Presentation on Map Reviews Nearby

ShangHai Restaurant in Santa Barbara

4.4 (116) 830 N Milpas St, Santa Barbara, CA 93103, United States

Categories

Chinese restaurant
Mandarin restaurant
Vegetarian restaurant

Location on the map

Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara County, California, US

Phone: +1 805-962-7833
Site: http://shanghaisbca.udinner.com/

Opening hours

Monday:11:30 AM–8:30 PM
Tuesday:Closed
Wednesday:11:30 AM–8:30 PM
Thursday:11:30 AM–8:30 PM
Friday:11:30 AM–8:30 PM
Saturday:11:30 AM–8:30 PM
Sunday:4–8:30 PM

Edit info

Total reviews rating 4.4

116 Reviews for ShangHai Restaurant 2024:

Review №1

2022-12-08 00:21:17

Shang Hai has been serving vegetarian food a long time so they are a good place for vegans and vegetarians. The soup of the day was veggie soup and it was quite nice. The tea was jasmine flavored, which was yummy. The food was tasty and the portions were very generous for just $11.50. A good deal especially at lunchtime. Def recommend

Review №2

2023-12-04 02:49:19

Great place, Dany is very personable and they make great food. Highly recommend the hot and sour soup, orange chicken, and broccoli and beef

Review №3

2023-07-22 18:54:58

Food was tasty but not delicious. The cook needs a bit more experience in Chinese flavors. It was quiet inside which was great. Also host is delightful. I would try again.

Review №4

2023-07-22 02:02:25

Absolutely delicious. I will definitely be stopping by ShangHai to grab Chinese food next time I am in Santa Barbara. The schezuan shrimp, orange chicken, chow main trio did not disappoint. Amazing service as well.

Review №5

2023-07-22 01:58:57

Orange chicken was immaculate. Staff was very friendly and nice. Definitely stop by when in Santa Barbara. It’s worth it and you won’t be disappointed.

Review №6

2023-02-10 21:34:10

The food deserves four stars, but because the proprietress is very kind and enthusiastic, I give it five stars

Review №7

2023-07-24 20:33:32

Updated 7/2023Very disappointed with the amount of food we were given. The portion sizes were super small like 1/3 of what is normally given in Chinese restaurants. Heres a visual, I ordered 3 Vegetable Chow Mien (we are a big family) there was so little in each of the containers that all three couldve fit into one and wouldve looked like one order of Chow Mien. This new trend of charging more for food and giving people less of it is really getting on my nerve! I dont care how good the food is, I wont be returning next time Im on vacation in SB.OLD REVIEWThis is the best Chinese food Ive tasted in a long time.Vegan/Vegetarian options were super delicious as well. I will definitely be returning on my next trip out to SB.

Review №8

2023-07-24 05:49:04

Food was good, spring rolls are mushy inside. We ordered chicken with mixed vegetables but it only had bok choy no other veggies

Review №9

2019-08-29 20:51:35

Not a bad place but nothing to write home about. Hot sour was a little thick and salty for my taste. Not a lot of flavor

Review №10

2019-09-29 01:03:25

Family run local Chinese restaurant with a broad range of traditional American favorites. Food was good. Service was friendly and attentive.

Review №11

2023-10-26 02:00:58

Best Chinese food in all of Santa Barbara. Fresh and authentic food and very nice service.

Review №12

2023-03-29 01:25:07

Probably best place for Chinese food in Santa Barbara- or at least quick Chinese food reminiscent of places on the East Coast (North Jersey, NYC). Orange Chicken is the go-to, a bit on spicier side but great . Definitely recommend this place to anyone looking for some classic Chinese take-out.

Review №13

2023-05-04 05:28:54

I live in SLO County and there is no longer decent Chinese food- at least not in SLO or North Coast. I had to go to Santa Barbara for an appointment and I have been craving Chinese food for over a year since the one good restaurant closed. HOLY MOLY!! My mom and I both agreed this was the best Chinese food we have had in a very long time. The owner was so sweet and explained things really. Shes from Sichuan and thats always been my favorite type of Chinese food. They had authentic mapo tofu. It came out almost boiling in a clay pot. I learned the ma part means numbing from the Sichuan black pepper. It was AMAZING!! She let us try a pepper and what a strange sensation! Every time I need to go to Santa Barbara...Im going here!!!

