Presentation on Map Reviews Nearby

Sama Sama Kitchen in Santa Barbara

4.3 (199) 1208 State St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, United States

Categories

Southeast Asian restaurant

Location on the map

Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara County, California, US

Phone: +1 805-965-4566
Site: http://samasamakitchen.com/

Opening hours

Monday:Closed
Tuesday:12–3 PM
Wednesday:12–3 PM
Thursday:12–3 PM
Friday:12–3 PM
Saturday:12–3 PM
Sunday:12–3 PM

Edit info

Total reviews rating 4.3

199 Reviews for Sama Sama Kitchen 2024:

Review №1

2023-11-10 17:08:13

What I REALLY wish I had a picture of is the crispy rice salad.... But I always dive in immediately and forget a photo. It is honestly one of my most favorite dishes, anywhere. Super crunchy and flavorful and I crave it all the time. Order 2 for the table because you wont want to share. Fantastic cocktails and rotating seasonal specials. We keep coming back again and again. Highly recommend for both a quick lunch or romantic dinner date. This spot hits on so many levels.

Review №2

2023-09-03 21:01:41

Southeast Asian style (Indonesian focused) eatery with some of the best food and drinks I’ve had in a long time. The ultra friendly service, the rich ambiance, and the amazing food really makes this place stand out, especially considering it receives acclaim in many public websites about the best food in Santa Barbara.The food here is inspired by southeast Asian themes with a focus on Indonesian culture. There are plates such as pork noodles (amazing), ribs (also amazing), and many other meat based rib and rice bowls. Everything was delicious and looked beautiful!They have a wide variety of cocktails and nonalcoholic drinks. It ranges from seltzer’s, to fresh tea, to highly sophisticated margaritas with unique ingredients I never thought of. I’d highly recommend their gin-based cocktails, as well as the Mezcal margarita, some of the best cocktail experiences I’ve ever had.Be prepared to wait to be seated or come right when they open. This place is highly popular and for a good reason. This restaurant is listed on multiple websites as one of the best places to eat in Santa Barbara, and I can confirm that it is. As such, you will need to prepare to come here, but it is going to be worth your weight. After you eat, you can walk all the way back down in State Street in Itzá really good experience to let your food settle and enjoy the beautiful city in Santa Barbara is.Absolutely recommended.

Review №3

2023-09-25 01:44:59

If you ever been to Indonesia, do not even try to eat here. The basic street foods, as mie or nasi goreng are completely without any flavour.. the duck salad, sate and pinda saus was a bit better, at least resembles some Indo flavours. The reason I gave more than one star is our serves Izzy, it seemed, that she was the only one having any idea of what she was or suppose to serve... and tried to make up in some ways our disappontment.

Review №4

2023-04-02 17:24:21

My husband and I spent almost a week in Santa Barbara hitting up all the restaurants we’ve been wanting to go to. We got married so it was a special week.Sama Sama was one of our favorites on the trip and we went back twice!The food was excellent - I did not take photos of everything we got. We also got the pork noodles - highly recommend. Not that it needs it but whatever extra wing sauce I had, I poured it on top of the noodles.We also got a miso black cod wrapped in a banana leaf with some curry on it. So delicate and delicious. This was a special, not on the menu.The drinks were some of the best hand crafted cocktails I’ve had in a while, unique and easy to put down.The staff, ambiance and vibe was perfect! Can’t wait to come back. Thanks for everything!

Review №5

2023-08-15 00:46:12

Some of the best drinks in town!Sama Sama was kind to let us in close to closing time in search of some killer cocktails. Off the bat I have to say - the best white Negroni I’ve ever had, infused with mezcal per recommendation of our server. A remarkable cocktail that I still remember well. All of our drinks were expertly crafted with clear attention to detail and a stunning sense of balance throughout. I can only imagine how good the food must be here with drinks this good!Don’t miss out on this place!

Review №6

2023-09-14 00:59:17

Had their pepes Ikan ( fish curry) and Nasi Goreng Java. Amazing food with lots of flavors but felt the portion size could be increased .

Review №7

2022-08-18 04:03:59

We were 3 people and waited 45 minutes for the outside table meanwhile they have three 6-seats empty tables for the whole time when we were waiting. The table we had was a 2’x2’ and extremely small for 3 people and we ordered 6 dishes, we had to finish dish by dish quickly in order to leave the space for the next dish. Our last dish didn’t come and the waitress didn’t check until I asked her. She said our order was given to another table. Then another 10 minutes wait for the last dish. They have 20% tips added to the bill even for 3 people. It was not a good meal to enjoy and share at all. The food is mediocre, nothing is special.

Review №8

2023-10-29 04:33:37

Food was just okay, not worth the price. Patio was cute. They werent busy at all but service was super awkward and super slow. Our table wasnt the only one looking around confused and waiting for service. Male manager was very nice and sort of made up for it. Maybe since gratuity is automatic they think they dont even have to try?

Review №9

2023-05-04 13:08:48

Very nice service and excellent menu. A good selection of vegetarian dishes and inventive cocktails. Good for groups and located in a very walkable area. Maybe one downside was no wifi but a QR menu. They did have physical menus to share as a backup.

Review №10

2023-11-25 01:41:57

One of my favorite restaurant experiences. The food was just so delicious. Some of our favs— duck salad, pork noodles, crispy rice salad, wings.Big thank you to our server Tony who was gracious with recommendations and very attentive.There are a thousand restaurants on state street, but this is a step above em all.

Review №11

2023-11-28 14:37:07

Food was good but nothing extraordinary. I was a little disappointed with the options, which are not a lot. Somehow the enforced 20% tip did not sit well with me. Dont get me wrong: I always top 20% minimum. But to enforce something that should be up to the customer to decide is not cool, sorry.

Review №12

2023-09-27 19:21:07

Ate here while on vacation in Santa Barbara. It was the best and most interesting meal I have had in a long time. The chicken wings were amazing, as was the green papaya salad and the pork noodle dish. The patio is charming and the margarita was spicy and the best ever! I want to go back!

Review №13

2023-03-01 23:36:02

Enjoyed Valentines dinner here, after hearing wonderful reviews. The food was spectacular and flavorful. To be honest, I would go back for the Banana Donuts alone.

