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Olivia Coraggio of Hula's Island Grill. Photo by Chip Scheuer.

Olivia Coraggio of Hula's Island Grill. Photo by Chip Scheuer.

From appetizers to vegetarian food—with all the burgers, burritos and every type of food locals love in between—our readers have once again chosen their local favorites. This is where to find not only the best dishes in Santa Cruz County, but the best restaurants for romance, great views and more.

 

Best Appetizers

Hula’s Island Grill

221 Cathcart St, Santa Cruz. 831.426.4852

515 Kitchen & Cocktails

515 Cedar St, Santa Cruz. 831.425.5051

Soif

105 Walnut Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.423.2020

 

Best Bagel

The Bagelry

320 Cedar St, Santa Cruz. 831.429.8049

1636 Seabright Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.425.8550

4763 Soquel Dr, Soquel. 831.462.9888

Noah’s

1411 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.454.9555

Main Street Bagel

1475 41st Ave, Capitola. 831.477.9919

 

Best Bakery 

The Buttery  

702 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.458.3020

Gayle’s Bakery & Rosticceria

504 Bay Ave, Capitola. 831.462.1200

Kelly’s French Bakery

402 Ingalls St, Santa Cruz. 831.423.9059

 

Best Barbecue 

Aptos St. BBQ

8059 Aptos St, Aptos. 831.662.1721

Cole’s

2590 Portola Dr, Santa Cruz. 831.476.4424

Bruno’s BBQ  

230 G Mount Hermon Rd, Scotts Valley. 831.438.2227

 

Best Bar Food 

515 Kitchen & Cocktails

515 Cedar St, Santa Cruz. 831.425.5051

Red Restaurant and Bar

200 Locust St, Santa Cruz. 831.425.1913

The Parish Publick House

841 Almar Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.421.0507

 

Best Bread

Gayle’s Bakery & Rosticceria

504 Bay Ave, Capitola. 831.462.1200

Companion Bakeshop

2341 Mission St, Santa Cruz. 831.252.2253

Kelly’s French Bakery

402 Ingalls St, Santa Cruz. 831.423.9059

 

Best Breakfast – Countywide

Walnut Avenue Café

106 Walnut Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.457.2725

Zachary’s Restaurant

819 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.427.0646

Harbor Café

35 7th Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.475.4948

 

Best Breakfast – Santa Cruz

Walnut Avenue Café

106 Walnut Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.457.2725

Zachary’s Restaurant

819 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.427.0646

Harbor Café

35 7th Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.475.4948

 

Best Breakfast = Aptos/Soquel

Red Apple Café

783 Rio Del Mar Blvd #15, Aptos. 831.685.1224

Silver Spur

2650 Soquel Dr, Santa Cruz. 831.475.2725

Sunrise Café

4718 Soquel Dr, Soquel. 831.462.0466

 

Best Breakfast – Capitola

Gayle’s Bakery & Rosticceria

504 Bay Ave, Capitola. 831.462.1200

Cliff Café

815 41st Ave, Santa Cruz.831.476.1214

Zelda’s

203 Esplanade, Capitola. 831.475.4900

 

Best Breakfast – San Lorenzo Valley / Scotts Valley

Heavenly Café

1210 Mount Hermon Rd, Scotts Valley. 831.335.7311

Rocky’s Cafe

6560 Hwy 9, Felton. 831.335.4637

Auntie Mame’s

3103 Scotts Valley Dr, Scotts Valley. 831.438.1840

 

Best Breakfast – Watsonville

Cowboys Corner Café

946 Main St, Watsonville. 831.761.8996

Red Apple Café

589 Auto Center Dr, Watsonville. 831.761.9551

Beach Street Diner

435 W Beach St, Watsonville. 831.761.0544

 

Best Burger – Countywide

Betty Burgers

505 Seabright Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.423.8190

1000 41st Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.475.5901

1222 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.600.7056

burger.

1520 Mission St, Santa Cruz. 831.425.5300

Jack’s Hamburgers

202 Lincoln St, Santa Cruz. 831.423.4421

 

Best Burger – Santa Cruz

Betty Burgers

505 Seabright Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.423.8190

1222 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.600.7056

burger.

1520 Mission St, Santa Cruz. 831.425.5300

Jack’s Hamburgers

202 Lincoln St, Santa Cruz. 831.423.4421

 

Best Burger – Aptos/Soquel

burger.

