Very good, but there are better choices for ~ $160/person (all included). The sashimi was some of the best Ive ever had. The wagyu, duck and crab could be better. The eel with monkfish liver pate was good but for the price I expected more complexity. The servers were kind and knew the dishes and sake very well, but at times were too busy to be adequately attentive. Excellent choices of sake - maybe the highlight of my visit along with the sashimi. The ambience was very serene, calm and understated. Attire smart casual or smart. Good for a date, but there are better choices (e.g. El Encanto)
First time we had this 7 course meal and it was impressive. I agree with another reviewer about the variance of the quality of materials used inthe meals, but for a Kaiseki course this is about the right price for the quality. The best qualities are the sashimi, the uni (from Santa Barbara and Hokkaido) were wonderful, the mackerel was fatty and the best mackerel Ive had. The cod soup is great as the black cod itself was very flavorful. For the grilled dish I had Salmon and it was the best choice out of the 3, the salmon was grilled to perfection with some marinate that gave it an extra kick. For the steam dish the oyster bowl was awesome, the sauce absorbed both the taste of the mandarin bowl and oyster, and as you get deeper the mandarin flavor strengthened, I loved it! The eel and monkfish liver was ok, the eel is exactly what youd expect, and the liver was not too fatty and had decent flavor and not too strong. Now the less impressive are the wagyu, both the appetizer and the grilled version did not impress, it was dry and hard, and the grilled one was well done which did not help. The dessert was strawberry and blueberry mochis, which I thought could be fancier. Kaiseki is definitely an experience though, and we thoroughly enjoyed it.
I grew up in Santa Barbara and have spent 19 years here total. This is without a doubt the freshest fish I’ve had in town, and the best Japanese meal of my life. Everything was astoundingly delicious. Absolutely worth it
So happy to find a great kaiseki in Santa Barbara. If you really love food, this is one of the most fun and exciting places you could eat in town. Everyone that works there is nice and very passionate. Will be back soon!
It is an amazing experience and definitely a place to try quality Japanese cuisine. Not big portions but the quality is the definition of perfect.
It’s a pre-fix high price place. A small amount of food I am used to with Japanese, but it just didn’t seem that high quality unfortunately. The dishes weren’t very tasty, and I went in really wanting to like it. The ambiance and service are really solid, unfortunately the food just wasn’t there, ESPECIALLY for the price.
Awesome Japanese tasting menu. A lot of local and authentic bites. Everything was very unique and delicious! Reservations are required, but its well worth planning in advance to come to this hidden gem!
Each coarse delivered made me reevaluate what my taste buds and what I thought was good food.It was all great, in particular the wagyu on sesame sauce. Very happy with the selection there. Each course had something special from the ultra soft tofu in fish sauce and steamed lotus root to the AMAZING sashimi, in particular the Striped Jack (Shima-Aji) and to the very satisfying blend of fruit, red bean and cinnamon in the dessert!Highly recommend and very happy for my first ever Kaiseki experience
Yoichis is one of the best restaurants Ive had the privilege of dining at in the United States and I say this as someone who dines at AAA 5-Diamond and Michelin-starred restaurants regularly. My initial meal here was so good that I went back a second time the very next week. Flat rate of $100 for a 7-course Kaiseki dinner. Kaiseki originated in the 16th century as a Japanese tea ceremony. Here, it features seasonal cuisine, a mixture of sushi, grilled plates, boiled plates, and (of course) dessert. You do get a few choices on menu options. I highly recommend the Kamo no Yuanyaki (Sweet Soy Sauce Marinated Grilled Duck Breast), the Kinki no Nitsuke (Japanese Rock Fish Simmered in Sweet Broth), and the Hamaguri Shinjo Sumashijatate (Clear soup with Hamaguri clam fish cake). Also I suggest the Denshin Natsu (Junmai Daiginjo Namazake), a seasonal sake, and one of my favorites Ive had either in or out of Japan.This is THE place to eat if you visit Santa Barbara. Dont think twice about it, put yourself in this restaurants capable hands and prepare to have your mind blown.
The best dining experience and food of my life! Exquisite food prepared as art and unimaginably delicious! Wonderful, attentive service. We are stunned with gratitude and appreciation for this meal. Thank you!