Review №14

2023-11-12 16:50:25

I went here last month and am still thinking about the Javanese Chicken Curry. I really think it was the best curry dish I’ve ever tasted!

Review №15

2023-10-18 03:36:28

Phenomenal meal! One of the best on our trip across California. Chicken wings, fried rice and noodles were sublime, and to finish it off - the green tea tiramisu. Very friendly service!

Review №16

2022-07-03 22:30:31

Delicious food …Pleasant outdoor dinning.Hot Chicken Bao: a little bit over fried,needs a bigger piece of chicken.Drinks alcohol & non-alcohol are yummy.Servers are attentive.

Review №17

2022-09-16 02:38:58

A real gem, glad we came here! Was excited to have mie goreng and wings, all delicious. Cocktails were also very well done and completed a great dinner. Awesome vibe, very Santa Barbara, highly recommend coming early because it got busy very fast and a long wait.

Review №18

2023-09-20 00:44:39

Unique dining experience with great food approachable cocktails and long wait times. Every dish I tried was fantastic and flavorful with the exception of a thin chewy chicken satay. Their custom cocktails had a lot of infused spirits and contain hard alcohol but this isnt a full bar. When I came they seemed to be down an employee. The service was congenial as they could be but one person on the floor wasnt enough to cater to the needs of more than twenty patrons. Unfortunately based on the comments, this doesnt seem to be an unrelated incident. Your experience may have similar delays so Id advise against trying to come here when youre pressed for time. Its a great place otherwise, sonthis could just be the problem of management or a single employee. Definitely worth the trip if you have the time.

Review №19

2023-09-13 17:13:28

The food at Sama Sama was incredible. Truly delicious and unique. The service however was perhaps the worst I’ve ever experienced at such a “fine” establishment. One of the servers seemed very clearly drunk and couldn’t speak straight and the food was haphazardly dropped onto the table without presentation or explanation as to what the dish even was. It felt as though they wanted us OUT as quickly as possible but we were there well before closing time. We received our first dish well before we received the wine and beer we ordered. The service was messy, making the experience disappointing to say the least. All this after a 40 minute wait for a table.

Review №20

2023-10-06 22:48:04

Got there at 6 on a Thursday and had the great back patio all to ourselves for a few mins until it was totally full by 6:45. Food and service were excellent. Mickey was chill but knew his stuff and took great care of us. The wings (both types), bluefin tostada, crispy rice with pork and the noodle dish without the pork were all fresh, delicious and perfect for a couple. It was a great dinner and experience and would be happy to come back on another visit to SB.

Review №21

2023-11-19 00:21:12

Have been here a couple times and can say everything is bloody fantastic!Amazing food, nice vibe (music is on point), and really friendly service. Shout-out to Alex and Christian for their lovely drinks and great chat 😊

Review №22

2023-10-03 23:16:12

Items are family style, and relatively small, but unique and tasty. Expect tapas scale servings. Particular favs were Thai chicken wings, bluefin tostadas (closer to tacos in scale, but nicely balanced). Flavors worked without much Chile heat, hottest dishes I had were mild piquant. Brussels Sprouts were excellent.

Review №23

2023-10-19 13:41:40

20 percent service surcharge for....terrible service. Our cocktails were brought out after every dish we ordered, and only after I asked a busser to check on them. I had to ask the busser because the server was nonexistent and scattered. We were brought 3 dishes we either already received or didnt order.The food was outstanding, but it detracts from my girlfriends birthday experience when the first dish we are served is the main entrée of spare ribs.Also, isnt it against the law (or soon to be) to add undisclosed surcharges in this city? Regardless, this is a poor business practice. The price listed should be whats expected on the bill, I shouldnt have to be forced to pay your employees living wage.

Review №24

2023-09-13 16:03:44

So it’s just not a welcoming environment… Why play the game of adding a 20% gratuity to all bills and then not provide good service. Just up your prices 20% and than say tip is I cider. Furthermore, why is it being shared with the kitchen staff that REFUSED to add something to my dish? Just wanted to add a protein to my rice and that was too much to ask. I’m part Indonesian and was thrilled to finally find an Indonesian restaurant! Food was decent… probably won’t return.

Review №25

2021-07-03 19:35:30

Loved my whole experience at Sama Sama! It was so easy to make a reservation for a group of 8.Food was DELICIOUS! Some standouts were the wings, both Signature and Vietnamese ones - the fish sauce caramel was addicting. Gado Gado salad and Tofu & Broccolini dishes were also must orders!!! Was very surprised at how a potato and egg salad could look so simple but had so much flavor - the peanut dressing is probably the best salad dressing I’ve ever had.Still thinking about this meal weeks later!

Review №26

2023-10-26 21:43:01

Food was alright. The 20% automatic gratuity tip was pretty strange though. Gratuity isn’t something that’s automatically pre determined regarding service… I would like to be in control of whether I deem the food and experience worth tipping.On top of that when you pay they offer another tipping fee where you can tip them even more 😂😂😂😂 tipping culture is getting crazy

Review №27

2021-11-07 23:41:38

Fresh, unique restaurant, but the portions are quite small for the price.Mie goreng: It was good. Thats about it. Nothing particularly interesting, just one of those things that was okay, but youd never order it again. I guess I expected the sauce to be more flavorful or the ingredients to be more fun? Some acidity or brightness? 3/5Chicken sandwich with fried bao: Absolutely delicious, and...well, quite tiny for the price. The chicken was freshly fried and utterly juicy and crispy. The sauce was perfect amount of heat. The bun was everything you want it to be and more. One of those things you would eat every day if money was no object. 5/5

Review №28

2023-09-09 22:48:43

Do yourself a favor and get the wings here! The sauce is Amazing! I find myself craving them. This place is a bit hard to get a reservation on short notice, so I usually try and roll up around 5pm to get seated.

Review №29

2022-03-27 05:37:00

Absolutely delicious. The flavors were amazing and very unique. I can’t wait to go back again.

Review №30

2022-09-04 00:09:59

Mandatory 20% gratuity in the bill is surprising and not desired. Gratuity should be at will and based on the quality of service and not mandatory.Coming back to food, it’s average and everything dipped into sweet sauce which makes all items taste same!!!I felt it’s NOT value for money.

