Santa Barbara Shellfish Company is by far our favorite Santa Barbara restaurant — dare we say the best restaurant in Santa Barbara? It’s not fancy and there is usually a wait, but they have the best fresh seafood. Spend the afternoon sitting at the end of the pier cracking fresh lobster, crab, or sea urchin.
Originally a place to buy and sell shellfish and crab, the family turned this spot at the end of the wharf into one of the best restaurants in Santa Barbara for fresh simple seafood.
There are no reservations here. You’ll find a clipboard hanging on the post outside where you write your name and if you prefer to sit inside or outside. If it’s a nice day – we highly recommend sitting outside. People will be cracking crab, drinking beer, and having fun next to the water.
If the line is too long, head over to the left side of the building and place your order at the takeaway window. You can either get a to-go order to sit on the public picnic tables, or just order a beer for while you wait.
What’s our order:
Anything on the menu. You honestly can’t go wrong. It depends on the season but we’d go for the lobster, box crab, slices of lime topped with scallop ceviche and sea urchin. Order a cold glass of local beer and you’re set.
Santa Barbara Shellfish Company, 230 Stearns Wharf, Santa Barbara, CA 93109, United