7941 Soquel Dr, Aptos. 831.662.2811

Aptos Burger

106 Rancho Del Mar, Aptos. 831.688.1282

Café Cruz

2621 41st Ave, Soquel. 831.476.3801

 

Best Burger – Capitola

Betty Burgers

1000 41st Ave, Capitola. 831.475.5901

Carpo’s

2400 Porter St, Soquel. 831.476.6260

Café Cruz

2621 41st Ave, Soquel. 831.476.3801

 

Best Burger – San  Lorenzo Valley / Scotts Valley

Bruno’s BBQ

230G Mount Hermon Rd, Scotts Valley. 831.438.2227

Boulder Creek Brewery & Cafe

13040 Hwy 9, Boulder Creek. 831.338.7882

Malone’s Grille

4402 Scotts Valley Dr, Scotts Valley. 831.438.2244

 

Best Burger – Watsonville

Wooden Nickel

1819 Freedom Blvd, Freedom. 831.724.2600

Cowboys Corner Café

946 Main St, Watsonville. 831.761.8996

Props

100 Aviation Way, Watsonville. 831.724.7767

 

Best Burrito – Countywide   

Tacos Moreno

1053 Water St, Santa Cruz. 831.429.6095

1601 41st Ave, Capitola. 831.464.8810

UCSC, Merrill College. 831.459.5078

Taqueria Vallarta

608 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.457.8226

1101 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.471.2655

893 41st Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.464.7022

6272 Hwy 9, Felton. 831.335.4264

Planet Fresh

1003 Cedar St, Santa Cruz. 831.423.9799

 

Best Burrito – Santa Cruz

Tacos Moreno

1053 Water St, Santa Cruz. 831.429.6095

UCSC, Merrill College. 831.459.5078

Taqueria Vallarta

608 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.457.8226

1101 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.471.2655

Planet Fresh

1003 Cedar St, Santa Cruz. 831.423.9799

 

Best Burrito – Aptos/Soquel

Los Gordos

7488 Soquel Dr, Aptos. 831.688.0911

Tortilla Flats

4616 Soquel Dr, Soquel. 831.476.1754

Manuel’s Mexican Restaurant

261 Center St, Aptos. 831.688.4848

 

Best Burrito – Capitola

Tacos Moreno

1601 41st Ave, Capitola. 831.464.8810

Taqueria Vallarta

893 41st Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.464.7022

Taqueria Agave

427 Capitola Ave, Capitola. 831.464.8652

 

Best Burrito – San Lorenzo Valley / Scotts Valley

Taqueria Vallarta

6272 Hwy 9, Felton. 831.335.4264

Los Gallos Taqueria

18 Victor Sq Ste A, Scotts Valley. 831.439.9803

Salsa’s Taco Bar

95 Mount Hermon Rd, Scotts Valley. 831.438.2567

 

Best Burrito – Watsonville

El Frijolito

11 Alexander St, Watsonville. 831.724.8823

Hector’s

2233 E Lake Ave, Watsonville. 831.722.6837

Cilantro’s

1934 Main St, Watsonville. 831.761.2161

 

Best Calamari 

Crow’s Nest

2218 East Cliff Dr, Santa Cruz. 831.476.4560

Riva Fish House

31 Municipal Wharf #500, Santa Cruz. 831.429.1223

Ristorante Avanti

1917 Mission St, Santa Cruz. 831.427.0135

 

Best Cheap Eats  

Charlie Hong Kong

1141 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.426.5664

El Palomar Taco Bar

1336 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.425.7575

Taqueria Vallarta

Multiple locations

 

Best Cheese Selection

Shopper’s Corner

622 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.423.1398

New Leaf

1134 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.425.1793

1101 Fair Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.426.1306

Soif

105 Walnut Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.423.2020

 

Best Chinese Food  

O’Mei

2316 Mission St, Santa Cruz. 831.425.8458

Little Shanghai

1010 Cedar St, Santa Cruz. 831.458.2460

Canton

900 41st Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.475.8751

 

Best Chocolatier

Donnelly

1509 Mission St, Santa Cruz. 831.458.4214

Mackenzies

1492 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.425.1492

Chocolate

1522 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.427.9900

 

Best Coffeehouse – Countywide

Verve Coffee Roasters

816 41st Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.475.7776

104 Bronson St, Santa Cruz. 831.464.8141

1540 Pacific St, Santa Cruz. 831.600.7784

Lulu Carpenter’s

1545 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.429.9804

118 Cooper St, Santa Cruz. 831.429.5858

Kiosk, 911 Soquel Ave (Whole Foods parking lot), Santa Cruz.

