Ocean-fresh seafood, an emphasis on natural ingredients, casual atmosphere and an eclectic mix of ethnic cuisines characterize Santa Cruz's culinary culture. This Santa Cruz dining guide is based upon visits to these restaurants by dining reviewers for the Metro Santa Cruz weekly newspaper.
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American
Bluewater Steak House
110 Monterey Ave, Capitola, CA; Tel. 831.464.2500
Superb grilled meats and inventive appetizers with an ocean view. $$$
Buffalo Belle
107 Leonard St., Santa Cruz, CA; Tel. 831.425.8457
Buffalo Belle is a Santa Cruz favorite among hot wing loving locals. Santa Cruz's Buffalo Belle also serves sandwiches, flavored fries and other pub-style grub. $
Crow's Nest
2218 East Cliff Dr, Santa Cruz, CA; Tel. 831.476.4560
Steak and seafood restaurant. Ocean view and full bar that's a favorite of locals. $$
Davenport Roadhouse
1 Davenport Road, Davenport, CA; Tel. 831.426.4122
Fresh and inventive cuisine based on organic and locally-raised ingredients. Noisy, convivial atmosphere in a great room with a fireplace at one end and guitarist at the other. $$
Hindquarter
303 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz, CA; Tel. 831.426.7770
Americana. Ribs, steaks and burgers are definitely the stars. Full bar. $$
Walnut Avenue Cafe
106 Walnut Ave, Santa Cruz, CA; Tel. 831.457.2307
American diner. Fresh ingredients, friendly service and a complete lack of trendiness. $$
Zachary's
819 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz, CA; Tel. 831.427.0646
American. A breakfast tradition that meets and exceeds expectations. Try the Mike's Mess. $
Bistros
Beach Street Cafe
399 Beach St., Santa Cruz, CA; Tel. 831.426.7621
Located within steps of the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, the Beach Street Cafe serves up delicious breakfasts and lunches, featuring a daily champagne brunch. $$
Bittersweet Bistro
787 Rio Del Mar Blvd, Aptos, CA; Tel. 831.662.9799
Classic and elegant entrees and an expert touch with chocolate. $$$
Café Rio
131 Esplanade Aptos, CA; Tel. 831.688.8917
Café Rio in Aptos, California is a local favorite for brunch, dinner and everything in between. $$$
Gabriella Cafe
910 Cedar St, Santa Cruz, CA; Tel. 831.457.1677
Bistro. Offbeat combinations and superb desserts. $$$
California/New American
Café Cruz
2621 41st Ave, Capitola, CA; Tel. 831.476.3801
Quality smoked meats, rotisserie chicken and generous organic salads in a charming warren-like setting. Great patio. $$$
Café Limelight
1016 Cedar St, Santa Cruz, CA; Tel. 831.425.7873
Unusual sandwiches, gourmet soups and perfect salads make for dependable and delicious light fare.
Casablanca Restaurant
101 Main St, Santa Cruz, CA; Tel. 831.426.9063
California/New American restaurant. Landmark dining room showcases the skills of Chef Scott Cater and company. Classic filet mignon. $$$
Chaminade
One Chaminade Lane, Santa Cruz, CA; Tel. 831.475.5600
New American restaurant. The seafood buffet hosts salads, cheeses and fresh vegetables, oysters and prawns, and hot entrees. $$$
Clouds
110 Church St, Santa Cruz, CA; Tel. 831.429.2000
American, California-style. With a great bar scene, casually glamorous setting and an attentive waitstaff. $$
Shadowbrook
1750 Wharf Rd, Capitola, CA; Tel. 831.475.1511
Seafood, steak and other tastefully prepared classics grace the menu of this romantic landmark establishment overlooking Soquel Creek. $$$
Chinese
Charlie Hong Kong
141 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz, CA; Tel. 831.426.5664
Asian street food. Big bowls of rice or noodles stir-fried with veggies and/or meat, Southeast Asian po boy sandwiches and more. $
O'mei
2316 Mission St, Santa Cruz, CA; Tel. 831.425.8458
Provincial Szechuan restaurant serves Chinese favorites with fresh, light presentation. $$
Crepes
The Crepe Place
1134 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz, CA; Tel. 831.429.6994
Crepes and more. Featuring the spinach crepe and Tunisian doughnut. Full bar. $$
Greek
Vasili's
1501 Mission St, Santa Cruz, CA; Tel. 831.458.9808
Greek restaurant. Taverna-style specials from horiatiki salad to roast lamb. Plenty of spunk and friendly atmosphere. $$
Indian
Royal Taj
270 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz, CA; Tel. 831.427.2400
Indian restaurant. Complexly spiced Indian dishes are served in a relaxed and easygoing atmosphere. $$
Irish
Rosie McCann's
1220 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz, CA; Tel. 831.426.9930
Irish Pub & Restaurant. Informal pub fare with reliable execution. $$
Island
Hula's
221 Cathcart St, Santa Cruz, CA; Tel. 831.426.4852
The theme here is Hawaii and surf, which means this tiki-themed restaurant serves plenty of grilled ono, mahi mahi and ahi to enjoy while the surf videos run nonstop. $$
Italian
Bocci's Cellar
140 Encinal St., Santa Cruz, CA; Tel. 831.427.1795
Bocci's Cellar in Santa Cruz features free bocce ball every night, along with tasty Italian cuisine and an excellent happy hour.
