Restaurants in Santa Cruz

“Tofu Muqueca here was excellent. Rich and complex, plenty of tofu and squash + other vegetables. The farofa was really nice - a crispy little addition / topping for each bite. Got some very spicy hot sauce for the dish as well (ask wait staff). Clearly marked vegan options on the menu. Would like to try their Vegan Feijoada next time. Cozy interior, friendly staff, on site parking. Definitely recommended.”

“They make the best ice cream in town, with over 100 flavors to choose from”

“11th hour coffee is the best in town! Small batch quality direct trade coffee roasted with love. Happy to support a local growing business in the community.”

“Mad chick was crispy and juicy. Other burgers were above-average quality, tasty but not surprisingly delicious. Note that the burger's add-on menu has various selections.

Service and atmosphere was neutral, no service at all since you pickup/cleanup the dishes/dining table. The restaurant is always crowded and noisy.”

“great service! delicious, authentic Oaxacan food. We will go back!”

“Always so good and the owners are really nice to my dog and I. I have no problem suggesting this place to anyone. Every time I have the person has been very thankful”

“Just as good as the Soquel one, this time tried the vegan Caesar wrap and the high road again! Focaccia is so good! Would give 5 stars if they were all vegan, but very vegan friendly!!!!”

“This restaurant is amazing. Definitely worth visiting. Small and romantic. And the food..... Fantastic. I visited from out of town, had a late lunch. This is a place worth going to. The staff is warm and welcoming. I would definitely come back.”

“This is a cozy cute place with delicious café de olla, and Mexican dishes, live music and kind owners, convenient location to have food before walking to the beach.”

“Authentic Arepas! 5 star service. Everything was made fresh and delicious”

“great space to eat. all of the staff stayed busy attending to guests, refilling any of the food bins, cooking of course, and overall (again) keeping a watchful eye for guests walking through. did i mention attentive? i went with my family and we live 2 hours away. i would DEF go again. thank you for such a nice experience 🙌🏽💯”

“My wife and I had a great time. The pizza was awesome! Highly recommend 🍕”

“My husband and I had a great breakfast I got a breakfast burrito and a frittata. Both were very good and big great food for a great price and the customer service was amazing.”

“The BLT Hot dog was really good it has a good snap to it the bacon lettuce and tomato was nicely even I was able to taste all three things. Had the slider as well it was really good size the taste was really good not to heavy when done eating the buns are nice and soft. Really enjoyed everything really recommend and will be coming back.”

“I've been here as a young man & it hasn't changed at all. The chicken parmesan sandwich is my go-to for a hot sandwich, while the muffeletta is the best cold sandwich I've ever had. I highly recommend grabbing lunch there before hitting the boardwalk.”

“Great tacos and great view🏄‍♀️”

“Amazing! That’s all that needs to be said. See you next visit!”

“Every time we drive over from San Jose we eat there.”

“Very beautiful and inviting place. Atmosphere was amazing. People were very friendly and helpful. Coffee was amazing. We just arrived to Santa Cruz and it was a very good beginning of our trip”

“🇧🇷 Food and CraftBeer need I say Moore ! PSST! Live Music 🎼”

“This place has some really delicious drinks and great food. I also love how dog friendly it is. I came back twice in a weekend.”

“The best Taqueria in town! Definitely overall service and the food 20/10 ! The team is beyond the amazing. The ambiance is chill and good for family too! This is one of my fav. Un taco crispy al pastor con aguacate y no habichuelas ! Enjoy! Thanks Guys”

“This was the absolute best breakfast I’ve had in maybe years I don’t know when the last time I had a breakfast like that was!! They do like a potato mash on the side, but it’s perfectly crispy on top and bottom and has amazing flavors!!! The service was just over the top. This is definitely a kind of little restaurant I would support. I’ll definitely try coming here every time I come down to visit.!! Most definitely recommend!!”

“Color me impressed. If you follow me than you know I have expectations based on price point and this place didn't disappoint. It actually impressed me!!! Great service, wonderful ambiance, well made cocktails and every plate was exceptionally prepared.

Now, my usual disclaimer, if you're not a foodie you might not feel the same. I say this as I was talking to someone and he fully acknowledges he eats for survival and isn't a foodie, but came here for his girlfriend. He felt it was okay and would've preferred his usual pizza spot, but his foodie girlfriend loved it.

