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Best restaurants near me in Santa Cruz, CA

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537 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Laili restaurant
1. Laili
4.7
Exceptional(2866)
Price: Moderate
• Mediterranean • Santa Cruz
Booked 20 times today
Laili is our expression of love through food and service. We offer a unique menu made up of fusion Afghani Mediterranean items that include kabobs, wraps, flatbreads, pastas, and spiced lamb and chicken dishes as well as delicious vegetarian options.Laili Restaurant "BEST MIDDLE EASTERN RESTAURANT", Good Times 2023, Voted #1Rich Mediterranean Flavors with a Unique Afghan Twist in the Heart of Downtown Santa Cruz.Currently taking reservations for lunch and dinner, walk-ins welcome too.Dine in our elegant, secluded, off street patio. Visit our website for event information.
A photo of Gabriella Cafe restaurant
2. Gabriella Cafe
4.7
Exceptional(978)
Price: Very Expensive
• Italian • Santa Cruz
Booked 6 times today
Zagat rated as "OUTSTANDING". Gabriella Cafe is a 50 seat, picturesque and romantic dining experience in downtown Santa Cruz.
A photo of Alderwood Santa Cruz restaurant
3. Alderwood Santa Cruz
4.7
Exceptional(650)
Price: Very Expensive
• Contemporary American • Santa Cruz
Booked 19 times today
Alderwood, under the culinary leadership of Executive Chef Mikey Adams, is dedicated to providing a dining experience that strikes a delicate balance between the comfort and warmth of home and the vibrancy of the downtown dining scene. Our mission is to offer our guests an exceptional and memorable meal that is deeply rooted in our commitment to fostering a genuine connection between our open kitchen and the local community. We welcome you to join us for an unforgettable culinary journey that celebrates the essence of togetherness and exceptional cuisine.
A photo of Chocolate the Restaurant restaurant
4. Chocolate the Restaurant
4.7
Exceptional(84)
Price: Expensive
• Californian • Santa Cruz
Booked 12 times today
Now celebrating 25 years, Chocolate the Restaurant provides an attractive dining environment for couples on dates, friendly meetings, and special occasion meals. Dine outside on the heated garden patio. Celebrate special occasions with up to 25 guests in the private street-side party room. Maybe start with a Chocolate Martini or a Passion Fruit Margarita. Chef David Jackman's fresh baked pasta rosettes, slow-roasted meats, and delicious seasonal organic vegetable dishes are all a prelude to our many chocolaty desserts. Our wine list focuses on local and on Italian wines. Our cocktails are all made from scratch; often using locally distilled spirits, and always using fresh house-made mixers. We are at your service for dinner every night! Afternoon walk-up cafe' service Friday thru Sunday. . We are open for dinner every holiday except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
A photo of Mozaic - Santa Cruz restaurant
5. Mozaic - Santa Cruz
4.7
Exceptional(474)
Price: Moderate
• Mediterranean • Santa Cruz
Booked 3 times today
We named our restaurant Mozaic because we wanted to capture the diversity of flavors and culmination of authentic Mediterranean dishes that we offer. We bring together the best of Mediterranean recipes from Greece, Lebanon, Turkey and Sicily, emphasizing Middle Eastern influence. Our menu is hand-crafted after years of experience in the restaurant business knowing what people like. We make every dish completely authentic, utilizing 100 years old techniques that have been passed down through generations to bring you incredible flavor. COME AND TASTE THE DIFFERENCE We seek only the best, local ingredients. We use high-quality meats, like our Australian lamb tenderloin and select only sustainable seafood. Our lavash comes from an authentic Persian bakery. Everyone wants family. Mozaic is a warm and inviting atmosphere where everyone can feel at home. Come enjoy our incredible and lush atmosphere.
A photo of Rosie McCann's Irish Pub & Restaurant - Santa Cruz restaurant
6. Rosie McCann's Irish Pub & Restaurant - Santa Cruz
4.1
Excellent(44)
Price: Moderate
• Irish • Santa Cruz
Rosie McCann's Irish Pub is located in Santa Cruz, California and specializes in serving homemade Irish pub fare. The restaurant features a neighborhood bar atmosphere and offers a full-service bar with over 25 beers on tap.Rosie McCann's Irish Pub serves lunch and dinner daily and offers an additional brunch service on weekends. Brunch fare at the restaurant consists of steak and eggs, corned beef hash and eggs, eggs Benedict, buttermilk pancakes and more. Lunch and dinner at Rosie McCann's Irish Pub features a variety of appetizers, salads, soups, entrées, steaks, Irish favorites, grass fed burgers, pasta and sandwiches.
A photo of Oswald restaurant
7. Oswald
4.6
Exceptional(1615)
Price: Expensive
• Contemporary American • Santa Cruz
Booked 10 times today
Oswald is a contemporary American restaurant and bar that focuses on the abundance of delicious ingredients found on the central coast of California. Oswald features an eclectic, international wine list and an exciting, seasonal bar program. While the decor is spare and modern, the atmosphere is comfortable and relaxed. Oswald features new art shows every two months. We do have first come tables available in the lounge as well as bar seats.Come by and see if there is a table or seat for you.
A photo of Jack O'Neill Restaurant & Lounge restaurant
8. Jack O'Neill Restaurant & Lounge
4.7
Exceptional(1966)
Price: Expensive
• Contemporary American • Santa Cruz
Booked 28 times today
Jack O’Neill Restaurant and Lounge is Santa Cruz’s best new destination for coastal California cuisine. The approachable and family-friendly vibe at Jack O’Neill Restaurant and Lounge will welcome hotel guests and locals alike.
A photo of Oblò restaurant
9. Oblò
4.7
Exceptional(56)
Price: Expensive
• Italian • Santa Cruz
Booked 8 times today
Modern Italian cuisine with Californian influence, sit in our beautiful dining room or enjoy one of our amazing craft drinks in the comfort and cozy lounge bar area.Our chef Andrea designed an innovative menu that perfect match with the list of cocktails craft from the Bar manager Keith Fox.
A photo of la Posta restaurant
10. la Posta
4.8
Exceptional(2338)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • Santa Cruz
Booked 21 times today
Select from a menu that features dishes composed of locally sourced ingredients as well as house-made pastas, naturally leavened breads and pizzas from our brick oven. Because we rely on the bounty of the Santa Cruz farming community, our menu changes frequently and features a wide array of specials. La Posta’s all-Italian wine list includes autochthonous varieties from small producers, by-the-glass and by the bottle. La Posta adheres to the Monterey Bay Seafood Watch Program and is a certified City of Santa Cruz Green Business.We are so thankful for the incredible support from our customers and community. We will continue to adjust our service based upon best practices for keeping our staff and community safe.

