Santa Cruz, CA

Ocean-fresh seafood, an emphasis on natural ingredients, casual atmosphere and an eclectic mix of exotic cuisines characterize Santa Cruz's culinary culture. Vegetarian-friendly and vegetarian restaurants are well represented, but there are enough steak houses to toss a little red meat into the mix. SantaCruz.com's Santa Cruz area dining guide is anchored by dining reviews from the Santa Cruz Weekly newspaper.

American & Californian Restaurants

99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall

Join us for FootBall! Open early for NFL Sunday Breakfast! We'll be featuring up to 5 games on 7 screens. Come out, enjoy a beer and support your favorite team.

110 Walnut Ave., Santa Cruz, CA (831) 459-9999

Aldo's Harbor Restaurant

Serving the Santa Cruz Wharf and Harbor since the 1950's. Known for Eggs Benedict, calamari, fresh salmon and exquisite ocean view, the restaurant accommodates our loyal patrons 7 days a week.

616 Atlantic Ave., Santa Cruz, CA, CA (831) 426-3736

Cafe Cruz

Opening in February of 1995, our goal was to blend traditional regional American and world foods with new and innovative techniques, creating our "New American Cuisine".

2621 41st Ave., Soquel, CA (831) 476-3801

Carpo's Restaurant

Carpo's Restaurant is a Soquel/Capitola landmark, established in 1981. Since we've been open our family restaurant has been a local hangout for great value meals with fresh, homemade recipes, Classic American favorites, healthy comfort food with large portions. Fresh seafood and produce from local suppliers (organic whenever possible).

2400 Porter St., Soquel, CA (831) 476-6260

Catalyst Nightclub & Restaurant

Monterey Bay's premier nightclub, featuring acts from around the world. Artists such as Neil Young, Papa Roach, Emmylou Harris, Ice T, Nirvana, Alanis Morissette, No Doubt, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Pearl Jam have graced the Catalyst stage in years past. The main dance hall is 5000 square feet, not including balconies, and can hold 800 people.

The bar downstairs is 100 feet long, starting in the front room and extending into the concert area. A large selection of beer and liquor is offered here. Upstairs is the game room with another bar, 6 pool tables a jukebox and arcade games, as well as a lounge.

1011 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, CA (831) 423-1338

Center Street Grill

Center Street Grill is open for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. Couples and families feel welcome in this beautiful, spacious restaurant, offering American food with Mediterranean flare. Dinners include entrees such as Lamb shank, Shanghai Chicken, Grilled Salmon, Baby back ribs and more, with a choice of two delicious sides. Pasta dishes and mouth-watering pizzas are available for lunch and dinner. All of our food, including our pizza crusts and suace, are made from scratch at the restaurant. Our huge breakfast menu is served until 2 pm daily. We are also available to host Parties, Receptions, and Meetings.

1001 Center Street, Santa Cruz, CA (831) 438-8415

Cole's Bar-B-Q Restaurant

2590 Portola Dr., Santa Cruz, CA (831) 476-4424

8059 Aptos St., Aptos, CA (831) 662-1721

Crepe Place Restaurant

Gary and Marlene Keeley opened the Crepe Place in February 1973, in a small building at the corner of Ocean St. and Soquel in Santa Cruz. The restaurant was so tiny that only ten people, if they were close friends, could be seated at one time. The food was unique to Santa Cruz; few had heard of crepes, fewer still had enjoyed them. But, word spread quickly, and soon the Crepe Place had outgrown its tiny home.

1134 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, CA (831) 429-6994

Crow's Nest Restaurant

Since 1969, the Crow´s Nest Restaurant in Santa Cruz, California has featured award-winning food, spirits and live entertainment from one of the most spectacular waterfront views on the Monterey Bay Marine Sanctuary.

2218 E. Cliff Dr.., Santa Cruz, CA (831) 476-4560

Gayle's Bakery & Rosticceria

In 1978, Gayle & Joe Ortiz started a small bakery in 800 square feet, with one friend serving 10 items. Five years later, the Rosticceria, an Italian deli with a wood-burning rostisserie was added. Today, Gayle's is a thriving 10,000 square foot food emporium with two successful cookbooks and 115 employees.

504 Bay Ave., Capitola, CA (831) 462-1200

Gilda's Family Restaurant

37 Municipal Wharf, Santa Cruz, CA (831) 423-2010

Hindquarter Restaurant

The Hindquarter is where they find the best regional American dining. That includes perfectly grilled sirloins, huge Texas T-bones, eye-opening Jack's pepper steaks, slow-roasted prime rib, hickory-smoked Chicago baby back ribs, half-pound burgers, and other meaty delights.

