Enable JavaScript to run this app.
Skip to main content
OpenTable logo
Secret Bao, Santa Barbara, CA

Secret Bao

4.8 (946)
$31 to $50
Asian
1201 Anacapa St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101-2009

Make a booking

A photo of Secret Bao restaurant

Secret Bao

4.8
$31 to $50
Asian
Santa Barbara

Make a booking

2 people
19:30
Booked 41 times today

About this restaurant

  • Neighbourhood gem
  • Great for outdoor dining
  • Good for special occasions
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

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Asian, Tapas / Small Plates
  • Hours of Operation
    Lunch Wed–Sun 11:30–14:30 Dinner Wed, Thu, Sun 17:00–21:00 Fri, Sat 17:00–21:30
  • Phone number
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Contactless Payment, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress Code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive chef
    Peter Lee & Felicia Medina
  • Delivery & takeout
  • Area
    Santa Barbara
  • Cross street
    Anapamu
  • Parking Details
    Free 90 Minute Lot Next Door
  • Additional
    Beer, Gender Neutral Restroom, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeaway, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Concierge
AI Beta

Our AI assistant, Concierge, is here to answer your questions about this restaurant.

What 946 people are saying

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
  • 4.9Service
  • 4.6Ambience
  • 4.5Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Santa Barbara

    Best Overall

  • Santa Barbara

    Best Food

  • Santa Barbara

    Best Service

  • Santa Barbara

    Best Value

  • Santa Barbara

    Child-friendly

  • Santa Barbara

    Innovative

  • Santa Barbara

    Good for groups

  • Santa Barbara

    Healthy

  • Santa Barbara

    Hot spot

  • Santa Barbara

    Most Booked

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Secret Bao is a standout in Santa Barbara, offering a "successful Korean-based fusion with a modern twist." Guests rave about the "excellent food and service," with favorites like the KFC bao and udon carbonara. The ambiance and friendly staff create a "fantastic dining experience." Reservations are recommended for this "hugely popular place."
946 Reviews
  1. Paul

    San Francisco8 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Always fun. Interesting. Tasty. Brussel sprouts were not to our liking. Too crispy and dried out. KFC Bao was just good. Usually awesome but a little less juicy this time. We’ll be back soon. Always good. Often off-the-charts delicious!!

    Is this helpful?

  2. Robert

    Los Angeles11 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The fun of dining at the Secret Bao is the unique course offerings. I rated the food at 4 but my spouse would have rated at 5+. The service is very attentive and although we don't go often, it is definitely on our list of enjoyable restaurants. On Sunday, street parking was easy. You can also ask about their "pop-up" dim sum events.

    Is this helpful?

  3. Kelly

    Central Coast1 review

    5.0

    Dined on 31 May 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The food and drinks were delicious and every effort was made to make our anniversary evening special.

    Is this helpful?

  4. Ericka

    Central Coast2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 29 May 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Delicious food and our waiter made very good recommendations.

    Is this helpful?

  5. Kate

    Central Coast5 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 29 May 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Secret Bao continues to be a wonderful, tasty dining experience. The service is always top notch & Dom did not disappoint!

    Is this helpful?

  6. Andy

    Unspecified1 review

    5.0

    Dined on 28 May 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Happy hour has such great deals here, the food itself is amazing! The KFC bao, the Curry noodles, and the Kung pao Cauliflower are 10/10

    Is this helpful?

  7. Warren Gold

    Central Coast23 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 25 May 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great food as always. Best example of a successful Korean-based fusion with modern twist. A must try for anyone living in Santa Barbara or visiting

    Is this helpful?

  8. Meghan

    Central Coast1 review

    5.0

    Dined on 23 May 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Secret Bao was incredible! Every dish we got was very much enjoyed by all of us. Fresh and delicious.

    Is this helpful?

  9. William

    New Orleans2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 23 May 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Excellent food and service. We enjoyed our experience and look forward to coming back soon.

    Is this helpful?

  10. Bob

    Denver33 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 18 May 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great food. All tasty. Don't come too often. I want to get in!

    Is this helpful?