Review №31

2022-05-02 05:03:34

This is one of the best meals Ive had in my life. We ordered the halibut special and a pavlova (yes, at the same time, because life is short and theres no point waiting for dessert.)Every single element was perfect, my only regret is that I have no idea what was in the sauce for the fish or how to recreate it. (coconut? chili oil? something umami tasting?)We went on a whim (it smelled amazing as we walked by) and it was a total surprise and just... perfect. Yep. thats the word. It was perfect. Cant recommend it highly enough!

Review №32

2023-10-20 06:40:53

Unique offerings executed to perfection. Loved our food, service was great, and the cocktails were awesome. Highly recommend.

Review №33

2018-04-01 04:51:14

Came here for a relaxed solo meal on Friday night. It was pretty quiet when I arrived (around 6), but was much busier when I left an hour or so later. I like the atmosphere of Sama Sama, casual but nice with a sort of hipster vibe. The staff was very courteous and pleasant all around. I was seated quickly and immediately someone brought me some water. The waitress was quick to welcome me and offered some suggestions for me to choose. Since it was still happy hour, I decided to try a few things. The Brussels sprouts were amazing, I loved the kick in the mie goreng, and the mule kick was tasty (though I wasn’t getting the kick). The only disappointment of the whole night was that they were out of the black sesame tres leches! I had the chamomile pearl pudding instead, which was still creamy and delicious. Overall a great night, and next time I plan to try the wings!

Review №34

2023-09-06 06:17:07

TLDR: Ask for detailed receipt / check your bill, mandatory 20% tips but average serviceThey give you a bulky POS to review and tap your credit card. The terminal doesnt show all the details like taxes etc. They should really print out detail receipts like other restaurants then have us tap on their POS terminal. They could hide fees or other table items on your tab.We were made aware of the 20% tips when waiter came over. However, the service is very average. We have been to places where restaurants charge 20% and they have been very attentive. This place was not worth 20% tips.For the food - small portions but their Vietnamese fried chicken was good 👍You can expect to pay $50 per person here

Review №35

2023-06-06 13:10:01

This restaurant is stellar. The Brussel sprouts, wings, ribs, duck confit so had amazing flavor. The drinks were unique, but kinda small for the price. Would definitely recommend if you are looking for flavor on state street.

Review №36

2021-07-11 15:19:56

In order of best to worst: the traditional wings, spanish octopus, short ribs.the wings were really crispy & i appreciate that they’re all wingtips, my favorite. the short ribs had great flavor but both that and the spanish octopus were a bit chewy and not tender.cocktail & orange wine were good!

Review №37

2023-08-19 17:34:23

Really good food. Duck salad and the wings were amazing. The palm sugar dessert was also really good, would come back!

Review №38

2023-10-12 01:27:45

Everything was incredible- the service (shout out Tony), the food and the ambiance. Will be coming back for the bok choy salad and Nasi Goreng. Must try when in Santa Barbara!

Review №39

2023-06-13 00:05:53

Despite being 35 minutes before closing time they welcomed our group of 13 in for a round of celebratory drinks after my brothers wedding. The bartender recommended her favourite mezcal cocktail and it did not disappoint.

Review №40

2020-11-30 17:26:40

Sama Sama can be a little pricey, so as the rest of the nearby restaurants around, but youll get what you paid for -- a very lovely meal, exploding with flavors and very appetizing aroma.

Review №41

2023-06-11 06:18:33

Amazing service and staff! The food is soooo tasty and full of flavors! I really enjoy the family style service too. It makes the dining experience relaxing and fun at the same time. Highly recommend!

Review №42

2023-05-21 14:08:56

All I can say about sama sama is CHECK YOUR BILL! The ONLY two times we ate there our final bill had items we didn’t order and multiple items of the same! The first time, they tried to charge us for a $100+ bottle of wine instead of a glass. Only corrected after we brought to the servers attention. And then the second time we had single ordered items showing up in 2-3 orders! The server and hostess apologized and said he accidentally added another tables’ ticket to ours only after we had given our card to pay before seeing bill. If we didn’t experience this type of error before, it might have been possible, but for it to happen to us again is highly unlikely. Can not recommend dining there.

Review №43

2023-04-30 20:24:57

This circumstance of mandatory tip is understand in the background of current economic edition. But this restaurant is NOT NOT NOT worth the money at all, think twice even if you really into the southeast Asian food.All of the food I ordered here was basically the size of a try, not going to comment for the taste.

Review №44

2022-08-09 21:50:28

Stumbled on this place looking for a quick lunch spot on State St. Great wings and chicken bun! Lots of outdoor seating.

Review №45

2021-12-04 06:10:24

We had take out.👍：Mie Goreng👎: Half&half wing(over fried)/Pavlova(too sweet)

Review №46

2023-06-23 04:02:41

Sama-sama means same in Indonesian but the dishes werent authentic, just carried the names, but fusion allows any deviation. None of the most popular Indo dishes like Rendang, Soto Betawi, or even Ayam Goreng. Gado-gado was just American salad with dressing and some peanut chips.Too modern in not just the food, like a QR-only menu (didnt load on Android) and auto 18% gratuity and request for an additional tip if desired. Dishes already pricey for mediocre quality.

Review №47

2021-05-22 17:10:53

Had such a fun meal with friends here! They do small plates for sharing so we got to try a whole bunch of different dishes and everything was fantastic.

Review №48

2023-04-01 04:57:32

Waited 30 min for water after a 15 min wait for service outside aka waiter to arrive to the table. Food was delicious. Service could have been better. Not sure if it was the server or poor communication. 18$ cocktails are a little over the top compared their neighbor hahahaha. 18 percent gratuity included in a 2 top feels ridiculous.

Review №49

2022-11-05 23:36:49

Just incredible. Every dish we ordered was spectacular. We shared the ribs and they were so good we ordered a second helping. The marinade and the potatoes on the side with aoili equally amazing. We loved the brussel sprouts and the duck salad. Also the chicken on rice was great as was the noodles with pork. We sat outside and the heater worked well enough to keep us warm. The entire meal was just a wonderful treat!

