Santa Barbara Shellfish Company

Located right at the end of Stearns Wharf, Santa Barbara Shellfish Company delivers an incredible oceanfront dining experience packed with bold, fresh flavors. Highlight dishes include their buttery live local uni, crisp golden coconut shrimp, indulgent lobster pasta, and a pristine platter of mixed oysters. Even classic comfort dishes get a elevated twist here—like their velvety New England clam chowder, which features a distinct, heavy hit of aromatic rosemary. Best of all, if someone in your group isn't a seafood fan, you can order off-menu crispy chicken tenders and fries so no one gets left out. Overall, between the stellar food, unique flavor profiles, and prime location over the water, it’s a delicious, must-visit spot.

I was worried about the place being a tourist trap because it’s always packed and often has a waitlist, but that definitely wasn't the case! The food was actually so good and fresh. Our server, Alfonso, was especially great—very kind, professional, and attentive even while being busy. He gave great recommendations and made the experience feel welcoming. The oysters were pricey but did taste really good—they were extremely fresh with a clean, slightly sweet taste. In terms of the uni served over raw scallop - the uni was fresh and sweet, though on the smaller side. The scallop was decent but had a slightly fishy note. Regardless, everything else we ordered was really good. One thing to note is that parking can be difficult because it gets very crowded, but the first 90 minutes are free, which helps. Overall, a solid experience!

I mean, THIS VIEW. I got the shrimp ceviche and lobster bisque soup. The soup was so delicious with chunks of lobster. It was creamy and warm which was nice with the ocean breeze. I love my ceviche and the presentation was pretty. I wanted everything on the menu. It genuinely was nice time on the outside patio. Nice staff, I can tell they all have each others backs and good communication.

Santa Barbara is one of my favorite weekend getaway destinations. The fresh ocean air, beautiful views, and laid back atmosphere make it the perfect place to relax. While I was here, I stopped by Santa Barbara Shellfish Company, and it did not disappoint. The seafood was incredibly fresh, the lobster pasta was rich and flavorful, the clam chowder was creamy and comforting, and the fried seafood platter was perfectly crispy. Sitting by the water while enjoying a delicious meal made the whole experience even better. It does get very busy on weekends, but the food and the waterfront setting are absolutely worth the wait. I'll definitely be back the next time I'm in town.

​We walked over from our hotel. An easy, beautiful trek under a mile and enjoyed a gorgeous day out on the pier. ​When we arrived, the wait was about 15 minutes, which wasn’t bad at all. They actually offered to seat us sooner on the outdoor patio, but it was a bit too windy for my liking, and I was looking for some shade. I asked if they could open one of the patio umbrellas, but the staff politely explained they couldn’t for safety reasons, as the wind had caused an injury in the past. It was totally understandable and great to see them prioritizing guest safety! We opted to wait an extra 10 minutes for indoor bar seating instead, which worked out perfectly. The food absolutely lived up to the hype: • ​Clam Chowder Bowl: Amazing, rich, and full of flavor. A must-order! • ​Kumamoto Oysters: A dozen of these beauties, perfectly fresh, clean, and incredibly tasty. ​Overall, it was a fantastic experience. Between the top-notch seafood, the gorgeous ocean views, and the endless photo opportunities right on the wharf, it's a quintessential Santa Barbara spot. Highly recommend!