303 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, CA (831) 426-7770

Linda's Seabreeze Cafe

2007 Winner Best Breakfast in Santa Cruz Good Times Reader Poll
Zagat Excellent Rated
Friendly, Neighborhood Atmosphere
542 Seabright Ave., Santa Cruz, CA (831) 427-9713

Michael's on Main

We will happily bring our award-winning cuisine along with the friendly service we are known for to your party or event! Just give us a call or write us a note, we would be happy create a custom menu for you at a very reasonable price!

2591 Main St., Soquel, CA (831) 479-9777

Noah's New York Bagels

1411 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, CA (831) 454-9555

Paradise Grill

About Paradise Beach Grille
On January 2nd, 1998, we purchased the building at 215 Esplanade. After 5 months of extensive renovations we opened our restaurant, Paradise Beach Grille, in late May of the same year on Memorial Day. Five years later in 2003, Robert and Carol Coe joined the Paradise Beach Grille family as investment partners. Still going strong, last May marked our 11th year anniversary.

215 Esplanade, Capitola, CA (831) 476-3328

Peachwood's Restaurant

Peachwood's at the Inn at Pasatiempo in Santa Cruz is an ideal location for enchanted garden weddings and receptions, the most special of special occasions, and fine dining. From our signature menu to our incomparable service, we'll make any event or any meal an unforgettable experience.

Hwy. 17 at Pasatiempo, Santa Cruz, CA (831) 426-6333

Sanderlings

1 Seascape Dr., Aptos, CA (831) 662-7120

Seabright Brewery & Restaurant

Located on Seabright Avenue, one of Santa Cruz's most happening neighborhoods, the Seabright Brewery features a selection of regular brews, as well as 3-8 seasonal hand-crafted micro beers on tap. Come check out our live music on Friday nights!

519 Seabright Ave., Santa Cruz, CA (831) 426-2739

Shadowbrook

Located beside lush Soquel Creek in Capitola-by-the-Sea, Shadowbrook Restaurant is best reached by its own quaint cable car, or a meandering garden path. Since 1947 Shadowbrook has continued to provide world-class service, fine food, wines and liqueurs in an atmosphere of Old World charm and grace.

1750 Wharf Dr., Capitola, CA (831) 475-1511
Silver Spur Restaurant
2650 Soquel Dr., Santa Cruz, CA (831) 475-2725

Wharf House Restaurant -- at the end of the Capitola Wharf
1400 Wharf Road., Capitola, CA (831) 476-0636
Zachary's Restaurant
819 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, CA (831) 427-0646

Zelda's Restaurant
203 Esplanade, Capitola, CA (831) 475-4900

Buffet Restaurants

China One Buffet
525 Water St., Santa Cruz, CA (831) 425-3800
L8 Buffet
431 Front St., Santa Cruz, CA (831) 426-8168

Chinese Restaurants

Bangkok West Restaurant
2505 Cabrillo College Dr., Soquel (831) 479-8297
Charlie Hong Kong Restaurant
1141 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, CA (831) 426-5664
China Station Restaurant
2301 Mission, Santa Cruz, CA (831) 458-9097
China Szechwan Restaurant
221 Cathcart St., Santa Cruz, CA (831) 423-1178
Golden Buddha Restaurant
4610 Soquel Dr., Soquel, CA (831) 479-0788
Hong Kong Garden Restaurant
#14 Seascape Village, Aptos, CA (831) 662-0166
King Chwan Restaurant
415 Ocean St., Santa Cruz, CA (831) 429-5898
Little Shanghai Restaurant
1010 Cedar St., Santa Cruz, CA (831) 458-2460
Mei Garden II Restaurant
533 Ocean, Santa Cruz, CA (831) 458-1687
O'Mei Restaurant
2316 Mission St., Santa Cruz, CA (831) 425-8458
Pacific Rim Buffet
8035 Soquel Dr., Aptos, CA (831) 688-5208
Panda Inn & Restaurant
5 Deer Park Center, Rio del Mar (831) 688-8620
Peking Restaurant
2623 41st Ave., Soquel, CA (831) 475-9234
Szechwan Garden Restaurant
617 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, CA (831) 423-2574

Continental Restaurants

Bocci's Cellar Restaurant
140 Encinal St., Santa Cruz, CA (831) 427-179

Bittersweet Bistro
787 Rio Del Mar Blvd., Rio Del Mar (831) 662-9799

Casablanca Restaurant
101 Main St., Santa Cruz, CA (831) 426-9063

Chaminade Restaurant
1 Chaminade Ln., Santa Cruz, CA (831) 475-5600

Clouds Downtown Restaurant
110 Church St., Santa Cruz, CA (831) 429-2000

Gabriella Cafe
910 Cedar St., Santa Cruz, CA (831) 457-1677
"The town's most romantic spot." (Sunset magazine, March 2000). Intimate bistro dining in the heart of downtown Santa Cruz.