Review №50

2021-10-07 16:03:03

The fried brazino is beautifully presented with lots of amazing flavours. I wouldve given this a 5 but a lot of items were unavailable on our visit.

Review №51

2018-11-22 00:37:30

Pretty good, the service is fast. The menus has a nice selection including vegetarian options. I got the crispy rice salad which was good. If you don’t like fish sauce make sure to mention that as it’s included with most of the food. It’s nice that this place is built into Topa Topa Brewing.

Review №52

2023-02-28 21:12:17

Im at a loss with how to review this restaurant. Ive ultimately decided to go with 3 stars for the food.Best food: Crispy duck salad, signature wings, + steak.They claimed that what made the restaurant unique was that they staggered the food. However, out of the 7 dishes we ordered, we got 4 all at once. Then, 5 minutes later, we got 2 more dishes. Then, 25 minutes later, we got our final dish. We had almost forgotten about the last dish. All of the food was delicious, but the staggered aspect of the meal just seemed like a poor excuse for not knowing how to time the food.Additionally, they had SO many people working and they all were just hanging out in the back. Clear as day, we saw all of the wait staff just chit chatting away. I understand this likely happens in a lot of restaurants, but not out in the open for everyone to see.The real kicker that stumped us was the reservation/waitlist system. First, they do not allow for reservations. We were a party of 4 and arrived at 5:30. They told us it would be an hour to an hour and a half wait. We said no problem, put our name and number down, and headed to Good Lion. The hostess let us know that we would receive a confirmation text. About 5 minutes later, I realized I never received a confirmation text. I walked back over and asked her about it, and I had to re-put my name on the wait list.At 7:00pm, I went back over to check on the wait as we had come to the end of the hour to an hour and a half wait time. I understand that she was just making a prediction, but I just wanted an update. She said we should probably get another round of drinks.At 7:30pm, now two hours after we originally put our name in, we went back to see if there was an additional update. The hostess apologized and said that people were likely taking too much time because of the rain.At 7:52pm, we finally got a text saying our table was ready. YAY! However, when we entered, there were FIVE tables of four open. With all of the wait staff just kind of standing around too (as mentioned above), this was a poor first impression. All of us were just a bit stumped as to how we could have possible waited over two hours just for the entire restaurant to be empty. Regardless, we wanted to give them the benefit of the doubt. Perhaps all the tables just happened to finish at the same time. While I want to believe that, the lack of service inside the restaurant just makes it really hard to believe that they just didnt call us over earlier.With all of that said, we would definitely come back. The three food items mentioned above were stand outs, and I would absolutely order them again.Just be extremely wary of the service expectations. I would also recommend coming early and preparing yourself for an extra long wait.

Review №53

2023-02-08 21:22:33

Place is amazing. Hands down. The wings are great. I love the sauces. Limited drink options but there are bars nearby for that. Everything I’ve tried here is great and unique

Review №54

2022-08-07 20:54:16

Great family meal here with shared dishes and nice wine. The traditional wings were some of the best I’ve had!

Review №55

2022-12-07 19:56:09

Loved the flavour combinations of the plates. The bok choy and duck was fresh and yummy. The duck didn’t seem to be very freshly cooked and the dish was cold. The pork noodles was good and warm, more filling, but again the pork seemed to have been preprepared. Choosing one dish each was not enough so we got the hot chicken bao which was delicious and has a beautiful spicy sauce. Wish the portions were a bit bigger.Service was very slow, but everyone was friendly.

Review №56

2022-12-28 06:36:07

Oh! My lord, ridiculously over priced. I am a papaya salad holic, wherever i go i order this delicious dishes. However, i will never go this place for it. When 1/3 of size(compare to any other restaurants, a few string of papaya in it) dish came out to my table, i couldnt believe that was $15 plate! No further comment. Not even worth...

Review №57

2022-08-05 04:10:07

Absolutely delicious! We stumbled upon this place on our travels and so so glad we did!!The signature wings, cucumber salad and crispy rice were outstanding! Highly recommend coming here when you can, you will not be disappointed!

Review №58

2022-07-03 02:59:00

Wow!! We knew very little about Indonesian food so we just ordered by guessing. Not one item was a disappointment. Excellent flavors. Small portions so family style ordering is best to try more off the menu. Leave room for dessert.

Review №59

2022-06-19 03:38:51

Amazing food and better service!! Everything we had was perfect in every respect and could not have been improved on in any way. Anna, our server, was sweet and considerate. She took great care of us and was a helpful guide on our dinner journey.

Review №60

2022-06-30 19:43:19

Food was good. Didn’t appreciate the obligatory 20% for a single person, would have given it, but that’s typically my decision.

Review №61

2021-08-01 02:21:10

Located on State street in Santa Barbara. I love their healthy dishes.

Review №62

2022-06-25 04:13:43

Great location and good atmosphere. We really enjoyed the signature wings but the other 7 dishes we ordered were lacking flavour and the portions were not reflective of the price. Overall I wouldn’t recommend.

Review №63

2021-05-16 17:03:16

Honestly the food at Sama Sama might be the best I have ever had. I went a few years ago with my partner and have dreamed about the tamarind wings ever since. We recently returned and they were even better than I remembered. I will be dreaming of them again. All of the food is complex, interesting, and yet comforting. Each dish was incredible, the servers were sweet and the atmosphere was beautiful. I honestly love this restaurant so much. I wish I could give them more than 5 stars. 🌟

Review №64

2023-06-25 15:47:09

Unique drinks and great atmosphere. Our server Nicky was excellent.

Review №65

2022-03-29 15:34:37

My friend and I were asked for proof of vaccinated status before we went in, didnt see anyone else checked for that as they came in, (sat at the bar next to the door)so that rubbed my the wrong way. Food was fantastic, but in my opinion, overpriced for the portions. Coctail was good and the suggestion was appreciated by the drinks distributor. We were not asked if we wanted another drink after our first cocktail or more water after we finished the bottle of water and before we ordered more food. Two entries a piece and we left hungry with a $145.00 tab. I wouldnt have tipped 20% based on the service but they add it automatically which is also criminal imo.I will most likely not be back again.