Wonderful food experience and awesome staff! Always on par with excellent chefs choices.
Highly recommended!!This is an incredible Kaiseki restaurant with very high quality 8 course gourmet, authentic Japanese food. Amazing dining experience. Every dish is so beautiful and artistic yet very tasty. Compared to other Japanese food, Kaiseki requires lots of different cooking skill for each course. I can tell how much effort Chef Yoichi puts in each dish. All the seafood is so fresh and high quality. The sashimi is the best I ever had and variety that I dont see in the US that easily.How lucky we are to have Yoichis in Santa Barbara!
Me and my Husband made a reservation for Jan 1st to celebrate his birthday. We love this restaurant! Best experience ever. We really want to visit Japan now that we had this dinner experience. The food was exceptional and went beyond our expectations. Definitely high quality ingredients. I highly recommend this place if you are really looking for an authentic Japanese cuisine experience.
This place was outstandingly good. The courses were all balanced and delicate. The selection of shrimp and fish is flown in from Japan and is more tender and creamy than some of the local options. This is a great spot to celebrate an occasion but just eating here is a celebration unto itself.
Absolutely amazing multi-course dinner. Went for my husband’s birthday. Every course was explained by the chef, absolutely exquisite. I have a shellfish allergy and the chef accommodated me and altered 2 courses for me specifically. Amazing food. Amazing service. Amazing experience. We will return to this place.
The wonderfully reserved service, the amazingly delicious food and the leisurely pacing over 7 courses was a night to remember.
We had a great experience here and I highly recommend it. Fresh, seasonal, elegant, and delicious.
Great experience at Yoichis.A very charming, small restaurant that takes great care in presentation and flavor of their dishes.The food was great. Fresh and photographs well. The staff was friendly, helpful and fast. The whole experience made for a lovely Friday evening.The one issue I had was trying to eat steamed crab with chopsticks.
This is an absolutely authentic Japanese KAISEKI dining which is interpreted by the creativty of the chef. We were completely satisfied with everything!
Splendid in every way. One of the best meals Ive had in ages. The service is warm and attentive. The food (for us) had the perfect balance between familiar/comforting and huh, I dont think Ive had that before. The flavors are both delicate and intensely delicious. Lots of umami here. Even the dessert course which can sometimes be a throw away actually blew us away (fruit and bean filled mochi dumplings/raviolis). I cannot wait to return!
My friend and I had dinner at Yoichis last night. Another friend who is a chef and major foodie had strongly recommended it to us. It was fabulous!! Every taste was perfect and the selection of tastes was ingenious. The presentation of the food was beautiful on handcrafted ceramic dishes. The pacing of the courses was perfect as well. Not too quick or too slow, just right. And the servers were knowledgeable, helpful, and very kind. To get 7 courses of this quality anywhere else would cost twice as much! I would strongly encourage people to support this wonderful restaurant it is a true gem.
A delightful experience with impeccable service. Everything was delicious and brought to the table just at the right moment.
Not your usual style of a sushi restaurant. Its a course meal prepare daily by the chef himself. Every dish is presented so nice. Almost too good to eat. Very good. Fresh fish. The waitress were very helpful and nice. Explain the menu and every dish that came out. Its a bit pricey but well worth it. The place is nice and clean. Good for a romantic time with your love one. My girlfriend definitely loved it. We will definitely be back soon. Great for special occasion.
