Brophy Bros. Santa Barbara

If you’re craving fresh seafood with a side of waterfront charm, this harborfront gem does not disappoint. From the moment you walk in, the lively atmosphere and warm, friendly staff make you feel right at home. The views of the harbor alone are worth the visit, but it’s the food that truly steals the show. What really stands out is the value. The portions are hearty, the prices are reasonable, and the quality is top-notch. Whether you’re stopping by for a casual lunch or a relaxed dinner with a view, this spot delivers on all fronts. A must-visit for seafood lovers.

Brophy Bros absolutely lived up to the hype. The food was fantastic and the harbor view elevated the whole experience — easily one of the best spots to enjoy a meal with a scenic backdrop. I tried a variety of dishes, including the swordfish, salmon, sea bass, baked clams, calamari, clam chowder, and even the cauliflower sandwich. Everything was fresh, flavorful, and perfectly cooked. The seafood tasted like it came straight off the boat, and the clam chowder was rich and comforting without being overly heavy. Great food, amazing views, and a relaxed coastal vibe — definitely a place I’d return to and recommend to anyone visiting the area.

This place is very charming with great views of the boat docks. It was a little busy but we got seats within 15 mins. The downstairs clam bar had limited items from the menu, but had plenty of seats. We ordered the oyster Rockefeller and it was huge, perfectly cooked with a lot of flavor. The burger was decent and the grill fish sandwich (Mahi Mahi was the fish when we went) and was also tasty. Fries were awesome and the pile on the veggies for the sandwich/burger. Parking was a bit confusing because we weren't sure if we needed to pay where the signs just said 90 mins to park. There was only 1 sign indicating we needed to pay and it was no where close to where we parked. The staff was nice and attentive.

Outstanding clam chowder with rich creamy flavor. You can actually taste the clam meat. Not like other restaurants only have potatoes and no clams. The salad is very fresh and the pasta dish is also delicious. A little more garlic and basil flavor would be even better. Always a good experience every time we go.

This was one of the most popular restaurants during our trip to SB. It's by the harbor with a nice view, friendly staff, decent food, but cramped seating. My gf and I are relatively small, but in our table of two we both felt quite cramped and often stepped on each other's toes when we extended our legs after keeping them tucked under our seats; but I suppose this is what they'll need to do to meet the demand. There were also a lot of flies on the side, which never got on my food but frequently got within a couple inches from my face. I'm not sure how much control they have over this though. Food: Definitely get the chowder, it was delicious! But the garlic baked clams appetizer was okay and overpriced. The seabass was also as dry as it looked in the photo. I usually eat seabass from costco home cooked on a pan or even air fryer, usually very juicy. So I was surprised and quite disappointed at how burnt and dry it was here. The fries were good though! But their complimentary bread was also room temp with solid butter, which was kind of unappetizing and hard to spread. It would've made a world of difference if it was served hot so the butter could melt. I ordered 1 main course and she ordered 1 appetizer, we shared. The total at the end was still $35/person--consider the value. Overall a 3.5/5. 3 for food, 2 for environment/comfort, but 5 and a round up for friendly service and hardworking servers. Might come back if I'm in the area but I have better options.

One of my favorite places when I lived here. Whenever we’re in town we usually have our Brophy lunch. We split a cioppino and it was spectacular as usual. Loaded with some of the freshest seafood I’ve had. Very filling for 2 at lunch and reasonably priced. Tatyana, our server was great and you could tell she really likes her job. What better that a hearty bowl of warm cioppino on a rainy day? Thank you Brophy Beothers for hitting it out of the park once again. You never disappoint- Merry Christmas!

We had our first visit to Brophy’s and Helena, our server, was very helpful in our meal selection and which wine would pair well with our food. Highly recommend the Brander Sauvignon Blanc with the locally caught Cajun Dusted Seabass and the Blackened Chicken Salad. We will be back before the end of our week stay in Santa Barbara. We returned and we had great experience with our server, Michael P. Cheers everyone!!