And no matter how full you are order dessert, it's what the chief was trained in and it show”

“Try the breakfast sandwich. 😋”

“Delicious food Love eating here …”

“This is always my goto coffee shop when in Santa Cruz. The Americano (or any other coffee we get) is always on point. The bagels... Ohhhhh the bagels. You have to try for yourself but they are always fresh and amazing. Go check it out! You will not regret it.”

“I ordered The Masterpiece and my friend ordered The Moon and they were wonderful. I would definitely return again. And the best part is that they had a whole page in their menu that just said in big letters VEGAN which made it very easy for us to order and made us feel that they wanted our business as well. Notice that there's a flower in the pictures on the plate so they definitely win points for their plating.”

“I love Pana!! It’s a hidden gem of the Central Coast. Serving up amazing Venezuelan food, the arepas are so good! If you’ve never tried an arepa you are missing out… I recommend the Reina Pepiada (shredded chicken, avocados, and mayo) or El Tiburon (shrimp, mozzarella, avocado) and of course an order of delicious fried plantains! I discovered the Pana Food Truck at the CSUMB campus (they are most often in Santa Cruz) and I was pleased to find that they have a location at the SAP Center in San Jose. Highly Recommend!”

“Great food, excellent service and inviting atmosphere. Whether getting take out or dining in the food is always good, and you get a lot of high quality food for your money. The staff are friendly, and ordering is fairly straight forward but you will need a phone. Having pictures of the dishes though is incredibly helpful, and I didn't notice anyone struggling to order with this system. Great for a going out with family or friends or grabbing a dish for yourself!”

“Best service and food in Santa Cruz county!!!!!!”

“Great scone mixes - even my BIL now likes scones! Very fast delivery (I live out of state) for mixes. The Lemon Curd is delicious - on top of scones or licked off of a spoon.”

“Food is extremely flavorful. Portions are generous. Staff is friendly.

The chimichanga was phenomenal. The salsa was great. Would definitely return.”

“A great place to eat, shop, and walk around. It’s also home of the Diversity Center, Santa Cruz County’s LGBTQ+ Center.”

“The staff is amazing! The food is amazingly fresh and flavorful. Hands down this Restaurant was a huge highlight of our vacation. Thank you for an awesome dinner, and making us feel right at home!”

“My husband and I love coming in for the lunch buffet. It's so delicious!”

“Been there couple times now. Food is very good & staff friendly. View at sunset is amazing & constantly changing from the rotating floor. Will definitely choose Makai again!”

“Great service, great food”

“I just got a chicken shawarma wrap today for lunch, it was very juicy and tasty. The tzatziki sauce is excellent. The lady who took my order on the phone was helpful and nice, I appreciate her customer service.”

“A very delicious but reasonable price Chinese Restaurant. The regional flavor is mainly Cantonese taste that is what we prefer. Recommended.”

“Came here during a trip to Santa Cruz for my mom’s birthday. We wanted to go to a nice restaurant for dinner so I made a reservation for this beautiful place ahead of time. Our reservation went smooth, the restaurant wasn’t packed but had a decent amount of people, and the experience was very lovely.

They have a nice sized menu, different salads and pastas, various wines, and tasty desserts. I had gotten the fiochetti and it was delicious. All of us enjoyed our food and felt satisfied at the end. Definitely recommend and if I’m in the area will be back!”

“Service was great food was awesome My wife and I had the horseradish salmon dinner cook perfectly The greens were awesome The black rice really took it off the top it was off the hook it was such a great combination Plus all the beers on tap you couldn't
Beat it for the price..
This is a great place to bring your family Great place to bring friends Great atmosphere awesome food thank you so much for the one full experience”

“Great atmosphere . Great food. Great servicev”

“The Service is great !!! Beef taco is wonderful :) Also they do an American breakfast if you desire.Everything iv had is really good !!!”

“Best Thai food … we been in so many Thai restaurants but this is way better, small family own they cook everything great and fresh. Need to Come and try it highly recommend”

“We only started eating at McDonalds about a year ago when we were traveling. Over that time, one of the things we have noticed is the food is fairly consistent in quality and taste. So, what sets one McDonalds apart from another one? The customer service!