Quick SummaryCozy Japanese restaurant that offers Kaiseki (prix fixe) with excellent service. Try to book reservations a few weeks in advance. The service and atmosphere were excellent. Appetizers were excellent. But the entrees and dessert were average. Was very excited to try this restaurant, but was disappointed, probably due to high expectationsFood- 4 starsThe Kaiseki was 7 courses. Started out well with the appetizers but flounded towards the finish lineThe appetizers prior to sashimi were all very good and thought out. I would give it 5 stars to startThe sashimi and sushi that came before and after the grilled and steamed dish were good and fresh. Slight compliant that the fish was slightly colder than desiredThe grilled and steamed dishes (which you have 3 options each) was when things began to somewhat unravel-Grilled lobster with tama miso sauce- the lobster was cooked perfectly, but the miso sauce was overly sweet. The balance was pretty off, which was disappointing because the lobster tail was cooked perfectly-Wagyu- I can see why a few reviewers mentioned it tasted like sausage. It was pretty disappointing-Seafood steamed in citrus bowl with miso bechamel sauce- it was interesting seeing this plate served in an orange bowl. However, the sauce was so gelatinous and heavy that it was not an enjoyable experience-Fresh water eel and monkfish liver- was really disappointed that there was bones in the eel and that the monkfish liver lacked any flavor. The whole dish was overly sweetDessert- it was a mochi crepe with fruit sort of dessert. It was good, but wouldve better if served hot or warmService- 5 starsPhenomenal service. Very accommodating without being too overbearing.Ambiance/Value- 5 starsIts a small neighborhood restaurant that makes for a great date nightBottom LinePerhaps Yoichis catered too much to Western tastes, as the food ventured towards Fusion Japanese and didnt satisfy. The appetizers were great, but it went downhill when it got to the grilled and steamed dishes. Will add an extra star for their service and ambiance
One of Santa Barbaras finest restaurants. Not the typical meal most people expect from a Japanese restaurant. Each course blends amazing flavors together with fresh seasonal ingredients. The staff service was exceptional, flexible with our needs, and an absolute blast to talk with.
Yoichi’s provides a first class, low-key meal experience. It’s served by thoughtful, creative and borderline perfectionists. Every dish comes out flawlessly and allows plenty of time to savor each one. Highly recommended if you’re in the mood for authentic Japanese dishes that aren’t limited to sushi.
The service is warm and attentive. The atmosphere is elegant yet casual. Diners dress up or not - anything goes. Every dish is creative and visually appealing. Almost every bite carries a wow factor. Every morsel of seafood is super fresh. Especially marvelous is the seafood in a citrusy miso béchamel sauce baked in a hollowed out orange. Yoichis is a gem. I cant wait to go back.
I love love love this place. I have not returned in years since the wait-staff seem unable or un-willing to remove their silly and unscientific facemasks and serve with a smile and warmth of reality. As soon as I walk by and see the staff is un-masked and living in reality, I will be back with a big smile and appetite and wallet for cash tips, because this place deserves them all!
Classic Kaiseki with impeccable attention to detail and uncompromisingly high quality ingredients. An oasis in a desert of restaurants calibrated for the student/tourist population. We will go here every time we are in town, and recommend you do the same.
Due to my wife being a foodie and I having been converted to one, tasting menus are always a lot of fun even if they are few and far between. We wanted to spend our last night in California for our recent trip on a high note and had a chance to try out Yoichi.Wow.This seven course meal was not only very filling (which some tasting menus might not be even with multiple courses...) but each dish was both visually fun and flavorful! Paired with a Sake that was delicious we had a great time.The seating was comfortable and you truly felt the Japanese atmosphere when entering the small and unassuming restaurant. The waitstaff was on point in making sure we were having a good time and delivering refills of water whenever needed, sometimes even without our noticing as we enjoyed our meals.A wonderful experience on the whole and one we would happily repeat again if in the area.
My favorite restaurant ever. The food is so thoughtfully prepared, fresh, and fun! If I lived in Santa Barbara, it would be hard not to eat there all the time. I live in NYC, and I insist on eating there whenever I visit. Truly authentic, amazing Japanese cuisine. If you are in SB, treat yourself! You wont regret it.
This is the best restaurant in Santa Barbara, and the only true destination restaurant in the entire county.Went back for dinner at Yoichis tonight (5 August 2018). Amazingly, it was even better than my past few visits. There are few places like this one anywhere, yet it still seems to be quite unknown to tourists and locals alike.
This was the top sushi bar in Santa Barbara until Sushi Bar in Montecito came along. I like them both for different reasons. Yoichis is a gem. The fish is exquisite, the dining room is intimate and the service is amazing.
