Presentation on Map Reviews Nearby

Ichiban Sushi in Santa Barbara

4.1 (144) 1812 Cliff Dr, Santa Barbara, CA 93109, United States

Categories

Sushi restaurant
Japanese restaurant

Location on the map

Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara County, California, US

Phone: +1 805-564-7653
Site: https://ichibansushisb.com/

Opening hours

Monday:11:30 AM–2:15 PM
Tuesday:11:30 AM–2:15 PM
Wednesday:11:30 AM–2:15 PM
Thursday:11:30 AM–2:15 PM
Friday:11:30 AM–2:15 PM
Saturday:11:30 AM–2:15 PM
Sunday:5–9 PM

Edit info

Total reviews rating 4.1

144 Reviews for Ichiban Sushi 2024:

Review №1

2023-10-06 02:21:51

This was a great delivery order! The rolls are great!Spicy tuna, Philadelphia and California . They were pakaged perfectly. The Miso soup is fantastic!The Chicken Katsu was very good and very fresh.Im eager to try their Udon !

Review №2

2023-10-01 18:16:04

Not sure why the place doesnt have higher ratings. Its really good. Its conveniently located on the mesa on cliff drive. Their sushi is really good. I would say this is a top 5 place for sushi in Santa Barbara. Their california rolls are good, so are the spider and crunchy rolls. The atmosphere may not be the best as it is a little plain, but the food is good. Well worth it. I would give them a try if youre on the mesa.

Review №3

2019-08-26 05:16:17

Great food, great service. When we arrived the restaurant was full. Two tables left. Our waiter arrived immediately and took our drinks. We all enjoyed and loved our orders. Have nothing negative to say.

Review №4

2019-03-18 19:11:38

Great local sushi restaurant serving up classic Japanese fare in casual environs. Went for lunch and ordered the special of the day. In a word... DELICIOUS. Fresh sushi roll, light and crispy tempura shrimp, bright and flavorful ginger sesame dressing on the salad, excellent miso soup.

Review №5

2023-06-23 13:16:39

There are plenty of sushi places in Santa Barbara but this is perhaps the most accessible such place for the Mesa neighborhood. Cozy, pleasing interior and reasonably priced menu make this a reliable favorite. Sashimi is always fresh and tasty here.

Review №6

2022-05-03 17:51:42

Yet another perfect dinner. Our 3rd time at this delightful little bigger on the insidejoint right in the heart of the Mesa! After confirming with the management that safe, gluten free options were available, ( Remember to do this every time you go to any restaurant even if theyve accommodated you before!) I had the Chirachi Sashimi Special with gluten free miso soup. My partner had Chicken Donburi and declared it excellent. We shared a wonderful roll that Im embarrassed to report I cant recall the name of but it was tangy, slightly spicy and tasty!

Review №7

2017-10-07 01:58:11

Got a coupon from groupon so wasnt sure what to expect. Reviews are all over the place. I was pleasently suprised. Its a small place we had resevations but sat at the sushi bar with our kids, 5 and 11 chef was very friendly and awesome with our kids. Food was really good everything was fresh and came out fast, wasnt very busy. Service was good and friendly, waters stayed filled and dishes taken away quickly. Was a little pricey but if you want good sushi you have to pay a little more. I live about a hour away and i will be back.

Review №8

2020-11-20 04:13:44

Delicious fresh sushi. Good salmon skin salad. The service is wonderful server was so nice. They automatically gave us Kids chopsticks for the young person that was eating with us. A wonderful touch. I will be back!!

Review №9

2023-08-30 14:42:27

Really great! We ordered takeout via the online portal. Super easy and easy parking for pickup

Review №10

2020-11-28 19:58:04

Dreadful owner who should be deported for his totally two facedand demeanor. Horrible greasyover priced menuThe Mexican dish washer was morecharming than the disgruntled Chineseprep cooks struggling to make sushi.

Review №11

2022-07-12 02:12:15

Great foods and handsome owner! Definitely check this place out!

Review №12

2021-04-16 01:29:47

The staff was friendly and the restaurant was clean. However, the quality of the food was not so good. Tempura was not crispy at all and cold when it came out.. If you are looking for a place for a good quality sashimi or sushi, I wouldnt go here for that. No intention to revisit this place.