Santa Cruz Coffee Roasting

1330 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.459.0100

 

Best Coffeehouse – Santa Cruz

Verve Coffee Roasters

104 Bronson St, Santa Cruz. 831.464.8141

1540 Pacific St, Santa Cruz. 831.600.7784

Lulu Carpenter’s

1545 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.429.9804

118 Cooper St, Santa Cruz. 831.429.5858

Kiosk, 911 Soquel Ave (Whole Foods parking lot), Santa Cruz.

Santa Cruz Coffee Roasting

1330 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.459.0100

 

Best Coffeehouse – Aptos/Soquel

The Ugly Mug

4640 Soquel Dr, Soquel. 831.477.1341

Aptos Coffee Roasting Company

19 Rancho Del Mar Ste A, Aptos. 831.685.0100

Pacific Coffee Roasting

7554 Soquel Dr, Aptos. 831.685.2520

 

Best Coffeehouse – Capitola

Verve Coffee Roasters

816 41st Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.475.7776

Mr. Toots

231 Esplanade #100, Capitola. 831.475.3679

Coffeetopia

3701 Portola Dr, Santa Cruz. 831.477.1940

 

Best Coffeehouse – San Lorenzo Valley / Scotts Valley

Coffee Cat

255 Mount Hermon Rd Ste A, Scotts Valley. 831.439.0700

White Raven

6253 Hwy 9, Felton. 831.335.3611

Surf City Coffee Company

6006 La Madrona Dr, Scotts Valley. 831.430.9112

 

Best Coffeehouse – Watsonville

Second Street Café

28 2nd St, Watsonville. 831.724.7500

Café Ella

734 E Lake Ave, Watsonville. 831.722.0480

The Coffee Shop

912 E Lake Ave, Watsonville. 831.722.5047

 

Best Cookies  

Pacific Cookie Company

1203 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.429.6905

The Buttery  

702 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.458.3020

Gayle’s Bakery & Rosticceria

504 Bay Ave, Capitola. 831.462.1200

 

Best Date Night Restaurant – Countywide

Shadowbrook

1750 Wharf Rd, Capitola. 831.475.1511

Café Cruz

2621 41st Ave, Soquel. 831.476.3801

Gabriella Café

910 Cedar St, Santa Cruz. 831.457.1677

 

Best Date Night Restaurant – Santa Cruz

Ristorante Avanti

1917 Mission St, Santa Cruz. 831.427.0135

Oswald

121 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.423.7427

Gabriella Café

910 Cedar St, Santa Cruz. 831.457.1677

 

Best Date Night Restaurant – Aptos/Soquel

Bittersweet Bistro

787 Rio Del Mar Blvd, Aptos. 831.662.9799

Café Sparrow

8042 Soquel Dr Ste A, Aptos. 831.688.6238

Main Street Garden

3101 N Main St, Soquel. 831.477.9265

 

Best Date Night Restaurant – Capitola

Shadowbrook

1750 Wharf Rd, Capitola. 831.475.1511

Café Cruz

2621 41st Ave, Soquel. 831.476.3801

Paradise Beach Grille

215 Esplanade, Capitola. 831.476.4900

 

Best Date Night Restaurant – San Lorenzo Valley / Scotts Valley

Oak Tree Ristorante

5447 Hwy 9, Felton. 831.335.5551

Casa Nostra

9217 Hwy 9, Ben Lomond. 831.609.6132

Scopazzi’s Restaurant and Lounge

13300 Big Basin Way, Boulder Creek. 831.338.6441

 

Best Date Night Restaurant – Watsonville

Green Valley Grill

972 Main St, Watsonville. 831.264.4463

Cilantro’s

1934 Main St, Watsonville. 831.761.2161

Miyuki

452 East Lake Ave, Watsonville. 831.728.1620

 

Best Deli

Zoccoli’s

1534 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.423.1711

Garden Liquors & Deli

1815 Soquel Dr, Santa Cruz. 831.475.9191

New Leaf

1101 Fair Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.426.1306

1134 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.425.1793

1210 41st Ave, Capitola. 831.479.7987

13159 Hwy 9, Boulder Creek. 831.338.7211

6240 Hwy 9, Felton. 831.335.7322

 