Review №14

2023-07-22 01:43:04

The best orange chicken I have ever had. Friendly staff and great food.

Review №15

2023-11-23 03:08:24

Vegan chicken is amazing! Try the salt and pepper vegan chicken

Review №16

2022-11-20 08:37:49

Went here before a concert a few weeks back. First time since the new owners. She waited on us herself. Very nice. Food was just as good as before. I took my boss for her 83rd birthday. She loves ShangHai. She hadnt been there since the new owner at that time either. She loved it. I recommend it. Great place

Review №17

2022-09-25 01:46:31

This is a hidden gem- from the great staff, exceptional service, andwonderful food they serve. I can’t say enough. My special thanks to the head chef, and his main helper. AKA. His wife. We will come back often. And, many thanks again for the unexpected birthday treat! Made my special day even more special!

Review №18

2023-06-15 01:27:44

The food is great. We ordered three vegetarian dishes, everything was delicious.

Review №19

2023-06-17 03:13:04

Fast service. Good tasting food. Lots of vegetarian options. Eggplant, Kung Pao, Fried rice were all good.

Review №20

2023-03-27 02:28:03

Stopped by for dinner on a road trip. Food was fantastic! Perfect low mein noodles 🤤 Lovely service as well. Dani made us feel very welcomed. Thank you!

Review №21

2021-08-04 04:08:19

My wife and I are vegetarian, and the vegetarian options here are some of the best Ive ever had. The owner is the very nice and friendly. The house made soybean chicken is INCREDIBLE. The sauteed mixed vegetables are a showstopper too, I dont know what that thick green sauce that comes on them is, but it is so good.Ive lived in over 20 different cities and tried a number of Chinese restaurants in each of them. This restaurant stands among my favorites.

Review №22

2022-12-26 02:16:40

The cream cheese wontons were flavorless and had a light dusting of what I think was flour on an already too thick wonton. They also didnt come with any side sauces. The chow mein was meh.The change of ownership is apparent. I probably wont go back.

Review №23

2021-12-27 03:25:58

Shanghai is hands down the best Chinese food in town. Especially for vegetarians! We preordered our Christmas dinner from them and our family was so so so happy. Not only is the food amazing but they seem to really love their customers. Always super friendly even on the busiest day of the year for them. Highly recommend the soy orange chicken and the soy chicken fried rice!

Review №24

2022-10-15 02:25:47

Amazing Food and Team!!!Like so much Chinese food that I step into the restaurant and felt the beautiful welcome with food experience that new owner and team are sharing with an extensive menú so kindly.!I order more than I thought only because I like to take some home. Best wishes!Thank you 😊

Review №25

2023-10-09 16:51:35

The food was so delicious and fresh! A must try

Review №26

2022-11-21 00:09:18

Shang hai is so yummy scrumptious delicious, it is a good deal for a box of chicken and rice for about 5-6$. I love shang hai yayayaya it is yummy I want to be sponsored by shang hi, what’s good about Shang hai is when you mix it the rice, it’s like the rice become chicken with the fire sauce giving it a good flavor. Than you shang hai 😛 add more different Chinese dishes for da dons

Review №27

2018-03-03 23:44:42

This is a small restaurant near several others and honestly we werent expecting much but the food was great and the prices were good. They have many vegan options on the menu, including mock-chicken and beef. I had the salt and pepper shrimp and they were delicious. The waitress was attentive. Wed happily go back.

Review №28

2021-11-26 04:31:22

Ordered Sweet & Sour Chicken and Kung Pao Chicken. Server recommended upgrading to a dinner combo for $4 more, so I did that on each. It was more food than each person should eat, but very nice since it was replacing our turkey dinner!No in house dining right now. Ordered over the phone and paid in cash. Food was ready in 10 minutes. Pretty impressive on Thanksgiving at 5 pm.