Review №66

2022-06-01 22:22:05

Such an amazing spot! We come here every time we visit SB from LA. We loved it so much, we had our wedding reception on the patio! Thank you to the whole team for having amazing food and being so kind to us and our family on our wedding night!

Review №67

2021-04-07 04:15:11

Sama Sama is probably my favorite restaurant in SB. They consistently knock it out of the park with each and every dish, and they keep enticing me back. Its good to see them doing well right now and the outdoor setup was very nice. The signature cocktails had me wishing I could order a pitcher and a cab. I will definitely be back soon.

Review №68

2022-09-04 23:31:31

Crispy rice, noodles, and wings are my Go to. Usually some rotating specials. This place is like a flavor bomb hitting your mouth in a good way. Highly recommended for zomthing zifferent. Sorry for bad reference they are way better than Zima ever was...

Review №69

2017-06-11 16:20:23

Service was great! Friendly knowledgeable staff. Even the other guests were wonderful and engaging. The food, not so much. Tasteless. My partner said this has the flavor base of a glass of tap water. Portions were tiny. We had three plates. The more expensive the plate, the smaller the portion. The egg rice was good but not mind blowing or different from other indochine cuisine. Only regret was I didnt get the wings. Most everyone eating there ordered these and seemed to enjoy them. I can only assume it was an off night for this place

Review №70

2022-07-05 13:20:57

Lots of good restaurants in SB, this is probably the only great one. Meaning to me: it would survive in New York.For everyone complaining about portion sizes and mandatory 20% gratuity… if you want big cheap portions and underpaid staff, McDonalds is across the street.

Review №71

2023-03-19 00:19:31

Our dinner was outstanding. Service was exceptional. The signature wings were to die for. Cannot wait to come back!

Review №72

2022-09-14 02:57:05

First of all, Google maps address is off. But WORST of all, is nobody came by within 10 minutes of us sitting down. AND, there was nobody else in the restaurant. It was 5:15pm on a random Tuesday. Prices were high, so service should be impeccable. It was a fail this time. Sadly so, because the place was recommended!

Review №73

2022-06-18 04:00:09

The wings are very good 👍 sweet n spicy 😋 👌 great drinks as well

Review №74

2020-10-03 16:01:37

There is outdoor seating. We went at 8pm and the wait was about 45 minutes on a Friday night. This place was delicious. I thoroughly enjoyed the crispy rice salad. It was probably my favorite. We also enjoyed the Mie Goreng (noodle dish), signature wings, and hot chicken bao. It was all flavorful and totally worth it. A great drink option was the Honey Pot Drop Top!

Review №75

2023-03-04 15:45:33

Most authentic south East Asian food we have had in Southern California so far. Heart warming experience.

Review №76

2018-02-22 23:09:56

Came in for happy hour on a Wednesday night. Not too busy. Great drinks and great happy hour food. We ordered one of everything and it was delicious! No disappointments at all. The wings were so so good! Prices are not bad either because you get a decent amount of food. Will come back!

Review №77

2019-11-11 07:13:30

I am not one to write a bad review, but we had a reservation for Saturday night, we waited outside for 30 mins before they crammed 3 of us into a 2 person table. Then our waitress didn’t show up for another 15 minutes. Then the kitchen started smoking and the smoke filled the whole restaurant. Then they forgot one of our appetizers. On top of that the food was pretty mediocre for the high price tag. There are much better Asian fusion restaurants in town I would pick over this any day.

Review №78

2023-07-01 20:56:06

Great meal, thanks for allowing us to hang around an enjoy ourselves.

Review №79

2021-03-15 21:28:41

Few restaurants serve up whole fried fish with an Asian flair like Sama Sama. Their excellent whole branzino (AKA striped sea bass) with spicy curry, bok choy, and potatoes has been my top pick each time Ive visited.I also recommend their classic green papaya salad which is dressed just right, lighter than other Asian fusion restaurants. Be sure to ask the servers if the kitchen can adjust the level of heat, if youre sensitive to spiciness.For dessert, save space for their hot, crisp banana fritters made to order. Dinner service has been great, though theyve been a bit slower and less attentive for lunch, which ends at 3pm - but check their latest hours. If you eat outdoors, bundle up since they may or may not have their heaters near the outside tables. For their quality food, theyre still my recommendation for Asian fusion on State Street.

Review №80

2021-05-24 22:37:21

Had them make the Nasi Goreng and Broccolini & Tofu vegan style. Both were delicious! Under COVID restrictions they have customers order at the counter and seat themselves on the outdoor patio in front. Friendly and fast service. An all around great experience!

Review №81

2020-07-06 02:45:17

Unfortunately they were out of core ingredients that makes this indonesian so we didnt get to try them would recommend to wait until pandemic is over as it seems they are struggling. Furthermore there is an auto 20% gratuity which I understand but the food was very disappointing. Their crispy rice salad was super salty. They claim spice but dont look for it here they dont have it. PLUS NO MEAT and as a man who loves his meat this was highly disappointing experience. What was good here? The answer is the beer that they dont make themselves.

Review №82

2021-07-22 02:21:30

The food was good and the wine we chose was delicious. The only thing is the automatic 20% on any and every in dining service. If the service is good then yes they deserve it but for it to be automatic just because is not ok.

Review №83

2021-06-28 04:45:50

We had two salads, a vietnamese chicken wing and beef rednang. The salads were great especially the gado gado, with the right mix of sauce and ingredients. The vietnamese chicken was ok, it was fried well but the flavor was too strong, with too much lemon and sourness. The rednang was disappointing, it was the most expensive dish, but the beef was too salty, even if you mix it with the rice, hence the 3 stars.

Review №84

2022-03-21 04:47:14

A bit overrated. They have some spectacular dishes but not a deep menu of high quality items. Fun vibe and great for group dinners, but not on my short list of favorites.

Review №85

2019-03-18 21:46:23

A hip place to grab a bite. Theyve got a good happy hour menu and the food and drink are very flavor rich. A really nice blend of familiar and exciting Asian tastes. Their wings and Brussel sprouts are a must.

