ made the experience special!

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

Secret Bao offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (805) 259-3226.

Secret Bao is rated 4.8 stars by 730 OpenTable diners.

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

  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. California Central Coast
  4. Santa Barbara
  5. Santa Barbara

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 29 times today
Google Map for Secret Bao

1201 Anacapa St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101-2009

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Cross street
    Anapamu
  • Neighborhood
    Santa Barbara
  • Hours of operation
    Lunch Wed–Sun 11:30 am–2:30 pm Dinner Wed, Thu, Sun 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–9:30 pm
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Asian, Tapas / Small Plates
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    Free 90 Minute Lot Next Door
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Contactless Payment, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Peter Lee & Felicia Medina
  • Additional
    Beer, Gender Neutral Restroom, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Delivery & takeout
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