Bibi Ji 2.0
Restaurant · Downtown ·
Indian wine bar with local produce, lamb chops, naan, lassis
Indian wine bar with local produce, lamb chops, naan, lassis
"With their name emblazoned in pink, this trendy Indian from co-owners Alejandro Medina and noted sommelier Rajat Parr makes quite the splash. Inside, the space is small but well appointed, with vaulted ceilings and chandeliers; the patio outside is a verdant, summertime delight. Harnessing the best of land and sea, these dishes are born for sharing. Behold such inventive bites as crispy cauliflower tossed with chili-garlic sauce and finished with sesame. Barra kebab highlights intensely spiced tandoor lamb chops with mint chutney; while vegetables like baingan bharta (eggplant with ginger) are a heady treat. The cooking is strong and flavors well executed. No wonder, dessert is an afterthought.A list of natural wines merely augments the focused carte." - Michelin Inspector
"Getting out of the city for a day can feel like a special occasion in itself. But if this is some extra-special occasion, milk it for all its worth with a trip to Santa Barbara. And when you’re there, your first stop for dinner should be Bibi Ji. This upscale Indian spot has an incredible wine list and a great a la carte menu, but our move is always to get the Chef’s Tasting Menu and wine pairing, which is $50 per person (plus $30 for the wine), and includes a selection from the menu, plus the fantastic thali platter with curries. And - although it doesn’t come with the tasting menu - always order the uni fried rice, which comes in a still-moving sea urchin. It’s salty, fishy, and excellent. Stop by McConnell’s Ice Cream next door to really complete the night." - brett keating
"This high-style modern Indian restaurant (by way of NYC) is located right on State Street in a neon-light-covered space that works for anything from date night to a group dinner to solo drinks at the bar. We'd make a trip just for the uni with biryani rice, but as long as you're here, you should order the grilled lamb chops dusted with turmeric and cumin, the curry made with local halibut, and the tangy passionfruit lassi." - brant cox, sylvio martins, cathy park
"In July 2024, Bibi Ji reopened near the Granada Theatre in Santa Barbara’s Arts District. The wonderfully pink dining room now seats double what it used to and serves owner Alejandro Medina’s modern Indian menu, plus a new four-seat chef’s counter for Bibi Ji’s rotating tasting menu. Bibi Ji’s standouts remain on the menu including the dal makhani lentils, barra lamb chop, and tandoori chicken. Sample it all in the modern, pink-painted dining room cast in a neon light from its indoor signs." - Mona Holmes
"Bibi Ji isn’t just our favorite Indian restaurant in Santa Barbara, it’s one of our favorites in all of Southern California. And now, they’ve taken advantage of their shaded back patio to assure safe, socially distant outdoor dining. Their current menu is slightly pared down, but whether you order the butter chicken, crispy cauliflower, or fish of the day, know you’re still in for an unforgettable meal." - brant cox