Review №13

2020-02-02 17:22:41

Great service and delicious sushi! One of our favorite restaurants in town

Review №14

2021-08-17 05:53:08

Great atmosphere.. Yummy fresh Sushi

Review №15

2022-10-09 18:08:11

I hate to write a bad review bc I know this is someones livelihood but I feel an obligation to warn others... I had the most horrific food poisoning from this place. Honestly cannot remember being so sick in my entire life. I was in bed for a full 24 hours with a bucket bedside me bc I was too nauseated to get up. It used to be a favorite spot but now I cant stomach the idea of going back. Obviously, it could have been a virus but I seriously doubt it. It was a Sunday night... Maybe thats when the sushi is the least fresh? In any event, we wont be going back.

Review №16

2022-08-15 19:58:44

Pass this one up, honestly. If you do go, get the Groupon deal and please, do yourself a favor, and skip the lunch specials.Overall, poor quality food and inconsiderate staff. Our server, Carys, was very pleasant. Despite making a few errors related to our order, her positive demeanor is the only reason I’m giving them a second star.

Review №17

2022-01-15 20:40:41

Staff was friendly and accommodating. Very little sushi knowledge. Typical frozen fish sushi spot, which is common, but this spot needs to step it up in flavors, preparation, dishes, and creativity.

Review №18

2022-10-03 20:20:03

California roll and avocado rolls were the order of the day. They were fresh and tasty.Nice environment for a strip mall.

Review №19

2023-09-22 00:46:07

Its gone downhill, this once was a GREAT place, not anymore, my beef tasted old, was tough and chewy.

Review №20

2021-07-31 17:01:43

Great service and nice variety of Japanese offerings, was impressed by their appetizers menu. Came here for dinner with my boys and we had their tonkatsu dinner set, saba dinner set, pork ramen along with several appetizers. Loved their vegetable tempura and the agedashi tofu appetizers and the ramen was surprisingly good. We came in hungry and had a great dinner experience, will be back again sometime

Review №21

2017-08-19 16:18:59

This place improved for the better. No more fish smell when walking in. Staff was a little confused with table arrangement and their sushi is still not cutting it for my top of the line sushi. The sushi is better than what I remembered. I recommend the mesa roll. This is not a rating for nigiri and sashimi. That would be the ultimate test to see if they can cut and distribute properly

Review №22

2018-07-17 02:47:24

First off there was broken glass in my drink. When I told the staff she just said it was probably in with the ice and walked away. That was a instant reason for me to never go back.As for the food it was decent. Expensive and half the size as other places.The staff does not seem to care about anything and does not check on you. Had to wave at them several times just to get them to come over.

Review №23

2017-01-13 16:25:01

We went here for a birthday dinner with a small group and used the group Groupon. We made a reservation but when we arrived there was room at the sushi bar counter so we asked if we could sit there. It wasnt a problem. Our sushi chef was a happy man and eager to talk with us about the food we were eating. We ordered the 007, Chefs special, Cliff Drive, and Crunchy rolls, plus 2 dinner combos. All the rolls were great. Afterwards we ordered 2 orders of Uni to try them. The sushi chef said the uni that day was local to Santa Barbara, but they do not crack the urchin shells there, so they are not shell fresh. The only complaint, if we had one, was waiting for our check when we were all done. We sat there for quite a while, before finally asking to close out. All in all, it was delicious, and well definitely go back.

Review №24

2018-06-15 02:24:48

Patron beware! The reason I decided to try this place was due to an Access deal of buy one roll get a second roll for FREE. When I presented the Access card they proceeded to take it and apply the discount. To my surprise they only discounted $8.00, which wasn’t the price of any of my rolls. I asked the waitress why they didn’t take off one roll as that was the Access stayed such discount, she proceeded to say that the limit was $8.00. I checked the offer and there was no mention of an $8.00 limit. A passing by waitress screamed, $8.00 limit, that’s that. My view on this is that the deal should state as such and not after the fact. This place regardless of a discount is not is NOT worth it. Stay away, rude, food not worth it, and not much of an atmosphere. Very disappointed that they treat locals so poorly. I will be reaching out to Access to make them aware of this scam. STAY AWAY!!!

