🍽️ Best Restaurants in Santa Cruz
Top 20 places to eat in Santa Cruz County
Santa Cruz's food scene is as diverse as its landscape. From fresh-caught seafood at the harbor to authentic tacos on the Westside, farm-to-table fine dining to college-town pizza joints, this coastal town serves up incredible food at every price point. Here are the absolute best restaurants in Santa Cruz.
Top 20 Restaurants
1. Oswald
$$$Upscale, seasonal menu, exceptional service
2. Laili Restaurant
$$Authentic, beautiful patio, vegetarian-friendly
3. The Crow's Nest
$$$Harbor views, fresh catch, sunset dining
4. Shadowbrook
$$$Romantic, creekside, cable car entrance
5. Bantam
$$Wood-fired, creative, cozy atmosphere
6. Aldo's Harbor Restaurant
$$-$$$Waterfront, homemade pasta, family-owned
7. Akira
$$$Sushi bar, fresh fish, intimate setting
8. Gayle's Bakery
$Legendary bakery, breakfast, lunch, desserts
9. Vino Cruz
$$Local wines, small plates, downtown
10. Hula's Island Grill
$$Tropical vibes, fresh poke, mai tais
11. Engfer Pizza Works
$$NY-style, by the slice, late night
12. Taqueria Vallarta
$Best tacos, authentic, cash only
13. Linda's Seabreeze Cafe
$Local favorite, huge portions, casual
14. Venus Spirits Cocktail Lounge
$$Craft spirits, innovative drinks, snacks
15. The Picnic Basket
$Fresh, healthy, large portions
16. Pearl of the Ocean
$Authentic Sichuan, spicy, generous
17. India Joze
$$Eclectic menu, creative flavors, unique
18. Chocolate
$Decadent desserts, coffee, wine
19. Betty's Noodles
$Quick, fresh, customizable bowls
Best By Cuisine
🍕 Best Pizza
Engfer Pizza Works
🌮 Best Tacos
Taqueria Vallarta
🍣 Best Sushi
Akira or Mobo Sushi
🍝 Best Italian
Aldo's or Gabriella Cafe
🥩 Best Steak
Shadowbrook
🦞 Best Seafood
Crow's Nest or Stagnaro's
🍜 Best Asian
Betty's Noodles
🥗 Best Healthy
The Picnic Basket
🍰 Best Dessert
Gayle's Bakery
☕ Best Coffee
Verve Coffee
🍺 Best Brewery
Discretion Brewing
🍷 Best Wine Bar
Vino Cruz
Restaurant Neighborhoods
📍 Downtown
Pacific Avenue corridor, most walkable dining district
Oswald, Vino Cruz, Engfer, many more
🚢 Harbor
Fresh seafood with waterfront views
Crow's Nest, Aldo's, Stagnaro's
🏄 Westside
Taco shops, surf vibes, casual eats
Taqueria Vallarta, Linda's, locals spots
🏘️ Capitola
Village dining, scenic beachside
Shadowbrook, Gayle's, waterfront cafes