Review №29

2021-12-21 01:15:59

I definitely wouldn’t recommend this place. They took lots of money from me, I got two small items and was charged $40 for orange chicken and rice! Everytime I go there they change price. Another time they made my chicken very cold so they remade it and I found spit inside of my food. I still have photos

Review №30

2021-01-17 03:49:05

Santa Barbara lacks genuine Chinese food in general, and this is the perfect example. We asked for extra shrimp on a couple of our dishes, for which they charge $1.50 extra per piece, and they shorted us not once but twice and of course still charged us. Also the orange chicken was burnt, very dark in color, unusual, and lacked actual chicken, but was heavy on batter and sauces. Absolutely the worst food quality and even worse customer service. They deserve a zero but that was not possible on this review. There are better choices out there.

Review №31

2018-11-29 01:49:53

Great pricesFood is always fresh and had an amazing taste!The owner is an amazing person with a great personality and always has a smile 🤗The staff is super nice and they are always willing to recommend something different and new for you taste and youll have it again! The only spot I got to for Chinese food.Small parking lot but I dont mind the walk my body needs it ha!Happy holidays !

Review №32

2019-06-16 04:25:00

Great restaurant! Server was amazing! Highly recommend the salt and pepper chicken! I got to try the orange chicken and lemon chicken, theyre both great but the dry rub on the salt and pepper chicken was to die for! Cant wait to go back!

Review №33

2018-06-04 06:22:01

Staff is very friendly, food is excellent and cooked quickly, ample comfortable seating, and reasonable prices. Lots of vegetarian options! The hot & sour soup is great. Parking lot can be a bit crowded, not as many spots as it should have given how busy the complex is.

Review №34

2022-10-02 00:15:33

This is a nice restaurant. The food is hot and full of vegetables. Plain. Prices are average. Service was very attentive.

Review №35

2019-06-03 14:35:13

The fried vegetarian chicken appetizer is out of control tasty. I recommend asking for Chinese mustard with it. Oh btw, I eat meat. Its just that good. Same with the sweet and pungent veggie fried chicken. Great dry fried string beans. The hostess/waitress is a lovely person and provides thoughtful service.

Review №36

2019-05-22 19:51:46

This restaraunt is awesome. The owner is friendly and sweet with a great sense of humor.The food is delicious. Our favorites are the shrimp egg foo yong and the shrimp soft noodle.

Review №37

2022-10-23 19:58:02

Change of ownership recently. Food is nowhere near as good as it was. Such a shame it was my favorite Chinese restaurant ever.

Review №38

2022-11-28 05:41:04

I have gone to this restaurant for many years. They have recently changed ownership and it’s not the same. The food was bland and flavorless and the shrimp was hardly cooked

Review №39

2018-09-30 01:12:02

Love this place. My daughter and i enjoy coming here for weekly mom and me dates. Shes 12 and dhe likes it here. Food is great and the service doesnt get any better.

Review №40

2018-01-12 16:10:37

Overall pretty good. Last time I had the Kung Pao chicken. While it didnt taste like classic Kung Pao, it was VERY VERY good. It was a little sweeter than I would expect and a touch know soy. I highly recommend the Kung Pao, just dont expect what youve had before.

Review №41

2017-08-20 18:17:15

Although certainly not bad, you can find better Asian food at the same price point elsewhere on Milpas. It is a convenient place for take out and their prices are middle of the range. The quality wasnt that impressive though.

Review №42

2019-08-09 04:45:13

Food was okay, not 4.5 stars for me! Our waiters attitude was so rude and annoying. He made our dinner there unpleasant! Will NEVER go back to this place again!! Giving it 2 stars cause the food was okay....

Review №43

2015-10-30 02:43:25

Im Inlove with this place!:) Our son is very picky and he told us this place!:) very affordable compare to other Chinese restaurant in town. Food is incredibly delicious, chef is real Chinese and of course the people that work with them are very professional it comes to attending their guest. Ambiance is simple and clean!:)

Review №44

2020-03-17 08:10:11

Energetic owner always brings about positive vibes with her comedic personality and kind service. Recommend the lemon chicken and sesame chicken as some of my personal favorites!

Review №45

2018-04-13 22:51:02

I am gradually working my way through the entire menu and enjoying the experience. While I am fond of spicy dishes, Ive come to appreciate the subtlety of others...lemon chicken for instance.

