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Santa Cruz Restaurants and Dining Guide

 

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Santa Cruz Restaurants and Dining Guide

Santa Cruz County is home to some of the finest restaurants in California. Whether you're looking for an elegant, romantic dinner or something that you can grab and take to the beach, Santa Cruz has a wide range of options that will meet all of your expectations. 

The Dining Guide below lists restaurants from Santa Cruz, Capitola, Soquel and Aptos.  Please select other County areas from the blue bar on the left.

  For a partial list of some of our favorite Santa Cruz County
restaurants, please click on a Quick Pick options below

Explorer1 Quick Picks!

| Breakfast

| Lunch

| Dinner

| Elegant/Romantic

| On a Budget

| Appetizers & Cocktails

 

Inexpensive Restaurants

Our experience and tastes may be different than yours, so please plan your meals based on your own preferences.  For more choices,
please click on a category from our Dining Guide

Tacos Moreno Restaurant - Mexican
1053 Water St., Santa Cruz, CA  (831) 429-6095

Explorer Review - Although they have a limited menu -- specializing in tacos, burritos and quesadillas -- their burritos are considered by many locals to be the best  in town.  At peak meal times you may have to endure long lines, but service is usually very fast.

Santa Cruz Diner - American
909 Ocean St., Santa Cruz, CA  (831) 426-7151

Explorer Review - The diner has a very diverse menu with many options that you wouldn't normal expect from a local diner. The good food, great service and reasonable prices make this a good choice.

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

Explorer Review - A family restaurant that not only makes a good burger, but also offers some innovative menu options including fresh fish.   Good food, quick service and reasonable prices.

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Some of Our Favorite Breakfast Restaurants
Our experience and tastes may be different than yours, so please plan your meals based on your own preferences.  For more choices,
please click on a category from our Dining Guide

Linda's Seabreeze Cafe
542 Seabright Ave., Santa Cruz, CA  (831) 427-9713

Explorer Review - Linda's is one of our top choices for breakfast.  They offer great food at reasonable prices.  The only downside is the restaurant is fairly small so arrive early to avoid long lines.

Zachary's Restaurant - American
819 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, CA  (831) 427-0646

Explorer Review - This popular rustic restaurant has been serving breakfast for many years.  Fast service, good food and reasonable prices make this a top pick for locals.  Expect long lines on weekends after 9:00 AM.

Cafe Sparrow
8042 Soquel Drive, Aptos Village, CA  831-688-6238

Explorer Review - Wonderful food, service and ambiance.  Some of the brunch items can be a little pricy, but quality and environment make it worthwhile.

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Some of Our Favorite Lunch Restaurants
Our experience and tastes may be different than yours, so please plan your meals based on your own preferences.  For more choices,
please click on a category from our Dining Guide

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

Explorer Review - Not much to look at from the outside, but the food and interior ambiance are wonderful.  The patio area on a sunny afternoon makes for a very pleasant experience -- adding to the good food and service.

Crow's Nest Restaurant
2218 E. Cliff Dr.., Santa Cruz, CA  (831) 476-4560

Explorer Review - Located at the Santa Cruz Harbor, the harbor and Monterey Bay views and good customer service make this a good lunch pick.

River Cafe & Cheese Shop
415 River St., Santa Cruz, CA  (831) 420-1280

Explorer Review - Wonderful gourmet soups, salads and sandwiches.  It can be a little pricy, but the food is outstanding.  The actual interior of the cafe is very small and has has limited seating.  So you can take the food with you or, if it's a nice warm day, enjoy your meal on their large deck.

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Some of Our Favorite Dinner Restaurants
Our experience and tastes may be different than yours, so please plan your meals based on your own preferences.  For more choices,
please click on a category from our Dining Guide

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

Explorer Review - Not much to look at from the outside, but the food and interior ambiance are wonderful.  The patio area on a sunny afternoon makes for a very pleasant experience -- adding to the good food and service.

Bella Roma Restaurante - Italian
316 Capitola Ave., Capitola, CA  (831) 464-2608

Explorer Review - This small, well appointed restaurant serves up some very tasty Italian classic dishes.  Good food and service make this moderately priced restaurant a good choice.

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Some of Our Favorite Romantic Restaurants
Our experience and tastes may be different than yours, so please plan your meals based on your own preferences.  For more choices,
please click on a category from our Dining Guide

Oswald's Restaurant - California Cuisine
1547 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, CA  (831) 423-7427

Explorer Review -  Although I find the bistro a little small, this is my wife's favorite restaurant.  The food and service are wonderful. 

Theo's Restaurant
3101 N. Main - Soquel CA  (831) 462.3657

Explorer Review - Wonderful food, service and ambiance.  A great choice for a romantic night out, special occasion or you just want to pamper yourself.  The entrees can be expensive, but it is fantastic food and great service.

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

Explorer Review - Great desserts, good food, and excellent service and warm ambiance make this an excellent choice.

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American Restaurants

99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall
110 Walnut Ave., Santa Cruz, CA  (831) 459-9999

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

Britannia Arms Pub & Restaurant
8017 Soquel Drive, Aptos, CA  (831) 688-1233

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

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

Catalyst Nightclub & Restaurant
1011 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, CA  (831) 423-1338

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

Crow's Nest Restaurant
2218 E. Cliff Dr.., Santa Cruz, CA  (831) 476-4560

Gayle's Bakery & Rosticceria
504 Bay Ave., Capitola, CA  (831) 462-1200

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

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

Linda's Seabreeze Cafe
542 Seabright Ave., Santa Cruz, CA  (831) 427-9713

Michael's on Main
2591 Main St., Soquel, CA  (831) 479-9777

Noah's New York Bagels
1411 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, CA  (831) 454-9555

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

Peachwood's  Restaurant
Hwy. 17 at Pasatiempo, Santa Cruz, CA  (831) 426-6333

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

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

Sestri Restaurant & Bar
655 Capitola Road, Suite 102, Santa Cruz, CA  (831) 479-0200

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

Stockton Bridge Grille
231 Esplanade, Suite 102, Capitola CA (831) 464-1933

Shadowbrook
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

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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

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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

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Continental Restaurants

Bocci's Cellar Restaurant
140 Encinal St., Santa Cruz, CA  (831) 427-1795

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
1547 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, CA  (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

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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

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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

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Family Dining Restaurants

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

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

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

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Fast Food Restaurants

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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.

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International Restaurants

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

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

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

Vasili's Greek Food & BBQ
1501 Mission St., Santa Cruz, CA  (831) 458-9808

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Italian Restaurants

Al Dente Restaurant
415 Seabright Ave., Santa Cruz, CA  (831) 466-0649

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

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

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

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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

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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) 425-7575

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
 

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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

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Seafood Restaurants

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

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Thai Restaurants

Real Thai -- Restaurant
1632 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

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Vegetarian Restaurants

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

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