Review №25

2017-03-02 04:37:52

This has been one of my favorite sushi spots. Friendly staff and I can talk to the chefs. Which is always a plus in my book I cant stand not being able to share stories while making my sushi rolls. This place has my favorite fresh ahi box sushi. If your on the mesa get here, try the 007 and so much more.

Review №26

2021-08-24 02:12:25

Change your hours on Google! We walked in at 9:15 and felt very unwelcomed! Employees only gave us the option for take out! If your kitchen closes at 9:30 then please update your hours because on-line it states this restaurant closes at 10pm! Not a pleasant experience!

Review №27

2018-11-16 19:34:14

Traditional sushi house in the heart of the Mesa. Clean, bright atmosphere and cold Sapporo. They have some special tables that are lower in the ground, take your shoes off and enjoy this special experience. This a good place to get sushi!

Review №28

2019-11-09 03:15:15

Ichiban has always been one of my preferred sushi restaurant in Santa Barbara. I was a bit taken back by the price for uni. Overall, I could have ordered a great meal else where for less money. I am rethinking my choices.

Review №29

2017-05-17 00:47:15

Dont waist your time and money - Any Atlantis Resort Restaurant is better for the same price. And I still stand with my opinion that the people who I encountered that worked there acted like they hated their job. What a drag. I love these kinds of restaurants so weve been to Benihanas often and this was a so so experience compared to that. I wrote what I thought was a fair review on Yelp with 3 stars but someone from the restaurant decided to reply with what I felt was an attack. If she really felt strongly about what I said she could have sent me a private note. Note to responder: The customer may not be right in your opinion but the customer is always the customer. So therefore downgraded my review for waisting my time in having to re-write my review by disputing me in detail instead of contacting me privately to apologize and reconsider re writing. Then I was reviewing another restaurant positively on Google and I remember how bad Ichibans customer service was - I have never gone back to Harrahs even though they send me promos - and decided to warn Google review checkers. By the way we waited to be seated and the group in front of us were falling down drunk loud, lewd and cussing. Another party in front of us chose to leave altogether instead of be seated with the drunk group so I asked --as there was 3 other tables empty could we wait to be seated with the group behind us and the host got mad. She said be seated with this group or wait 1/2 hour. We chose to wait. She did end up seating us with the group behind us but I thought it was childish the way she threatened. We could have walked away like the others. We politely chose to wait. As she rolled her eyes at us with her hands on her hips attitude - while the geishas in the background looked bored to death hating life - if you really want details! Also we did not order the most expensive thing on the menu - we ordered the steak that came with few scallops - dont know what that is called. No drinks. Price was not big issue, we asked the waitress if their was a good amount of seafood on your most expensive dish and she said no it was just a small sample and we asked if we could substitute all seafood instead of steak and was told no. We wanted cooked seafood - just saying Atlantis biggest seafood meal is 39.99 per person- we were just not that into you. Sophias reply has now made a long forgotten experience branded in my mind and I feel bad about the experience and will never forget and always associate your restaurant and Harrahs as a bad time.

Review №30

2021-07-19 19:56:50

Underwhelming. Tempura seemed not fresh, lunch special sushi was practically unidentifiable. Taste was not very fresh. Even though this place is close to home, we won’t be back.

Review №31

2018-04-04 04:02:17

I love this sushi spot. Waitresses are always very friendly and sushi chef is super cool. I usually get the noodles but Everytime I get sushi always nice fat chunky sashimi and hefty rolls. Recommend definitely

Review №32

2020-01-18 02:56:01

Very poor quality sushi, overpriced. Seems like the too much mayo style sushi. Thought that only cooked rolls tasted better than not cooked (raw fish should be fresh). Tried multiple times but the experience was the same

Review №33

2021-09-14 20:42:34

One of my favorite places to dine and take out. The food is good. Very clean and the staff are all great and friendly

Review №34

2013-12-08 01:14:05

I like Ichiban Sushi on the Mesa in Santa Barbara. It is convenient and very Traditional Japanese Sushi Restaurant with a Traditional Decor. I get the California rolls with Spicy Mayo Sauce and I love the 007 Roll. I go there often and bring Friends.