If you’re visiting Santa Barbara, you definitely need to come to Brophy Bros. This iconic seafood restaurant is located right on the pier, offering incredible ocean views and a perfect coastal dining experience. 🌊 Stunning Location The view from Brophy Bros. is simply breathtaking. Overlooking the marina, you can watch boats glide in and out while enjoying the fresh sea breeze. The setting alone is worth the visit — especially during sunset when the entire harbor glows. It’s a peaceful yet vibrant spot to unwind and take in the beauty of Santa Barbara. 🦐 Fresh Seafood The seafood is top-notch — fresh, flavorful, and cooked to perfection. From clam chowder and oysters to their famous shrimp cocktail and fish dishes, everything is packed with quality and taste. The portions are generous, and the seafood is truly the star of the menu. If you love coastal cuisine, this is your spot. 🍻 Good Vibe & Great People The atmosphere at Brophy Bros. is casual, fun, and full of life. The staff is friendly and attentive, and the crowd is a mix of locals and travelers — all there to enjoy good food and good energy. You’ll find that beautiful people and a relaxed vibe make this place feel like a true Santa Barbara gem. 📸 Picture-Perfect Spot Between the scenic views, delicious food, and bustling pier surroundings, Brophy Bros. is also a great place to take photos and capture memories. Whether you’re celebrating something or just passing through, it’s a restaurant that leaves an impression.

As a longtime Santa Barbara harbor locals, we can attest that Brophy's had been a family favorite of ours for decades. We always take visitors and nobody's EVER disappointed! The food and the service are exemplary and the views are the best of any restaurant in Santa Barbara. I recommend the GBC & calamari for starters and literally any fish entree.

A fantastic seafood spot right on the harbor with absolutely gorgeous views! We got lucky and scored a great outdoor table, which made the experience even better! Seating is first come, first serve, so timing is key if you want a prime spot. We started with the salad, which came with their house dressing already mixed in--such a great touch. The clam chowder was phenomenal, rich, and full of flavor. I ordered the salmon, and it was cooked to perfection with a generous portion size. The service was fast and friendly, making the whole experience seamless. If I'm ever back in town, I'd definitely return for another meal with that amazing view!

One of my go to spots in Santa Barbara. The food is good. It is nothing you would rave about but you wouldn't complain about it either. They are known for their chowder which is good. I mostly go here for the view. You overlook the water and the harbor. I find it very relaxing. I can see this as a good date spot. The service is decent.

LOCATION: By the Santa Barbara Harbor PARKING: Few lots towards the front of the main street and a good amount of parking in the back towards the ocean WHAT WE ORDERED: * Calamari ($15.25) * Cold Combo [crab meat, ceviche, oysters, and shrimp] ($22.95) * Seafood Pasta w/ rice & clam chowder ($27.95) * Ahi w/ rice & clam chowder ($32.95) Pretty good service and solid seafood. Although the seafood pasta is a restaurant favorite, my friends and I all thought it was too salty and too sour. The ahi was plain, but using some of the leftover pasta sauce helped with flavor. The best item was the clam chowder. It was not too thick, a bit chunky, and had the most satisfying creaminess. I should've ordered an entire bowl of it. If you're craving fresh seafood dishes with astonishing views, come check out Brophy Bros!

We visited Brophy Bros on a chilly overcast Saturday afternoon in the Santa Barbara Marina. Craving New England Clam Chowder, we headed upstairs to get a table in the dining room. This is a very popular restaurant and a table for two was going to take 45 minutes. However, the hostess suggested that we try to grab an open seating table downstairs in their Oyster Bar, which we did. They have an abbreviated menu, but we just wanted some chowder and oysters, something light. We sat outside for a great view of the marina, bundled up in our jackets. There's no service outside, so boyfriend placed our order at the bar. A server came out and gave us ice water with lemon, small plates, napkins and silverware. The New England Clam Chowder ($10.50 for a bowl) was thick, but good. Nice, warm and filling. We also ordered the Oysters Rockefeller ($19.95 for six oysters), which were also good. We will have to return for lunch or dinner sometime when we are in the area. They have an extensive menu that looks interesting.

If you're looking for seafood, look no further. We've visited the restaurant along the pier and it's nothing compared to this place. It does get pretty busy so be advised. We stopped off for brunch on a Sunday and there was already a line before the place even opened. Both entrance had a line. Right when the door opened, everyone was seated at the bar which was the popular choice. A view of the marina and pier which makes a good meal. We also were lucky to get seats there as they were filling us fast. Menu does offers a very good selection of dishes. Seafood was all amazing and fresh. Oyster shucked right infront of us. It was great. The warm sourdough to start off was great. As well as the Bloody Mary. We opted for a few dishes and shared it amongst us all. The hot and cold seafood dish. The poke, cioppino of course and the seafood pastas. Let's say, there was no specks of anything left on the plates. The ciopinno was excellent with the nice broth and plentiful portions of seafood. Both the hot and cold seafood platter was excellent. Nice section of oyster, clams, shrimp, mussel, crabs and so on. Perfect for sharing or as an entrees. Even the clam chowder that came with one of the dishes was excellent. Ti finished off the meal, oyster shooters. What a nice way to end an already delicious meal. Service was excellent, food was outstanding and the ambiance was perfect. The gentleman that took care of us was a doll, sweet and friendly. Will for sure be returning again.