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Asian, Tapas / Small Plates
  • Hours of Operation
    Lunch Wed–Sun 11:30–14:30 Dinner Wed, Thu, Sun 17:00–21:00 Fri, Sat 17:00–21:30
  • Phone number
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Contactless Payment, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress Code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive chef
    Peter Lee & Felicia Medina
  • Delivery & takeout
  • Area
    Santa Barbara
  • Cross street
    Anapamu
  • Parking Details
    Free 90 Minute Lot Next Door
  • Additional
    Beer, Gender Neutral Restroom, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeaway, Wheelchair Access, Wine

FAQs

Family‑friendly: yes, many guests bring kids, celebrate birthdays, and the team accommodates families (there are kid‑friendly choices like PB&J Bao mentioned). For accessibility, specific details aren’t published in the available info; if you need wheelchair access or other accommodations, call ahead so staff can confirm and reserve the best seating.

Yes, Secret Bao features a charming courtyard patio with heaters that many guests prefer for a quieter, more intimate meal. Outdoor seating is popular, so request it when you make reservations.

Lively, modern, and inviting, Secret Bao blends contemporary Asian‑American flavors with a warm, casual setting. Guests praise the energetic vibe and attentive service; expect bustling, sometimes noisy indoor dining when busy, while the courtyard patio offers a calmer, cozy alternative with heaters and string lights.

Yes, Secret Bao is dog‑friendly, especially on the outdoor patio where guests have been accommodated with their pets. If you’re bringing a dog, mention it when you book to secure patio seating.

Portions are generally small to medium and designed for sharing family‑style, guests often order multiple plates (baos, dumplings, noodles) to sample a variety. Many reviewers say it’s best to order several items to share; some note portions can feel small for the price, while others find the servings satisfying when you share a few dishes.

For a quieter, more relaxed meal go early (opening or early dinner) or midweek, guests report midweek and early seatings are less noisy. If you want the bustling vibe, Friday and Saturday evenings are lively but loud. Patio seating is consistently recommended for a calmer experience.

Yes, families and kids dine here regularly and staff are accommodating. Guests mention children celebrating birthdays, and there’s at least one kid‑friendly menu item (PB & J Bao). Because the menu focuses on shared, creative Asian plates, consider an earlier seating or patio if noise or space is a concern.

Yes, Secret Bao is a popular choice for date night thanks to creative, high-quality Asian‑American dishes, attentive service, and a cozy outdoor courtyard. Guests frequently recommend it for special occasions and anniversaries. Note the inside dining room can be lively and noisy when full, so request outdoor patio seating or an early reservation if you prefer a quieter, more intimate evening.

Yes, guests have phoned or left notes for special occasions and the staff often tries to accommodate birthday or celebration requests, but a few accounts note messages can be missed. Best practice: make your request by phone when booking and confirm on arrival to ensure the team can accommodate dietary needs or celebration details.

Casual dress, guests commonly dine in relaxed attire and the restaurant presents a comfortable, casual dining environment suited for date night or family outings.

Dogs are welcomed in the outdoor patio, guests specifically report the team accommodating dogs. Service animals should be permitted as required by law; emotional support animals policies vary by venue, so call ahead if you plan to bring one to confirm arrangements.

How FAQ content is generated

  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. California Central Coast
  4. Santa Barbara
  5. Santa Barbara

Make a booking

A photo of Secret Bao restaurant

Secret Bao

4.8
$31 to $50
Asian
Santa Barbara

Make a booking

2 people
19:30
Booked 41 times today
OpenTable
  • About Us
  • Blog
  • Careers
  • Press
More
Businesses
  • Restaurant Management Solutions
  • Restaurant Booking Software
  • Restaurant Marketing Software
  • Restaurant Event Software
  • OpenTable For Restaurants
  • OpenTable For Restaurant Groups
  • Restaurant Resources
  • OpenTable Pricing & Plans
Join us on
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Impressum
  • Cookies and Interest-Based Ads
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Cookie Preferences
Copyright © 2026 OpenTable International Ltd. Alphabeta Building, 14-18 Finsbury Square, London EC2A 1AH - All rights reserved.
OpenTable is part of Booking Holdings, the world leader in online travel and related services.
Booking Logo
Priceline Logo
KAYAK Logo
Agoda Logo
OpenTable Logo