We wanted some fresh fish for lunch but did not want to travel to Santa Barbara. We found the Santa Barbara Fish Market in Goleta to be the best solution. They deliver an authentic, high-caliber seafood experience that truly tastes like it just came off the boat.
The Ambiance: Casual Comfort, Focused on the Fare
The Goleta location, while in a strip mall, cultivates a welcoming, relaxed atmosphere that puts the focus squarely on the incredible food.
- Feel: It offers a more neighborhood-centric, comfortable vibe compared to the bustling tourist-friendly harbor spot. It’s clean, bright, and often has a pleasant hum of happy diners.
- Seating: People focus on the sitting outdoors which is perfect for a casual lunch or a relaxed dinner with friends and family. The design is efficient and modern, designed for enjoying great food.
- Service: The staff are very friendly, efficient service and their deep knowledge of the daily specials and the provenance of the seafood. They genuinely appreciate and understand the product they’re serving.
The Food: Pristine Freshness, Masterfully Prepared
The seafood is the definition of fresh. You can see the freshness of the seafood in the finished product that they serve. I can only conclude that their commitment to sourcing produces their clean, sweet, pure flavor that only truly fresh seafood can offer.
We had the Grilled Seabass Sandwich and the Fish Tacos. Both were excellent and could have been the best we ever had!!
Key Takeaways
We highly recommend the Santa Barbara Fish Market for their fresh and tasty seafood. They really deliver on their promises.
| Feature | Details |
| Location | 7770 Calle Real, Goleta, CA 93117 |
| Cuisine | Fresh Seafood, Grill, Sushi, Poke |
| Ambiance | Casual, Clean, Neighborhood-Friendly |
| Must-Try | Daily Grilled Fish Specials, Poke Bowls, Fish & Chips |
| Why Go? | Identical commitment to pristine, local freshness as the original harbor location. |
Pro Tip: Check their daily specials board for the absolute freshest local catches – they change with what the boats bring in!