Review №86

2019-01-15 23:47:02

Sama Sama is one of my favorite date night asian fusion dinner spots in Santa Barbara (the only one)? The type of place that you wish you had 10 stomachs due to the delicious variety of their menu. It is very conveniently located downtown Santa Barbara on state st.One of my go-to dishes is the hot wing appetizer- super fresh crispy, juicy mouth watering wings. Literally the best wings I have ever had, all my staff dinners are now here, not solely because of the wings but partially :)We were on an appetizer hype tonight so we also got the papaya salad and paan seared octopus. The papaya was incredibly spicy, the flavors were muddled together to perfection- it was so refreshing. The octopus was cooked incredibly well- crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside.Lastly, I ordered the Chinese Sausage Fried Rice which I probably shouldve saved for another visit. We were already stuffed after the appetizers! It was piping hot, the Sausage was perfectly cooked, I was eating it as if I hadnt eaten in days. The flavor was rich, creamy, flavorful and crunchy in the best ways.Serive is warm, ultra-attentive and prompt with bringing out our meals. (Everything comes out the PERFECT temperature) Im sure at some point.Thank you Sama Sama for a wonderful visit, as usual. This review was long overdue and am so happy my fellow yelpers see my yummy perspective of this place! See you tonight!!!

Review №87

2020-07-23 23:44:44

Incredible! Some of the best food in Santa Barbara! We loved the crispy duck salad, Vietnamese wings and hot chicken bao. The fresh herbs made their food SO good!

Review №88

2022-03-27 00:33:21

Pretty good Indonesian fusion cuisine.The chicken satay was a real disappointment. It was tough and overcooked. Should have used dark meat instead of white.

Review №89

2023-07-21 04:54:33

The food is super good. The staff are nice.

Review №90

2019-10-13 17:28:21

I was in the mood for a siano food yesterday. I found Sama Sama kitchen on Open Table and the app showed availability for the next hour. Since we were closed I just decided to walk to the restaurant. There were several tables open, consistently with what Open Table was showing. The hostess asked us for a reservation which we did not have.... She went in the back for few seconds and came back saying there was no availability because “customers were coming”. Not a great feeling and I am happy I am not the owner of the place.

Review №91

2016-02-25 23:12:01

I really enjoy going to this place. They have very good drinks and the wings are amazing. It is a bit louder than Id like, but nothing that you wouldnt expect from any other busy restaurant around town. The back patio area is also perfect for large parties.

Review №92

2015-05-26 18:07:17

Wow, Im amazed how restaurants can charge so much for so little. The food was tasty, but I did have to go to Chipotle afterwords to get a few tacos to feel full. This restaurant has no charm or atmosphere whatsoever. Food was tasty but you better order 5 or more plates to get enough to eat. And the prices here are TOO HIGH for what you get, average $12-$16 per SMALL plate.My opinion, if your hungry, go somewhere else, not worth the price if your looking for a meal...

Review №93

2014-11-07 17:59:04

Every time I go here I am not disappointed. Im even tempted to try the anchovy dish because I dont like anchovies but they probably would make me love them.:) Price-wise its a tad more expensive then other places that I may go to but the food is worth it. My favorites include Mie Goreng. I think their Old-Fashion is my favorite because they add a citrus note to it. I think this is the only place in town where I can sit alone at the bar and end the night with a new friend (has happened a few times). Casual ambience, good food, happy tummy.Every.Time.

Review №94

2022-02-26 02:54:02

Took lunch this afternoon. Embarassing to call it Javanese fried rice and mi goreng... nothing like it.. very small portion too... yet expensive. They had the cheek to include 20% of the bill as gratuity

Review №95

2019-09-06 17:35:33

Great spices, bad service from the kitchen, so loud it was hard to hear each other! My friend and I both got sick last night .... not fun! I’m guessing it was the octopus!!! Not expecting to recommend this Michelin rated restaurant!

Review №96

2023-07-08 21:05:11

Wonderful tasty food.

Review №97

2022-09-17 01:54:47

Service was good but not the food. We ordered 3 mie goreng & 2 nasi goreng (total $98) no taste at all. I hope you guys can improve the taste.

Review №98

2021-04-21 15:43:12

Delicious food and cocktails! Love the smaller plates so you can try more of Chef Tylers creations! The entire staff is exceptional!

Review №99

2017-02-08 01:59:56

I go here a few times a month. There dishes are full of flavor! My must gets are there balinese lemongrass chicken tacos, nasi goreng & mie goreng (rice and noodle dishes), & crack wings (jidori wings). I usually also get whatever is on special. If you like spice this place will be your jam. Cool vibe inside. My favorite spot is on the back patio. We always hit The Good Lion next door for a cocktail either before or after dinner too!

Review №100

2017-11-17 19:44:34

Everything is awesome! I usually stick to gado gado and a mule kick, but theres always new exciting dishes to try. The chef, as you would hope, is Indonesian, and he brings the unique cuisine to life in an approachable way. You dont have to be an adventurous foodie, you just have to love good food.

Review №101

2023-03-15 15:33:02

The under the lilac tree drink was amazing ! Please get order it! The noodles were amazing

Review №102

2018-12-04 23:19:29

Get their wings!!! Better than PokPoks for sure. Everything else weve tried is excellent as well. However, Ive yet to find one of their house cocktails I like. Stick with the classics and youll be happy.

Review №103

2018-03-01 04:44:03

The fried rice here is delicious. The cocktails are excellent. Just dont come to the new years eve party, that was the only disappointment theyve ever served me.

Review №104

2022-08-12 23:41:48

So good we went twice in one week. Friendly staff and amazing food. Im still thinking about those wings.

Review №105

2022-08-20 17:01:13

Super flavorful, albeit on the pricey side.

Review №106

2023-01-22 06:04:16

Food is nice. The restaurant room was freezing cold tho, and my friend’s birthday cake request got lost in translation…

Review №107

2021-08-08 05:46:21

Great service. The food is amazing. Really well done. Compliments to the head chef and all the cooks who put love and thought to each dish.

Review №108

2020-06-20 02:55:28

Great food!!! Definitely worth a visit. 3/5 for value. Price was quite high for the quantity of food. Service was average (never refilled water, forgot requested items). Ambiance was a bit empty feeling.

