The Santa Cruz area has a large number of interesting and good restaurants. Here's some of our favorites, grouped in three sections: Fine Dining, Casual Dining and Breakfast.
| Fine Dining | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bittersweet Cafe ($$) (831) 662-9799 |
787 Rio Del Mar Blvd., Aptos |
An impressive restaurant offering a memorable dining experience in an intimate atmosphere. Reservations strongly recommended. |
| Cafe Cruz ($) (831) 476-3801 |
2621 41st Avenue, Soquel | Rosticerria, steaks, seafood. One of our favorite spots; has outdoor dining. Reservations recommended. |
| Cafe Sparrow ($$) (831) 688-6238 |
8042 Soquel Drive Aptos Village |
It's difficult to describe Cafe Sparrow without using up all our superlatives. This is one of the area's finest with a menu that describes itself as "Country French" but has something for everyone. There's not much seating, so make your reservations several days prior to coming to the tournament. |
| Laili ($$)
(831) 423-4545 |
Downtown Santa Cruz 101 Cooper St |
"One of the nicest" dining options in Santa Cruz, this "fun" Mediterranean-oriented restaurant offers an unusual menu showcasing subtle dishes from Afghanistan and the Silk Road region. |
| Crow's Nest (-) (831) 476-4560 |
At the Santa Cruz Yacht Harbor 2218 E. Cliff Drive |
A favorite!!! Beautiful views, great steaks, seafood; entertainment nightly in the upstairs bar. Reservations suggested; ask for a window seat if you are dining during the day. |
| The Hindquarter Bar and Grille ($) (831) 426-7770 |
303 Soquel Avenue, Santa Cruz | Award-winning steak and chop house. |
| Hoffman's Bakery ($) (831) 423-7427 |
Downtown Santa Cruz 1547 East Pacific Avenue |
Go for the exceptional food and service, not the atmosphere in this small, yet well appointed restaurant. The menu changes daily and reservations are a must. There's jazz on the weekends |
| Hollins House ($) (831) 459-9177 |
Overlooking Monterey Bay at Pasatiempo Golf Club Santa Cruz |
Built in 1929 by championship golfer Marion Hollins, the Hollins House offers a magnificent view of the Monterey Bay, elegant ambience, award-winning cuisine, and an outstanding wine list. |
| Hula Grill ($) (831) 426-4852 |
Downtown Santa Cruz 221 Cathcart Street |
The Hula Grill is the closest you'll get to a terrific Hawaiian restaurant without traveling 2500 miles. Featuring seafood but with a wide-ranging menu having Asian, Latin and Caribbean accents prepared "Hawaiian-style". The chef-owners lived in Hawaii before establishing their restaurants (there's one in Monterey as well). You're sure to have a fun night here besides enjoying the interesting food. |
| Michael's on Main ($) (831) 479-9777 |
Soquel 2591 Main Street |
Small plates or a salad to Black Angus filet, you can’t go wrong with Michael’s on Main's “cutting edge comfort cuisine”. Fine wines, a full bar, delicious and healthy food. Reservations suggested. |
| Omei Chinese ($) (831) 425-8458 |
West side of Santa Cruz at 2316 Mission Street |
The chef and owner studied Chinese at UCSC and travels to China frequently to refine receipes and discover new ones. Omei's does not offer your typical "American Chinese" menu, instead has an interesting array of "provincial Chinese cuisine" that will probably have you wishing there was an Omei's in your town. |
| Pearl Alley Bistro ($) (831) 429-8070 |
Downtown between Lincoln and Walnut Streets 110 Pearl Alley, Santa Cruz |
Interesting California menu with a variety of entrees featuring meat, fish and a large companion wine list |
| Riva's Fish House (-) (831) 429-1223 |
500 Municipal Wharf, Santa Cruz | Best combination of seafood and view on the wharf. Cash only. |
| Shadowbrook ($$) (831) 475-1511 |