Review №35

2016-11-15 07:07:59

Unless you have a Groupon to this place, it isnt worth it to eat here. They charge for every single little thing, like a whole dollar for some Sriracha sauce. Other than poor service and a rude cashier, the food isnt half bad.

Review №36

2022-07-12 02:06:01

Staff is nice and place is clean. Eel hand roll is my favorite. Definitely will go back again.

Review №37

2020-01-12 19:14:57

Sushi was expensive, and sushi is, but the quality seemed high enough to match. Lunch specials are pretty reasonably priced, and was tasty! Will be back to try some specialty rolls.

Review №38

2020-10-18 01:18:16

If you offer Togo...put up your menu. I’m not going to go searching they your pictures trying to guess what it is. And you have a picture of your “menu”. Make sure it’s available and if you want it in the pictures make sure you can actually read it.

Review №39

2022-04-19 15:19:08

Great place to eat! Previous review was for Goleta Sushi House! This restaurant is one of our favorite places to eat!

Review №40

2016-04-01 03:02:57

This has been my absolute favorite sushi restaurant in town! Been coming here regularly for over 12 years, never had to wait, always fresh and delicious, and most importantly.. always 100% satisfied!!

Review №41

2022-07-23 23:25:46

The tempura udon bento plate was good. The udon pretty plain but overall was a satisfying meal. Ill be back.

Review №42

2018-09-19 01:53:14

Staff was just ignorant, it seems like thet dont want to be there, dont even want to talk to you. I was trying to pick up my food stranding right in front of the cashier and she was just sitting there doing absolutely nothing, like I was invisible.Food is Ok if you are able to get it.

Review №43

2017-06-05 18:15:43

I have really enjoyed this place the couple times Ive been. Im always on the lookout for affordable quality sushi, and this place has become my Santa Barbara go-to.

Review №44

2017-03-06 21:09:21

Nice, intimate sushi restaurant. Pleasant, respectful servers. Nice menu choices. Usually always have a Groupon you can grab! Nice Mesa location.

Review №45

2012-08-20 02:32:20

A standby for my wife and I. The chief chef picks his fish personally. I love the salmon nigiri. I dont understand the bad reviews because weve never had a bad experience.

Review №46

2021-04-04 01:36:09

Amazing service; such sweet people! The food was delicious and presented very nicely will definitely be coming here regularly now!

Review №47

2023-11-30 02:02:45

Great food!

Review №48

2021-06-08 20:23:23

I am in Cottage hospital in the covid ward. My husband delivered sushi and a cucumber salad. Both were almost inedible!! And the irony is....Im Japanese. NEVER AGAIN WILL I GO THERE!!

Review №49

2017-08-17 17:21:43

The only reason Im giving this place a one star is because the service is HORRIBLE!!!! They take forever totake your drink order and food order. Then they rush you as you order. The food is good though but I wont come back because of the terrible service. #notip

Review №50

2019-08-11 06:44:37

Delicious and fresh food. Quiet local feel. I grew up going here and it’s one of my favorite restaurants on the Mesa.

Review №51

2017-07-10 16:49:46

I havent been here in so many years but I came back recently and the sushi is still amazing. I highly recommend making sure to visit this place while in the area.

Review №52

2020-12-14 00:27:05

I love taking my mother here for a sushi dinner treat. The staff is warm and welcoming and the food is great.

Review №53

2016-07-07 20:41:50

Casual place to go and great place to go on the Mesa. Its a great alternative if you would like to avoid downtown and just want to relax. The staff are always nice.

Review №54

2019-07-01 03:07:02

Ichiban is one of my favorite lunch spots in SB. The food and service is always good, and the prices are reasonable.Thats amazing for SB.

Review №55

2015-10-31 20:18:15

They are so nice and everyone in there says hello and goodbye! They have those cute tables with the couches, I got the udon soup and it was amazing :)

Review №56

2018-04-10 06:12:50

Definitely my favorite sushi and sashimi, etc restaurant. So much variety of food and i enjoy the traditonal japanese style seating and the bar and the booths. They also have tables and forks, in case youre into that type of thing.