Review №109

2021-07-20 05:32:14

Outstanding southeast asian fare in a casual, fun setting right on State Street. Especially good were the beef rendang, naughty nuri ribs and the whole branzino with spinach and curry sauce.

Review №110

2015-06-17 00:25:07

Good vibe. Lots of energy. Inspired food. Dont expect traditional Indonesian cooking but if you have been to Indonesia and enjoyed the wonderful food, you will recognize the same exotic, interesting tastes but prepared with a modern, creative twist.

Review №111

2019-07-31 16:05:56

Duck salad: ridiculously good, best salad I have had.Chicken wings: amazingBrussels sprouts: really good as well.Cheers to chef and crew.

Review №112

2023-05-01 15:33:36

Nice little asian fusion bites, similar to tapas style, to go woth some experimental cocktails.

Review №113

2017-03-02 17:05:56

Love this place. There is not one bad thing on the menu. The traditional indo offerings (gado-dado, nasi goreng, mee goreng) are big departures from what you normally get vendors in Malaysia and Indo. The portions of those dishes are normally huge and fill your tummy. However do not expect Sams-Samas dishes to do that.

Review №114

2021-03-08 04:21:40

Mie Goreng was excessively salty. Portion sizes were quite small. Service was great though. Theres probably better options for you.

Review №115

2021-08-29 21:36:44

Excellent food and very good cocktails. Sama Sama is one of the best lunch and dinner restaurants on State Street. Prices are mid-high.

Review №116

2020-09-20 20:32:05

Awesome food, awesome service. Flavorful and vegetarian friendly. It’s like taking a journey to Far East but having the sensibility of California and Santa Barbara cuisine with you.

Review №117

2017-06-16 05:03:51

This place is good for tapas. We ordered several dishes and shared with our four person group. The wait staff was knowledgeable and provided recommendations.

Review №118

2019-02-04 02:56:29

Must get the wings they are the best in town!

Review №119

2021-06-15 20:39:17

I love asian food,Thai, Filipino, Japanese, Chinese. 6/15 my wife(who is Filipino)wanted to eat Filipino food,we went to Sama Sama big mistake, i got sick, my wife tasted the food and would not eat it, Avoid,Avoid,Avoid.

Review №120

2018-07-16 18:50:16

Great food, great drinks, delicious family style south east Asian small plates. Fran fried rice to green mango salad to hand grilled octopus. Great place to eat

Review №121

2021-10-24 22:37:45

The signature wings we had were the best wings ever. That sauce was amazing. We cant wait to go back again.

Review №122

2023-03-18 23:31:22

Terrible service and the add 20% tip for two and even for to go order!!! Good average, will never go again.

Review №123

2023-04-17 03:54:05

Kind of place where everything tastes amazing even if it sounds like you wouldn’t like it.

Review №124

2022-04-20 12:46:33

Casual interior, extensive menu of craft cocktails, great food thoughtfully curated, and excellent service makes for a winning combination.

Review №125

2013-08-09 17:52:38

By far one of my favorite restaurants in Santa Barbara. Their full name Sama Sama Test Kitchen says it all; they are constantly serving up some of the most progressive food in Santa Barbara. Not sure what Indonesian food is? Have you had Thai? Chinese? Vietnamese? Samas dish names may be new to you but the flavors are very familiar. And the truth is, they are not serving traditional Indonesian food. A lot of it is fusion and in this case that means duck confit, pork belly, and other amazing variations. Ive been here over half a dozen times so far. Heres a secret - eat in their back patio! You might get lucky like my girlfriend and I and be the only diiners out there. We ate a relaxed meal and listened to Marvine Gaye all night.

Review №126

2023-03-22 03:29:37

Fabulous food. Casual atmosphere, can get a bit noisy.

Review №127

2018-11-11 11:50:57

Tasty wings. Service was extremely slow. Got takeout while our friends dined in. They were finished with their food before our takeout was ready and we ordered together.

Review №128

2022-10-23 03:43:36

Guys, don’t come here to eat or for pick up food. YOU GONNA WAIT 2 HOURS IN FRONT OF THE RESTAURANT !! 2 HOURS FOR YOUR ORDER!! Don’t waist your time!!!The worst restaurant i have ever been!!!!!

Review №129

2021-11-06 20:07:40

Tasty! Mostly Indonesian or Indonesian inspired with other Asian countries represented as well. A small menu but well thought out so everyone can be happy.

Review №130

2021-06-04 01:21:50

Super friendly staff and the wings are fantastic. Really interesting flavors across all dishes.

Review №131

2019-01-22 00:00:42

Spectacular food. Signature wings are the best ever, amazing brussel sprouts, really good cocktails.

Review №132

2016-08-11 15:08:22

Awesome food!! Tempeh tacos, as well as the pork ones, are BOMB! Gado Gado salad is another one of my favs. :) I strongly recommend this restaurant!

Review №133

2020-12-07 03:07:31

Good...but stupidly overpriced. $14 glass of white, $6 can of beer, $15 wings...Im sure the rent is crazy but its was a little ridiculous

Review №134

2016-07-04 01:49:44

Good food minus the tacos, they were tasteless. but the portions were ridiculously small for the price. paid about $150 and I had go to jersey mikes after. I dont suggest it

Review №135

2022-12-23 04:52:12

Awesome food and cocktails, good playlist, and great ambience and service.

Review №136

2019-07-05 22:26:42

Recommended in the Bib Gourmand. Portions were small for the price so value wasnt very high. But quality and taste was superb

Review №137

2019-10-31 18:09:12

Good variety of small-plate SE Asian dishes that are nice to share. Recommend the Crispy Dick Salad.

Review №138

2022-08-25 16:14:37

Excellent food with perfectly spiced and balanced flavors. Really a cut above.

Review №139

2023-07-23 04:07:34

Amazing food, service and ambience!!

Review №140

2022-09-28 02:34:49

Overpriced, small portions, slow service…Good but not great food.

Review №141

2018-02-28 05:30:19

Some of the best food I had in town next to Bouchon and monys. The fried fish is incredible. Spicy, salty, umame!

Review №142

2021-05-11 04:00:26

Love the food here. Indonesian inspired, absolutely delicious, so much taste. Worth a detour.

