Santa Barbara Fish Market Goleta — Restaurant in Goleta

When I first noticed that SB Fish Market not only an outpost, but also a restaurant in Goleta, I was stoked! Now I no longer have to drive to the marina, look for parking and wait in a line of tourists for the same delicious, fresh seafood.

The inside of the store had a plethora of products: canned items (fancy caviar, pickles, olives, etc), condiments and sauces (including many Asian-specific items), cold beverages, freshly prepared to-go items (seaweed salad, uni, slaws, sashimi and more). If you're in a hurry while on a lunch break, grab a drink, bag of chips and a prepackaged meal, and you're on your way! There is also a glass display stuffed with local and non-local seafood selections. Fish fillets, Channel Island Uni, shrimp, crab, oysters, scallops, clams, squid and everything in between! I encourage you to buy any and all things that are marked as local. Support our local, hardworking seafarers!

Now on to the restaurant: I wish I could give 5 stars but they're new and have some hiccups to work out. There are two lines (though it is not clear): one for the restaurant and another for the fish counter. Unfortunately the space is small so they end up running into one another. Staff was very friendly, patient and willing to answer questions. The outdoor patio has many tables yet limited space. Everyone is squeezed together like canned sardines. The staff who delivers the food can barely fit in between the tables and chairs.

As for our food: It could have been better... And I suppose I should have ordered the Fish n Chips that looked spectacular. My partner ordered the Tuna "Melt" which didn't have cheese--a bit odd to be considered a melt. We also thought it would have been better with a slice of tomato. The tuna definitely was fresh and not from a can, so that was pleasant surprise. I had the Oregon Bay Shrimp Rolls which were decent but very plain in flavor. Luckily there was a bottle of mayonnaise so I made the shrimp into a little "shrimp salad" and then it was much better. Perhaps they should season the shrimp better. The brioche bread was nicely grilled, however, the Caesar Salad "wedge" was underwhelming.

All in all, Uni'd to check this place out! I hope to give the restaurant another try...

We went a couple times to buy fresh fillets and their home made smoked salmon. All were delicious. Today we ate the rockfish fish and chips, which was the best I've had in quite a while. The rockfish was local, from Santa Barbara, and tagged very fresh. The breading is unique and crunchy to perfection. It's not the usual batter you experience everywhere. The bragging was topped with a lemony powder that enhanced the flavor and made the fish more refined. The fries were just perfect too. I also appreciated that we were given real silverware, and metal water goblets. Bravo for limiting the waste, avoiding single serve plastic! Plus, it tastes so much better when it's not out of plastic. The chef came in person twice to check that everything was too our liking and discuss the food, and where he sources the fish. Wow! Will be...

Update December 2023. Walking to the restaurant from the parking lot, I could smell fish, and not in a good way.

Again I got the Ahi Poke Bowl. It changed! No spice & not much flavor. Apparently they got complaints on the level of spice and eliminated a great meal, and replaced it with a weak version. Will not get this again.

My wife had a cioppino that was flat. Not much taste.

I'll try this place again in a few months, but I think I'm done here.

Stopped in for lunch at noon Monday 10-16-23. Fairly crowded, but the line moved quickly. Seating was almost full. We had the Ahi Poke bowl (spicy but good) & grilled fish tacos. Everything was great. You could hear others expressing the...