I have eaten at 5 star 5 diamond restaurants but I have never literally cried after eating a meal. My boyfriend and I enjoyed the 7 course tasting and from beginning to end we were absolutely mind blown.I couldnt help but be overwhelmed with emotion after enjoying such well crafted courses that were made with the utmost craftsmanship and genuine love for food and culture.Please come enjoy what this chef and his staff are doing because they are true artists and geniuses in what they are doing.
We called a week in advance to book a reservation to eat here. They took my partnerss name, phone number, credit card information, and everything. We dont live in the Santa Barabara area and drove all the way down here just to have a meal at this place. When we called, the woman who answered the phone all of a sudden says that we dont have a reservation?! We have the call history of us making the reservation a week prior. We spent the entire day at Santa Barbara walking around just waiting to have this meal. I dont think you can imagine how disappointed we are right now. A waste of our time and gas. For a restaurant thats so highly rated and highly priced, youd think they would be organized enough not to mess a reservation up. This is HIGHLY UNPROFESSIONAL.
SPECTACULAR MEAL!!!! I went with my wife and two friends, all pretty well versed in good food, and we were all blown away by Yoichis. The service was fantastic, the food was exotic and so amazing that each course seemed more inventive and impressive than the last. This is not just a sushi place, though the sushi courses were better than Nobu where we eat regularly. The sashimi was incredible. The grilled FRESH king crab was far and away the best crab Ive ever had. The vegetarian courses were spectacular, and the miso local black cod was amazing. The menu here changes monthly, and I cant wait to go back next month!
From the meal to the service, this was one of the most memorable meals we’ve ever had. Yoishi’s is a must dine spot for a special occasion when you’re in Santa Barbara.
We were excited about the concept... unfortunately the ambience doesnt match the menus price point (bad bright lighting, uncomfortable and basic table and chairs) and the food was hit or miss. With some revamping of the lighting and layout, and attention to what dishes are being left on diners plates this place could be great!
Very good meal in a nice setting, and very pleasant service. There was a lot of food, but it was paced well, and ended up just being enough without being too filling. The appetizers included a delicious tiny mushroom salad, perfectly cooked wagu beef, a cold octopus that was marinated in something -- it was unusual. The soup had crab leg and oyster mushrooms. The broth was very nice, and there was bit of smokiness to the whole thing that balanced well with the sweetness of the crab. The third course included three types of sashimi: scallops from japan, ocean trout, and bonito. The scallops were very smooth and not as overpowering as scallops sometimes are. I was not as big of a fan of the ocean trout, but it was very fatty, kind of like a fatty salmon. The bonito was amazing. Perfect soft mouthfeel, and the homemade sauce complemented it perfectly. For the grilled dishes we had the eel and the Chilean sea bass. Usually, I find sea bass a bit disappointing, but this was perfectly buttery and had a very lovely subtle miso flavor from the marinade. The eel was kind of teriyaki like and had tiny bones, but the flesh was very soft and tender. You would not guess it was eel. For the steamed dish, we had the oysters with mushrooms, which was served in a tangerine. The broth in the tangerine was one of the best broths I have had. The citrus with the savory was really, really good. The egg custard and rockfish was also good, but I the oysters were the standout. The final sushi course had mackerel, local sea urchin, and a shrimp. I loved the mackerel. The sea urchin was nice and sweet and creamy but lacked a bit of the ocean flavor. I am not a fan of shrimp, but my fiance really liked hers. The meal ended with a lovely tea ice cream. Overall, a very pleasant experience that I would recommend.
What a wonderful experience!Kaiseki dinner with careful selected seasonal ingredients, exceptionally prepared and presented. DELICIOUS.Bravo chef Yoichi!Daisuke and Heysu delivered friendly and attentive service to make this dinner a complete experience.
Ive been twice now. Its a very relaxed environment, definitely recommended for couples. It is a fixed menu, so Ill say there is no choice. Its closer to true than saying there are options. If you are new to American tipping practices 10% is considered a slight, so please dont forget to show those awesome ladies and gentlemen respect! They earn it!
We come here as a special treat every birthday and anniversary. By far the best place to eat. Every dish is served as a celebration of nature. The very best!