Best Desserts 

The Buttery  

702 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.458.3020

Gayle’s Bakery & Rosticceria

504 Bay Ave, Capitola. 831.462.1200

Chocolate

1522 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.427.9900

 

Best Donut Shop    

Ferrell’s

2227 Mission St, Santa Cruz. 831.457.2760

Albright’s Donut Shoppe

1055 Water St, Santa Cruz. 831.423.1785

Dunlap’s Donuts

3791 Portola Dr, Santa Cruz. 831.475.6447

 

Best Drip Coffee 

Verve Coffee Roasters

Multiple locations

Santa Cruz Coffee Roasting

1330 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.459.0100

Coffeetopia  

1723 Mission St, Santa Cruz. 831.425.6583

3701 Portola Dr, Santa Cruz. 831.477.1940

1443 Capitola Rd, Santa Cruz. 831.476.5488

 

Best Exotic Food   

Laili

101 Cooper St, Santa Cruz. 831.423.4545

Pearl of the Ocean

736 Water St, Santa Cruz. 831.457.2350

Malabar

514 Front St, Santa Cruz. 831.458.3023

 

Best Falafel

Falafel House (Downtown)

113 Walnut Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.459.9770

Falafel of Santa Cruz

1501 Mission St, Santa Cruz. 831.459.0486

Zameen

7528 Soquel Dr, Aptos. 831.688.4465

 

Best French Fries 

Betty Burgers

Multiple locations

Saturn Café

145 Laurel St, Santa Cruz. 831.429.8505

burger. 

1520 Mission St, Santa Cruz. 831.425.5300

 

Best Ice Cream/Froyo

Penny Ice Creamery

913 Cedar St, Santa Cruz. 831.204.2523

Marianne’s

1020 Ocean St, Santa Cruz. 831.458.1447

Mission Hill Creamery

1101 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.216.6421

 

Best Indian Food   

Ambrosia

207 Searidge Rd, Aptos. 831.685.0610

Sitar India.html

1133 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.427.3000

Royal Taj

270 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.427.2400

 

Best Italian Food

Lillian’s

1116 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.425.2288

Ristorante Avanti

1711 Mission St, Santa Cruz. 831.427.0135

La Posta

538 Seabright Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.457.2782

 

Best Juice Bar / Smoothies

New Leaf

Multiple locations

Café Brasil

1410 Mission St, Santa Cruz. 831.429.1855

Staff of Life.html

1266 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.423.8632

 

Best Kid-Friendly Eatery   

Kianti’s Pizza & Pasta Bar

1100 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.469.4400

Saturn Café

145 Laurel St, Santa Cruz. 831.429.8505

Dharmas

4250 Capitola Rd, Capitola. 831.462.1717

 

Best Late-Night Eatery   

Saturn Café

145 Laurel St, Santa Cruz. 831.429.8505

The Crepe Place

1134 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.429.6994

Santa Cruz Diner 

909 Ocean St, Santa Cruz. 831.426.7151

 

Best Mediterranean Food

Zameen

7528 Soquel Dr, Aptos. 831.688.4465

Laili 

101 Cooper St, Santa Cruz. 831.423.4545

The Greek

435 Front St, Santa Cruz. 831.466.9990

 

Best Mexican Food – Countywide

El Palomar

1336 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.425.7575

Taqueria Vallarta

Multiple locations

Manuel’s Mexican Restaurant

261 Center Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.688.4848

 

Best Mexican Food – Santa Cruz

El Palomar

1336 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.425.7575

Tacos Moreno

1053 Water St, Santa Cruz. 831.429.6095

UCSC, Merrill College. 831.459.5078

Tampico

822 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.458.2821

 

Best Mexican Food – Aptos/Soquel

Manuel’s Mexican Restaurant

261 Center Ave, Aptos. 831.688.4848

Tortilla Flats

4616 Soquel Dr, Soquel. 831.476.1754

Palapas

21 Seascape Blvd, Aptos. 831.662.9000

 

Best Mexican Food – Capitola

Tacos Moreno

1601 41st Ave, Capitola. 831.464.8810

Taqueria Vallarta

893 41st Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.464.7022

El Toro Bravo

123 Monterey Ave, Capitola. 831.476.1553

 