Got outdoor seating very quickly. Started us with bread and butter while we waited to order. I got the English clam chowder, was pretty good! My boyfriend got the fish n chips, they were fried so well and had a soft crunch to every bite. I highly recommend both of these plates.

Ordered the shrimp cocktail, and salad and chowder combo. The shrimp cocktail was good. They were massive and cold and the cocktail sauce had a splurge of horseradish in it. The chowder was excellent! Clams were tender and it had a fresh flavor - not too stodgy! The salad was ok. The bread was good sourdough. The waiter was efficient and very nice and kept the iced tea refills coming.

Wow to the greatest seafood restaurant I've been to! Must get their steamed mussels with broth, I'm still thinking about it! Steamed Mussels with Broth (5/5!!): The best thing on their menu I must say. For only $20 they give massive amounts of large mussels in a white wine, garlic, butter, pepper, parsley, and olive oil broth! I just came back from Italy and this dish tasted exactly like the one I had there which was divine. The mussels inside were huge and meaty while the sauce was bursting with flavor. We dipped the bread they gave us in the leftover broth and our table enjoyed every last drop of it. Seafood Pasta (4/5): this came with the large portions of shrimp and sea scallops sautéed with garlic, lemon, white wine, tomato, basil, and derived over linguini with Parmesan cheese. This dish was light but still flavorful. They did not skimp on the seafood here! We poured some of our mussels broth over the linguini and it soaked up all the garlicky flavor. Clam Chowder (5/5): So rich and deep in flavor with lots of clams in the chowder. This warms your soul if you're looking for something hearty. One of the best! They have option to sit inside or outside. We opted for outside to get the warm sun and ocean breeze. Worth the 1 hr wait where you can explore the other shops and boardwalk!

For starters, THEY DO NOT TAKE RESERVATIONS ON YELP. If you listen to the automated voice message , it says to reserve via Yelp but after getting to a person, they said walk ins only. Got there on a Friday night at around 8pm with a 10min wait. You start off with some great sourdough bread and butter, was a bit cold but it's okay. Just to list off what we got: Clam chowder: A MUST. Just get the largest bowl. Dip the bread and it's perfection. Seafood pasta: Perfectly cooked pasta with scallops and shrimp, absolutely loved it. Fish and chips: Crispy on the outside, soft and fluffy fish in the inside. Paired so well with their tartar sauce. Coleslaw was a bit bland for me but the rest of my table loved it. Hot Combo: Perfect to try a bit of everything without breaking the bank! Their oyster rockefeller was great! Cold Combo: Mainly a large dish of ceviche, some raw oysters, and shrimp cocktail. Thought the ceviche was too sour since they don't give you something to pair it with, like tortilla chips. If you sit outside or at the bar area, you get good views of the harbor. After eating, you can walk around a bit to see the boats docked. Great ambiance to be near the waters but not get dirty with sand/seawater.

The ambiance was amazing! We sat outside for lunch and the weather and view of the harbor was perfect. - Seafood pasta 10/10 slightly citrusy and cheesy. It was light and appetite stimulating. - Hot combo 8/10 good as a starter for the table but unfortunately it was brought out at the same time as our entrees so some of it got cold. - Swordfish 9/10 it was my first time having swordfish and it was yummy. Not too fishy of a taste and slightly on the denser side. The sundried tomatoes and roasted veggies were a nice touch. Price wise-- great for what we got. I would definitely come back here and recommend it to others if they decide to visit SB

Great views, solid seafood, and a lively atmosphere. We arrived at 5:00 PM on a Sunday and only waited about 15 minutes for an outdoor table to be available. While we waited, we grabbed a drink at their bar downstairs. The view was the highlight of our meal, so I definitely would reserve or wait for an outdoor spot if you can. The restaurant is quite crowded, so keep in mind that it can get kind of loud. Our server was super friendly and our food came out quick. We ordered the seabass and sesame crusted ahi which were both great. The fish tasted high quality, and we enjoyed the coleslaw, clam chowder, and French fries. They also provided a generous portion of bread for the table which was a nice addition. Overall, Brophys is a great spot if you're looking for a good meal with a stellar view. The food and service aren't anything extraordinary, however we thought everything tasted nice and fresh. I would definitely come back to grab a drink or try other menu items.

