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Local go-to for a variety of Chinese eats & weekend dim sum with authentic dishes on a special menu.
Hours
| Friday | 11:30 AM–2:30 PM, 5–9:30 PM |
| Saturday | 11 AM–3 PM, 5–9:30 PM |
| Sunday | 11 AM–3 PM, 5–9 PM |
| Monday | 11:30 AM–2:30 PM, 5–9 PM |
| Tuesday | 11:30 AM–2:30 PM, 5–9 PM |
| Wednesday | 11:30 AM–2:30 PM, 5–9 PM |
| Thursday | 11:30 AM–2:30 PM, 5–9 PM |
Address and Contact Information
Address: 1202 Chapala St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Phone: (805) 560-6028
Website: http://china-pavilion.com/
Menu Photos
Order and Reservations
Reservations: qmenu.us
Photo Gallery
Related Web Results
China Pavilion – Santa Barbara
The exciting tastes of fine Chinese cuisine in located in the heart of downtown Santa Barbara, CA. Serving lunch and dinner every day and our special dim sum …
Dim Sum – China Pavilion
1202 Chapala Street, Santa Barbara, California 93101, United States. (805) 560-6028. Copyright © 2025 China Pavilion – All Rights Reserved. Powered by.
Lunch & Dinner – China Pavilion
1202 Chapala Street, Santa Barbara, California 93101, United States. (805) 560-6028. Copyright © 2025 China Pavilion – All Rights Reserved. Powered by.
Reviews
Alvin Xu
Please, I beg you, don’t come here! This “Chinese Restaurant” has unauthentic Chinese food. This place is for Americans. The atmosphere was OK. My plate was sticky, which was absolutely disgusting, and when I asked for another one it was also sticky. So were my utensils. The dishes were terrible. They were unauthentic and felt like they weren’t actually cooked. The lack of staff was absolutely disgraceful. Instead, the chef probably added some sauces and mixed it up. We ended up paying $70 for a roasted duck. It was cut wrongly and didn’t taste right. Absolutely scammed. Also, it wasn’t the full duck. When we asked for the manager, she didn’t come out. Lack of concern for customers here. I can cook better than the chef here. I hope I never come here again!
… moreMadan Ahluwalia, Lawyer
We had a reservation and arrived on time. At the reception, there was a sign that read, “We are short staffed. Have patience” We understood and were prepared for possible delays. However, we waited about 10 minutes without anyone greeting or seating us, even though staff were moving through the front area. When someone finally came to the host stand, another group who arrived after us was seated first.
Once seated, we initially planned to order appetizers first and entrées later. The server suggested we place the full order at once, and we agreed. The soup (best dish no doubt) arrived promptly, but the potstickers were served cold. After we raised the issue, the waitress later explained there had been a mix-up and that she had picked up potstickers that were not properly cooked. We appreciated the explanation. We requested replacement.
Our main dishes arrived before the replacement potstickers. The noodles were good. However, the mapo tofu was overly salty and difficult to eat, and the vegetable soy chicken was nearly burnt. The replacement potstickers arrived much later, after we had finished most of our main dishes, and we declined them at that point.
When the bill arrived, the potstickers were still included. We had to point this out and wait again while it was corrected.
There was also a lengthy wait when it came time to pay. While we understand that staffing challenges can happen, the overall food quality and service were disappointing. Based on this experience, we would not recommend the restaurant.
… moreOnce seated, we initially planned to order appetizers first and entrées later. The server suggested we place the full order at once, and we agreed. The soup (best dish no doubt) arrived promptly, but the potstickers were served cold. After we raised the issue, the waitress later explained there had been a mix-up and that she had picked up potstickers that were not properly cooked. We appreciated the explanation. We requested replacement.
Our main dishes arrived before the replacement potstickers. The noodles were good. However, the mapo tofu was overly salty and difficult to eat, and the vegetable soy chicken was nearly burnt. The replacement potstickers arrived much later, after we had finished most of our main dishes, and we declined them at that point.
When the bill arrived, the potstickers were still included. We had to point this out and wait again while it was corrected.
There was also a lengthy wait when it came time to pay. While we understand that staffing challenges can happen, the overall food quality and service were disappointing. Based on this experience, we would not recommend the restaurant.
Ahmad Alfilimbany
I had dinner at China Pavilion and it was a great, authentic experience. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, and the food truly stands out.
We started with fried wontons and vegetable pot stickers—both were crisp and flavorful. For the main dishes, we ordered chicken fried rice, chow mein noodles, Kung Pao chicken, and Mongolian beef—every dish was fresh, well-seasoned, and delicious.
Highly recommend for anyone craving classic, flavorful Chinese cuisine!
… moreWe started with fried wontons and vegetable pot stickers—both were crisp and flavorful. For the main dishes, we ordered chicken fried rice, chow mein noodles, Kung Pao chicken, and Mongolian beef—every dish was fresh, well-seasoned, and delicious.
Highly recommend for anyone craving classic, flavorful Chinese cuisine!
