Szechuan Restaurant

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$

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🥡 Chinese

•

Santa Barbara

•

casual-dining

4.3
Regional Sichuan dishes with bold flavors, fresh ingredients, and vegetarian options offer authentic Chinese dining in Santa Barbara's Alta Mesa.

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$$

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casual-dining

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Szechuan Restaurant

Santa Barbara

$

Enjoy bold Sichuan dishes, vegetarian options & fast service in Santa Barbara. Book your table or order online today.

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About
4.3
(
175
)

Szechuan Restaurant serves up authentic and regional Sichuan cuisine featuring spicy and flavorful beef, chicken, seafood, and vegetarian specialties in a casual, family-friendly setting.

Guests enjoy fast and friendly service, an extensive tea selection, and both dine-in and delivery options in the Mesa Shopping Center. Reservations are accepted for convenience.

What to Expect:

    🔥 Bold, authentic Sichuan flavors
    🥢 Variety of meat and vegetarian dishes
    🍵 Great tea selection and happy hour options
    🚗 Delivery and takeout available

Important Information:

    Accepts reservations
    Wheelchair accessible entrance, parking, restrooms, and seating
    Free parking lot with ample spaces
    Credit, debit, and NFC payment methods accepted

Haley's Pick 🍽️

You probably know her as @milehighandhungry. Each week, Haley shares the one place she’s obsessed with right now. From hidden gems to hot new openings, if she picks it, it’s worth the hype.

Haley's Review of Riot BBQ
Riot BBQ on South Delaware feels like a backyard cookout run by a Top Chef, because it is. Chef Manny Barella and pitmaster Patrick Klaiber have teamed up to blend Monterrey flavors with Texas-style smoke, and the results are seriously craveable.

The brisket steals the show: tender, deeply smoky, and finished with Barella’s bold spice rub. Get it solo or wrapped in buttery Raquelita tortillas. The pulled pork brings heat with ancho, guajillo, and morita chiles, and the al pastor ribs are sticky, sweet, and slightly charred in all the right ways.

Even the sides are insanely good! Think crunchy pepita-macha slaw and banana pudding served in a jar that tastes just like childhood (but better). Every bite feels intentional.

It’s barbecue with heart, history, and just the right amount of heat. Riot BBQ isn’t just a meal, it’s a moment worth lining up for.

– Haley @milehighandhungry
🔊
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📍 Local Insights

🌶 Ask for the Secret Menu: Loyal patrons recommend requesting the secret menu with authentic Chinese specialties not listed online.

🕰 Best Lunch Hours: Lunch from 11 AM to 2:30 PM is popular for specials and quicker service with fewer crowds.

🍵 Tea Lovers Rejoice: The restaurant’s great tea selection perfectly pairs with spicy dishes for a balanced meal.

🚗 Ample Free Parking: Plenty of free parking available in the Mesa Shopping Center, making visits stress-free.

⏰ Hours

Monday: 11:00 AM–2:30 PM, 4:00 PM–9:30 PM

Tuesday: 11:00 AM–2:30 PM, 4:00 PM–9:30 PM

Wednesday: 11:00 AM–2:30 PM, 4:00 PM–9:30 PM

Thursday: 11:00 AM–2:30 PM, 4:00 PM–9:30 PM

Friday: 11:00 AM–2:30 PM, 4:00 PM–9:30 PM

Saturday: 11:00 AM–2:30 PM, 4:00 PM–9:30 PM

Sunday: 11:00 AM–2:30 PM, 4:00 PM–9:30 PM

👉 Best For

Family dinners, spicy food lovers, casual dining
No items found.

Szechuan Restaurant

1994 Cliff Dr
,
Santa Barbara
,
CA
93109

Open in Google Maps

Review Sentiment

Based on the 50 most recent Google reviews
Szechuan Restaurant is highly praised for its authentic, flavorful Sichuan dishes and warm, welcoming staff. Customers appreciate the fast service and variety including vegetarian options. Some note a few occasional service delays and mixed feedback on portion sizes and pricing, but overall it is considered the best Chinese dining in Santa Barbara.

Last updated on

January 9th, 2026

From The preserve

Standout Dishes

Go For

The Selection

Accommodations

Course Stats

Angler’s Offerings

What You'll Find

Kung Pao Chicken, Mu Shu Pork, Hot and Sour Soup, Dan Dan Noodles, Singapore Noodle, BBQ Pork Chow Fun, Fried Rice, Egg Rolls, Honey Walnut Shrimp, Vegetarian Options, Chinese Scallion Flatbread, Szechuan Boiled Fish

📆 Best Times to Visit

Lunch hours from 11 AM to 2:30 PM and dinner early evenings around 4 to 6 PM offer lighter crowds; weekends peak at lunch between 12 and 1:30 PM.
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