I came to dine in with my cousin and we sat on the balcony area as there was nothing available inside. We requested they turn on the heaters to help with the cool air from the marina. Someone eventually figured out how to work them which was good. Our reservation was for 8p and when we arrived, I could tell the servers were ready to go home. Maybe modify your hours if you don't want to serve past a certain point? We ordered clam chowder and the seafood pasta. The food was good. My margarita was ok. I may give it another try next time but I'm not sure.

Seafood restaurant at the Santa Barbara waterfront with a good menu and good service. It's not a big place, seated in the 2nd floor wi tbh some outdoor patio options. This place can get busy. Food comes out quick, and I liked seeing the open kitchen. A standout to me was their sourdough table bread!

WOW. This clam chowder was so incredibly good. They put a lot of clams in their clam chowder and it tastes so delicious without being fishy at all. You get unlimited bread to dip and it just melts in your mouth. We also got the seafood pasta and they were very generous with the scallops and shrimp. It tastes amazing. It was cheesy, lemon-y, and very light tasting. Overall, the portions are huge so most people get their food to-go but it so worth it!

Food, service, ambiance. Good :D Great view of the port and ocean near other really good seafood. On top of its own bar so you can drink too. Great food especially the clam chowder which was my favorite in a beautiful city of Santa Barbara. No reason to hate it :)

Great location, great food, I definitely enjoyed my time here. Came with a party of 6 on a Sunday afternooon with about an hour wait. They were able to seat us outside comfortably despite the small balcony. My favorites dishes were the clam chowder and the mussels. The clam chowder cup was too small, I definitely should have gotten the bowl. For the mussels appetizer, ask for bread to go along with it to soak up all of that sauce. The sauce was extremely flavorful, I saved ti for the main dish too. While waiting for a table, make sure to go next door to the roof of the museum and look around (its free), grab a coffee next door, or eat fresh unit right on the pier.

There we were hangin' out with the locals at Brophy Bros. Quite possibly one of the most fun and delicious spots in SB. Seating at their bar is ideal, with lots of interaction with their helpful staff and other diners. And even sitting inside or out on their patio, with inspiring and beautiful views of the SB Harbor and the City. Starting out with their House Drinks menu was perfect for everyone. We got one of each and were pretty happy. For food we started with Clam Chowder, Steamed Clams with Broth, Fried Calamari, and Peel and Eat Shrimp. Quite the feast to start, all shared plates, but we still kept room for the Beer Battered Fish & Chips, Shrimp and Crab, Cioppino, and their Seafood Pasta. It can get pretty crowded here, but the wait is worth it, and their staff is always great at getting us all in and seated.

Hubby and I walked in without a reservation at 4:30 and were able to get a table for two outside. Sunset was pretty quick to follow, but we were seated under a warmer and sipping a cocktail, so it was perfect. The atmosphere was busy and lively and it felt like a spot regulars as well as tourists feel at home in. We shared a seafood pasta and clam chowder and the food was very good. I'm glad we went and checked it off the list, but if you can't make it there for sunset, go anytime for the food and atmosphere and just look at the sunset from one of the many spots along the shoreline!

The fried calamari and clam chowder were excellent! I had been craving chowder and this perfectly satisfied that craving. My only regret is getting a cup and not a bowl. We came in a group of 10 and I think that overwhelmed the one server at the bar. But the food came out quickly with the exception of one order that was accidentally never put in. Didn't get a chance to see upstairs but the bar area was nice and roomy and started to get crowded in the afternoon.

This place is in the Santa Barbara Harbor with great views. We had the Hot Combo & calm chowder for appetizers and for the entree we had the seafood pasta. The calm chowder was really good. This place was pretty crowded for a Thursday during lunchtime. Service was okay for it being really busy. They do have a lot of people working for a small restaurant & bar. Overall it was good experience, good food and service. Prices are decent for seafood.