We found the employees here, to be very nice! At a lot of McDonalds, they try to avoid taking your order and point you to a kiosk. Not at this one! When we walked in, there was someone who came over to the register and asked us what we would like. Quite refreshing!

Also, they were really busy, and the empty tables were dirty. So, we went over and asked for a towel to clean one, and the employee (we think the manager) came right over and cleaned it for us. They also went and cleaned others tables after ours, which we didn't expect.

Overall, the food is what you would expect from a McDonalds, but the service is great”

“una de mis comidas faboritas”

“Usual food. They don't have a drive thru, and the inside is very small. Stood at counter waiting to be helped for 5-10 minutes, getting looked at by many employees, before someone finally came to take my order. Stood at counter cause there was a big line for the kiosk. Food served relatively quickly. Lady who took order was nice.”

“Great food, atmosphere all the waiters are nice. Great location.”

“Best place in Santa Cruz by far! I try to go at least once a week. The crew is what make this place so special! Go there to feel a little bit how Brazil is warm when we talk about food, how people take care of each other and you dont have to pay $$$$ to eat good food! One of the best value for what you get in Santa Cruz. Good quality food and welcoming and warm crew! Prato feito or Fish fillet, also feijoada are the best!”

“Feels like Portland bottled up in a little pizza joint. The real star, whatever red sauce they use on the pepperoni pizza. Is that cheddar cheese they bake into the crust?

Perfect place to eat after a day at the beach, biking, walking, or if you’re looking for a quality detroit style.

We will definitely be returning and this place has made it onto our list of recommendations for our friends looking for a bite to eat.

Chipotle-Pineapple Cider is 10/10

Thank you Bookie’s! My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed our time.”

“11th hour coffee is the best in town! Small batch quality direct trade coffee roasted with love. Happy to support a local growing business in the community.”

“so delicious! everything we got was amazing especially the Quesabirria Tacos with consome!”

“Staff is always friendly and the food is great! Thank you”

“This was honestly the best food truck food I have ever had. I eat healthy all week, but I know when I go to a brewery on a weekend, I’m gonna have to make some compromises! No compromises had to be made for this food, as they had tons of healthy options! But healthy doesn’t always mean delicious, but this place was truly some of the most delicious food I had ever had at a brewery! (Humble Sea beer garden on the Santa Cruz wharf) I'll search out this food truck anytime I'm back in the Santa Cruz area.

Vegetarian options: Absolutely delicious!”

“Absolutely delicious food. I got the vegetarian soup and it had a clean yet flavorful broth, tofu with a deep blackened flavor, fresh veggies, and a robust chili sauce. Small menu but well executed. Friendly service and a casual vibe. We also got some local kombucha. Dog friendly- even brought out some chicken for our dogs!”

“The best fish and chips in Santa Cruz hands down, love their tartar sauce too. It would be awesome if coleslaw was available instead of fries for a lighter option.”

“Best BBQ in Santa Cruz. Craft Beers and Live Music. Friendly staff.”

“I actually haven’t eaten here yet, but I don’t have to have eaten here to know that it’s a highly recommended place to go. I was just sitting here waiting for my haircut and I had two people ask me if I needed help within minutes. That’s good customer service and when I let them know, I was actually not providing business. I’m just waiting for a great cuts. They didn’t give me a hard time. They said no problem and let me sit here anyways awesome. Highly recommend this place”

“Favorite roaster around! Haven't had a bag of beans I don't like. Currently on a kick of pulling shots and making lattes with After Party. Super thick crema and great tasting notes. Don't see myself changing up from Cat & Cloud anytime soon!”

“Very helpful customer service. The flower arrangement delivered was exquisite and promptly delivered. So nice to have a reliably tasteful source of flowers for those important life events.”

“We had hawaiian chicken burger and cheeseburger both were absolutely amazing. The service was quick and friendly, which made whole experience even better. Highly recommend if you are visiting Santa Cruz and craving for delicious burger.”

“I love my family member, but they don't use DoorDash and request I DoorDash for them. This is great, except not always, as you can imagine - especially because they can be picky with their add-ons. Which is why I'm writing this review: because Gilman's CAME THROUGH this Thursday night.

My loved one wanted a burger, and I think Gilman's Smashburger is one of the best in Santa Cruz. They're on DoorDash, so I recommended it as an option. My loved one said that sounded great, with two requests: NO sauce, and NO cheese.