Review №143

2018-07-27 03:52:43

Food is good, but really expensive for what you get. Portions are tiny! Drinks are pricy. Ambiance is mediocre plus.

Review №144

2021-12-31 03:59:06

OMG!! Cool vibe, great atmosphere, amazing food! Definitely recommend the wings!!

Review №145

2020-06-21 17:36:50

I would give this 5 stars, but it’s pretty expensive for the size of the dishes. love the food + drinks besides that!

Review №146

2017-10-30 10:03:55

Absolutely loved this place. Food is impeccable, the drinks Devine, and the staff was helpful.No joke, the food was epic.

Review №147

2021-11-28 16:11:41

Excellent food. Ambience is a hit or miss depending on the table you get.

Review №148

2019-12-16 03:24:54

Great service, nice cocktails, and the eats were a nice fusion blend of authentic dishes.

Review №149

2014-06-01 16:22:59

Absolutely delicious tapas style Indonesian food. Good atmosphere in the place too. Very friendly staff.

Review №150

2020-08-09 04:48:13

Food is delicious but expect to order multiple plates as small portions were delivered.

Review №151

2022-06-21 23:42:22

Great options for vegetarians and meat eaters alike. Good service and ambiance.

Review №152

2019-01-05 19:37:25

Vegan friendly options available, friendly servers are knowledgeable and helpful. Amazing cocktails!

Review №153

2019-08-18 06:49:16

Seated us late and served great cocktails and food (wings, green papaja salad).

Review №154

2019-04-26 03:53:35

Great hole in the wall place. The dishes were very flavorful and the bartender was friendly!

Review №155

2019-11-05 23:30:12

Amazing bartender and drinks. Ask for Ty, apologize if I misspell the name, and have him make you an old fashion with Hibiki!

Review №156

2018-04-07 06:49:08

Super nice place. I was sick and they were very kind, they cooked a steam rice for me. I really recommend this place

Review №157

2021-12-24 15:06:55

Staffs was a bit not relax, a bit rush and in hurry…Food was good, next I would like to come for Indonesian food

Review №158

2018-05-04 18:40:56

Really delicious and unique Asian dishes. Small, pricy, but totally worth it.

Review №159

2020-10-11 22:42:30

Great spot with outdoor dining and good service

Review №160

2023-04-10 01:34:01

Everything was amazing and worth every penny.

Review №161

2022-05-26 20:46:45

Wait was too long. Servers were great. Food was average.

Review №162

2019-04-15 02:26:13

Food was amazing! Staff was great and super friendly. definetly going back!

Review №163

2018-10-29 03:20:38

Their fried noodle dish is way too salty. Best is the fried fish disj.

Review №164

2021-03-21 04:47:04

If I knew that I only had one meal left on this earth, I would come here and order the fried chicken bao.

Review №165

2020-01-04 22:06:34

Amazing food! Great wings! Love the outdoor seating!

Review №166

2022-07-28 03:23:33

Wonderful place. Very good food and drinks !

Review №167

2019-09-03 16:47:43

Magical hidden back patio and wonderful unique dishes. We loved it!

Review №168

2017-10-18 20:01:18

Good food. Small portions. Not good if youre in a hurry.

Review №169

2016-12-14 21:25:16

I wish to experience more of the taste of Delish Indonesian dishes within the warm Indonesian cultural ambience here....

Review №170

2018-03-25 17:08:12

Brussels sprouts, wings, and steamed chicken bao!!! Everything they serve is fantastic!!! Must try

Review №171

2022-01-19 23:43:09

Really enjoyed the preparation and spices great food and service

Review №172

2022-09-15 00:21:34

Automatic 20% gratuity for slow service and over priced food

Review №173

2022-03-25 05:10:57

Too sweet for me but a nice place with great staff.

Review №174

2019-10-12 02:25:29

Friendliest service and great cocktails - a must stop in Santa Barbara!

Review №175

2021-05-06 14:41:06

Good options for vegetarians! Nasi Goreng is a must try!!

Review №176

2021-03-19 16:29:16

Amazing. Such great food. Pricey but worth it

Review №177

2023-01-29 20:33:52

The steak, the rice and the noodles are a 10/10

Review №178

2015-12-01 08:20:03

Pork bun special was delicious. Chicken tacos werent great

Review №179

2021-04-10 02:59:48

The best! Awesome outside seating these days 👍

Review №180

2021-10-03 08:56:37

Awesome awesome with some more awesome some of the best original chicken wings

Review №181

2022-02-08 02:01:36

Great flavorful food. Highly recommended.

Review №182

2018-10-15 03:54:08

Food is ok. That is reason why I give them two stars.

Review №183

2020-03-05 16:56:01

Outstanding informative and kind service. Plates were delicious

Review №184

2022-06-29 22:49:30

Naughty nurri ribs not to be missed.

Review №185

2021-08-15 15:13:58

Best food in Santa Barbara. A must try!!!

Review №186

2021-12-05 04:05:18

Exceptional flavors and service. Bravo Sama Sama Kitchen!!!👏👏👏

Review №187

2017-02-07 15:01:04

Interesting and very tasty tapas and a great location.

Review №188

2016-07-09 15:03:44

Tasty but small portions. get several plates

Review №189

2017-09-16 03:06:55

Nice patio for food, wine and seeing people

Review №190

2015-05-26 05:33:57

My absolute favorite restaurant in downtown Santa Barbara!

Review №191

2018-02-11 07:19:55

Casey was amazing and knowledgeable. Thank you for the experience

Review №192

2022-05-17 05:26:45

Great service, great food

Review №193

2022-08-10 03:37:35

Delicious!

Review №194

2023-01-07 04:17:24

Spencer was wonderful!

Review №195

2020-01-07 02:46:21

Was it weird that Ron and me was there without...her?

Review №196

2018-09-23 02:57:44

Fun...tasty...too dark.

Review №197

2021-01-28 15:59:44

My favorite restaurant In SB

Review №198

2019-09-02 00:47:54

If you have not yet eaten here, stop what you are doing and go already.

Review №199

2019-04-28 19:56:36

They’re called crack wings for a reason