Hollins House Restaurant
20 Clubhouse Rd., Santa Cruz, CA (831) 459-9177

Oswald's Restaurant
121 Soquel Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 (831) 423-7427

Pearl Alley Bistro
110 Pearl Alley, Santa Cruz, CA (831) 429-8070

Severino's Restaurant
7500 Old Dominion Ct., Aptos, CA (831) 688-8987

Shadowbrook
1750 Wharf Dr., Capitola, CA (831) 475-1511

Wharf House Restaurant
1400 Wharf Rd., Capitola, CA (831) 476-3534

Deli

Erik's DeliCafe
712 Front St. (831) 425-5353

Gayle's Bakery & Rosticceria
504 Bay Ave., Capitola, CA (831) 462-1200
Staff of Life
1305 Water St., Santa Cruz, CA (831) 423-8041
Zoccoli's Delicatessen
1534 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, CA (831) 423-1711

Family Dining Restaurants

Carpo's Restaurant
2400 Porter St., Soquel, CA (831) 476-6260

Gilda's Family Restaurant
494 Municipal Wharf Santa Cruz, CA (831) 423-2010

Tiny's Restaurant
1549 41st Ave., Capitola, CA (831) 475-5764

French Restaurants

Casablanca Restaurant
101 Main St., Santa Cruz, CA (831) 426-9063

Cafe Sparrow
8042 Soquel Drive, Aptos Village, CA (831) 688-6238
Explorer Review - Wonderful food, service and ambiance. It can be a little pricy, but the quality of food, service and ambience make it worthwhile.

Ma Maison Restaurant
9051 Soquel Dr., Aptos, CA (831) 688-5566
Traditional French cuisine with a California twist. Specialties include housemade pate, lamb shanks. Sauces and desserts made in house. California/French wine list. Bar, patio, private dining rooms.

Indian

Royal Taj (Indian Restaurant)
270 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, CA (831) 427-2400

Irish

Rosie McCann's Irish Pub & Restaurant
1220 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, CA (831) 426-9930

Italian Restaurants

Bella Roma Restaurante
316 Capitola Ave., Capitola, CA (831) 464-2608
Bocci's Cellar Restaurant
140 Encinal St., Santa Cruz, CA (831) 427-1795

Cafe Mare
740 front St.. # 100, Santa Cruz, CA (831) 458-1212

Ristorante Italiano
555 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, CA (831) 458-2321

Star Bene Restaurant
2-1245 E. Cliff Dr., Santa Cruz, CA (831) 479-3865
Zoccoli's Pasta House Restaurant
431 Front St., Santa Cruz, CA (831) 423-1717

Juice, Java & Bakeries

Capitola Coffee Roasters
105 Stockton Avenue, Capitola, CA (831) 476-5422

Jamba Juice
3555 Clares Street #S, Capitola, CA (831) 475-8104

Japanese Restaurants

August Moon Sushi Cafe
3555 Clares, Capitola, CA (831) 464-9898
Benten Restaurant
1541 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, CA (831) 425-7079

Mobo Sushi Restaurant

105 S. River St., Santa Cruz, CA (831) 425-1700
Miyako Japanese Restaurant
1820 41st Ave., Capitola, CA (831) 462-5288
Naka Sushi Restaurant
851 41st Ave., Capitola, CA (831) 479-9620
Paradise Sushi Restaurant
200 Monterey Ave., Capitola, CA (831) 464-3328
Pink Godzilla Sushi Bar
830 41st Ave., Capitola, CA (831) 464-2586
Sukeroku Restaurant
1701 Mission St., Santa Cruz, CA (831) 426-6660

Sushi Garden Japanese Restaurant
820 Bay Avenue #148, Capitola, CA (831) 464-9192

Takara Japanese Restaurant
1800 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, CA (831) 457-8466

Mediterranean

Falafel of Capitola, CA
2121 41st Ave., Capitola, CA (831) 479-9963
Falafel of Santa Cruz
1501 Mission St., Santa Cruz, CA (831) 459-0486
Vasili's Greek Food & BBQ
1501 Mission St., Santa Cruz, CA (831) 458-9808