Unfortunately, on Gilman's DoorDash menu, you can't request no cheese, and they don't allow for written requests (which is so valid). And as we all know, just because you select "No [Ingredient]" doesn't mean it'll actually come without the despised ingredient.

So, I had to pick up the phone and call Gilman's to make my special request. Reminder: They don't even allow written requests. I CALLED IN a request. The shame was nearly unbearable.

However, Koa was a total homie and got my name before I sent in my order. Koa then confirmed with the chef, Adan, that there would be no cheese and no sauce on the burger. Koa was kind, friendly, and didn't make a single sigh of frustration at my request. THE RELIEF I FELT: immeasurable.

The burger arrived without sauce, and without cheese. My loved one was THRILLED, and I was able to avoid dealing with DoorDash support/refunds/etc.

Not only are you getting the best burger in town when you order from Gilman's, you're getting amazing customer service as well. 10/10, five-stars. THANK YOU Koa and Adan! You've made my life easy. Customer for life over here.”

“11th Hour is always a great spot, whether it be for working with a coffee, trivia, live comedy, or drinks and food! Love meeting friends here to spend time on their outside patio. Chubbs Chicken being connected to it is also an amazing plus.. best EVER!!”

“I don’t understand how an amazing coffee shop can, at there discretion, close there coffee shop at any time they want? Why would u treat loyal customers this way. Sometimes posted in Instagram, sometimes not. So inconsiderate of daily customers. Very disappointing to walk all the way there, excited for my greeting from the staff and my great latte, only to find a note on the door, closed at 11:30? How can u feel good about people showing up and not open and it isn’t even close to 3:00? Confusing to me how everything else but this one issue can be perfect?”

“Junko is wonderful - the best! 🍣🍱😋”

“I stopped by Penny Ice Creamery on a Saturday evening and had a great experience! We ordered the Dark Chocolate and Honey Walnut Yogurt Jam ice creams -- both were delicious. Each scoop comes topped with a house-made toasted marshmallow, which was a fun and tasty touch I'd never had before.

What's also great is that you can sample as many flavors as you like before deciding -- and the options rotate daily, so there's always something new to try. The vibe was relaxed, and the staff was friendly.

If you're in the area and craving something sweet with a twist, definitely give this place a try. I'd happily come back!”

“Lovely and causy place, where you can enjoy your coffee quietly and won't be chased away if you don't order stuff in a row. Be aware: Coffee is stroooong (even stronger than in Europe!) ☕”

“Favorite roaster around! Haven't had a bag of beans I don't like. Currently on a kick of pulling shots and making lattes with After Party. Super thick crema and great tasting notes. Don't see myself changing up from Cat & Cloud anytime soon!”

“We were there for a music event late Jan 2025. HH drink specials were tasty but was disappointed on how cold it was inside the restaurant. Both doors, front & back, were wide open during the entire evening show (48 degrees outside). Even the band mentioned how cold it was before beginning their set. All the customers wore jackets. Also, the harsh lighting was way too bright throughout the restaurant. I wanted my sunglasses on. Please read the room & tone down the lighting & warm the place up, then we’ll be back. Mahalo”

“This is my favorite coffee spot in Santa Cruz county. Peoples coffee has a Friendly staff and great atmosphere. The baristas here won’t let you down.”

“The food was absolutely incredible! I’ll definitely be back!!!”

“The best taqueria in Santa Cruz!!! My family and I highly recommend this place❤”

“I was craving a sandwich on my loop from San Mateo through Big Basin to Santa Cruz and back so glad I stopped here. The girl at the counter ensured everyone got the sandwich they liked, customized to their satisfaction. 5 star service with a smile.”

“Excellent gyro with lamb and beef. I had a black tea drink with it. Outdoor seating was perfect.”

“This place is amazing;; I wish there were more places like it! They offer several varieties of dark roast and several varieties of medium and light roast. Choose the one you want and they will do a pour over for you at their brew bar which can accomodate up to 8 separate pour overs at one time. They also have a variety of expresso based drinks. The price was reasonable and the service was timely. There is seating available indoors as well as outdoors.”

“very good and Shelby s sunny disposition makes it even better. definitely our new favorite place for breakfast.”