Review №46

2016-06-13 01:40:03

Excellent food, great atmosphere, as well as great friendly staff. Food is great highly recommend as i am having dinner here but will surely come to try luch as well. I will be returning with family and frinds in the future 😆

Review №47

2018-04-02 22:43:40

2 words best sums up this place, YUM, YUM!!! Im a vegan, a real one, not a trend chasing one, so when I saw the reviews, I decided to give them a try. I went in for some take-out, and a very sweet lady (I believe she is an owner) showed me two full pages of vegan options. I wanted everything, but on this trip she suggested the kung pao soy chicken/beef combo, and it was SCRUMPTIOUS! They can adjust the spicy level, I went with medium, might go deep the next time, and there WILL be a next time! They are in a strip mall, so there is ample parking. Oh, and the service is not only friendly, its fast. I ordered, stepped next door to buy a bottle of water, came back and my order was there 5 minutes later. Give them a try when youre in, or just passing through Santa Barbara.

Review №48

2019-07-22 05:40:32

Best Chinese food in town. The food is good and the service from the kitchen was amazing. My food was out less than 5 minutes after my order.

Review №49

2022-02-15 02:10:05

My new favorite Chinese restaurant!! Excellent prices and portions!! Everything we tried was amazing!!!

Review №50

2018-09-13 02:48:03

Great vegetarian menu too! Everyone here has always been so kind and funny. Food is great.

Review №51

2017-04-28 03:42:44

Best Chinese food ever. Im in no way vegetarian but Ill always get an order of the Soybean Orange Chicken. Its Amazing!!!

Review №52

2018-03-30 23:15:58

This my favorite restaurant in the 805. Great food, atmosphere, and service. Make sure to go during the luncheon special and get the Mongolian soybean beef, its to die for. 🤗🤠

Review №53

2015-08-21 20:18:35

Just tried the Hot and Sour Soup and it was so delicious! If you are a fan of Hot and Sour soup like I am and always on the hunt for a good one, I highly recommend you go here. Fantastic!

Review №54

2019-02-11 05:00:22

Wonderful food and service! Food was great and got a chocolate and coupon for Chinese New Year! Will definitely be back.

Review №55

2018-06-30 19:24:32

I have been coming here, for over 30 years! No other place better then this in my opinion. Authentic and the food is delicious.

Review №56

2022-11-30 01:36:19

Food is so great customer service great love this place best place

Review №57

2018-02-03 06:18:45

Great service food always Fresh and Hot. Also very Friendly Staff. BEST ON THE EASTSIDE S.B..ROOTS NATTY NYAHBINGI AFRICAN 🇧🇯

Review №58

2020-11-06 00:37:01

Been eating st ShangHai and sending guests there since they opened over 40 years ago. Same family..same awesome food. 👍👍👍

Review №59

2019-05-27 22:04:18

Family friendly, quick service and good variety of dishes. Comfortable seating for our family of six.

Review №60

2018-04-19 06:08:35

The food is fair here. If youre hard up for Chinese food and everything else is close it is passable. If not go to Stone Age much better.

Review №61

2021-10-31 02:18:25

Amazing. It increased my social credit by +15. I’m very very pleased. Amazing service. Amazing place. Overall amazing.

Review №62

2018-06-28 05:38:12

It is not much to look at from the outside. Very unassuming. But the food was amazing! Oh my gosh. Excellent.

Review №63

2016-05-14 02:04:36

The food is great! The service is even better! The owner waits table and refills drinks. So friendly!

Review №64

2020-01-16 06:05:46

Very good food and service at reasonable cost. Never had a Chinese meal served so quickly!

Review №65

2017-09-30 02:17:05

Great lunch specials. Amazing veggie and mock meat dishes. Good service.

Review №66

2017-04-23 03:07:05

Weird atmosphere, food is too salty. The staff are ok... but all in all your better off going somewhere else.

Review №67

2017-07-28 03:22:45

Dinner was Delicious 😋Yummy Chinese food 🥘 I have to bring you guys here Kung pao chicken 🍗 sweet and sour pork shrimp 🍤 rice 🍚 soft noddles Delicious

Review №68

2016-08-23 19:08:21

I have been a regular at Shang hai for almost 20 year, I just love their delicious and healthy food.