We visited Brophy Bros on Memorial weekend and waited about 45 minutes to get our seat. This was our second visit, with the last one being 15 years ago. It seems the restaurant hasn't changed much; even the menu feels the same. The food was great! The Clam Chowder ($7/cup) was excellent as usual. The Seafood Pasta ($27.95) was really delicious--one of my favorites was. The shrimp and scallops were so fresh, and the linguini was delicious with Parmesan cheese. The Seabass ($32.95) was not bad; the seabass was fresh, and the rice pilaf tasted great. The 1/2 dozen oysters ($17.75) were good. For drinks, the Perfect Margarita ($12.25) was okay, though it was a bit watery. The service was good! Our server was very attentive and quick, even though the restaurant was very busy and crowded. We had patio seats, which allowed us to enjoy the Santa Barbara harbor view, very relaxing! We will definitely visit Brophy Bros again the next time we are in Santa Barbara!

This is a unique location of a restaurant. Great location by the harbor, but as space wise it's challenging . The reason is that food we order for two was too much for the table and the space for walking is even more challenging. What makes it work was the server. They will time your eating speed and bring the course of food systematically so you will have enough real estate space on the table. Go and try their seafood. It's great for your taste buds Here is my scoring card for this restaurant: 1) Location: ( 5 Point ) - Great location for customer to see and find. Great parking for street parking and back side with parking lot parking. 2) Decoration : (2 Point) - They still have the original decoration. Clean and up to date. 3) Price: ( 4 point)- The price is competitive but still a little bit pricey compare to other same stars and type food they serve 4) Quality and Taste : ( 3 point)- The quality is ok, food taste is good and portions are average . 5) Type of cuisine standard : ( 4 point) - The style of seafood they serve is pretty close to the way it was prepare in USA. Not bad! Overall it's not bad and I thinks it's great to give it a try and let me know what you think. Go foodies Total max is 25 Score 18 Stars = 72% round up to 3 stars

Was in town and looked at reviews online and saw that Brophy Bros is a popular spot in the area. We went on a Saturday evening around 7 and there was an hour-hour and a half wait. We decided to wait since we really wanted to try it out. We were finally seated an hour and a half later. We knew what to order right away but our server took awhile to greet us or even give us water. We however got complimentary bread which was good. We ordered the cold combo, calamari, clam chowder, cioppino, seafood pasta. Cold combo- shrimp was ok (there were some ones that weren't good quality, ceviche was good, oysters were fresh, crab was good. Calamari- not good calamari in my opinion. Not crispy and was just ok to me. Clam chowder- this was good! I liked that there was a lot of clam meat. Cioppino- this was also pretty good and had a lot of seafood. Seafood pasta- the shrimp and scallops in the pasta had no seasoning whatsoever. It was too lemony for my liking. I was a bit disappointed with this one. Ambiance- it was in a good area where you can see the harbor. It had nice views. The place was just a bit small in my opinion for a place that is super busy (for the weekend at least) NOW TO THE SERVICE- I'm all about good service and experience. The folks who seated us were kind, but I think it took a long time to be served. I had to wait while to get some water. And I don't know.... I witnessed other parties being ignored when asking for something. The food was okay to me. I don't think it's worth the long wait or price and service could have definitely been a bit better.

Meh. I don't understand what folks like about this place. Super noisy and divey vibe redeemed only by the stunning views. I heard good things about the fish and chips, but it wasn't a stand out for me. Bustling tourist vibe.

Food: 5/5 Ordered the crab cake, clam chowder fries, fish and chips and everything was delicious! Service: 5/5 service was attentive and made some nice recommendations! Ambiance: 5/5 Nice seats outdoor by the beach, they also had heat lamps available since we were seated in the shade. Would highly recommend trying this restaurant out with friends.

The swordfish was fabulous. They have the best clam chowder in Santa Barbara. The fish and chips is soft like a cloud. Best seafood place in Santa Barbara highly recommended.

A Santa Barbara Classic! While waiting for our table we were able to stand by the side and sip on a drink. Great outdoor view with a nice sea breeze! Don't forget to bring a jacket if you sit outside! It does get chilly!! The clam chowder is a MUST. The portions are pretty big as well.

The view of the harbor from the restaurant is very nice. They had closed their waitlist on yelp so we walked in and were seated after a 20 min wait which was nice. We ordered the clam chowder, fish and chips, shrimp and chips, and shrimp scampi. The shrimp/fish and chips were both great but the scampi was a little underwhelming. The chowder was good as well. Our waitress and the host were very nice. Heads up you have to go up a flight of stairs to get into restaurant and it's pretty tight space once you're inside.