Exceptional service from a extremely knowledgeable staff. Its expensive but you are paying for the experience that is one of a kind in Santa Barbara. The duck was a little dry but the rest of the courses were exceptional. LOVED the wagyu beef and sashimi. Sashimi was different cuts off tuna
Absolutely perfection. My mouth was watering after I finished! Freshest sashimi and sushi I have ever had and I have eaten a lot of great sushi. But the real pleasure was all the beautiful textures, tastes and presentation. The work of a real master.
A high-end dining experience one would expect only to find in cosmopolitan areas. Some of the most delicate catches flown in from Japan and Spain are as fresh as if they were caught locally. Chef Yoichi demonstrates his creativity by combining flavor, texture along with presentation to produce a remarkable product.
Truly one of the best meal experiences I’ve ever had! Sake paring suggestion was well worth it. Food was delicate and flavorful. Absolutely recommend!
A delightful culinary experience from start to finish and well worth the price. Delightful service and exquisite, original and thoughtfully composed meal encompassing 7 small and impeccable courses.
If I could rate this higher than 5 stars, I would. If you enjoy and appreciate Japanese cuisine, this is better than most of what you find in Japan. The duck is heavenly. Sushi, amazing. Presentation... beautiful! Dont miss this one!
Omg... to say the least!! BEST experience of my life so far. Service and food were impeccable. This 7 course meal will definitely WOW your palate.
An excellent dinner experience, along with friendly staff who explained each course :)Their recommendation for sake was also spot-on with our tastes!
When you are eating kaiseki all you are eating is details. For this place it is particularly lacking in terms of decor, plating or ingredients. The food is actually not bad, but there is something lacking on every plate. You are definitely spending your money in LA on something else.
Gorgeous interesting food, beautiful presentation. Each course better than the last if that is even possible! Loved everything about this neighborhood gem. You will not be disappointed.
We had take out last night from Yoichi’s and I can’t stop thinking about how good it was. Amazing presentation, flavors and textures. Will be going back for sure.
An amazing Kaiseki dinner with perfect Santa Barbara atmosphere. A pleasant surprise in an area not known for traditional Japanese food. Oishii!
Absolutely amazing!! The food is absolutely incredible and the staff is very accommodating. The atmosphere is very welcoming. If I could I would eat here every day.
One of a kind. Beautiful experience. I was especially enamored with the one of a kind ceramics and service.
Wow, great presentation. Great tasting food. Great service. Amazing
One of the more authentic Japanese meals Ive had in a long time! Both the food and service were incredible!
Great service with well prepared Japanese cuisine, price fix menu well selected excellent selection of sake, and wine.
Dinner was delicious, fresh seafood, and great service. It was like eating in Japan. Every course beautiful and well balanced.
I wouldnt recommend this place for sushi. Lady was rude and said we couldnt be seated since they had reservations and only two tables had customers. I was a paying customer and did not see other people rushing in to get sushi. I will never step into this place for sushi. This was my worst experience for sushi. NO THANKS!
Absolutely excellent food, very nice presentation. Good mix of courses; not everything is sushi.
Food was very good, but ambience didnt match the price. Prepackaged hand wipes and fake candles are a total miss.
This was the best and most authentic Japanese meal I have ever had in Santa Barbara, bar none. Fantastic.
Without a doubt the best food and dining experience in Santa Barbara. Savor the flavors! Its worth the price!
Awesome! As authentic as it can get. If you like real Japanese food and great sushi - a must!
My husband is Japanese and said this restaurant totally deserves the 5 stars. Food quality and service are excellent.
Traditional Japanese environment. Great service they explain all of the at time they are served. $$$$
Amazing creative food. Very authentic. Multi course experience to remember.Highly recommended.
Good service. Excellent food
Nuanced well-balanced complex flavors. Unexpected. A must.
Absolutely phenomenal, every course.
Amazing Japanese cuisine and SakeThe best.
Nice bento box for to go. new interesting taste
Excellent
Service and food are absolutely phenomenal.
Definitely Recommend the Seafood Bento
My favorite restaurant in Santa Barbara.
Fantastic food. would recommend.
Fantastic
Love sushi, love the place!
An amazing dining experience!!!
Best Japanese food in SB
As always
Amazing food!
Love this place!