Mexican Restaurants

The Acapulco
1116-A Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, CA (831) 426-7588
Costa Brava Restaurant
1222 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, CA (831) 425-7871
El Chino Restaurant
2525 Soquel Dr., Soquel, CA (831) 476-7175

El Palomar Restaurant
1336 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, CA (831) 425-757
La Mission Restaurant
1719 Mission St., Santa Cruz, CA (831) 426-3564
Las Palmas Taco Bar
55 Front St., Santa Cruz, CA (831) 429-1220

Little Tampico Restaurant
2605 Main St., Soquel, CA (831) 475-4700

Manuel's Mexican Restaurant
261 Center St., Seacliff (831) 688-4848

Margaritaville Restaurant
221 Esplanade, Capitola, CA (831) 476-2263

Olitas Cantina and Grille
650 Municipal Wharf, Santa Cruz, CA (831) 458-9393

Palapas Restaurant
21 Seascape Village, Aptos, CA (831) 662-9000
Tacos Moreno Restaurant
1053 Water St., Santa Cruz, CA (8310429-6095
Taqueria Santa Cruz
2215 Mission St., Santa Cruz, CA (831) 423-0606
Tampico Kitchen Restaurant
822 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, CA (831) 458-2821

Tortilla Flats
4616 Soquel Dr., Soquel, CA (831) 476-1754

Pizza Restaurants

Aptos Pizza
7945 Soquel Dr., Aptos, CA (831) 688-4030
Joe's Pizza and Subs
736 Water St., Santa Cruz, CA (831) 426-5955
Pacific Ave Pizza & Grille
1415 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, CA (831) 425-7492
Pizza My Heart
209 Esplanade, Capitolal, CA (831) 475-5714

Rosco's Pizza
7945 Soquel Dr., Aptos, CA (831) 688-4030

Tony & Alba's Pizza
1501 41st Ave., Capitola, CA (831) 475-4450
817 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, CA (831) 425-8669
Upper Crust
2415 Mission St., Santa Cruz, CA (831) 423-9010
2501 Soquel Dr., Santa Cruz, CA (831) 476-2333

Seafood & Steaks

Aldo's Harbor Restaurant
616 Atlantic Ave., Santa Cruz, CA (831) 426-3736

Cafe Rio Restaurant
131 Esplanade, Rio Del Mar (831) 688-8917

Crow's Nest Restaurant
2218 E Cliff Dr., Santa Cruz, CA (831) 476-4560
Dolphin Restaurant
Municipal Wharf, Santa Cruz, CA (831) 426-5830
Gilbert's Seafood Grill
460 Municipal Wharf, Santa Cruz, CA (831) 423-5200

The Hindquarter Restaurant
303 Soquel Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA (831) 426-0313

Hollins House Restaurant
20 Clubhouse Rd., Santa Cruz, CA (831) 459-9177
Ideal Bar & Grill
106 Beach St., Santa Cruz, CA (831) 423-5271

Miramar Restaurant
Municipal Wharf, Santa Cruz, CA (831) 423-4441
We offer indoor and outdoor dining with views of the famous Beach Boardwalk and Steamer's Lane. Enjoy fresh seafood, steaks, chicken and salads.
Portola House Restaurant
3326 Portola Dr., Santa Cruz, CA (831) 476-2733
Riva Fish House Restaurant
500 Municipal Wharf, Santa Cruz, CA (831) 429-1223

Sanderlings
1 Seascape Dr., Aptos, CA (831) 662-7120

Stagnaro Brother's Seafood Restaurant
Municipal Wharf, Santa Cruz, CA (831) 423-2180
Stagnaro Brother's feature over 20 kinds of fresh fish daily in their restaurant and fish market.

Zelda's Restaurant
203 Esplanade, Capitola, CA (831) 475-4900

Thai Restaurants

My Thai Beach Restaurant
207 Esplanade, Capitola, Ca. 95010 (831) 464-3800
Real Thai -- Restaurant 1
632 Seabright Ave., Santa Cruz, CA (831) 427-2559
Star of Siam Restaurant
3005 Porter St., Soquel, CA (831) 479-0366
Thai Basil Restaurant
210 Monterey Ave., Capitola, CA, 479-8985
Thai House -- Restaurant
353 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, CA (831) 458-3546

Westside Thai Restaurant
2238 Mission St., Santa Cruz, CA (831) 469-3209

Vegetarian Restaurants
Cafe del Sol -- Staff of Life
1305 Water St., Santa Cruz, CA (831) 423-8041