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Breakwater Restaurant
107 Harbor Way, Santa Barbara
Phone: (805) 965-1557

  • Category: American, Seafood
  • Hours: Winter: Sun-Thu 7am-7pm, Fri-Sat 7am-8pm Summer: Sun-Thu 7am-8pm, Fri-Sat 7am-9pm
  • Price: $10 - $20
  • Serving: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner
  • Reservations: No
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Reviews by the General Public

Great food, great service, great price!, 10/6/2009
Reviewer: Angela M. from Paso Robles, CA
We ate here with our 2 year old daughter at the recommendation of the gentleman at the Maritime Museum. He was right on...good food, moderately priced. My daughter and I shared the fish and chips with cole slaw. The fish pieces were big, white flaky fish with a light breading, the way fish and chips should be. Paired with good crisp fries and coleslaw dressed with a vinegar type dressing, not the heavy mayo. Very crisp and refreshing. My husband had the mahi mahi sandwich and fries which he enjoyed. Both were served HOT right from the kitchen which is always appreciated, and sadly sometimes hard to come by for some reason. The server and busser were there for our every need and very pleasant and accommodating.... we spilled an ice tea and they were quick to help.....we would eat there again without hesitation.
Not pet friendly!, 8/25/2009
Reviewer: Ana from Cupertino, CA
If you are accompanied by your dog-friend, be careful how you ask permission to let your dog wait for you OUTSIDE the restaurant’s terrace. We were ready to get sited for lunch while one of us preceded to tide our dog in the grassy and shady area OUTSIDE their outdoor section of the restaurant. And then, there was a circus evolving. An older heavy guy, manager? (I will not call him a gentleman), plus an older blond female, senior waitress? (I will not call her a lady), plus a whole 2-3 employers posted themselves to watch the spectacular procedure of letting our dog take the “down” position in order to wait patiently for us to enjoy the lunch (we would have been in an eye-contact with each other). There were in stand-by, ready to jump position, to rescue the premises from an inappropriate dog-behavior. In conclusion, at this restaurant, do not expect dog-friendly accommodation (again, outside any other clients, out of view of other customers, not in the restaurant area, etc). Do expect bulging eyes, similar with guard eyes, watching your benign gestures to put the dog out of site and reach for other clients but in a comfy position for him/her, in order to wait for you. By the way: the food is more then mediocre. And I say this not because of the incident with the dog. Just because the food was uninspired, the French fries were soggy, the fish dry and with no appropriate spices, and the beer was warm.

Why have I ignored this place all of these years?, 6/30/2009
Reviewer: Mike from Santa Barbara, CA
I've passed by this restaurant countless times to other locales in the harbor but never stopped in. Tonight was the night. We had a very good meal with excellent and friendly service. Everything was hot and fresh to the table, and the food was very good. Don't expect gourmet here as the prices reflect that. Just a nice friendly bunch of people serving good food. You can't ask for much more than that.
decent, great location, 6/25/2009
Reviewer: Jenna from Santa Barbara, CA
its a very quaint place to eat. i ordered the french toast and it was pretty good but not the best ive tasted. the service was great but the location is even better. you have great views and decent food choices on the menu.
Could not believe it.., 6/23/2009
Reviewer: Amber N. Flemmings from Santa Barbara, CA
Very disappointed with the service @ the Breakwater. As a child, I went to the Breakwater almost every other day, so much so that the people who used to work there were like family. Was excited that a few years later I could bring my family to a place I grew up on, yet unfortunately it was far from what I knew and loved. Our waitress definitely needed more training in customer service. She checked on us only once and to make matters worse, it was Father's Day and I was trying to make the day special for my husband and my great-grandfather. Thank God that most of what we needed was already on the table before she served us or we would have probably been waiting on that as well. I had to find her just to get a 'take-home' box after waiting several minutes for her to return with the check. Plus, it wasn't at all crowded that day inside or out. It disappointed my great-grandfather so much he went out of his character and told me not to leave a tip. The food was good, perhaps needing just a little more seasoning. Other than that, the scenery is always so beautiful. Just upsetting to see a place I loved so much no longer be a place I'd even recommend to someone.
super duper tasty!, 4/29/2009
Reviewer: Katie from Santa Barbara, CA
I agree with LLR - the clam chowder and the fish n' chips are amazing! Definitely one of those places that makes your mouth water just by thinking about it. Although, could use a little improvement on the service. And maybe offer more than ice cream for desserts.

