Contemporary Asian American Restaurant from Chefs Peter Lee & Felicia Medina.
"Consider the bao. Chinese in origin, it’s most easily described as a steamed bun filled with something savory. Yet, like the American concept of a sandwich, the bao exploded into a flexible format of untold bounds — served at any meal, filled with you-name-it, completely closed or wide open, with endless regional variants from across Asia and far beyond." - Matt Kettmann (SB Independent)
1 Block From State Street, Easy Parking, Public Lot Nearby, Free 75 Minute Parking, Walking Distance, El Pueblo Viejo Landmark District, Superior Court, Spanish Colonial Revival Courthouse, Santa Barbara Museum Of Art, Courthouse Gardens, Bell Tower, Bao, Food, Restaurant, Asian, American, New, Modern, Fried, Chicken, Octopus, Vegan, Vegetarian, Paleo, Friendly, Dog Friendly, Outdoor Patio, Heaters, Warm, Inviting, Hospitable, Modern Design
Secret Bao reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.
Overall ratings and reviews
Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant
4.8
4.8 based on recent ratings
4.9Food
4.8Service
4.5Ambience
4.6Value
Noise • Moderate
Loved For
California Central Coast
Innovative
California Central Coast
Hot spot
Santa Barbara
Best Overall
Santa Barbara
Best Food
Santa Barbara
Best Service
Santa Barbara
Best Value
Santa Barbara
Kid-friendly
Santa Barbara
Innovative
Santa Barbara
Healthy
Santa Barbara
Hot spot
Santa Barbara
Lively
Santa Barbara
Most Booked
Review summary
AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Secret Bao in Santa Barbara delights diners with its inventive Asian fusion cuisine, featuring standout dishes like the KFC Bao, hamachi tacos, and pear-avocado salad. Enthusiastic patrons praise the "creative, quality, interesting and fabulous" menu, "friendly, attentive" service, and "festive joyful ambiance." A must-visit for a flavorful, unique dining experience.
709 Reviews
L
Linda
Phoenix1 review
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
Overall 5
Food 5
Service 5
Ambience 5
We tried the pork belly and fried chicken bao, broccolini, and pork chop fried rice. We also got a side of rice and fried chicken strips, as well as 3 beverages. Everything was delicious and the service was great! Very reasonable prices, too. Would definitely go back again.
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W
Wesly
Orange County1 review
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
Overall 5
Food 5
Service 5
Ambience 5
Love love love Secret Bao, just want the Brusselsprouts back on the menu!!
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A
Anna
Central Coast1 review
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
Overall 5
Food 5
Service 5
Ambience 5
One of our top favorites restaurants in our beautiful home town; you never disappoint. 🥰
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S
Sela
Central Coast13 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
Overall 5
Food 5
Service 5
Ambience 5
Excellent food and service!!!
DIning on the patio was perfect!
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D
Dee VIP
Central Coast4 reviews
4.0
Dined 5 days ago
Overall 4
Food 4
Service 5
Ambience 4
This was our third visit. Slowly working through the menu! KFC Bao a must. Carbonara was great and a huge portion.
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M
Margaret
Philadelphia6 reviews
5.0
Dined 5 days ago
Overall 5
Food 5
Service 5
Ambience 4
Food is so great. Drinks too. Could use cushions on their hard bench
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B
Billi VIP
Minneapolis21 reviews
5.0
Dined on March 22, 2025
Overall 5
Food 5
Service 5
Ambience 5
What an incredible dinner! Service was amazing. We loved everything we tried. Can’t wait to return and sample more of the menu.
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s
sbavila
Central Coast2 reviews
5.0
Dined on March 17, 2025
Overall 5
Food 5
Service 5
Ambience 5
We ate outside with the heaters. It was nice. The food was terrific. We especially loved the pear/avocado salad, lobster bao, and warm date cake with ice cream.
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DB
DenaB
San Diego2 reviews
5.0
Dined on March 16, 2025
Overall 5
Food 5
Service 5
Ambience 5
Great experience! Friendly, attentive server with amazing food!
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OT
OpenTable Diner
San Francisco2 reviews
5.0
Dined on March 9, 2025
Overall 5
Food 5
Service 5
Ambience 4
Need more creative delicious restaurants like this in Santa Barbara.
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FAQs
Secret Bao offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (805) 259-3226.
Secret Bao is rated 4.8 stars by 709 OpenTable diners.
Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.