Dining near Santa Cruz, CA at a glance

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From verified diners like you
From verified diners like you
  • Anne
    San Francisco Bay Area •6 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 1 day ago
    Great accommodation of a large party. Thank you for having us. All the food was delicious and I’m sure you will have our business in the future.
    More info
    LailiPrice: Moderate• Mediterranean• Santa Cruz
    •
    4.7
  • BethVIP
    San Francisco Bay Area •11 reviews
    4.0
    Dined 1 day ago
    The food and service were great! We shared the focaccia bread, the arugula salad and the mushroom ravioli with chicken apple sausage. All were excellent. I recommend this restaurant.
    More info
    Gabriella CafePrice: Very Expensive• Italian• Santa Cruz
    •
    4.7
  • Christine
    San Francisco Bay Area •18 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 6 days ago
    The roasted pork in a wonderful chocolate/orange sauce is soooooo delicious! The hot chocolate drinks make a great dessert… no need for more dessert as each hot chocolate comes with a lady finger swamped with whip cream. I especially liked the Frida hot chocolate.
    More info
    Chocolate the RestaurantPrice: Expensive• Californian• Santa Cruz
    •
    4.7
  • OpenTable DinerVIP
    San Francisco Bay Area •1 review
    5.0
    Dined on Dec 14, 2024
    A truly memorable experience with a delicious unique menu. The entire staff was top notch. The bolognese and pineapple panna cotta were some of the most flavorful items I can recall ever eating but everything was great. Definitely recommend, especially compared to any other places in the area. And sit at the chef’s counter!
    More info
    Alderwood Santa CruzPrice: Very Expensive• Contemporary American• Santa Cruz
    •
    4.7
  • Mike
    San Francisco Bay Area •10 reviews
    5.0
    Dined on Dec 1, 2024
    Very happy to find Mozaic on a side street near the main nightlife avenue in Santa Cruz. We had the chicken skewers with Mediterranean salad, along with lentil, soup and dolmas. Everything was perfectly prepared. We couldn’t be happier. Of course it’s expensive to eat out these days especially in an area that is popular with tourism which Santa Cruz is. We spent with tip and two glasses of wine $90. We will definitely come back next time. We have a mini vacation from the SF bay area.
    More info
    Mozaic - Santa CruzPrice: Moderate• Mediterranean• Santa Cruz
    •
    4.7

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