Breakwater Restaurant writes: Dear Katie, I wish to Thank You for sharing your experience regarding our great food, so Thank You! We are seriously commited to serving quality and consistent meals at the Breakwater which will never change, Now, the desserts available are not only McConnel's ice cream in 6 flavors but we also have and did have on your visit, Chocolate Cream pie, Coconut Cream, Lemon Cream pie, Apple, Berry, Cherry & Pecan pie as well as a Chocolate Fudge Confection cake that melts in your mouth. Tell you what I'll do for you "only". I'll buy you your choice if you will come in and ask for me, Scott, and tell me what exactly happened that concerned you in the service area of your visit, so that I can make it better for all and make it right for you. Deal? I hope to see & hear from you soon, Sncerely, "Scott R. Rufer", Breakwater Management.
Great food, bad service
Reviewer: LLR from Goleta, CA
My girlfriend and I came here Sunday evening to grab dinner (as the neighboring sushi place had closed). The waitress told us to sit anywhere and that she will be with us in just a minute. It ended up being about 10 minutes before she showed up (without menus!). Good thing the girlfriend grabbed some while we were waiting. Since we've never dined here before, we decided to grab the safe-bets: Clam Chowder Bread Bowl and their Fish & Chips. The food came very quickly and it was DELICIOUS. 100% recommend this place. Too bad the service was non-existent. I did not even get a refill on the soda (waitress never came after our food came). We even had to go to the registe to pay for our meal (the check was never brought to us). Although the service was terrible this time (i'll give them the benefit of the doubt), we will probably come back here soon. The food was THAT good!

Breakwater Restaurant writes: Dear LLR, I just finished reading your review and I look forward to having you back for the great food, it is very good. I also want you to know that I do appreciate ALL comments both good and those for which we need to have improvement, in your case the service attention you deserve at our place. We offer no excuses for the lack of attention you and your girlfriend deserved and I promise you that on your next visit that will not be the case. Please see me personally, Scott or Larry, and I will make your visit more memorable in the service department and once again supply you with the quality, killer food which we are proud to serve. Once again thank you for the response, it will be put to good use. Sincerely, Scott R. Rufer, Breakwater Restaurant Management
Pleasant Surprise
Reviewer: River Song from Santa Barbara, CA
We have often walked by the Breakwater, not thinking much about it, but after being rudely received at some of the other harbor restaurants, we decided to give it a try. We were really happy with our decision and should have gone here first. The staff was receptive and polite. The food was very good and well priced. The "Award Winning" clam chowder was worth its title (much better than the the 'acclaimed' clam chowder at the Beachside in Goleta) and the "World Famous" fish and chips was just as good. Our waitress was very polite and we had an all around good experience. We will surely be making a return visit some time soon.
Great Place!
Reviewer: Foodie Dan from Santa Barbara, CA
I have been going here for years and have always had a great experience. I have had breakfast(benedict!!!), lunch (crab salad sandwich!) and dinner(anything!!!) and it has always been awesome. The servers are all really good and they all speak english (see below). Most of the servers know me and my family by name. Larry, Richard, Enrique,Krista et. al. are wonderful. I dont understand how someone can write a review like the negative one below. Maybe a competitor?
GREAT place!
Reviewer: Fran from Santa Barbara, CA
Great affordable menu! Super service. Terrific menu selection with great choices for children and older adults as well. The view is wonderful and best of all...its not crowded like neighboring restaurants. We'll definitely be going back.

Breakwater Restaurant writes: Dear Fran, Thank You so much for being very observant and telling it like it really is, we serve between 2000 & 2500 customers every week and it is our pleasure and our privilage to be of service. Whether a local Santa Barbara'n or a Visitor from all parts of the world, your patronage is greatly appreciated. You know that all of your concerns are met with open arms here and all of your special needs are addressed by the Management & staff promptly and courteously at the Breakwater. Se you soon, Scott R. Rufer, Breakwater Restaurant Management
I Don't think so!!!!!! ~ Warning never eat here~
Reviewer: Wendi from Santa Barbara
On a friday evening after a long work week some friends my fiance and myself went to the breakwater, (we are all locals and have been there before, this was different) we sat at there outside patio area which is the only good thing about this place, we had a server that did not understand english enough to take our drink order. After waiting 20 min our drink arrived (wrong) after we tracked down an english speaking employee she then gave us an attitude for bothering her. At this point it has been 40 min and no food order has been taken, again we flaged down an employee to take our food order, who also was rude. After on hour of wating our order arrived cold and you guessed it WRONG... At this point I had taken about all I could of this place we asked to speak to the manager, who came to our table 15 min later we proceeded to explain what had happened and that at this point we had no intrest in waiting another hour for our food, Then the manager explainded it would only take 10 min.(that's funny why did it take so long in the first place???) - We decided that it was not worth it and asked for our bill. The original waitress never returned to our table and sent the manager over to bring the bill. the bill had the total of all 4 meals on it with no discount for the meals that were cold and no one ate. I walked inside to talk to the manager who was no where to be found by. The manager basically was not able to provide any proper customer service as far as the bill dispute. I have never in my life delt with such a sorry business- Maybe they are use to poor service to tourists but a locals word can spread like wild fire.. So for anyone who wants to eat here, I suggest you never waste your time, money or integrity.

