Santa Barbara Fish Market — Restaurant in Santa Barbara

I think the pandemic makes life hard for everyone. I appreciated their pandemic policies such as how many people can be in the shop, however even with only a max 5 customers inside at a time, I felt organization and roles of the workers was lacking. I had gone in to purchase a prepackaged snack and when I tried to get help/ask questions I felt ignored because someone who just walked in got help quicker than I did. I tried waiting my turn with my hand up, as if I was in class waiting to ask a teacher a question, and still got ignored for someone who recently walked in. The cashier, not someone walking around or behind the counter, helped me instead when they noticed I was still trying to get help. Perhaps my gestures weren't clear or my voice wasn't loud enough to be heard over the fans and other customers talking but I still can't help feeling like this could have gone better. As far as products go, the prepackaged meal was AMAZING! Wonderful flavor profile. If you're a seafood fan you would know what I mean when I say the snack/meal tasted fresh. And the presentation of the raw fresh fish for sale looked great, very appealing! If it wasnt for having plans to walk around the area for at least another hour I would have purchased the fresh fish to take home!!! I had heard great things about the fish market before and had friends get me something when they went in the past - overall, despite my feelings on the customer service, it is a great place with great deals on great food. I would 100% recommend to anyone looking for local...

This review is long overdue, for it’s the only place I’d get fresh seafood from in Santa Barbara. My parents have been coming here consistently for about 2 decades, after moving to this beautiful city in 1998. I’m pretty sure their first purchase afterthought was shared with mine. “What could be better than this.”

You get what you pay for, and that goes for everything in life. It’s high quality seafood. If any price in life bothers you, move on. But this place is beyond fair with their prices. I’ve paid the same price per pound at the best grocery stores in town. For seafood quality I was very confused by. Hard to finish the plate. Santa Barbara Fish Market has spoiled me.

My favorite thing about them? The quality has never once disappointed me. And that deserves 5 stars on its own. But the customer service and location is beyond.

Only negative thing. Parking is sometimes a pain, but it’s the famous Santa Barbara Harbor. During rush hours there are two options; pay a small fee for parking or be patient. There is always the option to enjoy the view.

By the way- they have amazing specials/sales. Keep your eye out for them.

Best tip ever!!! Go early. Right when they open. Their selection before the “Just got off of work crowd” is complete eye candy. Just don’t go on an empty stomach or too much credit limit. Jk- this place is...

This is one of the WORST MARKETS I have ever seen in my life, in the entire world. The customer service is beyond horrible. And it shows by the lack of customers. I wanted to get the pricing on the fresh oysters and the guy behind the counter was having some sort of psychological problems, and started yelling that he didn't have time to shuck the oysters and I would have to come back. There were 3 employees, and 1 couple, and myself. If that constitutes "busy" than it must take 3 counter people to service 1 customer per hour. I've never once seen the owner there. Apparently he is too busy to give proper training to his employees. Would never set foot in there again, nor would I recommend it to anyone looking for fresh seawood. Buy it directly from the Pier from the fishermen on Sat morning during the Seafood Farmer's Market. This place is a joke. And the products don't look that good, not enough volume of customers to buy the fish, and keep the...