Review №69

2018-06-01 02:11:05

Best vegetarian fare in Santa Barbara.Become a regular and they treat you like family!

Review №70

2016-11-15 23:25:55

The food is absolutely amazing here. I love the Beef with Broccoli dish.

Review №71

2019-08-25 03:47:40

We were passing through and found this great place with great food and excellent service. Thanks!

Review №72

2017-11-10 02:59:01

Great, consistent quality and excellent prices. Staff are friendly and always know my usual order.

Review №73

2019-08-05 23:31:12

37 years of serving the best Chinese cuisine in Santa Barbara. Nothing tops this.

Review №74

2020-06-04 21:45:39

The menu is on the outside front window. We had lunch. It was delicious.

Review №75

2021-03-16 11:49:04

Nice people and great food. Parking can sometimes be a little difficult

Review №76

2018-06-17 02:09:48

One of my favorite restaurants great food and service!

Review №77

2019-03-21 02:14:48

Best place ever...food clean and fresh and perfect, staff attentive and delightful

Review №78

2023-02-21 06:31:13

Delicious Chinese food and great service.

Review №79

2018-01-09 00:14:24

Love this restaurant!! Exceptional vegetarian and vegan menu.

Review №80

2019-05-11 03:02:30

We had been hoping to find something better than whats in slo, but it seemed comparable.

Review №81

2019-11-14 02:03:28

Great place with great food. Will definitely go back.

Review №82

2018-07-22 17:45:30

Locals favorite for decades with delicious vegetarian dishes too.

Review №83

2015-12-26 01:46:57

Unprofessional and lying staff. Was told there was no wait and they refused to take a reservation. When I arrived not 5 minutes later they told us there was a 30 minute wait.

Review №84

2022-03-12 05:43:17

Great delicious vegan options!

Review №85

2019-02-08 08:53:25

Best Asian Food in Town I regret not stopping by sooner.

Review №86

2018-06-01 20:33:34

Very nice place, Great food!💯

Review №87

2018-05-06 00:26:26

Amazing place with delicious food and wonderful customer service.

Review №88

2018-11-13 04:48:39

#1 stop when Im craving great Chinese food and great service!!

Review №89

2023-07-09 17:32:24

The food is okay

Review №90

2019-12-28 15:42:20

Delish! They can throw down on some tofu!

Review №91

2018-09-20 04:20:46

There is a vegetable cuisine very good taste

Review №92

2017-07-30 07:24:19

Great flavors. Really tasty

Review №93

2023-05-29 03:47:25

Small hidden gem on Milpas Street, good food

Review №94

2023-02-12 02:46:50

Avoid. Barely edible food.

Review №95

2019-05-30 02:58:39

Excellent service and delicious food😍

Review №96

2016-01-16 02:31:04

I love the eggplant hot pot!

Review №97

2020-01-06 19:04:59

The food was outstanding!

Review №98

2016-09-10 02:21:50

Wonderful food & service@

Review №99

2019-04-21 01:23:50

Good one

Review №100

2018-01-02 09:43:20

Foods great but expensive

Review №101

2016-08-03 01:09:14

Best Chinese in Santa Barbara!!

Review №102

2019-07-31 01:22:04

I like it

Review №103

2019-11-16 01:45:05

Great food.

Review №104

2018-03-06 04:15:04

Great good and service

Review №105

2019-04-05 02:16:47

Always delicious!!!

Review №106

2020-01-06 19:51:51

Horrible service

Review №107

2017-07-31 04:08:14

Stolen

Review №108

2016-12-15 23:05:00

Good Chinese food

Review №109

2018-09-04 03:17:50

Phenomenal

Review №110

2018-02-16 20:36:34

Best of Best!!!!

Review №111

2014-02-22 21:09:47

Great food

Review №112

2022-07-23 21:02:39

Very authentic Chinese food!

Review №113

2018-04-07 03:52:29

Kung Pao Chicken is really delicious!

Review №114

2019-09-27 03:02:00

The lady boss is very enthusiastic and very satisfied

Review №115

2020-09-02 20:07:14

Pretty tasty

Review №116

2020-05-30 20:53:02

Taste is very bad