Best Mexican Food – San Lorenzo Valley / Scotts Valley

Maya Mexican Restaurant

3115 Scotts Valley Dr, Scotts Valley. 831.438.7004

Taqueria Vallarta

6272 Hwy 9, Felton. 831.335.4264

Los Gallos Taqueria 

18 Victor Sq Ste A, Scotts Valley. 831.439.9803

 

Best Mexican Food – Watsonville

Cilantro’s

1934 Main St, Watsonville. 831.761.2161

Jalisco

618 Main St, Watsonville. 831.728.9080

El Frijolio

11 Alexander St, Watsonville. 831.724.8823

 

Best Patio Dining – Countywide

Crow’s Nest

2218 East Cliff Dr, Santa Cruz. 831.476.4560

The Crepe Place

1134 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.429.6994

Café Cruz

2621 41st Ave, Soquel. 831.476.3801

 

Best Patio Dining – Santa Cruz

Laili

101 Cooper St, Santa Cruz. 831.423.4545

The Crepe Place

1134 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.429.6994

Crow’s Nest

2218 East Cliff Dr, Santa Cruz. 831.476.4560

 

Best Patio Dining – Aptos/Soquel

Bittersweet Bistro

787 Rio Del Mar Blvd, Aptos. 831.662.9799

Michael’s on Main

2591 Main St, Soquel. 831.479.9777

Café Cruz

2621 41st Ave, Soquel. 831.476.3801

 

Best Patio Dining – Capitola

Zelda’s

203 Esplanade, Capitola. 831.475.4900

Paradise Beach Grille

215 Esplanade, Capitola. 831.476.4900

Shadowbrook

1750 Wharf Rd, Capitola. 831.475.1511

 

Best Patio Dining – San Lorenzo Valley / Scotts Valley

Oak Tree Ristorante

5447 Hwy 9, Felton. 831.335.5551

Jia Tella’s

18 Victor Sq, Scotts Valley. 831.438.5005

Malone’s Grille

4402 Scotts Valley Dr, Scotts Valley. 831.438.2244

 

Best Patio Dining – Watsonville

Cilantro’s

1934 Main St, Watsonville. 831.761.2161

Jalisco

618 Main St, Watsonville. 831.728.9080

Green Valley Grill

972 Main St, Watsonville. 831.728.0644

 

Best Pizza – Countywide

Pizza My Heart

1116 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.426.2511

209 Esplanade, Capitola. 831.475.5714

2180 41st Ave, Capitola. 831.475.6000

Engfer’s Pizza Works

537 Seabright Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.429.1856

Woodstock’s

710 Front St, Santa Cruz. 831.427.4444
Best Pizza – Santa Cruz

Pizza My Heart

1116 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.426.2511

Engfer’s Pizza Works

537 Seabright Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.429.1856

Woodstock’s

710 Front St, Santa Cruz. 831.427.4444

 

Best Pizza – Aptos / Soquel

Pizza 1

253 Center Ave, Aptos. 831.684.1110

Main Street Garden

3101 N Main St, Soquel. 831.477.9265

Showtime

98 Rancho Del Mar, Aptos. 831.662.3362

 

Best Pizza – Capitola

Pizza My Heart

209 Esplanade, Capitola. 831.475.5714

2180 41st Ave, Capitola. 831.475.6000

Pleasure Pizza

4000 Portola Dr, Santa Cruz. 831.475.4999

Tony & Alba’s

1501 41st Ave, Capitola. 831.475.4450

 

Best Pizza – San Lorenzo Valley / Scotts Valley

Redwood Pizzeria

6205 Hwy 9, Felton. 831.335.1500

Tony & Alba’s

226 Mount Hermon Rd, Scotts Valley. 831.439.9999

Mama Mia’s Italian Restaurant

6231 Graham Hill Rd, Felton. 831.335.4414

 

Best Pizza – Watsonville

Cassidy’s Pizza

1400 Freedom Blvd, Watsonville. 831.724.2271

Big J’s

531 Corralitos Rd, Watsonville. 831.786.0100

Mountain Mike’s

1417 Freedom Blvd, Watsonville. 831.728.0411

 

Best Restaurant With A View

Crow’s Nest

2218 East Cliff Dr, Santa Cruz. 831.476.4560

Shadowbrook  

1750 Wharf Rd, Capitola. 831.475.1511

Las Olitas

49B Municipal Wharf, Santa Cruz. 831.458.9393

 