“Great prices! Love this place fabulous memories 💕”

“Coffee conspiracy is by far my favorite roaster (and now cafe) in Santa Cruz. Eddie is genuinely kind, hard-working and determined, and I’d definitely recommend stopping in to give his coffee a shot!”

“We tried this spot for the first time this morning and it did not disappoint! The owner, Tram was so warm and welcoming — you can tell she pours love into the space.

We had the Bella Bon Bon (tasty and not too sweet) and the Sua Da — strong Vietnamese coffee that gave us the boost we needed! We also tried two pastries: the beef and chorizo one was incredibly flaky with a slightly sweet, seasoned to perfection— 10/10. And the pâte à choux was packed with flavor and so satisfying.

The space is open and beautifully decorated with cool art, Vietnamese hip-hop playing, and a big cozy couch tucked in the back. Tram chatted with us for a while — super sweet and genuine person and we wish this small business many blessings.

Definitely planning to come back soon!”

“I've been there at least 4 times. The ingredients are excellent. I had the zucchini, the mushroom and margherita pizza, the Parmigiana salad and the focaccia sandwich. Loved all! Place is super clean, atmosphere is pleasant. Not a real restaurant but a great place for a quick and savory bite with friends or co-workers.

Vegetarian options: several vegetarian pizzas and salads available as well as a focaccia sandwich.”

“Fun place …..also has a taco truck for food.”

“The secret is, this is the best mexican food around. The machete taco is the signature dish, but there are plenty of other good things on the menu. Ask for some green hot sauce, some salt and get at least two machete and a bottle of coke; you won’t regret it. I particularly think they do beef well here. I’m pretty sure the family that runs this place is from Isla Janitzio in Michoacán and they are honestly just the sweetest people. Don’t just get the same things as you would at some of the other popular taquerias locally that are Mexico city style.
I ate here about once a week for over a decade and having moved away I miss it dearly.”

“This was a great experience, I'm very happy we came here. Very reasonably priced, the guy serving us had exceptional service, attitude, etc. Maybe the only downside is minimal seating, but I think it's fine. We were the first customers and he gave us free chips, salsas, and guac! Other than that we got street Tacos and crispy Tacos with birria, shredded chicken, and El pastor, all good! And the churro was a good size. Come here!”

“Selection of condiments is unmatched!”

“The Bagelry in Santa Cruz is exactly the kind of neighborhood spot that turns a quick breakfast run into a highlight of the day. Even at peak weekend rush the line moves briskly, thanks to a seasoned crew who balance speed with a laid-back friendliness; one cashier looked understandably fatigued after what must have been a long shift, yet she still kept orders flowing with impressive efficiency. Inside, soaring ceilings and eclectic décor—complete with a framed photo of the resident cat—make the cozy space feel open and welcoming, while the small patio offers a sunny nook for lingering. My everything bagel with vegetable spread (toasted) and a pain bagel slathered in butter both arrived hot, perfectly chewy, and packed with flavor, easily rivaling pricier cafés yet ringing up at just about ten dollars total. Between the inclusive vibe, genuine staff camaraderie, and consistently excellent bagels, The Bagelry proves you don’t need to overcharge to deliver an unforgettable, feel-good breakfast experience.”

“This is always my goto coffee shop when in Santa Cruz. The Americano (or any other coffee we get) is always on point. The bagels... Ohhhhh the bagels. You have to try for yourself but they are always fresh and amazing. Go check it out! You will not regret it.”

“Traveling with friends and found this amazing please. The food is fresh with amazing flavors. A definite “must try” restaurant”

“every time I visit California I ALWAYS consider Bradys my water hole , great atmosphere, welcoming people and an all around stellar bar !”

“I’ve had a fish taco and an anaheim beef taco and they were out of this world! So delicious the tortilla was freshly made, I couldn’t get enough of it. God bless you guys!”

“First time there. By far the best pizza I’ve had in a long time. I highly recommend it.”

“I love Canton Restaurant. The food is delicious and the service is great!👍”

“An old fashioned neighborhood market. Great pastrami sandwiches. Special treats for their 4-legged customers. Whether you buy a little or a lot you are treated to great service with a smile.”

“Great food for a very reasonable price. I had the compound chicken and it was delicious.”

“HIDDEN GEM Best ever! So you HAVE to give this place a try! Alex was our server tonight. She was excellent. Food was amazing. Prices fantastic. Choose over Akira all day long, no wait ... reservations for party larger than 4 but sushi bar is stellar!”