Came down to here during Memorial Day, and it's a cool spot by the harbor! Wait was a bit long though, about 45 minutes, but expected since it was a holiday. After getting the notification that our table was ready, me and my girlfriend were able to snag a nice spot with a view of the beach. From then on, we got our orders in. I got the swordfish plate, while my girlfriend got the ahi poke salad, and we both shared the calamari. First, the complimentary bread came out. It was nothing special, and we didn't finish that. Next was the calamari and the salad that came with my dish, and both were really good! Then the ahi poke salad and the swordfish came out. The swordfish was cooked really well and my girlfriend really liked the ahi poke salad. Overall, I think it was a nice restaurant experience and for sure the seafood was fresh. Pricey though! Service was good as well.

Surf and turf combo: lobster was very good! Steak was surprisingly tough but we worked through it because we don't waste foods & the seasoning had a tasty kick to it. Also we came at 9pm for dinner& it took some time to get foods so we didn't send it back. The charge was taken off our bill. Chowder was substantial with clams! Just needed a bit salt. Live to check back another time during the day for the view.

Venturing down from the alpacas on a very overcast and Misty cold February Sunday, went to this Waterfront for the first time and not much else to eat here so decided to wait 30 minutes for an outside table and got seated in this very packed and Lively seafood restaurant. I have been to a Brophy Brothers in Oxnard and it's pretty good but nothing spectacular was my experience there. I don't know if this is the same franchise I'm assuming it is but the food was pretty solid. Clam chowder is delicious and easily one of the best I've had. Fish and chips also were very good. My favorite was the blackened pan seared sea bass that was outstanding. The only item we didn't care for was the calamari which had a batter that was falling apart from the Rings and kind of put us off you were eating the crispy bed crumbs apart from the rings of calamari. Also the side salad is kind of lifeless but these are very minor things that aren't that important because the dishes were perfect. The Cioppino looked insanely good as well the smells enough to Warrant a possible second visit just to eat that. Very hard seats in the patio bring your touch cushions if you're behind is sensitive. Prices are fair and you have a partial view of the ocean when you sit on the patio.

Brophy Bros is located right on the harbor and is always crowded so expect to wait to be seated. The past couple of visits, the wait seemed like it was going to be longer than it actually was. Even with a potential wait time of an hour, we were eventually seated in roughly 30 minutes. I feel like it's worth waiting around an hour for. // FOOD // Brophy's New England Clam Chowder: Delicious!! Clam chowder can sometimes be too thick, too watery, lacking flavor, hardly any clams, but Brophy's clam chowder hit the spot! It was the right consistency, was filled with clams, and had that perfect New England clam chowder flavor that we all know. 4.5/5 Shrimp and Crab Salad: Tossed in a spicy Louie dressing over a bed of mixed greens in a basil vinaigrette dressing with a hard boiled egg, cherry tomatoes, olives, cucumbers, and avocado. Not a complete Louie salad since only the seafood is tossed in that dressing while the lettuce is in a vinaigrette. It was still a pretty good salad with enough shrimp and crab to have in each bite. 4/5 Seafood Pasta: Shrimp and sea scallops sauteed with garlic, lemon, white wine, tomato, basil, and served over linguini with parmesan cheese. The pasta was pretty citrusy from the lemon. I think a few sprinkles of a red crushed pepper would have been perfect to add. The seafood was cooked perfectly though. 3.5/5 Overall, I would definitely recommend eating at Brophy Bros if you're craving some delicious and fresh seafood right by the harbor.

We ordered the baked clams and 1/2 dozen oyster with cucumber relish. I like the cucumber relish, very refreshing. And the wait wasn't terrible, around 45 minutes on Sunday night.

Can't imagine why I didn't give them 5 stars initially. I must have been upset with myself since I live far away and can't become a regular

This great seafood restaurant on the wharf is where you will see mostly locals and not a lot of tourists. $10 big bowl of clam chowder, $20 cioppino -- definitely not tourist prices. Will come back for their mussels and other popular dishes.