Review №57

2016-06-07 07:14:43

Im not big on sushi, but if you come here you must get 007. Out of all the times Ive been in Ive never had a bad experience or great service & great food!

Review №58

2019-07-14 02:31:43

Fish is always fresh and well prepared. Service is attentive without being overbearing. Love this place!

Review №59

2018-02-08 06:36:51

The food is always fantastic, service is great, and its not too expensive. I love getting food to go from here too.Thanks guys !!!

Review №60

2017-11-20 23:08:37

Ive been going to Ichiban for years. Im more of a chicken teriyaki diner than sushi when it comes to Japanese, but its always tasty with good service.

Review №61

2014-08-13 02:34:05

I ordered tempura donburi and it taste bad, specially to Asians who knows Japanese food well. They are not Japanese nor know about Japanese Aji (taste) either.

Review №62

2019-06-25 19:48:04

Food was mediocre and service wasnt much better. We went because we had a groupon but will not go back.

Review №63

2020-02-08 17:55:00

The curry rice was pretty good. 👍

Review №64

2014-04-03 20:37:22

I had a great experience here. The Sushi was tasty, and we got to sit on the floor while we ate. I recommend Ichiban Sushi.

Review №65

2022-05-23 00:51:41

The owners were extremely rude and when I tried asking one of the servers for some help they said to ignore me and told her to keep working

Review №66

2019-04-24 06:49:45

Whent on first date here, it seemed to work. No longer single so 5 stars!Also noodles were good!

Review №67

2021-02-02 23:31:49

Delicious sushi, for both lunch or dinner. Great lunch deals and outdoor covid seating.

Review №68

2018-12-29 03:38:10

Great experience. Great plethora of sushi and beautiful servers. Also the chefs are masters

Review №69

2020-09-03 18:13:42

Great menu and food very yummy. Prices very reasonable too!

Review №70

2020-09-20 02:27:25

I guess they donot need customers.. Called to make reservation, I was told first come first serve basis.. Here we were we might need reservation after all..

Review №71

2019-03-19 04:16:47

Very good sushi. They have great specialty sushi rolls. And the fried calamari is 🔥.

Review №72

2020-10-11 13:57:59

Nice outdoor seating. Quick service. Great sushi

Review №73

2021-07-24 21:56:14

This is my favorite sushi place in Santa Barbara. Wish they had fried rice.

Review №74

2018-04-15 16:08:30

Pretty good, fresh sushi. Very busy. Wait staff okay.

Review №75

2019-01-03 05:12:45

Wasn’t disappointed but also wasn’t amazed. Good prices for most of it though. Can’t decide if I will be returning.

Review №76

2017-03-06 22:50:54

Expensive but delicious sushi. Wouldnt go here without a coupon and if you go with four people, expect a bill of $100!

Review №77

2021-12-30 06:36:56

Google told us it will be open until 10 pm, when arrived they told us it is already closed. Not good!

Review №78

2017-04-08 05:43:28

Hands down best sushi in town. Wonderful service and sushi never disappoints!

Review №79

2017-10-08 20:21:22

Good was really good but several tables with children running wild and parents werent any better...so loud it was painful.

Review №80

2019-03-24 15:47:57

The sushi is so fresh and their Japanese cuisine is truly authentic.

Review №81

2021-03-31 00:56:58

Highly recommended! Tasty food and great service.

Review №82

2016-12-02 16:24:28

Food was quite good and we loved sitting at the low table.

Review №83

2017-03-22 00:00:53

Good sushi, service is ok, very original roll creations

Review №84

2015-09-06 20:57:45

The most traditional sushi in a town filled with fusion sushi; our favorite this side of L.A.

Review №85

2022-01-25 05:07:26

Little expensive for the quality of sushi but good overall

Review №86

2022-09-11 06:22:33

Favorite sushi in the area, highly recommended

Review №87

2018-11-20 03:45:16

A bit over priced for americanized japanese food made by mainland chinese. Everything is a bit too salty.

Review №88

2017-03-14 14:10:33

Delicious food, service can feel a bit rushed for being a semi pricey restaurant.

Review №89

2022-07-05 15:06:57

Okay sushi, okay service. Not one of my favorites but will go back when Im in the area

Review №90

2021-02-01 20:51:55

The food is very good salmon teriyaki, so good.