Road trip lunch
Reviewer: Lolly&Larry from New Smyrna Beach, FL
We stopped in for lunch on our road trip from LA to Vancouver. The food was very good and the service was great. The very best part was chatting with Scott. L&L from FL

Breakwater Restaurant writes: To Lolly & Larry, Well, glad to hear from you! Did you make it to Hearst Castle? Carmel & Monterey? When you finally get to Vancouver and then back to Florida you'll need a vacation from the vacation! It was a pleasure meeting & talking with you both, and thank you for the kind words (your checks in the mail) just kidding. I hope you have a safe and satisfying journey & if you ever get back this way give me a heads up, go to our website @ www.breakwatersb.com and you can communicate through our e-mail section. Take care and drive safely, your friend, Scott R. Rufer @ the Breakwater in Santa Barbara.
Great service, great location
Reviewer: Ian Fraser from Scotland
First visit to Santa Barbara and we liked this restaurant so much we ate there several times. Fish dishes were very tasty and portions almost double we get back home. A single waitress was running the whole show with ease, efficiency and friendliness on Friday Mar 14. A real star.

Breakwater Restaurant writes: To Mr. & Mrs. Fraser, I remember your commenting to me of your visit from Scotland and I want to tell you that it was our pleasure to have your family here in Santa Barbara from Scotland and especially your patronage of our restaurant. We look forward to your next visit here at the Breakwater and to Santa Barbara. Your comments mean so much to our continued commitment to travelers such as yourselves from so far away, Thank You again Ian & family. Please have a safe journey home to Scotland and we hope to see you again on your next visit! sincerely, Scott R. Rufer, Breakwater Restaurant management.
disappointed
Reviewer: Liby from Santa Barbara Ca.
As a new person in town my husband and I have been trying the different restaurants. So far so good, however today ended our good eating sreak. My husband had been sick all weekend with a cold and wanted to get out. He loves pancakes and that is what he ordered. We got in at the end of the breakfast rush, so they did not cook them all the way through. His toast was only toasted on one side. And we only saw our waitness when we had to get up and ask for our bill. The other waitress that was working was taking very good care of her tables. We felt ignored. Hopefully no one else will have a bad day like we did. Probably will not return...

Breakwater Restaurant writes: As a Manager and part of the GREAT team of the Breakwater Restaurant,I have just read the comment from Liby in Santa Barbara and would like to invite "Liby" back to our restaurant so we can "make it right" for her and her husband. As best we try to handle all situations while the customer is at the restaurant, there are unfortunate occasions when the customer does not let us know until it's too late and already gone their way. I promise to you Liby that we will make it up to you if you come back, Please ask for Scott or Larry, so we can fix you the perfect breakfast with our compliments. We hope to see you soon & Thank You for your comment as it helps us improve and grow. Sincerely, Scott R. Rufer Breakwater Restaurant e-mail is rufer1@cox.net
Best known secret
Reviewer: Kathryn from Santa Barbara, CA
we eat breakfast here all the time and love it! Just happened to stop by for dinner on a Saturday night and got the surprise of a lifetime. The food was really good,the service was excellent and all for the BEST price ever!!
This is the best place to eat lunch in Santa Barbara.
Reviewer: Richard from Carpinteria, CA
I eat lunch here at least one day a week. One can order from the lunch menu or the breakfast menu. The fold over omlets are delicious, the innards are delectable. The waffle is crisp and tasty. The eggs are cooked to order. And for lunch its seafood for me, grilled or broiled. I like sitting outside in the morning with a hot cup of coffee if it isnt raining. Generally I am the only one, or the first one. The Staff is friendly, and attentive. And paying for the meal happens just as quick as ordering.

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