Best Salad    

Café Cruz

2621 41st Ave, Soquel. 831.476.3801

Dharmas

4250 Capitola Rd, Capitola. 831.462.1717

Café Gratitude

103 Lincoln St, Santa Cruz. 831.427.9583

 

Best Seafood – Countywide

Riva Fish House

31 Municipal Wharf, Santa Cruz. 831.429.1223

Stagnaro Brothers Restaurant

59 Municipal Wharf, Santa Cruz. 831.423.2180

Johnny’s Harborside Cafe

493 Lake Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.479.3430

 

Best Seafood – Santa Cruz

Riva Fish House

31 Municipal Wharf, Santa Cruz. 831.429.1223

Stagnaro Brothers Restaurant

59 Municipal Wharf, Santa Cruz. 831.423.2180

Johnny’s Harborside Cafe

493 Lake Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.479.3430

 

Best Seafood – Aptos / Soquel

Café Rio

131 Esplanade, Aptos. 831.688.8917

Bittersweet Bistro

787 Rio Del Mar Blvd, Aptos. 831.662.9799

Café Cruz

2621 41st Ave, Soquel. 831.476.3801

 

Best Seafood – Capitola

Shadowbrook

1750 Wharf Rd, Capitola. 831.475.1511

Paradise Beach Grille

215 Esplanade, Capitola. 831.476.4900

Café Cruz

2621 41st Ave, Soquel. 831.476.3801

 

Best Seafood – San Lorenzo Valley / Scotts Valley

Sandabs

11 Camp Evers Ln, Scotts Valley. 831.430.0657

Oak Tree Ristorante

5447 Hwy 9, Felton. 831.335.5551

Malone’s Grille

4402 Scotts Valley Dr, Scotts Valley. 831.438.2244

 

Best Seafood – Watsonville

Cilantro’s

1934 Main St, Watsonville. 831.761.2161

Mariscos El Nayarita

1922 E Lake Ave, Watsonville. 831.536.4286

Green Valley Grill

972 Main St, Watsonville. 831.264.4463

 

Best Soup

Saturn Cafe

145 Laurel St, Santa Cruz. 831.429.8505

Café Delmarette

1126 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.420.1025

Chocolate

1522 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.427.9900

 

Best Small Plates  

Soif

105 Walnut Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.423.2020

515 Kitchen & Cocktails

515 Cedar St, Santa Cruz. 831.425.5051

Hula’s Island Grill

221 Cathcart St, Santa Cruz. 831.426.4852

 

Best Steak    

Hindquarter Bar & Grill

303 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.426.7770

Shadowbrook

1750 Wharf Rd, Capitola. 831.475.1511

Oswald

121 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.423.7427

 

Best Sushi/Japanese – Countywide     

Mobo Sushi

105 S River St, Santa Cruz. 831.425.1700

Shogun

1123 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.469.4477

Akira

1222 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.600.7093

 

Best Sushi/Japanese – Santa Cruz

Mobo Sushi

105 S River St, Santa Cruz. 831.425.1700

Shogun

1123 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.469.4477

Akira

1222 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.600.7093

 

Best Sushi /Japanese – Aptos/Soquel

Sushi on the Run

7957 Soquel Dr, Aptos. 831.688.3690

Sushi Garden 

820 Bay Ave #148, Capitola. 831.464.9192

Star of Siam

3005 Porter St, Soquel. 831.479.0366

 

Best Sushi/Japanese – Capitola

Takara

3775 Capitola Rd, Capitola. 831.464.1818

Geisha Sushi

200 Monterey Ave Ste 3, Capitola. 831.464.3328

Pink Godzilla

830 41st Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.464.2586

 

Best Sushi /Japanese – San Lorenzo Valley / Scotts Valley

Rumble Fish

4727 Scotts Valley Dr, Scotts Valley. 831.440.9240

Otoro

235 Mount Hermon Rd, Scotts Valley. 831.440.9040

Yamamori Sushi Boat & Grill

5600 Scotts Valley Dr Ste C, Scotts Valley. 831.438.9262

 

Best Sushi/Japanese – Watsonville

Miyuki

452 E Lake Blvd, Watsonville. 831.728.1620

Imura

1994 Main St, Watsonville. 831.761.8799

Sushi Garden

1441 Main St, Watsonville. 831.728.9192

 