Review №91

2019-12-31 05:01:12

Always tasty and expertly prepared. Dont miss the Japanese scallop!

Review №92

2017-02-20 20:41:26

As others said, use Groupon to get the value, otherwise a little pricey for the food

Review №93

2019-04-27 04:02:38

Good basic sushi. Everything was tasty and fresh!

Review №94

2019-04-04 20:19:47

A top pick for the Mesa area. Wont break your budget.

Review №95

2021-03-06 01:57:59

Great food, service and price!

Review №96

2022-06-26 06:02:28

Bad very rude service would not recomend

Review №97

2019-02-14 20:09:08

Good service, but my food was over cooked this time.

Review №98

2011-09-17 19:16:58

Great place for lunch. Good food and service.

Review №99

2021-01-14 05:26:05

The owner is very rude and inconsiderate to the people who delivers food.

Review №100

2019-02-05 10:49:22

The owners are friendly. Sushi is great.

Review №101

2021-07-10 03:27:28

I found plastic in my sushiRude staff and oily food

Review №102

2022-02-02 03:23:09

Always greatGreat service and food

Review №103

2018-05-21 05:23:58

Great flavors, nice ambiance, great dining.

Review №104

2023-01-22 13:18:01

The food is good and the price is fair

Review №105

2019-08-29 01:58:27

One of the best sushi restaurants in Ventura

Review №106

2022-05-27 00:05:37

Freshest fish and great selection

Review №107

2018-01-28 02:47:59

The chef has been replaced. Sushi isnt as good as it use to be.

Review №108

2016-08-02 23:21:27

Fun place for lunch. Great lunch menus

Review №109

2021-10-06 14:55:21

Excellent as always! Fresh and tasty!

Review №110

2015-11-17 02:45:46

Good service, food is just ok.

Review №111

2022-04-28 04:38:06

Very tasty pork ramen

Review №112

2019-04-28 05:09:35

Excellent service, top notch rolls.

Review №113

2018-02-25 22:02:38

I heard good things, but it was not so great.

Review №114

2019-03-20 19:34:47

Hard to park but well worth it.

Review №115

2022-03-06 02:49:54

Place is bad, avoid at all cost.

Review №116

2016-07-16 16:21:58

Like the bench seating. food is great.

Review №117

2018-04-27 04:08:28

Good sushi and friendly service.

Review №118

2016-08-21 20:27:34

Good Sushi! Great service!

Review №119

2020-02-16 23:09:37

Great place for business lunch.

Review №120

2020-01-20 05:34:45

Good people, service, and food.

Review №121

2017-08-07 00:02:40

Foods good and the price is right

Review №122

2018-09-03 13:28:49

Not always the fastest, but always good

Review №123

2019-06-28 03:24:57

Loved the service and food

Review №124

2017-02-20 20:05:10

Cool place

Review №125

2018-03-08 20:35:37

Fantastic food and service.....

Review №126

2019-10-02 21:18:23

Just your average sushi shop.

Review №127

2020-01-12 03:41:56

Love it great food

Review №128

2019-12-03 20:46:36

Another great sushi joint

Review №129

2020-02-10 20:01:57

Very nice

Review №130

2018-09-21 22:42:05

Great sushi and service

Review №131

2018-07-02 09:51:05

Great place for sushi

Review №132

2019-04-15 04:01:39

Rainbow Roll is awesome

Review №133

2018-12-26 15:45:18

My favorite sushi place

Review №134

2019-04-06 06:15:11

Great!

Review №135

2020-12-28 21:44:50

Love it

Review №136

2017-03-28 23:06:08

Great locals site

Review №137

2018-04-20 04:59:00

Not the place for sushi

Review №138

2019-06-01 21:17:04

Love this place!

Review №139

2018-01-09 15:13:16

Yummy

Review №140

2019-08-21 15:18:25

Pricey

Review №141

2020-02-26 00:06:57

Great spot

Review №142

2021-09-04 19:36:47

Alright rolls.

Review №143

2019-02-04 01:46:22

#amazingcombos #healthy

Review №144

2020-06-14 05:16:46

Excellent sushi