What's up: Seafood is the thing to look for when you're in Santa Barbara. So after doing some Google searches, I found this place that said they had some of the best clam chowder around. Let's see!!! Parking: We came in the evening and were able to find a parking spot nearby that was free for 90 mins. We got lucky because parking is hard to find since it's shared with the nearby businesses. Environment: This place is actually located on the 2nd floor, so you gotta take the stairs up. I think we went up the wrong side since it was near the restrooms and we actually ended up at the outdoor area where patrons were eating...whoops lol. They have both indoor and outdoor seating. After being told that it would be a 45 minute wait, we decided to order to go instead. We were directed to wait near the bar area and the guy who helped us out was super cool and friendly. He took our order and got our food out fast. What was ordered: - Clam Chowder (sooo good. Definitely was worth trying out) - Grilled Citrus Salmon (not bad, pretty flavorful) - Seafood Pasta (surprisingly pretty good with lots of flavor) - Calamari (crispy and yummy) - Fries (good) Yay/Nay/Meh: Yay. The food was definitely awesome, despite it being eaten a bit later since we took it to go. Staff members were awesome. Credit cards are accepted.

The service was quite good. Unfortunately, the food was all a miss for me. Some of the dishes were incredibly bland while others simply didn't taste fresh. I would not return.

Great service and hefty portions, but mediocre seafood for the most part. Baked clams were very good.

We were at an event in Santa Barbara yesterday and when it was over we went to check out the SB City College campus, since our son is considering to go there. Wow! What a beautiful campus - literally on the water! It was getting late for dinner, around 8:30pm, and we found this place by chance. And it was absolutely packed, which is always a good sign. The kids working here, at least the ones we interacted with, are all City College students and are all great. Nice. Efficient. Friendly. On top of their game. We were offered an outside table, or we could have waited 15-20 minutes for an indoor table. We opted for outside and were seated immediately. The table had an overlooking view of the waterfront and boat docks. Very pretty. One of the young waiters brought fresh, piping hot and delicious sourdough bread and waters within 2 minutes. We ordered a salad with poke and I chose the seafood pasta. I was not expecting the food to be as good as it was. My pasta came with a dinner salad, which was genuinely good. The seafood pasta entree was literally delicious. More than generous number of shrimp and scallops, mixed in just the right amount of al dente linguine, sautéed in garlic and oil. I never finish a dinner portion... but I did here. I couldn't stop eating my food, it was so good. This place has tourist trap potential, but that is completely dispelled by the experience. All of the things you judge a restaurant on: food, service and ambiance are all 5 stars.

Ordered the calamari appetizer, bowl of clam chowder, and fish and chips. Calamari was perfectly seasoned with tartar sauce and cocktail sauce to complement the dish. The rings could've been a little more crispy but they were still good. The fish and chips were so airy, perfectly crispy, and the fish inside was so soft. I couldn't get enough of each bite! I liked the fish that they used. The clam chowder was my favorite. The soup was creamy and has the right amount of bits inside the soup to have a perfect balance of soup to contents. It wasn't too salty or too bland and I really enjoyed the creaminess! Soo good especially with the oyster crackers. I also dipped some calamari rings in it which made both taste really good!

Great value seafood dining with a waterfront view! It's upstairs and seating is tight but it makes for a comfortable dining experience. Fish and Chips - Perfect texture of light crispy batter with soft flaky white fish. Good balance of salty and tang with the tartar sauce. Comes with fries and coleslaw as well! Clam Chowder - Very flavorful and good richness to a hearty bowl Fried Calamari - Reminds me of an onion ring flavor encapsulating firm bites of squid Jill was awesome and was very attentive to our table. It can get busy here so try to come before or after the normal lunch/dinner windows!

I finally tried one of the famous restaurants in Santa Barbara. The restaurant is tucked inside and harbor. There are few free parking spots next to the Yacht members only parking lot. After parking, walk towards the water and turn left. Climb up the staircase at the end of the building. The restaurant is small with few tables outside, bar seating and inside. The menu is not too big. My family and I ordered Fish and chips and Sword fish Entree. The Entree came with a cup of clam chowder and rice. The rice was good, fish was cooked to perfect with a charred vegetables at the bottom. The buttery sauce is ok, but adding lemon made it a lot better. The soup was very good with big pieces of meat. The fish and chips came with coleslaw and can ask for extra chips as well of no charge. Our waiter was good and attentive. The table bread was just ok, a bit undercooked. Overall, I had good experience and looking forward to try again other menu items. Food: 4 Service: 3.5 Ambiance: 2.5