A wonderful adventure
Ox
Total reviews rating 4.8
98 Reviews for Yoichis 2024:
Review №1
2023-11-18 21:45:39So happy somehow I came across Yoichis! I practically came here on a whim but made reservations in the morning on Friday. Always recommended to set up reservations anywhere pretty much especially Yoichis is on the smaller side and has table side intimate service. The menu is pretty set with seasonal and hand selected ingredients. I was amazed at the detail of little garnishes and ingredients Ive never had in my life. The service between the couple was awesome very thorough and informative. I felt like I was at home and it was a nice private course dinner basically so well worth the price for the amount of food and information I felt full!
Review №2
2023-10-12 22:49:50Had a great dinning experience. Some dishes are too salty for my preference but overall very happy with the quality of food. I also noticed that a few ingredients/items are the same as last year. Would recommend if you want to splurge on fine dining.
Review №3
2023-08-02 04:47:45What a wonderful experience. This was truly a unique dining experience and while it is expensive its a rare experience making it worth the cost. We had the opportunity to try several different entres and learn about the culture. The food was exquisite and definitely left us full. The staff is very kind and polite. It was a great way to celebrate our 1 year wedding anniversary!
Review №4
2024-07-05 18:34:10Please allow me to add to the chorus of voices praising Yoichi’s. We had just been to eat at Michelin-starred Caruso’s the night before… Yoichi’s was not only half as expensive but twice as good.Food courses absolutely gorgeous, cohesive, delicate, delicious… enough in quantity to really enjoy it but not so much that you feel overstuffed by the end. The variety of dishes was incredible and the tastes exquisite.There were two people serving the dining room when we were there - I’m sorry I don’t remember their names but they were both so kind, knowledgable, and attentive.Bonus points for jazzy versions of Studio Ghibli tunes playing as atmospheric music ❤️You won’t regret coming here. You will only regret that you can’t eat here every night. We will be sure to come back when we are in Santa Barbara.
Review №5
2023-06-11 03:05:57The most amazing set course meal we have ever had. The meal left us feeling satiated, inspired, and well taken care of. Chef served us a special glass of sake for our anniversary. We will be back.
Review №6
2022-08-30 16:18:30What an amazing experience. And amazing food! We got out of our comfort zone a bit for this one and we were so glad we did! I already love sashimi and sushi, but I’d never tried uni before. Delicious!
Review №7
2023-04-30 20:16:05What an incredible meal. Every dish that comes out is crafted with such attention to detail. Every single bite is full of so much flavor. The fresh sushi and sashimi was some of the best I’ve ever had. The chutoro was a slice of butter melting in your mouth…unbelievable! Beyond the food, you sit down in a very unassuming and cozy room. The team are so friendly and accommodating and you can feel the energy they exhume being a part of such a special experience. If you’ve never had a traditional Japanese kaiseki experience, this is as good as any other. Great way to open up your horizons to a new culture and new ways of preparing fine dishes. I highly recommend and I will absolutely be back. Incredible from start to finish.
Review №8
2024-06-03 22:01:20I love their Kaiseki. We went there 2 times and both times were “there is nothing to compare” experiences. I have worked as a chef in Japan, assisted a pro and learned about traditional Japanese seafood preparation. The course meal dishes the waiter brought to our table were authentic yet well adjusted to the culture. The waiter Daisuke who is also very professional would take his time to explain the dish, from origin of the ingredients, how they were prepped, and the best order to eat each piece. The restaurant is open only Thursday-Sunday, that I can sense the chef’s effort of taking his time to search for the best ingredients from the different places and serve them at the best. I think I will make a reservation soon for the 3rd time. :)
Review №9
2024-03-09 04:25:41Outstanding food and service!!! Every little detail of the dishes was PERFECT.
Review №10
2023-07-18 15:48:45Hands down, the best restaurant in Santa Barbara. It’s by reservation only because each meal is created for you with the freshest ingredients. You will have choices for most of the courses, although this is kaiseki, and the chef changes the menu with the season. It is family owned and operated and all of the staff are professional and knowledgeable. This is not just a meal. Be prepared to have an authentic Japanese cuisine experience! Here are a few of the dishes we enjoyed last Friday.