Best Restaurants in Santa Barbara

Explore Santa Barbara

Photo courtesy of Geneva Ives

Santa Barbara Shellfish Company

Item: Santa Barbara Shellfish Company
Author: Geneva Ives

Cuisine: Seafood

Price Range: $

10Best Says

Seafood doesn't get any fresher than this. At the Santa Barbara Shellfish Company, you can pick your lunch right out of the tanks. Established in 1980, this restaurant began as a shellfish shop before popular demand (and secret family recipes) transformed it into the bustling eatery it is today. Their menu includes all types of shellfish, but live abalones, crabs and lobsters - many locally sourced - are the real stars. Local and national beers are available on draft and pair nicely with a bread bowl of chowder on a cold or foggy day. There is bar seating inside, table seating outside and a even walk-up window for to-go orders.

Address:

230 Stearns Wharf
Santa Barbara, CA 93101

Phone:

(805) 966-6676

Website:

sbfishhouse.com

EXPERT TIPS BY: Geneva Ives
Santa Barbara Local Expert

Best Restaurants, Romantic Dining, Lunch, Seafood: "If you're in a hurry and there's a line to get in, skip the wait and order from the outside walk-up window instead."
Beachfront Dining: "In a hurry or part of a large group? Place your order at the walk-up window on the side of the building and then find a seat on the pier or take your grub to go!"
Waterfront Dining: "If you're in a hurry and there's a line to get in, skip the wait and order from the walk-up window outside instead."
Outdoor Dining: "Their lobster tacos can't be beat. And be sure to try a cup of chowder - it's the best in town!"

Recommended as Best Restaurants Because: Of course people expect an oceanfront seafood spot to be on this list, so this is our pick. Choose your crab straight from the tanks!
Best for Beachfront Dining Because: Fresh shellfish, no fluff. The Santa Barbara Shellfish Company serves amazing oysters, clams, mussels, crabs, lobsters and abalone.
Best for Waterfront Dining Because: Visit the pier and take your pick! Select live lobster, crab or abalone from one of the tanks and have it cooked while you wait.
Best for Romantic Dining Because: Forget breaking bread, crack crab instead! For the butter-drenched date of your dreams, this shellfish shack can't be beat.
Best for Lunch Because: The Shellfish Company has the best clam chowder in town, tanks full of live shellfish and a view of the ocean. Lobster anyone?
Best for Seafood Because: Go here for crabs, lobsters and abalone so fresh, you'll see it swimming in the tanks in the windows.
Best for Outdoor Dining Because: At the Shellfish Company, you can enjoy the freshest seafood right out in the middle of the ocean (well, on the end of the pier).