The family and I decided to take a weekend and visit the Santa Barbara area. Of course, the foodie that I am I didn't focus on the sites and activity but focused on what I can eat when I get there. Being a city right by the ocean of course seafood was on the top of the list. I'm not too much into crustaceans, crabs and lobster requires too much work , but I'm a huge fan of clam chowders. Based on Yelpers' recommendation, there are two shops in Santa Barbara that had clam chowders in their highlights, one is Brophy Bros and the other is Santa Barbara Shellfish Company. Since we just spent a day in Solvang, Brophy Bros was along the way to our Airbnb so we decided to give them a try first and then visit SB Shellfish Company on the next day. We got to Brophy Bros fairly late, at around 8pm, and the parking lot was packed. This isn't a surprise since the parking lot is shared with the different stores in the harbor and the boat yard so definitely give yourself some time if you decide to visit late. We were at the Santa Barbara restaurant of Brophy Bros (I believe there is one in Ventura as well) so the restaurant is located on the second floor and was packed when we got there. It was a cozy space with about 10 tables indoors and a few more outdoors. There is also bar seating with about 15 seats but since I was with family, and it being at night, we opted for indoor seating since we would not be able to enjoy the view. I went up to the hostess and requested for a table for 5 but since it was a busy night, she informed me that it would be a 20-minute wait. Friendly tip: join the waitlist via the Yelp app. I didn't since it was an impromptu decision that we decided to visit Brophy Bros. but if you plan on going, definitely join the waitlist ahead of time. Seeing that it was a long day, and it was going to be another 20 minutes before we got a table, the family and I decided to take it to go. We ordered a pint of clam chowder, seafood scampi pasta, grilled salmon, and calamari as an appetizer. Each entrée comes with 2 sides, we had more chowder and salad with the scampi while we got fries and rice pilaf with the salmon. We placed an order with the bar tender who was extremely friendly and polite even though he was slammed with orders, and we got our food within 10 minutes of ordering. After making it back to our Airbnb we dove into our food. The clam chowder was a New England style and was creamy and filled with large chunks of oysters. Sorry, I wasn't able to get a picture of the chowder since it got devoured by the family before I was able to snap a pic. The chowder also had potatoes but there were more for texture and balance instead of filling up the chowder. The seafood scampi included shrimp and scallop with the pasta was cooked al dente. The sauce was not overly heavy and allowed the ingredients to shine. Lastly the salmon was cooked a bit too well for my liking since I like my salmon on the medium side, but the rice pilaf was very flavorful. The sides were decent but if I would order again, I would just go straight for more chowder. Even though it wasn't fresh at the restaurant, I have to say that Brophy Bros have the best clam chowder in the area, maybe even the west coast (at least to me). Yes, these are bold claims, and everyone has their own unique taste buds, but thanks to recommendations on yelp I've visited the top restaurants where yelpers raved about the restaurant's clam chowder. I've been to Cioppino and Fog Harbor in San Francisco to Mitch's and Edgewater in San Diego, I've even gone to Pike Place in Seattle for some reason it was missing something that Brophy Bros got right. I guess this is where everyone's unique taste buds come in. But hey even if you don't agree with me, you can still try out their chowder to see how they stack up. Oh and of course for the PG players our there, there are stops there but no gyms so get your remote passes ready if you are dining there.

Came here for lunch on a beautiful summer day. Service was phenomenal-friendly, accommodating and efficient. Had the seafood pasta w/scallops which came with nice sourdough bread and butter, coleslaw and a cup of delicious clam chowder. A very generous portion of linguine and perfectly cooked scallops in a white wine, garlicky sauce that was very tasty. For $27, a great value. Highly recommend!

This is the place that made me fall in love with clam chowder! Their clam chowder is full of clam meat and some potatoes with a delicious creamy base. It's right on the water so you can look out and see the beautiful mountains and Santa Barbara harbor. The service is fast and it gets very busy in the evening. The main restaurant is upstairs but there is some dining located downstairs.

Avoid at all cost. Better going to somewhere else. Service is terrible. Wait is long so is the service. Took forever to have our order taken and even longer for our food to come out. Funny; we ordered well before three tables next to us yet they all finished their food before we even got ours. If you're not their kind of people, you won't get service well. Also not service dog friendly

While we were traveling we decided to stop here not knowing how popular this place is. We were greeted by a male host who was actually not so friendly, I tried telling him we had reservations and kinda said "anyways" and shoooed me away to other side of restaurant were I was greeted by a female host. Very sweet and I think she knew he was rude, we got one of the best tables in the place overlooking the dock. Our waitress was very attentive and sweet. We got the clam chowder bowls and they were the best I've ever had. Such a beautiful place.

What an amazing view! Although the seats were limited to spacing, we enjoyed the food and the view. We had the clam chowder soup, Oyster shot, and drinks.