“Amazing restaurant!!! Best experience over all!”

“Nina ROCKS!!! We wandered in on a whim and she did not disappoint! This place is the best little dive/ hip spot but you’d never imagine just walking by. The atmosphere is chill and fun, she made us feel completely welcome and we met some of the regulars. She turned the whole place into a Karaoke party and the whole bar got into the vibe. We ended up staying until the next shift came on and late into the night. These guys and gals really know how to show you a good time. The cocktails were great and the prices were really decent. We will definitely be back!”

“I don’t understand how an amazing coffee shop can, at there discretion, close there coffee shop at any time they want? Why would u treat loyal customers this way. Sometimes posted in Instagram, sometimes not. So inconsiderate of daily customers. Very disappointing to walk all the way there, excited for my greeting from the staff and my great latte, only to find a note on the door, closed at 11:30? How can u feel good about people showing up and not open and it isn’t even close to 3:00? Confusing to me how everything else but this one issue can be perfect?”

“Thank God for Aunt Nettie’s pies! I discovered them at Wild Roots in Felton… I need to find out where I can get my mitts on these pies apart from WRs because sometimes they’re sold out often.”

“So because of one employee the tall blond with long hair seams to think he's going to decide who gets to buy herb, I had left a review about this guy's discriminating and attacked me. The manager talked to me and she is punishing the crap employee for his unprofessional attitude so I'll give you 5 star just for addressing the problem. He should of been fired since he does it to everyone and coworkers say he does these things to them too. But everyone deserves a chance, he treats me again like that and I'm not giving a review I'm going to my attorney. Thank you management, it no good have one person making a nice dispensary look like crap.”

“I live around the corner from Garden Deli, where Reuben's Taco Truck is located {except when he has a catering an event}. I ignored it for a couple months, thinking the food would be marginal at best. Then I was feeling lazy, so walked over and got dinner, expecting to be underwhelmed. OMG!! I was so effing wrong. Their food is So Fricking Good that I've gotten dinner there almost once a week ever since!!”

“Mad chick was crispy and juicy. Other burgers were above-average quality, tasty but not surprisingly delicious. Note that the burger's add-on menu has various selections.

Service and atmosphere was neutral, no service at all since you pickup/cleanup the dishes/dining table. The restaurant is always crowded and noisy.”

“their meats are out of this world good. some of the best I've been going to tons of taquerias for years. tacos are legit. burritos are huge and balanced perfectly. my new spot! ORALÉ !!!!”

“Food is extremely flavorful. Portions are generous. Staff is friendly.

The chimichanga was phenomenal. The salsa was great. Would definitely return.”

“My wife and I had a great time. The pizza was awesome! Highly recommend 🍕”

“They make the best ice cream in town, with over 100 flavors to choose from”

“11th hour coffee is the best in town! Small batch quality direct trade coffee roasted with love. Happy to support a local growing business in the community.”

“First time there. By far the best pizza I’ve had in a long time. I highly recommend it.”

“Friendly staff and great food. Wish we were passing every day.”

“I had a very delicious Chicken Apple Brie Sandwich and Chai latte.”

“This was the absolute best breakfast I’ve had in maybe years I don’t know when the last time I had a breakfast like that was!! They do like a potato mash on the side, but it’s perfectly crispy on top and bottom and has amazing flavors!!! The service was just over the top. This is definitely a kind of little restaurant I would support. I’ll definitely try coming here every time I come down to visit.!! Most definitely recommend!!”

“Coffee conspiracy is by far my favorite roaster (and now cafe) in Santa Cruz. Eddie is genuinely kind, hard-working and determined, and I’d definitely recommend stopping in to give his coffee a shot!”

“love the salmon teriyaki rice bowl. miss the Tiger Prawns”

“Food is delicious. Service was top notch. Staff is extremely friendly.”

“Always so good and the owners are really nice to my dog and I. I have no problem suggesting this place to anyone. Every time I have the person has been very thankful”

“This is always my goto coffee shop when in Santa Cruz. The Americano (or any other coffee we get) is always on point. The bagels... Ohhhhh the bagels. You have to try for yourself but they are always fresh and amazing. Go check it out! You will not regret it.”