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The Hungry Cat - Santa BarbaraReservations
Restaurant Reviews List >
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Santa Barbara Restaurant Reviews >
Santa Barbara Restaurant Reviews >
Seafood Restaurant Reviews
The Hungry Cat - Santa Barbara Reviews List
The Hungry Cat - Santa Barbara
Proudly Serving Santa Barbara since 2007!
The Hungry Cat Santa Barbara retains the same focus as the Hollywood and Santa Monica Canyon locations: fresh, high quality fish paired with fresh, locally sourced ingredients from nearby farmer's markets.
Our rotating raw bar showcases Pacific and Atlantic oysters, clams, Santa Barbara sea urchin, raw and marinated fish dishes, crab and lobster.
The Bar at the Hungry Cat specializes in seasonal, market driven cocktails, craft brews and an eclectic wine list made for seafood.
We are open daily serving lunch and dinner, with brunch on the weekends.
Happy Hour is available daily from 3pm to 6pm.
See more The Hungry Cat - Santa Barbara details
The Hungry Cat Santa Barbara retains the same focus as the Hollywood and Santa Monica Canyon locations: fresh, high quality fish paired with fresh, locally sourced ingredients from nearby farmer's markets.
Our rotating raw bar showcases Pacific and Atlantic oysters, clams, Santa Barbara sea urchin, raw and marinated fish dishes, crab and lobster.
The Bar at the Hungry Cat specializes in seasonal, market driven cocktails, craft brews and an eclectic wine list made for seafood.
We are open daily serving lunch and dinner, with brunch on the weekends.
Happy Hour is available daily from 3pm to 6pm.
47 Current Reviews
Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews
Overall
(Outstanding)
4
/
5
Rating Breakdown 47 reviews
5 stars
(15)
4 stars
(23)
3 stars
(6)
2 stars
(2)
1 star
(1)
Food
(Outstanding)
4.3
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
3.8
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
3.6
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
Filter Reviews By:
Diners classify this restaurant as:
- fit for foodies(32)
- neighborhood gem(14)
- hot spot(11)
- great for lunch(7)
- vibrant bar scene(6)
- great for brunch(4)
The Hungry Cat - Santa Barbara Reviews List
Review 1 for The Hungry Cat - Santa Barbara
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
Disappointing evening at The
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Disappointing evening at The Hungry Cat. Starter with the raw plate based on server reco. Seafood wasn't fresh, crab was dry, sauces bland. Have definitely had much better. Entrees were the steak and the halibut. The steak was just OK, the halibut a bit better but nothing special. Cocktails were very good but took too long to get. Tried ordering a bottle of wine but they couldn't seem to pull it together to get it to the table."
Dined on 04/27/2013
2004
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Review 2 for The Hungry Cat - Santa Barbara
Overall rating
(Poor)
1
/
5
Still hungry cat
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Too salty, very very small portions for with very very high prices."
Dined on 04/26/2013
2007
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Review 3 for The Hungry Cat - Santa Barbara
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
I've been a fan of Hungry
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"I've been a fan of Hungry Cat since David Lentz opened it. The menu and quality have been consistently satisfying since, and our server was a pleasure."
Dined on 04/18/2013
2013
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies
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Review 4 for The Hungry Cat - Santa Barbara
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
It doesn't seem like they
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"It doesn't seem like they manage their reservations very well. We didn't get seated until 20 mins after our reservation, and I noticed the same thing happened to another party. BUT the food made it all worth it. We ordered the clams and chorizo for him and braised octopus with squid ink pasta for me. Everything was SO YUMMY."
Dined on 04/13/2013
2011
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Review 5 for The Hungry Cat - Santa Barbara
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Best hamachi appetizer ever!
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Best hamachi appetizer ever! Service was lacking, but most restaurants of this size tend to lack in service. Portions are small but you can taste the quality! Will be back!!"
Dined on 03/25/2013
2008
Special Features: fit for foodies
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Review 6 for The Hungry Cat - Santa Barbara
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Good food, terrible service
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Poor)
1
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"The food was excellent, but the service was sub-par. We were seated 25 minutes after our reservation and it was only because two men bailed after waiting so long to be served. Otherwise, we wold have had a 45 minute wait even though we had reservations and were on time. After being seated, our waitress was slow to get our drink order, our 2nd courses arrived while we still had our 1st courses on the table. We skipped dessert because we were exhausted with the service."
Dined on 04/06/2013
2008
Special Features: fit for foodies
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Review 7 for The Hungry Cat - Santa Barbara
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Hungry Cat Satisfies!!
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Hungry Cat was Great. The seafood was amazingly fresh and flavorful (Raw and Cooked). If they have the fresh Sea Urchin ORDER IT! It is wonderful. They have a few beef / meat dishes on the menu as well. I had the Pug Burger which I understand from a friend has won accolades in LA as well as nearby. It was one of the best burgers I have had. Thick, juicy, full of flavor and literally juice will run down your arm.
Will go back for sure. Try it."
Dined on 04/02/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, hot spot
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Review 8 for The Hungry Cat - Santa Barbara
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
We had a wonderful dinner
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"We had a wonderful dinner with super service."
Dined on 03/19/2013
2013
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Review 9 for The Hungry Cat - Santa Barbara
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
fresh seafood at its best.
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"fresh seafood at its best. Loved the Santa Barbara uni and the East Coast oysters!"
Dined on 03/14/2013
2006
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for lunch
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Review 10 for The Hungry Cat - Santa Barbara
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Wonderful fresh seafood. Always
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Wonderful fresh seafood. Always a very interesting cocktail-of-the-day."
Dined on 03/08/2013
2006
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Review 11 for The Hungry Cat - Santa Barbara
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Cats meow
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Poor)
1
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Great selection of food with highlights of fish and oysters.
Bar drinks are excellent , wine list a little weak.
Need a little more management on the dining floor to service diners on a busy night."
Bar drinks are excellent , wine list a little weak.
Need a little more management on the dining floor to service diners on a busy night."
Dined on 02/27/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, hot spot
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Review 12 for The Hungry Cat - Santa Barbara
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Hip Find in Santa Barbara
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Offers a hip scene with fantastic seafood. The Hungry Cat is has an authentic, around- the-corner hot spot feel, on a side street near the main thoroughfare of State Street. Fresh oysters are a specialty, along with a an enticing menu of daily specials to compliment a solid menu. This is the kind of restaurant that has such a great vibe, you love being there."
Dined on 02/15/2013
2010
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, hot spot
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Review 13 for The Hungry Cat - Santa Barbara
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
If you like seafood, this
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"If you like seafood, this is a greaet place. Very relaxed. Make a reservation as it does get rather busy."
Dined on 02/17/2013
2004
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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Review 14 for The Hungry Cat - Santa Barbara
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Nice ambiance. A problem was
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Nice ambiance. A problem was the difficulty to read the menu having small fonts and there were very little light which also made it hard to see very well what was served on your plate. Suggest a table light stronger than the tiny 2 candles. Luckily, one of us carried a small flash light so we could read the menu. Your red wine list was not very impressive, but okay it you chose a more expensive wine."
Dined on 01/27/2013
2012
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Review 15 for The Hungry Cat - Santa Barbara
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Drink specials are always
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Drink specials are always great. This from a guy who has a drink or two a month!"
Dined on 01/19/2013
2008
Special Features: fit for foodies
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Ratings-Only Reviews for The Hungry Cat - Santa Barbara
Based on the average of (32) ratings-only reviews
Overall
(Outstanding)
4.2
/
5
3 out of 3 recommend this product
Food
(Outstanding)
4.4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
3.7
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic