Moby Dick Restaurant — Restaurant in Santa Barbara

Scrumptious! Our first time coming to Moby Dick (had been a frequent customer to Longboards for 30 years, but the last two visits since the new ownership, the food was not very tasty) and so we tried Moby Dick and boy, we sure were pleased with our experience! The hostess was kind, and she helped us get a great table by the window.

We had the fish and chips, the Alaskan Cod was really good, not overly breaded, it was light, not heavy, it was perfect, the tartar sauce was spot on, and the fries were crispy and stayed crispy throughout dinner, yay! It was some of the very best we have ever had. Also ordered the onions rings, which were very good, and they came with yummy homemade ranch dressing. The coleslaw was just how we like it. Everything was so tasty, it is what you expect to be served when you order fish and chips in a restaurant : )

The view from the restaurant is so beautiful and relaxing to watch the waves rolling onto the beach and hitting the rocks. All different types of boats coming and going out of the harbor. The theme inside the restaurant is nautical, so you really have a great experience with a good vibe all around you.

The service was outstanding. Our server, Alon, was very attentive and he went back to the kitchen for me several times as I kept asking for more of this and that (my usual behavior) and he always had a cheerful smiling face throughout the whole time we were there. We had a very pleasant conversation with him, and I would definitely want him to be our server again when we return.

After dinner we had the Flourless Chocolate Cake, and dang people, it was incredibly good. It was dressed in strawberries, whip cream, chocolate and caramel sauce. If you like chocolate, you have to try it! It's like chocolate mousse, brownie, cake, and a truffle all rolled up into the most delicious treat. The manager served us the dessert, and we let her know we were first timers, and that we will be back again. Her name is Debbie, and she was very, very sweet. We felt like we were given the star treatment by both Alon and Debbie. Our experience was very memorable and for sure we will return to Moby Dick's for the food, the atmosphere and the...

To show others that all restaurants have issues, days can be good or bad. Sorry, but I am not going to hold back on this one....... Today, it's not so good; the bar tender was seen drinking shots with a customer, making mistakes, and dropping items. One item, the bar tender, dropped a dirty pan of food into the sink with wine bottles. That should have been sanitized, but no, just wiped off. Then, he gave me a drink with something I did not request, then forgot to give us water. Ok, bar explained, now, let's talk food. What the heck is with the Lobster Roll? The menu states Clarified Butter, but what I got was Mayo?? Really? I was excited to see a real Lobster Roll, but no restaurants in SB can get it right! IT'S A NO BRAINER... (Warm Lobster cooked in clarified butter, placed on a soft roll PERIOD, served with Clarified butter). NOT MAYO, CHIVES, GARNISH IN THE LOBSTER, NO SEASONING PERIOD. We need to taste the lobster in the roll. Food # 2, What's the deal with the Artichokes? Why are the chefs removing the heart of the Artichokes? That is the meat of the Artichokes, and I will never order this again until they stop ripping off the customers, removing the best part of the meal. As for our check, I should have checked the receipt, I paid 30% tip for a 153.34 bill =198.34. Do you think this was fair? To me as a local, it is respect for the business to correct the issues, so if and when I come back, I can have better bar service, my Lobster Roll, and Artichokes, etc..

..........end of review.........2/23/2025 What a change from 2 years ago! More changes are coming according to the manager, but we had to visit the new Oyster Bar, which did not disappoint. One thing that chaps my Hyde, if you're a local and buy the Waterfront parking pass at now, $150.00 annual per year, you would think they are valid for parking on the Wharf. NOPE, NOT VALID! What gives SB City Waterfront Parking...

We went out today looking forward to some good seafood we aren't able to get back home. Unfortunately for us, we came to Moby Dick's Resteraunt instead. -----------------------The food ----------------------- My wife ordered clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl and I ordered the fish n chips. Her claim chowder was average at best with decent chunks of clam in it. However the bread bowl as well as the oyster crackers were stale. I ordered fish n chips. This dish cost 20 dollars featured 2 pics of fish which were cut tenderloin style and featured an average at best breading, 3 different types of fries (regular, seasoned, and sweet potatoe), and coleslaw. The fish and fries tasted like frozen bagged grocery store quality, and the coleslaw was extremely bland. To say the least we were quite disappointed with our choice considering the number of other seafood resteraunts within a block of this place. Do not waste your time....there are other options. -------------------------The Service-------------------- The service was terrible. There was 2 of us and we never got a single refill despite drinks being empty for half of the meal. The waiter took the order, asked us if everything looked good as soon as we got the food, and asked if we needed anything (after sitting there 10 minutes with our plates stacked). After saying we wanted to leave it took another 5 minutes just to get the check. ---------------------------Overall‐---------------‐------- The food was mostly edible but not worth the price tag. Ambiance was okay, could see the ocean but lacked in many ways. Service, I'll n our experience, terrible. Though we did see other waiters and waitresses checking in more often with their tables. Dont waste your time. Santa Barbara Shellfish Company, The Harbor, and a fish n chips place all share the same pier...try...