Sharon Chandra
I was looking for something to eat for dinner and randomly ended up at this restaurant and I’m so glad! The service was wonderful and the food was delicious. They even gave me peanuts while I waited for my food and it was really good! Reasonably priced, delicious food, no wait time and even better service! I’m definitely going to return.
… moreEmy
Worst experience ever, the dumpling wrappers were very thick and hard to eat. The shrimp and dried scallops in the seafood congee were not fresh. service was also very bad. I swear I’m never coming to this place again.
… moreGordon M.
China Pavilion is reminiscent of the Large Chinese restaurants in the bay area and we had a great time here. We drove by on a sunday and my wife mentioned her visits years ago when she worked in the area. We didn’t know it was Dim-Sum service on the weekend but that was a great surprise. Dim Sum just isn’t available in large parts of the central coast so it was a blast to see the big selection and reasonable, albeit a little high prices for it. Her favorite, basil beef, was available by request as I imagine most of the regular service menu is on weekends. While I only got pork/shrimp shumai and pork buns they were excellent. Juicy, hot, and fresh tasting dumplings and a pillowy soft not-to-sweet bun. The basil beef was so delicious as well and everything she remembered. The atmosphere was spacious and lovely and the service was great with the requests for sauces, dishes, and refills. The iced tea seemed to have a healthy splash of oolong tea in it which was sooo good. We’ll be back again and it’s borderline worth the modest trip just for Dim-Sum in my book.
… moreA. Lim
I was craving for dim sum, came here to give it a try. I gave 5 starts!
The lotus leaves wrap / sticky rice was good and delicious. I am picking about Asian food! Good tea choices! I did not take many photo, as I was enjoying the food. but the portion is generous on everything and a comfort food porridge and the rest of shrimp dumpling are good and large, if the skin layer of the dumplings / cheong fun can be slightly thinner. Definitely happy to return! Yum!
… moreThe lotus leaves wrap / sticky rice was good and delicious. I am picking about Asian food! Good tea choices! I did not take many photo, as I was enjoying the food. but the portion is generous on everything and a comfort food porridge and the rest of shrimp dumpling are good and large, if the skin layer of the dumplings / cheong fun can be slightly thinner. Definitely happy to return! Yum!
Zachary McDonough
We had like 13 20 year olds come into an empty restaurant and they were the sweetest people ever about it, and the food was amazing, i tried like 6 different dishes that night
… moreMireya Gamez
I like Chinese on occasion, but I have to be candid, this Chinese food is exceptional. It’s delicious fresh healthy.. The service is quick. The food comes quickly. It’s a big restaurant so there’s never a wait. Everything is really top-notch especially for Santa Barbara but there’s no other Chinese restaurant as good as this one.
… moreRita
SHOCKING and HORRIBLE !!!
My husband ordered Capital Spareribs, I ordered Salt and Pepper Spareribs for lunch. No meat whatsoever on any bone in either dish Mine was even deep fried (yet another reason to avoid Chinese food). Before ordering I tried asking the waitress about the difference between the dishes, but she clearly didn’t comprehend nor did she seem to care.
We rarely eat Chinese food and I rarely eat pork. We were visiting Santa Barbara and I remembered this restaurant from when I went to school there over 40 years ago! I thought for old times sake we would try something different- BIG MISTAKE!!
After a few bites, I realized there was literally nothing to eat and lost any appetite I had as did my husband – we were in utter shock!!
When the waitress finally returned, we explained there was literally no meat on the bones we had been served. She offered no alternative, said the cook was gone, apologized, and brought us a mango pudding to share while standing over us as she continued to insist we try it, which my husband finally did to appease her.
At that point I was so discouraged I merely wanted to leave. My husband paid for our food and like the gentleman he is, even left a tip.
We have been continually disappointed with both food and service ever since COVID. It is forcing me to rethink eating out at all considering the cost is high and quality (both food and service) so poor-it just doesn’t make sense any more!!
… moreMy husband ordered Capital Spareribs, I ordered Salt and Pepper Spareribs for lunch. No meat whatsoever on any bone in either dish Mine was even deep fried (yet another reason to avoid Chinese food). Before ordering I tried asking the waitress about the difference between the dishes, but she clearly didn’t comprehend nor did she seem to care.
We rarely eat Chinese food and I rarely eat pork. We were visiting Santa Barbara and I remembered this restaurant from when I went to school there over 40 years ago! I thought for old times sake we would try something different- BIG MISTAKE!!
After a few bites, I realized there was literally nothing to eat and lost any appetite I had as did my husband – we were in utter shock!!
When the waitress finally returned, we explained there was literally no meat on the bones we had been served. She offered no alternative, said the cook was gone, apologized, and brought us a mango pudding to share while standing over us as she continued to insist we try it, which my husband finally did to appease her.
At that point I was so discouraged I merely wanted to leave. My husband paid for our food and like the gentleman he is, even left a tip.
We have been continually disappointed with both food and service ever since COVID. It is forcing me to rethink eating out at all considering the cost is high and quality (both food and service) so poor-it just doesn’t make sense any more!!