1750 Wharf Road, Capitola | Ambiance! And a Santa Cruz institution. Treat yourself and partner after you win the session! Take the tram down and walk back to enjoy the gardens. Reservations required. |
| Shogun Japanese Restaurant ($) (831) 469-4477 |
Downtown Santa Cruz 1123 Pacific Ave |
If you want sushi, this is the place! The best sushi south of San Francisco. Also feature other Japanese and Korean dishes. |
| Soif Wine Bar and Restaurant ($) (831) 423-2020 |
Downtown between Pacific and Cedar 105 Walnut Ave, Santa Cruz |
Besides the wide-ranging wine list, Soif has small plates of brasserie foods: charcuterie, cured salmon, crostini and cheese plates plus contemporary tapas and trattoria fare such as pasta, roast pork and truffled risotto. |
| Star Bene ($) (831) 479-4307 |
21245 E. Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz | Southern italian cuisine featuring seafood and pasta. |
| Takara (-) (831) 464-1818 |
South of the Capitola Mall 3775 Capitola Road, Capitola |
Japanese and sushi with an atmosphere. |
| Casual Dining | Location | Notes |
| Aldo's (831) 426-3736 |
616 Atlantic Avenue, Santa Cruz | Opposite side of Yacht Harbor from Crows Nest. Have breakfast or lunch on the patio. Recently voted best waterfront breakfast on Santa Cruz coast. |
| Bangkok West (831) 479-8297 |
2505 Cabrillo College Drive, Aptos | Wonderful versions of the classic dishes of Thailand, this restaurant has exceeded expectations for over a decade. |
| Bocci's Cellar (831) 427-1795 |
140 Encinal St. | Fun place for drinks, free bocci ball and Italian food. |
| Carpo's (831) 476-6260 |
2400 Porter Street, Soquel | Burgers, sandwiches, salad bar, soups, deserts; lots of variety. Good value but you order at counter and get your own drinks. |
| Charlie Hong Kong (831) 426-5664 |
1141 Soquel Avenue, Santa Cruz | Charlie Hong Kong bills itself as providing organic asian street food. There's lots of interesting dishes that you order from the counter and choose the topping, spicy or not. You'll either love this place or hate it. Open late. |
| Mobo Sushi (831) 425-1700 |
The Galleria, Downtown Santa Cruz 105 South River St. |
You'll need to get there early if you don't want to stand in line. Try the banana slug roll for a real taste of Santa Cruz :) |
| Gayle's Bakery and Rosticceria (831) 462-1200 |
504 Bay Avenue, Capitola | Capitola's best bakery & rosticceria! The place for breakfast and lunch. Gayle also has great blue plate specials for take-out. |
| Margaritaville Restaurant (831) 476-2263 |
221 Esplinade, Capitola | Mexican food. Great location & atmosphere. Ask to sit on the patio overlooking the river or in the back if you don't enjoy a noisy bar. |
| Saturn Cafe (831) 426-8505 |
Pacific Avenue and Laurel, Santa Cruz | A Santa Cruz institution. Veggie, hippie cuisine in a zany atmosphere. Open very late. |
| Seabright Brewery (831) 426-2739 |
519 Seabright Avenue, Santa Cruz | Santa Cruz micro-brewery with live music on Fridays. Loud crowds so don't expect to discuss any hands over dinner. Reservations usually required. |
| The Crepe Place (831) 429-6994 |
1134 Soquel Avenue, Santa Cruz | Delicious crepes for lunch or brunch or for late night dining after that last KO session. |
| Breakfast | Location | Notes |
| Seabreeze Cafe (831) 427-9713 |
542 Seabright Avenue, Santa Cruz | Sometimes called "Linda's" after the original owner. Still provides an excellent breakfast! Arrive early or be prepared to wait. |
| Seabright Bagelry (831) 425-8550 |
1634 Seabright Avenue, Santa Cruz | The Bagelry is a Santa Cruz tradition with authentic bagels and an interesting and original menu. The atmosphere is very "Santa Cruz". |
| Zachary's (831) 427-0646 |
819 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz | A breakfast tradition in Santa Cruz that meets and exceeds expectations. Try Mike's Mess if you're not trying to lose weight. |