Carniglia's
49A Municipal Wharf, Santa Cruz, CA; Tel. 831.458.3600
Italian/seafood restaurant. Provides culinary depth without tourist-fare condescension. $$
Kianti's
1100 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz, CA; Tel. 831.469.4400
This popular downtown restaurant serves pizzas, generous platters of pasta and nice salads at reasonable prices. $$
La Posta
538 Seabright Ave, Santa Cruz, CA; Tel. 831.457.2782 Soif's Tuscan cousin serves Italian fare that's both sophisticated and pleasantly rustic in a cozy, convivial atmosphere. A wine menu of great depth allows for plenty of exploration. $$$
Lillian's
1116 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz, CA; Tel.831.425.2288
Hearty Sunday gravy, enormous meatballs and generous platters of homemade pasta make this a new neighborhood favorite. $$
Ristorante Avanti
1711 Mission St, Santa Cruz, CA; Tel. 831.427.0135
Italian restaurant. Always delicious, often inspired Mediterranean cookery. Eclectic wine bar and seasonally inspired menu. Rotating wine-tasting flights every night. $$$
Ristorante Italiano
555 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz, CA; Tel. 831.458.2321 Italian-American restaurant. Lasagnas, pastas, scampi in generous portions. Full bar, patio dining. $$
Sestri
2655 Capitola Rd, Santa Cruz, CA; Tel. 831.479.0200
Cal-Ital fare made with the highest quality ingredients make this Eastside trattoria a hit among the cognoscenti. $$$
Star Bene
2-1245 E. Cliff Dr., Santa Cruz, CA; Tel. 831.479.4307
Italian restaurant. The restaurant draws its menu from the owner's and chef's roots in Italy's Calabria. $$$
Japanese
Benten
1541 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz, CA; Tel. 831.425.7079
Japanese sushi bar. Benten delivers the goods without a lot of fuss but with good quality for the price. $$
Mobo Sushi
105 S. River St, Santa Cruz, CA; Tel. 831.425.1700
Japanese/California sushi. Straight sushi and tempura combined with California cuisine. Full bar. $$
Shogun
1123 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz, CA; Tel. 831.469.4477
Sushi. Exceptionally fresh ingredients and large portions. $
Sukeroku Restaurant
1701 Mission St, Santa Cruz, CA; Tel. 831.426.6660
Japanese restaurant. Dynamite sushi and a substantial listing of Japanese culinary favorites. $$
Mexican
Acapulco Restaurant
1116 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz, CA; Tel. 831.426.7588
Mexican restaurant. Traditional Mexican favorites like steak piccata and chile relleno suiza. $
El Palomar
1336 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz, CA; Tel. 831.425.7575
Handmade tortillas, consistent authenticity, bold flavors and freshly made dishes—specially the pozole. Lively bar, wide margarita selection. Lunch and dinner daily. $$
La Mission
1719 Mission St, Santa Cruz, CA; Tel. 831.426.3564
Mexican restaurant. A neighborhood establishment with no gimmicks, on-target cooking and authentic flavors. $
Manuel's
261 Center Ave, Aptos, CA; Tel. 831.688.4848
The favorite late-night destination for the Aptos crowd serves up hot platters of flavorful enchiladas and chile rellenos alongside ice-cold margaritas. $$
Pizza
Engfer Pizza Works
537 Seabright Ave, Santa Cruz, CA; Tel. 831.429.1856
Pizza. Wood-fired oven produces pizza in two sizes with a wealth of toppings, including 100 percent vegan pies. $
Tony & Alba's
817 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz, CA; Tel. 831.425.8669
Pizza. Inventive pizza specials are supplemented by pastas, soups and salads. $
Pubs
Seabright Brewery
519 Seabright Ave, Santa Cruz, CA; Tel. 831.426.2739
Coastal brewpub. Burgers, clam chowder, grilled eggplant and red pepper sandwiches plus the brewery's assortment of microbrews. $
Seafood
Riva Fish House
500 Municipal Wharf, Santa Cruz, CA; Tel. 831.429.1223
Seafood restaurant. Riva offers a traditional seafood house menu complete with a sleek interior and terrific view. $$
The Wharf House
1400 Wharf Rd, Capitola; Tel. 831.476.3534
Located at the end of the Capitola Wharf, The Wharf House serves up good, fresh seafood with an unbeatable view. $$
Thai
Real Thai Kitchen
1632 Seabright Ave, Santa Cruz, CA; Tel. 831.427.2559
Thai restaurant. Real Thai does southern Thai curries simply and well. Spicy duck curry is a destination dish. $
Sabieng Thai Cuisine
1218 Mission St, Santa Cruz, CA; Tel. 831.425.1020
Thai restaurant. Frangrant and fiery Thai classics such as Peak Gai Krob, Pla Rad Pik and Pad Thai. $$
Sawasdee
5050 Soquel Dr, Santa Cruz, CA; Tel. 831.462.5051
This newish Thai restaurant in charming Soquel village has become a serious neighborhood favorite. Try the fish cakes. $$
Thai House
353 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz, CA; Tel. 831.458.3546
Thai restaurant. Offering chicken and eggplant, and a spicy prawn salad and more. $$
Wine Bars
Soif Wine Bar & Merchants
105 Walnut Ave, Santa Cruz, CA
Extensive wine bar and gourmet dining. Live jazz Tuesday and Wednesday. Open weekdays until 11pm, bar open as long as customers are still drinking.