Best Taqueria – Countywide         

Taqueria Vallarta

Multiple locations

Tacos Moreno

Multiple locations

El Palomar

1336 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.425.7575

 

Best Taqueria – Santa Cruz

Taqueria Vallarta

608 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.457.8226

1101 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.471.2655

Tacos Moreno

1053 Water St, Santa Cruz. 831.429.6095

UCSC, Merrill College. 831.459.5078

El Palomar

1336 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.425.7575

 

Best Taqueria – Aptos/Soquel

Taqueria Los Gordos

7488 Soquel Dr, Aptos. 831.688.0911

Taqueria La Cabana

3070 Porter St, Soquel. 831.477.1430

Sophia’s

140 Rancho Del Mar, Aptos.  831.688.1417

 

Best Taqueria – Capitola

Taqueria Vallarta

893 41st Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.464.7022

Tacos Moreno

1601 41st Ave, Capitola. 831.464.8810

Chipotle

1955 41st Ave, Capitola. 831.295.6076

 

Best Taqueria – San Lorenzo Valley / Scotts Valley

Los Gallos Taqueria

18 Victor Sq Ste A, Scotts Valley. 831.439.9803

Taqueria Vallarta

6272 Hwy 9, Felton. 831.335.4264

Salsa’s Taco Bar

95 Mount Hermon Rd, Scotts Valley. 831.438.2567

 

Best Taqueria – Watsonville

El Frijolito

11 Alexander St, Watsonville. 831.724.8823

Taqueria Mi Tierra

1471 Freedom Blvd, Watsonville. 831.722.2022

Hector’s

2233 E Lake Ave, Watsonville. 831.722.6837

 

Best Tea House

Hidden Peak Tea House

1541 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.423.4200

The Abbey

350 Mission St, Santa Cruz. 831.429.1058

Quail & Thistle Tea Room

911 Capitola Ave, Capitola. 831.477.1798

 

Best Thai Food

Sabieng

1218 Mission St, Santa Cruz. 831.425.1200

Sawasdee

5050 Soquel Dr, Soquel. 831.462.5051

Thai House

353 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.458.3546

 

Best Vegetarian Food

Dharmas

4250 Capitola Rd, Capitola. 831.462.1717

Café Gratitude

103 Lincoln St, Santa Cruz. 831.425.8327

Saturn Cafe

145 Laurel St, Santa Cruz. 831.429.8505

 

Best Winery 

Bonny Doon Vineyard

328 Ingalls St, Santa Cruz. 831.425.6771

Storrs Winery

303 Potrero St, Santa Cruz. 831.458. 5030

Bargetto Winery

3535 N Main St, Soquel. 831.475.2258

 

Best Wine List

Soif

105 Walnut Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.423.2020

Shadowbrook

1750 Wharf Rd, Capitola. 831.475.1511

VinoCruz

725 Front St #101, Santa Cruz. 831.426.VINO

 

Best Wine Shop

Soif  

105 Walnut Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.423.2020

VinoCruz

725 Front St #101, Santa Cruz. 831.426.VINO

Shopper’s Corner

622 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.423.1696

 

  • https://www.santacruz.com/ae/articles/2013/03/29/gold_awards_2013_readers_picks_food Dusty

    Whoever is voting for Taqueria Vallarta for best anything is tripping. I take that back. If there was a “Best Mystery Meat” category they’d win.

  • https://www.santacruz.com/ae/articles/2013/03/29/gold_awards_2013_readers_picks_food Bee Z

    Agreed… Jalapenos or the Editor’s Pick Michoquan. The Gold Awards are awful and biased with the student population.

  • https://www.santacruz.com/ae/articles/2013/03/29/gold_awards_2013_readers_picks_food Robert Mann

    No best brewpub or best beer list?

  • https://www.santacruz.com/ae/articles/2013/03/29/gold_awards_2013_readers_picks_food Tana Butler

    I scrolled and scrolled and scrolled. Why do people not know the difference between “countywide” and “Santa Cruz”?

    Students are loading the votes? That’s explains why Miyako Sushi on 41st didn’t get named as the best sushi in the entire county. It doesn’t look like much from the outside, but it’s the cleanest, best sushi there is. My first choice by a landslide. Happy and loyal clientele.

    Shadowbrook? REALLY? Why not Pier 39 in San Francisco? Tourist joint. Crackers from Costco. Meat from factory farms.

    Tiresome at best, SC Weekly.

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